New Helmets For Players Safety

According to KenDavidoff - Twitter , Rawlings will make the new safer batting helmets available to Major League hitters by September 10, 2009.

In Davidoff's article, he quotes a memo sent by MLB and the Players Association: "The new S100 model helmet has been designed to better withstand impact at higher speeds, and has been independently tested by MLB and the Players Association to measure its performance against pitches thrown at 100 miles per hour. The test results indicate that the new helmet significantly reduces the likelihood of serious head trauma when a batter is hit on the helmet by a higher velocity pitch."

Despite the new safer helmets, Davidoff cites that players are reluctant to switch to the new helmets: "I'm sure it does the job that they say it does, but it is pretty hideous-looking", said Mets catcher Brian Schneider. "It looks just like a regular helmet, but the padding is like twice as much. It is huge on your head. You would have to get used to it."

Jeff Francoeur echoed Schneider's sentiments, "The helmet is kind of big and doesn't look good. If you get hit with a 95-mph pitch, I don't care if you are wearing a football helmet. There is a good chance that you are going to get a concussion."

Regardless of what the players say, the fact that both MLB and the MLBPA are working together to protect their players is a positive sign.