I peeled the sticker and only realized after that if you peel it then warranty is void. I put the sticker back on but now it probably won’t stick as well. My bat has a couple cracks. Can I still use warranty?

My daughter is in 10U Rec. So, not very serious, and this is also only her second season. She loves the sport and we are thrilled she has found a passion.

Last season, thw coaches were pretty laid back. It was nice, but there was no real push to help the girls become better.

This year, the head coach is tough, but she is nice to the girls. I like her as my daughters coach. But when it comes to the parents (or, rather, us) it seems like we can't please her.

A few examples; 1.) Beginning of the season, she tells us my daughter needs a new glove. We had just bought a brand new one two months ago for $80. But that's fine, I want her to have the proper equipment. 2.) Next practice she tells me she wants my daughter to get a new bat in the appropriate size and wants 2 chokes on it. We get a new alloy and bring it to the next practice. Coach then said that she didn't need the chokes and she wanted a composite bat. We then get a relatively new, but used composite bat and bring it to her game. She told me she was going to have our daughter use her composite bats. 3.) We were told to get red socks, as the team colors were red and white. I got red socks. Turns out, the colors are burgundy and white. So, now I have gone back out to get burgundy socks.

This season alone, we have spent over four or five hundred on new equipment and gear. I know the sport is expensive and I don't really mind spending the money, but I am so tired of not "getting the right stuff."

She told me to get her sunglasses for under her face wear, and I have a feeling the basic, black sunglasses we got will somehow be wrong.

Hi, my daughter plays 6U softball. It is coach pitch but they use the tee as well. This is our second season playing and we have not used a catcher for our team either season due to needing them in the outfield (we usually only have 6-8 kids). However, the opposing team yesterday had a catcher. The catcher was grabbing the balls and tagging home plate to get outs, which seems fair to me. I could be wrong. There were a couple parents who said that it didn’t seem fair that the catcher was only a few feet away from home and had easy access to grab the balls when they didn’t go far. Some of our kids barely tap the ball so it will only be a few feet away from home, which is just feet away from the catcher so the catcher was easily grabbing them and stepping on home to get them out. My question is, is it fair for the catcher to get the balls, get to home plate and that counts as an out? I’m not an expert which is why i’m coming here to ask this, lol. But I didn’t want to tell the other parents if was fair or not because I personally don’t know myself. Again, we don’t have a catcher so this is new to our team/parents as we don’t know the rules for catchers. Thanks!

Hello. I am starting to have bad pain in my throwing elbow. Other than the obvious icing what are some ways I can remedy this? Are there and stretches or anything I can do?

Recently purchased a previously owned Louisville Proven Composite Bat that looks and hits like it's brand new. Looking for a rough Idea on how to break it in the quickest way.

I've never owned a never used composite bat before. I know from reading on here not to bring it to the cages, especially ones with the dimpled balls. Just want to get it done soon as the Fall season starts next week.

Thanks in advance.

I’ve never played softball but I’m joining my high schools team. I don’t have a clue what type of glove to buy because I don’t know my position yet. I don’t want to spend more than 60-70 bucks on a glove and I know that the leather on cheaper gloves is not as good as the expensive ones but I figured since I’m learning the sport i’m not gonna start in a game, so I can pass with a cheaper glove.

I've been getting sponsored links for tucci. Has anyone used the Firenze. It looks nice but it's almost same price as a ghost.

I just wanted to gauge a general consensus on a situation. This weekend our 12U Majors team in Little League Softball had a game. We have played this team before and have always somewhat questioned their choice of umpires but have kept out mouths shut. This last game however, things became a little more exagerrated. One of their coaches was the Homeplate umpire and continually gave instruction to just his team. When playing defense, he would tell his catcher to make sure she caught the ball and squeezed her glove as it was a third strike. Or pointed to the pop fly and instructed the second baseman it was theirs. The most blatant was when they were at bat, he would tell his batter that whenever the pitcher moved her hip in, it was a fastball down the middle and to swing.

I have no problem with coaches instructing from the dugout, or on first or third base, but the umpire should at least try to be impartial. Am I correct on that? After the game when it was addressed, they were very heated and said it is an instructional league. Yes, it is, but not at the Majors level and this was beyond biased....just wanted to hear your thoughts. If it truly an instructional league- why not instruct both teams then from the plate. TIA

My 11yo just recently moved up from her 10U to a 12U travel team. Not sure if it's the ball change or what but her throwing technique has suddenly gone out the window. She's throwing sidearm, and the ball is not accurate 50% of the time. She is doing lessons, on top of her regular travel and rec practice.

I have the time and means to help her work on it at home. But would love some good drills to help the process.

I have never really keep the book I messed around with it last season in rec but this year I am tasked with having to keep the official book for travel. Any tips ?

What should ss do when there’s a steal happening to second but the batter hits it to their right as they’re trying to cover second on the steal? It happened today during our game and overall I think it’s just great placement by the batter but I was wondering if there’s a way to help our ss be prepared for either play

Is this crazy for me to do ? I (F28) really want to get more involved in a community team sport but will this be frustrating to others on the team if I suck / have a lot to learn ? Any tips on which position I should ask to play?

Throwing strikes at this level can be challenging. Any thought on handling a pitching staff. Maybe limits on how many walks before pitching change. It’s fall ball so I want to give kid’s opportunity but when there are so many walks, the fielders don’t get to field and the batters don’t get to swing

Daughter is between two sizes right now - 29-30 length - has an old 29/-13 alloy, also has a 30/-12 (DeMarini Vendetta/CF) that is just barely too big (but balanced) so thinking of getting a 29/-18 but not looking to drop the crazy money on something - she loves her teammates LXT and been hunting for days and found one local ish. It’s just beat to all get out (no rattles or cracks though) - and a 2019 version - is it worth the $50/60 for one or just keep staring at Marketplace and wait for a unicorn bat to pop up 🤣😂. I know some bats don’t make it that long - but really only had a kid playing for a few seasons (at least on a more serious team).

(sorry if flair is wrong) I play 14u rec league and im going to be the pitcher for my team, but i dont have a glove for it. I only have a first basemans glove because i play outfield and 1st but i know i cant use that for pitching. any recommendations? im playing fall ball right now but im switching to 16u for spring. also, preferably under $150!

My 10-year-old just started playing for Texas Glory. She played one season of req and did well. She also does gymnastics and our concern is her getting hurt as she continues to move further in gymnastics. I would still consider her a beginner, but we are debating whether or not we should remove her now.

Has anyone ever been in similar circumstances? thank you

Weighing our options between the east coast and Texas and would like to get all the information on living in Texas. We are looking to move and we have a little one that will be soon playing travel softball. Best towns for school and youth sports in Texas? Also, good community and good people. We would love to have some fun as well (lakes and boating on our free time). Thanks all!

I was at my daughter's 10u game today and saw that pitchers are working on change ups, not to great success, lol. One pitch slowly went high into the air, bounced quit short of the plate, before rolling to the catcher. If a batter has two strikes and decides to swing, can she start running for first on a dropped third right away, or does she have to wait until it passes the plate? This didn't happen, but it made me curious.

My daughter is now in 10U. This is her second season and she loves the sport. Her last season, she was made catcher and we bought her own catcher gear that was pricey, but worth it. We got a cheap-ish glove and bat her first season since we weren't sure if she would stick it out. But she has made it clear that she wants to be a part of this sport for awhile. So at the end of the season we got her a Rawlings 11.25" R9 series. It was originally $120 but snagged it for $80 on sale at Dicks. She finally broke it in and we found out her coach wants her in a 12". That's fine. New gear and the right size gear is important. Get her a new R9 contour series that she likes and is working great. Coach told us to get a new bat. Got a new Marucci fast-pitch alloy bat, except coach wants a composite. So, after I have dropped almost $400 on new equipment (uniform and new cleats included) in the last two weeks, I am wondering if it's really worth it to get her a composite for her fall season or should we just use this new bat for the season and get a composite for next season.

Any advice? If the composite route, what is your favorite composite fast-pitch bat? We would need a 30-11 or -12.

Thank you!

Has anyone done the HitTrax cage at Dick’s to demo bats and can give me some feedback? I’m planning ahead for when DeMarini/Louisville hopefully announce their Bat Day sale. My daughter plays 10u and a few of her teammates have the DeMarini Prism that she can try, but I’d like her to swing a LXT as well. Hoping Dick’s may have one in their HitTrax demo options. Thanks!

We had a Louisville Meta that developed a rattle after 1 season. We got it replaced on warranty, and are now very cautious how we treat the new bat since it will no longer be eligible for warranty replacments.

Last night the coach brought a pitching machine to the practice with dimple balls. We read before that those dimpled balls are denser and can ruin your new composite bat, so she was concerned. We had to just use it for that day (only a handful of hits) but I want to get something for future practices.

Here were my thoughts:

1. Aluminum: I just got rid our cheap alloy bat and now regretting it. I can go buy another for like $30 but it will have a different feel than her Slugger composite. This is an option, but not sure the best option.
2. Wood: I read wood bats are great training bats. They are heavier and force good mechanics. But I'm not sure now is the time to do this (we just started tournament seaons), and not sure it is right for fastpitch softball players either. 12U is where we are at btw.
3. Used Composite: Still expensive, but can get a used composite. Downside is I wont know how much life is left in it. Upside is it can always serve as a backup in case her main bat fails mid game. Plus even used they aren't cheap.
4. Varo RAP Weighted Hittable Training Sleeve: I stumbled across this and I liked the option. It is a protective sleeve that goes on any bat. It insulates the hit from the dimpled ball, so IN THEORY it should allow the bat to last longer. It is also 4 ounces heavier so it will make her go from a drop 11 to a drop 7, which is significant. I think this will help her develop her strength, so I like the idea. This product is $39 so it is half or third of the cost of a used composite.

Okay, so now I'm looking for opinions. I want to get the Varo RAP Weighted Hittable Training Sleeve, BUT that means

• CON: I wont have a backup bat
• CON: the significant weight difference may be counterproductive
• PRO: I can use it in the future on any bat
• PRO: She can practice with her bat so is comfortable with the grip and feel (minus the weight diff)
• PRO: Cost is cheaper
• PRO: weight difference will build muscle and faster swings

Product link in case interested: https://www.amazon.com/Varo-Hittable-Training-Baseball-Authentic/dp/B074M9VSST

Help! I’ve been conscripted to play on my wife’s school softball team. It’s pretty casual and all for fun. I was a multi sport athlete in high school, but I’ve never played organized softball or baseball before. I generally know the rules, but does anyone have any pointers or tips before I get out there for the first time?

Thank you!

Daughter is swinging a Lxt 29 drop 11 which is a two piece bat it’s supposed or market as a balance bat. The only issue is I feel as if it’s end heavy and I also can see it in her swing. When her mechanics are correct I feel like we still have a dip in the barrel. Now she has a back up which is a 30 drop 12 it’s a two piece but not nearly as end heavy similar to the Marucci echo two pieces. And she seems two swing that one fine

Is there a major difference in the two pieces end loaded bats vs one piece? And could that cause a major difference in the swing.

Ok so we are going to call this team The Diamonds, which is not their actual name. Important note: this team also has house ball, which I play in. The Diamonds was my dream team to play on, so I tried out. I didn't make it. It bummed me out for about 2 weeks and temporally killed my love for softball (Don't worry, it's back now.) Something really pissed me off though, one girl was literally sitting on the bench half the time while we were on the field. She got in the team🤨. Today I was talking to this girl one level below me, and she said someone THREW UP during the tryouts... she couldn't private tryout either as once you tryout once, you can't tryout again, no matter what. Guess what? She made it on the team -_-. She said it was because her dad contacted the coaches AND PRETTY MUCH BRIBED THEM🤦‍♀️ The girl who threw up told the person I was talking too, as they're friends, so yeah. Also I thought about it, and I realized that around 80% of the people on these teams, have parents that coach/assistant coach. These group of coaches are also very tight knit, as I've seen them hanging out together more than once. The girl also mentioned that she was very close to getting on the team but her dad last minute said he didn't want to coach... she didn't make it either... I wonder if the girls who have parents that coach are almost guaranteed to make it on the team. Now I'm almost glad I didn't make it on the team as I avoided all their corruption. I did actually make it on another team but my parents backed out last second due the big price they were asking us to pay within a few days, so no travel for me this year🥲👍

I'm curious... How would you feel if a friend (from softball - daughter's previous team) didn't let you know they were contacting your daughter's coach to ask to guest play/try out? Found out from coach.

UPDATE- Thank you for your perspectives and helping me think things through. I will talk with her. Bottom line, if actions of friends (that you know well and that you respect) feels so out of character, then something is off- either with them or even with you/me. I'm going to ask her tomorrow. Thanks for being a sounding board.

I am new to coaching (since graduating college in 2023) and I was wondering what are some new and old drills that could help my 14u team get better? I remember some of the drills I use to do while playing but can’t remember all of them 😅 so please comment some good drills for my team to do. Thanks!

Was the runner at third and got a line drive right to my thigh - holy moley did it hurt! The first thing I yelled I didn’t leave the bag and I’m in foul territory - dad would be so proud! lol

I have become aware of a Coach in travel ball that promotes his players to get their bats "rolled" or "wrapped". A specific player in fact brags about it to other players and friends.

How can this be addressed? This is cheating in my book

i need help buying a bat. i'm 5'2, roughly 115 lbs and 14F. What lind of bat do i need? i don't want to spend too much money but then i want to buy a good bat. also, what would the lifespan of a bat be? if i hit 100 balls a day for six months, what condition would it be in?

Recently, another assistant coach and I were tasked with running a pop fly drill in practice. I get to the outfield and the other assistant coach is already out there coaching the girls to track fly balls through the glove. That’s right, through the gap where my thumb is in the picture. She was even having the girls work their gloves to make the gaps bigger.

Is this as insane as it sounded to me?