🧢 The Best Way to Pack Your Catcher's Bag in 2025: 12 Tips and Tricks from Coach Dan
Let me tell you a little story that'll explain why I still wake up in a cold sweat every March like clockwork…
It was 1998, I was catching for a low-level independent ball team somewhere in the wind-swept hills of upstate New York. We were out in the boonies—one of those towns where the outfield fence was half rust and half plywood, and the dugouts leaned like tired men in the wind. I’m riding the bench, trying to stay loose, when Coach McGillicutty (meanest mustache you’ve ever seen) hollers, “DAN! You’re in! Let’s GO!”
Problem was, I didn’t hear him the first time. Or the second. Third time, he roared like a hurricane—and I scrambled through my duffel bag like a raccoon in a dumpster.
Glove? Check. Mask? Check. Chest protector? On. Right shin guard? MIA.
I turned that bag inside out. Couldn’t find it. Coach Mac finally grunted, “Forget it—get me Simmons!” Simmons—third string, soft hands, zero pop—was already dressed and ready. Coach pointed at me and said, “That’s why he plays and you don’t.”
After the game? Found the shin guard. Under the bag.
👻 Still haunts me.
If I’d had the NO E2—hung up on the fence, with compartments for everything—I’d have been in that game and maybe never left. So take it from me: if you want to be game-ready and sleep like a baby at night, check out these 12 details that’ll save you years of heartache and waking up in a sold sweat.
1️⃣ Choose the Right Bag
Not all bags are created equal, and if you’re rolling up to the field with a flimsy duffel, you’re already playing from behind. The NO E2 Catcher's Bag is built from military-grade nylon canvas, reinforced with industrial stitching, and designed to last you season after season. Its FatBoy wheels are paired with built-in ball bearings that roll over gravel, dirt, and dugout turf like a dream—not to mention the bumper + rail system on the bottom that prevents the dreaded mid-season bag fold.
2️⃣ Start with the Basics: Know Your Gear
You wouldn’t build a house without checking your tools, so don’t pack without laying out your equipment. Set out your mitt, helmet, chest protector, shin guards, cleats, batting gloves, tape, towel—everything. Doing a full visual check helps you catch what’s missing and gets your mental game locked in before the first pitch.
3️⃣ Utilize the Main Compartment Wisely
The NO E2’s integrated shelving system isn’t just a fancy feature—it’s a game-changer. Instead of tossing your helmet and chest protector into a pile, you give each piece its own space, keeping them secure, protected, and easy to grab. Plus, you’ll avoid unnecessary wear and tear, which adds up fast when you're behind the plate four games a week.
4️⃣ Dedicated Shin Guard Pocket
Ah, my old nemesis—the missing shin guard. The NO E2 has a ventilated, expandable side pocket built specifically to house your shin guards safely and separately. Slide them in with the knee portion facing up for maximum airflow, and you’ll reduce both smell and panic attacks.
5️⃣ Ventilated Cleat Compartment
Your cleats see the worst of it—mud, sweat, turf, rain—and if you toss them in with the rest of your gear, you’re asking for a disaster. That’s why the NO E2’s cleat compartment is ventilated, giving your spikes a place to dry out without stinking up your mitt or mask. It’s also tough as nails, built to take the abuse your game footwear dishes out.
6️⃣ Bat Storage Done Right
The NO E2 holds up to three full-size 34” bats, tucked into their own dedicated sleeve. This keeps your bats protected from dings and scratches while also helping with bag balance during transport. Trust me—nothing’s worse than dragging a lopsided bag that feels like it’s trying to roll sideways off the planet.
7️⃣ Accessory Pockets for Smaller Items
There’s no excuse for letting your tape get buried under your chest protector or your batting gloves wind up wrapped in your socks. With nine total compartments, including three ventilated ones, you’ve got space to separate your gear and access what you need quickly. Label 'em in your mind and pack them the same way every time for next-level efficiency.
8️⃣ Wet Gear Pocket
Whether it’s rain, sweat, or a surprise water balloon fight (yes, that happened once), wet gear happens. The NO E2’s ventilated wet gear pocket isolates damp clothes and equipment from the rest of your bag. That one feature alone could save you a small fortune in moldy mitts and swampy chest protectors.
9️⃣ Hanging Hooks for Dugout Organization
This right here would’ve changed my career. The NO E2 includes four hideaway hooks that let you hang the bag on any fence or railing, turning your storage into a locker at eye level. You’ll never fumble on the floor or lose gear in a dugout puddle again—and you’ll always look ready.
🔟 Personalize Your Bag
This is your gear—own it. With a locker tag label and embroiderable panel, you can slap your name, number, or team on the side and never worry about someone “accidentally” walking off with your bag. Plus, it just looks sharp when everyone on the squad is rocking personalized gear.
1️⃣1️⃣ Regular Maintenance
A bag’s only as good as how you treat it. Every week, take five minutes to shake out crumbs, air it out, and double-check your zippers and hooks. This one small habit keeps your gear fresher, your bag cleaner, and your setup running like a well-oiled bullpen.
1️⃣2️⃣ Pack with a Purpose
Every item in your bag should have a place—and it should go back to that place every single time. Packing with intention reduces game-day stress and keeps your mind focused where it needs to be: behind the plate. If you can grab your mitt with your eyes closed, you're doing it right.
🎥 Here is a great video to show you how it's done - CLICK HERE
🎨 BONUS: Match Your Team in Style
The NO E2 comes in 10 clean, uniform-friendly colors, so your squad can roll up looking like a unit. No more mismatched gear bags cluttering the dugout like yard sale leftovers. Look like a team, play like a team.
🎁 LIMITED TIME DEAL: Get a FREE Top Pick II Travel Backpack
Now here’s the closer. For a limited time, when you buy the NO E2, you’ll get a Top Pick II backpack absolutely FREE—and this isn’t some cheap giveaway. This $129.99 retail pack is built with the same military-grade canvas, lubed wide-tooth zippers, and adjustable built-in shelving that turns it into a mobile dugout locker.
It even has hooks for hanging, so whether you’re at practice, tournaments, or just crashing at a buddy’s house before game day—you’re ready.
This is a serious bonus for serious players. Don’t miss your shot:
👉 GRAB YOURS HERE
Pack smart. Be ready. Sleep well.
Catch you behind the dish —
– Coach Dan 🧢
