Making a (Fashion) Statement

Minor League Baseball is switching to a different batting helmet. This new helmet will be bigger and bulkier and will help prevent concussions better, as it will protect the head against a pitch as fast as 100 mph. This seems to be a great thing, less chances of a serious head injury to a player, especially a minor leaguer who is usually young and has a whole career ahead of him if he's good enough. The only problem is that the players are not fans of these new helmets. What's the problem you ask? This new helmet makes the batter look weird. Yes, you read that right. Professional baseball players don't like this new helmet simply because of it looks, according to an ESPN report. These players are the same players that will dive and get themselves dirty to make a great play or slide to increase their chances of reaching base safety. Reality check, you ain't the greatest fashion statement when you got dirt running up the side of your uniform. You have to wear your dirty uniform for the rest of the game as well, unlike a batting helmet in which you only where a handful of times per game. I find it funny that the players would be against any protective gear because of its looks. I mean the name of the game with the gear is to protect you so you can avoid injury and play the sport longer. It's job isn't to make you look cool while you're swinging your bat, which by the way doesn't look cool anyways. I'm sure to non-baseball fans you look like complete fools swinging a wooden bat a little white ball. I mean the eye black on the face to keep the sun out of the eyes is also not really a fashion statement, but plenty of players are willing to smear it all over their faces. I guess I'm just confused on why weird looking batting helmets are where these players on putting their feet down on. It doesn't really matter though, since pretty soon all professional baseball players will have to wear this new helmet, and then it will look normal. For this to make the news though is quite ridiculous. I mean these players are out competing in a sport, not a beauty pageant. Making a statement with your bat, glove, pitches, or speed is very important, no one really cares if you're making a fashion statement.

Reference

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5216174