New to catching - advice on gear needed

[reagansdaddy]

Nothing to disagree about. There is proper technique and then there is personal preference.

Oh, yes, there is plenty to disagree about. You really don't seem to have a clue on proper technique. Tried to be easy going about it but you're just wrong. See EricF above for a better, more detailed explanation on just how wrong you are.

 

[bmakj]

I will chime in here, I agree with keeping them on whenever ball is in play. if there is collision at the plate, I want DD as protected as possible.

agree, the baseball style probably derived form the two pieces systems moving about if catcher made sudden change of directions. saw it happen few nights ago, Realmuto was gunning down yet another baserunner (why they keep trying to run on him is a mystery but off topic), as he gunned, his mask slid halfway around his head (did not disrupt or affect his throw, runner was OUT). a correctly fitted hockey style mask will not do that. also probably derived from longer distances run to catch foul balls in baseball vs fastpitch (balls go further, other infielders further away, bigger area between plate and backstops, etc.).

 

[Stryker93]

Look at the all star vela series. My daughter is a smaller 2nd year 12u. We bought each piece separately as there wasn't a kit that had exactly what we wanted. We ended up spending a little over $300 but the protection and comfort for my daughter was worth it. She is on her 2nd pair of legs but still using the same chest protector and helmet. She has been the primary catcher for her team for the last 2 years and she caught a ton of games. We went with the all star MVP 2500 helmet and she loves it. We also got the 2 tone white with black accents.

My daughter is also not allowed to take her helmet off either. No need to. Ever.

 

[bmakj]

Look at the all star vela series. My daughter is a smaller 2nd year 12u. We bought each piece separately as there wasn't a kit that had exactly what we wanted. We ended up spending a little over $300 but the protection and comfort for my daughter was worth it. She is on her 2nd pair of legs but still using the same chest protector and helmet. She has been the primary catcher for her team for the last 2 years and she caught a ton of games. We went with the all star MVP 2500 helmet and she loves it. We also got the 2 tone white with black accents.

My daughter is also not allowed to take her helmet off either. No need to. Ever.

it really is about the fit and personal preference, as long as the gear is up to the task and in good shape.

 

[MadBandit22]

Oh, yes, there is plenty to disagree about. You really don't seem to have a clue on proper technique. Tried to be easy going about it but you're just wrong. See EricF above for a better, more detailed explanation on just how wrong you are.

You would be mistaken. I had this issue come up this travel season. There was a scrimmage and our catcher couldn’t find a pop-up behind her. The coach said take off your mask next time. Of course a loud mouth Dad had to chime in and say no that’s old school now we keep the mask on.
I knew he was 100% wrong so I checked with a couple of experts Xan Barksdale for one to confirm my position. The experts agreed on the proper methods as I stated earlier.
The problem is you have well intentioned misinformed Dads/coaches that give bad information.
When I watch MLB & high level softball I see the methods I described being used. Not sure what your watching.
A pitch coming right at you in your field of view is much different than a pop-up off to your sides or behind you. Yes on a low foul/ pop-up in front of you you may not have time to remove your mask. I have seen catchers dive forward/slightly off to the sides when ball is in their field of vision. Nothing wrong with that just a reflex action that works in the instances noted above.

 

[Dabears17]

Two of the three people I consider catching experts say to leave the helmet on, especially the hockey style one. Jay Weaver and Jen Schroeder. Would be interesting to hear what Jenny Topping recommends.

 

[Eric F]

Two of the three people I consider catching experts say to leave the helmet on, especially the hockey style one. Jay Weaver and Jen Schroeder. Would be interesting to hear what Jenny Topping recommends.

I'm pretty sure JT is in the "leave it on" camp.

 

[Eric F]

You would be mistaken. I had this issue come up this travel season. There was a scrimmage and our catcher couldn’t find a pop-up behind her. The coach said take off your mask next time. Of course a loud mouth Dad had to chime in and say no that’s old school now we keep the mask on.
I knew he was 100% wrong so I checked with a couple of experts Xan Barksdale for one to confirm my position. The experts agreed on the proper methods as I stated earlier.
The problem is you have well intentioned misinformed Dads/coaches that give bad information.
When I watch MLB & high level softball I see the methods I described being used. Not sure what your watching.
A pitch coming right at you in your field of view is much different than a pop-up off to your sides or behind you. Yes on a low foul/ pop-up in front of you you may not have time to remove your mask. I have seen catchers dive forward/slightly off to the sides when ball is in their field of vision. Nothing wrong with that just a reflex action that works in the instances noted above.

Do you honestly think removing the helmet would have made all the difference in making that play?

One of the biggest issues I see with young catchers missing pop-ups is not tracking the ball off the bat very well. Some are naturally better at it than others. Some need work. Another issue I often see is initially turning the wrong way. This is a training issue, and learning about the tendency for foul balls to travel away from the front side of a batter.

 

[erniekru]

Nothing to disagree about. There is proper technique and then there is personal preference.

Sigh.... I'm firmly in the leave it on camp. Never seen a softball catching coach teach to remove the helmet. None of the catchers in our large org (that I've seen) take it off either.

 

[Eric F]

Sigh.... I'm firmly in the leave it on camp. Never seen a softball catching coach teach to remove the helmet. None of the catchers in our large org (that I've seen) take it off either.

Did your DD ever get a chance to work with Campbell?