{"id":95,"date":"2024-03-31T19:30:06","date_gmt":"2024-03-31T19:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplanetofbaseball.com\/index.php\/2021\/04\/19\/top-5-best-youth-catchers-gear-reviews-2018-updated-april-2021\/"},"modified":"2024-03-31T19:30:06","modified_gmt":"2024-03-31T19:30:06","slug":"top-5-best-youth-catchers-gear-reviews-2018-updated-april-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplanetofbaseball.com\/top-5-best-youth-catchers-gear-reviews-2018-updated-april-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Best Youth Catchers Gear Reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"
If you are the parent of a youth who has just wrapped up baseball season, you may already be looking forward to next year. Kids at younger ages usually rotate through positions, but if your child is serious about playing at a more competitive level, he or she is likely going to stick to just one position. If that position is catcher, the off season is a great time to find the best youth catcher\u2019s gear and equipment.<\/p>\n
As you take stock of what your child needs for the new season, it is important to keep in mind that much of this equipment may become too small as your child grows older and bigger. Still, catcher\u2019s gear holds its resale value quite well and you may be able to trade it into a second-hand sports equipment store after your child outgrows it. It can be quite tempting to buy something that your child can grow into in a couple of years, but it is better to buy something that fits correctly now, especially if it will help prevent injuries and offer better protection.<\/p>\n
For youth who are just starting out in playing baseball, you will need, at a minimum, three pieces of equipment. You can buy these three items separately, or you can look to buy all three as a pack together.<\/p>\n
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Via: batandballgame.com<\/p>\n
First thing you will need is a good catcher\u2019s helmet and mask. The fit must be comfortable as it will be on your child\u2019s head for most of the game. In addition, he or she will be taking it off and putting it on constantly, so finding something comfortable that can be slipped on and off repeatedly is important.<\/p>\n
You will have to decide whether to get a cage that protects the full face (similar to a hockey mask) or just a traditional style cage (leaves the eyes open parallel to the ground). The full caged mask offers slightly better protection and would be suitable for children, while the traditional caged mask may be a bit easier to slip on, with two straps to adjust the tightness and one on top to arrange the fit.<\/p>\n
The second item that you should look for is a solid chest protector. This incredibly important piece of equipment will make sure your child is safe from any errant pitches that cannot be caught, as well as any incidental contact at the place. Your child\u2019s ribs, chest stomach will all be protected with a good chest protector.<\/p>\n
You will want to find something that is good quality that can absorb the impact of fast pitches as this is the primary piece of padding that is keeping your child safe. This may cost a bit more but in the end it is worth it.<\/p>\n
Finally, you will need to get your child a pair of knee and leg guards. These are usually made of plastic with some reinforced padding to add some protection. Good guards will protect your child\u2019s knees and legs as they are often down on their knees to stop low pitches. Thankfully, the technology has improved over the last decade and guards are now quite good at protecting your child\u2019s legs.<\/p>\n
When buying catcher\u2019s gear for your youth, there are 5 important things to look for before making your purchase:<\/p>\n
Box sets (consisting of helmet, chest protectors, and leg protectors) are a great way to get all your catcher\u2019s gear so you can be protected from head to toe. Here are our 5 top picks for youth catcher box sets for the upcoming 2018 season.<\/p>\n
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Easton\u2019s beginner catcher set, the Black Magic, is a good choice for beginner players as it gives a good chest protector that can absorb quite a bit of impact as well as leg guards with a protective plate covering the shins. The hockey mask helmet offers maximum protection, even to the back of the head.<\/p>\n
The Black Magic catcher\u2019s set is a good choice for youth that are just starting out in learning the catcher\u2019s position as it will instill confidence as your child learns the position. Overall quite durable and rated highly for safety and protection.<\/p>\n
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LS\u2019 PG Series offering gives added mobility and flexibility to young catcher\u2019s as added pad breaks align much better to accommodate quick movement. The chest protector is lighter than previous versions with new technology to better protect your little slugger.<\/p>\n
A good offering from LS that provides protection without sacrificing mobility and range-of-motion. May not fit all young players, but nonetheless if it fits your child it is an excellent option for amateur players.<\/p>\n
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All-Star is fairly new to the youth catcher\u2019s gear market, but they introduce a slick offering here that has received very good reviews to date. All three pieces of equipment have a good feel to them, although the chest protector does not have as much padding as one would hope.<\/p>\n
Solid choice for beginner ball players to try out the catcher\u2019s position to see if they like it, as it is offered at a very attractive price point. May not carry the big name of an Easton or Mizuno, but quality seems reasonable and it should suit your child\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n
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All-Star makes our list twice, as the Player\u2019s Series option for more serious youth is a good option for those with a higher budget. Construction is sturdy and seems to offer good protection for your older youth. A nice bonus is the throat guard and equipment bag that are also included.<\/p>\n
The CK912PS is a great choice for older kids as they continue to get more serious about the catcher\u2019s position. As your child advances into peewee-bantam level and beyond, consider the Player\u2019s Series line for your catcher\u2019s equipment needs.<\/p>\n
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MacGregor is another new entrant to the game and they come in with a catcher\u2019s set at a very competitive price. Surprisingly, the quality does seem to be quite good for the price, and this should have no trouble lasting the season. Whether it provides the same durability for multiple seasons remains to be seen.<\/p>\n
Reasonably priced option that gives good mobility and flexibility while still maintaining adequate protection. This makes it a good choice for younger players who may not be sure they love the catcher\u2019s position yet.<\/p>\n
As a starter\u2019s option I would recommend MacGregor\u2019s option as it is priced at the entry point in the market and will be a great choice for your child to test and try out the catcher\u2019s position. If you\u2019re looking for something a bit higher end, I would recommend All Star\u2019s Player Series as all reviews thus far have been quite positive.<\/p>\n
Whatever you end up purchasing for your child, I hope he or she has a great time out there on the diamond next season; remember to have fun!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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