DIY Network

*Marathon Special: Outfitting Youth Players From "Major League Remodel Marathon" episode DMLR-M1

Cal and Bill Ripken offer some sound advice on outfitting youth players.

Former Baltimore Oriole Cal Ripken, Jr. and his brother Bill Ripken share some basic tips on outfitting youth players with the proper glove and bat.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Glove Selection

• One of the most important pieces of baseball equipment for a youth player is a glove that fits the hand properly. It's especially important for young players to be able to use and handle their glove effectively (figure A). Avoid the temptation to buy a kid a larger glove that they can "grow into." A glove that's too big impedes the players ability to catch the ball, and may interfere with building of player confidence. By contrast, a glove that's too small may make it difficult for the player to grasp the ball.

• Proper glove fit gives a young player a good start and helps build coordination (figure B). When choosing a glove, selection should also be a personal preference. It's important for the child to like the glove and for it to fit comfortably. Take heed when the young player voices an opinion favoring one glove over another.

• Don't worry about specialized gloves until the player has learned a good bit about playing the game and is playing the game more competitively -- usually around age 13. At that time, you can start considering position-specific gloves such as shallow-pocket glove for infielders and deeper-pocket gloves for outfielders.

Bat Selection