Coaches Corner

COACHES CORNER - Time to CHECK your Softball Equipment

During this enforced lockdown and, considering we are half-way through our winter competition, this is the perfect time to unpack your kit bag and check your equipment.

Let’s check out the two most important pieces of softball equipment – your bat and your glove. After these tips from Alan, your softball equipment will be ready for you to get back on the diamond! 

Your Glove

Tip 1: Use a glove wrap or an alternative

When you take your glove out of your bag it should be in a glove wrap. Storing the glove correctly is most important for the glove. If you don’t have a glove wrap, then place two balls inside the glove and place a folded hand towel over the balls. Then use a ribbon to tie around the glove to hold the glove in its correct shape. The two outside fingers of the glove should not touch. 

Tip 2: Check your glove laces 

Unwrap the glove and check the glove lacing in two areas: the lacing joining the fingers of the glove from the pocket to the little finger position; and the pocket. 

The pocket has two laces. One starts at the top where the finger and pocket meet at the intersection of your thumb and forefinger and the other lace goes from the thumb down to meet the other lace. The leather lace stretches which causes the glove to lose its shape making it difficult to field and catch balls.

To check if your glove has the correct shape try this test:

• Place a ball on the ground and hold your glove with two fingers where your hand goes into the glove. 
• Now holding the glove with two fingers, lower the glove over the ball and you should be able to lift the ball whilst still holding the glove with only the two fingers. 

If it does not hold the ball in the glove, then the lacing in your glove needs tightening to regain its shape. If in doubt, feel free to contact Alan Moore. 

Tip 3: Check the glove leather

If your glove is worn and/or more than 12 months old, it is probably time to rejuvenate your glove. Do NOT use oil on your glove. A product called Dubbin is a leather conditioning cream that works well. Smear the cream over the entire glove rubbing into all areas. When done, place the glove in a plastic bag and seal the top with a tie. Place the plastic bag out in the sun for 4 hours and then turn it over for another 4 hours. 

After 4 hours, you will find droplets of water in the bag – don’t worry about it, as this is part of softening process. At the end of this process, your glove should be soft and ready to play. Just remember to store your glove properly (as above) so it keeps its shape. 

Your Bat

Tip 4: Check your bat grip 

If your bat’s grip - if it is worn or starting to separate, it’s time to replace the grip. 

Before removing the old grip, mark where your grip ends so that you finish in the same place. (Note: Softball rules indicate a minimum length for the grip). Remove the old grip and then wrap the new grip around the handle overlapping the grip by a third, keeping tension on the new grip as you wrap it. Finish at the mark you made on the bat for the old grip. Use the tape that comes with the grip to ensure it will not come undone.

Tip 5: Check the condition of your bat

Other things to do…

• Check the cap on the end of the bat, ensuring it does not move. 
• Shake the bat as sometimes material inside the bat can come loose and it will rattle.
• Run your hand around the barrel to check for any sharp edges.
• Check the surface of the barrel for superficial cracks.
• Check all composite bats where the barrel meets the handle (especially the Easton Ghost) as this is the point where most of these bats are failing.
• Pull back the rubber sleeve and check for cracks where the barrel and the handle meet.

If you find any of these issues with your bat, it is best to get it checked but its most likely time for a new bat. Your bat will no longer meet the required standard and could be dangerous to use. Bats with these issues will not pass an umpire’s bat inspection at a State Championship. 

The glove and the bat are expensive and important pieces of softball equipment - you will get value for money by looking after them. 

After these checks, your softball equipment is ready for you to get back on the diamond!