Catcher Equipment

Baseball / Softball Catcher Equipment


In the early days of baseball a catcher played without any baseball catchers gear. The ball was first thrown with an underhanded motion but this changed to an overhanded motion. This ensured for many injuries. The strike rule was introduced and the catcher moved closer to the homeplate. The throws by pitchers began to evolve and they introduced the spitball and knuckleball, which makes the defence of an catcher more important. Also they began to use less rubbery balls which led to more injuries. By the late 1800’s, catchers began to use protection like padded, fingerless baseball catcher gloves to protect their hands, and the first protective mask was introduced. A couple years later were catcher chest protectors used and in the early 1900’s the final piece: leg guards were used.

User moment

Baseball catcher equipment is used by the catcher that stands behind the batter. His goal is to catch every ball that is thrown by the pitcher. The pitcher throws the ball with an average speed of 50 mph towards the catcher. This is why a catcher needs to wear protective gear.

A full catcher set consists of a: baseball catcher helmet, baseball catcher mitt (baseball glove), baseball catcher leg guard, baseball chest protector and a protective cup. Some catchers choose for additional protection like: catcher Knee savers, catcher inner protective glove, catcher throat protector and a catcher thumb guard.


There are different types of catcher sets. There are baseball catcher gear and a softball catcher gear. The difference between softball and baseball sets are that a softball chest protector has a break in the chest to help fit the shape of an female player. A fastpitch catcher set and a slowpitch catcher set has no differences. There are also youth catcher sets.


A helmet is made of durable ABS shell. This shell is scratch resistance and wont crack under cold temperature or melt at high temperature. The faceguard is made of steel or other metal. The chest protector is made of polyethylene (PE) and the leg guards are made of ABS plastic.


For sizing you need to measure you’re chest length, leg length and you’re circumference of you’re head. Based on this information you can see what size you need. For baseball there is tee-ball size, this is around the age of 5-7, youth size is for the age 7-9, junior size is for the age 9-12, senior size is for 12-16 and adult size is above 16 years old. With softball you have youth size for 7-9 years old, junior size is for age 9-12 and senior size is above 12 years old. There also is a size called intermediate. Intermediate is for kids aged 12-16 years old.


A catcher helmet and a chest protector needs to be approved by NOCSAE for use in the most youth, high school and adult leagues. 

There also is an SEI certificate. SEI oversees the NOCSAE standards certification process through several accredited, independent laboratories that are responsible for testing to determine if products meet NOCSAE standards. SEI also conducts regular product testing and on-site quality assurance audits at each NOCSAE licensee’s production facilities to ensure continued compliance.

Catcher set

A catcher set consist of 2 leg guards, a chest protector and a catcher helmet. We also sell catcher mitts individual (catchers baseball glove). We sell Rawlings catcher mitts, All star catcher mitts, Easton catcher mitts, Louisville catcher mitts, Wilson catcher mitts and Worth catcher mitts.

For carrying this whole set you need to have a catchers bag. We sell Easton catcher equipment backpacks and Rawlings catcher wheeled bag.

Catchers helmet: A catcher helmet has one goal and that is to protect the face. It’s similar to the mask worn by ice-hockey goalies. Older-style masks usually are worn over a flap-less helmet to provide protection to the skull.

Catcher mitts: A catcher mitt is bigger than any other catching glove. A mitt has also extra padding to reduce the impact of the ball to the hand.

Leg guards: Leg guard are an integral piece of the catcher equipment. Its designed to protect the knees, shins, ankles and the top area of the feet. Its made of thick plastic with an harness system to keep them attached.

Chest protector: A chest protector is a piece, padded with rubber, plastic foam, or gel, to protect the chest. Many others also have extensions to cover the shoulder.

Cup: This piece protects the groin area of serious injuries

There are catchers that chose for additional equipment.

Knee savers: This are special pads filled with air or foam, allowing cushion for the catcher when they are in the squatting position; they provide support for the knee ligaments which can, over time, stretch and tear.

Inner protective glove: This is worn inside the catcher mitt to help absorb the shock of a pitched ball.

Throat protector: A hard-plastic plate which hangs from the bottom of the catcher's mask to protect the throat. Because a ball striking the throat may cave-in the windpipe, throat protectors are required in almost all youth-baseball games, even at the high-school level.

Thumb guard: A hard plastic guard that forms around the thumb to prevent it from being broken from a pitch from the pitcher. The thumb guard is located on the inside of the glove (if worn) and is usually very helpful in protection.






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