CUSTOM TEAM WEBSITES

Pro Player Supply Team Spirit Packs:

Pro Player Supply is currently offering our team spirit pack pages to teams and associations nationwide. Spirit Packs have became a must because they allow teams and parents to purchase items for there team on an individual basis instead of having the team buy these items in bulk not knowing sizes or ordering too much or too little. 

How to choose items for our team page? Our Spirit Packs are completely custom and simple to create. You choose the items on your page. The easiest way to begin your team page is to contact a team sales representaive at (800) 657-7630. We carry over 55 manufacturers including Majestic, Mizuno, Rawlings, Russel, Sport-Tek, Badger, Easton, Wilson and More. 

When does the Spirit Team Page open and close?: Team Pages have open and close dates, making them easy to manage and promote to your team or league. You can open these pages multiple times or once before the season. 

How long does it take once our page closes?

Once the team page closes on the date you choose, the items are screened or embroidered and sent to the team or customer.  Typical Turn Around time on team pages is 2-3 weeks once the team spirit pack closes.

How do I get started?

The process is simple!  Give us some information in regards to what sport your interested in and the type of apparel your team needs.

EMAIL US @ promotions@proplayersupply.com
OR 
PHONE: 800.657.7630

PRO PLAYER SUPPLY BAT REVIEW

EASTON S1 2 5/8" (-10) SENIOR LEAGUE BIG BARREL 

The Easton S1 Senior League Baseball Bat is an all composite two-piece -10 2 5/8" barrel design that offers a light swing weight with a lot of barrel. The light weight composite design allows hitters to control their barrel and drive balls into the gap. As a member of the speed series, it features a streamlined barrel design that removes excess mass from the barrel for a lighter swing weight than most bats in this size. 

The Power Brigade S1 handle is, in our opinion, one of the best features of this series. It features Easton's patented SIC Black Carbon, which provides the batter with a more comfortable feel and grip while also allowing for more forgiveness upon swing and contact with the ball. This bat is also approved in almost every youth league, including USSSA, Little League, Dixie, Babe Ruth, Pony, and more!

It comes in lengths of 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32 inches. 

The S1 is very well balanced, and swings easily while allowing for the batter to improve swing speed. However, with a focus on swing speed by Easton, this bat does not sacrifice power and 'pop' as many others do. This bat flexes upon contact and is a great option for all youth players who are looking to improve their hitting this upcoming season. At proplayersupply.com we are currently offering a 10% off coupon code TAKEOFF that can be applied to any purchase. So come check this bat and many other great products out today. Easton bats are top-of-the-line and the most popular choice among youth, high school, and college baseball players today. #PlayLikeAPro

WANT TO SAVE 10% ON YOUR NEXT ORDER FOR BASEBALL, FASTPITCH, OR SLOWPITCH EQUIPMENT AND APPAREL?

Check out proplayersupply.com for the newest and top-of-the-line sporting goods. Use coupon code TAKEOFF to save 10% on your order. We want to reward those of you who check out our blog, so keep an eye out for specials and discounts that we will be exclusively highlighting on here! We carry Wilson, Rawlings, Mizuno, EvoShield, Louisville Slugger, Wilson, DeMarini, Diamond, Rip-It, Easton, Asics, Spalding, and many more brands! So stop by and see what Pro Player Supply can do for you!

PRO PLAYER SUPPLY: MLB WORKOUT EXCLUSIVE

DUSTIN PEDROIA

Dustin Pedroia is the starting 2nd baseman for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). Pedroia has won multiple awards in Major League Baseball, including the prestigious 2007 American League Rookie of the Year and the 2008 AL MVP award. He also won a Silver Slugger as a second baseman and a Gold Glove in 2008, 2011, and 2013. In 2008, he finished second overall in the AL in batting average. In addition to his dominant offensive performance over the past many years, Pedroia has been a major defensive contributor to the Red Sox. 

While standing at only 5' 8" and weighing under 185 lbs, he hits the ball with relatively strong power. He is an outstanding defensive player as well, as is known for his strong will and 'Never Give Up' attitude, which has led to him signing a long contract this season with the Red Sox. His workouts are intense, and he focuses on off season training that helps sharpen the tools that make him such a great player. We focus on one of his workouts below. Thanks to our friends at mlbplayerworkouts.com for the great information as always. 

Upper-Body Strength and Power

1. Rotational Row: Sets/Reps: 2x10 each side

With cable machine to right, assume athletic stance with feet slightly wider than shoulder width. Reach across body with left hand, turning hips and shoulders to cable machine, to hold handle set at low position. Explosively rotate hips left and bring handle across body until it’s above and outside left shoulder. Return to start position and repeat for specified repS. Perform set on opposite side

2. Weighted Neutral-Grip Pull-Up: Sets/Reps: 3x8

With weight attached to belt around waist, grab neutral-grip pull-up bar so that palms face each other. Pull yourself up until chin is above bar. Lower with control until arms are almost straight. Repeat for specified reps

3. X Pull Down: 

Sets/Reps: 2x10• Kneel in front of crossover cable machine; cross arms and grasp opposite handles with each hand Without arching back, retract shoulder blades, then pull elbows to side of body; straighten and externally rotate arms in fluid motion so thumbs point back. Return to start position and repeat for specified reps
Lower-Body Explosive Power

4. Squat Jump: Sets/Reps: 3x8


Begin with feet slightly wider than shoulder width and hands behind head. Perform squat and explosively jump as high as possible. Land softly in squat position and immediately perform again. Repeat for specified reps


Try out this workout, and you will not be disappointed. Gain the edge that Pedroia achieves through these intense exercise routines. Check out his official gloves, made by Wilson, at our site, proplayersupply.com

PRO PLAYER REVIEW 

LOUISVILLE SLUGGER LXT FASTPITCH BAT

At Pro Player Supply, we aim to offer the best products for various sports. While the main focus of this blog is around baseball products, tips, and reviews, we are going to start adding a weekly Fastpitch product review and advice column. We sell a lot of Fastpitch products to both individuals and teams at the youth, high school, and college levels. Today, we are highlighting the Louisville Slugger LXT bat, which is the newest and hottest bat in Fastpitch for the upcoming 2014 season. It is the first ever 3-piece Fastpitch bat, and it is built with Louisville Slugger's patented TRU3 three-piece connection technology and a PURE 360 composite barrel. These components combine to create a bat with a lighter swing weight, far less vibration, and an overall better feel when the ball comes off of the bat. While the Xeno has been extremely popular and will remain a great bat to go with, the LXT provides a new bat option for Fastpitch players nationwide. We have seen this bat in person, and the new technology incorporated in this 3-piece bat is an amazing upgrade that all Fastpitch players need to experience. The swing speed is much lighter, and this can be felt in the first 50 swings or less. The reduced vibration allows for the bat to make powerful contact with the ball while you as the batter can maintain your natural swing speed and hitting style. These bats come in -10, -9, -8, and in Tee Ball size. Check out the new LXT bat today, and see how much this new technology can improve your game! #PlayLikeAPro 

PRO PLAYER EXCLUSIVE: PLAY LIKE A PRO

DAVID WRIGHT WORKOUT ROUTINE

-3rd Baseman and Team Captain for the New York Mets

-Consistently hits for power and steals bases

-Seven-time All Star

-Two-time Gold Glover Award Winner

-Bats Right/Throws Right

David Wright doesn't have time to mull over his options. "Third base is a reaction position," says the New York Mets star. "It's all instinct. If I think too much, I might take one off the face." Wright saves his mug by performing explosive exercises that match the moves he makes on the field. His program can help you move better in every direction.

FOUR KEY EXERCISES

1. ROTATIONAL

Exercise: Side throw

How to do it: Stand 3 feet from a solid wall, at a right angle to it, feet shoulder-width apart. Swing a medicine ball a bit to one side, then switch directions and throw it hard against the wall. Do two or three sets of four to eight repetitions, then switch sides and repeat.

2. DOWNWARD

Exercise: Romanian Deadlift

How to do it: Hold a dumbbell in each hand in front of your thighs. With your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent, bend forward at the hips until the weights are at midshin level. Pause, then lift your torso back to the starting position. Keep your back slightly arched throughout.

3. VERTICAL

Exercise: Standing Jump and Reach

How to do it: Squat slightly with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms at your sides. Then quickly explode upward, reaching both arms overhead. Be sure to land with soft knees. Do six to 10 repetitions.

4. LATERAL

Exercise: Side Lunge

How to do it: Rest a barbell across your upper back. Take a long lunge step directly to one side, keeping your toes pointed straight ahead. Descend as you step so that your lunging thigh ends up parallel to the floor. Then push yourself back up to the starting position.

Thank you our friends at mlbplayerworkouts.com for all of the great information and assitance with these player workout articles. Check them out to see MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL professional player workouts! #PlayLikeAPro

http://www.proplayersupply.com/Baseball_s/33.htm

 

Breaking In A Baseball Glove

Breaking down the best ways to break in a mitt for baseball or softball

There are so many different ways to break in a glove. Just a single Internet search on how to break in a baseball glove brings up more ways to potentially break in a glove than you could possibly try.
The common thread is applying something that softens the leather, then applying some form of heat or pressure.
So let's try to make it more simple. Here are some of the best ways to get that mitt to be game-ready:

SOFTENING AGENTS
Glove oil: This is what the glove manufacturers will tout, and usually with the oil that they sell. It will soften the leather, but be careful not to put too much on it or it could damage the glove. You'll also make it heavier the more oil you put on it, so just a thin coat works best.
Shaving cream: Not the gel, of course. Good old shaving cream, like Barbasol or Noxema, which has lanolin. Some people swear by it. Shaving cream softens your skin for shaving, and the same premise is at work here.
Saddle soap: What exactly is saddle soap? Ask a cowboy. It's an agent used for saddles and boots, and it cleans and lubricates the leather. Glycerin and lanolin are typically an ingredient.
Vaseline: This might make the glove a little heavy and might break the leather down as well. Some people swear by it, however, including big-leaguers.
Baby oil: Tread lightly here. There are better options. The baby oil might make it too slick and the glove might absorb too much of it as well.
HEATING/BEATING AGENTS
Sunlight: If you live in a cold, cloudy state like Michigan or Ohio, this is hit or miss. If you live in Florida or Arizona, this is a nice, safe option. Put your softening agent on, wrap up the glove with a ball or two in the pocket and let it back the way nature intended. Tie the glove up tightly with a rubber band or shoelaces, and it is also important to put a ball or two in the pocket to give the glove a place where a ball will settle very easily when those line drives and fly balls come at you.
A hot car: Also works better in the South or West. The greenhouse effect gets your car upwards of 150 degrees. Tie up or tape up the glove and leave it there for a while.
Microwave: Some major leaguers swear by this method. Thirty seconds should be plenty. But beware -- this can cause damage.
"My glove made an error, not me. It made an error, so to punish it, I put it in the microwave and left it in there 30 seconds," said outfielder Torii Hunter in an ESPN.com story. "And it actually felt a lot better. I'm like, 'Wow,' let me go ahead keep doing this so every year in spring training I would do it to break my glove in."
But remember -- if a big-leaguer ruins his glove, all he has to do is call the manufacturer and they'll send another one out. Extreme heat can damage the fibers of the glove. A glove is an investment for the rest of us, so proceed with caution. (And I seriously doubt the sporting goods store will allow a return on a cooked baseball glove.) And if your glove has any metal grommets, forget it. Metal and the microwave never mix.
Conventional oven: Bake it like a pizza, Stephen Drew says. Baste it in shaving cream and cook it -- but just a few minutes -- at 350 degrees.
Beat it up: There are a variety of methods here. Some will beat it with a bat. Some will put it between the mattress and box springs of a bed. Some will even run it over with a car, or leave it under a tire.
ALTERNATIVES
Let a pro do it: If you can hire somebody to do your taxes, your housework or your shopping, why not have somebody break in your glove? Dave Katz, owner of Katz Sports Shop in Meriden, Conn., calls himself a master glovesmith, and he's a pro. No word on the cost or how long it takes, but if you're serious about it, you can contact Dave through his website.
Dunking in water: Ever leave your glove out in the rain? That might be why you need a new one. But to break in a glove, some people will dunk a glove quickly in water, after it's been tied up or taped up, and that sets the preferred form of the glove. Towel it off immediately.
Want to see a demonstration? Former big-leaguer Harold Reynolds did a segment on MLB Network on breaking in a glove -- using water -- that's very informative.
And the best way of all? Go out and play catch with it every day. You'll drop a few, but the glove will come around and will form perfectly to your hand if you have enough time to put in. And it is almost a guarantee you won't damage your investment at all.

 

BASEBALL GLOVE REVIEW: MIZUNO GLOBAL ELITE INFIELDERS GLOVES

Today, we are highlighting one of our most popular glove brands, Mizuno, and their Global Elite series. Mizuno, a Japanese sports equipment company, was founded in 1906 and continues to manufacture a variety of great baseball products including fielding gloves, bats, cleats, batting gloves, apparel, and much more. As a sporting goods retailer, we are proud to offer the Mizuno line, as their commitment to quality and product development is unwavering. The Global Elite Series includes the 11.25", 11.5", and 11.75" Infielders gloves, so you as an Infielder can select which size works best for you. For the price point, ranging of 219.95, these gloves are an outstanding choice for a quality glove that will not break the bank for you as the customer. 
They feature E-lite Leather, which is soft and light, yet very durable, and allows for the glove to be broken in with ease. They are also Counter Balanced , which removes weight from the fingers of the glove for more control and a lightweight feel. Finally, the Mizuno Global Elite Series features Roll Welting, which increases the structure and support throughout the fingers, and this year, features a rugged new patch. If you want an Infielder's glove that breaks in with ease and keeps its structure for durability through the years, the Mizuno Global Elite is the glove for you!

We offer all of these gloves at our site, proplayersupply.com, and for a limited time, you can use a coupon that can be found which takes 10% off of your order. (**restrictions apply for Holiday Specials and Team Packages) So stop by the site, and check out the Mizuno Global Elite Series, and get ready to Play Like a Pro. 

Coaches Clipboard

Key Exercises to improve Bat Speed!

To help you strengthen and improve your baseball swing, there are three great exercises you can start using today. Of course, the key to your ultimate success will rely on the frequency at which you practice these exercises. By setting aside a couple of hours each week to work on your baseball swing, you should be noticing significant improvements in no time.It is important to keep a detailed log of the exercises you complete and how these exercises are helping your baseball swing. For instance, you may want keep track of your batting average as you work on these exercises to see what kind of improvements, if any, are shown in the long run. By staying dedicated and passionate, your swing will improve by leaps and bounds.

Weighted Bat Swings

Perhaps one of the most important components of a successful baseball swing is your bat speed. To improve your bat speed, you'll need to be comfortable with swinging heavier, weighted bats. All you need to get started with this exercise is a set of weighted donuts that can be placed around your bat. Before or during each one of your baseball practices, you should take these weighted donuts and place them around the baseball bat. Then, you can have a coach or teammate do a couple sets by soft tossing baseballs while you stand at the plate. As you become more familiar with swinging the heavier bat, you'll notice that your swing with a regular bat will tend to speed up. This will allow you to improve your overall bat speed and take advantage of fastball pitches. You should practice this exercise roughly two to three times per week.

Hip Rotations

Next, it is imperative that you develop a high-quality stretching routine before each practice and baseball game. Regular stretching allows you to improve your flexibility and the stability of your core muscles. Your core muscles include your stomach area, hips, hamstrings and glutes. To stretch your hamstrings, simply bend over at the waist and touch your toes. You should also practice hip rotations on a regular basis by turning your upper body from side to side without moving your feet. By becoming more comfortable with your hip rotations, you will be able to have a greater range of motion when swinging a baseball bat.

Pectoral Exercises

Finally, you should learn how to properly do the pec mob exercise. In this exercise, you use a set of weighted cables to strengthen your spine and chest muscles. These muscles are essential to powerful baseball swings. To properly do this exercise, you will grab a cable with one hand and stand so that your back is facing the machine. Then, you should place your foot on the side that is holding the cable forward. Then, you simply pull the cable behind you up and forward as far as you can, using your hips and chest muscles to complete the exercise. At the top of each set, you should hold the pose for one to two seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times for each hand.

Pro Player Workouts

At Pro Player Supply, we are all about equipping each athlete with the best tools to perform at the highest level. One of the features of this blog is to highlight professional athlete workouts, so you can get a behind-the-scenes look at what the top players are doing to reach ultimate levels of success in sports. Today, we are highlighting Albert Pujols' workout routine, which has helped him become one of the most dominant 1st Baseman of all time. http://www.mlbplayerworkouts.com/albert-pujols

We sell the equipment and apparel, while also providing these exclusive pro workouts to you at no cost! ~Pro Player Supply Staff

Promotion for Sporting Goods Apparel and Equipment

INTRODUCTION: SAVE 10% ON YOUR NEXT ORDER!

We wanted to include a special promotion within our first blog post. Based out of Everett, WA, Pro Player Supply is your one-stop-shop for sporting goods equipment and apparel. With brands such as EvoShield, Rawlings, Worth, Mizuno, Louisville Slugger, Wilson, and many others, we provide you with a wide variety of products to perform at the highest level. 

If you want to save some money while getting the top gear, all you have to do is go to proplayersupply.com and use the code TAKEOFF and you will save 10%. Check out our new and improved site, and follow our blog to get the scoop on the latest deals we are offering and also expert reviews on baseball and softball bats, gloves, cleats, etc.

Enter code TAKEOFF while checking out at proplayersupply.com