Quick Take
As exit speeds soar, youth pitchers face unprecedented risks on the mound. Protective headgear, like the SST Headguard or Unequal Dome, offers a crucial safety solution. While not yet mandatory, these innovative products provide peace of mind for players and parents alike, promoting safety without compromising performance. The next step for baseball could—and should—be requiring head protection for pitchers.
Batting helmets were not used consistently until the 1940s and were not mandatory until 1983. It would be ridiculous today for someone to get in the box without a batting helmet on. How long until some type of pitching helmet is required, too? We hope soon. Such a requirement would force major vendors and their R&D teams to produce low-cost and legit options. At a minimum, we would love to see a more concerted effort by Little League to require headgear on the mound. Sadly, we think it will take a catastrophe at the LLWS for them to make a move.
There are some legitimate options for youth pitcher protective headgear. Here are three pitching helmets worth your consideration.
SST Headguard Protection
Although we think these are overpriced, we like the design as much as anything we've seen in the space. Launched in 2014, the SST is a device made of light, carbon fiber material that inserts into the sweat liner of your baseball hat. They claim more than a few MLB pitchers have used these. The device is designed to protect the crown of the head, forehead region, and above the ear. The design of the SST headguard allows for absorption and redistribution of the energy created on impact.
SST is a company based out of Atlanta, Georgia. Matt Meier, the founder of SST, experienced being knocked out in a baseball game as a youth and kept in his mind that he needed to come up with a solution to protect pitchers during the game.
The headguards come in different sizes based on the player's head and hat size. The protective devices are available in single-sided options for RHP or LHP, or you can also purchase the dual-sided options for the best overall chance of protection. This device does push the top and sides of the hat out a little, so you will want to watch out if your hat has a low crown. Multiple players on my team wore this device last year with success. At least a dozen MLB pitchers have claimed to wear it under their hat.
Baseball Cap Liner
The Ball Cap Liner is another option for protecting a player's head during the game. Backed by former Major League Baseball player Cliff Floyd, the Baseball Cap Liner comes in two styles. The base device is a front and side head piece with an adjustable strap on the back to fit your player's head. The other option includes a section that protects the temples. Note that you may need an adjustable hat or one that is 1 to 2 sizes larger than normal.
In July 2016, the Stoneham Little League in Massachusetts made it mandatory for pitchers to wear the Ball Cap Liner. It's unclear if that continues, but it shows player safety is becoming a bigger concern.
Unequal Dome Hat Insert
Unequal makes multiple protective devices. For baseball caps, they offer the Unequal Dome. It's made of military-grade composite materials that reduce ball impact acceleration and disperse force. It fits inside the baseball cap and is unseen. The device is placed in the hat and then cut for a proper fit. Once your player grows and needs a larger hat, you may need another device due to the cutting process.
Protection is Your Choice…
It's your choice to add extra protection. All three devices add some level of defense parents might want. We can't guarantee any level of protection, so check the manufacturer's info before buying. These devices may feel uncomfortable or awkward at first, but give it time.
Pitching is Becoming a Dangerous Position in Baseball
Exit speed is a big deal today. MLB's Aaron Judge recorded a 121.1 mph exit velocity in 2017. Hitters wear helmets and armor, but pitchers stand 60 feet away with no protective gear but a glove. Pitchers have been hit in the head by line drives. Even MLB pitchers with great reflexes can't always avoid a dangerous line drive.
Youth players use composite or alloy bats designed to launch baseballs quicker than wood bats, putting youth pitchers at risk. Unless pitching helmets become standard, this risk will remain. For now, these devices can at least offer some peace of mind and protection to young pitchers on the mound.
