Player Equipment Guidelines

General Guidelines for Player Equipment

The following guidelines will assist parents by providing general information on the size and type of equipment to purchase for players at each level of the LGSGSA recreation league play.  These are only guidelines, and the league recommends that each player engage with a professional instructor to confirm proper size, fit, and model.  Please note ASA safety guidelines, and assure that bats meet the latest ASA safety and performance parameters.  Bats must be labeled with an ASA certification to be used in LGSGSA recreation league practices or games.

1.  Gloves

Glove sizes are measured based upon the diameter in inches of the glove's pocket.  The following are general recommendations for pocket size by division.  Note, the A Division players use a 10-inch softball, the AA and AAA Division players use an 11-inch diameter softball, and the AAAA Division players use a 12-inch diameter softball.

A Division:  Pocket size from 10 inches to 11.5 inches

AA Division:  Pocket size from 10.5 inches to 12 inches

AAA Division:  Pocket size from 11 inches to 12.5 inches

AAAA Division:  Pocket size from 11.5 inches to 13 inches

Gloves should be light enough to enable players easy movement and quick reaction, assuring they can defense against a batted or thrown ball.  Players should test a new glove to assure it is not too heavy.  New gloves should also be properly broken in to assure a player can easily open and close the pocket.

Gloves should be made from leather or other similar materials.  Avoid plastic or vinyl gloves as they easily break and are unlikely to defend a player against a batted or thrown ball.

Check with coaches about specialized gloves for use at certain positions including catcher and 1st base.

2.  Bats

Bats can be professionally fitted by instructors at Cutting Edge Softball.  Please check that bats are stamped with ASA certification (the latest version appears to be ASA 2004) to verify they can be used in our league practices and games.

Bat measurements are provided using both weight (in ounces) and length (in inches).  The "drop" rating of a bat is the number of ounces minus the number of inches.  For example, an 18 ounce bat that is 30 inches long is considered to have a drop of -12.

Typically larger drops are most appropriate for younger players.  Heavier bats do produce more power yet bat speed is a key criteria to hitting the ball hard and for distance as well.  A player that loses bat speed due to a bat being too heavy is not maximizing her ability or performance.

3.  Cleats

Plastic or rubber cleats are allowed, and please select the softball/baseball cleat format rather than using a soccer style cleat.  Sales people at sporting goods stores can demonstrate the difference, and cleats should be labeled for softball/baseball or soccer.

4.  Fielders Face Mask

Players in the field can choose to wear an additional piece of protective equipment called a fielders face mask.  There are a number of different models on the market available at local sporting goods stores or online retailers of softball/baseball equipment.  We recommend that a player first try on the protective fielders face mask to assure it can be adjusted to fit snugly.  The mask should remain firmly in place on the player's face even when she makes quick, dynamic movements as would take place under game conditions.  Each player and family should decide whether to purchase this additional piece of equipment.  We recommend this fielders face mask for all players on defense and especially for pitchers and infielders as there tends to be less time to react to a batted ball the closer a player is to the batter.