Tee-Ball Equipment Checklist: What to Buy Before the First Practice

Little League’s parent guidance tells leagues to explain what they supply and what families must purchase. It discusses team equipment such as bats, helmets, balls, and catcher’s gear. That does not promise that every team will have the same stock, so confirm the arrangement for your child’s program.

Rawlings’ general size chart lists 8.5–10 inches for tee-ball players ages 3–6. Use that as a starting range for trying gloves, not as an automatic size assignment. Ask the child to put the glove on, open it, and close it while the fitter checks how it sits.

Confirm the throwing hand explicitly. Most glove listings use a throwing-hand description, which can be confusing when a relative is buying the gift. A child who throws with the right hand normally wears the glove on the left; ask the family or coach if you are unsure.

Ask whether a team bat is available before spending on a personal one. If you decide to buy, get the current division rules and have the coach help compare manageable lengths and weights. A heavier or more expensive bat is not a shortcut around that fitting decision.

Little League’s current bat rules distinguish certified tee-ball bats and restrict them to approved tee balls, with limited coach-pitch or machine-pitch use under the stated conditions. Other organizations may use different rules. Check the wording on the actual bat rather than relying on the retailer’s age filter.

Use the organizer’s instructions to pack water, weather layers, and any required personal items. Put the child’s name on belongings and choose a bag they can carry and open. Ask the coach before adding specialist training aids, extra bats, or a large home-practice setup.

Before each session, look over the equipment and raise damage or fit concerns with the responsible adult. Keep receipts and packaging until everything has been checked. For a holiday gift purchased ahead of spring, confirm both the next division and the exchange deadline.