Youth catcher's gear size chart: chest protector, leg guards and helmet by age, brand by brand

How to measure

Rawlings prints it on every catcher's set page: “For the best fit, measure from bottom of the throat/collarbone down to just past the naval area.” Kid standing straight, soft tape from the notch at the base of the throat down the center of the chest to about an inch below the belly button. That number, in inches, is the chest protector length to match. Too short leaves the stomach exposed; too long folds against the thighs in the crouch, which is why kids push a big set down and leave the collarbone open.

Chest protector by brand and age

Rawlings figures from the chest-protector size table printed on its catcher's set pages (Players 3 set page); All-Star figures from its product names (e.g. “Top Star Series - Ages 9-12 14.5 Meets NOCSAE”). Note the same “Youth” label is 13.5 in on a Velo and 15 in on a Players 3, which is why you measure.

Leg guards

Leg guards are sized by the length from the middle of the kneecap to the top of the shoe, and the makers bundle a matching pair in each set size, so if the chest protector fits the set's leg guards usually do. All-Star names its youth leg guards by length: Future Star T-Ball 11.5 in, Ages 7–9 12.5 in, Ages 9–12 13.5 in, Top Star 12–16 14.5 in. Fit check: knee cap centered in the knee cup when the kid crouches, shin plate ending at the top of the cleat, straps snug behind the calf without pinching. A leg guard that is too long lifts off the knee in the crouch, which is exactly when the kid needs it.

Helmet

Catcher's helmets in youth sets come in one youth size per set with a three-way adjustable backplate (Rawlings) or elastic cage straps (All-Star MVP1000) and fit most kids in the set's age band. All-Star says its MVP1000 League Series youth helmet is for T-Ball through introductory leagues and smaller heads. Measure the head as for a batting helmet (the helmet size chart method) and check the backplate adjusts snug. Softball catchers need a softball helmet: Easton's Jen Schro youth set is “made ONLY for balls 11 in and larger” with a widened eye gap.

Which size at 8, 10 and 12

• 8: usually a 13.5–14 in torso: Rawlings Players 3 Junior (14), All-Star 7–9 (13.5), Rawlings Velo Youth (13.5).
• 10: usually 14–15 in: Rawlings Players 3 Youth (15), All-Star 9–12 (14.5), Rawlings Renegade Youth (14).
• 12: the boundary. A 12-year-old under about 15 in stays Youth; over 15 in goes Intermediate (Rawlings 15.5, All-Star 12–16 at 15.5).

The 9-to-12 band is where most youth catchers sit, and the sets built and named for it — plus the mitt, cup and throat guard that never come in the box — are on best youth catcher's gear for ages 9 to 12. If you are measuring a daughter against a brother's old set, read softball vs baseball catcher's gear first: the chest protector crosses over and the mask does not.

One set per age band