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106 - EQUIPMENT
Batting Helmets: All helmets
should have an approved safety label. Quality helmets are padded and have flaps covering
both ears. Helmets with polycarbonate face guards are available.
Catcher's Gear: Chest Protector - Quality
chest protectors should fit snugly, yet comfortable enough, to allow for freedom of
movement.
Helmet - Should be designed to protect the face and head from a swinging bat.
Shin Guards - Should protect the ankle, knee area, front and sides of legs.
Mit - The right size is very important and the lighter in weight the better.
Foot Wear: In the "lower levels" a
good fitting running shoe is acceptable foot wear. Baseball shoes are not designed to give
good arch support. Pitchers in the "lower levels" may want to wear baseball
shoes to help provide better traction. The compositions. of playing fields vary at the
youth level and in most leagues metal cleated shoes are prohibited until the "Upper
Levels." It is possible to buy shoes that allow you to change the cleats from rubber
to metal to suit the playing surface.
Athletic Supporter: Must have a cup, and
should be worn by all players, despite age or position played. Make sure to get the proper
size.
Bats: Players should use a bat that is not
too big or too heavy, so they can control it. Several different types of metal bats are
available with new models appearing annually.
Baseball Gloves: Outfielders' gloves, have
large pockets to catch fly balls. Infielders' gloves are smaller in size, this affords
quick retrieval of the ball to make the throw easier. The catcher and in the "lower
level", players often get gloves that are too large for their hands. Trying to
save money by having the player grow into the glove is a very common mistake made by
parents. All players regardless of the level they are in, should have a glove that fits
properly.
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