Franklin Sports Baseball Hand and Wrist Guard - PRT LG Serie
✅ PROS
- Molded plastic shield covers the full hand, wrist, and base of thumb — not just a flimsy pad
- Adjustable elastic strap with hook-and-loop closure fits securely over batting gloves
- Weighs under 5 ounces; you forget it's on after a few swings
❌ CONS
- One-size-fits-most sizing runs snug for players with larger hands (XXL batting glove wearers)
- Ventilation is minimal — expect some sweat buildup in hot summer games
The Verdict
If you’ve ever taken a 90-mph fastball off the knob of the bat, you know the exact moment your hand goes numb and your at-bat is over. That’s the problem the Franklin Sports Baseball Hand and Wrist Guard (PRT LG Serie) is built to solve. It’s a simple, effective piece of protective gear that does one job well: keeping your lead hand safe when the pitcher misses his spot.
What You Actually Get
The package contains a single hand guard designed for the top hand on the bat (left hand for right-handed hitters). The construction is straightforward: a molded plastic shell that covers the back of the hand, extends down over the wrist, and wraps slightly around the thumb side. The inside has a thin foam liner that adds a bit of comfort without adding bulk.
The adjustable elastic strap runs through a slot in the plastic and secures with a wide hook-and-loop closure. It’s designed to be worn over a batting glove, and the fit is snug but not restrictive. Total weight is light enough that you’ll forget it’s there — which is exactly what you want from protective gear.
Real-World Performance
The PRT LG Serie does what it promises. The plastic is rigid enough to deflect a ball rather than just absorbing the impact, which is the key difference between this and cheaper foam-only guards. When a pitch gets away and clips the handle area, the guard takes the hit and your hand keeps functioning. That’s the entire job, and it does it well.
The strap system holds the guard in place through a full swing. It doesn’t shift or rotate, even on check swings. The low profile means it doesn’t interfere with your grip or your bat control — a common complaint with bulkier guards on the market. You can still feel the bat in your fingers; the guard sits on the back of your hand, not between you and the handle.
What Buyers Consistently Praise
The 229 ratings at 4.6 stars tell a consistent story. Players repeatedly mention the same positives:
“It saved me from a bruised hand on the very first game I used it. A wild pitch came in on the handle and I didn’t feel a thing.”
Another common thread is durability:
“I’ve used mine for a full season of adult league ball. The plastic is still in great shape, the strap hasn’t stretched out, and the Velcro still holds tight.”
Where It Falls Short
Let’s be honest about the limitations. This is not a large-size guard. Players who wear XXL batting gloves or have broader hands have reported the strap running short and the shell feeling narrow. If you’re a bigger player, measure your wrist circumference before buying — anything over 8 inches is going to be tight.
The second issue is breathability. The solid plastic shell doesn’t have ventilation holes, so in summer heat, your hand will sweat more than usual inside your batting glove. It’s a tradeoff for the protection level, but worth knowing before a July doubleheader.
Finally, this guard is specifically for the top hand. If you want protection for both hands (bottom hand is also vulnerable on inside pitches), you’ll need to buy two — and Franklin doesn’t make a mirrored version, so you’d be wearing the same guard on both hands, which feels awkward.
Who Should Buy This
- Adult league and recreational players who face live pitching and want to avoid the most common hand injury in baseball
- Cage hitters who spend long sessions facing machine or BP pitching where wild throws happen
- Parents of teenagers moving up to higher velocity levels who want an affordable insurance policy
Skip it if you’re a player with very large hands, or if you’re looking for a guard that also covers the bottom hand.
FAQ
Q: Can I wear this over my batting glove? Yes, that’s exactly how it’s designed to be worn. The elastic strap secures over the glove, and the fit is snug enough to stay in place through a full swing.
Q: Will it protect against a pitch hitting the end of the bat? It protects the hand and wrist area specifically. If a pitch hits the very end of the bat and drives it back into your hand, the guard will absorb some of that impact, but it won’t eliminate it entirely. For handle-area hits — the most common injury spot — it’s highly effective.
Q: Is this legal in league play? Yes. Hand guards are permitted in essentially all amateur and adult leagues. They’re not considered an alteration to the bat, and they don’t provide any performance advantage — just protection.
The Verdict
Buy it if you’re an adult player who’s tired of flinching at inside pitches or nursing a bruised hand after games. At this price point, it’s the best value in hand protection on the market.
Skip it if you have XXL hands, or if you need protection for both hands.
Rating: 4.6/5 — It does exactly what it’s supposed to do, and it does it well. The sizing limitation and lack of ventilation keep it from a perfect score, but for the vast majority of players, this is the hand guard to get.