July 21st, 2011
A pitching machine is a gadget that can pitch balls, either baseballs or softballs, with a consistent speed and placement. They are great for batting practice so hitters can develop their skills. A machine will often have a dial so you can adjust the pitch speed. Some machines have multi pitch settings, so you can practice breaking balls, fast balls, and more as you choose. If you get one, you should try to get a ball feeder with it. With a feeder, the pitching machine will send balls your way at a fixed interval. This is often about six seconds or so. It is usually a good idea to also get some extra balls with one. Also, some machines can be used both for softball and baseball. If you want to use one for softball as well, make sure to get a model that can handle double duty.
If you have more questions and want to see what to get with your pitching machine, see this faq.
Tags: baseball gear, pitching machines
Posted in baseball | 104 Comments »
February 11th, 2011
A water bouncer is my favorite water toy! It works like it sounds: you bounce on it and jump into the water. This is similar to a trampoline, but it is inflatable and made to be used in a lake. They are very safe since they’re so soft. They come with a ladder so you can climb onto it from the water. Otherwise, it is very difficult to climb on because there isn’t much to grip. The only safety issues are the same ones with any water sport: kids and adults need to know how to swim, always use the buddy system, and don’t dive head first into shallow water. Most bouncers are suggested for use in water that is 8 – 10 ft deep.
Water bouncers are also called bounce platforms. The difference between a bounce platform and water trampoline is that a bouncer doesn’t have the springs like a trampoline does. Bounce platforms are generally smaller, cheaper and easier to transport. A bounce platform will usually cost several hundred dollars. You can either use them by day and take them out of the water each time, or you can choose to anchor one for the season. Usually people try one out first without anchoring it and then decide to anchor it to avoid having to pull it out of the water every day. Each manufacturer has recommendations for how to anchor their model. A few water bouncers can actually be used either on land or in water. However, you have to be careful if you use one on land that it isn’t jammed against any rocks or sticks.
Attachments are also available so you can expand your bounce platform into your own private water park. You can get slides, logs that you can walk on, and soft launches. You can get a better deal if you buy attachments when you buy your platform, but many people just get a bounce platform first. Some water bouncers, like the ones from Rave Sports, come in a circular shape. Others are designed to look like inflatable turtles or other animals. Obviously, those designs are made to appeal to kids. They may not be expandable, however, meaning that it may be harder to add attachments like slides to them.
As you prepare for spring and get your green thumb and Grow Rooms together, get a water bouncer, too, so you can relax and cool off at the end of the day.
Tags: water bouncer, water trampoline
Posted in water sports | 95 Comments »
August 17th, 2010
People are most familiar with bicycles built for a single rider since these are the most common, but Tandem Bicycles also have a loyal following. There are bicycles for use on roads and on trails as well. They can be fun, but obviously the riders have to trust one another and be able to work together. This is especially true of the stoker, who rides in the back seat and has to rely on the captain to accurately steer the bike.
USA Cycling also offers some racing categories for tandems, if you’ve got a need for speed. These also provide a way for blind athletes to compete in bicycle racing. The blind rider sits in the back seat to provide extra power to the pedals while the front rider, who can see (this is very important!), provides the steering.
Tags: tandem, tandem bicycle
Posted in cycling | 97 Comments »
August 17th, 2010
Exercise bikes are very popular. You can find them not only in every professional gym in the country, but in many home gyms as well. There are programmable upright bikes and recumbent exercise bikes as well. Some folks with back trouble prefer recumbent cycles. If you are considering getting an exercise bike for yourself, it is probably best to try out a few at a local gym first.
In the warmer weather like we have now, I generally prefer to ride a bicycle outdoors and only use an exercise bike as a warmup at a gym. However, during the cold winter weather when it is icy outside it can be safer to rely on an indoor bike unless you can head out to areas away from traffic. Many auto drivers aren’t as used to looking for bicyclists on the road in the middle of winter.
Tags: exercise bike, recumbent bicycle
Posted in cycling | 131 Comments »
July 24th, 2010
Mountain biking is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, especially during the summer and fall. As with other sports, cycling requires proper footwear. Mountain bike shoes should be comfortable and allow special cleats for bike pedals, such as Shimano SPDs, to be placed on the bottom. Pedals like the Shimano SPD are great to have for biking. You are locked in for pedaling, but it is easy to twist out and unclip at a stop. Your feet will pull out if you crash, so they are also a great safety device and much nicer than toe clips. These types of pedals and special shoes are also available for roadies (road cyclists).
Lake Cycling MX165 Womens Mountain Bike Shoes
Tags: mountain bike shoes
Posted in cycling | 2 Comments »
July 24th, 2010
You’ve probably heard of auctions for pro uniforms and autographed Baseball gear. Grey Flannel, based in New York, has been in the business of authenticating sports memorabilia for years and they also run their own auctions online. Summer is a great time to get baseball goodies. You can buy items, or, naturally you can also consign items to them. If there is something you’d like, or something a nephew or niece would like but you haven’t been able to find, you can put it on a want list. For businesses like Grey Flannel or regular retail outfits, midsummer is not too soon to be gearing up for the holiday shopping season. If you contact them now, you’ve got a good chance for being able to find your item by later this year.
Tags: memorabilia
Posted in memorabilia | 93 Comments »
July 17th, 2010
The NFL draft is over and the regular season will be here before you know it, so now is a good time to think about the upcoming Super Bowl. For 2011, the game is scheduled for February 6 in Arlington, TX. Tickets aren’t cheap and the rest of the trip won’t be, either, but if you are an NFL fan wouldn’t it be great to see at least one Super Bowl live? The definitive Super Bowl guide site (link at the bottom of the post) is already being built. Bookmark it and watch for updates including a schedule of events and ticket handbook.
NFL Super Bowl Tickets
Tags: super bowl
Posted in sporting events | No Comments »
July 10th, 2010
Airsoft, like paintball, is a great way to have fun with your buddies. Among the most popular guns are spring airsoft sniper rifles complete with scopes. These are also called springers. If you have tried Airsoft and gotten hooked on it, you’ll want to get a good quality sniper rifle. Cheap rifles from discount sources are available through some retailers, but the cheap guns can tend to break easily and can wind up not being so cheap in the long run.
If you’re in Ohio, you should check in with Airsoft Ohio for events and field locations. Note that you generally must be at least 18 years old to purchase an Airsoft gun.
Tags: spring airsoft sniper rifles
Posted in paintball and airsoft | 1 Comment »
June 28th, 2010
Do you need some basketball tips to improve your game? Of course you do, unless perhaps you are already in the NBA! Dunk High is a good place to go if you need to improve your vertical leap, dribbling, or dunking. They’ve also got a mailing list so you can stay abreast of the latest coaching tips and tricks and get on top of your game. Summer is a good time to improve these things before the next season starts!
Tags: basketball tips, dunk high
Posted in basketball | 97 Comments »
June 26th, 2010
Anyone getting started with golf needs a nice starter set. The Golf Gear Hub (www.golfgearhub.com) has discount golf club sets for beginners and kids that won’t break the bank. The shipping price is also low ($15-$17 in the continental US). In fact, you can get clubs there cheaper than you can find at many other discount sources you can find like eBay. (eBay isn’t what it used to be since they raised seller fees, is it?) The iBella Daisy and Acer Protege sets are good for kids, while Nextt Pulse sets are offered for adults. So if you’ve been borrowing clubs from someone else, or your kids are trying to borrow your clubs, perhaps the time has come to get some more clubs!
Tags: golf club sets
Posted in golf | 89 Comments »