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Online now: 3 members: John Johnson, TABLE SETTER 11, donniebaseball; 92 anonymousDiscussion: Screens and masks
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| Oct. 13, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Screens and masks These are 2 terrific ideas to deal with safety issues that arise from seniors slowing down some as we get older. There was a time I remember in ice hockey when no one would wear a mask. It was thought cowardly and boyish yet in a very short time everyone was wearing them and glad they did. We can move to mandatory masks anytime. I see more guys using them all the time and it doesn't take the fun away from the game we love to play. Screens is a terrific idea, too for those truly interested in safety of ball players but what happens is either we hear from a recalcitrant few who have nothing positive to add or from the guys trying to sell us something to dumb down our equipment. It's time to put up or shut up. If/as safety is a real concern in senior ball than masks or screens need to be reasonably discussed. The reason the discussion never gets traction is the not so hidden agenda of those pushing safety at us to move to dumber and/or more expensive balls. |
| Oct. 13, 2009 turn2 489 posts | Joe, I think the screen is a great idea. We have played lower level teams and they complain about the middle and I think the screen would be big protection for the pitcher. This way it would stop the whining about hitting the middle. Our pitcher has been lit up this year, but we don't complain we keep on playing. Thanks, Donnie Turn Two |
| Oct. 13, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Donnie you monster. Way to go in Vegas. Clatter, Andy, Mike, Butchie, Boomer and the boys really know how to compete in the heat. Screens would be fine to/for all those TRULY interested in pitcher safety. Plus, it would really open up the middle for a lot of hitters who like me don't want to risk torchin' a pitcher if at all possible. I think this is a HUGE plus for screens. I do BP with Ron Joseph of Kellys' fame who's a natural middle hitter by the way he swings and because he hurt a pitcher once who won't go anywhere near the middle when he plays. He loses a lot of distance and 100 points on his BA to my way of thinking. This would give us hitters back the middle and when you add that to complete pitcher protection you've got a terrific solution. |
| Oct. 13, 2009 salio2k Men's 60 547 posts | einstein.......the screen would only work if pitchers were made to stay behind them and not try to make plays on either side. See you at Papago. |
| Oct. 13, 2009 Tate22 Men's 60 280 posts | Joe: My first choice for protecting pitchers is equipment like masks,shin guards, etc. Like the baseball catcher, serious injuries are prevented but mobility is not dramatically altered by the strong, lightweight equipment that is available. The screen protects, but the first move of the pitcher, like in BP, is to duck behind the screen. That takes away the natural reaction to field the middle that is key to infield defense. You had an earlier post about the value of good pitchers, I've got two good ones in Bill Gombos and Donnie Crenshaw who have shut down plenty of innings with their glove up the middle. I don't want their gloves hiding behind a screen, unless it's BP. To Donnie's point, some form of protection will hopefully offset the endless whining about middle hits. It's part of the game. Every struck ball is potentially dangerous, we accept that when we step on the field. The PPR is really the HPR, hitter punishment rule. I just think the screen is a distant second choice I challenge the complainers about middle hits to ask for what they seem to really want, closing the middle of the field. Quit masking your true desires behind a worthless rule. If you don't want middle hits, start an "over-the-line" association with the middle closed. You can't have real softball AND the middle closed. JMHO Don Newhard Nighthawks 55M+ |
| Oct. 13, 2009 ROOSTER10 Men's 60 91 posts | Screens, Masks,Knight armour,when will it end ? As long as hot bats and super balls are used if you are a pitcher get out or maybe suffer getting hurt someday.Has it gotten to the point that we must don armour to pitch.A better idea would be to make all fields 250ft so almost everyone can jack it out.This will probably protect the pitcher and have 100-98 games.No PPR rule made is the answer to protecting the pitcher.Maybe it is me but I do not remember at a young age worrying about getting hurt while I pitched.I realize everyone wants great balls and bats but maybe maybe that is what is hurting the game.My 3 cents. |
| Oct. 13, 2009 butch17 Men's 55 412 posts | Joe (Einstein) Okay I'll bite on your topic. What would the majority of players say or do if they went to unlimited arch, 70' bases, widen the mat 3" on each side,played on fields 325' and moved the pitcher back another 6' but kept the goodbat/ball combo. I'm assuming you can and will know. Butch |
