After testing a bunch of different prototypes from different companies, the MLB has approved padded hats to protect pitchers from line drives. 4Licensing Corporation subsidiary isoBlox came up with the design and they will be made available to pitchers at all levels when they report to Spring Training. The use of the hats are not manditory and since the caps need to be fitted, players who are interested will be provided with contact information for the company.
MLB will continue to work with other companies that are developing products to enhance safety. Teams were informed of the development Tuesday morning after consultation with the Major League Baseball Players Association. MLB’s executive vice president for labor relations Dan Halem told ESPN’s Outside the Lines, “We’re excited to have a product that meets our safety criteria. MLB is committed to working with manufacturers to develop products that offer maximum protection to our players, and we’re not stopping at all.”
The push for pitcher’s safety came after Brandon McCarthy, on the Athletics at the time, sustained serious head injuries after being struck by a line drive. According to the company, the caps are slightly more than a half inch thicker in the front and an inch thicker near the temples than standard caps. They provide frontal impact protection up to 90 mph and up to 85 mph on the sides. The padding adds seven ounces to the weight of a cap, which currently weighs three to four ounces. The company does not believe they will interfere with a pitcher’s motion or comfort. Their stats indicate that 12 pitchers have been hit in the head by line drives during the past six seasons.
Some pitchers however, have their reservations. J.A. Happ of the Blue Jays, who actually suffered a fractured skull due to a line drive last May, wasn’t fuilly commited. “I’d have to see what the differences in feel would be, does it feel close enough to a regular cap?” Happ told ESPN. “You don’t want to be out there thinking about it and have it take away from your focus on what you’re doing.”
NL Cy Young Winner Clayton Kershaw told MLB Network he also has some reservations. “I’ve actually tried one of those on. I’ve thrown with it. You don’t look very cool. I’ll be honest. You don’t look very cool out there. But technology is unbelievable, and it really doesn’t feel that much different once you get used to it. Obviously it would be a change. We wouldn’t look the same as everybody else, but if you’re that one guy who gets hit what seems like every year, there’s that chance out there. I’m definitely not opposed to it. I think it’d take a lot of getting used to. I think it’s a great thing and a step in the right direction, for sure.”
The new cap will obviously not prevent all injuries. Many of the more serious injuries happened when pitchers were struck below the cap line. There has been no discussion of expanding this initiative to include visors, masks or helmets. “There would have to be widespread willingness among players to use such a device,” Halem said. “Short of wearing a helmet, I am doubtful there’ll be a product to protect against 100 mph. Hopefully there will be.”
When asked via Twitter if he would wear one this spring, Yankees reliever Preston Claiborne said, “haven’t decided yet. Gonna see how it fits. Always open to safety though.”
