Whether you are an amateur or professional athlete, having all the essential equipment is vital in any sport. In baseball, this is no exception. It ensures you have all the tools to practice or perform and helps minimize or prevent any injury. What equipment you need may depend on your skill levels, competitiveness, or the league you’re in. After all, to play your best, you should have all the gear you need.
Along with baseball equipment, a reliable bag is essential to carry them as comfortably as possible, especially when flying from one place to another. But there are some snags with flying with your baseball equipment, especially if you don’t know the airline’s rules and regulations. You might be planning to visit your grandparents in the summers, or you might want to move to another state for your baseball training. You might be thinking about how you will carry your baseball equipment on the plane. Suppose you arrive at the airport and you are holding a baseball bat in your hand. Security will surely push you to the ground because it is a security concern.
That is one of the reasons you are not allowed to take baseball bats and other equipment as a carry-on because they can be potentially used as weapons and, thus, can be dangerous. To avoid it, you must check the permitted in carry-on bags list and permitted in checked baggage only.
Baseball equipment permitted in carry-on bags
Before packing your bag with your baseball equipment, ensure that you have read the permitted equipment in a carry-on bag or luggage. Else, you will face stringent security and your holiday will be ruined.
Here are permitted baseball equipment in a carry-on bag:
- Baseball balls
- Baseball cleats
- Baseball gloves
- Baseball helmets
- Sports ball pumps and needles
If you are carrying anything not allowed in cabins, you’ll face big trouble.
Baseball equipment permitted in checked baggage only
Some, if not all, airlines allow you to carry helmets in carry-on luggage. But it’s better not to risk it. It’s not unusual that many have lost some of their baseball equipment, especially if they are carrying them in the cabin.
Here are the baseball equipment permitted for checked baggage:
- Baseball balls
- Baseball bats
- Baseball gloves
- Baseball helmets
- Novelty baseball bats
Some equipment is allowed in both carry-on and checked luggage. Ensure you don’t mix them with other equipment to avoid any disruption.
Choosing a bag to carry all your baseball equipment on a plane
If there’s one word about flying with sports equipment, it is “daunting.”
First, there’s the trouble of packing the equipment. Next, there’s choosing the airline that will allow you to carry baseball equipment in carry-on or checked baggage. Every airline imposes rules and regulations as a safety check for sports equipment.
1) Price – Price is usually a top consideration (and concern) when buying anything, especially things like bags. The price of the bag indicates its quality and features. The more features and the better quality the bag has, the more expensive it gets. You can buy a low-priced baseball equipment bag to meet all your safety needs. Or if you want a better bag, it’s good to invest in one.
2) Size – The size of the bag depends on your position in a baseball game. It is because every position is having different numbers of the required equipment and protective gear. The more the gear, the larger size of the bag you should need.
3) Extra features – One of the essential features you should be looking for in a baseball equipment bag is a reinforced rubber bottom and sides with a double layer. These features guarantee that your equipment is protected from hits or banging, even if you sit on it.
Another feature you should look for in a baseball equipment bag is the number (or size of) storage and pockets. Organizing your gear in your bag is necessary, making it easier and more efficient for you to reach them at once. The sectioned pockets and zippered pockets allow easy access and more storage.
4) Design – The layout, graphics, design, and color depend on your preference. People tend to buy a bag that matches the color of their baseball equipment, while others tend to buy a fancy and attractive bag.
5) Style – There are various styles of baseball bag equipment to choose from. They come in different sizes and shapes. Some are traditional carry-on bags or luggage, while others are golf bags, wheeled bags, and much more. Buy a bag that matches your requirements and allows you to store all your gear in one place.
Types of bags
Below are the types of bags where you can put store and carry your essential baseball gear.
Bat bag
(Portability: both carry-on and checked luggage)
The traditional bat bag for baseball is similar to the basic gym or duffel bag. It is a simple bag with a short handle that you can carry on your side with a firm grip. It comes in an extended size and thin shape to accommodate baseball bats.
Bat bags are usually simple and streamlined with or without multiple pockets. The only downside is that you can carry it only in one method. Overall, it is a solid choice.
Handheld
(Portability: both carry-on and checked luggage)
The handheld type has several compartments, making it easy to carry your gear. It also comes with classic canvas-style handles. Baseball tote bags are paired with shoulder straps for additional carrying options. It is a classic choice that easily transports your gear while flying to different states.
Bat pack and backpack
(Portability: both carry-on and checked luggage)
The bat pack or backpack will be the best option if you have nothing to handle on and off the field. They are designed like traditional school bags with mesh on the sides where you can store your baseball bats. You will be surprised how comfortable they are and still allow you to carry all your baseball essentials. You can also protect them from stubborn baseball bats and flying balls.
Wheeled
(Portability: checked luggage)
What’s convenient about a wheeled bag is that it can accommodate added equipment and weight. Why carry a bag when you can drag it on wheels – it’s so much easier. If you have preferred wheeled bags for a long time, you will love this option as you can drag them everywhere. In addition, if you play a baseball position requiring all essential equipment with protective gear, you can use the wheeled bag.
You will find a tank or inline styles according to your preferences. Most trolleys or wheeled bags have metal guides on the bottom. They support structure and wheel plates to prevent any breakage or tear. These bags come with additional compartments and pockets for extra protective gear.
Here are some baseball equipment bags to check out for your next trip:
Franklin Sports Youth Baseball Bat Bag
It is a specialized bag for baseball equipment designed to carry three bats at a time. You can carry it while flying to another state or country. It will be checked baggage for you while traveling. Also, it can hold a baseball ball or softball equipment in it. The special and separate ventilated compartment helps you to carry cleats. Used cleats can be smelly because of sweat. The ventilated compartment helps limit the mess and minimize odor.
The shoulder straps and handle are designed for an easy and firm grip. You can use shoulder straps for enhanced portability. When going for practice, you can use a fence hook to hang it on the fence, or anywhere else you can hang your bag. The fence hook comes on the top of the bag for easy access in the dugout. This is one of the cheapest bat bags you can find – basic and just enough to carry your bats and other baseball essentials.
Key features:
- Compartment for gear
- Separate bat pockets
- Handle and shoulder strap
- Hook
Another low-cost but reliable baseball bag on the list is the Easton E100G Equipment Bag. It is a bat bag ideal for gear and travel. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by its spacious main compartment – at least big compared to other bat bags – where you can put all your essential baseball gear. The large U-shaped zipper opening is designed for easy loading and access to your equipment. The bag uses massive reinforced straps for stabilizing load disbursement. It also has lockable zippers and highly durable embossed material to protect your gear against wear and tear, guaranteeing long-lasting use.
Key features:
- Spacious main compartment
- Massive lockable zippers
- Reinforced straps
- Extremely durable embossed material
Easton Matrix Bat and Equipment Wheeled Bag
Easton’s Premium Matrix Wheeled Bag is built to withstand harsh weather conditions, long seasons, and rough terrain. It comes with inline skate wheels, while the hard molded base provides stability and allows it to stand upright. It is ideal for daily trips or flying to different states. This wheeled bag can store five bats in a secure, lockable bat compartment.
Along with five bats, you can easily store a catcher’s helmet, a glove, two water bottles, and a pair of baseball cleats. The oversized mouth of the compartment makes it easy to access baseball equipment. It also comes with felt-lined pockets to protect your protective gear and equipment.
Key features:
- Inline skate wheels
- YKK zippers
- Reinforced carrying ctraps
- Molded base
- Felt-lined pockets
Easton E110BP Bat & Equipment Bag
If you’re looking for an all-in-one baseball bag, the Easton E110BP bat and equipment bag should be right up your alley. It is designed for ample storage and comfort due to its high-quality material. It is also the official sponsor bag of the Little League World Series.
Its main compartment has ample space to fit all your essential gear – catcher’s mitts, helmet, batting gloves, etc. It is also equipped with baseball bat sleeves on the sides.
When the bag is full of equipment and protective gear, the padded back and shoulder straps make it comfortable to carry it anywhere. It also comes with a fence hook for dugout functionality. The vented shoe compartment is breathable and makes it mess- and odor-free for baseball cleats.
Key features:
- Rubberized pullers
- Sport utility configuration
- Fence hook
- Smart gear storage
- Dugout functionality
- Padded straps and back
Rawlings R500 Series Baseball/Softball Backpack
When you see the name “Rawlings,” you know it means quality. Thus, you can never go wrong with this bag when flying from one state (or country) to another for the big game. The side mesh holds two bats, and the spacious compartment can be converted into a shelf for easy access of your equipment. The valet tray allows you to keep your baseball gear or small supplies (like tape and bat weights) organized. Like many other baseball equipment bags, the Rawlings R500 series backpack also features a fence hook for latching the bag onto the fence and keep the dugout organized. Its synthetic material is dirt- and water-proof, while the tarpaulin bottom allows you to place the bag on any surface without worries.
Key features:
- Compartment can be converted into a shelf for easy access of your equipment
- Valet tray to keep your gear organized
- Fence hook
- Synthetic fabric for easy clean-up
Easton Traveler Baseball Bat & Equipment Wheeled Bag
This bag combines the design and style of a backpack and a wheeled bag. Its molded base allows it to stand upright. The telescoping handle and wheels make it easier for you to carry it anywhere, including the field. It can hold four bats in the side pockets.
The vented compartment can carry baseball cleats. The main compartment is spacious enough to store your batting gloves, catcher’s mitts, baseball balls, elbow guard, shin guard, etc. The fence hook can keep your equipment organized in the dugout.
Key features:
- Easy stand-up
- Vented compartment
- Extra storage
The takeaway
Baseball bags are specifically designed for that purpose – to store and carry your baseball gear. They are also designed for air travel. You can easily fly with your baseball equipment and protective gear depending on the rule and regulations of your chosen airline. A backpack without a baseball bat can be carried into the cabin if it doesn’t have potentially dangerous items. A wheeled bag will go into the checked baggage. It won’t be possible to carry different bags for your baseball equipment at the same time, so choose wisely!