Baseball

Uniforms

Registration fees include a cap and t-shirt or jersey for all levels.

Pants/Belt/Socks are not included.

Equipment

All players must have a baseball glove and cleats - which must be rubber or TPU (metal spikes are only permitted at the Intermediate, Junior, and Senior levels).

Catchers at all levels - and all players at the Minor level and above - must wear a protective cup.

Bats, batting helmets, and catchers gear are provided by the league, although many players like to have their own bat and helmet.

Gloves

When buying a glove for your athlete, it's typical to focus solely on the size, as measured in inches (from the heel to the tip of the index finger). You might see an 11.5" youth glove and an 11.5" adult glove. They're both 11.5", so they must be the same size, right? They're not!

Rather, it's the inside that counts. Shorter finger stalls and narrower wrist openings make youth gloves easier for a player to open and close with their smaller hands.

Rawlings has quite a few youth lines, including the Flex Palm Series ($45 MSRP), Sure Catch ($50), Select Pro Lite ($75), R9 Series ($130-$150), NXT Series ($180), and ContoUR Fit ($330). 

Wilson offers youth gloves that range from $35 MSRP (tee ball) up to $200 MSRP; their Pedroia Fit gloves offer premium leather with a snug fit.

As with most things, these gloves can often be found at lower price points around the internet. Now that we've established that you should be shopping for a youth glove, let's consider some size guidelines:

Still have more questions? Check out the guide at JustGloves.com.

Bats

At all levels of Little League baseball, bats must meet the USA Baseball Bat standard. An updated list of approved bats can be found here.

What is the "Drop"? When shopping for a bat, you might be confused by the numbers printed on it. Baseball and softball bats are listed by their length in inches (ie. 27"), and either their weight in ounces (ie. 17 oz), or their drop, which is the length in inches minus the weight in ounces. In our example, a 27-inch bat that weighs 17 ounces is considered a drop-10; it might be listed as 27" -10. A 29-inch bat that weighs 18 ounces is a -11.

One-Piece: A one-piece bat is constructed of the same material throughout its length, which makes for a strong, stiff bat that minimizes flex and maximizes power. A one-piece bat may be composed of alloy (metal), composite, or wood. Generally speaking, alloy bats are more durable and inexpensive when compared to composite bats, which can crack in cold weather.

Two-Piece or Hybrid: A two-piece bat has a composite handle and composite barrel, while a hybrid bat has a composite handle and alloy (metal) barrel. Two-piece and hybrid bats have significantly more flex than one-piece bats, reducing the amount of vibration or sting in the hands. This design helps players generate more swing speed, and two-piece bats will often have wider, more forgiving barrels than one=piece bats.

However, two-piece and hybrid bats are usually more expensive and less durable than one-piece bats. The connection between the handle and barrel can weaken over time - or break on a mishit - and the composite materials can crack in cold weather. For many, the durability and cost concerns are outweighed by the increased swing speed, larger sweet spot, and reduced vibration of a two-piece or hybrid bat.

Bat Sizing: Naturally, kids are all different in terms of size, strength, and coordination. However, here are some general guidelines for the appropriate length and drop by age:

How to Choose a Bat: Now that you know the differences between one-, two-piece, and hybrid bats, alloy and composite, what a drop is, and what lengths might be appropriate, you're probably wondering about how to choose a bat.

Buying a bat off the internet or off the rack, based upon its looks, is a pure crapshoot. It's not even enough to know what length and drop you're looking for; two different models of 27" -10 bats may feel vastly different to an athlete. One bat may have a very balanced, easy-to-swing feel, while the other may feel more end loaded - heavier to swing, but designed to generate more power.

What's the solution? Have your kiddo try the bat out - teammates constantly borrow bats during practices or games, and this is often the best way to figure out what they like. Certain locations of Dick's Sporting Goods have batting cages with launch monitors where you can try bats for free, with no purchase required. In the Portland area, there are four such locations: Washington Square (Tigard), Lake Oswego, Jantzen Beach, and Hillsboro.

It is often said that the key to hitting is confidence (and timing). Find a bat that your athlete is comfortable and confident swinging; it should not feel heavy to them. A confident hitter is a successful hitter.

Where to Buy a Bat: Once you've narrowed your search, we recommend buying a used bat on Sideline Swap or eBay. Both sites offer buyer protections, and there's little or no advantage gained in purchasing a new bat. Save yourself some money! 

Breaking in a Bat: One advantage to a used composite bat is that it's already been broken in, a process that requires 150-200 swings taken in a specific manner and with real baseballs or softballs. DO NOT break in a composite bat at the batting cage, or you'll risk damaging it! Metal or alloy bats do not need to be broken in.

Do you have more questions about bats? We recommend the guide at JustBats.com.

Catchers Gear

Catchers wear (expensive) special protective equipment, which we supply. However, players who are passionate about playing catcher will often prefer to have their own set of gear. We recommend All-Star sets, specifically the Top Star Series, which is a great value. Our upgrade pick would be their S7 Series, which includes leg guards that provide enhanced protection and mobility. As with bats, you can save a lot of money by shopping on Sideline Swap or eBay, or even Facebook Marketplace.

Catchers also use different gloves, which are called mitts. The Mizuno Prospect Series is an excellent choice, and at time of writing, it is available for only $50 at Big 5 Sports.

Please visit our community gear swap to find used gear.

Softball

Uniforms

Registration fees include a visor and t-shirt or jersey for all levels.

Pants/Belt/Socks are not included.

Equipment

All players must have a softball glove and cleats.

Pitchers at all levels - and all players at the Minor level and above - must wear a fielder's mask.

Bats, batting helmets, and catchers gear are provided by the league, although many players like to have their own bat and helmet.

Bats

While the above guidance about choosing a bat applies, softball bats do not need to meet the USA Bat standard. Instead, softball bats are required to be no more than 33" in length (34" for junior or senior level), no more than 2.25" in diameter, and have a BPF (bat performance factor) of 1.20.

Please visit our community gear swap to find used gear.