Wearing protective gear is just as important as making a sweet connection for a home run or making a good play. Baseball is a game that requires precision and power, and above all, you need to make sure that you protect yourself at all times. From selecting the best baseball elbow guard to wearing properly sized headgear, it is important that you protect each specific part of your body.
Protecting your elbow is critically important during baseball, mainly because it is so exposed during the game. For many batters, it is quite scary to see the ball hurtling them at around 100 mph, so proper protection is of the utmost importance. Some hitters wear one, others don't. It's often regarded as a personal choice, though it's highly recommended. If you get hit by the ball at-bat on your elbow diamond, it could lead to serious injuries such as crushed elbows.
There is no reason to put your body on the line like this, especially when there are so many fantastic body protection accessories available. In this guide, we'll recommend some of the best elbow guards, and how to choose the right one.
Why You Should Use an Elbow Guard
The batter's elbow is completely exposed when they are in the batter's box. The pain caused by the ball hitting the elbow is excruciating to say the least, so it's very important for the batter to protect their elbow.
For kids who are learning the game, its also very important that they wear protective gear, including an elbow guard and a batting helmet.
There is considerably less muscle surrounding your elbow, so in case of an injury, you will feel the full force of the ball as it hits against the elbow.
If the ball connects with your funny bone, the pain and the fuzzy sensation of receiving an electrical shock in your elbow could go on for quite a while. If you have been hit in the elbow before, you already know just how painful it can be.
What Exactly are Baseball Elbow Guards?
During the game, protecting your elbow with an elbow guard is very important. Baseball elbow guards are designed to ensure that they provide elbow protection without actually affecting your range of motion.
You will want complete range of motion with the guard on, otherwise it is going to affect your batting performance.
The baseball elbow guard is worn over the elbow joint and usually has a hard-shell. There are soft-shell elbow guards in the market as well, though those aren't really effective. They are usually for children who are just getting to terms with the game in the little leagues. Some people also prefer wearing a baseball arm guard, which offers protection for the full arm.
As the muscles develop in the arms, many players revert back to elbow pads as they are easier and do not limit their swing.
How Do They Work?
Elbow pads for baseball work in a similar manner as compared to other protective gear. The hard-shell is usually made from a durable polymer, and is layered with soft cushioning.
There is an elastic band through which the player must insert their arm, and tighten it around their elbow joint. The cushioning on the outside ensures that the baseball elbow protector offers a layer of padding for the wearer.
When a baseball hits with force on the pad, the hard-shell and the padding combines to disperse the energy from the ball while minimizing the impact with the player's elbow.
Most high-quality elbow guards also offer moisture wicking properties so that the wearer doesn't feel uncomfortable after a while.
Benefits of Using the Elbow Guards
Elbow protection for baseball is important, and you should take it seriously. Here are some of the major benefits that you get for wearing an elbow guard.
1. Elbow Protection
This is fairly obvious. It's the main reason why you should wear one. The elbow guard is designed to protect your elbow from the force of the ball. Without one, there is a chance of shattering the elbow.
The fastest pitch ever recorded was by Aroldis Chapman in 2010 in the Major League. You really don't want to be without protection when the ball comes at you this fast!
They are different from softball elbow guards as they contain a hard layer underneath the padding. The hard-shell offers significant protection at all times.
2. Hand-Washable
Another benefit that you get for buying a decent elbow guard for baseball is that you can easily wash them by hand.
Elbow guards usually start smelling after a while due to all the sweat that they absorb. Despite the padding and the hard-shell coverage, there are no specific washing requirements.
Just put them in a wash basin, use some detergent, and you are good to go!
3. Fitting
High quality elbow guards are generally custom-fitted for the player, so you also don't have to worry about the guard slipping off from time to time.
The snug fit ensures that you are able to focus on the ball and get that sweet hit instead of having to worry about the guard slipping off every now and then.
4. Feeling of Safety
As many players will testify, baseball requires nerves of steel and lots of confidence. When you are in the batter's box, you need complete focus.
If you are constantly worried about the ball hitting any part of your body, you won't be able to focus on the play. Wearing an elbow guard is a wise idea as it provides a feeling of safety.
You will be able to clear your mind and focus on hitting the ball instead of worrying about where it might hit you!
Sizing and Fit Guide for Baseball Elbow Guards
Whether you need a youth baseball elbow guard or an adult-sized one, understanding the sizes and fitting is important. Here's a brief guide to help you choose the best elbow guard.
If you do not measure the circumference at different points around your arm before buying one, even the best baseball elbow guards are going to restrict your movement and fall off after every one or two hits.
How to Measure
To ensure the right sizing and fit, you should first measure the circumference of the wearer's bicep. Make sure you take the measurement around the widest point, and then repeat the same with the forearm.
It's best to measure at least 6" from the elbow. Modern elbow guards are made from form-fitting, moisture wicking, elastic material, with the hard-shell coverage on top.
The best elbow guard is one that fits snugly around the elbow, and doesn't restrict you from applying full force when hitting.
Once you have taken the measurements, you can then compare the sizes and make a selection. The best baseball elbow guards will automatically mold to fit on both left or right-handed hitters, so that isn't a problem.
How to Choose the Right Elbow Guard
There are a number of things that you need to consider before buying an elbow guard for yourself or for a kid. Here are a few things to look for if you want the best protective gear for your or your kid's elbow.
Comfort
When selecting an elbow guard, the first thing you need to check is just how comfortable it feels. This might seem a bit obvious, but too many people ignore comfort.
You are going to be wearing the elbow guard for as long as you are in the batter's box, so it has to be comfortable. There's really no "best" option here; most players make their elbow guard selection based on comfort and protection alone.
Size
This one is fairly obvious; make sure that the elbow guard is of an appropriate size. It would be best if you try it on first at a local store before buying one.
If you are buying online, make sure the company offers a replacement option.
Weight
When buying an elbow guard, weight is a critical factor that you must consider. If the elbow guard is too heavy, it will limit your movement.
You will have to make a greater effort in order to lift the bat and strike the ball. If you want the best elbow guard that doesn't affect performance, always buy one with lightweight padding.
Materials
The quality of materials used also plays an important role. A cheaper elbow guard will obviously be made of poor quality materials.
Never compromise on the quality of materials when buying a guard. One elbow guard might include hard-shell coverage that absorbs the impact, while others are designed to disperse it.
Find one that best fits your arm, and is made from durable materials. It should also be easy to clean.
Protection
This one is perhaps the most important. The elbow guard you buy should offer maximum protection to the joint. After all, it's the only reason why you are buying a guard in the first place.
The best guard is one that protects your elbow without sacrificing mobility or speed. There are both hard and soft-shell variants available, so choose one that best suits you.
Regulation
Before you buy a guard, it's best to go through the regulations. For instance, according to the official guidelines, the guard must not be longer than 10 inches, and should be covered using nylon.
Heavy plastic pads are not allowed in the MLB, and in order to wear one, a doctor's letter is required.
The 5 Best Guards
Here are 5 of the best guards you can buy for protecting your elbow while playing baseball.
1. G-Form Baseball Pro Extended Elbow Guard
The G Form Baseball Pro Extended Elbow Guard offers maximum protection when you are playing the game. It covers the joint all the way till the triceps.
The G Form Baseball Pro Extended Elbow Guard fits perfectly and offers supreme protection thanks to its impact-absorbing RPT pads.
The guard has silicon grippers within the upper elastic band that keeps the padding firmly in the right position after every swing.
The RPT pads are the company's latest technology for this guard and absorb the impact of a fast pitch with ease. They are also breathable and machine washable, so maintenance won't be a problem.
But, you should know that there's no hard plastic padding, and you only get one pad. It's extremely light and flexible as well. You really can't go wrong with this one.
2. EvoShield Elbow Guard
The EvoShield Elbow Guard is a fantastic guard that is available in a range of different colors. This guard also uses the company's Gel-to-Shell technology, which starts off soft and hardens within a few minutes.
The guard custom molds to the wearer's arm after you open the package (give it 30 minutes to set into place), and EvoShield also gives a roll of gauze to wrap it firmly while it molds.
The fit is great and the molding ensures that it doesn't slip off from time to time. If you are worried about your throwing elbow when switch hitting, this is a great choice.
The guard becomes quite solid once it properly dries off, so if you have fear of the ball, this is going to get rid of that for you.
3. G-Form Elite Batter's Elbow Guard
The Elite Batter's Guard is incredibly thin and sleek. It doesn't feel like a guard at all; you might think that you are simply wearing an arm sleeve.
The mesh is designed to wick off moisture that fits comfortably. It's important to note that this one doesn't have a hard shell, but it is still quite capable of absorbing the impact of an oncoming ball.
Despite the absence of a hard shell, this one is a great choice because it is significantly more flexible and this ultimately improves the fitting. It's always important to remember that a hard shell will introduce some level of limitation on your swing.
This one also uses the company's proprietary RPT pads technology. It's primarily for adults, so youngsters are going to have a hard time putting it on and keeping it in place.
It can be tightened in place using the two provided straps. This guard is relatively affordable, and if you are interested in buying something that is durable, doesn't require a lot of care, and will protect the joint, this one's a great choice.
4. Mizuno Batter's Elbow Guard
Mizuno is a household name in the world of sports protective equipment, and this guard is a pretty popular choice amongst players.
It is a no-frills product that has an adjustable Velcro strap to keep it in place. The company has included an inner lining that is designed to wick moisture off.
The front of the guard is made of flexible rubber (semi-hard) whereas the back has soft padding to avoid discomfort for the player. The company markets it as a one-size-fits-all, but it's definitely not suitable for pre-teen kids.
The strap will need to be tightened properly before you use it, otherwise it will continue to come off and prevent you from using the guard as it is intended.
Some people claim that the shield doesn't have any give, and this limits their range of motion. It is important that you check the sizing before buying this guard.
5. EvoShield Srz-1 Batters Elbow Guard
EvoShield Srz-1 is an excellent guard that uses the company's Gel-to-Shell technology and conforms to the wearer's arm. It is a one-size-fits-all product and uses dispersion technology to spread the force of impact all around the surface.
This reduces the amount of impact the wearer actually feels. You can always custom mold it to fit either the left or the right arm.
It's made of polyester, so it's completely machine washable. You can air dry it to maintain the quality and durability in the long run.
The only issue that most people talk about is the pricing. This one is a bit on the pricier side, but you really can't put a price on body protection.
6. Rawlings Youth Elbow Guard
Appropriately sized for the youth, the Rawlings protective guard is designed to restore a child's confidence when they enter the batter's box.
It has a simple Velcro strap that can be tightened around the arm, and it's reasonably priced so you don't have to break the bank either.
It obviously doesn't offer similar protection to other products on this list, but the kids are going to love it!
There are a few color choices available, so you can always buy one that matches your kid's uniform.
Conclusion
If you want the best baseball elbow guard, you should choose the G-Form Baseball Pro Extended Elbow Guard. It offers unparalleled protection without sacrificing mobility or adding too much weight. This one is by far the best choice in the market right now.