Baseball Equipment - Baseball Article Summaries

Advances in Sports Technology - A Comment - Coach Bob (length=3433)
Over the years, incremental advances in technology have accumulated to proportions which clearly affect the games today. We are interested in baseball, and it is apparent that the game does not have t ...

Batting Cages part Deux....no more tokens! - Scott R (length=3468)
Finally finished! (Note: this is a long reply) With regards to Darrell for being patient (also DRP, Single L, etc.) in my answer. You'd think I have a full time job, 3 teens all playing ball, and a Fa ...

Glove fingering - Jeff (length=1029)
I've noticed a peculiar habit with some young players. My son, an 11 year old, holds his catchers mitt such that he avoids the index finger altogether (jamming an extra finger into the big pinkie slot ...

Pitching Machine vs Coach Pitch - Randy Dykstra (length=1799)
I'll preface this with IMHO (in my humble opinion) But I feel Coaches have little or no business ever pitching! except BP. I have been involved with both styles and I definitely prefer machine pitch. ...

Pitching machines as a long-term investment - Coach Bob (length=2099)
Denny, Bear knows his machines. The best is clearly the iron mike, but it is essentially an fixed-location machine, i.e, it is not readily portable. If you have a need for portability, consider the ot ...

Conditioning - Single L (length=807)
We ordered ours directly from SPRI Products, Inc. 1-800-222-7774. I recommend the "original xertube," which is about $5. Choose green (model XT-L) for an 11-12 y.o., red or blue for a grown man. These ...

Glove Break-In (Ouch w/ the Oven or Nuking It) - Bear (length=1674)
It really depends on the leather these days for the 'treatments' you have inquired about. I know of a youngster who 'oiled' his brand new infielders glove. After he 'ovened' it, his dad called and as ...

Speaking of gloves...Nokona .......Kangaroo OOPS - Kathy (length=327)
Mel, We always have a spare of the same glove also. My hand is just a little bigger than my son's so I get one just like his and use it when I toss with him. If anything were to happen to his glove he ...

SportsCenter and Cracked bat. - Randy Dykstra (length=1221)
I started this entrire post due to the fact that I have seen so many bats break... and I've been waging my own consumer revolt against the outrageous prices the bat manufactureres are charging. My son ...

Bear's Equipment Ol' Wish List & memories....if you get that far. - Bear (length=3542)
Here' my ol' thought from the archives from whenever Aa. Live BP - It has no replacement. Ab. Fastballs (baseballs) Candidates: ATEC, Bulldog, Jugs II, Iron Mike, Pitch He Rankings 1. Iron Mike .. ...

Budget For Outfitting A Ballplayer-2 perspectives - Paul Faubert (length=1950)
I have 2 kids playing ball, Nic will be 14 this year and Brad is 12. Nic is an average to good ballplayer while Brad is a stand-out. Here are my 2 budgets. Nic Glove-$80 Mizuno 12" Bat-$95 TPX 33/28 ...

Budget For Outfitting A Ballplayer - Steve (length=822)
Sal and Bear's posts re:The Cost Of Doing Business below intrigued me. I'd be interested to see a prioritized budget for outfitting a youth baseball player. Just what do you recommend spending your mo ...

CHEST PROTECTION - Clark (length=677)
A good friend of mine told me about the discussion concerning chest protection. I am a high school baseball coach and a father . Sports Performance Products has a MOLDABLE chest protector that is ligh ...

Face Masks - Jerry Hart (length=2695)
My little league has 1 or 2 kids quit baseball every year because they got hit in the face with a baseball. With the younger kids(12U) it usually happens when using improper technique under a fly bal ...

Face Masks - Jerry Hart (length=2694)
My little league has 1 or 2 kids quit baseball every year because they got hit in the face with a baseball. With the younger kids(12U) it usually happens when using improper technique under a fly ball ...

Face Masks - Jon Toner (length=607)
I have not heard of Williamsport making this a requirement for the 1998, and to be honest, with the expense involved to refit EVERY helmet, Williamsport would have to give leagues advanced notice so t ...

Face Masks - Neill Riddell (length=1066)
I am looking for pros and cons on face masks for various age groups (9/10, 11/12. 13/14. 15/16).Some in our association (300 hardballers, 200 fast pitch softballers) are agressively questioning the la ...

Face Masks - Paul Faubert (length=670)
The way our league has responded to this situation is to provide each team with 1 face guard equipped batting helmet. Unfortunately, we use the clear plastic shield, which provides protection, but get ...

Face Masks - Roger (length=494)
I thought I heard somewhere that LLBI is now requiring these in 1998. The reason I haven't confirmed it is that our local league adopted it as a league rule some years ago after having at least two ki ...

In search of the 20 reasons for coaching Baseball - Roger (length=866)
I have several reasons but one major one that is really important to me. When I was young I had a coach that witnessed to me with his life and his actions when he was around us kids. I was a very stro ...

Metal cleats? - Randy Dykstra (length=970)
My son has been using metal cleats since he was 9 years old... 3 years ago.... All the travel team is our area use then for 9u on up....except at tournaments which restrict them (a couple a year)... I ...

More on Pitching machines as long-term investments - Coach Bob (length=712)
Denny: I should add some other info to the above - something to keep in mind before you spend the wife's cookie jar money on a machine. Do not delude yourself into thinking that having your own pitchi ...

Pitching Machine vs Coach Pitch - Paul Faubert (length=674)
Here's how we do it and it works out pretty well. 7 y/o-coach pitch. 8 y/o-Machine pitch first 1/2 season. Kid pitch 3 innings last 1/2. Kid pitch 4 innings last 3 games. any ball hitting the machine ...

Pitching Machine vs Coach Pitch - Tony (length=504)
The league I am involved in has considered doing the same thing for our minor league program. It has never happened because too many people on the board and coaches do not like the idea. Some of the a ...

Pitching Machine vs Coach Pitch - Tony (length=1325)
When I replied earlier I stuck only to the machine vs. live pitching argument, but It seems to have opened up a little so I will add more. Our minors program has every team play each other twice. The ...

Pitching Machines - Randy Dykstra (length=2073)
Pitching machine opinions..... First I own a Bata 1, single wheel machine with a HARD rubber whell and a Juggs Curveball machine with tire wheels..... I have also worked with several others.... Atec e ...

Pitching Machines - Scott R. (length=617)
DRP, The CASEY II i have is used mostly by my boys, tho my daughter loves to hit off of it also. I have the softball version of the "Hitting Streak", that from the softball distance of 40' is very com ...

Pitching Machines - Scott R (length=655)
Marah, I have the ATEC Casey II that pitches a wide variety of pitches and up to 95-100 mph. Its a quality machine, breaks down easily, and rotates for pitching, fly balls, etc. Usually sells for abo ...

Pitching Machine - Bear (length=4159)
I thought some ideas and discussion would aid in your thinking and decision making process. I have also included 'My wish list' of equipment (which we also sell at discount prices) and some insight o ...

Pitching Machine - GaryA (length=871)
I've used a Jugs 2 wheel for the past 3 years. My boys are now 9, 12, 13. It's the top of the line Jugs and I will be able to use it for many years(top speed 100 mph), and when I no longer need it I e ...

Pitching Machine - Jerry Hart (length=774)
Tim, What age group are you coaching? If 12U, I don't think you need a 2 wheel machine to throw breaking pitches as most batters don't face those pitches yet. A JUGS, Jr. is much lighter(important if ...

Purchasing Pitching Machine - Randy Dykstra (length=608)
I purchased a single wheeled BATA machine (and generator) when my son was 9 and it worked great for two years but now we want to work on curveballs and pitching beyond 60 MPH (my son is on a competive ...

Radar guns - Randy Dykstra (length=1187)
I use a device called the Speed Chek machine.... It has two 5" lighted digits and is accurate within +- 1MPH but only has range of about 25-30 feet.... You set the device next to the catcher or pitche ...

Rawlings Radar Balls - Bear (length=421)
Now that's another great toy that Rawlings thought of. Really. Lot's of fun for the kids. Sometimes it brings the kids out to the baseball field. A true self motivator. Wish I had a dozen or two. M ...

Sal, Follow up With Categories - Bear (length=2733)
It's Winter. Snow's Falling. Expecting a three day 12 inches of cabin fever. Summary: Estimated Baseball Player Budget 1999 a. 12U In House Rec: $390.00 b. 12U In House Select All-Star $590.00 c. 13U ...

SetPro stuff - Randy Dykstra (length=2565)
First off I like to say Set-Pro is one of the only training device companies I know that base their equipment on scientific FACT and studies as opposed to opinions (or some pro player's endorsement).. ...

Shaving cream and poster girls - 9 (length=526)
I'm a shaving cream guy, too. Softens the leather without adding weight or breaking down the leather as oils seem to do. As for the poster... A few years ago, I traveled into the Selva of Peru--so dee ...

Sports Tech -Increasing Bat Speed - Or Mo Jo Ma Red Fibers Need to Dance- Or Color My Fibers White - Bear (length=1090)
I didn't punch this acorn, Jack. Batspeed is determined by many factors, including, but not limited to, mechanics, fiber distribution, nerve conduction velocity, attachment sites, muscular coordina ...

Youth Fielding Gloves - Kathy (length=746)
Hi Mike, My son is 9 and also plays middle infield. He uses a Wilson A2000 11" middle inf. model PSTS. It is a bit pricey at $159 but it will last him a few years. He loves it. The glove is a Pro ...

Youth Fielding Gloves - Tony (length=564)
I am not a big fan of Rawlings. Everyone that I, or one of my players, have bought has been a pain in the A** to break in. I am not one to spend a huge amount on a glove but I just use mine for coachi ...

heart protectors- Two Viewpoints - Bear (length=1149)
As you know, there are two views. One view for the males. The other view of course for the females. For the male, I can offer this. For this site, Wayne, our west coast rep in Palo Alto prefers the m ...

Baseball Training Complex - Dave Kreiss (length=4680)
Seadog, I'll start in reverse order. Things found lacking: When a kid walks out of a complex after a lesson and after Dad has shelled out the fee, both the kid and the Dad should feel positive there i ...

Best Practice Balls - Scorekeeper (length=1967)
I don't know what you're looking for in practice balls. Since my son's a pitcher, I looked for balls that closely resembled the balls he'd be using. Believe it or not, there is a big difference to a p ...

Breaking in a catcher s mitt? - Internet Coach (length=15131)
I forgot I had compiled a word document of examples I found from different sources concerning how people break in gloves. It's kinda lengthy, but hopefully it will help you out. Glove Break In There a ...

Doppler Radar Pros & Cons of buying a Jugs gun? - Bear (length=3296)
HR, Short answer: Depends on what you want to spend. Medium Answer: ~ $15.00 Self Timer in Ball (Rawlings) ~ $20.00 readout goes into pad of Glove ~ $100.00 Readout on Bucket that you Sit on ~ $200 L ...

Gloves and Mitts - Scorekeeper (length=2248)
OK, I know this one is a bit silly, but it happened today and it was my little bucko who did it. For some unfathomable reason, my son decided to play 3rd with a catcher's mitt! I know you're thinkin' ...

Teach All the Kids - Jim J. (length=6911)
I had a grandparent tell me "You would get a lot more outs if you put your best players at pitcher and first base". I had to bite the inside of my cheeks to not respond w/ sarcasm "REALLY? Do you thin ...

White Baseball Spikes and Cleats - Scorekeeper (length=2077)
Now, now Split, I wasn't saying that what he was doing was wrong. Remember, I asked why. If you need to resort to spikes that stand out from everyone else's to get 10 YO kids to want to play baseball ...

White Baseball Spikes and Cleats - Scorekeeper (length=1188)
Why? I'm not saying is a bad thing, but usually when I hear about something like that or see a team doing it, all they're trying to do is somehow set themselves apart with something that adds nothing ...

White Baseball Spikes and Cleats - Scorekeeper (length=2375)
Wow! I don't what to do here? When I argue and take the side of more freedom in uniforms, the Dinos get on my backside. Now when I take the side of keep the game "normal" the young Pups start growlin' ...