The Dugout: Baseball and Softball Pro Tips
May 03, 2022
The Easton Jen Schro The Fundamental Fastpitch Softball Catcher’s Kit is revolutionary new gear made specifically to inspire and protect fastpitch catchers. Every fastpitch catcher knows her job is the toughest on the field and that’s exactly why she loves it.
May 03, 2022
Happen to be in the market for a new infielder glove this season? Well, if you have been on the hunt for a new infield glove, you’ve probably noticed there are quite a few, sometimes even an overwhelming, amount of options to choose from.
May 03, 2022
When it comes to softball bats, fastpitch softball bats, slowpitch softball bats, finding the correct length to weight ratio for the type of hitter you are is very important to having success at the plate. Additionally, you will need to choose between a bat that is balanced or end-loaded.
April 26, 2022
Sacrifice bunts, or “sac” bunts, are exactly what they sound like. The batter is sacrificing themselves to advance runner(s) on base. If a batter successfully advances runners on an attempted sac bunt, they have done their job.
April 26, 2022
Pine tar is a very tacky, sticky substance that is produced by the high temperature carbonization of pine wood. Before its use in baseball, it was primarily used by mariners as a sealant for their vessels.
April 26, 2022
Pickle (also known as a Hotbox or Rundown) is a baseball situation, and popular kid’s game, that actually has nothing to do with food. Instead, “pickle” in this instance describes the difficult situation a baserunner may find themselves in when stranded between 2 bases while one of the infielders is in possession of the ball at one of those bases.
April 26, 2022
When it comes to hitting in baseball or softball, it is important to have a solid grip on your bat to ensure you have the most precise control possible. Batting gloves for baseball and softball batting gloves not only help achieve better grip on the bat but can help reduce vibrations in the hands when making contact with the ball.
April 19, 2022
Have you ever been watching a baseball game and overheard some words or phrases that you didn’t understand? Well, we’ve put together this extensive list of some commonly used baseball terms and jargon you may come across when watching a baseball game or talking with a player, coach or baseball fan!
April 19, 2022
Fielding grounders is probably one of the most basic maneuvers in baseball and softball but is often a hard concept to grasp for beginners. We’re not going to talk about the grounders that rip past you with no time to think or react.
April 19, 2022
When it comes to Little League, it is often questioned what kind of bats you are allowed to use at certain levels. Since 2018, it is required that all divisions of Little League use bats that have a USA 1.15 BPF stamp, and the barrel diameter cannot exceed 2 5/8-inches.
April 19, 2022
Selecting the right catcher’s mitt for you can be a little more complex than the standard baseball or softball fielding glove. There are many factors to consider such as sizing, web style, leather quality and the amount of time it will take to break in.
April 12, 2022
When playing first base, it is very important that you are able to move and react quickly around the base, sometimes having to quickly adjust your feet depending on the accuracy of the throw you are catching.
April 12, 2022
BBCOR is currently the standard that governs adult baseball bats that are used in High School and Collegiate play. The acronym BBCOR stands for Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution. Simply put, BBCOR will measure the “trampoline effect” of the barrel and how it plays into the exit speed of the ball. The “bouncier” the trampoline effect, the faster the ball will come off the bat.
April 12, 2022
Baseball is an extremely repetitive sport and for this reason, overuse injuries are some of the most commonly seen injuries in the sport. In this article, we have broken down the main types of injuries when it comes to pitching, hitting, base running and catching.
April 05, 2022
BBCOR is currently the standard that governs adult baseball bats that are used in High School and Collegiate play. The acronym BBCOR stands for Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution. Simply put, BBCOR will measure the “trampoline effect” of the barrel and how it plays into the exit speed of the ball. The “bouncier” the trampoline effect, the faster the ball will come off the bat.
April 05, 2022
Baseball and softball can be dangerous sports to play, but buying and using the proper equipment ensures players are as protected as possible. When it comes to stepping into the batter’s box, the most important piece of gear you’ll have on is your batting helmet.
April 05, 2022
The catcher position in baseball and softball is said to be one of the most demanding and difficult positions to play in the game. To compete at the position, you must be knowledgeable in all facets of the sport — you're the one helping to lead your pitching staff to greatness.
March 29, 2022
The types of baseball and softball cleats that are available now have changed immensely over the course of the past several decades. These changes have all been for the better, as athletes can now trust that the cleats they put on each practice and game will help protect them from injury.
March 29, 2022
There are so many bat choices for baseball and softball players in today’s game, it can often seem overwhelming. Understanding the differences between composite vs. aluminum bats is sometimes difficult for players - this wasn’t an issue decades ago when wood was the only option.
March 29, 2022
As technology has changed, the evolution of baseball bats has grown with it, and the need to prepare your tools for action has become a part of the game. When you buy a wood bat, you don’t need to worry about breaking it in.
March 29, 2022
Baseball and softball gloves are an important part of being a great player. It isn’t enough to just buy a glove, wear it on the field, and hope it gets the job done. You need to break your glove in, take care of it, condition it, and help maintain it so it extends beyond just a single season.
March 22, 2022
The outfield is generally not the most sought after position in Little League. Most balls hit by Little Leaguers are hit in the infield and, as a result, most young players want to pitch, catch or play a base. Putting your best players in the infield is logical since that is where the action is.
March 22, 2022
How many times have you seen a professional baseball or softball player take a big cut and lose his/her bat into the stands? It’s not that uncommon, and the simple fact that it happens to even professionals should make the importance of a bat grip or batting gloves even more obvious.
March 22, 2022
In baseball and softball, a glove is a tool that players spend exorbitant amounts of time breaking in, working on, using, and protecting. But eventually, the time comes for every glove where a lace snaps or a ball breaks through the webbing, and the last thing any player wants to do is throw out his or her well-conditioned glove and start fresh.
March 22, 2022
There are various methods you can use to break in and soften your glove. Some of these methods can be used individually or in conjunction with others. Read on and we’ll cover the different ways to break in your glove, plus different methods on how to oil gloves.
March 15, 2022
The bunt is the most selfless play in baseball and, if done correctly, can help your team “manufacture” a run. Bunting involves intentionally getting yourself out in order for a runner on base to advance. Here, we’ll explore the correct way to bunt, the various types of bunts, the right situation to bunt and the rules for bunting.
March 15, 2022
The main goal of sliding is to allow a runner to make it to the base before being tagged out in the event of a close play (sometimes called a “bang-bang” play). Sliding makes you a more difficult target for the defender covering the base, who has to catch the throw and then try to tag you before you touch the base.
March 15, 2022
The curveball has gone by many names over the years: “the hammer,” “the deuce,” “Uncle Charlie,” just to name a few. Perhaps the reason for this is because the curveball is an important pitch for all pitchers to master, though it can be tricky.
March 15, 2022
New technology has drastically changed the way baseball bats and softball bats have been produced over the last 20 years. Bats are no longer made of just aluminum, but can also be made of composite, which is known for being a material that the ball jumps off of.
March 08, 2022
Preventing injury should always be on the mind of the pitcher and coaching staff. Pitching is stressful to the arm and the human arm is not designed to withstand long periods of such tremendous stress.
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