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I assume many of you heard about Mike Coolbaugh’s death a couple weeks ago—he was the first-base coach with the Tulsa Drillers who was killed by a foul ball to the head.
Although extremely rare when you consider the amount of foul balls hit every day of the season, Mike wasn’t the first to lose his life on the field. In fact, before 1951, at least six major and minor league batters were killed when they took balls in the head. Why before 1951 you might ask? Because the following year the fiberglass batting helmet was introduced, something that would become a mandate for all teams by 1956.
The Pittsburgh Pirates were the first team to wear them (because Charlie Muse, who invented the plastic helmet, worked in the Pirates’ organization) and for years were the laughing stock of the game, considered “wimps” and “pansies” for protecting their heads.
But then in 1954, the Braves’ Joe Adcock was beaned so badly that he fell unconscious for 15 minutes and, as a result, more players started wearing them.
Now that a coach has died, however, some first- and third-base coaches are starting to wear protective helmets on the field, too. Sometimes, when I’m sitting behind one of the dugouts, I feel like even WE spectators in the stands should be wearing them. I’ve seen some balls (and bats) launched my way with such velocity, you wouldn’t want to be caught ordering an overpriced cold beer when one of those babies comes your way.
I’m with you on the helmets for spectators thing. Many of the ball fields where I live have little more than a large square of chain link fence behind home plate, no dugouts, and nothing to separate fans from the action. A number of years ago a woman was killed when a bat was flung backwards carelessly; one minute she was sitting in her lawn chair enjoying the game, and the next…
On the other hand, life is hazardous — even fatal. It’s impossible to guard against all hazards; even trying takes the joy out of a lot of experiences.
Putting helmets on batters makes sense. Putting them on 1st & 3rd base coaches, a little less. What’s next? Helmets on all infielders?
posted by Dave on 8-2-2007 at 6:12 am
The story of Mike Coolbaugh’s death is indeed tragic. Helmeting coaches and umpires, however, seems unwarranted, considering the small NUMBER of incidents in which such individuals are actuall hit by balls.
Yes, David, the small NUMBER… as in… the grammatically correct “number,” rather than “amount’” in a clause that should read “Although extremely rare when you consider the NUMBER of foul balls hit every day of the season…” (emphasis added).
I know, I come off as an arrogant so-and-so. Too bad. Mental Floss is NOT Highlights Magazine. The bar is raised higher, and we expect more.
Sorry, but it’s true.
posted by Conan the Grammarian on 8-2-2007 at 6:36 am
I remember as a kid watching the college world series, I saw one of the peanut vendors walking up the stairs get beaned by a foul ball. He dropped like sack of wet noodles, and was carried out by paramedics. If I were selling peanuts I’d definately wear a helmet, the poor guy never saw it coming.
posted by Scott on 8-2-2007 at 7:53 am
Conan, arrogant posters should really check their spelling. Sorry, but it’s true.
posted by DW on 8-2-2007 at 8:04 am
I’ve never been to Dickey-Stephens Park (where Mike Coolbaugh was), but at the Arkansas Travelers’ old home, Ray Winder Field my uncle saw a lady get hit by a foul ball. They gave her Travelers First Aid (a cold beer) and she was fine, I wish that was all Mike needed. But I disagree with Dave in that a foul ball tends to be going faster than anything that would get that close to an infield player. I thaink that the 1st and 3rd base coaches might ought to wear helmets, I’ve even seen a few players in the dugout get a pretty good smack, so maybe even a optional helmet in the dugout. As for the spectators, that should be the ballparks priority, to insure a safe and fun experience for the fans. There should be some other form of baseball-repel, if you will.
Perhaps something better than a net?
posted by EEB on 8-2-2007 at 10:14 am
tragic… really.
i hope this will never happen a anymore
posted by messed-up on 8-2-2007 at 10:19 am
Conan: I don’t think you’re arrogant at all. As a matter of fact, it’s nice to see that I’m not the only one who notices such things. On the other hand:
DW: Touche!! You made me smile.
posted by Betsy on 8-2-2007 at 10:25 am
While wearing batting helmet will undoubtedly help prevent a head injury, in the case of Mike Coolbaugh, it wouldn’t have done a thing. The line drive foul ball hit him in the neck, not the head, and ruptured an artery. He died so suddenly, that unless the incident had literally happened in a hospital on the way to the operating room, there wasn’t a thing that could have been done to save him.
posted by Anthony on 8-2-2007 at 11:46 am