Youth baseball, explained
The rules, the gear, and how your kid actually gets better.
Plain-English answers for parents and coaches. Checked against the governing bodies, dated so you can see how current they are, and free.
Answers you can use today
Every guide carries the date it was last checked.
USA vs USSSA vs BBCOR: Which Bat Does Your Kid's League Require?
USA, USSSA, and BBCOR bats explained: which stamp your league requires, what happens if you bring the wrong one, and the 2027 BBCOR change.
Updated 2026-07-18
GuideWhat Size Baseball Bat Does My Child Need? (Height and Weight Chart)
Size a youth baseball bat by height and weight, not age: which drop weight to swing at each stage, and a fast test for a bat that's too heavy.
Updated 2026-07-18
What we're building
Five areas, in the order a baseball parent runs into them. We're publishing fast — this is the plan, not a wish list.
Rules & eligibility
Bat certification, age cutoffs, pitch count limits, equipment rules — what your league actually requires, checked against the governing bodies and dated.
Gear by age and position
Bats, gloves, cleats, helmets and catcher's gear, sized by age and position. What to buy, and what you can skip without hurting your player.
Skills & development
Hitting, pitching, fielding and baserunning. Mechanics that hold up and drills you can run in a backyard, written for parents who never played.
Arm care & safety
Pitch counts, rest requirements, overuse injuries, and how to tell the difference between sore and hurt.
Navigating youth baseball
Rec versus travel, what travel ball actually costs, tryout prep, and when specializing helps or hurts.
Want one of these sooner, or have a question nobody has answered for you? Tell us — it moves things up the list.
The one-page bat sizing cheat sheet
Height-to-length chart, drop weight by age, and the test for whether a bat is too heavy. Printable, fits on the fridge.
- USA Baseball
- Little League
- USSSA
- NFHS