Gear & Equipment | Austin Ball'rz Softball Team

Bats

All bats must have a USA Softball (ASA) certification stamp on the barrel. USSSA-stamped bats are not allowed. If you're not sure, check the barrel — if it says USA Softball or ASA, you're good.

The iPride Softball League has an official partnership with Miken for custom iPride-branded bats. Two models are available:

iPride Maxload USA — 12.75" barrel, endloaded. Good for players who want more power.
iPride Balanced USA — 13.25" barrel, balanced swing weight. Easier to control, great for newer players.

Both are USA/ASA certified and available in 25, 26, and 27 oz. Ask a coach about ordering.

Don't have a bat yet? No problem. Teammates share bats at every game. You can try different ones before buying your own.

Gloves

You'll need a softball glove (not a baseball glove — softball gloves have a deeper pocket for the larger 12" ball). If you're buying one:

Infield — 12" to 13". Smaller for quicker transfers.
Outfield — 13" to 15". Bigger to help catch fly balls.
Not sure? — A 13" glove works anywhere.

For beginners, a synthetic leather glove is fine — lighter, affordable, and ready to use right away. Leather gloves last longer but need time to break in.

Already have a baseball glove? It'll work for your first few games while you figure out what you want.

Shoes

Metal cleats are not allowed. You have two good options:

Molded cleats — Best all-around choice. Rubber or plastic studs, good traction on grass and dirt. Allowed in all leagues.
Turf shoes — Textured rubber soles. Most comfortable option, especially for doubleheaders. Less traction on wet grass.

Jerseys

We provide team jerseys — your team fee covers the cost. Just show up and we'll get you set up.

Nice to Have

None of these are required, but players who've been around a while tend to bring:

Batting gloves — Better grip, less vibration on mishits, protects hands on the base paths.
Sunglasses — Essential for outfielders. Go with amber or copper lenses, not grey. Avoid polarized — they make it harder to track fly balls.
High socks or compression sleeves — Prevent blisters and protect from sliding scrapes.
A water bottle and sunscreen — Austin sun is no joke, especially during spring season.