Every bit of gear counts, and helps. Clup Puck in San Jose has been looking into the best solution for this for a bit, as there have been issues recently. Since new players often wear borrowed gear, and often the players that have gear to lend out are the better or top players it can get confusing. One particular incedent we had a new player who happened to be a pretty decent triathelete so he was good and fit, and was using gear all borowed from Mike Grimm, one of our top Masters men. Needless to say they looked quite a bit alike at first glance, and I was so proud of myself for timing the pass and flying through him like he wasn't even there... till I ran into the real mike and realized I had just blown over a brand new rookie!. Due to body position I'm not sure I would have seen just a different colored stick, I thought I recognized the player from a glance and played the puck accordingly. A bright green or off color cap may have changed the incedent.
There is now a growing bag of sticks, including some yellow, red hats, and orange gloves.