West Portage Little League

News Detail

2

Mar, 2021

Guidance on Equipment Needs

Registered WPLL Families,

As the season draws closer, we wanted to provide some guidance with respect to equipment needs. Please review the following and reach out to our equipment director at [email protected] if you have any questions!

Players will need to provide...
At a minimum, players will need to provide their own gloves and footwear. For players in Tee-Ball and Coach Pitch divisions, regular gym shoes are fine. Players registered for Machine Pitch and above are encouraged to wear rubber (not metal) cleats. Softball players will need to provide their own face guards.

WPLL will provide a few team bats, but kids are certainly welcome to bring their own. Just remember, they need to be USA Baseball stamped for baseball or BPF 1.20 for softball. Full little league bat regulations here.

Regarding helmets...

Batting/Fielding helmets in the time of COVID...
Helmets have traditionally been optional for families to provide. WPLL has provided a number of helmets to each team for players without their own to share. This year, given sanitary concerns with sharing helmets, we strongly encourage those who are in a position to do so to provide their player with their own helmet. A basic helmet may be acquired for $20 or less from Dick's. WPLL is still discussing ways to make helmets safely available for those who can't provide their own, but we have a limited supply...the more kids who have their own the better.

1st ever WPLL equipment swap
In order to help out our families, WPLL will be trying our an equipment swap this year. Saturday, March 13th will be donation day, where ANYONE (not just registered West Portage Families) may stop by our facility and drop off gently used baseball & softball gear. We will sort and organize, and on Saturday, March 20th, any REGISTERED WEST PORTAGE FAMILY can come check out the gear and take what they need. Equipment will be available on a first come, first served basis. More details to come.

Please help spread the word, particularly about the donation day. Times are tough for a number of folks, and we want a lot of donations to help ease the burden on our families. Those on Facebook, consider sharing the event we created to help generate awareness.

Where to buy equipment
Tons of retail options exist, including some very basic equipment available from big box retailers like Walmart and Meijer. WPLL sponsor Dick's Sporting Goods has a much more comprehensive in-store and online selection. As in past years, Dick's will be hosting an in-store shop weekend for WPLL families. This year, the days will be Friday, March 19th through Monday, March 22nd. WPLL families will receive 20% off of their entire purchase.

Used gear is a great option as well. Check out Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, amongst other choices.

WPLL commitment to our families
Finally, WPLL is committed to ensuring that every player, regardless of financial circumstances, has access to the equipment he or she needs to have a great experience. If, as the season draws closer, you would like to discuss equipment needs, please reach out to [email protected].