The Nutty Buddy Vs. The Traditional Athletic Cup

For players, wearing an athletic cup is very important especially when you're in a position where there's no telling how many times you're going to get hit by the ball. Not wearing one increases the possibility of serious testicular injuries. Unfortunately, even with serious consideration, some players still opt out of using one for common reasons like groin irritation, discomfort, and interference with running.

Mark Littell is a former Major League pitcher who played nine seasons with the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals. At 54, he currently works around the minor leagues as a pitching coordinator. He is responsible for the development of a supposed "revolutionary athletic cup" called The NuttyBuddy™ after realizing that not a lot of players (especially pitchers), wear athletic cups.

The NuttyBuddy™, according to its website, "is the most innovative and revolutionary cup on the market." It is anatomically shaped to the male body and is designed to protect the full groin area and to provide a higher level of comfort compared to its competitors. The product is gaining its momentum in the market and has been featured in ESPN and MSNBC (among other news outlet). As a matter of fact, Mark Littell's video of him taking a fastball from a pitching machine has become widely popular especially in YouTube.

The NuttyBuddy™ can be used for different purposes and professions. Although this is primarily intended for those playing sports like Baseball, Softball, Hockey, Lacrosse and Martial Arts, it may also prove beneficial for those involved in the Firefighting, Law Enforcement, and Security professions. The cups range in sizes. They have the Hammer (youth), the Boss (junior to medium), the Hog (large), and Mongo (extra large).

This uniquely-shaped hard cup is meant to be worn by putting on either mid thigh boxer briefs or compression shorts then the NuttyBuddy™ the a jock in order to get the utmost protection. And although it takes a little bit of time to get used to the 'floating' feeling (because the NB 'floats" with your movement), it doesn't go out of place like traditional cups would.

In a report by Portland Press Herald, the NuttyBuddy™ is 'on the high end in price' and around 'twice as much as a typical athletic cup'. It is sold at $19.95. In the same report, Steve Kaesterson, senior merchandising manager for Bike Athletic was quoted, "is it a decent cup?"

To this, Littell simply challenges, "Let's get the CEO of every cup company. You put your cup on, and I'll put my cup on, and we'll see who is left standing".