Haha, would consider protecting your shin from pain, but not your face/head from a life altering injury. Bet you ride a motorcycle without a helmet too.Nobody in my league uses them. I've seen a couple hard shots up the middle come close but haven't seen anyone actually nailed in the face/head yet. Have seen a couple guys take middle liners off the shin though. Looks and sounds painful enough that I'd consider wearing leg guards if I pitched.