Equipment

Through April 15, Modell's is running a promotion called Needham Baseball Month. If you mention Needham Baseball, you will receive 15% off anything you buy (does not have to be baseball-related). 5% of what you spend goes to support Needham Baseball. 


Required Equipment

Baseball Pants - Baseball pants are required for all games and outdoor practices (no shorts or sweats). Two or three pair are usually enough for a season. Grey is preferable.

Protective Cup (and Slide Pants) - All players will be required to wear a cup during all games and practices. Slide pants are the easiest, most comfortable method of supporting the cup.

Glove - Players do not need a new glove every year. Last year's glove, if it is in decent shape, may work fine and may even perform better than a new glove if it is well broken-in. If you do buy a glove, go on the small side rather than big. I would go 11.5" or shorter. A common mistake is to go after the biggest glove you can find because it would seem to be most beneficial in catching the ball. But, there are many good reasons to go with a smaller glove: big gloves are harder for small hands to close, it's easy to lose the ball in a big glove when transferring to the throwing hand, and it's better for the player's long-term development to learn to catch with a smaller glove. Watch Major League infielders--especially middle infielders (SS and 2B). Their gloves are actually smaller than some of the gloves I see on youth players. If your son is a catcher, it might make sense to invest in a catcher's mitt, but catcher's mitts (both lefty and righty) are provided at each field, so it's not essential to have your own.

Cleats - Baseball cleats are preferable, but soccer cleats work fine, too.

Uniform (Jersey, Hat, and Socks) - Needham Baseball provides uniforms. Player's are to be in full uniform for every game and scrimmage--including socks and hat and with shirt tucked in.

Optional Equipment

Bat - We will use metal bats. Bats are provided at each field by Needham Baseball, but many players like to use their own personal bat. If you do plan to buy a bat, or if your son wants to use one that he already owns, you should be aware that National Little League has a list of approved bat models for this season. It is important that the bat he uses be approved by National Little League. Here is a link to a list of approved non-wood bat makes and models: http://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/2012+Approved+Non+Wood+Bat+List.pdf

Helmet - Helmets are also provided at each field, but many players (and parents) prefer their own helmets rather than borrowed helmets.

Batting Gloves - Not essential and they generally do not affect performance at this level, but most Major League players use them, and therefore our guys will want them.

Catcher Gear - If your son likes to catch, and you imagine catching to be a long-term commitment, then it might--might--make sense to invest in the gear. But, it's very expensive, and the gear provided by Needham Baseball at each field is quite good, so it is not essential to buy any of it.

Belt - My son actually needs a belt to keep his pants up, but in most cases the belt is really about good baseball fashion. The player just looks more professional, more put-together with a belt.

Equipment Bag - This item probably should be on the "required" list. It's not quite as essential as the uniform or glove, but it's close. Without it, it's very difficult for players at this age to keep their equipment organized, which is imperative during games. Nobody wants to add the stress of trying to locate their missing glove on the way to take the field for the next half-inning. The kind of bag that can hang on the dugout chain-link can serve nicely as a locker during a game or practice.

If there's anything I've left off this list, please let me know.