Some sports require simply showing up. If you have a field and a ball, all you need is people to create a game of soccer. Anything can be used as goals and even the field can be various sizes. To play softball, however, a lot of gear is required. Softball equipment includes bats, balls, visors, sliding pants, batting gloves, and countless other necessary instruments. In addition to the softball equipment, finding a diamond with the correct dimensions and proper markings is not nearly as easy as simply looking for a wide open patch of grass. A proper softball field should have foul lines drawn, a pitchers circle easily noted, a batters box, home plate, bases, a fence, foul poles and so forth. While not every detail needs to be perfect, certainly basic softball equipment is necessary. Having a glove, a bat, and cleats are essential for fielding, hitting, and running. Unlike soccer, which you can play with four or six people, you really need three or four batters plus a pitcher, catcher, a couple infielders and a couple outfielders to properly play softball. Again, soccer differs in this. Scoring is usually low and easy to remember, and besides substitutions and cards, which come rarely, there are no vitally important stats. Not knowing how many free kicks or throw in's that a team has really isn't a big deal. At least one softball player on each team needs to have catching gear. This is the most intricate type of softball equipment. Because the catcher crouches between home plate and the umpire, and below the batter, they are in the line of fire. Catchers need full body protection to avoid major injuries. Catchers require a facemask, chest protector, and shin guards in addition to a catcher's glove. Umpires also have their own specific softball equipment. The home plate ump needs to have similar protection as the catcher. All umpires need to have a device that helps them keep track of the count and number of outs in the inning. Umpires also require a uniform including a hat and tools of the trade like lineup cards, a brush to wipe off home plate, and a rulebook. Both soccer and softball are very fun sports. Soccer takes a lot less effort to throw a game together. Softball needs a variety of equipment, a fairly large group of people, and a diamond designed specifically for the sport. However, if you have the proper softball equipment, and an eager group of friends, it can be a ton of fun and a great way to exercise. If you are looking for high quality softball equipment Michigan has many great stores to choose from. Visit to find out more.
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