Topic
Equipment
What to buy, what to skip, where to find it used.
59 pieces
age 8–10 · Jan 23, 2026
When your kid outgrows cleats mid-season
Three weeks left. The cleats don't fit. The cheap fix and the right fix.
Baseball · age 13–14 · Feb 16, 2026
The 13-14 Bat Drop Weight Check
Check the league stamp first, then the drop, then the swing.
Hockey · age 15+ · Feb 25, 2026
The 15-Plus Skate-Baking Trip
Baking molds the boot to the foot. Check the model first.
Soccer · age 8–10 · Jan 19, 2026
The 8-10 Cleat Conversation
Wait a few weeks, buy molded studs, and fit for the foot.
Football — Tackle · age 11–12 · Feb 2, 2026
The 11-12 Helmet Upgrade Decision
When the helmet still fits, and when it needs a licensed recert path.
Longer read · Baseball · age 11–12 · Apr 15, 2026
The bat your kid begged for (and whether to buy it)
The top-shelf composite. The entry-level drop-5. The promise vs. what they actually need.
Apr 29, 2026
Disinfecting equipment end of season
Clean, dry, then store. Mold loves a closed bag.
May 13, 2026
The end-of-season equipment cleanup
An hour now beats October scramble. Five steps before the bag disappears into a closet.
Longer read · age 5–7 · Aug 31, 2026
Parent Toolkit: 5 Immediate Steps for Youth Sports Safety
Five safety steps every sports parent should cover this season.
Soccer · Aug 16, 2026
Setting up the soccer center circle
A stake, a length of string, and IFAB's exact radius make a true circle.
Soccer · Aug 16, 2026
Squaring soccer field corners with the 3-4-5 method
Three lengths of string turn a guess into a true right angle.
Soccer · Aug 11, 2026
The field breakdown checklist for the post-game crew
Secure the goals, count the bags, and confirm someone owns it.
Aug 9, 2026
One bin per kid, color-coded by sport
One color per kid, not per sport, keeps gear from getting lost between seasons.
Aug 9, 2026
Dry the gear without warping it
Heat dries gear fast and ruins it just as fast. Airflow does not.
Aug 7, 2026
Cleat care that triples the lifespan
Hand-washing and keeping them off pavement make cleats last twice as long.
Baseball · Aug 7, 2026
Glove break-in: what actually works, and what wrecks the leather
Working the hinge points does more than any oven or oil trick.
Aug 7, 2026
Laundry stripping is the wrong move for your kid's sports gear
Borax and an overnight soak work on cotton sheets. They wreck a jersey's stretch.
Longer read · Volleyball · Aug 7, 2026
Volleyball Equipment for Youth Players: Parent's Buying Guide
Shoes, knee pads, and the right ball come first.
Aug 3, 2026
Clean the helmet without wrecking it
Dish soap and water clean it safely. Commercial cleaners can void the warranty.
Baseball · age 5–7 · Jan 7, 2026
What a 5-Year-Old Actually Needs in a Glove
Use the size chart to find candidates, then let the child's hand decide.
Mar 14, 2026
The Car Kit That Stays in the Trunk
A small backup kit for forgotten gear, wet clothes, and weather changes.
Soccer · Apr 24, 2026
How to net a soccer goal
Fit the net without turning the goal into a tip-over hazard.
Soccer · Apr 25, 2026
Moving a soccer goal safely
This is an equipment-owner task, not a quick favor for players or parents.
Baseball · Apr 28, 2026
Raking the infield
Use the field owner's tools, protect the grass edge, and leave major repairs to the person responsible for the field.