What does my daughter need for softball? The first-season list, in order

The list, in order

1. Glove: a fastpitch glove, 10.5–11 in for 8U and 10U, 11.5–12.5 in for 12U.
2. Helmet with face mask: NOCSAE-certified, sized by head circumference.
3. Bat: fastpitch, 2 1/4 in barrel, the stamp the league names; -11 or -12 for 8U/10U.
4. Cleats: molded rubber; same shoe as baseball.
5. Bag: a backpack with a bat sleeve.
6. Batting gloves: youth sizes; optional but every kid wants them.
7. Catcher's gear: only if she catches, and only if the league does not supply it.

Sliding shorts, a water bottle and sunglasses round it out; none needs a guide. The baseball equipment checklist is the same list with a cup on it and the softball-specific lines swapped.

What the league provides

Ask before you buy anything, because the answer changes the budget. Little League Softball is played in divisions by age (Tee Ball 4–7, Minor League 5–11, Little League/Majors 9–12, per Little League's divisions page), and the league provides the balls, the bases and usually a jersey and cap. Many rec leagues keep a team bag with a few bats, a set of catcher's gear and spare helmets. Travel teams provide less and expect more. The three things almost no league provides are the glove, the cleats and a helmet she is willing to wear (team helmets exist, and they are sweaty, ill-fitting and the reason most parents buy one by week three).

1. Glove

A fastpitch glove, not a baseball glove. BaseballMonkey's fastpitch guide: fastpitch gloves “will feature a deeper and shorter pocket than a baseball glove” because the ball is 11 or 12 in around instead of 9. Its age table runs 9–11 in for ages 5–8 and 10–12 in for ages 9–14; Rawlings' own softball table puts youth fastpitch infield at 10.5–11 in and outfield at 11–11.5 in. For an 8U or 10U player catching the 11 in ball, an 11 in glove; for a 12U player on the 12 in ball, 12 to 12.5 in. Look for a Velcro or strap back and a low break-in number on the maker's scale so she can close it on day one. Full table: softball glove size chart; ranked: best youth softball gloves.

2. Helmet with mask

The helmet size chart has the measuring method; the face guard page covers the mask and jaw guard options for both sports.

3. Bat

A fastpitch bat with a 2 1/4 in barrel. Little League Softball Rule 1.10: no more than 33 in, 2 1/4 in in diameter, and “non-wood bats shall be printed with a BPF (bat performance factor) of 1.20.” USA Softball and USSSA leagues want their own mark; Easton labels bats that carry the set “All Association.” Her brother's USA Baseball bat is not legal. Length from height and weight (a 3'9"–4' player under 60 lb is a 28 in the retailer table), drop -11 or -12 for 8U and 10U. The bat can wait: every team has a bag of them for the first week, and watching which length she reaches for tells you more than a chart. Size chart; 8U picks; 10U picks.

4. Cleats

Molded rubber or TPU, the same shoe as youth baseball; metal is prohibited in Little League's youth divisions. Soccer cleats work in most rec leagues; football cleats do not (the toe stud). Fit with a thumb's width at the toe and expect a size change mid-season. The cleat sizing guide and ranked youth cleats apply without change.

5–7. Bag, batting gloves, catcher's gear

• Bag. A youth backpack with a bat sleeve and a helmet clip; the glove, helmet and bat all fit, and she carries it herself. Ranked bags.
• Batting gloves. Optional in every rulebook and non-negotiable to every 9-year-old. Youth sizes; a cheap pair, because she will lose one.
• Catcher's gear. Only if she catches, and only if the league's team set does not fit her. Softball-specific youth sets (Easton's Jen Schro line, sized for ages 6–11 per the maker) size the chest protector for girls. Ranked sets; size chart.

One pick per item