Batting helmet facts for kids
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A batting helmet is worn by batters in the game of baseball or softball. It is meant to protect the batter's head from errant pitches thrown by the pitcher. A batter who is "hit by pitch," due to an inadvertent wild pitch or a pitcher's purposeful attempt to hit him or her, may be seriously, even fatally, injured.
Currently, all leagues up to and including Minor League Baseball require the use of a double earflap batting helmet, with certain state amateur leagues being one exception (e.g., South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association). In Major League Baseball, however, only one earflap is required (for the ear closest to the pitcher).
Images for kids
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A concept drawing of a batting helmet from 1920. That year, MLB player Ray Chapman had been fatally struck in the head by a pitch.
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Los Angeles sportswriter Bob Hunter modeling a new baseball helmet in 1939. The helmet's design is similar to earmuffs and fits over the baseball cap.
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Chicago Cubs player Jerry Kindall is photographed in 1961 wearing a batting helmet.
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Jack Clark of the San Francisco Giants is photographed in 1983. That year, the MLB made it mandatory for batters to wear at least one ear protector on their batting helmet, like the one Clark is wearing.
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Jason Heyward wears a helmet with a protective guard during a 2016 game. Heyward started wearing the guard after being hit by a pitch in his face, which caused him to suffer a broken jaw.
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In 2008, it was made mandatory for on-field MLB coaches to wear helmets. Bo Porter, former coach for the Atlanta Braves, is photographed with an on-field helmet in 2015.
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See also
In Spanish: Casco de béisbol para niños
