Baseball Equipment

Equipment PLL Provides:

Full Uniform (Jersey, Hat, Pants, Socks)
Balls
Catchers gear

Required Equipment:

Glove
USA Bat
Helmet
Cleats
Protective Cup

Optional Equipment:

Heart Guard (recommended)
Batting Gloves

Gloves

A fielding glove is a player's most important piece of equipment and will often last them several years. When choosing a glove the most important thing to consider is material and size. After purchasing a glove, breaking it in is a crucial process that takes both time and effort.

Material

A leather glove will be stiff at first but will break in well to allow the player to have maximum control and will last many seasons or until they outgrow it. Avoid gloves that have plastic or fabric as part of their construction. They will likely be cheaper but do not break in.

Size

Glove size depends on a child's size. A properly sized glove will help a player most effectively develop their catching abilities. Use the chart from Wilson Gloves to get a rough idea of glove size for players based on age.

Breaking-in a Glove

A new leather glove will need to be broken in to allow a player to effectively close their glove around the ball. A fully broken-in glove will allow a player to easily open the glove as a ball is coming and squeeze the glove closed when the ball hits the glove. There are MANY strategies to help break in a glove. Click here to get started with some tips from Dick's Sporting Goods.

Bats

All bats used in Little League games must meet USA Bat standards. Before purchasing a bat, ensure that it has a USA Bat stamp.

Measurements

Bats have several measurements that players need to consider. The length of the bat is the distance from one end to the other measured in inches. This is typically found written on the knob of the bat. The weight of the bat is measured in ounces. The drop of the bat is the length of the bat minus the weight of the bat.

Material

Bats vary greatly in cost based mostly on the composition of the bat. Aluminum or Metal Alloy bats are highly effective and are the most common and lowest cost option.

Click here to visit Dick's Sporting Goods' bat buying guide to help determine the best bat for your player.

Helmets

All players need to have a batting helmet to wear while batting, running the bases, and when playing pitcher at the machine pitch level. Baseball helmets have an open front with 2 earflaps. Color can be the player's choice and does not need to match a uniform.

Jaw guards are a plastic piece that extends down over the jaw on the side of the player that faces the pitcher when batting. These are optional and provide a little extra protection. If choosing a helmet with a jaw guard or adding a jaw guard to a helmet that did not have one, it is crucial to take into account whether the player bats on the right or left side of the plate to ensure it is on the side of the helmet that faces the pitcher.

Cleats

Players should wear a pair of cleats as baseball dirt can be easy to slip in. At the Little League level, any type of cleat with plastic spikes is fine. Once players reach the junior level and beyond (13 and older) they are permitted to wear cleats with metal spikes.

Note: Metal spikes should never be worn on turf including in our batting cage facilities.

Protective Cup

All boys must wear a protective cup. It is best to buy a cup along with underwear that has a pocket to insert the cup and hold it in place. Sliding shorts, like those pictured here, provide a layer of protection when sliding and come with a pocket for the cup.

Heart Guard

Heart guard shirts provide chest protection from getting hit in the chest with a ball. These are optional for players but most boys wear them under their jerseys. They come in a few different varieties and can be pricey.

Batting Gloves

Hear Batting gloves are optional and can help protect a player's hands from the sting they can experience when hitting the ball, especially in cold weather. If buying batting gloves be sure to select the correct size to ensure a snug fit.