Travel Ball & Tournament Season: Organizational Tips From a Crazy, Busy Mom

What is 1.15 BPF?

2012 has brought about monstrous changes to the baseball world.  We have had the introduction of BBCOR, the banning of certain composite bats, and now, the mandatory 1.15 BPF stamp.  With the introduction of so many new rules and changes, Almega Sports has you covered for the season.  Let’s break down BPF.

What is 1.15 BPF?

• 1.15 BPF is a testing method for youth and senior league baseball bats.  It measures the performance of all bats.  Basically, BPF is measuring the exit speed of the ball when hit by non-wood bats.

What does BPF stand for?

• “Bat Performance Factor"

What does the 1.15 BPF stamp look like?

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What bats are required to carry the 1.15 BPF certification?

• As of January 1, 2012, all youth and senior league bats (small and big barrel) are required to have the 1.15 BPF mark.  Any bat not marked has been deemed illegal in USSSA play.

Why are there so many changes in baseball for 2012?

• Bottom line:  Player safety.  Technology is always improving, and so are the metals used to make bats.  The main concern of the industry is player safety.

Almega Sports has you covered with all of the translations and explanations you need to understand the science behind the USSSA 1.15 BPF updates.  We are your one stop baseball sports store in Panama City, Florida. 

Top 10 List for Travel/Tournament Ball

It's tournament season!  This is the season of smelly cleats, clay in the car mats, and weekend road trips. The question is, do you have everything you need for tournament weekends?  Almega Sports has the top 10 must have items for the season.

1. Carry Wagon - this will be the best money you spend.
2. Folding Chairs - save your back, long days are ahead.                                 
3. Dryer Sheets and Bug Repellent - dryer sheets work wonders to keep gnats away!
4. Umbrella - better to be prepared than soaking wet.
5. Cash - no cash, no entry at the gate!
6. Tent (carry bag with wheels is best) - the summer sun is intense!
7. Sunscreen - second degree sunburns are no laughing matter.
8. Mini Fan - it's going to be HOT!
9. Extension Cord - it's a given that someone will need it.
10. Towels and Wet Wipes- sanitation at the ball field is well, compromised.

Almega Sports has you covered with all things sporting goods.  We are the only locally owned and operated full sports store in Panama City, Florida.  Almega carries lines such as Akadema, Mizuno, Worth, 3N2, and Easton.  One stop, one shop, done. 

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. 

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

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!

Approved BBCOR Bat List

New year, new rules, and new equipment. The 2012 baseball season is just days away, are you BBCOR ready?  The National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) has rewritten the rule books on bats.  All high school and college bats must posses the BBCOR stamp as of January 1, 2012.  Bats made prior to this season, and are not stamped BBCOR, are no longer considered legal equipment.  Almega Sports has you covered with the following list of legal equipment for the 2012 season.　

2012 Approved BBCOR Bat List:

• 2012 Akadema Apocalypse
• 2012 Combat B3
• 2012 Combat Caliber
• 2012 Demarini CF5
• 2012 Demarini Vexum
• 2012 Demarini Voodoo
• 2012 Easton Brigade S1
• 2012 Easton Brigade S2
• 2012 Eastn Brigade S3
• 2012 Easton Brigade XL1
• 2012 Easton Brigade XL2
• 2012 Easton Brigade XL3
• 2012 Louisville Slugger Exogrid2
• 2012 Louisville Slugger Omaha
• 2012 Louisville Slugger Z-1000
• 2012 Marucci Cat 5
• 2012 Mattingly Ripped
• 2012 Nike Aero MC2
• 2012 Nike Aero MI
• 2012 Rawlings 5150
• 2012 Worth Toxic

Our expert team is ready to help you hit the field with confidence.  We carry everything you need for this baseball season from helmets to cleats, and everything in between.  Don't forget, Almega Sports also makes custom team uniforms.  Don't worry...Almega Sports has you covered!

Are You Ready For BBCOR?

It's January 2012 and families all over the country are breaking out the baseball gear.  However, be wary of the bat you take to the diamond.  BBCOR rules are now in play and umpires across associations are ready to enforce them.  Almega Sports has a few tips to get you familiar with the BBCOR standard.

 BBCOR Rules Apply To:

• Middle School
• High School
• College Leagues
• Some Senior League Recreational Associations (confirm with your association)

Key Factors Pertaining To BBCOR:

• Bats must be stamped with the official BBCOR stamp on the barrel to be legal
• Rules apply to all alloy and composite bats
• Wood bats are not mandated to carry the BBCOR stamp, however, some manufactures, such as, Mizuno woods bats are BBCOR stamped.

The bottom line is this:  If your bats is not BBCOR stamped, it is ILLEGAL to use in official play.  Any bat without the BBCOR stamp has now become your practice bat. 

Almega Sports understands the need of every family to meet the requirements of the new season and the family budget.  We are here to help.  Come in, and allow our expert team guide you through BBCOR and keep your budget with in the foul lines.  Almega Sports has families covered!

How To Pick and Choose Baseball Cleats

It's that time again.  Baseball season!  Time to pull the chairs out of the garage and get some clay on the cleats.  This should be a fun and exciting time for all levels of ball players.  Don't be alarmed if this is the first time for your athlete on the diamond.  Almega Sports has created several small "How To" videos to help you get your rising start ready to hit the field.  This blog will feature a great starting point when purchasing sports equipment.  "How To Pick and Choose Baseball Cleats."

  

Key factors when purchasing cleats:

• Fit:  Do not buy cleats that are too big.  Serious injury to the foot and ankle can occur if the cleat is not a proper fit.  It's just not worth the risk to buy cleats bigger to accommodate for growth spurts.
• Comfort: The player must feel completely comfortable in the cleat in order to run, turn, and slide correctly.  A cleat that is not comfortable to the player could result in the player adjusting his natural way of running to compensate for the shoe.
• Durability: We all have a budgets to keep.  Spending a little more on a well made shoe will ultimately save you money down the baseline. 
• Easy to "break in:": The cleat needs to be made of a material that will be easy to get "game ready."
• Rubber vs. Spike:  Know your association and the cleat requirements.  Metal spike cleats are not allowed in all associations.

Almega Sports is here to help!  Let our experienced and dedicated staff fit your ball player with the proper equipment to hit the field with safety and confidence.  We carry everything you will need at prices that will keep your budget in bounds. 

Almega Sports has you covered!

How to Choose a Baseball Glove

There are literally thousands of options when it comes to choosing a baseball glove.  So many styles, colors, and manufacturers.  It can be an overwhelming experience to both parent and player.  Almega Sports is here to help.  We are going to answer a few of the most frequently asked questions about "How to Choose a Baseball Glove."

• What are the differences between baseball gloves? 
• Are there different gloves for different baseball positions?
• How much should I spend on a new glove?
• Is there a way to prolong the life of a glove?

 

Starting the baseball season should be an exciting and fun experience.  Don't allow purchasing baseball equipment to overwhelm you.  Almega Sports is here to help.  We will help you and your player every step of the way to enter the field with confidence. Gloves, bats, cleats, and all the accessories, we have it all.  We carry Northwest Florida's largest selection of baseball and softball gloves in all of the top brands such as:  Akadema, Mizuno, Easton, Worth, Rawlings, Louisville Slugger, and Wilson. 

 Almega Sports has you covered!