Major-league pitchers routinely throw baseballs in excess of 90 mph. Severe brain trauma, concussion and death can occur when a baseball player is hit in the head with a baseball traveling at these speeds. Helmet technology did not really take off until the 1970s, when designs were created to help protect players against head injuries. Different helmet models withstand various ball-speed impact ratings. Equipment manufacturers are experimenting with stronger plastics and better helmet design in an effort to provide maximum protection and comfort.
History
Major League Baseball first started talking about head protection in 1920 after Indians shortstop Ray Chapman died after being hit in the head by a baseball, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The first helmet technology was in the form of plastic inserts inside baseball caps in the 1950s and '60s. In 1956, the first helmet design was made of hard plastic and worn over the player's cap. By 1971, MLB made batting helmets mandatory. Earflaps weren't added until 1983, and helmets with vents were introduced in 2006. MLB made wearing batting helmets mandatory for coaches in 2007 after minor league first-base coach Mike Coolbaugh was killed by a batted ball to the head. Helmet technology changed in 2009 with the S100 helmet that was designed to withstand pitches up to 100 mph.
Types
Different types of helmet technology are available to Little League, softball and professional baseball. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommends baseball helmets using mouth- and face-guard technology. Batting helmets with clear molded plastic face guards are especially effective for Little League players in helping to protect and prevent facial injuries. Professional batting helmets typically come in two styles, the vented helmet and the standard official helmet without venting. Other types of batting helmets include helmets with face mask and chinstrap, fast-pitch mask and blackout face guard. The blackout-technology face guard helps eliminate glare and reduces the need for grease under the eyes.
Materials
The earliest technology consisted of a leather batting helmet. The next phase in helmet design used hard plastic shells that covered the player's baseball cap. These designs fell short of protecting the player against serious injury. In 1952, batting helmet design used a type of hard plastic that could withstand heavy impact and was a complete head covering. The helmet was made similar to a hard hat. Most batting helmets are made of ABS plastic with interior antimicrobial padding. Batting helmet masks are made from lightweight polycarbonate material similar to bulletproof glass.
Technology Innovations
The S100 batting helmet was introduced in 2009. The new helmet is designed to withstand a pitch up to 100 mph. The S100 is larger and heavier than previous batting helmets because of the thicker composite insert and expanded polypropylene liner. The material used is similar to that in bike helmets. It uses an advance impact-management system with four layers of protection. It also comes with a moisture management wicking antibacterial material.
References
- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Timeline: The Baseball Helmet's History
- Fox News: Science & Technology: New Baseball Helmet Required in Minors Next Year
- Baseball-Reference: Batting Helmet
- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: Treating and Preventing Facial Injury
- HRS: RIP-IT Baseball Batting Helmet Face Mask With Blackout Technology
- C.Y.A. Protective Gear: Baseball Batting Helmets
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