Ask any youth baseball family about their best tournament memories and pin trading will probably come up. Between games, players walk the grounds with towels, lanyards and hats covered in pins, swapping with teams from other towns and states. For many kids, the pins they bring home are as memorable as the games themselves.
If you’re a coach, team parent or league organizer in charge of your team’s pins this year, this guide walks you through the whole process: what makes a great trading pin, how to choose between soft enamel and hard enamel, which add-ons are worth it, and how to plan your order so the pins arrive before you leave for the tournament.
Why trading pins matter in youth baseball
Pin trading has become a tradition at many youth baseball and softball tournaments, especially large summer events where teams travel from across the country. Some tournaments even set aside time for pin trading.
A team pin does several jobs at once:
- It’s an icebreaker. Trading gets players talking to kids from other teams, often from other states.
- It’s team identity. A great pin shows off your team name, colors, mascot and hometown.
- It’s a keepsake. Years later, a player’s pin collection is a record of every team they met.
- It’s a thank-you. Many teams also give pins to coaches, sponsors, umpires and host families.
What makes a great baseball trading pin
Not all pins trade equally. Experienced trading families tend to look for a few things.
A clear, bold design
Pins are small, and they’re viewed from a few feet away on a crowded lanyard. Strong outlines, bold colors and a clear focal point (your mascot, a baseball, your state outline) work better than lots of tiny text.
The essentials on the pin
Most baseball trading pins include:
- Team name
- City and state
- Year
- Tournament name or logo (if the tournament allows it)
- A baseball or softball element, such as a ball, bats, home plate or a glove
Something that stands out
The most sought-after pins usually have something extra: an unusual shape, a moving part or a special finish. More on that below.
The right size
Trading pins are generally larger than a standard lapel pin. Bigger pins give you more room for detail and add-ons, but they also affect cost. Decide on size early and ask for a quote at a couple of sizes if you’re unsure.
Soft enamel vs. hard enamel for trading pins
Most baseball trading pins are made in soft enamel. Here’s why:
- Vivid team colors. Soft enamel shows bright, saturated color.
- Texture and depth. The raised metal lines make designs pop on a lanyard.
- Budget-friendly. Soft enamel is usually more affordable than hard enamel, which matters when you need pins for a whole roster plus extras for trading.
- Works well with add-ons. Glitter, glow-in-the-dark enamel and moving parts are common on soft enamel trading pins.
Hard enamel gives a smooth, polished finish and is very durable. Some teams choose it for a special commemorative pin, such as a championship or a coach’s gift. For high-volume trading, soft enamel is the more common choice.
Want the details? Read our full comparison of soft enamel vs. hard enamel pins.
Popular add-ons for trading pins
Add-ons are where trading pins get fun. These are some of the most common options in the trading pin world:
- Spinners: a section of the pin, such as a baseball, rotates.
- Sliders: an element moves along a track, like a player sliding into home.
- Danglers: a small extra piece hangs from the main pin, often a player number or the year.
- Bobble heads: a piece mounted on a small spring that wobbles.
- Blinkers: small battery-powered lights.
- Glitter enamel: sparkle in one or more color areas.
- Glow-in-the-dark enamel: a design that lights up after dark.
- Cutouts: open spaces inside the design for a unique shape.
- Pin-on-pin: a smaller pin layered on top of the main one for a 3D effect.
Each add-on changes the production process and the cost, and not every add-on suits every design. Tell us which ones you’re considering and we’ll confirm what’s possible for your pin.
How many pins does your team need?
There’s no single right number. It depends on how many players you have, how many days the tournament lasts, how many teams will be there and how actively your players trade. Teams usually budget for:
- Pins for every player to trade
- Pins for coaches and team parents
- Extras for sponsors, host families and umpires
- A few spares for keepsakes or for players who lose pins
Ask other families who have been to the same tournament how many pins their kids traded. That’s often the best guide. Remember that a reorder later may not arrive in time, so it’s usually safer to order your best estimate up front.
How to plan your trading pin order
1. Start early
Tournament dates don’t move, and custom pins need time for design, proof approval, production and shipping. Start the process well before your tournament and ask for a realistic delivery date when you request your quote.
2. Gather your design ideas
Collect your team logo, colors, mascot and any ideas from players. A rough sketch is fine. Include anything required by your league or tournament.
3. Request a quote
Share your size, quantity, enamel type and add-ons. If you’re undecided, ask for a quote on a couple of options.
4. Review the digital proof
You’ll receive a proof showing colors, size and layout. Check the spelling of your team name, city and year carefully. Mistakes on the proof become mistakes on every pin.
5. Approve and produce
Once you approve the proof, production begins. Avoid design changes after approval, since they can delay your order.
6. Hand them out before the trip
Give players their pins ahead of time with a lanyard, towel or pin bag so they’re ready to trade from day one.
Trading etiquette for players
A few simple rules help keep pin trading fun for everyone:
- Ask politely and say thank you. A trade is always a friendly offer, never a demand.
- It’s okay to say no. Players don’t have to trade a pin they want to keep.
- One for one is standard. Some rare pins may be worth more in a player’s eyes, but keep it friendly.
- Trade with everyone. Include younger players and kids who are new to trading.
- Parents, step back. Let the kids do the trading.
- Keep your favorites separate. Pins you want to keep can go on a hat or in a bag instead of the trading lanyard.
Beyond baseball
Everything in this guide applies to softball, too, as well as soccer, hockey, basketball, community leagues, cheer and dance competitions. Wherever teams travel to compete, trading pins tend to follow.
You can learn more about the format on our trading pins and soft enamel pins pages.
Frequently asked questions
What size should baseball trading pins be?
It varies. Trading pins are usually larger than standard lapel pins. Decide based on your design, add-ons and budget, and ask for quotes at more than one size if you’re unsure.
Are trading pins soft enamel or hard enamel?
Most are soft enamel because it offers bright color, texture and a budget-friendly price. Hard enamel is often chosen for special commemorative pins.
Can we put the tournament logo on our pin?
Only if the tournament allows it. Check the tournament’s rules before including its logo or name.
What are the most popular trading pin add-ons?
Spinners, danglers, sliders, bobble heads, blinkers, glitter and glow-in-the-dark enamel are all common.
How far ahead should we order?
As early as you can. Ask for a delivery date with your quote and work backward from your departure date.
Get a quote for your team’s trading pins
Ready to design pins your players will be proud to trade? Send us your team logo, colors and ideas, and we’ll help you create a custom soft enamel or hard enamel trading pin that stands out on every lanyard.