Whether you play in Little League or Major League Baseball, certain rules apply to all baseball players. Some of the gear that the pros wear to play will be the same or similar to the gear that amateur baseball players wear. If you or someone you know is a budding baseball player, start the game properly by wearing the right gear for the sport. The gear that the pros wear can help protect your body and ensure that everyone has the same playing advantage for a fairer game.
Uniform
The pros who play for Major League Baseball are restricted when it comes to the clothes they wear. According to the MLB's regulations, each team must come to the game wearing a distinctive uniform. Each team member must match the others in color and trim and team members are not allowed to wear patches and insignias on their uniforms that are different from their teammates. The numbers on the back of the uniform shirts must be 6 inches tall, with the last name of the player printed at the top.
Gloves
Different players in the MLB use different gloves. For instance, a catcher's mitt, a first baseman's mitt and an outfielder's mitts are all different in size, shape and features. The catcher's mitt is more like a mitten, without separated sections for the fingers. It's more padded to withstand the speed of a fastball. A first baseman's mitt is highly padded, like the catcher's mitt, but with sections for each finger. A regular outfielders glove is less padded and more structures. The pros all have various ways of breaking in a glove, from hitting it with a baseball bat to letting them soak in water overnight.
Bat
The bat used for professional baseball should be made out of wood for the pros. In college baseball, the bat can be made from metal or wood, but never composite, warns the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Bats that are filled with corked or made with unidentified and unapproved materials result in an automatic out and even ejection from the game or suspension. The MLB notes that a bat should be 2 3/4 inches in diameter at the thickest part, being no more than 42 inches in length.
Helmet
While you'll usually see baseball players wearing cloth baseball hats with wide brims, the helmet that is worn by the batter is mandatory. The helmet prevents concussion and injury from wayward balls. Catchers need to wear a protective face mask while playing their positions and the MLB requires bat boys and girls to wear a hard helmet while performing their duties as well to stay safe.
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