Parents often have questions about the equipment needed for their players. Equipment requirements will vary by age.
All players at all levels should wear baseball cleats. Baseball cleats are designed for play on infield clay and outfield grass, as well as to support the player as he runs the bases. Sneakers simply don't work.
All players above the Rookie/T-Ball level are required to wear a protective athletic cup. Young players will often resist wearing a cup, but it is required by Little League, our insurance carrier, and is just common sense.
Rookie/T-Ball players will be given a team shirt (t-shirt) and team hat (they get to keep both). Baseball pants are recommended. Each team will have equipment such as bats and batting helmets. Players must provide their own glove.
"A" level through Majors players will receive team uniforms (hat, jersey and/or t-shirt, pants, and socks). The hat can be kept, but everything else must be returned. Each team provide bats, catcher's gear and batting helmets. Players must provide their own glove.
Players at these levels often like to use their own equipment, such as bats and batting helmets, but they must meet Little League standards. Please note that (as of this writing in Jan 2011), composite bats are banned for all baseball divisions ages 12 and under. This ban is does not apply to softball.
The most common mistakes regarding equipment are:
-
inadequate shoes; players should wear baseball cleats to all outdoor games/practices (although indoor practices on turf may allow sneakers only).
-
bat is too big; players often choose a bat based on the color or "cool" graphics, or simply want a big bat thinking it will make the ball go farther. the proper bat size/weight is important (see chart below or contact a board member or coach in advance of purchasing a bat)
-
poor quality glove; cheap plastic gloves are difficult to use as they do not soften. good leather gloves are not expensive, and can be handed-down to younger players
Suggested Bat Sizing Guide
Bat Length by Height & Weight
|
Height
|
3'-3'4" |
3'5"-3'8" |
3'9"-4' |
4'1"-4'4" |
4'5"-4'8" |
4'9"-5' |
5'1"-5'4" |
5'5"-5'8" |
5'9"-6' |
6'1"-over |
|
Weight |
|
< 60 |
26" |
27" |
28" |
29" |
29" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
61-70 |
27" |
27" |
28" |
29" |
30" |
30" |
|
|
|
|
|
71-80 |
|
28" |
28" |
29" |
30" |
30" |
31" |
|
|
|
|
81-90 |
|
28" |
29" |
29" |
30" |
30" |
31" |
32" |
|
|
|
91-100 |
|
28" |
29" |
30" |
30" |
31" |
31" |
32" |
|
|
|
101-110 |
|
29" |
29" |
30" |
30" |
31" |
31" |
32" |
|
|
|
111-120 |
|
29" |
29" |
30" |
30" |
31" |
31" |
32" |
|
|
|
121-130 |
|
29" |
30" |
30" |
30" |
31" |
32" |
33" |
33" |
|
|
131-140 |
|
29" |
30" |
30" |
31" |
31" |
32" |
33" |
33" |
|
|
141-150 |
|
|
30" |
30" |
31" |
31" |
32" |
33" |
33" |
|
|
151-160 |
|
|
30" |
31" |
31" |
32" |
32" |
33" |
33" |
33" |
|
161-180 |
|
|
|
31" |
31" |
32" |
32" |
33" |
33" |
34" |
|
181-190 |
|
|
|
|
|
32" |
33" |
33" |
34" |
34" |
|
190 + |
|
|
|
|
|
|
33" |
33" |
34" |
34" |
Bat Length by Age Guide
|
AGE
|
5-7
|
8-9
|
10
|
11-12
|
13-14
|
15-16
|
|
LENGTH |
24"-26"
|
26"-28"
|
28"-29"
|
30"-31"
|
31"-32"
|
32"-33"
|