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BASEBALL / SOFTBALL INFORMATION

HOWTOCHOOSEABAT:
Buying a bat is a personal decision. New technology has delivered bats that not only enhance performance but also are tailored to an individual player's strengths. It is essential that you select a bat that fits your unique body configuration and skill level, height, weight, and hitting strength. DETERMINE YOUR BAT LENGTH BY WEIGHT &HEIGHT: Height (inches) Weight 36- 41- 45(pounds) 40 40 48 Bat Length < 60 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-100 101-110 111-120 121-130 131-140 141-150 151-160 161-170 171-180 180+ 26 27 27 28 27 28 28 28 28 29 28 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 30 30 30 29 29 29 29 30 30 30 30 30 30 31 31 29 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 31 31 31 31 30 30 30 31 31 31 31 31 31 32 32 32 31 31 31 31 31 32 32 32 32 32 33 33 32 32 32 32 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 34 34 33 34 34 34 Pour a small amount of glove conditioner or glove oil on a clean dry cloth and carefully work the oil around the outer shell palm and back. A light coating is all that is necessary. Allow the glove to dry for 24 hours. Wipe off any excess oil and play catch for 15 to 20 minutes or 50-70 throws. This stretches and forms the glove to your hand and accelerates the break-in process. Put a ball in the pocket of the glove and tie the glove closed for a few days with a string or rubber band. Laces will stretch with use. Keep the laces taught but do not over-tighten them. Store in a cool dry place with a ball in the pocket when not in use. Do not leave your glove in an area where temperatures will become extreme, such as the trunk of your car. Do not over-oil your glove. Twice per season is sufficient. Do not submerge your glove in water - it will rot. If your glove becomes wet, dry slowly and oil lightly. Do not put in the oven or microwave to dry it. 4952 5356 5760 6164 6568 69- 73+ 72

GLOVE FIT TIPS:

ADULTS: The largest sizes (13 to 14) are manufactured for softball players. Outfielders typically wear gloves in the 12.5 to 13.5 range because the large pocket makes for great catching. Infielders looking for quick transfer often use a slightly smaller glove, between 10.5 and 12. Pitchers, like infielders, usually prefer the quick transfer of smaller, 12to 13 gloves. Middle infielders should look for a shallower pocket within the recommended size range. YOUTH&BEGINNER: The best way to learn the fundamentals of fielding and catching is by wearing a glove that fits well. Gloves that are too big allow cheating, preventing beginners from developing and refining proper skills. Kids gloves should not be bought to grow into. Younger kids should stay in the 9 to 11 range. Kids 8 and older should try gloves in the 11 range. Kids up to 12 should not use a glove larger than 12. Adolescents should choose the lower end of the adult size range for intended position.

GLOVE BREAK IN TIPS:

DETERMINING THE RIGHT BAT WEIGHT: Bigger, stronger players prefer a heavier bat since they get the benefits of both the heft and swing power. Smaller players with less strength should consider a lighter bat to generate a quicker swing. Younger players should also consider that a lighter bat increases control, great for single hitters, while also reducing the risk of injury. Selecting weight really depends on two critical factors - strength and hitting style.

Coaches Corner - Spring/ Summer 2013 - Information

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NEW BAT TESTING STANDARDS:

The new testing standards can make the purchase of a new bat slightly confusing. That is why weve prepared a simple breakdown of the new standards by competition level to ensure you purchase the right bat for years to come. Batter up! HIGH SCHOOL &COLLEGE BASEBALL: Beginning on January 1, 2012, high school and college baseball officially made the switch to BBCOR bats. The adoption of the BBCOR bat by the NCAA was not done for safety reasons. Instead, the NCAA simply wanted a more wood-like performance from the bats. This only pertains to 3 BBCOR bats. LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL, BABE RUTH BASEBALL, PONY BASEBALL, AND SOFTBALL, AMERICAN AMATEUR BASEBALL CONGRESS ANDDIXIE BASEBALL: These five youth groups monitor the vast majority of children playing organized baseball. For children ages 12-and-under, they currently use bats that are 2 inches in diameter. They are simply called youth bats. Currently, all those bats are made to the BPF (Bat Performance Factor) performance standard. All youth bats currently on sale in retail outlets should have a message on them that says Approved for play by Little League, PONY, Babe Ruth, AABC, & Dixie At this time, a moratorium has been placed on all Little League Composite barrel baseball bats. Bats with aluminum barrels and composite handles are still approved bats. Even though Composite barrel bats meet the BPF standard when new, Composite barrel bats can sometimes become livelier with use and thus fall out of the BPF standards. Check out our massive BBCOR and little league bat assortment at a Dunhams near you!

CLEAT INFORMATION
Baseball players can choose from a range of cleats designed for different conditions and playing surfaces. Wedges provide cushioning and keep the front of the foot low to the ground, an advantage when running. Soft pads in the shoe minimize pressure, and cushioning is used in midsole areas to reduce discomfort from hours of standing and running. Tongue flaps keep the tongue in place while keeping dirt out and zippered shrouds lock laces in place. The cleats on the bottom of the shoe are usually made of metal, solid rubber or molded thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Metal cleats are durable and can dig into hard dirt. Non-metal cleats reduce the risk of injury to opposing players and make for a more comfortable shoe. Maximum height for all types is -inch. Generally, high school level players or above use metal cleats, while junior ballplayers use a non-metal type. Some shoes are made with removable cleats so both metal and non-metal cleats can be used and worn cleats can be replaced. Baseball cleats are available in both low-top and -height shoe configurations. The low-tops offer flexibility and are favored by baserunners, while the -height shoes provide more ankle support and are less likely to fall off. Many shoes are made from a combination of materials. Under Armour, a major supplier of baseball cleats, uses a combination of leather and a synthetic material called nubuck in many of their shoes.

Coaches Corner - Spring/ Summer 2013 - Bat Regulations

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ELITE PLAYER BASEBALL ITEMS

ELITE PLAYER BATS:
Check out our huge assortment of BBCOR, Senior League and Little League baseball bats at a Dunhams store near you!

GLOVES:
99 99 Save $20
Omaha Flare Ball Gloves
Available in 11.5, 12, and 12.75 patterns.

99 Z1000 -3 BBCOR BAT 119 Save $250

Orig. $370

99 VEXXUM -11 LITTLE LEAGUE BAT 119 Save $110

May be special order in select stores. Orig. $230

9999
Gold Glove Gamer Baseball Series
Sizes may vary by store.

159

99 S3 -13 LITTLE LEAGUE BAT

May be special order in select stores.

21999
-3 BBCOR BASEBALL BAT 19999 PROTOTYPE

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A2000 Baseball Glove Series

Sizes may vary by store.

19999 XL2 -11 LITTLE LEAGUE BAT

May be special order in select stores.

CLEATS:

19999 S3 -3 BBCOR BASEBALL BAT

May be special order in select stores.

2999

JR. LEADOFF IV LOW

Colors vary by store.

23999 S1 -12 LITTLE LEAGUE BAT

May be special order in select stores.

UA LEADOFF IV LOW ADULT....$39.99

4499
29999 XL2 -3 BBCOR BASEBALL BAT
May be special order in select stores.

UA ADULT LEADOFF IV MID

Colors vary by store.

UA JUNIOR LEADOFF IV MID....$34.99

Coaches Corner - Spring/ Summer 2013 - Baseball

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HIGH END SOFTBALL ITEMS

NEEDS: CLEATS: NEW FEATURED BATS:
New Softball Bats are arriving daily, so check out our huge assortment of Slow Pitch and Fast Pitch bats at a Dunhams store near you!

3999

WOMENS GLYDE RM CC
Team color laces included.

4999

TYPHOON -11 FASTPITCH SOFTBALL BAT

Aluminum alloy construction. Evenly balanced with a lighter swing weight &faster swing speed.

3999

WOMENS UNIFY KEYSTONE

Team color laces included.

19999 199
99

XL2 POWER BRIGADE SLOW PITCH BAT

XL design 12 slightly endloaded barrel for maximum power. IMX composite barrel optimizes the sweet spot for maximum performance. May be special order in select stores.

FAST PITCH FS3 -11.5 SOFTBALL BAT

May be special order in select stores.

HEAD TO TOE SOFTBALL FEATURED ITEMS

99 29 Save $10
FAST PITCH FIELD SHIELD
Available in youth & adult. Orig. $40

3999
SUPER FIT ADJUSTABLE HELMET WITH MASK

99 99 99 99 24 29 26 59 Save $5
youth adult

GOLD SLIDING SHORT OR FAST PITCH LOW RISE PANT

Available in womens &girls. Orig. to $35

JENNIE FINCH FAST PITCH GLOVES

10 - $26.99 11 - $34.99 11.5 - $39.99 12 - $59.99 12.5 - $59.99

5999
VISION PRO HELMET WITH MASK

99 49 Save $10
PREMIER SERIES BALL GLOVES
Available in 12.5, 13, and 14 patterns.

RIP-IT

Coaches Corner - Spring/ Summer 2013 - Softball

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