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Equipment: All You Need is a Glove

Getting a youngster started in baseball or softball doesn’t require a lot of equipment. The only item needed is a glove. Eventually, many players will want to have their own bat, so they can practice on their own, and as players get older and develop more advanced or specialized skills, they often invest in other equipment such as shoes, protective gear, and gloves better suited to the position they’re learning.

Youth baseball players.

For the beginner, the most important acquisition is a glove. A child’s first glove need not be expensive. In many cases it’s beneficial to buy a used glove that doesn’t require a “ breaking in” period. Many experienced players treasure the “old rags” they’ve used for years more than a stiff, expensive new glove.

A glove should be both comfortable and the right size. Buying a large glove that a child can “grow into” is often a mistake because a larger glove can be harder to break in and more difficult to control. Similarly, trying to get by with a glove that’s too small to handle a softball or a full-size baseball can be frustrating. Have the child try out as many gloves as possible to find one that feels right. Remember, choosing a glove is like finding a friend: everyone has his or her own personal tastes and preferences.

The same criteria apply when choosing a bat. Don’t pick a bat that’s too large. A smaller bat will provide better control, cause less fatigue, and reduce the potential for injury. For kids who insist on using a bat they can’t handle, remind them that it’s the speed of the bat, not its size, that generates power.
For youth baseball and softball programs seeking financial support for the purchase of equipment, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund might be able to help. A joint initiative between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund promotes the growth of baseball in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world by funding programs, fields, and equipment purchases to encourage and maintain youth participation in the game.

For more information visit the Baseball Tomorrow Fund