If you are considering new equipment for the upcoming season - buy it, break it in and get used to it now! Nothing worse than buying a new bat or glove 2 weeks before school tryouts... you won't be comfortable and it won't be broken in.

Shop the internet hard, you can find lot's of great deals, especially after the holiday's. 

• BATS

Anderson Rockettech - this bat is proven, look in the dugout of any tournament team and you'll see tons of Rockettech's. We have a number of players who use the Rockettech and they consistently hit the ball harder and farther than those that use other bat's.

Anderson Techzilla - Mid $275 pricing is in-line with most high quality bats. Lighter than the Rockettech for improved bat speed. If you are going to purchase a new bat you really should consider the Techzilla.

If you don't need the current model you can find GREAT deals on older stock. The 2007-2008 model Rockettechs are available for under $200.00 new in the wrapper and they are the same bat as the 2009's -- just a different color.

Bat links:

Bat Reviews By Manufacturer

How to select the correct size  

• GLOVES

Nokona -  these gloves are awesome! Nokona provides numerous styling and high quality hide options. These gloves are on the upper end of the pricing structure for serious ball players. Nokona gloves are exceptional, no question about it!

Akadema -  mid range pricing and high quality make Akadema a "no brainer". You can't go wrong with this line of glove. Worn by US Olympian's Monica Abbott and Crystal Bustos.

Guerrero  - excellent handmade gloves from Mexico. Not as many options as some maufacturers, their website lists only 13" gloves. They have other sizes, look around or call them. Very nice soft leather products.

Glove Links:

Glove Reviews By Manufacturer:  

• CLEATS

Tanel - STILL the hottest cleat on the market. Tanel 360 REV-D's are a unique combination of cleat and training shoes. They incorporate the desriable, lighter features of a trainer shoe with the specific durability features of a cleat. They have a specific pitcher's model to include increased toe design for longer wear. Definetly an awesome and Innovative product. We have a pitcher who threw a ton of innings wearing Tanels this year and you could never tell it by looking at her cleats, they show ZERO wear!

Ringor - the original Ringors are very durable, but they are very heavy which leads to slower footwork and speed - two key components to every aspect of the game. You need to be light on your feet. Ringor has finally recognized the issue and NEW for 2010 is the Ringor Diamond Gems (DG's) which have similiar construction to the Tanel's - a combined lightweight trainer shoe and cleat. The end result is a cleat that is lightweight and STILL durable. The Diamond Gems are a very good choice for those searching for a high performance cleat.  

• BAGS

Boombah - we purchased team bags for our players for 2010, we selcted Boombah for the quality. We were suprised at the very reasonable pricing to include their customization work, very affordable bags. The BEAST BAGS are HUMONGOUS, have wheels and will definetly hold all of your gear, including catchers who need a bag big enough to carry all of their "stuff".. The beasts cost our players $100 which included a ton custom embroidery work. The BAT PACKS are also wonderful for the position player who doesn't have the need for a wheeled machine. Be patient with their customer service, it took us days to get someone to take our purchase order and they don;t have an 800# - come on Boombah! But even so, for the quality and the pricing we would still reccomend Boombah bags.

• BATTING TEES

Instructo Swing - we got so sick and tired of purchasing those junkkkk tee's (made oversea's) that continually broke and fell over everytime you "grazed" the ball holder - really I was going crazy with our tee work. But then we purchased the Instruct Swing (IS). The IS tee is portable, true not as portabe as the 12" base tees that fall over all the time, but we transport it all the time to our practices. It is well built with a heavy guage metal frame. It NEVER falls over..... The tee holders are really durable, we haven't replaced one yet! But the IS tee has much more value than just the durability and " non tipping" aspects. IS tee's teach proper bat swing planes by allowing COMPLETE rotation and placement of the ball - yuo can set it up for any location with EASE!. Believe me, if you hit the bars you will correct your swing path and gain correct bat plane through repetition. This tee is more expensive than other tee's, but it is the last tee you will need to purchase and the benefits to cost are tremendous. We really believe in this product to the extent that you can now purchase them through our team at a discounted rate, just e-mail Coach Thomas at thegundog@live.com for more information. 

• J-BANDS

Jaeger Sports - Fast pitch friends, if your daughter(s) are not routinely working  and utilizing JBands before they ever pickup a ball to warmup you should be arrested for parental neglect!...... Seriously, the health of your darling daughters arm is PARAMOUNT. There are way to many nagging and serious injuries which could be prevented by the proper and consitent use of Jbands which increases strength and in turn reduce the risk of injury.. Makes you stronger and healtheir - no brainer. Our 2010 winter program will reinforce the needs and drills and NO ONE on our 2010 team will reach in the ball bucket until they have completed their Jband warmup's. You need the type that clasp around the wrist, not the stirrup handled types - those are for yoga people...... Point blank purchase the Jaeger bands and buy the DVD, it contains way more than just the Jband drills - it's well worth the money.

• OTHER STUFF