On this page we will add some information for parents, especially those who may be new to baseball or Tsawwassen. Let us know if we can add anything.
For general information about the league, divisions and the baseball season see the General Information page.
Equipment
Compared to some sports, the equipment requirements of baseball are minimal
For every team TABA supplies a jersey and hat. Parents are responsible for pants, belt and footwear. An athletic supporter is required after Tadpole and each player must have a helmet and chinstrap (required to Pee Wee). A bat is optional but each player must have a glove.
Baseball pants and belts are relatively inexpensive. Pro Stock has set up a Tsawwassen Baseball Store. Follow the link to find a selection of pants. Note: this is only available until March 6.
For footwear, running shoes are fine for Rally Cap. Moulded cleats are allowed at all levels and metal cleats for Bantam and above. Moulded cleats are similar to those worn for soccer (some players have been know to double purpose) and widely available at a range of prices.
If your player decides they would like to be a catcher each team will carry the proper equipment, including glove. As they develop some players do decide to purchase their own gear
Choosing a glove
A glove is probably the most important piece of equipment for a baseball player. Taken care of a good glove can last for years and moulded to a players’ particular preferences. As they move up players themselves become experts in the brands and nuances.
Having said that, there is no need to rush out and buy a $300 glove for your Rally Cap beginner. It might be tempting to buy a ‘good’ glove that your beginner will grow into and keep for many years, but the most important thing is to to buy a glove that fits and your child is comfortable playing with now. Expensive gloves are usually stiff and require breaking in and the last thing you want is to have a glove that is too large and awkward. Pick something cheap and cheerful and get on the field! You can upgrade as you move on.
For Tadpole through Mosquito many top brands have junior sized gloves that are great for younger/smaller players.
Once players reach Pee Wee age (approximately) they will usually be using the same sizes as adult. After this age the choice of size is based on position. Infielders tend to prefer smaller gloves, outfielders larger and there are specialized gloves for first base and catchers. For players who play multiple positions one middle ‘utility’ size is fine and many coaches recommend staying on the smaller side. There are also models made for smaller hands in all of these sizes (the same glove size but smaller finger and wrist area) which are great for youth.
Where to find
For a Rally Cap/Tadpole glove you might be able to find a glove locally at Sportchek or even Canadian Tire in season.
For more selection and more advice MVP or Prostock are two options.
Online there are numerous American options like Justballgloves or Baseball Monkey where you can see what’s available.
Choosing a bat
While each team should have a selection of team bats many players choose to purchase their own. The world of bats can be confusing (and expensive) but as with other equipment their are a range of options and you don’t need to jump in the deep end at the beginning.
Bats are generally made out of: wood, metal alloy or ‘composite’ materials. One surprise for beginners is that wood bats are relatively rare. They are allowed at all levels but metal or composite bats are much easier to hit with and used by most players up to and beyond Bantam. Bantam AAA is ‘wood only.’ Alloy bats tend to be less expensive then composite, which can easily move into the $300+ range.
Sizing is probably the most confusing aspect of choosing a bat. Every level has rules limiting sizes and manufacturing standards, so the first step is to check these. Then the question is what size is appropriate for the particular player.
The main relevant measurements for bat are length and weight. A bat size is given in inches (length) and then its “drop” weight which is the difference between the length of the bat and its’ weight (in ounces). This later measurement gives you an idea of light/heavy the bat is given its’ length. A -10 bat (or ‘drop 10’), for example, means that the bat weighs 10 ounces less than its length. So a 30 inch bat would be 20 ounces, a 31 inch bay 21 ounces, etc. The greater the difference (the higher the drop number) the lighter the bat will feel. A -5 bat will be much heavier than a -10 bat.
Barrel size is another key measure. A bigger barrel (2 3/4 inch is largest) usually easier to hit with!
Beyond the limits placed by rules the main consideration is having a bat that your player can handle. A heavier and longer bat will hit the bat farther but a lighter bat is easier to swing faster so you need to find the right balance. You can find various charts online that give you an approximate guide for age/weight and bat size.