Batting helmets are an essential part of sports accessories as it protects the players from severe head injuries. It may not look so dangerous when you see cricket matches on TV, but, in reality, the hardball used in the game is very rigid. Similarly, in other games like softball and baseball, if the ball or even the bat hits a player's head, it can cause serious injuries. To play safe, you need the best batting helmet of 2021.
Some Important Things to Consider
Never rush into buying a product; always do your research. It may seem easy to buy the best batting helmet but, there are a few things to check first.
The Material of Batting Helmet
As discussed earlier, batting helmets are supposed to protect your head from a hard rigid ball or bat, so they should be made from solid material. Only a durable and robust helmet can do its job perfectly and bear the force of a high speedball.
The material most commonly used in constructing a batting helmet is reinforced plastic that provides rigidity and hardness. The protective padding on a helmet also strengthens it, so you should never settle for a helmet without interior surface padding.
NOCSAE
The sports community is growing every day, so to ensure that players get the best products, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) has set some standards. There are numerous companies making helmets today, but you can check for a NOCSAE rating on it to sort out the best from the bunch. When you are buying a batting helmet, look for a NOCSAE certification sticker on it.
Softball Mask
Softball players need a different face mask to attach to their batting helmet. Sometimes, the batting helmet already has a mask attached to it, so you don't need to worry. However, if the face mask is not present, it is best to buy one from the same brand as the batting helmet.
Chin Strap
At the professional level, you won't see many helmets with chin straps. However, it would help if you had a chin strap at the beginner level or for some professional leagues. Just like a softball mask, batting helmets don't usually come with a chin strap, so you need to buy them separately. Again, professionals recommend that it is best to buy a chin strap from the same brand as the batting helmet as it ensures a proper fit.
How to Choose Helmet Size?
We all have different head sizes, so batting helmets are also made in various sizes. Different dimensions and measurements are used to make the perfect helmet, but ideally, the helmets of the same size are relatively equal.
To find out the perfect helmet size, you need to measure the circumference of your head. You can look up to the helmet with the closest size to your circumference, if not exact. You can also refer to a size chart with complete details about the regular helmet sizes for different head circumferences.
A helmet that is bigger than your head size will end up putting you in a difficult situation. Either it will fall off when you are running, or worst, it can obscure your vision when trying to hit. However, if you end up buying a batting helmet that is too big to fit correctly, you can buy an extra padding kit. It won't be as good as a snuggle fit helmet but it will do the job.
To check if the size of a helmet is perfect for you, you can wear it and shake your head a little. If the helmet moves a lot, then it is too big for you. On the other hand, if it almost stays in its place, you have the perfect batting helmet. Of course, a small fitting batting helmet won't get on your head initially, so there are very few chances that you buy it.
Experts recommend that your helmet be 1 inch above your eyebrows, and it should point parallel to the ground. If your batting helmet is pointing upwards, it leaves your forehead unprotected while running to the base or batting. Similarly, if your helmet is bent downwards, the back of your head is exposed to injuries.
Why Do Helmets Cover One Ear only?
You would have noticed that softball and baseball players have helmets that only cover one of their ears. At first, you might find it strange but, there is a logical reason for it. If a batter is right-handed, then they need an ear cover flap for the left ear only as it is exposed to the threat of a high-speed ball. Similarly, if you are a left-handed batsman, then you need a flap on the right ear. The only exception is for switch hitters because they hit the ball from the right or left hand according to the situation. Thus, they need ear protection for both left and right sides.
Double flapped helmets are primarily used in a youth league, college, or high school; in short, it is required for lower levels than professional. These helmets are for dual purposes because they protect you when you are standing at the plate and when you are running at the bases. Whether you are trying to steal a base, dive back to your base, or run to first base, these double flapped helmets are beneficial.
Batting Helmet FAQ
Q. How can I clean a batting helmet?
The interior padding of a batting helmet cannot be removed so that you can clean it with warm water and mild detergent. Take special care when cleaning the helmet from the inside. If you add excessive water or too many chemicals, the padding can break.
Q. Why do helmets look burned?
Sometimes a batting helmet, especially for softball, may look burnt because of the pine tar coating. Pine tar coating is made by distilling pine wood, and it reduces slippage and helps the player perform better.
Q. Can batting helmets be disinfected?
When you are playing in the field, there is a high chance of getting dirt in your helmet that can lead to the building up of bacteria. However, you can disinfect your helmets by using detergent sprays.