Manchester Softball League Division 4 team Manchester Phoenix have decided to go one stage further than just having four batting/running helmets available at every game, as required by the rule introduced in the MSL this season. Phoenix have now made it a condition of playing for the team that players must wear a helmet when batting and running the bases.
This was made effective from the second week of the season, and was sparked by captain Sandra Jones’s worries following the high level of injuries (not all preventable) at Manchester's Firstball Tournament where she was also the tournament organiser.
Serious injury
Sandra's concern was raised in particular by a player who was recently hit on the ear while running into second base by a throw from the outfield which took a wicked bounce on the hard ground. The player suffered a fractured skull, perforated ear-drum and concussion.
Sandra said: “Having heard about a number of head injuries during the first few weeks of the season, I would feel awful if a Phoenix player sustained a serious injury through not wearing a helmet, so the team have agreed to take this step at this early stage. It has been met with widespread agreement within the team. One player, maybe just to test our resolve, asked about the option of not complying and was told that he would not be allowed to play for the Phoenix.”
Comments
Manchester Softball League Head Harry Somers commented: "I am so pleased by this development. I have become
increasingly uncomfortable playing against runners not wearing helmets. For example, another dangerous situation is when the catcher throws to first base after what is jokingly referred to as a 'power bunt': the batter-runner is in the direct line of the throw with their back to the ball.
"Other teams will hopefully follow suit," Harry continued, "but the Phoenix are the first within the MSL to publicly mandate the wearing of helmets as team policy. Helmets and other safety equipment are of course compulsory for young players under 18 throughout the country."