Catcher's Gear Questions

[baseballpadre]

Hi, quick question about the rules regarding my son’s catcher's equipment. I was wondering about the difference between the full, hockey-style mask and the old-school style that goes over the skull cap. I recently purchased the facemask style that goes over the skull cap for my son who has recently picked up catching a big way. I got him this mask but a few of the parents at our workouts have made comments about some regulations or rules I was unaware of. In my nervousness, I just ordered this mask as well that looks a lot safer but I know it doesn't have that cool pro look my son wants. Should I bring both with me just in case? Or does anyone know how this aspect of the game is governed? Anything helps!

[STLMOCAJUN]

When I played catcher 10 years ago, the cool mask at that time was the second one you listed lol. I preferred the second option because if I needed to pull my mask off during the play I didn't have two pieces like you see with the other style (face guard and helmet). If I had to take a guess, the regulation may have to do with how far down the mask goes to protect chin and throat. I would also make sure you have a helmet like the ones base coaches wear with the face mask and not just a hat.

[CajunJack55]

Hi, quick question about the rules regarding my son’s catcher's equipment. I was wondering about the difference between the full, hockey-style mask and the old-school style that goes over the skull cap. I recently purchased the facemask style that goes over the skull cap for my son who has recently picked up catching a big way. I got him this mask but a few of the parents at our workouts have made comments about some regulations or rules I was unaware of. In my nervousness, I just ordered this mask as well that looks a lot safer but I know it doesn't have that cool pro look my son wants. Should I bring both with me just in case? Or does anyone know how this aspect of the game is governed? Anything helps!

I wouldn't take the parents word. I would talk to whoever is the head of the league and knows the rules.

On another note...kudos to your son. As a former catcher, I can say he definitely picked the greatest position on the diamond

[31Ragin97]

is intent to play High School? if so NFHS will be the law of the land...if so I would get used to the hockey style now, and I would say that is the way to go because it covers more, the old style I believe has already been outlawed per se, because it doesn't cover both ears. "hockey" I don't believe will be stated in the rule,

SITUATION 16: The catcher helps warm up a pitcher in (a) the bullpen or (b) on the field. He takes a crouch position and is wearing a skull cap and a catcher’s mask that is not attached. RULING: This is not compliant equipment for the catcher. The catcher’s helmet and mask combination shall meet the NOCSAE standard and shall have full ear (dual ear flaps) protection. (1-5-4)

SITUATION 21: As the home team prepares to take the field on defense, F2 pulls on his one-piece catcher’s mask/helmet as he sets up in the catcher’s box. Both the offensive team and umpire-in-chief notice that the catcher’s mask/helmet is one of the new ACME shiny-chrome, reflective-paint models. RULING: The umpire-in-chief instructs F2 to put on a compliant catcher’s mask/helmet, the outer cover of which shall have a non-glare surface. F2 explains that there is no other mask available; however, adding dull/matte black tape over the helmet would make the helmet less reflective, which would meet the criteria of the rule. There would be no penalty unless F2 does not comply with the umpire’s direction, then he would be ejected from the contest. (1-5-5

[31Ragin97]

here we go, this is better.....
https://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource...emphasis-2016/
Proper Catcher’s Equipment
Because of the significant amount of exposure to thrown or batted balls and thrown bats, the catcher is involved with every pitch and most of the action at or around home plate. It is imperative that they are properly equipped. Prior to start of a baseball game, the head coach verifies that the players are legally and properly equipped. The catcher’s helmet and mask combination shall meet the NOCSAE standard which includes having full ear protection with dual ear flaps. The skull cap and mask combination does not meet the NOCSAE standard nor does it provide full ear protection with dual ear flaps and is not permitted for high school baseball. The catcher shall wear a throat protector which is either attached or part of the catcher’s mask. It shall adequately cover the throat. When a non-adult is in a crouch position and is warming up a pitcher at any location he shall wear face and head protection with throat protection and a protective cup (male only). Ensuring that the catcher is properly equipped will reduce the risk of serious injury and maximizes his enjoyment of the game.

[CajunJack55]

here we go, this is better.....
https://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource...emphasis-2016/
Proper Catcher's Equipment
Because of the significant amount of exposure to thrown or batted balls and thrown bats, the catcher is involved with every pitch and most of the action at or around home plate. It is imperative that they are properly equipped. Prior to start of a baseball game, the head coach verifies that the players are legally and properly equipped. The catcher's helmet and mask combination shall meet the NOCSAE standard which includes having full ear protection with dual ear flaps. The skull cap and mask combination does not meet the NOCSAE standard nor does it provide full ear protection with dual ear flaps and is not permitted for high school baseball. The catcher shall wear a throat protector which is either attached or part of the catcher's mask. It shall adequately cover the throat. When a non-adult is in a crouch position and is warming up a pitcher at any location he shall wear face and head protection with throat protection and a protective cup (male only). Ensuring that the catcher is properly equipped will reduce the risk of serious injury and maximizes his enjoyment of the game.

This is high school. It doesn't sound like his kid is in high school and there are several different "little" leagues in Acadiana. If I were him I would just find out from the head of the league.

[31Ragin97]

This is high school. It doesn't sound like his kid is in high school and there are several different "little" leagues in Acadiana. If I were him I would just find out from the head of the league.

agreed, i thought I clearly said HS in the previous post.... one could surmise you may want to play in HS one day, so would be easier to already be used to the gear, than having to switch and learn something new in addition to the other things that would need to be done to adjust to HS...
and usually safety regs don't get more lax as age decreases.... im personally not a fan of the "hockey" mask but luckily I am not a HS catcher....

[31Ragin97]

I wouldn't take the parents word. I would talk to whoever is the head of the league and knows the rules.

On another note...kudos to your son. As a former catcher, I can say he definitely picked the greatest position on the diamond

not to argue, but fyi, I had a situation two weeks ago where "the head of the league" said a piece of equipment was ok, and it still wasn't.

[CajunJack55]

agreed, i thought I clearly said HS in the previous post.... one could surmise you may want to play in HS one day, so would be easier to already be used to the gear, than having to switch and learn something new in addition to the other things that would need to be done to adjust to HS...
and usually safety regs don't get more lax as age decreases.... im personally not a fan of the "hockey" mask but luckily I am not a HS catcher....

My bad, didn't see that post.

[cjr3888]

In our organization, the main thing with a cathers mask is throat protection. If the mask you bought has the throat cover attachment, you would be good.