Getting your kid ready for softball or baseball season can feel overwhelming – especially if you’re new to the sport. From bats to gloves to cleats, there’s a lot to consider, and finding the right gear can make a big difference in your child’s confidence on the field.

As a parent (and coach) of kids active in both baseball and softball, I’ve been through the gear-buying process many times.

This guide, designed for the youngest player in mind but with some tips for older players too, breaks down everything your player will need – from the essential to the fun.

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 any ballplayer. I highly recommend you visit a sporting goods store and try out some gloves. Hand-me downs from an older sibling are also a great option. 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 some options below:

Rawlings | Players Series T-Ball & Youth Baseball Glove: This is a great starter glove, and it comes in different colors and sizes (based on age). There are models for right- and left-handed throwers. 

Rawlings | Select PRO LITE Youth Baseball Glove: This is a great baseball glove for older players. 

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 these sad little 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. Additionally, in younger leagues such as tee-ball, bats are usually provided and you can try a couple out before you buy. 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 | Quantum T-Ball Bat: Great for tee-ball and lower level leagues. No-nonsense bat.

Marucci Victus Vibe Pencil: This bat is currently all the rage. A pencil? Really?

Easton | 2025 | Hype FIRE Baseball Bat: Popular baseball bat for older kids (USA)

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. Sometimes helmets will be provided by the league to share – but with the possibility of head lice – that’s a big N.O. for me. Similar to a glove, find a helmet that fits your child 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?)

Franklin Sports MLB 2nd Skinz Batting Gloves: I like the Franklin gloves – especially for kids constantly losing stuff.

Marucci Youth Batting Glove: That said, kids also love these slightly more expensive gloves.

 

Bag

You need to keep all this gear together somehow! Your options will vary as your player ages.

Rawlings | Storm Backpack Equipment Bag: For the youngest player, I like this bag.

Franklin Sports JR3 Pulse Sport Equipment Bag: Or this one.

Once your player gets a bit older, you will want a hook for hanging the bag on the fence and having room for multiple bats.

Easton | WALK-OFF NX Backpack Equipment Bag: My kids all use this one.

 

Safety is key

Face masks

For those playing softball, and are pitching or in the infield, these face masks should be mandatory:

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.

 

Protective cup

No-brainer for baseball once you hit 2nd or 3rd grade. These are both great options at different price points:

Shock Doctor Compression Shorts with Protective Bio-Flex Cup

KOOPOW 2-Pack Boys Compression Briefs with Soft Protective Athletic Cup

• • Coach-tip: Buy multiple pairs – especially when you play back-to-back days. It’s great to have a backup!

 

Chest guard

There are varying opinions on these shirts, but I’ve seen the videos of pitchers getting nailed by a hard hit baseball 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).

EvoShield Boys Sleeveless Chest Guard Shirts: There are a couple different brands but I know this one well.

COOLOMG Youth Baseball, Softball Chest Protector Padded Shirt: I have not used this one but it is another option. 

 

• • Coach-tip: The EvoShield chest guard is custom formed to your child’s chest. The process is straightforward, but you will need to let guard harden. I’d recommend doing this the day before you plan to first wear the chest guard. But once it’s fitted you are all set.

 

Elbow Protector

I don’t mandate these, but some players feel more comfortable when fully suited up. 

EvoShield Pro-SRZ 2.0 Batter’s Elbow Guard: This is the brand I know about.

 

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, including knee-length and full-length.

Easton Boys’ Pro+ Pull Up: These are a great price and love them for practice.

CHAMPRO Boy’s Triple Crown Knicker Style Knee-Length Baseball Pants: My son loves the old school look of these pants.

CHAMPRO Boys Open-Bottom Loose-Fit Baseball Pant: These are more traditional.

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.

brooman Kids Cleats

Under Armour Girl’s Glyde 2.0

Under Armour Boy’s Harper 8

Nike Women’s Hyperdiamond 4 Elite Softball Cleats

Under Armour Men’s Leadoff Mid Rubber Molded Baseball Cleat Shoe

• • Coach-tip: 1) For young kids, don’t bother specializing for just baseball or softball 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. Those are usually for older travel teams or highschool baseball/softball and above. 

 

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 baseball than sunflower seed shells all over the dugout. 

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 kids love it.

Easton | Eye Black Stick

 

Sliding / Oven Mitt

I hate these so, so, much. So much. I’ve seen baserunners messing around with their sliding mitts while the pitcher is in mid-delivery and forget to take a secondary lead. I’m only including because the kids love to pretend to be professionals.

EvoShield Sliding Mitts – Right and Left Hand

As a prank you can get them these instead:

Soft Silicone Oven Mitts

 

Baseball cards

Kids love baseball cards. You can hand them out for player of the game, or just give them out for paying attention and getting through practice with minimal meltdowns. Below is a great option BUT kids also love older cards (even commons) that you find on Ebay or your own collection.

Topps 2025 Baseball Series 1 Factory Sealed Value Box (7 – packs per box)

 

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 balls. Lots of options and I’ve used all of these:

Rawlings | Official T-Balls: T-Ball.

Rawlings | Official League Recreational: 8U baseball.

Rawlings | Little League Baseballs: 14U baseball.

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 kid have a great season!!!

What’s your go-to baseball or softball gear for your kids? Drop your favorites in the comments!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.