New to catching - advice on gear needed

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Apr 28, 2019
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Thanks, I ended up finding a few gloves on AdStarr. They had a few that were for 12U (she’s 10), so I ordered a Rawlings shut out to try. Obviously it isn’t going to be great glove, but I at least need something for her to practice with and it shouldn’t take much break in. If she handles it well and coach leaves her at catcher, I will upgrade to a better glove. I’m still feeling like I should have got a middle of the road quality 12” or 12-1/2” 1B mitt, as I expect the above glove’s padding will likely be the equivalent of that.
Honestly nothing wrong with the Shut Out series gloves. Very reasonably priced especially if you buy previous years mitts. Little on the heavy side with good padding which is good for catching. We have a 2015 fielders mitt and it was heavily used and is still in good shape. We just went with a bigger size and “better” glove. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised if Rawlings is still using the same leather and padding in newer models.
 
Apr 28, 2019
1,423
83
Equipment advice for a 10u player getting into catching.

When I started out, catching, I started out using Under Armour catchers gear. It's decent, cheaper gear. It lasted me for my freshman and part of my sophomore season. When I saw my role was more permanent, I moved to Diamond brand catcher's gear. I think their ix5 gear is the best I've used. I think they have a youth model as well. I ordered the set I'll be using through the first few years of college ball during the end of my senior season and the beginning of my last travel season. I'll order another set while I'm transitioning to my junior season. As some others have pointed out, don't be afraid to mix brands. Also, don't be afraid to go into your local Dick's, Dunham's or local sporting goods store and try on the gear to see what fits best. As far as a glove, I used my brother's old...I think it was a Mizuno mitt but I could be wrong and I don't feel like going back through my threads and find the exact post. When I saw my role was more permanent, I went and got a Vinci mitt for a lefty. I still use the same mitt today and it's held up beautifully.

As far as optional gear, I use Evoshield guards for my wrists along with my coach's list wrist thingie. I use a throat guard that attaches to my mask. I use a palmgard glove on my glove hand to prevent my hand from stinging when I'm catching repetitive hard throws. I wear sliding shorts to protect my pelvis and I wear knee savers on the straps of my shin guards.

Onto cleats. I started with Under Armour cleats. I went through them like crazy. It got to where my parents spent a small fortune on cleats. I now wear Ringors and I love them. They hold up through an entire school and travel season and could still go kinda strong. I replace them when they don't really come clean anymore and look worn. The best pieces of advice I can give is to get them at least a half size larger and try them on in a Ringor store or somewhere that carries them. Also another piece of advice...get them with a pitcher's toe. They hold up a lot better especially with all of the toe slides and stuff catchers do.

EDIT: Something I remembered while tailgating at Beaver Stadium that I wanted to add to this post about cleats. I don't know what rules your league has about cleats...particularly at the 10u level. But I also recommend getting metal cleats if the rules of your league allow them. Metal cleats are all I use anymore because they grip in the dirt so much better than plastic cleats, imo. If your league doesn't allow metal cleats, then the plastic ones will work just about as well. I feel as if plastic cleats degrade more quickly...especially if your daughter will be playing a lot of softball. One drawback to metal though is that it feels heavier on the foot but she will get used to it over time as her legs get stronger. But that's one person's opinion.
The mask approach may be an organizational thing or with all the camps/clinics now taking place getting out there to more people.
I watched the Yankees/A’s series this past weekend. Both catchers removed masks and held in their hand until ball was located and then mask/helmet was tossed aside and catch made. Sanchez wears hockey style mask and A’s catcher is old school with mask and separate skull cap. There is a lot of crossover between BB and SB. I agree mask should stay on for all other plays with exception of pop-ups. Personal preference. If a girl is running face first into a fence she has more issues than keeping her mask on or off. Be aware of your surroundings. Everybody is always trying to reinvent the wheel when it rolls just fine. Always gravitate back to tried and true method when somebody tries to reinvent the wheel yet again.
I agree Diamond IX5 is a quality set especially like the shin guard clips.
I believe at 14U you can start wearing metal cleats in our area for TB. You can wear metal for MS ball which doesn’t make a lot of sense because most of those girls are under 14.
 
Apr 28, 2019
1,423
83
The mask approach may be an organizational thing or with all the camps/clinics now taking place getting out there to more people.
I watched the Yankees/A’s series this past weekend. Both catchers removed masks and held in their hand until ball was located and then mask/helmet was tossed aside and catch made. Sanchez wears hockey style mask and A’s catcher is old school with mask and separate skull cap. There is a lot of crossover between BB and SB. I agree mask should stay on for all other plays with exception of pop-ups. Personal preference. If a girl is running face first into a fence she has more issues than keeping her mask on or off. Be aware of your surroundings. Everybody is always trying to reinvent the wheel when it rolls just fine. Always gravitate back to tried and true method when somebody tries to reinvent the wheel yet again.
I agree Diamond IX5 is a quality set especially like the shin guard clips.
I believe at 14U you can start wearing metal cleats in our area for TB. You can wear metal for MS ball which doesn’t make a lot of sense because most of those girls are under 14.
The mask approach may be an organizational thing or with all the camps/clinics now taking place getting out there to more people.
I watched the Yankees/A’s series this past weekend. Both catchers removed masks and held in their hand until ball was located and then mask/helmet was tossed aside and catch made. Sanchez wears hockey style mask and A’s catcher is old school with mask and separate skull cap. There is a lot of crossover between BB and SB. I agree mask should stay on for all other plays with exception of pop-ups. Personal preference. If a girl is running face first into a fence she has more issues than keeping her mask on or off. Be aware of your surroundings. Everybody is always trying to reinvent the wheel when it rolls just fine. Always gravitate back to tried and true method when somebody tries to reinvent the wheel yet again.
I agree Diamond IX5 is a quality set especially like the shin guard clips.
I believe at 14U you can start wearing metal cleats in our area for TB. You can wear metal for MS ball which doesn’t make a lot of sense because most of those girls are under 14.
Also like your approach to knee savers. If there is the possibility they can protect your joints, tendons, ligaments it’s a no brainer. My daughter attended a clinic last year and the person conducting the clinic told my daughter not to wear knee savers. I told my daughter if she likes them wear them. This led to the teacher seeking me out to ask why she needs to wear them. I told her they are comfortable for her to wear and the research I’ve done concludes they can be beneficial to your knee health. She started to dispute what I was saying and I shut her down by saying she’s my daughter she wants to wear them and I want her to wear them. End of discussion.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
The mask approach may be an organizational thing or with all the camps/clinics now taking place getting out there to more people.
I watched the Yankees/A’s series this past weekend. Both catchers removed masks and held in their hand until ball was located and then mask/helmet was tossed aside and catch made. Sanchez wears hockey style mask and A’s catcher is old school with mask and separate skull cap. There is a lot of crossover between BB and SB. I agree mask should stay on for all other plays with exception of pop-ups. Personal preference. If a girl is running face first into a fence she has more issues than keeping her mask on or off. Be aware of your surroundings. Everybody is always trying to reinvent the wheel when it rolls just fine. Always gravitate back to tried and true method when somebody tries to reinvent the wheel yet again.
I agree Diamond IX5 is a quality set especially like the shin guard clips.
I believe at 14U you can start wearing metal cleats in our area for TB. You can wear metal for MS ball which doesn’t make a lot of sense because most of those girls are under 14.

What is the advantage to a catcher taking off her helmet? In softball, fields are smaller, pop-ups are lower, and fencing is typically metal. This is an area where baseball and softball are different. Teach your catchers how to be effective, and stay safe at the same time. There is no downside to leaving the helmet on.

MS allows metals because 8th-graders are typically 14U players.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Also like your approach to knee savers. If there is the possibility they can protect your joints, tendons, ligaments it’s a no brainer. My daughter attended a clinic last year and the person conducting the clinic told my daughter not to wear knee savers. I told my daughter if she likes them wear them. This led to the teacher seeking me out to ask why she needs to wear them. I told her they are comfortable for her to wear and the research I’ve done concludes they can be beneficial to your knee health. She started to dispute what I was saying and I shut her down by saying she’s my daughter she wants to wear them and I want her to wear them. End of discussion.

Does she wear them down by her ankle, or up closer to the knee?
 
Apr 28, 2019
1,423
83
What is the advantage to a catcher taking off her helmet? In softball, fields are smaller, pop-ups are lower, and fencing is typically metal. This is an area where baseball and softball are different. Teach your catchers how to be effective, and stay safe at the same time. There is no downside to leaving the helmet on.

MS allows metals because 8th-graders are typically 14U players.
Our 6th- 8th Graders wear metal cleats. Never say umps check to be honest. Too busy botching calls.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Our 6th- 8th Graders wear metal cleats. Never say umps check to be honest. Too busy botching calls.

What I generally see is players wearing the cleats they wear for club/rec ball. This usually means 6th and 7th in plastic, and 8th in metal. Since there is no rule preventing wearing metals for MS ball, there is nothing to check. Plastic is an option at every level.
 
Feb 19, 2016
280
28
Texas
So, last night, my DD's new coach, she just moved up to 12U, looked at her All-Star CMW3000, and said it looked too small. She needed to get a 34" glove. She turned and looked at me and smiled like "Yeah sure. We'll get right on that ;-)" And, as far as I know, the 33.5" in All-Star might be as big as a 34" in another brand. This thing dwarfs her Easton 33".
Not to mention, we just paid dues, have to buy all new shirts and hoodies, her bag is a train wreck, and she needs longer leg guards. In the words of Ed Lover... "C'mon, son."
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
So, last night, my DD's new coach, she just moved up to 12U, looked at her All-Star CMW3000, and said it looked too small. She needed to get a 34" glove. She turned and looked at me and smiled like "Yeah sure. We'll get right on that ;-)" And, as far as I know, the 33.5" in All-Star might be as big as a 34" in another brand. This thing dwarfs her Easton 33".
Not to mention, we just paid dues, have to buy all new shirts and hoodies, her bag is a train wreck, and she needs longer leg guards. In the words of Ed Lover... "C'mon, son."

Did he make that comment before or after he looked at the number printed on it? ;) Catcher's mitts are measured in circumference, not length, like fielder's gloves. A difference of 1/2" in circumference is pretty insignificant. As you noted, sizes vary between brands.
 
May 6, 2015
2,397
113
So, last night, my DD's new coach, she just moved up to 12U, looked at her All-Star CMW3000, and said it looked too small. She needed to get a 34" glove. She turned and looked at me and smiled like "Yeah sure. We'll get right on that ;-)" And, as far as I know, the 33.5" in All-Star might be as big as a 34" in another brand. This thing dwarfs her Easton 33".
Not to mention, we just paid dues, have to buy all new shirts and hoodies, her bag is a train wreck, and she needs longer leg guards. In the words of Ed Lover... "C'mon, son."
was she not getting her mitt around it? as long as she is catching and securing the ball, what does he care. sounds like a control freak to me. the challenge for fastpitch is always getting a glove/mitt to accomodate the ball and the smaller hands of the players. if she is controlling the ball well, end of discussion.
 

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