I come from a huge family of baseball fans. I also remember my dad playing numerous sports when I was a kid. He would play basketball and bowl in the winter. Then when summer rolled around, he would play golf and softball. As a kid, I was also on a softball team. My team was the Stars. Unfortunately, my best friend was on a different team so we had to play against each other. It’s funny, but an old school mate recently posted our team photo on Facebook. I was only on the team one year, but it created lasting memories for all of us. I hope these softball gifts will help the recipients capture those special memories as well. I have tried to include softball gifts for coaches, dads, youth and adult players, as well as things for the team. While some are practical gifts, others are just for fun.
1. Gear Bag
Gifts for softball players
What does every softball player need? A gear bag made specifically for softball equipment. These bags have compartments for shoes, mitt, bats, and water bottle. They are great for kids and adults.
I would not recommend buying a glove for an adult. If they have been playing ball for a while, they will want to try out a glove before buying. It has to have the right feel. However, a glove is a good softball present for someone just starting out, or if she outgrew her last one. Plus, all players can always use some extra practice balls.
2. Throw Like a Girl
Great softball books
Inspire her to be the best she can be with this book written by an athlete. Jennie Finch teaches girls how to follow their dreams through sports, in a way they can relate to.
History buffs will enjoy reading about the fascinating journey of softball in Fastpitch, by Erica Westly. It follows the sport from the time it was invented in 1887, using broomsticks, up through the present.
That is not to be confused with Fast Pitch, by Nic Stone. This young adult fiction tells the story of a fearless female trying to achieve her goals against the odds. But that’s not all. The author even weaves in a bit of mystery.
3. Funny T-shirt
Softball dad gifts
Dads always like goofy t-shirts. Get him one to show his pride as a softball dad.
For a Father’s Day gift, get your dad a softball engraved with a heartfelt message. Sometimes it’s hard to put your appreciation for a parent into words. Let a softball do the talking for you with this perfect softball dad gift. Or you can get Dad a sentimental message on a home plate plaque signed with your name.
4. Practice Net
Softball gifts for players
What do you get a softball player for Christmas? Practice gear. This is a good softball pitcher gift to help kids or adults hone their skills. The marked boxes on the net can help perfect aim. It is also great for batting practice. You won’t have to run around chasing balls. These nets are portable for use at home or in the field.
Get a batting tee to place the ball on to practice hitting. Get this in conjunction with a net for catching the balls and to improve aim. For more seasoned players, get a Category 4 Batting Swing Trainer to practice batting. It can create 4 different pitch speeds when you remove power bands.
5. Softball Bedding
Softball gifts for those that eat, sleep, and live softball
Choose some softball themed bedding for a girl who lives for softball. Make it a personalized softball gift by adding her name.
For a kids’ bathroom you can even get softball shower curtains. You can get these personalized too with name and shirt number. For summer, get a personalized softball beach towel. What better way to show off love for the sport.
6. Keychain Chapstick Holder
Softball goodie bag ideas
Get a pack of these useful gifts to stuff in a softball gift bag. Every player can use chapstick to prevent dry lips on the dusty field.
Get softball drawstring bags to use as goodie bags. Then they can double as a day pack for games. Another thing to add to a softball gift bag is a microfiber cooling towel. These towels can stay cold for up to three hours and come in a variety of colors. This will help softball players prevent heat exhaustion on hot days.
7. Engraved Softball Bat
Senior softball gifts
For graduating seniors, get a bat laser printed with the team name, coach, year, player name and number. These senior softball gifts make great softball gifts for the team as well.
For another softball gift for a senior, you can get a custom softball. Choose photos and an inscription for a one of a kind gift. You can even get stats, team name, number, year, and player, if you want to use this as an award gift. Get custom tumblers for a graduation gift for the team. Have the year and team name added to these presents. This is a parting gift they can take with them to college or out into the workforce.
8. Christmas Ornaments
Personalized softball gifts
Softball ornaments are a good keepsake gift for kids. Years from now, when you open the box of Christmas ornaments to decorate the tree, she will be reminded of her time on the team. Then when she gets a tree of her own, she can hang the ornament and tell her own kids about how she used to play softball.
For a softball coach gift, get a team ornament inscribed with the coach and players’ names along with the year. For a Major League Baseball fan, get them an official MLB team ornament from their favorite team.
9. Softball Necklace
Softball gift ideas
What do you get a softball player for Christmas? Get her jewelry to show off her feminine side. You can even choose one as a personalized softball gift with her name and number.
Get one that has a pitcher charm for a softball pitcher gift. Or choose a pair of cute earrings, with or without bling.
You might want to take a look at gifts for lovers of other sports too!
10. Softball Jigsaw Puzzle
Softball gifts for puzzle lovers
Puzzle lovers will enjoy challenging themselves to complete this puzzle. It’s definitely not for the weak minded.
For a coach or an end of season gift for players, have a custom puzzle made from a team photo. This will create a lasting memory.
Are they baseball fans too? Silly question, of course they are. Then why not get them their favorite team’s baseball stadium puzzle?
11. Custom Pint Glasses
Softball themed gifts for adults who live for softball
Growing up, my dad played softball after work. One summer, he was in three different leagues! He and his buddies always stopped out for a beer after a game. Instead, get him some personalized barware for his mancave. Or, get some wine glasses for her, if she doesn’t drink beer. Then they can have everyone over their place to celebrate a victory, or just celebrate quietly by themselves. This makes a great softball coach gift as well.
Softball players are often baseball fans as well. Get a wine rack made from a bat from Cooperstown. For a real treat, get a MLB bottle opener constructed from an actual bat used in a major league baseball game. Each opener comes with information about the actual game it was in.
12. Game Base Stool
Softball Christmas gifts
While technically these are made from authentic MLB bases used in major league games, what softball dad wouldn’t want this luxury gift? I might have to save up to get one for my own dad!
Everyone wants their fifteen minutes of fame. Get a customized front page paper with a photo and name of the recipient inserted into the headline. For younger players, get a make your own trading card kit. This kit comes with gel pens, trading cards, and stickers for softball players under ten to design their own cards.
13. A League of Their Own Anniversary Edition
Softball gifts for movie night
Create a softball movie night with an all star cast in A League of Their Own. No need to go out to the theater for fun. They can put on pajamas and get cozy on the couch for this movie night.
Why not add a microwave popcorn maker. Then they can enjoy the convenience of microwave popcorn without all the nasty additives they put in that prepackaged stuff. This makes a healthy alternative, with easy clean up.
For a final touch, give them some popcorn buckets, so they really feel like they are at the theater.
14. Themed Hair Ties
Softball accessories for girls
Keep her hair pulled back and out of her face with these cute softball gifts for the Christmas stocking. These make good softball goodie bag gifts as well.
For a unique softball gift for a teen, get a cute toiletry bag to take on the road. You can even get these in bulk. They make good softball gifts for the team. A t-shirt that says, “I know I play like a girl. Try to keep up”, is a funny softball shirt idea for a girl.
15. Sport Sunglasses
Softball gift ideas for stocking stuffers
Men, women, and kids need to protect their eyes while playing sports. Get polarized glasses with UV protection. This is not only to protect their eyes, but to help get rid of glare so they can see the ball on bright days. Sunglasses are perfect stocking stuffers, and you can never have too many.
Softball bath bombs are another great softball Christmas gift. Who doesn’t want a nice soak to soothe sore muscles? For a softball dad gift, get him authentic stadium seat cufflinks. These cufflinks are made from actual salvaged MLB stadium seats and will be a surprise to find in his Christmas stocking. Then he can still show his love of sports even when he is dressed up.
16. Custom Suitcase
Softball gifts for traveling teams
Is she on a traveling team? Why not show her she is in your thoughts when she is away, with a cool softball suitcase with her name on it.
My friends’ daughter was on a traveling team for many years. They would often go with her to watch the games. A set of folding chairs with a table and umbrella will come in handy while on the sidelines. They won’t have to sit on the hard bleachers. The umbrella will keep the sun and rain off them.
Don’t let them strain their back. A cooler with wheels will make it easier to lug food and drinks to the field.
17. Weber Grill
Softball Championship Party
Whether dad’s on a team himself or he is hosting the championship party for kids, he will need a grill fit to cook for the masses. Get a brand that will last.
A championship BBQ won’t be complete without wearing a goofy softball dad apron.
Don’t forget a backyard beverage cooler to keep all those soft drinks or beers cold. Then they don’t have to leave the party to go inside every time they want a beverage.
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