USA – The ultimate protection against runaway fastballs has finally arrived.

Rawlings has developed a new batting helmet, the S100, that protects hitters from fastballs that reach speeds of up to 100 mph. Made from same polypropylene found in bicycle helmets, the
S100 retails at $99.99 at Rawlings official online store.

“Our position is to offer the safest helmet on the market,” Mike Thompson, Rawlings’s vice president for marketing and business development, told the New York Times.

Although the S100 batting helmet offers better protection than other batting helmet models, most of which are designed to be dent-resistant at speeds of up to approximately 70 mph, some major leaguers are not too thrilled with the bulky design.

“No, I am absolutely not wearing that,” Mets outfielder Jeff Francoeur told the Times after seeing a prototype model of the S100. “I could care less what they say, I’m not wearing it. There’s got to be a way to have a more protective helmet without all that padding. It’s brutal. We’re going to look like a bunch of clowns out there.”

However, some players are excited about the new helmets and the added protection it would provide.

“I’m not worried about style or looking good out there,” Mets third baseman David Wright said. “I’m worried about keeping my melon protected.”

Rawlings is hopeful that the S100 will become a mainstay in youth leagues and high schools, where some of the future major league stars are developing their skills.

Photo courtesy of rawlingsgear.com

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