Forum readers-
Did anyone notice that Bobby Abreau and a few others were wearing a new style batting helmet at the All Star game? They had "slits" or "vents' on each side and seemed to look a bit more modern than the traditional, standard ABC helmets. Does anyone know if this is a one-time use type helmet, made specifically for the game or if this is the style we can expect to see from now on with all teams?

The All Star sticker on the back was also a nice touch.

Thanks.
Howard Wolf

Howard:

Do you know if they are made by ABC? I must say I like the subtle changes. You could only tell they were a different style if you looked closely.

I still have not gotten used to the New Riddell Revolution football helmets, new lacrosse helmets or even the new Nike baseball helmets that many college teams are now wearing.

What is your opinion?

-Splinters

Splinters-
After reading your post, I remeber hearing that ABC is no longer in business. Whoever is now making the MLB helmets appears to have made a new style. Does anyone know the details of a possible design change, and if so, was the All Star game selected as the intro. date?

Howard Wolf

Not sure if anyone was able to catch a photo of the players cleats. Many got special cleats sent from Addidas and Nike with the All-Star logo on the tongue. I spoke with Roger Clemens' agent and I will have Clemens cleats within the week. Typically, Clemens cleats have "22" on the back and a small red longhorn (from his University of Texas background) on the tongue. His All-Star cleats have the All-Star logo on the tongue. In the past, other players have had these cleats as well. Berkman and Beltran wore them in Houston last year. Does anyone have any of these items? I am always looking!

Thanks,

Chris Boyd
Houston Sports Investments
http://www.eGameUsed.com
________________________________________________
Specializing in GU Astros Equipment & Autographs
713-385-1155
ccboyd@houston.rr.com

Rawlings bought out ABC a couple of years ago and they are now the "Official Supplier" of MLB Helmets. The helmets used in the All Star game are versions of what they call the "Cool-Flow" helmet which they sell primarily to youth leagues. For 2006 Rawlings will be selling "replica" MLB Cool-Flow helmets to youth leagues and this was a way for them to showcase them on TV.

Someone could probably get Joe Philips to contact Bob at Rawlings to get any additional information.

V066

After seeing photos resulting from a web search for Rawlings, "cool flow helmets", I can say I hope these never become the standard helmets for MLB. Some things should stay the same.

The ear holes in those photos don't look as bad as the ones in the photos I've seen of the cool flow helmets on the market. But I still hope this innovation dies on the vine, at least as far as MLB is concerned.