The game of baseball is played throughout the United States at all levels. From the top players in the major leagues to kids who play in playgrounds and schoolyards, everyone needs equipment in order to play. At the very least, a bat and a ball are needed to play some rudimentary form of the game. However, for kids who want the full experience, much more equipment is needed.
Protective Equipment
Make sure players are protected before they take the ball. Batters and baserunners must wear protective helmets with ear pieces before they can take the field. Facemasks that protect them from an errant pitch or wayward throw are optional. Catchers must wear a mask, chest protector and shin guards before they get behind the plate. The mask will have a throat protector that hangs from the bottom rung.
Gloves and Mitts
All players need to wear a glove on their non-throwing hand before they take the field. For the infielders, outfielders and the pitcher, they wear a glove that has an individual space for each finger. Outfielders' gloves tend to be a bit longer than infielders' gloves. Catchers wear a padded mitt when they get behind the plate. The padding helps absorb the shock of a hard fastball and protects the palm and fingers. The first baseman uses a long mitt that is designed to help scoop up poor throws. Like the catcher's mitt, the first baseman's mitt has one area for all four fingers and another spot for the thumb.
Bat
Every hitter must bring a bat with them to the plate. Bats usually range in size for kids from 24 through 28 inches. A smaller bat is better for a younger and smaller child while bigger kids can generate more power and hit the ball further with a longer bat. Bats can be made of wood, aluminum or composite material.
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