Omir Santos tried on his new batting gloves, said to slow the impact of a harmful fastball down to the mere annoyance of a junkball, and voiced excitement.

"I think it's going to help," the New York Mets catcher said. "It sounds like it's going to work."

The latest high-tech protective product in a sport that's slow to accept innovation, the batting gloves are manufactured by the startup company XProTeX, which hired former All-Star Reggie Smith to go around spring training trying to persuade big leaguers to switch.

Bob Watson, Major League Baseball's vice president of on-field operations, said his department already has given its approval, which is necessary for all on-field gear.

"We looked at the data. No, I didn't put it on and take a fastball," said Watson, a former All-Star himself. "Now, is this going to stop all major injuries? That I can't tell you, but according to the data, it should cut down on broken bones and severe injuries coming from pitched balls."

XProTeX was formed by X Bats president Jack Kasarjian, whose company is known for supplying maple bats to major leaguers and — at about $100 each — to youth ballplayers. After consulting the former president of the motocross equipment company SixSixOne, Kasarjian developed an impact-absorbing material called Advanced Impact Composite.

The model that was taken to spring training is the 14th generation.

"Essentially it will reduce the impact by over 60 percent, so a 100 mph fastball will be reduced to that of a 39 mph fastball, which is the difference between being in a cast and being a little bit sore," he said. "It's really an area where players are very vulnerable. Their hands are their most important tool in baseball. If your hands are injured, you can't hold the ball, catch a ball, hold a bat, hit a ball."

Protection does come at a price.

A quick check online shows batting glove prices for previous models run from about $5-$50.

XProTeX's top-of-the line Raykr retails for $80. It is made specifically for right-handed or left-handed batters, and has AIC protection on the outside of the hand and wrist, and the inner wrist..

Smith says players have responded positively when he shows them the equipment.

"It's exceeded our expectations," he said. "It's the difference of being injured or being a little sore so they get to stay on the field."