The grind of a season can be hard on any player regardless of skill level. This is especially true for catchers, who are armed with far more gear than your position player – and rightfully so. Catchers have plenty of things to worry about behind the plate like catching the pitch, getting hit with a bat, getting hit with a foul ball and the list goes on. As such, the grind of a season will wear down a catcher’s equipment quickly throughout the season so you want to maintain the gear as often as you can to prevent degrading the equipment and having suboptimal performance behind the plate. Here are some tips to maintain your catcher’s gear to maintain its longevity and performance.
Dust off Your Gear after the Game or Practice
It’s pretty common to leave your equipment in the condition it was when the game ended. However, with catcher’s equipment, you want to take extra care to clean off the equipment, even it’s knocking the dust off or grime that accumulated during the game. This prevents dirt buildup which can lessen the quality of the equipment over time.
Proper Storage of Your Catcher’s Equipment
Storing your catcher’s gear will help the longevity of the equipment. It is easy to cram your equipment in a bag and forget about it, but maintaining a proper storage cadence will ensure longevity of your catcher’s equipment. Keep it in a dry place so you don’t have to deal with moisture issues, which lead to mold. It is also appropriate to air out your helmet, chest protector or leg guards before storing.
Keeping it away from other equipment that can cause damage to the catcher’s gear is also ideal. One thing to keep in mind is to never leave it out in the elements longer than it needs to. This will be a sure way to damage your equipment and reduce its quality.
Replace Straps and Clips
Replacing straps and clips on masks, leg guards, and chest protectors is easy and cheap. They are one of the most commonly replaced items for catcher’s gear because of how much wear and tear it goes through during the course of a game. Inspect for tears or frays on the straps often. For clips, ensure it is fastened securely on the gear. If there is a need to replace clips or straps, do so immediately so no equipment malfunctions during the game.
A Note on Cracks on Catcher’s Equipment
You may notice cracks in your equipment. If this is the case, for safety reasons, it is better to replace those parts instead of repairing them yourself. Attempting to repair cracks can lead to complete splits in your gear and does not present a safe playing environment behind the plate.
