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.
As a seasoned sports enthusiast with a deep understanding of athletic protective gear, particularly in the realm of baseball and other contact sports, I can confidently delve into the various concepts covered in the provided article.
Baseball Players and Cups: The article highlights the use of cups in baseball, emphasizing their importance in protecting players, especially catchers, first and third basem*n, from potential injuries caused by high-speed balls. While not mandatory in Major League Baseball (MLB), the article notes that it is highly recommended for players, with Little League catchers required to wear them.
Pitchers and Cups: About 50% of pitchers wear cups, according to the article, citing discomfort as a significant factor influencing their usage. The lead leg's angle during pitching can cause chafing issues if the cup is not properly fitted, despite the high-speed balls reaching over 120MPH, suggesting a balance between comfort and safety.
Why Some MLB Players Avoid Cups: The article touches upon the fact that some MLB players choose not to wear cups due to discomfort, even with advancements in cup design. The risk of playing a game with 100mph baseballs contributes to players taking this personal risk.
Undergarments for Baseball Players: The article explains that baseball players commonly wear cups, which are hard plastic protection molds designed to shield against impacts from hard baseballs. It traces the history of cups back to 1931, becoming more prevalent in the 1970s.
Jockstraps and Compression Shorts: While jockstraps are still present, the article mentions that most players opting for cups use compression shorts with built-in slots. These shorts are considered more comfortable than traditional jockstraps, providing an alternative undergarment solution.
Sports Where Cups Are Worn: The article expands the discussion beyond baseball, indicating that football and hockey are sports where cups are commonly worn due to the intense physical contact. It also mentions cricket, fencing, boxing, and lacrosse as other sports where cups find common usage.
History of Athletic Cups: Athletic cups were invented in 1874 by CF Bennett for horse jockeys in Boston. The article reflects on the significance of cups in high-speed sports and their evolution over time.
Benefits of Wearing a Cup: Enumerating the benefits, the article mentions the elimination of bouncing, injury prevention, and protection against crush injuries as key advantages. It emphasizes the importance of choosing a reputable brand with a proven history.
Impact Resistance of Cups: Modern cups undergo rigorous testing by manufacturers, with one company going to the extent of demonstrating their cup's durability by taking a bullet to the groin area. The article advises consumers to research and choose a brand with a proven track record.
Football Players and Cups: Most football players wear cups from an early age due to the physical nature of the sport. The article notes the aggressive nature of football players, especially during pile-ups to recover a lost fumble, highlighting the potential for grabbing to gain possession.
Age for Wearing a Cup in Baseball: The article states that baseball cups have been around for centuries, evolving into reliable and comfortable protective gear suitable for various sports involving projectiles. It emphasizes the importance of a properly fitted baseball cup for secure protection and comfort during play.
Purpose of Athletic Cups: Finally, the article succinctly describes the primary purpose of athletic cups as providing protection to an athlete's genitalia during contact sports like football, basketball, baseball, and hockey.
In summary, the provided article comprehensively covers the usage, history, and various aspects of athletic cups, showcasing the author's expertise in the field of sports equipment and player safety.
