5 Smart Tips for Buying Baseball Gear

If you’re playing baseball at any level, there is a lot of gear that you’ll need to invest in. Being smart with your purchases could be the difference between buying good quality gear that lasts for years and something that will start falling apart after a few uses. This might seem like a daunting process so below are some tips for each type of gear you need that will help ensure you don’t just make the right purchase, but also get the satisfaction of knowing you made the smart choice:

Gloves

There are three things to consider while buying gloves: pocket depth, webbing, and backs. The type of glove you get will depend on the position you field in. For example, the nearer you are to the home plate, the shallower your pocket should be. Also, you will want a glove with a snug fit around your hand. It shouldn’t be so tight that it restricts movement, but it shouldn’t be so loose it slides off.

Bats

Bats come in wood and aluminum. But, if you want to buy an aluminum bat, check with the league you play in to ensure they aren’t banned. You should always go for a bat that feels comfortable in your hands and doesn’t feel too heavy while swinging. To understand the right size bat to buy, put the knob to your chest and try holding the barrel while extending your arm forward. If you’re grabbing the barrel somewhere in the middle, you’ve got the right size.

Batting Mats

Getting a durable batting mat is great if you want to protect your batter’s box, the lawn at home, or even if you want to practice indoors. When buying a mat, make sure it is spike resistant and suitable for use outdoors as well as indoors. Don’t forget to check the size of the mat you’re getting too. If it’s too small you might end up having to move it depending on whether the hitter is right or left-handed.

Cleats

When buying cleats, they should have a snug fit with a little extra room at the toe. Getting shoes that fit well will ensure you have enough support to make quick movements and turns on the field. Choosing the material your cleats are made of is another important decision. Nowadays cleats are made from synthetic leather, mesh, or a combination of both. Both have their pros and cons. Just make sure whatever you choose is comfortable above all else.

Caps & Wardrobe

You’ll need to get a jersey, at least knee-length pants, socks or stirrups, and a cap to protect you from the sun. Then there’s the catcher’s equipment which includes a face mask, helmet, throat guard, chest protector, shin guards, and protective cup. There’s just one rule that applies to all of these items: don’t compromise on quality for price. Especially if you’re buying catcher’s equipment. It’s a dangerous position and you shouldn’t risk using any subpar equipment that might lead to injury.

There’s a general theme across all the tips and that is, fit and quality are the two most important things when buying baseball gear. If there’s anything you take away from this post, let it be that. Baseball is not an easy sport to play, let alone master. But if you don’t have equipment that’s perfect for you it will become a whole new level of difficult. Remember the age-old adage, ‘a carpenter is only as talented as his tools’. So, spend a few more dollars and make sure your tools aren’t going to let you down.