From Tee-Ball to Little League, and all the way through to professional baseball, one plays for several different teams and receives many baseball uniforms throughout the years. One thing that never changes for die-hard athletes (and their fans) is the love for the game, the camaraderie of teamwork and sportsmanship, and the competition that drives them forward.
The modern sport of baseball originated in the United States and is still one of the most widely played and followed amateur, college and professional sports in the nation. There are nine team members from each team on the field during the game; one on offense and the other playing defense. Each team is distinguished by their own uniform.
The first baseball uniforms were introduced in the United States during the mid-19th Century as baseball moved from neighborhood back alleys into the national spotlight. Although they have undergone aesthetic and technological developments throughout the years, baseball uniforms have retained their essential functions.
Modern baseball uniforms consist of the following components:
* Cap
* Jersey with team identification on front and the athlete’s designated number and name on the back
* Pants, also known as knickerbockers.
* Belts
* Long socks
* Cleated or spiked baseball shoes
Safety Matters on the Field
Baseball is not officially considered a contact sport. When you compare baseball to other popular sports like football and lacrosse, it’s easy to understand why people think it is less dangerous. However, there are safety precautions that players are both recommended as well as required to take, such as:
* Protective groin cups (men in particular)
* Batters wear hard helmets to protect from head injury
* And some players wear shin guards while up to bat
The Man behind the Base: What the Catcher Wears
The catcher takes a kneeling position behind the batter to catch strikes, balls and fouls, so they are in the most dangerous spot on the field. Being responsible to communicate with the pitcher and catch each pitch on turn that they’re on offense, this is one of the most physically demanding positions on the field. They typically wear the same baseball uniform as the rest of the team, but their whole suit of protective gear is much more elaborate.
Catcher’s need:
* Helmet with a face guard
* Padded chest protector from the collar bone to the waist
* Shin guards from knee to ankle
