Catcher's Gear
The required protective set for a catcher - helmet with mask, chest protector, leg guards, and a protective cup - sized by age rather than bought to grow into.
A catcher must wear a helmet and mask, a chest protector, and leg guards. Most leagues also require a protective cup, and many require a throat guard attached to the mask. Requirements are rules, not recommendations, and umpires enforce them.
Gear is sized by age range and it is the one piece of baseball equipment that should not be bought large to grow into. A chest protector that does not sit correctly leaves the collarbone exposed, and leg guards that are too long shift when the catcher moves.
Most leagues and teams own a set, which is worth confirming before buying anything, because a full kit is among the more expensive purchases in youth baseball and a shared team set is extremely common.
What gear does a youth catcher need?
A helmet with mask, chest protector, leg guards, and normally a protective cup, with many leagues also requiring a throat guard. Check whether your team or league already owns a set before buying.
Should you buy catcher's gear a size up?
No. Catcher's gear is sized by age and must fit properly to protect - an oversized chest protector can leave the collarbone exposed and long leg guards shift when the catcher moves.
Let the scorebook keep itself.
Bleacher Notes scores every play from a single spoken sentence, applying these rules for you. In beta now, free for parents.