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:
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.
Provides protection against hit or thrown balls.
Mandated by the league.
Recommended brands include RIP-IT, Mizuno, Force3
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 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.
DON’T BUY A BASEBALL BAT!
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.
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.
The following balls are used in WAGS:
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