Protect The One That Protects The Plate

A catchers chest protector today is made with 2 and 4 layer high density foam to deaden the ball on impact. They are also designed using high tech light weight moisture resistant materials to keep the catcher cool, dry and lighter on his/her feet.  Catchers gear suppliers like Mizuno, Easton, Nike, Rawlings and Under Armour all engineer a high end catchers chest protector for all levels of ball players.

When considering the purchase of a new chest protector don’t just pick one that looks cool, but consider the level of the player and the protection needed such as arched shoulders for an anatomical fit,  removable and adjustable shoulder caps, an adjustable and removable groin protector and a contoured fit for optimum mobility.

Be sure to fit the chest protector properly to the player for maximum protection.  A lot of balls that bounce off the catchers face mask hit the top of the his/hers shoulders. So if the chest protector is not properly fitted and straps are not properly adjusted for the player, the chest protector may droop and leave a larger area of the shoulder and chest area open to injury by a deflected ball.  My recommendation is to select a catchers chest protector that has that added measure of protection for the shoulder area but does not restrict the throwing arm.

EASTON CATCHERS CHEST PROTECTOR Easton provides a professional level catchers chest protector for all levels of players. Features memory foam designed to reduce rebound of blocked balls. Their trademark construction has larger ventilation ports and slimmed side panels for lighter weight. From Baseball Express $40 – $115	MIZUNO CATCHERS CHEST PROTECTOR All Mizuno catchers chest protectors feature their trademark inner liner to keep you cool and dry. Engineered construction for durability, comfort and lightweight performance. A Nylon gear bag is included. From Baseball Express $55 -$75	UNDER ARMOUR CATCHERS CHEST PROTECTOR Under Armour also engineers a professional level catchers chest protector that has multiple layers of memory foam designed to smack blocked balls dead. The construction has large ventilation ports and slimmed side panels for lighter weight, flexibility and mobility. From Baseball Express from $50 – $190
NIKE CATCHERS CHEST PROTECTOR Nike delivers as you would expect a high-performance catchers chest protector. Its is made with dual density padding that smacks balls dead at the plate. All of their chest protectors are light weight, vented and extremely flexible. They come with a full-suspension harness for a comfortable fit and detachable shoulder pads for add protection against deflected balls off the face mask. From Baseball Express for only $99.00	Rawlings Catchers Chest Protector The 950z Series Chest Protector is now powered by Zoombang. The Zoombang Chest protection zone conforms to your body providing a layer of added protection without sacrificing mobility. The Dynamic Fit System over the shoulders and the dual back strap adjustments create custom fit. From Baseball Rampage for $96.00	All Star Catchers Set Bundle Great value for the 12 -16 player group. The catcher’s helmet features a strong, light shell made of injected molded ABS plastic and a dual-welded steel mask. All Star’s Players Series Chest Protector comes with multi-layered foam padding with built in sternum plates for added protection. The catcher’s leg guards are designed with resistant plastic components for better protection and full wing padding for comfort. All for $130.00 from Baseball Express.

Catchers Chest Protector Sizing
It is very important to get the chest size measurement accurate for correct fit of a catchers chest protector. You want to avoid a chest protector that is too snug, restricting movement or to loose reducing protection. To get a good fit for the chest protector, measure from the top of the sternum, a long flat bone in the center of the chest starting just under the chin, to the waist. This dimension will give you the length required for a proper fit. Use your measurement in inches and compare it to the one given in the chest protector description. Example Adult 17 ” .

Age Range Recommendations for Catcher’s Chest Protector
Youth: age 9-12
Intermediate: age 12-15
Adult: age 15+

Watch this video of a catcher wearing an ALL Star Pro Chest Protector.
The low bounce foam construction deadens the ball on impact and the totally conforming design of the chest protector has multiple break points for ease of movement.  All Star also allows you customize catchers equipment with your own selection of color combinations for leg guards, face mask, helmet and check protector.

Look for These High Tech Materials When Purchasing a Catchers Chest Protector

Mizuno uses a product called “DryLite” and is a Trade Mark of Sporthill, Inc. DryLite is a moisture management material that is a series of high performance technical fabrics engineered with special yarn and fabric structure. This durable fabric is used in all kinds of sporting goods equipment where moisture is a potential problem. It effectively transports perspiration vapor away from the players body thus cooling down the body temperature. Its light weight, comfortable, breathable, durable and easy to care for.

Easton and other manufacturers use a popular product called COOLMAX®. This is a high performance fabric that moves perspiration away from the players body, and through the fabric, where it can evaporate quickly, allowing the wearer to feel cooler and more comfortable. This high tech fabric developed by Invista, a global producer of polymers and fibers, is used in all kinds of sporting goods products, clothing, shoes and more where moisture needs to be controlled.