Ever watch a softball or baseball practice that looked unorganized? Or perhaps you wish you could feel a little more in control yourself. At KCB Sports & Outdoors, we understand that sometimes just a couple of key pieces of practice equipment can transform your practices and games from good to great.
If you're just starting your program from scratch, here’s the essential gear we recommend you begin with.
If your budget is tight — and we’ve all been there — don’t stress. Remember, building a program takes time. Collect one piece at a time. Over the course of a few seasons, you’ll be amazed by how much quality equipment you’ve gathered.
With some creativity, patience, and frugality, you can absolutely make it work!
Essential Equipment #1: Baseball & Softball Practice Balls
This one might seem obvious. While you can do "dry" drills for a short time, players will quickly lose interest without actual balls. That’s why practice baseballs and softballs are at the top of the list.
For example, our 10 inch practice softballs are ideal for 8U girls learning the game.
Essential Equipment #2: Baseball & Softball Ball Buckets
Next up: buckets. If you have the budget, get purpose-built ball buckets. If not, repurpose paint or grain buckets with lids — they work great too.
Why are buckets so important?
- Effortless transportation of balls around the field
- Doubling as seats during drills or games
- Improved efficiency — drop balls into buckets instead of throwing
- Setting up hitting stations
- Allowing coaching staff to split up and run drills simultaneously
We recommend starting with four buckets filled with balls. Add more as you go. We began with zero and built up gradually.
Essential Equipment #3: Scorebooks & Lineup Cards
Game-time organization matters. You’ll need reliable scorebooks and lineup cards. While digital options like GameChanger are convenient, don’t rely solely on technology.
Battery dies? Wi-Fi drops? With a paper scorebook, you’re always covered. And coaches appreciate being able to view the whole game layout at a glance.
Explore our selection of scorebooks & lineup cards to find what works best for your level of play.
Essential Equipment #4: Pop-up Nets / Sock Nets
If you’ve got a batting cage — great. But not every team has that luxury. That’s where pop-up or sock nets shine.
If space is tight, we recommend that you use between 2-4 sock nets in addition to a cage. This setup allows us to run up to five simultaneous hitting stations. That means more swings, more reps, and less standing around for players.
Essential Equipment #5: Baseball & Softball Hitting Tees
Tees are essential across all levels — youth, high school, college, and even pro. They’re fundamental for developing proper swing mechanics.
Can’t afford a lot of tees? Look for used cones at local schools. But if you can, invest in quality. We personally love Tanner Tees for their durability and strong base. They’re built to withstand tough practices.
Essential Equipment #6: Ball Caddy or Ball Cart
This is one of our favorite pieces of gear — and for good reason:
- Functionality: Many caddies hold 3–4 buckets’ worth of balls. Less time picking up, less strain on your back.
- Easy transport: Whether they’re wheeled or foldable, these carts are great for getting gear from the dugout to the field quickly.
They’re worth every penny for coaches serious about improving practice flow (and saving your back from bending over).
Final Thoughts: Build Slowly, Strategically
You’ll eventually accumulate more equipment — but don’t rush it. Start with the basics. Prioritize your needs, and let your gear collection grow over time.
At KCB Sports & Outdoors, we’re here to support your journey. From glove relacing kits to scorebooks and training tools, we offer products that empower coaches, parents, and athletes alike.
Keep Competing Boldly,
The KCB Sports & Outdoors Team
