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It's a pretty loose definition of a league since it's 4 year olds. It's just a way for a big group of like-minded 4 year old kids and parents to organize, split into even teams and get together on a weekly basis for a game. It might also be a technical requirement to reserve the ball field.
The youth size bat is 12 bucks. No biggie. Yeah he could share a bat at the game, but that means he'll pretty much touch the bat for what 10 minutes a week? Haha. Spend 12 bucks and he could play with it in the backyard.
It's all the protective stuff that baffles me since it's 4 year old T Ball. It might be a requirement of the ball field organization. Not sure.
It's funny shopping for a cup for a 4 year old. "It protects your little wee-wee!" He barely has enough strength to wear the glove. The helmet is almost the same width as his shoulders. And I had no idea what a sternum shirt was. I'm on the fence over the cleats. I'm gonna get him another pair of shoes anyway so he doesn't trash his "nice" school sneakers with dirt and mud.
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3d wrote:
It's all the protective stuff that baffles me since it's 4 year old T Ball. It might be a requirement of the ball field organization. Not sure.
Yes. It's a liability thing.
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Get him an extra large cup.. it will double of the sternum protector.
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I would consider looking for a used bat either on Craigslist or at a user gear store such as Play It Again Sports.
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Jeezo.... Sounds like a lot of it is lawyer repellent....
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Local little league just required everyone to change their bats from last year. New type has some kind of "softening core" to prevent extra-hard shots that hit the pitcher... I was surprised to learn that several children die every year from taking a pitch in the chest right on the heart area. Tragic; and not something you'd want to happen to anybody's kid... so while my gut says "toughen up, these things happen" it makes sense; while my gut says these pitchers need to accept the risk... if this protects them, and keeps the game more interesting because hitters can't knock it out of the park as easily, so be it.
Now, for 4 year olds, that seems a little excessive. Any old bat should do!
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Do some quick searching on the sternum protectors...studies seem to show they are not all that effective. In tee ball, nobody is pitching.
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Some 4 year olds are more athletically gifted than others. When they play w/ kids that aren't as skilled, it behooves all kids to wear appropriate safety gear. As noted, a few team bats, and if an individual needs/wants a special bat, that's what grandparents are for.
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I don't think it's fair to compare to how things were when we were that age, but it definitely seems excessive.
Seems like some of these things would be optional guidelines. Maybe check with the league? I would not assume the coach is the final authority. This may be a well-meaning parent volunteer with little or no actual experience at this :quotes: "level." I coached countless baseball, basketball and soccer teams, and those peewee years are a learning experience for everyone—no matter how knowledgeable or experienced you are from having played yourself.
No way they all need their own bats at the game, but if it's inexpensive, I say get it so your child has the proper bat to practice with. I hesitate to advise against playing it safe, but the cup and the heart guard seem totally unnecessary at this age, and I never knew a league that didn't supply enough helmets for the team to share at the younger ages. Maybe it's a lice thing? If a kid has played a couple years and shows interest, I say get him his own helmet so that it fits comfortably and allows him to concentrate and focus properly, but for everyone to get his own at this age? Nahh.
Inexpensive all-purpose cleats are wise, but I'd also check Play it Again or search for hand me downs because kids outgrow them IMMEDIATELY in the elementary school years. I promise you there are countless families in your neighborhood trying to figure out what to do with the gently used pairs of cleats in the bins in their garages.
Oh...and I'm 100% in agreement with the no vinyl glove thing. Get a well fitting glove that your child can manipulate properly. There are some good "soft" designs that are designed to be easy to close. Might make all the difference for a 4 year old.
