Whether your daughter is stepping onto the field for the first time or gearing up for another season, having the right gear is key to her success, confidence, and safety.
From finding the perfect bat to making sure she has the right glove, cleats, and protective gear, this guide covers everything she needs to play her best and stay safe. The right equipment isn’t just about performance—it’s about comfort, protection, and making every game more enjoyable.
And if you are looking for a more complete gear guide for baseball and softball, please check out: The 2025 Ultimate Baseball & Softball Gear Guide for Kids.
(Wherever possible, I’ve added affiliate links and I’d really appreciate it if you use them, but only if it’s the best deal you can find!)
The guide is organized into six categories:
- The essentials
- Safety is key
- Uniform
- Bring the fun
- Practice at home
- For mom and dad
Let’s jump in!
The essentials
Glove
This is the most important purchase you will make for your softball player. I highly recommend you visit a sporting goods store and try out some gloves. I advise finding a glove that fits your kid and not buying one they will “grow into” – especially as gloves are inexpensive in the early years. This is a good sizing website for gear – but it’s best for gloves.
If you prefer to order online, I provided an option below:
Franklin Sports Girls Softball Glove: This is a solid softball glove.
- Coach-tip: Do not let your kid go to their first game or practice without breaking in their glove. As a coach I’ve seen upset kids trying to squeeze a seemingly frozen brand new glove to catch a ball. The kids think they aren’t any good when their equipment is failing them. Instead, break-in their glove!
GAME READY Glove Break-In Kit: This is a great kit for breaking-in gloves.
Bat
This is the 2nd most important purchase for a ballplayer – and this is also a great item to pick out after visiting a sporting goods store. There are a lot of guidelines for buying bats so I’m not going to re-create the wheel. Here is an excellent video on how to buy a bat.
If you prefer to order online, I provided some options below:
Easton | Ghost Youth Fastpitch Softball Bat: Popular starter softball bat (USA)
Easton | Ghost Double Barrel Fastpitch Softball Bat: Popular softball bat for older kids (USA)
- Coach-tip: 1) Do not break the bank on an expensive bat – especially for young players. Use the extra cash on hitting lessons! 2) Bats have certifications such as USA or USSSA. Check with your league for approved certifications before you buy. 3) Look into prior year bats (for older kids) to save A LOT of money.
Helmet
I’m not going to provide a link or recommendation for the helmet. It’s best to try different batting helmets for fit at a sporting goods store. Similar to a glove, find a helmet that fits your daughter now.
- Coach-tip: 1) Make sure your kid wears the helmet properly on their head. For instance, don’t wear the helmet at an angle, exposing your forehead. 2) Look for helmets with a grill or face guard for maximum protection. This is also helpful if a kid has been hit before and is scared of getting hit again.
Batting gloves
These start just for show but become essential when your player starts taking hitting lessons or advances to kid pitch (remember the feeling of the sting when you hit the end of the bat?)
Marucci Youth Batting Glove: That said, kids also love these slightly more expensive gloves.
Bag
You need to keep all this gear together somehow!
Easton | WALK-OFF NX Backpack Equipment Bag: My softball players use this one.
Safety is key
Face masks
These face masks should be mandatory for softball:
RIP-IT Original Defense Softball Face Mask: This model has a great youth version.
Or
Champion Sports Steel Softball Face Mask
- Coach-tip: Some softball leagues only make the pitchers wear face masks. However, I’ve seen short-stops and 3rd base get nailed by line drives or pop-ups. Enforce the infield rule with your kid.
Chest guard
There are varying opinions on these shirts, but I’ve seen the videos of pitchers getting nailed by a hard hit ball back to the chest. I’ve always recommended that pitchers wear these (though it couldn’t hurt to have the rest of the infield as well).
COOLOMG Youth Baseball, Softball Chest Protector Padded Shirt: I have not used this one but it is a popular option.
The Zena Youth Protector Top for ages 7- 13 and the Adult Chest Protector Vest ages 13+ : A commentator on our website recommended this one.
Sunscreen
This is a no-brainer but quite often I see kids burning up in the outfield. Just buy some and throw it in their bag. I know some parents love the spray, but I’ve never figured out to apply it on the face without getting in the eyes.
Thinksport SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen: We use this one.
Thinksport Kids SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen: This is a more expensive version that says “kids” on it.
Water bottle
Another no-brainer, but then again I often bring waters for the kids that don’t bring a bottle. Water bottles are becoming like religion and politics so I’m not going to advocate strongly here.
We are happy with these three:
Gatorade Gx Bottle: Great all-purpose.
YETI Rambler 18 oz Stainless Steel: My favorite.
YETI Rambler 26 oz Stainless Steel: Favorite among the older kids.
Sunglasses
I know what you’re thinking – these will get lost IMMEDIATELY so why bother? That said, we have some early spring and late fall games where the sun is in the eyes of first or third base. At that point you field the position with whichever kid brought sunglasses. Just great to have in the bag.
Rawlings Youth Sport Baseball Sunglasses
Kids Sunglasses Youth Baseball Sun
Uniform
Pants
Ideally, your coach told you a color – typically gray, white, or black. Aside from color, there are a lot of different styles and price points.
Easton Women’s Pro Elite Fastpitch Softball Pants: The girls love these for softball.
- Coach-tip: Buy a couple pairs for the season.
Cleats
I recommend you visit a sporting goods store and try out cleats. But if you rather buy online I have recommendations below. Keep in mind that a lot of the options for younger players are going to be marketed as soccer or football cleats.
Nike Women’s Hyperdiamond 4 Elite Softball Cleats
- Coach-tip: 1) For young kids, don’t bother specializing for justsoftball cleats. If you have soccer cleats or hand-me downs, you are fine. 2) Be sure to have your kids try out their old cleats before the season starts. You always see kids (such as mine) wearing sneakers the first one or two weeks because they grew out of their cleats over the winter. 3) Don’t buy metal cleats as they are illegal in the younger leagues.
Belt
I’ve seen kids baseball pants fall while running the bases. Buy a belt!
Rawlings Adjustable Belt | Baseball/Fastpitch Softball
Socks
Sometimes you get these with your league. But not always. You should standardize the color with your team.
Franklin Sports Youth Baseball + Softball Socks
Laundry detergent
Nobody talks about the dirty side of baseball and softball – cleaning the uniform. Bleach is great for whites but could damage colors or jersey badges.
I like these products:
OUT White Brite Laundry Whitener: Great all-purpose cleaner
Laundry Soap Bar & Stain Remover: This + scrubbing should take care of most stains
- Coach-tip: 1) Air dry when you can – its helps to preserve the uniform and it gives you another shot to clean stains before the dryer locks them in. 2) Use a pressure washer to clean the most difficult stains. And I am NOT kidding.
Greenworks Electric Pressure Washer: This is an inexpensive electric pressure washer (which I also use for washing the deck, patio, and car).
Bring the fun
Sunflower seeds
Nothing reminds me more of summer days in the dugout than sunflower seed shells.
DAVID Seeds Original Salted and Roasted: There are a lot of options but I remain loyal to this brand.
Eye Black
Does it actually do anything but look cool? IDK. But the girls love it.
Walk-up song
I started noticing walk-up songs in travel ball, but now all the leagues are in on it. You can set it up manually but the BallparkDJ app makes it sooo much easier.
And don’t forget the speaker – especially if you don’t have a PA at your local field.
JBL FLIP 5, Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker: These are small and reasonable.
JBL Partybox 310 – Portable Party Speaker with Long Lasting Battery: These are large but very popular.
Practice at home
Balls
Hard to have a catch with mom and dad without softballs.
Champion Sports Pack of 12 Softballs, Official Size and Weight: 11 inch (10U) and 12 inch softballs.
Net
These are great for hitting off a tee, soft-toss, or pitching. And one of the best ways your kids can practice on their own without a field or batting cage.
I’ve been very happy with this model.
GoSports 7 ft x 7 ft Baseball & Softball Practice Hitting & Pitching Net
Tee
A tee is essential for teaching kids the fundamentals. Lots of options but I like the 3 below.
Batting Tee Baseball, Softball, Portable: Great price, portable, and decent quality.
Tanner Tee The Original Baseball Tee Softball Batting Tee: I’m always hearing about the Tanner Tee. It’s higher quality and higher price.
Baseball Tee with LED Light and Adjustable Height: This model lights up when you make contact. It should help your kid look at the ball when they are swinging. There are other tricks you can use on other Tees but this is pretty cool.
For mom and dad
Folding chair
I’m incapable of sitting still. Honestly I think this is why I love to coach. But if you gotta sit for a four hour double header, at least be comfortable!
Coleman Portable Camping Chair with 4-Can Cooler: Great base model.
GCI Outdoor Sunshade Rocker Outdoor Rocking Chair with Canopy: This is next level – a canopy and a rocker.
Cooler
This becomes a necessity in tournaments and double headers. There are also a ton of options and price points.
This is a great pick with wheels (62 and 100QT options):
Coleman Classic Series Insulated Portable Wheeled Cooler
I hope this list helps you and your daughter have a great season!!!
What’s your go-to softball gear for your kids? Drop your favorites in the comments!
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