Welcome to the Complete Game Podcast where we're all about baseball with Ethan Dungan, owner of Glovehound baseball glove repair shop.
Speaker ARick Finley, founder of MDNI Baseball Academy and the creator of George Foster Baseball, the MVP himself, Reds hall of Famer George Foster.
Speaker AI'm your host, Greg Dungan.
Speaker ANow let's talk baseball.
Speaker AAll right, welcome to episode.
Speaker AI don't know what episode is this?
Speaker AEpisode eight.
Speaker AYes, welcome to episode eight.
Speaker AWe're going to talk about gear today.
Speaker AEquipment.
Speaker ASo we're going to start with a new segment today called Featured Faves.
Speaker BFeatures Faves.
Speaker CYep.
Speaker AAnd what we're going to do is we're going to go around the table and have everybody talk about what their favorite gear was to use when they played.
Speaker AAnd so we're talk about mainly four categories because basically in baseball you've got your bat, your glove, your, your footwear and then whatever accessories.
Speaker AAnd accessories can be extra clothing that you like to wear or can be protective stuff, batting gear, you know, like batting gloves, sliding mitts, whatever, whatever it is.
Speaker AOkay, so.
Speaker ASo we'll start with.
Speaker AWe'll start with George and we'll go bat, glove, footwear, accessories.
Speaker BThat'll work.
Speaker DIt'll work, work, work.
Speaker DWell, I had a.
Speaker DI loved.
Speaker DWell at the time, Louisville Slugger was the only bats that were out there.
Speaker DLater on, andiron had come into play, but I couldn't leave in Louisville.
Speaker DBut I had the P72 3535 and that was my favorite and it did me justice.
Speaker DBut it started in minor league ball that I had run out of bats.
Speaker DAnd when you major league get as many bats you want.
Speaker DBut in minor league ball, you have to make sure you ration or make sure you don't break bats or have somebody else use your bat.
Speaker DSo this guy, Hal King had a bat, P72 Hickory Stain and Thin handle.
Speaker DAnd that's the thing that kids gotta realize, that if you have long fingers, you gotta have a thicker bat, have a short fingers, have a thinner bat.
Speaker DCause you don't wanna have to.
Speaker DThe way you grip the bat, you wanna grip it with your fingers in the base of your fingers.
Speaker DSo that P72 had the thin handle.
Speaker DCause they have short fingers.
Speaker DAnd.
Speaker DAnd it was just right for me.
Speaker DSo as I left the minor leagues, Indianapolis come back to the major leagues, I kept using it because I thought I had to have a P72 Hickory stain.
Speaker DThen from then on, it become known that I had a black bat.
Speaker DAnd people wonder why you had a black bat.
Speaker DI said, then people off fielders were saying that we couldn't see the bat go through the hitting zone at night.
Speaker DI said, it doesn't really matter.
Speaker DThe ball's gonna be out of the ballpark anyway.
Speaker DSo the P70 become, become the bat that I, I used.
Speaker DThere was one game though I was in where I was at the Mets at the time we played against the Astros.
Speaker DSome way the bat order, either they were shifted to the wrong place or the order didn't go in.
Speaker DAnd I had to use an ash color bat.
Speaker DBut it's a P72 and I went five for five with that bat.
Speaker DSo as now I'm thinking should I go with the ash color bat or go back to the picture Hickory State?
Speaker DYou know, I was in a dilemma.
Speaker DI said, well, since I've been five for five and perfect with that bat, I think I just put it on the shelf and use it as like a souvenir.
Speaker DSo yeah, that was a dilemma at the time.
Speaker DEverybody said you went five for five, you should keep using that bass.
Speaker DI don't know.
Speaker DMy P72 made me a little jealous.
Speaker ASo what about the glove?
Speaker DOh, the glove McGregor it's, it was kangaroo made of kangaroo skin and it, I liked it because you could stretch it beyond regulation.
Speaker DI don't know what size was length that we should have had, but we can stretch it and on the out in the inside of it you see would tear.
Speaker DBut Willie Mays, I got it for Willie Mays, Bobby Bond, those guys always use the, the McGregor glove with the kangaroo skin.
Speaker DSo I love that glove because I could stretch it and then than having a great pocket.
Speaker DSo when you get a glove that you have got, have a great pocket and, and, and it's going to help you have a longer reach and with that glove you have a longer reach and balls that you may have not caught before, you're able to catch it and, but having that pocket form right there because I always have two gloves, one for the game, one for practice and.
Speaker DBut don't mess with my game.
Speaker DMy gamer, just like with the bat, don't mess with my gamer.
Speaker DPitchers like go out there and take batting.
Speaker DOh, let me see.
Speaker DI can hit home run with this bat, but when they see me coming, oh, you're in trouble.
Speaker DSo McGregor was the one.
Speaker AThere you go.
Speaker AWhat about footwear?
Speaker DOh, footwear with the reds, you know, you cannot, your shoes are always black.
Speaker DI mean no matter what, what company.
Speaker DSo we didn't really get many any endorsements because you couldn't tell it was Adidas.
Speaker DOr Nike or what.
Speaker DCause it's all the stripes always painted black.
Speaker DBut I love the Adidas shoes.
Speaker DThey were nice and light.
Speaker DCause guys like Griffey and Morgan, they can run fast anyway.
Speaker DSo I don't want to have a shoe that's heavy going to weigh me down.
Speaker DSo I love the Adidas shoe.
Speaker DIt fit well to my foot.
Speaker DYou got to make sure it doesn't hurt your feet.
Speaker DAnd that is very important with the footwear because if it doesn't fit your foot, you're gonna have.
Speaker DYour feet's gonna be hurting.
Speaker DYou're not gonna be able to run or move about as well.
Speaker DAnd once again, I have two pair.
Speaker DOne for the game, one for, one for practice.
Speaker DWhen the gamer started to get older, I would break in another pair gradually.
Speaker DYou wanna make sure you break them in on time and not wear a new pair of shoes that game, because you're going to pay for it.
Speaker DBut with the Astroturf would have been so hot.
Speaker DYou want to have the rubberized bottom, not the spikes.
Speaker DBecause when you use the spikes, you got to see the print mark of that spike on the bottom of your foot on a hot day.
Speaker DSo that was what I'd love to wear.
Speaker ACool.
Speaker AAnd then.
Speaker AWell, we've already talked about the fact that you were not a regular batting glove guy, but were there any accessories that you like to use on a regular basis?
Speaker DI only think that I.
Speaker DIt was more of a strategy, the accessory.
Speaker DI would tape my wrist and it was more of a strategy because now the.
Speaker DThe pitcher think that my wrists are hurt.
Speaker DAnd so what are they going to do?
Speaker DThey try to throw me inside and that's where I want.
Speaker DI want it.
Speaker DSo, you know, just use being.
Speaker DI guess use psychology, knowing that, okay, okay, he was going to throw me outside before I said, no, I don't want it outside.
Speaker DSo I take my risk and making sure that now I'm going to encourage him to throw inside.
Speaker DSo taping my wrist made a big difference.
Speaker DAnd maybe that one at bat may have made a big difference.
Speaker DBut the guy on the mound thinking that, okay, they think you're going to be slick, but I'm already ahead of the game.
Speaker DSo the taping of my wrist made a big difference.
Speaker DAnd I guess the other one main one, when it's sunny outside wearing sunglasses, a lot of guys think they could see the ball out of the sun.
Speaker DBut.
Speaker DBut sunglasses are very important.
Speaker DAnd sometimes just wearing the sun glasses out there, you look cool.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker AAll right.
Speaker AEthan, what about you?
Speaker CAll right, so we'll start with bat.
Speaker CAnd this is kind of a funny one because my favorite bat of all time is not even my own bat.
Speaker CI have one high school home run in my whole career and I hit it with my best friend's bat.
Speaker CFor whatever reason, I had been practicing with his.
Speaker CI don't remember if I had forgotten mine or what had happened, but he let me use his bat and it was his brother's bat before him.
Speaker CSo it was a hand me down.
Speaker CAnd it was nothing special.
Speaker CI think.
Speaker CI believe it was the Louisville Slugger Omaha.
Speaker CI think it was about 31 inches, which was really shorter than I was used to.
Speaker CBut for whatever reason, on that cold weeknight game in the Mason Sports complex, I took a pitch that was way too high inside.
Speaker CI put it over the fence and at the time I was.
Speaker CI was a PO and they were just letting me hit.
Speaker CSo that was.
Speaker CThat was kind of an iconic bat in my.
Speaker CIn my career.
Speaker CSo it will always have a special place in my heart.
Speaker CEven though it was not a super fancy or special bat is so nice.
Speaker CAnd then as an honorable mention here, I do have my favorite wood bat.
Speaker COh, I like of all time.
Speaker CThis was my first maple bat.
Speaker DThat is pretty.
Speaker CI had been using ash up until I finally got this one.
Speaker CAnd the sound is just different.
Speaker CI love the way maple sounds.
Speaker CAnd this is a Louisville Slugger Prime C271.
Speaker CSo I.
Speaker CIt was just the maple one at Dick's and unfortunately it's gone on to a better place.
Speaker CBut.
Speaker CBut yeah, that was my first maple bat.
Speaker CThat was.
Speaker CThat was really cool.
Speaker CFor glove, I brought my 44 that I gamed in high school.
Speaker CAnd the reason I chose this glove was because this was the first glove that.
Speaker CThat really, really got me into gloves.
Speaker CThis was one I had saved up for and used my own money to buy.
Speaker CI got it customized exactly how I wanted it.
Speaker CAnd I took really, really, really good care of this.
Speaker CIt did not ride in the bag.
Speaker CIt rode up in the front seat with me on the way to games.
Speaker AIt had its own little bag.
Speaker CHad its own little bag.
Speaker CI took.
Speaker CTook amazing.
Speaker DYou put.
Speaker DYou slept with it.
Speaker CNot all the time.
Speaker CYes, but this was.
Speaker CThis was my favorite glove that I ever used as far as footwear goes.
Speaker CI picked the cleats that I wore my sophomore year.
Speaker CThey were the Nike Trout fours.
Speaker DMike Trout.
Speaker CZoom Trout fours.
Speaker CYeah, Mike Trout.
Speaker CAnd the reason I picked these was because my freshman year, the summer before that, I played with a blue team.
Speaker CAnd so I had blue cleats and When I came into school playing for Fairfield, played for a red team.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker CAnd it drove my.
Speaker CMy freshman coach nuts because I was the only kid on the team with blue cleats.
Speaker CAnd I was like, coach, I just haven't had a chance to go get new ones.
Speaker CIt was like, dungan, you got to get rid of those blue cleats.
Speaker CWe need red cleats.
Speaker CAnd so finally, we finally got a free night.
Speaker CMy mom and I went out to Dick's and spray paint.
Speaker CWe were getting close to that, but my mom and I went out and we got some.
Speaker CSome red cleats.
Speaker CAnd so that was just a funny memory that those will.
Speaker CThose red trouts will stick with me.
Speaker CAnd then last but not least, for accessories, I have the Oakley sunglasses with the prism lenses.
Speaker CI had a teammate let me borrow them to play third base one time.
Speaker CAnd with the prizm lenses, it was supposed to highlight the ball, make it easier to see.
Speaker CAnd I played third base for like one inning, and I was like, no, I have to have these.
Speaker CLike this.
Speaker CThis is a game changer because it just made it so much easier.
Speaker DAnd cool.
Speaker CAnd cool.
Speaker CI did feel cool.
Speaker CAnd so again, this is.
Speaker CI was working a job and I saved up, and these were like $200 sunglasses.
Speaker CAnd so that was a first, like, big, big purchase for me.
Speaker DYour dad was proud of you.
Speaker DYou earned your own money.
Speaker DYou didn't say, dad, I need some money.
Speaker CYeah, it was my own money, but that didn't make it feel any better to the wallet.
Speaker CSo.
Speaker CRight.
Speaker CAnd my mom's like, are you sure?
Speaker CI was like, no, these will make me play better.
Speaker CAnd I don't know, maybe they did, maybe they didn't, but a cool accessory.
Speaker DLook like a player.
Speaker AAll right, Rick, what do you got?
Speaker DWell, making sure.
Speaker BHigh school, from the youth, high school, we pretty much used each other's bat.
Speaker BPretty much.
Speaker BSo we would use a Easton aluminum bat, which was the silver and green.
Speaker AOh, the green one.
Speaker DThe green iconic.
Speaker BYes, the iconic bat or the black bat with the yellow writing on it.
Speaker BYeah, it had a white or yellow writing on that.
Speaker BSo we would use that bat.
Speaker BAnd that was the first batch that Easton came out with back in the.
Speaker BIn the early 80s Wood, we would use Louisville Slugger.
Speaker BAnd so those are the bats that we use.
Speaker BAnd those, again, I think Easton brought back that silver and green bat about a couple of years ago.
Speaker BGlove wise, Spalding.
Speaker BYeah, Spalding gloves, man, they were a little bigger and stuff.
Speaker BBut again, Spalding or McGregor was one of our gloves that we Used.
Speaker BAnd as far as footwear, a lot of the guys in our neighborhood and a team use spot built.
Speaker DThat's going way back.
Speaker BI know.
Speaker BOr pony.
Speaker BYeah, we use pony.
Speaker BAnd with the spot.
Speaker DSoft leather.
Speaker BYes.
Speaker BIt was all white cleats.
Speaker BSo you could, like, take a marker and whatever color your team was, you could color it.
Speaker BColor the colors in, you know, and.
Speaker BAnd as far as accessories were.
Speaker BReally didn't use any accessories except for some guys used to have a golf glove for a batting glove.
Speaker BMight use one hand.
Speaker BSo as far as equipment was concerned, I don't think from our neighborhood and guys that did play high school, we kind of shared a little bit of the equipment and passed it down to each other.
Speaker BExpensive stuff.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker BSo that was it.
Speaker BBecause I don't think I.
Speaker BI know we didn't.
Speaker BI didn't buy any.
Speaker BNow, as we moved on to plan semi pro and everything like that, it seems like there was several bats.
Speaker BSo again, never used a bat.
Speaker BBut a Louisville Slugger was a nice bat.
Speaker BAnd we had.
Speaker BJimmy Parker was Dave Parker's brother.
Speaker BHe was on our team.
Speaker BHe played one year.
Speaker BAnd I learned a lot from Jimmy.
Speaker BAnd.
Speaker BAnd so he had a.
Speaker BI believe he had a.
Speaker BA Louisville Slugger.
Speaker BI know there were plenty of them.
Speaker BAnd, you know, whatever bat was available, you kind of used it and went with that.
Speaker BThat's it.
Speaker ACool.
Speaker AWell, I.
Speaker AI retired from baseball about the same year that George did, so I.
Speaker AI didn't play very long, just right.
Speaker ARight up to high school.
Speaker ASo I didn't really have.
Speaker AI.
Speaker AI had a couple of preferred things as far as gloves go.
Speaker AIt was whatever we could find that was affordable, that we could get our hands.
Speaker AYeah, sometimes it'd be a hand me down.
Speaker AI had an uncle who was eight years older than me, so sometimes he would have some gear he would hand down.
Speaker AI had a catcher's mitt that we found at a local sporting goods store that was a brand actually.
Speaker AEthan found that it actually was a brand.
Speaker AI didn't know what it was forever.
Speaker CYeah, I can't even remember what it was off the top of my head.
Speaker CBut I had to.
Speaker CI had to do some digging because it wasn't a.
Speaker CIt wasn't like a nationwide brand.
Speaker CIt must have been some sort of local.
Speaker AIt was whatever they had at Gold Circle, man.
Speaker BThat's what Hutch was it.
Speaker BHutch.
Speaker CNo, not even Kmart.
Speaker ASo it was.
Speaker AYeah, so that was.
Speaker AThat was my favorite glove I ever had.
Speaker CBut you know what?
Speaker CThat glove was all leather, and it made it all the way to me.
Speaker CAnd I used it for, man, at least quality.
Speaker CAt least three or four years.
Speaker ASo I, I loved that glove.
Speaker AAs far as bats go, the first, first home run I ever hit, I hit with a.
Speaker AIt was.
Speaker AWell, of course, everything back then was just this sort of silver aluminum.
Speaker AKind of looked like a fence post with paint on it.
Speaker DYes.
Speaker AYou know, and so this one was bombat.
Speaker AYou remember Bombast.
Speaker AOkay.
Speaker AThere was a guy on the team.
Speaker ATeam had a bombat.
Speaker AAnd.
Speaker AAnd so I, I, I managed to get one.
Speaker AI don't know how.
Speaker AI don't know where.
Speaker AWhere it was, but I had one that had blue paint on it.
Speaker AAnd I hit the.
Speaker AI hit the.
Speaker AIt was a high one.
Speaker AI happened to get my hands on.
Speaker AI didn't even know it went over the fence until I passed second base and I was trucking.
Speaker AI mean, I was just hustling as far as I could go.
Speaker AAnd the second basement was like, slow down, dude.
Speaker AIt went over.
Speaker AI'm like, I didn't even know that.
Speaker ASo when they gave me the ball back, it had a big blue spot on it.
Speaker AAnd I thought that was the coolest thing in the world.
Speaker ASo.
Speaker ASo that was my thing.
Speaker DI had those torpedo bats like the Yankees are using.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker ASo.
Speaker AAnd then as far as cleats go, it was whatever, Whatever we could find.
Speaker ASo I, I'm sure I probably had a pair of.
Speaker AYou remember Brooks?
Speaker DYeah, yeah.
Speaker ABrooks had.
Speaker AWow.
Speaker AYeah, So I probably had a pair of those.
Speaker AAnd then as far as accessories go, I was a catcher, so it was just whatever.
Speaker AYou know, usually the team had gear, and you would use whatever the team had at that point in time.
Speaker AAnd so, yeah, really, I didn't have a whole lot of preference.
Speaker ANow when I did, when I, When I became an adult and I decided I want to buy a glove for myself, I.
Speaker AI decided I was going to go with Rawlings.
Speaker AAnd so I bought a fastback, okay.
Speaker AAt dick's sporting goods or wherever we were, and I found it.
Speaker AAnd so I have the one with the basket weave that, like every person has.
Speaker AIt has Ken Griffey Jr.
Speaker ASized on the inside of it.
Speaker CAnd that's the funny thing, because Ken Griffey Jr.
Speaker CDid not use a basket web because he was an outfitter.
Speaker CThat's a pictures web.
Speaker CBut Rawlings would put.
Speaker CIt was just kind of the same fastback basket web, and they would just put a different signature in it.
Speaker CSo.
Speaker CAnd that's probably the most common glove I get from dads to work on.
Speaker CAnd so I've seen Robin Yount and Ozzie Smith and you know, just a, you know, a dozen different names in the same glove.
Speaker CBut, you know, just to get there.
Speaker AWell, it was, it was big enough to hold a softball so you could, you could, you could play softball with it if you wanted to.
Speaker AAnd that's why I bought interchangeable.
Speaker AYeah, yeah, I bought it to play softball with.
Speaker ASo anyway, that was, that was what.
Speaker DBut my, my very, very first glove, someone had given it to me and they had.
Speaker DYou could tell that it had been used a lot.
Speaker CSo.
Speaker DSo it had scuff marks on it.
Speaker DSo what I did, I actually got red paint and I painted it.
Speaker DSo from then on, I started using things that are red.
Speaker DI think that was a coming of playing with the reds.
Speaker AThere you go.
Speaker DBut I cherished that glove.
Speaker DI didn't have a glove at the time.
Speaker DAnd someone said, hey, you want this?
Speaker DSure.
Speaker DWent home and painted.
Speaker DIt looked brand new.
Speaker AEthan got a painted glove one time in the shop, didn't you?
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker BWas that gold glove?
Speaker CIt was gold.
Speaker CI had a guy come to me.
Speaker CHe was, he came to me straight out of prison.
Speaker CHe had just gotten out like a couple days before.
Speaker CAnd he brings me this glove and it's a black baseball glove, spray painted gold.
Speaker CAnd he's telling me he's running me through his highlights in the clink.
Speaker DHe was a gold girl.
Speaker CHe was like, man, I was so good.
Speaker CI'm shortstop and gold glove.
Speaker CWhatever.
Speaker CI'm like, yeah, okay, cool, cool.
Speaker CHe's like, yeah, I traded a couple packs of cigarettes for it and I got this glove.
Speaker CI was like, oh, okay.
Speaker CAnd he wanted it turned around next day because he was heading out to go play.
Speaker CHe was already in a slow pitch league and ready to go out there and go.
Speaker CBut that was, that was an interesting one for sure.
Speaker DThe question is, did you buy it out of fear because you knew he was just got out of prison?
Speaker CYeah, I was.
Speaker CWell, I certainly wasn't going to judge him to his face because, you know, I wasn't going to doubt his highlights.
Speaker ABecause, well, and he was heading out to do something constructive.
Speaker ASo good for him.
Speaker ASo you finished the season last year exhausted from all the travel and the tournaments, and you tossed your gear in a bag where it's been sitting all winter.
Speaker ANow you're ready for another year.
Speaker ABut your favorite glove that fits just right is an error waiting to happen.
Speaker AThe leather is dry, the laces are brittle, and this year you're on a new team with new colors.
Speaker AAnd it sure would be Cool.
Speaker AIf it matched well, wouldn't it be great if you had a glove guy who could help you out with that?
Speaker AYou do.
Speaker AHis name is Ethan and he owns Glovehound baseball glove repair shop in Fairfield, Ohio.
Speaker AJust contact him@glovehound.com and upload pictures of your glove.
Speaker AHe'll give you a call back to talk it over and then you can send it in for a repair.
Speaker ARelays, recondition, whatever you need.
Speaker AIf you're in the area, you can even just stop by the shop.
Speaker AThat way you don't have to bother with shipping.
Speaker AAnd a lot of times he can even fix it while you wait.
Speaker ARawlings, Wilson, Mizuno, all Star, Nakona, he's seen them all.
Speaker AAnd he's helped players at all levels, from beginners to pros.
Speaker ALast year he worked on a glove that Jose Trevino used in the World Series.
Speaker AAnd he can help you, too.
Speaker AYou can find Glovehound on Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and on the web@glovehound.com.
Speaker Ayou're only going to get busier.
Speaker ASo reach out today and give your glove the love it deserves at Glovehound.
Speaker AAll right, well, today on the, on the main thing, we're gonna tackle a few, a few different things.
Speaker AWe're gonna make some recommendations.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker AAt several different levels.
Speaker ASo we're going to start with the youth level.
Speaker AAnd by youth, what I mean is from that first, like, you know, post T ball coach, pitch up to about when you're ready to jump to your first selector, travel team.
Speaker AAnd then the second would be what I'm calling intermediate, which would be from like your first select team at 9 or 10 or 11, whatever that is, up until high school and then advanced, being high school and beyond high school, college, and anything beyond that.
Speaker AAnd so we're going to make.
Speaker AWe're going to stick with those same four categories.
Speaker AWe're going to start with bat, and then we'll go to glove and then footwear and then accessories.
Speaker AAnd then we're going to make recommendations to each of those, each of those groups of people.
Speaker ASo.
Speaker AWell, let's start with you, Rick, with what would your recommendations be for youth players that you're buying that very first gear as far as bats go.
Speaker BOkay.
Speaker BFirst, I would go to play it again.
Speaker BSports.
Speaker DYes.
Speaker DRight.
Speaker BThat's the first thing I would do.
Speaker BThey have so much of a wide collection and, and, and their kid can get it, get it, go in there and.
Speaker BAnd kind of choose and see if they want to buy used.
Speaker BOf course, you know, so they don't have to spend a whole lot of money on it.
Speaker BEspecially from 6.
Speaker BThe youth age is from 6 to whatever it is, T ball.
Speaker BAnd it doesn't matter anyway the, you know, the cost and stuff like that.
Speaker BSo that's what I would do.
Speaker BGo to play it again sports, you know, swing some bats there and get something that doesn't have to bring new.
Speaker BBut if it is new, I think at that age it's not going to be, it's going to be cost effective.
Speaker BSo I would start off with just a regular bat.
Speaker CDo you, do you have any tips for picking size?
Speaker CSize in terms of length?
Speaker CI think when I was, when we were trying to choose, it was usually something about waist.
Speaker BIt's about waist or arm length, one of the two.
Speaker BSo they still use those kind of measurements to, to see, you know, for those kids.
Speaker CAnd then obviously, you know, that depends on the size of the kid and whatever.
Speaker CBut as a, as a starting point, it was usually about, does it come to.
Speaker BAbout your, about your hip?
Speaker BYeah, yeah.
Speaker BUp about your hip.
Speaker BSo that's what I would do.
Speaker BGlove.
Speaker BThere's something you don't want to buy something that's too cheap.
Speaker CYeah, that's one of those things where like you get what you pay for and exactly when you're, when you're in that early stage.
Speaker CLet's see, what's our, what's our age?
Speaker CWe're saying from just after T ball.
Speaker ATo so like 6, 7 up to about 10, about to that age.
Speaker CIt does not matter.
Speaker CYou need to be able to squeeze it.
Speaker BAnd that's the reason why I go to play it again.
Speaker BSports.
Speaker BBecause they have such a collection and gloves that, you know, of course you don't want to get a glove that's too stiff for a kid that don't have the hand strength to squeeze it.
Speaker BBut a soft, a soft glove, a beginner's glove.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker CDon't be afraid to buy used and don't be afraid to buy cheap.
Speaker CYou don't, you don't need something high end of that age.
Speaker CYou need something usable because if you get something that's meant for a higher level player, a stronger player and the kid can't use it, they're going to be discouraged because they can't use the glove.
Speaker CSo it really doesn't matter.
Speaker CNo.
Speaker CPick something that looks cool, something that excites them, that they're, you know, if it's a cool color that they really like, then they're more likely to be excited about playing and want to use it more Often.
Speaker BExactly.
Speaker BAnd I always would recommend the parents just stay within your budget especially at that younger age.
Speaker BYou know, you don't want to go out and spend a whole lot and find out they.
Speaker BThey don't want to play anymore just sitting there collecting dust.
Speaker BSo stay within your budget.
Speaker BThey start liking the sport, they keep advancing.
Speaker BThen you might be able to invest more in a bat, a better bat or a better glove and things like that.
Speaker BSo those are the two main things that I would consider.
Speaker AGeorge, did you have any thoughts on.
Speaker AOn bats and gloves at the, at the young age like that?
Speaker DI, I agree with Rickett.
Speaker DIn going to sport again played against sports, you able to buy get something at a reasonable price and especially with a bat, it's a big investment even with gloves today.
Speaker DSo you want to get something that right away the kid can use.
Speaker DAnd not getting a glove is going to take a while to break in and it's going to cost 300 or more dollars going there because those are quality gloves and right away it's playable.
Speaker DI mean being able to use it.
Speaker DSo getting a bat that because it's used doesn't mean don't feel bad because it's used.
Speaker DThe main thing that you want to have something you can use right away.
Speaker DAnd plus there are a lot of different changes.
Speaker DUh, maybe the next year you had to go to another bat and now that's more expensive.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker DSo play it again sports.
Speaker DIt makes it reasonable for, for the parents and it's not as heavy out of their wallet.
Speaker DBut getting a glove, getting a glove or bat at play against sports.
Speaker DI really agree with that and.
Speaker DBut it's getting you right away.
Speaker DWhen we talked earlier about making sure the bat fits the kid not only if it's long enough or heavy enough but.
Speaker DBut does it fit his hands and you don't want a bat that's going.
Speaker DThe kid's going to say push it.
Speaker DYou want to be able to throw it.
Speaker DBut it had to fit in the base of the fingers well.
Speaker CAnd if you end up with a bat that's too big, it's going to screw with their mechanics because then they.
Speaker BSwinging with their arms.
Speaker CYou start forming bad habits because early.
Speaker CRight.
Speaker CBecause your equipment doesn't fit your age.
Speaker AHere's a term to offer for dads who are thinking about going to playdyn sports.
Speaker ADon't think of it as used.
Speaker AThink of it as proven.
Speaker CThere you go.
Speaker AProven.
Speaker CBroken in.
Speaker BBroken in.
Speaker AThink of it as proven.
Speaker AThese, these gloves have proven effective otherwise they wouldn't be here.
Speaker ASo There you go.
Speaker DAnd like these car dealership, they, you.
Speaker DThey don't say use, they say pre owned.
Speaker CThere you go.
Speaker CCertified.
Speaker BCertified.
Speaker CCertified.
Speaker CRight.
Speaker AAll right.
Speaker ASo what Ethan, what.
Speaker AWhat are some of the, what are some of the more affordable youth gloves you've seen?
Speaker AYou've seen some youth gloves come through that, that are expensive for being a youth glove as a.
Speaker AAs opposed to some that might be a little more affordable?
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker CFor this really, really early age I'm not opposed to going to a big box store, go to Meer or Walmart or you know, and it's okay to do that.
Speaker CI was try to stay under $100 for sure for that beginning stage.
Speaker CI after, when we get to the next one, I think you're going to have to break that $100 mark.
Speaker CBut, but stay under $100.
Speaker CBut there with Wilson, the higher the number after the A, the higher quality it is.
Speaker CSo you can be looking for something in the A400, A500 and there's.
Speaker CYep, there you go.
Speaker CThere you go.
Speaker CThey have a 400, 450, 500, 550.
Speaker CAnd the basic rule is the higher the number, it doesn't necessarily mean better in terms of performance.
Speaker CIt means higher quality materials being used.
Speaker CBut you don't necessarily need that super high level material for, for the young kid.
Speaker CSo I like that.
Speaker CRawlings has some really great ones.
Speaker CA really popular one I'm seeing.
Speaker CI think it's the Pro Light.
Speaker CSelect Select Pro Light I think is what it is.
Speaker CIt's on Amazon and it is.
Speaker CI've done three or four of them and the glove is $60 full retail and usually it's on sale.
Speaker CAnd, and the ones that I've gotten in and we're talking young, young, young kids, they really like them.
Speaker BBaseball savings has the same price.
Speaker BAbout 69.99.
Speaker CYeah, it's a, it's a blonde Chris Bryant model.
Speaker CBut I had one dad who bought a really cheap.
Speaker CAnd it's.
Speaker CThat's very cheap, you know, considering some of the higher end gloves.
Speaker CHe bought that glove sent it to me just before Christmas and put.
Speaker CHad me put blue laces in it.
Speaker CBrand new.
Speaker DOh, and embellish it.
Speaker CExactly.
Speaker CBut that's his kid's favorite favorite color.
Speaker CAnd so then for the price of a brand new glove and a relays, you're still under 150 bucks.
Speaker CAnd he's got a glove that he's really excited about using.
Speaker CSo that was a cool.
Speaker ALaces are guaranteed now.
Speaker CWell, yeah, I'll mention this as well Obviously cheaper gloves use cheaper materials and that's okay because it's, it's meant for the beginner player.
Speaker CBut I've also done a lot of gloves.
Speaker CUsually it's a, usually it's about a 500, a 550s where the kid is getting up into that next tier.
Speaker CBut they really like the glove and we put new laces in it because the laces are going to be the first thing that breaks.
Speaker CAnd so I've been able to extend the life of a lot of these cheaper gloves by putting high quality laces in it and they'll get multiple more years out of it because of that.
Speaker CDr.
Speaker CEthan, the way that I met George was he brought one of these cheaper gloves that the kid really liked, but we were able to extend the life of it and now that kid's still using that glove.
Speaker DThat makes sense.
Speaker DThe laces are the ones that are going to have that lot of wear and tear.
Speaker DSo being able to reinforce that.
Speaker DBut I like what Greg was saying is something that's affordable and also something that you can use.
Speaker DAnd it's not just the look.
Speaker DA lot of them get it just for the look.
Speaker DBut a ball had not hit in that glove yet.
Speaker DBut getting something that's affordable and that it's usable and not looking at the fact that it's certified pre owned, you don't have to have a brand new piece of equipment.
Speaker DI know you, you want to go out there and, and show your teammates or you don't want them teasing you that you got something used.
Speaker DBut the thing is, how do you use it if you're able to put it to use?
Speaker CYeah, it'd rather be teased for using something used than for making errors.
Speaker DRight.
Speaker AWell, and talk about a little bit.
Speaker ASo when you buy one of these youth gloves, it's not going to come with any sort of guarantee.
Speaker ABut once you put laces in it now they've got a year on the lace.
Speaker CYeah, a lot of times.
Speaker CAnd a lot of times manufacturers won't warranty the laces for any period of time because that is the first fail point and they kind of know that.
Speaker DThey know, right?
Speaker CI don't know.
Speaker CI don't really fault them for it because it's not really worth their time because you're just as likely to buy a new one.
Speaker CBut when I'm able to put new laces in it, I guarantee my laces for a whole year.
Speaker CAnd if it breaks within a year, I'll fix it for free, you know, no questions asked.
Speaker CAnd I've only ever had.
Speaker CI've only had two broken laces come back to me, and they were both over multiple years, and I was able to get that turned around real quick.
Speaker CBut that is.
Speaker CIt's a great way to get some business.
Speaker CWell, some.
Speaker CSome reassurance in.
Speaker CIn your equipment on the field that you are covered if something does happen.
Speaker ASo.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker ASo the father that buys the inexpensive glove and then immediately has the relays now has an inexpensive glove and better laces with a guarantee.
Speaker CYeah, exactly.
Speaker ASo that's kind of how he came ahead there.
Speaker CSo just.
Speaker CJust.
Speaker CThere's lots of different ways to do it, so just don't feel like you have to go out and spend a ton of money.
Speaker CThere's other.
Speaker CThere's other ways to do it.
Speaker DYes, it is like Rick had.
Speaker DHe would wear a tuxedo.
Speaker DWhat?
Speaker DHe'd go get some Chuck Taylor shoes.
Speaker BYou know, man, I'll be.
Speaker BI'll be looking sharp.
Speaker AHe would.
Speaker DThey come in different colors now.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker DSo that'd be great.
Speaker DYou go give me gq.
Speaker ATalking about shoes.
Speaker ALet's talk about shoes for.
Speaker AFor young players.
Speaker CMolded cleats.
Speaker BI like Easton's.
Speaker BI mean, a lot of the kids, even myself, wear.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker BNew Balance.
Speaker BNew Balance, not Easton.
Speaker BIt's my fault.
Speaker BNew Balance, man, and New Balance are like wearing gym shoes now, just with the turf and different colors.
Speaker BAnd I have one kid that comes in.
Speaker BHe plays for the Cincinnati Angels.
Speaker BHe's got ca in the front of his New Balance man.
Speaker BHe's got it all embroidered, man.
Speaker BLooks good.
Speaker BAnd they.
Speaker BAnd you can get New Balance for the match, your team colors and what have you.
Speaker BSo I like New Balance turf shoes and for cleats.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker CAnd at that.
Speaker CAt that beginning, when do you recommend jumping up to metal?
Speaker CI think it was high school.
Speaker BIt's high school, actually.
Speaker BWhat is it?
Speaker B13?
Speaker B14?
Speaker CBecause.
Speaker CIs it.
Speaker CIt's restricted.
Speaker CI think it's for a while.
Speaker BIt's 14.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker B14.
Speaker BYou can wear metal.
Speaker CSo.
Speaker CBut yeah, don't.
Speaker CLet's just stick with moldeds and make.
Speaker CEspecially because the turf fields are coming back.
Speaker CSo you're gonna.
Speaker CYou're gonna have to use it more.
Speaker DNot only that, it's making sure they learn how to slide before they get.
Speaker BThe spike, before they get this.
Speaker DYeah.
Speaker DBreak an ankle.
Speaker DBut that a lot of kids.
Speaker DSo, like in Bunny.
Speaker DNo one really work on Bunny.
Speaker DSo learn how to slide.
Speaker DI always work with these kids.
Speaker DI wouldn't.
Speaker DI didn't slide like myself because I hit a lot of home runs.
Speaker DI didn't have a chance to slide.
Speaker DBut making sure that they learn how to slide before to get the metal.
Speaker CSpikes because it is, it is different.
Speaker CYou're not on the ground anymore.
Speaker DYou're elevated, you get them caught, that's it.
Speaker AAnd making sure that you have a good solid fit, that's a big thing.
Speaker DGot to fit to your floor.
Speaker AEthan.
Speaker AEthan.
Speaker AHe grew up with my wife.
Speaker AHer.
Speaker AHer.
Speaker AHer grandfather was the third generation owner of a shoe store in, in Indiana.
Speaker ASo shoes are a big deal in their family.
Speaker AAnd so Leslie is the, she is the, the standard of.
Speaker ADoes this shoe fit you?
Speaker AAnd it benefited us.
Speaker CWell, my thing was always I wanted it tight around the top of my foot but loose where my toes were.
Speaker CBecause if you constrict your toes then it, it.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker CThere's no skinnies up the.
Speaker CThe base of your foot.
Speaker CSo being able to move your toes and spread them out gives you a stronger foundation.
Speaker CSo that.
Speaker CI don't know, that's just how I.
Speaker AAlways try to look at creating hotspots.
Speaker ABecause as George has said before, running is key to everything.
Speaker AAnd if you hot spots on your feet, you don't want to run.
Speaker AAnd if you don't want to run, you're going to struggle in all aspects of get blisters.
Speaker DAnd the other one is had to really help with your arch.
Speaker DYou don't want to have making sure that it fits arch of your foot because you're going to change.
Speaker DNot only change the way you run but, but you're going to have feet trouble.
Speaker BAnother thing that I think a lot of people don't take into consideration when they go and look at spikes and in turf shoes, the type of socks you're going to be wearing, some socks might be too thick.
Speaker BSo therefore you might need to get a bigger size or a half a size bigger because.
Speaker BBecause as they grow they're going to be.
Speaker BTheir feet gonna expand a lot more.
Speaker DBut once again that the expense that's affordable but yet quality.
Speaker DCause now you're dealing with part of your body making sure that it's gonna.
Speaker BYes, I've seen kids outgrow their shoes within two, three months, man, bam.
Speaker BYou know, and they got about a couple weeks of baseball.
Speaker BThey gotta go and buy more, more cleats and stuff.
Speaker AWell, it's something that not so much an issue anymore.
Speaker ABut when I was a kid, every, every uniform had stirrup socks.
Speaker AIn fact, when you would, when you would sanitate, when you would get your uniform okay, it was a hat and a shirt.
Speaker AYou had to go Buy your own baseball pants.
Speaker AAnd you got socks.
Speaker ASo you got a hat and shirt and socks from the, from the, the league when you.
Speaker AFor what you paid in.
Speaker AAnd so you get your hat and your shirt and your socks, and your hat would have the logo and your shirt would say some manufacturing facility in town that was bent, you know, some, our version of jungle gyms, you know.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker AAnd.
Speaker AAnd then you had wider gray pants and then you got stirrup socks, but you had.
Speaker AAnd you wouldn't think that those socks made a difference, but there's a little bit on either side of your foot that now has to go into your shoes.
Speaker DRight.
Speaker AAnd if they're not positioned right, it can, yeah, it can cause a blister on the inside of your foot.
Speaker ASo if you are, if your team does have.
Speaker DLook stylish, then yeah, if you do.
Speaker AHave a what I would consider a proper baseball uniform and you are wearing stirrup socks, then you have to take that into consideration.
Speaker AOkay, so let's talk about intermediate players.
Speaker ASo now you're ready to go to that first select team.
Speaker AYou're 10 to 12 years old and, oh, I think you went when you were what, 10 or 11?
Speaker C7Th grade was my first year, so however old I was.
Speaker C12.
Speaker BOkay, 12, 13, maybe.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker ASo you're getting ready to go to, to select.
Speaker AAnd now we're going to, we're going to play more tournaments, we're going to play more, you know, intense game situations, things like this.
Speaker ASo what, how does our recommendation change.
Speaker CFor those kids so when it, when it comes to bats?
Speaker CWell, actually, I want to defer to you on bats, Rick, because you'll be more familiar.
Speaker CBut now is when rules are starting to change with the different weights.
Speaker CSo do you have recommendations on which weights to hit?
Speaker BYeah, I would.
Speaker B13 start getting into a drop five.
Speaker BI have some kids even at 12, going into a drop five.
Speaker BThey say by 14.
Speaker BNow, rules are different some parts of the country since they use wood.
Speaker BLike down south Georgia, Florida, a lot of Those kids at 13 are using a drop three versus up here, they're using a drop five.
Speaker BSo in, in tournaments in Georgia, and at 12, they use a drop five versus up here, they're using a drop.
Speaker BOkay, so in the reason why the, the, the difference, because they use wood a lot down there and wood develops that strong wrist strength and start getting you a little stronger.
Speaker BSo they use wood so much.
Speaker BSo now they, they challenge the kids to, to hit with a heavier bat now.
Speaker AOkay, so let me ask you something real quick.
Speaker AWould you explain the Drop system.
Speaker DRight.
Speaker AReal quick, just in case we have parents who don't.
Speaker BOkay, so drop.
Speaker BSo say for instance you have a 30, a 30 drop three.
Speaker BThat means that you have a 27 ounce bat.
Speaker BSo a 30 inch bat add a drop.
Speaker BYes, that's length.
Speaker BDrop three is the weight of the bat then.
Speaker BSo that's 27 ounce.
Speaker BOkay.
Speaker DOkay.
Speaker BYes.
Speaker BOkay.
Speaker ASo a 30 drop five would be a 25 ounce at 30 inches long.
Speaker BExactly.
Speaker BExactly.
Speaker BAnd so that's what the, that is, that's education.
Speaker AAnd different drops are appropriate at different.
Speaker BDifferent ages as you move up.
Speaker ASo you need to find out what that is.
Speaker BAt 14 you, you should be in a drop three.
Speaker BBut some, some kids because of strength and their build, they're not strong enough.
Speaker BProbably still swinging a drop five because.
Speaker CBy the time you hit high school you have to use, you have to use drop three.
Speaker CYou can use a drop five but you got to be be aware that you're going to have to switch sooner or later.
Speaker CSo depending on when you want to go ahead and make that jump.
Speaker BExactly.
Speaker BBut to the way to make that jump, use wood a lot during BPT work, whatever that'll help you with your, your wrists and hand strength and finger strength.
Speaker BThat'll help you move into, to the, the upper echelon of bats.
Speaker BAnd I always tell people that's a cheat code right there because when you do that it's almost like swinging a wiffle ball bat because their, their hands and stuff and got faster and got stronger and they'd be able to adjust.
Speaker BHad a kid the other day is a big kid man.
Speaker BHe plays for a 12 year team and I was doing evaluation of the team again.
Speaker BHe's about your size, Ethan.
Speaker BHe was swinging a drop ten.
Speaker BOh my man.
Speaker BNo wonder you're struggling and the bat is too light for you, man.
Speaker CWell, in a heavy bat is you'll hit the ball harder and farther if you use a heavier bat.
Speaker CSo don't, don't be scared, don't jump ahead.
Speaker CYou know, get ahead of yourself but don't be scared of going up in experiment.
Speaker BAnd again, I always recommend parents out there, you listening?
Speaker BGo to play it again sports.
Speaker BTry a bat at a pre owned certified bat before you go and spend the three to four hundred dollars on a, on a, a bat that they need to keep for a couple years.
Speaker BGo that route first and test it out, keep it for a while and then go to the next to the next option.
Speaker DThe biggest investment would be the shoes you got.
Speaker DLike I say, we got to Take care of your feet, but don't be.
Speaker DYou can buy new shoes.
Speaker DBut going to the bat of the glove you don't have to get.
Speaker DYou get it pre owned and then if you have a teammate, you'd be able to share with the bat because that's a big expense.
Speaker DAnd the main thing is having something like I said earlier before that you can use and that's affordable but you don't have to go out there and make that big expense.
Speaker DBuying a glove or buying a bat as you get older.
Speaker DYeah.
Speaker DSomething that's going to be consistent, they can use.
Speaker DLike in high school you're going to use that, that same size consistently.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker DBut when it's going to fluctuate as much, that's a lot of money in a way you throwing away because it may only last a year or two years.
Speaker DSo play it against sports.
Speaker DWe keep plugging in.
Speaker DPlay it Again Sports.
Speaker AWe're not sponsored by sports either, but again sports.
Speaker AGet in touch.
Speaker AOkay.
Speaker AAll right.
Speaker CSo this is so intermediate, I think is, is the age range with the most variability.
Speaker BYes.
Speaker COnce you get to high school, sizes start to even out a little bit more.
Speaker CAnd when you're in the youth, when you're in that 6 to 10 range, nobody's really hit puberty yet.
Speaker CBut intermediate, you're going to get everything.
Speaker CAnd this is where I see the most.
Speaker CIt seems harsh to label them.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker CBut I would say misconceptions rather than mistakes.
Speaker CI say misconceptions.
Speaker BI agree.
Speaker BFrom 12 to 14.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker CSo this is where you'll get parents who want to buy their kids that high school glove or buy their kids that high school bat.
Speaker CAnd here's where I want to throw in sideline swap online.
Speaker CIt's basically an online version of Play It Again Sports.
Speaker CSo I like Play It Again Sports for the very beginning because you, you got to be able to go in and test stuff out.
Speaker ARight.
Speaker DRight.
Speaker CWhen you're in this second tier, you've been around the game, you're a little more serious.
Speaker CMaybe you're a little more familiar with different bats, different gloves.
Speaker CYou can start, look, you start to know what you're looking for and you're a little more comfortable buying online.
Speaker CI think that's a good time to start doing that.
Speaker CSo as a.
Speaker CFor a rule of thumb when it comes to gloves, I say a 2000s heart of the hide pro preferred that kind of stuff.
Speaker CI call them PG13.
Speaker CThat you don't need to be worrying about that higher level glove until you're at least 13 years old.
Speaker CObviously there's exceptions.
Speaker CIf you're a really big 12 year old and you're ready for it, sure, go ahead.
Speaker CBut as a, as a blanket, you know, beginning rule PG13, wait.
Speaker CWait till they're big enough to be able to use that stuff.
Speaker CNow there's an exception to that in buying used.
Speaker CSo if you can find one of those higher end gloves that is used and already broken in, then you can go ahead and use it.
Speaker ALike if you find a really good catcher's mitt at the antique store.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker CWhich is how I ended up with mine.
Speaker CBut, but, but at the same time, don't be afraid to keep using the glove you have been or don't be afraid to buy another cheaper glove because I deal with a lot of kids that haven't hit that puberty yet and they're still really small.
Speaker CSo keep buying something that they can use.
Speaker CDon't, don't feel like you have to jump because your teammate did right.
Speaker CIf he's a foot taller than you.
Speaker BYou know, let him be like.
Speaker CExactly.
Speaker CYou're a different player.
Speaker CSo it's, you have to pay attention to your player and their needs rather than trying to fit them to what everyone else is doing.
Speaker CSo that was something I really like.
Speaker CSideline swap.
Speaker CBecause it's an opportunity to get those higher level stuff, those higher level gloves, higher level bats at a much cheaper price.
Speaker CAnd a lot of times, you know, maybe you'll run into something where somebody bought, did spend the money on a, on a new one and they don't like it and they're trying to get their money back out.
Speaker CYou can really, you can really.
Speaker DYeah, clean up there.
Speaker CClean up on that.
Speaker CAnd then the other thing I'll mention, shout out to YouTube channels.
Speaker COne is the baseball Bat Bros.
Speaker CYeah, they test all the metal bats and bats are.
Speaker CIt's a tricky thing because they all look the same other than the colors.
Speaker CAnd so to act, you really can't tell with gloves they look different.
Speaker CYou can get a better idea.
Speaker CYou can feel them, you know, see how they might perform.
Speaker CAll bats basically look and feel the same.
Speaker CSo it's really hard to get an idea for how they perform.
Speaker CSo these guys go out and they hit with all of them and give you an idea of how they're gonna be, how they're gonna perform, which is huge because that wasn't around when I played.
Speaker CAnd so you just bought the newest one and hoped it was everything that the company told you it was gonna be.
Speaker CAnd then for gloves, another Great Another great YouTube channel is Ball Glove King.
Speaker CHe does a lot of different reviews.
Speaker CYes.
Speaker CShows you a lot of different stuff about gloves.
Speaker CAnd then you know, don't be afraid to call and ask questions.
Speaker CThat's the biggest thing I get parents that, that call me and they just, they just want to pick my brain and I always happy to, always happy to give that information.
Speaker CSo if you ever have questions, give me a call.
Speaker CI'm happy to help you out there.
Speaker DThat's a very important aspect is ask questions and talk to people who have you feel expertise in gloves or bats and, and not just go out and like play it against sports or these other companies.
Speaker DLike, like Ethan said, don't be afraid to ask questions and hopefully they have somebody there to have knowledge about the recommendation, not just to make a sale.
Speaker CAnd sometimes they don't.
Speaker BRight.
Speaker CSo, so keep asking, you know, don't, don't just take.
Speaker BI don't know two other things too.
Speaker BPeople need to understand this, that there's a balanced bat and there's an in loaded bat.
Speaker BThere's two differences there.
Speaker BBalance bat is for a kid that might not be that strong.
Speaker BIt might be just a singles hit or whatever.
Speaker BA bigger kid might need an in loaded bat.
Speaker BOkay.
Speaker BAlso the difference between U trip and USA bat.
Speaker BA lot of regulations, A lot of regulations.
Speaker BU is a fatter barrel like the, I'll call it the bam bam of bats, man.
Speaker BAnd then you got the USA bat which is skinnier bat which is probably closer to a wood bat.
Speaker BOkay, Now I remember when USA bats were kind of dead like now you see like Maruchi has a Cadx man, that bad boy has some pop to it for USA bat.
Speaker BSo understand the rules of yours in a USA bat and a U trip bat.
Speaker DYeah, but the knowledge you guys putting out there, I know a lot of these parents, they don't know hard any of it.
Speaker DBut just you know, call on Rick, call on Ethan and those guys have information to help you.
Speaker DSo when you invest the monies you, you know you're making a good going to get a good return from it.
Speaker AWell, George, you could probably speak to this too.
Speaker AThe idea that when you have invested the time and built your skills right, the, the bat is a preference, not a necessity, not a necessity.
Speaker AIn the, in the, in the word.
Speaker AI'll get it out in the way that you could hand Pete Rose just about any bat and he can go up there and get a hit.
Speaker AWell, he can't anymore, but he could at one point in time.
Speaker AOkay, you, you can hand Hank Aaron, a bat, he can go out there and hit you, hand you a bat, you're gonna go out there and hit.
Speaker ABut you like, you prefer some more than others.
Speaker DIt's the feel a lot of times, and then it's a quality.
Speaker DAnd because even if I get, you know, the bats from Louisville Slugger, I may get a dozen, but maybe six of them I really like.
Speaker DAnd the flex that, that's in it and my bat that feels stiff, I don't feel I can get that whipping action.
Speaker DAnd then maybe it's a little bit too thick, the handle itself.
Speaker DSo it becomes a feel as you get, get older.
Speaker DBut in the beginning is you're working on your, your mechanics, Right.
Speaker DAnd so like you said, it's.
Speaker DIt's not a necessity, but it's more of a preference.
Speaker DAnd so we.
Speaker DBut you gotta make sure the.
Speaker DIt's important that you're getting a bat that you can use.
Speaker CRight.
Speaker AWe'll use what works for you.
Speaker CThat's the saying is $100 bet.
Speaker CCan't fix a $10 swing.
Speaker CI hear that.
Speaker BI say that all the time.
Speaker AIt doesn't do you any good to have gear that you can't use.
Speaker AAnd if you can use it, then it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks of it, it works for you.
Speaker CSo, you know, one more, one more thing I want to touch on in gloves in this age range is this is when you're going to start picking based on position.
Speaker BYes.
Speaker CSo in six, in six to 10, it doesn't really matter because you probably haven't picked and you're not sticking with a specific position anyway.
Speaker BYou can play anything.
Speaker CExactly.
Speaker BSo that one glove get.
Speaker CDon't get something too small.
Speaker CDon't get something too big.
Speaker CI wouldn't go bigger than 12 and a quarter.
Speaker CYes, 12 and a quarter.
Speaker CIf they're playing a lot of outfield, maybe.
Speaker CBut that, that's kind of the, the general area I'd like to stick.
Speaker CBut now once we're in, you know that 11 to.
Speaker CI don't know, I guess 14, you know, you're maybe playing more outfield, playing more infield.
Speaker CSo a lot of parents get confused on how to pick the glove for that position.
Speaker CSo I like to say that infield is 11 and a quarter up to 12.
Speaker CSometimes you can go a little higher if, if the player likes a bigger glove and they're playing some outfield.
Speaker COutfield is usually 12, minimum.
Speaker CYeah, usually 12 and a quarter up to 12 and three quarter.
Speaker CSo if they're playing both and you want to stick with one glove, you're going to be looking probably in that 12 to 12 and a quarter range.
Speaker CIf they're playing one or the other, you know, try to get one that's going to help them succeed at that position.
Speaker CAnd that's another thing where don't be afraid to buy used because if, if they're playing, if it's their secondary position, it doesn't have to be, you know, as nice as their primary glove.
Speaker CSo don't be afraid to get a used outfield glove.
Speaker CYou know, if they're mainly playing infield and then obviously catchers need their own glove.
Speaker CRight.
Speaker CThis is the age when first basemen are going to use a dedicated first base glove.
Speaker CSix, six to ten, you might just be using your regular fielders glove.
Speaker CBut 11 to 14, you're going to want a first base glove.
Speaker CAnd then pitchers.
Speaker CI get a lot of parents concerned about pitching gloves.
Speaker CI don't really worry about that until you're playing in high school.
Speaker CBecause that glove I just showed, it's an iWeb, it's an infield glove.
Speaker CI used it to pitch.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker CSo if, maybe if you decide you're a po, you know, go ahead and worry about that.
Speaker COtherwise just use whatever glove you're most comfortable with.
Speaker BAnother, another thing is that about, I would say about 12, I know my son Ricky, he had an infield and an outfield glove because he played a lot of short and second base and I think he had 11 and a half and then a 12 and going forward by the time he got to high school, he didn't really need his infield glove that much unless in the summertime.
Speaker BBut in high school he played mostly outfield.
Speaker BSo 12, I think he had a 12 and a quarter 12 and a half inch outfield glove.
Speaker BSo I didn't have to buy that until probably later, you know, once he got there because he outgrew the other outfield gloves.
Speaker BSo these timelines.
Speaker BOh, and the different types of gloves from a trapeze and outfield.
Speaker CRight.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker CI'm glad you mentioned.
Speaker DI used to love that trapeze.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker BSay here I've got one still infield.
Speaker CGenerally the Most common is iWeb by far.
Speaker CPosts are common as well.
Speaker CSome, some hwebs in the infield, but IWEB is definitely dominant.
Speaker COutfield is mainly H, web and trapeze.
Speaker CYes.
Speaker CAnd I don't know, there's maybe a marginal advantage that you can get.
Speaker CBut don't, don't let the web be your deciding factor.
Speaker CLeave that up to the player for preference and worry more about size and functionality before you get really hung up on the web type.
Speaker ASo I'm curious George.
Speaker ASo what size glove did you like to use to play outfield?
Speaker DThe longest possible.
Speaker DSo I could say increase my reach but like I say with the kangaroo scan I can stretch it more but it's still making sure that it fits my hand.
Speaker DBut the kangaroo, but it, they don't have these long gloves as much now as before.
Speaker DAnd plus how I put my hand in the glove, it gave me more range.
Speaker DA lot of kids that have their glove, their fingers all stuck straight into the glove, you don't really have a pocket so to speak, you're gonna get a lot of bone bruises.
Speaker DBut it's getting a glove that I keep saying it, that it fits your hand is not too heavy and because the ball is going to be coming at you pretty fast.
Speaker DSo you've been able to have that strength to, to, to get the glove in that position.
Speaker DBut two things that I wanted to mention about when you buy the glove make we talked about position is going to be influenced by what position you play and also your size.
Speaker DYou have two 10 year olds but one's going to be bigger and stronger or bigger hands, you know, bigger hands than the other kid.
Speaker DSo it's not buying it according to the age but the size of the hand.
Speaker DYeah, that's very important.
Speaker DAnd I have big hands but like I said earlier, short fingers.
Speaker DSo a glove is going to be different for me or for, compared to say Ethan may have longer fingers.
Speaker DSo look at all those aspects but look at, talk to people, call Ethan, call Rick.
Speaker DThose guys have expertise on gloves, on bats.
Speaker DFor me we're growing up, we just had a woodback.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker DAnd it was easy.
Speaker DBut now you, you.
Speaker DIt's not a big, as big an investment as put into the aluminum bat.
Speaker DSo making sure that you get information, sound information that's going to help you when that, when you purchase something.
Speaker AWell Ethan, you've even from time to time you've, you've coached parents on, on, on what might be a good choice for them to buy.
Speaker AYou've actually, actually sold some gloves to parents too.
Speaker CYeah, every once in a while I'm able to find something online that's you know, used and I'm able to bring it in and clean it up and I've been able to provide those used gloves to, to different customers and it's not something that I have all the time but you know, I'll keep them on the shelf.
Speaker CAnd sometimes I have a parent and they're in that in between spot looking for something affordable and I'm able to.
Speaker CTo provide that for them.
Speaker BTalking about gloves, we are go back to infield since you're infielder to George was an outfielder.
Speaker DI played infield when I was 12 years old.
Speaker CHow many games at first base in the base?
Speaker C1.
Speaker DI think I was a gold Glover at first base.
Speaker DI think I played three or four games there.
Speaker BBut as an infielder, getting the right glove to.
Speaker BParents need to understand getting the right gloves.
Speaker BAfter you move up to this intermediate age, learning how to get the ball out of your glove quicker, you know how to deflect.
Speaker BAnd I have to show kids this all the time.
Speaker BIt's like, man, how you able to do that practice.
Speaker CThat's where at this age you don't have to buy a position specific glove.
Speaker CBut it can definitely help, especially if they're leaning towards one or the other because the equipment does help the mechanics to an extent.
Speaker CSo this is a good time to maybe, maybe go ahead and differentiate and don't get rid of that old glove.
Speaker CKeep it as a backup, you know.
Speaker AHand it down to your brothers.
Speaker AThat's what happened in our.
Speaker DYes.
Speaker CYeah, something like that.
Speaker CBut this is a great time to start experimenting right at the cheap level.
Speaker DThat's good.
Speaker CYou know, with different sizes before you invest in something super high quality.
Speaker AThe other.
Speaker AThe other place where places like play it again sports and sideline come in handy is if you've taken care of your glove and you've had.
Speaker ARight.
Speaker AYou've had it conditioned and cared for and the laces taken care of and things like credit, you can go and sell it back toward the next thing.
Speaker ASo, you know, not only can you buy there, you can sell there, which is cool.
Speaker ALet me ask you guys a question.
Speaker AThis.
Speaker ASo we're in the intermediate.
Speaker ASo when you get the little.
Speaker AThe little guys who are just starting out and then they get to that first kid pitch, you know, that's when a kid first.
Speaker AYou first have a catcher really who's like participating.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker COkay.
Speaker ASo like now when I was a kid, the team had gear and the team would also have a mitt and the kid would use it.
Speaker ABut at some point in time you got to buy a catcher's mitt.
Speaker AIf you're really going to say, hey, I want to be a catcher.
Speaker AWhen do you do that?
Speaker AThat's a specialized mitt.
Speaker AWhen do you decide, hey, I need to need to buy a catcher's Mitt.
Speaker CI would say when it starts hurting to use a regular glove, I would.
Speaker CI would say in coach pitch, it doesn't really matter because the catcher.
Speaker CCatcher is not really, you know, a part of the game.
Speaker CThey're just sitting there and waiting to.
Speaker CTo go bat and switch out with somebody else.
Speaker CBut once you're in kid pitch and you're going to be catching, I think that's a good time for the thing to keep in mind.
Speaker CCatcher's mist, though, is that brand new.
Speaker CEven the low.
Speaker CEven a cheap glove is going to be hard to use for a while.
Speaker CSo it takes a long time.
Speaker CAnd be careful trying to speed that up, because you're going to shortcuts or shortcuts for a reason.
Speaker CSo I'm a big advocate for taking the long way to break one of those in.
Speaker CBut.
Speaker CBut catcher's mitts specifically are a great opportunity to buy used.
Speaker CI had a guy come in not long ago, and he had bought a glove off a sideline swap.
Speaker CIt had somebody else's name on the back of it.
Speaker CAnd he was like, it's not his main position, but we needed something easy to use.
Speaker CIt's been here for a few years, and.
Speaker CAnd I ended up releasing it, and he was going to continue to use it for a while.
Speaker CBut.
Speaker CBut catcher's mitts are a great, great time to buy used so that somebody else did that work for you.
Speaker ASo the one good myth, the one good catcher's mitt that you had, we found at the local antique mall.
Speaker AThis was interesting.
Speaker AWe were.
Speaker AI was selling some.
Speaker AI was making leather goods at the time, selling some stuff at the antique mall.
Speaker AAnd we were walking through there one day, and there was one little booth, and they just had big, you know, buckets on the ground with just full of baseball gloves.
Speaker COkay.
Speaker AAnd I thought, let's just kind of go through here.
Speaker CNo sitting right on top.
Speaker AOh, is that what it was?
Speaker CI was like, what are the odds of that?
Speaker CAnd to this day, going back to that antique mall, I've never found anything that nice, but it was good.
Speaker CAnd funny enough, I ended up putting a leather pad in that later in my career myself, because it started to.
Speaker CStarted to hurt.
Speaker ABut it was a good.
Speaker AIt was a good.
Speaker AWas it Rawlings?
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker AAnd he brought it to me.
Speaker AI said, hey, this is a good one.
Speaker ASo I.
Speaker AI bought it for, I don't know, dirt cheap there, right?
Speaker AAnd he went to his next lesson at Rick's, and Rick's was like, hey, this is the same glove.
Speaker AI got this Is cool.
Speaker CYeah, yeah, that's what it was.
Speaker BI remember actually I found one and Ethan released my catcher's mitt for.
Speaker DThat's outstanding.
Speaker DBut you never, you never know.
Speaker AGarage sales, you know, even.
Speaker CEven Facebook Marketplace is a good place.
Speaker CSo I will say when you start going beyond sports dedicated platforms, you have to have a little bit better of mind to what you're looking for.
Speaker CBut you never know when a high school kid switches positions and he's just looking to offload something.
Speaker CSo a lot of, A lot of good opportunities on.
Speaker COn places.
Speaker DSo when I said earlier about my first glove, someone had given it to me and then I painted it and looked nice.
Speaker DI remember when I was back in, yeah, I want a bat.
Speaker DI was probably about 12 years of age.
Speaker DI want an actual.
Speaker DA bat I could use.
Speaker DI was so excited, you know, when it.
Speaker DI said, but that's the time that I said, nobody better use my bat.
Speaker DIt was fighting time, but I cherished that bat.
Speaker DThat was great.
Speaker BWell, when we used to use your Batman, mine broke.
Speaker DYou got one of those defect bats.
Speaker AYours wasn't one of the six.
Speaker DOkay, okay, you got it.
Speaker DYou got to put the handle in your hand.
Speaker DYou had the barrel in your hand.
Speaker BEveryone used it in the neighborhood.
Speaker DThere weren't any instructions.
Speaker DWe thought you would know.
Speaker AAll right, let me, Let me wrap this up real quick.
Speaker AI want, I want you guys to talk real quickly about before we move to.
Speaker ABefore we move to the advanced players.
Speaker AI want you to talk quickly about the dangers of break in shortcuts, steaming, putting it in oil, run it over with the car.
Speaker AYeah, Come on, give us some, Give us some sanity here.
Speaker CIf you're questioning if it makes sense, it probably doesn't.
Speaker CSo I'll just run it through the common sense meter first.
Speaker COkay.
Speaker CDick's has a steamer, and a lot of times they'll pitch that and you can get it for free if you buy the glove or whatever.
Speaker CNot a big fan of that.
Speaker CIt's just really, really, really intense on that glove.
Speaker CAnd I've seen a lot of gloves shrink or with color gloves with dyed laces.
Speaker CThe colors can run.
Speaker CSometimes it can make it too floppy.
Speaker CSo I'm just, I'm not a huge fan of that.
Speaker CIf you know what you're doing, it can be okay.
Speaker CBut a lot of times the people at Dick's don't.
Speaker BThey're not that they're not.
Speaker CThey're not glove specialists.
Speaker CThey're the guy that works in the glove department.
Speaker CRight.
Speaker CThe hot water method.
Speaker CYou got to Be careful.
Speaker CYou got to know what you're doing for that.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker ASo they see also do it online and then they think, okay, that guy has been breaking in gloves forever.
Speaker CYeah, you just, you got to be careful with that kind of stuff.
Speaker CSo.
Speaker CSo seek professional help if that's something you want to do.
Speaker CRight.
Speaker CThere are a lot of guys, a big thing right now is the hydraulic presses.
Speaker CThose are.
Speaker COkay.
Speaker CIt's.
Speaker CTo me, it tends to give lots of little creases instead of stretching.
Speaker CSo I, I don't know.
Speaker CThose haven't been around long enough to really see the long term effects.
Speaker CAt glovehound, I don't, I actually don't offer a full break in service just because it's something that's so specialized to each player, and I'm a different size, different shape with different habits than the player with, with their glove.
Speaker CSo, you know, that's not something I offer.
Speaker CBut if anybody ever has questions, I'm always happy to have them in the shop point them in the right direction.
Speaker CAnd my goal is to educate them so that they can do it themselves.
Speaker CBecause if you put that time in and get it set exactly how you want it, you know, it's more personal and you have a better connection to the equipment.
Speaker CSo a lot of people look at the break in as a burden, but look at it as an opportunity to learn your equipment.
Speaker CAnd it's really, it's, it's, it's.
Speaker CIt's going to.
Speaker CWhat do you say?
Speaker CFurther?
Speaker CIt's gonna, it's gonna further your skills.
Speaker CIt's gonna.
Speaker AWell, and this is another thing.
Speaker CIt's gonna elevate, elevate your skills.
Speaker AThis thing that, that is generational in our family because, like, my dad would help us break it in.
Speaker AHe was bigger and stronger than us, and he would, he has, my dad has really strong hands and he would, he would help us break our glove in a little bit, but then, you know, he would kind of get it so you could basically use it.
Speaker AAnd then it was our job to go out and play with it, get it broke in.
Speaker AAnd so breaking in your glove was the way it was explained to me, is your responsibility as a player.
Speaker AThis is.
Speaker AYou're going to play.
Speaker AThis is your personal equipment.
Speaker AYou need to break it in.
Speaker AAnd so we would go out and we would put the time in and we would play catch with it until we couldn't stand anymore.
Speaker AAnd we would, you know, throw to your arm falls off.
Speaker AAnd we would go out there and just play and play and play.
Speaker AAnd then we Would oil it, put the ball in it, wrap it up, put the Ace bandage on it, keep it.
Speaker ASo it was, you know, every night, get it out the next day, go out there, you know, keep it soft.
Speaker AAnd that was something that was explained to me.
Speaker AThis is your responsibility, this is your equipment.
Speaker AAnd so this is how I explained it to Ethan.
Speaker AI was, okay, all right, we'll get it started.
Speaker AYou know, I'll sit here and bang the, you know, bang a ball into it for a while for you so you can get it moving.
Speaker AAnd then I'm gonna hand it to you and then it's up to you.
Speaker AYou gotta go do it well.
Speaker CAnd I'll say, my first 44 that I had, I was impatient with it and I.
Speaker CThe break in was terrible on that thing.
Speaker CAnd then my dog ended up getting ahold of it and I really, I was, I wasn't.
Speaker CBut I wasn't really torn up about it because I didn't like the way it broke in.
Speaker CSo, you know, I was happy to get this next one.
Speaker DGood way to get a new one.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker CI was like, yeah, well, you know.
Speaker DBut two things that Ethan had hit on, get professional help as far as expertise and knowledge about it.
Speaker DAnd the other one is specialty.
Speaker DYou got to like, if you're a golfer, you want to go, you get, you get the clubs fitted to your swing, right?
Speaker DSo now when a kid is catching a ball, you got to see how he's catching the ball very much.
Speaker DBecause you don't want to change how you break it in.
Speaker DYou want to have it the same way how he's catching the ball.
Speaker CAnd that's, that's good point.
Speaker CThat's part of my, you know, kind of.
Speaker CThat's why I don't necessarily agree with a break in service.
Speaker DRight.
Speaker CBecause you know, you get, I talk to a lot of parents are like, oh, well, I want to have it broken in.
Speaker CI'm like, yeah, but they're going to do it in a generic apply to everybody kind of way.
Speaker CIt's not specialized to the players.
Speaker CSo, you know, when you're breaking it in, it might seem silly, but think about your hand in the glove.
Speaker CThink about how it closes.
Speaker CThink about how you want to receive the ball.
Speaker CThat stuff matters.
Speaker CAnd it can thought of it.
Speaker DYou got to get the mold of the kid's hand.
Speaker CAbsolutely.
Speaker DAnd then you break it in.
Speaker CWell, well what I mean, they would say cowboy boots or cowboys would soak their, their feet in water with, in their boots and then wear them around and then it would mold To.
Speaker CSo water molding in leather is a very, very common practice.
Speaker CThat's how you get, that's how you get.
Speaker CThat's how you get it to, to form to, to a knife or a wallet or you know, adhere.
Speaker DAdhere.
Speaker CExactly.
Speaker CSo, so to take that scale down, you know, you don't have to submerge it in water, but as your hand is in that glove and it heats up and it sweats, the glove will start to form to your hand.
Speaker CAnd there's something to that try.
Speaker CDon't, don't overlook that because you're impatient.
Speaker AOkay, so let's talk about, let's talk about advanced, advanced gear.
Speaker ASo George, when do you start thinking about.
Speaker AAll right, now, I'm, I'm.
Speaker AThese are tools of the trade, right?
Speaker AThese are.
Speaker DYou start to specialize.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker DSo probably a high school.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker DBecause that, that's a, that's the time high school and of course summer ball.
Speaker DBut then, then you start putting more investment into a bag or a glove along with, with, with the shoes.
Speaker DAnd, and of course the bat itself is going to cost more.
Speaker DThe gloves gonna.
Speaker DBut still making sure with that glove that's, that's you can get a new bat, new shoes.
Speaker DBut now with the gloves still making sure that it's going to fit the kid's hand and then finding out what position he's going to play on a regular basis.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker DAnd.
Speaker DBut the kid, like you said earlier, it's important for them to go out and practice to break it in the way.
Speaker DWay they're where they're catching the ball and according to their hand.
Speaker DWe talk about molding so that now you knowing how your hand is fitting into the glove.
Speaker DSo it makes a big difference.
Speaker DSo I would say around high school that's when you, you're really serious about playing a game.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker DThat's when you start putting more not only investment money wise, but invested in time.
Speaker ASo what about things like at this point in time, you might be, you might be driving a car for the first time and you're going to have your gear in your car.
Speaker ATalk about how we keep our gear organized and in good shape.
Speaker DThat's a.
Speaker DNow with the bat, especially with the bat and then the glove, do not leave them in your car, especially when it's cold, super hot.
Speaker DSo it's gonna change.
Speaker DEspecially with that bat.
Speaker DIt's gonna change the glove not so much, but still being able to take it.
Speaker DYou're going in the house because it's nice and comfortable.
Speaker DSo take your equipment into, into the house.
Speaker CYeah, absolutely.
Speaker BWe did hit on.
Speaker AWhat's that?
Speaker BThe types of bats.
Speaker BComposite.
Speaker AOh yeah.
Speaker BBecause if you use in a composite bat when it's below zero, a lot of people, a lot of people do not understand that you spend a lot of money on that, a composite bat.
Speaker BOnce it, once you leave it in the, in the car and it gets hot and everything starts warming up, the back will expand and then the cracks will start forming in the back.
Speaker BSo that's where, you know.
Speaker BYeah, weekends and it cracks and everything versus a metal bat won't do that.
Speaker BYou can use it in the cold and things like that.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker CAnd I'm up here in Ohio those first few games, you know, maybe you're starting in March.
Speaker CYes.
Speaker CYeah, they could be cold.
Speaker CSo that is something, you know, maybe down south they don't have to worry about that as much, but we do have to pay attention to that up here.
Speaker AWhat about.
Speaker ASo I know that in some colleges that they will have deals with companies where gear is provided.
Speaker ALike maybe guys get a glove when they're in college, then also like in the pros.
Speaker AI don't know how that works, George.
Speaker AHow, how does that.
Speaker AWhen, when do you, when do you reach a level where you're playing?
Speaker AAnd all of a sudden now they're saying, we're providing you gear.
Speaker AAnd then what part do you play in picking that gear or how does that work?
Speaker DOnce you sign a professional contract, you, you get say a free.
Speaker DWhere the bats are free and, and, and you may get a glove, but it's limited compared to when you get to the major league level.
Speaker DBecause with the major league level now you, you're going specifically for a certain company.
Speaker DBut when you first sign, it's just the team itself.
Speaker DOkay, so whatever the equipment that the, the team is using, that's what you were able to, to get.
Speaker DAnd, but they provide you with bats, limited amount of bats, but they, you don't have to buy the bats.
Speaker DAnd then with the, with the glove itself, they, they have companies that will come in Rawlings or Adidas.
Speaker DThey would come in.
Speaker DWell, I wouldn't, wouldn't say Adidas, but Rawlings Mall, see and Wilson, they would provide the, provide the gloves, but it's usually maybe one or two, but as you get to higher level, it's multiple, as many as you want.
Speaker DBecause I had seen guys with at least 20 pair of shoes in their locker and just on display, though they don't use them.
Speaker DThey don't display because I remember.
Speaker DOh yeah, I knew it's a.
Speaker DI was coaching and I was instructor with the Reds organization.
Speaker DAnd I knew that they were only using Nike.
Speaker DSo what I did on purpose, I wore Adidas.
Speaker DAnd they're saying that, you know, you can't wear those shoes.
Speaker DI said, well that's the only pair I have just to get another pair.
Speaker DSo it was one of those things.
Speaker DSame when I go play tennis.
Speaker DI know that they said you only can have, you know, a certain color.
Speaker DCertain color.
Speaker DAnd I wore a color that they disagree with that's.
Speaker DWell, I guess, you know, it was a charity.
Speaker DThey said, well, I guess I'll go home and say, no, we'll just go in the pro.
Speaker DGo in the pro shop and get whatever you want.
Speaker DI said, yeah, good strategy.
Speaker CThat's funny.
Speaker CI'll bring it back down from the pros though.
Speaker CIn colleges it's a big deal.
Speaker CAnd not every college provides equipment, but some do.
Speaker CUsually it's.
Speaker CIt's most D1s in my experience and I think some D2s and getting the.
Speaker DMoney from the company.
Speaker CExactly.
Speaker CBut, but D3 and below you're bringing your own stuff.
Speaker CSo you're either continuing to use that high school glove or maybe you get a new one for college.
Speaker CAnd at that point you need to make sure you're getting, I would say arguably the highest you can reasonably afford because those gloves are more durable and they're built and designed to take that, you know, hundred plus game beating that that you're going to put on them.
Speaker CBut then at the same time, if you do go to one of these higher schools, you know, don't be afraid to bring the equipment you had because in the game they're gonna, you know, really be on you about, you know, you have to use a certain brand because the school has the contract.
Speaker CBut that doesn't necessarily apply to practice.
Speaker CSo I know up at Miami right now their Wilson, but I had a guy come to me who, who had.
Speaker CWho used a Rawlings in high school and he's able to use that Rawlings in practice so that he's not putting the wear on his game glove.
Speaker CAnd at that point that's when practice versus game equipment starts to matter because you're playing so much that if you, you're.
Speaker CYou'll wear out that game equipment much faster.
Speaker CAnother interesting, the flip side to the, to the opposite brand is I had a kid who goes to Vanderbilt and they're, they're also a Wilson school and he used a Wilson glove in high school.
Speaker DCool.
Speaker CAnd so he was able to bring that with him and he's allowed to use it because it happens to match the brand.
Speaker CSo that was kind of convenient.
Speaker CAnd then a third aspect to that is maybe you bring the equipment that you really liked and you don't get to use it and you have to use what they use and you don't like it.
Speaker CAnd that's just unfortunate.
Speaker CYou just got to find a way to make it work, the adjustment.
Speaker CBut then, you know, keep, you know, hang on to that old equipment, you know, just in case and still use it in practice and that kind of thing.
Speaker DBut in aspect, we didn't.
Speaker DIt sounds simple when you hear it, but they're all saying common sense is not common.
Speaker DSo make sure you put your name.
Speaker DWhen you're younger, put your name on your glove, name on your bat.
Speaker DBecause your kids, you have this similar looking bat and they may accidentally take yours or whatever, but find an area on that bat or find the area on that glove to put your name or phone number.
Speaker DSo if it does get lost, and we talked about the investment, you just throwing away money if you're not, if you, if you lose your glove.
Speaker CTwo things on that one, I actually did have a parent bring me a glove and he said, just change some of the laces.
Speaker CHe said, because too many kids have the same glove, he said, just change, change like part of it so we know which one is his.
Speaker CAnd I thought that was funny as a unique identifier.
Speaker CBut.
Speaker AWell, because if you're gonna, if you're gonna hope to sell that glove someday, first of all, don't write your name on MAD in magic marker on the back of the fingers because no one's going to want to buy that from you secondhand.
Speaker ASo, you know, find a discreet place to put.
Speaker CAnd nowadays, you know, with so many custom gloves, you know it's got your name on it, right?
Speaker CYeah, but you have, you also have to keep in mind, you know, nobody wants to buy it if it has your name on it.
Speaker CSo it is going to kind of hurt your chances to resell, but maybe you're not planning on it and then, you know, go ahead and do whatever the other thing is to make sure you're not losing your equipment.
Speaker CBecause, you know, it's unfortunate I lost a glove, which was sad, but it happened.
Speaker CBut the great way to do that is to have a system for packing your gear up so that when you arrive, you know it's all in the same spot.
Speaker CAnd then when you leave, you pack it up the same way.
Speaker DThat's a compartment.
Speaker CExactly.
Speaker CSo it makes sure that you're.
Speaker CYour equipment is put away safely, that it's not going to hurt the equipment.
Speaker CAnd then also it's easier to run through the checklist kind of subconsciously because you're putting everything in its place.
Speaker CAnd if you don't have something to put in its place, you know, oh, I must be missing that.
Speaker CSo.
Speaker CAnd being a catcher, I had a lot of extra equipment, so I had to be a little more.
Speaker DMake sure you have both shin guards.
Speaker CYeah, I had to be a little more precise in the way that I packed my bag.
Speaker CSo I, you know, put the shin guards inside of each other, put them on the edge.
Speaker CI would take my fielding glove, put it inside my helmet with my sunglasses in the glove so it didn't crush the glove.
Speaker CAnd I had a whole system.
Speaker CAnd, you know, once I developed that, I never lost anything again.
Speaker CIt was a lot easier to keep track of my stuff.
Speaker AThe other thing is, get yourself a golf towel and put it in your bag and wipe your stuff down as you put it back in the bag.
Speaker ATry and keep the bag as a clean environment.
Speaker BYes.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker ASo when you're stuff's gonna get dirty when you're playing, wipe it off as you're putting it back in the bag.
Speaker ANow, you don't always have a lot of time for that.
Speaker AYou.
Speaker ABut if you have time but get.
Speaker CEverything out of the dugout and do it out there.
Speaker CBut take that extra few minutes because that keeps you from scrambling around.
Speaker CYou know, when you're running late to practice and you're not as likely to forget something.
Speaker AWell, and seriously, caring for your equipment can keep you from having to come have it fixed.
Speaker AAnd I mean, it really makes a difference.
Speaker DBut we want to have it fixed.
Speaker DYou got to keep them in business if you need it.
Speaker DIf you need it.
Speaker AEthan is more than my podcast partner.
Speaker AHe's my son.
Speaker AAnd like every baseball parent, my first priority was his development as a player.
Speaker AEvery year, we'd start out with a new coach and a new team making new promises, only to end up playing the same old tournaments with little to no practice in between.
Speaker AYou know what I'm talking about.
Speaker AThat's why I'm so thankful that we found MDNI Academy.
Speaker AI first met Coach Rick over a decade ago when Ethan was just a kid.
Speaker AAnd I'll never forget get the relief I felt watching his first lesson.
Speaker AI knew right then that no matter what team he played for, my son would have amazing, consistent instruction from someone who cared.
Speaker ARick has trained baseball and softball players at the Select Travel and even College levels.
Speaker ASo I knew that Ethan could continue his excellence through training approach.
Speaker AFor his whole baseball career.
Speaker AHe learned hitting, pitching, catching, fielding and more all in one place.
Speaker AMost of all, he learned to the greatest game in the world and how to play it with character and integrity.
Speaker AMDNI is a first class facility with plenty of tunnels for hitting and pitching instruction that open up into large areas for teaching fielding, baserunning speed and agility.
Speaker AThey even have a weight room for strength training.
Speaker ASo if you're wearing yourself out running all over town to multiple teachers or worse, you're counting on that new select coach to actually develop your child.
Speaker AYou need need to check out MDNI Academy today.
Speaker AGo to mdaiacademy.com and contact Coach Rick to learn how you can get all the baseball instruction you need from someone who cares about your favorite player as much as you do at MDNI Academy.
Speaker AAll right guys, we will come back and revisit gear at another time because obviously there's so much to talk about.
Speaker DExciting.
Speaker AAnd I want to do one of these where we just talk about gloves.
Speaker AGloves and one of these where we just talk about bats.
Speaker CThat's gonna be a long episode right.
Speaker DNow in Rick's case and in Ethan's case, they need or if they haven't like having a catalog.
Speaker DYou talk about the bats, you're talking about the gloves, what age and the name of it.
Speaker DI mean I didn't.
Speaker DParents asked me about what size bat or glove is.
Speaker DLike it's foreign to me but, but knowing that now I can go to Rick and Ethan, say oh, give the number to.
Speaker DYeah, dear numbers.
Speaker DBecause I know that you have that knowledge.
Speaker DBut if you have like a little catalog and do you pass it like a, something pass out to them and now they have more knowledge about it.
Speaker DBut I know when someone, I feel that I'm getting knowledge from somewhere, if I go play it again, sports or wherever, I'm going back to that place.
Speaker DI'm going to keep patronizing them and because I trust what they, they're saying and they're not saying it just to make a sale.
Speaker AWell, yes, Ethan has on his website.
Speaker ATalk about your glove guide here for a second.
Speaker CYeah, I do have a, I have a couple of articles that kind of give a rundown of different, different glove brands and the different series within that brand.
Speaker CSo something that a lot of parents get confused about is oh, I have a Rawlings, I have a Wilson.
Speaker CIt's a lot more detailed than, than just the brand that's on the wrist because within that brand there's different series of gloves meant for different players.
Speaker CAnd so you have to be careful not to buy any glove that has the brand that you recognize, because within that, it might not be exactly what you need.
Speaker CAnd there's a ton of jargon out there that gets really confusing.
Speaker CAnd there's a lot of stuff that is meant to sound factual and descriptive, but it's really.
Speaker CBut it's really a trademark.
Speaker CSo just a quick one, and I'm gonna have to pick on Wilson here.
Speaker CYou know, their.
Speaker CA 2000s and a 2Ks, they're made of pro stock leather.
Speaker BRight.
Speaker CThat's.
Speaker CThat's a trademark term.
Speaker CThat's not an actual industry thing.
Speaker CAnd so people say, oh, pro stock, pro.
Speaker CIt must be like if you go.
Speaker ATo, like, a saddle company or a place that makes briefcases or something, it's like, I want pro stock leather.
Speaker AThey're gonna look at you like you got two heads.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker CAnd so that's something that's become, you know, it seems like it's.
Speaker CIt's marketing and, and don't be angry at it.
Speaker CI don't blame Wilson for it, exactly.
Speaker DBut just works.
Speaker CBut just try to understand it and, and, and do your research.
Speaker CSo right now I, I only have raw Wilson and I think Mizuno on there.
Speaker CI need to.
Speaker CNot.
Speaker CNot yet.
Speaker CIt's just those three because I, I was doing that in my off time and then I got too busy and, you know, people keep sending me gloves or something, you know, so hopefully I'll be able to.
Speaker CTo increase that at some point.
Speaker CBut.
Speaker CBut yeah, ask questions and, and understand that it's a.
Speaker CIt's a big industry and, you know, money.
Speaker CYou don't have to know everything.
Speaker BIt's true.
Speaker AAll right, well, we're going to move on to our final segment here called who's the Hero?
Speaker AWe did this last week.
Speaker AWe had a whole lot of fun with it.
Speaker DI won.
Speaker DI won.
Speaker AGeorge.
Speaker AGeorge is the reigning champion of who's the Hero?
Speaker DI'm the goat.
Speaker DI'm the goat.
Speaker ASo here we're gonna try.
Speaker AI'm gonna describe players.
Speaker AI picked five players who had interesting relationships with gear.
Speaker AAnd these.
Speaker AThe.
Speaker AThe spans the biggest part of two centuries.
Speaker AThere's a.
Speaker AThere's some in every era.
Speaker ASome.
Speaker AOne of them is even still playing now.
Speaker ASo.
Speaker ASo we've got a good bunch of folks, but we're gonna try and figure out the.
Speaker AThese guys are gonna try and guess who I'm talking about.
Speaker ASo number one, this player used a 12 and a half inch glove because he thought that a larger glove would help him catch more balls.
Speaker AComing up the middle, Ozzy Smith.
Speaker AYou know, it must have worked because he won 18 Gold Gloves, the most of any player at any position.
Speaker CIs it cow.
Speaker CIt's not written no.
Speaker D18.
Speaker CI need another.
Speaker BRoberta.
Speaker BNo, no.
Speaker CThe mostly known.
Speaker AI guess the most Gold Gloves of any player at any position.
Speaker DNo, no.
Speaker AHe was mostly known for his time with the Atlanta Braves.
Speaker AHe played in the MLB from 1986 to 2008.
Speaker DAtlanta Braves.
Speaker BNot Terry Pendleton.
Speaker BNo, no, not Terry Pendleton.
Speaker BIt up the middle.
Speaker BBlouser.
Speaker DNo.
Speaker CShoot.
Speaker AOh, this is.
Speaker CI feel so bad for not knowing this.
Speaker CWow.
Speaker AAll right.
Speaker AAre you ready?
Speaker DAtlanta bra.
Speaker DWhat?
Speaker BOh, Bob Horner.
Speaker BNo, no, no, no.
Speaker AHe was not.
Speaker AHe was not an infield position player.
Speaker COh, Dale Murph.
Speaker COh, was it Andrew?
Speaker DNo.
Speaker BYeah.
Speaker CJones.
Speaker BAndrew Jones.
Speaker CNo, not a Greg Maddox.
Speaker CThere you go.
Speaker CYes.
Speaker BThat's good.
Speaker BThat's a good one.
Speaker CI got that.
Speaker AYes.
Speaker AThere you go.
Speaker BThat's a good one.
Speaker AI didn't.
Speaker AWow.
Speaker AI thought you guys nailed that one.
Speaker CNo, I.
Speaker CI was thinking shortstop, second base.
Speaker AAll right, we're going to go way back for this one.
Speaker AOkay.
Speaker DI feel bad.
Speaker AThis hall.
Speaker AOkay, you ready?
Speaker AThis hall of Fame player was the first to receive endorsement money for a baseball product manufactured with his name on it ever.
Speaker AHe signed a contract in 1905 while he was playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Speaker DOh, five Honus.
Speaker DNow he saw the answer.
Speaker AYou gotta let me give you this.
Speaker AThis story.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker AWhat was 19?
Speaker ASo he played.
Speaker AHe played for the Louisville Eclipse before.
Speaker AHe made it before he played for the Pirates.
Speaker AAnd he played with Bud Hillaridge of Hillary.
Speaker ASo here's.
Speaker AHere's the whole story.
Speaker ALet me run this down for you.
Speaker AJ.F.
Speaker Ahillary Rich opened his woodworking shop in Louisville in 1855.
Speaker AAnd during the 1880s, Hillary Rich hired his 17 year old son, John Bud.
Speaker AHillary Rich.
Speaker AOkay.
Speaker AThe company legend.
Speaker ACompany legend has it that Bud, who played baseball himself, slipped away one from work at one afternoon in 1884 to watch the Louisville.
Speaker ATo watch Louisville's major league team, the Louisville Eclipse.
Speaker AThe team star, Pete Louisville slugger Browning, mired in a hitting slump, broke his bat.
Speaker AAnd Bud invited Browning back to his father's shop to handcraft a new bat to his specifications.
Speaker ABrowning accepted the offer and got three hits to break out of his slump with the new bat.
Speaker AThe first day he used it, Browning told his teammates, which began a surge of professional ballplayers to the Hillary Woodworking Company.
Speaker DVery interesting.
Speaker AThis story has been challenged by alternate versions that sometimes it wasn't maybe that guy, it was Arley.
Speaker AA guy named Arley Latham or a guy named Gus Waring.
Speaker ABut either way, this is what happened.
Speaker ASo then J.F.
Speaker Ahillarych was uninterested in making bats.
Speaker AHis dad didn't want to make any bats.
Speaker DOkay.
Speaker AAnd so he saw the company future in stair railings, porch columns and swinging butter churns.
Speaker AOkay.
Speaker ABut for a brief time in the 1880s, he turned away ball players.
Speaker ABut Bud saw the potential in producing baseball bats.
Speaker AAnd the elder Hillrich eventually relented to his son Hillary Rich.
Speaker AAnd Bradsby was a.
Speaker AWas the company that end up that used by Babe ruth in the 1927 game exhibited at the Babe Ruth or at the Louisville Slugger museum.
Speaker ASo the bats were sold under the name Falls City Slugger until Bud Hillarych took over his father's company in 1894.
Speaker AAnd the name Louisville Slugger was registered as a U with the U.
Speaker AS.
Speaker APatent office.
Speaker AAnd in 1905, Honus Wagner signed a deal with the company becoming likely the first American athlete to endorse an item of sporting equipment.
Speaker DThat's great history.
Speaker CI would love to say.
Speaker CI would love to say.
Speaker CI knew that, but it just said pirates.
Speaker CAnd it was the earliest pirate I could think of.
Speaker DWow.
Speaker AAll right, number three.
Speaker AAccording to Bleacher Report, a Bleacher Report article from 2018, this player who currently plays in the national league is said to have had a habit of using a 36 inch, 47 ounce bat in the practice cage before.
Speaker CBryce Harper.
Speaker BYeah, yeah, yeah, that was.
Speaker CYou never seen that video?
Speaker DNo.
Speaker COh, Bryce, man, when he was.
Speaker CThat was like early nationals days.
Speaker CBut there's a.
Speaker CThere's a video of him hitting in a cage with the stupid heavy bat.
Speaker AYeah.
Speaker AWow.
Speaker AAnd say must be working because he has a lifetime average of.282 with 1,673 hits, 337 home runs and 977 RBIs over his 14.
Speaker DCome on, Rick.
Speaker DWe're getting shut out.
Speaker DCome on.
Speaker ANumber four.
Speaker DI'm gonna get this.
Speaker AThis hall of fame player was the first to have his own signature Nike cleat.
Speaker AIt was released in 1996.
Speaker CKing Griffey Jr.
Speaker CKen Griffey Jr.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker CEverybody with the swing man.
Speaker AWith the Seattle Mariners.
Speaker AAnd it was called.
Speaker AWhat?
Speaker ADo you know what.
Speaker AYou know what the shoe was called?
Speaker DJunior?
Speaker DKid.
Speaker BThe kid.
Speaker AIt was called Nike Air Griffey Max 1.
Speaker CYeah.
Speaker CAnd they're.
Speaker CThey're a cool shoe, man.
Speaker BYeah, I know.
Speaker BI see.
Speaker BSee, I See a lot.
Speaker DThis day is going down in history.
Speaker DI got, I got shut out.
Speaker AOkay, there's one more, one more, one more.
Speaker AI don't think any of you guys have this, but one more.
Speaker DTurn their mics off.
Speaker CIt doesn't matter.
Speaker CThey can't beat me now anyway, right?
Speaker ANo.
Speaker DThis is worth six point.
Speaker COh, that's convenient.
Speaker AThis Cincinnati Reds great.
Speaker DOh, Frank Robinson once endorsed Kool aid.
Speaker AWith a TV commercial.
Speaker AJohnny Ben in 1986, the last year he played.
Speaker AThis was his 25th year professional baseball.
Speaker AAnd as far as I can find, he is the only major league baseball player to ever endorse Kool Aid.
Speaker DThose names weren't correct.
Speaker CIt's.
Speaker CIs it Concepcion?
Speaker DNo, no speaking English.
Speaker DI said bench.
Speaker CWas he, was he a Red when he returns?
Speaker DIt was Pete R.
Speaker DYes, it was.
Speaker APete Rose because that's why I said Cincinnati Red's great.
Speaker AYeah, technically in the hall of Fame.
Speaker AAnd it was a TV commercial in 1986, which was his last year as player manager.
Speaker BOh, okay.
Speaker AAnd he played 25 years, from 63 to whatever.
Speaker AWhatever.
Speaker AIt was just.
Speaker AI mean from the early 60s all the way to 1986.
Speaker AAnd as far as I can find, he's the only major league ballplayer to ever.
Speaker AAnd there is, you can see it on, on YouTube.
Speaker AThere is a commercial.
Speaker AAnd basically what happens is funny because he's up to bat.
Speaker ASome kid, he hits a, looks like it's gonna be a home run and the Kool Aid man comes bursting through the wall and catches it and takes off running with it.
Speaker AHe's like, what?
Speaker AIt was kind of funny.
Speaker ASo anyway, that was Pete Rose.
Speaker ASo George did not get skunked today.
Speaker DYes.
Speaker DSorry, Ray.
Speaker CSorry.
Speaker BOh yeah, Ethan.
Speaker DHe was all right.
Speaker CIf I didn't win, if I didn't win that, I feel like I would be doing my service and injustice.
Speaker CI kind of felt obligated.
Speaker ALevel swing.
Speaker ALet it travel.
Speaker AWait for your pitch.
Speaker ABe aggressive out there.
Speaker AIt's no wonder young players get confused at the plate.
Speaker AWhat if your son or daughter could learn not only how to hit the ball but also where to hit it, when to hit it there and why.
Speaker AGeorge Foster has played baseball at the very highest levels.
Speaker AHe was the National League MVP when he hit 52 home runs and 149 RBIs in a single season.
Speaker AHe led the major leagues and home runs twice and RBIs three times.
Speaker AHe was a five time All Star, a Silver Slugger and he helped the Reds win back to back World series during his 15 year career.
Speaker AGeorge developed a unique approach to hitting that made him one of the greatest hitters of all time.
Speaker AAnd now your favorite player can learn it too.
Speaker AThat's right.
Speaker ABaseball legend George Foster is currently accepting new students.
Speaker ALearn the psychology of hitting, situational hitting, hitting for power, bunting, and more.
Speaker AEvery team needs players who can hit, and George explains the game in a way that's easy to understand and exciting to learn.
Speaker ASo check out georgefosterbaseball.com to learn how you can apply for private lessons with a member of the Cincinnati Reds hall of Fame.
Speaker ASpots are limited and the roster will fill up fast, so don't wait.
Speaker AApply at George Foster baseball.com All right fellas, well, this has been a great episode.
Speaker ATalking about gear and we, like I said, we will revisit this coming up.
Speaker AIf you've enjoyed our discussion about gloves and bats, balls and or shoes and everything, goodness gracious, accessories.
Speaker AYes, let us know.
Speaker ALeave a comment someplace wherever you like to listen to the to the podcast you can hear it on.
Speaker CWhat Let us know if you have any questions too happ.
Speaker CHappy to answer.
Speaker DSure.
Speaker AYeah, I'd love to be able to to post some questions to these guys next week.
Speaker ASo you can listen to us anywhere that you listen to Podcast, Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, iHeartRadio.
Speaker AYou can also find us on completegamepodcast.com and also on Facebook.
Speaker CAnd YouTube.
Speaker AAnd YouTube.
Speaker ASo hopefully we'll we'll catch you on one of those platforms real soon.
Speaker AUntil then, have a great week and we'll see you again on the Complete Game Podcast.
Speaker AWe hope you've enjoyed the Complete Game Podcast, the show that's all about baseball.
Speaker ANew new episodes drop each week, so be sure to subscribe so you don't miss a thing.
Speaker AIf you'd like to support the podcast, consider leaving us a five star rating or better yet, drop us a comment or a question.
Speaker ALet us know what you think.
Speaker AThe Complete Game Podcast is produced and distributed by 2Creative Digital Marketing.
Speaker ACheck us out at 2CreativeDigital.com on behalf of Ethan Coach Rick and the Silver Slugger George Foster, I'm Greg Duncan saying have a great week and we'll see you real soon.