Equipment
Gloves
Players are expected to bring their own gloves to practices and games.
Unless your child will play the catcher's or 1st baseman's position, you will probably do best choosing a multi-purpose glove. This is especially true for our younger divisions, where the players are given the chance to try different positions and rotate frequently.
Helmets
The league supplies batting helmets as part of the standard equipment bag. However, some players may want to bring their own.
Regardless of whether you are looking for a helmet for softball or baseball, there are some common criteria you will want to keep in mind when purchasing a helmet.
Fit: The helmet should not "wobble" on the player's head. It should rest comfortably but not so loosely that it moves when the player runs or turns their head.
Ears protection: Some helmets protect both ears, while others protect only one. For single-ear protection, the left ear should be protected for a right-handed batter and the right ear for a left-handed batter.
Softball: Helmets for softball are required to have face masks.
Look for helmets with the NOCSAE ® label. This indicates that the helmet conforms with the NOCSAE ® standards for safety.
Bats
All ITBL players must use a bat with the "USA Baseball" stamp (Not USSSA), and bats without this stamp will not be legal.
In general, the league provides bats for each team, whether it's Tee Ball, Baseball, or Softball. The bats selected by the league are considered appropriate for the program in question. Generally, each team bag has a selection of bats for players to choose from, varying by size and weight. We also recognize that players may want to bring their own bats. Here are some general guidelines for selecting a bat:
Balls
While the league provides balls for games and practices, players and parents may want to have their own balls for their own use.
- Tee Balls are lighter, noticeably softer, and will be marked specifically as Tee Balls.
- Baseballs are 9" to 9 1/4" in circumference and are white with red stitching.
- Softballs for Farm are 11" in circumference and are vibrant yellow with red stitching.
- Softballs for Juniors and Seniors are 12" in circumference and are vibrant yellow with red stitching.