Coaching Management 19.12

BASEBALL

2012 ABCA CONVENTION ISSUE > Convention Preview > ABCA Clinic Schedule > List of ABCA Exhibitors

RAY Tanner University of South Carolina

2011 ABCA/Diamond Sports NCAA Division I Coach of the Year CONVENTION 2012 | VOL. XIX NO. 12 | $7.00

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CONTENTS | BASEBALL Edition | ABCA Convention 2012 | Vol. XIX, No. 12

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AOCVCB

Coaching Management

California palm trees

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Convention

Convention Hotels

10

preview

Clinic

The ABCA Convention heads to Anaheim, Jan. 5-8. Highlights of the convention will include six individuals being inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame as well as presentations of the Lefty Gomez Award, Assistant Coach of the Year Award, and Honors Awards.

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Anaheim Convention Center

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schedule

list

Find times and topics for this year’s list of speakers, which includes ABCA NCAA Division I Coach of the Year Ray Tanner, University of South Carolina; Steve Springer, Toronto Blue Jays; Rich Maloney, University of Michigan; and Don Meyer, former Head Basketball Coach at Northern State University.

products

on display

A look at the items that suppliers will be displaying at their booths.

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of exhibitors

See which companies are exhibiting in the convention hall at the Anaheim Convention Center.

new

products debuting

Check out some of the hot new products making their debut in Anaheim.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

On the cover

38 PRODUCT LAUNCH 40 ADVERTISER’S DIRECTORY 42 EXHIBITOR SNAPSHOTS

Ray Tanner, Head Coach at the University of South Carolina, was named the 2011 ABCA/ Diamond Sports NCAA Division I Coach of the Year after leading the Gamecocks to their second consecutive national title.

44 PRODUCTS FOR THE SEASON 46 ABCA Registration Form 48 COACHING GUIDES

PHOTO FROM SOUTH CAROLINA ATHLETICS

Publisher Mark Goldberg Marketing Director Sheryl Shaffer Editorial Dept. Eleanor Frankel, Director Abigail Funk, Dennis Read, R.J. Anderson, Patrick Bohn, Mike Phelps

Business Manager Pennie Small Art Director Pamela Crawford Production Dept. Maria Bise, Director Neal Betts, Trish Landsparger Special Projects Dave Wohlhueter

Mailing lists for Coaching Management Baseball are provided by the Clell Wade Coaches Directory.

The Coaching Management Baseball edition is pub­lished in February, September, and November by MAG, Inc. and is distributed free to college and high school coaches in the United States and Canada.

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Copyright © 2011 by MAG, Inc. All rights reserved. Text may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without the permission of the pub­lisher. Un­­solicited materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Coaching Management, P.O. Box 4806, Ithaca, N.Y. 14852. Printed in the U.S.A.

Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012 1

PHOTOS COURTESY OF AOCVCB

ABCA CONVENTION PREVIEW

2 012 Conv ention He a ds for A n a h e i m

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he American Baseball Coaches Association heads to the West Coast for its 67th annual convention, which is being held Jan. 5-8 at the Anaheim Convention Center with the Hilton Anaheim and the Marriott Anaheim acting as the co-convention hotels. More than 4,000 coaches are expected to attend, and members are encouraged to arrive no later than Thursday, Jan. 5, as committee and division meetings, as well as exhibits, will open the convention that day.

ABCA Second Vice-President Tim Corbin has arranged an outstanding line-up of coaching clinic speakers, who will begin their sessions on Friday, Jan. 6. Among those scheduled to speak are ABCA NCAA Division I Coach of the Year Ray Tanner, University of South Carolina; Steve Springer, Toronto Blue Jays; Rich Maloney, University of Michigan; and Don Meyer, former Head Basketball Coach at Northern State University.

In the exhibit hall, about 300 companies are expected to display state-of-theart equipment, including coaching aids, apparel, field equipment, pitching machines, and software. Many will showcase new products being displayed for the first time. Other convention

2 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

highlights include the Hall of Fame/ Coach of the Year Banquet Friday, Jan. 6, at 6 p.m. and the Honors Luncheon on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 12:15 p.m. abca ethics award

Veteran HS Coach Luketich Honored Longtime and highly respected baseball coach Stan Luketich is this year’s recipient of the ABCA Ethics in Coaching Award. The ABCA believes that the highest calling of a baseball coach is to teach life’s lessons and STAN LUKETICH model character traits of honesty, integrity, respect, and personal responsibility, and that a coach’s moral and ethical conduct—on and off the field—deeply influences players.

The ABCA Ethics in Coaching Award Committee, chaired by Tom O’Connell, believes that Coach Luketich best represents these principles.

Luketich has served 36 years as a baseball coach in Arizona. He coached

from 1977-1993 at Moon Valley High School in Phoenix, winning a state championship in 1989. He then coached two years at Red Mountain High School and since 1996, has been at Desert Vista High School, winning state championships in 1999 and 2001. Since 1994, he has served as a MLB International Envoy, coaching in the Czech Republic, Belgium, Spain, Germany, and Italy. In 2007, he was inducted into the Arizona Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.

The inaugural winner of the Ethics in Coaching Award was Mark Johnson, Sam Houston State. The award was presented to Johnson at the 2009 San Diego Convention. Since that time, this prestigious honor has been presented to Jerry Novosel, West Middlesex (Pa.) High School; Gordie Gillespie, St. Francis University; Steve Farley, Butler University; and Sam Riggleman, Spring Arbor University.

Each year at the ABCA Convention, there is a keynote speaker on coaching ethics. This year’s speaker will be Bruce Brown, one of the most popular speakers the convention has ever had.

Luketich will be presented with the award by O’Connell prior to Brown’s presentation.

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abca hall of fame

Six Inductees In 2012 Hall Class During the 2012 Convention the ABCA will induct six new members into its Hall of Fame as the Class of 2012: Don Brandon, Anderson University; Dennis Denning, University of St. Thomas; Elliot Johnson, Southern Nazarene University; Dick Vinning C.W. Post/Long Island University; Jim Walker, College of Southern Idaho; and Russ Wright, Fruitland (Id.) High School Biographies of the inductees follow: Dr. Don Brandon retired from Anderson University in 2010 after 42 years of service and 38 years as the Head Baseball Coach. In his final game, the team nailed down his 1,100th win DON BRANDON and captured the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference championship. His 2010 team was the top offensive team in NCAA Division III, leading all teams in batting average and slugging percentage. Two players from the 2010 team were selected in the Major League Baseball amateur draft.

At the time of Brandon’s retirement, his cumulative wins ranked second among active Division III coaches and fifth on the career win list. Brandon has a sterling reputation for developing players. During his coaching career, 34 players were selected in the Major League Baseball amateur draft or signed free agent contracts. Many of his players achieved All-American and AllConference status.

Brandon has been inducted into four other baseball halls of fame. In addition to these prestigious awards, he is a ninetime NAIA District 21 Coach of the Year and a three-time NAIA Area VI Coach of the Year. After Anderson moved to the NCAA, Brandon was named conference coach of the year six times and Mid-East regional coach of the year three times. His 1984 and 1987 squads appeared in the NAIA World Series and the 1993, 1998 and 2003 teams earned trips to the NCAA Division III national championships. AU was also the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national champion in 1991 and runner-up in 1992. The

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Message from the President

For the first time since 1994, the ABCA will be returning to Anaheim, California, for the 67th Annual Convention held at the beautiful Anaheim Hilton and Marriott Hotels from January 5-8, 2012.

Many factors go into making this the largest and greatest coaches’ convention in the world, but none play a more significant role than the outstanding clinics that occur from January 6th to the 8th. Second VicePresident Tim Corbin has organized another brilliant lineup of speakers.

The clinics are always educational, informative, and motivational… you don’t want to miss them!!! In addition to the clinic sessions, more than 300 vendors will be sharing their ideas and displaying everything you can think of dealing with the game of baseball!

The convention will begin on Thursday January 5th with business meetings of each division (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, High School, and Youth) gathering to discuss and decide upon relevant issues and rule changes within their respective group. I invite you to volunteer or “get involved” in your division of the ABCA. There are many different

Ravens won 14 conference titles during Brandon’s tenure.

As a lifetime member of the ABCA, Brandon has attended the last 34 consecutive conventions. He provided leadership as the NAIA district and area chairman for several years. In 38 years Brandon had only two players play four years and not earn a degree, and his teams participated in postseason play 34 times. Brandon earned his master’s from Ball State University in 1967 and his doctorate from Springfield College in 1976.

ways you can help. Share your talents and expertise!

We have many incredible men who have shared their gifts and visions to better our organization and the game of baseball.

I would also like to extend an invitation to all coaches and guests to attend the 2012 Hall of Fame/Coach of the Year Banquet and the Honors Luncheon. These are both marvelous events that recognize people who have made significant contributions to our game. I invite you to join us at these special events in celebrating their achievements!

I would like to CONGRATULATE all the teams from youth leagues to NCAA Division I that won championships this past year. I would also like to commend all the coaches who have inspired their teams to excel as people in their communities and as students in the classroom! You are providing lifetime experiences to your baseball family.

The ABCA family looks forward to seeing you in Anaheim in January!

Tim Mead ABCA President Walsh University

A legendary baseball coach in Minnesota for parts of five decades, Dennis Denning retired from the University of St. Thomas in February 2010. Denning took DENNIS the St. Thomas DENNING baseball program to new heights during his 15-year run. Denning’s Tommies teams won NCAA Division III championships in 2001 and 2009 and claimed national runner-up finishes in 1999 and 2000.

In each of his last 14 seasons, the

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Tommies won either the regular season or postseason title in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).

At UST, his 522-157 overall record (.769 win percentage) was the best mark since 1995 among all NCAA Division III coaches. Denning won 80 percent of his games and recorded a total of 901 victories during his time at St. Thomas (1995-2009) and Cretin-Derham Hall High School (1978-1994).

Prior to his Tommie tenure, Denning was head coach for 17 seasons at nearby Cretin-Derham Hall, where his Raider teams won six Minnesota state largeclass championships, 15 St. Paul City Conference titles, and amassed a 37976 record (.833). Besides working more than 1,200 varsity games at UST and Cretin-Derham Hall, Denning coached an additional 1,000-plus summer baseball games as a youth coach in St. Paul. Denning is the only person to direct Minnesota teams to NCAA championships at the college level and win state championships at the high school level. He was named ABCA Division III National Coach of the Year in both 2001 and 2009.

St. Thomas qualified for the NCAA playoffs in 14 of 15 seasons under Denning and reached the regional finals seven times. St. Thomas’ 72-36 postseason record includes an impressive 16-6 record in four appearances at the NCAA Division III College World Series.

Denning’s 15-year run was also marked by 12 players being named Division III All-Americans and four being voted CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.

Elliot Johnson has coached for 30 years as a collegiate head coach, most recently at Southern Nazarene University. Through 2011, Johnson’s overall collegiate record stood at 921-499. Prior to the 2011 season, he ranked ELLIOT eighth among active JOHNSON coaches on the NAIA career victory list (17th all-time) and eighth in career winning percentage (13th all-time).

During 11 years at Trevecca Nazarene (1980-1990), Johnson’s teams won three conference and two NAIA District titles.

His Olivet Nazarene University teams won four conference, two NAIA Regional, and one NCCAA national championship from 2000-2007. Two of those teams appeared

6 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

in the NAIA World Series (2002 and 2003). For many years, his teams have been among the NAIA’s best, peaking at number five in both 2003 and 2004. His 2008 Southern Nazarene team achieved the highest ranking ever for the school (17th). Johnson has been named Coach of the Year eight times.

In 1993, Johnson completed a Doctor of Arts degree at Middle Tennessee State.

His teaching video combining youth baseball fundamentals with positive values has been required viewing for NYSCA certification of youth baseball coaches.

He served six years as NAIA District 24 baseball chairman in Tennessee and seven years as NAIA national rater/ oversight committee member in Texas and Oklahoma. For 30 years, Johnson has directed a charitable foundation, the Winning Run Foundation. He is also a member of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Hall of Fame and the Trevecca Nazarene University Hall of Fame. In 2008, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes awarded him the Jerry Kindall Character in Coaching Award.

record, with his 1968 squad reaching the number-one ranking in the nation for college division teams. He was named Coach of the Year that season.

After three seasons with the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in the mid1970’s, Vining renewed his LIU roots by taking over as head coach at C.W. Post in 1978. During his time with the Pioneers, Vining became the first collegiate baseball coach in New York State to reach the 600-win plateau. Post enjoyed 15 winning seasons under Vining’s tutelage, with the Pioneers reaching the NCAA tournament three times, including a 31-8 mark in 1981 that still stands as the best single-season winning percentage at the school. From 1983-84, Vining was President of the Metropolitan Collegiate Baseball Conference.

Vining’s international contributions to the game have also been enormous. He became the first coach from the United States to take a collegiate team to the People’s Republic of China in 1985. One year later, he took his team to compete in Holland, followed by a 1987 tour of what was then Czechoslovakia.

Dick Vining, the dean of New York metropolitan collegiate baseball coaches, recently completed his 33rd season with the C.W. Post Pioneers, where he is currently an assistant coach. The DICK VINING 2011 season marked his 58th at the collegiate level (52 years as Head Coach and six years as an assistant).

After moving to the Division I level in 1986, Vining’s teams showed no signs of slowing down, capturing the Diamond Conference Championship in five of their last seven seasons in the conference, including a run of four consecutive conference championships in the early 1990’s. Vining earned five Coach of the Year awards in recognition of his team’s successes. Vining holds a degree in physical education from the University of Connecticut and a master’s in education from Springfield College.

His lifetime record of 825-657-14 is testament to his long association with the sport and he earned more than 500 victories as the Pioneers’ head coach. In 2004, he reached yet another milestone by coaching his 1,500th college game.

Skip Walker is a legend at the College of Southern Idaho. Not only was he inducted into the CSI Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003, Frontier Field was officially named the James F. “Skip” Walker SKIP baseball field the same WALKER year. In his 31 years as a head coach at CSI, Walker played a major role in creating one of the top JUCO fields in the country.

Hired as Head Coach at Orange County (N.Y.) Community College in 1954, Vining’s coaching career began the following season when he started the school’s baseball program. In 1957, he moved on to the Long Island Aggies (now Farmingdale State), where in nine seasons, he compiled a mark of 92-51, leading the 1960 and 1962 squads to the National Junior College Championships in Grand Junction, Colo.

A relationship of more than three decades with Long Island University began in 1966 when Vining became head coach at the school’s Brooklyn Campus.

In nine seasons, he amassed a 158-82-2

Along the way he won 12 region titles, competed in eight JUCO World Series, and won a national championship in 1984. He took third in 1988, fourth in 1986, and fifth in 1975. During his head coaching career, he posted a record of 1,061 wins and 349 losses. More than 125 of his players have been drafted,

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ABCA CONVENTION PREVIEW

with five playing at the major league level. More than 160 former players advanced to play at a four-year college or university.

In 1980, Walker was the assistant coach for the USA Team at the World Games in Japan and the Friendship Games in Korea and Taiwan. He assisted the USA Junior Team in 1987 and 1988, participating in the World Games in Canada and Venezuela. Walker was an advisor for the Netherlands Olympic team in 1998.

Walker earned National Coach of the Year honors in 1984 and was named Northwest Coach of the Year 10 times.

After retiring from head coaching duties in 2004, Walker continues to be a part of CSI baseball as an assistant.

RUSS WRIGHT

Russ Wright’s contributions to the game of baseball are evident from the numbers. In 25 years of coaching at the high school, American Legion, and junior college levels, he has compiled a record

ABCA Booth No. 960 8 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

of 879-328, with 16 conference titles and two state championships. He has been named Coach of the Year numerous times, and in 2001 was ABCA Region 7 Coach of the Year. Statistics, however, do not convey the extent of Wright’s influence on baseball and baseball players—not just those on his own teams, but those he has impacted through camps, clinics, and tournaments. Wright’s passion for the game of baseball, and his belief in its ability to teach life lessons, have helped to elevate baseball coaching in Idaho, the Northwest, and beyond.

Wright grew up in Rupert, Idaho, and played football and baseball at Minico High School, where he was a catcher on the school’s first state championship team. He played collegiately at New Mexico State University. Wright started his coaching career in 1987 at Canyon Spring High School, and in 19891990, he served as an assistant for the University of California-Riverside under the direction of ABCA Hall of Fame coach Jack Smitheran. After a year as an assistant coach at Treasure Valley Community College, Wright became

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head coach at Payette High School in Idaho and led the Pirates to their first 20-win season. In 1992 he returned to his alma mater, Minico High School, where he coached high school and American Legion baseball from 1992 to 2002.

In 2002 Wright became head coach at Treasure Valley Community College. After three successful seasons at TVCC, Wright decided to devote more time to his family and returned to coaching at the high school level. He is currently in his eighth year as Head Coach at Fruitland High School. lefty gomez award

2012 Winner is Mark Johnson The Lefty Gomez Award is one of the most prestigious awards in all of amateur baseball. Named after the great Lefty Gomez, this award is presented by the American Baseball Coaches Association to an individual who has distinguished himself amongst his peers and has contributed significantly to

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ABCA CONVENTION PREVIEW

MARK JOHNSON

the game of baseball locally, nationally, and internationally. The award is presented each year at the ABCA Hall of Fame/Coach of the Year banquet. This year’s recipient is Mark Johnson, former Head Coach at Sam Houston State University and Texas A&M University.

Johnson retired from Sam Houston State at the end of the 2011 season, marking the end of a brilliant coaching career. His 26-year record stood at 1,043-564-3.

Johnson is a graduate of the University of New Mexico, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. As a player for the Lobos, he earned AllConference honors in 1965, 1966, and 1967. In 1967, he was drafted and signed by the New York Mets and played in their organization through the 1969 season. He served as an assistant coach at New Mexico from 1969 to 1971.

He then served as an assistant under three coaching legends and ABCA Hall

of Famers: Jerry Kindall (University of Arizona, 1971-1976); Ron Polk (Mississippi State University; 1976-1982), and Tom Chandler (Texas A&M, 19821984). In 1984, Johnson became the head coach at A&M and served the Aggies for 21 years. He directed the program into two NCAA College World Series and had several teams ranked number one in the nation. He won Southwest Conference championships three times and the Big 12 league titles twice. His teams competed in the NCAA playoffs 13 times. He was conference Coach of the Year six times and national Coach of the Year in 1993.

In 2007, Johnson returned to coaching at Sam Houston State. In his first season, Sam Houston had one of the three best turnaround seasons in NCAA Division I baseball with a 40-24 record, an improvement of 17 victories over the previous year. The Southland tournament title sent the Kats to the NCAA regionals for the first time since 1996, and they reached the NCAA Division I regional finals for the first time in history. The Kats again returned to the NCAA regionals in 2008 and 2009.

Convention Schedule Thursday, January 5 8:00 - 12:00 Exhibit Set-Up 10:00 – 7:00 Registration 1:00 – 6:00 ABCA Committee Meetings 1:00 – 6:00 Exhibits Open 5:30 – 6:30 Regional Chairs Meeting 6:30 – 9:00 ABCA Divisional Meetings 6:30 – 9:00 Int’l Coaches Meetings/Rec. Friday, January 6 7:00 – 4:30 Registration 8:15 – 5:00 Clinics 9:00 – 5:00 Exhibits 9:30 – 11:00 Spouses Breakfast 6:00 – 9:30 Hall of Fame/

Coach of the Year Banquet Saturday, 7:00 – 12:00 8:30 – 5:30 9:00 – 3:00 12:15 – 2:00

January 7 Registration Clinics Exhibits Honors Luncheon

Sunday, January 8 8:15 – 11:15

Clinics

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Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012 9

ABCA CONVENTION PREVIEW

Clinic Speakers & Topics Friday, January 6 8:15

Welcome by ABCA President Tim Mead, Walsh University

8:30

Ray Tanner, University of South Carolina

TBA

9:00

Dan Spencer, Texas Tech University

Pitcher-Catcher Relationship

9:40 Bill Springman, Minnesota Twins

Improve Hitter Consistency Level by Learning the “Quick Zones”

10:20

Infield Play

Rich Maloney, University of Michigan

11:00 Tom Griffin, Carson-Newman College

Receiving, Throwing and Blocking Drills for Catchers

11:50

Jack Thomson, Sierra (Calif.) High School

Practice Organization

12:30

Tom Held, Defiance (Ohio) High School

Pitching

1:00

Stan Luketich, Desert Vista (Ariz.) High School

Official Baseball

1:30

Don Meyer, Northern State University (Former Head Basketball Coach)

Coaching Philosophy

2:10

Ed Servais, Creighton University

Building Blocks for a Championship Defense

2:50

Steve Springer, Toronto Blue Jays

Quality At Bats/The Mental Side

3:30

Bobby Pierce, Troy State University

Outfield Play

4:10

Eric Cressey, Cressey Performance

Individualizing the Management of Pitchers

Saturday, January 7 8:30 Andy Stankiewicz, Grand Canyon University

Infield Play: Being Fundamental without being Mechanical

9:10

Bruce Brown, Pro Active Coaching

Captains­—the Seven Ways to Leading Your Team

10:15

Ron Wolforth (with Trevor Bauer and Flint Wallace), Texas Baseball Ranch & Pitching Central

The Keys to Understanding How to Accelerate and Decelerate Efficiently

10:55

Charlie Greene, Milwaukee Brewers

Catching

2:00

Jim Penders, University of Connecticut

Program Building

2:40

Scott Boras. Boras Corporation

TBA

3:20

Geoff Miller, Partner of Winning Mind

Performing Under Pressure in Baseball

4:00

Dan Heefner, Dallas Baptist University

Hitting: Building the Complete Hitter

4:40

Scott Brosius, Linfield College

Team Practice

5:20

Bruce Brown, Pro Active Coaching

Parents Role in Athletics/Athletes’ Perspective

Sunday, January 8 8:30

Mark Kingston, Illinois State

Hitting: How to Apply All We Know

9:10 Erik Bakich, University of Maryland

Aggressive Baserunning—Stealing 2nd and 3rd Base

9:50 Mike Jeffcoat, West Florida University

Game Plan for Pitchers: Pitch Calling and Setting up Hitters

10:30 Ryan Brownlee, University of Iowa

Time Management Planner— The Ten Rules of Recovery

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In January 2007, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes presented Johnson with the FCA Jerry Kindall Character in Coaching Award. In January 2008, he became the first recipient of the ABCA Ethics in Coaching Award. He was inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame in 2001. honors luncheon

Meritorious Service Award Winners

Postal Service Award for his contributions to youth, to working and to the game of baseball; and the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Award of Distinction. The Cape Cod League Championship Trophy bears his name.

Salvatore Varriale is one of international baseball’s greatest ambassadors. In 1972, Varriale, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., was invited by Aldo Notari, head of Italian Baseball, to come and play for the Parma baseball club. In 1973, he played with the Italian National Team. The coaches were ABCA

Sal varriale

Hall of Famers Bill Arce (Claremont-Mudd College) and Don Landolphi (Brooklyn College). Both played an instrumental role in Varriale’s life as a player and a person.

Another ABCA Hall of Famer, John Noce (San Mateo College) came to coach in Parma in 1975 and played an instrumental role in teaching Varriale all aspects of the game. The 1975 Italian

Each year, the Honors Luncheon is one of the convention highlights. It provides an opportunity for the ABCA to pay tribute to some very special people who have contributed significantly to the sport of baseball. This year, ABCA Meritorious Service Award will be given to Arnold Mycock, General Manager Emeritus of Cotuit (Mass.) Kettleers and Sal Varriale, Sports Director of Parma Baseball (Italy).

When baseball people think of the prestigious Cape Cod League, one of the first individuals that comes to mind is Arnold Mycock.

He moved from his hometown of Somerset to Cotuit in 1950. Later ARNOLD MYCOCK that year, he became the General Manager of the Cotuit Kettleers Cape Cod baseball team. He continued in that position through 1994, an incredible run of 45 years, developing the Kettleers as one of the premier college summer league teams in the country.

During his first year in Cotuit, he organized the Cotuit Athletic Association to sponsor the Kettleers baseball team. The nonprofit organization quickly became the fabric of the community. In 1957, he headed the annual Kettleers Booster Fund Committee, which he continues to chair.

In addition to playing a key role in the merging of the Upper and Lower Cape Leagues in 1962-63, he served as Treasurer of the organizing committee, and incorporated the league as a Massachusetts corporation in 1965. He served as the Cape Cod Baseball League Vice President, Treasurer, and member of the League Executive Committee for many years, and is currently a Directorat-Large. Some of his notable awards are: Franchise Man of the Year; U.S.

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ABCA CONVENTION PREVIEW

National Team, which Varriale played on, won the first of three consecutive European Championships for Italy.

In 1985, Varriale started his illustrious coaching career with Parma. His first year, the club won the Italian Championship with a 51-12 record. He then began to also coach the Italian National Team.

With Parma and the Italian National Team, he has 44 championships.

His Parma teams won 10 national champions, 13 European titles, four Italian Cups, three Mediterranean Cups, and one Super Cup. The Italian National Team under his direction won six Senior European Championships, one Cadets European title, and one Juniors European Championship.

The recipients of the Meritorious Service Awards are selected by the ABCA Hall of Fame Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The award goes to individuals who have provided outstanding service to amateur baseball. Other award presentations at the Honors Luncheon will be: 25-Year Coaching Awards; ABCA/TURFACE Field

Maintenance Awards; and the Assistant Coach of the Year Award. helping hands

Holbrook Named Top Assistant Chad Holbrook, Associate Head Coach at the University of South Carolina, has been selected the ABCA/Baseball America Assistant Coach of the Year. Holbrook is entering his fourth season with the South Carolina baseball program. He serves as hitting instructor, oversees the Gamecock offense, including base running and the short game, and is the third base coach. He also works with the outfielders.

CHAD HOLBROOK

Holbrook came to the Gamecock program in July of 2008 after serving 15 seasons as a member of the University of North

Carolina coaching staff. A tremendous evaluator of talent, Holbrook recently was named the tenth-best recruiter in all of college sports by ESPNU and ESPN The Magazine in the publicationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2011 January edition.

Holbrookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offensive prowess has made an immediate impact on the South Carolina baseball program in his first three seasons.

His guidance was instrumental in helping the Gamecocks to back-to-back national championships in 2010 and 2011 at the College World Series.

While Holbrook was at UNC, the Tar Heels made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances including four NCAA Super Regionals and three trips to the College World Series. Before joining the North Carolina staff, Holbrook played for the Tar Heels from 1990-93.

The criteria for the award were established by the ABCA and Baseball America and involves all aspects of coaching. Coaching expertise, recruiting, loyalty to the program, and respect for the players and the game are all considered in the selection process.

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Previous recipients of this outstanding honor are Dean Stotz, Stanford; Tim Corbin, Clemson; Brian O’Connor, Notre Dame; Jim Toman, South Carolina; Jim Lawler, Texas A&M; Dave Serrano, Cal State Fullerton; Bob Wojick, Eastern Connecticut State; Mitch Thompson, Baylor; Fritz Hamburg, U.S. Military Academy; Rob Fornasiere, Minnesota; Kevin McMullan, Virginia; and Derek Johnson, Vanderbilt.

were 27-23. The next year (1999) they improved to 45-16 and advanced to the NCAA Division II World Series. The 2002 team also advanced to the NCAA Championships and became the first AU team to win a game at the World Series.

Before coming to AU, Schaly spent six years (1992-97) as the head coach at St. Leo. He won 40 or more games twice at the Florida school and at one point had the Monarchs ranked first in the country. Schaly’s first collegiate head

coaching job came at Berry College, where he was 155-91 from 1988 to 1991 after starting the program from scratch.

Before becoming a head coach Schaly served as an assistant at Kentucky (198587), Marietta (1984-85), and Iowa State (1982-84). Schaly played baseball at Marietta under his father, Don, earning All-America honors in 1981 and 1982. In 1981 was named the MVP at the NCAA Division III World Series as Marietta won the national championship.

incoming president

Schaly Takes ABCA Reins for 2012 John Schaly, Head Coach at Ashland University, will serve as the President of the American Baseball Coaches Association for 2012. The 2012 season will be Schaly’s 15th at AU. In the 14 years he’s coached at Ashland, his teams have advanced to the NCAA playoffs 11 JOHN times, including four SCHALY trips to the Division II World Series. The last of those trips came in 2008.

Schaly has won 40 or more games seven times with the Eagles, and averaged 39 wins per season. His record at AU is 547251-1. His career record as a collegiate head coach is 910-469-1 in 24 years.

What Schaly has accomplished at AU is a complete overhaul of the program.

His first year on campus, the Eagles

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ABCA CONVENTION EXHIBITORS

2012 ANNUAL CONVENTION

LIST OF EXHIBITORS The following companies are exhibiting at the ABCA Convention (as of Nov. 10, 2011). Company names are followed by their booth numbers at the convention. ABCA sponsors are specified in their listing. * Indicates new exhibitor.

AAU Baseball and Softball....... 524 P. O. Box 22409 Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 (407) 828-3459 Debra Horn debra@aausports.org Youth travel ball national organization

Academic Travel Advisors.902 & 904 2920 N. Green Valley Parkway, Suite 111-113 Henderson, NV 89014-0407 (855) 485-4780 Brian Williams gm@academictraveladvisors.com Team travel & hotels

AccuPitch Mounds/ OB Team Sports........Plaza 855 809 State Route 125 Hamersville, OH 45130 (877) 379-9051 Byron Oberschlake byron@obteamsports.com Baseball pitching mounds-game & training

Adams USA............................ 417 P. O. Box 489 Cookeville, TN 38503 (800) 251-6857 Gary Montgomery gary.montgomery@adamsusa.com

Akadema, Inc.............. 114 & 116 140 5th Avenue Hawthorne, NJ 07506 (973) 304-1470 Kris Totten, V-P Sales kris@akademapro.com Baseball equipment

Alaska Baseball League......... 716 P. O. Box 2690 Palmer, AK 99645-2690 (907) 746-4914 Peter Christopher gmminers@gci.net Summer collegiate baseball teams

Sports apparel-clothing & shoes

Aer-Flo, Inc............. 313 & 315 4455 18th St. East Bradenton, FL 34203 (800) 823-7356 www.aerflo.com Jeff Mondor betsyh@aerflo.com Manufacturer of superior quality baseball field products, including patented Wind Weighted® Tarps, BP Zone® Infield Protectors, Tuffy® Windscreen, Aer-Cushion™ Padding, Chroma-Bond® Imprinting, and custom netting.

See ad on pages 7 & 14

CoachesNetwork.com

Synthetic turf

ATEC............................... Bay 521 8750 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue Chicago, IL 60631 (800) 245-5454 Steve Weisbredt shane.mcguire@wilson.com Athletic training equipment

Baseball Factory............. Bay 647 9212 Berger Road, Suite 200 Columbia, MD 21046 (800) 641-4487 Dan Forester info@baseballfactory.com Player development & college recruiting guidance

Baseball Renewer.................. 811 14531 Palm Avenue Hacienda Heights, CA 91745 (626) 336-9586 Sonny Cerneka SonnyMarilynn@aol.com Baseball cleaning machine

*ArmCare.com................ Bay 561 P. O. Box 353 Shipshewana, IN 46565 (260) 463-1570 Ben Bailey bbailey@chargerbaseball.org Injury prevention/care informational website

American Legion Baseball.......447 P. O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206 (317) 630-1249 Steve Cloud baseball@legion.org

Athletes in Action Baseball...... 905 651 Taylor Drive Xenia, OH 45385 (937) 352-1000 Chris Beck baseball@athletesinaction.org Summer baseball

Ampac Enterprises, Inc./ All-Star................. 410 & 412 P. O. Box 1356, 1 Main Street Shirley, MA 01464 (800) 777-3810 www.all-starsports.com Stan Jurga jurga@all-starsports.com All-Star’s design leadership is unsurpassed. From batter’s helmets to leg guards, All-Star holds many patents and has made numerous developments that have now become standard in the industry.

See ad on page 25 Anaconda Sports, Inc.... 962 & 964 85 Katrine Lane Lake Katrine, NY 12449 (800) 327-0074 Eric Jacobson ericj@anacondasports.com Complete line of sporting goods

BaseballRacks.com................. 403 2908 W. 99th Place Evergreen Park, IL 60805 (708) 636-1047 Dave Payton dave@baseballracks.com Baseball dugout furniture

A-Turf, Inc.............................. 502 P. O. Box 157 Williamsville, NY 14231 (888) 777-6910 Dean Ferrell barbara@aturf.com Synthetic turf fields

American Legion Baseball

Protective & field equipment

adidas...........................Plaza 953 5055 N. Greeley Portland, OR 97217 (800) 289-2724 Kendall Whitley kendall.whitley@adidas.com

AstroTurf®. ........................... 407 2680 Abutment Road Dalton, GA 30721 (706) 277-8873 Matthew Boggs bjackson@astroturf.com

Baden Sports, Inc....... 704 & 706 34114 21st Avenue South Federal Way, WA 98003 (800) 544-2998 Rusty Trudeau, Mark Talarico & Greg Barton rustyt@badensports.com Baseball equipment

Baseball America................... 301 ABCA OFFICIAL SPONSOR 4319 S. Alston Avenue #103 Durham, NC 27713 (800) 845-2726 Lee Folger business@baseballamerica.com Baseball media

Baseball Bluebook................. 835 8373 N. Cedar Hills Lane Fair Grove, MO 65648 (417) 833-6550 Eric Wubbena eric@baseballbluebook.com Baseball directory

Baseballsavings.com.............. 333 8851 E. 34th Street North Wichita, KS 67226 (866) 929-5050 Geoff Curfman gcurfman@tgw.com Baseball apparel & equipment

BaseballWebTV/Skillshow... Bay 569 1201 First Ave. South, Ste 333 Seattle, WA 98134 (206) 652-1288 Tom Koerick act@skillshow.com Scouting & recruiting video system & websites

BATCO................................... 616 111 Treeland Circle Syracuse, NY 13219 (877) 462-2826 Pete Birmingham pete@batco.com Batting cages

*Batting Cages, Inc.......Plaza 977 401 Lincoln Street Everson, WA 98247 (800) 463-6865 Vann Boschma joe@cnwnetting.com Batting cages, screens & accessories

Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012 15

ABCA CONVENTION EXHIBITORS

*battingcagesUSA.com.......... 406 c/o Pearlweave Corporation 30 Pine Street New Rochelle, NY 10801 (800) 732-7566 Dennis Boyle bkoring@pearlweave.com Batting cages

Battle Sports Science............ 111 17110 Marcy Street, Suite LL02 Omaha, NE 68118 (402) 884-7600 Cort Irish cort@battless.com Sports safety equipment

Baum Research & Development Co., Inc........ 316 1155 Hastings Street Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 929-0598 Mitch Pietras baumresearch@baumbat.com Baseball bats

Beacon Athletics.................... 401 8233 Forsythia Street #120 Middleton, WI 53562 (800) 747-5985 Paul Zwaska lizb@beaconathletics.com Athletic field maintenance equipment

The Bench Coach................... 107 912 Bristlewood Drive McKinney, TX 75070 (972) 740-5417 Drue Carney dcarney@thebenchcoach.com The Bench Coach portable dugout organizer

*Bestway Concrete & Aggregate.......................... 885 301 Centennial Drive Milliken, CO 80543 (970) 587-6925 Bill Schell ryan@bestwayconcrete.com All-American sports construction material

Better Baseball...................... 772 132 Carruth Drive SE Marietta, GA 30060-3123 (800) 997-4233 Adam Kopley adam@betterbaseball.com Baseball equipment

Better Baseball Products.. Bay 460 8736 W. Mariposa Grande Peoria, AZ 85383-1202 Matthew A. Hammons (480) 399-8366 pitchingtunnels@gmail.com Pitching tunnel (pitching training aid)

16 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

BigSigns.com..................... 211 22 S. Harbor Drive, #101 Grand Haven, MI 49417 (800) 790-7611 www.bigsigns.com John Ropiequet michelle@bigsigns.com BigSigns.com is a national sign company that specializes in branding and sponsor signage for all sports and events.

See ad on page 3 Bishop Family Enterprises/ The Pitching Pad..... Booth 446 1727 Timber Oak San Antonio, TX 78232 (210) 232-8392 Paige Bishop pbishop@thepitchingpad.com Pitcher training aid

Boone Action Turf.................. 468 1700 N. Main Street Orange, CA 92865 (888) 528-8873 Matt Boone info@booneactionturf.com Synthetic turf

Bownet: Triad Sports Group.Bay 677 1693 Ramona Drive, Suite 1 Newbury Park, CA 91320 (866) 950-6387 Jack Lucas jack@bownet.net Sports nets

Brett Bros. Sports....... 805 & 807 9516 E. Montgomery Ave., Ste 14 Spokane Valley, WA 99206 (888) 882-8814 Joe Sample brettbats@aol.com Bats, balls, gloves & accessories

BSN Sports..............Plaza 961 1901 Diplomat Drive Farmers Branch, TX 75234-8914 (800) 527-7510 www.bsnsports.com Ryan Foley gwhite@bsnsports.com BSN Sports is committed to game-changing solutions by offering personalized service, fast shipping, and its “One Stop Shop” that will stretch your dollar further.

See ad on page 5 C & H Baseball, Inc... 821 & 920 372 S. Eagle Road, Suite 140 Eagle, ID 83616 (800) 248-5192 www.chbaseball.com Danielle D. Huff danielle@chbaseball.com For over 38 years, C & H Baseball has adapted, modified, manufactured, and distributed portable batting cages and aluminum field equipment throughout the country.

See ad on page 28

Cages*Plus............................. 544 518 Fair Lane Nampa, ID 83686 (866) 475-9148 Robert R. DeCloss brdecloss@cagesplus.com Portable batting cages

Central Florida’s Polk County Sports Marketing............... 612 2701 Lake Myrtle Park Road Auburndale, FL 33823 (863) 551-4735 Lauren Hatton ryan@centralfloridasports.com Sports Commission

Clell Wade Coaches Directory, Inc...................... 500 P. O. Box 177 Cassville, MO 65625-0177 (877) 386-4840 x 102 Karan Wade-Hutton john@coachesdirectory.com Coaches Directory Choice Hotels International.......928

10770 Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20901 (800) 638-6714 x 4387 Grant Pearce grant_pearce@choicehotels.com Hotel lodging

*Click and Swing, Inc............. 358 201 Palos Verdes Drive Redondo Beach, CA 90277 (310) 863-0816 Dr. Stacy Fuchino clickandswing@gmail.com Batting training glove

Click Effects/Sound & Video Creations, Inc........... 510 2820 Azalea Place Nashville, TN 37204 (615) 460-7330 Eric Pangborn fkowalski@clickeffects.com Click Effects Audio/Video Delivery Systems

Coach and Athletic Director.... 305 225 Regency Court, Suite 100 Brookfield, WI 53008 (800) 645-8455 X 404 David Galuppo dgaluppo@lesspub.com Magazine

Coaches Choice.......... 449 & 451 465 Reservation Road Marina, CA 93933 (888) 229-5745 Aaron Huffman & Virgil Shealey nicoleh@coacheschoice.com Instructional books & DVDs for coaches

Coaching Management.......... 806 31 Dutch Mill Road Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-6970 x 11 Mark Goldberg mg@momentummedia.com Magazines for college and high school head baseball coaches

Coastal Plain League............. 705 125 Quantum Street Holly Springs, NC 27540 (919) 852-1960 Justin Sellers justins@coastalplain.com Summer collegiate baseball league

Cocoa Expo Sports Center...... 546 8681 West Hwy 192, Ste 129 Kissimmee, FL 34747 (321) 639-3976 Jay Bergman bryanbennett21@yahoo.com College & high school spring training

College Baseball Camps........ 861 3020 ISSQ Pine Lake Rd. SE #12 Sammamish, WA 98075 (425) 654-1300 Ben Boulware ben@abcsportscamps.com Camps

College Baseball Hall of Fame............ 435 & 534 1517 Texas Avenue Lubbock, TX 79401 (806) 749-2233 Dr. Mike Gustafson gus@collegebaseballfoundation. org Non-profit charitable organization

Combat Sports Group... 304 & 306 6651 S. 216th Street Kent, WA 98032 (866) 266-2287 Johnny McCraw jmccraw@combatsportsgroup.com Baseball bats & equipment

Cooperstown All Star Village.. 411 4158 State Highway 23 Oneonta, NY 13820 (800) 327-6790 Martin Patton mpatton@mycasv.com Coaches clinic/youth travel baseball

Cooperstown Bat Co., Inc........ 450 P. O. Box 415 Cooperstown, NY 13326 (888) 547-2415 Tim Haney connie@cooperstownbat.com Wooden baseball bats

Cosby & Co., Gerry............... 800 11 Pennsylvania Plaza New York, NY 10001-2006 (877) 563-6464 Michael Cosby gcsmsg@cosbysports.com Equipment bags & protective equipment

CoachesNetwork.com

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Circle No. 111

ABCA CONVENTION EXHIBITORS

Country Stone Redfield......... 610 P. O. Box 1160 Milan, IL 61264 Darin Kain darin.kain@countrystone.com Infield topdressing/conditioner & warning track mix

CoverSports USA.................. 310 5000 Paschall Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143 (800) 445-6680 Fred Hoge fhoge@coversports.com Field covers, windscreens & padding

Crossover Symmetry...... Bay 561 5405 W. 56th Avenue, Unit H Arvada, CO 80002 (303) 403-0126 Duggan Moran info@crossoversymmetry.com Rotator cuff strengthening

DAPs Enterprises, LLC.......... 470 75 Saint David Way Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 248-8809 fprieto@lpagroup.com Baseball bat warmers

Dartfish....................... 485 & 584 6505 Shiloh Road, Suite 110B Alpharetta, GA 30005 (888) 655-3850 Chuck Wilmot Justin.Hanzlik@dartfish.com Game analysis & skill analysis software

D-BAT Sports.............. 578 & 580 2101 Midway Road, Suite 300 Carrollton, TX 75006 (888) 398-3393 John Veyhl johnv@dbatinc.net Full line of baseball products

Diamond Pro (TXi)...Plaza 555 ABCA OFFICIAL SPONSOR 1341 W. Mockingbird Lane Dallas, TX 75247 (800) 228-2987 www.diamondpro.com Tom Burns diamondpro@txi.com TXI/Diamond Pro offers professional groundskeeping products, infield conditioners, calcined clay, mound clay and bricks, marking dust, warning track mix, and infield mix.

See ad on page 40 Diamond Sports.............. Bay 739 ABCA OFFICIAL SPONSOR 11130 Warland Drive Cypress, CA 90630 (800) 366-2999 x 225 Andrea Gordon info@diamond-sports.com Baseballs, mitts, bags, protective, field equipment, & apparel 18 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

Diamond Yards Engraved Bricks .688 2609 Vista View Drive Evansville, IN 47711 (812) 430-2725 Tim Turpin timturp15@aol.com Engraved brick pavers for fundraising

Dinger Bats............................ 688 P. O. Box 88, 109 Kimbro St. Ridgway, IL 62979 (866) 9-DINGER Kyle Drone info@dingerbats.com Wood bats

Disney Sports Attractions..... 414 P. O. Box 10,000 Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 (407) 938-3802 Brian Mize Kyle.C.Cantrell@disney.com Youth & spring training destination

Dry My Field....................... 112 1901 N. Emerson Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46218 (800) 437-1613 Scott Taylor taylor@drymyfield.com www.drymyfield.com Dry My Field from Taylor Baseball, LLC, both conditions and dries your infield. One 10-pound bucket dries same amount of field as a pallet of other products.

See ad on page 19 Dynamic Team Sports............ 356 454 Acorn Lane Downingtown, PA 19335 (800) 437-6223 Doug Martin info@dynamicteamsports.com Team uniforms

Easton Sports, Inc........Plaza 339 ABCA OFFICIAL SPONSOR 7855 Haskell Avenue, Ste 200 Van Nuys, CA 91406 (818) 947-5782 Jim Darby lortiz@eastonbellsports.com Baseball bats, gloves, batting gloves & apparel

Electro-Mech Scoreboard Company............................ 506 72 Industrial Boulevard Wrightsville, GA 31096 (800) 445-7846 x 238 Vernon Harris vharris@electro-mech.com Scoreboards

Environmental Sports Products, LLC..................... 851 P.O. Box 26263 Birmingham, AL 35260 (866) 321-4243 Steve Dean sdean@esproclean.com ESPRO Sports Cleaner Stain Remover

ESPN Coaches Fundraising Program......... 416 ABCA OFFICIAL SPONSOR Disney Sports & Recreation Clubhouse P. O. Box 10,000 Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 (407) 947-4021 Pete Bryden Pete.Bryden@espn.com Fundraising/Magazine

Estrada Beisbol........... 204 & 206 1500 Rosecrans Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (877) 452-2548 Charlie Dunbar cdunbar@hittingjack-it.com Variable weighted hitting system

EvoShield, LLC............ 671 & 673 300 Commerce Boulevard Bogart, GA 30622 (770) 725-2724 Mike Cavasinni DKLIPP@evoshield.com Game-changing athletic apparel

Ewing Irrigation Products........ 879 3441 E. Harbour Drive Phoenix, AZ 85034 (602) 437-9530 X 322 Chris Sinacori alewis@ewing1.com Irrigation sales

Extra Innings...Bay 927, 930 & 932 264 S. Main Street Middleton, MA 01949 978-762-0448 X 108 Mark Andrews ashleyv@extrainnings.com Indoor baseball/softball training/ franchise

Fair-Play Scoreboards............ 914 1700 Delaware Avenue Des Moines, IA 50317 (800) 247-0265 Jeff Reeser sales@fair-play.com Scoreboards, accessories & video displays FastArm.com.............................989

8 Independent Way Southampton, NJ 08088 (609) 929-0121 Bob Kaiser bkaiser@pitchusa.com

FastArm Throwing Simulator

FieldTurf................................ 606 8088 Montview Road Montreal, QC, Canada H4P 2L7 (800) 724-2969 staylor@fieldturf.com Artificial turf

Fisher Athletic............ 711 & 713 P. O. Box 1985 Salisbury, NC 28145 (800) 438-6028 Brian Pritchard brianpritchard@athletic.com Protective field padding, windscreen & rail padding

Franklin Sports, Inc................ 452 17 Campanelli Parkway Stoughton, MA 02072 (781) 573-2420 Bob Pacanowski jkarlik@franklinsports.com Baseball batting gloves & training aids

Frankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sports Shop........429 & 431 430 E. Tremont Avenue Bronx, NY 10457 (877) 372-6570 Joe Perillo jperillo@frankssports.com Baseball equipment

Front Rush............................. 966 287 S. Main Street, Suite 12 Lambertville, NJ 08530 (215) 489-2100 x 7012 Brad Downs bdowns@frontrush.com Recruiting software

FungoMan, LLC.......... 351 & 353 P. O. Box 29336 Shreveport, LA 71149-9336 (318) 208-2440 Romy Cucjen christine.cucjen@fungoman.com Automated baseball practice machine

G Tee Batting Tees................ 504 1721 NE 19th Avenue Ocala, FL 34470 (877) 448-4833 James Gangelhoff james@thegtee.com Batting tees

Gail Materials........................ 311 10060 Dawson Canyon Corona, CA 92883 (951) 667-6106 David Dzwilewski daved@gailmaterials.net Infield mix, mound clay & conditioners

The Game, LLC........... 865 & 867 16 Downing Drive Phenix City, AL 36869 (800) 723-5656 x149 Troy Corbin starla.turner@2thegame.com Headwear

GameChanger/ FungoMedia, Inc........ 845 & 847 13 E. 16th Street, Floor 6 New York, NY 10003 (202) 642-5333 Ted Sullivan & Jeff Kamrath jeff@gamechanger.io Mobile scorekeeping technology

Gerry Cosby & Co., Inc......... 800 11 Pennsylvania Plaza New York, NY 10001-2006 (877) 563-6464 Michael Cosby gcsmsg@cosbysports.com Equipment bags & protective equipment

CoachesNetwork.com

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The Power of the 10-Pound Bucket Our Technology Helps you Finish the Game™ DryMyField absorbs 250 times its weight in water A 10-lb. bucket dries as much field as a PALLET of our competitor’s product for HALF the price.

“I have been impressed with DryMyField’s ability to dry large areas with very little product.

It is so convenient and time effective to carry a bucket around instead of big bags.”

Joe Urso, Head Baseball Coach, University of Tampa 5-Time NCAA Division II National Champions

“Not only does it dry up mud quickly..I am just as impressed with how it works as a field conditioner. And it does so for half the cost of what we used to use.”

Jim Givens, Associate Athletic Director-Former Head Baseball Coach, University of Findlay (OH)

“ We played four games that we could NEVER had played using any other product.”

Shannon Dobson, Head Baseball Coach, Broken Arrow H.S., Oklahoma 6A State Champions 2011

800-437-1614

Email: coachingmanagement@drymyfield.com / www.drymyfield.com Follow DryMyField on Facebook and Twitter www.facebook.com/drymyfield Circle No. 112

www.twitter.com/drymyfield

Visit Us at ABCA Show Booth 112

ABCA CONVENTION EXHIBITORS

Glover’s Scorebooks..... 421 & 520 P. O. Box 355 Forestville, CA 95436-0355 (707) 887-2812 Tom Glover tom@scorebooks.com Scorebooks & accessory items

H.R.A. Sports Vision/MVP Grip Rite/ATR..................... 589 13901 Blair Stone Lane Silver Spring, MD 20906 (301) 460-0248 Harvey Ratner harvey@hrasportsvision.com Teaching aids for throwing & hitting

*HeavySwing Baseball........... 548 509 S. Exeter Street, Suite 505 Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 637-6992 Rick Mellendick rick@heavyswing.com Hitting training system

*Hellas Construction, Inc....... 877 12710 Research Blvd, Suite 240 Austin, TX 78759 (512) 659-5909 Mike Kitts draykovich@hellasconstruction. com Synthetic turf, construction & installation

*Holloway Sportswear.. 200 & 202 2633 Campbell Road Sidney, OH 45365 (937) 497-7575 x 2521 Tim Nixon tim.nixon@hollowayusa.com Apparel

Hoosier Bat Company........... 907 P. O. Box 432 Valparaiso, IN 46384 (800) 228-3787 Dave Cook baseball@netnitco.net Wood bats, fungos & training bats

Human Kinetics...................... 701 P. O. Box 5076 Champaign, IL 61825-5076 (217) 351-5076 Jason Muzinic info@hkusa.com Human Kinetics is the premier publisher for sports & fitness

*IMax Performance, LLC....... 787 560 N. Jacks Ranch Road Ridgecrest, CA 93555 (760) 382-2398 Alan Jones alan.jones2@navy.mil Device for battling ability development/improvement

20 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

Insignia Athletics........ 214 & 216 60 Fremont Street Worcester, MA 01603 (866) 677-4554 Jeremiah O’Connor joconnor@insigniaathletics.com Baseball gloves, mitts, wood bats & accessories *Intrepid Sportswear.........788

1607 Dexter Ave. N., Ste 2A Seattle, WA 98109 888 228-4732 www.intrepidsportswear.com Sam “GBK” Martin travin@intrepidsportswear.com Provides professional-quality customized sports uniforms to 6,000+ teams in all 50 states. All-inclusive $89 for baseball uniforms. Free samples available!

See ad on page 27 *J-DUB.................... 1010 & 1012 P. O. Box 9026 Calabasas, CA 91372 (877) 887-6281 Jack Weiss jack@j-dub.biz Baseball caps & travel bags

Jaeger Sports........................ 528 8939 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste 102 Los Angeles, CA 90045 (818) 652-2764 Alan Jaeger alan@jaegersports.com DVDs, books, surgical tubing & CD

JUGS Sports................... Bay 465 19333 SW 118th Avenue Tualatin, OR 97062 (800) 547-6843 Dave Candello davec@jugssports.com Pitching machines, screens, tees, batting cages & balls

K & K Insurance..................... 303 1712 Magnavox Way Ft. Wayne, IN 46804 (800) 426-2889 Stacie Helton stacie.helton@kandkinsurance.com Sports camp insurance

L. A. Steelcraft Products, Inc................... 972 1975 Lincoln Avenue Pasadena, CA 91103 (800) 371-2438 x 234 Lee Van Valkenburg allan@lasteelcraft.com www.lasteelcraft.com For more than 60 years, L.A. Steelcraft has been a major manufacturer of quality equipment for sports, playgrounds, schools, and industry, servicing the entire nation.

See ad on page 37

*Lake Point Sports Complex and Town Center...................Bay 569

1946 Monroe Drive Atlanta, GA 30324 (404) 920-5035 Neal & Kimberly Freeman kfreeman@wilwat.net World class sports complex

Lee County Sports Authority.. 100 2305 Broadway Fort Myers, FL 33901 (866) 897-2002 Gary Ewen keenancj@leegov.com Sports tourism

Little League Baseball, Inc..... 335 536 US Route 15 Highway Williamsport, PA 17702 (570) 326-1921 x 223 Daniel Velte dvelte@littleleague.org Youth baseball & softball

*Lizard Skins.......................... 976 358 Mountain Way Drive Orem, UT 84058 (801) 229-9099 Brad Barker brad@lizardskins.com Bat grip

Louisville Slugger.Plaza 533 ABCA OFFICIAL SPONSOR P. O. Box 35700 Louisville, KY 40202 (800) 282-2287 x 7224 www.slugger.com Kevin Uhrhan kevin.uhrhan@slugger.com Louisville Slugger is the Official Bat of Major League Baseball, and is a name that is synonymous with America’s pastime.

Originating in 1884, Louisville Slugger bats have graced the hands of the greatest players in baseball history.

See ad on page 17 Louisville Slugger Training Aids by Gamemaster......430, 432 & 434 1624 Dolwick Drive Erlanger, KY 41018 (800) 646-4225 Steve Bates steve@gamemasterathletic.com Baseball pitching machines & hitting devices

M.A.S.A., Inc........................ 839 1413 S. Meridian Road Jasper, IN 47546 (800) 264-4519 x 317 www.sportsadvantage.com Grayson Goodness ggoodness@masa.com M.A.S.A. is your source for quality athletic field maintenance and training devices. The company specializes in baseball, softball, soccer, football, and basketball equipment at competitive prices.

See ad on page 9

MPOWERED Baseball ..............689

P. O. Box 2391 Danville, CA 94526 (877) 662-6757 Mark Kreindler mark@mpoweredbaseball.com Bats, balls, gloves and protective equipment MacDougall & Sons Bat Company, LLC........................851

20748 Carmen Loop, Suite 110 Bend, OR 97702 (541) 550-7835 John MacDougall john@macdougallbats.com Wood bats

Majestic - VF Licensed Sports Group............Plaza 889 2320 Newlins Mill Road Easton, PA 18045 (800) 955-8555 Michael Riha elena_rebmann@vfc.com Athletic apparel, team uniforms & outerwear

Markwort Sporting Goods...... 307 1101 Research Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63132-1711 (800) 280-5555 Herb Markwort sales@markwort.com Safety & training items

Marucci.........................Plaza 577 5818 McCann Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (888) 627-8224 Kyle Achord lindsey@maruccisports.com Aluminum & wood baseball bats

Massaging Insoles by Healthy Feet, Inc............................. 950 1216 Sussex Street Boynton Beach, FL 33436 (866) 301-3338 Castor Rodriguez bestsole3@bellsouth.net Shoe/sport insoles

Master Pitching Machine, Inc............ 600 & 602 4200 NE Birmingham Road Kansas City, MO 64117 (800) 878-8228 Joe Giovagnoli joeg@masterpitch.com/ Pitching machines & batting cages

Mattingly Sports, Inc............. 789 2 Corporate Drive, Suite 923 Shelton, CT 06484 (866) 627-2281 Jim Bel Bruno linda.shaw@mattinglybaseball.com Baseball/softball bats, gloves and accessories

CoachesNetwork.com

Special Advertising Feature

Camps and CliniCs:

Double your money and decrease your work load

T

housands of coaches from New York to Alaska have learned the secret to running a more successful camp: Let someone else do most of the work. And while working less, they are making even more money.

“It’s not often you can work less and make more,” said Brad Allen, head coach at St. Joseph-Ogden HS in Illinois. “But we took a local clinic with 50 kids and turned it into a 300-player camp that attracts the top talent from all over central Illinois. We make five times the money and the camp is actually easier to run now than it was then.”

For Allen and hundreds of others, the secret was partnering with U.S. Baseball Academy, a Louisville-based company that has been helping coaches run camps since 1988. In the past few years, its growth has been nothing short of explosive. Since 2002, the company has grown to 106,000 players in 35 states and boasts an impressive Advisory Staff that includes Don Mattingly, Paul O’Neill and Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb. Beneficiaries of the expansion have been thousands of college and high school coaches, who have earned $4 million in hosting fees in the past eight years.

U.S. Baseball Academy founder and President Marc Hoffman describes the concept as a kind of “camp in a box.” “We handle all the administrative functions that all coaches hate,” he said. “We not only give them the itinerary and equipment; we take care of advertising, marketing, registration, payments, T-shirts, insurance, and paying the instructors.

The schools and coaches have no expenses, no risk, no phone calls from parents. They keep the biggest slice of revenue, plus all the equipment when camp is over.”

The company is seeking new host locations for its rapidly expanding Spring Training program, which offers six days of hitting, pitching and fielding lessons to local players in grades 1 through 12. A typical site runs indoors for six Sunday afternoons between December and March, before high school or college play begins. Host schools typically attract 150 to 250 players from an hour’s radius and earn up to $10,000 for their local coaching staff. Because age groups are staggered throughout the day, there are never more than 50 players at a time, limiting the need for space.

“Sometimes coaches think they need a giant field house, but with 30 or 40 kids per hour, it’s really not much different than running a normal practice session in your gymnasium,” Hoffman said.

Parents pay only about $100 for the six

U.S. Baseball Academy’s advisory staff includes stars such as Cy Young winner Brandon Webb

U.S. Baseball Academy Growth Chart Year

Total Players

Paid to coaches

2002

750

$33,750

2003

3,000

$135,000

2004

9,000

$405,000

2005

18,000

$810,000

2006

30,000

$1,350,000

2007

44,000

$1,980,000

2008

59,000

$2,655,000

2009

72,000

$3,240,000

2010

90,000

$3,950,000

2011

106,000

$4,400,000

one-hour lessons, with the largest slice of the pie going back to the host school and coaches.

Hosting coaches can do whatever they want with the money, which generally ranges from $7,000 to $10,000. “Most coaches use some of the money to supplement their salaries,” Hoffman said, “but many put some or all of the money back into their program to pay for field upgrades, a spring trip or new uniforms.

We send their money before camp ends, and they determine who gets the checks.”

Coaches attending the ABCA convention in Anaheim can stop by Booth 717 to talk to the staff in person.

The company works like a franchise.

Coaches reduce their workloads because they don’t have to develop itineraries, brochures and handle administrative tasks. They increase their numbers and revenue because of the panache of hosting a nationwide program.

“U.S. Baseball Academy made six weeks of instruction feel like it lasted only six hours,” said Youngstown State University assistant coach Craig Antush.

“The administrative staff is highly organized and efficient, making these camps very low-maintenance,” said Steve Farley, head coach at Butler University in Indianapolis and a host for eight years.

Circle No. 113

“We’ve been sold out each year.”

University of Findlay head coach Troy Berry agreed. “U.S. Baseball Academy has been nothing but great for our program. It has helped build relationships around the community and has been a great fundraiser. They do all of the leg work and we get to do the fun stuff: coach the kids. I highly recommend getting involved with them.”

Hoffman said the company’s biggest obstacle to growth has been that coaches are sometimes skeptical, often questioning whether it’s too good to be true. Skip Bailey, athletic director at Monroe Community College in Rochester, N.Y., and an ABCA committee member, thought exactly that six years ago when he was head coach at the school. But 1,500 players attending six clinics has made him a believer.

“This was a home run for our baseball program,” Bailey said. “We have been running camps for 25 years, and these have been our best. I thought their ad was too good to be true, but I’m glad I made the call.”

The company hopes more coaches make the call, but don’t delay. Thousands of players are already registered for Spring Training 2012, and new sites must be finalized soon. If you don’t have time to put something together for this year, contact them to get on their schedule for summer or next spring before a coach near you reserves your territorial rights.

To learn more, contact Director of Baseball Operations Joe Marker at 800-592-4487 or by email at sites@usbaseballacademy.com.

Visit the company’s web site at www.USBaseballAcademy.com.

ABCA CONVENTION EXHIBITORS

Memphis Net & Twine, Inc..710 P. O. Box 80331 Memphis, TN 38108 (800) 238-6380 x 1128 www.memphisnet.net Albert Carruthers acarruthers@memphisnet.net Memphis Net & Twine manufactures custom-made batting cages and backstops for softball and baseball.

See ad on page 37

Mizuno USA..................Plaza 633 4925 Avalon Ridge Parkway Norcross, GA 30071 (770) 453-7807 Bram Krieger cindy.peters@mizunousa.com

Miller Net Company, Inc........ 617 1674 Getwell Road Memphis, TN 38111 (800) 423-6603 Harold Miller miller@millernets.com

Pitching performance products

Sports nets & equipment

*Mine Italian Wood Bats... Bay 967 23622 Calabasas Rd., Ste 323 Calabasas, CA 91302 (818) 876-7100 Kevin Fisher & Jason Dominguez Kathleen@mile9agency.com Baseball bats

Sporting goods

More than ERA.................... 1016 11038 Hildreth Court Santa Rosa Valley, CA 93012 (805) 491-3379 Gregory May Morinaga America................. 481 18552 MacArthur Blvd., Ste 360 Irvine, CA 92612 (949) 732-1155 Clayton Perkins cperkins@morinaga-america.com HI-CHEW candy

MotionPro! by CyberAccess123, Inc.......... 611 P. O. Box 86 Cary, NC 27512 (888) 407-9665 Patrick McCabe motionprosoftware@gmail.com Video analysis software (MotionPro)

National Alliance of College Summer Baseball................ 707 449 Braggs Lane Barnstable, MA 02630 508-362-3036 Jeff Carter CCBLJWS@verizon.net Organization for member summer leagues

National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA)............ 715 1415 N. Dayton Street, 4th Floor Chicago, IL 60642 (877) 845-6272 Ryan Newman rnewman@ncsasports.org Recruiting service

National Sports Products/Douglas Industries, Inc. . . . . . . 511 3441 S. 11th Avenue Eldridge, IA 52748 (800) 478-6497 nationalsportsproducts.com Chris Rickerl chrisr@douglas-sports.com Batting tunnels, screens, netting, padding, etc.

Netex Netting, Inc..Plaza 583 5128 Central Avenue Delta, BC, Canada V4K 2H2 (800) 936-6388 www.netexnetting.ca Mark Wilson & Kasandra Wilson m.wilson@dccnet.com Netex manufactures and installs engineered backstops, barrier netting, batting cages, and pitching screens.

See ad on page 33 New England Collegiate Baseball League................. 614 37 Grammar School Drive Danbury, CT 06811 (203) 797-1231 Mario Tiani mtiani@snet.net Summer college baseball

New Era Cap Company......... 445 3950 Broadway Depew, NY 14043 (888) 685-2313 Linda Sheriff linda@newerapark.com Baseball caps

See ad on page 39

ABCA Booth No. 203 22 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

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PC-Santa Ad_Santa Ad 10/21/11 3:42 PM Page 1

Newstripe, Inc....................... 827 1700 Jasper Street, Suite F Aurora, CO 80011 (800) 624-6706 x 2913 Peter Woods pete@newstripe.com Athletic field maintenance

Nokona/Cutters..................... 317 2650 S. 46th Street, Suite 105 Phoenix, AZ 85034 (800) 821-0231 Chris Miller cmiller@cuttersgloves.com Fielders gloves, batting gloves and bats

Nylon Net Co., Inc........Plaza 855 P. O. Box 592 Memphis, TN 38101 (800) 238-7529 Stephen Christides schrist682@aol.com Sports nets & sports equipment

Oakley, Inc......Bay 939, 944 & 946 One Icon Foothill Ranch, CA 92610 (949) 829-6359 Gary Gant & Janet Schnitzler janets@oakley.com Sport performance eyewear

Oates Specialties, LLC... 345 & 444 151 FM 1696 Road East Huntsville, TX 77320 (936) 295-4459 Robert Oates Robert@OatesSpecialties.com Athletic fitness & conditioning equipment

OC Sports................ 801 & 803 1200 Melissa Drive Bentonville, AR 72712 (866) 776-6774 www.ocsports.com Joe Rubertino sales@outdoorcap.com OC Sports provides headwear to youth leagues, high schools, colleges, and professional sports teams. The company is currently licensed with MLB, Minor League Baseball, and the NCAA. See ad on page 28 Olde Master Originals........... 464 6244 Old LaGrange Rd, Ste 3 Crestwood, KY 40014 (866) 978-8837 Dave Berger oldemaster@aol.com Custom lasered bats

Old Hickory Bat Company.507 P. O. Box 588 White House, TN 37188-0588 (866) PRO-BATS (776-2287) www.oldhickorybats.com Travis Copley copley@oldhickorybats.com Old Hickory Bat Company provides custom-turned maple and ash bats, fungos, training and trophy bats, fielding gloves, batting gloves, and accessories.

Team and league pricing is available.

See ad on page 30

All I want for Christmas is to be ready for Spring.

Osborne Innovative Products......................... 938 1413 S. Meridian Road Jasper, IN 47546 (800) 264-4519 X 317 www.sportsadvantage.com Mike Schmitt ggoodness@masa.com Osborne Innovative Products manufactures the highest-quality screens and equipment in the industry. Osborne products are the best protection money can buy.

See ad on page 24 Own The Zone Sports........... 900 2807 Bald Eagle Avenue NW Salem, OR 97304 (503) 949-3524 Liam Woodard customersupport@ ownthezonesports.com Pick-Proof Baseball Sign Software

Pacific Athletic Wear..... 802 & 804 4030 W. Chandler Avenue Santa Ana, CA 93704 (714) 751-8006 John Hillenbrand alexh@pawwear.com Athletic uniforms

Pacific Headwear........ 910 & 912 P. O. Box 22538 Eugene, OR 97402 (800) 207-0981 James Matson james@pacificheadwear.com Baseball hats

*Palm Springs Power Baseball Club, Inc. ........................... 576 1901 E. Baristo Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760) 778-4487 Tony Muser astarke@ palmspringspowerbaseball.com Awareness of California Winter League

There’s no better time than the off-season to get your fields ready for baseball.

Pro’s Choice Sports Field Products greatly improve all natural playing surfaces. Infield conditioners break up compaction, improving resiliency and drainage to help prevent rainouts. Incorporated into outfield turf rootzones, Pro’s Choice granules resist compaction and promote vital soil oxygen and root penetration for healthy, resilient turf that holds up to the toughest use.

Let Pro’s Choice be a part of your regular field maintenance program.

Learn more at www.proschoice1.com or call 800-648-1166.

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Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012 23

ABCA CONVENTION EXHIBITORS

*Patrick’s Sunscreen.............. 207 2111 Iowa Avenue, Suite G Riverside, CA 92507 (800) 411-8801 Ashlyn Nath kelley@patrickssunscreen.com SPF 50 Sunblock *Peerscout..................................690

193 School Street Milton, MA 02186 (603) 320-3942 Todd Marlin ntmarlin@aol.com Internet-based peer scouting system

Perfect Game USA.......... Bay 569 1203 Rockford Road SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 (319) 298-2923 x 116 Austin Steines austin@perfectgame.org Scouting service

Pickle-Ball, Inc......................... 604 810 NW 45th Street Seattle, WA 98107 (800) 377-9915 Greg Gott greg@pickleball.com Polyballs-plastic training balls

ABCA Booth No. 938 24 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

Pitchers Power Drive/Hitters Power Drive............. 461 & 560 539 Fiske Street Holliston, MA 01746 (252) 469-5813 John Miller miller@pitcherspowerdrive.com Pitchers training aid/ hitters training aid

Pitching Central........... 347 & 444 5451 Honea-Egypt Road Montgomery, TX 77316 (936) 588-6762 Ron Wolforth info@pitchingcentral.com Pitching-hitting training DVDs, players camps and coaching workshops

Pocket Radar, Inc........Bay 561 3535 Industrial Drive, Suite A4 Santa Rosa, CA 95403 (888) 381-2672 www.pocketradar.com Keith Geck info@PocketRadar.com Pocket Radar, Inc., produces innovative training tools, including the world’s smallest radar gun. Used by thousands of coaches, the Pocket Radar is great for pitching, hitting, and running.

See ad on page 34

Pointstreak.com...................... 669 50 Minthorn Blvd, Suite 400 Thornhill, ON, Canada L3T 7X8 (866) 407-7253 Paul Pettipiece ppettipiece@pointstreak.com Sports technology-stats, websites, registration

Portolite Products, Inc............ 517 2950 Nelson Road Delano, MN 55328 (800) 315-8115 Mike Hoppe portolite@citlink.net Pitching mounds

*Power Stroke........................ 350 130 Hillside Avenue Waterloo, IA 50701 (319) 232-2392 Kevin McClain mcclaik1@nationwide.com Swing trainer

Prep Gear Headwear..........466 1001 Avenida Pico, Suite C San Clemente, CA 92673 (800) 279-7060 www.prepgear.com Jud Wood sales@prepgear.com

Prep Gear is a custom manufacturer of premium baseball caps, visors, and beanies, offering factory-direct pricing and no art or set-up fees. The company offers some of the finest embroidery in the industry.

See ad on page 8 *Proactive Coaching, LLC.........TBD 3699 S. East Camano Drive Camano Island, WA 98282 (360) 387-5998 Dana Brown & Rob Miller dana@proactivecoaching.info Coaching books, booklets & DVD’s

Pro Baseball Instruction.......... 405 4001 9th St. North, Apt. 723 Arlington, VA 22203 (571) 969-1507 Dean Spiridon dspiridon@ probaseballinstruction.com Web-based performance analysis tool

Pro-Line by Badger.......300 & 302 3950 Fossil Creek Boulevard Fort Worth, TX 76137 (800) 227-2456 x 101 Charlie Harris charris@prolinecaps.com Baseball caps & uniforms

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CoachesNetwork.com

HIGH PERFORMANCE LINERS

Moisture wicking and fast drying liners in the batting helmets are both extremely comfortable and protective. The liners in the BH3000 & BH3500 helmets make these the best fitting helmets available.

There are no pressure points, and just the right amount of support gives the helmets an amazingly light fit.

ADVANCED COVERAGE

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular batting helmets are offering less and less coverage to the back of the head (Brain Stem & Spinal Cord). This vulnerable area is commonly exposed when avoiding being struck by a wild pitch or when trying to beat out a throw stealing second. These helmets are designed with a flared shell in the back to offer full coverage without restricting range of motion.

SOLID MOLDED | BH3000 / BH3500

TWO TONE PAINT | BH3000 / BH3500

WHITE TWO TONE PAINT | BH3000

MATTE PAINT | BH3000

MATTE TWO TONE PAINT | BH3000

Circle No. 117 ABCA Booth No. 410 & 412

ABCA CONVENTION EXHIBITORS

Promats Athletics.............71 & 373

P. O. Box 231 Delhi, NY 13753 (800) 617-7125 x 1413 Matt Cross doliver@sportsfieldspecialties.com Padding – wall, gymnasium, stadium

Pro Nine Sports..1000, 1002 & 1004 P. O. Box 1765 Los Alamitos, CA 90720 (800) 355-5969 J. R. Hardy jrhardy@pronine.com Balls, bats, bases, & protective equipment

ProBatter Sports, LLC... 913 & 915 49 Research Drive, Suite A Milford, CT 06460 (203) 874-2500 Adam Battersby abattersby@probatter.com Video pitching machines

ProGrass, LLC.................... 415 960 Penn Avenue, 8th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (866) 270-6003 www.prograssturf.com Aaron Klotz & Paul Tabor jjones@prograssturf.com

Getting the best artificial turf for your field depends upon both the product and the partner you choose. ProGrass … First in Turf.

See ad on page 13 ProMounds, Inc./On Deck Sports 812 & 813 88 Spark Street Brockton, MA 02302 (800) 365-6171 Joe Murphy chriss@ondecksports.com Baseball/softball turf, netting, mounds, etc.

Protime Sports...................... 456 17600 W. Valley Highway Seattle, WA 98188 (800) 575-1603 Greg Chapman greg@protimesports.com Baseball uniforms

Pukka Headwear........ 210 & 212 337 S. Main St., P. O. Box 773 Findlay, OH 45840 (419) 429-7808 x 1189 Ken Rood gzylka@pukkaheadwear.com Custom headwear manufacturer

*Quality At-Bats.................... 528 6962 Carla Circle Huntington Beach, CA 92647 (714) 580-6070 Steve Springer qualityatbats@aol.com Quality At-Bats CDs/DVDs

Rawlings Sporting Goods ................Bay 661 & Plaza 655 ABCA OFFICIAL SPONSOR 510 Maryville University Dr, Ste 110 St. Louis, MO 63141 (800) RAWLING x 2908 Greg Bialis pjonff@rawlings.com Spring hard goods & apparel

Ready Play.......................... 881 3502 Slide Road, A-22 Lubbock, TX 79414 (855) 384-9844 Andy Larned CalderH@ReadyPlaySports.com www.readyplaysports.com Ready Play Sports provides moisture management products for your whole field—turf, skinned infields, and warning tracks.

See ad on page 35

Reebok........................... Bay 539 1895 J. W. Foster Boulevard Canton, MA 02021 (888) 405-8326 Rob Plunkett mike.krawetz@reebok.com Baseball equipment, footwear & apparel

*Red Lion Hotels Corporation.968 201 W. Northover Drive Spokane, WA 99201 (509) 777-6348 Dan Hilsendeger dan.hilsendeger@redlion.com Team lodging Red Roof Inn..............................888

1933 Hyland Ferndale, MI 48220 (248) 398-0274 John Murray jmurray@redroof.com Hotel rooms

Reef Industries, Inc................ 849 9209 Almeda Genoa Road Houston, TX 77075 (800) 231-6074 Mark Young myoung@reefindustries.com Field & mound covers

AB Plaz CA a 921 #

Wizard Sports Equipment, Inc. Anaheim, CA.

Circle No. 118 26 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

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ABCA CONVENTION EXHIBITORS

RightView Pro..601, 603, 605 & 607 27 Middleridge Lane South Rolling Hills, CA 90274 (310) 377-9221 Don Slaught don@rightviewpro.com Motion analysis software-training

RIP-IT Sporting Goods....Plaza 755 4210 L. B. McLeod Rd., Ste 117 Orlando, FL 32811 (888) 957-4748 Mike Beck mike.beck@ripitsportinggoods. com Bats, helmets & bags

Ripon Athletic........................ 513 P. O. Box 25 Berlin, WI 54923 (920) 361-1500 Luke Ott luke.ott@riponathletic.com Custom uniforms, jackets & fleece

Rixstine Recognition.501, 503 & 505 2350 ‘O’ Street Lincoln, NE 68510 (800) 347-3810 Steve Voss marketing@rixstine.com Awards, trophies, medals, plaques & apparel

CoachesNetwork.com

Russell Brands................ Bay 721 ABCA OFFICIAL SPONSOR 1 Fruit of the Loom Drive Bowling Green, KY 42103 (270) 781-6400 x 2356 Matt Murphy alison.chafton@fruit.com Team uniforms

Recruiting management solution

*Salsbury Industries Lockers.com....................... 526 1010 E. 62nd Street Los Angeles, CA 90001 (800) 562-5377 x 727 Mike Medina salsbury@lockers.com Lockers & storage solutions

Schutt Sports.............. 400 & 402 2233 Holly Hill Lane Denton, TX 76205 (217) 710-3037 Dianne Baker dbaker@schutt-sports.com Baseball/protective gear (helmets, catching gear)

SCORE International.......Plaza 455 P. O. Box 9994 Chattanooga, TN 37412 (423) 894-7111 Trey Bailey trey@scoreinternational.org Baseball mission trips

Scoutware.............................. 113 954 W. Washington Boulevard, Suite 640 Chicago, IL 60607 (312) 651-6626 Amanda Carmichael sales@scoutware.com Shaw Sportexe.............. Bay 569 1201 Roberts Blvd., NW, Ste 220 Kennesaw, GA 30144 (866) 703-4004 Susan Burchett info@shawsportexe.com Synthetic turf

*Shoeless Joe, LLC................ 404 P. O. Box 935 Hays, KS 67601 (855) 563-4568 Mort Finkelstein bgirard@shoelessjoellc.com Baseball gloves

Shoulder Shield, LLC............. 703 P. O. Box 289 Sherman, MS 38869 (800) 760-2185 Brian Boatner brian@shouldershield.com Performance protective apparel

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*The Show, LLC.........................895

2901 Epperly Drive Del City, OK 73115 (877) 306-7469 John Conner johnconner@theshowbaseball.com Youth MLB replica uniforms

*Shuttle Baseball................... 454 8812 Bradbury Court Elk Grove, CA 95624 (855) 552-2732 Keith York keith@shuttlebaseball.com Training baseball for visual mechanics

Skillshow/BaseballWebTV.Bay 569 1201 First Avenue South #333 Seattle, WA 98134 (206) 652-1288 Tom Koerick act@skillshow.com Online recruiting videos & services

SKLZ............................... Bay 769 5823 Newton Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 (877) 225-7275 Scott Strohman Scott.Strohman@SKLZ.com Athletic & sports specific training

Coaching Management CONVENTION ABCAABCA Booth No. 2012 78827

ABCA CONVENTION EXHIBITORS

Slow The Game Down.. 512 & 514 1100 S. Coast Highway #203 Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (866) 627-5400 Dr. Bill Harrison Ryan@SlowTheGameDown.com Visual performance training

Soft Touch Bases................... 916 P. O. Box 233 Waukesha, WI 53187 (866) 544-2077 Lou Hernandez softtouchbases@yahoo.com Release bases

Solo Sports, Inc./ Solo Hitter.............. 477 & 479 105 Copperwood Way, Suite F Oceanside, CA 92058 (800) 875-3355 Mark Przybylak coach@prokidsacademy.com Baseball training device

South Padre Island (SPI) Nets, Inc.......................... 906 2001 Amistad Drive San Benito, TX 78586 (866) 243-6387 www.spinets.net Joe Rodriguez spinets@spinets.net

SPI Nets manufactures some of the best sports netting in the industry. The company offers batting cages, protective screens, custom backstops, and other barrier nets at excellent prices with speedy delivery.

See ad on page 30 SouthBat USA . . . . . . . . . 213 4521 Campus Drive 307 Irvine, CA 92612 (949) 322-2464 www.southbat.com sales@southbat.com Makers of he new, revolutionary “Guayaibi” wood bats have a tighter, denser, and more flexible grain than maple, which gives them an extended life, improved safety, and unbelievable “pop.”

See ad on page 33 Southern Athletic FieldS...................Plaza 921 1309 Mainsail Drive Columbia, TN 38401 (800) 837-8062 www.mulemix.com Bill Marbet glenn@mulemix.com

Southern Athletic Fields specializes in infield mixes, mound clay, warning track mixes, field conditioners, field accessories, and drying agents.

See ad on page 26 Southwest Host Services....... 825 3412 Rolling Green Drive Fort Collins, CO 80525 (970) 223-6665 Lisa Dixon swhost@comcast.net Hotels-team travel & recruiting

Spinball Sports, LLC.............. 869 1981 Smizer Mill Road Fenton, MO 63026 (314) 503-3194 tom.hart@spinballsports.com Pitching machines

Sports Attack........... Bay 729 P. O. Box 1529 Verdi, NV 89439 (800) 717-4251 www.sportsattack.com Kurt Brenner kurtb@sportsattack.com Sports Attack, LLC, is a manufacturer of professional sports training equipment for baseball, softball, football, volleyball, and tennis.

See ad on Inside Front Cover

Sports Construction Group.Bay 569 10303 Brecksville Road Brecksville, OH 44141 (440) 546-1200 Jim Savoca Field Construction

Sports Sensors, Inc................ 886 11351 Embassy Drive Cincinnati, OH 45240 (888) 542-9246 Al Dilz adilz@cinci.rr.com Ball speed & bat swing speed radars

Sports Tutor, inc........... 1001 3300 Winona Avenue Burbank, CA 91504 (800) 448-8867 www.sportsmachines.com John Henderson john@sportsmachines.com Sports Tutor is a leading manufacturer of ball-throwing machines for baseball, softball, tennis, volleyball, and soccer.

See ad on page 12

10615 Technology Terrace #100 | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211

ABCA Booth Nos. 821, 920 CHBaseball_Ad_Quarter-page_082511.indd 1 28 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

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ABCA CONVENTION EXHIBITORS

*Sports Venue Padding by Artistic Coverings................... 312 & 314 16444 Manning Way Cerritos, CA 90703 (877) 599-6855 x 12 Rob Aylesworth michelle@accov.com Sports venue padding

*St. Baldrick’s Foundation..... 376 1333 S. Mayflower Ave., Ste 400 Monrovia, CA 91016 (626) 792-8247 x 23 chase@stbaldricks.org BaseBald: non-profit event for childhood cancer

St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission .............. 613 & 615 13805 58th St. North, Ste 2-200 Clearwater, FL 33760 Kevin Smith kevin@visitspc.com Sports training/tournament destination

Stabilizer Solutions, Inc..960 33 S. 28th Street Phoenix, AZ 85034 (800) 336-2468 www.stabilizersolutions.com Jon Hubbs info@stabilizersolutions.com

Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. is advancing the evolution of natural soil for baseball and softball fields. The company offers advanced mound clays, as well as infield and warning track mixes in both its Stabilizer® organic and Hilltopper® waterless product lines. As the official playing surface of the NFCA, Stabilizer® “Pro Red” Infield Mix and Hilltopper® Waterless Mound Clay save time while providing protection from the elements.

See ad on page 8

Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation............ 917 P. O. Box 418 541 28 Skövde, Sweden +46 10 4764180 Kristian Pälviä info@baseboll-softboll.se

Team Express Distributing ................ 978, 980, 982 & 984 5750 Northwest Pkwy, Ste 100 San Antonio, TX 78249 (866) 816-9892 billy.lund@teamexpress.com

SwingAway Sports Products, Inc........... 829 & 831 4781 Waterhaven Bend Marietta, GA 30062 (800) 999-1968 John J. Flading jflading@swingaway.com

Tech Mesh Apparel, LLC........ 516 P. O. Box 702357 Tulsa, OK 74170 (918) 492-1193 Jean Barrett jbarrettinc@aol.com

Stalker Radar......................... 550 2609 Technology Drive Plano, TX 75074-7467 (800) 782-5537 Paul Hataway sales@stalkerradar.com

T2Motion............................... 331 103, 105-3957 Lakeshore Road Kelowna, BC, Canada V1W 1V3 (480) 220-0562 Wayne Ryder rmi9@msn.com

Speed measuring equipment: radar

*Stuffits, Inc........................... 786 1930 Airport Industrial Park Dr., Ste L Marietta, GA 30068 (770) 980-9002 Mike Huebner katherine@stuffits.com Drying insert for gloves, helmets, shoes & active wear

Baseball organization

Baseball hitting stations & training aids

Motion analysis

*TaterGrip.............................. 217 1345 Specialty Drive Vista, CA 92081 (800) 757-7453 Craig Pollard & Bill Steinecke sales@tatergrip.com Performance custom bat grip

Apparel & equipment

Moisture management practice T-shirts & shorts

*The Road 2 The Show.......... 427 13052 Bow Place Santa Ana, CA 92705 (714) 402-1453 Luke Beck & Ryan Clear ryan.clear@theroad2theshow.com Online services-showcase/recruiting

3N2 LLC................................. 871 111 Atlantic Annex Point #1 Maitland, FL 32751 (877) 362-1440 Marty Graham mgraham@3N2sports.com Baseball footwear, apparel & accessories

Red Top Dressing • Regular Soil Conditioner • Warning Track Blends • Drying Agent

2012 Early Buy Specials!

Orders placed by April 1, 2012

Bulk

Bagged Product

10% OFF Full Truckload

$7.50/bag

(F.O.B Plant)

(f.o.b. plant) (Bags sold in full pallets 40 bags per pallet) (Pooled pricing available, call for details)

www.hayditegame-on.com

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Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012 29

ABCA CONVENTION EXHIBITORS

Tomark Sports................ Bay 639 P. O. Box 1088 Corona, CA 92878-1088 (800) 959-1844 Mark Harpin lynnc@tomark.com Sales & service of recreation equipment

Toolshed Sports Int’l ............... 472 3633 MacArthur Blvd, Ste 409 Santa Ana, CA 92704 (714) 540-5557 Gregg Olson gregg@toolshed-usa.com High performance athletic apparel

Top 96 (DeMarini Top 96)............

115 & 117 2 Hewes Circle Peabody, MA 01960 (978) 536-2022 Doug Henson dave.callum@top96.com

Baseball camps with college coaches

*TPT Baseball, LLC................. 361 12634 Trail Hollow Drive Houston, TX 77024 (713) 226-1424 James Howard jhoward@threepiecetee.com

Torrence Sports Lighting, Inc... 714 14211 Grand Traverse Drive Charlotte, NC 28278 (704) 587-6692 Mike Torrence mtorrence1@carolina.rr.com Sports lighting equipment

Trigon Sports Int’l (TSI).......413 488 Cumberland Memphis, TN 38112 (888) 313-1303 x 102 Chris Bawcum & Jonathan Bawcum chris@trigonsports.com www.trigonsports.com Trigon Sports (TSI) is a familyowned business specializing in the manufacturing and direct importing of team sports equipment.

See ad on page 38 *Trinity Bat Company........ Bay 321 2493 E. Orangethorpe Fullerton, CA 92831 (866) 784-8644 Sam Orr bats@trinitybats.com MLB-approved hard baseball bats

Three Piece Tee™ baseball & softball balance trainer

True Pitch, Inc........................ 712 620 8th Street SW, Suite 101 Altoona, IA 50009 (800) 647-3539 Craig Allison info@pitchingmounds.com Game mounds & mound clay

TSI Talent Sport, Inc.............. 530 3160 S. Classen Boulevard Norman, OK 73071 (405) 360-5733 Rob R. Cleveland rob@talentsportinc.com Apparel Tuff Toe, Inc.................................78

1442 W. Collins Avenue, Ste G Orange, CA 92867 (800) 888-0802 Jeff Musick info@tufftoe.com Pitching toes

TURFACE Athletics... Plaza 439 ABCA OFFICIAL SPONSOR 750 Lake Cook Road, Ste 440 Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 800 207-6457 www.turface.com Jeff Langner hrohde@profileproducts.com

The Turface Athletics™ line of products and services maximize sports field safety and performance, including turf and infield conditioners as well as mound and box packing clays.

See ad on page 11 Twin City Knitting.................. 810 P. O. Box 1179 Conover, NC 28613-9727 (800) 438-6884 fbdavis@twincityknitting.com Athletic socks

Tyrus Baseball Products......... 201 16 The Plains Road Levittown, NY 11756 (516) 313-9680 kfazio@tyrusbaseball.com Wood bats, pine tar & grip stick

U. S. Baseball Academy.. 717 13121 Eastpoint Park Blvd Louisville, KY 40223 866 622-4487 www.usbaseballacademy.com Joe Marker info@baseballacademy.net

U.S. Baseball Academy is the nation’s largest network of baseball camps, with more than 200 locations in 32 states.

See ad on page 21

C43M Composite Maple Bat

by Old Hickory The C43M is BBCOR Certified and comes with a 90-Day Limited Warranty.

Call Toll Free:

(866) 243-6387

The C43M’s unique design - one piece, solid maple with a composite overlay on the handle - allows this bat to feel and perform like Old Hickory’s top of the line, professional grade Custom Pro bats.

for a Free Catalog

Batting Cages Protective Screens Backstops & Barrier Nets Field Maintenance Supplies Pitching Machines & Accessories Custom Size Netting Available

The C43M is proudly made in the USA.

Or Shop Online at

www.oldhickorybats.com mail@oldhickorybats.com Toll Free (866) PRO BATS

ABCA Booth No. 906 30 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012 Untitled-11 1

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ABCA CONVENTION EXHIBITORS

Under Armour ............... Bay 647 1020 Hull Street Baltimore, MD 21230 (410) 246-1801 x 1801 Carrie Crogan ccrogan@underarmour.com Athletic apparel

USA Baseball.............. 700 & 702 403 Blackwell Street Durham, NC 27701 (919) 474-8721 x 215 Paul Seiler info@usabaseball.com USA Baseball National Teams

Vero Beach Sports Village ........................... 203 P. O. Box 2887 Vero Beach, FL 32961 (772) 257-8557 www.vbsportsvillage.com Jeff Biddle jbiddle@milb.com This 67-acre sports and conference center provides your team with the ideal setting to grow and better prepare for your upcoming season.

See ad on page 22

Victory Custom Athletic, Inc. ................................ 901 & 903 9006 Owensmouth Avenue Canoga Park, CA 91304 (818) 349-8476 x 103 Ron Mouzis mouzis2@aol.com Manufacturer of uniforms, jackets, caps, etc.

West Coast League................ 425 P. O. Box 8395 Portland, OR 93707 (503) 764-9510 Ken Wilson wilson@westcoastleague.com Baseball league

West Coast Netting, Inc........ 515 5075 Flightline Drive Kingman, AZ 86401 (800) 854-5741 Jeff Uhles info@westcoastnetting.com Protective screens & backstops

Western Industries, Inc./Brawler.934 P. O. Box 428 Miles City, MT 59301 (800) 488-3592 Bobbie Krutzfeldt bobbie@westernindustries.com

White Line Equipment Company â&#x20AC;Ś 839, 841, 938, 940 1413 S. Meridian Rd. Jasper, IN 47546 877-717-2892 www.whitelineequipment.com White Line Equipment Company provides quality equipment for any sports program and is built tough.

See ad on page 36 Wilson Sporting Goods/ DeMarini Sports.......... Bay 621 ABCA OFFICIAL SPONSOR 8750 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue Chicago, IL 60631 (800) 245-5454 Steve Weisbredt shane.mcguire@wilson.com Baseball equipment & uniforms

Worth Sports.............. 768 & 770 510 Maryville University Drive, Suite 110 St. Louis, MO 63141 (800) RAWLING x 2908 Denny Helmig pjonff@rawlings.com Spring hardgoods & apparel

WSI/JOC....................................911

1325 Eagandale Ct., Ste 170 Eagan, MN 55121 (651) 994-9945 Joel Wiens joel@wsisports.com Performance apparel

X-Grain Sportswear............... 948 8667 Kapp Drive Peosta, IA 52068 (877) 294-7246 Marty Runde marty@x-grain.com Embroidered apparel

*Xenith.................................. 687 672 Suffolk Lowell, MA 01854 (866) 888-2322 Dean Baker dbaker@xenith.com Baseball batting helmets

Zephyr Graf-x............. 924 & 926 5443 Earhart Road Loveland, CO 80538 (888) 282-0994 Burr Calapp nrosendale@zhats.com Headwear

Infield covers

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Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012 31

PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY

Durable and Great-Looking

Train Like The Pros

Tuff-Turf On Deck Circles are some of the most durable turf on-deck circles on the market.

The company’s revolutionary process allows graphics to become part of the turf, which results in a robust on-deck circle with excellent graphic clarity unlike painted or cut-in and glued graphics. Along with looking great, Tuff-Turf is designed to be puncture- and tear-resistant against metal cleats. This product is also lightweight, which makes storing and maneuvering a breeze, and when properly cared for can be used for multiple seasons.

The Pocket Radar™ is a powerful new coaching and training tool. In use by thousands of coaches, it is great for pitching, hitting and running. As the world’s smallest fullperformance radar gun, it is surprisingly affordable, easy to use, and small enough to fit in your pocket. The Pocket Radar is so discreet and convenient that you can take it anywhere, yet it has incredible precision and range, with the ability to measure a pitch from up to 120 feet with accuracy of +/- one mile per hour.

BigSigns.com • 800-790-7611 www.bigsigns.com

Pro-Grade Products

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Next Level of Safety

M.A.S.A. is taking player safety to a whole new level. The OIP Head Saver is endorsed by numerous professional players, coaches, and hitting instructors. The Head Saver creates a protective “roof” that virtually eliminates injury. It measures 40”W x 37”H and angles 30 degrees, providing headroom and space.

The innovative, easy-to-attach design features twin J-style hooks spaced 18 inches apart, attaching to the top of your L-screen, and sliding support arms that adjust to fit your L-screens, and lock into place. The Head Saver features heavy wall, 1 3/8-inch diameter, Flo-Coat galvanized steel tubing, and a double layer, slip-on pillow case style net with heavy 1/8-inch thick (#48) braided twine.

M.A.S.A. • 800-264-4519 www.sportsadvantage.com

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Expansive Product Line

Aer-Flo’s new dealer catalog shows its broad line of field covers, windscreens, and several new products for baseball, including a full line of netting and infield protectors. All of its vinyl-based products from Wind Weighted® Tarps to Tuffy ® Windscreen can include ChromaBond® Imprinting for lettering and logos that last as long as the fabric without fading away. Unlike many other manufacturers, Aer-Flo sells its products only through its authorized dealers.

Aer-Flo, Inc. • 800-823-7356 www.aerflo.com

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Extend Your Season

Find out why ProGrass has been selected as the synthetic turf for several NCAA Division I baseball teams. The durable baseball surface can be used 24/7 with virtually no maintenance. It drains well and can extend the baseball season. This system simulates natural grass characteristics on an ideal field.

ProGrass: Do it right the first time, every time.

ProGrass, LLC • 866-270-6003 www.prograssturf.com 32 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

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Pocket Radar, Inc. • 888-381-2672 www.pocketradar.com

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Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan offers a series of professionalgrade baseball products for BSN Sports, including the Ryan Express Batting Cage. The cage features heavy-duty two-inch tubing, two coaches’ platforms, baffle net, thud pad, and reinforced vinyl skirt. The cage is easily moved around the field using the lockable dolly lift and wide tires that also protect the field.

BSN Sports • 888-566-8966 www.bsnsports.com

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New Name, Same Great Service

The Team Sports Division of Outdoor Cap has 20 years of brand recognition and a loyal customer base. In early 2010, the company introduced a new name—OC Sports—to better define its focus, direction, and commitment to the team sports market. What hasn’t changed is its commitment to quality, service, and innovation. OC Sports provides headwear to youth leagues, high schools and colleges, and professional sports teams. The company is currently licensed with MLB, Minor League Baseball, and the NCAA. OC Sports • 800-826-6047 www.ocsports.com

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Programmable Pitching

The HomePlate pitching machine is the first programmable pitching machine designed for both batting cage and on-field use. Users can store up to eight different pitches—including fastballs up to 90 miles per hour, curveballs, changeups, sliders, and more—in eight different programs, with only seven seconds between pitches. The programmed pitches in the HomePlate can be thrown sequentially for specific hitting drills, randomly for game conditions, or in a way that simulates an opposing pitcher. The HomePlate features a patented three-wheel pitching mechanism for greater pitch accuracy, along with an 80-ball auto-feed system. $6,595.

Sports Tutor • 800-448-8867 www.sportsmachines.com

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PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY

Show Your Colors

The Prep Gear Split Flex is one of the most popular spring and summer caps. With just a touch of contrasting color on the bill, the 3D embroidery on the front of the cap is accented in a very subtle way. The dry-fit crown is cool and washable, the flex band is extremely comfortable, and every cap is custom-made to your specifications.

Prep Gear • 800-279-7060 www.prepgear.com

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Advanced Natural Soil

Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. is advancing the evolution of natural soil for baseball and softball fields. The company offers advanced mound clays, as well as infield and warning track mixes in both its Stabilizer ® organic and Hilltopper ® waterless product lines.

Used at the baseball College World Series, Stabilizer ® “Pro Red” Infield Mix and Hilltopper ® Waterless Mound Clay save time while providing protection from the elements.

Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. • 800-336-2468 www.stabilizersolutions.com

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In Good Company

Recent customers of the Hack Attack Baseball Pitching Machine include: St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Oakland A’s, Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Universities of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, California-Berkeley, and Arkansas, as well as Birmingham Community College, Berry College, Neosho Community College, McKendree University, and Gonzaga University.

Sports Attack • 800-717-4251 www.sportsattack.com

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Meeting Your Specs

Memphis Net & Twine makes its products in the U.S., offering batting cages and backstops to meet customers’ exact specifications. The company also fabricates custom windscreens out of vinyl-coated polyester in 11 different colors. These windscreens can be made to any height or width. Memphis Net & Twine also sells benches, stadium bleachers, and tip-n-roll bleachers.

Memphis Net & Twine Co., Inc. • 800-238-6380 www.memphisnet.net Circle No. 541

Introducing GUAYAIBI Wood Bats!

Introducing GUAYAIBI Wood Bats!

Introducing GUAYAIBI Wood Bats!

Southbat’s GUAYAIBI wood grain denser, more more Southbat’s GUAYAIBI wood grainis tighter, is tighter, denser, GUAYAIBI wood than grainMaple isMaple tighter, denser, more flexible AND more durable than or Ash!!

Used by flexibleSouthbat’s AND more durable or Ash!! flexible AND more durable thanand Maple or Ash!!

Used byUsed by professionals all over Europe Central America! professionals all over and Central America! professionals all overEurope Europe and Central America!

Installations Nationwide 30-Day WARRANTY!!

30-Day WARRANTY!!

ABCA Convention Special Pricing: ABCA Convention Special Pricing: Junior Sizes -- $40 JuniorWARRANTY!!

Sizes -- $40 30-Day Professional Sizes -- $50 Professional Sizes -- $50 (Retail priceSpecial $90) ABCA Convention Pricing: (Retail price $90) Visit us at booth # 213 Junior Visit us Sizes at booth--# $40 213 www.Southbat.com Email:Sales@southbat.com www.Southbat.com Email:Sales@southbat.com Professional Sizes -- $50

(Retail $90) Circleprice No. 127 Visit us at booth # 213 CoachesNetwork.com www.Southbat.com Email:Sales@southbat.com

BATTING CAGES • PITCHING SCREENS ENGINEERED BACKSTOPS • BARRIER NETS 800.936.6388 • www.netexnetting.ca • email: m.wilson@dccnet.com Circle No. 128

ABCA Plaza 583 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012 33

PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY

Perfect Practice

The Mark I baseball has been a staple at BSN Sports for more than 10 years. The ball performs at a level equal to its name-brand counterparts for 30-percent less money. For today’s ever-shrinking athletic budgets, a smart choice like the Mark I Practice Baseball can help you stretch your athletic dollar. This ball features a leather cover, cork/rubber core, yarn windings, and is the practice ball of choice for high schools and more than 300 colleges.

BSN Sports • 888-566-8966 www.bsnsports.com

Diamond Pro has a complete line of professional groundskeeping products, including infield conditioners, calcined clay, mound and home plate clay, bricks, marking dust, and infield and warning track mixes. The company offers fast and convenient delivery. Diamond Pro’s vitrified red clay infield conditioner is available in bulk nationwide, and is easy to handle and apply. Truckloads are available in 10-, 15-, and 24-ton loads that save you both time and money.

TXI/Diamond Pro • 800-228-2987 www.diamondpro.com

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Net Gains

Works on all Fields

Turface Athletics™ Pro League Heritage Red™ provides a classic, rich cherry wood color for skinned infields offering excellent ball visibility on wet and dry fields. Pro League® also absorbs its weight in water to prevent puddles on the infield and stave off rainouts.

That absorbed moisture will later release to prevent a hard, cracked field when it’s dry.

Profile Products, LLC • 800-207-6457 www.turface.com

For Better Fields

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SPI Nets’ full-service net building facility offers top-quality nets at unbeatable prices. The company stocks and custom-builds a wide variety of nylon and poly batting cage nets, protective screens, and deflective barrier netting products. All custom nets are guaranteed to be of the highest quality, and are built in the USA to meet all your needs. Call the company toll-free or go online to learn more.

SPI Nets, Inc. • 866-243-6387 www.spinets.net

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BARRIER NETS CUSTOM NETTING BATTING CAGES IMPACT NETS

GOUROCK since 1736

www.gourock.com (877) 803-5123

ABCA Bay 561 34 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

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PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY

Remarkable Performance

The Adams BH76 Matte Batting Helmet meets the new NOCSAE 02210m11 standard for batting helmets.

It has PVC closed cell shock-absorbent padding, a smooth matte finish, six sleek ventilation points, and an ABS shell for remarkable performance. This helmet also has pre-drilled attachment points for the FM70 carbon steel wire coated platinum facemask. The BH76 is available in scarlet, maroon, dark green, royal blue, navy blue, and black in matte and BH75 gloss finishes. The facemask is sold separately.

Adams USA • 800-251-6857 www.adamsusa.com

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Moisture Management

Ready Play Sports is a complete moisture management system for your entire field. For your dry- and hard-skinned infield and warning track, incorporate Ready Play Field Magic to hold moisture and reduce surface hardness. For standing water after a rain storm or irrigation leak, use Ready Play Dry Mats to soak up the water without removing any of your topsoil. And for any muddy or wet area, use Ready Play Surface Dry to dry up those hot spots.

Ready Play Sports • 855-384-9844 www.readyplaysports.com

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Good Enough for the Pros

C&H Baseball has been supplying quality equipment to professional teams since the 1960s. The company’s products have been on the field for more than 40 years, which shows a commitment to quality. C&H manufactures portable batting cages, field screens, field products, padding, netting, and the “original” ball caddy. Buy direct from the manufacturer and provide your team with some of the longest-performing field equipment on the market today.

The company also provides field maintenance equipment, tunnels, installation services, backstop systems, barrier netting, replacement nets, and more.

C&H Baseball • 800-248-5192 www.chbaseball.com

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Hits the Sweet Spot

The Z-1000 is made from LS2X composite and features a larger sweet spot and lighter swing weight. It uses Swing1 inner Disc (S1iD) Barrel Technology to allow the barrel to flex to its maximum allowable performance level from the first swing. This 2 5/8-inch barrel, -3 bat is “game ready.” The Z-1000’s sweetest spot is ready to go right out of the wrapper.

Louisville Slugger • 800-282-2287 www.slugger.com

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TURF ENHANCEMENT z 40 lbs per 1000 sq ft for Top Dressing, Aeration, Over Seeding, New Sod

Day 1

Day 7

z Absorbs 12x its weight in water in the soil z 95% of water and water soluble nutrients available to plant z Longevity 5-7 years sub surface z SAVES UP TO 66% WATER “The results were both shocking and amazing. Field Magic not only revitalized our grass, it got it back to a beautiful rich green that made our field ready to play at its high standards with no additional water.”

–Chris McCormack-Director of Baseball Operations, University of The Pacific

EXCLUSIVELY SOLD

CoachesNetwork.com

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www.ReadyPlaySports.com www.Ewing1.com 35 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

ABCA Plaza 881

PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY

Greater Performance

The innovative Exogrid 2 delivers power and performance through stiffness and strength, giving it one of the largest sweet spots of any BBCOR bat on the market. The combination of one-piece construction and carbon composite inserts for handle stiffness has made this bat a choice for champions. Exogrid 2 has Power Disc technology, with two independent discs strategically placed in the barrel to allow for peak performance around the sweet spot, providing an oversized hitting surface and balanced swing weight.

Exogrid 2 also utilizes AC21 Scandium Technology.

Louisville Slugger • 800-282-2287 www.slugger.com

Tiny Training

After hearing pro catchers complain that their undersized CM100TM training mitts were being stolen by infielders, AllStar Sporting Goods knew it had to make infielders their very own tiny training mitt. The Pick (FG100TM), a 9.5-inch fielding training mitt, is great for developing fast hands, improved coordination, and proper mechanics.

All-Star Sporting Goods • 800-777-3810 www.all-starsports.com

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Proven and Tested Intrepid Sportswear only offers pro-quality, 100-percent customizable uniforms.

Company features include allinclusive pricing, no minimum orders, no re-order mark up, warranties on all uniforms, endless digital mock ups, and great customer service. Call today for a free sample.

Mar Mound Clay, proven and tested to improve over time, holds together longer and reduces the amount of wear created by pitchers. A study shows it is easy to use immediately upon delivery, and with time will improve to create the ideal mound/plate area you desire.

This product is easy to use and proven to last. Southern Athletic Fields is in ABCA Plaza #921. Visit to see how the company can help you and your fields.

Intrepid Sportswear • 888-228-4732 www.intrepidsportswear.com

Southern Athletic Fields • 800-837-8062 www.mulemix.com

Pro-Quality Uniforms

ABCA Booth Nos. 839, 841, 938, 940 36 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

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PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY

Conditions and Dries

Dry My Field is the revolutionary new way to maintain your infield. It’s one product that both conditions and dries your infield.

Dry My Field holds moisture in the soil so your infield stays in great playing condition.

It’s also great for drying wet infields because it absorbs 250 times its weight in water. This means no more carrying around bulky 50-pound bags. One 10-pound bucket dries the same amount of field as a pallet of other infield products.

Taylor Baseball, LLC • 800-437-1614 www.drymyfield.com

New Protective Screens Trigon Sports (TSI) introduces a complete line of all new retail packaged baseball protective screens. The all new ProCage™ brand of L- and Fielder’s screens boasts a sturdy 7’ x 7’ powdercoated frame and thick #42 thread netting. Contact your local team sports dealer or visit the company’s Web site for its full line of protective screens.

Trigon Sports • 888-313-1303 www.trigonsports.com

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Protect Your Ankles

Hosting a Camp

U.S. Baseball Academy partners with high school and college coaches across the country and is the nation’s largest network of baseball camps. U.S. Baseball Academy makes the camps hassle-free for coaches by providing the itinerary, equipment, marketing, public relations, registration, payments, insurance, and even T-shirts. Coaches run the six-day program at their school and can earn up to $10,000 as a hosting fee. There is no financial investment or risk. The 2010-11 program included 300 locations in 35 states and approximately 40,000 players.

With the success of All-Star Sporting Goods’ integration of D3O® Impact Protection material into batter’s elbow guards and inner gloves, the company knew it had to engineer a better ankle guard and created the System Seven™ Batter’s Ankle Guard. D3O® material stiffens upon impact to spread the force over a larger area for increased energy absorption, but remains flexible under normal conditions. The lightweight D3O® is protective enough to be used in industrial footwear.

U.S. Baseball Academy • 800-592-4487 www.usbaseballacademy.com

All-Star Sporting Goods • 800-777-3810 www.all-starsports.com

Circle No. 568

Memphis Net & Twine Co., Inc.

Circle No. 565

www.lasteelcraft.com 800-371-2438 fax: 626-798-1482

Made in America

Free Catalog Call 800-238-6380

Our top quality nets are custom made to your specifications.

• Baseball Cages, Backstops, Protector Nets & Pitching Machines • Golf Driving and Barrier Nets • Soccer and Tennis Nets • Lacrosse Backstop Nets, Windscreens and much more!

ELEMENTARY

BASKETBALL TENNIS/VOLLEYBALL

HIGH SCHOOL

UNIVERSITIES

SOCCER/FOOTBALL

MIDDLE SCHOOL BASEBALL

See our Web Page at: www.memphisnet.net or e-mail us at: sportsinfo@memphisnet.net Circle No. 135

ABCA Booth No. 710

CoachesNetwork.com Untitled-1 1

MANUFACTURING QUALITY EQUIPMENT FOR OVER 50 YEARS

Circle No. 137

ABCA Booth No. 972 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012 37

11/8/06 10:08:14 AM

PRODUCT LAUNCH

Field Magic for Turf Enhancement Ready Play Sports 855-384-9844 www.readyplaysports.com Circle No. 560

Black Poly-Cap

M.A.S.A. 800-264-4519 www.sportsadvantage.com Circle No. 559 Benefits for the user:

• Thick wall creates unequaled durability • Available in rolls of 100 feet or 250 feet • Weather-treated and features UV protection • Features a rich black color to compliment fence color

• Reduces player injuries • Increases visibility • Beautifies any field

am Sports Equ e T e ipm Lin

Benefits for the user:

• Absorbs 12 times its weight in water • 95-percent of water and water soluble nutrients available to plant • 40 pounds per 1,000 square feet for topdressing, aeration, overseeding, and new sod

• Longevity of five to seven years sub surface • Saves up to 66-percent water

More Than An Award...

A Lifetime of Memories

ent

Full

Unique features:

Unique features:

Batting Tunnel Nets 3 Styles of Protective Screens

7" Customized Pewter Plates

Packaged in Classic Black Felt & Gift Box

Plaques, Medals, Coins & Lapel Pins

Protective Screens

Steel Drag Mats

Pewter Gifts

Use Promo Code “CMDEC” to SAVE 15% at trigonsports.com

Pro Ball Caddy

Trigon Sports International, Inc

488 Cumberland St. • Memphis, TN 38112 (901) 324-1133 • (888) 313-1303 • FAX (901) 324-1177

Support Your Local Team Sports Dealer

ABCA Booth No. 413 38 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

Circle No. 134

Perfect for: MVP Championship Team Hall/Wall of Fame Scholar/Senior Athlete Donor Recognition Luxury Suite Gifts Season Ticket Holders just to name a few...

For more information please contact us:

Phone: 800-395-3551 ext 490 Email: Sales@reg4ex.com www.Reg4ex.com Circle No. 133

CoachesNetwork.com

PRODUCT LAUNCH

e-Hack Attack

The Aqua Short

Sports Attack, LLC 800-717-4251 www.sportsattack.com Circle No. 536

Wave Wear, Inc. 732-414-6333 www.theaquashort.com Circle No. 537

Unique features:

Benefits for the user:

Unique features:

Benefits for the user:

• Fully programmable electronic baseball/ softball pitching machine • Up to 1,000 balls can be saved • The same complete vision you value in the Hack Attack • Left-handed, righthanded, random sequences quarter page ads:Layout 1

• Create sequences that work on weaknesses or prepare for an upcoming pitcher

• Loose, comfortable, 100-percent terry towel short available in red, royal, black, and white, sizes small, medium, large, and extra-large • Wide leg opening makes this the product of the future for athletic trainers and physical therapists • Great for fundraising

• Hands-free short, deep pockets, and locker loop makes walk to shower easier than ever • Perfect for practice and training • Ideal for locker rooms, team travel, dorms, and frats

8/2/11

9:56 AM

Page 1

Your Online Source for

BASEBALL - SOFTBALL Equipment

ORDER ONLINE!

st Join our Mailing Li nt to receive our curre Special Offers!

800-478-6497

www.NationalSportsProducts.com Jaypro Sports, LLC • 800-243-0533 • www.jaypro.com Circle No. 141

CoachesNetwork.com

A Division of Douglas Industries, Inc. Circle No. 145

ABCA Booth No. 511 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012 39

DIRECTORY

Advertisers Directory Circle #. . . . Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

103.

110.

117.

142.

101.

102.

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138.

112.

123.

144.

130.

120.

141.

137.

111.

106.

135.

126.

145.

128.

122.

Aer-Flo (Baseball Products) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Aer-Flo (Tuffy® Windscreen). . . . . . . . . . . . 14 All-Star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Beam Clay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 BigSigns.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 BSN Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 C&H Baseball. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Diamond Pro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Dry My Field/Taylor Baseball . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Game-On Sports Field Conditioners. . . . . . 29 Gatorade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BC Gourock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Intrepid Sportswear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Jaypro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 L.A. Steelcraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Louisville Slugger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 M.A.S.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Memphis Net & Twine Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Muhl Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 National Sports Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Netex Sport Netting Systems. . . . . . . . . . . 33 OC Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Circle #. . . . Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

125.

116.

129.

105.

115.

109.

131.

133.

118.

127.

124.

100.

108.

104.

134.

107.

113.

114.

132.

119.

143.

Old Hickory Bat Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Osborne Innovative Products. . . . . . . . . . . 24 Pocket Radar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Prep Gear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Pro’s Choice Sports Field Products. . . . . . . 23 ProGrass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Ready Play Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Registry for Excellence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Southern Athletic Fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Soutbat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SPI Nets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Sports Attack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC Sports Tutor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Stabilizer Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Trigon Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Turface Athletics™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 U.S. Baseball Academy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Vero Beach Sports Village. . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 White Line Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Wizard Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 ZAMST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC

Products Directory Circle #. . . . Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

DIAMOND PRO

®

PROFESSIONAL GROUNDSKEEPING PRODUCTS

AVAILABLE IN BULK NATIONWIDE SAVE TIME SAVE MONEY

www.facebook.com/TXIDiamondPro

www.twitter.com/DiamondProTXI

ABCA Plaza 555

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540.

512.

502.

518.

563.

565.

564.

537.

533.

520.

500.

519.

508.

505.

513.

545.

510.

554.

562.

547.

527.

534.

529.

566.

567.

546.

544.

559.

514.

523.

501.

541.

535.

528.

Adams USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Aer-Flo (Aer-Cushion™ Padding). . . . . . . . .

Aer-Flo (dealer catalog). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Aer-Flo (exhibitor snapshot). . . . . . . . . . . .

All-Star (exhibitor snapshot). . . . . . . . . . . .

All-Star (System Seven™ Ankle Guard). . . .

All-Star (The Pick) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Aqua Short. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Beam Clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BigSigns.com (exhibitor snapshot). . . . . . .

BigSigns.com (Tuff-Turf On-Deck Circles). . . . .

BSN Sports (exhibitor snapshot). . . . . . . . .

BSN Sports (Mark I Practice Baseball) . . . .

BSN Sports (Ryan Express Batting Cage). . . .

BSN Sports (Varsity Folding L Screen) . . . .

C&H Baseball. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Diamond Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dry My Field/Taylor Baseball . . . . . . . . . . .

Dry My Field/Taylor Baseball (exhibitor snapshot). .

Game-On. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Gatorade (Original G). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Gatorade (Prime 01™) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Gourock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Intrepid Sportswear (exhibitor snapshot) . .

Intrepid Sportswear (sportswear). . . . . . . .

Louisville Slugger (Exogrid 2). . . . . . . . . . .

Louisville Slugger (Z-1000) . . . . . . . . . . . .

M.A.S.A. (Black Poly-Cap) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

M.A.S.A. (catcher’s gear). . . . . . . . . . . . . .

M.A.S.A. (exhibitor snapshot). . . . . . . . . . .

M.A.S.A. (OIP Head Saver). . . . . . . . . . . . .

Memphis Net & Twine Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Muhl Tech (Advanced Skills Tee). . . . . . . . .

Muhl Tech (Power Bag) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35 41 32 42 44 37 36 39 46 42 32 42 34 32 41 35 34 37 44 45 45 44 45 44 36 36 35 38 41 43 32 33 46 45

Circle #. . . . Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

552.

551.

506.

516.

504.

530.

524.

538.

526.

532.

509.

503.

522.

557.

553.

556.

560.

558.

548.

511.

536.

550.

539.

515.

507.

542.

555.

561.

517.

568.

521.

531.

543.

525.

Netex (Dyneema backstop net). . . . . . . . . .

Netex (exhibitor snapshot). . . . . . . . . . . . .

OC Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Old Hickory Bat Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pocket Radar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Power Systems (CorBal™ Plus). . . . . . . . . .

Power Systems (Pro Wrist Roller). . . . . . . .

Prep Gear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pro’s Choice (benefits). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pro’s Choice (Pro Red topdressing). . . . . . .

Profile Products (Turface Athletics™). . . . . .

ProGrass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ProGrass (exhibitor snapshot). . . . . . . . . . .

Ready Play Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ready Play Sports (exhibitor snapshot). . . .

Ready Play Sports (Field Magic for Turf). . .

Ready Play Sports (product launch). . . . . .

Registry for Excellence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Southern Athletic Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SPI Nets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sports Attack (e-Hack Attack). . . . . . . . . . .

Sports Attack (exhibitor snapshot) . . . . . . .

Sports Attack (Hack Attack) . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sports Tutor (exhibitor snapshot) . . . . . . . .

Sports Tutor (HomePlate). . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Stabilizer Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Trigon Sports (ProCage™ ball cart). . . . . . .

Trigon Sports (ProCage™ protective screens).

Turface Athletics™ (exhibitor snapshot). . . .

U.S. Baseball Academy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vero Beach Sports Village . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wizard Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ZAMST (IW-2 Icing Set) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ZAMST (Thumb Guard). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

41 43 32 42 32 46 45 33 44 45 34 32 43 35 43 41 38 44 36 34 39 43 33 42 32 33 41 37 42 37 43 44 46 45

DEBUTING PRODUCTS

Protect Your Players

Aer-Cushion™ Padding protects players impacting walls, fences, railing, and backstops. Offered in a wide choice of thicknesses, foams, coverings, backings, and colors, Aer-Flo’s padding products are already being used by many high school, NCAA, and Major League teams. The company’s local authorized dealers will help specify the correct configuration, and Aer-Flo will manufacture these critical protection devices to professional-level quality standards. Aer-Cushion Padding can include Aer-Flo’s exclusive Chroma-Bond® Multi-color Imprinting in team colors.

Aer-Flo, Inc. • 800-823-7356 www.aerflo.com

TESTIMONIAL

Helping “Fast Eddie” Conquer the English Channel

Circle No. 512

Durable and Portable

BSN Sports is proud to announce the arrival of its new Varsity Folding L Screen. The screen is durable, portable. and easily stored. It includes a set of wheels for quickly moving the screen in place. After batting practice, the screen can be broken down in seconds and rolled off the field. For security and safety, store the folded screen in a closet or equipment shed with room to spare.

BSN Sports • 888-566-8966 www.bsnsports.com

Circle No. 513

Catch It While You Can

M.A.S.A. is now carrying numerous lines of Catcher’s Gear from Schutt, Diamond, Worth, Wilson, and Rawlings.

This catcher’s gear ranges from adult to youth and offers a tremendous amount of colors. You can even order custom colors to match your school or organization.

M.A.S.A. • 800-264-4519 www.sportsadvantage.com

Circle No. 514

Backstop Netting and More

Netex now has a Dyneema backstop net that has a mesh thickness of 1.5 millimeters and break strength of 360 pounds. The engineered backstops, certified in all states, feature steel poles up to 120 feet high and pole spans of 35 feet wide. Stop by booth 583 to see the backstop, new pitching screens with nondeflatable wheels, and portable mounds.

Netex • 800-936-6388 www.netexnetting.ca

Circle No. 552

Pro Ball Cart

Trigon Sports (TSI) presents the new ProCage™ brand professional ball cart. This product features a beefy heavy-duty steel frame, pneumatic turf tires, and thick netting ball basket.

It also holds 300 baseballs. Contact your local team sports dealer or visit the company’s Web site to see its full line of baseball equipment.

Trigon Sports • 888-313-1303 www.trigonsports.com

The English Channel is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates Great Britain from northern France.

It’s known for strong tides, chilling temperatures, and high commercial traffic. And it boasts a less than 50-percent success rate for solo swims each season.

However, the channel proved to be no match for “Fast Eddie” Peinado, who successfully crossed it on July 18, 2010. And NZ Manufacturing, a leader in high-quality resistance training tools, was proud to be part of this achievement.

Peinado credits NZ Manufacturing’s StrechCordz Long Belt Slider as an integral part of his rigorous training program. The company’s best-selling in-water resistance product features a two-inch heavy waist belt connected to a 20-foot latex tube. Recently improved for increased safety and comfort, the slider is ideal for resisted swim-out and speed-assisted swimback exercises. Used regularly, it can help acceleration, strengthen finishes of each stroke, and improve swim times.

For more on NZ Manufacturing, call or go online today.

Circle No. 555

Better, Stronger Grass

Ready Play Sports is proud to announce its newest product: Field Magic for Turf Enhancement. Field Magic for Turf can be used for topdressing, overseeding, with aeration, and for new and existing sod. Field Magic for Turf will increase moisture in your root zone and gives you a deeper, stronger root system. This product will help you to have better, stronger grass and will help you use less water. The water lasts longer in the soil profile, so you’ll use less—which will save you money. With just a little product, you’ll get the best grass you’ve ever had.

Ready Play Sports • 855-384-9844 www.readyplaysports.com CoachesNetwork.com

Circle No. 556

NZ Manufacturing P.O. Box 2146, Stow, OH 44224 800-886-6621 www.nzmfg.com Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012 41

EXHIBITOR SNAPSHOTS

What baseball coaches should know: Sports Tutor is a leading manufacturer of ball-throwing machines and features the programmable HomePlate pitching machine.

The HomePlate is part of the full line of pitching machines designed for high schools and colleges, with most featuring three throwing wheel technology for greater accuracy and visibility to the hitter.

Visit their booth to…

See the full line of machines and see the different models in action.

What’s new this year: Improvements have been made in several models to improve functionality and ease of use.

What baseball coaches should know: Old Hickory specializes in custom turned pro grade bats for players of all age and ability levels. Team and league pricing is available on all Old Hickory products.

Visit their booth to…

Order your own customized fungo, complete with your name and in your team’s colors. Special pricing is available for orders taken during the ABCA Show.

What’s new this year: Old Hickory’s C43M Composite Maple Bat, which is BBCOR Certified and comes with a 90day limited warranty against breakage. This bat is constructed of solid maple with a composite overlay to give hitters the feel and performance of a professional grade, traditional bat.

What baseball coaches should know: Turface Athletics is the No. 1 conditioner on America’s most playable fields.

Visit their booth to…

Learn about mound clay products and ask professionals about how Turface Athletics turf and infield conditioners can help your field.

Sports Tutor, Inc.

Old Hickory Bat Company, Inc.

Turface Athletics

800-448-8867 www.sportstutorinc.com

866-776-2287 www.oldhickorybats.com

800-207-6457 www.turface.com

Booth No. 1001 Circle No. 515

Booth No. 507 Circle No. 516

Plaza 439 Circle No. 517

What baseball coaches should know: Aer-Flo recently expanded its line of baseball products by acquiring another sports equipment manufacturing operation. It supplies all levels of baseball, including high schools, NCAA, and MLB. Visit their booth to…

See the latest innovations in infield turf protection, how to protect chain-link fences from high wind damage, and 20 vivid Tuffy® Windscreen colors.

What’s new this year: Aer-Flo introduces new baseball field netting, padding (for walls, fences, and backstops), and a wider choice of mound/base rain tarps, windscreens, and turf protectors.

What baseball coaches should know: BSN Sports has been an industry leader for more than 35 years. It features 24-hour quick shipping, one invoice, and the best price guarantee. It is your one-stop shop for field, game, and practice equipment, as well as name brand uniforms.

Visit their booth to…

Learn about Nike uniforms, Ryan Express products from Nolan Ryan, and meet the industry’s leading sales and service professionals.

What’s new this year: Feel the Strength. Learn about the new look at BSN Sports and find out how the company is now your source for game-changing solutions.

What baseball coaches should know: BigSigns.com is a leading national signage provider that has multiple signage solutions to help raise sponsor revenue, while improving the look of your facility.

Visit their booth to…

Speak with a national account manager about improving the look of your facility and learn about the many signage options that are available.

What’s new this year: Tuff-Turf On Deck Circles and Porta-Cade Portable Barricades.

Aer-Flo, Inc.

BSN Sports

BigSigns.com

800-823-7356 www.aerflo.com Booth Nos. 313 & 315 Circle No. 518

42 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

888-566-8966 www.bsnsports.com Plaza 961 Circle No. 519

800-790-7611 www.bigsigns.com Booth No. 211 Circle No. 520

CoachesNetwork.com

EXHIBITOR SNAPSHOTS

What baseball coaches should know: Vero Beach Sports Village is a 67-acre former Major League spring training facility that provides the ideal setting for team building and preparation for your upcoming season.

Visit their booth to…

Discuss how Vero Beach Sports Village can tailor a spring training package that will help you get the most out of your spring break baseball trip experience.

What’s new this year: With the grand opening of a new, state-ofthe-art cloverleaf facility with four youth-sized fields, Vero Beach Sports Village is now the ideal venue for baseball team training, camps, and tournaments of all ages.

What baseball coaches should know: ProGrass has designed a product for baseball using the latest science. The company knows what coaches want and designed a product to perform for them.

Visit their booth to…

See the latest and greatest design in synthetic turf and talk to coaches who have used ProGrass products.

What’s new this year: The latest fiber is now on the market. Join your coaching friends and play on the greatest fiber by going to ProGrass.

What baseball coaches should know: M.A.S.A. has all your training aids and field maintenance equipment at the most competitive prices. Coaches can shop 24/7 on the company’s Web site.

Visit their booth to…

See all the latest equipment for the most rugged of programs. Knowledgeable sales reps can answer any questions you may have.

What’s new this year: M.A.S.A. will have a booth for Osborne Innovative Products, which will feature new OIP protective screens and products. Come see why Osborne has been highly regarded by coaches for offering some of the most durable and versatile equipment available.

Vero Beach Sports Village

ProGrass, LLC

M.A.S.A.

772-257-8557 www.vbsportsvillage.com

866-270-6003 www.prograssturf.com

800-264-4519 www.sportsadvantage.com

Booth No. 203 Circle No. 521

Booth No. 415 Circle No. 522

Booth No. 839 Circle No. 523

What baseball coaches should know: Sports Attack, LLC, is a manufacturer of professional sports training equipment for baseball, softball, football, volleyball, and tennis.

Visit their booth to…

See the Hack Attack, Junior Hack Attack, and e-Hack Attack line-up. These are the threewheel pitching machines everyone is talking about.

What’s new this year: The e-Hack Attack will revolutionize how you train. It is fully programmable and uses the same three-wheeled accuracy as the Hack Attack Pitching Machine.

What baseball coaches should know: Netex has more than 120 years of in-house net-building experience and provides custom fabrication and installation of rope-bordered batting cages and barrier nets. Its engineered backstops feature steel poles up to 120 feet high and pole spans of 35 feet wide.

Visit their booth to…

See quality DYNEEMA netting for backstops, barriers, batting cages, pitching screens, and portable mounds.

What’s new this year: Netex has new pitching screens with nondeflatable wheels and a new heavy-duty pitching mound.

Sports Attack

Netex

What baseball coaches should know: Ready Play Sports is a company made up of baseball players and coaches just like you. With more than 100 years of combined experience, the company’s staff knows what a field should feel and look like. The company’s new, patented advanced technology has proven to decrease surface hardness, increase moisture retention, and help you get back up playing again after rain.

Visit their booth to…

Learn the benefits the company’s products will provide to you and your field, as well as the amount of money you will save (water, labor, time, product, etc.) by using Ready Play products. Ready Play will teach you about its newest product and how to have the best turf grass you’ve ever had.

800-717-4251 www.sportsattack.com Bay 729 Circle No. 550

CoachesNetwork.com

800-936-6388 www.netexnetting.ca Plaza 583 Circle No. 551

Ready Play Sports

855-384-9844 www.readyplaysports.com Booth No. 881 Circle No. 553

Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012 43

EXHIBITOR SNAPSHOTS

What baseball coaches should know: Dry My Field from Taylor Baseball, LLC, both conditions and dries your infield. One 10-pound bucket dries the same amount of field as a pallet of other products.

Visit their booth to…

See demonstrations and video of how Dry My Field soaks up water. With an absorption ratio of 250:1, you will spend less time getting water and mud off your field and more time playing on your field.

What’s new this year: Comments from coaches and baseball guys about how much time, money, and space one can save by using Dry My Field.

What baseball coaches should know: Coaches looking to equip their team with gear designed for personalized fit, performance, superior protection, long lasting value, or custom team colors should check out All-Star Sporting Goods.

Visit their booth to…

The best fitting batting helmets available, D3O® Impact Protection, System Seven™ catcher’s gear, and to design your very own custom catcher’s gear.

What’s new this year: An undersized infielder’s glove (for developing quick hands and solid mechanics), a batter’s ankle guard featuring D3O® Impact Protection, and a radical facelift to the traditional catcher’s mask.

What baseball coaches should know: The company offers professional quality products, all-inclusive pricing ($89), no minimum orders, no markup on re-orders, and warranties on all uniforms. Call for free samples.

Visit their booth to…

Pick up a free pair of shorts (limited number available) and possibly a free baseball uniform.

Dry My Field c/o Taylor Baseball, LLC

All-Star Sporting Goods

Intrepid Sportswear

800-437-1613 www.drymyfield.com

Booth No. 112 Circle No. 562

800-777-3810 www.all-starsports.com

888-228-4732 www.intrepidsportswear.com

Booth Nos. 410 &412 Circle No. 563

Booth No. 788 Circle No. 566

PRODUCTS FOR THE SEASON

More Than An Award

Create a lifetime of memories with Registry for Excellence. The company’s program consists of a custom-designed pewter plate.

This very distinguished award becomes the vehicle to display specific accomplishments by means of achievement medallions and/ or custom engraving. Available in matte and polished finish, each plate is hand-painted with highgloss acrylics or traditional black antique, and is attractively packaged in classic black felt and gift box. Actual size of the item is 7” D. Proudly made in the USA. Registry for Excellence • 800-395-3551 www.reg4ex.com

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Convenient Pre-Game Fuel

G Series Prime 01 is a pre-workout or pregame fuel in a convenient and functional fourounce pouch. With 25 grams of carbohydrates, it is designed to be used within the 15 minutes before a workout or competition to provide energy by maximizing the availability of carbohydrate energy to muscles. Gatorade Prime 01 also contains three B vitamins that help with energy metabolism as part of a daily diet.

Gatorade • 800-884-2867 www.gatorade.com 44 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

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Carry in Style

New Wheeled Custom Bat Bags are now available. Wizard custom bags are some of the most durable and affordable bat and equipment bags on the market. They are manufactured in the U.S. and built to last, with heavy-duty 600D nylon featuring a PVC backing and a limited lifetime warranty. You will not find a better-quality bag at a lower price. All bags are made in your team colors and decorated to include your team name, number, and logo.

Wizard Sports Equipment • 888-964-5425 www.wizardsports.com

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Like No Other

No other infield conditioner in the industry has higher absorption rates or lasts longer than Pro’s Choice. Thermal optimization drives out the moisture and enhances natural porosity for excellent stability and resiliency. This process transforms the mineral into hard, ceramic-like granules that remain rigid and will not break down in the field, making these products truly a great value in both performance and economic dollars.

Pro’s Choice Sports Field Products • 800-648-1166 www.proschoice1.com Circle No. 526 CoachesNetwork.com

PRODUCTS FOR THE SEASON

Enhance Bat Action

Enhance your bat action with the Pro Wrist Roller.

Strengthen your grip and forearms by rolling the weight up and down and add resistance by increasing the weight. This portable sure-fire device will give you “Popeye” forearms and improve your game at the same time.

This product is made of strong tubular steel with padded handles and a plate attachment. It uses only standard plates, which are sold separately. The roller is 16” L x 1 1/2” thick.

Power Systems, Inc. • 800-321-6975 www.powersystems.com Circle No. 524

Game-On sets the new standard in sports field conditioning for skinned infields and sports turf. GameOn will stand up to hard play and weather and will not break down. Its angular particle structure contains many macro and micro pores that allow the material to absorb moisture, providing better porosity and air space to keep your field from becoming unplayable and rock hard. Game-On is available in regular soil conditioner, red top dressing, and warning track blend.

Game-On Products • 888-593-0395 www.hayditegame-on.com

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Enhance Hydration

Original G, part of the G Series, is a sports drink designed to enhance hydration during prolonged training and competition when fluid and electrolyte losses can be significant. It delivers a unique formula of sodium, potassium, and essential carbohydrates to your muscles and mind during the heat of a battle. G2 is a low-calorie thirst quencher option that delivers functional hydration, but with less than half the calories of Gatorade Thirst Quencher.

Gatorade • 800-884-2867 www.gatorade.com

Perfect Support

The ZAMST Thumb Guard is made of a unique Thermoplastic material that conforms to the thumb shape for perfect support. Its short length and low-profile, compact design enables natural movements and makes it possible to wear under a catcher’s mitt, as well as in volleyball and basketball competitions (no metal parts).

This product is ideal for goalkeepers and catchers, volleyball middle blockers or defensive players, and basketball players (shooting and non-shooting hands). The ZAMST Thumb Guard is washable, and the Thermo-plastic material can be reshaped up to 30 times, for multiple users or different hands.

ZAMST • 877-926-7887 www.zamst.com

Below the Surface

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Top-Notch Netting

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All In the Hips

Hitting for power? Try the Power Bag from Muhl Tech. It is designed to teach hitters to use their lower half when hitting the ball—not just to rotate the hips, but to use them as a power source when driving through the ball. The Power Bag allows hitters to power through contact and finish the swing. Use good point-of-contact mechanics and the bag will swing higher for a visual reward. Use lazy hips, rolled wrists, or swing around the ball and the bag will not move nearly as much.

Muhl Tech • 888-766-8772 www.muhltech.com

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Go Deep

Pro’s Choice is proud to have Pro Red topdressing on its all-star roster of sports field products. This infield topdressing boasts the company’s deepest red color, which will give your fields the appearance you want and the conditioning you need. Pro Red is specially formulated to provide long-lasting red color that does not come off on players’ uniforms. It has all the advantages you have come to expect.

Pro’s Choice • 800-648-1166 www.proschoice1.com

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Gourock provides reliable commercialstrength netting applications featuring top-notch craftsmanship and excellent service.

Fast turnaround and multiple twine/mesh size combinations are available. The company specializes in providing highquality materials and expert design and production. Its products can be customized to any dimensions.

Gourock • 877-803-5123 www.gourock.com Circle No. 529 Circle No. 142

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Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012 45 12/30/08 11:38:50 AM

PRODUCTS FOR THE SEASON

Ideal Icing

The ZAMST IW-2 Icing Set for shoulder and back provides easy wrapping and immobilization of up to three ice bags.

The ZAMST icing set is ideal for the R.I.C.E. procedure since the dual-strap design enables accurate placement of the ice bag and adjustable compression of the affected body part. Easy to apply and adjust, this product is perfect for elbows, back, and shoulders, and can be used on other joints. The ZAMST IW-2 Icing Set contains two large ice bags (replacements sold separately).

ZAMST • 877-926-7887 www.zamst.com

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Many Satisfied Customers

Beam Clay has supplied products to every Major League Baseball team, more than 150 minor league teams, more than 700 colleges, and thousands of towns and schools. Beam Clay supplies special mixes for infields, pitcher’s mounds, home plate areas, red warning tracks, infield conditioners, and drying agents, plus more than 200 other infield products, including regional infield mixes blended for every state and climate from bulk plants nationwide.

Beam Clay • 800-247-BEAM www.beamclay.com

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An Ideal Medicine Ball

The CorBal™ Plus medicine ball has dual handgrips unlike regular medicine balls. These handles provide for more functional and diverse training and make this product ideal for abdominal training, rotational movements, and strength training. The solid molded handles with plastic textured grips allow for a more secure, comfortable hold and greater durability for intense training conditions. The ball is made with hollow synthetic rubber construction, has a nine-inch diameter, and balls are color-coded by weight.

Power Systems, Inc. • 800-321-6975 www.powersystems.com

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Feedback Matters

Want to give your hitters instant feedback?

Look no further than the Advanced Skills Tee, the tee of choice for more than 3,000 high school and college programs. Its unique forward arm design and outside barrier give instant visual and physical feedback.

Eliminate casting, looping bats, and dropping shoulders with this portable and extremely durable batting tee. It comes with a two-year warranty.

Muhl Tech • 888-766-8772 www.muhltech.com

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American Baseball Coaches Association Membership In 1945, a group of college baseball coaches gathered in New York City to formulate ideas for the promotion and improvement of collegiate baseball. That group founded what is known today as the American Baseball Coaches Association. Over the past 66 years, the association has grown to include membership in every division of amateur baseball and is recognized as the world’s largest baseball association.

The main objective of the ABCA is educational in nature, helping to improve the level of coaching. The ABCA helps to promote rapport among the coaches and the divisions within baseball and recognizes deserving players and coaches through several sponsorship/award programs.

Membership for the ABCA is only $30 per year for US residents (plus $3 handling fee), $35 for Canadian members (plus $3 handling fee), and $40 for international members (plus $3 handling fee). All memberships must be paid in US funds. The ABCA does not accept purchase orders.

Send payment to: ABCA Membership, 108 South University Avenue, Suite #3, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858-2327 Phone: (989) 775-3300 Fax: (989) 775-3600 Web site: www.abca.org

2012 ABCA MEMBERSHIP FORM

I wish to: ❑ Renew membership

O f f i c e U s e O n ly

❑ Renew & change address

Name: _________________________________________________

❑ Join as a new member

Please circle affiliation:

NCAA I

NCAA II

NCAA III

Junior Col.

High School

Youth

Academy

Umpire

Pro

Retired

Canada

International

College Summer Lg.

NCAA Personnel

Title: ___________________________________________________

NAIA

NCCAA

School/Organization: ____________________________________

Scout Exhibitor

Years Coached (any level):_ _______________________________ Mailing Address: ________________________________________ City: ______________________ State: _____ Zip:______________ Country: ____________________ (Address is: ❑ Home ❑ Work) Phone Number: _________________________________________ Fax Number: _ __________________________________________ E-mail: _________________________________________________

❑ US resident membership: $30 (+ $3 handling fee)=$33.00 US ❑ Canadian membership: $35 (+ $3 handling fee)=$38.00 US ❑ International membership: $40 (+ $3 handling fee)=$43.00 US 46 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

Check #_ __________________ Date_ _____________________

Other:

Please indicate method of payment: ❑ Cash ❑ Check ❑ Money Order

❑ Visa

❑ Mastercard

Credit Card Number: ____________________________________ Exp. Date: ______________________________________________ Name on Card: _________________________________________ V-code (3-digit number on back of card at end of signature, or following last 4 digits of account number—used for security reasons):_ ____________

Circle No.Signature: 145

______________________________________________ CoachesNetwork.com

CASE STUDY

The Perfect Portable Fencing Solution

M

any parks and recreation directors, as well as public and private school athletic directors, are turning to portable fencing to get the most out of their ball fields as budgets are closely scrutinized. Additionally, the community leaders are seeing greater benefits from hosting sports tournaments that bring in teams from far-away cities and states that bring their dollars to spend locally.

A problem may arise when fields have to be used for different sports or age groups and a permanent fence is already in place. The Gulf Shores Sports Complex in Gulf Shores, Ala., faced this obstacle when it began planning for a large tournament scheduled for February 2012 that will include NCAA Division I schools. The complex will also host the Softball World Series later in the year.

Jeff Hopkins, who is in charge of the sports complex, turned to M.A.S.A. to solve the challenges he will face in the new year. Hopkins has worked with M.A.S.A. for the past eight years for his field equipment needs from bases to windscreens, and he is familiar with the wide variety of quality products that M.A.S.A. offers at an affordable price.

M.A.S.A.’s Porta Fence was the solution Hopkins was looking for to accommodate multiple outfield fence distances, crowd control, and special events. These 4’ H x 10’ W panels are extremely durable with a 1 3/8-inch galvanized steel frame with chain link fabric that is 11.5 gauge, 2 3/8-inch mesh.

The fence’s legs are designed to telescope so they can be fully extended on both sides for asphalt and concrete use, or telescoped in to eliminate tripping hazards when used on ball fields. The legs also swivel under the panel so they can store flat. Each panel includes hinges and connector pins so you can connect them, to create one continuous fence. Another feature of this product is the potential for income from local sponsors who can advertise on the wood panel Porta Fence, making for a great fundraiser.

M.A.S.A. has been providing sports training aids and field maintenance equipment for 30 years and has a knowledgeable, professional, and friendly staff to assist you in finding just the right answer for your needs. You can also visit the company’s Web site for the ease and convenience of shopping 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

M.A.S.A. 800-264-4519 www.masa.com

CoachesNetwork.com

Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012 47

COACHing IS MORE THAN X s ANd Os intrOduCing new COACHing guides from

For every decision about offenses and defenses, there is another one about dealing with parents, developing leaders, and handling budgets.

That’s why Coaching Management is producing a series of Coaching guides addressing these important off-the-field topics. Topics will include strength training, leadership, nutrition, management, and sports medicine. Read advice from experts and other coaches about handling these vital, yet often overlooked, areas.

For a limited time, we are offering a sample guide that will include articles on each of these important subjects. You can get your e-version by submitting the form below or going to coachesnetwork.com Use this form for your free sample guide.

LEADERSHIP them.

Throughout these discussions, let your leaders know how important they are to the program. Don’t be afraid to tell them how much you will rely on them to set the standards, keep the team focused, and handle conflicts. You may even want to tell them that it is “their” team. You will be there to help them, but ultimately it’s the athletes— particularly the leaders— who determine how far the team will go.

Here is a sample list of responsibilities coaches can give to team captains:

School: _______________________________________

issues like how to best discipline a teammate who has broken team rules. Whatever the case, we will expect you to add your insight to help our decision making.

Lead warmups and drills: We expect you to get your teammates organized and keep Talk with struggling L E A D E R S H I P teammates: We expect you to everyone in line, literally and figuratively. talk with teammates who might be struggling with their performance Set the right toneon for depend you for leadership, pageItand leading together as or role on the team. is your the team: We expect you to guidance, and support a unified front, great things can jobastothey understand them, support start practices off with the right them, They challenge happen them, and step up to their challenge. in figure your program. attitude, focus, and work ethic. howato get them back on rely on the theirteam coach toout create You must also refocus track. positive and productive environwhen practices get sloppy, create ment that is conducive to helping a positive momentum going into Handle conflicts: We may Starting on them lead. the competition, and recharge ask you to get involved with team Provide team when needed. We expect you conflicts when they arise.

If aRight Foot the In other words, great team capOpportunities to be the mental and emotional small problem crops up, we may both catalyst for thetains team.are made whenask youroles to find out exactly what is of the coach-captain going equation on and develop a workable Keep coaches informed: are tended to. What can easSpending time at the very start solution.

While talking about their We expect you to keep us ily occur, however, is that one of the season working with your responsibilities is important, informed about issues that impact Plan team activities: becomes frustrated with the captains builds the basis for the success andside psyche of the We will ask you to plan and your captains need conthisevents leadership team. We want other. to know who coordinate various so team. To be on tinual opportunities to make the might be in conflict with whom, your teammates can same betterpage, get to you need to real leadership decisions.

Some coaches’ frustrations stem whether playersfrom are accepting each other.talk Wethrough will rely what on being a team It often works well to start a belief that theknow athletes their roles, if anyone’s social life captain means you to initiate these events and and how to be an small and build up to more of today don’t seem to have the is getting out of control, and so make sure everyone is invited effective one. and complicated tasks. strong leadership skills they did forth. Of course, we don’t need involved. thething. past.You’ll I often hear coaches Step number one is to clarify to know every in little For example, let them Be loyal: that we of them. Many lament, “Kidstotoday don’t un- Understand your expectations have to use your discretion oversee warmups before are putting a tremendous amountsay to their capderstand what coaches simply decide which issues might haveit ameans to be a practice and make any of trust in you. For example, negative impactleader. on theThey team.aren’t Be nearly as votains, “You’re our leader. I expect team announcements. Have we may tell you things that we careful to respect trustneed of your cal the as they to be.” Another to step up will not tell youryou teammates.

In and lead.” But this them contact teammates teammates as well.

You don’t want is, “They frequent complaint alone is too vague to give proper return, we expect you to respect to inform them of schedto be viewed asaren’t a tattletale. willing to standand up support and the direction. decisions we ule changes. You can even confront their teammates Provide input on team makewhen for the team.

You than may assuming your let them lead some pracRather necessary.” decisions: We will ask your disagree with them behind closed tice drills, or take it a step captains understand their duopinion on a variety of decisions doors, but we will expect you to further and let them plan a captains ties,toasthe well as your philosophy that will affect And the team.

This don’t always show afeel united front team. practice from time to time. they have the necessary and could include minor decisions We guidalso will insist on expectations, your loyalty sit down and ance or to support fromand their carefully clarify like what wearmagically. that you never bad mouth uswhat you need It’s teams also key to solicit your great leaders.

Great always include But itwarmup doesn’tgear happen coaches coaches. recent conductfromThere them.

Create or where the team prefersA to eat. polltoI your teammates. must be a job descripcaptains’ inputinon team de- roles, providing must invest time explaining opportunities, and giving afeedback. ed ofmore student-athletes revealed Or it could involve serious sacred trust between tion of us. the eight to 10 priorities cisions. These can be minor that over 60 percent of captains you expect them to handle. (See

By Jeff Janssen felt their coaches do a “Job Description” on next page.)

Jeff Janssen is director of the Janssen Sports Leadership center,needed in cary,toN.c., better job of working them.

Clarification of their roles and and a former athletic administrator at the University of arizona.

Thiswith article is In essence, captains complain responsibilities on the front end an adapted excerpt from his book, The Team captain’s Leadership Manual. that too many coaches preach will prevent misunderstandings the need for athlete leadership as the season goes on. but don’t teach it.

Next, discuss the risks and chalRather both sides blaming Yourthan team captains lenges of leadership. Let your the other,make they must the captains know that this new recan ormake break effort to work together and forge sponsibility might be difficult and your season. a strong coach-captain partdemanding at times. They will nership.

I like to like think it as a encounter many gray areas and f that sounds anofoverstateleadership team.

When bumps along the way, and they ment, think back overcoaches your and captainscareer. are onduring the same should understand that these coaching your

_____ _____

_____ _____

LeaderShIP

Name: _______________________________________

JOB DESCRIPTION

Leader Of The Pack

I

most successful seasons, I bet you had great team leaders. Now consider your most frustrating years. did they include poor leaders?

Title: _________________________________________ challenges are a normal part of leadership. Most importantly, let them know that you will be there to support them through thick and thin.

E-mail: _______________________________________

From there, ask your captains to describe what they think it means to be an effective leader.

Their ideas of leadership might be quite different than yours. Ask them to talk about the leaders whom they respect in their lives and why, and the ones they don’t respect and why. This will give you insight into their model of leadership and can start great discussions that get you both on the same page.

Phone: _______________________________________

It can also be helpful to provide your captains with an assessment of their leadership style. Just as each athlete has certain physical strengths and weaknesses, so do leaders. I use a two-part evaluation that rates how a person leads by example and vocally, in several areas, from composure to team building. (Click here for a Web link to the survey.)

This type of analysis can help make the captains aware of their strengths and weaknesses in their leadership qualities.

Encourage your captains to utilize and maximize their strengths and acknowledge areas to improve in. For example, some of your leaders might have a hard time confronting their teammates when necessary. Or, some of your leaders may be too blunt and lack the necessary tact to get their messages across well.

Whatever the challenge, encourage them to make sure that their weaknesses are not a leadership liability as they work to improve

Would you be interested in receiving a complimentary copy of An Athlete’s Guide to Nutrition?_____________ Fax to: 607.257.7328 Mail to: Coaching Management, 31 dutch Mill Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850

and not only do your captains have a huge impact on your team’s success, but also on your sanity and your satisfaction as a coach. You’ll usually remember a year you had fantastic team leaders with a smile, regardless of the final record.

You rely on your captains to help set and uphold the standards of the squad, monitor team chemistry, and be your voice in the locker room and on the weekends when you’re not around. You need your captains to consistently reinforce the team’s standards and hold their teammates accountable. at the same time, your captains

48 Coaching Management ABCA CONVENTION 2012

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You can also request your FREE sample guide by going to www.coachesnetwork.com

X X

CoachesNetwork.com

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