Austin Nola had never worn the equipment.
"Not in middle school," he said. "Not ever."
Not until the former LSU shortstop arrived at the Arizona Fall League in 2016 did five-year veteran attempt to put on the catcher's chest protector and leg guards for the first time in his life.
"The trickiest thing is putting it on with speed," he said. "Getting the straps right."
That process took several minutes when he first tried it. It can now be completed in 30 to 45 seconds, quick enough for him to get on the field during a between-innings break in play.