Baseball is a wonderful sport to play for all ages, but sometimes finding the right gear to play in can be tricky for some people. With so many different options out there and more seemingly every day, searching for the right gear for your position can actually be a lot of fun too.
Having the correct baseball equipment on can be the difference from stretching out a single into a double and you do not want to let your team down with the game on the line!
Your Guide
Andrew Buller-Russ
There has been a lot of great baseball equipment and training gear made specifically for baseball players throughout history, and more being refined every day.
As time has gone on baseball has seen many great inventions come to life such as the oven mitt worn by base runners to protect their hands while sliding.
In today’s fast paced world it can be hard to keep up with all of the latest baseball innovations on the market today.
I know for myself, when shopping for equipment, things can get a bit confusing. There are so many great products out there that when it comes time to narrow down all the options, making a selection can be a bit overwhelming.
My goal is to help define and point out some of the really helpful products that are available out on the market today.
Hopefully by raising awareness of some of the truly great things surrounding the game of baseball and its legendary history, you will also become more passionate about pursuing a career in baseball.
There are many helpful pieces of information and tips that you can use for yourself and maybe share with a friend that I hope you find useful for yourself and others. I also will point out some great books and movies to help keep you entertained along the way.
I also want to point out some of the great methods you can begin to practice with to make you a better baseball player.
My goal by the end of this article will be to leave you, the reader, feeling much more knowledgeable about baseball and its components. I hope you find my recommendations to be helpful in your own career.
How To Choose The Best Baseball Glove
Before you even step on the baseball field, you need a glove that fits you comfortably. Luckily baseball gloves come in many different colors, shapes and sizes. Playing baseball with the correct baseball glove is essential to fielding your position well.
Depending on which position in the field you are playing, your baseball mitt can have a large effect on how well you are able to catch the ball. Believe it or not, not every baseball glove is made the same. For example, if you are trying to play in the outfield with a catcher’s mitt, your fielding ability will be greatly hindered.
What To Look For
Comfort and fit are two important factors to keep in mind when shopping for a baseball glove. Most importantly though, you need the correct glove for the position you are playing. Catchers and first basemen always have the largest glove on the field to catch the throws across the diamond, while the second baseman has the smallest glove for a quick grip on the ball.
Pitchers can get away with using any type of infielders glove. Most pitchers use a lot of deception on the mound, so it would be wise to find a glove that has a closed web to hide the grip used on the ball from the batter. The trick for pitchers is finding a glove that feels comfortable and does not get in the way of their pitching motion.
Although there are some really flashy and fancy baseball gloves, some gloves do not play or function as well as others. When you are shopping for a glove, it should not be about the styling or looks of it, focus on the functionality first and then the color or style later. Have patience when searching for a pitching glove, finding the right sized glove for you can be a headache if you do not know what to look for.
If a glove is too small, it could be difficult to grip your pitches without your opponent being able to see your pitch selection. On the other end of the spectrum, you do not want a glove too large either as that may be too awkward and heavy during the pitching motion. Finding the perfect balance for a pitching glove can be tricky.
Generally a good rule of thumb for pitchers is to have a glove that is somewhere between 11 ¾” and 12”. Some pitchers have found that they prefer a glove ½” smaller or larger. This size range has been commonly found to be large enough to hide pitch grips while being small enough to keep a consistent throwing motion.
The catcher’s mitt is the most unique of the group. The catcher is asked to catch balls thrown at high speeds and thus needs more padding and protection. The catcher’s mitt is generally much larger to give pitchers a larger target to aim for and to catch pitches that are thrown out of control.
The first baseman’s glove is also special since it is much larger than other gloves on the diamond and does not have any finger holes. The open end also has a unique curve along the edge to allow the fielder to pick and scoop balls up from the dirt. Generally the first baseman’s glove is the largest to give the other infielders a much larger target when attempting to throw a runner out.
The middle infield mainly uses smaller gloves that are lighter in weight. For infielders, flexibility and quickness is important, so having a glove that matches those abilities is crucial. The smaller glove allows for the infielder to quickly find the ball in their glove and throw the runner out in a timely manner.
Shortstops and third basemen usually will have a bit longer glove to help increase their fielding range. Since third basemen are sometimes closer to home plate when playing the shift or a bunt, their gloves usually feature deeper pockets to catch balls that are hit really hard. With a longer glove on the third base line, the fielder will have a longer reach when diving or extending out for the baseball.
Outfielders have the longest gloves on the field, this helps with those “shoe-string” catches and balls that fielders really have to stretch out for. The longer glove also helps when outfielders snag balls that are headed over the outfield fence by extending their reach. No matter what position you play, it is important to recognize which glove you are buying, for example if you are left-handed you would need a left –handed glove.
Recommendation For You – Wilson A2000 Baseball Glove Series
When it comes to selecting the very best baseball glove to use I would recommend going with any variation of the Wilson A2000.The official glove of the MLB, Wilson has been making some version of the A2000 glove since 1957. There are many variations to the glove and depending on the position you play, you should be able to find the one that is right for you.
Here is a video sharing some tips for measuring and finding the right glove for you:
Wilson A2000 Baseball Glove Series
How To Choose The Best Baseball Bat
The dream of every young baseball fan is to hit a home run but you can’t do that without having a baseball bat to hit with. Baseball bats are made of many different materials such as metal, aluminum and various species of wood. Whether you have a metal bat or a wooden baseball bat, you will still be able to have a lot of fun hitting a baseball.
What To Look For
Aluminum bats are much lighter than wood and can be swung much quicker. With a metal or aluminum bat, the ball will have a loud Ping! sound when making contact with the bat. When you hit with a metal or aluminum bat, the ball has the ability to come off the bat much harder and go much farther.
Baseball bats come in many forms, for practical purposes we are going to focus on baseball bats made from wood. Generally wooden bats are used in professional and adult baseball leagues. Wooden baseball bats are made from a variety of wood species such as Ash, Bamboo, Birch, Hickory, Maple, and Pine.
Hickory bats have largely fallen out of favor due to their heavier weight that slows down the swing speed, while Maple bats have gained popularity due to them being lightweight. Maple is the most widely used bat in the MLB today at 95%. Choosing which wood species you prefer to hit with is up to you, but some players certainly have their preferences.
Some baseball players are very superstitious, some choose to change bats multiple times throughout the game, while some stick with the same bat style for their whole career. No matter what your beliefs are, the most important factor when selecting a bat is determining how the bat feels in your hand and how comfortable you feel while swinging it. There are many helpful size guides out there to help determine which size baseball bat may be best suited for you.
Recommendation For You – Marucci AP5 Pro Model
There are literally hundreds of different baseball bats to select from and narrowing them down into which may be the best for you has a lot to do with personal preferences. With that being said, if I were to recommend a baseball bat to buy, the one I would suggest is actually the same one a lot of the pros use, the Marucci AP5 (Named after Albert Pujols). The AP5 Pro has great balance with a thick barrel to help drive those baseballs over the fence.
Taking care of your baseball bats is important if you want them to last, here are some tips on how to protect your new equipment:
How To Choose The Best Baseball Jersey
The opportunity to be able to play the game of baseball competitively is a privilege that not everyone has. To play baseball competitively you need to have a uniform that matches your teammates. You want this uniform to last all season through all of the diving stops and slides in the dirt.
What To Look For
There have been many instantly recognizable baseball jerseys throughout the history of the game. Many of the legendary designs have not changed much over the years. The New York Yankees still have their iconic pinstripe design adorning their uniforms that many baseball fans have come to enjoy across the world.
In order to have a uniform that can withstand the elements, it needs to be comfortable and be able to breathe well to allow for a hot day at the ballpark. Putting on your jersey should come with a sense of pride, you should be happy to go out there and represent your team and with the right jersey, you can be. So before you put your baseball uniform on, make sure it is washed clean after each use.
Commonly when playing baseball your jersey tends to get a bit dirty, whether that is grass stains or the dirt from a head first slide, it doesn’t matter. What matters is keeping it clean in between games; you don’t want to show up to the game already looking like you’ve been sliding into home all day. Some jerseys will hold up better over time through multiple washing cycles so it is important to find a jersey made out of durable materials.
There are many aspects to consider when shopping for a baseball jersey that you will be using for every baseball game that you play in. One of the most important factors I would say would be your comfort level. When you are in the middle of a game, the last thing you need is for your jersey to be irritating or bothering you, causing you to lose focus on the moment.
Recommendation For You – Holloway Men’s 221011 Baseball Jersey
If you need a comfortable baseball jersey that is durable enough to weather the elements then the Holloway Sportswear Ignie Baseball Jersey may be the one to go with. This jersey is made from polyester to help keep the jersey light and dry and features mesh armpit vents to help stay cool during the game. The plain design allows for you to get it custom made to suit you and your baseball team’s style.
Here is some more info regarding baseball jerseys and uniforms and the purposes they can serve:
Holloway Men’s 221011 Baseball Jersey
How To Choose The Best Baseball Movie
Baseball has a long and legendary history, with more stories being written literally every day. Over time some of those great stories have made their way into the movies and on our TV screens. A big part of becoming a sports fan comes from watching them on TV or in the movies.
Luckily for us baseball enthusiasts there have been many great baseball references in TV shows and baseball movies over the years and many more still being made. There are so many well regarded classic movies to select from no matter what genre of movie you are into. It doesn’t matter what your motion picture preferences are, there are movies for all age groups to enjoy.
What To Look For
If you like comedy movies, then ”Major League”,” A League Of Their Own” or either of the “Bad News Baseball” movies are great comical classics. The movie, “Benchwarmers” also has quite a few adult comedic moments all throughout. If you like funny TV shows with a baseball theme, the HBO show Eastbound & Down is a classic, although the show is definitely not for all ages.
Maybe you enjoy some heartwarming stories mixed in with some funny moments, if so “Bull Durham” and “Field Of Dreams” are two legendary baseball tales. Field Of Dreams is a well-known tale for many great reasons. MLB baseball recognized the popularity of the movie and even announced that an MLB game between the legendary New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox will take place on August 13th, 2020 at the historic “Field Of Dreams” baseball field.
If you want a true story, ”Moneyball” may be the best. But “42” tells the amazing story of Jackie Robinson and his battles that he had to overcome on his quest to becoming one of the greatest baseball players in the long and storied history of baseball. “A League Of Their Own”, “Million Dollar Arm” and “The Rookie” are three more baseball movies based on a true story that you won’t want to miss.
No matter what, if you enjoy baseball and like to hear and see stories with baseball situations mixed in, there are plenty of great television shows and movies to pick from. You could spend a whole month watching a different baseball movie every day and still have something new to watch. With so many inspiring tales being told regarding the great game of baseball, it would be tough to watch them and not become a baseball fan.
Recommendation For You – The Sandlot (1993)
If I had to select my favorite baseball movie of all time I would have to go with The Sandlot from 1993. This movie had everything you want from a baseball movie as a young baseball fan, including the classic narrative style found commonly in movies in the 1990’s. The movie is recognized as an instant classic among those who have seen it and if you do not understand “You’re killin’ me Smalls!” from The Sandlot, then you are missing out!
How To Choose The Best Baseball Book
Growing up, I was a big reader, but I never knew what to read next. Well the sports fan in me always drew me into reading about them as well. This led me to many great books and when I was done with one, it seemed like there were two or three more that I wanted to read next.
What To Look For
Thankfully there are many great sports authors out there that can write a great baseball story. Mike Lupica is the first name that comes to mind for me, I must have read at least 10 of his sports books as a kid. For young readers, there are plenty of great baseball books to dive into thanks to writers such as Mike Lupica and W.P. Kinsella who wrote the bestseller “Shoeless Joe”.
If you are an adult reader, you may want a different style than some of the books that are tailored to a younger audience. If this is you, then true stories are a great place to start. You can find many great tales of legends such as Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente detailing some of their struggles as a baseball player in a different culture.
Baseball is always adapting and analyzing ways to accomplish things more efficiently. This constant drive to improve has led to many improvements and innovations in the game of baseball. When it comes to baseball books, that same drive has continued.
With all of the fictional books that have been written, there are many non-fiction books as well. In a lot of these non-fiction books, you will find many great true historical tales being told. But there are also many other books looking into the next new way or great innovation to come into the game of baseball, and reading them can make you a much more informed baseball fan and player.
Recommendation For You – Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game
There are hundreds of great books to read but if you are looking for what to read next, I would recommend reading Moneyball: the Art of Winning an Unfair Game. Moneyball, if you aren’t already familiar, tells the incredible tale of the small time Oakland Athletics’ quest to beat the big market teams such as the New York Yankees or Los Angeles Dodgers. Later made into a movie, Moneyball is a truly inspiring tale for anyone who has had to work hard for what they want in life.
If you are looking for informative baseball books to help you improve, there are plenty of those as well. Here is a quick video with some book recommendations:
Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game
How To Choose The Best Baseball
Playing baseball brings a lot of joy to anyone who loves the game, but you can’t play unless you have a baseball of course. Having a baseball and keeping it are two very different things though. I know for myself, there have been many baseballs lost over the years due to various reasons.
What To Look For
Throughout all of those crushed and lost baseballs, one thing has always remained the same; the Rawlings Official Major League Baseball feels the most authentic. Knockoff baseballs are not able to match the softness of the outer shell that the authentic baseballs feature. The official baseballs also have a unique feel to them; a lot of the synthetic baseballs almost feel slippery or a bit like plastic.
Baseballs for the most part are made of either one of two materials, leather or synthetic. Baseballs, whether synthetic or leather, always have the same simple design. The basics of it are just a small rounded ball with stitching along the baseball to be able to grip the ball and throw it accurately at high speeds.
Leather is what the official MLB baseballs are comprised of, but synthetic baseballs can serve a purpose too. Leather is built to last longer while offering a secure grip and consistent results. Synthetic covers are often made from vinyl and can resist dirt and retain their color and provide a nice cost alternative option to the real thing.
If you want to play baseball the same as the pros would, you want to use an official ball. Many players will use synthetic baseballs for practice simply because they are cheaper and will save the leather balls for game use. You can definitely practice with other balls to work on your swing, but if you are playing a game, you want the real thing.
Recommendation For You – Rawlings Official Major League Baseball
If you are just playing around in your backyard, using a cheaper synthetic baseball may be ideal for you. But if you are trying to practice fielding or fine-tuning your skills for a professional game, then I recommend using the Rawlings Official Major League Baseball. There is no other baseball in production that can replicate the authentic results from the MLB ball.
Here is a video showing the insides of a baseball and comparing the quality between a cheaper baseball and the Official MLB Baseball:
Rawlings Official Major League Baseball
How To Choose The Best Baseball Pitching Machine
Do you want to practice on your game but don’t have a clone of yourself? Well, look no further than a baseball pitching machine! Pitching machines can be extremely helpful to improve your game when you don’t have a buddy to throw you pitches.
What To Look For
All professional teams use pitching machines for a number of reasons. By having a pitching machine on hand the batters are able to simulate a pitch coming at them without wearing out a pitcher’s arm. Being able to practice taking pitches at game speed is perhaps one of the best ways to improve your approach at the plate.
With most pitching machines, you can adjust the speed at which the ball comes out, this allows for players of all ages to be able to practice and improve their game. Some pitch machines can even simulate faster speeds than most players will ever face, this helps the batter prepare for high velocity pitches. Any player or team who is serious about getting better at baseball should definitely find a way to find some time to practice taking pitches from a pitch machine.
Just by having a pitch machine, you are able to practice many aspects of the game of baseball. With a pitch machine, you can practice fielding grounders, throwing runners out and of course hitting the ball. Perhaps that is why people say having a pitch machine is like having an extra coach around.
Whether you are looking to improve your hitting or your fielding, getting a pitch machine is crucial to realizing your true potential. When deciding on a pitch machine, it is important to realize what type of machine you are after. Selecting your ideal pitch machine has a lot to do with age group and budget.
Be careful if you are using a pitch machine for the first time. It may be better to watch someone who has extensive experience working with a pitching machine before you take a crack at one. If you are not careful, you could do serious harm to yourself, and possibly make you anxious about facing live pitching.
Recommendation For You – BATA-2 Combo Pitching Machine
There are many great beginner pitch machines that will pitch up to 60-70 MPH and there are others that are tuned more for the pros and can go up to 100 MPH. If money is no object then certainly the Bata- 2 Two-Wheel Curveball Pitching Machine should do the trick. This machine is great as it can throw any kind of pitch, including the Knuckleball and even comes with a 10-year warranty.
Here is a helpful video on how a pitch machine can help you improve your swing:
How To Choose The Best Batting Helmet
When it comes to playing sports, first and foremost the idea is to have fun. But most importantly, you want to play with safety in mind. The old saying goes” It is all fun and games until someone gets hurt”.
In baseball, safety is extremely important. If you are not careful and attentive at the ballpark, you could get hurt. While baseball is a great sport for all ages, you need to be aware of the potential dangers of being at the ballpark such as a baseball hit your way that you may not have seen.
What To Look For
One of the best ways to avoid head injuries in baseball is by wearing an approved batting helmet. There is no other sport that features a hard ball coming straight at you at speeds upward of 60 MPH and so wearing the proper headgear becomes more important than ever. You should never step into a batter’s box without a hard helmet on your head.
Batting helmets have really undergone a lot of changes over the years, far apart from when batting helmets first debuted back in the 1900’s. In 1941, the Brooklyn Dodgers became the first team to require their batters to wear a batting helmet during games. Somehow safety had gone overlooked until 1958 when it became mandatory for all hitters to wear a batting helmet; it took a very unfortunate incident to make the change popular and mandatory throughout the sport of baseball.
Thankfully, baseball has continued to evolve over the years and now offers a bevy of options available for hitters at every level to ensure their head is protected at all times. You should never get injured doing something you love, and if there is a way to avoid injuries at any cost, then those actions must be taken immediately. Today in baseball, we see a lot of different styling to batting helmets such as the double earflaps or protective face guards.
Luckily, there are still many great styling options available, even on the safest helmets. Some helmets offer different gloss or sheen options to make them appear to have more shine than others. While some offer a multi-color approach to make your helmet stand out in the batter’s box.
Ultimately when it comes to recommending the best batting helmet to go with, it is simple for me. Go with what works! Seriously though, to me your safety is of the utmost importance on the field, it is not about looking cool or stylish.
Recommendation For You – Rawlings Mach Carbon Batting helmet
My personal recommendation for the best batting helmet would have to be the Rawlings Mach Carbon Batting Helmet. What I like about this helmet is of course the amount of cushion and protection the helmet offers while giving the option to add protective face gear with pre-drilled holes. The helmet is sleek and stylish while offering ventilation ports to keep your head cool, even when the umpire thinks that ball was a strike.
When selecting a helmet, it is important that you find one that fits snug and comfortably on your head. It will be helpful to know the size of your head when shopping; there are many head measurement and size guides to help align your head with the appropriately sized helmet. You want a helmet that stays on your head and will not fall off when running.
Generally when you pick a helmet, you want it to last all season, so you need it to be durable. Make sure you select the helmet that offers the best protection for you and your hitting style. If you tend to crowd the plate, or like to talk smack, get yourself some protection!
If you have ever seen the play that ended Hall-of-Famer Kirby Puckett’s career, you will understand why I feel that you can never take things too safely.
Rawlings Mach Carbon Baseball Batting Helmet
How To Choose The Best Batting Gloves
In order to play baseball in the elements, you need to have a good, reliable pair of batting gloves. Now, you could go really old school and go without them like Vladimir Guerrero did but it is not recommended when starting out. Nearly all of the pro players today prefer to wear baseball gloves and no it is not just because it helps them look cool in the batter’s box.
What To Look For
But let’s be honest for a second, some batting gloves are really cool. Just like any popular sport, there will always be a lot of customization available to the players. Many players like to set themselves apart from the crowd by being unique and one of the ways this can be achieved is by having a customized pair of batting gloves.
Besides looking cool, wearing batting gloves can help reduce the sting the bat leaves behind in your hands when you make contact with the pitch. Wearing gloves can also drastically improve your grip to make sure the bat does not leave your hands on a wet, slippery day at the ballpark. By maintaining control of your bat, it will help you adjust to the pitch and should lead to more quality at bats where you make good contact on the ball.
Fortunately batting gloves come in all shapes, sizes and colors these days. Finding a comfortable pair of batting gloves can make all the difference in the world when it comes to adjusting on the fly when the pitch is coming to the plate. Gloves also provide some cushion on your hands and can help prevent blisters and calluses from building up on your hands over time.
Whether on TV or in person, I’m sure by now we have all seen when a batter swings his bat and cannot control it. This leads to flying bats. Wearing batting gloves will greatly increase your grip and hopefully you will be able to avoid any future situations in which your bat may go flying towards some unsuspecting fans or teammates.
The last thing you need is for your bat to hit someone when everyone is just supposed to be having a good time. Besides, what if your bat were to hit a coach or umpire? If that unfortunate situation were to occur, you may not be getting another at bat for a while.
As you can imagine, having the proper batting gloves that fit you comfortably are important. Not to mention the added benefits that wearing gloves can have upon your swing tendencies. If you will be swinging a bat, I recommend looking into your own pair of batting gloves for many of the reasons listed above.
Recommendation For You – Franklin Sports MLB CFX Pro Batting Gloves
There are many great batting gloves available on the market today but if I had to choose one pair that stands out above the rest, I would go with the Franklin CFX Pro. They are fully customizable and have a comfortable fit with great breathability. They also offer a pair for games that are played in colder temperatures that offer more protection from the elements.
Here is an instructional video on how batting gloves can help you and your game:
Franklin Sports MLB CFX Pro Batting Gloves
How To Choose The Best Baseball Training Equipment
Baseball has proven to be one of the toughest sports to pick up and play as a beginner. The thought that even the best hitters of all time only succeed about three out of every ten chances is incredible. That means this sport is largely about failure and anytime you get on base, you did a great job.
What To Look For
Since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941, no other hitter has ever even succeeded 4 out of every 10 chances they get for a full season. But that was way back in 1941, aren’t baseball players only getting better with time? Well yes they are, but pitchers are also getting better too, to put it simply, consistently hitting a baseball is not easy.
The main goal of the sport is to hit a small round ball of which is 3 inches long and moves at speeds upward of 100 MPH with the sweet spot (about 2.75 inches) of a round bat. The simple concept of that alone is mind-blowing, as you are not even allowed to travel at speeds of 100 mph in a vehicle without facing serious trouble. Yet some human beings are able to crush this little white “pill” about 500 feet out into the atmosphere.
These complications are why many people consider hitting a baseball to be the toughest thing to do in sports. Even one of the greatest athletes of all time, Michael Jordan could not find a way to succeed in baseball. Still, even getting to the minor leagues is an incredible accomplishment for the average human being, but Michael Jordan was not average.
With all that being said, baseball is very fun to play and a quick game can be played without much equipment being needed. If you are serious about playing baseball competitively there are many very helpful pieces of training equipment that can be acquired. Whether you want to improve your pitching, fielding or hitting, there is a piece of equipment made to help you improve your skills on the baseball field.
Since hitting is so hard to do, placing your focus on being able to make solid contact is a great place to start. If you want to practice your swing or even just practice crushing baseballs then there are many different training options from which to choose. From batting nets to pitch machines and swing helpers, there are many options that will improve your game.
If you are just starting out or struggle to keep your eye on the ball, a simple batting tee can go a long way towards improving your swing. This will help you develop great hand-eye coordination and help give you a better idea on where to make contact with the ball. Don’t feel like you are ever too old to use a tee, as some pros still use batting tees to refine their swing every day.
Recommendations For You – Tanner Tee
One piece of equipment that I really like to help improve your swing is the SwingRail. The SwingRail is affordable and effective but what I like about it most is that it provides constant swing feedback and gives the hitter a much better idea on how well they are swinging the bat. SwingRail can be used anywhere you can swing a bat and can be used for all ages.
Playing defense in baseball is considered one of the easier things to do in the sport. Learning the proper techniques can take time, but once mastered, you will feel much more confident when a ball is hit your way. There are many great techniques and training programs made to help you improve your skills in the field.
I like the Rawlings Reactball as an affordable and great fielding aid. The ball looks and feels like a normal baseball, but this Reactball is designed to bounce irregularly and will help simulate the unpredictable hops and bounces of a baseball. Practicing your reactions to some of the most unique bounces will help you train for when the unimaginable happens out on the baseball diamond.
Next up, we will look at some methods to help you become a better pitcher on the mound. While you may not be able to throw 105 MPH right away like Aroldis Chapman worked his way up to in 2011, believe it or not, you can still improve your pitch velocity as your career goes on. Even pro baseball players find some extra velocity on their pitches after years of practicing and improving their game.
Mastering the art of pitching is a lifelong battle. Most athletes agree, if you consider yourself to be a pitcher, you will always be a pitcher at heart and will always seek to improve your craft. Even Major League baseball players find themselves tweaking their delivery or pitching motion throughout the season.
Refining your craft will always be a part of your life as a pitcher. One great thing about baseball and pitching is that it is humanly possible to continue to pitch effectively even as you approach your 40’s. Satchel Paige, the oldest pitcher to ever pitch in the Major League at 59 years and 351 days old, didn’t make his Major League debut until he was 42 years old and still left a lasting legacy as one of the greatest pitchers of all time.
You can work on your pitching skills in a wide variety of ways such as weighted baseballs, strike zone pitching nets, clocking your pitch speed with a radar gun and many others. If you are trying to master your pitch selection, having a baseball that has pre-marked finger placement can be really helpful to learn how to throw a variety of pitches. If you can find a way to have a combination of these tools, you should be well on your way to becoming a much better pitcher.
It all depends on where you feel you need the most help as a pitcher. If you need to work on your control, I would recommend the pitching nets with the pre-marked strike zone to practice your aim when pitching. If you would like to learn how to throw more than one pitch, the balls with the recommended finger placement on them would be most helpful.
If your energy or strength are lacking, then you may need to improve your fitness level. You can do that by becoming more physically fit by running more or lifting some weights. If you feel that your pitching mechanics are not consistent, maybe look into the Head Coach Throw Better Training tool.
As you can see, there are many different methods that can be practiced to get better at pitching. By using any of these tools frequently, as long as they are being used correctly, you should have no problems improving your performance on the pitching mound. If you can find a way to combine some of these tools and drills and do them over a long period of time, you should see much more consistency in your pitches.
There are many ways to improve your baseball skills day by day. One thing that you can do to improve your performance on the field is to take care of your body. By eating healthy and staying in shape by doing a lot of cardio you will find yourself in a much better position to score the go ahead run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning.
You can do many everyday things to reach your potential like lifting weights or doing pushups to improve your strength. Despite popular belief, all your hitting strength is not derived only from your arm muscles. Many people believe having big arms is the key to hitting home runs, but many professionals will stress things such as hand-eye coordination, quick hands/wrists and developing core strength can all lead to more pop at the plate.
There are tons of pieces of training equipment that will lead to improvement on the baseball diamond, but some of the most simple and oldest training methods can still help you get better at the game. Simple things such as practicing hitting a ball off a tee or a batting net to hit balls into can make a world of a difference on game day. No matter what your approach is, doing some form of training drills every day will help you develop your baseball skills and should lead to more production at the plate.
Here is a helpful video with some drills you can do in your backyard every day to improve your baseball skills:
How To Choose The Best Balls and Bats for Beginners
When you are just starting out, or maybe in the beginning stages of playing baseball, you may be better off starting out with some beginners training equipment. Luckily there are many baseball tools being made for all ages and sizes. Baseball has become so popular all around the world, so having the proper equipment for the players of all ages is important.
What To Look For
One of the first things to determine when selecting a good bat to start out with is which bat size would be appropriate for your stature. Here is another helpful bat sizing chart to help get you started. The idea here is that if you are using a bat too big, you won’t be able to effectively swing the ball properly to generate the best swing on the ball.
By having the correct bat size, you will find that you are able to make good contact on the baseball more frequently. That doesn’t mean you can’t still experiment with some different bats or bat sizes, these are just general recommendations from the experienced professionals with years of expertise in the game. Many pro ballplayers will still experiment with temporarily using another bat if they are going through a batting slump.
Another key component to keep in mind is what kind of bat are you looking to use? If you are looking to practice to get ready to play in a league, knowing their rules for which bats are allowed will be key. For younger players looking to get into baseball using a wood bat, I would recommend the Sam Bat Youth LL CD1 Maple Baseball Bat for its ease of use.
Recommendation For You – Louisville Slugger Omaha 518 And SKLZ Soft Cushioned Safety Baseballs
If you are looking to hit with something other than a wooden bat to start out or maybe just have some fun hitting baseballs a long way, there are still plenty of other great bats out there. The Louisville Slugger Omaha 518 is a great beginner’s bat that comes in many sizes and complies with most youth baseball regulations. The bat is constructed of a durable alloy material combined with synthetic leather grips to help you maintain control.
For beginner baseballs, you do not need to go out and spend full price on MLB baseballs. Regulation baseballs are much tougher and can really hurt if someone is not prepared. Yes, it may be good to have one around to be able to practice with and to feel the difference, but practicing with a more affordable baseball may be more practical when starting out.
The SKLZ Soft Cushioned Safety Baseballs come in a 2 pack and offers a great beginners baseball for younger players that want to get started in baseball. This is the ideal baseball for a younger player, what I really like about it is the fact that it is cushioned. These cushioned baseballs should help make sure that nobody is afraid of the ball when it is coming their way.
For more help on how to choose a youth baseball bat here is a helpful video:
SAM BAT CD1 Maple Wood Baseball Bat
SKLZ Soft Cushioned Safety Baseballs
How To Choose The Best Baseball Bags
Baseball is just like all the other sports in that you need a lot of equipment to play from day-to-day. You could not possibly carry your bat, your cleats, your glove and your uniform and more all in your hands, could you? You can make things much easier on yourself by investing into one of the best ways to transport all of that equipment, a baseball bag.
What To Look For
While you may not be able to remember to pack everything you need for a baseball game every time you play, we understand, you are human. But there may be another way. The best way to stay prepared is by having a baseball bag with equipment all packed up and ready to go, should the opportunity arise.
When shopping for a baseball bag, you can have some fun with it. There is not much to specifically look for other than functionality. You want to make sure that carrying all of your baseball equipment is a breeze.
There are many baseball equipment items that you can fit in an average baseball bag. Some of the moree obvious items would be things such as your baseball glove, batting gloves, baseballs and baseball socks. But there are many other helpful things to keep in your bag that you could not possibly otherwise carry on your own.
Be careful not to over pack your baseball bag. You do not want to make the bag too heavy where carrying it to and from baseball games and practice events will become a challenge. You will want to save all your energy for when you hit the baseball field!
Recommendation For You – Athletico Youth Baseball Backpack
There are many different styles and variations of baseball bags available on the market today. To make things easier, I can recommend what I would go with to make your life easier. The Athletico Baseball Bag is perfect for transporting all of your equipment, including bats, with you wherever you go.
The Athletico bag is an awesome all-in-one baseball bag that can carry your cleats, helmet, bats, gloves and much more. The durable and breathable material is designed to help prevent contents such as your cleats from smelling too bad. The backpack is light and has a padded back panel for additional comfort.
This video gives an inside look into what a professional ballplayer keeps in his baseball bag:
Athletico Youth Baseball Backpack
Conclusion
Hopefully now you have a greater understanding of some of the many different options available that you can use to greatly improve your baseball skills.
My recommendations are just a small fraction of the great baseball products out on the market today.
Thankfully, baseball and the enthusiasts involved are always coming up with new innovations to continue to improve the next generation of baseball players.
With baseball being such an old sport, there have been countless amounts of methods, products, tips and drills developed over the 100+ years that the game has been around.
We are lucky as a society to have so many other baseball enthusiasts spread all across the world that are working tirelessly for the game to improve, even if it is in a small and subtle way.
Hopefully baseball will still be around for another 100+ years, who knows what the next great innovation in baseball will be and where it will come from?
There is so much great baseball equipment available on the market today that it can be hard to determine which equipment is the best for you.
I hope that by now I have cleared up a lot of the confusion when it comes to making purchase decisions for all of your baseball and softball equipment needs.
Now it is time for you to get out on the diamond and put all of this helpful baseball equipment to good use.
