Project

Catchers Gear

Client

Schutt Sports

Female fast pitch softball is a fiercely competitive sport. Anyone who has watched a game or two can certainly attest to the intensity to which these women play. For years, catchers of the sport played using equipment designed to protect their male counterparts. The market had never addressed the fact that women and men have different body architecture and required more protection in particular areas of their torso. Our challenge was to design the first female specific gear on the market and re-energize a stagnant product category for Schutt Sports.

Female players we interviewed were up front and made no qualms about the current stock of chest protectors on the market. Current male/universal protectors were designed with significant reliefs in the shoulder/chest area to increase mobility. In turn, these gaps in protection left the female catchers exposed to dangerous shots from the pitcher and/or foul tips. Additionally, softball is played under a much more rapid pace, and on-deck/on-base catchers found themselves scrambling to suit up before each defensive inning. They requested a design that allowed them to identify left/right leg guards easily under fast paced conditions, and a chest protector that was far easier to take on an off. Lastly, this new design should be cool and stylish. In the words of one player, “Hey, when you look good, you play good.” Unlike male athletes and their attachment to tradition, female players are far more accepting of wild and aggressive designs that make them stand out on the field.

In response, the fredsparks team produced a series of concepts to put in front of the Schutt development team, and more importantly, the players. In the weeks following, we developed a game changer of a design. For easy on/off abilities, we threw traditional clips and buckles out the window and redesigned the attachment site. By introducing hook and loop Velcro into this area, the point of attachment could now blend seamless with the rest of the pad. This method also reduced tangling of straps and the fumbling for hardware as well as a more comfortable fit. To further enable natural movement of the pads with the body, our team developed the H-Back Yoke system. The fully independent shoulder yoke system allowed for the back portion of the protector to hug the player and provide a more custom fit during game play.

Design Highlights: Intellectual Property with Style

• First ever chest protector designed specifically for total protection of the female torso
• Integrated rapid on/off attachment points system
• Innovative “H-Back” system designed to flow more naturally with the movements of the player and increase mobility and most importantly, maintain protection.
• Multi-laminate foam padding system provides ultimate breath-ability, lighter weight and important ball deadening qualities
• Asymmetrical Leg Guard design provided players with an easily identifiable left/right

Schutt quickly sold through their initial forecasts and found themselves in a back order position. Realizing the obvious fit and comfort advantages and style of the new female chest protector, the male market requested their own version with a more traditionally male contour and we were happy to oblige.