New Batting Helmets

[Elvis]

Do you like the new style of batting helmets that will be available for all teams this season? Cool or ugly?


http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/12f97ee9-6d23-4b44-8cf8-5dd41171b60b.jpg

[Chisox73]

I think they look too much like space helmets.

I saw those for the 1st time last summer during the Little League World Series.

[efin98]

Do they protect their heads any better than the old batting helmets?

[Gashouse6]

They're kinda sparkly.

[Erik Bedard]

they look horrible! who approved those? they need to reconsider. :evil :evil

[Edgartohof]

I think the basic concept is fine, but I don't totally like how it all comes together - if that makes sense.

[Reed Johnson]

I think they look pretty sweet.

[E.Banks#14]

When it comes to uniforms, I think simpler is better. If that design isn't more protective, I don't see why any team would change to it.

[Elvis]

When it comes to uniforms, I think simpler is better. If that design isn't more protective, I don't see why any team would change to it.

It isn't mandatory I believe, it's just another kind of helmet that's available to the players this year. It's supposed to be better ventilated to keep the head cooler for day games. Think of it like the high-top spikes that came and went several years ago. "Cool" now - Lame in 2010. :crazy

[E.Banks#14]

It isn't mandatory I believe, it's just another kind of helmet that's available to the players this year. It's supposed to be better ventilated to keep the head cooler for day games. Think of it like the high-top spikes that came and went several years ago. "Cool" now - Lame in 2010. :crazy
I'm not sure, but to comply with MLB rules, won't an entire team have to use those helmets if one player does?

[Elvis]

I'm not sure, but to comply with MLB rules, won't an entire team have to use those helmets if one player does?

I doubt it. Catchers for example, have had 3 different types of helmets to choose from in the last few years.

By the way they're Rawlings Coolflo vented batting helmet, ultra lightweight with "eye-catching" metallic paint. It's a one-size-fits-all shell with an adjustable moisture-wicking pad and 12 vector-shaped vent holes.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

They look good.

Batting helmets haven't changed for 30 years, maybe more. So maybe it is time for a change. The whole design of the helmet is different.

In Europe, amateur teams play with helmets like these for a couple of years now. So actually the design is not completely new.

But again, they look good

[Gashouse6]

I've seen those types of helmets in stores in the US for a few years. The Little League World Series has been using them for the past 3 years, I think.

[BeatEmBucs]

The mets one looks ugly. I'd have to see how other teams helmets look before I pass judgement. Would the Pirate helmet be solid black, or would they put the Gold around it and look like the Michigan Wolverines? Would the Reds keep black on their helmet, or make theirs solid red? I think some helmets will look cool, others will suck. The Mets one sucks.

[hudsonharden]

I think it looks great, for a team like the Rockies. It'd make them look like MORE of a AA team.

[runningshoes]

If the goal is to make MLB equipment look like the much more popular NFL accoutrements, then they look wonderful.

Personally, I think they look like Pez dispensers.

Maybe Buck Rogers is bringing a few friends to the game and MLB wants to impress them?

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

If the goal is to make MLB equipment look like the much more popular NFL accoutrements, then they look wonderful.

Personally, I think they look like Pez dispensers.

Maybe Buck Rogers is bringing a few friends to the game and MLB wants to impress them?

Do you mean the former Expos Manager or the Sci Fi character? :D

[KingNothing13]

I don't mind the new vented helmets. But the two-toned black and blue design the Mets are using, HAS To go. They are also using it on the "old" style helmet as well, http://www.newsday.com/media/photo/2006-02/22079491.jpg

[trosmok]

Personally, I think they look like Pez dispensers.


By Gadfry, I think you are right. Rather reminds me of the old adage regarding Selig's management credo: "If it ain't broke, break it!":laugh

[Elvis]

I don't mind the new vented helmets. But the two-toned black and blue design the Mets are using, HAS To go. They are also using it on the "old" style helmet as well, http://www.newsday.com/media/photo/2006-02/22079491.jpg

The Dodgers are as well. I saw a photo of catcher Pat Borders wearing the old "catchers-style" batting helmet and it was a blue two-toned octopus design. Creepy.

[KingNothing13]

The Dodgers are as well. I saw a photo of catcher Pat Borders wearing the old "catchers-style" batting helmet and it was a blue two-toned octopus design. Creepy.


I really hope that they are practice helmets and common sense will rule when it comes to game helmets, and they will wear regular colored ones.

[E.Banks#14]

I posted a similar picture in another thread, but here is the Cubs new design. No changes (that I can see) other than the vents.
5506
That doesn't bother me as much as the Mets one, but I'd still prefer the classic style.

[Elvis]

I really hope that they are practice helmets and common sense will rule when it comes to game helmets, and they will wear regular colored ones.

I'd hope so too, except that I don't think there are such things as practice helmets. They're all game issued gear.

The thing that's goofy is painting the old helmets to look like the new ones. If you have new coolflo helmets -fine. But painting the other helmets to imitate the new models is just weird.

[KingNothing13]

I'd hope so too, except that I don't think there are such things as practice helmets. They're all game issued gear.

The thing that's goofy is painting the old helmets to look like the new ones. If you have new coolflo helmets -fine. But painting the other helmets to imitate the new models is just weird.


yeah, I know. Since there isn't really a market for batting helmets like there is for jerseys and caps, there is no reason to have practice and game helmets.

Like I said, I don't mind the vented helmets. But when they make them two-toned, and then paint the non-vented helmets like that....well, it is just getting silly now. :crazy

[Rounding Home]

I'm not a big fan of them either. The vents just seem unnecessary and look weird, even if you are going to be on base for a long time. I'm sure all that air circulation in someone's hair will have a huge impact on the game. :rolleyes: They seemed fine the way they were before, the classic way.

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

I posted a similar picture in another thread, but here is the Cubs new design. No changes (that I can see) other than the vents.
5506
That doesn't bother me as much as the Mets one, but I'd still prefer the classic style.
Is that Mark Prior?:laugh

[E.Banks#14]

Yep, that's Mark. :clapping

[Perseas]

They look good.

Batting helmets haven't changed for 30 years, maybe more. So maybe it is time for a change. The whole design of the helmet is different.

In Europe, amateur teams play with helmets like these for a couple of years now. So actually the design is not completely new.

But again, they look good

You 're forgetting that it is mandatory for all helmets in Europe to have protection on both ears. That's the main difference...

[W_Marone]

At first I didnt like the helmets, but they grew on me.

[Stumanji]

My girlfriend says, "Oh, whoa... those are cool looking."

I say: "Don't care."

The single-flap helmet is better looking than the Little League helmet... But, I've never had a "air-conditioning" problem when I played. I was only in a batting helmet, at worst, for 10-20 minutes at a time (pitching changes and such), and it was never too hot to stand.

The only batting helmet related problem I had was having wind hitting the ear-hole at such an angle that made hearing coaches/players a problem.