Catcher's Equipment, opinions for a Freshman

I don't think you need much help.  Your thought process is sound.  There are plenty of good brands, including Schutt.  You have to look further within each brand.  Most have entry level gear and then progress from there.  Your criteria will keep you away from the entry level stuff, so you'll be fine.  What has been a bit surprising to me is that there are some top-of-the-line helmets that are ridiculously heavy as compared to competitor options.

The huge factor that you didn't mention is fit.  It is crucial that you don't buy gear that is the least bit too big.  For example, the chest protector should fit fairly snug against the body.  When he drops to block and positions his chest properly, the protector should be reflecting his proper body position.  His leg guards must flex at the right places and not be any more of a hindrance to mobility than necessary.  Etc., etc.  So, your biggest challenge is that you really can't buy with growth in mind and he will undoubtedly grow.

force 3 is a brand that is getting some love because of work they have done to reduce concussions  

http://www.force3progear.com/

When my son was that size he liked Mizuno.  The head gear held up well to THREE different bats being swung into the back of his head.....freaking truly dislike that one arm swing release thing....but anyway.  The Mizino is sold in an intermediate size that is supposed to be for women's softball but it fits the 5'7 kid really well. We are in GA, it gets pretty hot here too.  My son splashes water on his neck and head in between innings, it helps.  The Mizuno helmet has withstood a severe beating but my son never had any ill effects from the strikes.

My son is also 5,7 and 140lbs. He wears the AllStar system 7 intermediate gear. It fits a little big now and has plenty of room for a puberty spurt. I used cloth tape to secure the slack on the fastner straps

Thank you for the prompt replies.  In our local stores, Mizuno is available, so that we could try on for fit, since that is so important.  CACO3GIRL, while I know a bat hit is inevitable, I still winced when I read about your son taking those to the back of the head    I'm already practicing how to not run onto the field if (when) that happens...

CABBAGEDAD, when it comes to his safety, we won't hesitate to buy new equipment if necessary. Especially for his noggin. 

GUNNER34, interesting you should mention them. That name came up in my research. I just couldn't find enough on the reviews to get a good feel for it.  Perhaps there will be more information as it gets used more.

There is nothing stopping you from getting a Mizuno Helmet and a different kind of gear....just so you know :- )

14u was his worst hit yet.  Batter fully extended with one hand and bashed him so hard he slumped to the ground, the umpire immediately called the batter out, and BOTH sides of coaches went running for him.  He had his eyes closed for about 5 seconds, doing a self diagnostic I'm assuming and then....nothing, he stood up, took his helmet off, looked at it, put it back on his head and crouched behind the plate. Coach took him out.  He was walking to the bathroom when I stopped him and asked if he was okay.  He said yes.  I said then why did coach take you out?  He said "He's worried something got unlodged up there, I told him there was nothing up there to get unlodged, but he didn't believe me"...he said this while laughing and then he carried on walking happy as a clam.

Can't say enough good things about the Mizuno helmet.

P.S. I was happy when he gave up catching that year and went to OF and RHP :- )

I think the force 3  have some sort of spring that allows the mask to take a shot and not jar the catcher or umpire so much.   have read good things about it

Rawlings for me.  Make sure to get your son the proper size mitt.  I've seen many kids in that age group with gloves/mitts that are one, two sizes too big. A glove should fit snug not loose.

My son used All-Star System 7 through HS and Rawlings Pro Preferred gloves.

When mine caught he had a couple of sets of All Star System 7.  Very durable and an excellent product.  Go to some tournaments and look what the guys are wearing.  I was always amazed at the high percentage of All Star gear.  I notice it when I watch games on TV too.  Last I knew, the Under Armour gear is re-branded All Star.

Florida State Fan posted:

Rawlings for me.  Make sure to get your son the proper size mitt.  I've seen many kids in that age group with gloves/mitts that are one, two sizes too big. A glove should fit snug not loose.

Good point. He's okay with the glove he has now, but there may be a new one soon. We lucked into a gently used A2000 last summer. It's all leather, and he thinks he wants a Wilson Superskin for his next one.

9and7dad posted:

Last I knew, the Under Armour gear is re-branded All Star.

It still is, according to an article from a couple of years ago. That same article noticed that 50% of MLB catchers used All-Star.  Of course, there are always endorsements issues, and I'm not saying my kids is a future MLB'er, but I figure those guys take their health and performance just about as seriously as anyone, so it speaks pretty loudly.

Thank you for the personal experience and observations.

If you want the chest protector to last more than 2 years, keep in mind a NFHS rule change that goes into effect 1/1/2020 that requires them to be NOSCAE approved.

cabbagedad posted:

The huge factor that you didn't mention is fit.  It is crucial that you don't buy gear that is the least bit too big.  For example, the chest protector should fit fairly snug against the body.  When he drops to block and positions his chest properly, the protector should be reflecting his proper body position.  His leg guards must flex at the right places and not be any more of a hindrance to mobility than necessary.  Etc., etc.  So, your biggest challenge is that you really can't buy with growth in mind and he will undoubtedly grow.

This is spot on.  My son was also about 5' - 7" and 140 lbs as a freshman.  He needed an adult chest protector to give proper protection for 80+ mph pitches but they were too big, so my wife had to break out the sewing machine and take in the straps.  The youth size fit him perfectly but didn't provide the protection and spiked fastballs really hurt.

gunner34 posted:

force 3 is a brand that is getting some love because of work they have done to reduce concussions  

http://www.force3progear.com/

Just be advised that the traditional mask is not legal in HS ball.

High school and juco i wore Easton but I’m not a huge fan of some of their new gear.

worn Rawlings the past 2 years and love it. 

Would recommend rawlings, Allstar, Nike pro gear if you can find a set, or Easton.

realistically you’re going to get hit with a bat and ball at some point while catching. It’s inevitable. The gear isn’t made to protect from anything other than blocking baseballs. Traditional 2 piece masks are definitely More forgiving on a foul ball than the hockey style mask, but in high school they are banned And you can only wear them in travel ball

gunner34 posted:

I think the force 3  have some sort of spring that allows the mask to take a shot and not jar the catcher or umpire so much.   have read good things about it

I saw they also sell the hockey mask style with their shock absorber tech, but there seem to be very little reviews on it

There is a big debate on hockey style vs. two piece.  I can only say that had my son been wearing a two piece helmet I don't think he would have been uninjured with the brutal hit he took during 14u. He made the same observation.

I think more and more sanctioning bodies are requiring full hockey-style masks including state high school athletic associations.  Even if they don't mandate these, you should check with any sanctioning body for any summer games you might participate in.  I suspect the two piece is really marketed more towards umpires with the vast majority of kids going with the hockey-style given that is what they grew up with and many have no option up through high school these days.

From your description of your son I think he would benefit from a 31" circum. Maybe a 32", snug, manageability is key.   Regarding masks, the hockey style probably gives catchers more protection and it looks cool but the traditional one will give him more visibility and much easier to get on and off.  

Best of luck to your son and enjoy hs baseball, It's over in a flash.

Matt13 posted:

gunner34 posted:

force 3 is a brand that is getting some love because of work they have done to reduce concussions  

http://www.force3progear.com/

Just be advised that the traditional mask is not legal in HS ball.

You'll need to check into this but in our hs catchers wore the traditional style mask.

Florida State Fan posted:

From your description of your son I think he would benefit from a 31" circum. Maybe a 32", snug, manageability is key.   Regarding masks, the hockey style probably gives catchers more protection and it looks cool but the traditional one will give him more visibility and much easier to get on and off.  

Best of luck to your son and enjoy hs baseball, It's over in a flash.

The much easier to get on and off bothers me. I find alot of catchers are quick to take off the helmet.

Wilson offer a catchers helmet called SHOX.  Face masked is not flush with helmet and has 4 shock absorbers.  It is an outstanding catchers helmet.

Florida State Fan posted:

Matt13 posted:

gunner34 posted:

force 3 is a brand that is getting some love because of work they have done to reduce concussions  

http://www.force3progear.com/

Just be advised that the traditional mask is not legal in HS ball.

You'll need to check into this but in our hs catchers wore the traditional style mask.

They were in violation and the umpires were not doing their job (unless we're talking 20 years ago or so.)

Matt13 posted:

Florida State Fan posted:

Matt13 posted:

gunner34 posted:

force 3 is a brand that is getting some love because of work they have done to reduce concussions  

http://www.force3progear.com/

Just be advised that the traditional mask is not legal in HS ball.

You'll need to check into this but in our hs catchers wore the traditional style mask.

They were in violation and the umpires were not doing their job (unless we're talking 20 years ago or so.)

Illegal in GA. Only hockey style is legal.  I thought that was a national rule, not a state specific rule.

Before you buy gear you might ask around.  Our school buys 2-3 new sets of catchers gear each year. I bought my son a new set of gear before his freshman year only to see him get brand new gear from the school a month later.  

My son just got the brand new converge pro under armour gear. It has extra padding under the chest protector. It’s pretty awesome.