6 Best Baseball Equipment For Summer Camp That Coaches Recommend

The email arrives with "Summer Camp Details!" in the subject line, and your heart does a little leap. Then you open it and see the "Required Equipment List." Suddenly, you’re picturing a sporting goods store aisle filled with a dozen different gloves, bats that cost more than your first car, and the sinking feeling that you’re about to make the wrong choice. Don’t worry—gearing up for baseball camp doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. The goal is to get them safe, comfortable equipment that helps them learn and have fun, not to outfit a future Hall of Famer on day one.

Gearing Up for Camp: The Essentials Checklist

That equipment list can look intimidating, but for a week of summer camp, you can boil it down to the true essentials. Think of this as building a foundational kit. Your player will need a glove that fits, a bat that’s the right size, a helmet for safety, and a bag to carry it all in.

Most camps will also recommend cleats for traction on the field and a pair of batting gloves to prevent blisters. While you could technically get by with sneakers, cleats make a real difference in preventing slips and helping kids feel more confident running the bases. The key is to remember the context: this is camp. It’s about fundamentals, teamwork, and fun, not professional-grade gear.

Focus on fit and function over flashy features. The right equipment removes barriers and lets your child focus on the coach’s instructions and the joy of the game. A glove that’s too stiff or a bat that’s too heavy will only cause frustration, and that’s the last thing you want during a fun week of camp.

Rawlings Player Preferred: The Ideal First Glove

You walk up to the wall of baseball gloves and it’s a sea of brown leather. What’s the difference between a "youth" model and an "adult" one? What does "game ready" even mean? It’s a common point of confusion for parents, but there’s a simple answer for the camp-bound player.

For a first glove, or a great all-around camp glove, the Rawlings Player Preferred series is a coach-recommended favorite for a reason. Its key feature is a soft, flexible leather that’s easy for young hands to close. A stiff, professional-style glove requires a long break-in period that a young player simply doesn’t have the hand strength for, leading to dropped balls and immense frustration.

The most important factor is getting the right size. A glove that’s too big is like trying to catch a ball with a frying pan. For camp, a general "utility" pattern is perfect.

• Ages 6-8: Look for a glove between 10.5 and 11.5 inches.
• Ages 9-12: An 11.5 to 12-inch glove is usually the sweet spot.

This glove hits the perfect balance. It’s durable enough to last through several seasons of casual play and has great hand-me-down potential, but it’s not so expensive that you’ll be upset when they inevitably need a larger size or a position-specific model down the road.

Easton Speed USA Bat: Lightweight and Camp-Ready

It’s tempting to grab the bat that looks just like the one the pros use on TV. But for a young player, especially in a camp setting, the single most important factor is not power, but bat speed and control. A bat that is even slightly too heavy will promote bad habits, causing them to drop their shoulder and swing with their arms instead of their whole body.

This is why the Easton Speed USA bat is a perennial camp favorite. It’s a lightweight, one-piece aluminum alloy bat that is perfectly balanced for young hitters. This design helps them swing through the zone on a level plane and learn the proper mechanics of making contact. It gives them the best chance to hit the ball, and nothing builds confidence faster than the crack of the bat.

When selecting a size, look at the "drop weight," which is the difference between the bat’s length in inches and its weight in ounces. For beginners and camp players, you want a high drop weight, like a -10 or -11. This indicates a lighter bat that’s easier to control. A simple, reliable, USA Baseball-stamped bat like this is all they need to develop good habits.

Easton Z5 Helmet: Prioritizing Camper Safety

When it comes to safety equipment, there is no room for compromise. A batting helmet is non-negotiable for hitting, and it’s often required for running the bases in camp drills, too. While you don’t need the fanciest helmet on the market, you absolutely need one that fits correctly and meets modern safety standards.

The Easton Z5 is the workhorse of youth baseball helmets. You’ll see it on fields everywhere because it does its job well. It is NOCSAE certified for safety, features dual-density foam padding that provides both protection and comfort, and has a durable ABS plastic shell that can handle being tossed in a gear bag day after day.

Proper fit is everything. The helmet should be snug on your child’s head, without wobbling when they turn side to side. It shouldn’t sit so low that it impedes their vision of the pitcher. For younger players or those who might be a bit timid at the plate, consider a model with an attached face mask for extra protection and a huge boost of confidence.

New Balance 4040v6: All-Day Camp Comfort

"My feet hurt!" is the complaint that can end a day of camp fun before it even gets going. While a pair of athletic sneakers will do in a pinch, baseball cleats provide a significant advantage in both safety and performance. The molded studs offer superior grip on grass and dirt, preventing slips while running the bases or chasing a fly ball.

The New Balance 4040v6 line is a fantastic choice because it’s designed like a comfortable running shoe but built for the diamond. Many basic youth cleats are stiff and unforgiving, but these provide the cushioning and support needed to keep your player’s feet comfortable through a long day of drills and games. Happy feet lead to a happy camper.

For any player under the age of 13 or 14, you must buy molded rubber or plastic cleats. Metal spikes are prohibited in virtually all youth leagues and camps for safety reasons. A comfortable, supportive pair of molded cleats is a smart investment in your child’s enjoyment and endurance for the week.

Franklin Shok-Sorb: Preventing Blisters at Bat

You see your child take a swing, mishit the ball off the end of the bat, and drop it immediately while shaking their hands. That painful vibration, or "sting," can make a kid hesitant to swing with confidence. Likewise, the friction from repeated swings can quickly lead to painful blisters on their hands.

This is where batting gloves come in. While not strictly required, they are highly recommended by coaches because they solve both problems. A pair like the Franklin Shok-Sorb has extra padding in the palm to absorb that sting and provide a secure, comfortable grip on the bat. This small piece of gear can make a massive difference in a player’s confidence at the plate.

Think of batting gloves as a "quality of life" upgrade for camp. They help a player hold the bat correctly, reduce the fear of vibration, and prevent the blisters that can sideline them from drills. It’s a small investment that pays big dividends in a player’s comfort and willingness to participate fully.

Easton Walk-Off Bat Pack: Keeping Gear Organized

The morning scramble to find a glove, a hat, and a water bottle is a scene familiar to every parent. This chaos is magnified when you add baseball gear to the mix. A dedicated equipment bag isn’t just about convenience; it’s a tool for teaching responsibility.

A baseball-specific backpack, like the popular Easton Walk-Off, is designed for the job. Unlike a school bag, it has external sleeves to hold one or two bats securely. It also features a main compartment for a helmet and glove, and often includes a separate, vented pocket for cleats—a feature you’ll appreciate on the car ride home.

Having a designated spot for every piece of equipment helps your child learn to pack their own bag and keep track of their gear at the field. When the coach says, "grab your gloves," they know exactly where to look. It streamlines your morning routine and reduces the chances of leaving an expensive piece of equipment behind at the end of the day.

Proper Fit and Care for Your Player’s New Gear

You’ve selected the gear, but the job isn’t quite done. The final, and perhaps most crucial, step is ensuring everything fits correctly. An ill-fitting piece of equipment can be more of a hindrance than a help. A bat that’s too long, a glove that’s too big, or a helmet that’s too loose will undermine your child’s ability to perform the basic skills they’re at camp to learn.

Whenever possible, take your child to a store to try things on. Let them feel the weight of the bat and see if they can hold it extended for ten seconds without it dropping. Have them put the glove on and try to open and close it. A helmet should be snug without being tight. This hands-on step ensures the gear will work for them, not against them.

Finally, a little care goes a long way. Use a permanent marker to write your child’s name on everything—gloves, helmets, bats, and bags all look alike. Teach them not to leave their leather glove sitting out in the rain or baking in a hot car. These simple habits not only protect your investment but also instill a sense of ownership and respect for their equipment.

Remember, the goal of summer camp is to foster a love for the game. The right equipment is simply a tool to make that experience as fun, safe, and positive as possible. You’re not just buying a bat or a glove; you’re investing in your child’s confidence, comfort, and enjoyment.