• Evaluate Baseball Bats

• Choose Baseball Gloves and Mitts

• Assess Baseball Pitching Machines

• Select Baseball Accessories

• Find Baseball Equipment on eBay

• Buy Baseball Equipment with Confidence

Evaluate Baseball Bats

Evaluate Baseball Bats

Whether you're a contact hitter who leads off the lineup or a designated hitter leading your team in home runs, you need the right bat to perform your best at the plate. Discover which baseball bat will work best for you before entering the batter's box and find bats configured for your body, ability, and batting style on eBay. Manufacturers such as Easton, Worth, Louisville Slugger, DeMarini, Nike, and Rawlings construct bats out of a variety of advanced materials, making them more durable and powerful than ever.

• Aluminum baseball bats: Lighter and stronger than wood, aluminum bats are designed to increase bat speed and power, sometimes called pop. Manufacturers blend aluminum with a variety of different metals to reinforce the bat. Manufacturers may also add a carbon lining to increase strength or cryogenically freeze a bat to increase strength without adding weight.

• Graphite baseball bats: Stronger and lighter than high-grade aluminum, graphite bats are either made of a graphite-fiber composite material or have an aluminum core with graphite lining.

• Titanium baseball bats: Stronger and lighter than high-grade aluminum, titanium bats generally have an aluminum core and titanium lining or wall. Some softball associations have banned the use of titanium bats.

• Wood baseball bats: Wood bats like those used in Major League Baseball have the greatest selection of shape and taper (handle diameter). These affordable bats made of ash, maple, or bamboo offer less durability than metal bats and can crack with regular use. They also weigh more than their metal counterparts.

Size baseball bats

When standing on end, a bat should come to your waist. Length ranges from 26 inches to 31 inches for Youth League and 32 inches to 36 inches for high school, collegiate, and professional players. A Little League bat cannot measure more than 32 inches long.

A player's age, height, weight, strength, and hitting style determine bat weight. Generally, players in Little League or Youth League should use bats between 16 ounces and 23 ounces. At the high school and collegiate level, bat weights generally range from 27 ounces to 33 ounces. Heavier bats can generate more power but reduce bat speed. Lighter bats offer increased speed and control but reduce pop.

The pros often gravitate toward lighter bats, which allow a player to make contact with the "fat of a bat" or its "sweet spot" more easily. Sellers may list bat weight as a negative number, meaning the bat's weight equals the bat's length minus the indicated number. For example, a 32-inch bat with a bat weight of -5 weighs 27 ounces (32 - 5 = 27). Bats used on the high school and college level cannot have more than a -3 ounce weight-to-length ratio.

Also look at the shape of a bat, taking its barrel, taper, and grip into consideration.

• Baseball bat barrels: Most barrels, the wide portion of a bat that strikes a ball, measure 2 1/2, 2 5/8, or 2 9/16 inches in diameter. Longer and wider barrels provide a larger sweet spot. Lighter bats have shorter and narrower barrels for increased speed and control.

• Baseball bat taper: Taper refers to handle diameter and must fit a player's hands, allowing a comfortable grip. The taper on most bats is 31/32 of an inch. A narrower taper allows you to rotate your wrists faster and "square up" on pitches more effectively. Little League baseball bats cannot measure more than 2 1/4 inches in diameter and bats used in high school and college cannot measure more than 2 inches in diameter.

• Baseball bat grip: Make sure your metal bat has a proper leather, synthetic leather, or rubber grip. Leather grips will provide the best hold but do not absorb vibration as effectively as rubber.

Choose Baseball Gloves and Mitts

Choose Baseball Gloves and Mitts

A baseball glove that fits your hand, position, and abilities can make you a better player or even most valuable player of the game. Before making that game-winning grab at the wall or series-ending tag at the plate, find the right glove for yourself or for your kids. You'll find top brands, including Rawlings, Mizuno, Louisville Slugger, Nokona, SSK, Wilson, Easton, and Nike on eBay.

Size baseball gloves

For optimum performance on the field, determine which glove size best fits your hand.

• Youth baseball gloves: Youth-sized baseball gloves typically measure 8 inches to 12 inches, are designed for easy break-in, and have small finger and wrist openings. They sometimes have a larger pocket than comparable adult-sized gloves. When shopping for your Little Leaguer, consider his or her size and your budget. If you think your youngster will outgrow a glove in one or two seasons, opt for an economical mid-range glove that properly fits your child's hand. Buying an oversized glove your child can grow into saves some money, but it also leads to inconsistent play and poor fielding habits. Remember, the right glove not only makes catching easier, it makes throwing and completing plays easier, too.

• Baseball gloves for adults: Adult baseball gloves measure between 10.5 inches and 13 inches (infielder gloves tend to be shorter). Gloves and mitts designed for women have narrower finger holes and a smaller wrist opening than standard adult-sized gloves and mitts.

• Professional baseball gloves: Professional baseball gloves measure no more than 12 inches.

Find a baseball glove to fit your position

Players in different positions on the field use different gloves or mitts (gloves have separate finger holes). Each of the major types has a different purpose, size, shape, and design.

• Catcher's mitts: Heavily padded catcher's mitts have a thumb pocket and mitten (instead of fingers) designed to cushion the impact of hard pitches and protect the ball during tags.

• First base mitts: First base mitts look similar to catcher's mitts but have less padding, a shallower pocket, and longer reach to help a first baseman quickly retrieve infielder throws and scoop up tough short-hop balls.

• Infielder baseball gloves: Infielder baseball gloves are shorter, five-finger gloves (typically 10.5 inches to 11.5 inches) made for second basemen, shortstops, third basemen, and pitchers. They feature shallow pockets for rapid transfer of the ball to an infielder's throwing arm. Middle infielders generally prefer light open back baseball gloves featuring a wide hand opening and closed web for faster access to caught balls.

• Outfielder gloves: Outfielder baseball gloves are longer, five-finger gloves (typically 12 inches to 12.5 inches) with deeper pockets, designed to cushion the impact of fly balls and increase the fielder's reach and range. Outfielders and third basemen prefer open webs that have spaces between each piece of leather webbing. They trap a ball better than baseball gloves with a closed-web design.

Any player may select a closed back baseball glove featuring a smaller hand opening and finger hole for added grip. Many also have a leather or Velcro wrist strap to adjust the fit of the glove around your wrist.

Know your baseball glove materials

Baseball gloves are made of leather or a synthetic material such as vinyl or plastic. Synthetic gloves cost less than leather baseball gloves but can be stiff and awkward. They make a good choice for young players who will quickly outgrow or lose their first glove. For the best performance, comfort, and selection, buy a leather baseball glove. Generally, the higher a glove's grade of leather, the greater its price, durability, and longevity.

• Top-grain leather baseball gloves: Top-grain leather, the standard leather used in most baseball gloves, is the midrange leather derived from the top of an animal hide. It is thinner than full-grain leather and sometimes comes pre-oiled.

• Premium steer hide baseball gloves: Premium steer hide, a high-grade, stiff, heavy, and durable steer leather of a lesser quality than full-grain, requires a lengthy break-in and sometimes comes pre-oiled.

• Full-grain leather baseball gloves: Full-grain leather, a heavy, high-grade steer or cowhide leather, features a high percentage of original animal hide. It has not been excessively buffed, and the long-lasting leather requires a lengthy break-in.

Some manufacturers use alternative materials such as buffalo, kangaroo, and pigskin for baseball gloves. Lightweight buffalo and kangaroo skin offer more durability than steer or cowhide but can lose their shape. Economical pigskin breaks in quickly but lacks durability. Weigh the advantages of each type of material before you buy.

Assess Baseball Pitching Machines

Assess Baseball Pitching Machines

Pitching machines deliver technically sound and consistent pitches, allowing batters to develop good mechanics such as an effective and consistent swing. Practice sessions also become more effective and efficient if you have a pitching machine that fits your skill level and the game you want to play.

For example, different pitching machines can use different types of balls. Some use standard-size baseballs, softballs, or both while others use specialized baseball-sized or softball-sized pitching machine balls. Some even support golf Wiffle balls.

If you plan to use your pitching machine for Little League or Youth League players, make sure the machine accepts Reduced Injury Factor (RIF) balls. You may also want "dimpled" or "sting free" balls for players who use dent-prone aluminum bats. The specs in each item listing will tell you which type of ball to use with the machine.

• Baseball pitching machines for beginners: A tossing machine gently tosses balls at regular intervals and at fixed speeds as low as 10 miles per hour (mph). Kids can practice their batting drills with ease, and parents can take the lightweight, compact machine anywhere.

• Baseball pitching machines for youth players: For safe, reliable pitches for youth leagues, look for a single-motor machine that accepts RIF balls and has a maximum pitch speed of 60 mph or more. Some models may have transport wheels for portability while others can fit into a movable cart. Before buying a cart-compatible model, make sure the machine comes with the cart or that you can find a compatible cart on eBay.

• Baseball pitching machines for high schools and colleges: For high school, college, and pro players you want fast pitches and variety. Look for a machine with pitch speeds of 90 mph or more, two wheels, dual motors, and a lot of pitching options. Keep weight and portability of the machine in mind if you need to move it. Most machines can throw left, right, curveballs, fastballs, and sliders. Models that have a 360-degree swivel head even allow you to toss to different parts of a field without moving the machine. When used with a vertical pivot, your pitching machine can produce fielding pitches such as pop-ups, fly balls, and ground balls.

• Softball pitching machines: Softball pitching machines simulate fast and slow-pitch underhand throws with risers and drops. Some also handle baseballs.

Lightweight, highly portable pitching machines typically hold fewer balls than stationary, larger pitching machines. When reading item listings, look at how many balls a machine can hold. If you don't mind regularly refilling the ball carriage or will have a companion when you practice, don't worry about capacity. Consider buying a feeder-compatible pitching machine and additional feeder if you plan to spend a lot of time practicing by yourself.

Small feeders usually hold 20 baseballs or 16 softballs and larger feeders can hold up to 80 baseballs. Players who plan to use the pitching machine solo should also look for a model that supports or includes an in-line switch. The small box sits at your feet and allows you to turn the machine on and off from the batter's box.

Know baseball pitching machine components

Popular and portable wheel-operated pitching machines sit on a steel frame mounted on a tripod. They use one or two wheels (made of hard rubber or air-filled pneumatic tires) to rotate a ball and project it toward a batter.

• One-wheel baseball pitching machines: Inexpensive single-wheel pitching machines throw straight fastball pitches between 25 mph and 75 mph. Some models also throw curveballs and can change the direction a wheel spins to simulate both right-handed and left-handed pitching. They usually weigh between 30 pounds and 60 pounds. Casual users only need a single-wheel pitching machine with a single motor.

• Dual-wheel baseball pitching machines: With pitch speeds ranging from 25 mph to more than 90 mph, dual-wheel pitching machines can throw almost any pitch and often feature a swivel head that allows the machine to project balls at different angles. They usually weigh 60 pounds to 150 pounds. Players who plan on using the machine frequently to improve their game will want a two-wheel pitching machine with a dual motor and a variety of features.

Determine pitching machine power and portability

A motor (or dual motors) powered by 110-volt A/C power propels the spinning wheel(s). Total motor power, measured in horsepower (hp), determines the maximum pitch speed a machine can produce.

Basically, as horsepower increases, the number of wheel revolutions per minute increases, and pitch speed increases. Users control pitch speed and direction via adjustment knobs. Make sure you can change the spin direction of the wheels to simulate right-handed and left-handed pitching.

Heavy machines can remain stationary and plug directly into a power source. However, if you want to transport your pitching machine from your backyard to the playground, practice facility, or field, you'll want a lightweight model with removable legs or transport wheels.

If you don't plan to set up next to an AC outlet, make sure your pitching machine has a battery pack or works with a 1,000-watt generator. Ask a seller what type of generator you should use with a pitching machine before you buy.

Select Baseball Accessories

Select Baseball Accessories

Now that your team players all have baseball bats and baseball gloves or mitts, you need a few more things to play ball.

• Baseballs: Baseballs used by most players measure 9 inches in diameter and weigh 5 ounces. Baseballs for youth players can be larger and weigh less. For games, you may want baseballs with leather covers, which provide a good grip. Baseballs with synthetic covers work fine for practice. Adult baseball players should look for standard-seam, also called rolled-seam, baseballs used by Major League Baseball. Youth players will likely do better with raised seam baseballs that give them a better feel for the baseball when they're still developing their pitching skills.

• Protective gear: Most baseball leagues require batters to wear batting helmets and for catchers to wear a catcher's mask, chest protectors, and shin guards.

• Dress for the game: In order to hit the field you'll need cleats, a jersey, and sunglasses. Remember to also pick up an equipment bag for toting your baseball gear.

• Baseball training aids: Besides pitching machines, you'll find a large selection of baseball training aids on eBay, including books, videos, batting cages, and speed sensors.

Find Baseball Equipment on eBay

Find Baseball Equipment on eBay

Once you know what type of baseball equipment you want, go to the Sporting Goods portal, click Baseball & Softball, and start searching for items on eBay.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. You'll find links for Accessories, Apparel & Footwear, Balls, Bats, Batting Gloves, Equipment Bags, Gloves & Mitts, Protective Gear, Training Aids, and Other Items. As you dig deeper into the site you'll also be able to narrow down your choice item type or brand.

• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find a youth-sized bat, type "youth bat" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Baseball Equipment with Confidence

Buy Baseball Equipment with Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to C$1,250.

• eBay Security & Resolution Centre: Visit the Security & Resolution Centre to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.