Baseball Protective Equipment Guide: Improve Your Safety on the Field

Baseball Protective Equipment Guide: Improve Your Safety on the Field

Baseball is an exciting sport, but it has one of the highest rates of impact injuries compared to other competitive games. This game involves all sorts of wild pitches, collisions, and batted balls that can result in serious injury. Baseball is played with only one ball and one bat with gloves, but the list of protective gear is broad and just as important.

What Protective Gear Is Used in Baseball?

There are several sections of the body that demand additional attention when it comes to protection, as any stray or wild pitch could result in a serious injury. Despite being a relatively small object, the ball can travel at high speeds and cause severe damage. This is why wearing reliable baseball protective gear is essential for anyone playing the sport.

Helmet

The helmet is a piece of required baseball safety gear that keeps your head safe from injuries throughout the game. A pitcher in baseball has the ability to hurl the ball at speeds of up to 160 km/h, which can result in severe head injury. A player must wear a baseball helmet when batting or running the bases. The catcher’s helmet is just as crucial in protecting them from high-speed pitches that could hit them in the head.

The player waiting to bat should also wear this protective gear because no one can foresee where the balls will go after striking the bat. Scientific studies have shown that wearing a batting helmet significantly minimises head injuries during a baseball game.

Make sure the helmet sits snug on your head, is comfortable, and doesn’t obscure your vision. If you’re wearing a faceguard or any other type of headgear, ensure it attaches securely to the front. Inspect your helmet regularly for any signs of wear and tear, and replace it immediately if there are any cracks or damage.

Baseball Cap

Baseball hats may not appear to be safety equipment, yet they shield you from the sun, lowering your risk of sunburn and heatstroke. For added head protection, lightweight polycarbonate shells that fit inside baseball caps are available. To guarantee optimal fit, you must still remove your baseball cap before putting on your batting helmet.

Cleats

Cleats that are worn for traction on the field, help to prevent falls. They’re made from moulded rubber or plastic and have metal spikes on the bottom. Wear baseball cleats that fit well and offer good support to your ankle. Look for shoes with a comfortable insole, especially if you have any foot problems.

Gloves

Batting gloves protect against scratches and blisters. These gloves also improve grip, reducing the possibility of a stray bat hitting another player. Some batting gloves provide extra wrist support or padding to defend against wrist and hand injuries.

If you play in the outfield, you may want to consider gloves that have extra padding to protect your hands when catching the ball. Any fielder’s glove should have a well-padded palm and secure wrist strap.

Pitcher’s gloves offer extra padding on the thumb side to prevent injury when the ball hits the glove. First baseman’s gloves also have added padding on one side to protect against repeated ball strikes.

Sliding Pants

Sliding pants are worn underneath your baseball uniform and give additional protection against injuries such as scrapes that might occur while sliding.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are required to shield your eyes from dangerous UV rays. Make sure baseball sunglasses have a label declaring that they block 100% of UVA and UVB rays and are impact resistant. Wrap-around sunglasses also guard against dust and dirt churned up on the baseball field.

Grip Tape 

Although the weight and essential dimensions of baseball and softball bats are strictly regulated, players have incredible freedom in personalising their bats. Even in the professional leagues, adding bat grip tape to the handles has become one of the easiest and simplest adaptations in either sport. But don’t be surprised if it has nothing to do with improving the aesthetics of the bat.

Catcher’s Mask

A catcher’s mask, like a baseball helmet, protects the catcher from head injuries, but it also has a facial cage for added protection. One-piece catcher’s masks provide better protection and are frequently required by young leagues, whereas two-piece masks are easier to remove.

Knee Braces

Knee savers are foam extensions that attach to the back of your leg guards. Knee savers assist in removing weight from your knees and offering additional support to balance you while on the field.

Any player that spends time catching, squatting, or running long distances will benefit from the use of knee savers. Wearing these devices can help reduce stress on your knees and prevent injuries such as strains and tendonitis.

How to Maintain Your Baseball Protective Pear

To get the best level of protection, you should take regular care of your baseball protective gear. Inspect each item before every game and practice to check for proper fit and any damage. Before using them, you should replace any loose or damaged straps, hooks, or clasps.

Batter’s helmets have labels that specify when they expire and if you can recondition them. A helmet with cracks, loose or worn-out padding, or missing parts should be replaced or refurbished. Helmets should only be reconditioned by experienced NAERA members. 

Helmets can be cleaned with warm water and mild detergent but should never be fully submerged in water or cleaned with harsh household cleaners. Don’t paint or decorate the outside of the helmet, as this could interfere with your performance. 

When not in use, baseball protective equipment should be stored indoors and away from direct sunlight. Baseball equipment should not be stored in the car since excessive temperatures might cause harm. To keep mould and bacteria at bay, clean unclean equipment after each use as directed by the manufacturer.