Should MLB pitchers be required to wear helmets?

1. 69

   Bruce A. Beaudetposted 12 years ago

   Should MLB pitchers be required to wear helmets?
   
   Base coaches are required to wear helmets however, pitchers are considerably closer to the hitter after they have delivered the pitch and are not required to wear helmets.  Is this logical?

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2. 76

   Thief12posted 12 years ago

   Not really. I mean, how frequently pitchers get hit in the head?

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   1. 69

      Bruce A. Beaudetposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      MLB pitchers have been hit in the head 10 times in the past 5 years.  J.A. Happ is the most recent.

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   2. 76

      Thief12posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      But how does that compare with previous years? Is there an increase in incidents?

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3. 60

   NickCavenderposted 12 years ago

   It's an interesting thought, but ultimately I don't think so. It's rare for a pitcher to get hit in the head, where a helmet would have any protection. Mostly it would just get in the way.
   
   I think base coaches wear helmets because 1) they often don't have the reflexes that a major league player has and 2) they don't have a glove to use to protect them,

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   1. 69

      Bruce A. Beaudetposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Base coaches wear helmets because a minor league coach was killed by a line drive that hit him on the head.  As a result, helmets are mandatory for field coaches.

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   2. 60

      NickCavenderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah, I remember that. Still, he got hit more in the neck than the head. A helmet that protects the neck from such a hit probably has opposition because it would get in the way of many pitchers' pitching motions.

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4. 53

   whonunuwhoposted 12 years ago

   No and it should be mandatory in the form of a hard hat. Another severe problem is the fact that line drives or fowls hit along foul lines near spectators should be addressed. There should be a fiber glass  shield, such as used in ice hockey along both lines near spectators and at least out to 100 feet past home plate. No one should ever be subjected to being struck by an errant fowl ball!!! A pitcher's follow through will sometimes dictate whether he is able to be on the alert for a solid hit in his direction.

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5. 80

   catfish33posted 12 years ago

   I don't think it's a bad idea, but I would vote no.  Pitching requires timing and dexterity, and wearing a helmet might mess up their mechanics.

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6. 60

   billypetty22posted 12 years ago

   I don't think they need a full out helmet, as that would throw off all of their mechanics and feel for pitching, but something like a padded hat that covers their temple could not hurt the current situation. This problem is something, that really travels under the radar until we see it happen, and poses an equal or even bigger threat to safety concerns in the NFL. It's unfortunate but I think someone will have to lose their life before we see any kind of protective device on a pitcher's head

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