New S100 helmets get boost from minor leagues, David Wright

Once the new Rawlings S100 helmet is inevitably adopted by suspicious Major League Baseball players, we're going to point to today as one of the major turning points.As announced earlier this morning, every minor league team will be required to wear S100s for the 2010 season. The helmets contain thicker cushioning and Rawlings says they have been engineered to withstand the force of a 100 MPH pitch. The S100s also figure to get a boost from Mets third baseman David Wright(notes), who's planning on wearing one on Tuesday night when he plays in his first game since being unintentionally drilled in the head by a 94 MPH fastball from Matt Cain(notes) on Aug. 15.As you might have heard, some pro ballplayers have been extremely wishy-washy when it comes to the bulkier helmets. The new lids are heavier than what players currently wear and the change has proven jarring for some. Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster(notes) (above) wore a S100 during Sunday's game and said it felt "lik...