In today’s article, I will be sharing my opinion on used vs new baseball equipment.
This can be a difficult decision to say the least.
When buying things like wood bats and helmets I would almost always recommend buying new.
If you are just looking for a bucket of practice balls, used can be o.k., although most companies offer a cheaper version of practice balls that are still new.
I will usually buy gloves new just because I like to oil them up and break them in myself. This is an experience that I like to share with my kids.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons we think it makes sense to buy new and used baseball equipment.
My Opinion On Used vs New Baseball Equipment – Reasons
Wood Bats
I recommend buying wood bats new because there can be cracks and splinters hidden in the wood that you might not see, causing the bat to break when you make contact with the ball.
Warping of the bat is also a common issue that occurs.
If you find a wood bat that you just gotta have, make sure to at least roll the bat on a level surface to make sure it isn’t warped.
Helmets
As always, safety is a main concern.
Used helmets can be somewhat cheaper, but you never know how old they are. Deterioration of key materials can lead to reduced impact resistance.
If you do buy a used helmet, get it from a reputable retailer. Ask if they can tell you how old it is, and verify the integrity of the safety features.
I prefer to buy new batting helmets if at all possible. You will likely only save a couple of bucks with a used helmet.
You can Check Out My #1 Recommended Batting Helmet Here.
Practice Balls
This is probably the safest used baseball equipment to buy.
As long as the threads are there, and the cover isn’t falling off, you should be okay. Just be sure to pick them up and make sure they aren’t water logged, and they have good weight.
Hitting a water logged ball will definitely leave your hands stinging and you will risk damaging your bat.
If properly cared for, a new bucket of baseballs can last for years.
Below is a link to the balls we use.
Rawlings Bucket with 2 Dozen ROLB3 Baseballs
The last bucket we bought lasted 3 years!
Gloves
There is nothing wrong with buying used gloves.
Going back to the safety issue, make sure all the strings are present, tied properly, and in good condition. You don’t want to catch a ball coming at your face, only to have it rip through the web. Been there and done that one…..Not good!
Buying a new glove, oiling it up, and breaking it in with the kids is still one of my favorite things to do with my kids.
Check Out Our Top 5 Gloves Here. This article will show you our favorite gloves that we have used throughout the years and why we love them.
Cleats
Buying new cleats every year as your kids grow can get expensive. A new, well fitting pair of cleats is something my kids look forward to every season, so I make this investment gladly when I can.
I have bought used cleats in the past with no problems. As always make sure the cleats are in good condition, and fit properly.
And make sure to properly disinfect them. The last thing you want is to end up with a strange new rash!
My Opinion On Used vs New Baseball Equipment – Bottom Line
Buy new when you can. Buying used can be cheaper, just know what your getting before you buy it!
When buying used, you really need to consider the cost advantage.
When you find a used piece of equipment that seems like a good deal, do a little investigating before pulling the trigger.
You can often times find the same equipment for nearly the same price, new.
You can also stop back by here and leave a comment, or use the contact button and get my opinion. I will be more than happy to do some investigating for you to see if I can find a deal that is right for you.
I hope you enjoyed this article about my opinion on used vs new baseball equipment.
As always, if you have any questions, or would like to share your experience, please leave a comment below and I will get back with you right away.
Thanks for stopping by ~Jeremy
Kids are expensive! With all the shoes you need for dance classes and equipment for sports it can definitely be helpful to buy used whenever possible. You gave some great tips on what baseball products to look for new vs used, thanks for the advice!
I hear you loud and clear! The expenses never end. But if it makes them happy, then it makes me happy. Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. Hope to see you soon. ~Jeremy
Great advice Jeremy and I agree about buying items new especially when those items could cause you injury. The last thing you want to do is buy something used and get hurt because the only one who will be at fault would be you, which just adds more insult to injury.
I hear you Robert. Going back to the glove incident, I had bought the glove in a hurry for an out of town pick up game and didn’t really inspect it, as the ball broke through the web there was definitely plenty of insult added to my thankfully very minor injury…Lesson learned! Thanks for stopping by. ~Jeremy
Buying new makes sense. For sure, I wouldn’t want used shoes (foot fungus) or used gloves (germs) or even a used helmet.
Hello Dk. I share your concerns also. When buying used, make sure you buy from someone reputable. Used equipment should always be sanitized before you use it. That being said, my main focus is always safety. Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you soon ~Jeremy
Very nice post, you have some awesome advice on buying baseball equipment. Every you say make a lot of sense.
Hey David.. I’m glad you found the post helpful. Thank you for the comment. ~Jeremy
Your suggestions make sense. I can’t imagine buying a used glove . . . mine always worked up to my own hand and fitting into someone else’s . . . maybe. And the bats – yeah, I’d never buy a used one. Good advice!
Hi Don. Thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment…That’s a good way of putting it, as you use your new glove, it becomes like an extension of your hand. Like they say “Fits Like A Glove” 🙂
great post I learned alot
Hey David.. Glad I could help and thanks for stopping by.