At the demand of ballplayers and coaches around Long Island, Baseball Bargains opened up a showroom at 54 Cain Drive (North Service Road of the Long Island Expressway) in Brentwood, NY. The showroom features over 1,000 bats and over 300 glove models on display, and it stocks everything anyone could possibly need to play the game. Products include everything from baseball bats, baseball gloves and catcher’s equipment to training aids, apparel and footwear to belts, socks and other accessories.

With the launch of our new website and the opening of our showroom, this is obviously a very exciting time at Baseball Bargains. It is our goal to continue to find ways to offer our customers the most enjoyable online and offline shopping experience possible for America’s Pastime.

In many circles, concern about stress placed on youth sport participants seems to be the most frequent topic of discussion when youth sports is mentioned. Is there stress in youth sports? Of course there is! Not only do the athletes experience stress, but so do the coaches, the parents, the officials, and the administrators.
 
What is stress? Stress is produced when someone feels that their physical and/or psychological well-being is threatened. They perceive that they may be harmed in some way.
 
Is stress negative? Not necessarily. Actually, there are two types of stress:
# Eustress, which is pleasant stress.
# Distress, which is potentially harmful stress.
 
Many of you may now be thinking, how can there be pleasant or pleasurable stress. Competitive sports activities are a source of both eustress and distress, as are any types of competitive activity. We might argue, for example, that the video game industry exists to provide a source of eustress! The enjoyment of competition is reported by young athletes as one of the top three reasons for which they participate in youth sports. Why, then, does there seem to be such a concern about stress in youth sports?
 
One perception appears to be that youth sports are more distressful than other activities in which children participate. Fortunately, this is not the case. Simon and Martens, in a study reported in the 1979 issue of Journal of Sport Psychology, found that youth sports participation produced state anxiety levels in the same range as other typical competitive youth activities such as band and classroom tests.
 
In fact, of the nineteen activities they examined, band solos produced the highest level of state anxiety. Within the various sport activities studied, individual sports produced the highest levels of state anxiety, followed by small group team sports (such as basketball), with the large group team sports resulting in the least state anxiety.
 
This is actually a fairly logical finding. When an individual feels personal responsibility for the outcome, they are likely to experience greater stress than someone who is part of a group/team which shares the responsibility for the outcome of the activity.
 
This is not to say that distress is not a problem in youth sports. Stress has the potential for making youth sport participation an unpleasant experience for the children, and for coaches and parents also. The more we understand about stress in youth sports, the less likely it is to result in significant problems.
 

By Ty Cobb
 
1.   Don’t grip your bat at the very end. Leave, say, an inch or two. Also, leave at least an inch or more space between your hands; that gives you balance and control of bat, and also keeps hands from interfering with each other during the swing.
 
2. Take position at plate, especially against right-hand pitchers, back of plate, and against a man with a real curve, you can stay on back line of batting box. Now try to hit to right-center. I don’t mean you should place the ball in any one spot, but start now practicing to hit your righthanders to the opposite field. An inside ball from a right-hand pitcher you will naturally pull, say, to left-center.
 
3.   Don’t slug at full speed; learn to meet them firmly, and you will be surprised at the results.
 
4. Now, to hit as I ask, to right-center or center. You stand away from plate the distance you can see with mind’s eye that you can hit the ball that curves on inside corner, to center. This distance away from plate will allow you to hit the outside ball to right. In other words, you protect the plate both on inside pitches and outside.
 
5. Remember, the plate is the pitcher’s objective and he has to come to it. I use ‘back of plate’ expression to mean towards the catcher, away from plate to denote distance from plate towards outside of box. Now, use a slightly closed stance, and keep a little more weight on your front foot than back. That gives you balance and won’t pull you away from curves. You are always in position to give maximum drive.
 
6.   Don’t pull a curve ball from a righthander. The ball is revolving away from you. Hit with the revolution and to right field.
 
7.   Keep your left elbow cocked on level with your hands or even higher. Never let the elbow down below the hands, and keep your hands always well away from your body – keep pushing them out, even with your body or back.
 
8.   Keep your back leg straight. Of course, if you put your weight more on the front leg, then the back leg will be straight.
 
9.   If high fast balls inside really bother you: Crouch over from waist and pass them up. Don’t bite, in other words. In crouching, you make the pitcher throw lower, which forces him away from the position that bothers you. But I think with the instructions I have give, you will hit them wherever they pitch.
 
10.   Against a speedy left-hander: Don’t pull. Use the same stance I have given you, and when he throws you his curve, knock him down with it or you will naturally pull it, as the ball is breaking in to you. But against a left-hander of fair speed: Move up in the box, also closer to plate, and pull this style of pitching.
 

Moms – You Can Have Clean Baseball Uniforms For Your Child
By Steve C. Dean

One of the real nightmares that baseball moms face is when they hear the coach say “We are going to be wearing white uniforms this year.” Talk about going into full stress mode. The thought of looking out on the field and seeing their child’s white uniform, especially the pants, with those glaring red clay stains standing out like a sore thumb is almost too much for a mom to bear.

As new and advanced fabrics are introduced as the latest uniform standard, the challenge of cleaning the difficult stains and odors associated with athletic competition increases. Well, there are some products and cleaning tips that can truly help clean these tough stains and add life to your child’s uniform. Experienced baseball moms and professional equipment managers who clean uniforms for a living, have discovered a few universal “cleaning truths” that can make this process much easier and effective. So what can you do to really make the grass stains, the red clay stains, mud, blood and even field paint go away and keep that uniform looking new all season long?

Don’t Delay. Set-in stains are almost impossible to get out. The longer a uniform sits and waits to be cleaned, the tougher the challenge to get out the dirt and stains. Always try to start the cleaning process as soon as possible after the uniform comes off the athlete. A pair of baseball pants thrown in the trunk of the car for several days before cleaning is just asking for trouble. I have talked to dozens of collegiate equipment managers and they all will tell you that the first thing they do when they get back to the equipment room after a game is to put every uniform through the cleaning process. If a uniform is improperly cleaned and stains are not taken out in the initial cleaning, the problem is compounded and the set-in stain might be with the uniform forever.

Presoak: For really tough stains like grass and red clay, it may be necessary to presoak the uniform in water, putting them in a utility sink or tub. By simply rinsing off the uniform to remove as much as the dirt as possible, you make the rest of the cleaning process more likely to do the trick. Plain, warm – not hot – water is usually sufficient but some people like to add a little laundry detergent and/or some baking soda to the water. We recommend soaking the uniform for at least an hour, leaving it in longer is fine and will not hurt the cause.

Use A Pre-Spot Stain Remover: No matter how good your laundry detergent is, you will most likely still need to use a good stain remover to get added “lift” on the tough stains. Whatever your choice, be sure to select a product that is safe to use, won’t harm colors and is friendly to the environment. There are chemicals that can clean just about anything but you want to stay away from products that are potentially toxic and can harm the environment, not to mention harming the material to be cleaned. Most stain removers should be applied by spraying directly on the stains (don’t be bashful, spray liberally) and letting soak in for at least a few minutes before putting the uniform in the washing machine. Some people choose to rub in the stain remover or lightly scrub the stained area after the stain remover is applied. This is fine but remember to be careful not to be too aggressive so as to damage the fabric.

Washing: After treating the uniform with the stain remover, it is time to put it through the wash cycle in your washing machine. In most cases, using your normal favorite laundry detergent is sufficient for the job. When possible, washing the uniform alone, apart from your other clothes, is the best way to take care of the uniform. Using cool or warm water is always best – Never use hot water!

Heat Is Not Neat: If possible, try to always refrain from drying an athletic uniform in a dryer. High heat can cause many problems like fading colors, shrinking the material and setting in stains. If you can hang the uniform to air dry in an area away from direct sunlight, you will help the uniform to last longer and look better.

There are many factors and variables that can affect the cleaning process. The content of the water (soft or hard, alkalinity, ph, etc.), the make-up of the soil or clay, the type of fabric used in the uniform, the application of the cleaning materials, etc. There is no perfect science to the cleaning process because of the various factors involved, but the tips and product recommendations that we have shared with you are a great start to having the best opportunity to have your child looking their best on the field!

Steve Dean is the President and Managing Partner of Environmental Sports Products, LLC, manufacturers of ESPRO SPORTS CLEANER. http://www.esproclean.com

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Tips For Improving Baseball Or Softball Bat Speed
By Jeff LeRiche

While there are plenty of softball and baseball players out there who will claim to have hit a home run, there are just as many who will truthfully admit that they have never hit a home run. Whichever club you find yourself in, hitting the ball over the fence will always require significant bat speed.

Okay we all know that chicks did the long ball, go big or go home and all that. But how about winning games? Facing a team that consistently utilizes the entire field effectively while stringing together hit after hit, coupled with smart base running applies pressure to a defense with the added benefit of frustrating the opposition too.

That said every softball or baseball player should strive to be as complete as player as they can be. Why limit yourself to being just one thing or another? Do not put limitations on your ball hitting potential. Putting one over the wall should not define your value to your team or you as a softball player. Many will tell you there is nothing better than absolutely destroying a ball and sending it to where it deserves to go. If you are ever fortunate enough to hit a few out of the yard, you will most likely still vividly recall that first bomb you hit in a game.

No matter what you are trying to accomplish at the plate, your plan should include hitting the ball hard every time you swing. The best hitters in any game will be trying to crush the ball every time. Sometimes the result is a 400′+ bomb other times a laser in the gap or screaming humpy in front of the outfield. The fact is that you don’t get anything positive done at the plate without bat speed.

Here are a few tips, which with practice should help you to improve your bat speed:

Keep your hands loose. Maintaining a loose grip on the softball or baseball bat will gain you 5 mph of bat speed and 5-10 mph of ball speed. Tension in your hands will cost you bat speed.

Push with your back hand while pulling with your front hand. The push will increase your power and improve your follow through.

Release your top hand off the bat. Doing this will allow you more extension which translates to more power.

Keep your hands out in front of the bat. Throw your hands at the ball so that the bat head is the last thing that comes through the zone.

Hit the bottom half of the ball. This creates back spin which will carry the ball farther.

Shift your weight. Make sure you are shifting your weight from your back foot to your front foot.

Make contact slightly in front of where you are standing. This point is where you will be generating max bat speed. Too far in front and the bat will be decelerating when you hit the ball. Too early in your swing, and you will not be generating enough speed and leverage.

Adjust your grip. Drop your pinky finger off the knob to get more leverage.

Choose pitches in your “power zone”. You have a zone where you hit with the most power. Learn it in batting practice, be patient & really work on pitch selection.

Head on the ball. Start your swing with your chin on your front shoulder, and end with your chin on your back shoulder. This will keep your head down on the ball and prevent you from opening up too soon & losing power.

Range of motion- Start with the bat back as far as you can. That complete range of motion will allow you to create as much momentum as you can prior to contact.

Each improvement or piece of knowledge that you add to your arsenal can mean one, maybe two, maybe even five mph to your bat speed. It is those incremental gains that you make to your bat and ball speed that gradually make you a better softball or baseball player. Nobody ever knows the limits of their potential. You will be surprised what you are capable of if you apply proven techniques and practice hard. If you desire to hit with more power and consistency, you can and will. It is up to you!

Jeff LeRiche is the President and Founder of OTC Sports, a premier baseball and softball bat retailer. With deep passion for the sport, Jeff managed and played on his own team traveling the country for the better part of a decade. He has served on various softball associations and boards including several years as the State Director. After years as the ultimate baseball/softball road warrior, Jeff held the position of DeMarini National Manager of Slowpitch Softball and during this period he became the voice of DeMarini slowpitch. Having recently ventured out on his own with OTC Sports, LeRiche strives to bring the best baseball and softball bats and accessories to players of all types and levels. Jeff continues to bring his passion and love for the game to OTC Sports everyday. For more information, see http://www.otcsports.com.

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How to Pick a Baseball Bat
By Kenny Buford

Simply choosing the right bat for a player can make a huge difference in how they swing and what kind of results they get. The bat determines the velocity of the swing, the strength of the impact with the ball and how far the ball will go. It also controls the aim of the ball and affects the beginning of the batter’s sprint to first base. Because the bat affects so many aspects of the game, having the right bat is essential.

Length

There are two main characteristics to look for with a bat: length and weight. A bat that is too short will not allow the batter to hit all the balls in their strike zone, even if the batter knows they should be able to reach it. It might cause them to reach for the ball, which throws off their stance, rhythm, and ability to get behind the ball with real power.

A bat that is too long is often also too heavy. This will make the swing slower and the motion clumsier. A bat that is too long also puts the batter at danger for hitting the ball with the wrong section of the bat, making the ball go in a different direction than intended.

To pick a bat that is the right length for the player, batters should stand in the middle of the batter’s box and place the bat against the inside corner of home plate. The knob of the bat should come to the batter’s palm. If the bat is too short, it will only reach to the fingers. If the bat is too long, it will go up to their wrist and beyond.

Weight

A bat’s weight is extremely important to the overall swing and success of the bat. For example, think of the past baseball scandals where major league players have been caught with cork in their bats to make them lighter and easier to swing. There is a reason these things are illegal in the game-they give the batter an unfair advantage by giving them a bat light enough to swing extremely hard, which gives the batter a higher chance of hitting a home run because of the added power behind the ball.

Normal bats are 8-10 ounces less in weight than their length in inches. So, for example, a bat that is 30 inches long will probably weight about 20 ounces. A bat that is too heavy will slow down the swing and make it very difficult for batters to maintain proper form during the stance and swing. Starting with improper form only leads to improper form in swinging, which reduces the chances for a well-hit ball that will result in a base hit.

A bat that is too light will cause batters to swing too fast, which also affects rhythm and keeps the batter from doing their job. A light bat also sometimes causes the shoulders to get ahead of the hips. In an effective swing, the hips should lead the rest of the body. If the shoulders get around too quickly, the swing will not have proper power, as much of the batter’s power comes from the action of the hips, which lead the lower body.

Aluminum vs. Wood

The composition of the bat is also worth noting and discussing. Depending on league or association rules, your batters may not have a choice in what type of bat they choose. However, for other teams, this will be a matter of serious consideration.

Aluminum bats are the newest technology in hitting and have changed the way many batters do business. They do not require the same kind of perfect mechanics that a wood bat requires because they are lighter and have a different location of balance, which can lead to poor technique if not taught properly.

The main difference between an aluminum bat and a wood one is the weight. Aluminum bats are much lighter than wood bats and can be a big help in letting batters swing faster and hit the ball farther.

Because the aluminum bat is lighter, players can make last minute adjustments to the swing better than they can with a wood bat. Once a wood bat gets going, it is hard to make adjustments, while an aluminum bat allows this freedom. An aluminum bat is also easier to get moving because of its reduced weight, so players can take more time deciding whether or not to swing, and if so, how to swing.

However, a wood bat has the potential to hit the ball farther because of its density and weight. A wood bat moving at the same speed as an aluminum bat will hit the ball harder because of its composition.

For some, aluminum bats are better because they are generally easier to swing. This does not mean they are lighter; while most are lighter, some heavier aluminum bats are easier to swing than their lighter wood counterparts simply because of how the weight is distributed within the bat. The closer the center of mass is to the handle, the easier the bat will be to swing. In general, the center of mass is much higher in aluminum bats than wood bats.

Wood bats also absorb more of the power of the ball, leaving less to be projected forward as the ball leaves the bat. Aluminum bats have what some call the “trampoline effect,” where the ball hits the bat and is thrown back out like a trampoline spring compressing and releasing.

Follow Regulations

With aluminum bats becoming more popular and allowing batters to hit faster, longer balls, many associations and leagues have developed rules regarding the use of aluminum bats. Make sure that you and your players are aware of all rules governing your team’s play so that you do not cause a problem by using the wrong bat.

For most high schools, the length-to-weight ratio determines a bat’s usability. The length-to-weight ratio is determined by taking the length, such as 32 inches, and subtracting the weight, such as 29 ounces. In this example, the length-to-weight ratio is a -3. Negative three is the common accepted ratio for high school play.

Anything with a -4 ratio or higher is simply too light for play in high school or equivalent teams. Batters with the ability to swing that fast and that hard pose a risk to other players. Be sure to know the proper ratio for your players based on their age, height, and weight, so that you can find the proper bat for them.

Try Out Bats

No player is going to know right away which bat is best for them. Comfort is more important than almost anything else when choosing a bat, and both players and coaches should recognize the necessity of trying out several bats before choosing a favorite.

Just as hockey players would not choose just any pair of skates, batters cannot pick up just any bat. It must feel right in weight, size, and during the swing. Players should do whatever they can to simulate a real swing so that they will know what bat they are most comfortable with.

Kenny Buford is a baseball coach with over 20 years of experience and a founding member of Baseball Inner Circle. Discover the ultimate source for baseball drills, videos, and coaching tips that will immediately improve your players’ skills and win more games for your team:

Baseball Inner Circle

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