Abstract: A hydrating chest protector is disclosed having a reservoir for providing hydrating fluid to a wearer of the chest protector without removing the chest protector. The reservoir can be located in a back portion of the chest protector with the tube extending to the front of the protector. The tube provides access to hydrating fluid in the reservoir for drinking. The tube can be protected from impacts from a hardball or softball baseball by a flap attached to the front of the protector. The protector can be used in hardball or softball baseball games by catchers or umpires.