Mourning Coaches Wonder About Safety

UNDATED (AP) _ Some major league baseball coaches say they will or are considering wearing a head protection because of the death of Tulsa Drillers coach Mike Coolbaugh. <br/><br/>Coolbaugh was killed

Tuesday, July 24th 2007, 3:01 pm

By: News On 6

UNDATED (AP) _ Some major league baseball coaches say they will or are considering wearing a head protection because of the death of Tulsa Drillers coach Mike Coolbaugh.

Coolbaugh was killed Sunday when he was hit in the head by a line drive while coaching first base in the ninth inning of a game in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

San Francisco Giants coach Tim Flannery says he'll start wearing a plastic shield inside his cap. And San Diego Padres third-base coach Glenn Hoffman has worn a plastic protector under his cap since after getting knocked out by a line drive during batting practice.

But Detroit coach Andy Van Slyke says there should be more concern for the safety of fans because he believes they are in more danger than coaches.

Related Stories:

7/5/2007 Coolbaugh Named Drillers Interim Hitting Coach

7/23/2007 Line Drive Hits And Kills Drillers Coach

7/24/2007 Drillers To Return To The Field