Do Baseball Players Wear Cups?

Do Baseball Players Wear Cups?

The answer is yes; most professional baseball players do wear cups. Safety is always a priority in any sport, and a hard-hit baseball can cause serious injury, so wearing a cup helps to protect players from this type of trauma.

Cups can help prevent more minor injuries, such as bruises or scratches. Of course, comfort is also an important consideration for athletes. Wearing a cup can help to reduce chafing and improve overall comfort during play.

What Is A Cup?

A cup is a protective device worn by baseball batters and intended to protect the genitals from impact by a pitched ball. It’s usually made of metal, plastic, or another rigid material and is typically worn over a jockstrap or compression shorts.

While the use of a cup is not mandatory in most baseball leagues, players at the professional level choose to wear one. This is partly because baseball is often played on hard surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt, which can cause serious injury if a player is hit in the groin area. Wearing a cup can help to reduce the risk of this type of injury.

Does MLB Require Players Wear Cups?

Though it is a common misconception, the MLB does not require players to wear cups. There is no rule prohibiting players from going cup-less. However, most players choose to wear some form of protection, whether it be a cup, jockstrap, or compression shorts.

The reason for this is simple: Baseball is a high-impact sport, and the risk of injury is too high. A fastball traveling 90 miles per hour can do much damage, even when it hits a protected area.

As a result, most players err on the side of caution and wear some form of protective gear. Though the league may not require it, wearing a cup is good common sense.

Should You Wear One?

While some might argue that wearing a cup is unnecessary and uncomfortable, there are good reasons to wear one while playing baseball. A hard-hit ball to the groin can be extremely painful, and even a less severe blow can cause bruising. There is also the risk of more serious injuries.

Though the chances of being seriously injured while wearing a cup are relatively low, the potential consequences are severe enough to take precautions. Wearing a cup does not have to be uncomfortable, and modern cups provide a high level of protection without sacrificing comfort.

So my recommendation would be yes, absolutely try and wear one when playing.