New this season

The coaches at first and third base will be wearing helmets this season. This was a rule put into place after the death of Tulsa first base coach Mike Coolbaugh last season.

Susan Denk of The Hawkeye in Burlington gets thoughts about the new rule from the coaching staff of the Bees.

Burlington Bees manager Brian Rupp knew Coolbaugh. He will be donning a helmet this season while coaching third base, although he questions the motive behind the rule.

"Obviously your heart went out to him and his family," Rupp said. "I think it's one time in however many years this game's been played. It was probably, maybe, an overreaction by doing this.

"But if they think it's going to help, then I'll follow the rules."

...

"I'm fine with it. Everybody does it," said Bees hitting coach Ryan Long, who regularly coaches at first base. "I think the umpires should be doing it, too. They're on the field more than us.

"That's what they say we have to do. We have to abide by the rules so that's what we'll do."