T-ball: gear and where to get it

[Aristomommy]

Our T-ball sign up is next week for the spring league. This is the first time for DS and a new experience for DH and I. Since I am a compulsive planner, I am already trying figure out how to get a deal on equipment, preferably used.

So, what should I be looking for? Where is the best place to buy gently used t-ball stuff since our Play it Again Sports closed. Thanks in advance my budget conscious friends!!!

 

[mom2d&b]

DS is playing baseball for the first time and we were lucky to get many hand me downs from cousins. You can also try freecycle, I have seen bats, cleats, gloves, etc offered.
Have fun this season and good luck.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I got mine from Target.

If you looking for used try craigslist or ebay.

All you should need are the glove and cleats.

 

[mjkacmom]

For tball, you really only need a cheap glove and cheap cleats - I agree with a PP to just go to Target. Enjoy it while it lasts - ds11 just got a $250 bat for his birthday! Find out if they want the kids to get their own helmets (lice). Again, they're not too expensive.

 

[TaraPA]

You may not even need cleats. In our league, cleats are optional at the TBall level. Sneakers that fit well are just fine, if allowed. All we were required to have was a glove. You can find reasonably priced TBall gear at Target, Kmart or Wal-Mart.

 

[ICF]

Target's here have had some t-ball bats on 75% clearance around here. That made the cost like $10.

The league should provide a shirt and hat so otherwise all you really need is a mitt and bat. Most kids here wear baseball pants (that can be purcahsed for about $10) but some wear jeans or sweats, but that is not common.

About 1/2 the kids in my kids leagues wore cleats at that age...the others just wore regular tennis shoes.

 

[dawson5]

tball you really don't need a lot. When ours started out, the league supplied a basic set of bats, helmets and pads for catching. They used to do it for coach pitch, A, AA and AAA. They've since done away with that for the older levels. Might want to talk with parents who signed up in previous years.

Right now Dick's has tables with clearance shoes. You might have luck there. As they get older and possibly decide that "baseball is their sport," check out:

justbats.com for great prices on good bats. Check them out in stores and buy them here, free shipping. Also has a "bat wizard" to help you decide on what size bat is best for your child. They also have "bat packs." If you know of a group of kids that will be signing up and they all want their own bat, you could buy as a group (all the same bat usually) and divide. Just to give you an idea. That might be a great way to save. Just try out in the store before buying. I would think that the weight of a bat at this age is really important. If it's too heavy, they might have issues with a level swing and be discouraged. Here is a great example on how you can save:

Just one for $35
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3883763
or 5 for $40
http://www.justbats.com/product.view.aspx?p=11030

justgrandslams.com is a deal a day on bats or mitts.

baseballsavings.com Sometimes you can find good deals on closeouts. This would be an end of the season place to get some decent deals. The regular/not on sale prices are decent but the clearance is pretty decent. Have to be religious in checking, they go quick.

justballgloves.com decent prices on mitts. Again, check out in store first. We usually end up with all kinds of dick's gift cards, so we haven't bought from them.

 

[Dizfan4life]

We always have the best luck at Dunham's. Since DD started T-ball and is now into pitching machine we have gotten all of her gear at Dunham's. Probably doesn't help that she's a lefty... gloves are hard to find for them! The cleats, ball pants and helmet always come from Dunhams !

 

[mamaLori05]

I bought my dd's glove and shoes at sportmart, and her bat and socks at Target. Target did sell the shoes and gloves as well, but they didn't have my dd's shoe size.

 

[Malibustyle23]

I agree to find out what is needed first and then decide what you want. Our league supplied shirt, pants, socks and hat for each player. Then each coach was supplied helmets and bats for team use. We only had one player who used cleats and that didn't even last all season. So we only had to technically supply a glove.

You may want to wait to buy though. I got ds bat, helmet and glove at target right before the season started on sale. I *think* that bat was $9 and the glove and helmet were each under $15. I picked up baseball bag at a yardsale last June for 50 cents!!!! I'd wait until springs closer and see the sale prices first after checking what is required.

 

[ohanaMAMA]

we have played t-ball. softball and soccer since dd9 could walk.
We have always gotten our gear at Wal-Mart..

check with your league.. a lot of times tballers dont need cleats. You may only need a glove and they run about $10-20 at Wallys. You can also usually pick up a tball "set" for practice for around $10.

You dont run into more money until they move to baseball/softball with the pants, the helmet, the glove, the balls, the bats. ect

 

[dawson5]

just check out that mitt though. I still remember the first ones they've ever had, hardest things ever. I doubt they will be catching pop flys, but they might be discouraged by a stiff mitt. Best thing that ever happened to my youngest was that he lost that "stiff mitt" after a game one day. We checked lost and found repeatedly, called the coach, no one turned it in. We ended up buying him one before the next game, it was a Lousiville Slugger one, cost around $20. He used that for the next three years. It was a soft glove, he could catch the ball without it bouncing out, could grip the ball because it was flexible. Try them on, make sure they are pliable.

We did end up getting the lost mitt back, another parent picked it up and gave it to us at the next game. We had already bought the new mitt and realized it was a better glove all-together, we decided to keep it.

Also, when we signed the boys up this year, they handed out 10% off coupons for Dunham's. Not sure how they are selected for teams at your rec. dept., but in the past one of the coach's has signed up for for team discounts through Dick's. He gave these out at the first team meeting. I think there were three coupons for money and/or percentage off of certain items.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

We usually get ours at Walmart, but check your local thrift store, too. I had a neighbor that used to have great luck getting equipment there, especially tennis balls (to help practice catching at home).

 

[monorailsilver]

I agree with a lot of the posters out there, find out what you need & get that. Don't go overboard.

All my kids needed for t-ball was a glove, a t-ball glove that is. I have seen them everywhere from Walmart to TRU.

Cleats were optional for us too but my kids had them for soccer so they just used those.

Our kids got a t-shirt/team shirt & they could wear whatever they wanted on the bottom.

The league supplied the T's for practice as well as the bats/balls.

And don't go crazy just in case he doesn't like it.

 

[Aristomommy]

Thanks for all the tips! I appreciate the tip of asking what exactly is needed. In talking to co-workers this seems to vary from just a t-ball glove to glove, cleats, helmet, bat, pants etc. I will call the rec center tomorrow and find out what they suggest. Since it's only for 3 months, I hate to buy new stuff and spend a lot.

 

[virginiamama]

Check Five Below. They had helmets and a bunch of other stuff last year, I think bats too.

 

[PinkRhombus]

Dick's usually has packages put together for a decent price.

If your son is going to play soccer, say, in the fall, you can get by using soccer cleats in t-ball...two for one kind of use.

 

[justinjenn]

All you need are basics: Glove, couple of balls, tennis shoes, own bat not a bad idea.
My son played for the first time last summer and I overbought by far.. Bought him a million balls, a t, glove, etc. We used a couple of balls.. Rarely used his T-it is provided by the league here!
Have fun!
Walmart-Dunhams-any sports store will do

 

[thistle922]

After reading all the responses, I would encourage you to find out exactly what your specific league provides. Our league provided everything right down to a water bottle for the kids! All we had to provide him with was a mitt, and we opted to get him cleats, too, though they weren't necessary. At this level, you're lucky if you can get them to pay attention for the whole game, so I wouldn't go overboard just yet...LOL!

 

[mickeylove2]

K-Mart has the best prices around here, got my DDs pants $7 a piece, helmets were $15 (pink with a hole in the back for pony tail they were so excited) bats $12 mitts $17 batting gloves $6 and an equipment bag $30. No cleats were needed so they just wore old sneakers.