Advice to Parents on Purchasing Baseball and Softball Equipment

Advise to Parents:

Choosing and Purchasing
Baseball and Softball Equipment

Dear Parent,

Each year hundreds of bats, gloves, balls and hats are bought for players in organized baseball leagues. As an umpire one of the hardest things is to tell a player is that their shiny new bat or glove is not permissible for use. Many times a youngster strolls to the plate with a bat their parents would have trouble using, a glove that is too small or too large, or an improper fitting helmet. Enjoyment and Safety are two factors that careful selection of equipment can really assist. Here, in alphabetic order, are some personal suggestions for you that come both from the rule book and from my experience as both umpire and parent.

Type of Equipment	Comments
Bats	Until a player reaches adult leagues most coaches will tell you that lighter is better. Studies show that aluminum bats actually provide a 16% increase in hitting distance. Off the tee those tiny T-Ball bats will actually hit a ball much farther that a regular bat. Frank Thomas uses one of the lightest bats in the Major League! For young players in organized baseball the specifications are very exacting: for example, the bat may be no more than 2 1/4 inches in diameter and not more than 33 inches long. Most teams use bats in the 30 inch 22 ounce length/weight range. Young softball players often use hardball bats because of the size and weight. Check your league's restrictions carefully before purchasing a bat. Do not rush out and just buy the bat that is on sale this week. Many times the type of bat will be an adult variety bat. Youth league bats are optimized to the size and strength of the player. Any bat which is "home painted" will be disallowed as would be any "white" colored bat. In hardball a "bottle" shaped bat is usually not permitted. Product advertising, with the exception of the maker's insignia, is usually forbidden.
Batting Gloves	Once the player arrives at competitive levels don't leave home without a pair. The purpose for these gloves is to protect the hands, not just at bat, but when running the bases requires a slide or brings on a slip or fall. As the level of play advances the player often wears a batting glove inside their fielding glove. Pitchers cannot usually wear a batting glove when pitching and should not even have them in their pocket on the mound.
Cleats	Cleats are one of the most important safety factors in a player's clothing. A recent study in California showed that most ankle, knee and leg injuries in organized youth baseball occurred with players not wearing cleats. Baseball shoes provide the firm 360 degree support players need. All outside edges of the shoe have the ability to support the entire weight of the body as it moves. The player does not run faster, the player runs safer. You should consider buying cleats the moment your child begins to move to the ball, hit or run the bases aggressively. The time is easy to recognize because you will notice the player reacting to the play as it unfolds and beginning to charge the ball. For some players this occurs at six years old while others it happens years later. Certainly by competitive levels all players should be wearing cleats.
Cups and Supports	All leagues requires the male catcher at all levels to wear a protective cup or similar device. Common sense says every player should wear some form of protection. At the youngest levels this is often not a concern but a good coach will insist. Above the introductory level the league will insist the player wear a protective device. If the league does not insist protection be worn then you as a parent must.
Batting Face Masks	Several players wore face masks on their batting helmets last year, you might have even noticed the professional players who started wearing them. In many districts all helmets must have a special face protector. They are becoming available for more helmet styles and over the next few years you might expect to see more and more. The Canadian Dental Association and the Canadian Medical Association recommend a face mask.
Gloves	One of the biggest mistakes seen each year are young softball players with too small gloves. There are many quality youth model gloves that will last your child for many years. The smaller models are often indicated as I0 1/2 or 11 inch gloves. Any young child should be able to handle some of these very flexible models. Several players show up with the opposite extreme, too large. Most youth leagues do not allow the use of a glove longer than 12 inches from the base of the thumb crotch to the tip of the glove. Last year one local store had a sale on gloves measuring 13 1/2 inches. One key to this oversized glove are the words "Designed for Softball". A "first base" or "trapper" glove can only be used at first base or at the catcher position in softball. An expensive "professional" glove will be very difficult for a young player to properly break in. The glove will last for many years but without careful work it may be too much for the younger player. Colored gloves are not a problem unless your player becomes a pitcher. Once on the mound the rules require the glove to be "of one solid color, not gray or white." One suggestion: Buy an inexpensive softball and a small belt or strap. After each use wipe the glove clean, put the ball in the pocket, secure it loosely with the strap and put the glove away. You will add years to the glove's life and increase its play remarkably. And - you don't have to buy expensive glove oils. "Neats Foot Oil" is available at hardware stores for considerably less. Gloves need only be oiled sparingly, once or twice a season, and often only in the hinge areas.
Helmets	Helmets must be worn anytime the player is at bat, one base or in a base coaching position. Some league rules require the chin strap to be in place. The helmet must fit properly. The chin strap need not be tight but should not be so loose as to permit the helmet to flop off the head. An improperly fitted helmet is dangerous.
Sun Screen and Sunglasses	Do not send your child out without a high quality sun screen, even on a cloudy day. The baseball field tends not to have high amounts of shade and children often suffer from the effects of the relentless sun. Sunglasses: I am going to give you my personal opinion on an often hot topic. As a parent it is my decision whether or not my child wears proper sports sunglasses. Anytime there is a chance my son or daughter could be making a play facing into the sun they have the option of flipping down their glasses and increasing their chance at seeing the ball. I would not personally go on the field without mine, why should my children be any different?
Sweat Bands	White bands are for tennis, other colors are permissible in baseball. Pitchers generally cannot wear a sweatband regardless of the color.
Uniforms	Sponsors supply a uniform top and hat for each player. After having two pairs of sweatpants ruined in two games I bought my daughter a pair of polyester baseball pants for under $20.00. The pants took the abuse, washed well and she still wears them. In most leagues, no player, at any time, at any temperature, at any level will be allowed on the field wearing shorts. Baseball pants are light, don't restrict air flow and cost less than a new pair of sweatpants each game.