EQUIPMENT

Glove

DON’T BUY A BASEBALL GLOVE! 

Softball players require gloves that are slightly longer in length and deeper in the pocket than baseball gloves to help field the bigger ball. 

Keep these things in mind when buying a softball glove:

• Youth gloves are smaller to help kids maintain control (avoid the urge to buy a bigger glove that she'll “grow into”)
• Leather gloves are the preferred material 
• Buy a glove that is comfortable on the hand applicable to the size of the girl

Cleats

Baseball and/or softball shoes have one unique feature to look for that makes them different than soccer shoes: the toe cleat. 

Baseball shoes have a toe cleat at the very tip of the shoe that soccer shoes do not have. This helps players get better traction in quick starts where sudden movement occurs. 

WAGS requires all players to wear baseball/softball shoes with plastic cleats, however soccer shoes with plastic cleats may be worn. 

Metal cleats are not allowed by WAGS.

Fielder's Face Mask

Provides protection against hit or thrown balls.

Mandated by the league.

Recommended brands include RIP-IT, Mizuno, Force3 

Helmet

All helmets must have chin strap, face mask and be NOCSAE certified. 

Never use a helmet that is cracked, deformed or if the interior padding has deteriorated.

Sliding Shorts

Sliding shorts are worn underneath uniform shorts or pants and can give players the confidence to slide without the fear of getting injured.  Although they are not required, WAGS recommends them for the 8U division and above. Sliding shorts can be purchased with heavy padding or little padding. Some brands of softball pants, include sliding protection and do not require sliding shorts.

Knee Guards (sliders)

Sliders provide extra protection when sliding and fielding. They are optional however WAGS recommends them for all divisions You can purchase long sliders that cover the knee and shin or short sliders that cover just the knee Typically younger girls wear two long sliders and older girls wear two short sliders. Some choose to wear one of each (if going this route wear the long slider on the left leg, remember - long on left!).

Bats

DON’T BUY A BASEBALL BAT!

Any bat used must be an USA Softball certified softball bat (look for the marking on the barrel or check the USA Softball webpage for a list of approved and illegal bats). You will find as many different opinions about bat length/weight as you do varieties of bats.

Here are some general guidelines for purchasing a softball bat:

Weight:

It's best not to purchase a bat which is too heavy for your player. Rather than growing into the bat the player will develop bad habits that will be difficult to correct later on, not to mention poor self esteem because the overly heavy bat keeps the player from successfully hitting the ball. As for weight one rule of thumb is for the player to hold the bat in one hand (which ever is the top hand on the bat) and extend it out fully holding this position for at least 8-10 seconds. If the player can't do this the bat is too heavy. If in doubt about two bats it is always better to err on the side of the lighter bat!

Length:

Generally speaking if the bat is the proper size the player should be able to stand in the batters box in the hitting position and with arms extended and be able to reach the outside edge of the plate.

If the bat extends beyond this point it's too long, can't reach this point, it's too short.

Indications that a bat may be too heavy for a player:   

• They are over-powered most of the time by good fastballs.  
• They swing and miss a lot.   
• When they do make contact, balls are hit weakly and to the opposite field more often than up the middle or to the player's pull side (LF for RH hitters; RF for LH hitters). 

Look for these certification stamps on bats and helmets:

NOTE: USA Softball has begun transitioning to the new USA Softball Certification Marks for the 2020 calendar year. On behalf of equipment manufacturers, the USA Softball Equipment Testing and Certification Committee requested that the new certification marks be approved for the 2019 calendar year and the USA Softball Board of Directors approved the new marks (seen here) for 2019 USA Softball Championship Play. The Official Rules of Softball, Rule 3, Sections 1 and 3 will be updated for 2020 to identify the new Certification Marks for Championship Play.

Softballs

The following balls are used in WAGS:  

• Tee-Ball: 9” IncrediBall (Easton) 
• 6U: 10” IncrediBall (Easton)
• 8U: 10” RIF1 Sof-Dot (Rawlings)
• 10U: 11" Dream Seam (Rawlings)
• 12U and up: 12” Dream Seam (Rawlings)

Catcher's Gear

Westlake Agoura Girls Softball provides all catcher gear with the exception of a catcher’s glove. If you choose to purchase your own catcher gear here are some guidelines:

• Catcher’s Mitt: 
  Find a softball catcher’s mitt that fits the hand and feels comfortable. It will take a while to break-in a new mitt. DO NOT use a brand new mitt in a game. Catching pitches with a new mitt will be difficult as the ball will constantly pop out. Break in the new mitt at home and during practice!
• Catcher’s Helmet: 
  Make sure the helmet fits and then adjust the straps on the mask so it is snug to the head and helmet. A loose mask is bad. Also, make sure there is some sort of throat protection. Most modern masks are made with an extended throat guard.  Helmet and mask must NOCSAE certified and/or USA Softball approved.
• Chest Protector:
  The chest protector should fit snugly against your body. There should be no space between any part of your body and the chest protector (this includes while in the squatting position). Some protectors have shoulder guards for extra protection. These are fine if they are removable. You may want to remove the guard on your throwing shoulder so it does not impede your ability to throw

• Shin Guards:
  Shin guards should protect the front of the leg, knee, and top of the foot. When wearing shin guards, the straps should not be too loose or too tight. Do not buy shin guards that are too large for the body, expecting to grow into them. This will only inhibit movement and make the catcher’s job more difficult behind the plate
• Knee Savers:
  Knee Savers are simply triangular pads that are connected to the straps on the back of your shin guards and makes squatting more comfortable and easier on your knees. Catchers DO NOT need Knee Savers and they are NOT a mandatory item. Some catchers like them, some don't. Knee Savers may restrict movement and discourage catchers from learning to be in a higher squat formation when needed.