EDITOR'S NOTE: This feature originally appeared in the May 12 edition of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
FARMINGTON -- Wearing a protective face mask on one of the "hot corners" in softball is gaining popularity. Pitchers wear them because they're the closest to the batter.
For the same reason, more first and third basemen are wearing them, too.
But don't expect to see face masks on Farmington juniors Callie Harper or Brandy Wallace when the Lady Cardinals (20-9, No. 3 from 5A-West) open the 5A State Tournament against Beebe (15-11, No. 2 from 5A-Central) in Harrison.
It's certainly not because their coach won't allow it.
"We actually encourage it; our pitchers wear one," said Farmington coach Randy Osnes. "I know a lot of the younger kids coming up wear them, and if it's my kid out there, the way some of these kids hit today, I would definitely want her to wear one."
Harper, who plays first base, grew up around baseball because her father, Jay Harper, coaches the Cardinals' baseball team.
And how many baseball players -- other than catchers -- wear face masks?
"Catch the ball and you don't need one," Harper said. "That's what my dad told me, so if I break my nose, that's what I'm going to go with."
Wallace, who plays third, has a different reason.
"When I used to pitch, in like sixth grade, I would wear a mask," Wallace said. "But I'd rather not now because I have a better view of everything going on around me without it.
"Plus, if a ball is coming at my face, I can throw my hand up in time to stop it. I'd rather get my arm beat up than my face."
Osnes said quick hands and quick thinking are what make his junior duo so effective on the corners.
"The bases are 60 feet from the hitter, and with a slapper, it's even closer," Osnes said.
"So the reaction time of those players is very high. You've got to be down, you've got to be on your toes, and those two have done a great job."
They've also done a bang-up job at the plate and are among the Lady Cardinals' leaders in most offensive categories. Wallace is batting .550 with 14 doubles, a triple, 33 RBIs and 33 runs. Harper is batting .433 with 5 doubles, a home run, 21 RBIs and 28 runs.
Both get their arms fully extended on every swing, just like baseball players, too.
"They definitely don't get cheated," Osnes said. " "
Wallace also puts everything into every throw from third base. She even broke a teammate's finger during her first varsity practice.
Usually, Wallace's throws are on target -- until they're not. After snagging a hard grounder earlier this season, Wallace inexplicably looked a runner back at second base -- funny thing, there was no runner -- before firing the ball into the dirt for Harper at first.
"And she just scoops it up like it was nothing," Wallace said.
Harper remembers the low throw and Wallace checking the phantom runner.
"Oh my gosh -- no one was even on the base," Harper said. "I guess it was just her imagination, but she made the play, somehow. She always does."
They both do.
No masks needed.
Sports on 05/18/2016