When it comes to sports equipment, you basically have two
options: buy expensive or buy cheap. There is very little “in between” in the
world of sports products. While buying cheap may seem like the easy solution to
a tight budget, it can actually do more harm than good in the long run. Cheaper
products tend to be very poorly made and often wear out quickly and require
replacement, causing you to actually spend more money in the long run. There is
a way to potentially get nice items at a lower price, though, and that “way” is
by buying used, but is it really all it’s cracked up to be?
While only you can decide what’s okay to buy used and what’s
not, there are a few items that can pretty much always be bought used. Cleats
are one such item. Kids’ feet grow at an alarming rate, so buying used or even
setting up a free swap with other parents is just plain smart. Many sports
retailers also buy and sell used cleats and equipment; some even specialize in
it.
Speaking of equipment, another items that’s a definite “buy
used” is gloves. There are all different kinds of gloves designed for different
field positions. Until your child has been locked into a specific position-
which usually won’t happen until high school or at least late middle school-
there’s no need to invest a lot of money in one particular glove. Swap, sell,
and buy used as needed.
Bats are a different story altogether. Batting technology
improves regularly, and new and better bats come out often. While it’s okay to
invest in the newer models since they can actually help your child to play
better in some cases, make sure you don’t just toss or donate them when you’re
ready to move on to the next. Sell them to get back some of your investment.You
can put the money you earn toward a new bat!
Sports equipment is expensive, plain and simple. Do yourself
(and your wallet!) a favor. Don’t be the “team snob” who insists on having
brand new equipment each and every time. Decide which items you absolutely have
to have brand spankin’ new and buy the rest used. Oh, and sell what you’re done
with too. Your wallet will thank you!
Let us see how your equipment choices are working by visiting a Big Bear Extra Innings youth baseball tournament. Check us out today!
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