Hand Guards

A batter’s hand guard protects the back of your hand and the outside of your wrist from inside pitches. The bones in the hand are small and break easily, and one hit-by-pitch on the hand can sideline a player for weeks. A hand guard spreads the impact so you can swing at inside pitches with confidence.

On your lead hand, the one closest to the pitcher and most exposed to inside pitches: the left hand for a right-handed hitter, and the right hand for a left-handed hitter. When ordering, models are often listed by hitter, not by hand: a left-handed hitter should choose a “LH Hitter” guard, which is worn on the right hand.

Yes. Most hand guards are designed to be worn over your batting gloves or on a bare hand. Models like the EvoShield PRO-SRZ 2.0 use an elastic finger loop and a wrist strap to stay in place. EvoShield also makes the G2S Batting Glove Hand Shield, which attaches directly to your glove.

A well-fitted hand guard shouldn’t. Guards are shaped to follow the back of the hand without blocking your grip on the bat. Low-profile models like the G-Form Elite Hand Guard are especially light and flexible. Take a few swings in the cage before using one in a game.

Many hand guards, like the EvoShield PRO-SRZ 2.0, are designed for players aged 10 and older, when pitching speed starts to increase. Younger kids can benefit more from a good batting helmet and youth batting gloves.

A hand guard covers the back of the hand and the outside of the wrist. A wrist guard focuses on the wrist itself. Many hitters who’ve been hit on the hand choose a hand guard first, then add an elbow guard and leg guard for full protection.