Youth Catching Gear

[The Flush]

This will be my 8 year old son's first year of kid pitch (10U). He says he wants to try catching. While it remains to be seen if he will be asked to catch (our league has not even had registration yet), I told him that if he is one of his team's main catchers that I would consider buying him his own gear. I am looking for recommendations on what to look for as far as brand and features. Any suggestions? I won't be buying anything for at least a month and probably longer than that.

[Coach C]

This will be my 8 year old son's first year of kid pitch (10U). He says he wants to try catching. While it remains to be seen if he will be asked to catch (our league has not even had registration yet), I told him that if he is one of his team's main catchers that I would consider buying him his own gear. I am looking for recommendations on what to look for as far as brand and features. Any suggestions? I won't be buying anything for at least a month and probably longer than that.

When my son was that age and a bit small on average, I looked for protection and light weight gear, he continues to use the following. Mizzuno Samuari shins and chest. Easton helmet, please get a throat guard for the helmet, he will get hit in the throat at some point without it. IMO no knee savers. When he hits 9 and starts blocking he'll get hit on the wrists, get him Evoshield wrist guards. As to the gear you'll need to take measurements for the shins and chest, there are charts on the site for that. I had to do a little sewing on the chest protector straps so it fit better. Also if he sticks with it get him NECC catching DVD and attend the clinics. My son was fortunate enough to take a few clinics with Coach Weaver and Jay when he was 9/10, he's 12 now and because the right mechanics were burned in at a young age now at 12 he's a standout

[tg643]

Kids rapidly outgrow equipment in the preteen years. Twice I bought catching equipment from a dad with a kid one year older. Don't go overboard he'll outgrow the equipment every year or two. He also might decide at any given time he doesn't want to catch anymore. By the end of 12U and L all-stars my son was tired of the beating his arms took and how it affected his hitting after a couple of deep bruises.

[AdamInNY]

This is the gear I use with my minors rec team:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YCMILK/ref=oh_o06_s01_i00_details

Have a range of ages 8 - 12. Fits most except the largest. On my 7yo, who is big for his age. It fits well, except the chest protector is slightly too big. You'll want to get a throat guard with it.

[azmatsfan]

This is what I bought for my 8 year old (Now 9). It's good, safe equipment and doesn't cost a ton. I didn't want to spend a lot on stuff he's going to out grow.

http://www.amazon.com/All-Star-Players-9-12-Catchers/dp/B004M4P65E/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1330218978&sr=1-5

Also, check with any parents you know with older boys who catch. They might have some used equipment they would sell at a discount.

[The Flush]

Thanks for the advice so far. I will definitely check with the people I know who have their own gear. His older cousin caught for the last couple seasons, but I am not sure if he bought his own gear or not.

The league's gear is usually in pretty poor shape, plus it would be nice to have at home for practice. Those are the main reasons to buy our own.

[tcvander]

One of the first things I did when my son wanted to start catching was I bought him the catching DVD from the late Dave Weaver at www.catchingcamp.com
Without a doubt one of the best investments you can make in a young catchers career.

[tradosaurus]

I sold my son's youth catching gear for $30.00.

Also youtube has some informative videos about catching techniques and training at http://youtu.be/MWvutx7581U

[Rufus67]

Our 9 year-old son said he wanted to catch last fall so we went to Boomerang sports and bought him used gear and glove for about $75 total. He had some success (I'm a big NECC/Coach Weaver disciple so got him up to speed on the basics) and fun being the only catcher on the team (lots of playing time). No way I'm popping for brand new when we're not sure he'll stick with it (and he's already making noises that he doesn't want to continue).

[The Flush]

Maybe I'll check out Play it Again to see if they have any used gear in his size.

[tradosaurus]

We had a Play-it-Again Sports in our area. I bought used catchers equipment for our small town little league since I was the equipment manager board member. All of it was junk.
I'm glad that particular store went out of business. Hopefully you will have better success.

[ralanprod]

please get a throat guard for the helmet, he will get hit in the throat at some point without it.

This is important enough to say it again. My 13yo has been catching since he was 8, and has very solid blocking skills. Despite that he still had a curve take a bad hop on him during blocking drills a couple of weeks ago. It got under his hockey style mask and hit him right in the windpipe. It's not a pretty sight.

[Megunticook]

I am looking for recommendations on what to look for as far as brand and features. Any suggestions?.

I've had good luck with Rawlings catcher's gear for my kids, for example this chest protector which is quite nice:
WHCPY-R_lg.jpg
http://www.rawlingsgear.com/baseball...ive/whcpy.html

The folks at Rawlings are real nice to deal with, too, if anything doesn't fit or needs to be returned for some reason. Just my 2 cents--they're certainly not the only company out there making decent kids' gear.

[HOOAH]

Here's a very important piece of equipment the cup. Both of my boys wear the Nutty Buddy and my older son has worn it for 5 years now and wont play with out it, my younger son just started wearing it and it does take a little while to get used to it. http://www.nuttybuddy.com/360-view.html#video

http://www.nuttybuddy.com/

[mudvnine]

Here's a very important piece of equipment the cup. Both of my boys wear the Nutty Buddy and my older son has worn it for 5 years now and wont play with out it, my younger son just started wearing it and it does take a little while to get used to it. http://www.nuttybuddy.com/360-view.html#video
http://www.nuttybuddy.com/

Yes, so much so, that my youngest (15 y/o at the time) never felt comfortable in it, and refused to wear it after two weeks of us battling, and went back to his "old" protective equipment.

Just an FYI, because it ended up just an expensive "experiment" for us ($80) with the shorts, cup, and supporter that are all required. Looks like pretty decent pieces of equipment otherwise......but apparently, not suited for everyone.