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May 16

Where Did You Wear Your Cleats Shirt Giveaway

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin

Hey Cleats Enthusiasts,

We have got something fun for you and you can be handsomely rewarded just for participating!

This week we are kicking off the…

Where Did You Wear Your Cleats Shirt Giveaway

Here is how it works:

Stop into Cleats Sports and make a purchase of $10.00 or more and receive a Free Cleats T-Shirt.(While Supplies Last)

Wear your Cleats T-Shirt out to a game, hiking, to an event, to a bbq (you get the idea) and take a Picture… Be Creative!

Share the Picture with us and tell us “where” you wore it.

  • You can share it by posting the picture on our Facebook Wall.
  • You can email it to amy at cleatsinc dot com and we will post it for you.
  • You can bring it by the store and we will share it on Facebook for you.

One Lucky Person will WIN a $100 Gift Card!

Contest starts today, May 15, 2012!   So, go out and take your pic and post it on our Facebook page!

We will post the Winner in our June Newsletter and on Facebook on June 12th!

*Please keep the pictures family friendly!  Be Creative and Have Fun! One entry per person.  Contest ends June 11, 2012.  Winner will be announced June 12, 2012.

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May 09

Help Mom Stay Healthy with Pink ZoN Exercise Equipment

Posted on May 9, 2012 by admin

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, husbands and sons are scrambling to find the perfect gift for mom. Do yourself and mom a favor and don’t wait until the last minute. One of most popular products available today is Pink ZoN. ZoN is a brand of exercise equipment that women across the globe are using more and more these days. The equipment helps women get in shape and stay in shape along with their diet routine.

Routine exercise is the best way to stay healthy and to prevent diseases such as breast cancer. There are a handful of Pink ZoN videos available for purchase and download that will help you with your fitness routine. There are a handful of products available for purchase as well that you can use to your advantage. Pink ZoN offers aerobic steps, balance balls, dumbbell sets, walking kits, a walking vest, medicine balls, yoga mats, weighted walking belts and much more.

Mom does so much for us throughout the year so why not tell her how much she is appreciated by purchasing her a bunch of Pink ZoN products, especially if she is a yoga or exercise buff. Pink ZoN is affordable exercise gear that can help motivate anyone into losing weight and getting into shape. Pink ZoN also has odometers and stopwatches that you can use during your exercise sessions. These two products will help you count your footsteps each day, which should total around 10,000, and will help you time your exercise segments.

So if you have run out of ideas for a Mother’s Day gift, consider purchasing some Pink ZoN equipment for the special mother in your life. Women of all ages will love this equipment, especially since it comes in pink colors and promotes a healthy lifestyle as well.

Stop into Cleats Sports this week and take 40% Off all ZoN Equipment. *While supplies last and not to be combined with any other offer.  Offer ends 5/14/2012

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May 02

The Art of Bunting

Posted on May 2, 2012 by admin

Whether you play fastpitch or baseball, one of the most important and sometimes overlooked aspects of the game is that of bunting. Bunting is a key part of the game because it can mean the difference between winning and losing. For instance, your team is down by one run on the road in the final inning and you have a runner at first base with no one out. Ninety nine percent of coaches will ask their hitter at the plate to lay down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner into scoring position. Not all fastpitch players will be able to bunt effectively but with practice and repetition any player will be able to bunt that tying or winning run into scoring position.

The first key to putting down a strong bunt is to start out at your chin with the bat. Most inexperienced bunters will begin with their bat around their waist and then have to move the bat upwards, which can lead to popping the ball up into the air. You always want the ball on the ground. If the bat is at your chin it is easier to move it down towards the ball, which will push it into the ground and avoid a popup.

The second key to putting down a strong bunt is to start out with your hands away from your body. If you keep your hands close to your body when bunting then you will force the ball to go foul in most cases. If your hands are away from your body when bunting you can pull them closer to your body to lighten the strength of the bat hitting the ball, which will prevent the ball from reaching a player quickly and forcing an out at a base that is unwanted.

The third and most important key to putting down a strong bunt is to bend with your knees. If you stand tall while bunting, you will have to reach down with your arms to bunt a low pitch, which will cause the ball to either popup or go into foul territory. It is best to keep your arms still, around your chin, and move your body towards the ball when bunting. If you move the bat and keep your body still you will either miss it or pop it up for an out.

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Apr 25

Fastpitch Glove Buying Guide

Posted on April 25, 2012 by admin

If you are joining a fastpitch league or are preparing to coach a team in a fastpitch league then you will want to read through this fastpitch glove buying guide. Cleats Sports is the most affordable sporting goods store in Arizona when it comes to fastpitch gloves. The company sells five gloves that are perfect for the fastpitch player at any level of the game. The price range for the five gloves is as low as $54.99 and as high as $149.99. These prices will be incredibly difficult to beat at any other store.

One of the most important gloves is that of the catcher’s mitt. The catcher’s mitt in fastpitch is designed slightly different than the fielder’s gloves and costs $76.99 at Cleats Sports. The glove for sale is the Louisville Slugger TPS Valkyrie. It features a bruise pad to guard against bruising, a 34” fastpitch pattern and has a Velcro strap to latch the glove when the hand is inside.

The glove that sells for $149.99 is the Mizuno Classic 12” Glove. The glove is made from the throwback leather offered by Mizuno, which helps the glove hold onto its shape the longer you own the glove. The glove features an Ultra Soft Pro palm liner that protects your hand from bruising.

Two gloves that sell for $89.99 are the Mizuno MVP Prime 12” and 13” Gloves. Both gloves come only in one color, black, and feature the Ultra Soft Pro palm liner. The gloves also have an extra wide pocket and a secure fit for the fastpitch players on your team.

The $54.99 glove is the Mizuno Prospect Fastpitch Series Youth 12.5” Glove. This glove is perfect for young fastpitch players who are still learning the game and how to wear the glove the correct way. The glove features Power Close technology, making it easier for younger players to close the glove when the ball is inside.

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Apr 19

Parent’s Guide to being a Team Player

Posted on April 19, 2012 by admin

Good sportsmanship is not just for the players, coaches and umpires on the field. Good sportsmanship extends to the fans in attendance as well. When it comes to a fastpitch game, the fans in attendance typically include parents, grandparents, siblings and close friends of the players until you reach the college level. At the college level you will begin to see students in attendance at a higher rate.

No matter what level your daughter plays at for fastpitch, it is in your best interest and your daughter’s best interest that you practice good sportsmanship when at practices and games. For the most part, parents should stay away from attending practices if at all possible. This is where a lot of parents get into trouble because they feel the obligation to interject a coach’s lesson or how a coach disciplines the team for misbehaving.

Parents, just like players, need to be team players as well if they wish to see their daughters enjoy the season. Parents can be team players for their daughter’s softball teams by staying out of the coach’s hair during practice and during games, not jumping all over the umpires’ cases when calls are made and by offering help when it is asked for by the coach.

Parents looking to be team players should also volunteer their time appropriately. Coaches of little league fastpitch teams might need help running practices five days a week but do not feel comfortable asking for help. Parents could lend a helping hand by offering to come hit ground balls, fly balls, throw batting practice and offer pitching tips if they feel the coach needs help because he or she does not have an assistant coach. Parents looking to be team players can also provide the team with rewards after big wins such as pizza parties, slushes, a trip to the movies and much more.

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Apr 16

Mizuno Swift G2 Shoe

Posted on April 16, 2012 by admin

The Mizuno brand is one of the most popular companies around today for baseball and softball players of all levels, offering hundreds of different products ranging from headgear to shoes. One of the company’s most popular shoes available today is that of the Mizuno Swift G2 Shoe. It offers excellent flexibility and comfort for the female fastpitch player in your family. The shoe sells for a very affordable $60 and comes in a variety of colors and sizes. You could even order the shoe in a dual color such as black and white or black and pink.

The Swift G2 Shoe is the perfect cleat to order for an entire team of fastpitch players. Since there are so many color inserts to choose from you can order cleats that either match the team color exactly or complement the team colors nicely. The color inserts are used to change the color of the Mizuno logo on the side of the cleats. These inserts come in 13 colors and can be used to match the uniform colors or complement them. Bulk orders are always available; especially when it comes to Mizuno products, so do not hesitate to order the cleats for your entire team when ordering uniforms.

The cleats have nine spikes on them, which makes for a very comfortable cleat when standing in them for a long period of time or running in them. Even though there are nine spikes the cleats are still very light and provide excellent traction to the dirt and grass that allows fastpitch players to run, bat and throw without the worry of slipping or falling down on the field. For all those who love to keep the environment safe, the cleats are made with materials that are safe for the environment. If you have never purchased a Mizuno product before, make your initial Mizuno purchase the Swift G2 Shoe.

Connect with us on Facebook for a chance to win special Giveaways and receive special offers just for our fans!

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Mar 27

New Online Women’s Fastpitch Sports Store Open and Thriving

Posted on March 27, 2012 by admin

Cleats Fastpitch Online Women’s Sports Store is officially open and thriving after only a few months! Inside the Fastpitch store you will find all the top brands such as Mizuno, Allstar, Easton, Under Armour, Diamond, EvoShield, Louiseville, Rawlings and much more.

“We have been in the Baseball business for many years and noticed a great opportunity to not only support Women in sports, but provide excellent equipment and uniforms specifically geared towards women”, said Curt Cress, owner of Cleats Fastpitch Online. With access to products from all of the top brands, Cleats Fastpitch Online can offer customers the best equipment and uniforms. “The store currently focuses on women’s Fastpitch equipment and uniforms, and is excited to be expanding its product line selection,” said Curt.

Cleats Fastpitch Online is currently a full line of products including: Fastpitch Bats, Fastpitch Balls, Fastpitch Gloves, Women’s Uniforms, Bags, Fastpitch Cleats and Footwear, Catchers Gear and Training and Field Gear. The company also has a retail location located in Glendale, Arizona making it easy for local women Fastpitch players to shop.

Cleats Fastpitch Online is dedicated to giving customers high quality products at the best possible price. Visit us online at http://www.cleatsfastpitch.com.

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Mar 15

First Annual Cleats Classic Invitational

Posted on March 15, 2012 by admin

Cleats Sports is proud and excited to announce the First Annual Cleats Classic Invitational. Our goal is to grow this event into a nationally recognized spring tournament.

We want to wish the following teams the best of luck!
Saguaro
Chaparral
Desert Ridge
Marcos De Niza
Cactus Shadows
Desert Mountain
Arcadia
Redlands
Seton Catholic
Fort Collins

We are excited to announce the winner of the First Annual Cleats Classic is Chaparral

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Feb 27

Fastpitch and Baseball Tools to Improve your Game

Posted on February 27, 2012 by admin

Join Cleats Sports as we talk with Krista from Rawlings on some of the best Training Tools for Baseball, Fastpitch and Softball.  Learn how the Rawlings Ripkin 5 Tool 5 Position Batting Tee and others can help take your game to the next level.

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Jan 17

The Rules – Bat Regulations for 2012

Posted on January 17, 2012 by admin

Wondering what is legal this season with some of the major governing bodies in 2012?  To help make it a little bit easier to understand, here are the bat regulations for some of the largest amateur baseball organizations in 2012.

*Information provided below by Baseball America

National Collegiate Athletic Association:
The Ball-Bat Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) standard remains in effect.  This new standard was announced in September 2008.  All bats must meet this standard, which includes the Accelerated Break-in (ABI) procedure.  For a bat to be legal in the 2012 season, it must be BBCOR approved.

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics:
The NAIA follows the NCAA standard.

National Junior College Athletic Association:
The NJCAA follows the NCAA standard.

National Federation of High School Athletic Association (NFHS):
After last year’s transition period, the NFHS will now allow only bats that meet the BBCOR standard.

State High School Federations:
California went past the NFHS and required that bats must meet the BBCOR standards that include the ABI procedure last year.  Virginia and Tennessee followed suit.  Now all state federations will follow the BBCOR standard.  There are at least three governing bodies that will use only wood bats this season:  New York City public schools, New Mexico and North Dakota.

American Amateur Baseball Congress:
The AABC voted last year to ban all metal composite bats in all divisions in national competition.  It also added the Mickey Mantle and Ken Griffey Jr. division to the Stan Musial, Connie Mack and Don Mattingly divisions, which use only wood, laminate or composite wood bats.  they cannot exceed 42 inches in length or 2 3/4 inches in diameter.

Amateur Athletic Union:
For divisions 15U and older, NFHS regulations are followed.  There are no bat restrictions for divisions 14U and younger.

Babe Ruth Baseball:
For the Cal Ripken Division, bats may not be more than 33 inches in length, nor have a bat barrel in excess of 2 1/4  inches in diameter.  Only 2 1/4 inch barrel non-wood bats marked BPF 1.15 will be allowed.  Wood 2 1/4 inch barrel bats are allowed.  For the 13-15 division, bats may not exceed34 inches in length, and the barrel may not exceed 2 5/8 inches in diameter.  All aluminum/alloy barrel bats and all composite handle-only aluminum/alloy barrels are allowed.  Only composite barrel bats certified and marked as BBCOR .50 will be allowed.  Wood barrel bats are allowed.  For the 16-18 division, the bat may not exceed 34 inches in length and the barrel may not exceed 2 5/8 inches in diameter or be greater than a -3 length to weight ration.  Only composite bats certified and marked as BBCOR .50 are allowed.  Wood barrel bats are allowed.

Little League Baseball:
Little League International places a moratorium on most compoiste bats for all of its division last year, and it remains in effect.  For the Little League Division and below, some composite-barrel bats that have proven in testing to meet performance standards through the ABI process have received waivers.  for Junior League, bats may not exceed 2 5/8 inches in diameter, and compoiste-barrel bats must be -3 and must meet BBCOR standards and be so labeled.  bgats that do not have compoiste materials in the barrel and meet other applicable standards can have any length/weight ratio.  For Senior League, bats may not exceed 2 5/8 inches in diameter, and all non-wood bats must be -3 and must meet BBCOR standards and be so labeled.

Pony Baseball:
Wood, metal, graphite or ceramic bats manufactured for baseball play, which are round and not more than 2 5/8 inches in diameter at the thickest part, not more than 42 inches in length, are acceptable.  Bats manufactured specifically for use in tee-ball play, shall not be used when the ball is pitched by a player, coach or pitching machine.  Coach-pitch bats will only be used in coatch pitch using a safety ball.  only 2 1/4 inch barrel non-wood bats which are manufactured to achieve a Bat Performance Factor of 1.15 or less through the life of the bat are approved for play in Pony Baseball division.  All non-wood bats must be stamped “approved for play in Pony Baseball” and “BPF 1.15″ and the year manufactured.  All -3 bats must be BBCOR certified.  The bats, which may be  wood or non-wood, shall not be more than 2 5/8 inches in diameter at the barrel.  All non-wood bats shall meet the BBCOR standard.  All BBCOR bats shall be labeled with a silk screen or other permanent mark.  Any bat 2 3/4 inches in diameter is prohibited in all Pony-sanctioned leagues.

*Please note that if you don’t see your organization listed here, if you need more information or for the latest news, consult your organization’s website.

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