Basic Softball Equipment
Proper fitting softball equipment is just as important to your team’s success as learning proper softball fundamentals and skills. To see if your equipment is legal for ASA Championship Play look in the equipment section of the latest ASA Rule Book, in the ASA’s official publication, “Balls & Strikes Magazine,” or on the ASA website at www.asasoftball.com under “Approved Equipment.”
Balls:
Softballs come in two sizes: 11” for 10U and 12” 12U, 14U & 16U. 11" Softee softballs are used for Instructional B division. To give you a better idea of just how big that is—a baseball is nine inches. Keep in mind that the word softball doesn’t mean that the balls are “soft.” In fact, they’re just as hard as a baseball. So if you are coaching a group of inexperienced kids you should consider using a softer, safety ball.
Catcher’s Mask:
Fast and slow pitch catcher’s must wear face masks. The masks come in different weights depending upon the thickness of the metal. One very important part of the face mask is the throat protector. It can be either a large piece of plastic connected to the mask by two strips of leather, or a metal extension at the bottom of the mask. The throat protector is as important to the catcher’s safety as the mask itself, so make sure your catcher’s mask includes one.
Make sure your catcher’s face mask fits properly. Adjustable straps on the back of the mask allows the mask to be adjusted for a proper fit. Also, if your catcher is using the adjustable throat protector, make sure that it fits properly (it should completely cover the throat). It should dangle just enough to be flexible, but it should not be too loose or too low.
Catcher’s Helmet:
Junior Olympic catchers must wear an approved batter’s helmet with ear flaps, or the catcher’s helmet and mask.
Catcher’s Chest Protector:
This is required only for fast pitch catchers, but it is not a bad idea for slow pitch catchers to wear one as well. The chest protector protects the catcher’s chest. It has adjustable straps on the back. Chest protectors come in different sizes, so your catcher should have one that covers the chest without being too bulky to prevent quick movement.
Catcher’s Shin Guards:
These are usually just for fast pitch catchers. They protect the catcher’s legs from foul balls and from runners sliding into home plate. They fit over the front portion of the catcher’s legs with small extensions going over the top of the foot and knee. Shin guards have adjustable straps in the back to make them fit snugly. Make sure your catcher selects a set of shin guards that are the same length as his or her legs. They come in youth and adult sizes so be aware of this when buying shin guards for your catcher.
Catcher’s Mitt & First Base Mitt:
A catcher’s mitt is a glove without fingers, and is only legally worn by catchers and first base players. These mitts are bigger than normal fielder’s gloves and have more padding. A catcher’s mitt will have even more padding than the first base player’s mitt. While these two positions are the only ones who can legally wear mitts, they don’t have to wear them. These players can choose whether they want to use them or not. Some players think that mitts are too bulky and hard to use so they choose to wear regular fielder’s gloves instead.
Fielder’s Glove:
A glove has individual fingers and can be worn by all defensive players. Gloves come in adult and youth sizes, and in outfield and infield lengths. The outfielder’s glove is longer than an infielder’s glove, but either type may be worn by infielders and outfielders. Do not think that the more expensive the glove, the better it is. When choosing a glove, the player should be able to control it (not too big), and it should be comfortable.
Batting Helmet:
All batters (fast pitch and slow pitch) must wear batting helmets. This is one of the most important safety items in softball because it protects the player’s head. Not just while they’re are batting, but also while they are baserunners. In most cases, baserunners have their backs to the fielders so their heads are very vulnerable. Helmets add much needed protection. Please note: chin straps are mandatory on all youth batting helmets.
Helmets also come in different sizes, usually Small, Medium and Large, so make sure you have enough helmets in the different sizes for everyone on your team. Helmets must be NOSCAE approved in order to be legal and safe. Don’t buy helmets without the NOSCAE seal.
Bases:
There are three bases on a softball field (first, second and third). You can purchase different types of bases depending on cost, safety, and permanence. Select the safest bases possible for your field because an unsafe base can lead to injuries to players feet, hands, legs and arms.
Home Plate:
There is only one home plate on each softball field, and its shape is totally different from the other three bases. It gets its unusual shape because the two foul lines (first base and third base) come together at the point of home plate. Home plate is in fair territory, with the point facing away from the pitcher.
