My list of the top 18 things to bring to a baseball or softball tournament
(This list has been updated to include some excellent ideas from experienced baseball parents)  🙂
If you’re headed out to a sports tournament, chances are that you will be there for several hours and sometimes games are back-to-back to the point where you can’t really leave. Don’t get stuck being without essential tournament items that you may want or need. It’s always better to plan ahead and have a few things ready and packed.
First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is the number one item that you need to have with you at all games and tournaments, regardless of the sport your child is playing. I particularly like this one from Amazon.com because it comes with 326 pieces and it’s large enough to hold many items in its durable plastic case. It comes with a variety of bandages, antibiotic ointment, burn cream, a cold compress, sterile gauze pads, tweezers, scissors, and more. It’s great because it’s big and can hold additional items if needed. It also has free shipping.
Bag of Ice
You probably have a cooler packed with some delicious cold drinks so when you pack it, make sure to throw in a Ziplock bag full of ice. In this case it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. And, it’s such an easy thing to do. Bumps and bruises are part of sports and it sure helps when you have some ice handy to keep down the swelling.
Bleacher Chair
If you’re like me, you like to have a soft padding under your buns if you’re going to be sitting on bleachers all day watching your little sweeties play, so make sure you look into some nice sports bleacher chairs. You also want one with a back on it so you can lean back. There’s nothing worse than sitting on hard, cold bleachers and not having back support. There are many to choose from, but this one from Amazon.com is my favorite. It folds flat and has convenient backpack straps for carrying. It adjusts to six different positions and has armrests for ultimate comfort. It’s also available in multiple colors in case you want to match your team. Check out my Bleacher Chairs page for a few more nice options.
Ice Chest
Okay, let’s get back to those delicious cold drinks. You could probably run to the store or go to the snack bar, but how nice is it to have your own cooler full of ice cold water, Gatorade, soda, or any other tasty beverage you can think of? Personally, I don’t care to spend $2 – $3 on a drink when I can save a lot of money and bring my own. I also have my own options for what I like. You can also throw some grapes, cheese sticks, strawberries, yogurt, or many other healthy snacks in it so you’re not at the mercy of the snack bar for greasy, unhealthy food all day. I really like this ice chest because it not only has a handle and rolls for easy access, but it’s not so huge that you can’t lift it into your car.
Jacket
Even if it’s 90 degrees when you leave for the tournament in the morning, please take my advice and bring a jacket with you! If your kids are ballers, they’re going to be playing several games today and once the sun goes down it’s going to get chilly. I like to be warm, but I still like to look cute and I love this classic puffer jacket. It packs up small, but it’s super warm
Sunblock
After putting together this list, I realized that another essential item to bring to a tournament or game is sunblock. Dab some on your little player’s nose, cheeks, ears, and neck, and then make sure to lather yourself up.
Sunglasses
I added this to my list after an optometrist reminded me how important it is to protect your eyes from the sun. Nike has an awesome selection of sunglasses to choose from and they come with very high-quality lenses.
Camera
You’re definitely going to want to take a lot of pictures of your little baller, so make sure to bring a camera with some memory cards. Amazon has a great Canon Rebel bundle that includes everything you need to get set up like a pro at the games.
Phone Charger
You don’t want to get stuck with a dead phone battery, especially if you are using your phone to take all of your pictures. Â I LOVE this Solar Charger which can be charged outside at the game, and it gets really good reviews. I also like to carry a small portable charger in my purse because my phone always runs out of charge when I take pictures.
Snacks
You’ll be sorry if you don’t bring some stuff to munch on at the games. And, the snack bar could make you go broke and doesn’t always have the best options for things to eat. Check out my other page with some suggestions for healthy snacks to bring.
Extra Baseball Pants
Bring along a pair or two of extra baseball pants. If you are staying away from home, you can try washing them, but they may not dry in time. Also, occasionally pants get a rip so it’s a good idea to have another.
Shade Umbrella
Even if you don’t think it will be hot, it will be hot and there may not be shade. Bring yourself a shade umbrella just in case.
Bleacher Umbrella Holder
One of our team moms just had this clamp-on umbrella holder at our tournament over the weekend and it’s a must-have item if you like to be in the bleachers.
Pop-Up Canopy Tent
A pop-up canopy tent is a great thing to have if you have multiple people that need to be in the shade. You can set it over bleachers, over chairs, in the outfield, or off to the side between games to save you from the heat.
Insurance Cards
I hadn’t thought of this, but it is a fantastic idea sent in by a reader. There’s always a chance of injury during sports games, so it’s important to be prepared with insurance information. I put pictures of them in my phone so I always have them with me.
A change of clothes
I can’t tell you how many times I have sweated all the way through my clothes and SO wished I had an extra set with me. You will thank me for this one.
Sun Hat
We need to pace ourselves with our sun exposure because baseball parents spend so much time outside. Bring along a sun hat to keep the sun off of your entire face.
Chapstick
We tend to forget to take care of our lips and when we are outside in the sun and dirt, and they will get chapped. Bring something to keep your lips nice and moist.
There are probably many more essential items that you could bring to a tournament. Feel free to leave me any thoughts or suggestions you may have. Happy Sporting!
A baseball mom website, excellent! A must view for all baseball moms. As a kid, I’m sure mine would have enjoyed stuff like this. I like how you focus not just on the sporting and enjoyment aspects of baseball but also the necessities (e.g. safety) that should be in everyone’s armchair toolkit!
Thanks for stopping by my page and I appreciate your comments. 🙂
Hello Shannon. You’re one of the people I must say interesting when it comes to the essential list.
In particular, bleacher chair? I wonder if a small cushionable pillow on chair would do but fair enough, bleacher chair would suit fine too.
I know about the ice chest because I think it’s essential for someone who dislikes drinks sold around nearby but preferably get those on grocery stores.
Thanks Tar. A seat cushion is fine for about a half an hour, but most of the bleachers at the baseball field around here don’t have seat backs and it’s a must to be able to have back support at 2 hour games, especially if you’re at a tournament and there are two or three of them.
Hey Shannon!
A really interesting and informative site! One thing I thought of that you MUST remember is to charge your phone/camera before you go. It is terrible when you are trying to capture that perfect family moment and your phone dies!
I see you updated the article with the sun block. That is so important, but as an optometrist who cares about peoples eyes can I also recommend always wearing sunglasses with full UV protection when outside for any length of time. Regular prolonged exposure to UV radiation can cause many changes to the structure of the eye and make certain eye conditions more likely later on in life.
Love your ideas and suggestions and I think I am going to get the double bleacher chair that you recommended on your other page!
Enjoy your kids!
Wow, thanks Brian for the additional ideas! Those are great things to bring. I always wear sunglasses when I’m outside and a camera is a must. Thanks for visiting my page and for your awesome contributions. 🙂