EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES

Ver 0.1

EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES CONTENTS

REVISION HISTORY ...... 4 REQUIRED EQUIPMENT ...... 5 BATS ...... 5 Bat Structure ...... 5 Bat Sizing Chart ...... 6 Slo- Softball Bat Sizing Chart ...... 6 Fast-Pitch Softball Bat Sizing Chart ...... 6 GLOVES ...... 7 Structure ...... 7 Glove Lingo ...... 8 Sizing Chart ...... 9 Softball Glove Sizing Chart ...... 9 ...... 10 Fitting ...... 10 NOCSAE Standards Chart ...... 11 OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ...... 12 ATHLETIC CUP ...... 12 Sizing an Athletic Cup ...... 12 GLOVES ...... 14 Why Batting Gloves? ...... 14 Sizing Battling Gloves ...... 14 CLEATS ...... 16 Baseball and softball cleats ...... 16 BALLS ...... 17 Baseball ...... 17

Slow-Pitch Softballs ...... 17 Fast-Pitch Softballs ...... 18

REVISION HISTORY

Version Version Added By Revision Description Number Date

0.1 22-Apr-2021 Chris First draft of the document Nienaber

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

As a bare minimum a Bat, Helmet, and Glove are required pieces of equipment. Use the information below as a guide to equipping yourself properly. When in doubt, consult with staff in the sporting goods department when sizing equipment.

BATS

BAT STRUCTURE Understanding the structure of a will help you choose the correct size.

Here are definitions of the terms:

1. Barrel Size: The diameter of the baseball bat is called barrel size. A smaller barrel size means a lighter bat.

2. Grip: The covering used on the handle of the bat.

3. Length-to-weight ratio: Also known as weight drop, the length-to-weight ratio is the weight of the bat subtracted from length of the bat. It’s always a negative number, and the smaller the number, the heavier the bat.

BASEBALL BAT SIZING CHART

SLO-PITCH SOFTBALL BAT SIZING CHART

FAST-PITCH SOFTBALL BAT SIZING CHART

GLOVES

GLOVE STRUCTURE

Choosing the right baseball or softball glove depends on the field position you play and how your hand feels in the glove.

Here are some useful terms to know about a glove.

1. Web: A tightly woven piece of leather that connects the fingers and the thumb for secure control of the .

2. Palm: The area of the glove where the ball will sit. Most gloves will have paddings under the leather for more protection of your palm.

3. Heel: The lower portion of your glove that provides protection against the impact of the ball.

4. Hinge: The part of the glove that allows you to open and close your hand easily.

5. Lacing: Lacing provides shape to your glove.

GLOVE LINGO

Baseball and softball gloves have different web designs that can cater to your need and preference.

Here are some definitions of the terms:

1. H-Web: Allows for maximum catching area in pocket and the ability to see the ball. It is typically used by outfielders or softball players.

2. Trapeze: Allows for maximum catching area and ball retention. Typically used by outfielders or softball players.

3. Basket-Web: Allows for multi-position use and large catching area. Typically used by pitchers, infielders, softball and youth players.

4. Modified Trapeze: Allows for multi-position use and ball retention in the pocket. Typically used by pitchers, infielders and youth players. This web design is not recommended for softball. 5. I-Web: Allows for multi-position use and ball retention in the pocket. Typically used by infielders and youth players. This web design is not recommended for softball.

BASEBALL GLOVE SIZING CHART

SOFTBALL GLOVE SIZING CHART

HELMETS

HELMET FITTING

Baseball and softball helmets are designed to protect you when you are on the field. It’s important to know how to properly fit a helmet.

Helmets should always have ear flaps (flap covering the ear on both sides)

Here are some tips:

• Helmets should be worn so the front brim sits approximately 1” above the eyebrows.

• Players who are under 16 will require a helmet with a chin strip.

• NOCSAE standard equates to 68 MPH pitch speed. All helmets must meet this standard.

NOCSAE STANDARDS CHART

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT

It is advisable to check if your age group requires any of the optional equipment found in this section. Every age group and league has different expectations surrounding optional equipment

ATHLETIC CUP

In many of the older age group athletic cups are mandatory. Consult with your coaches and coordinator when determining whether you need to purchase and athletic cup for your league

SIZING AN ATHLETIC CUP

Step 1

Select the size of athletic cup that you want. Size is determined by age and body mass. Boys aged five and up, reaching 4 feet 6 inches and 80 pounds should wear a cup 1 3/4 inches in depth. Youths age 11 and up, reaching 5 feet 6 inches and 110 pounds should wear a cup 2 inches in depth. Finally, an adult age 18 and up can wear a cup anywhere between 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 inches in depth depending on height and weight.

Step 2

Choose a jock strap based on size. Select the jock strap just as you would a pair of underwear. The leg straps on the jock strap should be tight enough to prevent rolling or twisting.

Step 3

Put on a pair of compression shorts. They should be a mid-thigh or brief cut in length, and the size of the shorts should be the same as your regular underwear.

Step 4

Put the jock strap over the compression shorts and slip the athletic cup you have chosen into the pouch in the front of the jock strap.

Step 5

Check the movement of the jock strap and athletic cup by moving around the room. The jock strap and athletic cup should not have too much movement and should remain snug against the groin area

BATTING GLOVES

WHY BATTING GLOVES? Wearing batting gloves can help increase the quality of the grip on either a wooden or metal bat and decrease the amount of perspiration on a player’s hands. By maintaining a tight and controlled grip, players can increase their results at the plate.

Batting gloves also provide a level of protection during play. They can lessen the sting and vibration felt during a and can reduce the likelihood of developing blisters during the season.

A pair of batting gloves can also be beneficial while running the bases as they can protect your hands from friction burns during a .

Some players even prefer to wear a batting glove under their mitt. The additional barrier can provide better grip and eliminate perspiration inside their mitt.

SIZING BATTLING GLOVES To find the size that is right for you, simply measure the length of your hand. Start at the base of your palm and go to the tip of the middle finger on your dominant hand. For example, if your hand measures 6.5 inches, you would look for a small in men’s, medium in women’s or an XL in youth.

Your batting glove should be snug yet comfortable. Loose gloves can lead to slippage, and tight gloves will impact movement.

CLEATS

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL CLEATS

It is important to have a well-fitted and comfortable pair of cleats when you are playing baseball or softball. You should wear a pair of game socks when you are trying on the cleats to ensure a snug fit. Cleats will break in over time, so do not choose a pair that is too big or too small.

BALLS

BASEBALL

These have a 9” circumference and an official weight of 5 oz. They are white with flat seams, designed for contact at high speed.

SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALLS

These have an 11” or 12” circumference and an official weight of 7oz. They’re yellow or white — yellow stands out better under lights — with flat seams, designed to perform based on low pitch speeds.

FAST-PITCH SOFTBALLS

These have an 11” or 12” circumference with an official weight of 7oz, they’re yellow, which is easier to see at high speeds, and have raised seams for grip, designed to perform based on high pitch speeds.