Anyone like the idea of having your catchers wear their gear when they warm up before a practice and game?
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If you have inexperienced catchers, and you want them to get comfortable with throwing and moving with the gear on, I guess there is no harm in it.
On days he is catching, my son will generally put on his shin guards when he puts on his cleats just to save time. He only puts on the rest of the gear when it is time to warm up the starting pitcher.
Same here.
It depends:
1. During stretching, no. The gear is not "supposed" to limit them but it does in some cases and I think it would be counter productive to get the most out of some stretches.
2. If it is 90F+ outside, no. Let them stay out of that gear for as long as possible.
3. During long toss, yes. A real catcher wouldn't be phased by wearing the gear and you may interrupt long toss to go warm up the pitcher some, having him already in gear would be helpful.
+1 on Rob T's post
I perfer my catchers to at least wear their shin guards most of the time at practice. Unless they are hitting or base running. Game days the back up catcher , unless playing another position, has their shin guards on with the rest of their gear sitting beside them to get to the bullpen or to warm up in between innings with minimal wait.