| A batting helmet is a headgear which is worn by | | | | grass fields. However, new age and technology |
| batters in softball or baseball. It is basically worn | | | | offers high-tech bats. The bats almost remind at |
| for head protection when the ball is thrown by a | | | | some dangerous weapons, however the safety is |
| pitcher. Without protection a batter could be | | | | the priority. NOCSAE (National Operating |
| seriously injured. Unfortunately, injuries can be so | | | | Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) |
| serious and have lethal consequences. During the | | | | are working on improving softball and baseball |
| first decade of the 1900's, Mr. Roger Bresnahan | | | | gear and reducing of injuries. Choosing a batting |
| created the first protection headgear. It is now | | | | helmet is only a small portion of their guidelines. |
| known as a batting helmet. After the creation, | | | | Once you learn the importance of safety, you will |
| people did not start using batting helmet. A batting | | | | not regret your money that is spent on them. |
| helmet mainly protects the back, top and the | | | | This can be of higher importance in regular |
| sides of the head. Some helmets cover both | | | | baseball (fastpitch). You should know that |
| sides of the ear, whereas some cover only one. | | | | polyethylene (or polycarbonate) type shells are |
| The one sided ear helmets usually cover the left | | | | made to resist an impact due to fastballs. |
| ear for right handed batsmen and the right ear | | | | It is very important for a player to get familiar |
| for left handed batsmen. | | | | with choosing a good batting helmet. For example, |
| The helmets which cover both sides are | | | | if a helmet doesn't fit well, there is a big chance |
| exclusively used in major leagues. The last person | | | | that a player's view becomes obstructed. |
| who did not wear a batting helmet was | | | | Therefore it can cause that a player doesn't see |
| Montgomery in 1979.This protective gear with | | | | fast enough and doesn't get out of the way if the |
| earflaps never gained popularity at professional | | | | ball gets away from a pitcher or perhaps, from a |
| levels although they were very common at | | | | catcher. |
| amateur sports. Some baseball batters felt the | | | | For batting helmet is very important to be |
| earflap out of the corner, and it was a great | | | | padded. It acts as a shield of the head. |
| distraction in the middle of a game. In the early | | | | Furthermore, you should always check your sport |
| 80's it became compulsory for baseball batters to | | | | gear for some type of rear adjustable strap. It |
| wear helmets during the game with at least one | | | | can make your helmet fits tighter or looser. |
| ear flap. Later, players started to choose from | | | | Another very important thing is ventilation. Your |
| the single or double earflap helmets in the major | | | | helmet should have some type of ventilation at |
| leagues. Nowadays the no-flap helmets are still | | | | the ear holes or on the top, actually having it in |
| utilized in different ways in baseball. Players are | | | | both places works best. It also helps kids to get |
| made to wear a no-flap helmet when the player | | | | used to keeping their helmets on when they are |
| is in a defensive position. | | | | batting, but also if they are on deck or even on a |
| This head gear became a rule after the injury | | | | base. |
| that John Olerud got while playing in the defensive | | | | Finally, don't forget to purchase the one with a |
| position. | | | | chinstrap; it will keep your helmet on after some |
| Long time ago, baseball was only about bats | | | | impact. |
| made of wood and a good baseball game at | | | | |