The last time Ainsley Tolson stood in the pitchers circle for the Trenton Bulldogs was in the state quarterfinals last season. Black and Gold markings were scattered across her face – one of complete focus and determination.
It was easy to see the characteristics of her demeanor as she went about her work. While she will no doubt wear the same face when she steps back onto the field this year, it won’t be as easily visible to the fans in the stands.
That’s because MSHSAA has implemented a new rule this season that will require all high school pitchers in the state to wear protective masks on the field. Tolson has worn masks in the past, but has preferred in recent years the look of a visor.
“It doesn’t really affect me,” Tolson said of the new rule. “It’s just the way that it looks – I don’t really like it.”
While Tolson isn’t the biggest fan of the new rule, she understands the safety that comes with it. There have been some close calls throughout her career, the closest coming off the bat of her own teammate – Taylor Richman – who drove a ball right back at the Trenton ace in practice.
“It’s definitely safer, especially when you are throwing to better batters,” Tolson said. “Every team is getting better hitters every year. This is a lot safer and a lot easier for my mom to watch.
“If I throw it down the middle, it’s probably coming right back at my face. It’s happened before and it’s pretty scary. It would really suck to have the ball hit me in the face.”
MSHSAA has also suggested all third and first basemen wear masks as well, though it will not be mandatory for those position players to don protective masks. At Trenton, however, all four infield position players will follow Tolson, wearing masks this season.
Tolson also points to a new offensive strategy that has grown in popularity in recent years where a batter will show a bunt to draw the infield in and then pull back as the pitcher delivers and swing traditionally.
“Almost everybody on our infield usually wears a mask, especially now because teams are showing bunt and then pulling back and hitting,” Tolson said. “If you run in for a bunt and they pull back and swing hard it comes really fast, especially to the corners. I think it’s good that they are all going to wear them.”
SOFTBALL JAMBOREE
Trenton’s masked infield will go to work on Saturday, Aug. 12, as the Bulldogs travel to Unionville for a jamboree featuring teams from Brookfield, Schuyler County and host Putnam County. The jamboree will begin at 10 a.m. Trenton will take on Putnam County on the north field at 10 a.m. and Schuyler and Brookfield will be on the south field at 11 a.m. and noon respectively. Each match-up will consist of three innings with an inning being completed when each team records three outs or eight runs are scored.
Trenton’s season will officially begin the following Saturday, Aug. 19, as the Bulldogs travel to the Cameron Tournament, which is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.