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July 3, 2020 | by | @BatDigest
Here’s what you need to know about the new NOSCAE Catcher’s Gear requirement for high school and college ball.
Do I need a new Chest Protector?
Yes, if you are playing catcher in either high school or college, a chest protector with a NOCSAE certified protector is required.
No, if you are playing youth baseball or fastpitch.
Why do I need a Chest Protector?
NFHS and NCAA baseball have explicitly stated the reason for the requirement is for safety and to avoid Commotio Cordis (impact-related heart attacks—which you can read more about below).
The organization that does the certifications also maintains a list of those chest protectors which have the certification. (You can see the full list here).
Here are some of the more popular and notable NOCSAE chest guards that do have the certification. Most manufacturers are on board (early 2020) at this point and have a NOCSAE certified item.
Notable NOCSAE Certified Chest Protectors | ||
| Brand | Model | Ages |
| Easton | Adult/Small | Youth to Adult |
| Force3 | Pro Gear | Youth to Adult |
| All-Star | S7 Axis | Adult |
| Evoshield | Adult Chest Guard | 16+ |
| Evoshield | Youth Chest Guard | 7 to 15 |
| Rawlings | Velo 2.0 Adult | 15+ |
| Easton | Game Time | Adult |
| Mizuno | Samurai | Adult |
| Under Armour | PTH Victory | Adult |
| Wilson | Prestige | Adult |
At the time of this writing, the above represents the NOCSEA certified protectors we could find. It might not be exhaustive. We do not intend to update this as time goes on. Consider this a starting point for your search.
Above are All-Star catcher chest protectors that have the new NOSCAE certification.
In terms of protection for Commotio Cordis, the test says no. Before the standard, not a single gear item proved enough protection for the heart. Granted, the odds of the problem happening are between slim and none. It is most likely to occur in boys under the age of 14, so a high school and college requirements don’t hit the mark. But do chest protectors on the market give parents a sense of security that is not there?
We’ll let the attorneys and juries answer those questions.
Does that mean the new NOCSAE certification on the catcher’s chest protection is useless?
If NOCSAE certified chest protectors save a single life or youth heart attack, then it is irresponsible to claim the certification is useless—even considering this new standard churns thousands of old chest protectors out of the market and creates a windfall of profit to manufacturers.
Getting a chest protector to perform to a certain standard is reasonable.
If you play catcher, then this season, 2020, will require the new chest gear. So, in short, you need to find an option. Amazon NOSCAE certified gear is always the right place to start. All-Star is still a favorite.
One wise option, especially if you love your old gear, is to add an undershirt with a NOCSAE certified plate insert made by Evoshield. It runs much less than a new set and carries with it the same certification required to play at the high school level. (You can find them at DSG).
A baseball hitting someone’s chest can disrupt the rhythm of the heart and cause a sort of heart attack in a perfectly healthy individual. Although rare, such an event, called Commotio Cordis, is deadly. It is the number one cause of death in youth baseball (a relatively safe sport). Player’s under the age of 14 are more susceptible. This year (2018), one 8-year-old in California fell unconscious after a neighbor was trying to hit pop flies and ended up hitting a line drive into his chest.
Some are luckier. One boy in 2013 was hit by a pitch in the chest, fainted no the way to 1st base, and ended up living because two paramedics were watching the game and responded remarkably fast.
In short, surviving Commotio Cordis is almost unheard of without a swift response. In many cases, even a rapid response will not save their life either. You would do well to speak with your local EMT and league directors to develop a protocol in place for a rapid response. Consider adding a defibrillator to your field house. Although highly unlikely you’ll ever witness the event, it is still useful to know what to do.
For starters:
Commotio Cordis is deadly. Response time is vitally important.
How to Do Your Part to Save Youth Baseball for 2020? Stay Home »
I believe in 2010 Thomas Adams, a catcher at the HS level in New Jersey died from commotio cordis after being struck by a pitched ball while catching with a chest protector.
Very rare event, but there are cases.
Does this work?
what about softball
No requirement for softball and nothing immediately on the horizon.
The risk of the condition is for boys under the age of 14.
So if you buy the undershirt well the high school level allow for old equipment to be used?
Yes. As far as we understand it. The undershirt from Evoshield allows you to use your old gear without the certification because the EvoSheild undershirt has the certification.
I’ve found a Rawlings arc protector heart guard that’s attaches to an existing non qualified chest protector. Will this be sufficient for an upgrade?
Is my S7 Axis custom chest protector meet the standers?
Not if it says CP40PRO. We ordered a custom protector from Dicks and upon receiving it noticed it did not have the certification tag. We contacted All Star and they stated this one was not covered. All Star is supposed to be letting Dicks know that they are misleading customers and selling uncertified gear.
Do you see a rule being adopted for Little League Baseball? We have divisions for 6-8, 9, and 9-12 year olds. We need to purchase some new equipment or we can purchase some used/clearance equipment to save some money. However, we don’t want to go the second route if they plan to expand this to Little League Baseball.
Thanks
Where can we find the attachment that fits an existing chest protector?
Attachment? Evoshield has a shirt that has the piece inside the shirt. There is not an attachment sold separately to add to your old gear. At least, as far as we have been told.
Only the helmet and chest protector need the stamp, correct? Do the leg guards need a stamp too??
The leg guards do NOT need the NOCSAE stamp.
How do umpires verify that catchers without NOCSAE gear are wearing the Evoshield undershirt?
Hey Stan,
There is a mark on the catcher’s gear much like there is a BBCOR stamp on a bat. They should be able to see that if they look for it.
Are the new commotio cordis chest protectors required for Softball also or just Baseball?
Does this rule change pertain o middle schools also. 6-7-8 grades?
No. Unless that middle school has a specific clause to adopt that rule. The rule is a High School and NCAA rule only.