Batting helmet

From BR Bullpen

A batting helmet is a hard plastic hat worn over a player's normal baseball cap. While the name implies that it is worn exclusively by batters, it is actually worn by offensive players in every stage of their appearance on the field: while on deck, in the batter's box, and running the bases.

Batting helmets developed surprisingly late in the history of baseball. The danger of being hit by a pitched baseball were apparent from very early on, as shown by the early development of the catchers' "tools of ignorance". Both catchers masks and chest protectors were in common use by the 1890s, and shin guards were adopted in the 1900s. Batting helmets were not required for another half century. Even the tragic death of Ray Chapman, who was fatally beaned by Carl Mays in 1920, did not lead to the adoption of protective gear.

The first know use of batting helmets in the majors was by the 1941 Dodgers. Two of the Dodgers, Joe Medwick and Pee Wee Reese, had suffered severe beanings, so General Manager Larry MacPhail made the entire team wear protective helmets. Those helmets were based on jockeys' helmets, and were much like a normal baseball cap with a hard liner.

The first helmet that generally resembled the modern design was developed at the behest of Pittsburgh Pirates manager Branch Rickey in the 1950s and made mandatory for all batters in 1956. Those helmets were made of hard plastic and worn over the players' normal cloth hats. Starting in 1983, players were required to wear helmets with flaps extending down from the crown to cover the ear of the batter that was closest to the pitcher. Players who had previously worn flapless helmets were allowed to continue doing so. Tim Raines Sr. was the last active player to wear a flapless helmet.

Players are allowed to wear helmets that are more protective than the standard design. A handful of batters have worn helmets with cheek protectors, often after having suffered face injuries. Safety advocates have encouraged youth leagues to adopt helmets with a full facemask, much like those used by cricket batsmen, but response has been tepid.