Baseball Catcher's Equipment and Mitts

[joeywa]

HOLY CRAP this stuff is adding up!  HS baseball players ain't cheap!

Got the kid some brand new Rawlings gear January 2013.  New Rawlings mitt, mask, chest protector and leg guards.  I can't exactly recall, but I think it was ~$700 or so for all that.

Fast forward to now; just bought a new All Star mitt and Rawlings leg guards.  He asked if I could do some minor repairs to his mask, (tighten a bolt here and there,) and the chest protector is in good shape.  Another 5 bills. 

This doesn't include the new spikes and bats, summer ball, camps, etc., over the last couple of years. 

Think I may just see if he's OK playing in the OF.  Ha!! 

I'm not in the poor house, but I can see it from here!

This kid had better get his pop time down for all this. 

OK, rant over; just wanted to share. 

 

[Stephen Houser]

I can relate, buying new catchers gear for my son every few years has burned a hole in my wallet. Fortunately we were able to find all of his gear at a reasonable price at baseball bargains. Highly recommend checking it out.  

 

[joeywa]

I can relate, buying new catchers gear for my son every few years has burned a hole in my wallet. Fortunately we were able to find all of his gear at a reasonable price at baseball bargains. Highly recommend checking it out.  

Thanks for the heads-up.  Checked out the site.  Good prices with some decent deals on shipping.

Quick story: Austin had a game last night, and on the way home he says, "Dad, my left shin guard, the foot and toe protector has come off, and the right one if fixin' to be off as well."  Now we, (translated: I,) got this new set of shin guards on 12/7.  They have been well used, but certainly not to the point where they should be falling apart in 7 months.  These weren't your $39.99 pair of off-brand shin guards: these are pretty good ones.

So today, I go an find a set of All Star shin guards for him to use this weekend, as we have games every day from now until Sunday.  And I contacted Rawlings-they have a one year warranty on their shin guards.  I'm sending those in this week for repair or replacement.  This way we will have two sets handy. 

I say this for a reason; keep an eye out for a second set of shin guards that you can keep handy.  This way, you won't be stuck in a situation where you have to scramble when one pair gets broken.  Chest protectors and helmets/masks can be repaired fairly easily if something breaks.  Not so much with mitts and shin guards.  An extra of each is not a bad idea. 

 

[Capn Hook]

Jeff, what's the word on Austin?

 

[joeywa]

Jeff, what's the word on Austin?

He's playing a lot of ball this summer.  We are about to go into a few tournaments that will hopefully get him some more looks.  There hasn't been much contact yet, but it's still a process.  There are opportunities, we just are trying to dial it in.  It's a very different scenario in baseball recruiting versus football recruiting.  Unless you are a top College or MLB Draft prospect, the bulk of the work falls on the parents to get videos out, communication, etc. 

 

[doc longhorn]

He's playing a lot of ball this summer.  We are about to go into a few tournaments that will hopefully get him some more looks.  There hasn't been much contact yet, but it's still a process.  There are opportunities, we just are trying to dial it in.  It's a very different scenario in baseball recruiting versus football recruiting.  Unless you are a top College or MLB Draft prospect, the bulk of the work falls on the parents to get videos out, communication, etc. 

I highly recommend you go the junior college route.  For several reasons:

1.  The kid can better acclimate himself to the college life and regimen.

2.  He has a better chance of a lot of playing time.

3.  If he is good enough, he can be drafted and leave for the pros at any year.

4.  In a 4 year school he is committed for a minimum of 3 years before he can go pro.

5.  Four year colleges only offer partial schollies

6.  He can get a full ride at a junior college - books, tuition, room and board.

7.  The quality of play is as good, if not better, than a four year college.

 

[streettopeschel]

Joey, my kids all did football and track so cleats were my biggest expense. I understand mitts but do schools not supply chest, shin and mask or is that y'all's call?

 

[joeywa]

Joey, my kids all did football and track so cleats were my biggest expense. I understand mitts but do schools not supply chest, shin and mask or is that y'all's call?

The only thing the school provides are unis and equip bags. All other equip is on the parents and players dime.

 

[joeywa]

I highly recommend you go the junior college route. For several reasons:

1. The kid can better acclimate himself to the college life and regimen.

2. He has a better chance of a lot of playing time.

3. If he is good enough, he can be drafted and leave for the pros at any year.

4. In a 4 year school he is committed for a minimum of 3 years before he can go pro.

5. Four year colleges only offer partial schollies

6. He can get a full ride at a junior college - books, tuition, room and board.

7. The quality of play is as good, if not better, than a four year college.

Definitely on the radar Doc. Thanks.

 

[java]

It doesn't seem right that junior colleges can offer more than universities. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

 

[MikeV73]

It doesn't seem right that junior colleges can offer more than universities. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

That brings up an interesting question, probably one that Is up at Randolph Duke's alley. What are the budgets for JUCO athletic depts? How much revenue do they generate, and is it sufficient to run a JUCO athletic dept? Does the presence of sports at a JUCO benefit the schools to a large degree financially, marketing/exposure wise, more students, alumni donations? Any insight would be much appreciated. Sirhornsalot, how has your son fared since going the JC route with his football background? Was it a good, and/or beneficial, experience for Brandon?

 

[joeywa]

It doesn't seem right that junior colleges can offer more than universities. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

JUCO, (I believe) is not governed by the NCAA. Someone correct me if that's wrong.

 

[java]

JUCO, (I believe) is not governed by the NCAA. Someone correct me if that's wrong.

Well that makes the NCAA look like the panderers that they are. Please feel free to interpret.
Hook 'em!

 

[streettopeschel]

Joey, if you'd have steered him to soccer you'd only be out a paiir of those padded sock things.

 

[joeywa]

Joey, if you'd have steered him to soccer you'd only be out a paiir of those padded sock things.

We did that route thru Premier travel soccer. That sucked donkey balls. When he gave that up I was one happy dad. Nothing worse than sitting thru a 3 hr tie game in the freaking 35 degree rain. Nothing.

 

[streettopeschel]

We did that route thru Premier travel soccer. That sucked donkey balls. When he gave that up I was one happy dad. Nothing worse than sitting thru a 3 hr tie game in the freaking 35 degree rain. Nothing.

lol. No, that sounds like the suck for sure.

 

[Johnstark23]

NJCAA is the juco org.joeywa I'm going to send you an email when I get back home. I know a guy that might be interested in a catcher

 

[joeywa]

Thanks John.  I'll keep an eye out. 

We just got home from Western Oregon Univ.

Aus is splitting time between our two travel teams within our club.  There was an injury to one catcher around the beginning of the season, and that left us with 3 catchers for two teams. 

A quick weekend update

In our 18U tourney this weekend, he hit .400, had an RBI, threw out two stealing, one putout at the plate, and one error in two games.  One of the coaches from George Fox Univ (D3) was there and spoke well of his play. 

He is also playing in our College Prep tourney this weekend.  He's logged three innings in the second game of that tourney yesterday with nothing notable, (after he caught a complete game in the 18U tourney,) and it will resume tomorrow with a DH.  He'll more than likely catch one of those games. 

And temps here have been in the upper 90s-100.  Texas weather, and they're playing on turf.  A bit toasty, to say the least. 

 

[Donald Boyles]

We did that route thru Premier travel soccer. That sucked donkey balls. When he gave that up I was one happy dad. Nothing worse than sitting thru a 3 hr tie game in the freaking 35 degree rain. Nothing.

Now wait a sec, I have prof that you sat in freezing rain for 3 hours watching baseball...