Top 10 Ways to be protected during a Baseball Game

 

Baseball is still considered America’s favorite pastime. This popular sport emanated from a British game called rounders in 1774. Since then, it’s become a global phenomenon with countless leagues, teams, and organizations. While Major League Baseball (MLB) is the epitome of excellence in this sport, they have also set the standard for many other leagues to follow. This is especially true when it comes to safety precautions and procedures. Like other sports, baseball is not exempt from injuries to players while on the field. In the past, professional ball players have suffered concussions, broken arms, shins, and other minor or extensive injuries. In fact, there is ongoing debate about MLB adapting protective pitcher helmets for their pitchers.

Protective Headgear

According to league experts, pitcher helmets are designed with extra padding that effectively protects the head and ears. Since pitchers are always susceptible to line drives and ball beams, several leagues have already implemented these helmets for their pitchers. This includes a number of minor league clubs, along with little league and softball organizations. While the MLB is still having extensive discussions about this new helmet, the recent J.A. Happ incident should be enough to make this protective headgear mandatory. Happ, of course, plays for the Toronto Blue Jays and recently suffered a head contusion courtesy of a line drive. Even while most fans want pitchers on the mound fully protected, the MLB has yet to adapt this headgear all the way.

Other Protective Measures

While pitcher helmets certainly top the list of ways to be protected in a game, there are other measures players take as well. This includes elbow pads, which protect the elbows and part of the arm from direct strikes of the baseball. Elbow pads also protect the elbows from scratches and cuts while diving on the grass or Astroturf. Most players also wear sun block or eye block too. This helps keep the sun’s glare out of the eyes, while absorbing facial and brow sweat as well. Whether hitting or pitching, shin guards are an absolute necessity. Not only do they protect the shins from line drives and base hits, they help keep the lower portion of the legs well balanced.

Additional Protection

For years, baseball players have also worn protective mouth guards. Like professional boxers, baseball players use these guards to protect the mouth and teeth from direct contact with the ball. Most mouth guards can easily be connected to helmets, and come in a range of sizes. Ball players also wear cups to protect the groin and private areas from injuries. These, of course, are worn inside the underwear, and are now mandatory for several softball teams and leagues. Long wristbands are also worn to secure added protection for the wrists. These bands also help prevent sweat from drenching a player during a game. All hitters are also required to wear hitting helmets at bat. These, of course, come with ear protectors, and can easily deflect the baseball if contact is made. These are considered the top 10 ways to protect players during games.