Catchers don't always get a lot of love from baseball fans. But you could make the argument that they play the hardest position in the sport.
Catchers are forced to spend entire games crouched down behind home plate, which can put a huge strain on their knees. They're also forced to relay signals to the pitcher on every pitch and have to keep infielders in line, too.
Plus, it's important for catchers to invest in the best catcher's bag because they have to wear so much equipment to catch a game. From a mask and a catcher's glove to a chest protector and shin guards, most catchers are covered from head to toe in specialized equipment.
If you play catcher at any level, it's essential for you to buy the best catcher's bag money can buy. It'll help you play your position more effectively by keeping your catching equipment nice and organized at all times.
Here's how to choose the right catcher's bag to keep in the dugout.
Look for a Catcher's Bag Large Enough to Fit All Your Equipment
As we just mentioned, you're going to need to be able to fit a lot of stuff inside of your catcher's bag. There is so much equipment that a catcher needs to bring to every game.
But you should also keep in mind that you're going to need to put more than just your catching equipment into your catcher's bag. You'll need to put everything from your batting gloves and your uniform to sunflower seeds and a water bottle into your bag as well.
This means that you're going to want to buy a catcher's bag that's large enough to fit everything you'll need to put inside of it. But at the same time, you don't want to buy something so large that you can't lift it up and carry it around.
Try out a bunch of different catcher's bags to see which one offers the right combination of storage space and maneuverability. It'll ensure you don't buy a bag that's either way too small or way too big for you.
Find a Catcher's Bag Equipped With Sturdy Wheels
One thing to remember when buying a catcher's bag is that you're not going to be required to carry it around all the time. The best catcher's bag will have a set of wheels on it that you can use to pull it around.
That being said, the wheels on catcher's bags aren't all created equal. You'll find some wheels that won't hold up for very long when you're constantly pulling and pushing them over rough surfaces.
The wheels on the catcher's bag that you buy should be very sturdy and designed to stand up to almost anything you throw at them. Otherwise, you could be buying a whole new bag sooner than expected when your bag's wheels give out on you.
Consider Durability Before Buying a Catcher's Bag
The wheels on the catcher's bag that you buy should be durable. But they shouldn't be the only durable aspect of your bag when you bring it home.
The bag itself also needs to be designed to last. You're going to be shoving equipment into it and ripping equipment out of it all the time. If it's not durable, it's going to rip before long and force you to buy a new bag.
Read about catchers bags in advance and see which ones have a reputation for being the most durable. The last thing you want to do is buy a bag that starts falling apart during one of the first few games you use it.
Purchase a Catcher's Bag With the Right Price Tag on It
As a catcher, you're going to be asked to invest quite a bit of money into all of the various equipment that you'll need. It's not uncommon for catchers to spend hundreds of dollars every year on the latest equipment.
With this in mind, you don't want to have to spend any more money on a catcher's bag than you have to. You should create a budget for your new bag before shopping for one and stick to that budget when making a purchase.
The best catcher's bags can cost anywhere from $50 or so to a few hundred dollars based on which brand you go with. By determining a budget ahead of time, you can avoid overpaying for one that you can't afford.
Make Sure You Buy a Catcher's Bag From a Trusted Brand
In an effort to save a little money, you might be tempted to buy a catcher's bag from a brand you've never heard of before. Do not do this unless you want to have to buy another bag sometime soon.
You should go with a trusted brand when buying something like a catcher's bag. You want to know that you're going to be getting a high-quality bag that will last you for as long as you need it to.
Many brands have earned a reputation for creating catcher's bags that are the best in the business. You're better off paying a little extra for one of their bags as opposed to going with a bag from a no-name company just because their bag doesn't cost much money.
You don't want to break the bank when buying a catcher's bag. But you also don't want to put yourself in a position where you'll have to buy two bags within a short span of time.
Start Your Search for the Best Catcher's Bag
To be the best catcher you can be, you're going to need the best catcher's bag by your side.
Now that you know what to look for in a great catcher's bag, get out there and find one. It shouldn't take you too long to track down a bag that will hold all your equipment and last for a long time while also staying well within your budget.
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