Unpopular opinion: kids don't need fancy sports equipment to have fun
Everyone around me is dropping like $300+ on baseball gloves and cleats and gear and I'm just... not doing it? My kids are 7 and 9. We got them basic stuff from Dick's and they play in the backyard with neighbor kids constantly. They're having just as much fun as kids with the $500 bats.
I get that real leagues need real equipment but also I feel like we've created this culture where you need to spend money to have fun and it's weird. Maybe I'm being cheap but it just feels off to me idk
The only time gear really matters is if they're seriously into a sport, like competitive level. For backyard play? Yeah, you're right