As a little league coach for over 10 years, I’ve seen it all when it comes to baseball gear for young players. Having the right equipment is crucial for safety, performance, and enjoyment of the game. As a parent, it can be overwhelming to figure out exactly what you need to purchase and where to find quality gear at affordable prices. This guide will provide an in-depth look at the essential gear for baseball players ages 5-12, as well as tips for where to shop.
The most important youth baseball gear includes:
- A Baseball Glove
- Batting helmet
- Baseball pants
- Cleats
- Batting gloves
- A bat that is properly sized for the player.
Quality gear can be purchased affordably on Amazon, at big box sporting goods stores such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, online retailers, and used sporting goods stores.
Recommended Youth Baseball Gear
If you’d like to avoid doing the extra research, I’ve conducted my own through the years as a Little League coach and I personally recommend the following items.
1. Baseball Glove – The Rawlings PRO LITE Youth Baseball Glove is top of it’s class when it comes to performance and durability.
2. Batting Helmet – The Rawlings Cool Flo Batting helmet is a great youth batting helmet. It can last many seasons.
3. Baseball Pants – Easton’s baseball pants are second to none. This is one of the most reputable baseball brands in the entire industry.
4. Cleats – For Rubber Cleats, I recommend the these New Balance cleats. If you’re looking for metal spikes, I recommend these New Balance Spikes.
5. Batting Gloves – For reliable batting gloves, grab these Marucci batting gloves.
6. Youth Baseball Bat – My top Youth Baseball bat I relentlessly recommend is the Easton Maxum. This will last many seasons and is a remarkable piece of equipment.
Choosing the Right Glove
A baseball glove is the most personal piece of gear for any ballplayer. Finding one that fits your child’s hand size and position is key. Materials like leather vs. synthetic leather, palm padding, and web styles also impact fit and function. Expect to spend $20-$100 for a quality youth glove.
Gloves come in many sizes, measured in inches for youth players:
- 9 inch: T-ball (ages 5-6)
- 10 inch: Coach pitch (ages 6-8)
- 11 inch: Kid pitch (ages 9-12)
The right size should allow the fingertips to reach the top of the finger stalls when clenched. A too-large glove will be clumsy, while too small will be uncomfortable.
Infielders need a shallow pocket and flexible glove. Look for models with an I-web or H-web. Outfielders can use a deeper pocket and sturdier glove. Try a T-web.
Quality brands like Wilson, Rawlings, or Mizuno are ideal for serious little leaguers. For beginners, less expensive options from Franklin or other sporting goods brands will work fine.
Break in the glove before the season so it forms to your child’s hand. Rubbing in glove oil or playing catch helps soften the materials.
Protecting Your Child’s Head with a Batting Helmet
A batting helmet is vital for protecting a hitter from wild pitches and foul balls. Helmets must have full ear coverage and be NOCSAE certified. Expect to spend $20-$50.
The helmet should sit level on the head and be snug but not uncomfortably tight. Adjustable sizing pads on the interior can help fine tune the fit. The bill should shade the eyes from sunlight.
Most youth batting helmets today have a dual ear flap design for added safety. Make sure the pads cover your child’s ears fully.
For catchers, a hockey-style catcher’s mask with full head protection is required equipment. These run $50-$150. Skull caps are also available, though separate face masks are not allowed.
Replace any batting helmet that sustains a major impact, even if no damage is visible. Cracks in the shell compromise safety.
Baseball Pants for Mobility and Comfort
Baseball pants are designed for maximum mobility and feature pant legs that stop just below the knee. Materials include polyester or nylon blends as well as moisture wicking fabrics. Expect to spend $25-$60 on youth baseball pants.
Look for pants that are loose enough to allow free movement but not so baggy they hinder running. Pants with adjustment belts or integrated elastic waistbands provide a comfortable custom fit.
Metal snaps, buttons, or velcro closures on the leg cuffs keep the pants in place. Some feature zippered pockets to hold small gear.
For games, choose baseball pants in team colors or neutral grays and whites that can be mixed and matched with team jerseys.
For practices, any athletic pants like sweatpants or track pants are fine. Baseball sliding pants with extra padding on the hips and thighs add protection when fielding ground balls.
Choosing Cleats for Traction and Support
Baseball cleats grip the dirt on the field for speedy runs and quick pivots. Expect to spend $30-$80 for youth sizes. Non-metal rubber studs provide traction without being dangerously sharp.
Consider your child’s age and position when selecting cleats. Here are some tips:
- Ages 5-8: Go for simple low top styles that are easy to put on. Avoid metal spikes.
- Ages 9-12: Mid and high top cleats provide more ankle support.
- Pitchers: Look for models with toe guards to protect during drag.
- Infielders: Choose lightweight low tops for speed.
- Outfielders: Opt for molded cleats for traction when changing directions.
For wide feet, look for cleats with wide width options. Replace cleats every season as your child’s feet grow.
Batting Gloves Improve Grip and Protect Hands
These thin leather or synthetic gloves help provide grip on the bat handle and protect a batter’s hands during impact. Expect to spend $5-$20 on youth sizes.
Snug fitting gloves with durable palms will best support proper swinging mechanics. Adjustable velcro wrist closures ensure a secure fit.
Batting gloves can help alleviate blisters and calluses for young players as their hands toughen up. They also keep hands dry by absorbing sweat.
Some parents prefer to teach proper hand positioning on the bat without relying on gloves. This is fine, just keep an eye out for sore spots on the fingers and palms.
In warm weather, wearing just one glove on the bottom batting hand is fine. Use two gloves in cold temperatures to keep hands warm.
Choosing the Right Bat for Your Child
Choosing the right size bat is crucial for maximizing your child’s hitting power. Too heavy, and their swing will be slow and awkward. Too light, and they can’t generate force. Expect to spend $50-$200 for a youth bat.
Here are some general sizing guidelines based on age:
- 5-7 years old: 26-29 inch, 15-17 oz.
- 8-10 years old: 28-31 inch, 17-19 oz.
- 10-12 years old: 30-33 inch, 18-22 oz.
The ideal bat length allows your child to extend arms without dropping elbows or wrists. Weight should provide solid contact without compromising control.
Materials like aluminum alloy or composite carbon fiber impact performance. One-piece or multi-piece construction adds flex and power.
For maximum pops, choose bats with the USSSA 1.15 BPF certification stamp. BBCOR bats are best for making the transition to high school and above.
Shop Smart for Youth Baseball Gear
Finding affordable baseball gear on a family budget just takes some savvy shopping. Here are strategies to save:
- Shop end of season sales: Retailers deeply discount gear at the end of summer.
- Consider used gear: Gently used mitts, helmets and cleats are fine. Check for cracks or excessive wear.
- Buy bundle sets: Many brands offer money saving glove/ball/bat combo sets for T-ball players.
- Sign up for email alerts: Sporting good stores will let you know about upcoming sales and coupons.
Big retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Modell’s, and Academy Sports all carry a wide range of gear at various price points. Check their websites for e-coupons.
Gear Needed For Off-The-Field
Water Is Priority #1
As a little league coach, I can’t stress enough the importance of proper hydration for young athletes. The combination of physical activity and heat during those long summer baseball games and practices means kids need ample water and electrolyte replenishment. Dehydration quickly leads to fatigue, muscle cramps, and heat illness.
I make sure every player on my team has their own labeled sports water bottle that they can refill and drain as needed. During games, we take scheduled breaks every two innings to give mandatory drink breaks. I have parents bring snacks like orange slices, bananas, and granola bars to keep energy and nutrients flowing.
Proper hydration has to start at home too. I give parents tips like having their child drink at least 20 oz of water in the 2 hours before a game and avoiding sugary drinks like juice or soda which can lead to crashes. Kids should drink 8-12 oz of fluid every 20 minutes during activities in the heat. Urine color is an easy way to gauge hydration – it should be pale yellow, not dark.
I still remember a time when 10 year old Joey R. collapsed in the outfield from dehydration during tryouts one blazing hot August morning. I felt awful and blamed myself for not emphasizing hydration enough to players and parents before activities started. Thankfully the paramedics arrived quickly and he was fine after some fluids and rest. But it taught me just how vulnerable kids are to heat and how crucial hydration is. Now I go overboard making sure our players get enough water before, during, and after any baseball event. Their health and safety is priority #1.
Choosing the Right Baseball Bag
A baseball bag is essential for carrying all that gear to and from the field. Durable backpacks, duffel bags, and totes designed for baseball and sports make lugging equipment much easier for players and parents alike. Here are my top tips for picking the right baseball bag:
- Look for bags with ventilated shoe compartments to keep dirty cleats separate and reduce odor
- Prioritize bags with fence or bleacher hooks for easy dugout hanging access
- Choose bags with padded, adjustable shoulder straps for comfort and customized fit
- Opt for bags with dedicated equipment pockets sized for bats, gloves, helmets, etc.
- For catchers, pick bags that can securely hold bulky protective gear
- Pick bright colors or designs kids will love to help identify their bag
- Ensure bags are made of weather resistant canvas or nylon
- Select an appropriate size – not too big for smaller kids but with enough capacity
I’ve found that bags in the $40-$80 range provide the best blend of durability, features, and value over the long run. Yes, you can find cheaper bags, but they tend to rip and break. Higher end bags are pricier without much added benefit. I watch for seasonal sales around Back to School time when stores deeply discount bags.
The Easton Walk-Off IV is my top pick for an all-around excellent baseball backpack. Plenty of pockets, durable, comfortable, and stylish. I’ve had parents tell me their son or daughter wears it like a badge of honor. That kind of pride and excitement energizes me as a coach. Gear matters when you’re young.
Batting Tees for Practice Anywhere
As soon as kids move beyond coach pitch, I encourage parents to invest in a portable batting tee. Using a tee builds proper batting mechanics through targeted, repetitive swinging practice anytime and anywhere.
I always travel with a simple collapsible tee in my trunk during season. It has come in handy many times when waiting for siblings at other sports practices. We’ll set up right there on an open patch of grass or blacktop and get some bonus tee work in. Keeping idle hands and minds productively busy!
During weeks when fields are soggy from heavy rain, we’ve been able to move practice from washed out fields to the parking lot and use tees for drills.
For home practice, look for heavy weighted rubber tees that won’t easily tip over with forceful swings. Adjustable telescoping heights accommodate proper positioning as kids grow. Safety balls or lightweight plastic balls reduce the sting of mishits during solo practice.
Younger players should start with simple batting tee drills like hitting into a fence or canvas target. As skills progress, they can practice driving balls to all fields – pulling inside pitches, driving middle-away to center, and going opposite field with outside pitches.
Rep after rep engrains muscle memory and timing. There’s no fear of chasing bad pitches since they can place the ball precisely on the tee. I’ve seen many hesitant hitters gain confidence and ability through diligent batting tee sessions. Well worth the $20-40 investment.
Online stores like Amazon, BaseballExpress, and BaseballMonkey also offer competitive pricing and deep selection. Read customer reviews before purchasing.
For deep discounts on gently used equipment, check Play it Again Sports or local youth sports consignment shops. With some cleaning and disinfecting, quality used gear is a great find.
With the wide range of affordable options available today, every family can outfit their young slugger with the right gear to get in the game and develop a love for baseball. Safety and comfort come first when choosing equipment. Don’t be tempted to hand down ill-fitting gear from older siblings. Taking the time to find the right fit will help build confidence.
