What Equipment Does My Son Need for Travel Baseball?
The Good News First
You don't need to spend a fortune to get started in travel baseball. A lot of the gear your son already has from rec league will carry over just fine. That said, there are a few things worth upgrading, a few rules you need to know, and a few items that catchers specifically will need to budget for separately.
Here's a practical guide to what your son actually needs.
The Essentials
Glove A good glove is the most personal piece of equipment in baseball and worth investing in. A quality glove at the right size for your son's position and age will last several years if cared for properly.
- Budget option: Rawlings, Wilson, and Mizuno all make solid entry-level gloves in the $60–$100 range that will hold up fine for younger players.
- Mid-range: $100–$200 gets you noticeably better leather and construction. Worth it for players 11U and older who are playing regularly.
- Premium: $200+ gloves are available and genuinely excellent, but there's no need to start here. Let your son grow into a higher-end glove when he's older and his hand size has stabilized.
Bat This is where the rules matter most — and where parents make the most expensive mistakes. Bat certifications vary by age group, and using the wrong bat in a game can result in an out being called and potential ejection.
Here's how it breaks down for most Central Ohio travel tournaments (PBR rules are a good reference point):
- 12U and under: Bats must be stamped with either USSSA 1.15 BPF or USA Baseball. USSSA certified bats are the norm at these ages in travel baseball.
- 13U: Players may use either USSSA or BBCOR bats, with a maximum drop of -8. Some 13U players make the switch to BBCOR early to get a head start on the adjustment before high school.
- 14U–18U: BBCOR certified bats (-3) or wood only. This is the high school and college standard, and it's what Central Ohio travel baseball uses at these ages.
At 14U and above, some tournaments use wood bats exclusively. If your son's team plays in wood bat events, he'll need a wood bat in addition to his BBCOR bat. Wood bats break — budget accordingly and don't buy an expensive one to start. Many teams handle wood bat tournaments practically: the team purchases a shared "team bat" or two, so no one family is on the hook if a bat breaks in the first inning.
- Budget: Entry-level bats at any certification level run $50–$100 and are perfectly functional.
- Mid-range: $100–$200 covers a solid, durable bat that most players will be happy with.
- Premium: High-end composite bats can run $300–$500. They perform well, but they're not necessary for most players and they can break. Don't feel pressured into the most expensive option.
Always confirm the certification required by your team and the specific tournaments they play before buying. Rules can vary by tournament organizer. When in doubt, ask your coach first.
Helmet A batting helmet with an ear flap is required. Most helmets come in standard sizes and fit most players. A quality helmet runs $30–$80. Make sure it fits snugly and has a current NOCSAE certification stamp.
Some leagues and tournaments require a face guard for younger players — check with your program. Many parents choose to add a face guard regardless of requirement, which is a reasonable call for younger kids.
Cleats Baseball cleats come in two varieties: molded plastic and metal.
- Molded plastic cleats are required at younger age groups and permitted everywhere. They're safe, durable, and appropriate for most players through 12U or 13U.
- Metal cleats are permitted at older age groups (typically 13U and above, but rules vary by tournament). Many older travel players prefer metal for traction and feel. Check your program's rules before making the switch.
A quality pair of cleats runs $40–$100. Don't overspend here — kids' feet grow fast.
Athletic supporter and cup Non-negotiable. Every player, every game, every practice. This is not optional.
Strongly Recommended
Batting gloves Not required but used by nearly every travel player. Batting gloves improve grip, reduce sting, and protect the hands. A decent pair runs $20–$40 and typically lasts a season.
Bat bag Your son needs a way to carry his gear. A basic bat bag with separate compartments for bats, helmet, glove, and gear runs $30–$60. Some teams provide a team-branded bag — check with your program before buying. At older ages, a larger backpack-style bag ($60–$120) is worth the upgrade.
Sliding shorts Sliding shorts with a built-in cup pocket are comfortable, protective, and keep baseball pants clean during slides. $20–$40 and worth every penny.
Sunglasses For outfielders especially, baseball sunglasses are genuinely useful. A basic pair of sport sunglasses works fine; dedicated flip-down fielding sunglasses ($30–$80) are a nice upgrade for regular outfielders.
Uniforms
Your team will provide or specify the uniform — typically one to two hats, two to three jerseys, and one to two pairs of baseball pants, plus socks and a belt. For a player new to an organization, the full uniform package usually runs $200–$400, sometimes bundled into registration fees and sometimes billed separately. See our player fees guide for more detail.
If Your Son Catches
Catchers need significantly more gear than position players, and it's a meaningful additional investment. A full catcher's kit typically includes:
- Helmet/mask with throat guard
- Chest protector
- Shin guards
All catcher's gear must meet NOCSAE standards (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) and carry the SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) mark. This is a mandatory requirement at the high school and college level and strongly recommended for youth players. When buying catcher's gear, confirm it carries the NOCSAE/SEI certification — not all gear sold at retail meets the standard.
A complete entry-level kit runs $100–$200. Mid-range gear ($200–$400) offers better protection and durability and is worth considering for a player who catches regularly. Many programs provide shared catcher's gear for practice — ask your coach before buying a full personal kit.
Catchers also go through more wear on their gear than other positions. Budget for replacement or upgrades every year or two.
What You Don't Need Right Away
- Pitching gear (separate cleats, specialized gloves) — not necessary until your son is pitching regularly at an older age
- Weighted training balls or resistance bands — useful for development but not essential to start
- Personal radar gun — useful for older pitchers tracking velocity, but definitely not a day-one purchase
A Few Buying Tips
Buy the right size, not the next size up. Especially with gloves and bats, parents are tempted to buy big so the equipment lasts longer. An oversized glove or a bat that's too long or heavy will hurt your son's mechanics more than it saves money.
Check used gear. Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Sideline Swap, and Play It Again Sports are great sources for quality used gear at a fraction of retail. Gloves especially improve with use. When buying a used bat, inspect the barrel carefully for dents or cracks — composite bats in particular can have hairline cracks that aren't obvious at first glance. Check the knob and end cap for damage, and if the original grip is still in good shape, that's a sign the bat wasn't heavily abused.
Shop discount bat sites and look for last year's model. Sites like JustBats, Baseball Monkey, and others frequently discount prior-year inventory. Here's the secret: manufacturers often change only the paint job from year to year, not the bat itself. Last year's model at 30–40% off is often the same bat with a different colorway.
Wait on the premium bat. Kids' tastes change, sizes change, and rules change. A $400 composite bat is a big bet on a lot of variables. Start mid-range and upgrade when you know more.
Check the certification before you buy anything. New or used, discount or full price — confirm the bat carries the right certification stamp for your son's age group and the tournaments he'll play in. A great deal on a bat that's not legal is no deal at all.
The one exception to buying used: helmets. Buy helmets new — you can't inspect for internal damage in a used helmet, and it's not worth the risk.
Find Your Team
Once you've got the gear sorted, Diamond Ohio Travel Baseball Guide can help you find the right Central Ohio program for your son.