LSU's Greg Deichmann broke his cheekbone in three places when he was hit by a pitch in a preseason scrimmage, and since surgery he has worn a protective cage that covers the right side of his face.
The Oakland Athletics' second-round draft pick plans to continue wearing the shield in pro baseball.
"It gives me a sense of security," he said. "I don't have any post-traumatic stress or anything like that, but it's become part of my game now, and it's a little bit of a comfort knowing it's there."
Florida's Ryan Larson sustained the same injury as Deichmann, and also required surgery, after getting beaned in the Southeastern Conference Tournament three weeks ago.