Equipment, gear, and accessories used in the various forms of baseball are the focus of this part of our web guide.
There are probably others as well, but the variations I have in mind are Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, College Baseball, Little League Baseball, T-Ball, Softball, Baseballl5, Fantasy Baseball, and one you've probably not heard of: Buntball.
Most of these are more alike than different, and require similar gear, with some notable exceptions.
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of the American League (AL) and National League (NL).
In MLB, players use wooden bats, primarily made of ash, maple, or birch. These bats are designed for durability and performance. The official MLB baseball has a cork center wrapped in layers of yarn and covered in cowhide, meeting specific weight and size regulations. In MLB, leather gloves have different designs based on field position. For example, catchers use heavily padded mitts, while outfielders prefer larger gloves for catching fly balls. Batting helmets with ear flaps protect against head injuries, and catchers wear full protective gear, including chest protectors, shin guards, and masks. Players wear team uniforms, including jerseys, pants, caps, and cleats.
Minor League Baseball leagues serve as a training ground for players who hope to reach the MLB eventually. The equipment is similar to MLB's, although the quality may vary slightly. However, the essentials are the same: wooden bats, leather gloves, helmets, protective gear, uniforms, and cleats.
College Baseball is a competitive level of baseball played by college and university students. Players use aluminum or composite bats, which are lighter and more durable than wooden bats. The balls are similar, although there may be slight differences in manufacturing standards. Gloves, helmets, and protective gear are the equivalent of professional standards. College teams have distinctive uniforms and cleats, usually customized with school colors and logos.
Little League is organized into baseball leagues for children and adolescents, with various age divisions. Players use bats made from aluminum or composite materials. These bats are lighter and more manageable for young players. The balls are smaller and softer than professional baseballs to reduce the risk of injury. Gloves are smaller and designed to fit the hands of young players. Batting helmets with face guards are required for safety, and catchers wear age-appropriate protective gear. Youth uniforms and cleats are designed for comfort and protection, usually featuring team logos and colors. Little League equipment has changed considerably over the past decades for safety reasons.
T-Ball is a simplified version of baseball designed for young children, where the ball is placed on a tee rather than pitched. T-Ball uses lightweight bats and softer, larger balls to make the game easier and safer for beginning ballplayers. Small gloves are tailored for little hands, and lightweight helmets provide the necessary protection for players. Basic uniforms and cleats are designed to ensure safety and comfort for beginners.
Softball is similar to baseball but played with a larger ball and on a smaller field. There are two main types: fastpitch and slowpitch. Softball bats are made from aluminum or composite materials and are generally longer and lighter than baseball bats. The balls are larger and softer than baseballs. Slightly larger gloves accommodate the bigger ball used in softball. Helmets and protective gear are similar to those used in baseball, with additional face masks often included. Uniforms and cleats are explicitly designed for softball, with slight variations in style and material.
Baseball5 is a simplified, urban version of baseball played without bats or gloves. The game uses a rubber ball, making it accessible and quickly set up in various environments. Minimal protective gear is required due to the game's low impact. Casual athletic clothing and standard athletic shoes are typically worn.
While Fantasy Baseball does not involve physical playing equipment, it requires digital tools and resources, including computers, tablets, or smartphones, to manage teams and check player stats. Access to Fantasy Baseball platforms like ESPN, Yahoo, or CBS Sports and statistical analysis tools for tracking player performance are required. Comprehensive databases and analytical tools are used to inform decisions and strategies.
Since I can't find anything online about Buntball, it's possible that my older brother made it up to make use of a small side yard without breaking windows. Some of the rules changed based on the number of available players. There was no outfield. Players who hit the ball over the fence were out. If a ball struck the fence, it was an automatic double.
Recommended Resources
ATEC is a leading manufacturer of baseball and softball training equipment. The company is known for its high-quality pitching machines, training balls, nets, and screens. ATEC is also the official equipment supplier of Major League Baseball. Its popular products include the M3X Pitching Machine, an all-in-one training machine for baseball and softball. It also supplies various training nets and screens used in practice and training balls designed to help players improve their skills.
https://www.atecsports.com/
The Texas-based online retailer specializes in baseball and softball equipment, apparel, and accessories. They offer a wide range of products, including bats, gloves, footwear, catcher's gear, and stock equipment from top brands like Louisville Slugger, Easton, Diamond, Rawlings, and Marucci. Contacts are posted on the site, and its affiliate program, rebound rewards program, best price guarantee, return policies, employment opportunities, and gear guides are featured.
https://www.baseballmonkey.com/
Located in Wichita, Kansas, Baseball Savings is an online retailer specializing in baseball and softball equipment, apparel, and accessories, including bats, gloves, shoes, protective gear, and training equipment. The company stocks equipment from brands like Louisville Slugger, Easton, Marucci, and others. Available online, the retailer offers sales, closeout items, and special deals on baseball and softball gear, with free shipping on orders over $99 and a price-match guarantee.
https://www.baseballsavings.com/
Opened in 1999, Better Baseball has a retail store in Marietta, Georgia, as well as an online product store. Its address, directions, store hours, and contacts are posted on the site, along with its services, such as expert bat fittings, glove repairs, and netting installations. The company offers a variety of products, including bats, gloves, helmets, uniforms, training gear, and others, including facility and field equipment, such as mounts, batting mats, and pitching machines.
https://betterbaseball.com/
Founded in the 1920s, New Era Cap is a well-known brand that produces a wide range of headwear and apparel, including caps, hats, and jerseys for Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and National Hockey League teams, the National Basketball Association, and others. It offers a variety of styles, including fitted caps, snapbacks, and adjustable hats, along with other apparel and accessories. Its collections, teams, headwear, accessories, apparel, and sale items are featured.
https://www.neweracap.com/
Founded by Bobby Woods, a former professional baseball player and experienced coach, the site offers products aimed at improving hitting and pitching techniques. Key features include instructional DVDs covering essential hitting principles, books and CDs with additional resources for learning and practicing techniques, and online clinics with information about in-person clinics for young players, providing professional instruction and personalized coaching. Testimonials are offered.
https://www.hittingvideo.com/
The online retailer specializes in baseball and softball bats, along with other related equipment. They offer a wide selection of bats from top brands like Louisville Slugger, Easton, Marucci, and others. They provide a vast range of bats, including BBCOR baseball bats, wood bats, youth bats, slowpitch softball bats, and fastpitch softball bats. The company's website includes a feature that helps customers find the perfect bat based on preferences and needs, along with bundle and save options.
https://www.justbats.com/
The Little League Official Store is the place for official Little League merchandise, including a Tee Ball training manual, badges, pins, branded cups, ornaments, and other items, as well as apparel for infants, toddlers, youth, collectibles, and Little League World Series t-shirts, tumblers, and other things. Clearance items are also available. Gift cards, returns policies, and an online contact form are available. Shoppers may purchase items through the website.
https://www.shoplittleleague.org/
Master Pitching Machine is a renowned manufacturer of arm-style pitching machines and batting cage equipment. Their flagship product, the Iron Mike Pitching Machine, is highly regarded by professional players and coaches worldwide. It mimics the arm motion of an actual pitcher, is built to last, with minimal maintenance, and is easy to use. The machine can pitch baseballs, fast-pitch softballs, and slow-pitch softballs. Package deals, a blog, and contacts are featured.
http://www.masterpitch.com/
The official online store for Minor League Baseball (MiLB) offers a wide range of officially licensed merchandise for all Minor League Baseball teams, including jerseys, caps, t-shirts, and others. The store provides a large selection of team-specific merchandise, allowing fans to show their support for their favorite team. Shoppers can browse items for men, women, and children, by product, collections, auctions, or brand. Contacts and hours of operation are featured.
https://milbstore.com/
With stores in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska, PrimeTime is a well-known retailer specializing in high-quality sporting goods equipment for baseball, softball, and other sports, carrying a wide range of products, including bats, gloves, uniforms, and training gear. The company stocks over 600 gloves and more than 1,000 bats for fastpitch and baseball year-round and custom printing on high-end uniforms and garments for teams and organizations. Online shopping is available.
https://primetimesportinggoods.com/
Founded in 1887, Rawlings Sporting Goods is a US-based sports equipment manufacturing company specializing in baseball and softball clothing and equipment, such as gloves, bats, balls, protective gear, batting helmets, uniforms, bags, footwear, and accessories. Rawlings is the official glove, ball, and helmet provider for Major League Baseball. Rawlings products are available from several sports retailers, as well as here, on its online shopping site, including clearance items.
https://www.rawlings.com/
The highly-regarded baseball and softball base system is known for its safety and durability. It is designed to displace energy from the player to the base without creating secondary hazards or dangers to other players, and the bases are built to last. The system consists of three components: base tops, base plates, and base anchors, which are interchangeable. The system is suitable for various levels, including youth leagues, high school, adult baseball, and softball.
https://rogersbreakawaybase.com/
Operated by Team Express, which has a retail store in San Antonio, Texas, its online store focuses on softball (slowpitch and fastpitch) equipment and gear, including popular brands of softball bats, gloves, batting helmets and gloves, protective guards, and accessories, as well as catcher's gear and accessories, bags, apparel, footwear, and other equipment, available by brand, type, color, or other options. Special offers are also featured. Career opportunities are posted.
https://www.softball.com/
