Ok, so if you haven't heard what happened to a young man in Florida, then I will let you know.. He was struck in the head and later died this past week. He was pitching in a game with no mask or helmet. He leaves behind a wife that he had just married. He was playing ball after returning from his honeymoon.
The discussion went from being about this young man and supporting his wife and family to being about the equipment. While I believe we all make a choice when playing this game, and that there is risk in anything we do, it's time for Texas (if not USSSA) to step up and be the first to do something about it. I don't care if it's NTX, STX, WTX...it makes no difference to me.
So here it is:
HELMET RULE - No helmet. No pitch. Facemasks are NOT enough. They do not cover the temple or the area behind the ear, which when struck in the right spot will kill you instantly. Leagues, tournaments, makes not difference. This is a simple rule to implement. To expensive? Your life isn't worth 75 bucks? If you pitch BUY A HELMET.
CHANGE THE BALL. Change the ball to the 52/300. I've been hit with both the ASA ball and the ZN. Argue that being hit by League players is not the same as being hit by tournament players, but if the ball hits your right your just as dead either way. The 52/300 (in USSSA it's a 52/275 known as the M+ ... but that ball is too bouncy, the 300 takes better hops) is a SAFETY BALL. We still see players routinely hitting the ball out of the parks at BLD ... so you can't say the performance will be an issue. You just have to spin it or hit it more square. It takes away the mis-hit homeruns and the half swing bombs.
We have an opportunity coming up. When SIS plays Monsta they will use the 52/300 on the larger fields. If they have scores similar to the MWS and the competition is solid I see NO REASON why USSSA would not adopt the ASA ball standard. PERIOD. I have said this before, and I'll say it again. If the 52/300 saves even 1 life then it was worth it.
(climbing down off the soapbox)
See ya'll out there.
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