But if you look closely he's carrying it by a thin strap. I'm thinking it could be a catcher's mask.

This could be Roy Hobbs in his younger days, from the great baseball movie "The Natural."

Our player, a century later:

That leather thingamabob is his fielder's glove. Also, I have seen a number of major and minor league players, and most of them wore a heavy shirt under their uniform shirt. I wonder how this lad's career went.

Mitts looked a little different at the turn of the 20th Century. Here's an example that doesn't look too different than his.

Why it's called a "sport coat".

It appears that the young man has put the baseball jersey on over his wool suit coat. Must be the church league.

And it’s a picture of Ernie.

Looks like that bat is for an adult slugger, not one of this boy's size.

Also, I cannot quite determine the leather item that he has dangling at his side. If anyone can tell me, I would appreciate it.

Thanks ChrisL: [Baxado]