High school catchers mask rule

[Guest Coach Hahn]

I am a high school coach in Missouri and I have a catcher that wants to wear the old school 2 piece mask.

I know previously NFHS had a rule against it but I wanted to see if it has changed. Below is the NFHS rule. By my interperation, as long as he has a helmet on underneath the mask, it is legal. I am incorrect on this?

1-5-3 The catcher shall wear, in addition to a head protector, a mask with a throat protector, body/chest protector that meets the NOCSAE standard at the time of manufacture (Effective January 1, 2020), protective cup (male only), and baseball protective shin guards.

1-5-4 The catcher’s helmet and mask combination shall meet the NOCSAE standard. Any helmet or helmet and mask combination shall have full ear protection (dual ear flaps). A throat protector, which is either a part of or attached to the catcher’s mask, is mandatory. A throat protector shall adequately cover the throat. The commercially manufactured catcher’s head, face and throat protection may be a one-piece or multi-piece design. While in a crouch position, any non-adult warming up a pitcher at any location shall wear a head protector, a mask with a throat protector and a protective cup (male only).

[maven]

Coach, the problem we see with the mask/helmet combo is that catchers want to wear the "skull cap" style helmet, which does not cover the ears. Like this one:

  

That is illegal: the ear protection provided by the mask alone does not satisfy the requirement of the rule ("shall have full ear protection (dual ear flaps)"). And no, the ear protection provided by the mask alone does not satisfy the rule (we get that question a lot).

I have never seen a mask-and-helmet combination that satisfied the rule: catchers always wear the hockey-style helmet instead. I did find a legal one online though:

 

If that's the alternative, I'd pick a hockey-style too (and do! see my pic).

[aaluck]

3 minutes ago, maven said:

I have never seen a mask-and-helmet combination that satisfied the rule: catchers always where the hockey-style helmet instead. I did find a legal one online though:

@mavenis it not also a rule that even with the bottom one the mask and the helmet must be attached to one another?  I remember something like that coming up a couple of years age.

[maven]

4 minutes ago, aaluck said:

@mavenis it not also a rule that even with the bottom one the mask and the helmet must be attached to one another?  I remember something like that coming up a couple of years age.

Well, for that particular one, they do seem to be attached. It looks as if the thing can flip up, with a hinge on the forehead.

But in general, no, the rule does not require that. It explicitly allows a " helmet or mask and helmet combination," which allows the pieces not to be attached.

I should also mention: I have no idea whether the Rawlings product pictured in my first post is NOCSAE certified, which the rule also requires. I included that to give some idea what a legal mask and helmet would look like.

[kylehutson]

Here's the NOCSAE standard: https://nocsae.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/ND024-18MfrdBBCatchersHelmetsStd.Performance.pdf

Note (pages 9 and 10 of that PDF) that the helmet needs to surround the head, leading to the type that @maven showed above.

And here's a complete list of all NOCSAE approved helmets. I doubt your player will find what he wants here. https://www.seinet.org/search.htm#sections=NOCSAE_collapse3,NOCSAE_Baseball_collapse31,NOCSAE_Baseball_NOCSAEBaseballSoftballCatcherHelmetwFacegrdND024-18_collapse31_2,NOCSAE_Baseball_NOCSAEBaseballSoftballCatcherHelmetwFacegrdND024-18_NOCSAEBaseballSoftballCatchersHelmetswithFaceguard_collapse31_22

[Senor Azul]

Perhaps these current case plays will help--from the 2019 NFHS Case Book—

1.5.4 Situation A:  The home’s team catcher takes his position behind the plate in the top of the first inning with a skull cap helmet-and-mask combination. RULING:  This is illegal. A catcher will be required to wear head protection with double ear flaps that meets the NOCSAE standard. He will be told to get a legal helmet-and-mask combination. If he does not comply, he will be ejected.

1.5.4 Situation D:  The visiting team’s catcher’s one-piece hockey-style mask breaks, causing the catcher to use a traditional Brewer mask-and-Acme helmet combination, which have not been tested together. RULING:  The umpire requests that the visiting coach provides documentation that the Brewer/Acme components were tested together. He is unable to comply. The Brewer mask-and-Acme helmet combination is not allowed to be used. The catcher’s helmet-and-mask combination shall meet the NOCSAE standard of being tested together.

[MadMax]

On 3/17/2021 at 10:36 AM, Guest Coach Hahn said:

By my interperation, as long as he has a helmet on underneath the mask, it is legal. I am incorrect on this?

Incorrect interpretation. A significant component of the rule(s) regarding the catcher’s equipment is the presence of that NOCSAE approval symbol. And it will never be on an ear flap-less batting helmet / skullcap / hard hat. Nor will it ever be on a “traditional” mask. Never. 

Why? Because the NOCSAE test is not structured or intended to measure anything regarding concussions specifically. Instead, the test measures a product’s ability to prevent an impact force exceeding a threshold number that is known to produce significant head trauma – broken skull bones and/or tissue trauma. Additionally, the product must be a wholly cohesive, integral unit; if the unit is comprised of multiple parts, they must be fastened and secured to each other in a way that the impact would, itself, not compromise. 

That rules out traditional two-piece skullcaps & masks right there, without getting to the lack of ear protection. And yes, the ears are considered a none-so-insignificant part of the head. 

Litigation is so monstrous that the manufacturers cannot account for all the variable ways a user can, or could, wear their products. So, in order to be cleared of liability, the manufacturer must present a product that prevents the specified forms of head trauma (concussion is not included) when worn properly as a cohesive unit. 

This is why there was such a dustup over jaw/cheek-flap extensions the past few years. Manufacturers could not guarantee that an amateur user could attach that cheek flap properly, every time. 

[Aging_Arbiter]

Well.......Guest Coach Hahn................meet @MadMax

[beerguy55]

So the Gerry Cheevers goalie mask wouldn't suffice?

 

[BT_Blue]

On 3/17/2021 at 11:00 AM, maven said:

I can tell you this about the pictured rig... I HAVE WORN ANYTHING MORE UNCOMFORTABLE THAN THIS COMBO!!!!

Had to wear one the one season I played Big League. I could not go back to my skully and mask fast enough once the season was over!

[SeeingEyeDog]

I just want to add a few things INDIRECTLY related:

1) This was a Fed rules based question. Please remember for LL, a dangling throat protector is required by rule on ALL catcher's masks, even HSM's.

2) In the past, whenever there was a catcher's mask compliance issue or if there was a broken catcher's mask, teams would frequently share one catcher's mask to keep the game moving/finish the game. Umpires are not the COVID police but, it may not be a good choice to have catchers sharing a mask. (Never mind that commonly house league players on the same team will share a mask, apparently...) Be sure to check with your association to determine your options and or actions. This happened to me last summer when a catcher's mask harness broke, the league told the teams not to share, another mask was not available and the game was ended after 2 innings with a full fee for me and my partner.

~Dawg

[Guest dfboiler]

The rule is archaic for HS catchers.  What additional protection do ear flaps on a catchers helmet provide, Catchers don't turn their heads at that level and arguments have been made that the hockey style helmet is more susceptible to concussions due to their lack of give in cases of contact with a pitched or fouled off baseball.  I'd be far more concerned over the vastly higher percentage of concussions than low percentage of direct abrasions or side impact by bat or ball.

[maven]

33 minutes ago, Guest dfboiler said:

arguments have been made that the hockey style helmet is more susceptible to concussions

Arguments are moot. This is an empirical question that must be resolved with data. I've not seen data to support the claim that helmets make players more susceptible to concussions (which is a claim about me, not about the existence of data).

Helmets afford additional protection from contact from the side (for example, from an over-zealous swing). So side protection is not only for catchers using poor technique.

[MadMax]

2 hours ago, Guest dfboiler said:

The rule is archaic for HS catchers.

High School catchers are still amateurs under the age of 18; thus, they are not considered adults; thus, the school systems are terrified of the litigation associated to serious injury (in this case, head injury). For this reason, tournament series (such as Triple Crown, Perfect Game, et. al.) are less impacted by the pall of litigation. Injuries (of this nature, to catchers) are typically outlined in the T&C of the event, and the Participants’ families (parents) assume the risk thru authorization to the Coach who is entering the participants in the event. 

I’m not a lawyer; I’m generalizing. 

The point is that High Schools cannot waive or assume that risk. So, they leave it to the NFHS to create Rules and Regulations that protect them, and the participants, against those risks as much as legally possible. 

Concussions are incredibly subjective. Other head injuries – lacerations, fractures, tissue trauma (bruising) – are rather objective. NOCSAE has determined that it is a paramount priority to prevent or mitigate the objective head injuries. 

Any time there is a head injury (in HS baseball) that is being investigated, the first two questions asked are, “Is that piece of equipment NOCSAE-certified and outlined in the Rules (as required)?” and “Was it being worn properly?” 

[The Man in Blue]

4 hours ago, Guest dfboiler said:

The rule is archaic for HS catchers.  What additional protection do ear flaps on a catchers helmet provide, Catchers don't turn their heads at that level and arguments have been made that the hockey style helmet is more susceptible to concussions due to their lack of give in cases of contact with a pitched or fouled off baseball.  I'd be far more concerned over the vastly higher percentage of concussions than low percentage of direct abrasions or side impact by bat or ball.

 

I was a catcher when the hockey-style masks came out and I tried it once ... I hated it.  Thankfully, the rule did not exist in my time as I may have given up catching.

Ear protection can provide protection against that bat that is coming toward the side of your head.  An unlikely situation, but a very realistic one.

And yes ... MANY youth catchers are turning their heads once that ball starts dropping to the turf/dirt.

My humble opinion: as for the actual rule ... it is quite obviously written to disallow any item that is not NOCSAE tested.  As NOCSAE does not test earless helmets in combination with masks (since the two items can easily be separated and used with untested equipment), the "ear provision" has nothing to do with ears but rather adhering to somebody else's standard without taking direct responsibility for the standard.  It is no different than a non USA Softball or non USSSA organization saying that the bats must meet that standard.

  

[aaluck]

14 minutes ago, The Man in Blue said:

And yes ... MANY youth catchers are turning their heads once that ball starts dropping to the turf/dirt.

This is a completely true statement.

Further, the hockey style keeps the helmet on the head, which I think is important for catchers at this age. If a catcher is blocking a baseball he will usually dig his chin into his chest which can easily dislodge the mask.

[Rich Ives]

4 hours ago, Guest dfboiler said:

The rule is archaic for HS catchers.  What additional protection do ear flaps on a catchers helmet provide, 

Backswing. Happen oftener than you probably think.

FED rules are  used in middle school too - it's not just a high school concern.

And young catchers DO turn their heads.

[beerguy55]

On 5/25/2021 at 6:09 AM, Guest dfboiler said:

Catchers don't turn their heads at that level

Christ, I see the pros do it from time to time...you can guarantee that amateurs of ANY age group, including men's leagues, are doing it.  It's instinctively very hard not to do it.  I know...I caught until I was almost 40 years old.

 

On 5/25/2021 at 6:09 AM, Guest dfboiler said:

arguments have been made that the hockey style helmet is more susceptible to concussions due to their lack of give in cases of contact with a pitched or fouled off baseball

Yeah, and arguments have been made that the moon landing was faked and the Democratic Party is run by a gang of baby eaters.   Anyone can argue anything they want.  Show me the evidence.  More importantly...show the people certifying the helmets the evidence.

[mac266]

On 5/25/2021 at 6:09 AM, Guest dfboiler said:

The rule is archaic for HS catchers.  What additional protection do ear flaps on a catchers helmet provide, Catchers don't turn their heads at that level and arguments have been made that the hockey style helmet is more susceptible to concussions due to their lack of give in cases of contact with a pitched or fouled off baseball.  I'd be far more concerned over the vastly higher percentage of concussions than low percentage of direct abrasions or side impact by bat or ball.

Irrelevant.  We don't make the rules.  We must all enforce the rules the same or we're going to have woeful inconsistency across the board.  

[MGRex]

Hey, what did he wear in the end? I am just curious, as I have always wanted to change the helmet. By the way, how do other athletes manage to keep up with everything? I don't have enough time and energy to do my assignments after my training. However, sometimes when I have the opportunity I use the Polished Paper promo to edit my essays as it saves me a lot of time because I am not very good at writing, and in this way, I don't spend a lot of time on writing a good one.