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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We just marked down 13 different Schutt and Rawlings models, including the Schutt ION 4D and several helmets in the Rawlings NRG line. These helmets start at $49.97, and they are available while supplies last.

Check ‘em out:

Schutt Youth Air Standard II Football Helmet w/ Facemask
Was: $74.99 Now: $56.97

Schutt 2011 Adult DNA Pro+ Football Helmet
Was: $159.99 Now: $112.97

Schutt Youth Recruit Hybrid Football Helmet
Was: $74.99 Now: $49.97

Rawlings Adult NRG Impulse Football Helmet
Was: $149.99 Now: $129.99

Rawlings Adult NRG Quantum Varsity Football Helmet
Was: $179.99 Now: $134.97

Schutt Youth XP Hybrid+ Football Helmet
Was: $99.99 Now: $65.97

Schutt Adult ION 4D Football Helmet
Was: $289.99 Now: $199.97

Schutt Youth Recruit Hybrid+ Football Helmet
Was: $99.99 Now: $69.97

Rawlings Youth NRG Momentum Plus Football Helmet
Was: $99.99 Now: $84.99

Rawlings Youth NRG Quantum Football Helmet
Was: $149.99 Now: $119.99

Schutt Youth Air XP Metallic Silver Football Helmet
Was: $175.99 Now: $112.97

Rawlings Youth NRG Impulse Football Helmet
Was: $119.99 Now: $99.99

Schutt Youth ION 4D Football Helmet
Was: $269.99 Now: $179.97

Related: Browse our entire selection of football helmets.

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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 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 Team Express.

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]]> http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/2013/11/06/demarinis-2014-cf6-is-shipping-now/feed/ 0 baseballexpress DeMarini 2014 CF6 -3 Adult BBCOR Baseball Bat http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/31/what-are-the-top-5-new-fastpitch-bats-heading-into-the-2014-season/ http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/31/what-are-the-top-5-new-fastpitch-bats-heading-into-the-2014-season/#comments Thu, 31 Oct 2013 17:06:18 +0000 http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/?p=1725 ]]>
We couldn’t resist talking about bats on Halloween

If you’ve checked out our Fastpitch Bats page lately, you might’ve seen that we have 52 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. Mizuno Whiteout 2014 Fastpitch Softball Bat



They don’t just make comfy shoes. Mizuno’s 2014 fastpitch bats feature some tweaks in the barrel for a larger sweetspot and an endloaded version for power hitters. Get it for $299.99.

4. Easton Mako Fastpitch Softball Bat



The Mako is the crown jewel of Easton’s 2014 update to the Power Brigade. Brand new Thermo Composite Technology allowed Easton to create a bat with an XL frame that’s balanced like a speed series bat. Get it for $349.99.

3. DeMarini 2014 CF6 Fastpitch Softball Bat



The CF5 was one of the top bats of 2013, and the CF6 takes it to another level. This year’s version is updated with a new Paradox Composite doublewall barrel. Get it for $299.99.

2. Louisville Slugger 2014 LXT Fastpitch Softball Bat



Slugger claims the top two spots in our list, with the newcomer LXT in at the runner up. Fully composite, it’s Slugger’s first-ever 3-piece fastpitch bat. Get it for $349.99.

1. Louisville Slugger Xeno 2014 Fastpitch Softball Bat



The Xeno was the hottest bat of 2013, and by all early accounts, the 2014 update is looking even better. The aluminum inner disc creates an extra large sweet spot and killer pop. Get it for $299.99.

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

Related: Shop our entire selection of fastpitch softball bats.

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]]> http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/31/what-are-the-top-5-new-fastpitch-bats-heading-into-the-2014-season/feed/ 0 baseballexpress Top Fastpitch bats for 2013 Easton Mako Fastpitch Softball Bat DeMarini 2014 CF6 Fastpitch Softball Bat Louisville Slugger 2014 LXT Fastpitch Softball Bat Louisville Slugger Xeno 2014 Fastpitch Softball Bat http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/this-week-take-an-extra-15-off-eastons-2013-fastpitch-power-brigade/ http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/this-week-take-an-extra-15-off-eastons-2013-fastpitch-power-brigade/#comments Wed, 30 Oct 2013 16:47:30 +0000 http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/?p=1723 ]]> Everything in the store is 15% off this week. All you need to do to apply the discount is enter the promo code JSTXSR12 at checkout.

That means you can take an extra discount on the already-discounted 2013 Easton Power Brigade.

The Power Brigade is a revolutionary bat series engineered by Easton. Each bat is tailored to a different hitting style, with the FX models geared toward power hitters and the FS models designed for contact hitters and slappers.

Check it out:

Easton 2013 Power Brigade FS1 -10 Fastpitch Bat
Was: $299.99
After code: $161.48



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Easton 2013 Power Brigade FS2 -10 Fastpitch Bat
Was: $259.99
After code: $144.49



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Easton 2013 Power Brigade FX2 -9 Fastpitch Bat
Was: $259.99
After code: $144.49



Check out all of our closeout Easton fastpitch bats here.

Related: See our entire selection of Easton gear.

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]]> http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/this-week-take-an-extra-15-off-eastons-2013-fastpitch-power-brigade/feed/ 0 baseballexpress Easton 2013 Power Brigade FS1 -10 Fastpitch Bat Easton 2013 Power Brigade FS2 -10 Fastpitch Bat Easton 2013 Power Brigade FX2 -9 Fastpitch Bat http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/its-our-spooky-storewide-halloween-sale-take-15-off-your-order/ http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/its-our-spooky-storewide-halloween-sale-take-15-off-your-order/#comments Tue, 29 Oct 2013 14:45:42 +0000 http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/?p=1720 ]]> Jeepers, creepers! It’s time once again for a SPOOKY storewide sale at Team Express.

Save 15% on your order storewide when you use the promo code JSTXSR12 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://teamexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/its-our-spooky-storewide-halloween-sale-take-15-off-your-order/feed/ 0 baseballexpress Team Express Halloween Sale http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/scarborough-what-you-say-on-social-media-can-derail-your-future-softball-career/ http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/scarborough-what-you-say-on-social-media-can-derail-your-future-softball-career/#comments Thu, 24 Oct 2013 16:27:54 +0000 http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/?p=1718 ]]> This post was guest written by former Texas A&M pitcher and two-time All-American Amanda Scarborough. You can find Amanda’s other posts here.



What is Your Personal Brand Saying About You Through Social Media?

Definition: Personal branding is the process of developing a “mark” that is created around your personal name or your career. You use this “mark” to express and communicate your skills, personality and values. The end goal is that the personal brand that you develop will build your reputation and help you to grow your network in a way that interests others. They will then seek you out for your knowledge and expertise.

Personal brands affect each and every one of us daily. Few softball players realize that they are building their personal brands NOW, at age 12 or at age 17. This no longer applies to just famous celebrity adult athletes out in the “real world.” Social media, in my eyes, is affecting personal branding the most with young players. Every tweet, every picture, every post is defining how you want the world to view you and how you are making your own unique “mark” on the world. Young players are unaware that the image they are portraying now, even as preteens, could be affecting where their career is headed when it comes to playing in college and also in post college careers past softball. Personal branding affects a player aspiring to play softball in college just as much as it affects the current college softball standout.

Why is this important when it comes to softball? A softball player’s brand is not simply built on batting average, ERA, or wins and losses. Though that is PART of a player’s brand, it truly is much more and deeper than just statistics and swag on the field. Every second of the day it’s either getting stronger or getting weaker. A player is not the only person who has a personal brand in our game — coaches and parents also have their personal brand which is being defined with every game, every win, every loss and every taught skill along the way.

What players are putting out on social media is defining their personal brands through words and pictures that will live forever — Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Vine, etc. This is something that 10-15 years ago, players like myself did not have to worry about as much, as the concept of personal branding really started to come around in the late 90′s. It is through technology and apps that define your brand and really what you are all about on the inside. As I’ve watched and monitored over our own team’s tweets and posts, I’ve noticed some common themes along the way that need to be redirected and given better, more positive energy than some of the negativity I read.

Think of these things as you build YOUR brand before you post anything:

1. What is your vision and purpose?
2. What are your values and passions?
3. What are your goals? Long term and short term?
4. What makes you happy?

I’ve explained to our own Firecracker team before that Twitter should not be a medium to release any and all personal problems that vary between how you’re playing on the field to relationship problems to family problems. I totally understand 100% that players feel like these forms of social media are a way to express themselves, but there are some things that should be left to be expressed to your coach, friends or family in a one on one CONVERSATION, not a public conversation on the Internet. Remember that there are other ways to be heard and people who care about what you are feeling who are actually close to you — your friends and family.

If you’re not playing well on the field, why would you tweet about it? Do you want your competition to know that you’re not seeing the ball well or your change up is struggling? Instead of tweeting about it, go practice. Take that energy and use it towards something good. If you have time to tweet about it, usually you have time to go out and practice or get better at whatever it is you’re complaining about. The more your thoughts are negative, the longer you will struggle. Along those same lines, are your tweets helping your team or hurting your team? Handle team problems off the field not through social media.

When you’re tweeting, think about the language you are using. No curse words or putting other people down or bullying. Anything negative only brings other people down who are reading it and makes YOU look worse.

When you’re posting pictures, before you post, think about if that exact picture was on the front of USA Today, would you be OK with it? What would your parents think if they saw it on the front of the paper?

Don’t complain about relationship and friendship problems via social media. These problems fall under that personal umbrella that should not be shared with the world. Now don’t get me wrong, I know that there will be problems, we all have them. However, there is a place to talk about them, and it’s not over a social media medium. The negativity and complaining take away from your personal brand.

When you are tweeting and posting, think about posting things that shape YOU in the light that you want to be seen in and the characteristics that you want put next to your name. If you’re having a bad day, where you maybe can’t think of anything nice or positive to post, then just go ahead and don’t put anything that day. Putting nothing is better than putting something negative or sad. Nobody else defines you, YOU define you. Do you want to be seen as pessimistic, critical, a bad teammate, depressed and someone who has self pity? Or do you want to be seen as charismatic, happy, motivated, inspired, passionate? When you put yourself in a college coach’s shoes, which characteristics do you want your players to have and be around every day? What kind of energy are you giving off to the public with your posts?

Have an effect on others that is positive. Before you post, think is this helping or hurting my brand? It’s so important to realize that every day your image can be seen in a negative or positive light, which will have an effect on not only YOU but college coaches, tournament team coaches, opposing players and also your career once softball is finished. Right now, what kind of brand are you creating and what kind of “mark” are you leaving on the world? The brand you are creating on a daily basis now has an impact on your life years and years down the road.

Make the most of it now. Don’t start later.

You can catch Amanda on Twitter at Amanda9.

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]]> http://teamexpress.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/scarborough-what-you-say-on-social-media-can-derail-your-future-softball-career/feed/ 0 baseballexpress Amanda Scarborough Texas A&M Softball