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