| D5 UIC
May 23, 2008
9:25:45 AM
Entry #: 2762717
| The following was in the January 2005 issue of Little League’s ASAP (A Safety Awareness Program) Newsletter regarding painting and/or applying stickers to helmets.
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Rule 1.16 and 1.17 (All levels of baseball and softball)
WARNING! Manufacturers have advised that altering helmets in any way can be dangerous. Altering the helmet in any form, including painting or adding decals (by anyone other than the manufacturer or authorized dealer) may void the helmet warranty. Helmets may not be re-painted and may not contain tape or re-applied decals unless approved in writing by the helmet manufacturer or authorized dealer.
What does this mean?
It means if an umpire or other league official notices paint or a decal on a helmet, and if a umpire/league official has reason to believe that the manufacturer or authorized dealer did not grant approval (in writing) for the paint or decal to be applied, that helmet should not be used in a game or practice.
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The following is an article printed in the March 2003 issue of the ASAP Newsletter:
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“I am the DSO for FL21. There is a rumor going around down here that affixing stickers to a helmet, batters or catchers, violates the NOCSAE safety rating of the helmet. I have looked thru back issues of ASAP, looked in the Little League rule book, and searched the Internet but have not found any basis for this rumor; other than a ban on anything that resembles or simulates a baseball being attached to any part of the uniform. I have been told that the adhesives used for the stickers will cause a reaction to the plastic of the helmet resulting in a change to the molecular composition that decreases the protection desired. A similar issue has come up with airbrush paintings on softball helmets. “Please assist with some guidance on this, and a reference if you can. “The NOCSAE sticker is applied with an adhesive.”
District Safety Officer
Florida District 21
Most leagues are faced with this in some form or another: personal helmets that parents want to identify with stickers or paint, teams want helmets to match jerseys, All-Star teams want the league identified with paint or stickers, and on and on. However, it’s important to note that helmets are for the personal protection of the players, not for decoration. Their use must be consistent with personal protection.
Andy Konyar, LLB Umpire in Chief, posed questions on the use of paint or stickers, and here’s what he found:
Can Helmets be Painted?
“Batter’s helmets can be painted. NOT in a family garage [or by anyone else not approved by the manufacturer of the helmet]. It’s true that certain paints may alter the molecular structure to the point that protection is compromised. Most manufacturers will void the warranty if the helmet has been painted by someone other than themselves or their approved painter,” notes Scott Halstead, with the Southern Impact Research Center, LCC. So, “if a league wants its helmets painted, they should contact the manufacturer for direction.”
Can Stickers be Applied?
Regarding the application of stickers or decals on helmets: Can a single letter be applied to the front of the helmet or the sides to identify the team or league? Can a team name sticker/decal be applied to identify a team or league? One of the problems we are seeing now is young ladies applying stickers/decals of their favorite singer or group all over helmets; is this recommended or safe? Understanding here at headquarters are similar to painting the helmets, i.e. the glue on the stickers/decals could break down the helmet and make it unsafe as a protective device.
“The first question seems to be a question for the league directors regarding logo requirements. If the league requires such logos, then I recommend they contact the helmet manufacturer for details on what type of adhesive is OK to use on the logos,” said SIRC’s Scott Halstead. “Approved decals are allowed by most manufacturers as long as the adhesives are not aggressive and do not alter the molecular structure. In general, you are correct in that many of the adhesives on stickers can have an effect on the materials the helmets are made from and therefore should not be placed on the helmets. Your understanding is correct in that the decals themselves could effect the materials’ molecular structure as does painting a helmet with the incorrect paint affects its structure.”
Manufacturer's Decision
It’s important to understand that Little League’s stand is based on the manufacturer’s positions. There is nothing wrong with paint or stickers as long as they are approved by the manufacturer. Applying either paint or stickers not approved by the specific manufacturer may make the helmets unsafe and void the manufacturer’s warranty. The best solution is to have league-wide guidelines which must be adhered to by all participants. If you have paint or stickers on helmets, make sure they are approved paint types (water-soluble, etc.) and non-aggressive adhesives for stickers.
Helmet Warranties
Helmets have been tested under stringent conditions to not break, crack or otherwise allow damage to the head of the person wearing it. The safety of and warranties for the products are based on those tests. If a substance not approved by a manufacturer is applied to a helmet and the helmet breaks, the manufacturer would not be responsible, but the person applying that substance, as well as the league allowing the altered helmet to be worn, would be liable for injuries incurred.
Little League has contacted several helmet manufacturers, who have stated that any league wishing to apply paint or decals to helmets should contact them. If a paint or decal’s adhesive isn’t specifically approved, they will do so. As an example, Shutt Sports has said they will test any material to determine if it harms the helmet, if a league will send them a sample. Others likely would do the same.
For those leagues using approved paints to paint helmets, Little League reminds them to place a one-inch sticker over the “NOCSAE-approved” emblem on the back before painting. Then, it can be removed after painting so the symbol remains in plain view. In all cases, a letter from the manufacturer is required for helmets which have been painted or decals placed on the front or sides of the helmet. For small stickers to identify the owner or team, Little League recommends the best place for these kinds of decals is under the bill of the helmet, since this area is less protective for the wearer and more a sun visor for the wearer’s eyes.
Manufacturers
Batters’ helmets must only be approved by NOCSAE for use; contact manufacturer by calling contact information on label with helmet. Approved catcher's helmet manufacturers are:
• All-Star Sporting Goods
800/777-3810
• Diamond Sports Co.
800/366-2999
• Nocona Athletic Goods Co.
940/825-3326
• Park View Manufacturing
618/548-9054
• Rawlings Sporting Goods Co.
314/349-3511
• Sport Supply Group
800/774-6972
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This is a rule designed to help insure the safety of the participant. As this is the case, leagues should prohibit the use of all altered helmets unless it is accompanied by written approval from the manufacturer or authorized dealer granting approval for the paint or decal to be applied. This rule will be strictly enforced at the district tournament and above.
If you have any questions about helmets, or any other rule, please send your questions to me at:
jknoebel@bellsouth.net
Jeffrey Knoebel
Indiana D5 UIC
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