How to Get the Right Size Baseball Gear for Catchers
Finding the right size baseball gear for catchers is important to ensure the protection and comfort of the player. Catcher's gear comes in many different sizes to accomodate various ages and body types. Carefully considering and correctly choosing from among the available options is important because a catcher is involved in every pitch of the game, and catcher play can often determine the outcome.
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Instructions
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Measure your body length. Using a tape measure, measure vertically from the top of your sternum to your belly button. This measurement will tell you what size catcher's gear you need.
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Determine the size you need for your body length. Catchers gear can come in peewee, youth, junior and adult sizes. Peewee gear is designed for children ages 7 to 9 who have a 13-inch body length. Youth gear is designed for children ages 9-12 who have a 14-inch body length. Junior gear is designed for bigger children who have a body length of 15 inches. Adult gear has a body length of 16 inches.
If you measure into youth gear, then you will need a youth chest protector, shin guards and helmet and mask.
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Try on the catcher's gear into which you have measured. Catcher's gear can be uncomfortable at times, especially for youth players. Make sure the equipment fits snugly. This includes the helmet, chest protector, and shin guards. Check to ensure that the shin guards are long enough, covering the top of the foot and the top of the knee. Make sure the helmet is tight on the head and that the chest protector has a tail that hangs down between the legs.
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Tips & Warnings
Some baseball players may need a chest protector in an adult size but junior shin guards.
Measure two or three times to ensure accuracy.
Try on someone else's catcher's gear before you purchase your own so you have an idea of what it should feel like.
A chest guard without a tail could expose you to injury.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit young baseball catcher image by pixelcarpenter from Fotolia.com
