What Type of Equipment Is Needed for Softball?

Softball is a bat-and-ball team sport very similar to baseball and extremely popular in the United States. If you're interested in joining a softball league, you might need to purchase some softball equipment. Read on to learn more about what type of equipment you need for softball.

  1. Softball Glove

    • Good-quality softball gloves are made of leather and have a pocket of webbing between the thumb and the index finger. A general, all-purpose fielder's glove is all that most people will need to play softball.

    Softball Bat

    • Softball bats are made from wood, metal or composite materials and vary widely in weight and length. Wooden bats are allowed only in slow-pitch games, so fast-pitch players should choose a metal or a composite bat.

    Softball

    • Softballs are 11 to 12 inches in circumference. A softball has a hard core made of cork and rubber that is usually covered in white or yellow leather. In Chicago and for wheelchair softball, a softer, 16-inch ball is used, and players don't wear gloves.

    Batting Helmet

    • Youth players and batters in fast-pitch games are required to wear batting helmets. A batting helmet should be lightweight and fit snugly against your head.

    Batting Gloves

    • Batting gloves help softball players keep a tight grip on the bat and prevent blisters from forming on hands. Batting gloves should be snug and flexible.

    Uniform

    • League softball players typically wear team uniforms consisting of a shirt, softball pants or sliding shorts and a baseball cap. Some uniforms include a player's name and number on the back of the shirt.

    Catching Gear

    • Catchers need special equipment, such as a face mask, a chest protector, shin guards and a catcher's mitt. A catcher's mitt is different from a fielding glove because it has extra padding and no fingers.