From an equipment perspective, playing baseball starts with the essentials: bat, ball, and glove. But as young players get older and especially when they start to join leagues, it helps to have more than just the basics. Not only can some of the accessories below improve your game, but they can also make it more fun. You might even discover something you can’t imagine playing without. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at several baseball accessories that could end up being game-changers.
Bags
To be taken seriously as a baseball player, you need to have a baseball bag or bat pack. But it’s not just about that. It’s about convenience and organization – about having your, well, stuff together. And the bags at BaseballSavings.com help you do just that. Our selection is second-to-none and you’ll have fun shopping all the different styles and colors. Some things to consider to help narrow your choices: How many bats do I need it to hold? Most bat packs hold two, but others can hold three, and even four. Do I want a padded compartment for my laptop? Is it important to have a separate compartment for cleats or my ball glove? Some bat packs offer interior shelves that make gear more accessible when the bag is hanging on a fence. For you, this could be a deal breaker.
Batting Tees
Of all the accessories mentioned here, this is an absolute must-have. There’s no better way to practice your swing than through repetitions off a batting tee. By keeping the ball at a consistent spot, it allows hitters to focus on their mechanics and create positive muscle memory. If you’re struggling with a low outside pitch, you can lower the tee and work on turning a weakness into a strength. Another major benefit of a batting tee is its portability, allowing you to take swings in your backyard, garage, or the field – wherever’s convenient.
*Tip: Don’t always leave the tee in one spot. Move it around and adjust the height to work on all contact points: outside low, inside high, middle low, etc.
Sock Screens
If you decide to get a batting tee, it makes sense to have a net to hit into. This way, you can practice hitting just about anywhere using the same ball. Sound convenient? We think so too, which is why we’d like to highlight a couple solid options, both by Champro. The MVP Portable Sock Screen features a steel button frame for excellent stability and it assembles in minutes. If you’re looking for something heavy duty, consider the BRUTE Sock Screen. The frame is made from durable gauge steel tubing and the pushpin assembly makes it easy to set up. Weighing in at 54 lbs, this “beast” as one reviewer calls it, gives you the feel of a real hitting station.
Training Bats & Gloves
If you’re serious about improving both offensively and defensively, consider using a training bat and glove. The former not only strengthens hands, wrists, and forearms but is also designed to improve top-hand strength and hand-eye coordination, allowing you to become a stronger, more effective hitter. For defense, a training glove is a great tool to work on the fundamentals of fielding. You can choose from a pancake-style glove that forces players to use two hands to control the ball, or a training glove that looks more traditional, only with a smaller glove length. Both types of gloves are ideal for players of any age or skill level.
Elbow/Leg Guards
These types of guards are more than just accessories – they’re more like necessities. Without the proper protection, a pitch or foul ball off the bat can take you out of the game. Players can drastically reduce that risk by wearing a simple elbow guard and/or batter’s leg guard. Among the most popular are those by Evoshield, which feature Gel-T-Shell™ technology, allowing for a custom fit. These types of guards are also available in a variety of colors and patterns, so they’re not only functional but can also be fun. Isn’t that what accessories are all about?
Sunglasses
Baseball players like to wear sunglasses because of both their style and functionality. A routine fly ball is anything but when you’re fighting the sun trying to make a catch, so in that way they’re almost a necessity. But they’re also fun to wear because they can express your personality in a way no other part of your uniform can. You’ll find that many of the sunglasses available at BaseballSavings.com offer 100% UVA/UVB protection and come in a wide variety of colors and styles. So whether you’re a young player, adult player, or spectator, you’ll definitely want to have a pair at the ready.
Health
Sports is tough on the body, and our selection of ice packs/bags can help ease those aches and pains. Whether it’s a sore shoulder, sprained knee, or bum ankle, our selection of cold therapy products will have you back on the diamond and feeling good in no time. If you’re a pitcher, the ProSeries Shoulder Ice Pack System is a great choice as it gives you the ability to ice anywhere and can be used for either shoulder. If it’s a simple ice bag you’re looking for, consider the ICE20 Elbow/Small Knee Ice Pack. This convenient, no-leak ice bag fits the elbow, forearm, wrist, bicep, tricep, small knee, small thigh, calf, shin, ankle, or foot.
*Tip: The “20” in ICE20 is the number of minutes to keep in mind when applying the pack to your muscle strains and joint pains. 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off is the fastest way to recovery.
Wire2Wire
Wire2Wire, our rapidly expanding in-house brand, includes quality accessories that coaches will find extremely beneficial. The Team Hanging Helmet Bat Bag holds twelve helmets and includes three hooks that allow for hanging on a chain link fence. If you like this concept, be sure to check out the Team Hanging Bat Bag which holds ten baseball or softball bats and rolls up for easy carrying. Both items keep dugouts clean and teams organized.
As you can see, we carry a wide range of baseball accessories that can make the game easier and more fun to play. Some are even game-changers. So the next time you’re shopping with us, keep them in mind. They may end up being items you can’t live without!
