Equipment

Before You Buy

Softball can be an equipment-intensive sport, but costs can be managed and there is no need to overspend on the hottest new thing, especially early in a player’s career. You can often find acceptable used gear on Facebook Marketplace and the league hosts a free equipment exchange on Skills Day at the beginning of each season. 

Softball player in blue shirt batting, practicing swing into a net.

Equipment Guides

Every player will need, at a minimum, a fielding/defensive face mask, glove, cleats, and batting helmet with a facemask. The documents below provide age‑specific guidance to help you choose the right equipment for your player.

Buying and Certification Guidance

Ideally, every player will eventually have their own bat, but it isn’t necessary at the younger ages (6U and 8U, and even new 10U players). Bats can be shared, and you can spend as little as $20 or as much as $400. In general, high‑priced premium bats offer no real advantage in 8U and very little benefit in 10U. Players at these ages typically don’t swing hard enough to activate the “pop” engineered into high‑end bats, and the softer balls used in younger divisions further reduce any performance difference.

As players grow and compete at higher levels, more advanced bats can help, but practice and skill matter far more. A strong hitter will always outperform expensive equipment. It is the carpenter and not the tools.

Do not buy a baseball bat. To be legal for play, a fastpitch softball bat must display one of the following certification stamps:

Three logos: ASA Certified 2004; ASA 2000 Conforms to Standard; and USA Softball Certified.

Certification requirements begin at 10U for MVGS recreational play and apply to all ages in interleague or All-Star play. Non-certified bats will likely be removed from play by the umpire. If buying used, there is a rare possibility of obtaining a bat with these stamps that is still non-approved. You can check the USA Softball Equipment webpage if you have any concerns.

MVGS typically makes an exception to the certification requirement in the 8U division as it can sometimes be difficult to get a light enough bat for younger, smaller players and non-approved tee-ball bats can be found in lighter weights that are better for their development. Understand that exception may not be honored if playing in other leagues, such as during fall ball, and is definitely not approved for All-Stars. There are no requirements enforced for 6U. 

Some additional info on bat selection can be found at the following link: Fastpitch Softball Bat Buying Guide