| Take me out to the old ball game has | | | | accidental beaning from an errant pitch. |
| been the theme song for America's | | | | Although it doesn't happen often, a |
| favorite past time for decades. We're | | | | wild pitch can happen and cause serious |
| talking of course about baseball! | | | | damage. |
| Although many sports need a lot of room | | | | The same type of scenario can also |
| or equipment, an informal baseball game | | | | injure the catcher. Baseball catching |
| is relatively easy to organize with a | | | | equipment should always be available for |
| little effort and some basic baseball | | | | both teams catchers. Catcher equipment |
| and catching equipment. Other sports | | | | at a minimum should include a full |
| may actually be more popular in certain | | | | helmet, face guard, chest protection and |
| areas of the country than baseball but | | | | for the guys an impact resistant |
| it's this all American game that is tied | | | | protective safety cup for the privates. |
| into our culture through years of play | | | | Knee and shin pads should also be |
| It's a game that needs little in the way | | | | considered and though important, if it's |
| of equipment and many a kid has whiled | | | | a choice due to limited finances, start |
| away the summer playing baseball with | | | | at the top of this list and work down. |
| the local neighbors using little more | | | | A final piece of equipment that I |
| than a solid stick, some flattened paper | | | | consider to be absolutely essential is a |
| boxes for bases and a ball. Of course, | | | | mouth piece for teeth protection. All |
| with the growth of the sport, (and the | | | | it takes is 1 ball to cause thousands of |
| involvement of adults) the number of | | | | dollars in dental damage. The pain and |
| injuries also have increased, and | | | | cost just aren't worth going without |
| sometimes dramatically. Even the most | | | | this little piece of plastic that costs |
| informal baseball game needs some basic | | | | around 5 bucks. I wouldn't necessarily |
| equipment to be able to play and more | | | | expect a mouth protector to be worn by |
| importantly play safely. | | | | everyone at all times, but would |
| Two of the most important pieces of | | | | definitely insist it's use when batting, |
| equipment that should be considered | | | | by the catcher and probably the pitcher. |
| absolutely necessary for safety are | | | | In the end, the right equipment can go a |
| batting helmets and catchers protection. | | | | long way to making the great memories of |
| Batting helmets protect the batter from | | | | childhood. |