Related: Check back on Dec. 5 for our Top Gifts Under $25!

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Related: Check back on Monday for our Cyber Monday deals!

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It’s time for Round 2 of our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. Today it’s all about our top gifts for parents.

Whether your parent is a current player, former player or just a fan, we have the gift for you. We ranked our top 6 gifts for dads, baseball moms and all around hardball fans. Check ‘em out:

6. BaseQube Baseball Holder ($1.99)

For the parent with souvenir baseballs and nowhere to put them. The BaseQube is an easy way to display keepsake baseballs, whether it’s Dad’s old Honus Wagner that was sitting in the attic or your first home run ball from Little League.

5. Rawlings Heart of the Hide Leather Wallet ($44.99)

The Heart of the Hide Leather Wallet is made with the same leather used in Rawlings’ pro-grade baseball gloves. That means this glove will last for years and will break in nicely in any back pocket.

4. Louisville Personalized 34″ Wood Baseball Bat ($59.99)

Great for the parent who plays in a wooden bat league or could use something nice for the mantle or office. This custom made 34″ Louisville Slugger bat comes with his name personalized on the barrel, just like in the big leagues.

3. Team Express Custom Glove Gift Card ($325-475)

Want to get Dad the perfect glove? Let him personalize it himself! The Team Express Custom Glove Gift Card covers a custom made Rawlings or Wilson baseball glove, allowing your parent to nail down the specifics.

2. Shoeless Joe Golden Era Series Baseball Glove ($139.99)

They don’t make them like they used to? Shoeless Joe does.

Shoeless Joe’s Golden Era Series features gloves from specific eras in baseball history. Each glove is made using the preferred materials and construction style of the time, making this a perfect gift for a nostalgic baseball fan.

1. Rawlings Leather Glove Chair and Ottoman Combo ($4,999.99)

The ultimate gift for the perfect fan cave. The Leather Glove Chair and Ottoman Combo is made with Rawlings’ premium Heart of the Hide leather (the same stuff used in the gloves) for superb feel and quality.

The glove chair can be customized just like your favorite baseball glove (call for details).

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Looking for that perfect baseball gift but not sure where to start? We have some ideas.

We’re kicking off our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide today, and over the next few weeks we’ll take a look at gift ideas for kids, parents, players and fans. We’ll see some of our top stocking stuffers and top gifts under $25.

Today, we start with the best baseball gloves and bats for kids.

This part of the guide is divvied into two sections: Hardcore players and casual enthusiasts.

Hardcore players are kiddos that don’t need any extra motivation to play. They’re committed to the game, and it’s easy to tell that they’ll be playing for years to come.

Casual enthusiasts are youngsters just getting into the sport or players who aren’t primarily interested in baseball. They might play baseball next summer, and then the next year, they might move on to another sport.

We’ll start with casual enthusiasts.

A new bat or glove is an easy way to boost a youngster’s interest, but if he might only use it for a season, the best option is quality gear that doesn’t cost too much.

That makes the Louisville Slugger Helix Series ($39.99) a killer option.

The Helix Series uses a pro pattern, and it combines a mesh back with a soft leather palm. That makes for a comfortable, lightweight glove ideal for a casual player.

Along these lines, another great glove option for casual players is the Easton Z Flex ($19.99). It includes special breakpoints for an easy-to-close glove, great for young players still learning the game. Also: The Wilson A200 ($16.99) for tee ball players.

If a new bat is more his style, the thought process is the same. The ideal bat is one that’ll improve the player’s enjoyment of the game without costing too much.

Look no further than the Louisville Slugger Omaha ($29.99-79.98).

The Omaha was one of the top models in 2012, and in 2013, comes in as a superb, affordable option for young players still getting a feel for the game. That’s because it features a large barrel and an even balance.

The barrel gives the player more real estate to make contact, and the balance makes it easy to get the bat around the ball. It adds up to better success at the plate and a more enjoyable experience for the young player.

For hardcore players, check out these options

Hardcore players are no longer beginners, and they’ve begun building their skillsets. That means that an entry level glove wouldn’t be best.

Instead, this player needs a glove that allows him to keep developing his talents.

The Rawlings Gamer Pro Taper ($99.99) is a perfect fit.

The Gamer Pro Taper uses pro-inspired patterns, tweaked slightly for smaller hands. The shorter finger stalls and smaller wrist opening are tailored for players growing into the sport.

The Gold Glove quality leather means this is a glove that will last multiple seasons.

Looking for other options? Try Louisville’s Omaha Select Youth Series ($64.99) or Rawlings’ Youth Player Preferred Series ($44.99).

Both use pro-style patterns and high-quality leather to give you a solid glove with excellent durability — the kind of glove that will last multiple seasons.

As for bats, this year’s hottest youth bat is the Easton Mako ($34.99-$349.99).

The Mako was featured prominently in this year’s Little League World Series, where numerous players showed off its high-powered design. The Mako is engineered with an extra large barrel and an ultralight swing weight — perfect for helping youngsters take their game to the next level.

Up Next: On Nov. 26, we’ll take a look at some of the top gifts for dads.

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The days are short and the weather is cold. For all but the diehards out there, it makes playing baseball pretty much impossible.

While we patiently wait for spring, we’d recommend taking a few steps to keep your gear in good shape over the offseason.

It’s simple stuff, and it will go a long way towards making sure your equipment is good to go next year.

Prep your glove for its winter hibernation

Even if you plan to take it out every now and then to play catch, it’s time to do a little maintenance on your baseball glove.

After a long spring and summer, your glove has probably soaked up its share of sweat and grime — not to mention lots of infield dust. Tossing your glove on dugout floors, catching balls and throwing it in your bat bag all puts wear and tear on its leather.

• Now’s the time to clean the leather. A sturdy brush can be used to get rid of any mud or dirt that has dried onto your glove.
• Afterwards, give it a through wipedown with a damp cloth. If you like, you can also use a glove cleaning solution at this step as well.
• Now that your glove is nice and clean, check the laces. Tighten any that are loose and replace any that are worn or broken.
• Oil or condition your glove. Don’t use too much oil, which will weigh your glove down and make the surface sticky.
• Finally, wrap it around a baseball and put it on the shelf — preferably in a dry location out of the sunlight.

Dust off your cleats

If you plan on using your cleats next season, all it takes is a simple cleaning. Remove any dead grass stuck to your cleats, wipe down the leather and put them in the closet.

Put your bat somewhere cozy

There’s not much maintenance that can be done to a baseball bat, so it just comes down to storing it in a good location.

It doesn’t matter whether your bat is composite, an alloy or a hybrid — It’s important to store your bat in an area that doesn’t experience any temperature extremes or frequent temperature changes.

Your bat should be kept in an area that consistently stays above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

For baseball players in certain parts of the country, that means the garage is a no-go. The winter cold will cause the material to contract, which can damage an aluminum barrel or crack a composite one.

So when you keep it inside over the winter, keep it away from any heating vents or radiators, and you’ll be golden.

If you plan to take your bat out to play in the cold, be cautious. Aluminum bats perform poorly in cold weather, and composite bats run the risk of cracking.

For players who are regularly out in the cold, a bat warmer might be a good investment.

Related: Need some glove conditioner? We’ve got you covered.

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It’s hoodie weather, so we looked through our stock of cold weather gear to find the best ones we’ve got.

Here’s the best of the best. The Creme de la Creme. These are our top hoodies, based on sales, popularity and positive customer reviews. Check ‘em out.

7. Adidas Men’s ClimaWarm Ultimate Hoodie ($49.99)

6. Under Armour Signature Sideline Hoodie ($64.99)

5. EvoShield Fleece Performance Hoodie ($59.99)

4. Russell Adult Dri-POWER Fleece Hoodie ($19.99)

3. Under Armour Men’s Fleece Team Hoodie ($49.99)

2. EvoShield Swag-Tech Training Hoodie ($39.99)

1. Nike Adult Premier Fleece Hoodie ($54.99)

Related: Browse our entire selection of baseball outerwear and jackets.

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We’re excited to announce that DeMarini’s 2014 CF6 Baseball Bat is now available. The bats hit our warehouse late last week, and they’re shipping now.

The CF6 has been completely redesigned for 2014.

DeMarini’s engineers started with a two-piece Paradox Composite construction and beefed it up with a ThermoFused Taper and their patented D-Fusion Handle. The ultra-stiff handle combines with the fine-tuned taper to redirect energy back into the barrel.

That kills bat sting, eliminates wasted energy and gives you more power than ever before.

It’s available in these sizes:

• -3 BBCOR
• -8 Big Barrel
• -10 Big Barrel
• -11 Youth

Get one at Baseball Express.

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]]> http://baseballexpress.wordpress.com/2013/11/06/demarinis-2014-cf6-is-shipping-now/feed/ 0 baseballexpress DeMarini 2014 CF6 -3 Adult BBCOR Baseball Bat http://baseballexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/31/what-are-the-top-5-new-bbcor-bats-heading-into-the-2014-season/ http://baseballexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/31/what-are-the-top-5-new-bbcor-bats-heading-into-the-2014-season/#comments Thu, 31 Oct 2013 20:55:13 +0000 http://baseballexpress.wordpress.com/?p=4722 ]]>
We couldn’t resist talking about bats on Halloween

If you’ve checked out our BBCOR Bats page lately, you might’ve seen that we have 35 brand new bat models in stock.

It can be a lot to sort through, so we thought we’d boil it down to the Crème de la Crème. The best of the best. Sorting by popularity and customer reviews, here are the Top 5 new bats of Fall 2013*, heading into next spring:

5. Rawlings 2014 5150 BBCOR Baseball Bat


Talk about bang for your buck. The 5150 features Rawlings’ tried and true alloy design, and best of all, it comes in at under 200 bucks. Get it for $199.99.

4. Louisville Slugger 2014 Attack BBCOR Baseball Bat


The Attack is the first of two 3-piece designs to land on our Top 5 list. All three pieces are composite — and with a flex band in the taper — it’s designed for a comfortable balance. Get it for $399.99.

3. Rawlings 2014 Trio BBCOR Baseball Bat


Rawlings clocks a solid third place on the list with its Trio BBCOR Bat. The Trio is a brand new design, the first-ever 3-piece bat offered by Rawlings (definitely an emerging trend in BBCOR bats). Get it for $399.99.

2. DeMarini 2014 Voodoo Paradox BBCOR Baseball Bat


The Voodoo has been a mainstay for years, and DeMarini took things up a notch this season with an all-new, ultra-stiff Paradox Composite handle. Get it for $249.99.

1. Easton 2014 Mako BBCOR Baseball Bat


The Mako is the crown jewel of Easton’s 2014 update to the Power Brigade. Brand new Thermo Composite Technology allowed them to create a bat with an XL frame and a Speed Series balance. Get it for $449.99.

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*Depending on reviews, new releases and popularity changes before next spring, this list is subject to change, of course.

Related: Shop our entire selection of BBCOR baseball bats.

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]]> http://baseballexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/31/what-are-the-top-5-new-bbcor-bats-heading-into-the-2014-season/feed/ 0 baseballexpress Top BBCOR bats for 2013 Rawlings 2014 5150 BBCOR Baseball Bat Louisville Slugger 2014 Attack BBCOR Baseball Bat Rawlings 2014 Trio BBCOR Baseball Bat DeMarini 2014 Voodoo Paradox BBCOR Baseball Bat Easton 2014 Mako BBCOR Baseball Bat http://baseballexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/every-glove-used-by-the-2013-rawlings-gold-glove-winners/ http://baseballexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/every-glove-used-by-the-2013-rawlings-gold-glove-winners/#comments Wed, 30 Oct 2013 22:51:56 +0000 http://baseballexpress.wordpress.com/?p=4710 ]]>

The 2013 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners were announced last night, and it’s a great list.

It’s a perfect mix of baseball’s new and old guards. Eight first-timers are on the list, included among some of the biggest stars in baseball. Because to be the best at your position, it takes both talent and dedication.

And a great glove.

These players depend on their gloves to perform under heavy stress, so they need gloves that are up to the challenge.

So here’s the list behind the list. The Gold Glove glove list:


Brandon Phillips’ Wilson A2K

National League

1B — Paul Goldschmidt (AZ) — Rawlings Heart of Hide Dual Core
2B — Brandon Phillips (CIN) — Wilson A2K Brandon Phillips
SS — Adrelton Simmons (ATL) — Rawlings Pro Preferred PRO200
3B — Nolan Arenado (COL) — Rawlings Heart of Hide PRO200
LF — Carlos Gonzalez (COL) — Nike Diamond Elite Pro 1275
CF — Carlos Gomez (MIL) — Rawlings Heart of Hide PRO200
RF — Gerardo Parra (AZ) — Wilson A2000 1799 SuperSkin
C — Yadier Molina (STL) — Rawlings Heart of Hide Yadier Molina
P — Adam Wainwright (STL) — Mizuno Pro Limited Edition


J.J. Hardy’s Rawlings Pro Preferred

American League

1B — Eric Hosmer (KC) — Rawlings Heart of Hide Dual Core
2B — Dustin Pedroia (BOS) — Wilson A2K DP15
SS — J.J. Hardy (BAL) — Rawlings Pro Preferred J.J. Hardy
3B — Manny Machado (BAL) — Wilson A2000 Infield 1786 (old), Rawlings Heart of the Hide PRONP5TLB (new*)
LF — Alex Gordon (KC) — Rawlings Heart of the Hide Alex Gordon
CF — Adam Jones (BAL) — Rawlings Pro Preferred Adam Jones
RF — Shane Victorino (BOS) — Akadema AMR-34
C — Salvador Perez (KC) — All-Star Pro Series
P — RA Dickey (TOR) — Rawlings Heart of Hide PRO504

*HT to @SouthPaw303 for pointing out that Machado switched to a Rawlings this year.

Related: Shop our entire selection of baseball gloves.

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]]> http://baseballexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/every-glove-used-by-the-2013-rawlings-gold-glove-winners/feed/ 0 baseballexpress 2013 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners Brandon Phillips Wilson A2K JJ Hardy Rawlings Pro Preferred http://baseballexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/its-our-spooky-storewide-halloween-sale-take-15-off-your-order/ http://baseballexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/its-our-spooky-storewide-halloween-sale-take-15-off-your-order/#comments Tue, 29 Oct 2013 14:11:14 +0000 http://baseballexpress.wordpress.com/?p=4704 ]]> Jeepers, creepers! It’s time once again for a SPOOKY storewide sale at Baseball Express.

Save 15% on your order storewide when you use the promo code JSBBSP91 at checkout. This offer is valid through 11/2. Some exclusions may apply.



Related: Double-up your discounts and shop our already reduced items.

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]]> http://baseballexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/its-our-spooky-storewide-halloween-sale-take-15-off-your-order/feed/ 0 baseballexpress Baseball Express Halloween Sale