July 13, 2010
Training tools continue to evolve
ATEC Casey Pro 3G
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The tools to train for baseball used to be pretty simple – ball, bat and glove. If you were organized, you were on a team that would help you utilize those tools to the best of your ability. Now, as stadiums are dotted with HD televisions and fans can track every stat in real time on their laptops while watching the game, training has modernized, too.
Even younger players can have personal trainers these days. “When I was a kid, we didn’t have that,” says Kevin Uhrhan, manager of amateur baseball relations for Louisville Slugger. “We just went out to the park and threw each other [batting practice]. There were no true training aids back in the day.”
Louisville Slugger had just one training bat, their P89B 28-inch bat, until this year. In response to industry trends, Slugger has added three new training bats to their line – the 44-ounce weighted TRBWY, a 22-inch one-handed bat, and an 18-inch one-handed youth training bat. Suggested retail price for all four bats is $39.95.
“You look at any magazine and they’re just full of training aids,” says Uhrhan. “We saw some other companies with training type bats, and we thought we might as well get into the fray.”
To some extent, Uhrhan credits the increased use of personal trainers with the explosion in the training-aid market. “Athletes today are getting so specialized these days anyway that when they get that personal hitting instructor, he’s going to have them do top-hand drills, bottom-hand drills, this, that and the other. I think that has led to some of the explosion in these training aids, especially from a batting standpoint.”
There’s also an increase in competition. If a player wants to play at the next level, even if the next step is from Little League to a high school team, they may be trying out against kids who have had personal instruction or have a backyard full of training aids. It’s the baseball version of keeping up with the Joneses.
“I think parents and dedicated athletes will pay for quality and performance,” says John Barletta, whose Southborough, Mass., company makes the Radar Pitching Trainer. “They want something new that will give them an edge and motivate the kids to practice. I’ve been told by numerous coaches training with our product that it’s done just that.”
The Radar Pitching Trainer is a pricier aid, retailing at $399. It offers pitchers a sonic radar ball speed indicator and a grid that allows them to keep track of balls, strikes, outs and walks, and also gives them a pitch count. The Trainer is relatively new to the market, having launched in January 2009, but Barletta says sales are promising to indoor facilities, high schools, colleges and some individuals. The next step, he says, is to market to catalogues and e-tailers.
Another pitching aid, the Pitchers Power Drive, is a simple device designed to solve a difficult problem. It is basically a metal plate on a hinge, and when used properly, it helps pitchers improve their weight distribution through the motion of their pitch. More specifically, it teaches the concept of “hip lead.” A pitcher puts his planted foot on the device, and when he pitches, he’ll hear a click that tells them where their weight is landing.
“When those hips lead, it should be as soon as you’re coming out of your knee lift, it should click right then, not when you land on the mound where you would just be floating out with your weight out front,” says Brad Miller, whose Holliston-based company sells the device online. Pricing ranges from $179 for a youth model to $245 to the Pro/Collegiate Turf model.
Miller’s son and president of Pitchers Power Drive, John, was a high school and college pitcher. John designed the Power Drive himself to improve his pitching, and gained four to five miles per hour, according to Brad. The Millers have used the Power Drive at their Winning Pitchers Baseball Academy for four years before producing it for retail last year.
Brad says there are now eight pro teams and more than 70 colleges using it.
One of the main selling points for the Power Drive is that it allows pitchers to practice their form without wearing out their arms. Batters have been able to go out and swing at will, pitchers have been more limited in what they can do to practice. With the Power Drive, pitchers don’t necessarily need to release the ball.
“It’s always been great that hitters can train every day,” says Brad. “They can hit hard every single day. But pitchers couldn’t, because you can’t throw baseballs [full speed] every day. So with this product, it acts as an every-day training device for pitchers where they can practice this hip lead and do it dry and listen for the auditory click. And the feel, there’s also a kinetic feel of it.”
The youth version of the Power Drive is a new addition to the lineup, but Brad sees a bright future for it. He points out the fact that youth pitchers only need to throw 45 feet, and it’s easier for them to lean on their arm strength and not use their lower body. He thinks using the Power Drive early might help kids learn the proper form.
“They can pick it up so quick,” he says. “I think the real future of the product is working with young pitchers, and training them the right way to use their lower, stronger body muscles at an early age.”
POW'R WRAP
http://www.powrwrap.com
The Pow’r Wrap is used by the pros to give them a more powerful swing. Made of a tough plastic composite the Pow’r Wrap will give years of service. Use on-deck, in warmups and as offseason training weight. MSRP: $24.99
LOUISVILLE SLUGGER
http://www.louisvilleslugger.com
TRBW Training Bat — The Louisville Slugger TRBW full-size heavy bat weighs 43-44 ounces. It’s a versatile, 5-in-1 weighted training bat, perfect for off-field strengthening and stretching exercises, on-field, on deck warmups, tee drills with regulation baseballs, soft toss drills and batting practice.
TRB22 Training Bat — The Louisville Slugger TRB22 one-handed training bat is a 22-inch short bat with a regulation barrel. It’s an excellent training bat for one-handed hitting drills. Use it for tee drills with training or regulation balls, or top- or bottom-hand soft toss drills with training or regulation balls.
TRB18 Training Bat — The Louisville Slugger TRB22 one-handed training bat is an 18-inch short bat with a regulation barrel. It’s an excellent training bat for one-handed hitting drills. Use it for tee drills with training or regulation balls, or top- or bottom-hand soft toss drills with training or regulation balls.
ATEC
http://www.atecsports.com
ATEC Casey Pro 3G — This third generation Casey machine features an innovative micro-adjustment system allowing coaches to make instant pitch changes for gamelike training. MSRP: $2,450
ATEC Portable Pitcher’s L-Screen — Portability meets functionality with the new Portable L-Screen. Snaps together in less than 1 minute, and protects pitchers from the hardest come-backers. MSRP: $220
SPI NETS
http://www.spinets.net
Batting Cage Nets — Our batting cage nets are an awesome value mixing durability and affordability. Made in heavy-duty nylon or poly materials they are designed to endure the most demanding punishment. MSRP: $3,095
Protective Screens — Some of the best screens on the market, our L-Screen merges affordability and quality to offer the protection you need at a price you can afford. Starting at $175 they’re a great value. MSRP: $2,495
ON DECK SPORTS
http://www.ondecksports.com
Atec Pro Pitchers Screen — A quick and easy tool to increase a pitcher’s accuracy. Comes with built-in ball collection pocket for all strikes thrown. MSRP: $88.99
ProModel Practice Mound — Our custom made portable pitching mounds combine strength and durability with our combination of foam core and rubber armor. MSRP: $999
Designated Hitter — Have you ever seen a baseball game without a batter? Then why let your pitcher train without one? The DH offers a game-like training environment. MSRP: $319
MOJO
http://www.mojosportsusa.com
Pitching Cage — The most realistic pitching target in the world with a catcher that will not move the glove and a standin batter. The pitcher is required to adjust to the target and develop control.
DURAPITCH
http://www.durapitchmound.com
DuraPitch Mound training mounds allow pitchers to train indoors on real dirt. Specialty clay won’t dry out and makes maintenance easy. MSRP: (14x9 with synthetic, $6,195)
PITCHER'S MATE
http://www.pitchers-mate.com
The best practice target for pitchers of all ages. The batter switches in seconds to a left-handed batter. Balls pass through the numbered strike zone. MSRP: $190 (target alone), $290 (with frame)
SPORTS PRODUCTS CONSULTANTS
http://www.personalpitcher.com
Personal Pitcher — The Personal Pitcher helped Chris Richard make it to the pros. Get unlimited swings at curves and fastballs at any time and develop confidence and power. MSRP: $149
PITCHERS POWER DRIVE
http://www.pitcherspowerdrive.com
Teaches pitchers to start their delivery from knee lift towards home plate by initiating the starting force with their back hip pushing their front hip out in front of the lead shoulder. MSRP: $205/$179
ATHLONIC SPORTS
http://www.athlonic.com
Wheeler Dealer —A batter powered automatic toss machine featuring electronic height control (1-6 feet) and electronic frequency control (1-6 seconds). MSRP: $369
Hurricane Sports Net — The Hurricane Sports Net is build to withstand 90 mph winds, but weighs just 11 pounds. It features a 7.5x7.5 hitting area with heavy duty nylon netting. MSRP: $159
RADAR PITCHING TRAINER
http://www.radarpitchingtrainder.com
A new technology that not only tells you how fast you pitched, but also calls balls, strikes, outs and walks. Keeps track of your total pitch count and maintains stats for one or two players. MSRP: $399
SWINGRITE
http://www.swingrite.com
Home Run Hitter — Works to perfect timing, relating to more hits and increases strength which relates to more power and home runs. It can be used for both baseball and softball. MSRP: $169.99
CAGES PLUS
http://www.cagesplus.com
Wheelhouse Batting Cage — Wheelhouse backyard batting cages provide a safe and convenient place for players to improve batting skills. Easy to assemble. MSRP: $485
Wheelhouse L-screen — Wheelhouse L-screens are portable, lightweight, and can easily switch from left to right hand pitching. They are durable and easy to store or transport. MSRP: $125
MASTER PITCHING MACHINES
http://www.masterpitch.com
MP6 — The original Iron Mike arm-style pitching machine. Its large basket is ideal for team use. It’s the preferred machine of professional players and coaches because of its realism.
MP5 — The perfect machine for individual or backyard use. It holds three dozen balls and features the same arm style motion that has made the Iron Mike a favorite.
