What protective equipment must a catcher wear?
Rule- Australia
- Softball Australia
- Fast pitch
- WBSC rules
- Umpire accreditation
- All ages
- 2026-2029
- Umpires
Under WBSC rule 2.4.3 (2026-2029):
- All catchers must wear a mask, throat protector and helmet.
- A catcher, or any other defensive team member receiving warm-up pitches from the pitcher's plate or in the warm-up area, must also wear a mask, throat protector and helmet. If the person catching will not wear them, they must be replaced by a person who will.
- An extended wire protection attached to the mask may be worn instead of a separate throat protector. The ice hockey goalie style facemask is approved for a catcher, but if it has no throat protector built on, one must be added before use.
- A catcher (adult and youth) must wear a body protector and shin guards that protect the kneecap.
- A catcher may not wear the plastic face mask/guard in place of the regular mask with a throat protector.
- A catcher's helmet may be the skull type without ear flaps.
Added 24 Oct 2026