Baseball & softball gear,
picked by people who live at the field.
Deep, honest buying guides for coaches, players and travel-ball parents, catcher gear, training aids, dugout tech and everything in the bag. From the team behind the MAVTRAX pitch-calling app.
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Our top picks from the most-read guides
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Baseball Gear
Best Baseball Glove for 11U (2026): 8 Picks for 10 to 11 Year Olds, by Position
An 11 year old needs an 11 to 11.75 inch glove, 11.5 inches for most, and our #1 pick for 11U is the Mizuno Prospect Select 11.5" …
Best Baseball Glove for 14U (2026): 8 Picks for 13 to 14 Year Olds
A 13 or 14 year old needs an 11.5 to 12.25 inch glove sized by position (11.25 to 11.75 inches infield, 12 to 12.5 outfield), and …
Best Baseball Glove for 6U (2026): 8 Picks for 5 to 6 Year Olds
A 5 or 6 year old needs a 9.5 to 10.5 inch glove, with 10 inches fitting most 6 year olds, and our #1 pick is the Mizuno Prospect …
Best Baseball Glove for 9U (2026): 8 Picks for 8 to 9 Year Olds
A 9 year old needs a 10.75 to 11 inch glove, 11 inches for most, and our #1 pick for 9U is the Wilson A450 11" (about $55), a real…
Best Baseball Glove for High School (2026): 8 Picks, Position by Position
High school gloves are sized by position: 11.25 to 11.75 inches for middle infield, 11.5 to 12 for third base and pitcher, and 12 …
Best Bat for 11U (2026): 7 Picks for 10 to 11 Year Olds, USA and USSSA
Most 11U players need a 30 inch bat (29 to 31 by height) with a -10 drop, about 20 ounces, USA stamped for Little League or USSSA …
Best Bat for 13U (2026): 8 Picks for 12 to 13 Year Olds, From Drop 8 to BBCOR
Most 13U players need a 31 inch bat (30 to 32 by height) with a -8 drop, stepping to -5 as they get stronger, in the stamp their l…
Best Bat for 9U (2026): 7 Picks for 8 to 9 Year Olds, USA and USSSA
Most 9U players need a 28 inch bat (27 to 29 depending on height) with a -11 drop, about 17 ounces, with the USA Baseball stamp fo…
Best Bat for High School Baseball (2026): 8 BBCOR Picks by Player Type, Freshman to Senior
Every high school bat must be BBCOR certified with a -3 drop, so the only real choices are length and feel: most freshmen swing 31…
Best Batting Helmet for 10U (2026): 8 Picks for 9 and 10 Year Olds
Most 9 and 10 year olds fit a youth one-size-fits-most batting helmet of about 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 hat size (a typical 10 year old head…
Best Batting Helmet for 12U (2026): 8 Picks for 11 and 12 Year Olds
Most 11 and 12 year olds wear about a 7 to 7 1/4 hat size (head about 22 to 22 5/8 inches), which fits the top half of a youth one…
Best Batting Helmet for 8U (2026): 8 Picks for 7 and 8 Year Olds
Most 7 and 8 year olds fit a junior batting helmet of about 6 1/2 to 7 1/8 hat size (head about 20 1/2 to 21 1/2 inches), and our …
Best Batting Helmet for High School (2026): 8 Senior-Size Picks for 14 to 18 Year Olds
High school hitters need a senior batting helmet, usually 7 1/8 to 7 5/8 hat size (head about 22 1/4 to 24 inches), with the NOCSA…
Best Tee Ball Bat (2026): 7 Picks for 4 to 6 Year Olds, Sized and Stamped Right
A tee ball player (ages 4 to 6) needs a 24 to 26 inch bat with a big drop of -13 to -11, about 12 to 15 ounces, carrying the USA B…
Best Tee Ball Batting Helmets (2026): 7 Picks for 4 to 6 Year Olds
A 4 to 6 year old needs a T-Ball size batting helmet (a shell of about 6 1/4 to 6 7/8 hat size, for heads around 19 1/2 to 21 inch…
Best Bruce Bolt Alternatives (2026): 7 Batting Gloves Worth Buying Instead
The best Bruce Bolt alternative is JAX: the same premium Cabretta leather, a patented web Bruce Bolt does not make, and $5 to $15 …
Best Baseball Radar Guns 2026: 9 Speed Guns for Pitching and Exit Velo, From $65 to $600
The best baseball radar gun for most families and coaches is the Pocket Radar Smart Coach (~$399): within 1 mph, pocket size, and …
Baseball and Softball Holiday Gift Guide (2026): 11 Gifts Players Actually Use, From Stocking Stuffers to the Splurge
Eleven gifts we would actually want under the tree, sorted from $10 stocking stuffers to the splurge: premium JAX batting gloves, …
Best Gifts for Baseball Players (2026): Stocking Stuffers to the Splurge, for Kids, Catchers, Pitchers and Coaches
Baseball players are easy to shop for and hard to shop well for: the wrong bat, the wrong glove size, or a novelty mug that never …
Best Bat for 14U (2026): 7 Picks for 13 to 14 Year Olds, With the Drop 5 and BBCOR Rules
Most 14U players need a 31 or 32 inch bat in either a -3 BBCOR or a drop 5 (USSSA), and our #1 pick is the Marucci CATX2 BBCOR (ab…
Best Composite Baseball Bats (2026): 8 Verified Picks for USSSA, BBCOR, and USA
The best composite bat for most travel players is the Easton Hype Fire USSSA (about $250), the composite barrel everyone in the du…
Best Baseball Batting Helmets (2026): 8 Verified Picks From T-Ball to Varsity
The best batting helmet for most youth players is the Rawlings COOLFLO one-size-fits-most (about $34): NOCSAE-stamped, vented, and…
Best Baseball Batting Gloves (2026): 9 Verified Pairs From $17 Youth to Bruce Bolt
The best batting gloves for most players are the Franklin CFX Pro (about $36): the pro-standard leather palm and fit that made Fra…
Best Baseball Glove for 10U (2026): 8 Picks for 9 to 10 Year Olds
A 10U player needs an 11 to 11.5 inch glove, 11.5 inches for most 10 year olds, and our #1 pick is the Wilson A500 11.5" (about $5…
Youth Baseball Equipment Checklist by Age (2026): What Your Kid Actually Needs at Every Level
Every youth baseball player needs a glove that fits, a NOCSAE-certified helmet, a league-legal bat, molded cleats, a cup and a bag…
Baseball Helmet Size Chart (2026): Batting Helmet Sizing by Head Measurement, Hat Size, and Age
Batting helmets are sized by hat size: tee-ball shells fit about 6 1/4 to 6 7/8 (head circumference about 19.5 to 21.5 inches, age…
Fall Ball Gear Checklist (2026): Everything a Youth Player Actually Needs
A youth fall ball player needs a glove that fits this season's hand, a league-legal bat at this season's length, a helmet, molded …
Best Baseball Glove for 8U (2026): 7 Picks for 7 to 8 Year Olds
An 8U player (ages 7 to 8) needs a 10.5 to 11 inch glove, 10.75 inches for most, and our #1 pick is the Wilson A450 10.75" (about …
Best Baseball Glove for 12U (2026): 8 Picks for 11 to 12 Year Olds
A 12 year old needs an 11.25 to 12 inch glove, 11.5 inches for most, and our #1 pick for 12U is the Wilson A500 11.5" (about $56),…
Best Youth Baseball Cleats (2026): Molded Picks for 8U to 12U
The Nike Alpha Huarache 4 Keystone (about $65) is the best youth baseball cleat for most 8U to 12U players, and the Under Armour L…
How to Break In a Composite Bat (2026): How Many Swings It Takes, and the Right Way to Do It
Break in a composite bat with 150 to 200 swings using real balls, starting at half effort and rotating the barrel a quarter turn e…
Bat Drop Explained (2026 Chart): What −10 Means and Which Drop Fits Each Age
Bat drop is the bat's length in inches minus its weight in ounces: a 30-inch, 20-ounce bat is a drop 10, written −10. Typical drop…
Baseball Glove Size Chart (2026): The Right Size by Age AND Position
Baseball glove size by age: 9 to 10.5 inches for ages 5 to 7, 10.5 to 11.5 inches for 8 to 10, 11 to 12 inches for 11 to 13, and a…
Best Bat for 8U (2026): 8 Picks for 7 to 8 Year Olds, USA and USSSA
Most 8U players (ages 7 to 8) need a 26 to 28 inch bat with a -12 or -11 drop, 15 to 17 ounces, and the USA Baseball stamp for rec…
Best Bat for 10U (2026): 8 Picks for 9 to 10 Year Olds, USA and USSSA
Most 10U players need a 29 inch bat (28 to 30 by height) with a -11 or -10 drop, 18 to 20 ounces, USA stamped for Little League or…
Best Bat for 12U (2026): 8 USA and USSSA Picks for 11 to 12 Year Olds
Most 12U players need a 30 to 32 inch bat with a -10 drop (a -8 for strong hitters), and the stamp matters more than the brand: US…
Best First Base Mitt for 9U (2026): Sized Right for 8 to 9 Year Olds
A 9U first baseman needs a real first base mitt, not a hand-me-down adult model and not a regular fielding glove. The right size f…
Best First Base Mitt for 12U (2026): 12.5", 13" Picks for Ages 11 to 12
By 12U, first base is a real defensive position, harder throws, bigger hops, and a player whose hand has grown into adult-adjacent…
Best Catcher's Chest Protectors (2026): Youth to Adult
The All-Star S7 Axis (ages 12 to 16, NOCSAE certified) is the best catcher's chest protector for most 12U to high school catchers,…
Best Catcher's Leg Guards (2026): Sizing & Top Picks
The Easton Phenom is the best catcher's leg guard for most 12U to high school catchers: light, mobile and fairly priced at about $…
Best Baseball Glove Conditioners & Break-In Kits (2026)
The best glove conditioner for most players is Rawlings Glovolium Glove Butter (about $10): a balm that's easy to apply thin. The …
Best Tee-Ball Gear for 2026: A Starter Guide for Ages 3 to 6
A first-time tee-baller needs four things: a 9 to 10 inch glove she can close (our #1 pick is the Rawlings REMIX T-Ball Glove, abo…
Best Youth Baseball Gloves (2026): Sized by Age
The best youth baseball glove for most players 9 to 13 is the Rawlings Select Pro Lite (about $65): real leather on a pro pattern,…
Best Baseball Bat Backpacks (2026): Youth to Travel
The best baseball bat backpack for most players is the Easton Dugout (about $45): two bat sleeves, a roomy main compartment and a …
Best Wheeled Baseball Bags 2026: 7 Rolling Bags, Backpack Rollers to the Luggage-Grade YADI2
A full kit is heavy, bats, a helmet, cleats, and (if you catch) a chest protector, leg guards, and a mask. A wheeled bag lets a pl…
Best Baseball Sunglasses 2026: 9 Verified Picks From $10 Youth to Oakley Prizm Field
The best baseball sunglasses for most players are the Lamicall polarized sport wraps (about $22): light, UV400, and they stay on t…
Best Pocket Radar Guns 2026: Smart Coach, Ball Coach, Kits and the Best Alternatives
The best pocket radar is the Pocket Radar Smart Coach (~$399): +/- 1 mph, 25 to 130 mph, pocket size, and it records video with th…
How Accurate Are Pocket Radar Guns? Within 1 MPH, If You Stand Right
Yes: a Pocket Radar Ball Coach or Smart Coach is accurate to within 1 mph (Pocket Radar's published spec) when it is aimed straigh…
How to Break In a Baseball Glove (the Right Way)
Breaking in a glove is mostly patience, a little conditioner, and a lot of catch, not the oven, the microwave, or a tub of shaving…
Best BBCOR Bats for High School & College (2026): 10 Picks From $80 to $350
The best BBCOR bat for most high school and college hitters is the Marucci CATX2 (about $150), a balanced one-piece alloy that nee…
Best Youth Baseball Bats for 2026 (USA & USSSA, 8U to 13U)
The best youth baseball bat for most players is the Easton MAV1 (-11) USA bat (about $150), a light one-piece alloy legal in Littl…
Best Baseball Infield Gloves (2026): 11.25" to 11.75" Picks
The best baseball infield glove for most serious players is the Rawlings Heart of the Hide 11.5" with a Pro I-Web (about $250). Fo…
Best Baseball Outfield Gloves (2026): 12.5" to 12.75" Picks
The best baseball outfield glove for a serious player is the Rawlings Heart of the Hide 12.75" (about $280); for most players the …
Best Baseball Catcher's Mitts (2026): Youth to Pro
The Rawlings R9 32.5" is the best catcher's mitt for most teen and adult catchers: real leather, a versatile size and a fair price…
Best Baseball Pitching Machines (2026): Every Tier From $68 Toy to $3,599 Pro
A pitching machine turns one parent and a bucket of balls into hundreds of quality cuts a week. But the right machine depends enti…
Best Batting Tees for Baseball & Softball (2026)
The best batting tee for most hitters is the Tanner Tee The Original (about $100): a hand-rolled rubber top that gives way cleanly…
Best Baseball First Base Mitts (2026): Youth to Adult
The best baseball first base mitt for most teen and adult players is the Rawlings Sandlot 12.5" (about $93): oil-treated leather w…
Best Men's Baseball Cleats (2026): Molded & Metal
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 3000 v7 Metal (about $88) is the best baseball cleat for most high school and adult players, and its …
Catcher Gear
Best Catcher's Gear for 14U (2026): 8 Sets for 13 to 14 Year Olds
A 13 or 14 year old catcher needs an intermediate or ages 12 to 16 set with a NOCSAE chest protector around 15 to 16.5 inches and …
Best Catcher's Gear for 8U (2026): 7 Picks for 7 to 8 Year Olds
A 7 or 8 year old catcher needs a youth small or medium set (labeled ages 6 to 9 or 7 to 9), with a chest protector around 12 to 1…
Best Catcher's Gear for High School (2026): 8 Sets and Pieces for Varsity and JV
A high school catcher needs adult catcher's gear (labeled 15+) with a NOCSAE-certified chest protector, which NFHS rules have requ…
Best Catcher's Mitt for 14U (2026): 8 Picks for 13 to 14 Year Olds, 32.5 to 33.5 Inch
A 13 or 14 year old catcher needs a 32.5 to 33.5 inch catcher's mitt, with 33 inches fitting most, and our #1 pick is the Mizuno S…
Best Catcher's Mitt for 8U (2026): 7 Picks for 7 to 8 Year Olds
A 7 or 8 year old catcher needs a 29.5 to 31 inch catcher's mitt, and since almost nothing under 31 inches is in stock, our #1 pic…
Best Youth Catcher's Helmets (2026): 6 Junior-Size Lids for Ages 7 to 14
A youth catcher's helmet is sized by hat size, not age, and the junior shell (6 1/2 to 7) is what fits most 7-to-12-year-olds. Her…
Best Catcher's Mitt for High School Baseball (2026): 8 Mitts for Varsity Velocity
A high school catcher needs a 33 to 34 inch catcher's mitt (32.5 for a freshman or smaller hand), and our #1 pick is the Wilson A2…
Best Catcher's Gear for 12U (2026): 7 Sets for 11 to 12 Year Olds
Most 12 year olds need an intermediate catcher's set (ages 12 to 15), with a chest protector around 14 to 15.5 inches and leg guar…
Best Catcher's Gear for 10U (2026): 7 Picks for 9 to 10 Year Olds
A 10U catcher needs a youth set labeled ages 9 to 12, with a chest protector around 13 to 14.5 inches and leg guards around 13 to …
Catcher Gear Sizes by Age (2026 Chart): 29.5 to 34" Mitt, 12 to 17" Leg Guards, Helmet & Chest Fit
Catcher gear sizes by age: a 29.5 to 31 inch mitt and 12 to 13 inch leg guards for 8U, a 31 to 32 inch mitt and 13 to 14 inch guar…
The 5 Best Catcher's Helmets (2026): Ranked by Protection, Fit, and Headset Room
A catcher's helmet is the most safety-critical purchase on the diamond, and if your team calls pitches electronically, it's also w…
How to Install a Bluetooth Headset in a Catcher's Helmet (the 1-Minute Hack)
The best pitch-calling audio setup in baseball costs about $15 and takes one minute to install: a motorcycle-helmet Bluetooth head…
Best Catcher's Mitt for 10U (2026): 7 Picks for 9 to 10 Year Olds, 31 to 32 Inch
A 10U catcher needs a 31 to 32 inch catcher's mitt, and our #1 pick is the Wilson A500 32 inch youth mitt (about $63): right-sized…
Best Catcher's Mitt for 12U (2026): 7 Picks for 11 to 12 Year Olds, 31.5 to 32.5 Inch
A 12U catcher needs a 31.5 to 32.5 inch catcher's mitt, with 32 inches fitting most 11 and 12 year olds, and our #1 pick is the Ra…
Best Bluetooth Headset for a Catcher's Helmet (2026)
The best Bluetooth headset for a catcher's helmet is a $13 set of helmet speaker pods that installs completely inside the ear flap…
The 8 Best Catcher's Mitts for Youth Baseball & Fastpitch (2026)
The Rawlings Renegade 32.5" (about $59) is the best youth catcher's mitt for most 9U to 13U baseball catchers: it's game-ready in …
Youth Catcher's Gear: The Complete Buying Guide (2026)
Start with a complete, NOCSAE-certified youth set like the Rawlings Renegade 2.0 (about $228), then buy the mitt separately and ad…
The Best Knee Savers & Knee Protection for Catchers (2026)
The Rawlings Catcher's Knee Savers (about $28 youth, $22 adult) are the best knee savers for most catchers: dense wedges that lace…
Catcher Safety Gear: The 8 Add-Ons Worth Buying (2026)
Start with a NOCSAE-certified helmet and chest protector, then add a throat guard (the Rawlings TP4, about $13, is our #1 add-on),…
The Best Catcher's Gear Bags: Wheeled, Backpack & Budget (2026)
The SUPRANICE wheeled catcher's bag (about $60) is the best catcher's gear bag for most families: it swallows the full kit and rol…
Softball Gear
Best Fastpitch Catcher's Gear for 10U (2026): 8 Sets for 9 and 10 Year Olds
A 10U softball catcher needs a youth fastpitch set sized for ages 9 to 12 (chest protector about 13 to 14.5 inches, leg guards abo…
Best Fastpitch Catcher's Gear for 12U (2026): 8 Sets for 11 and 12 Year Olds
Most 12U softball catchers fit a youth or Small fastpitch set (chest protector about 14 to 15.5 inches, leg guards about 14 to 15 …
Best Fastpitch Catcher's Gear for 14U (2026): 7 Sets for 13 and 14 Year Olds
A 14U softball catcher needs an intermediate or Medium fastpitch set (chest protector about 15 to 16.5 inches, leg guards about 15…
Best Softball Bat for 10U (2026): 8 Fastpitch Picks for 9 to 10 Year Olds
Most 10U softball players need a 28 to 30 inch fastpitch bat with a -11 to -13 drop (29 inches is the most common), and our #1 pic…
Best Softball Bat for 12U (2026): 8 Fastpitch Picks for 11 to 12 Year Olds
Most 12U softball players need a 30 to 32 inch fastpitch bat with a -10 to -12 drop, and our #1 pick is the Easton Ghost Youth (-1…
Best Softball Bat for 14U (2026): 8 Fastpitch Picks for 13 to 14 Year Olds
Most 14U softball players need a 31 to 33 inch fastpitch bat with a -10 drop, and our #1 pick is the Easton Ghost OG (-10, 32 inch…
Best Softball Bat for 8U (2026): 8 Fastpitch Picks for 7 to 8 Year Olds
Most 8U softball players need a 26 to 28 inch fastpitch bat with a -11 to -13 drop, and our #1 pick is the Easton Ghost Youth (-11…
Best Softball Bats for High School (2026): 8 Fastpitch Picks for 14 to 18 Year Olds
Most high school softball players need a 32 to 34 inch fastpitch bat with a -10 or -9 drop that carries the USA Softball mark requ…
Best Softball Glove for 10U (2026): 8 Picks for 9 to 10 Year Olds
A 10U softball player (ages 9 to 10) needs a fastpitch glove between 11 and 12 inches, and 11.5 inches fits most; our #1 pick is t…
Best Softball Glove for 12U (2026): 8 Picks for 11 to 12 Year Olds
A 12U softball player (ages 11 to 12) needs a fastpitch glove between 11.5 and 12.5 inches: 11.5 to 12 for infielders, 12 for pitc…
Best Softball Glove for 14U (2026): 8 Picks for 13 to 14 Year Olds
A 14U softball player (ages 13 to 14) needs a fastpitch glove sized by position: 11.75 to 12 inches for infield, 12 to 12.5 for pi…
Best Softball Glove for 8U (2026): 7 Picks for 7 to 8 Year Olds
An 8U softball player (ages 7 to 8) needs a fastpitch glove between 10.5 and 11.5 inches, and 11 inches fits most; our #1 pick is …
Best Softball Glove for High School (2026): 8 Picks by Position for 14 to 18 Year Olds
A high school softball player needs an adult fastpitch glove sized by position: 11.5 to 12 inches at shortstop and second, 12 to 1…
The 12 Best Softball Gifts for Girls (2026): Sorted by Age, Budget, and Position
The best softball gifts are the ones a player uses every practice: batting gloves, a glove that fits, a net for the backyard, and …
The 8 Best Fastpitch Catcher's Mitts (2026): Youth to Travel Ball
A fastpitch catcher's mitt is not a baseball mitt with a pink lace. The ball is 12 inches around, so the pocket is wider and the m…
Best Youth Softball Catcher's Gear (2026): Fastpitch Sets for 8U to 14U
The best youth softball catcher's gear for most 10U to 12U catchers is the Champro Optimus Pro Fastpitch Catcher's Kit for ages 9 …
Softball Face Mask Sizing: How to Choose the Right Size Fielder's Mask (2026 Fit Guide)
Softball fielder's masks come in two main sizes: youth, which fits most players about 6 to 12 with head circumference around 19 to…
Best Fastpitch Softball Bats for 10U to 12U (2026): Youth Picks by Budget
The best youth fastpitch bat for most 10U to 12U players is the Easton Ghost Youth (about $60): a light -11 drop, approved for all…
Best Softball Batting Gloves for Girls & Youth (2026)
The best softball batting gloves for most youth players are the Franklin Grow to Pro (about $20): a forgiving fit for growing hand…
Best Fastpitch Softball First Base Mitts (2026): 12" to 13" Picks
The best fastpitch first base mitt for most everyday first basemen is the Mizuno MVP Prime 13" (about $110): pro-feel leather and …
Best Youth Softball Sunglasses (2026): Sport Shades for Girls and Kids
The best youth softball sunglasses for most girls are the QALLY kids' sport shades (about $17 for a 3-pack): a snug youth wrap siz…
Best Fastpitch Softball Outfield Gloves (2026): 12.5" and Up, by Budget
The best fastpitch outfield glove for most players is the Wilson A500 Siren 12.5" (about $80): light, easy to close, and big enoug…
Best Girls' Softball Cleats (2026): Molded Picks for Youth Through High School
The best girls' softball cleat for most youth players is the Under Armour Glyde Sola RM JR (about $28): molded studs that are lega…
Best Softball Bat Backpacks for Girls (2026): Bags That Carry the Whole Kit
The best softball bat backpack for most youth players is the Rawlings REMIX (about $25): two bat sleeves, a fence hook, room for g…
Best 12-Inch Practice Softballs (2026): Leather, Synthetic & Pitching-Machine Picks
The best practice softballs for most teams are the Champro 12" Recreational Fastpitch dozen (about $74): a fair-priced bucket of w…
Best Fastpitch Softball Fielding Masks (2026): Infield & Pitcher Face Protection
The best fastpitch fielding masks are the RIP-IT Defense (about $40, the travel-ball standard in youth and adult sizes) and the Ra…
Best Fastpitch Softball Batting Helmets With Face Guard (2026)
The best fastpitch batting helmet for most players is the Easton ALPHA with facemask (about $54): a matched helmet and cage that m…
Best Softball Sliding Shorts for Girls (2026): Padded Sliders That Save Hips & Thighs
The best softball sliding shorts for most girls are the Youper Youth padded sliders (about $19): real foam over the hips and thigh…
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Game Calling
The Free Pitch Calling App for Baseball & Softball (2026): What You Get, How to Set It Up, What It Costs
Yes, there is a genuinely free pitch calling app. MAVTRAX runs on iPhone, Android and the web with no subscription, no plan tiers …
Electronic Pitch Calling Systems (2026): The 4 Types Compared, and How to Choose
An electronic pitch calling system sends the pitch call from the coach (or catcher) to a player's ear or wrist, so there are no vi…
Pitch Location Chart (2026): The 9 Strike Zone Locations Explained, and Where to Throw Each Pitch
A pitch location chart splits the strike zone into nine boxes (up, middle, down by in, middle, away), numbered 1 to 9 from the cat…
Can a Catcher Wear an Earpiece? Rules by Level and the Setup That Actually Works (2026)
Yes: a catcher can wear an earpiece for one-way pitch calls in MLB, college, NFHS high school baseball (since 2024), NFHS softball…
Pitch Calling App vs. Hardware Kit (2026): Setup, Range, Rules, Cost and Which Wins Where
A pitch calling app and a hardware kit both put a spoken call in the catcher's ear. The app wins on cost, replacement and flexibil…
Is a Hardware Pitch-Calling System Worth It? A Decision Guide by Level and Budget (2026)
A hardware pitch-calling kit is worth it if your program has the budget, wants no phone on the bench, or needs several receivers o…
Electronic Pitch Calling in Youth Baseball (2026): Little League Rules, Travel Ball and the Right Age to Start
Yes: Little League changed its rules for 2025 to let a manager or coach in the dugout call pitches to the catcher with a one-way d…
Pitch Calling Apps Compared (2026): The 5 Kinds of App, and What to Check Before You Download
Apps sold as pitch calling apps do five very different jobs: some speak the call into the catcher's helmet, some show it on a scre…
Wireless Pitch Calling Systems (2026): Range, Bluetooth vs. Radio, and Interference
A wireless pitch calling system carries the call from the dugout to the catcher's helmet over a short-range link: standard Bluetoo…
Electronic Pitch Calling in Softball (2026): The Rules by Level and How to Set It Up
Yes: electronic pitch calling is legal in a lot of fastpitch softball, including NFHS high school softball, which has allowed one-…
Electronic Pitch Calling in High School Baseball (2026): The NFHS Rule, State Variations and Setup
Yes: since the 2024 season, NFHS baseball rules have allowed a coach in the dugout to call pitches to the catcher with a one-way e…
Pitch Calling App for Baseball & Softball (2026): How to Set One Up, Step by Step
A pitch calling app turns the coach's phone into a pitch-calling system: tap a pitch and a location, and the catcher hears the cal…
How Electronic Pitch-Calling Hardware Works: Transmitter, Receivers, Encryption and Range (2026)
A dedicated pitch-calling device is a small encrypted radio system: the caller presses a pitch button and a location button on a k…
Pitch-Calling System Cost (2026): Every Hardware Price, Team-Size Totals and the $13 App Setup
A hardware pitch-calling starter kit costs $999 as of August 2026 (one transmitter plus two receivers), each add-on receiver is $5…
Pitch Calling Watch vs Earpiece: Wrist Displays, Audio and the Honest Trade-Offs (2026)
A pitch calling watch puts the called pitch on a screen on the catcher's wrist; an earpiece speaks it. Watches are silent, easy to…
Coach to Catcher Communication Devices: Every Option in 2026
A coach-to-catcher communication device sends the pitch call from the dugout to the catcher's ear, one way, with no hand signs for…
Electronic Pitch Calling in Baseball: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Start
Electronic pitch calling means the coach (or catcher) sends the pitch and location electronically, and the catcher hears it privat…
How to Prevent Sign Stealing in Baseball: 9 Fixes, From Tonight's Game to a Permanent Solution (2026)
To prevent sign stealing, hide the catcher's signs from the runner and base coaches, use an indicator or hot sign that changes, ro…
Do Pitchers Wear Earpieces? MLB vs College, High School and Youth Rules (2026)
Yes, in MLB: since 2022 pitchers have worn a small receiver inside the cap that speaks the pitch call, and since 2023 they may als…
How to Call a Baseball Game: A Catcher's Pitch-Sequencing Framework
To call a baseball game, get a fastball strike, change eye level, let the count decide attack or expand, and finish two-strike cou…
Catcher Signs & Signals: The Complete Guide (Plus How to Beat Sign Stealing)
Standard catcher signs: 1 finger fastball, 2 curveball, 3 slider, 4 (or a wiggle) changeup, plus an indicator or sequence once a r…
Coaching
The 12 Best Gifts for Baseball Coaches (2026): End-of-Season Ideas Coaches Actually Use
Ask a youth baseball coach what they want at the end of the season and you get the same three answers: less to carry, fewer stolen…
Baseball Pitching Speed by Age: Average Velocity From 8U to MLB, Plus Fastpitch (2026 Chart)
Typical baseball pitching speed by age: 8U about 35 to 43 mph, 10U about 41 to 52, 12U about 47 to 60, 14U about 57 to 70, and var…
Baseball Field Dimensions by Age (2026 Chart): 8U to 14U Base Paths, Mound and Fences
Baseball field dimensions by age: a 46-foot pitching distance with 60-foot bases through 12U, 50/70 or 54/80 fields at 13U, and th…
Youth Baseball Rules by Age (2026 Chart): Stealing, Leads, Dropped Third Strike, and When the Real Rules Arrive
Youth baseball rules change by age in a predictable order: steals come first (after the pitch reaches the batter), the dropped thi…
Youth Baseball Practice Plan Templates (2026): 30, 60, and 90 Minute Plans That Keep Nine Kids Moving
A good youth baseball practice runs about 60 minutes: 6 minutes of warmup, 9 of throwing, 33 in three stations, 10 of competition …
The 15 Best Baseball Tournament Gear Essentials (2026): The Sideline Kit We Actually Haul
New travel-ball families learn the sideline kit the hard way, one brutal, shadeless, dead-phone Saturday at a time. Skip the tuiti…
The Best GameChanger Streaming Setup (2026): 9 Pieces of Gear That Keep the Stream Alive
Every travel team streams on GameChanger now, and every team learns the same four failure modes: the shaky fence angle, the phone …
Baseball Position Numbers: 1 Pitcher, 2 Catcher, 3 to 6 Infield, 7 to 9 Outfield (Full 2026 Chart)
The nine position numbers: 1 pitcher, 2 catcher, 3 first base, 4 second base, 5 third base, 6 shortstop, 7 left field, 8 center fi…
How to Keep a Baseball Scorebook (2026): Every Symbol, a Worked Inning, and the Weird Plays
You volunteered to 'help out' and now there's a scorebook in your lap. Breathe, scoring is a small symbol language, and this is th…
The Travel Baseball Tournament Day Guide (2026): Checklists, Timeline, Brackets and the Between-Games Playbook
To survive a travel baseball tournament day, arrive 60 minutes before the first game, pack three bags (player, parent, car), refue…
Baseball Pitching Distance by Age: 46 ft Through 12U, 50/54 ft at 13U, 60 ft 6 in From 14U (2026 Chart)
Baseball pitching distance by age: 46 feet for most 9U to 12U play, 50 or 54 feet in the 13U transition year, and 60 feet 6 inches…
Pitch Types by Age (2026 Chart): What Your Kid Should Throw, and When
Per Pitch Smart, kids learn a fastball around age 8, a changeup around 10, a curveball around 14, and sliders, splitters and forkb…
The Travel-Ball Coach's Tech Stack (2026): 6 Tools That Actually Earn Their Bag Space
We build dugout technology for a living, and we watch what coaches actually use at tournaments every weekend. This is the honest 2…
How Much Does Travel Baseball Really Cost? (2026 Parent's Budget Guide)
Travel baseball typically costs $2,000 to $6,000 per player per year once everything is counted, with $3,000 to $4,000 the most co…
How to Call Pitches From the Dugout: A 7-Step Method for Coaches (2026)
To call pitches from the dugout, decide the next pitch and location while the ball is on its way back to the pitcher, send it to t…
Youth Baseball Pitch Count Rules by Age (2026 Chart): Daily Limits, Rest Days, and State High School Rules
Pitch Smart and Little League cap youth pitchers at 50 pitches a day at 8 and under, 75 at 9 to 10, 85 at 11 to 12, 95 at 13 to 16…
Training
Comparisons
Cardo vs. Sena for a Catcher's Helmet: Why Neither Fits, and What to Buy Instead
Cardo and Sena make excellent motorcycle communicators, but both mount a control box on the outside of a motorcycle helmet shell. …
Fodsports FX-S vs. FreedConn TCOM VB for a Catcher's Helmet: Why Neither Fits
Fodsports and FreedConn make popular budget motorcycle headsets, but both put a control box on the outside of a motorcycle helmet …
Pocket Radar Smart Coach vs. Ball Coach: Same Radar, So Which Should You Buy?
Verdict: buy the Smart Coach (~$399) if the radar is for one player's development, and the Ball Coach (~$299) if it lives in a tea…
Baseball Radar Gun App vs. a Real Radar Gun: Which Do You Actually Need?
Verdict: if you will act on the number, buy a real radar gun; a phone radar gun app is only good for fun. Your phone has no radar,…
Rawlings Renegade vs. Mizuno Prospect Catcher's Mitt: Which Youth Mitt?
These are the two mitts on more youth catchers than any others, and they solve different problems. The Rawlings Renegade is a 32.5…
Rawlings Heart of the Hide vs. Pro Preferred: Which Flagship Glove Is Worth It?
Quick answer: the Heart of the Hide (about $250) is the right buy for most serious players; the Pro Preferred (about $320 and up) …
Easton vs. DeMarini Baseball Bats: Which Brand Wins?
Easton and DeMarini are two of the biggest names in BBCOR baseball, and they chase the same hitter from opposite directions: DeMar…
Marucci vs. Louisville Slugger Bats (2026): BBCOR, USSSA, USA and Wood, Compared
Marucci wins for hitters who want a stiff, durable one-piece alloy (the CAT line) and pro-grade wood; Louisville Slugger wins for …
BBCOR vs. USSSA vs. USA Bats: Which Standard Does Your Player Need?
BBCOR, USSSA, and USA Baseball aren't reading on a spectrum of "better", they're three separate certification stamps, and which on…
Wood vs. Metal Baseball Bats: Which to Buy (and When)
Wood and metal each win in a different place: metal owns game day in most amateur leagues, and wood owns the cage, the off-season,…
Composite vs. Alloy Baseball Bats: Pop, Price & Which to Pick
Quick answer: alloy is the better buy for most players (cheaper, tougher, no break-in, fine in the cold); composite is worth it fo…
Rawlings vs. Wilson Baseball Gloves: Heart of the Hide vs. A2000
Quick answer: for most infielders we'd buy the Rawlings Heart of the Hide 11.5" (about $250), which costs roughly $80 less than th…
Hockey-Style vs. Traditional Catcher's Mask: Which Is Right?
A hockey-style helmet wraps the whole head in one piece and never moves, but it can't come off for a pop-up. A traditional two-pie…
Gloves & Mitts
Youth Baseball
Youth Baseball Buying Guide (2026): How to Choose Every Piece of Gear, by Age
One page that answers the whole cart: what gear a youth baseball player actually needs at each age, what each piece should cost, t…
Best Baseball Walk-Up Songs for Youth Players (2026 List by Age)
The right walk-up song tells the field who's coming. From 8U kids who want a movie theme to 16U travel ballers going for intimidat…
Youth Baseball Bat Size Chart (2026): Length by Height and Weight, Drop by Age, and the Stamp Your League Requires
Most 8-year-olds swing a 26 to 28 inch bat, most 10-year-olds 28 to 30 inches, and most 12-year-olds 30 to 32 inches, but height a…
Training Aids
Best Backyard Batting Cages (2026): 8 Real-Brand Picks from $180 to $1,000
A backyard batting cage is the single biggest rep multiplier a youth hitter can own: no field trip, no shagging balls, just swing …
Best Portable Pitching Mounds for Youth Baseball (2026)
The GoSports 80 x 28 x 6 inch stride-line mound (about $250) is the best portable pitching mound for most youth pitchers: full str…
Best Baseball Hitting Nets (2026): 7x7s, L Screens, and Pitchbacks
The 7x7 hitting net is the most-bought piece of training gear in youth baseball, and the one most families buy twice because the f…
The Backyard Baseball Training Setup (2026): A Plan for Every Yard Size
The families whose kids improve fastest aren't the ones with the most lessons; they're the ones where reps are twenty steps from t…
The 8 Best Catcher Training Tools: Blocking, Receiving & Game Speed (2026)
The Rawlings Great Hands pancake glove (about $32) is the best catcher training tool for most players, because receiving happens o…
The 7 Best Baseball Training Aids That Actually Get Used (2026)
Most training gear ends up in the garage by July. These seven earn a permanent spot in the bag, picked for the drills coaches actu…
Softball
Softball Pitch Calling Systems: 6 Options Compared for Fastpitch Programs (2026)
Fastpitch programs call pitches with one of six systems: hand signs, a number system on wristband cards, dugout number boards, a p…
The 8 Best Fastpitch Softball Training Tools (2026)
The best fastpitch softball training tool for pitchers is a spinner ball like the Bownet 4-Seam Spinner (about $33), and for hitte…
Catching Craft
The 5 Catching Fundamentals Every Catcher Must Master (with Drills)
The five catching fundamentals are stance and receiving, framing, blocking, throwing and game-calling, learned in that order. Each…
Pitch Framing, Explained: How to Frame Pitches, and How Many Runs a Catcher's Glove Is Worth
Pitch framing is receiving borderline pitches so umpires call them strikes: quiet hands, an early glove, and catching the ball mov…
How to Block Pitches in the Dirt: A Catcher's Blocking Guide (Drills + Gear)
To block a pitch in the dirt, drop both knees, get your chest over the ball, tuck your chin and let the glove plug the gap between…
Catcher Pop Time by Age: What's Actually Good (with Benchmarks and a Youth Chart)
A good catcher pop time is about 2.0 seconds in MLB, 2.0 to 2.2 in high school, 2.2 to 2.45 at 14U and 2.45 to 2.7 at 12U, measure…
The Battery
What Is a Battery in Baseball? The Pitcher and Catcher, Explained (2026)
A battery in baseball is the pitcher and the catcher, considered together as one unit. They are positions 1 and 2 in the scorebook…
Baseball Catching & Battery Glossary: 100+ Catcher Terms, Clearly Defined
Catching terms defined: the battery is the pitcher and catcher, framing steals strikes, and pop time is the throw to second (about…