What equipment is needed to play baseball?

There are six main items you need to play baseball: a bat, a baseball, a baseball glove, batting gloves, cleats, and protective gear. Protective gear might include a hard helmet for batters, and sometimes arm guards and shin guards. Catchers wear a unique set of protective gear like body armor, a catcher's mask, throat guard, and catcher's mitt to avoid being hurt by fast-moving balls coming their way.

How do I choose the right baseball bat?

There are a few factors that go into buying a baseball bat. The first is age. If you're buying a bat for someone 6 years of age or under, they'll need a tee ball bat. Anyone 7-13 years old will likely want a USA or USSSA bat, and anyone older will need a BBCOR bat. Look for these logos stamped on the bat to help you get started. Next, the bat should be arm's length from the middle of your chest to the end of your fingertips. It should also not feel so heavy that you might drop it when you swing. Lastly, the material of the bat will depend on how much you want to spend and how often you'll be using it. Alloy bats require no break-in time, are durable, and have a smaller sweet spot, but are more affordable. Composite bats take 150-200 hits to break in, have a larger sweet spot, and are more expensive.

Can I return items to an online baseball store if needed?

Yes! Most stores allow you to return new and unused items as long as it's in the specified return window (usually 30-60 days). Some retailers even let you return gear if you've used it: they know it's hard to gauge the performance of a product if you aren't playing baseball with it. Make sure to read the baseball store's return policy online before checking out.

What type of baseball glove should I buy?

Do you throw with your right or left hand? This is the first factor in what type of glove you'll need. The best thing to do is try different gloves on before ordering online to see what feels comfortable. If your friend has a glove, you might try playing catch to see how it feels. You could buy that particular brand or one comparable. Regardless of the mitt you buy, it will take time to break in. You'll have to use it a few times before it's flexible enough to be "game ready".

Who can play baseball?

Anyone! When boys and girls are small, they often start out playing tee ball, where they aren't batting from pitches from another player. This helps them learn hand-eye coordination and have an easier time at bat. As you get older, women typically play softball and men play baseball, but the sport is available and fun for everyone!

Is baseball equipment expensive?

The price of baseball equipment depends on what you're buying and its quality. By the time you purchase everything you need from top to bottom, you can expect to spend a few hundred dollars. Cleats could be expensive if you buy a name brand, but the only other items that might cost you a pretty penny are your glove and bat. If you want them to last a long time and have optimal performance, you'll want to go high-end and get the best type of leather and a composite bat. However, if you're buying baseball gear for a child or to use recreationally, you could save a few hundred dollars by getting more practical, less fancy items.

If I have questions about what baseball equipment to buy, what do I do?

Some online baseball retailers have a chat box that allows you to connect right away with an expert from their customer service team. They can help you find the right sizes and products you need without you even having to leave your house. If this isn't an option, you could reach out to their customer service team by email or phone and talk to someone who can walk you through everything.

Does the type of baseball equipment I buy have a lot to do with my performance?

It can. If you've been playing baseball for years, you'll know the difference between good quality products and cheap, off-brand ones. A perfect-fitting mitt and a bat that feels comfortable could make all the difference in your game. If you're using flimsy equipment, you likely won't play as well regardless of your skill level. Finding an online baseball equipment retailer with good reviews and top-of-the-line equipment will make a big difference for you.

Best Baseball Equipment Stores for November 2025

Item: The Best Baseball Equipment Stores - Summary Reviews
Rating: 5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Monday, November 10th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2025 Baseball Equipment Store Reviews

Where is the best place to buy baseball equipment? Sports fans know that when the game is on the line, having the right equipment can make the difference between striking out and hitting a grand slam. Online shopping has made it easier than ever to get just what you need delivered right to your door in time for the big game.

5.0

EXCELLENT

Best Option

Better Baseball

Prices from $34.99 to $499.99 for bats, fielding gloves, and cleats
454 bats online with over 80,000 in stock
Both youth and adult gear sold

Read Full Review

EXCELLENT

5.0

On the Better Baseball website

With their extensive range of baseball-only products, Better Baseball has the top brands for all levels of players in one location. Browse the immense selection of bats and fielding gloves, ask an expert for help to choose the best bat, and earn loyalty rewards which never expire. With an excellent return policy and convenient price matching, Better Baseball is an equipment shop you can trust - and it's our #1 pick too.

4.5

GREAT

Great

Baseball Monkey

Prices from $21.99 to $540 for bats, fielding gloves, and cleats
420 bats offered
Youth and adult gear available

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GREAT

4.5

On the Baseball Monkey website

A specialized division of a larger sports retailer, Baseball Monkey offers an excellent selection of essential baseball equipment in all the top brands. A baseball bat trade-in program can help offset the cost of a new bat or glove, and rewards are earned on nearly all purchases. With their price match policy and mostly positive customer feedback, Baseball Monkey ranks near the top of our list of equipment retailers.

4.0

VERY GOOD

Very Good

SCHEELS

Prices from $16.99 to $825 for bats, fielding gloves, and cleats
257 bats
Youth and adult gear available

Read Full Review

VERY GOOD

4.0

On the SCHEELS website

The online baseball equipment inventory at SCHEELS, one of the largest sports stores in the world, provides an excellent selection of the major brands. Boasting a "shop with confidence" low-price policy, they have a respectable variety of bats, gloves, and cleats to browse. While they may not specialize in baseball equipment, SCHEELS has some of the better prices and offers a generous return policy, making them a solid choice for your sporting needs.

3.0

AVERAGE

Average

Baseball Express

Prices from $29.95 to $499.99 for bats, fielding gloves, and cleats
114 bats
Limited youth gear available along with adult gear

Read Full Review

AVERAGE

3.0

On the Baseball Express website

Baseball Express offers competitive prices with a respectable selection of top-brand bats, gloves, and cleats for the sport. The website offers expert articles about baseball to help you take your game up a notch, but they lack many benefits offered by the higher-ranked retailers on our list. With their restock fee on returns and lack of rewards programs or price matching, Baseball Express rates as just average for us.

2.9

AVERAGE

Average

Franklin

Prices from $9.99 to $89.99 for youth bats and fielding gloves
Youth and adult gear listed
Casual and pro gear available

Read Full Review

AVERAGE

2.9

On the Franklin website

Franklin is one of the top brands in baseball equipment for their excellent gloves - both batting and fielding. If you're in the market for custom batting gloves, this is the place to shop. However, charging for shipping and offering limited product selection keep this manufacturer from ranking higher than average on our list of baseball equipment retailers.

2.5

FAIR

Fair

Academy Sports

Prices from $12.99 to $529.99 for bats, fielding gloves, and cleats
585 bats
Kids' and adult gear is available

Read Full Review

FAIR

2.5

On the Academy Sports website

When it comes to baseball, Academy Sports + Outdoors has a great selection of equipment for all of your needs. With one of the largest collections of cleats we've seen and a 5% price-match bonus, at first it seems like a home run. However, customer complaints and a non-rating from the BBB put the company at just below average for us.

2.4

FAIR

Fair

Walmart

Prices from $7.99 to $674.99 for bats, fielding gloves, and cleats
Thousands of baseball-related items
Youth and adults gear offered

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FAIR

2.4

On the Walmart website

One of the largest worldwide retailers, Walmart also sells baseball equipment. Those looking for expertise will not find it here, but they will find a limited selection of top brands at the lowest prices. Be wary of items shipped from their third-party sellers on the Marketplace. When compared to the top retailers on our list, Walmart comes up just below average.

2.0

SUBPAR

Subpar

Baseball Savings

Prices from $17.95 to $499.99 for bats, fielding gloves, and cleats
496 bats
Youth and adults gear sold

Read Full Review

SUBPAR

2.0

On the Baseball Savings website

Baseball Savings claims to have the best selection at the lowest prices guaranteed. Offering an impressive selection of bats and cleats (close to the highest inventory on our review list), the company does make good on the first part, but with similar prices to their competitors, they fall short on the second. Since the loyalty program has a fee and the reviews are mixed, Baseball Savings is a below average choice for us.

1.5

WEAK

Weak

DICK'S Sporting Goods

Prices from $14.97 to $499.99 for bats, fielding gloves, and cleats
464 bats
Both youth and adults gear are sold

Read Full Review

WEAK

1.5

On the DICK'S Sporting Goods website

While not a specialty baseball retailer, DICK'S Sporting Goods is able to offer the largest selection of fielding gloves and extensive collections of bats and cleats at discounted prices. Free shipping is easy to get with their rewards program, and a trade-in program can give you a gift card for your old baseball bat. However, customer feedback speaks loud and clear - DICK'S Sporting Goods is one baseball equipment retailer to avoid.

1.0

POOR

Poor

Epic Sports

Prices from $8.99 to 499.99 for bats, fielding gloves, and cleats
224 bats
Kids' and adult gear sold here

Read Full Review

POOR

1.0

On the Epic Sports website

With a limited number of top brands, Epic Sports is a way-below-average choice for baseball equipment. Their website is just okay with a tiny font, making browsing a chore. However, while the prices here may be lower, the customer complaints and return restock fee should keep you away from Epic Sports.

Continued from above...

Where is the Best Place to Buy Baseball Equipment?

Sports fans know that when the game is on the line, having the right equipment can make the difference between striking out and hitting a grand slam. Online shopping has made it easier than ever to get just what you need delivered right to your door in time for the big game.

According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association's Topline Participation Report, the number of Americans playing the national pastime is almost 16.7 million. From casual participation to formal leagues, people of all ages are stepping up to the plate to take a swing for the fences. To be able to hit it past the fence, they will need to have the right equipment, which more and more shoppers are finding from online baseball retailers.

One major benefit to shopping for your sporting needs online is having specialty stores at your fingertips rather than across town. Savvy online consumers can browse websites for the best prices on top gear. That ability to easily compare products and prices from the comfort of your home 24/7 gives you freedom to shop when it suits your schedule.

Sporting superstores can offer expert advice and endless options at great deals so you can bring a competitive edge to your game. Custom items - from batting gloves to a personalized jersey - may not be available to you locally, but with the click of a button, they can be shipped to you. Some retailers offer expertise, like how to choose the best bat, that you might not get from a local big box store. Baseball-specific retailers feature the largest selection of the big-name brands in the sport, making it easy to get everything you want in one location at competitive prices.

There are many factors to consider when comparing online baseball equipment retailers. Here are the top ones on our list:

Cost. Why spend more than you need to for exactly the same piece of baseball equipment? Easily compare prices online to find the best one, keeping in mind that many reputable sellers will also price match to gain your business and keep you as a loyal customer.
Returns. While shopping online is convenient, often there are hassles when it comes to returns. Check out the retailer's policy for accepting new, unused products, and avoid those who make it difficult or even charge a restocking fee for something you realized did not meet your expectations.
Selection. It's much more convenient to get everything from one retailer, keeping shipping costs to a minimum (or even qualifying for free delivery). Do they offer all of the top brands or just some of the big names? Look for an online baseball equipment retailer who carries everything you need.
Customer satisfaction. Nothing is worse than finding the glove to make the winning catch - and having it arrive after the game. Check out the reviews to see which retailers have the happiest customers and which strike out.

At Top Consumer Reviews, we want to make sure you're prepared when the coach sends you up to bat, so we have evaluated and rated the best options to purchase baseball equipment online today. Before the big game, check out these retailers and make sure you're ready for the big leagues!