The goalie in ice hockey and the catcher in baseball have two of the most difficult and demanding jobs in sports. Both players are in harm's way throughout their games and have the potential to be hurt. Hockey goalies have to stop a puck made of vulcanized rubber that may travel at speeds exceeding 100 mph. A catcher has to stop pitches and foul tips that travel at the same speed, and he must withstand collisions.
The Case for Goalies
Goalies are at peril the moment they step on the ice. They have to keep a hard puck out of a net that is 6 feet wide by 4 feet high. They must use their entire body to keep the puck from crossing the goal line and entering the net. Shots may be fired at any angle. Slap shots can appear to be vicious rockets. Deflected pucks change direction in an instant and are nearly impossible to react to. Goalies must wear protective padding from head to toe, and many played without masks through the 1960s. Additionally, skaters and goalies are often involved in collisions. The rules of the game attempt to protect goalies from unnecessary contact but skaters are allowed to screen goalies when a shot is attempted, and when a rebound opportunity presents itself, the physical battle between the skater and the goalie can be impactful.
The Case for Catchers
Catchers line up behind home plate and there is a batter slightly in front of them and to the right or left side. Pitcher are 60 feet 6 inches away from the catcher and throw fastballs, curves, sliders and knuckleballs that feature plenty of late movement that make it difficult for batters to hit and catchers to catch. When a batter swings at a pitch and foul tips the ball, it can deflect back at the catcher and strike him on any area of his body. Catchers wear shin guards, a chest protector and a mask, but the ball can strike unprotected parts of his body. The catcher is also subject to collisions. The catcher must protect home plate by standing in front of it with possession of the ball and attempt to hold onto the ball after tagging the runner and absorbing a football-style collision.
Knee and Hip Injuries
Knee and hip injuries are common among goaltenders while knee injuries are also common among catchers. Many goaltenders use the butterfly style when protecting the goal and this causes great stress on both areas, according to the British Columbia Injury Research and Prevention Unit, which studied hockey injuries extensively. Butterfly goalies regularly drop to their knees and extend their legs outward, while catchers are in a severe crouch on every pitch. This puts knee joints in jeopardy.
Goalie Masks
Hockey goaltenders did not wear masks in competitive games until Montreal Canadiens goalie Jacques Plante took a puck in the face in a 1959 game against the New York Rangers and told his coach that he would not go back into the game unless he was allowed to wear his mask. Over the next 10 years, the mask became an accepted tool for goaltenders and they have been required since the early 1970s. However, when a goaltender gets hit in the head with a slap shot that travels at 100 mph or more, it can still result in a stunning blow that produces headaches and concussions. The black puck may also appear to come out of dark uniforms, disguising its flight. This puts the goalie at perhaps a bit more risk than catchers.
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