Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves

Timeline: The baseball helmet's history

By Carroll Rogers Walton
Oct 5, 2009

• Aug. 17, 1920: Indians shortstop Ray Chapman dies after being hit in the head by a pitch from Yankee Carl Mays, prompting Major League Baseball to ban the spitball, require umpires to replace dirty balls.

• 1950s/60s: Players use plastic inserts for protection.

• 1971: MLB makes batting helmets mandatory.

• 1983: MLB makes helmets with at least one earflap mandatory

• July 11, 2006: Rawlings introduces the CoolFlo helmet with vents

• July 22, 2007: Rockies minor league first base coach Mike Coolbaugh is killed by a batted ball to the head

• Nov. 8, 2007: MLB mandates all base coaches wear batting helmets

• August, 2009: Rawlings introduces the S100 helmet, built to withstand pitches of up to 100 mph

• Aug. 31, 2009: MLB announces that it will mandate minor league players wear the S100 in 2010.

About the Author

Carroll Rogers Walton
More Stories

Keep Reading

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani throws his helmet in the air to celebrate a walk-off solo home run against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Credit: AP

Shohei Ohtani’s walk-off homer makes Braves’ missed opportunities costly to end winless trip

This was a brutal end to a horrific trip: The Braves blew a five-run lead, lost by one run and still are the only winless team in the major leagues.

Braves fall to 0-6, are the only winless team in MLB as disastrous start continues

This is the Braves’ longest season-opening losing streak since they lost nine in a row to begin the 2016 season. The Braves could very well be 0-7 when they return home.

Austin Riley, Matt Olson react to Jurickson Profar’s suspension

The Atlanta Braves’ top offseason acquisition is now out of the picture for months and ineligible for the postseason.

The Latest

Views of the exterior of Truist Park are shown on Thursday, March 13, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Braves Report: Unsavory playoff odds

2h ago

Shohei Ohtani’s walk-off homer makes Braves’ missed opportunities costly to end winless trip

Braves Report: Will it ever end?

Featured

An aerial image shows the Atlanta skyline on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Atlanta is known for its trees. How far will it go to save them?

A new ordinance to protect Atlanta's trees could soon reach City Council for a vote, but it's not clear if key provisions will make it in.

Training center opponents vow to complicate 2025 city elections

Opponents of the law enforcement training center, known to some as "Cop City," told the AJC they promise to be a thorn in the side for Mayor Andre Dickens as he campaigns.

Watch out, spring breakers: Friday could break records at the Atlanta airport

TSA estimates Friday, April 4 is projected to see a record-breaking 115,000 Atlanta security screenings.