Only two players have worn fielding masks in Brent Hall’s five seasons leading the Houston High School softball program.
That number is going to significantly increase.
The Missouri State High School Activities Association has instituted a new rule that beginning with the upcoming 2017 season, all pitchers must wear a protective mask. The organization also strongly suggests that first basemen and third basemen wear them, but it is not mandatory.
Hall said he supports the new rule.
“I like it just for the safety aspect,” he said. “For us especially, we don’t have strikeout pitchers so the ball is put in play, and sometimes it’s hit hard. You don’t have a lot of time to react, so I feel more comfortable with my pitcher out there with a mask on.”
Missouri is the first state to mandate the fielding masks for pitchers. There is no national standard for defensive facemasks under the National Federation of State High School Associations, apart from a longstanding rule for catcher’s masks and helmets.
{{tncms-inline alignment=”right” content=”<p>The MSHSAA softball manual for the 2016-2017 season states: &ldquo;Beginning in the fall of 2017 it will be required for the pitcher to wear a protective mask. The softball advisory committee also strongly urges the first and third basemen to do the same.&rdquo;</p>” id=”fefa5fa8-0547-4391-bc41-b64887911f31″ style-type=”bio” title=”Bio Box” type=”relcontent” width=”half”}}
High school athletic federations in Kentucky and Iowa considered implementing defensive facemask mandates in 2014, but ultimately did not enact such rules.
Only two HHS players have worn masks during a game. Both were pitchers. Kayla Kelley wore one for the 2012 district championship team and Kylee Elmore wore a mask during the 2014 season.
Hall said Elmore donated her mask to the program when she graduated, but no one has worn it.
“A lot of girls aren’t comfortable with it –– whether they think they look silly or it doesn’t feel right,” Hall said. “For guys, they could care less. They don’t care how they look. Girls do care, so that’s a factor.”
The Lady Tigers’ starting varsity pitcher, Emily Roberts, owns a mask but has not played in it. Hall said he told her Tuesday morning that she must begin pitching in it every practice.
Hall anticipates there will be an adjustment period to wearing the mask while pitching.
“You’re actually looking through bars, plus the weight of it on your head and you’ll be a little hotter,” Hall said. “There is some acclamation to it.”
Hall said he was unsure if any of his other players would begin wearing fielding masks. He said he would be in favor of them doing so.
“If I played, I would wear one,” Hall said. “What a tool to help you keep your nose down. You don’t have to worry about getting hit in the face.”
The MSHSAA softball manual for the 2016-2017 season states: “Beginning in the fall of 2017 it will be required for the pitcher to wear a protective mask. The softball advisory committee also strongly urges the first and third basemen to do the same.”