Creighton J. Hale was born in Hardy, Nebraska on February 18, 1924. After serving in the Navy, he received a bachelor's degree from Colgate University, a master's in physiology from Springfield College, and a doctorate in the physiology of muscular activity from New York University. He taught for five years at Springfield College and worked on military research, including testing a more ergonomic infantry pack.
He became the first director of research for Little League in 1955. He invented the dual-earflap batting helmet, which became mandatory for Little League batters and runners in 1961. He also invented a catcher's helmet with a mask attached to it and a chest protector that guards the catcher's throat. He became the executive vice president of Little League in 1971, its president in 1973, and its chief executive in 1983. He retired in 1994. His autobiography, More Than a Bat and a Ball: My 60 Years at Little League written with Mary Ellen Gardner, was published by Little League Baseball in 2015. He died on October 8, 2017 at the age of 93.
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