T-Ball coach sends out a list of equipment for the parents to purchase... $$$

[JPK]

Need to cover all the bases (see what I did there?) with the right gear to protect both the children from getting hurt and the league and coaches from getting sued.

'Merica!
JPK

[3d]

macphanatic wrote:
Amazon sells a nice sleeveless shirt that has protection over the heart and on the sides (provides some protection while batting - no biggie for t-ball though). Try to avoid the one with the plastic foam blocks. My son hated it. Got the one with softer foam as it's much more flexible.

Is this the type your son likes? I don't see one that protects on the sides.

[macphanatic]

3d wrote:
[quote=macphanatic]
Amazon sells a nice sleeveless shirt that has protection over the heart and on the sides (provides some protection while batting - no biggie for t-ball though). Try to avoid the one with the plastic foam blocks. My son hated it. Got the one with softer foam as it's much more flexible.

Is this the type your son likes? I don't see one that protects on the sides.

This one:

Shirt

We have a couple now so that he can change them (tournaments - he usually gets them pretty wet)

N-OS X-tasy! wrote:
For a four-year-old T-ball player? Why not just wrap them up in bubble wrap and send them out to play?

For a couple of reasons. First, they learn to wear the appropriate protective gear all the time. As they get older, it gets more challenging to get them to start using it if they haven't. Second, while most of the kids have limited hitting, throwing, and fielding abilities, there will be a few that can hit and throw hard. Not to mention the freak event with the kid that has never hit the ball getting really lucky with a hard line drive.

My boys have been playing at different levels over the last 13 years. I've seen the freak events happen - the kid that never hit a pitch nailed one that hit an infielder and dropped him. Is it really worth saving $50-60 and risking the potential consequences?

I bought my son the Evoshield for his wrist - $35. He wound up getting nailed in that wrist. No injury. The ump said that had he not been wearing it, his wrist would have been broken. His season would have been over and I would have spent a minimum of $250 medical deductible.

[mrbigstuff]

About the only item that I agree with in that list is the cleats, everything else, inc their own helmets are extras, imo, and my son began baseball (not t ball) at around 6 yrs old. We shared gloves, bats and.helmets

[Rick-o]

N-OS X-tasy! wrote:
[quote=macphanatic]
Cup and heart guard are a no brainer.

For a four-year-old T-ball player? Why not just wrap them up in bubble wrap and send them out to play?
I'm guessing they want the kids to get used to the equipment early on, so when the time comes to move on to regular little league and beyond, the kids won't grouse as much.

IMO, every kid involved should have at least a bat, ball, and glove at home to practice between games.

[N-OS X-tasy!]

macphanatic wrote:
[quote=N-OS X-tasy!]
For a four-year-old T-ball player? Why not just wrap them up in bubble wrap and send them out to play?

For a couple of reasons. First, they learn to wear the appropriate protective gear all the time. As they get older, it gets more challenging to get them to start using it if they haven't. Second, while most of the kids have limited hitting, throwing, and fielding abilities, there will be a few that can hit and throw hard. Not to mention the freak event with the kid that has never hit the ball getting really lucky with a hard line drive.
Ah... indoctrination it is, then. Kinda like teaching religion at that age.

macphanatic wrote:
My boys have been playing at different levels over the last 13 years. I've seen the freak events happen - the kid that never hit a pitch nailed one that hit an infielder and dropped him. Is it really worth saving $50-60 and risking the potential consequences?

I bought my son the Evoshield for his wrist - $35. He wound up getting nailed in that wrist. No injury. The ump said that had he not been wearing it, his wrist would have been broken. His season would have been over and I would have spent a minimum of $250 medical deductible.

I'm not advocating that kids should NEVER wear protective gear. I'm saying that much of the protective gear being required in this particular instance really isn't necessary. Four-year-olds simply don't play at a level that necessitates it. I've NEVER seen a four-year-old hit a line drive hard enough to endanger a defensive player's safety.

[3d]

I'm surprised the coach didn't make face guard attachments mandatory too. It's only 9 more dollars. Hmmm.....

[3d]

macphanatic wrote:
[quote=3d]
[quote=macphanatic]
Amazon sells a nice sleeveless shirt that has protection over the heart and on the sides (provides some protection while batting - no biggie for t-ball though). Try to avoid the one with the plastic foam blocks. My son hated it. Got the one with softer foam as it's much more flexible.

Is this the type your son likes? I don't see one that protects on the sides.

This one:

Shirt

We have a couple now so that he can change them (tournaments - he usually gets them pretty wet)
I may have gotten the last one (with extra rib padding) on Amazon. The only ones available now are just the front chest padded ones (pictured) Thanks for the heads up.

[macphanatic]

N-OS X-tasy! wrote:
[quote=macphanatic]
[quote=N-OS X-tasy!]
For a four-year-old T-ball player? Why not just wrap them up in bubble wrap and send them out to play?

For a couple of reasons. First, they learn to wear the appropriate protective gear all the time. As they get older, it gets more challenging to get them to start using it if they haven't. Second, while most of the kids have limited hitting, throwing, and fielding abilities, there will be a few that can hit and throw hard. Not to mention the freak event with the kid that has never hit the ball getting really lucky with a hard line drive.
Ah... indoctrination it is, then. Kinda like teaching religion at that age.

macphanatic wrote:
My boys have been playing at different levels over the last 13 years. I've seen the freak events happen - the kid that never hit a pitch nailed one that hit an infielder and dropped him. Is it really worth saving $50-60 and risking the potential consequences?

I bought my son the Evoshield for his wrist - $35. He wound up getting nailed in that wrist. No injury. The ump said that had he not been wearing it, his wrist would have been broken. His season would have been over and I would have spent a minimum of $250 medical deductible.

I'm not advocating that kids should NEVER wear protective gear. I'm saying that much of the protective gear being required in this particular instance really isn't necessary. Four-year-olds simply don't play at a level that necessitates it. I've NEVER seen a four-year-old hit a line drive hard enough to endanger a defensive player's safety.
Remember that its league 4 yo. There may be some 5 yo's playing. And I have seen a few little ones hit some really good line drives. Doesn't happen often, but all you need is once.

Without their own glove, how do you have a catch with them at home? They'll never learn to catch as a result of one game a week.

3d wrote:
I'm surprised the coach didn't make face guard attachments mandatory too. It's only 9 more dollars. Hmmm..... grinning smiley

The coach probably didn't make the list. The League probably gave it to him. I would expect that Little League will push or mandate the use of some facial protection in the near future. My understanding is that it's now required for all infielders and batters in Girls softball. More boys are using the jaw protector that bolts to the helmet (gaining popularity in the MLB as well).

[NewtonMP2100]

....not....T.....T.....Ball....??