Has your daughter just come home excited that she is going to be the catcher on her softball team? While you are probably celebrating that she has been chosen for such an important position, you might also be wondering how to outfit your softball catcher. What is needed?
Catcher's Mitt and Glove The catcher's mitt is not the same as other softball mitts or a baseball catcher's mitt. Fastpitch catcher's mitts are larger and have a deeper pocket to handle the size of the softball. In addition, they have thinner padding on the edges for easier catching and transferring for a throw. While durable, they take time to break in. For protection, your daughter will want to wear a softball glove inside her mitt to help absorb the shock and prevent bone bruises. Try on the glove and mitt together to be sure they are comfortable. Catchers Helmet and Mask One of the most important protective pieces of equipment is the catcher's helmet and mask. Helmet vents will keep your daughter cool while the foam padding and hard shell will protect her from the ball. Most are made in a streamlined profile to fit snugly but move with the player. Choose a helmet that feels secure as she moves but feels comfortable. Chest Protector Female catcher chest protectors are made to:
Leg Guards Leg guards will protect your daughter from the knee to her foot. When you measure for leg guards, you want to measure from the middle of the knee to the top of the foot. Knee Savers and Thumb Guard Whether your daughter wants knee savers or a thumb guard is optional. Knee savers are a block which works with the leg guard to reduce stress on knee joints. Thumb guards protect against injury in growing players or help a player who is recovering from a thumb injury. Catcher’s Bag Because your daughter is going to have to carry a lot of equipment including not only her softball cleats and body protective equipment but also her shoes and bat to and from practices and games, you probably want to get her a catcher's bag to carry it more easily. You will want a bag that is big enough for all of her gear to fit in easily so nothing gets damaged. Final Tips for Outfitting Your Catcher Make sure to try on catcher’s gear before buying! In truth, if your daughter is playing catcher, she will need more equipment than girls playing other positions. However, if she is just starting out, you don't need to spend an arm and a leg on softball catchers gear. Just make sure she has what she needs to be safe and comfortable so she can play her best. Feel like you need help? At Longstreth Sporting Goods, someone is always available to answer questions and help you make buying decisions for your softball catcher. #Softballcatchersgear, #catchersgear, #Softballgear
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When you step up to the batter's box, you want to have a bat that will help you deliver power and speed. It doesn't hurt to have a maximum pop too! For a long time, when they were looking for fastpitch bats, elite players chose aluminum. However, technology has changed and now composite softball bats are the top choice.
Why are Composite Softball Bats the Best? Composite bats are made from reinforced carbon fiber polymer which is not only more durable than wood or aluminum but also has:
Advantages and Disadvantages of Composite Softball Bats In fact, there are actually very few disadvantages with this type of bat. The biggest concern is that the polymers can crack if used at very low temperatures. Player safety was a concern, so rules have been established by the NCAA to make sure composite bats meet certain requirements so that after the break-in period the bat's trampoline effect remains within established safety bounds. Top Composite Bats for Softball Which composite bats are the best? Elite players want a bat that helps them perform their best when the pressure is on. Yet younger players need the confidence booster of having a great bat too. While every top player has her favorite bat, she is probably choosing between a Demarini and a Louisville Slugger. Here are two popular choices:
How to Choose a Composite Softball Bat Since a batter has only about half a second to make a decision about hitting a pitched ball, young women need the best tool in their hands that they can get. Here is how to choose a softball bat:
Young women playing sports need equipment that is developed especially to enhance their abilities. That's why Longstreth specializes in providing a wide variety of the best softball equipment for young female players. Getting a composite bat of the appropriate size, weight, and drop can help a young woman be ready for every pitch in her next game. #softball bats, #composite bats, #demarini bats, #softball Female athletes deserve equipment designed especially for them. Longstreth Sporting Goods specializes in field hockey, softball and lacrosse equipment designed for the female athlete so that the players are properly fitted with what they need to do their best, starting from their very first stick all the way to the latest technologies.
While field hockey is unfamiliar sport to some, in fact, it is one of the world's oldest team sports. Played like ice hockey except outside on turf, or inside on a hard surface, field hockey has two teams of eleven players each (ten fielders and one goalie). The players use the flat side of the field hockey stick to move a ball (rather than a puck) down the field and score points by getting it into the goal. Field Hockey Equipment Here is a run down of the basic equipment your player needs to kick start their field hockey fun! Field Hockey Sticks Required for each player is a hockey stick. These range in price from a basic stick, that can be as inexpensive as $25, to a high-tech model which can cost over $400. Advanced players use high-tech sticks in order to maximize their control, speed, and ball-handling abilities. However, basic sticks are good for beginners as they:
Field Hockey Balls Of course, you also need to have a field hockey ball in order to play the game. Most teams have balls for practice and play, but you might want some for practicing on your own so that you can improve your ball handling skills. They are not expensive, typically costing between $5-10 dollars. Truthfully, there is not as much difference between the balls as there is between the sticks. Here are the basics:
Other Equipment What else do you need? Most of the additional field hockey equipment is designed for protection. You will want to get:
Getting the Best for Female Hockey Players Excited about this up-and-coming sport? Whether you are choosing your first field hockey stick, ready to upgrade to one which includes all of the latest technologies or need to outfit yourself with the other equipment for the game, Longstreth aims to be your one-stop-shop for all field hockey gear. #FieldHockeyEquipment, #FieldHockeyGear, FHGear Congratulations! Your daughter is going to play an intense and exciting game which will challenge her to develop physical stamina, hand-eye coordination and the ability to work with her team. Here is what she is going to need to play well and keep safe: Lacrosse Stick Of course, the most important and personal piece of equipment for each player is her stick which has two parts: the handle, and the head. Both pieces come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes that give young women different advantages depending on the position they play and how they like to handle the ball. However, without knowing all the ins-and-outs of the game, how is a beginning player supposed to choose? Here are some guidelines:
ASTM Approved Lacrosse Goggles Safety is first and wearing goggles that meet the current ASTM International standards is a must to protect your daughter's eyes. Lacrosse goggles:
Mouth Guard Available in a variety of fun colors, shapes, and flavors, lacrosse mouth guards protect teeth but are lightweight and comfortable. In addition:
Lacrosse Cleats The right lacrosse footwear will help players have good traction on grass, mud, or turf. The cleats are usually designed with 4 studs on the heel and 6-8 on the front. Choose cleats that are:
Optional Lacrosse Equipment For protection or cold weather comfort, some players like to wear gloves. In addition, players often want to have their own balls for individual practice. One inexpensive but important piece of lacrosse gearfor beginners is the Cradlebaby, a lacrosse training ball attached to an lanyard-type band which allows players to practice stick work, cradling, and improve wrist strength. Worthwhile Investment Yes, buying your daughter lacrosse equipment will be an investment, but the total cost will probably be less than private lessons in many sports. Better yet, you will get the enjoyment of watching her grow in confidence, agility, and pride in her sport and her team. #lax, #lacrosse, #lacrosse gear, #lacrosse equipment There is always room for more hustle in female lacrosse. Having the right equipment can make that extra effort more profitable. Here is a short course in Lacrosse Equipment 101:
Stick Which is the best lacrosse stick? In truth, there is not just one good choice. Choice also depends on:
Handles When choosing a handle, the most important thing to consider is how well that handle feels to the player. Here are some questions to ask:
Heads The kind of Lacrosse Stick Heads players choose is often based on position:
Goggles Because women's lacrosse rules are designed for increased safety, female players are not required to have a lot of protective gear. However, eye protection is crucial. In choosing goggles, look for:
Gloves Young female lacrosse players do not have to wear gloves but may want to have a pair. Gloves are typically worn when a player:
#lacrosseequipment101, #lacrossegear, #lacrosseequipment, #lacrossesticks When a player gives their best effort in playing fastpitch softball, they deserve having excellent equipment to help them get an edge on the competition. A well-chosen well-chosen softball bat can give a player the confidence she needs to perform at her peak. DeMarini makes carefully balanced composite softball bats that are a fine choice for many players. Here is what you need to know about the best DeMarini fastpitch softball bats for 2017:
The CF9 Series is DeMarini's Best With a DeMarini fastpitch softball bat, female softball players can reach their full hitting potential and power hitters can achieve peak performance. Undoubtedly, the CF9 series are DeMarini's best bats. All of the CF9 models have a Paraflex Composite barrel which offers:
Furthermore, the CF9 series have a D-Fusion 2.0 handle which directs the energy from the ball and swing back to the barrel while reducing vibrations. Why choose a composite bat? Even though composite softball bats can be more expensive than aluminum, they are one of the most popular bat choices for young female softball players because:
Best Models for 2017
Best DeMarini Models for Younger Players
How to Choose a Fastpitch Softball Bat? Choosing the best fastpitch softball bat for a particular player means considering her height, weight and swing.The best choice? The heaviest bat that feels good in her hands and that she can swing fast. Longstreth softball gear store not only offers a full selection of the best Demarini bats for young softball players but also the help of experienced sports equipment specialists who can help her choose the best bat to fit her playing needs. #softballbats, #Demarini, #SoftballBats2017, #Demarini2017 Women's lacrosse is an exciting game both to watch and to play. Because ball possession is integral to winning, both individual skill and team effort are important. Here is a basic introduction to the game:
Rules and Fouls Like most ball games, the team with the most goals wins. Here are the basic rules:
Originally, women's lacrosse field size was unlimited. However, in 2006, women's lacrosse adopted regulation fields which are somewhat similar to to a regulation soccer field. There is a restraining line (30 yards infield from each goal line) which limits each team to 7 field players to engage in settled play. Defense is allowed 7 field players and a goalie between the restraining line and their defensive endline. Positions A women's lacrosse team has 11 field players and one goalie. A team must have five players behind the restraining line when the ball is in their offensive end (this includes the goalie), and must have four players behind the restraining line when the ball is in their defensive end. On the draw, only three players are able to be on the circle, between the two restraining lines. This includes 1 person from each team taking the draw and two people from each team on the outside of the circle. Field players are usually divided into:
Equipment In addition to needing the right pair of lacrosse cleats for fast action on the field, players need sticks, goggles, mouthguards, and balls. Sticks The most important aspect in choosing a lacrosse stick is finding one that meets the player's skill level, experience, comfort level and age.
Heads The type of lacrosse stick head chosen sometimes depends on the position played. Defenders often prefer a stick head that is flatter and stiffer to deliver powerful checks, while midfielders often prefer a head that offers more flexibility for quick releases. Goggles Goggles protect the player's eyes, so fit and vision are the most important factor in choosing them. Upgraded titanium cage can make the goggles more lightweight but just as protective and strong. Gloves Generally, gloves are optional for women's lacrosse players, but they might be worn for warmth in cold weather, or for increased grip and or protection for the hands. Balls Official lacrosse game balls must follow specific NCAA regulations for color, weight, and bounce, so it is important to choose certified balls. Soft bean bag practice balls are useful for indoor practice. Equipping Women's Lacrosse Players Young women lacrosse players require equipment specially developed for their skillset situations. Longstreth Sporting Goods specializes in equipment that is designed specifically for the needs of women lacrosse players of all levels. #Women’sLacrosse, #LacrosseEquipement, #LAX, #Sports, #Women’sSports Softball, like many other sports, is a game where inches count. Whether it is a runner beating a tag, or a pitcher painting the corner, those inches can make the difference. That is why choosing the right pair of shoes is so important to help young players do their best. Here is how to decide whether you need turf shoes, metal cleats or molded cleats:
Turf Shoes If you are going to do indoor practice, you will need to have turf shoes. In fact, most indoor facilities prohibit cleats because they tear up the practice surface. Turf shoes:
Metal Cleats Cleats are generally the choice for outdoor practice and play. By being able to dig into soft dirt infields and grass, metal cleats can give you the best traction and grip you need to either take off or slow down. In addition, they are terrific for helping a batter to dig a toe hold so they can hit without slipping. Professional and collegiate players generally use metal softball cleats because they provide:
Molded Cleats Molded cleats are a good all-around shoe for the entire season because they are stable, strong, and suitable for many surfaces. The primary advantage of molded cleats are:
The Bottom Line Choosing between turf shoes, metal cleats or molded cleats depends on the playing surface you are using, the level of your experience and the rules of your league club. Rather than a one-size-fits-all strategy, Longstreth provides many different options in softball footwear to fit your particular athletic needs. Whether you need turf shoes for indoor practice, metal cleats for superior traction, versatile molded cleats, or other softball equipment like catcher's gear, Longstreth Sporting Goods offers softball equipment and apparel specifically designed for female athletes to give them the best fit and performance. #SoftballFootwear, #SoftballShoes, #SoftballCleats, #SoftballTurfShoes While there are many similarities between the games of baseball and softball, there are a few major differences between the two. If your child plays softball or you are coaching a team, these fun facts can give you some insight into the differences between the two games.
The Field Both sports are played on a field that includes a diamond-shaped dirt infield and a grass-covered outfield, but the dimensions of a softball field are much smaller. With an infield less than half the size of a baseball infield, softball is a more quickly moving game in which players really have to hustle. Pitching Baseball pitchers throw from a raised mound, but in softball, the pitcher delivers balls on level ground with the batter 40 feet from pitcher, a distance much closer to the batter than in baseball. Softball pitches can reach speeds up to 70 miles per hour, with the ball reaching the batter in just .35 seconds. Batting Because of the short distance between pitcher and batter, when hitting a fastball softball batters may have only 25 milliseconds to decide when to swing, 55 percent less time than in major league baseball. In a line drive the ball may reach 100 miles per hour, making catching the ball even more challenging for infielders. If the batter hits a grounder, an infielder might have just 3.2 seconds to get the ball to first base, a full second less than a major leaguer can reach first base. When a batter delivers a slap hit infielders have even less time to react, as the batter is already moving before the ball is in play, fighting the player’s resting inertia. Slap hits can reach up to 19 miles per hour and batters can reach first base in a matter of 2.66 seconds. If a third baseman takes any more than 1.5 seconds to field the ball down the third baseline it becomes virtually impossible to throw the runner out at first base. Running Unlike baseball, in softball players are not allowed to lead off, but a fast softball runner can sometimes get from first to second base in a matter of three seconds. A softball catcher may have just 1.5 seconds to nail a runner, about one-tenth of a second less than in baseball. Softball Equipment
Whether you are playing or coaching, proper equipment and following the rules and specifications for each game is just one of the keys to a successful, happy team. Get out there, batter up and don’t forget to have fun! #SoftballvsBaseball Fastpitch Softball is a thrilling game, and the competition is always tough. Here are a few tips on how to improve your softball pitching and to master the components of pitching for a great performance. Practice Regular practice helps improve pitching performance. It's believed that to be a great pitcher you should try to throw 100 pitches for 100 days. Practice is perfection and the more reps you try, the better chances of improving your pitching performance. During practice try different positions and techniques to discover your strengths and ability. Coach Zack Farrell believes that practice helps a pitcher to maximize their potential on the mound. Practice will allow you to have command of pitch location. This is a toll that will help you measure the desired location. The skill to execute a pitch to the desired location is the key element of effective pitching. The feedback during practice allows the pitcher to measure how poorly or well they are doing. The ability to control is the extreme mastery of the art of pitching. Just establish target, measure, throw and adjust. Long toss, Walkthroughs and weighted Softballs to maximize velocity Long toss is a technique that helps you develop proper throwing mechanism. It maximizes your ball velocity and throwing distance while minimizing the risk of throwing injuries. Long toss should be practiced few times a week for 20-30 minutes. Walkthrough exercises will help you improve your speed, flexibility and strength as well. Practicing with weighted softballs is another way of improving your throwing velocity while strengthening your arm muscles. Weighted softballs can be up to 20% heavier than the normal softballs. Practice with weighted softballs just for a few minutes every day as longer practice sessions might result in arm injury Change speeds The ability to throw the ball at different speeds improves your performance. When you are capable of speed variation, you can throw the ball at any of the four corners. Also to be a great softball pitcher you need to work on your flexibility. Exercise on the ability to move in and out of the mound, the power to drive and pitch harder. Exercise on generating enough leg power. Also work on the ability to move up and down, your body should be flexible. Engage yourself in flexibility or power training programs; this will help your body to be flexible. Focus Softball pitchers complicate things by overthinking, and this interferes with their performance. It also affects their velocity and focus. Avoid overthinking and ensure your mind is clear and focused. When pitching, keep your game simple and don't think of how you can play different techniques. This will help you focus on your strength and ability. Equally believing in yourself helps raise your confidence. It's advisable only to focus on one or two playing positions so you don't complicate your game. Make a habit of reminding yourself to just throw the ball and stay focused. Longstreth Sporting Goods provides you with all the information and sporting equipment such as bats, gloves, cleats, and all the gears that you need to succeed in softball. #Softballpitching, #SoftballTips, #SoftballEquipment |
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