Mike Coolbaugh

[Guest Edgy DC]

...killed by a line drive in the Texas League.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

ugh. They oughta make coaches wear helmets. Umpires too.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Thankfully, such incidences are extremely rare. Still, this is a sad, tragic story.

[Guest Edgy DC]

The thing is that 'Shot's suggestion seems like an over-reaction --- but, unlike fielders, umps and coaches are often doing their jobs by not keeping their eyes on the ball.

It would seem pathetic and girly initially and, within a year and half, just seem natural.

[Frayed Knot]

Hockey linesmen and referees have almost universally gone to wearing helmets over the
last decade or so to the point where it now looks odd to see one without.

The other thing this points out is how - especially with the newer stadia bringing the stands
closer to the field - is how much danger paying customers are potentially in and wonder if it's
only a matter of time before the netting that exists behind the plate starts getting extended out
further in some places.
At least with coaches and umpires - even if their concentration is away from the batter at
times - you at least know (or certainly hope) that they're paying attention. Some of the
fans I'm not so sure about.

Again in hockey, it took a child being killed by a flying puck before they raised the behind-net
protection -- a step that was both long over-due but also so un-obtrusive to the fan that it's tough
to understand what prevented it from happening earlier.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Frayed Knot wrote: Hockey linesmen and referees have almost universally gone to wearing helmets over the last decade or so to the point where it now looks odd to see one without.

What I'm saying.

Frayed Knot wrote: Again in hockey, it took a child being killed by a flying puck before they raised the behind-net protection -- a step that was both long over-due but also so un-obtrusive to the fan that it's tough to understand what prevented it from happening earlier.

Maybe the allure of a potential souvenier. Look at how many people have stopped coming to hockey games now that they don't get deflected pucks in the crowd.

I'm guessing the answer is none.

I imagine with deep focus, most wouldn't even notice the nets in front of them most of the times. And they'd still get to scramble for foul pops, just not have to dodge foul liners.

And netting would, of course, save Jeter from himself.

[Centerfield]

Base coaches in Little League have worn them for years.