When searching for the best catcher‘s gear, you should consider the age, amount of usage, level of play and budget. Catcher is one of the most important though difficult positions to play. It does come with plenty of risks if measures are not taken. Without the right gear, the player could run the risk of getting chest, groin, and shoulder or head injuries.
This guide will help you understand what you need to know before going out to purchase the gear.
Top 6 Catcher’s Gear Options
| Picture | Name | Youth/ Adult | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Easton Youth Black Magic | Youth | $$ | 4.6 |
| 2. Louisville Slugger Youth PG Series 5 | Youth | $$ | 4.5 |
| 3. Wilson Youth EZ Gear | Youth | $ | 3.9 |
| 4. Mizuno Youth Samurai | Youth | $$$$ | 3.8 |
| 5. Easton Intermediate M7 | Not Specified | $$$ | 3.8 |
| 6. Under Armour Kids' UA PTH | Kids | $$$$ | 3.7 |
Basic Types of Catcher‘s Gear
There are basically three main pieces you need to buy as a catcher: a catcher’s mask or catcher’s helmet, chest protector and shin guards.
- The Catcher’s Mask or Helmet. You need to search for good quality catcher’s mask or helmet if you wish to protect the head against foul balls, wild swings, and wild pitches. The right head mask should provide protection and comfort. There are basically two types of head gear: hockey-style head gear which is the most common and classic catcher‘s head gear.
The classic catcher’s mask comes with padding on the forehead and around the jaw area while the hockey-style catcher’s mask provide full cranial coverage-this means that the front, top and sides of the head are protected.
- Chest Protectors. The chest protector cover and protect the torso and body against foul balls, missed catches, wild pitches and hard collisions at the plate. Some chest protectors (youth chest protectors) come with a groin protector to protect the groin area.
- Shin Guards. Shin Guards help protect the shins, knees, legs and ankles from impacts at the plate and missed pitches. They come with either double or triple kneecaps.
Other Catcher‘s Gear
There are other catcher’s gear that you can buy to protect you while playing and these include:
- Throat protectors which hang off the lowest bar of the catcher’s mask and are normally worn by little leagues. You need to ensure that it is not a tight fit.
- Knee savers which help relieve the pressure and stress off your knees and are ideal for players that are coming off knee injuries.
- Catcher’s mitts help protect the hand while at the same time ensuring that scooping a pitch in the dirt is easy.
Primary Factors to Consider When Buying
When searching for the best catcher‘s gear, there are a few factors you need to consider:
- Protection. you need to find gear that offers the most protection while helping you get the best out of the game.
- Durability. Go for durable catcher’s gear that will ensure that you get in more than one season.
- Comfort. Look for gear that is comfortable to wear when playing the game.
- Price. The price of the gear will help determine whether or not you buy it. However, you might want to consider how long you intend to use the gear before making the decision to buy.
- Size. You don’t want to buy adult gear for youth and vice versa which is why it is important to take measurements and find the right size.
Top 3 Best Catcher‘s Gear Reviews
1. Easton
The Easton Youth Black magic catcher box set is probably the best catcher’s gear beginners. It includes the catcher’s helmet, chest protector and leg guards. The head helmet is of the hockey-style and is constructed with durable ABS shell to provide the player with maximum protection.
The chest protector is made from durable soft vinyl and comes with a Velcro closure attachment for ease of use. The Velco closure attachment also offers growing players a custom fit. The leg guards come with a protective PE shin plate that is specifically designed to provide maxim protection for the legs. It boasts of double kneecaps that help ensure mobility behind the plate.
It is made for junior youth (ages 6-8) and youth (ages 9-12).
2. Louisville Slugger
Louisville Slugger Youth PG Series 5 catcher‘s set is made for youth and intermediate sizes. If you are looking for the one for adults then you should search for the Series 7. This catcher‘s set is constructed to provide longevity, toughness and mobility. It is lightweight and tough with the chest protector built with high density foam for increased protection.
The leg guards include a double knee design to help ease movement while providing the legs with maximum protection. The helmet on the other hand looks great on the outside and feels great on the inside. It has a nice smooth glossy finish and comes with moisture controlling chin pad to help curb sweat during the game.
3. Wilson
Wilson Youth EZ Gear Catcher’s kit covers everything you need in a catcher’s set. It includes a helmet that is designed in such a way that the head remains protected while remaining cool thanks to the venting. The gear is designed in such a way that the player gets the right fit and function to make for a good game.
The helmet is made from premium grade ABA shell to offer maximum protection from bats and balls. The Quick change closure system ensures that the ply can easily get in and out of the gear in a matter of seconds. It doesn’t hurt that the gear is a beautiful sight for sore eyes!
