The Best Softball Equipment for Casual Players of 2023
Softball is everywhere these days. Whether the goal is winning that annual tournament with coworkers or joining one of those spirited teams who play in the park every weekend, every player needs the right gear. The good news? SPY’s contributors — one of whom plays for a New York-based softball league team — all personally tested and vetted the below list of equipment with casual players in mind.
Read on to learn more about our top picks, from slow-pitch bats to gloves, balls, and cleats.
BEST OVERALL
Easton Stealth and Miken Ultra II
Choosing a softball bat is — aside from choosing a glove — the most important decision a casual or competitive player is going to make. To make things more complicated, many leagues will often have their own complex and archaic set of rules for what bats are allowed and what bats aren’t. So, before buying a bat, make sure to check with your league as to its specific rules and which bats comply.
That said, there are two bats that come up again and again as best-in-class: the Easton Stealth and the Miken Ultra II. Both are great, and come in various lengths and weights (heavier hitters will want a heavier bat, of course). The Easton Stealth is end-loaded, which means its weight sits a bit closer to the end of the bat — ideal for power hitters really looking to crank it around in an arc and put all that weight behind the ball. The Mikken is usually mid-loaded, meaning the weight is a bit more balanced and that the bat is slightly more versatile. Really, it’s more about personal preference, but it’s hard to go wrong either way.
BEST BUDGET BAT
Easton Hammer
Look, we get it. Not everyone has close to $200 to drop on a bat for adult slow-pitch softball. No shame if you do! That’s what the recommendations above are for, and they’ll definitely take your game to the next level. But the Easton Hammer is the budget pick that’s almost always there when you need it. It’s just under $40, it’s loaded well for an easy swing, and it gets the job done. Sure, if the goal is to aim for that outfield gap every time, upgraded hardware might be the move, but if it’s to slap singles with a consistent and decent bat, start with a Hammer.
BEST BATTING GLOVES
Bruce Bolt Original
Batting gloves are optional. There. We said it. But the problem is, once you put on a batting glove, you won’t want to hit without it. And these are the Rolls Royce of batting gloves. Yes, we know $80 seems a bit absurd, but because they’re built to last — they’re made from supple leather, with reinforcements in the crotch and heel of the palm — their price per wear will decrease substantially in the blink of an eye.
BEST BUDGET BATTING GLOVES
Seiberton Bar Pro
It is not uncommon to wander around the dugout looking for your batting gloves only to find that someone else has them on and is already on first base — if you have the Seibertron Bar Pros, that is. These things are ubiquitous, and for good reason. They’re affordable, comfortable, and effective — basically, all a casual player needs.
BEST FIELDING GLOVE
Rawlings Heart of the Hide
Besides a bat, picking a glove is perhaps the single most important decision a ball player can make. There are specific mitts for fastpitch and slow-pitch softball, but the best advice is to get one that fits and feels comfortable to use. (Pro tip on sizing: Think about the size of the ball when picking — a bigger one would warrant a bigger glove.)
Rawlings’ Heart of the Hide hits just the right notes of high-quality material construction without going overboard with some of the new glove tech that drives up the price tag. It features good leather, good stitching, and a pocket that sticks. Be advised that it’s stiff at the start, but it breaks in beautifully and catches like a dream.
BEST BUDGET FIELDING GLOVE
Rawlings Premium Series
Our reasons for choosing Rawlings Premium series are much the same as why we chose Heart of the Hide. The construction and fit are both similar, but the materials are more on the budget-friendly side. Still, for a good glove that’ll last — maybe not forever, but long enough to start out in the sport — the Premium series is a solid bet. Also worth mentioning is the brand’s GG Elite, which is a slow-pitch glove.
BEST BALL
DeBeer Clincher
Slow-pitch softball is a unique sport. Unlike fastpitch, it uses a completely different ball: one with more weight and a soft texture that limits the speed with which it comes off the bat. (Don’t worry — it’s possible to crush a slow-pitch ball, but different leagues will use different ball sizes in order to control the pace of play.)
The undisputed king is the DeBeer Clincher: a white, slightly soft, raised-seam ball that flies off the bat and feels good to throw. Ball-buying is usually going to be up to the league, but if the goal is just organizing pickup games, buying a flat of Clinchers will last for many months.
BEST BUDGET BALL
Dudley Thunder SY (12 Pack)
The Thunder SY is another solid contender for the slow-pitch throne. Unlike the Clincher, though, Dudley makes a whole line of fastpitch and slow-pitch softballs, so again, make sure that what you’re buying is right for your situation or league.
Still, the nice feature of the Dudley line is its yellow high-vis coloring. Most of these balls are synthetic, however, so the feel might be slightly different than the leather Clincher, and they may wear differently depending on the playing surface (dirt, turf, hard top).
BEST CLEATS
Under Armour Leadoff Low
Cleats, like most gear, can range in price from dozens to hundreds of dollars. For casual players, we recommend something on the lower end of that range — a pair that’s affordable, supportive, and easy to break in. Under Armour’s Leadoff series is just the ticket. The low-rise style feels a bit more mobile for outfielders looking to get a fast jump on the ball, but that’s really personal preference. One note for slow-pitch leagues, however, is to make sure to buy rubber cleats — not metal spikes, which many leagues don’t allow. The rubber cleat will be more versatile on different surfaces, as well.