There was a time in the past that all you needed to be a good athlete was to be in good physical shape. However, with the development of more sports-specific exercises, being in shape simply doesn't cut it anymore.
Today, you need to undergo a softball specific program if you want to get an edge over your opponents. Being fit for playing softball means you will be able to compete even at the highest levels of the game where things are a lot more demanding.
But what are the benefits of going through a softball-specific training? There are tons of them, all of which help to improve the way you perform on the field. Here are some of them to start with:
1.1. Pitch faster and throw harder. Obviously, this is something you cannot realistically achieve if you only use conventional training methods. A softball-centered approach will do more than just develop muscles in your body. Rather, it will focus on specific muscle groups that you use for pitching and throwing. This of course gets you exactly the results that you wanted.
2.2. React faster. A lot of decisions made on the softball field are made in less than a second. It applies to when you're deciding whether to hit the ball or not, or to steal a base or stay in your position. Sure, you can improve your reaction in a number of ways, but nothing beats training on the field. It enables you to embed the knowledge better, so you'll know what to do next time you play – without even thinking about it.
3.3. Recover faster between innings and games. Endurance is also important in softball. But it's not the type of endurance that basketball players or marathon runners need. When you're playing softball, you only need to sprint occasionally, but you also have to deal with the weather especially during summer. If you go through softball-specific training, your body will be a lot more tuned to staying in the game longer. But more than that, your recovery time will also be a lot quicker.
4.4. Be mentally tougher. Since softball is a non-contact sport, you go to war against your opponents using not just your skills but also your understanding of the psychology of your opponents. And you can only achieve this if you are a mentally tough player. This is something that gym trainers will never be able to teach you – only softball coaches and trainers can.
5.5. Stay healthy and avoid injuries. The physical demands of softball are a lot different from other sports. In softball, you don't need to run often, and you don't do a lot of jumping. But the wear and tear on your body happens in muscles that you use often for swinging or throwing the ball. Getting softball-specific training will give you the exact exercises that will help you strengthen and avoid injuries in these areas.
Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS, is a Softball Peak Performance Coach that helps softball players and teams hit with more power, run faster, throw harder, become mentally tougher and be more dominant on the softball field.
softballperformance
Monday, July 15, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
Understanding Softball Balls for Better Pitching and Batting Practice
Softball Balls for Better Pitching and Batting Practice
By Guest AuthorJacob Bennet
Purchasing softball balls may sound easy enough, yet the ones used for practice may differ in texture and size as opposed to official game day balls. Some are used for practice only while others are sized up for league competition. Other things to consider before placing an order include equipment compatibility as well as the many different age groups and skill levels involved.
While fastpitch bats are designed to handle higher velocities, the slow-pitch models are configured to suit lighter impact settings. With all the different softball balls and accessories on the market today, buying one of each may be out of the question. When it comes to softballs for sale, a few brand names stand out above the rest.
It's also important to figure out which ones will work best in any given pitching machine and be used for manual throwing exercises; many baseball pitching machines for sale have specific mechanisms designed to house most every type of baseball and softball imaginable. Pitching machine balls such as the Atec Tuffy and Supersoft SFTs are just two examples of softball balls specifically designed for the Power Streak machine.
Their raised seams allow breaking balls to dance across the plate while giving young hitters a great deal of confidence. The soft housing provides a reduced injury factor, as instructional league hitters get accustomed to the different types of ball movement. These are great training balls that can help to improve hand-to-eye coordination, and can be used for both indoor and outdoor practices. They can also be used in other pitching machine models as well, yet it's best to check the specs beforehand.
Many other softball balls can get the job done for intermediate training sequences. Taking it to the next level requires using simulated league play balls. A variety of authentic game-day softballs for sale include the Easton and Worth brands respectively, which are constructed for fastpitch bats.
The Easton FX1 Power Brigade is built with composite alloy barrel material that solidifies the sweet spot while being able to endure heaters up to 98 MPH. Approved by over a half-dozen organized leagues, it can be used to hit a number of softball balls made for league play.
The collection of Worth RIF Fastpitch brand softballs includes the 10, 11 and 12 inch balls with yellow covers and bright red stitching. The benefit of having two sharp contrasting colors enables younger hitters to see the ball better and make solid contact. Because these balls are both firm for getting some distance and spongy enough to reduce the sting; practicing with confidence can carry over into game-time situations. This is an important aspect of the developmental process concerning adolescent athletes, which is why the Worth brand softball balls are recommended for youngsters up to 12 years of age.
With literally dozens of different types of softballs for sale can increase both offensive and defensive skills, getting a chance to practice with as many different balls as possible is recommended. Becoming familiar with diversity is one of the key components of being able to adapt and adjust in a fluid manner.
Baseball and softball training aids are there primarily for the purpose of increasing athletic ability, yet this process extends beyond motor skills and coordination. Gaining a sense of camaraderie and heightened self-esteem is paramount to the chances for future success in the game of life itself. While softball balls may seem inconsequential to some, understanding the benefits and features of this piece of training equipment can better prepare your team to maximize their game day performance.
Jacob Bennet reviews of various team softball and baseball sports equipment including various types of batting cages, pitching machines and even likes to share his expertise on researching and purchasing softball balls. He is eager to help both players and coaches make good sound decisions when searching for specific baseball equipment including baseball and softball balls to help find the best ways to create and experience an effective practice for your team.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jacob_Bennet
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7605182
By Guest AuthorJacob Bennet
Purchasing softball balls may sound easy enough, yet the ones used for practice may differ in texture and size as opposed to official game day balls. Some are used for practice only while others are sized up for league competition. Other things to consider before placing an order include equipment compatibility as well as the many different age groups and skill levels involved.
While fastpitch bats are designed to handle higher velocities, the slow-pitch models are configured to suit lighter impact settings. With all the different softball balls and accessories on the market today, buying one of each may be out of the question. When it comes to softballs for sale, a few brand names stand out above the rest.
It's also important to figure out which ones will work best in any given pitching machine and be used for manual throwing exercises; many baseball pitching machines for sale have specific mechanisms designed to house most every type of baseball and softball imaginable. Pitching machine balls such as the Atec Tuffy and Supersoft SFTs are just two examples of softball balls specifically designed for the Power Streak machine.
Their raised seams allow breaking balls to dance across the plate while giving young hitters a great deal of confidence. The soft housing provides a reduced injury factor, as instructional league hitters get accustomed to the different types of ball movement. These are great training balls that can help to improve hand-to-eye coordination, and can be used for both indoor and outdoor practices. They can also be used in other pitching machine models as well, yet it's best to check the specs beforehand.
Many other softball balls can get the job done for intermediate training sequences. Taking it to the next level requires using simulated league play balls. A variety of authentic game-day softballs for sale include the Easton and Worth brands respectively, which are constructed for fastpitch bats.
The Easton FX1 Power Brigade is built with composite alloy barrel material that solidifies the sweet spot while being able to endure heaters up to 98 MPH. Approved by over a half-dozen organized leagues, it can be used to hit a number of softball balls made for league play.
The collection of Worth RIF Fastpitch brand softballs includes the 10, 11 and 12 inch balls with yellow covers and bright red stitching. The benefit of having two sharp contrasting colors enables younger hitters to see the ball better and make solid contact. Because these balls are both firm for getting some distance and spongy enough to reduce the sting; practicing with confidence can carry over into game-time situations. This is an important aspect of the developmental process concerning adolescent athletes, which is why the Worth brand softball balls are recommended for youngsters up to 12 years of age.
With literally dozens of different types of softballs for sale can increase both offensive and defensive skills, getting a chance to practice with as many different balls as possible is recommended. Becoming familiar with diversity is one of the key components of being able to adapt and adjust in a fluid manner.
Baseball and softball training aids are there primarily for the purpose of increasing athletic ability, yet this process extends beyond motor skills and coordination. Gaining a sense of camaraderie and heightened self-esteem is paramount to the chances for future success in the game of life itself. While softball balls may seem inconsequential to some, understanding the benefits and features of this piece of training equipment can better prepare your team to maximize their game day performance.
Jacob Bennet reviews of various team softball and baseball sports equipment including various types of batting cages, pitching machines and even likes to share his expertise on researching and purchasing softball balls. He is eager to help both players and coaches make good sound decisions when searching for specific baseball equipment including baseball and softball balls to help find the best ways to create and experience an effective practice for your team.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jacob_Bennet
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7605182
Monday, December 5, 2011
Different Ways to Utilize Softball Pitching Machines
Different Ways to Utilize Softball Pitching Machines
By guest author: Lincoln Hawk
As a softball coach or a player, it's important to practice with the best all-around equipment, and an example of this would be softball pitching machines. This piece of equipment is very versatile in that it can be used to help improve your skills in many different aspects of the game. Here are a few ways that softball pitching machines can be used to improve your overall performance:
Outfielding
One way to use softball pitching machines is to adjust the machine to throw pop-ups to your outfielders. You can practice catching pop-ups, as well as chasing down pop flies that are "hit" away from you. You also could lower softball pitching machines to simulate line drives to the outfield that need to be fielded and thrown back to the infield. It's as important to field the ball in the outfield as it is to catch pop flies.
Infielding
To work on taking ground balls in the infield, you can set softball pitching machines to fire line drive grounders. You can also adjust the speed of the machines to simulate weakly hit grounders that infielders will need to run in on.
Hitting
The most obvious use is for throwing pitches so you can work on improving your hitting. You can adjust the machine to practice hitting pitches with lots of arch to them, or to pitch softballs that are a little bit flatter. If you are a fastpitch player, you can increase the speed of the machine to help you improve your contact as a hitter.
Team Drills
You can utilize softball pitching machines to work on team fundamentals. One way is to set up situational drills, such as having a runner tagging up from third trying to score. Use the machine to throw pop-ups to the outfielders. Have the outfielders catch it and relay it in back to a middle infielder, who will in turn fire it back to the catcher to tag out the tagging runner.
You could also simulate a game by having the players who aren't starters in the field act as base runners. You can then adjust the pitching machine to "hit" the ball to different parts of the field as the base runners advance. You can make a game out of it by making the fielders have to run laps or do pushups if the base runners score so many runs. This will encourage the fielders to pay more attention to what they are doing on the field, which will hopefully translate onto the field during a real game.
For more information on where to find softball pitching machines, check out pitchingmachines.zoostores.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lincoln_Hawk
========================
Thanks to our sponsors:
SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!
By guest author: Lincoln Hawk
As a softball coach or a player, it's important to practice with the best all-around equipment, and an example of this would be softball pitching machines. This piece of equipment is very versatile in that it can be used to help improve your skills in many different aspects of the game. Here are a few ways that softball pitching machines can be used to improve your overall performance:
Outfielding
One way to use softball pitching machines is to adjust the machine to throw pop-ups to your outfielders. You can practice catching pop-ups, as well as chasing down pop flies that are "hit" away from you. You also could lower softball pitching machines to simulate line drives to the outfield that need to be fielded and thrown back to the infield. It's as important to field the ball in the outfield as it is to catch pop flies.
Infielding
To work on taking ground balls in the infield, you can set softball pitching machines to fire line drive grounders. You can also adjust the speed of the machines to simulate weakly hit grounders that infielders will need to run in on.
Hitting
The most obvious use is for throwing pitches so you can work on improving your hitting. You can adjust the machine to practice hitting pitches with lots of arch to them, or to pitch softballs that are a little bit flatter. If you are a fastpitch player, you can increase the speed of the machine to help you improve your contact as a hitter.
Team Drills
You can utilize softball pitching machines to work on team fundamentals. One way is to set up situational drills, such as having a runner tagging up from third trying to score. Use the machine to throw pop-ups to the outfielders. Have the outfielders catch it and relay it in back to a middle infielder, who will in turn fire it back to the catcher to tag out the tagging runner.
You could also simulate a game by having the players who aren't starters in the field act as base runners. You can then adjust the pitching machine to "hit" the ball to different parts of the field as the base runners advance. You can make a game out of it by making the fielders have to run laps or do pushups if the base runners score so many runs. This will encourage the fielders to pay more attention to what they are doing on the field, which will hopefully translate onto the field during a real game.
For more information on where to find softball pitching machines, check out pitchingmachines.zoostores.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lincoln_Hawk
========================
Thanks to our sponsors:
SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Baseball & Softball Coaches Equipment - Magnetic Lineup Board Review
Baseball & Softball Coaches Equipment - Magnetic Lineup Board Review
By guest author: Jim Moyer
If you don't have an easy to read line-up posted in the dugout you are hurting yourself, your players, and subsequently your team by allowing yourself and the team to be distracted from the game. Let's face it, it's information that you want to have ready access to, and you want your players to have ready access to as well. So why are you keeping this vital information on a scratch piece of paper or on a carbon copy that is barely legible?
The best magnetic lineup board is about 8.5" x 14" and consists of a position diagram of the softball field on the top, positions for a batting order on the bottom, and a hook so it can be easily hung in the dugout for everyone to see. You simply place magnets with the player's names in the position on the diagram that they will be playing. If you will be subbing in to a position you can go ahead and put the sub's magnetic above or below the starter's magnet. The same is true with the batting order. If you know you will be subbing in for a hitter just put the sub's magnet next to the starter's magnet.
The real beauty to a magnetic lineup board is before the game has started when you are putting together your game strategy. After making your initial batting order it's very easy to adjust for who's hot and who's not, or if you need a bunter in the second or third position, and if you change the batting order will that change who you want to play on defense and where you can make those changes. You can also see the effect your substitutions will have on positions and the batting order. What you used to have to envision in your mind you can now see on the board, both offensively and defensively and for the entirety of the game not just the start of the game. It let's you create your game strategy prior to the game. It's called HAVING A PLAN.
Hey Coach, Listen Up
The decisions you make in determining your lineup WILL AFFECT the outcome of the game. Once the game has started there's not much opportunity to correct a poor batting order. Sometimes it's easy to put together a line up. Other times, we've spent 10 or 15 minutes maneuvering players around on our magnetic lineup board to assess the strengths and weaknesses and determining what we needed for the upcoming game. I can't imagine going through this exercise with paper and pen.
Whether your fastpitch softball team, or baseball team, is a beginning team or a highly skilled tournament team, putting your players in the right positions, building the best batting order, and having a plan for your substitutions, will decide the outcome of many fastpitch softball games. A magnetic lineup board costs about $20.00. Twenty dollars is a cheap investment to KNOW that you have given your team their best opportunity to win. Hey, it's worth the twenty bucks just not to have to answer the question "who do I bat after" 500 times during the season.
There are two magnetic lineup boards on the market. The Easton brand and the Coacher brand. They both cost about $20.00, HOWEVER, the Coacher board is the clear winner. The Easton board does not have a field diagram which prevents you from visualizing the starting defense and, just as important, the defense after substitutions have been made. The Coacher board does have the field diagram.
In conclusion, I would grade the Easton board a C because it is better than using a piece of paper. The Coacher board gets an A+ as it is the complete package and the superior product. For the same investment, you have the choice of the Mercedes or the Pinto.
Having coached over 500 youth fastpitch softball games, Coach Jim decided to put his insight online to allow parent/coaches to draw on his unique experience. At http://www.mysoftballcoach.com/coaching-fastpitch-softball-successfully.html he has compiled a comprehensive list of softball game strategies, softball drills, softball tips, and techniques that are sure to help any coach become successful.
Visit http://www.mysoftballcoach.com/softball-equipment.html for numerous reviews on softball equipment, softball bats, pitching machines and other essential coaching tools, to make your team a Winning team. Before you make any softball equipment purchases be sure to read Jim's review to make sure you don't buy the wrong equipment.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Moyer
=======================
Thanks to our sponsors:
SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!
By guest author: Jim Moyer
If you don't have an easy to read line-up posted in the dugout you are hurting yourself, your players, and subsequently your team by allowing yourself and the team to be distracted from the game. Let's face it, it's information that you want to have ready access to, and you want your players to have ready access to as well. So why are you keeping this vital information on a scratch piece of paper or on a carbon copy that is barely legible?
The best magnetic lineup board is about 8.5" x 14" and consists of a position diagram of the softball field on the top, positions for a batting order on the bottom, and a hook so it can be easily hung in the dugout for everyone to see. You simply place magnets with the player's names in the position on the diagram that they will be playing. If you will be subbing in to a position you can go ahead and put the sub's magnetic above or below the starter's magnet. The same is true with the batting order. If you know you will be subbing in for a hitter just put the sub's magnet next to the starter's magnet.
The real beauty to a magnetic lineup board is before the game has started when you are putting together your game strategy. After making your initial batting order it's very easy to adjust for who's hot and who's not, or if you need a bunter in the second or third position, and if you change the batting order will that change who you want to play on defense and where you can make those changes. You can also see the effect your substitutions will have on positions and the batting order. What you used to have to envision in your mind you can now see on the board, both offensively and defensively and for the entirety of the game not just the start of the game. It let's you create your game strategy prior to the game. It's called HAVING A PLAN.
Hey Coach, Listen Up
The decisions you make in determining your lineup WILL AFFECT the outcome of the game. Once the game has started there's not much opportunity to correct a poor batting order. Sometimes it's easy to put together a line up. Other times, we've spent 10 or 15 minutes maneuvering players around on our magnetic lineup board to assess the strengths and weaknesses and determining what we needed for the upcoming game. I can't imagine going through this exercise with paper and pen.
Whether your fastpitch softball team, or baseball team, is a beginning team or a highly skilled tournament team, putting your players in the right positions, building the best batting order, and having a plan for your substitutions, will decide the outcome of many fastpitch softball games. A magnetic lineup board costs about $20.00. Twenty dollars is a cheap investment to KNOW that you have given your team their best opportunity to win. Hey, it's worth the twenty bucks just not to have to answer the question "who do I bat after" 500 times during the season.
There are two magnetic lineup boards on the market. The Easton brand and the Coacher brand. They both cost about $20.00, HOWEVER, the Coacher board is the clear winner. The Easton board does not have a field diagram which prevents you from visualizing the starting defense and, just as important, the defense after substitutions have been made. The Coacher board does have the field diagram.
In conclusion, I would grade the Easton board a C because it is better than using a piece of paper. The Coacher board gets an A+ as it is the complete package and the superior product. For the same investment, you have the choice of the Mercedes or the Pinto.
Having coached over 500 youth fastpitch softball games, Coach Jim decided to put his insight online to allow parent/coaches to draw on his unique experience. At http://www.mysoftballcoach.com/coaching-fastpitch-softball-successfully.html he has compiled a comprehensive list of softball game strategies, softball drills, softball tips, and techniques that are sure to help any coach become successful.
Visit http://www.mysoftballcoach.com/softball-equipment.html for numerous reviews on softball equipment, softball bats, pitching machines and other essential coaching tools, to make your team a Winning team. Before you make any softball equipment purchases be sure to read Jim's review to make sure you don't buy the wrong equipment.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Moyer
=======================
Thanks to our sponsors:
SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Episode 52 - Infielder Faceguards Review - The Fastpitch Softball TV Show
Episode 52 - Infielder Faceguards Review - The Fastpitch Softball TV Show
Uploaded by FastpitchTV http://Fastpitch.TV - On this episode the Batbusters softball team helps us review fastpitch faceguards for infielders. See which one they choose as their favorite. They choose from the D Mask, The Rip it, The Gamerface, and The Bangers.
All the facemasks in this video can be found at http://www.FastpitchFaceguards.com
Visit the Fastpitch TV Show's website at http://Fastpitch.TV
You can find our softball iPhone App at http://FastpitchApps.com
Don't forget to visit our other softball websites
The Fastpitch Radio Show - http://Fastpitch.FM
The Fastpitch News Blog - http://Fastpitch.US
Free fastpitch video drills http://FastpitchDrills.com
A search engine for softball - http://FastpitchSearch
This content is provided with a Creative Commons Share-Alike License. Feel free to use this content, in whole or in part, in any manner you like so long as you give credit to Gary leland, Fastpitch.TV and link to http://fastpitch.tv
For softball training videos, training aids, softball equipment, or softball bats visit http://softballjunk.com/.
Gary leland is a new media producer of fastpitch softball. information. For advertising information send him an email to FastpitchTV@Gmail.com, or visit his personal website site at http://garyleland.com for more information on Gary
Add The Fastpitch Softball TV Show to your social network of choice at http://fastpitch.tv.
Our Facebook page is http://Facebook.com/FastpitchTV
Our Twitter page is http://Twitter.com/FastpitchTV
Feel free to email questions for future shows to FastpitchTV@gmail.com. You may also leave questions, or comments on our call in line 209-softbal.
=======================
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Check out these coaching articles at the Softball Coaching Digest:
SoftballCoachingDigest.com
• Articles from the Youth Softball Coaching Clinic Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Pitchers Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Hitters Blog
• Articles from the Tips for Fastpitch Softball Coaches Blog
• The Fastpitch Softball Training Equipment Blog
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Softball Training Equipment - Tips to Improve Game Performance
Softball Training Equipment - Tips to Improve Game Performance
By guest author: Olivia Stanford
If you're a serious softball enthusiast, or even if you're just helping your son or daughter develop some strength and accuracy for little league, then you're probably on the lookout for softball training equipment.
There are actually many items available to help you improve your performance as a softball player. This article will discuss some of the softball training equipment that's out there in order to help you decide what may be of benefit to you or your kids.
Softball Training Equipment Starts With the Basics - Balls and Bats
Every softball game needs a ball. And since every softball player will handle the ball at some point, there are weighted softballs that can help to increase strength as well as improve accuracy.
Imagine training with a ball that is 9, 10, 12 ounces or more. The heavier ball allows players to develop a strong arm and increase pitch speed. As the player gets accustomed to the heavier ball, he also learns to throw with greater accuracy. A set of 4 weighted training softballs will have an approximate price of $25.
Whether you're an outfielder or a pitcher, weighted training softballs can help you throw better, faster, and get the ball to your intended target - not overthrown or underthrown. When you get into the game and throw the regulation 6.5 ounce softball, it will feel like you're throwing a ball made of styrofoam!
The next piece of softball training equipment that you'll want to consider is the training bat.
Some training bats come with adjustable weights that hang on the end of the bat. They look like a bat that has a ring stuck on the end.
These weights allow the player to increase swing strength and encourages "muscle memory," which is where the muscles involved in the swing become used to the initial short swing to hit the ball, and then the long follow-through after the hit.
This type of training bat can also be used to warm up, helping the muscles to loosen up before the player's at-bat. Training bats typically run from $35 to about $70.
Batting Tees and Pitching Machines
Of course, most of us are familiar with the batting tee and pitching machines.
Batting tees basically hold the ball off the ground so that the player can practice hits and home runs. They typically run $25 to $200 or more, depending upon their level of sophistication.
Pitching machines are the next piece of softball training equipment we'll discuss. These have come a long way since the expensive machines of a few years ago. Today, you can get a nice pitching machine that will throw 30 mph balls at regular intervals for as little as $40!
Reaction Balls and Soft Mitts
A newer piece of softball training equipment is the reaction ball. This is a ball with "bumps" on it. It can be used for fielding practice or just tossed between two players. When the reaction ball hits the ground, it will bounce in unpredictable manners, allowing players to improve reaction time and hand-and-eye coordination.
Soft mitts are flat, foam mitts that train the player to improve the relationship between his two hands. The mitt encourages "quick hands," or the transition from catching the ball to throwing. It fits on the hand with three small elastic loops, and works well for honing fielding skills.
These run $15 to $20 and can fit on either hand.
Softball Training Equipment for Strength and Conditioning
There are additional softball training aids that can increase strength and condition of specific areas of your body.
For example, there is the wrist roller, which uses different weighted plates to develop strength in forearms. Reviewers have indicated that you can really feel the burn in your forearms!
Another aid is the power chute, which is a small parachute attached to your waist to increase wind resistance as he jogs. This allows the player to build up stronger thigh muscles as he runs trailing the power chute behind. This piece of softball training equipment can also increase stamina and acceleration.
Many baseball players are using titanium necklaces and bracelets, stating that titanium increases blood circulation and helps to relieve stiff muscles. Titanium is also available in a "power sleeve," which is said to concentrate the titanium in your arms to increase power and reduce any muscle fatigue.
One final piece of softball training equipment that has received good reviews is a drill mat. The mat absorbs the impact of jumping jacks and other up-and-down type motions to reduce impact on joints. While this has been encouraged as a softball training aid, it can also be used by athletes of all disciplines.
Softball training equipment can significantly improve game performance for the little league player as well as the serious athlete.
Olivia loves family and home, and enjoys sharing her experiences with others. She has been writing for more than 25 years about topics that she finds interesting. To see more of her material, please go to Softball Sales and Softball Training Equipment.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Olivia_Stanford
=========================
Thanks to our sponsors:
Check out these coaching articles at the Softball Coaching Digest:
SoftballCoachingDigest.com
• Articles from the Youth Softball Coaching Clinic Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Pitchers Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Hitters Blog
• Articles from the Tips for Fastpitch Softball Coaches Blog
• The Fastpitch Softball Training Equipment Blog
By guest author: Olivia Stanford
If you're a serious softball enthusiast, or even if you're just helping your son or daughter develop some strength and accuracy for little league, then you're probably on the lookout for softball training equipment.
There are actually many items available to help you improve your performance as a softball player. This article will discuss some of the softball training equipment that's out there in order to help you decide what may be of benefit to you or your kids.
Softball Training Equipment Starts With the Basics - Balls and Bats
Every softball game needs a ball. And since every softball player will handle the ball at some point, there are weighted softballs that can help to increase strength as well as improve accuracy.
Imagine training with a ball that is 9, 10, 12 ounces or more. The heavier ball allows players to develop a strong arm and increase pitch speed. As the player gets accustomed to the heavier ball, he also learns to throw with greater accuracy. A set of 4 weighted training softballs will have an approximate price of $25.
Whether you're an outfielder or a pitcher, weighted training softballs can help you throw better, faster, and get the ball to your intended target - not overthrown or underthrown. When you get into the game and throw the regulation 6.5 ounce softball, it will feel like you're throwing a ball made of styrofoam!
The next piece of softball training equipment that you'll want to consider is the training bat.
Some training bats come with adjustable weights that hang on the end of the bat. They look like a bat that has a ring stuck on the end.
These weights allow the player to increase swing strength and encourages "muscle memory," which is where the muscles involved in the swing become used to the initial short swing to hit the ball, and then the long follow-through after the hit.
This type of training bat can also be used to warm up, helping the muscles to loosen up before the player's at-bat. Training bats typically run from $35 to about $70.
Batting Tees and Pitching Machines
Of course, most of us are familiar with the batting tee and pitching machines.
Batting tees basically hold the ball off the ground so that the player can practice hits and home runs. They typically run $25 to $200 or more, depending upon their level of sophistication.
Pitching machines are the next piece of softball training equipment we'll discuss. These have come a long way since the expensive machines of a few years ago. Today, you can get a nice pitching machine that will throw 30 mph balls at regular intervals for as little as $40!
Reaction Balls and Soft Mitts
A newer piece of softball training equipment is the reaction ball. This is a ball with "bumps" on it. It can be used for fielding practice or just tossed between two players. When the reaction ball hits the ground, it will bounce in unpredictable manners, allowing players to improve reaction time and hand-and-eye coordination.
Soft mitts are flat, foam mitts that train the player to improve the relationship between his two hands. The mitt encourages "quick hands," or the transition from catching the ball to throwing. It fits on the hand with three small elastic loops, and works well for honing fielding skills.
These run $15 to $20 and can fit on either hand.
Softball Training Equipment for Strength and Conditioning
There are additional softball training aids that can increase strength and condition of specific areas of your body.
For example, there is the wrist roller, which uses different weighted plates to develop strength in forearms. Reviewers have indicated that you can really feel the burn in your forearms!
Another aid is the power chute, which is a small parachute attached to your waist to increase wind resistance as he jogs. This allows the player to build up stronger thigh muscles as he runs trailing the power chute behind. This piece of softball training equipment can also increase stamina and acceleration.
Many baseball players are using titanium necklaces and bracelets, stating that titanium increases blood circulation and helps to relieve stiff muscles. Titanium is also available in a "power sleeve," which is said to concentrate the titanium in your arms to increase power and reduce any muscle fatigue.
One final piece of softball training equipment that has received good reviews is a drill mat. The mat absorbs the impact of jumping jacks and other up-and-down type motions to reduce impact on joints. While this has been encouraged as a softball training aid, it can also be used by athletes of all disciplines.
Softball training equipment can significantly improve game performance for the little league player as well as the serious athlete.
Olivia loves family and home, and enjoys sharing her experiences with others. She has been writing for more than 25 years about topics that she finds interesting. To see more of her material, please go to Softball Sales and Softball Training Equipment.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Olivia_Stanford
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Tuesday, September 20, 2011
SKLZ Power Alley 360 Tee Introduction
SKLZ Power Alley 360 Tee Introduction
Uploaded by SKLZvidz http://sklz.com/
The SKLZ Power Alley 360 Tee is a multi-position baseball tee that adjusts a full 360 degrees. Players can work on hitting pitches anywhere over the plate including inside, outside, high and low pitches. Be prepared for your pitch with the Power Alley 360 Tee.
Get your own at http://sklz.com/
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