Tee Ball Bat
Tee ball bats must be stamped with a USABaseball certification to be used in official game play.
Tee Ball Checklist For Kids
Make sure your child is well-equipped with the essential Tee ball gear and apparel needed for their first season.
November 05, 2024
Tee ball is the first time a child truly gets to enjoy the baseball experience. It’s also the first time they get to play competitively. As a parent, your job is to outfit them with all the proper gear so they can excel as soon as they hit the diamond.
To get the full Tee ball experience, your child will need everything from cleats and gloves to accessories and proper hydration. Consult this DICK’S Sporting Goods Tee ball checklist for a complete guide to the gear your child will need this coming season.
Keep in mind that while things like batting gloves and eye black aren’t necessary, kids still like wearing them, like the pros do. When looking for a Tee ball glove it’s important to remember that there are no position-specific gloves — they are universal and just differ by right-handed and left-handed.
Make sure to also note that most teams provide certain pieces of equipment such as batting tees, batting helmets and Tee ball bats, but you should check with the league or your child’s coach beforehand just to make sure.
Why You Should Trust Us
We consulted a variety of specialists, including an experienced coach, a former player and our in-house experts to craft this thorough list. Their advice? Don’t get overwhelmed by the amount of items! Choose what’s appropriate for your player, their age and their skill level. Start with the basics and then invest in additional gear as needed based on your league and needs. We even have some Pro Tips from Tee ball parents who work right here at DICK'S!
If you still need more advice and helpful tips, including how to size a tee ball bat and more, check our our Tee Ball Buying Guide.
Tee Ball Checklist For Kids
WHERE BASEBALL & SOFTBALL BEGIN ®
MUST-HAVE TEE BALL ESSENTIALS
Start with the basics you'll need (and may be required by the league) for your upcoming season.
Tee Ball Glove
Many youth gloves are designated as "utility" or "all-purpose," as players younger than the age of 10 likely don't yet have a primary position.
Tee Ball Batting Helmet
PRO TIP: Never purchase a bigger helmet to grow into. Your head does not grow much past age 10. An ill-fitting helmet that is too big can lead to injury!
Tee Ball Cleats
Metal cleats are not allowed in tee ball! Stick with rubber or TPU cleats.
Tee Ball Apparel
From pull-up or buttonless pants to sliders and shirts, explore an affordable and convenient option for the game's newest players.
TEE BALL PROTECTION ESSENTIALS
This gear won't be necessary for every player, depending on their position, or if their league provides these items for shared use!
Chest Protector
Double up! Some leagues require chest protection for both practice and games; having more than one option will cut back on laundry.
Helmet Facemask or Jaw Guard
Some helmets come pre-attached with a facemask or jaw guard, while others do not and can be added separately.
Fielders' Face Mask
Masks are designed to be lightweight, yet offer an extra layer of facial and dental protection for fielders.
Other Protection
Get young players used to wearing protective gear, such as mouthguards and cups, early.
ACCESSORIES TO UP THEIR GAME
These add-ons are not a requirement to hit the diamond, but may help improve their confidence at the plate and on the field.
Bag or Bat Pack
Bat packs are a versatile option for most youth players to comfortably fit a bat, glove and other gear.
Batting Gloves
Wearing batting gloves can help improve the grip on a bat and reduce the negative effects of perspiration on a player’s hands.
Baseball Belt
Dick's offers a variety of color options to match their team!
Baseball Socks
Double up! Save on laundry and have a few pairs in the rotation.
Practice Shirt(s)
Have both a short sleeve and long sleeve option on hand! Look for tees with moisture-wicking benefits for added comfort while training
Water Bottle
Hydration is key! Squeeze bottles may be best for a dirty dugout vs. a straw.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses add style to their game, but more importantly, help to improve visibility on the field.
Sliding Shorts
Extra padding under their uniform pants adds confidence when sliding.
Hat or Visor
Look for mesh and/or wicking materials to help keep them cool on hot game days.
Headband or Hair Tie
Look for bands designed with rubber to ensure they stay put while they sweat.
Eye Black
Emulate your favorite pro players! And help block out the sun.
Bat Grips & Tape
Bat grips let them personalize the look of their bat while also helping extend the life of the bat with improved grip.
Tee Balls
Tee balls are roughly the same size and weight as a professional-grade baseball, but are much softer to help promote a safer learning environment.
THE GAME NEVER STOPS
At-home training aids can help keep their game in tip-top shape all season long. For more tips on training aids and how they can improve your game, visit our Buying Guide.
Batting Tee
Most tees are adjustable in height to practice both low and high pitches.
Rebounder
Use the target to practice throwing and pitching. Rebounders also offer fielding practice to catch a ball at multiple angles.
Practice Net
Most batting nets and screens are foldable and portable to allow players to practice their skills anywhere, any time.
Training Mitt
Training mitts or "pancake mitts" are a great tool for players of all ages to field grounders with confidence.
Training Balls
Some training balls are smaller than a regular ball to help improve contact on the ball, while others may be weighted to add power to their swing.
Youth Wood Bats
Wood bats aren't just for the pros! Training early with a wood bat is a great way for young players to develop their swing and build good habits from the start.
Swing Trainers
Hitting sticks and swing trainers aim to improve your batting technique to make better contact or add more power to your swing.
PRO TIP: “As a youth baseball and softball coach, I keep a Primed Training Stick in my bag. This is a great tool to help younger players focus on their hand-eye coordination. It is fun to watch them get excited when they start to make contact and see their hard work pay off.” – Tyler S., Baseball and Softball Coach and Operational Planner at DICK’S Sporting Goods
Pitching Machine
Look for a compatible ball feeder to assist solo training.
Batting Cage
Some batting cages offer a lower profile size of 30' or less, designed for use in your own backyard.
Bat Weight
A barrel weight, shaped like a donut or sleeve, adds extra mass to the bat to help players focus on hitting mechanics while working on swing speed and strength.
COACHING & PARENT ESSENTIALS
Inspire a love of the game with coaching accessories and tools to bring the best out in your young players, as well as essential sideline gear to cheer on your biggest fans.
Tee Ball Coaching Gear
DICK'S offers a variety of tools for coaches (and parents!), including scorebooks, lineup cards, L-screens and ball buckets.
GameChanger App
Manage your team's schedule and roster, as well as live-stream games.
Drinkware
Stay hydrated with favorites from YETI, Stanley, Hydro Flask and more great brands!
Sideline Chair
Consider a "rocker" style chair to stay comfortable on the sidelines.
Wagon
A convenient way to tote all your gear to and from the ballpark with ease.
PRO TIP: “A must-have that came up from several parents on the team was a wagon. One parent even said they couldn't live without it! A good wagon is a baseball mom ‘must-have’ to carry all your game-day essentials. Items that always fill my wagon are chairs, a canopy and a YETI cooler!” – Melissa P., Travel Baseball Mom and Category Merchant at DICK’S Sporting Goods
Raingear
Protect yourself from the elements with wearable rain gear and umbrellas. Ponchos are a great compact option to stash in your cooler bag.
Sunscreen & Bug Spray
Don't forget to reapply!
First Aid Kit
Keep this stashed in your car or your wagon.
Canopy
Stay prepared when there is no shade shelter at the field or the rain won't stop!
Cooler
Summer ball calls for cold beverages. Some coolers come equipped with built-in wheels for easy transportation.
Snacks
Buy in bulk! And bring a grocery bag to stash all your empty wrappers to help keep our planet clean.
Sunglasses
Discover shades at every price point.
Lifestyle Apparel & Hats
Show your love of the diamond life off the field with tees, hats and tops from baseball's best brands.
Cold-Weather Gear
Check for touch-screen compatible gloves to ensure you can stay up to date on your GameChanger app during the game.
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