Standardization News

ASTM International’s sports equipment, playing surfaces, and facilities committee (F08) has begun developing a standard on defensive masks for women’s softball players. The proposed standard (WK70909) will apply to defensive/infielder masks that are designed specifically not to be worn with or attached to any type of helmet structure.

“We see a growing interest from players, families, leagues, and the industry to come together and try to provide more protection,” said Gregg Hartley, a consultant who is a member of the committee.

According to Hartley, several high school associations and youth softball groups now mandate the use of a protective mask for women’s softball players, which has created a need for the proposed standard. 

Hartley says that the standard could help the industry and others to understand a minimum level of protection and quality for defensive masks. He adds that softball governing bodies could use the standard as a level of player protection that they can specify.

Anyone with an interest in women’s softball player protection is welcome to join in the development of the proposed standard.

Become a member of ASTM. The next meeting of ASTM International’s sports equipment, playing surfaces, and facilities committee is May 11-14, in Boston (Massachusetts, USA).