Softball Catchers’ Gear: There Are Many Reasons to Invest in These Essentials

To understand the heart of softball, we need to understand the importance of the catcher, a position that requires way more than merely catching a ball. Involved in every game, this player is the jack of all trades of this sport, taking up all sorts of responsibilities – from fielding pop-ups and bunts, and different throws, to receiving the pitch and helping the pitcher, shifting, blocking, and controlling the base runners.

Think of the catcher as the captain of the defence, the one who takes the lead. A lot goes around that they need to be aware of, always keeping an eye on where the action is. In addition to learning how to be vocal to keep everyone alert once the action starts going, they need to have the skill, reflexes, and a strong arm to prevent runners from stealing a base, as well as strong and quick footwork.

Relying on adequate muscle work is only part of the deal, they also need adequate equipment. Keep in mind there are two essential factors that set quality softball catchers gear apart from the rest: protection and comfort. Without one or the other, it’s impossible to dominate behind the plate.

What Equipment Does a Catcher Need?

The basics that you’d have to acquire for this specific position in the sport are a mitt, helmet, chest protector, and leg guards. Some extras of accessories you’re also advised to get include throat protectors and knee savers to get fully covered.

Mitt

Unlike other players’ gloves, the mitt is designed for the specific requirements of the catcher, which are full protection of the hand and wrist, as well as quality and reliability especially when those pitch stings occur. 

For this reason, this essential softball catcher’s gear doesn’t have separate pockets for each finger and is a mitt design that’s made from durable materials, like leather, carefully chosen for its strength and quality. 

In terms of style, it’s available in both open and closed webbing. The sizing differs in circumference, which is what you should focus on when shopping.

Helmet

Many sports require a helmet as one of the basics of protective gear, whether cricket or skateboarding and softball is no exception because the catcher is at risk of flying balls and head injuries. To get the required amount of safety, look into the specifics of two styles of these helmets: the mask, and the full cranial protection.

The mask is designed as a cage that covers up the entire face area with padded jaw and forehead details, and the helmet is made for full head protection. While the masks are easy to pull off, a feature that comes in handy in times of foul balls, that’s not the case with the full helmets. 

Though, because of the usefulness of each of these, the mask is only available for adults, whereas the helmet is available for both adults and kids. Both come with adjustable straps for getting a better fit.

Chest Protector

A catcher can’t do without the appropriate torso protection either. This type of catcher’s gear is made to offer utmost support and padding to the entire torso as well as the arms, something that’s crucial not only in cases of flying balls but also as a shield from bats and other players too. To find your size, be sure to measure up the length from the base of your neck all the way down to the waist.

Leg Guards

These are also crucial components of the basic equipment designed with the right amount of soft padding (the part that goes over your ankles, shins, and knees) and a hard external shell (the outer layer that protects from balls and collisions with players). 

Look for models with double or triple kneecaps for protection even when crouching, and be sure to choose designs with moisture-wicking linings to stay dry. To find your size, measure from the middle of the knee to the ankle.

Throat Protector

You can never be too careful when there are foul balls. That means you need to consider getting the right kind of softball catcher gear accessories like the throat protector. It’s basically a durable piece of plastic designed to provide coverage for your throat against impact from balls that go under the chin.

Knee Savers

You may not consider these to be an absolute necessity, however, once you find yourself crouching for a long period of time, several times during a single game even, you’re bound to put your legs (particularly the knee joints and muscles) through some discomfort. The knee savers are designed with soft foams to ease the pain, and they’re easy to wear as they attach to the leg guards.