After the death of a minor-league coach last summer, major-league general managers decided to require all base coaches to wear helmets in the field. Mike Coolbaugh, a first-base coach for the Double A Tulsa Drillers, was struck in the neck by a batted ball and died as a result of the injury.
But a story Friday in USA Today revealed that college and high schools are slow to follow suit. According to the paper, the issue wasn’t even discussed at the National High School Baseball Coaches Association’s December meeting.
As rare as it is for a base coach to be hit, why risk serious injury or even death? At least one area coach isn’t taking any chances. Hoffman Estates’ Steve Loh wears a helmet while coaching first base.
