A pitching machine is a valuable training tool for baseball and softball players of any age. By replicating the speed and trajectory of a real pitch, these machines can help ballplayers perfect their timing and hitting fundamentals. With so many on the market, choosing the best pitching machine to buy can be an overwhelming challenge. Read on to learn what you should look for in the best pitching machines and see our recommendations. 3 Best Pitching Machine Reviews: Our Favorites Here are some pitching machine reviews of our favorite models. 1. Heater Sports Deuce 95 Best Baseball Pitching Machine The Deuce 95 pitching machine from Heater is a mid-range model that combines value, versatility, and safety. As the name suggests, the Deuce 95 can reach pitch speeds of up to 95 mph. This two-wheel machine can also throw curveballs. With several points of swivel, the machine can replicate pitches from a variety of angles and is great for also practicing pop flies and … [Read more...]
Best Wood Bats of 2018: Set Yourself Up for a Home Run
There's no sound more exhilirating in sports than the CRACK! of a wood bat. It sounds like summertime and big games, all rolled into one. The best part is, wooden bats aren't just reserved for professionals. No matter what age or skill level you play at, you can choose to use the same bats as the pros. What would be greater than popping a home run with one of the best wood bats around? When you start to shop, it's important to recognize that not all bats are created equal. The best wood baseball bats are made with greater craftsmanship than run-of-the-mill bats. Sure, you may pay a little more, but when you feel the ball fly off the sweet spot, it'll be worth it. If you're wondering where you should go to find the best wood bats, look no further. This simple guide will help you out. We've done the dirty work for you and picked out some of the best wood bats on the market. Up first is a quick buyers guide with features and benefits to look for while you're making your … [Read more...]
Best Softball Cleats of 2018: How to Choose the Perfect Pair
One of the most important pieces of softball equipment you can have is a good pair of cleats. Having the comfort and traction that you need during a game can make all the difference when it comes to performance. So taking the time to find the best softball cleats for you is key. With the variety of shoes available, it can get confusing to know what to look for. How do you know which type is right for you? Are there certain features you should be searching for? There are several things to consider in when shopping for your next pair of cleats. Let's break down how to choose the perfect pair for you and which ones are hot sellers right now. Types of Cleats There are three main types of softball cleats to choose from, depending on what your particular needs are. Let's discuss what the differences between them are: Metal Cleats When it comes to providing traction, metal cleats are the best. Their thin cleat design penetrates both dirt and grass fields easily, optimizing speed … [Read more...]
The 20 Best Softball Bats for the 2018 Season: Reviews of Slowpitch and Fastpitch Bats
If you’re serious about showing the softball who the real boss is, you need a worthy bomb dropping sidekick. We’ve found some bats for both male and female players that will help you knock juicy pitches into the stratosphere. The only thing you’re going to be worried about with these bats is where your car is parked in the parking lot. In this equipment guide, Dugout Debate covers all the bases: an overview of the best softball bats of 2018, both slowpitch and fastpitch options, and before these softball bat reviews sections, we touch on the top things to look for and how to find the right softball bat for you. If you're looking for baseball bats check out this guide. Overview of the Best Fastpitch Softball Bats Here are the 10 of the most popular fastpitch softball bats for this season. The bats are sorted by price ascending. Skip down to our next chart if you are looking for the best softpitch softball bats. 10 Best Softball Bats for Fastpitch Here is our fastpitch … [Read more...]
10 Best Catchers Gear Sets of 2018: Youth and Adult Sets
One of the toughest jobs in baseball is being the catcher. Scratch that, one of the toughest positions in all of sports is the catcher position. Locking down home base isn't easy, this is true even in youth baseball. In this position, you have to worry about foul tips, errant baseball bats, players aggressively sliding to home plate, and staying even keeled through it all while wearing a ton of equipment. That's a lot of physical abuse to take, and any chance you get to make a catcher's job easier is going to improve performance. The concept of backstop players not wearing the best catchers gear is foreign these days in competitive play. In the past, catchers sometimes only wore a simple baseball mitt, rather than the padded gloves you see them wearing today. No team or league today would have their catchers standing behind the plate without protective gear. The first person to wear protective padding was Roger Bresnahan, who also happens to be a baseball Hall of Famer. He was … [Read more...]
Best Batting Gloves of 2018: Baseball, Softball, and Youth Gloves
Batting gloves are the key to creating a loving, glue-like bond between your hands and the handle of the bat. They are important equipment. Batting gloves are an extension of your hands and provide the right feel and grip to aid a solid swing. A well-fitted, fresh pair of hitting gloves is a welcome feel when stepping up to the plate for some serious ball slamming business. In this best batting gloves equipment guide, Dugout Debate covers all the bases: we provide an overview of some of the best youth batting gloves, best softball batting gloves, and best baseball batting gloves. We also provide a few tips on what makes a great pair of batting gloves and what to look for. Comparison Table: 20 Best Batting Gloves of 2018 Here is a selection of the most popular batting gloves for softball and baseball this season. If you're looking for youth batting gloves or gloves for very small hands skip to our last section 'The Best Youth Batting Gloves'. Batting Gloves Guide Part I: Why … [Read more...]
Baseball Glove Oil: How to Break in a Glove
Good equipment is essential for sports. It's why it's estimated that Americans spend over 45 billion a year at sporting goods stores. Every kind of sport has its own specific kind of equipment that makes playing the game easier. Football aficionados know how helpful a good pair of cleats can be when they're on a slick field. Hockey players know exactly what kind of mask they need that can protect their face and help them see. Baseball requires equipment just like any sport. Bats, cleats, cups, and other equipment are well known, but glove oil seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to popularity. Some people see breaking in a new glove as an afterthought. They've never used baseball glove oil, and they wouldn't know how to break in a glove other than through use. Despite what you may think, you don't have to wait for a few games to pass before you start to feel comfortable using your glove. There are ways you can make it supple enough to properly use, but hard … [Read more...]
Softball Drills and Practice Plans: Infield, Outfield, and Team Drills
Drills are the bread and butter of a good softball practice. The drills you choose for practice are only limited by your imagination, though there has been some established as being more effective than others over the years. Hundreds of books have been written about softball practice plans, infield and outfield drills, hitting mechanics, and dozens of other softball training topics. It is an extensive subject. Coaches have many opinions on the best way to go about running a practice. Frankly speaking, there are many ways to run a successful practice but all the best practice plans roughly follow the same formula. In this guide, Dugout Debate covers all the bases: the most important elements of softball practice plans, some examples of the most popular drills and how execute them, and the five pillars of an exceptional softball practice. Whether you’re a first time Little League Softball coach or part of a veteran coaching staff in a University softball organization, there’s always … [Read more...]
Pitching and Hitting Training Programs with Weighted Baseballs
Weighted baseball training supplement training with standard balls to help hitters and pitchers develop exceptional mechanics. Every pitching and hitting coach has their own opinion about the effectiveness of weighted baseballs. The bottom line is that they are just one way out of dozens to improve pitching velocity and batting skills. Certainly, weighted baseballs are not the only way. A weighted baseball throwing program should be one of many drills that compose a pitcher’s training regime. You don’t want to overdo it with heavy weighted baseballs, it’s very important to moderate the number of throws to strengthen the throwing muscles while not risking injury. Weighted baseballs are also sometimes used by hitting coaches to improve hitting skills. In this guide, Dugout Debate covers all the bases: why weighted baseballs are a worthwhile addition to practice, how they should be incorporated, their use for pitchers and hitters, and the most popular weighted baseballs used for … [Read more...]
Baseball Practice Plans: Help Planning the Perfect Practice
Managing and coaching a sports team comes with a long list of responsibilities and duties. While professional baseball staff get paid big money to help keep the organization running like a well-oiled machine, many coaches volunteer or get paid very little. One of the chief responsibilities of coaches is coordinating and executing weekly practices. Planning a practice can be a pain in the ass, but the trouble is worth it in the end. It is very rewarding to pull off a series of well-executed practices and see the skills of players grow and develop. The satisfying feeling of “I did that” is up there with the rare but sincere expressed gratitude of parents and players. Knowing some of the top baseball drills and workouts goes a long way to getting the most benefit from practices and ultimately leads to more wins in a competitive environment. Did you know that little league participation numbers continue to rise? Or, that combined, baseball and softball now rank as the team sport with … [Read more...]
