Sport is very important for creating a healthy individual. Having a sports class in schools is very important for all children. Of course that not all kids have the predispositions to become great athletes, but playing sports teaches children much more than just hot to throw or kick a ball.
Different countries around the world pay different attention to this problem. Those countries that have more hours of sports in schools have healthier youth and better society. When children grow up, they benefit from the sports classes and create a better society by being a healthy grown-up individual.
In the States, three sports are the most popular living others far behind. American football, Basketball, and Baseball. American football is a rough sport not suitable for the younger generations, which means that schools should pay the most attention to basketball and baseball. Basketball is played on a special field while baseball requires nothing but a plain field. Of course, the equipment for both sports is very important and every child practicing these sports in school must be well prepared. Let’s see what kids need for these two very popular American sports.
Basketball
Basketball is played on a basketball court. The hoop construction and the ball are standard and should be provided by the school. Kids should only have their own jerseys, shorts, and shoes. There are no safety measures when it comes to basketball.
Even though professional basketball is played on a basketball court that’s 94 feet long, there are versions of the sport more suitable for kids. For example, the popular street-ball is played on one hoop and with three players as a team. This is probably the best version for schools because all kids can be active without some kids being prioritized and others left out. The original basketball team is constituted of 5 players from each team.
Baseball
Baseball needs no special court and can be played anywhere. However, the personal equipment for every child is more important than in the sport of basketball. Along with the jersey, the shorts, and the shoes, kids playing baseball must have a bat, gloves, helmets, and catchers protective mitt. This is very important because of safety reasons. Even though kids usually play some of the softball versions, they still must be fully prepared so that no injuries happen.
The bats are something that every child should pick depending on their own preference. Usually, stronger kids choose bigger bats, while smaller kids choose something that will fit their strength. The gloves are very important for the child’s safety. Let’s see what kinds of gloves there are, and what your child really need when it comes to the gloves:
Baseball gloves and types of gloves
Choosing the right glove depends on the position the player has. There are different types of gloves for every position. For example, if you’re playing as an infielder you must choose gloves that will be smaller in size and lightweight. Running and trying to catch a flying ball is difficult and that’s why you must compensate on size to get better agility. The infield gloves are small, have finger openings and are easy to hold in place. That’s why an infielder must spend more practicing catching the ball. They must always be sure that they can catch the flying ball even with bare hands. However, kids should never do that because of safety reasons. The glove will protect their hands.
The outfielders have more time to react but they must cover a large area on the field. That’s why they have longer gloves that will allow them to catch the flying ball even if they are a bit short. These gloves also have a deep pocket inside that prevents the ball from popping out once it is caught.
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The pitchers must hide their hand and the ball before pitching. Pitchers must hide their grip from the batter and that’s why these gloves have a special web inside that gives them this option. The catcher on the other hand, unlike any other of the mentioned, have the biggest glove of all because when the pitcher throws the ball, the target must be big enough for the catcher to receive the ball without a problem.
Conclusion
As we said, sports are very important for the development of children. Participating in a sports team increases the sense of cooperation, teamwork, and communication skills. On top of this, sports help children become healthier. That’s why schools must pay more attention to sports. They must indulge baseball as part of their everyday program. However, schools must also invest in getting the best possible equipment because safety always comes first especially when kids are in question.
