Mask Theater: Kid outfielders in Home Run Derby wear masks while players and fans attend maskless

Baseball fans watching MLB’s Home Run Derby Monday night at Coors Field in Denver, CO as part of the All Star Game festivities, were quick to notice that the kids shagging fly balls in the outfield were wearing masks, while players, coaches and even fans in the stadium were not.

Many of the kids did not seem very diligent, or interested, in keeping the masks securely over their nose and mouth, with the exception of the children tasked with bringing water, towels and equipment to the players.

On July 1, Colorado issued a public health order ending the requirement of masks at schools and childcare centers. Childcare centers can now change their policies under the new state order.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health, "People who are not required by the order to wear a mask, even if unvaccinated, include:

• People who are 11 years old and younger.
• People who cannot medically tolerate a face covering.
• Children younger than 2 years old should NOT wear masks."

Children 12 years old and up are eligible to receive the vaccine.

According to the Rockies website, "Coors Field is currently operating at 100 percent capacity. The Colorado Rockies are following current CDC protocols and with State and Local government officials and Major League Baseball to ensure our facility fosters a safe environment for fans, players and staff."

Following the Center for Disease Control (CDC) announcing last week that vaccinated teachers and students no longer need to wear masks in schools, school districts across the State of Colorado are now evaluating whether or not they will require masks in classrooms during the 2021-2022 school year.

According to the CDC, most children who contract "COVID-19 have mild symptoms or have no symptoms at all." CDC data does not display any deaths in Colorado for anyone under the age of 24, with a footnote stating, "Not included is a value between 1 and 9 that has been suppressed by the CDC in accordance with NCHS confidentiality standards."

Given the data and the optics, many baseball fans were left wondering why children were forced to wear masks, but were likely at greater risk for being hit by a 100+ MPH line drive or flyball hitting them in the head, and yet were not required to wear helmets.

Pete Alonso of the New York Mets bested Trey Mancini of the Baltimore Orioles and defended his title for his second Home Run Derby crown. Alonso is only the third hitter to win back-to-back contests.