Buying Catchers Shin Guards

Leg or shin guards protect the front of the leg, knee, and top of the foot. When wearing your shin guards, the straps should not be too loose or too tight. If the straps are too lose, the gear will flop around and get in the way. Straps that are too tight will cause discomfort and become a distraction. Coaches should assist their young catchers to make sure the catcher's gear fits properly. Do not buy shin guards that are too large for your body, expecting to grow into them. This will only inhibit your movement and make your job a lot more difficult behind the plate. It pains me to see a youth baseball catcher trying to move around behind the plate, tripping all over their over-sized gear. Some catcher's shin guards come with additional protection for the foot and toe areas. I find this extra protection to be cumbersome and get in the way. The extra protection can be removed and it is up to each individual catcher to decide what feels most comfortable, but yet still offer adequate protection.

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Youth Baseball Catcher Sets

If you are serious about catching, you should consider buying your own set of youth catcher's gear. This gear should fit you properly. Proper fitting catcher's gear is important for two main reasons: safety and performance. A complete set of gear and a catcher's glove can be fairly expensive. I suggest you shop around different sports stores in your area or check online to find equipment in your price range.



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How much will a set of youth catcher's gear cost?

Expect to spend about $100 for a complete set of the basic youth catcher's equipment and glove. Higher end catcher's gear and the top of the line catcher's mitts can combine for a $900 price tag. A typical or average set of gear with a decent mitt will run you around the $200 - $300 range. If you still have a lot of growing to do, it is probably not a good idea to invest in a full set of gear. Your team should have gear you can use. However, I would recommend buying your own catcher's glove. Make sure everything you purchase has a warranty!

Some brands that you should consider for catcher' gloves include: Wilson, Easton, Mizuno, Rawlings, Akadema, and Nokona.

Brands that sell youth catcher's sets and bags are: All Star, Rawlings, Easton, Wilson, Mizuno, Diamond, McGregor, Nike, Schutt, and Under Armour.