Question on game used batting helmets

[coma4by]

Hello all. My first post here. I just received this helmet in the mail yesterday. The MLB authentication data base gives 2 dates that this helmet was used in. My question is does anyone know roughly how many helmets a player uses a season? I'm sure it all depends on the abuse given to the helmet. I would assume this helmet was used in more than just 2 games and the authenticator only observed that is was used in those 2 games. I would also assume there is a chance that this helmet was used in the WC game against the Indians and possibly some additional ALDS games when he batted right handed. He did hit a homer in Game 1 of the ALDS over the green monster so this should be the helmet he used in that at bat. Thanks for any info in advance.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o51/coma4by/1393581_535799389827873_1222215434_n.jpg (http://s117.photobucket.com/user/coma4by/media/1393581_535799389827873_1222215434_n.jpg.html)
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o51/coma4by/1378125_535799696494509_1711803714_n.jpg (http://s117.photobucket.com/user/coma4by/media/1378125_535799696494509_1711803714_n.jpg.html)
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o51/coma4by/1382097_535800413161104_1638821871_n.jpg (http://s117.photobucket.com/user/coma4by/media/1382097_535800413161104_1638821871_n.jpg.html)

[xpress34]

I started this thread earlier in the year:

Rawlings MLB Batting Helmets (http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=56559)

As far as the NEW style helmets like yours, unless they player damaged (cracked) the shell, it's likely they used the same helmet all year simply due to costs.

The Old Helmets cost teams approx $150ea (even with custom paint schemes). The new helmet - PLAIN - starts at $500ea. It is estimated that with paint and decals they cost the teams around $600-$650 ea.

It is possible that teams would supply new helmets for the playoffs - not certain on that end.

Hope this helps.

- Smitty

[jake33]

I have Ben Zobrist's helemt from alst season which wsa the new composite style batting helmet. It was authenticated to the last game of the year in 2012, but photo matched it to several games.

These new helmets do not crack nearly as easy as the old cool flow helmets, the Zobrist helemt was likely used throughout most of September if not more and mor ethan likely when he hit that HR in ALDS game 1.

Remember the rays did not make it home from 9/24/13 -10/6/13
so they used the same set of jerseys and helemts on that road trip.

For proof, enclosed is a photo right before the Rays added the post season patch to their jerseys, the jersey they already ahd on the road with them. A new set was not made.

[jake33]

Also....

That helmet was likely used in Mariano Rivera's last game tha the pitched in.

Shoot, I picked up Matt Joyce's at the auction, but if I would have known that these helmets were used in mariano Rivera's last game, I would have gone after a few other of those helmets.

The Yunel Escobar game used helmet sold for $340 at auction and that helmet was most likely used for the last batter that Mariano Rivera pitched against.

[xpress34]

Interesting on Zobrist.

Per Getty Images, he was still wearing the OLD Style Cool Flo on June 27, 2012, but had the new S100PCSO by July 1, 2012.

Not the oversized S100 that Victorino and Wright used.

Most teams - in fact Zobrists team mates - didn't have the S100PCSO until Spring Training of this year (2013).

I wonder if he was testing the helmet out for Rawlings?

I wonder how man other players had the S100PCSO in 2012?

Later pictures in the year still show Zobrist n the S100PCSO while his team mates are still wearing the old style Cool Flo helmets.

[jake33]

I think 1 player from each team in the second half of the year was using the new style in 2012, I am not positive on that, but I did recall seeing one on a few teams at the end of 2012, which is why I wanted to get that Zobrist helmet last year.

[coma4by]

Thanks for the feed back. I figured worst case, that maybe they had two sets so they could ship one set early to the next city so it was waiting for them to arrive. That way the equipment was at the game location 1 series in advance.

If they do travel with their equipment on the road, the Rays did have that road stretch of New York, Toronto, Texas Cleveland and Boston before they made it home. If this helmet was taken on this whole road trip, That would be awesome.

I actually bought this helmet for my 8 year old for Christmas as he is a huge Zobrist fan. To be honest, I'm becoming one too LOL. I can see where this game used hobby can become expensive and addicting!

[jake33]

smitty had a question for you about rockies Game used, can you send me an email - jahimiak33@yahoo.com

[rj_lucas]

As a display item, I think helmets are every bit as cool as a jersey, and in some ways cooler, since they're like a piece of armor. Plus they're easier to display since you can put them on a shelf and they don't take up wall space.

On the rarity scale, I'd say they're second only to fielder's gloves. Far more rare than a jersey and off-the-charts more rare than a bat. For example, the price list I just got from the Nationals listed 346 game used jerseys but only 52 helmets.