So, playing in Cooperstown for eight games took a toll on my catchers' gear. I had a full set of Louisville Slugger System 7 catchers gear:
http://www.slugger.com/en-us/series-7-adult-3-piece-catcher-s-set
While chasing down a foul pop-up, I ripped off the hockey-style helmet and two of the snaps broke rendering the helmet useless. Then, after returning from the tournament, I replaced the helmet with my older Easton model so I could continue playing the season at home. In our final game (elimination game from the playoffs), I took a foul tip off the knee with the LS shin guards on, only to find out they don't offer the greatest protection to the inside part of the knee - instead they offer a smaller design geared more toward mobility than protection. It turns out, that I really need better protection and less mobility at this stage in my "career."
So, I need a new set of catchers gear. Anyone have any preferences? I've been researching the new Boombah gear and it looks great. I've never tried any on nor do I know anyone who uses them, but they are a direct online seller and the company has been around for a while (selling other things like uniforms, bats, mitts, spikes, etc.). I also like the Force 3 specs but they appear to be a bit more expensive than the Boombah.
http://www.boombah.com/
http://www.force3progear.com/
Our catcher wears All-Star. I have a friend with 2 kids who are both all stars back home (one at the Varsity level and the other is playing JV ball for the Obama elitest private school aka Punahou) and one has Rawlings and the other wears some Japanese brand and is supposedly way better than anything sold in the states, but of course is pricey. I've heard good things about Force3 in an article I read about catchers and concussions. So it might be worth a little more to protect yourself.
