Throwing off helmet

I think it is a matter of preference.  The hockey style comes off pretty easy. 

I think it would depend on the age and level of play.  For younger, less experienced catchers (12 and under, rec ball, etc) I would probably agree that the helmet needs to be left on.  For older and more experienced players, I would recommend helmet off for all plays with the exception of a play at the plate that could cause some sort of collision.  When the younger guys get a feel for the play unfolding, knowing the cuts, and base runners abilities... then they can start working on taking the helmet off during routine plays.  My thought process... don't want the lesser experienced catcher taking his helmet off at the wrong time and getting plowed by a runner rounding third and coming home like a train. 

Hockey style masks were designed in a manner to allow a near full field of vision and to be left on for safety reasons; even when fielding a bunt or running down a pop-up.  There are more than a handful of MLB catchers who play this way -- John Buck is one that comes to mind.  Key is, practice, practice, practice.

Why would you EVER take off your mask on a play at the plate?

Because the world has grown soft and if you sneeze on the catcher coming home now a days you are probably getting ejected.

 

FYI......I get what you mean and agree with you.

I just as worried about a bad hop on a throw as I am the runner.  A catcher of mine in SC has the stitches to show for his tossing off his mask.

Valid point Redbird.

This happened to one of my guys as well.  Throw from the outfield and it took a weird hop and nailed him in the eyebrow.  He bled like he had a faucet coming out of his head.  

 

Keep the mask on except for popups.

That's funny. I got scolded just the other day on here for having this exact opinion and reasoning.. Lol

 

mine never came off while on the field..

Leave it on.  No good reason to take it off.  I've never seen Yadier, Buster, etc with the mask off on a play at the plate, and at lower levels any play can unravel and result in a runner trying to score.  What then, look around for the helmet and put it back on?

https://youtu.be/QxYpFQIVcpg

 

Not much of a decision in my book!

I am not sure the helmet would have helped him in that situation.  In addition to taking the forearm/shoulder to the chin, he hit is head on the ground.  In that situation, the helmet isn't going to stop the brain from crashing into the skull. 

Why would you take that style of catcher's mask off?  Keep it on!

The catcher's peripheral vision is blocked with the helmet on, that's why he takes it off.

 

As far as stray thrown balls how is it any more dangerous than a hard hit ball to short? 

 

As for the collision at the plate factor...pretty sure the rules say that isn't suppose to happen anymore and runners have been warned repeatedly.

 

SS and 2B don't have helmets to protect themselves from being plowed by runners or throw downs.

 

There is a possibility to be hurt at every position on the field, defense and offense, my son throws off the hockey style helmet so he can have full range of vision during a play.  He said he'd rather be able to see what's coming and where he has to throw next.

 

 

 

I disagree with every point.

 

1) His peripheral vision is NOT blocked.  A hockey goalie can see just fine.

2) A hard hit ball to SS comes at a different trajectory than a ball thrown from the OF, plus the lip of the grass is in play plus a runner coming.  Apples and oranges.

3) Great.  The rules state it.  I've seen youth catchers get knocked into the 3rd row on collisions.  I'm pretty sure that wasn't supposed to happen...but it did.

4) 2B and SS don't have to worry about getting plowed and on short hops, they can play them to the side (on throwdowns)

 

Any catcher that takes off his mask on plays at the plate isn't very smart.  If they give you reasons like stated above, they are just making things up.

 

I've coached catchers at every level except the pro level.  Keep the mask on.  There are no line of sight issues.  They do it because they've always done it.

I agree with redbird.  I caught my entire career through the college level.  In fact, my career ended with a collision at home plate (herniated disk, broken ankle).  College baseball changed the rules the following year.  I never caught with the hockey mask but I would definitely say to never take it off.  The old style had a wide enough bar to give you a blind spot.  Collisions still happen.  Taking it off was an advantage back then.  I took mine off and made sure I threw it right in front of the right hander's batters box.  This was to make the runner slide around it or slow down to get around it.  When you were fixing to get smoked at homeplate, you did everything you could to slow those runners down.  

I've worn these mask when working with pitchers on my staff and catching them against live competition in BP.  I've caught dozens of balls with that style mask on.  Keep the mask on!

It is designed to be kept on... so keep it on and teach your catchers how to do what they need to do with the helmet, it isn't just a mask, on. There is a reason why these style helmets are mandatory for high school baseball and softball.

I agree- my son never takes his off except for pop ups. I often see catchers who block balls flip their helmets off (presumably to help them find the ball). I asked my son about it and he has caught since the 4th grade(senior now) and he has never said it has been a problem finding blocked balls with helmet on.The extra split second to take the helmet off on blocked balls is another few feet you may give the runner. 

Same here. And only for clearly high popups.

I did before and I got hit in the face by  the ball. Lesson learned, however it had become a habit that I had developed and took some time to break.

Son keeps the mask on except for pop-ups, always on for blocking