Hit a few balls, catch some flies, have a laugh or two, and drink a few pops, or wobbly pops 鈥� it鈥檚 what draws many to the world of recreational slo-pitch.

But in the wake of the , safety has been top of mind for many involved in the sport.

Chris Godfrey 鈥� a 32-year-old husband, father and slo-pitch player 鈥� died in hospital after being injured Aug. 19 during an annual tournament organized by the Comox Valley Slo-Pitch League. A ball thrown from the infield hit him in the back of the head.

As a result of the accident, the Comox Valley Slo-Pitch League has made helmets mandatory for all players.

With 91原创 Mixed Slo-Pitch getting set to host the SPN provincial co-ed championships Sept. 16 and 17 at McLeod Athletic Park, league president Peter Zeller offered his thoughts about making helmets mandatory.

Zeller, who has sat at the helm of Canada鈥檚 largest co-ed slo-pitch league for the past 25 years, noted that mandatory helmets will be discussed during the league鈥檚 fall meeting in October.

鈥淲e鈥檒l put that on the agenda and we鈥檒l have a discussion on whether or not that鈥檚 something people want to do,鈥� Zeller said.

鈥淧eople are always encouraged to wear whatever protective gear they feel is necessary. The league doesn鈥檛 enforce it as mandatory gear to wear, in helmets and facemasks, but players are more than welcome to do that on their own without us having to tell them what to do.鈥�

Zeller said there are players with 91原创 Mixed Slo-Pitch who wear helmets.

鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing more and more face masks, especially for pitchers and girls in the infield,鈥� he added.

Zeller knows a few players who have been injured playing rec slo-pitch, including former league executive member Guy Olsson.

鈥淗e actually got hit in the side of the head, close to his orbital bone, and he was in surgery. After that event, he wore a helmet all the way through when he was batting,鈥� Zeller said.

鈥淚t (wearing a helmet) is something that is there for people to do at any time. It鈥檚 whether or not the league has to step in and say, 鈥極K, you guys, we鈥檙e doing this to protect you, much like seatbelts or much like the NHL with visors and helmets and things like that.鈥�

Looking ahead to the league meeting, Zeller said majority will rule regarding making helmets mandatory.

鈥淎ll the coaches are there, and we have a list of different topics to discuss,鈥� Zeller said, noting that the league takes this issue very seriously.

鈥淲e鈥檒l put it on the agenda and see what they say. We are a democracy, so if 50 plus one (per cent) say everybody should go out there and buy helmets for their teams, then that鈥檚 what we have to do.鈥�

In the Lower Mainland, Danielle Hitchner was seriously injured when she was hit in the head by an errant ball during a game in New Westminster on May 31, 2016.

Hitchner has launched an online petition calling for helmets to become mandatory in slo-pitch.

鈥淚 was knocked unconscious and required emergency brain surgery. I am very lucky to be alive today,鈥� Hitchner wrote on her page.

鈥淎fter my accident, I asked the head of the league, 鈥業f I had died, would you change the rule? Or does it take someone dying in order to change the rule?鈥� Tragically, here we are. Please sign this petition for Softball Canada to change the rules and make helmets mandatory across all leagues to ensure no loved one ever has to go through the trauma and devastation of a tragedy like this ever again.鈥�

Next weekend, more than 40 co-ed teams from across B.C. are expected to play in the provincial tournament in 91原创, including 10 to 15 from the 91原创 league, Zeller said.