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Bowa ignores new helmet rule

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To protest baseball's new rule requiring base coaches to wear helmets, Larry Bowa threatened to march to his work station along the third base line wearing shin guards, a chest protector and a mask. "I'll really make a joke out of it," Bowa said. Bowa refused to wear a helmet in the Dodgers' exhibition opener Thursday at Holman Stadium and said he had no intention of doing so in the future. First base coach Mariano Duncan also ignored the rule that stemmed from the death of Mike Coolbaugh, who was struck by a line drive while coaching first base in the minor leagues last season. "I'm willing to write out a check for whatever the fine is for every game," Bowa said. "Whatever 162 games is, I'll write out a check for it."

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Dodgers, AP Los Angeles Dodgers, AP
February 29, 2008  06:48 AM ET

I bet he wouldn't if the fine was $50,000 every time.

February 29, 2008  06:52 AM ET

Great way to honor Mrs. Coolbaugh and her sons, Larry. Class-act as always.

February 29, 2008  07:29 AM ET

I bet he wouldn't if the fine was $1,000 -- $162K is a lot just to be a ****.

Also, I hate this guy. I wouldn't care if he did get his bean popped by a line drive.

February 29, 2008  07:42 AM ET

as always, being a jerk is what Bowa does...

February 29, 2008  07:49 AM ET

in his defense, what happened to Coolbaugh was a freak accident. I could understand if accidents were happening on a daily basis.
The coaches arent in the field of play. Do the umps have to wear helmets as well ? What about the infield players? Shouldnt basemen and the pitcher wear a helmet too ?
Its a stupid rule.

February 29, 2008  07:57 AM ET

The umpires are IN the field of play...plus, they're farther back when the ball is hit and usually looking towards home plate for the check swing, so there's no surirse when it comes wizzing by them...I've been umpiring for over 20 years, and I've never come CLOSE to being hit in the head by a line drive foul ball...get one off the mask every once in a while, the shin guard, the chest protector....but that's behind the plate...

Besides, it's the rule...whether he agrees with it or not, he should be wearing the helmet...

February 29, 2008  08:04 AM ET

Very respectful Bowa. Maybe you need a few balls hit in the side of your head.

February 29, 2008  08:34 AM ET

Once a peach fell from a tree and landed square on my head. Ouch, that hurt! Maybe if I had worn one of those helmets out in the peach orchard, I would have been spared that pain.

February 29, 2008  08:38 AM ET

No great loss if Bowa is killed by a line drive....

February 29, 2008  09:13 AM ET

Being a Dodgers fan, I must say this is embarrassing. Come on Bowa!!!

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February 29, 2008  09:18 AM ET

what is wrong with you people calling this guy a jerk? minor leaguers use aluminum bats, which is why he probably got killed.

"Great way to honor Mrs. Coolbaugh and her sons, Larry. Class-act as always.

EastCoastKeith | 02/29/08, 06:52 AM
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Way to pull the dead family card. This is a silly rule, get over yourself.

February 29, 2008  09:32 AM ET

hows it a silly rule?

He's not exactly setting a good example for kids, either. Keep in mind kids have to wear helmets when they are allowed to coach 1st base in little league, p.o.n.y league, and eventually high school too. I cant wait to see the day a little leager from L.A refuses to wear a helmet because a coach on his favorite team doesnt need to. Players look up to these teams, and mock what the players and coaches do. Bowa should know better, hes been in the game long enough.

February 29, 2008  09:33 AM ET

Wow put a leather jacket and a white t-shirt on Bowa and he's a regular James Dean! To borrow a Tom Petty lyric, "A rebel without a clue".

February 29, 2008  09:38 AM ET

"what is wrong with you people calling this guy a jerk? minor leaguers use aluminum bats, which is why he probably got killed. "

-OtherOne81

Is that a joke? Minor Leaguers use WOOD bats. College and High School use ALUMINUM bats.

February 29, 2008  09:54 AM ET

It was tragic, but a freak accident that killed that guy. It should be an option. Or do you want to extend the foul ball nets all the way down the 1st and 3rd base lines to protect fans from foul balls as well.

Oh, and we have to make sure the batters on deck stand behind a blast shield.
(NOTE: what happened to that Cardinal was awful as well...but a freak accident.)

Maybe the pitcher should wear a helmet. Line drives come at them awfully quick.

There are going to be freak accidents. Calm down. Don't freak out and wuss out baseball.

I am really supprised I am the only (1st one) with this opinion. There is usually quite a bit of "cluckin'" on this site.

February 29, 2008  09:54 AM ET

Rules are rules. Wear the prescribed uniform or sit at home and watch I Love Lucy re-runs.

February 29, 2008  09:55 AM ET

Ahhh "KPKahder - Let FA begin" is on the same page...

Well done!

February 29, 2008  09:56 AM ET

Bowa should appreciate the fact that he receives a check for signaling (wiping his nose, scratching his nuts,tugging on his ears) and waving runners home. Wear the prescribed uniform or stay home and watch I Love Lucy re-runs!

 
February 29, 2008  09:58 AM ET

Should thay then impose a rule protecting batters on deck?

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