A tragedy in a weekend slo-pitch game has encouraged Vancouver Island leagues to implement mandatory helmets during game-play.

On Saturday, 32-year-old Chris Godfrey of Comox was hit in the head by a softball while playing in a tournament. .

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been in the ball community for years, both umpiring and playing. This doesnB次元官网网址檛 happen,B次元官网网址� said Greater Victoria Mixed Slo-pitch Association president Scott Wood.

The GVMSPA season is over, but players are voting this week on whether to implement mandatory helmets for the 2018 season.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a tragedy that it takes something like this for us to realize that we arenB次元官网网址檛 superhuman, and mistakes happen. If all we have to do is put a helmet on to stop that from happening then maybe we should,B次元官网网址� Wood said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 unfortunate when it takes something like this for us to wake up.B次元官网网址�

Wood said he hopes adding the rule will help strengthen the sport and show how close knit the slo-pitch community is, adding that Port Alberni, Comox, Courtenay, Campbell River, and other leagues around the Island are already requiring players wear helmets.

B次元官网网址淚 think it will show the solidarity of the sport, and how much we care about one another,B次元官网网址� he said.

Jason Dumont, president of the Sooke Slo-pitch League, said the league discussed mandatory helmets a couple of years ago, but nothing was decided.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 probably a good idea,B次元官网网址� Dumont said. B次元官网网址淲e havenB次元官网网址檛 had a meeting about it yet, but I am going to push towards it.B次元官网网址�

He explained that people might want to decide for themselves whether they want to wear one, but the league will be taking a vote at its next meeting.

B次元官网网址淎ccidents can happen, especially playing a sport like this,B次元官网网址� Dumont said. B次元官网网址淎ll it can take is a ball to the head and itB次元官网网址檚 game over, so people shouldnB次元官网网址檛 mind spending a few extra dollars on a helmet.B次元官网网址�

A has been started for Godfrey and his family, and .