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Choosing the Right Youth Baseball Equipment

Baseball has long held the distinction of being America’s pastime, and part of the reason for that is because so many Americans spent their childhoods watching and playing the game. 
Baseball is a great sport for kids to get involved in because it affords them the opportunity to be active, develop a team attitude, learn sportsmanship, and to hone their baseball and general athletic skills. Youth baseball camps are one of the most popular ways for kids to get involved in playing the game in a structured environment.

With summer just around the corner, parents and kids are going to be out in droves looking to purchase the proper baseball equipment for their summer activities. Doing so, however, requires keeping some basic things in mind such as proper fit and safety.

The process of choosing the right baseball equipment for your children typically comes with a lot of questions. Which glove works best? Is there a difference in bats or are they all pretty much the same? Is one brand of spikes better than another? How much is all of this going to cost? How can I be sure I’m getting the best value?

The Glove

This is arguably the quintessential piece of equipment for baseball players. According to many college and professional coaches and players, the most important factor in choosing the right glove is not the brand of glove, but rather how it fits. Many parents make the mistake of choosing a glove because it is endorsed by a particular player or is made by a popular manufacturer despite the fact that the glove may not fit properly. The logic behind this is that parents want a glove the kid will grow into, but doing this can be a detriment to his or her skill development in the short term. It is always better to go with a less expensive lower-end glove that provides a properly snug and comfortable fit rather than an expensive name brand one that does not fit well.

The Bat

As with choosing a glove, parents can make similar mistakes when choosing the right bat for their child. The understandable assumption is that it is better to buy a bat that is longer than necessary so that it will last several years. Doing so, however, can lead to poor batting habits that obviously can be a detriment to his or her game. Having a bat that is too long can adversely affect the players bat control. The head of the bat tends to drop, causing the bat to tilt backwards as the batter is in his stance, which is going to cause them to hit the bottom of the ball rather than the center where they should be aiming.

The fact is that as long as you have the basic elements in baseball equipment – a glove, a bat, good spikes, and a good helmet – you have what you need to develop your skills. All that’s needed now is hard work and lots of fun. If you have questions or would like more information about our summer baseball camp, please contact us at Camp All-Star.

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Questions? Call 415-451-2280

Testimonial:

"I am not quite sure how the camp as a whole accomplished this, but Eric returned so much more mature and self-confident. He was respected by the counselors and in return respected everything they offered: both instructionally and emotionally. The staff seemed to have been able to reach him and get through to him, challenge him without discouraging him, and, all in all, make him feel like his dreams are attainable."

Family of Eric D., Age 15, Miami, FL