What To Look For
Youth baseball pants come in a variety of sizes and colors. Leading sporting goods manufacturers such as Rawlings, Mizuno, Easton and Majestic produce a range of youth baseball equipment. Pants that are made from double-knit polyester tend to be more durable, while those made from a polyester-cotton blend focus more on comfort. Pants generally come in two styles: knee-length and full-length. The best ones tend to be double-layered around the knees and have padding in the back to provide extra support and protection when sliding.
Common Pitfalls
Unfortunately, pants are not always immune to the wear and tear they are subjected to. It's common for pants to rip or tear, particularly if you dive or slide frequently, but patches can be sewn on to repair the damage. Polyester pants lack ventilation and can become uncomfortable in hot weather, so be wary of pants that are heavily padded. The pants should be light and feel snug rather than being overly baggy.
Where To Buy
Youth baseball pants are available at sporting goods store such as Dick's Sporting Goods or the Sports Authority, while companies such as Rawlings, Easton and Mizuno allow you to purchase pants directly from their official websites. These sites also are equipped with store locators to help you find the nearest retailer. BaseballExpress.com and Nextag.com offer wide selections of brand name equipment and allow you to compare prices, enabling you to find the pair of pants that best fits your budget.
Cost
Youth baseball pants range anywhere from $8 to $45 on Baseball Express.com. Rawlings' YBP350MR relaxed fit pants have a quoted price of $33, while the YB350MR pants with piping are marginally less expensive. Easton's Quantum Plus pants with piping--available in both white and gray--are listed at $40 on the company's official website, while the Pro Plus pants cost $25. Mizuno's Select piped pants have a quoted price of $35, while their Select pants are listed at $30 on Mizuno.com. All prices as of 2010.
Accessories
You may want to consider purchasing a pair of sliding shorts to wear under your baseball pants. Protective gear--such as a jockstrap and a cup--also is advisable.
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