The Junior Giants season is starting next week, and my kids could not be more excited. My kindergartener still proudly wears his Junior Giants jersey to games and loves telling anyone who will listen about the soft-toss pitch he hit during his final tee-ball game last summer.
I love that the San Francisco Giants Community Fund provides this opportunity completely FREE to over 90 leagues across California, Nevada, and Oregon. It’s more than just a baseball program, it’s a way to build community, confidence, and character through play.
Each week at practice, coaches lead short discussions on positive character traits like confidence, integrity, leadership, and teamwork, helping kids see how these values matter both on and off the field.
Just like many local libraries, Junior Giants also encourages academic success with a summer reading challenge. Last year, they even gave free Giants backpacks to tee-ballers who read 540 minutes by mid-July!
It’s truly a wonderful, low-pressure way to introduce your kids to baseball and the joy of being on a team.
How to Sign Up for Junior Giants
If you’re new to Junior Giants, the sign-up process is super simple—and yes, completely free. Registration typically opens in the spring, and spots can fill up fast depending on your location, so we always try to sign up early!
1. Visit the Junior Giants Website
Go to the junior giants website and click on “Register.” The registration page will take you to a list of the 90 leagues participating in Junior Giants.
2. Choose Your League Location & Create an Account
Select your league location and log in or create a mlb account. It is the account you use to download tickets for games.
3. Fill Out the Registration Form
You’ll enter basic details like your child’s name, age, and t-shirt size. No credit card is required, and there’s no uniform fee. Just register and you’re all set!
4. Watch for Confirmation and Team Info
Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email. A few weeks before the season begins, you’ll hear from your child’s coach or site coordinator with team assignments, schedules, and kickoff details.
Tip: If your league fills up or has a waitlist, don’t be discouraged. Some locations open more spots as additional volunteer coaches sign up. Keep an eye on your inbox!
What to Expect During the Season
I’ll be honest—I’m an overplanner, so I like to know exactly what I’m getting into before making a commitment. If that sounds like you, here’s what you can expect once the season kicks off:
Time Commitment: One Weekday Practice + One Weekend Game
In San Francisco, Junior Giants teams typically meet once during the week for practice and once on the weekend for a game. Tee-ball sessions last around 60 minutes and include warm-ups, skill-building drills, and a friendly scrimmage. The vibe is super relaxed and kid-friendly—some practices may run a bit long if you’ve got an enthusiastic coach and group.
Age Groups and Team Structure
Players are grouped by age, usually in the following brackets: 5–6, 7–9, and 10–13. Teams are often co-ed and made up of kids close in age. If you’re signing up siblings, you can request for them to be on the same team if they fall into the same bracket—such a relief for parents managing multiple schedules!
No Equipment? No Problem
Your child will receive a free t-shirt, hat, and baseball pants, and many leagues provide gloves to borrow if needed. Bats and balls are shared, so all your player really needs is a water bottle and a pair of sneakers.
Coaches That Focus on More Than the Score
All coaches are volunteers—often fellow parents—and are trained in positive coaching. The emphasis is on effort, encouragement, and growth, not on keeping score. Every child gets a chance to play and improve.
A Values-Based Curriculum
What sets Junior Giants apart is their “Four Bases of Character”: Confidence, Integrity, Leadership, and Teamwork. Each week, kids explore one of these values through conversations and examples at practice. It’s a simple and powerful way to connect sports to real-life character development.
Why Junior Giants Is a Great (and Free!) Introduction to Baseball
We love Junior Giants not just because it’s free (though that’s amazing!), but because it’s such a thoughtful, welcoming introduction to baseball.
It’s Truly Free
There are no fees to join. Uniform pieces are included, and many leagues have spare equipment available. You won’t be asked to buy pricey uniforms, fundraise, or drive to faraway tournaments. It’s one of the few sports programs that’s truly accessible to everyone.
No Experience Required
Junior Giants is designed with beginners in mind. In fact, I think it’s best suited for young or first-time players. Whether your child is new to the game or already loves playing catch in the backyard, they’ll be encouraged and supported. No one rides the bench here.
It Teaches More Than Just the Game
Beyond learning how to hit, catch, and throw, kids grow in confidence, learn how to be a good teammate, and set goals for themselves. We especially love the Round the Bases Reading Program, which motivates kids to read throughout the summer and rewards them for their progress.
Junior Giants T-Ball Equipment Checklist
This post contains affiliate links, these are items I have enjoyed myself or would purchase for this project. If you make a purchase I might receive a small commission
My favorite things about the Junior Giants is that the program is completely free. It gives every kid with an interest in baseball the opportunity to learn the mechanics of the game with no financial barriers.
The entire uniform is free. Helmets, bats, and gloves could be borrowed. The San Francisco Junior Giants league even gave away free plastic water bottles at the first game.
However, if you are interested in buying your own equipment to practice at home these are items we have used by brands that we trust over our many years as baseball parents.
T-Ball Glove
T-Ball Glove – I’m pretty sure everyone and their mom has used this Franklin t-ball glove and ball set, but it is perfect for preschool/kindergarteners. The glove is soft and easy to close which is perfect for little hands building fine-motor skills. The ball throws well, but is soft which makes that inevitable Sandlot “eye on the ball” hit to the face moment less traumatic for everyone involved.
Pro Tip – Write your name on the glove. Someone will probably have the same glove on your team. We even found a missing glove in the trolley at Oracle Park last summer.
T-Ball Bat
T-Ball Bat – I’m not sure about you, but I found bat shopping a little overwhelming. A lightweight 24″-26″ bat is recommended for t-ball. We used a 26″ bat last summer and my kindergartener still loves hitting it with his dad today.
T-Ball Tee
T-Ball Tee – We like this baseball tee because it is compact, easy to transport, and is adjustable for growing kids.
T-Ball Bag
T-Ball Bag – We will actually be using the Giants Backpack my kindergartener earned last season through the summer reading challenge as our T-ball bag this season. However, when my oldest did t-ball we used a Rawling backpack and loved it. Whatever bag you use. I highly recommend using bag with a zipper.
T-Ball Water Bottle
T-Ball Water Bottle – Obviously you don’t need a water bottle specific to t-ball, but I would highly recommend a study metal water bottle (my oldest has cracked both glass and plastic water bottles in the dugout). I bought my littles these Contigo water bottles for Christmas and they still use them every time we go out.
T-Ball Cleats
T-Ball Cleats: Cleats are not required for Junior Giants, but it makes running on the dirt fields easier. We found base-line Under Armor cleats to be costeffective and get the job done.
Optional: T-Ball Balls
T-Ball Balls: My husband likes to use these balls to practice throwing and catching with our littles. They throw well and won’t hurt too much if your kid misses the ball.
Optional: T-Ball Plates
T-Ball Baseball Bases– We bought this Franklin Baseball base set for my oldest as a birthday present three years ago and it still works great. He has used them to work on drills with my husband as well as to play with friends.
Optional: T-Ball Helmet
T-Ball Helmet – Honestly this is the one piece of equipment we have not felt the need to purchase for our t-ball aged kids. Junior Giants provides helmets to use at practice and games. I am sure it is safest to practice with a helmet at home, so this is the type of helmet I see most often used for t-ball.
Sign Up Now!
Whether your child dreams of hitting home runs or you’re just looking for an affordable summer activity, Junior Giants is the perfect first step.
Register today to secure your spot and enjoy eight weeks of baseball, friendship, and fun this summer.
Have questions about what to expect? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to share more about our experience!
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