Catcher's gear by age: youth baseball and softball
For ages 6 to 9, the Champro Helmax 2.0 Catcher's Set is the one set here sized by age: a helmet, a chest protector and leg guards together. Past that age, catcher's gear is sized by name and by length in inches, so buy by measurement. The Optimus Champion Select kit comes in Junior, Youth, Intermediate and Adult, the Optimus Champion Plus kit in Youth, Intermediate and Adult, and the Optimus Pro Fastpitch kit in JV and Varsity for softball. Every set has the same three pieces. A mitt is not part of any of them.
Updated
Ages 6 to 9: one set, sized by age
The Helmax 2.0 Catcher's Set comes in one size, listed as ages 6 to 9. It includes the Cannon catcher's helmet, the Optimus MVP chest protector and Optimus MVP leg guards, so a first-year catcher has all three pieces in a single order.
One size, listed as ages 6 to 9.
Older players: sets sized by name, not age
After the Helmax set, sizes are names instead of ages: Junior, Youth, Intermediate and Adult. The names follow the length of the chest protector. On the Optimus Select Plus chest protector in the Champion Select kit, Junior is 13.5 inches, Youth is 14.5, Intermediate is 15.5 and Adult is 16.5.
The Champion Select kit pairs that chest protector with the Cannon helmet and Optimus MVP leg guards. The Champion Plus kit has the Boss helmet, the Optimus Champion Plus chest protector and Optimus Pro leg guards, in Youth, Intermediate and Adult.
Junior, Youth, Intermediate and Adult.
Youth, Intermediate and Adult.
Fastpitch softball
The Optimus Pro Fastpitch Catcher's Kit is the set here made for fastpitch. It comes in JV and Varsity sizes, in black or white, with the Boss catcher's helmet, the Optimus Pro Fastpitch chest protector and Optimus Pro Fastpitch leg guards.
JV and Varsity, black or white.
Buying pieces one at a time
A set puts one size on the whole player. Buying pieces lets a catcher with a long torso and short legs, or the reverse, get each one right. Chest protectors are listed by length and leg guards by shin length, both in inches, so compare each against the player's own measurement.
Optimus MVP chest protectors come in 12 inch (Youth), 13.5 inch and 15 inch (Adult) lengths. Optimus MVP double knee leg guards and Optimus Pro leg guards each come in 13.5 inch (Youth), 14.5 inch (Intermediate) and 16.5 inch (Adult) shin lengths. The Cannon and HX Boss helmets are hockey-style and come in M and L.
12 inch, Youth.
13.5 inch.
13.5 inch shin, Youth.
14.5 inch shin, Intermediate.
13.5 inch shin, Youth.
Hockey-style, M and L.
Sold separately
Each set lists three pieces, so a throat guard, an inner glove and a bag are separate products. Champro's throat guards come in 4.5 inch and 6.5 inch lengths and are listed as fitting all Champro headgear. The padded catcher's glove is worn under the mitt, for right or left hand throwers. The Boss wheeled bag is sized to carry a full set of catcher's gear.
4.5 inch or 6.5 inch.
Worn under the mitt.
Carries a full set.
The four sets side by side
| Product | Sizes | Helmet | Chest protector | Leg guards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helmax 2.0 Catcher's Set | Ages 6 to 9 | Cannon | Optimus MVP | Optimus MVP |
| Optimus Champion Select Catcher's Kit | Junior, Youth, Intermediate, Adult | Cannon | Optimus Select Plus | Optimus MVP |
| Optimus Champion Plus Catcher's Kit | Youth, Intermediate, Adult | Boss | Optimus Champion Plus | Optimus Pro |
| Optimus Pro Fastpitch Catcher's Kit | JV, Varsity | Boss | Optimus Pro Fastpitch | Optimus Pro Fastpitch |
Questions
- What size catcher's gear fits a 7 year old?
- The Helmax 2.0 Catcher's Set is listed for ages 6 to 9 and comes in that one size, with a helmet, a chest protector and leg guards.
- Is catcher's gear sized by age?
- Only the Helmax 2.0 set here lists an age range, 6 to 9. Every other set and piece lists a size name such as Youth or Intermediate, and most list a length in inches. Go by the measurement when a player is between sizes.
- What comes in a catcher's set?
- Each set here has three pieces: a catcher's helmet, a chest protector and a pair of leg guards. A mitt is not included. Throat guards and bags are listed here as separate products.
- Which standard does a chest protector need to meet?
- That depends on the league. Check the rule book for the standard it requires, then look for that standard on the chest protector's product page before ordering.