Baseball bats come from Louisville – except for those that don’t. But what many fans of America’s pastime don’t likely know is that most – if not all – baseballs are made in Costa Rica or Haiti. In fact most major league balls are produced by Rawling in Costa Rica. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have an American made ball.
Bergino Handmade Baseballs are made in America by the company founded by former sports agent Jay Goldberg. The company makes a range of specialty balls including city maps, and ones with world themes. There are even options for custom balls. So while you may never own a ball signed by Babe Ruth or other greats you can have a ball that is truly all your own.
Whether baseball is really America’s pastime is left open to debate, as is whether a quality glove will improve the game? For those who want to see if it is true – that a serious glove will turn anyone in an all-star – there is the Mixuno Pro Limited Edition Glove.
Easton Sports is supplying its Power Brigade bat, along with other equipment, to players in the Little League Baseball World Series taking place August 16 through 26 in Williamsport, PA. This is the first time the new bat will be swung in competition.
Several news stories are making the rounds this week following the successful 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. The question this week is “what events are missing?”
The modern ball cap can trace its ties to baseball all the way back to 1860 when the Brooklyn Excelsiors wore a similar design to keep the sun out of their faces during game play. The ball cap has evolved throughout the years and is worn not only by baseball players, but almost every athlete wears one before, during, or after game play. Even our military wears them while on duty as part of the uniform (at least the Navy). Nearly everyone owns at least one ball cap, but do you know how many are made in the U.S.A.?
What happened to the days when baseball was more than just being about the money? We aren’t talking about the billionaire owners or millionaire players – we’re talking about the cost of Little League, which today apparently costs big dollars.
While military helmets may need to stop a bullet, Major League Baseball is requiring helmets that will be able to withstand a baseball strike of up to 100 miles per hour. This season approximately300 MLB players will wear the Rawlings Sporting Goods Company S100 Pro Comp batting helmet this season before the league-wide rule goes into effect next year.
Baseball season is about to see opening day and this year the game, at least for youth players, will be a little different as runs for bats have chanted. The National Federation of State High School Associations has adopted a new standard for baseball bats.
Sporting goods maker Baden Sports is looking to shake things up this spring with the new line of Axe baseball and softball bats. The big change is in the new patented handle design that helps guide a player’s hand into the proper hitting position at contact.This reportedly means more power and more solid contact. While this year will see new changes for bats, the Axe line has been certified and approved for use at all levels of play in 2012 – from Little League to high school, the NCAA and even the pros.
The good old sports helmet has been around a while, and the first recorded use of a dedicated fitness helmet was probably designed for football – although British officers did use their pith or sun helmets to play polo in the 19th century. Today helmets are often called “brain buckets” as they do product the gray matter and much more.
One trend we saw very much this year was how technology is being used to reduce injuries. We’ve seen new improvements in helmets and sensors for football, baseball and hockey. We’ve seen helmets being used in skiing and snowboarding, as well as cycling of course. 
The saying may go “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, but Nimura Sports of Granada Hills, CA is betting that they can teach or re-teach baseball and softball players how to throw a ball correctly. The Excel Throw is a simple, yet seemly effective training device that not only properly positions the fingers during the throwing of a ball, but also through its continued use, aids in instilling this proper position by way of ’muscle memory’.