With opening day for Major League Baseball just weeks away fans might not notice a big difference that might help keep players safe. This year will see the widespread introduction of a new batting helmet. Rawlings, the official provider of helmets to the MLB, is providing teams with the S100 Pro Comp.
This is the latest helmet designed for batters, and it is just a fraction of an inch larger and about an ounce heavier than traditional helmets, but its carbon fiber shell promises to be about 300 percent stiffer and 130 times stronger than helmets made of plastic. It is designed to provide protection against balls thrown at speeds up to 100 miles per hour – compared to the 68mph of the older helmets.
Last year about 200 players wore the helmet during the season, but this year all MLB players will be required to wear the helmet, which features earflaps on both sides.