What to Wear to Baseball Practice: A Player’s Guide

Gameday baseball uniforms are steeped in tradition and typically must meet fairly strict team requirements. For practice, however, players have more personal choice in what they wear. What you choose to put on, from your hat to your cleats, can help enhance your comfort, protect your body, and give you the freedom of movement to perform at your best.

Dressing for Comfort & Performance

Before deciding what to wear, know what type of practice session you’re attending. Will you be outdoors or indoors? On a field or in the batting cage? This can guide you to the best choices for comfort and performance.

At most practices, you’ll do a variety of activities, from baserunning and fielding to specific drills for your position. Your coach will probably also have you do warmups and cooldowns. The basics below will have you prepared for the most common practice scenarios.

Shirt

A short-sleeved T-shirt helps keep you cooler in warm weather, but you may prefer a long-sleeved shirt to protect your skin if you’re diving and sliding. If you want that extra protection, but heat is a concern, select a long-sleeved shirt made of a breathable fabric, or look for one designed for ventilation. For cooler weather practice, add a hoodie with a baselayer or T-shirt underneath. This way, you can remove a layer if you get warm from exercising. Make sure T-shirts and hoodies fit comfortably and aren’t too loose. Baggy clothing can interfere with your movement and get caught on things—including your teammates.

If your practice will focus on hitting, you may want to try a batting cage jacket. This type of loose-fitting shirt provides plenty of room to move through your swing. Some styles are ventilated to keep you cooler. Look for moisture-wicking fabric to keep sweat away from your skin.

Pants

For on-field practices, you should always wear pants. Many players prefer to practice in baseball pants because they’re made to withstand slides, dirt, and moisture. Regular athletic pants can also work fine—just choose something that’s comfortable and durable. As with your shirt choice, look for fabrics that are breathable and keep you cool in hot weather. If you’re wearing baseball pants, don’t forget a baseball belt to keep your pants from shifting.

When it comes to selecting baseball pants, there are a few main styles to choose from. Full-length baseball pants come in a relaxed, straight leg fit, or you can choose a tapered fit that hugs the calf. Other full-length styles are closed, with elastic at the ankle like jogger pants. Some players prefer knickers, which gather with elastic just below the knees. These should be paired with baseball socks to provide full leg coverage.

Baseball pants vary in material, style, and color. Most are made to have plenty of stretch for ease of movement and a wide waistband that stays in place. Some pairs have extra reinforcement at the knees to make them more durable, while others are moisture resistant. Try different types and styles to determine what feels best to you and stands up to tough practices. And as long as you’re complying with any team requirements, you can also select baseball pants with some extra style elements, like piping.

If practice is limited to the batting cages, you can opt to wear shorts. As with pants, look for something comfortable and form-fitting around the waist to minimize shifting as you swing. Try athletic shorts that are moisture-wicking.

Tip: While getting your pants dirty in practice or gameplay is a badge of honor, it can be tough to keep white baseball pants looking their best. Treat stains as quickly as you can and wash pants according to label directions. Don’t dry pants until stains have come out. Repeat washes may be necessary for tough stains. Bleach should only ever be used on white pants. Before using any bleach, try soaking the pants overnight.

Undergarments

These unseen parts of your practice wardrobe are vital for comfort. Nothing’s more distracting than an undergarment that’s bunching or chafing.

Undershirt and/or legging baselayers: In addition to using them to stay warm in cold weather, baselayers can also be designed to help dissipate heat from your body in warm weather. You may want a set of baselayers for both types of conditions. Warm-weather baselayers are designed to wick sweat away from your body and allow air to flow through to keep you cool. Cold-weather baselayers help hold in your body heat, while also wicking away sweat. In either case, look for baselayers that comfortably hug your body without rubbing, keep moisture away from your skin, and don’t add bulk. Some players prefer a tighter underlayer for a compression feel.
Socks: If you’re wearing your cleats, you probably want to wear baseball socks, which are designed for maximum comfort in cleats. If you choose to go with heavier-weight socks because the weather is cold, ensure they’re not overly bulky, so your cleats or trainers still fit properly. You don’t want keeping warm to come at the cost of blistered feet. And look for material that’s warm but still moisture-wicking.
Undershorts: Slider shorts are a smart addition for baserunners. Slider shorts fit a lot like bike shorts, but with extra padding along the outside of the thighs for protection against friction when sliding. These and other athletic undershorts can also hold an athletic cup to provide further protection.

Footwear

If you’re on the field, you’ll need to wear cleats. The type of cleats you choose will depend on various factors, like your position and personal comfort preferences. Make sure you know what type of cleats are allowed in your league—sometimes, metal cleats aren’t permitted. If you’re planning to wear cleats, don’t forget to throw in a pair of training shoes for any activity off the field.

If you’re working in the batting cages, a comfortable pair of training shoes are probably all you need. Cages always require wearing closed-toe shoes, and most don’t allow metal cleats. Some may permit rubber/plastic cleats—check with the facility or your coach.

Other Protective Gear & Accessories

With the basics covered, you may want to add a few items to enhance comfort and performance, including:

Sunglasses: Look for impact-resistant lenses and frames that fit snugly so they’ll stay in place. Tinted lenses can also help with picking out the ball against the background of the sky or field.
Sunscreen: This is a must for any outdoor practice. Even on a cloudy day, UV rays can damage your skin. Choose a sweat-resistant formula. You may want to use a special sunscreen just for your face that will resist running into your eyes.
Hat: Your coach will probably want you to wear your team cap for practice, and of course, it’s functional—keeping sun off your head and out of your eyes. On chilly days, a beanie may be allowed. As with other cold-weather gear, look for something that keeps you warm but wicks away sweat.
Batting gloves: If you’ll be doing any hitting, a pair of batting gloves can help improve your grip on the bat and also reduce the risk of developing blisters, which is important in practices where you’ll do a lot of repetitive swings.
Batting helmet: If you can, supply your own batting helmet and make sure it fits well. Helmets should be snug when worn with nothing underneath (including baseball hats) and make sure they don’t impede vision. The CDC has helpful tips for getting a proper fit.

Baseball Practice Gear Checklist

Essentials

T-shirt (long-sleeve or short-sleeve)
Baseball pants or other athletic pants
Cleats
Trainers (for off-field activities)
Baseball hat
Baseball glove/any equipment required for your position
Batting helmet
Sunscreen
Water bottle

Optional

Batting gloves for hitting practice
Baseball belt
Hoodie/jacket (weather dependent)
Sunglasses
Sliding shorts
Baselayer garments designed for heat or cold

In the right practice gear, you can be comfortable and protected from the elements. That frees up your attention to focus on your coach’s guidance and improve your performance, from opening day to closing day.