Thanks for the pointer to the article.  For me, the attachment didn't work,
but the html pointer worked fine.  Was the attachment supposed to be the
full article, or just a pointer?  It's interesting reading, but my reaction
is that it's not going to change anyone's mind.  If you already agree with
the article's position, you'll agree more, and if you don't, you won't be
swayed.  It's largely a rehash of positions that have been previously
stated.
 
I note that even proponent Jeff Sauer recognizes that requiring facial
protection up to a certain age may be a good idea, and is willing to go to
the half shield at the college level.
 
However, some of the logic still baffles me.  To wit: "Before the rule
[requiring cages or masks], a stick swiping the helmet has caused a couple
stitches. Now, the referee sees no harm, no foul.  As a result, the game has
gotten a lot rougher."
 
The solution proposed  is indirect: take away facial protection so that the
swipe to the helmet draws blood, which will cause the ref to make a call.
It seems to me that a more direct solution is available: call slashing, high
sticking, and cross-checking, even if they don't result in injury.
 
The NHL is a case in point that when virtually none of the players wear full
facial protection, carrying sticks high still happens, some players don't
play with "respect" (in fact some play with malice), and serious injuries
(some intentional) still occur.
 
The NHL is also a case in point that players not wearing full facial
protection doesn't prevent incidents in which KJ Vorhees and Devin Hartnell
were injured.  The Vorhees situation as described is almost exactly the same
as the incident which caused Paul Kariya to miss several weeks.  What
indication is there that if KJ Vorhees and Dustin Kuk hadn't worn facial
protection, the incident wouldn't have happened? 
 
Clay
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Eric Burton [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Monday, December 20, 1999 7:10 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      The Denver Post Online - College Sports
> 
> Check out this article it makes a compelling argument for not having face
> masks..
> 
>   <http://www.denverpost.com/college/hkc1220.htm> << File: The Denver Post
> Online - College Sports.url >> 
 
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