MLB approves new form of head protection for pitchers

Major League Baseball has approved a revised model of head protection for pitchers, according to a report from ESPN's Outside the Lines.

Major League Baseball has approved a revised model of head protection for pitchers, according to a report from ESPN's Outside the Lines.

MLB approved a different model prior to last season but only one pitcher, Alex Torres of the San Diego Padres, wore it during a game.

Whereas that model included padding on the inside of a cap, the new model features detachable padding to be worn on the exterior of a cap, according to the report.

"It's ready for prime time," said Bruce Foster, CEO of 4Licensing Corp, Pinwrest's parent company. The revision, he said, addresses pitchers' complaints that the cap with interior padding and an extended bill hindered comfort, depth perception and the ability to hold runners on.

The new isoBLOX approach increases padded coverage by about 20 percent, improving protection of critical regions -- like the temples -- against catastrophic injury, Foster said.

"Our first priority is making sure of safety," Houlihan said, "and hopefully this product that is worn over a normal cap will be more user-friendly and versatile for pitchers to try on and determine if it's for them."

Teams were notified about the new model on Friday, the report says.

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