Here’s a story from today’s Modesto Bee about the new batting helmets being used in Minor League Baseball. The specs from Rawlings say their S100 model is built to protect a batter struck by a pitch thrown at up to 100 mph.
The Bee story says the helmets are getting rave reviews for their safety, if not their style.
I never worriedmuch about getting hit by a pitch in my playing days as a shortstop in youth leagues in Cleveland, although I was well aware that the Indians’ Ray Chapman was the only major leaguer ever killed in a ballgame. He was struck in the temple during the Tribe’s 1920 championship season and died from the blow.
No one wore helmets in those days. I’m glad I grew up in an era when helmets were required, and I applaud all the efforts to make helmets safer.
Now if we could just get rid of those awful aluminum bats….
The Ball Caps Blog 
As a kid, I was lucky to have a baseball cap, let alone batting helmet. Then again, our baseballs were so soft from continuous use, I doubt they could have done much damage. And yes, I’ve always hated aluminum bats. I hate how the ball makes that pinging sound coming off the bat. It’s not a normal baseball sound. Cheers, Bill