MLB to debut protective headwear for pitchers

Major League Baseball will debut protective headwear for pitchers in spring training.

Major League Baseball will debut protective headwear for pitchers during spring training, reports ESPN’s Outside the Lines.

The gear, which will be given to 20 pitchers and won’t be made mandatory, is a “hybrid of a cap and a helmet,” according to the report. It will weigh 10 to 12 ounces and have a carbon fiber protective shell.  

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Alex Cobb, who was hit in the head with a line drive in 2013, tried on a mock-up of the headwear last year and reported being pleased with it. 

“It felt great and looks good, similar to a helmet with the top cut off,” Cobb said.

OTL Report: MLB pitchers will receive new protective headwear from MLB & MLB Players Assoc. https://t.co/e9J49NVCcr pic.twitter.com/Cbcc38yKS4

— Outside the Lines (@OTLonESPN) February 12, 2016

Pitchers and catchers begin reporting to spring training next week.