Facemasks; Yes or No?

Several years ago I watched a game where a young pitcher stepped onto the mound who was clearly overmatched. She faced an incredible power hitter who was headed to a top college program. The pitch was right down the middle. The ball recoiled off the hi-tech bat with such speed that the pitcher had no time to react.

The sound was sickening as the ball hit smashed her face, rendering her unconscious and sending her down a path of reconstructive surgeries. She was never the same. The image of that moment stuck forever in the batter’s mind. She, also, was never the same
When asked if kids should wear facemasks, I often think of that day. Several factors must be considered. What if the kid wore a facemask, but the ball struck her a little lower, perhaps in the throat or right over the heart? Even more serious outcomes could have been possible. Facemasks can be extremely valuable, but that is just one consideration.
First of all, way too many people are pushing young pitchers, or players for that matter, to play at higher levels. People love offense, so bat technology is on the cutting edge. Balls fly off the sweet spot like golf balls off a driver. The balls are so hard that they actually sound like golf balls when dropped on concrete. Thanks to a movement in the college game designed to get more offense, strike zones are getting tighter at all levels, so pitchers often have to “serve it up” to get a strike. When that happens, a pitcher, or even third baseman, can be defenseless when a ball arrives at light speed.
Combine those factors with a pitcher who is throwing against kids who are older, quicker, stronger, and who spend day after day learning to crush the ball back up the middle. A lot of bad things can happen.
We always want a girl to have a lot of success at her own age group before moving to the next level. She needs time to develop confidence, to become crafty, to learn to analyze hitters, to get out of tough situations without serving “meat”, and to develop consistent moving pitches so hitters cannot find the “center of the ball”. Asking a 13-year-old to do those things when faced with someone four years older and twice as strong is a tough task. She learns to pitch carefully instead of learning to “dominate”, and that can shortcut her development.
Consider the social aspects. She needs to mature at her own rate, to learn to process, and to grow into each level. Tossing a 13-year-old into the dugout with a group of 17-year-olds can be tough. She missed a stage in her emotional maturity. She still rides to practice with mom. Other members of the team drive themselves. They are talking about things in the dugout that are just a bit over her head. It is so important to team chemistry that she “fit in” that she may follow the wrong leader. Sometimes, instead of discovering “who she is”, she tries to be “who she feels they want her to be”, and that is not a healthy way to approach life. You can only pray that she latches onto a good mentor.
Every age group gives kids a chance to learn, grow, and mature. You have no idea of the important learning experiences she misses when she skips a level.
There is another side to the story. So many people are pushing kids to “play up”, that many of the teams at your pitcher’s age level are watered down with younger players, so she may not be challenged like she should. Many travel teams compete in a higher age group all season, and then drop back to their level for national tournaments. We admit it is confusing and every situation is different.
Let’s return to the question of facemasks. As a coach, I encouraged facemasks for younger players simply because I would always be haunted if the unthinkable happened. Yes, they limit vision somewhat, cause extra heat buildup at times, and may make her look a bit “scared of the hitters”. I still had to live with my decisions, so I encouraged them, but let parents and players make the final call. As they matured, the facemasks may be tossed aside but we highly encouraged a mouthpiece. On sunny days we pushed for hats or visors, especially if the position of the sun limited vision and the ability to defend herself. We will never remember who won a particular game, but will always be haunted by an injury we might have prevented in some way.
Some college coaches may view facemasks in negative light, but parents and pitchers will know when it’s time to drop the mask. You are the ones who have to live with the consequences. Take into account the level of play when making the decision. Think about her development as well. Do not push her past a level that’s fun, where she can enjoy some success, and she can grow into the game at her own pace.
February is Facemask Awareness Month. In general, we are for them, but if you put a kid out there at a level that is over her head, a lot more is at risk than just her face.
Special thanks to Certified Instructor, Alex MacLean of Pennsylvania for great research and insights for this article.