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Beginning this spring, the face of fast pitch softball will change -- literally. Players stepping into the batter's box will sport a new look, due to a rule adopted by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) requiring athletes to protect their faces by wearing facemasks.
No, batters won't be wearing football helmets. Rather, they'll be wearing batting helmets with batting faceguards. The new measure is designed to increase player safety and protection.
The rule, which was passed in 2003 and went into effect January 2005, applies to the more than 1 million players in the Junior Olympic Fast Pitch Softball program. Though ASA rules are written for ASA Championship Play, local leagues and municipalities are free to modify these rules.
What does this mean for players warming up this season? There are two options: Players may purchase a new helmet with the faceguard already attached, or they can purchase a separate faceguard to attach to their current helmet.
But before they take to the plate, players need to make sure all headgear -- helmets as well as batting guards -- have NOCSAE seal of approval. NOCSAE, short for National Operating Committee on Standards in Athletic Equipment, commissions research and establishes standards for protective athletic equipment.
Schutt Sports is the first company to introduce NOCSAE-approved batting guards specifically for softball. Schutt, the Official Helmet Supplier of USA Softball and the industry leader in fast pitch softball protective equipment, designed the new guards to increase visibility while offering ultimate protection.
To make sure teams aren't caught "off guard" for the 2005 season, Schutt encourages players to make sure their protective equipment complies with ASA regulations:
* The batting guard must be securely and properly fastened to the helmet.
* Both the helmet and the batting guard must have NOCSAE approval seal.
For more information about ASA-ready batting guards and Schutt Sports, please visit www.schuttsports.com. -NU |
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