Chest protectors are an important part of safety for catchers and home-plate umpires, as they shield the body from serious injury when a foul ball or pitch is driven at them.
Chest protectors are usually made of a durable foam-like material that contours to the player’s body for full protection. They are designed to keep players cool during games by having a mesh-like substance on the inside of the armor. Like other equipment, more expensive chest protectors are typically made from higher quality materials such as softer, lighter, more breathable foam allowing for easier mobility and movement.
Chest protectors can certainly reduce the risk of traumatic structural injuries to the chest, like rib fractures.
To find the right size chest protector, measure from the base of your neck to the top of your waist in inches. The length you choose will correspond with an online or store tag size. For example, if you measure 15 inches, then a size 15 protector is appropriate for you.
While much of the equipment for baseball and softball is similar, chest protectors for female softball players typically fit differently than those constructed for male baseball players.
For the padding portion of most catcher's gear, you can easily machine wash padding using a mild detergent on a delicate cycle in your washing machine or you can soak your pads in a sink or bathtub. If you machine wash however, make sure to let it air dry as a dryer could damage the padding.
