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Before you can play softball, you got to pick your gear!

And one thing I cannot stress enough is how important it is to pick the gear right for you.

When I was playing in high school another player informed that the gear makes a player great and my friend and I disagreed. To prove that if you’re a great player no matter what gear you use, my friend and I swapped gloves for the duration of practice.

Our couch and teammates noticed no difference until we were fielding and my friend and I discussed what we didn’t like about each other’s glove.

I didn’t like her lightweight Muzuno glove and she didn’t like my heavy Rawlings glove.

But we could still play at the same caliber.

I mention this, because that practice sticks out in my mind because it required thought. Fielding and catching required more thought than I had used in years, since I was learning basics because I wasn’t comfortable with the glove.

Yes, I could play.

Yes, I could still play as well.

But it required a focus I hadn’t used on fielding ground balls in years.

And it hit me, comfort is key.

No matter what glove or brand or size or style you choose, it only matters that it’s right for you.

My glove wasn’t right for my friend and vice versa.

And one thing that’s important is comfort level.

Trusting your glove is a huge deal. Same with your bat and helmet. If you don’t trust your gear, you could get hurt.

If it doesn’t fit properly, you could get hurt.

Take an extra five minutes at the store. Try on several gloves and helmets. Find the one that fits you.

Don’t look at color or design.

Find the one that fits you best and then choose colors and patterns.

Too many players I grew up with choose bats because they were shiny or pretty but they were too heavy to use.

When picking up a bat, place your hand over the end of the grip and hold it out, parallel to the ground for ten seconds at least. If you can’t, it’s too heavy. If it’s too easy, it’s too light.

For your glove, make sure your hand fits inside, with room to grow a bit if you’re still young. But not too big, this is one item you can’t just grow into because you won’t be able to use it yet.

Also, make sure the ball fits inside.

Softballs are large, test one in the store with your hand inside. See how it feels.

See if anything pokes you or sticks out in the way. Can you adjust it? Can you live with it day in and day out?

If not, try another.

Helmets!

Don’t forget if you’re a girl with long hair to try the helmet with the style you’ll wear the most while playing. A ponytail or bun, just to ensure it fits. Yes, the ponytail does make it fit differently.

Also, make sure it’s not to lose and you can clearly see out of the mask and visor. You don’t want anything to fall down in your face or become part of the problem.

And try the chinstrap a few times in the store. Not to tight or loose. See if you can pop it off yourself. Sometimes, those buggers do not want to come off.

Above all, choose the gear that best fits your needs.

Don’t buy what your friend has.

Comfort is key.

As always thanks for reading! Join me again next week! Let me know your thoughts!

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