Are masks helpful? Facial Injuries in Softball
A batter and a pitcher wearing a mask on the field is something that is not seen in baseball but is the new norm in softball.
In recent years it has become a custom thing to see softball players wear a face mask on the field or a batter having a cage on their helmet. This stems from the amount of face injuries that the sport has encountered over the years. According to a study about softball injuries, from 2013–2017 a nationwide estimate of head/facial injuries due to baseball and softball was 121,802 annually.
When in motion a softball can come at a batter between 60–98 mph. Once the ball is hit into play the reaction time of a player is four tenths of a second. Although there is no universal rule in the softball organization on when to wear a mask, the number of injuries continue to grow.
Stefanie Quisenberry is a softball player at Solano Community College. Standing at 5'8", Quisenberry was considered big for a catcher and was used to crowding over the plate. In her 15 years of softball, she never wore a mask when up to bat.
“It never once occurred to me to wear a mask on my batting helmet when I was at the plate,” Quisenberry said. “One would think from a catchers perspective I would wear a mask when up to bat but it was the only time I wasn’t caged in.”
Recalling this game in her mind, Quinesberry mentions how this was a moment that changed her life forever.
“I was up to bat and waiting for the pitcher to throw me a good pitch,” Quinesnberry said. “She was a little wild with her pitching so at the time my count was mostly balls or I was hitting them foul to stay in the game. The last pitch she gave to me was a really wild one and I didn’t have a fast reaction time to duck or move out the way but the next thing I know the softball comes flying at my head and hits me in the eye.”
The results of the ball hitting Quinesnberry in the face was a black eye. Which later turned turned into this catcher being permanently left blind in one eye. She explains how the impact of the ball caused her to be left with a life changing injury.
“The moment of the impact my eye swelled up so quickly,” Quinesberry said. “ I remember telling my coach I can’t see out of my eye. From this I was left with permanent scar tissue on my lateral rectus muscle which has left me blind in my right eye.”
Quinesberry was hoping to continue her college softball years by transferring to a four year college. But the injury left her feeling that she was no longer able to continue as a catcher being one eye down. After this injury, her thoughts on wearing masks changed.
“I believe that all batters need to wear a mask no matter what,” Quinesberry said. “ My injury has been one that I love to talk about to players, mainly to let them know to never be afraid to play ball but to be aware of how things can change in an instant.”
According to the official rules in softball, all players must wear a helmet when up to bat. The rules do not force the player to wear a field or helmet mask but as long as it is approved and follows the ASA guidelines it is allowed. In order for these rules to be implemented it comes down to the parents or the actual state and cities to enforce it.
From a coaches perspective wearing a mask is something they support their players doing. Kristin Grubbs has coached traveling softball teams and high school teams along the East Bay for the past 16 years. She thinks safety of the players is what is most important.
“I have seen a few third baseman's take hard hits to their face and it can be pretty traumatic,” Grubbs said. “The injuries can be anything from a giant goose bump, big open wounds, and possibly broken facial bones.”
Some think that the fielder’s facial injuries come from the way a softball field is set up. The distance of the mound is only 43 feet from the pitcher to the batter. Along with this, the distance from base to base is shorter with it being 60 feet apart from one another.
“The distance between baseman and for the pitcher to the batter are such short distances that often times these players don’t have enough reaction time to protect themselves,” said Grubbs.
As a player herself in high school, she never saw or used a mask. When they started coming around, Grubbs found it silly. But, now witnessing more injuries as a coach and understanding the logistics of the field setup, she understands why there is a popularity with face masks. Coach Grubbs also credits being in Northern California where they require players to wear face mask on helmets with a chin strap up to the high school level.
As the ASA and the community of softball debate about the use of face masks, it can be clear that that the masks have prevented further facial injuries. Since there is no universal rule put in place yet it is up to the players to secure their safety while playing ball.
