The Smart Parent's Guide to Buying Used Baseball Equipment

Youth players grow fast. This means the youth baseball equipment market is flooded with barely-used gear at steep discounts. A parent who knows how to navigate this market can outfit their child for a fraction of the retail price.

Where to Find Used Equipment

Facebook Marketplace: The best source for local used equipment. Search for 'youth baseball' in your area. Parents selling at the end of the season often price aggressively to move inventory quickly.

Play It Again Sports: A national chain that buys and sells used sporting goods. Quality varies by location, but prices are generally fair and the selection is good.

eBay: Good for specific items, especially bats. Read seller reviews carefully and check the return policy.

Local Baseball Parent Groups: Facebook groups for local leagues and travel teams often have informal buy/sell/trade activity. These are excellent sources because you know the equipment has been used in conditions similar to your child's.

What to Buy Used

Almost everything can be bought used safely:

• Bats (check for cracks and dents)
• Gloves (often better used — they're already broken in)
• Cleats (check for wear on the sole)
• Batting gloves
• Bat bags and equipment bags
• Batting tees and training equipment

What to Buy New

Always buy new:

• Helmets (you can't verify the history of a used helmet; safety equipment should always be new)
• Athletic cups
• Batting gloves if hygiene is a concern

The Bat Question

Bats are the most expensive single item in youth baseball and the most commonly bought used. When buying a used bat, check for:

• Cracks (run your fingers along the barrel)
• Dents (roll the bat on a flat surface)
• Rattling (shake the bat; a rattle indicates internal damage)
• BBCOR/USA/USSSA stamp (ensure it meets your league's requirements)

A used bat in good condition performs identically to a new bat. There is no performance advantage to buying new.