> > From: Ron Babuka <[log in to unmask]> > > Hmm. Marsh suffers a seizure after a hit with helmet on and > he figures he's better with it off. I'm not a genius or any- > thing but wouldn't matters have been worse without the helmet. > Marsh received the injury while wearing NO helmet. Then he wore one for a period of time to protect himself from a recurring injury of the same nature, before ditching it again. > Of course, they could require the pros to wear cages or full > shields, too. If everyone wore a cage or shield, everyone > would have the same disadvantage of limited vision. The pros > are too macho for that though. > Better yet, if nobody did! I don't know about anyone else, but I REALLY miss the days when you could recognize the players by their appearance instead of just a number. Besides, after years of both playing and reffing at levels Pee Wees through the AHL I saw a remarkable increase in the chippiness and stick-work catagories. The conclusion I drew from seeing this was NOT that the "tough guys" get any dirtier, but that the previously "clean" players were a LOT quick to bring up the sticks and elbows. It became real easy for people to hide behind a cage and not have to worry about getting hurt to badly in return. Masks came along after I was finished playing at the school levels so I've never worn one, but I suspect I wouldn't like one. Much the same way that I enjoyed playing in private rinks where helmets were optional. I know I was more conscious of players around me that didn't have the protective head gear. I for the most part they seemed to be also. Besides, I've always wondered how many serious injuries they really saved compared to the amount of people playing the sport. I know that after 25 years of playing oranized hockey I still have all my teeth and no serious head wounds. Yeah, quite a few stiches and 3 broken noses but who says hockey players are supposed to be good looking anyway? :-) -bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William J. Beaulac Systems Support Specialist Convex Computer Corporation Technical Assistance Center 3000 Waterview Parkway Email: [log in to unmask] P.O. Box 833851 m/s TAC Phone: 800-952-0379 Richardson, Tx. 75083-3851 Fax : 214-497-4560 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------