Batting helmets today are made with the highest quality materials, designed to offer maximum protection for all players. However, they do not last forever. Every batting helmet, no matter what level of baseball or softball, has a limited life span. How do you know it is time to retire your old helmet and get a new one? Baseball Savings has some helpful tips to make sure you have a batting helmet that meets your needs.
Does Your Batting Helmet Fit?
The first thing to check for with a batting helmet is the proper fit. If you or your child has outgrown their helmet, that is a sure sign you need a new one. While different brands may use slightly different measurements, most batting helmets will be relatively around the same size regardless of the manufacturer. Finding your size is easy, just like measuring your hat size. Use a soft measuring tape to measure the circumference of your head just above the ears.
Once you put your helmet on, give it the shake test. Shake your head back and forth a few times and see if your helmet wiggles. If it moves around too much on your head then it is too big. A properly fit batting helmet should sit one inch above your eyebrows. It should not be tilted forward and back, leaving your forehead or the back of your head and neck exposed. A batting helmet that is too small is easy to spot: it simply won’t fit onto your head.
Does Your Batting Helmet Have Any Damage?
It is important to inspect your batting helmet for any damage before use. Helmets are designed to protect players from balls hit or thrown at upwards of 90 mph so it is vital that they not have any cracks or dents. Any type of defect like this prevents a batting helmet from doing the job it was made to do. Take special care of your helmet. Don’t slam it or throw it down in the dugout. Don’t leave it out in the sun; this can harden and crack the padding inside, not only making it less effective but also less comfortable to wear.
Is Your Batting Helmet Certified?
When inspecting your batting helmet, always check the label. Always follow the instructions on any safety label on when to replace a helmet. Some helmets will have a label that says the helmet should not be reconditioned. That helmet should be replaced when it shows wear and tear.
Some other batting helmets can be reconditioned and recertified. An expert can repair a used helmet by fixing cracks or other damage, replacing missing pieces or parts, testing it for safety, and approving it for use. Helmets should be reconditioned and recertified by a licensed NAERA (National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association) member. However, there is a limit to this process. The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, or NOCSAE, sets the standard that any helmet more than 10 years from its initial certification is not eligible for recertification. Simply put, if you have a helmet that is more than 10 years old, you should replace it.
When you are ready for a new batting helmet, visit Baseball Savings. We carry helmets from the top brands in baseball and softball alike such as Rawlings, Easton, Evoshield, Mizuno, and more.
