MLB approves new variation of padded cap for pitchers
After complaints about the original version of the padded cap, the MLB has approved a new variation of that cap
A padded cap was introduced in baseball last season to help protect pitchers from head injuries after several pitchers had been struck in the head from line drives over recent seasons. The hat, a good idea on paper, didn’t pan out as only Alex Torres of the San Diego Padres wore the hat.
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Part of the problem with the hat, was the interior padding made the hat gigantic and it looked like a helmet.
It messed with depth perception and had an awkward feel to it.
With the initial concept not working out as it did on paper, a new concept was made and William Weinbaum of ESPN’s Outside The Lines reports that the MLB has approved the new hat.
"Pinwrest, the manufacturer, removed the padding from inside the isoBLOX cap it introduced last year in favor of detachable padding to wear over a standard cap. Patrick Houlihan, baseball’s vice president and deputy general counsel for labor relations, told “Outside the Lines” that all 30 teams were informed via email Friday afternoon that the new product passed independent laboratory testing.“It’s ready for prime time,” said Bruce Foster, CEO of 4Licensing Corp, Pinwrest’s parent company. The revision, he said, addresses pitchers’ complaints that the cap with interior padding and an extended bill hindered comfort, depth perception and the ability to hold runners on.Pinwrest, the manufacturer, removed the padding from inside the isoBLOX cap it introduced last year in favor of detachable padding to wear over a standard cap. Patrick Houlihan, baseball’s vice president and deputy general counsel for labor relations, told “Outside the Lines” that all 30 teams were informed via email Friday afternoon that the new product passed independent laboratory testing.“It’s ready for prime time,” said Bruce Foster, CEO of 4Licensing Corp, Pinwrest’s parent company. The revision, he said, addresses pitchers’ complaints that the cap with interior padding and an extended bill hindered comfort, depth perception and the ability to hold runners on."
While head safety is the primary goal, creating a product that is feasible and that the players will openly wear is another story.
The first hat didn’t go as planned because of its size and weight, but now the new hat offers detachable padding. While the weight remains the same, Foster says that the feel is more in line with what the players have now.
The hat will be available to players in spring training by next week.
However with the hat having detachable padding, if it still weighs the same, will players react the same to it? This could be a process that takes some time to implement.
[H/T: ESPN OTL]
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