As a batter, you cannot afford to enter the court without the right helmet. Unfortunately, that can be a daunting task, given the many options available.
However, knowing what to look for can make that tiring process simple. It explains why this piece focuses on how you can choose a battling helmet wisely and perfectly. Read on!
Factors to Consider When Buying a Batting Helmet
1 .The Right Fit
As you move, a loose helmet will often slide or slip. It is no secret that such an experience can make playing quite uncomfortable.
In the same vein, it can distract you, affecting your game badly, which is bad news to any player and team. That’s why you cannot afford to ignore the fitting when choosing a batting helmet.
With the perfect fit, you get to see everything clearly, including an incoming pitch. Otherwise, you might end up missing it, and again, that’s not good for the game.
Additionally, a perfect fit facilitates excellent hearing to listen to your teammates and coach well as you play.
2. Safety Standards
Great batting helmets meet the NOCSAE® standards. Always note the ratings keeping in mind that the higher they are, the more protection your helmet offers.
Therefore, when a manufacturer is compliant with NOCSAE®, it clearly illustrates that it protects your head perfectly.
3. Face Shields
As you protect your head, you should also consider your face. To do so, choose a batting helmet with a face shield to ensure that baseball doesn’t hurt your face if it happens to land on it.
To add extra protection, consider face masks as well. If you happen to be a catcher, having throat guards is an added advantage as it takes your safety to a whole new level.
4. Types of Batting Helmets
There are three common batting helmets to choose from, depending on how you intend to use them. Let’s take a look at them.
- Open Face
As much as they mean protecting your front face minimally, having an open-face batting helmet has its benefit. First, it improves your ball visibility for accurate hits.
To enjoy that without compromising the safety of your face, you can always couple it with a face mask. Also, if you play for a small league, it is accurate since the pitching speed is relatively low.
- Fastpitch
Its unique feature is its metal guard. It protects the lower face ensuring that the baseball doesn’t hurt your teeth or jaw. If you play softball, this is an ideal choice. Its throwing style often leads the ball towards the lower face area hence the need for such a protective helmet.
- Jaw Guard
As the name suggests, its design protects the jaw. However, it only saves one side hence the need to choose one depending on your lineup. After all, it is characterized by a plastic deflector on one side.
5.Ear Guard
If you are a batter looking for a helmet, don’t overlook the ear guards. The c-flaps will ensure that your ears remain protected at all times in case the baseball hits them.
Preferably, ensure that you go for a one-side flap helmet to ensure that you get to hear. You can also choose between fixed and detachable ear guards depending on what works best for you.
6. Chin Strap
Last but not least, consider the chin strap. It should ensure that the helmet doesn’t fall off regardless o how hard the baseball hit it. At the same time, choose a comfortable one to avoid irritating the neck since it could compromise your performance.