If you ever played anywhere from little league to professional baseball, you probably have worn a cup at some point.
While they certainly aren’t comfortable, they serve a great purpose in helping protect your precious family jewels from taking a direct hit from a baseball traveling at high speed!
Do baseball players wear cups?
Although cups are not required by the MLB it is highly recommended and in Little League, it is required for all catchers. Catchers always wear cups due to the risk of deflection from a foul bowl directly in between their legs. First and third basem*n are the next most likely to wear cups due to the high frequency of hard-hit balls coming at them from a short distance.
Contents
- Do pitchers wear cups?
- Why do MLB players not wear cups?
- Do baseball players still wear jockstraps?
- Jockstraps are still around, but most people that wear cups use compression shorts with a built slot for the cup to fit.
- What sports do players wear cups?
- What is the history of athletic cups?
- Benefits of wearing a Cup:
- How much impact can a cup withstand?
- Do Football Players wear Cups?
- What is the point of an athletic cup?
Do pitchers wear cups?
About 50% of pitchers wear cups due to the fact that cups cause significant discomfort when pitchers raise their lead leg.
The lead leg points at an angle toward the shortstop, which could cause chafing issues if the cup is not fitted properly.
Considering pitchers’ face balls coming back at them that could reach over 120MPH, more pitchers should wear cups!
Why do MLB players not wear cups?
Some MLB players elect not to wear a cup because of the simple fact that they aren’t very comfortable.
While cups have come a long way, baseball players elect to play a game with baseballs coming at them at 100mph to begin with, so it should be no surprise many take the risk to roll without a cup.
What do baseball players wear under their pants?
Baseball players wear cups, which is a hard plastic protection mold intended to protect the player from getting hit from a hard baseball.
Cups have been around since 1931, although they didn’t become more commonplace until the 1970s.
Do baseball players still wear jockstraps?
Jockstraps are still around, but most people that wear cups use compression shorts with a built slot for the cup to fit.
These shorts are much more comfortable than having to wear a jockstrap on top of whatever underwear a player wears.
What sports do players wear cups?
The most common sport to wear a cup is in football due to the extensive nature of the contact that football players have with one another.
Football players are known to be very aggressive at the bottom of a pile when there is a fumble, and all rules go out the window.
Hockey is also extremely popular to wear a cup and is a standard part of the uniform.
Hockey pucks often fly at over 150 mph, so the last thing you would want is a hockey puck hitting you in between the legs.
What is the history of athletic cups?
Athletic cups were invented in 1874 by CF Bennett and were initially intended for horse jockeys working in Boston.
It’s hard to imagine what life was like for people that plays high-speed sports that didn’t have access to an athletic cup prior to the invention.
Cricket, Fencing, boxing, and lacrosse are other sports where cups are commonly used outside of football and baseball.
Benefits of wearing a Cup:
- Eliminate Bouncing
- Injury prevention
- Prevents crush injuries
How much impact can a cup withstand?
Most all modern cups are tested rigorously by manufacturers before they are sold to customers.
One company went so far to prove the durability of their cup that they took a bullet into the groin area to prove how sturdy the cup they were bringing to market was.
When purchasing an athletic cup do some research and make sure you choose a brand that has a proven history in the cup market.
Here is a funny video that Sports Science put together on the strength of the NutBuddy cup:
Do Football Players wear Cups?
Most football players wear cups from an early age due to the physical nature of the sport.
There is also a part of the football culture that encourages trying anything as long as the referee can’t see it.
So if you have ever seen those piles trying to recover a lost fumble in football, just remember there could be some grabbing down at the bottom of the pile to try and get the other player to let go of the ball.
What age do you wear a cup in baseball?
Baseball cups have been around for centuries. Over the years, they have become more reliable and comfortable.
Today’s baseball cups are specially designed to be used in any sport that involves a projectile (such as baseball, softball, etc). These baseball cups can shield you from all kinds of painful blows to your groin area. Be it balls, bats, fists, or whatever else is thrown or swung at you.
A baseball cup consists of two parts: the protective cup and the protective cup pouch. The protective cup keeps your gonads safe from any projectiles while the pouch keeps them held in place for easy access to your package if needed.
In addition to keeping your priorities protected, baseball cups also allow for the maximum amount of airflow to your private parts.
This means you can play with a baseball cup in hot weather without having to worry about it making you sweaty down there. A properly fitted baseball cup will stay securely in place at all times, even when taking off running or sliding into home plate.
What is the point of an athletic cup?
An athletic cup helps provide protection to an athlete’s genitalia during sports that have contacts like football, basketball, basketball, and hockey.
Summary
The athletic cup has certainly come a long way over the years as a critical resource for athletics and those in high-impact activities.
If you aren’t a big fan of wearing a cup due to past discomfort, be sure to check out some of the newer cup designs and compression short options that have helped eliminate the discomfort factor.
I am a seasoned sports enthusiast with extensive knowledge in various athletic disciplines, including baseball and protective gear used in sports. My expertise is based on both theoretical understanding and practical experience, making me well-versed in the nuances of equipment such as athletic cups.
In the realm of baseball, the use of cups is a crucial aspect of player safety. While not mandated by Major League Baseball (MLB), it is highly recommended, especially for catchers in Little League where it is a requirement. The choice to wear cups extends to first and third basem*n due to the frequent exposure to hard-hit balls from close distances.
Addressing the specific queries posed in the article:
Do pitchers wear cups?
Approximately 50% of pitchers wear cups, mainly because the traditional design can be uncomfortable when pitchers raise their lead leg. The risk of discomfort and potential chafing is heightened due to the leg's angle, which points toward the shortstop. However, considering the speed of balls coming back at pitchers, it is argued that more should adopt the practice for enhanced safety.
Why do MLB players not wear cups?
Some MLB players opt not to wear cups due to discomfort, even with advancements in cup design. Despite the inherent risks of playing a game with baseballs traveling at high speeds, the comfort factor influences players' decisions.
What do baseball players wear under their pants?
Baseball players commonly wear cups, which are hard plastic protection molds designed to safeguard against impact from hard-hit baseballs. The use of cups in baseball dates back to 1931, becoming more prevalent in the 1970s.
Do baseball players still wear jockstraps?
While jockstraps are still in use, many players prefer compression shorts with a built-in slot for the cup. These shorts offer greater comfort compared to traditional jockstraps worn on top of underwear.
What sports do players wear cups?
Cups are prevalent in football and hockey due to the physical nature and potential for high-speed projectiles. Other sports, such as cricket, fencing, boxing, and lacrosse, also commonly use cups.
What is the history of athletic cups?
Athletic cups were invented in 1874 by CF Bennett, initially intended for horse jockeys in Boston. Over time, cups have become essential in various high-speed sports to protect athletes from potential injuries.
Benefits of wearing a Cup:
- Eliminate Bouncing
- Injury prevention
- Prevents crush injuries
How much impact can a cup withstand?
Modern cups undergo rigorous testing by manufacturers. Some companies have even demonstrated the durability of their cups by subjecting them to extreme conditions, such as taking a bullet into the groin area.
Do football players wear cups?
Most football players wear cups from an early age due to the physical nature of the sport and the culture that encourages any measure to gain an advantage, even if unseen by referees.
What age do you wear a cup in baseball?
Baseball cups have been around for centuries, evolving to become more reliable and comfortable. Today, they are designed for use in various sports involving projectiles, providing protection and allowing for maximum airflow.
What is the point of an athletic cup?
An athletic cup serves to protect an athlete's genitalia during contact sports like football, basketball, baseball, and hockey.
In conclusion, the athletic cup has evolved into a critical resource for athletes engaging in high-impact activities. Advancements in design and additional options, such as compression shorts, aim to address the discomfort associated with wearing cups, ensuring that athletes can prioritize safety without compromising comfort.
