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.

DICK'S Sporting Goods Review | Best Baseball Equipment Stores

Item: DICK'S Sporting Goods Review
Rating: 1.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Tuesday, December 9th 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.

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
Casual and pro gear are available
Softball gear is on the website
Shipping is free for members on orders $49 or higher
Price matching can be done up to 14 days after purchase
Returns may be made within 90 days of purchase, minus shipping charges
In business since 1948

WEAK

1.5

On the DICK'S Sporting Goods website

Started in 1948 by Dick Stack with an investment from his grandmother, DICK'S Sporting Goods now has over 850 locations across the United States. The company's online store sells sporting equipment of all kinds.

Top and exclusive brands

DICK'S Sporting Goods offers trending clothing and shoes as well as premium sports equipment from brands like Wilson, Nike, Easton, Under Armour, Adidas, Rawlings, Mizuno, Marucci, Louisville Slugger, and DeMarini. Additionally, they partner with manufacturers to provide DICK'S exclusive offerings as well as having their own signature brands and exclusive, unique collections of equipment only found at DICK'S.

Website is easy browsing

The main webpage for DICK'S Sporting Goods is clean and easy to navigate, with a category banner just under the search bar. Click on sports then baseball and you're in. Alternatively, use the search bar to find what you're looking for on the sports store website. Once you're on the baseball page (softball has its own page), the left side features product categories to browse.

Extensive collections to browse at lower prices

To more accurately compare prices for DICK'S Sporting Goods with other retailers, we focused on three key items: baseball bats, fielding gloves, and cleats. The results are as follows:

For the bats, there are 464 options, ranging from the DICK'S exclusive Girls' USA T-Ball bat at $19.99 to the Easton The Dub USSSA bat at $499.99. You can filter the choices by brand, length, drop, bat certification, league, bat material, construction, weight, barrel diameter, and price. Across the top of the page you can choose from BBCOR, USSSA, USA, wood, T-Ball, and fungo bats.
For the gloves, there are 711 options to browse with a DICK'S exclusive Adidas youth glove for $14.97 and going as high as a Rawlings Pro glove at $499.99. Filter the options by position, age, brand, ball glove size, throwing hand, series, color, special features, and price. Across the top of the page, quickly narrow down your options by adult, youth, T-Ball, and pro designations.
For the cleats, the 136 styles range from clearance priced brands like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour, all under $20, all the way up to the Men's Jordan 11 cleats for $219.99. Quickly sort through the available cleats by choosing type - metal, TPU and molded, or turf and trainer - from the top of the page. Along the side of the page you can filter by gender, brand, shoe size, cleat type, cleat height, shoe width, MLB player endorsed, color, and price.

You can sign up for their email program and get a code to use which gives you $20 off a $100 purchase. Overall, the selection of these products is one of the more extensive we've seen, and the prices are some of the lowest.

Price match up to 14 days post purchase

With a best price guarantee, DICK'S Sporting Goods says, "If you find a lower price, we'll match it." The policy is valid on identical products (brand, model number, color, size, weight, and quantity) and in-stock only at a qualifying retailer's store or website (see list of acceptable ones). Use the chat feature on the website to request a price match or give DICK'S a call. The price matching is typically completed quickly to keep your shopping simple, and they will help you place the order for the price-matched product. You have 14 days from the date of purchase to take advantage of the deal.

Shipping is free on most orders with rewards program

There are three shipping methods used by DICK'S Sporting Goods: standard (2-5 business days), expedited (2 business days), and express (1 business day). Curbside pickup and same-day delivery are also available, depending on your location. Those with the ScoreCard rewards program will receive free standard shipping on orders $49 and higher. Standard shipping is available for all on orders of $65 or higher.

Got rewards?

ScoreCard Members can earn rewards on purchases, as well as free shipping for orders $49 or more. ScoreRewards Credit Cards allow holders to earn bonus rewards and double points.

Bat trade-in program

In coordination with SidelineSwap, DICK'S Sporting Goods allows you to trade-in your gently used baseball or softball bat for a DICK'S gift card. First, find the estimated value of your bat by clicking to receive a quote. Then ship your bat using the prepaid postage label, which is free for trade-ins valued at $100 or higher. You will receive a gift card to use towards a future purchase.

Returns permitted for 90 days

Free and easy returns to DICK'S Sporting Goods must be made within 90 days for items with proof of purchase, clean and in resalable condition. Shipping costs are non-refundable.

Customers are unhappy

Unfortunately, DICK'S Sporting Goods has been rated "F" by the BBB and is not accredited. The rating is because they failed to resolve complaints against the business. Across online user review platforms, the sports store has mixed reviews. They have been ranked from a dismal 1.11-star average to an excellent 4.7 out of 5 stars. The site with the highest number of reviews is Yelp which collected over 17,000 ratings to put DICK'S at 2.6 out of 5 stars. Customers rant about late shipments and terrible customer service. We recommend looking elsewhere if you don't want to deal with the possibility of having issues with your package.

Not your best option

While DICK'S Sporting Goods may have the biggest selection and lowest prices on baseball equipment, many retailers price match, so you can easily avoid some of the customer complaints described in the reviews by choosing a different retailer on our list.

On the DICK'S Sporting Goods website

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!

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