Tuesday, February 21, 2012

What Are Team Mom Responsibilities?

Congratulations, you have been "elected" to be the team mom of your squad!  Do you know the responsibilities and obligations that accompany this title?  Don't worry, many don't.  Unfortunately, sports teams simply assign the team mom duties to a parent without consideration of their work, family, or other life obligations.  Almega Sports has put together a few tips to help you enjoy the position of team mom, rather than being stretched and stressed.

9 Common Duties of Team Mom:
  1. Team registration and organization of birth certificates
  2. Uniform sizing
  3. Organization of fundraising opportunities
  4. Publishing game schedules and practice times
  5. Organization of post game snacks for the players
  6. Recruiting volunteers (assigning tasks)
  7. Travel packets to include:  driving directions, hotel accommodations, meeting, and meal times
  8. Collecting of team money
  9. Liaison between parents and coaches
Remember, just because you have been selected to be the team mom, doesn't mean that you are required to wear a cape and perform the impossible.  Our advice is to recruit, assign, organize, and accomplish the demand and needs, of the team, with your fellow team parents.  This will be an excellent teaching opportunity for the parents to show the true meaning of sportsmanship to their players. 

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

What is Catcher Equipment?

In the worlds of baseball and fastpitch softball, the catcher has one of the most important and dangerous positions.  It is critical to protect the catcher, with the proper equipment, and to ensure the equipment fits properly. Purchasing the most expensive equipment is not necessary.  Fit and integrity is more important.  We are often approached by parents and players with a wide range of questions about catcher's equipment.  The Almega Sports Team has put together a few tips to get you started.

There are 3 critical elements to catcher's equipment:
  • Helmet -  Must fit snugly but sill allow the catcher to remove it quickly to field the ball.
  • Chest Protector - The fit should be snug but also allow free movement of the catcher.
  • Leg Guards - The fit should allow the catcher free mobility while still remaining in place.

    Optional equipment:
    • Throat Guard - Protects the catchers windpipe from random balls.
    • Knee Savers - Takes the strain off the knee ligaments.
    • Custom Gear Bag - Catcher's gear will not typically fit into traditional bat bags.

    The professional team at Almega Sports is here to help your athlete suite up for the season.  We are your locally owned and operated baseball and softball sports store in Panama City, FL.  At Almega Sports, we carry the brands you love at the prices you deserve.
    .Almega Sports has you covered


    Sunday, February 5, 2012

    What is BBCOR?

    There are so many questions regarding the 2012 BBCOR season.  Almega Sports is here to help unravel the most frequently asked questions regarding BBCOR
     
    Q.  What is BESR?
    A.  BESR stands for Ball Exit Speed Ratio.  Simply put, BESR is test developed to measure the exit speed of a ball after being hit by a bat.
     
    Q.  What is BBCOR?
    A.  BBCOR stands for Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution.  The BBCOR test is a more complete test of the bat, as it takes into account how the bat will perform after it has been broken in (ABI).  The BBCOR standard ensures that all aluminum and composite bats will perform equivalent to wood bats.  
     
    Q.  What is ABI?
    A.  ABI stands for Accelerated Break-In Test.  This test simulates heavily used bats and tests the performance of the bat once it is considered "hot".  ABI is a part of the BBCOR standard.
     
    Q.  Why did the NFHS change the way bats are tested?
    A.  The increase in severe injury, particularly to pitchers and third baseman, sparked the need to take a closer look at bats.  There was also an unrealistic performance in composite bats, which lead to a home run explosion on the fields.  Basically, the bat would out-perform the player.
     
     
    Q.  Are BBCOR certified bats the same as last year's bats?
    A.  No.  BBCCOR certified bats are designed to perform as close to wood bats as possible.  The sweet spots are smaller and the trampoline effect is much less that the bats of 2011.
     
    Q.  What does the BBCOR stamp look like?
    A.  Every 2012 senior league recreational, high school, and college bat must bear the BBCOR stamp on the barrel, which looks like this:
     
    Q.  Is my 2011 bat legal to use in regulation play in 2012?
    A.  No.  Non-stamped bats are considered illegal in 2012 regulation play.  Those bats have just become your practice bats.
     
    Almega Sports carries a full line of BBCOR bats.  Our expert team will guide you through the rules of BBCOR and have you ready for the field with confidence. 
    Almega Sports has you covered!