CATCHER'S GEAR FEATURED PRODUCT
Schutt Scorpion Fastpitch Softball Catchers Gear Set
It's called "Fast Pitch" for a reason and you have, probably, the most
important position on the field. Without a great catcher, a pitcher and
team can struggle, and without the right catchers gear, any catcher can struggle.
By the transitive property and ultimately, common sense, great catchers
gear is essential. Helmet, chest protector, and leg guards can save
your body from injury and bail your pitcher out when she throws a wild pitch.
Top of the line, customizable color scheme, and ultra-protective construction
make this catchers gear set your most valuable asset aside from your skill. So, become your team's
most valuable asset and protect yourself because catching isn't just catching!
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Frequently Asked
Baseball Catchers Gear Questions:
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Why do I need catchers gear?
More than any other position on the diamond,
catchers demand great gear to perform at their highest levels. Crouching
right in the line of fire, catchers purposefully put themselves in the
most dangerous position on the field, and need solid protection to stay
in the game. They also need lightweight, performance-ready gear to stay
sharp.
No other player has to move
quite like a catcher. From second to second they must be ready to catch
a fastball, block a wild pitch, field a bunt, or gun the ball to throw
out a runner, all while squatting for hours on end. For all these
reasons and more, a catcher's set of gear should not only fit properly,
but provide plenty of strength, flexibility, and protection. Catchers
gear should also improve performance by maximizing visibility,
breathing, wicking moisture, and absorbing impact energy, to keep your
game sharp and honed.
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What gear do I need as a catcher?
Before you get behind the plate, whether
you're little league or major league, it's important to have the
following protective catchers gear:
With all of that gear, it can be a pain
to transport everything around and keep things protected and scuff free.
That's why we recommend using a catcher's equipment bag to haul your new
stuff from home to the diamond, and keep your investments organized and
safe. Top of Page
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What different types of catchers masks are available?
What's in a Good Catcher's Helmet:
A catcher's helmet is a key piece of safety
equipment, designed to block shots to the head, prevent concussions, and
protect your face...what I like to call the "money maker," from injury.
It's there to shield you from foul balls and even collisions at home
plate, so it's got to be built tough.
But a good catcher's helmet or mask has to
be so much more than a tank. It should fit comfortably, without
restricting movement or visibility, so you can act at the drop of a hat,
and read every pitch and motion on the diamond with ease.
Thankfully,
every catcher's helmet we offer features a size chart, to help you
choose the helmet that fits you best, and most are easily adjustable,
with sliding plates, to create a customized, snug, and secure fit. Our
selection of higher-end catcher's helmets, from companies like Mizuno,
Nike, Under Armour, and Easton, feature enhanced peripheral vision,
moisture wicking materials, breathable vents, and added padding to
absorb harder blows.
Two Types of Catcher's Helmets:
Many catchers in the game argue over the
two different types of catcher's helmets. The classic catcher's mask and
backwards helmet combination has been a favorite amongst catchers for
years. Hockey style catcher's helmets are a relatively new fixture
behind the plate, but are gaining popularity due to their improved
safety ratings, larger protection area, and mandatory use in little
league baseball and other junior leagues. It's important, though, to
understand the pros and cons of each, and make up your own mind before
purchasing a new helmet:
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2-Piece Catcher's Masks
- Flap-less batting helmet, worn backwards, with a mask pulled down in front of the face
- Moderate coverage and protection of the head
- Provides good visibility
- Easy to remove if necessary
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Hockey Style Catcher's Helmet
- Protects the front, top, and side of head with one solid helmet piece
- Typically has a longer face, for greater coverage of the neck and throat
- Can be difficult to get off quickly, if necessary
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How do I find the right chest protector for me?
The chest protector is central to the safety of any catcher. Most wild
pitches, foul balls, missed catches, and hard plays at the plate are
blocked by the chest protector, and without it, would cause some real
damage. Think giant baseball sized bruises, broken ribs, collapsed
lungs...serious injuries in anybody's book. These risks come with the
position, and catcher's know that chest protectors get a solid work out
each and every game. That's why, when looking for a new chest protector,
it's important not to skimp. A cheap chest protector won't deliver the
padding or durability you'll need to make it through a full season's
wear and tear.Our collection of
advanced and affordable chest protectors are incredibly lightweight and
durable, without compromising protection. Lightweight designs, foams,
and materials keep catcher's quick, protecting without restricting
movement. These materials also keep players cool on hot days and nights
behind the plate, and as we all know, a comfortable catcher is a better
catcher. Top of Page |
How do I size a chest protector?
 No
matter which chest protector you go with, the best is one that fits correctly. Thankfully,
sizing for a chest protector is fairly easy.
- Grab a measuring tape or ruler
- Have someone else do the measuring,
to ensure accuracy
- Stand up straight, against a wall if
it's more comfortable
- Measure the length from the bottom
of your throat to your naval
- Use this number to find the right
chest protector size for you
Most modern chest protectors range from
11 to 18 inches, from youth to adult. Top of Page |
How do I size catchers shin guards?
It's important to get the right size shin
guards, so they fit securely and comfortably, and provide the best
protection and performance.
- Use a flexible measuring
tape or ruler for the most accurate measurements
- Measure from the middle of your knee to the top of your
foot.
Correctly fitting shin guards will stay in place regardless of
whether you're crouching behind the plate or running to make a play at
first.
Most catcher's leg guards are adjustable, so you can always get
the right fit, even if your preferences change.
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What features should I look for in a new pair of shin guards?
Shin guards are vital to your protection
as a catcher. With durable, strong shells, shin guards protect against
batted balls, prevent bruised knees in the dirt when playing the ball,
and keep shins and knees away from a runner's spikes when sliding into
home plate. To find the right shin guards for you, it's important to
understand
exactly what you need in a piece of gear.
 Many modern shin guards feature:
- Moisture wicking linings and
breathable padding, to keep your legs and knees dry and comfortable
all game long.
- Double or triple knee caps to
deliver improved knee coverage when crouching.
- Additional toe cups that protect
feet and ankles from injury.
- Added material to cover the inside
of the knee and shin.
When you know your size, and understand
the features you're looking for, finding shin guards within your budget,
age, and skill level becomes easier. Also keep in mind that many
catchers prefer Knee Savers, that provide additional padding to
the back of the knee when crouching. |
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How do I find the right catchers mitt for me?
Just as it is with the rest of their equipment, catcher's use a
different glove than anyone else on the diamond. A catchers mitt is
specially designed to protect the catcher's hand from fast balls in
excess of 100 mph, and give the pitcher a nice sized target to aim for.
To achieve this, catcher's mitts lack individual fingers, in favor of a
single large pocket, and use plenty of extra padding. The larger the
catcher's mitt, the more padding protects the hand and fingers, and the
larger target the pitcher has to
work with.
 Typically,
youth catcher's mitts are 31"
and smaller, while adult catcher's mitts range from 32" to about 34" in
circumference. Some catchers prefer the largest possible mitt for added
protection, while others like smaller mitts that help them get the ball
out and in their hand faster. Your choice should be based off of skill,
training, and preference.
Sports Unlimited offers mitts for
everyone, from entry level catchers to pro-level players. We even have
the exact same mitts that current MLB catchers use on the field! With
mitts from Wilson, Mizuno, Easton, Rawlings, and more, we're sure you'll
find the perfect one for your game right here.
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Do I need a catchers equipment bag?
Catchers use plenty of specially designed
equipment and armor to get the job done. And even with all of the latest
lightweight and durable materials, advanced polymers, and innovative
technologies, lugging that stuff around gets cumbersome, heavy, and just
plain annoying. That's why it's important for your back, and your
sanity, to use an equipment bag to keep your gear organized and
protected when hauling it from home to the field and back again.
Catchers equipment bags are specially
designed to hold and organize everything in a catcher's arsenal. These
bags have huge main compartments, with plenty of specially designed
pockets, compartments, hooks, and features. They are built tough, with
durable polyesters, strong stitching, and reinforced areas to combat
wear and tear. Most of them feature wheels (and some of them even have
speakers!), to make hauling easier than ever. Sports Unlimited carries a
huge variety of baseball equipment bags for any need, so check them out
and find the one that works for you.
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Which brand of catchers gear is right for me? Brand choice is always a matter of
personal preference and budget. But we assure you, Sports Unlimited only
carries the most respected and reliable brands of catcher's gear and
baseball equipment in the game today, so whether you go with Under
Armour, Easton, Mizuno, Nike, Wilson, Rawlings, or other brands here,
you can be confident that you're getting high-quality gear at the best
possible price.
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