Being Hard Headed Still - Bowa

[westofyou]

Dodgers' Bowa says he will ignore helmet rule for coaches.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseba...ck=1&cset=true

The third base coach says he'll 'really make a joke out of it.'
February 29, 2008

VERO BEACH, Fla. -- To protest baseball's new rule requiring base coaches to wear helmets, Larry Bowa threatened to march to his work station along the third base line wearing shin guards, a chest protector and a mask.

"I'll really make a joke out of it," Bowa said.

Bowa refused to wear a helmet in the Dodgers' exhibition opener Thursday at Holman Stadium and said he had no intention of doing so in the future. First base coach Mariano Duncan also ignored the rule that stemmed from the death of Mike Coolbaugh, who was struck by a line drive while coaching first base in the minor leagues last season.

"I'm willing to write out a check for whatever the fine is for every game," Bowa said. "Whatever 162 games is, I'll write out a check for it."

Bowa says helmets are uncomfortable and that veteran coaches should be able to decide on their own whether to wear them. He argued that broken bats are more dangerous than batted balls and that if coaches had to wear helmets, umpires should be forced to do so as well.

Bowa, who Thursday wore a cap lined on the inside with thin plastic, says he isn't the only coach who feels this way.

"There are a lot of coaches that I've talked to who aren't saying anything so I feel like I'm talking for those guys," Bowa said. "They don't want to wear them."

http://dodgerthoughts.baseballtoaste...es/914994.html

Bowa Constrictor
2008-02-29 07:02
by Jon Weisman

I don't really want to get into the politics of new Dodger third-base coach Larry Bowa's rebellion against Major League Baseball's new helmet rule for coaches – or I guess to be blunt, I don't want the commenters of Dodger Thoughts to do so, because political discussion is against the site rules. But to offer a few thoughts:

1) The argument that the helmets are uncomfortable echoes an argument people had against wearing seat belts when those became compulsory. If it wasn't common sense already, we learned that people get used to things and the discomfort disappears. Also, getting hurt less tends to be more comfortable than getting hurt more.

2) The argument that umpires are in more danger than coaches, if it's true, doesn't imply you should be fighting against helmets for coaches. It implies that we just need to consider helmets for umpires.

3) From a Dodger perspective, consider that Bowa is a man in authority, expecting to be listened to, telling the world that he has no intention of listening to authority.

You may agree or disagree with Bowa's opinion on helmets (we know where Vin Scully would stand). But I do think it qualifies as irony that on a day that criticism renewed of Dodger players running through stop signs, Bowa is running through one himself.

[RANDY IN INDY]

Not sure how I feel about this one. In this situation, I somehow think that it should be left up to the individual. The coaches on the baselines are not in nearly as much danger as the pitcher. I understand MLB being proactive, but these guys have been around the game for a long time and they are adults that can make a decision for themselves. I agree with Bowa about the bats being more dangerous than the balls. Next thing you know, they are going to put up plexi-glass or netting up and down the baselines to protect the fans.

[Team Clark]

I am not sure where to stand on this issue. I respect that Bowa and others do not want to wear the helmet/shell. The "shell" the coaches are actually wearing, from what I can tell, wouldn't have saved Coolbaugh's life. Just from what I can tell.

I know that everyone wants to look cool out on the field and the shell certainly takes away from that. I just wonder if there is a better solution? Rules are rules though and I am not advocating that Bowa or any other coach has the authority to undermine the establishmnet.

[princeton]

first hockey games that I ever attended had the maskless Andy Brown in goal.

[RANDY IN INDY]

TC, I think you would agree that the helmets are not that uncomfortable, but I know they are quite hot in the middle of the summer. If it were me, I would probably just suck it up and put the helmet on, but I understand and respect the guys that don't want to wear it.

[Phhhl]

Bowa should wear the "shell" and shut up. People that work with food probably don't enjoy hair nets. Men who work in hospitals don't look real cool wearing collar-less smocks. My dad was an outstanding body and fender man, but felt like a clown wearing a blue and white striped shirt that identified him as Mr. Goodwrench. Granted, not all of that is safety gear, but the point is that you have to drive around in a car with a big bug on it or a Dominoe's pizza sign to make a living once in a while. There are rules, and they are set by the folks you make out the checks. Baseball is no different. I would fine him the first couple times he doesn't comply, then escalate it if he insists.

[Unassisted]

I predict that Bud makes the decision easier for Bowa. We'll see if Bowa's head is hard enough to lose his job over the lack of a helmet on it.

[Triples]

Baseball has been played for what a 100+ years and one coach has died from a batted ball(that I know of anyway). While I disagree with Bowa's approach to the situation (although not a bit surprised that he'd act this way) I do agree with him that its ridiculous to make base coaches were helmets. There's a greater likelihood of getting killed in the parking lot than by a batted ball. The most vulnerable person on the field is the pitcher and they've done nothing to prevent them from taking a line drive in the coconut. I am somewhat surprised and have wondered for a long time that umps don't where helmets, although several are now wearing the goalie style mask/helment combo.

My prediction is that MLB will relax the helmet rule for coaches before the start of the regular season.

[George Anderson]

Originally Posted by Triples

Baseball has been played for what a 100+ years and one coach has died from a batted ball(that I know of anyway). While I disagree with Bowa's approach to the situation (although not a bit surprised that he'd act this way) I do agree with him that its ridiculous to make base coaches were helmets. There's a greater likelihood of getting killed in the parking lot than by a batted ball. The most vulnerable person on the field is the pitcher and they've done nothing to prevent them from taking a line drive in the coconut. I am somewhat surprised and have wondered for a long time that umps don't where helmets, although several are now wearing the goalie style mask/helment combo.

My prediction is that MLB will relax the helmet rule for coaches before the start of the regular season.

I agree, the Coolbaugh thing was a tragedy but it was a freak accident. Just yet another example where societies "Safety Nazis" are taking advantage of one unfortunate incident and imposing rules that will make ultimately make zero difference.

[Sea Ray]

This is a ridiculous rule on the part of MLB and an overreaction to a tragic happening. Thousands of people die on the interstates every year and we could save those lives if we instituted a 10 MPH speed limit but we don't. We accept some risk in life. Surely folks like Bowa know the risk of getting hit with a batted ball while on the field. He's spent half his life and the baseball field. This rule is absolute nuts IMO.

[KoryMac5]

I look at it like the law requiring motorcycle helmets, a few riders are against it until something bad happens to them.

[fearofpopvol1]

I'd say if he's willing to sign a waiver that the team/MLB are not responsible for anything that happens while he is coaching if he is not wearing the helmet like he's supposed to, let him go without it.

[Unassisted]

Originally Posted by fearofpopvol1

I'd say if he's willing to sign a waiver that the team/MLB are not responsible for anything that happens while he is coaching if he is not wearing the helmet like he's supposed to, let him go without it.

As I see it, the problem with that notion is the timing. It will look like MLB can't enforce its own rules if Bowa is allowed a pass on this. Considering the Federal scrutiny being given right now to another issue in which MLB may have looked the other way for too long on an issue affecting the sport, I don't believe MLB can afford to let Bowa get away with just "paying a fine" or signing a release. It would just look too weaselly right now.

A smarter approach would have been to phase in this equipment change like the NHL phased in its helmet requirement. I'm sure that in the anguished days following Coolbaugh's death, baseball didn't anticipate any resistance to preventing another tragedy. It's probably too late for a phase-in now.

[BCubb2003]

I think everyone on the field should wear Bronson Arroyo's geeky two-flap Little League helmet.

[SunDeck]

What is the real issue, that the coaches are in the line of a foul ball? If so, then aren't a bunch of fans along the baseline in danger, too?

And really, shouldn't they be more worried about these guys?