If your kid plays USSSA baseball, you’ve probably heard terms like “U-Trip”, “USSSA”, or “USSSA stamp.” You might’ve even heard “big barrel bats.” As a coach, I hear them all the time. Even my older players, who have outgrown USSSA bats, love to ask if they’re allowed at any given tournament we’re attending. But what…
I’m at a baseball or softball tournament almost every weekend. My baseball teams are older and used to the real rules, but my softball team is young and only now getting exposed to the real rules that govern softball from 10U through college. A tournament we recently competed in threw us for a loop when…
Most parents have no idea that there are two main options for youth baseball (and actually softball, too) in the US. That’s because one is age-old and the name is synonymous with baseball, and the other is only about 20 years old, and is named after one of the most famous names in baseball. We’re…
The 8U level is a lot of fun. Most of the kids are the same size and relative same ability, but the ones who want to be there really start to understand the game and have fun. And of course, as these little guys start taking things a bit more seriously, their gear gets most…
It’s been a brutal spring in the Northeast this year, and as a result, there have been a lot of rainy, wet baseball and softball practices. My older guys typically know what to do with their wet gear. But, my softball team is relatively young and is just starting to get used to rough conditions,…
Bunting should never go out of fashion. Bunts are effective plays that are often difficult to defend, and they can catch a defense sleeping. In both baseball and softball, a good bunt can be a major difference-maker in a close game. Sacrifice bunts, squeeze bunts, and bunting for a hit can change the face of…
One of the biggest differences I’ve seen in my transition from baseball to softball is the importance of bunting. In baseball, bunts are used sparingly, with many coaches not seeing their true value. In softball, however, bunting is a critical part of the game, important to learn, and even more important to learn to defend…
There’s nothing that gets a dugout fired up like a well-executed bunt. But if your bunt defense isn’t tight? It can unravel a whole inning, and a ton of damage can occur. Over the years, I’ve coached a lot of teams, including those that can bunt and those that can’t, and those that can defend…
I know it’s not easy to choose the best baseball bat. With so many leagues and levels out there, understanding which bat meets regulations and will meet your needs takes some research. That’s why be put together this guide on the best baseball bats of 2025. Whether you’re mashing dingers, hitting for contact, or just…
There’s nothing quite like the feel of a brand new softball glove—stiff, shiny, and… basically unusable. At least until you break it in. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or shopping for your kid’s first real glove, knowing how to break in a new softball glove properly can make a huge difference in performance, comfort, and…