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Equipment Info

• Have you ever wondered why baseball gloves and bats come in so many different sizes, shapes, weights, etc.? Generally, there are reasons for the big selection. If a little bit of knowledge is what you need before your next purchase, please read on.
• Baseball gloves are sized to fit the player’s hand, as well to their fielding position. First, try the glove on to ensure that it fits the player’s hand. If the glove fits too loosely, the player will not develop proper glove control skills. This means you should not buy baseball gloves that the kids “will grow into.”
• For kids just starting in tee ball or coach pitch (ages 5-7), most youth gloves from 9 to 10 ½” will fit their hands. For older players, larger gloves will fit their hands, and you should also select a baseball glove of the proper size for the player’s fielding position. When you shop for a glove, you will find that it is measured in inches of length. Outfielders use the largest gloves (12 – 12½”) to provide a larger pocket and longer length to call fly balls. Infielders use smaller gloves, but they vary by position. Second basemen and shortstops typically use gloves 10½ - 11” in length, while third basemen use a slightly larger glove (11 – 11½”). While learning the game, first basemen can use the same glove as third basemen or pitchers, but should consider a specialized first baseman’s glove if they play the position most of the time.
• Pitchers can use larger gloves, but still need something small enough to field their position. Gloves from 11 – 12” in length work just fine. Catcher’s mitts are provided by GNBL for each team. Unless your player expects to play this position a great deal, you may find the team equipment works best. If you plan to purchase a catcher’s mitt, keep in mind they take a long time to “break in” so they provide a good pocket to catch the pitch.
• With so many choices for baseball gloves, is bat selection simpler? Yes, and no. The two key parameters in bat selection are length and weight. Most players use aluminum bats because they are much lighter than wooden bats of the same length. For players 5-6 years old, tee ball bats are generally 24-26” long. For older players, the table below shows the bat length that is recommended, based on their height and weight:

  

• Once you have determined the correct length bat for the player, you must now look at the weight (in ounces) of the bat. Aluminum bats sometimes show a weight-to-length ratio.Thus, a 29” bat classified as “-8” will weigh 21 ounces. Lighter weight aluminum alloys are used to make bats up to –12, but these bats are more expensive than the –8 bats, for example. The lighter the bat, the quicker the player’s swing. The increased bat speed means the ball takes off with zip, so avoid using bats that are too heavy for the player. Here’s a simple way to check if the bat is too heavy. Have the player grasp the bat by the end of the handle with their dominant hand. With the palm downward, the player should be able to extend their arm straight out and hold the bat parallel to the ground, almost indefinitely. If they cannot, the bat is too heavy. Bats that are too heavy will also create “long swings” and reduce the player’s ability to control the bat.
• So now you know everything you need to know when selecting baseball gloves and bats