There have been hundreds of softball equipment developments and advancements over the years. With every new development and advancement comes positive and negative feedback and opinions. Two items that have sparked some chaos and discussion in the softball world over the past few years have been the face-mask and the EvoShield. We’ll save the face-mask for another day.
2016 NPF Triple Crown Winner and Player of the Year, Kelly Kretschman of USSSA Pride (Photo by: Dina Kwit)
For those not familiar with the EvoShield, it is an elbow guard that is most commonly worn by softball hitters to protect their lead elbow when up to bat. If you turn on your television to watch a college softball or professional softball game, most hitters who step into the batter’s box will have one if not two elbow protectors on. The EvoShield comes as a gel material which is molded to each individual’s elbow and the outside serves as a hard shell protector. The EvoShield’s purpose is to protect the elbow and deaden the blow of the hit by pitch. They also offer full body armor if you are someone who is constantly getting beamed. The EvoShield is an advancement solely benefitting the hitter, but they are a pitcher’s worst nightmare.
From a pitcher’s perspective, any batter that steps into the batter’s box wearing an EvoShield on their front elbow becomes a threat. It just takes one hit to the protected elbow guard for the hitter to realize the EvoShield will do its job and that they aren’t in danger. The EvoShield not only protects the hitter but gives them confidence that they won’t get hurt, making them feel invincible. When games get close, and the team needs you on base, it doesn’t matter how you get there. Why not put your EvoShield to the test on those inside pitches? It would be interesting to compare hit by pitch totals to before and after the EvoShield was brought into our game. Think back to any game you’ve seen over the past few years, there have probably been at least one or two EvoShield related hit by pitches while you were watching. Could this be a positive correlation to the increase in on-base percentage and runs scored? We certainly think so.
The EvoShield has made a huge impact on the game of softball from a safety standpoint. They allow hitters to have a customized piece of equipment, as well as gives a piece of mind in the batter’s box by limiting the fear of injury. What’s the most important body part in the sport of softball? That’s right, the arm. The EvoShield does its job by protecting the elbow. They have come, they have conquered, and they are most certainly here to stay.
(Feature image provided by: Allie Martinez, Dallas Charge Photographer NPF)
