So, you've decided you want to play baseball.....what equipment will you need?......Well, actually, apart from suitable outdoor clothing and footwear, you won't need anything because our club will provide everything that you need to play the game, however, as you get more involved with the sport, you may want to buy your own items, so we've put together a brief summary here:

GLOVES

The Infield/Outfield baseball glove....the best ones are made from leather, if you are a right handed thrower you wear your glove and catch with your weaker hand. Manufacturers make gloves for left handed people too but make sure you specify that if ordering from a website. The glove will be stiff to start with but with use, it will soften and become much more supple. Most junior players can manage a 10-12 inch glove but they do go up to as large as 14 inches (these are generally used in the outfield). The important thing is to get the glove moulded to your hand and to take care of it after use.

This is a First Base Mitt...you don't need one to play first base, an ordinary glove will do but if you decide to become a First Baseman you may benefit from the larger "spoon" shape enabling you to snag even errant throws from your fielders. First Base is a very busy position and having the right glove helps. Again, available for both righties & lefties.

The Catcher wears a somewhat different glove that is usually larger and heavily padded to help take the sting out of fast pitches. As a catcher you start every play by receiving the ball from your pitcher and the glove needs to be comfortable and flexible.

BATS

Most Junior players use aluminium bats because they are virtually indestructible and lighter than a wooden bat. A large bat does not make for a stronger hitter. You should always select a bat length/weight that suits you as an individual...hitting is all about your technique - you should be able to hold the right bat out at arms length with one had comfortably without it being too heavy

BATTING GLOVES

Not an essential but a decent pair of batting gloves will help you grip the bat. The best ones are usually made of leather or a mix of leather and fabric. Again, they need to be worn in properly but they get supple much quicker than a baseball glove. Some players even wear these under their baseball gloves for added comfort.

BATTING HELMET

Perhaps the most important piece of equipment you will ever buy! The helmet is an essential in baseball and we will not let junior players go to bat or run the bases without it. The helmet protects you from head injury from a flying baseball whilst at bat or running the bases. There are all sorts of designs, the one shown here has both ear protection areas but some batters elect to reduce their helmet weight by opting for only one ear flap...i.e. the ear that is exposed to the pitch!

CATCHERS SET

For those of you who want to be a catcher, you must have a good set of protective equipment that consists of a chest plate, leg guards and a helmet and face mask..the best helmets also have throat protectors

CLEATS

Again, not essential, but a good pair of cleats will help you get grip out on the diamond. There are metal and nylon cleat options, metal for grass and nylon for artificial turf. They need to be comfortable to wear.