Quick Take
The NOCSAE catcher's gear certification for catcher’s chest protectors ensures better safety against Commotio Cordis for high school and college players. While the requirements don’t apply to youth leagues, affordable solutions like Evoshield undershirts help extend the life of older gear.
Here’s what you need to know about the NOSCAE Catcher’s Gear requirement for high school and college ball:
- Since 2020, high school baseball has required a NOCSAE-certified chest protector.
- The NCAA pushed their requirement out in 2021.
- The rules are NOT in place for youth (non-high school).
- Most chest protectors sold after 2019 have the certification.
- Evoshield has an undershirt with a NOCSAE-certified protective plate that will give your old gear a longer life.
Amazon Options | Evoshield Options | DSG Options
Do I need a NOCSAE Chest Protector?
Yes, if you play catcher in high school or college, you must wear a chest protector with a NOCSAE-certified protector.
No, if you are playing youth baseball or fastpitch.
Why do I need a Chest Protector?
NFHS and NCAA baseball have explicitly stated that the requirement is for safety and to avoid Commotio Cordis (impact-related heart attacks).
The organization that certifies chest protectors also maintains a list of those with the certification. (See the full list here.)
| 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 |
The above represents the NOCSAE-certified protectors we could find at this time. It might not be exhaustive.
Above are All-Star catcher chest protectors that have the new NOCSAE certification.
Do current chest protectors NOT work?
The test says no in terms of protection for Commotio Cordis. Before the standard, not a single gear item proved enough protection for the heart. Granted, the odds of the problem happening are slim to none. It will most likely occur in boys under 14, so 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 for manufacturers.
Getting a chest protector to perform to a certain standard is reasonable.
NOCSAE Buying Recommendations
If you play catcher, this season, 2020, will require the new chest gear. So, in short, you need to find an option. Amazon NOCSAE-certified gear is always the right place to start. All-Star is still a favorite.
Evoshield Option
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 costs much less than a new set and carries the same certification required to play at the high school level. (You can find them at DSG.)
Commotio Cordis
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). Players 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. A pitch hit one boy in 2013 in the chest; he fainted on the way to 1st base and ended up living because two paramedics were watching the game and responded remarkably fast.
How to Respond to Commotio Cordis
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 for a rapid response. Consider adding a defibrillator to your field house. Although it is doubtful you’ll ever witness the event, it is still helpful to know what to do.
- For several minutes afterward, pay very close attention to any player who takes a direct blow to the chest. The punch does not need to happen with a baseball. Another player or baseball bat would cause it, too. This applies to other sports. Lacrosse is more common, but soccer, cricket, football, or any number of flying objects into the chest could cause enough impact to disrupt the rhythm of the heart.
- In the event the player struck in the chest faints or is about to faint, call 911 immediately. A defibrillator on the scene, as fast as possible, might save a life.
- Although CPR is not adequate for a heart attack brought on by Commotio Cordis, it is likely the best bet. At the same time, wait for paramedics (assuming you don’t have a defibrillator handy). If you are interested in some other ideas without a defibrillator, you might like this article.
Commotio Cordis is deadly. Response time is vitally important.
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