Looking for catchers gear. Anyone have recommendations? Also, anyone know if traditional catchers masks are allowed at 14u level? I prefer the traditional over hockey style but can’t seem to find if they allow them.
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It depends on the rules that are used by whatever league or tournament circuit your team plays in. Usually by 14u the traditional mask is allowed by most and I have seen kids use them in tournaments where they were not allowed by rule but no one said anything about it.
Hockey style helmets are required by high schools. I know that Perfect Game allows the traditional masks at its tournaments.
NFHS rules do not require hockey style catchers helmets. They only require that the helmet have dual ear flaps and be NOCSAE certified. That said ... good luck finding a helmet that meets that criteria and is NOT hockey style.
Just be prepared to spend a lot and not get a lot of life out of it. My son prefers All-Star. And, it's great gear. But, it's expensive and, other than the helmet, doesn't last forever. We're lucky to get more than 12 months on the shins and 2 years on the chest protector, before he needs new ones.
My son has used All-Star since he was 9u. They are extremely helpful if there are ever issues. You may be able to find a decent set of used gear if you can’t afford new. SidelineSwap is a good place to look.
I’ve found other brands use cheaper/flimsy parts in their shins and chest protectors
Be prepared to by a hockey style helmet for HS if you buy a traditional for travel.
2 catchers. When they were younger they wanted UA which I think is made by All Star. As they got older tried other brands, never loved them. 23 is trying Evoshield now which has shin guards that conform to your leg. The protection seems really good. Still using his All Star Helmet. Goalie style.
I guess the old style mask and helmet seem cool and may be lighter but I don't allow him to use them for a number of reasons. First, they don't provide anywhere near the protection hockey style does and don't tell me otherwise. Second our HS rules and HS coaches don't allow it. I may be wrong but I thought PG didn't either. Watched our MLB catcher get concussion after concussion on foul tips a few years ago and decided to never allow it/
My son switched from Allstar to Force3 defender last year. It held up well and has the nice springs on the mask to reduce the impact forces. It is a heaver mask.
PG and PBR national events allow non-hockey masks. They also don’t require NOCSAE chest gear.
Son is a fan of All-Star, especially because he can get XL (tall) leg guards. If you’re a fella with long legs, you’ll be better off with them, as they will protect better and won’t tear as quickly.
I have yet to see a chest protector that isn’t NOCSAE approved. All-Star threw that out for marketing IMO. Even their old protectors from 5 years ago are on the list of approved gear. At least they were when I checked a year ago.
@TerribleBPthrower posted:I have yet to see a chest protector that isn’t NOCSAE approved. All-Star threw that out for marketing IMO. Even their old protectors from 5 years ago are on the list of approved gear. At least they were when I checked a year ago.
Starting on January 1, 2020 NFHS will require use of certified chest protectors; and starting on January 1, 2021 NCAA will require use of certified chest protectors.
@Francis7 posted:Starting on January 1, 2020 NFHS will require use of certified chest protectors; and starting on January 1, 2021 NCAA will require use of certified chest protectors.
Right, but my point is there are tons of old models that are on the list of approved by NOCSAE. There is a difference in the language some orgs use between “approved” and “certified”. The new CP from all-star is certified but the old models are approved
I think the overall certification requirements changed. I think they had to add additional sternum protection.
NOCSAE has developed a new standard for baseball chest protectors based on research which shows that reducing the force of an impact below defined thresholds can significantly reduce the risk of commotio cordis. More information about the testing can be found on the NOCSAE Website.
They did change, but a lot of old models meet the new requirements and are approved on the NOCSAE website. The new models are “certified”. I went back and forth on this with all-star and they finally admitted I was right and didn’t need to buy a new CP for the HS season. I ended up buying one anyway because the old one was too small.
This link shows the “approved” legacy model CP’s
Here's another reason why I'll never buy anything but All-Star. Just emailed them asking for a recommendation on paint for the helmet cage (son's is chipping and showing slight signs of rust). She replied that I shouldn't paint the cage and she is going to send me one at no cost. Their customer service is one of the best I've ever seen.
Totally agree they are the best and we have always used them until trying Evo this year--we'll see how it goes).
Mask costs them about $2 to make and ship out to you and they get to keep a thrilled customer who is willing to pay $5-600 for a set and $3-400 for a glove. All Star is a niche business that gets customer service and marketing.
The MVP4000 helmet is incredible. Son has taken a bunch of foul tips and never felt the slightest discomfort. AS is constantly innovating and trying to improve their products. Just look at their rivets and clips over the past few years. Slight changes, but all make their products safer and more durable.