A question for college softball fans...hats?

[bUTrosbUTrosVOLie]

I have wondered this for several years but haven't looked anywhere for an answer. Why do women softball players not wear hats or visors? It seems like the dumbest thing about the game today. A perfect illustration is one of the pics on the Miss. St. site during the game today against the Lady Vols (LVs won 8-0). It shows the batter hitting toward right field and the LV right fielder wearing sunglasses while shading her eyes with her expletive deleted hand....as is the first base coach for MSU. If she is wearing a hat she would have two free hands, not one. Sunglasses are not a substitute for a hat (solid object) if you HAVE to see an object completely clearly that is not directly in the sun....anyone who has been out in a bright sky knows that. A hat blocks out ALL the light and reduces the glare much better than glasses alone. Can someone tell me why this silliness goes on?

[Obsessedvol]

I never really thought about that...but now that I think about it...it is a little weird...sunglasses are better than nothing though.

[rabidvolfan]

A hat still don't shield your eyes when you look up at a fly ball. Usually players use their glove to shield the sun. I have noticed that you will see a player wear a visor from time to time. I've never seen any of our girls wear one.

[bUTrosbUTrosVOLie]

Originally Posted by rabidvolfan

A hat still don't shield your eyes when you look up at a fly ball. Usually players use their glove to shield the sun. I have noticed that you will see a player wear a visor from time to time. I've never seen any of our girls wear one.

Right, I understand....that's why I stated a hat works when you're not looking "directly into the sun". I played ball for many years and have used my glove hand like you said to try to block the sun on high fly balls. BTW, a hat is also the best thing to block out the overhead lights in a night game so you can zone in more on the batter and other play. Without a hat bill I know those ladies' eyes are straining a lot more...bright day or at night under the lights.

[bUTrosbUTrosVOLie]

Originally Posted by Obsessedvol

I never really thought about that...but now that I think about it...it is a little weird...sunglasses are better than nothing though.

They used to wear hats or visors. I have no idea when it changed.

[IBlvNTmWrk]

I coached some fast pitch travel teams for years. The answer I was given... "because no one else wears them".

[xJesusx56]

They don't want hat hair.

[Escape Goat]

Not everyone can be the progressive woman.

[PineyBluff Vol]

Monica always wore a visor!

[Escape Goat]

Originally Posted by PineyBluff Vol

Monica always wore a visor!

Indeed. Forgot about her

[bUTrosbUTrosVOLie]

Originally Posted by IBlvNTmWrk

I coached some fast pitch travel teams for years. The answer I was given... "because no one else wears them".

Well, that must have been interesting... and probably a lot of fun, too. If you don't mind saying....how long ago was that?

I know women wore hats to play fast pitch in the past but can't really remember when (or, when I noticed) they weren't wearing them any longer. Seems like a no-brainer, maybe even a safety issue for eye strain. I know what a tough game fast pitch is having played men's fastpitch (third base) in the military and later in a couple of places. Bang-bang game.

[CalifLadyVolFan]

All of the Lady Vols have a Visor. Mel wears hers regularly depending upon playing conditions but it's a matter of preference on the Visor, Sunglasses or both.

During her Travel Ball days with the OC Batbusters when she primarily played first base, she wore the advisor on most "sunny" days. Only one team I can remember in our 10 years of Travel Ball... Arizona Thunder... wore ball caps but otherwise, 99.9999999% of travel teams had a visor in their bat bags!

Go Lady Vols!

[CalifLadyVolFan]

Tempe

[orangeblood79]

My wife played in college and wore hers all the time...I suppose it IS a matter of preference.

I'm not doggin them for being ladies but, in all seriousness, I think some of them like to play ball AND look good and they don't like the look of the visor...

[IBlvNTmWrk]

Originally Posted by bUTrosbUTrosVOLie

Well, that must have been interesting... and probably a lot of fun, too. If you don't mind saying....how long ago was that?

I know women wore hats to play fast pitch in the past but can't really remember when (or, when I noticed) they weren't wearing them any longer. Seems like a no-brainer, maybe even a safety issue for eye strain. I know what a tough game fast pitch is having played men's fastpitch (third base) in the military and later in a couple of places. Bang-bang game.

Just a couple of years ago. After playing and coaching baseball, girls fastpitch was a little bit of a change. With such a short field the game is much quicker. 5 and 6 positions are key playing against teams that have slappers and play a lot of short ball. But I found it to be very strategic, especially pitch placement, and really enjoyed it.