Baseball: what Equipment do you need?

What Equipment does your kid need to play Baseball

The beauty of baseball is that the essential skills of the sport can be played with minimal equipment. What’s more, by practicing things like catching, throwing, and hitting the ball, you are teaching your child skills that they can carry across to a variety of sports.

To teach the essential baseball skills, your child needs three pieces of equipment: a ball, a glove, and a bat. You do not need to spend a fortune on this equipment; instead, you should prioritize buying the right size kit for your kid. If you are looking for tips on how to save money when buying sports equipment, check out this article: Sports on a Budget: How to Get Your Kids Active Without Breaking the Bank

Choosing a Baseball

A baseball is a baseball, right? Not quite. Before your child starts tossing around an adult ball, it’s worth starting them with a tee ball or safety baseball. Designed for children from 4-8 years old, these balls are lighter and softer than an adult ball. This makes it easier for your child to practice catching, throwing and hitting, helping to build their confidence in the game.

As your child progresses, you should think about purchasing a Little League Baseball. Designed for kids between the ages of 9 and 12, these balls look a lot like adult baseballs, but they are made to travel slightly slower. In addition, they have slightly raised stitches to help control the pitch and throw.

How to Choose the Right Size Baseball Glove

When choosing a baseball glove, you might be tempted to opt for something bigger. After all, a bigger glove will make the ball easier to catch, correct? Wrong. A smaller glove makes it easier for a player to control it and the ball. This allows them to get their body into position to make a catch and hold on to the ball when it lands in the glove.

If you’re in the market for a baseball glove, there are three things to look out for:

The fit: Is the glove easy to open and close?

What is it made of? Does it say Youth on it? If it does, the leather will likely be softer, meaning that the glove is nice and flexible for your kid.

Does it have a Wrist Strap? This will help your child get a snug, secure fit.

There’s an easy test to tell whether your child has the correct size baseball glove: can they squeeze the glove closed? If the answer is no, then the glove is probably too big.

It’s always worth having your child try on a baseball mitt before you buy it. However, as a general guide baseball gloves can be sized as:

How to Choose the Right Baseball Bat for Your Child

Like choosing a baseball glove, choosing the right size bat will have a direct impact on your child’s enjoyment of the game. You want a bat that your child can swing comfortably and with control, not one that they struggle to pick up or that is too small.

With that in mind, there are a couple of considerations when it comes to choosing a bat: the length and the weight:

Weight: Most youth bats are lighter and have a weight drop of -10 to -13 (the weight drop is the difference between the length of the bat and its weight).

Material: Youth bats are usually made of aluminium or composite materials. Go aluminium. They are light, durable… and cheaper than the composite alternative.

Grip: It might sound silly, but make sure the bat has a good grip on it. It should be non-slip and ideally have a little cushioning.

Now you know what you are looking for, it’s time to size the bat. As a general rule, you can use the sizing chart below.

Another easy way to test whether the bat is more or less the right size (beyond practice swings) is to have your child stand with it by their side. The end of the bat should be in the palm of their hand. If the head of the bat is resting gently on the floor, you know that you have it just about right.

Optional Extras for a Baseball Kid

Maybe your child is getting into the sport, maybe you’re looking for a present. In either scenario, there are a few optional extras you can buy for a child who loves to play ball:

A Batting Tee: This helps younger players practice swinging at the right height and develop good form. What’s more, many of them have an elastic cord attached to the ball so you don’t have to worry about searching around in the bushes for a missing ball!

Pop-Up Net / Rebounder: Whether or not your child loves baseball, these are just fun to have around. Rebounders let your child practice fielding drills or throwing practice in the backyard.

Helmet: If your child wants to join a team, then this will be mandatory.

Baseball Cap and Bag: Who doesn’t love a baseball cap? And if your child is accruing equipment, they’re going to need something to carry it in…

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