Amateur Baseball for Beginners: What Gear and Items Do You Need?

This article is for people who want to try playing amateur baseball but don't know what equipment they'll need.
I'd like to introduce things like what you should buy to begin with and how much it will ultimately cost.

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What do I need to bring when I participate in practice for the first time?

When you think about playing baseball, you might imagine that you'll need a lot of different equipment.
However, you don't need to have everything from the start.
Most teams will lend you equipment, and you shouldn't expect to have everything from the start.
Based on my experience, I'll introduce the items you should prioritize buying first.

Sportswear

When I thought about what I really needed, the first thing that came to mind was athletic wear.
Since you're going to play sports, you should definitely avoid going in your everyday clothes.
Wear something comfortable that allows for easy movement, such as a tracksuit or other sportswear.

If it's summer, it's a good idea to bring a change of clothes for after your activities are finished.
Having a towel to wipe away sweat would also be helpful.

If you're willing to spend a certain amount of money from the start, you should buy baseball practice pants.
It costs around 2000 yen, but the fabric is thick and durable, so it can protect your knees and other areas from scrapes and abrasions.
Jerseys and similar garments may tear during sliding tackles.
In that case, don't forget to buy a baseball belt as well.
Buying baseball socks would also be a good idea.

The team's uniforms are a different story.
The topic of purchasing a uniform usually comes up after you've decided to join the team.

drink

意外と忘れてしまいそうですが、水分補給をするための飲み物は、必ず用意しましょう。
This can be life-threatening, especially during the hot summer months.

Tea, black tea, and coffee contain caffeine and have a diuretic effect, so they are not suitable for exercise.
Sports drinks and flavored water are recommended.
It's best to avoid concentrated juices and carbonated drinks because they are high in sugar.
If you run out, it's a hassle to go buy more, so buying a 2-liter size gives you peace of mind.

glove

I think some teams might lend you equipment.
However, since it's difficult to borrow this equipment from individual members, I recommend buying it yourself if possible.
You can buy really cheap ones for between 1,000 and 2,000 yen.
If you plan to continue playing baseball for a long time, you'll naturally want to improve your skills.
You don't need to buy something that costs tens of thousands of yen right from the start.

spike

It's understandable if you don't have this at first.
However, regular athletic shoes or sneakers will be slippery, so if you want to move around properly, you should consider buying something else.

For beginners, there are training shoes, which have lots of little bumps on the soles.
These shoes can be used for activities other than baseball, such as running.
While its braking power is somewhat inferior, it can be used as a simple spiked tire and can be purchased for around 3,000 to 5,000 yen.
If you choose baseball training shoes, the performance will be a bit better.

However, if you're buying them specifically for baseball, the standard type is a resin-soled spike called a point spike.
My impression is that you can generally buy them for around 5,000 to 7,000 yen.
In amateur baseball using softballs, metal spikes are not common and are often prohibited by the ground rules.
Therefore, purchasing these point spikes will allow you to cover a wide range of situations, from practice to matches.

bat

Buying a baseball bat out of the blue can be quite a hurdle.
If your team has a team bat, I think the best option is to borrow it.
Also, while it might be possible to borrow from individual teammates, many people would prefer not to let others use their equipment.
(I'm one of them.)
While it might be easier to borrow a baseball glove than one, if you plan to continue playing baseball, you should probably buy one sooner rather than later.
Even the cheapest aluminum baseball bats for adults cost between 7,000 and 10,000 yen.
Wooden bats are cheaper, but I wouldn't recommend them for beginners.
It's one of those tools that tends to be quite expensive if you buy a standard one.

others

You'll also need a bag to carry your baseball equipment, of course.
Until recently, shiny shoulder bags were the mainstream, but lately, backpacks that are worn on the back have become popular.
If you've bought cleats, it's a good idea to also get a shoe case or bag to put them in.

Additionally, batting gloves are a good idea to have on hand to prevent chafing on your hands and to prevent your grip from slipping.

Hats are often purchased together with the uniform, so if you don't already have one, you don't need to buy one separately.

You'll naturally want other small pieces of equipment as you continue playing baseball.

summary

Above, I've listed the necessary equipment for amateur baseball, in order of priority.
At the very beginning, you can manage with just athletic wear, a drink, and a glove.
Once you have your equipment ready, try going to observe various teams.