Coaching Management 11.10 by Momentummedia

Coaching Management VOL. XI, NO. 10

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List of Clinics ■ Preview of Exhibitors ■

Rice University Head Coach

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WAYNE GRAHAM 2003 National Coach of the Year

Circle No. 1

Booth No. 210

Coaching Management Baseball Edition 2004 ABCA Show Preview Issue

C ONTENTS

Vol. XI, No. 10

Gary Pullins

Chuck Hartman

Billy Bock

Cover Story

ABCA Show Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 The 59th annual ABCA Convention comes to San Antonio January 2-5; here’s a look at what’s on deck for the show. Among the ABCA honorees this year are Head Coaches Jeff Albies, Billy Bock, Chuck Hartman, Tom O’Connell, Gary Pullins, and John Herbold; Assistant Coach Jim Lawler; and Michael Josephson and Howard E. “Ben” Davis.

List of Exhibitors

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See which companies are exhibiting in the convention hall.

List of Clinics ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY . . ABCA REGISTRATION FORM PERFORMANCE APPAREL . . . CATALOG SHOWCASE . . . . WEB CONNECTIONS . . . . . MORE NEW PRODUCTS . . .

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.40 .41 .44 .47 .48 .46

Cover photo courtesy of Rice Sports News. Photo by Michael Shockley

Products on Display

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Get a jump on scoping out the hot new products making their debut in San Antonio.

Editorial Assistant Greg Scholand

Prepress Manager Adam Berenstain

Circulation Director Mark Shea

Associate Editor Guillermo Metz

Production Manager Kristin Ayers

Ad Materials Coordinator Mike Townsend

Art Director Pamela Crawford

Assistant Editors RJ Anderson Kenny Berkowitz David Hill Dennis Read Laura Smith

Asst. Production Manager Kristi Kempf

Special Projects Dave Wohlhueter

Production Assistant Jonni Campbell

Administrative Assistants Sharon Barbell Daniela Reis Amy Walton

IT Manager Mark Nye

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New Products Debuting

Editor-in-Chief Eleanor Frankel

Business Manager Pennie Small

A look at what suppliers will be displaying at their booths.

Publisher Mark Goldberg

Art Assistant Dina Stander

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Mark Johnson and Mark Marquess are two of the many coaches presenting clinics this year.

Advertising Sales Associates Diedra Harkenrider, (607) 257-6970, ext. 24 Sheryl Shaffer, (607) 257-6970, ext. 21 Business and Editorial Offices 2488 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-6970, Fax (607) 257-7328 info@MomentumMedia.com 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 December by MAG, Inc. and is distributed free to college and high school coaches in the United States and Canada. Copyright © 2003 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. Coaching Management is printed by Banta Publications Group, Kansas City, MO. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Coaching Management, P.O. Box 4806, Ithaca, N.Y. 14852. Printed in the U.S.A.

COACHING MANAGEMENT

ABCA

2004 PREVIEW

Annual Convention comes to San Antonio ABCA Convention Preview The San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter and Riverwalk Hotels and the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center across the street from the hotels host ABCA’s 59th annual convention, January 2-5, 2004. All three facilities are located in the heart of the popular San Antonio River Walk area with the Alamo nearby. Second Vice-President Irish O’Reilly has arranged a distinguished speaker lineup for the ABCA clinics beginning on Saturday morning. This group of qualit y clinicians includes Wayne Graham, Rice Universit y; Mark Johnson, Texas A&M Universit y; Mark Marquess, Stanford Universit y; and Gordie Gillespie, Ripon College; as well as Michael Josephson from the Josephson Institute of Ethics. In addition, more than 250 companies will display state-of-the-art equipment including new coaching aids, apparel, and batting and pitching machines. Many of these items are being displayed for the first time. Other highlights of the convention are the Hall of Fame/Coach of the Year Banquet and the Honors Luncheon, where we recognize and honor individuals who have contributed significantly to the ABCA, as well as to amateur baseball, and who have made our sport better.

ABCA Hall of Fame Welcomes Five New Members Five coaches will be honored with induction into the ABCA Hall of Fame during the annual Hall of Fame and Coach of the Year Banquet on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004. The Class of 2004 consists of Jeff Albies, William Paterson College; Billy Bock (deceased), Pine Bluff (Ark.) High School; Chuck Hartman, Virginia Tech; Tom O’Connell, Princeton Universit y; and Gary Pullins, Brigham Young Universit y. These coaches join 204 other amateur baseball greats in the ABCA Hall of Fame. Jeff Albies became head baseball coach at William Paterson Universit y in 1975. Since then, the Pioneers have known nothing but success. With Coach Albies at the helm, they captured NCAA Division III national championships in 1992 and 1996, the first two-time national champions in school history. In addition, Albies has guided the Pioneers to 18 NCAA regional tournament appearances, 11 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) titles, and seven trips to the Division III College World Series. Meanwhile, 28 of his former players have signed professional contracts and 27

COACHING MANAGEMENT

were named All-Americans. His career record of 759-322-10 includes 12 seasons with 30 or more wins. His 759 victories placed him sixth among active Division III coaches prior to the 2003 season. For his accomplishments, he was named the ABCA National Coach of the Year twice (1992 and 1996) while also earning the organization’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Coach of the Year Award on nine occasions (1982, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996 1997, 1999). The NJAC named him its Coach of the Year nine times as well (1982, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996), and the New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association has honored him six times (1982, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1996). Albies is also a champion of collegiate baseball, having served as the baseball chairman of the NCAA Division III Championships Committee and the chairman of the NCAA Division III MidAtlantic Region. He has also been on the NCAA Division III AllAmerican, NCAA Selection, and Legislative Action, and American Baseball Coaches Association Jeff Albies Committees. Prior to coaching, Albies was a second baseman in the Atlanta Braves organization from 1965-67. Also the associate director of athletics at William Paterson, Albies holds a B.S. in health and physical education from Long Island Universit y (1968), an M.S. in health and physical education from Hunter College (1972), and a professional diploma in administration/supervision from Fordham Universit y (1975). Billy Bock’s coaching career spanned six decades and lasted 44 years, all in Arkansas, including 21 seasons as the head baseball coach at Pine Bluff High School. His head coaching resume included seven years in football, nine years in basketball, two years in golf, three years in tennis, six years in boxing, and 35 years in baseball. Six of those 35 baseball seasons were as head baseball coach at Henderson State Universit y. He also guided baseball teams at St.

Anne’s Academy in Ft. Smith, Sylvan Hills High School in North Little Rock, and Arkansas High in Texarkana, winning state championships at each high school. During 29 years as head baseball coach on the high school level, his teams garnered nine state championships, five state runner-up finishes, and six state semifinalist appearances. His teams also appeared in 27 state tournaments and won 23 district championships, posting an overall record of 628-121. Bock was born in Kansas Cit y, Mo., and raised in Clarksville, Ark., graduating from Subiaco Academy in 1954. He holds the school record for receiving the most letters (25) as a four-year letterman in football, basketball, baseball, track, tennis, and five years in boxing. He received All-State and All-District honors and the Curry Award for the best all-around athlete. He received his B.S. Degree from the College of the Ozarks and his M.S. in education from Northeastern State Universit y. While an undergraduate, Bock was a four-year letterman in football, baseball, and boxing. As head coach in football, basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, and boxing, Billy never had a losing season in any sport. Championships were won in every sport and in each of six decades. During his 44-year coaching career, Bock coached in state All-Star games in football, basketball, and baseball. He was head coach in the first Arkansas High School Baseball All-Star Game and also in the first Arkansas Intercollegiate Baseball All-Star Game. He was head coach of the 1986 gold-medal-winning South Team at the USA Olympic Festival. Bock was honored with the District Baseball Coach of the Year in Arkansas 18 times; State Baseball Coach of the Year nine times; ABCA District VI Coach of the Year three times; ABCA National Coach of the Year two times; NAIA District 17 Baseball Coach of the Year; AIC Baseball Coach of the Year; National High School Gold Baseball Coaching Award; NFICA Outstanding Coach for Arkansas; USBF Golden Diamond Award; U.S. Baseball Coach of the Year for Arkansas; District Football Coach of the Year three times; and District Basketball Coach of the Year two times. Collegiate Baseball named him Coach of the Decade for the 1980s and then Co-Coach of the Century. He was honored twice by the Arkansas legislature and twice with “Billy Bock Day” in Arkansas. Bock served as chairman of the Executive Board of the Arkansas High School Baseball

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2004 PREVIEW

Coaches Association and as chairman of ABCA District VI for six years. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award at Subiaco Academy and also at the Universit y of the Ozarks. He was inducted into the Universit y of the Ozarks Hall of Fame and also the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Coach Bock passed away this July after a long battle with cancer. Even before the first pitch of the 2003 college baseball season was thrown, Chuck Hartman, Virginia Tech’s head baseball coach, already stood as a big winner. In January of 2003, Hartman was notified that he had been selected for induction into the ABCA Hall of Fame. The notification followed closely on the heels of Hartman’s induction into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in November, and is magnified by the fact that he is already a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the NAIA Hall in 1989 for his achievements at High Point College (now Universit y), where he coached for 19 years before coming to Tech in 1979. The Tech skipper’s widespread recognition has come not only because he has been one of the best at winning on the playing field, but

also because he has always been a credit to the game he loves when he is off the field. Hartman just finished his 25th season at Virginia Tech and his 44th season overall. His 1,372 career wins rank him third among active Division I baseball coaches in victories and place him fourth all-time. Hartman’s overall coaching record is 1,372-728-8, while his record at Tech is 889-503-8. Hartman and the Hokies have enjoyed some of their greatest success in recent years. In 2002, Tech shared the regular-season Big East Conference championship with Notre Dame. In 2001, the Hokies posted four wins against Notre Dame and finished second in the Big East Tournament. Tech won the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament in 2000, 1999, and 1997, earning a berth in an NCAA Regional each year. During the Hokies’ 1997 NCAA appearance, Hartman’s squad upset tenthranked Southern California in the opening game of the regionals. In 1996, Hartman was inducted into the Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame and his Hokies won the A-10 West Division title. After directing the Hokies to a share of the 1995 Metro Conference regular-season championship,

Hartman was voted the league’s coach of the year. And in 1994, Hartman guided the Hokies to a Metro tournament title and an NCAA bid. One of the veteran coach’s crowning achievements came in 1992 when he became just the ninth baseball coach in Division I history to win 1,000 games. Hartman’s many contributions to baseball have been widely recognized. The Home Plate Club of the Washington (D.C.) metropolitan area presented him with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement in Baseball Award. He also received the Willie Duke Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Raleigh (N.C.) Hot Stove League. In 1986, Hartman was voted the Division I Baseball Coach of the Year in Virginia by the state’s college sports information directors, an honor he garnered again in 1992, 1993, and 1997. In 1984, Hartman was named to the coaching staff of the United States All-Star Team that competed in the World Amateur Championships in Cuba. During the summer of 1985, he was in charge of the offense for the USA baseball team that toured Korea, Japan, and the United States, and played in the Intercontinental Cup in Canada. During his

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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ORDER, Visit our Web Site, www.windweighted.com OR Call Customer Service at 800-823-7356 Formal introduction at ABCA Convention in San Antonio, Jan. 2-4, 2004. Booths 617 & 619. "Wind Weighted” is a trademark of Aer-Flo, Inc., Bradenton, FL • Dealer and licensing inquiries welcomed. Circle No. 4

COACHING MANAGEMENT

Booth Nos. 617 & 619

ABCA tenure at Virginia Tech, Hartman has had five players compete for the United States in international competition and 12 players earn AllAmerica honors. As a player, Hartman made his mark at the Universit y of North Carolina through determination and hard work. He graduated from UNC in 1957 with a B.A. in physical education and earned an M.S. in education from the school a year later. In 1958, Hartman landed a job as tennis coach and assistant basketball coach at High Point College. He also helped out with baseball, before the head coach resigned in the middle of the 1959 season. When Hartman assumed the head coaching duties, High Point had won just eight games in the previous three seasons. Before he left High Point for Virginia Tech in 1979, Hartman directed his teams to 10 conference titles, five district championships, and two trips to the NAIA National Tournament. His High Point clubs posted nine consecutive seasons of 30 wins or more, and six of his players earned AllAmerica recognition. Hartman’s Tech teams have won 30 or more games in 21 of his 25 seasons at the school and 40 or more games on six occasions.

Tom O’Connell was one of the most fundamentally sound baseball coaches in the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions; as a dedicated teacher of the game, few coaches spent more time on the fine points of baseball. Captain of both the baseball and basketball teams at Braintree (Mass.) High School, O’Connell graduated from the Universit y of Connecticut in 1955. At UConn, Coach “O” was a lefthanded pitcher and co-captain in 1955 and helped the team win Yankee Conference championships in 1954 and Tom O’Connell 1955. Tom later played pro ball with the Kansas Cit y A’s, and served in the U.S. Army in 1957-58. After receiving a master’s in education from Suffok University, O’Connell embarked on a

2004 PREVIEW

coaching career of more than 40 years. During the 1960s, he coached Braintree High School and the Braintree American Legion team where his teams were legendary. He captured four Bay State League titles, with six state tournament berths, and in 1966, his team captured an Eastern Massachusetts Class A high school title. The legion teams were equally successful. Appointed head baseball coach of Brandeis University in 1972, Coach “O” proceeded to put the school on the Division III map. Taking over a program that had a 64-255 record before he arrived, O’Connell guided Brandeis to a 172-654 record over 10 years. He led the Judges to six Greater Boston League titles, six NCAA tourney berths, and a national runner-up finish in 1977. He was named New England Coach of the Year in 1976, 1977, and 1979. He was inducted into the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1979. In 2003, O’Connell was inducted into the Brandeis Athletic Hall of Fame. O’Connell moved to Princeton Universit y in 1982, and spent 16 years as the Tigers’ head coach before retiring in 1998 as the program’s second winningest coach. Now, he becomes the school’s first baseball coach inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame.

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ABCA O’Connell’s 1985 team won Princeton’s first EIBL title in 32 years and appeared in the Atlantic Regional of the NCAA tourney. The Tigers won a school record of 29 games that season, and O’Connell was honored as the NCAA District I Coach of the Year. Princeton returned to the NCAA tourney in 1991 after capturing the EIBL championship, appearing in the Atlantic Regional. The year of the Tiger was in 1996, when the team captured its third title in 15 years, sweeping Pennsylvania and Harvard to advance once again to the NCAA tourney. Princeton swept Rider Universit y in two games and went on to play in the South Regional of the NCAA. In both 1991 and 1996, again Coach “O” was chosen District Coach of the Year. In his last season at Princeton, his team won the Gehrig Division of the Ivy League. In 36 years of collegiate and high school coaching, O’Connell had a combined record of 634-43111 for a .590 winning percentage. He coached three All-American performers, six Academic All-American players, and had 21 players drafted or signed to professional contracts. Coach O’Connell also served as an assistant athletic director at Brandeis and an administrative assistant at Princeton. He was director of the Ted Williams Baseball Camp and established the National Babe Ruth Baseball Camp at Princeton Universit y in 1984. A lifetime member of the ABCA, Coach “O” has served on numerous committees and currently serves on the ABCA Summer Baseball Committee. In retirement, Coach “O” served as head coach of the Hyannis Mets in the Cape Cod League and was chosen Coach of the Year in 2000. O’Connell also serves as a consultant and camp coordinator for Babe Ruth Baseball/Softball Incorporated. Gary Pullins is in his fourth year as assistant athletic director at Brigham Young University after finishing a distinguished career as head baseball coach. Among his many duties was overseeing the construction of BYU’s new baseball/softball complex, Miller Park, which opened in 2001. Pullins retired from coaching after the 1999 season with a 913-462-6 (.663) record in 23 seasons. His 913 victories ranked 30th in all-time victories by NCAA baseball coaches. A native of Glendale, Ariz., Pullins graduated from Glendale High in 1962. He played a year at nearby Grand Canyon College before serving a church mission in Mexico Cit y. He played at Arizona Western College in 1966 before transferring to BYU, where he started at second base for two years and helped the Cougars reach the 1968 College World Series. Pullins hit .341 to earn second team all-district honors. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish at BYU in 1969 and a master’s degree in physical education/health science in 1975. Pullins spent five years in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization as a player and coach, working with Latin American players. After a year coaching the BYU junior varsit y, he

moved to what is now Utah Valley State College, where he pioneered the baseball program as head baseball coach and athletic director. Pullins spent the 1976 season as an assistant at ASU before being selected as BYU’s seventh head coach when Glen Tucket became the Cougars’ athletic director. In 1983, the third-ranked Cougars ascended to the No. 1 ranking when they beat top-ranked San Diego State in two of three games for the Western Athletic Conference championship in Provo. The 1983 BYU team featured future major leaguers Wally Joyner, Rick Aguilera, Cory Snyder, Gary Cooper, Colby Ward, and Scott Nielsen, who helped BYU to a 54-11 record, including a 23-game winning streak. In Pullins’ 23 seasons, the Cougars appeared in nine NCAA Regionals, won 15 Western Athletic Conference divisional titles, and earned six league championships. Pullins was WAC Coach of the Year in 1988, 1989, and 1993. He was the District Coach of the Year in 1979, 1981, 1983, and 1985 and WAC Eastern Division Coach of the Year in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997. His passion for baseball has found him speaking in both English and Spanish at clinics throughout the United States and Latin America. During his coaching tenure, Gary served as president of the American Baseball Coaches Association in 1998. He also served on the Rules Committee and is a past member of the ABCA All-America Committee.

Herbold Wins Gomez Award Entering his 21st season at California State Universit y Los Angeles, John Herbold has skippered his teams through a total of 1,734 games in 49 years as a head coach at the high school and college level. Two of Herbold’s many accomplishments as head coach of the Golden Eagles include becoming the winningest coach in CSULA history by surpassing the legendary Jim Reeder (for whom the school’s baseball field is named) in 2002, as well as coaching his 1,000th game at CSULA that year. Since Herbold’s arrival at Cal State L.A., the Golden Eagles have compiled 14 20-win seasons, surpassing the record of 13 set by Reeder, and have sent numerous CSULA alums to the professional ranks. Cal State L.A. consistently ranks among the top 25 schools in the nation—regardless of division—in sending players to the pros. Scholastically, Herbold’s squads consistently perform at nearly a “B” average over the course of their academic careers. In fall of 2002, 13 players had GPAs over 3.0 while six of those had GPAs over 3.5. In 28 years as a high school coach at both Long Beach Polytechnic and Lakewood High School, Herbold won 18 shared or outright Moore League crowns and amassed 483 victories, three CIF titles, and a remarkable .733 winning percentage.

2004 PREVIEW

Herbold was a Phi Beta Kappa, graduating magna cum laude with a B.A. in journalism from Stanford in 1951. He later earned his master’s in education at Stanford. In 1998, Herbold was inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame. Named after the great Left y Gomez, the ABCA’s annual award is presented to an individual who has distinguished himself amongst his peers and has contributed significantly to the game of baseball locally, nationally, and internationally. The Left y Gomez Award is sponsored by Wilson Sporting Goods.

Honors Luncheon Several prominent individuals will be receiving awards at this year’s Honors Luncheon, including Honor Award winners Michael Josephson and Howard “Ben” Davis. Josephson had successful careers in business, law, and education before founding the nonprofit Joseph & Edna Josephson Institute of Ethics, which he named for his parents. Josephson also founded the CHAR ACTER COUNTS! Coalition, a partnership of over 400 educational and youth-serving organizations. In 1996, he was given the America’s Award by former President Ronald Reagan. Josephson has become one of the most soughtafter teachers and speakers on the subject of ethics and character. At the ABCA clinic sessions, he will be making a presentation entitled, “Pursuing Victory With Honor.” Howard E. “Ben” Davis is a trial lawyer in San Antonio and ardent baseball supporter. He has coached Little League through Senior League Baseball and founded the San Antonio Titans. Davis also is the tournament director of the annual Irish Classic—a four-team college invitational tournament held in San Antonio. Davis received the Bronze Star, the Cross of Gallantry, and the Army Commendation Medal while serving in battle in Vietnam. Davis is a member of several Boards of Directors in the State of Texas and is recognized as one of that state’s finest community leaders. Four other outstanding individuals will receive the ABCA Meritorious Service Award at the luncheon. They are: Jack Diesing, Jr., President of College World Series of Omaha, Inc.; Jack Hacker, Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach at Reedley College and Chair of the ABCA Clinic Committee; Jack Payne, longtime Public Address Announcer for the NCAA Division I College World Series; and John Wilkens, Secretary-Treasurer of the Minnesota State High School Baseball Association. The recipients of this award 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. The Rawlings Sporting Goods Company is the official sponsor of the ABCA Honors Luncheon. COACHING MANAGEMENT

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Jim Lawler Named Assistant Coach of Year Jim Lawler, assistant head baseball coach at Texas A&M Universit y, is the recipient of the fifth annual ABCA/Baseball America Assistant Coach of the Year Award. When Mark Johnson was named the head coach at A&M, his first move was to persuade Lawler to join him. Lawler was serving as the head coach at the Universit y of Texas-El Paso at the time and had head coaching experience at Gonzaga in the Pac-10 North. His 1980 team finished the season ranked No. 9 in the country.

He has served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at A&M since 1985. During Lawlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tenure as pitching coach at A&M, his staff has performed extremely well. The Aggies have had a pitcher earn AllAmerican honors seven of the past 13 seasons and four A&M pitchers have been selected in the first round of the major league draft. As a recruiting coordinator, Lawler has been ranked among the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best with several classes ranked in the Top 10 nationally. This award will be presented to Coach Lawler during the Honors Luncheon.

Convention Schedule Friday, January 2 Registration

10 a.m.-7 p.m.

ABCA Committee Meetings

1 p.m.-6 p.m.

Exhibits Open

1 p.m.-6 p.m.

International Coaches 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Reception & Meeting ABCA Divisional Meetings

6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

Spouses Open Reception

7 p.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday, January 3 Registration

7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Clinics

8:15 a.m.-12 noon

Spouses Breakfast

9:30 a.m.-??

Exhibits

9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Clinics break for lunch

12 noon-1:30 p.m.

Clinics

1:30 p.m.-5 p.m.

Hall Of Fame/ 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Coach Of The Year Banquet Circle No. 8

Booth No. 148

Sunday, January 4 Registration

7 a.m.-12 noon

Clinics

8:30 a.m.-11:50 a.m.

Exhibits

9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Honors Luncheon 12:15 p.m.-2 p.m. Clinics

2 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Monday, January 5 Clinics

8:30 a.m.-12 noon

ABCA Sponsors Baseball America Diamond Sports Easton Sports ESPN The Magazine Hillerich & Bradsby/Louisville Slugger Major League Baseball International Rawlings Sporting Goods Russell Athletic Turface/Profile Western Athletic Supply Wilson Sporting Goods Circle No. 9

Plaza 359

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Before three strikes meant you were out there was Louisville Slugger.

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“Little League” is a registered trademark of Little League Baseball, Inc., Williamsport, PA. Booth Nos. 401 & 500

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ABCA

2004 PREVIEW 59th Annual Convention List of Exhibitors The following companies are exhibiting at the ABCA Convention (as of 11.11.03). Company names are followed by their booth numbers at the convention. * Indicates new exhibitor

Adams USA - 645 P. O. Box 489 Cookeville, TN 38501 (800) 251-6857 Baseball helmets, field equipment & accessories John Bartlett & Gary Montgomery The Adscreen Group - 400 8010 Leavenworth Street Omaha, NE 68114-5332 (877) 393-5111 Windscreen banners & baseball products Steve Mariucci Adventures In Sports (AIS) – 130 & 132 2202 Anderson Street Vernon, CA 90058 (800) 666- 2733 Baseball uniforms Allan Ruegsegger AFP Soft Touch Bases – 118 P. O. Box 291 Dousman, WI 53118 (800) 965-4690 Release bases Lou Hernandez Akadema - 633 & 635 317 Midland Avenue Garfield, NJ 07026 (973) 772-7669 www.akademapro.com In Akadema's short but remarkable history it has become America’s hottest baseball equipment company for pro, college and high school players. The Akadema phenomenon started with The Professional glove series and continues with The Reptilian and Praying Mantis glove series. Lawrence Gilligan See ad on page 32 Amapro Sports, Inc. - 674 242-E Route 109 Farmingdale, NY 11735 (800) 4-AMAPRO Jugs, Kenko Baseball, Challenger Training Golf Whiffle Ball Machine Gary Krupsky American Baseball Foundation - 219 1313 13th Street South Birmingham, AL 35205 (205) 558-4235 Pitching development/reading/baseball E. David Osinski American Iron Sports, LLC – Plaza 259 120 N. 3rd Street Ponca City, OK 74601 (866) 709-4189 Multi Pro Pitching Machine Matthew Bixler Ampac Enterprises/All-Star - 640 & 642 P. O. Box 1356 Shirley, MA 01464

COACHING MANAGEMENT

(800) 777-3810 Baseball protective equipment Stan Jurga & Jeff Johnson Anaconda Sports - 313 & 315 1221 Ulster Avenue Kingston, NY 12401 (800) 572-5293 Complete line of baseball products John Stote III Athletes in Action Baseball - 609 651 Taylor Drive Xenia, OH 45385 (937) 352-1000 Summer collegiate baseball teams Jason Lester Athletic Training Equipment Company (ATEC) - Bay 265 655 Spice Island Drive Sparks, NV 89431 (800) 998-2832 www.atecsports.com Official on-field supplier of pitching machines and training products to Major League Baseball®. The world leader in baseball training equipment for over 40 years—The Pro’s Choice. Larry Leukhardt See ad on page 31 *Austin Turf & Tractor - 686 & 688 1707 Colt Circle Marble Falls, TX 78654 (830) 693-6477 John Deere equipment/mowing Cameron Travis Baden Sports – 667 34114 21st Avenue South Federal Way, WA 98003 (800) 442-1271 Baseballs & baseball accessories Rusty Trudeau The Baseball Academy - 607 5500 - 34th Street West Bradenton, FL 34210 (800) 872-6425 Camps—team & individual instructional programs Tom Pluto Baseball America - 407 201 W. Main Street, Suite 201 Durham, NC 27701 (800) 845-2726 Baseball media/publishing Lee Folger Baseball Express - 511, 513 & 515 1051 E. Nakoma San Antonio, TX 78216 (210) 348-7000 x 4752 Baseball catalog company Joey Squilla Baseball Factory – Bay 381 9176 Red Branch Road, Suite M

Columbia, MD 21045 (800) 641-4487 Player development & college placement Steve Sclafani

Pitch. Training aids, batting cages, and screens. Glen Robinson See ad on page 45

*Baseball Heaven Sports Complex – 135 20 Old Dock Road Yaphank, NY 11980 (631) 205-5109 Baseball tournament complex Lou Volpe

*Big Bats, Inc./Diablo Bats - 145 11361 E. Raleigh Avenue Mesa, AZ 85212 (480) 984-0620 Maple & ash wood baseball bats Romeo Filip

Baseball Seams Company - 689 12723 Markaire Drive St. Louis, MO 63146-4416 (314) 606-4280 Baseball American flag artwork Nate Rueckert

*Big Bounce, Inc. - 591 P. O. Box 3066 Russellville, AR 72811 (479) 967-8030 Soft toss pitching machine Dwain Bewley

BATCO - Plaza 423 111 Treeland Circle Syracuse, NY 13219 (877) 462-2826 Batting cages & infield batting trainers Pete Birmingham

Bleachers International, Inc. - 675 P. O. Box 718 Strasburg, CO 80136 (800) 544-6658 Manufacturer of aluminum bleachers Wayne Clark

*The Batter’s Box – 144 510 C Highway 17 North Surfside Beach, SC 29575 (843) 477-1874 Baseball sporting goods dealer Tim Perry

Boathouse Sports - 544 425 E. Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19126 (800) 875-1883 Apparel Jim Beury

Baum Research & Development Company, Inc. - 618 1155 Hastings Traverse City, MI 49686 (231) 929-0598 Bats Mitch Pietras

Brett Brothers Sports - 224 & 226 E. 9514 Montgomery, Building #25 Spokane, WA 99206 (509) 891-6435 Baseball bats, gloves, balls, etc. Joe Sample

*BCB Products - 711 5520 E. 2nd Street #E Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 433-6392 Ortho-Therm Bruce Christiansen Beacon Ballfields - 543 2224 Evergreen Road, Suite 6 Middleton, WI 53562 (800) 747-5985, www.ballfields.com Athletic field equipment supplier and field maintenance education specializing in custom netting, padding, and windscreen. Also field construction and maintenance education and crew training. Paul Zwaska See ad on page 7 BetterBaseball/Shelter Shade - 274 1050 Mt. Paran Road Atlanta, GA 30327 (800) 997-4233 www.betterbaseball.com Baseball Supply Headquarters: Custom nets, baseballs, softballs, pitching machines, including ATEC, JUGS, DATA, and Master

Brown & Co. Sports Portraits - 101 404 Stonehenge Circle Rockledge, FL 32955 (321) 617-9977 Photographs Joe Brown *Broyhill Company - 104 P. O. Box 475 Dakota City, NE 68731 (402) 987-3412 Line markers & infield finishers Myron Sargisson BSN Sports - Plaza 223 P. O. Box 7726 Dallas, TX 75209 (800) 527-7510 x 7303 Baseball equipment Tom Rafferty Buck’s Bags - 682 2401 W. Main Street Boise, ID 83702 (800) 284-2247 Athletic team bags, individual & custom order Steve Nyce

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Plaza 435

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ABCA

2004 PREVIEW

BWP Bats - 312 R. D. 1, Box 409A Brookville, PA 15825 (814) 849-0089 Wooden bats Michael Gregory C & H Baseball, Inc. - 527 2215 - 60th Drive East Bradenton, FL 34203 (800) 248-5192 Aluminum baseball field equipment Danielle Huff Cages*Plus - 502 & 504 518 Fair Lane Nampa, ID 83686 (866) 475-9148 Portable batting cage with L-screen Robert R. DeCloss Calhead – 105 1945 S. Burgundy Place Ontario, CA 91761 (800) 480-9979 Baseball caps Larry D’Amato Catahoula Manufacturing, Inc. - Bay 281 2901 Fourth Street, Box 549 Jonesville, LA 71343 (800) 873-4778 Benny Champlin CC Rental - 658 19 Wright Way Fairfield, NJ 07004 (973) 882-0310 Passenger van rentals in Florida Tom Taylor

Central Florida's Polk County Sports Marketing - 608 600 N. Broadway, Suite 300 Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 534-2500 Polk County, Florida Zach Burek Certified Athlete, Inc. - Plaza 565 14117 W. 61st Terrace Shawnee, KS 66216 (913) 438-1707 Certified web-delivered recruiting Brent Driggers *Challenger Industries – 115 1224 Riverbend Road Dalton, GA 30721 (800) 334-8873 Artificial turf & baseball mats Scotty Smith *Champions Baseball Academy - 626 10701 Plantside Drive Louisville, KY 40299 (502) 261-9200 Training center expansion & partnership opportunities—travel programs John Marshall & Ron Hinners ChartMine/Competitive Edge Decision Systems - 441 6 Valleybrook Place The Woodlands, TX 77382 (888) 329-0722, www.chartmine.net Award-winning pitch/hit charting system. Go beyond simple electronic scoring. Mine the data in your pitching/hitting charts. Used by 25 percent of DI teams. Coach Dean Stotz See ad on page 47

2004 ABCA CLINIC SPEAKERS Tony Abbatine, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox “Improving In-game Concentration and Focus Levels for Today’s Players” Dick Birmingham, Birmingham Sports “Developing the Defensive Unit” Gordie Gillespie, Head Coach, Ripon College “Psychology of Baseball” Wayne Graham, Head Coach, Rice University “Player-Coaching Relations” Jack Hacker, Head Coach, Reedley College “The Art of Bunting” Steve Johnigan, Asst. Coach, Baylor University “Working With Catchers” Howard Johnson, New York Mets “‘Turn and Burn’—Taking Base Stealing and Base Running to Another Level” Mark Johnson, Head Coach, Texas A&M “Basic Hitting”

Choice Hotels International – 175 10770 Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20901 (800) 638-6714 Hotels Donald Crawford

Coast To Coast Amateur Athletics - 638 P. O. Box 389 Marietta, OH 45750 (740) 373-4455 International tours Kevin Ritter

Clell Wade Coaches Directory - 300 P. O. Box 177 Cassville, MO 65625 (417) 847-2783 State & national coaching directories Karan Wade

Coastal Plain League - 628 4900 Waters Edge Drive, Suite 201 Raleigh, NC 27606 (919) 852-1960 Collegiate summer baseball league Pete Bock

*The Coaches Caddy, Inc. – 685 1650 Murdock Road Marietta, GA 30062 (770) 356-8602 Ball carrier Brad Remole

Cocoa Expo Sports Center - 100 500 Friday Road Cocoa, FL 32926 (321) 639-3976 x 12 Baseball tournaments & camps Jeff Biddle

Coaches Choice - 549, 551 & 553 P. O. Box 1828 Monterey, CA 93942 (888) 229-5745 Instructional books & videos Dr. Jim Peterson

*Collegiate Pacific - 254 & 256 13950 Senlac, #200 Dallas, TX 75010 (800) 881-6536 x 248 Baseball equipment Steve Easterling

Coaching Management - 200 2488 N. Triphammer Road Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-6970 x 11 www.athleticbid.com Coaching Management publishes three issues per year for every high school and college head baseball coach in the U.S. with targeted editorial, product information, and ads. Mark Goldberg

*Common Threads – 151 3731 Northcrest Road, Suite 30 Atlanta, GA 30340 (800) 464-3784 Fundraising Steve Gallo

Mike Kinnison, Head Coach, Delta State University “Coaching the Hitting Aspect”

Guy Simmons, Head Coach, Frank Phillips College “Pitching”

Mark Marquess, Head Coach, Stanford University “Getting to the Next Level”

Tom Tereschuk, Head Coach, Chapman University “Offensive Execution Routine”

Wayne Mazzoni, Head Coach, Teikyo Post University “Teaching the Left-Handed Pickoff Move”

Gary Vaught Head Coach, University of Indianapolis “Infield Play—Make the Offense Adjust”

Jim “The Rookie” Morris, Former High School Coach turned Major League Pitcher “Motivation”

Ron Wolforth CEO/Author, Pitching Central “Backshaping/Backward Chaining”

Tim Nolan, Hitting Coach, Illinois Valley Community College “Ballistic Hitting”

HIGH SCHOOL COACHES BREAKOUT SESSION

Bill Percy, Varsity Coach (retired), Mitchell (CO) H.S. “Outfield Play ‘A to Z’” Rich Price, Head Coach, University of Kansas “Zone Double-Play Feeds and Pivots”

Michael Josephson, Josephson Institute of Ethics “Pursuing Victory With Honor”

Dusty Rhodes, Head Coach, University of North Florida “Controlling the Game From the Dugout”

Gregg Kilby, Head Assistant Coach, University of Maryland “Catching: Drills That Improve Skills and Keep Them Sharp Throughout the Season”

Michael Riggs, The Sports Psychologist; John Weber, Head Coach, Lakeland College “Keeping Your Head in the Game”

COACHING MANAGEMENT

Corley Sports, Inc. - Plaza 465 P. O. Box 821437 N. Richland Hills, TX 76182 (877) 737-4487 Baseball hitting trainer Kathy Corley

Sunday, January 4, 2004 Jim Cleveland, Head Coach, Redwood Christian H.S. (Castro Valley, CA) “Swing Flaws and Corrections” Eric Kibler, Head Coach, Horizon H.S. (Scottsdale, AZ) “Developing a High School Pitching Staff” Rick Lynch, Head Coach, Herscher (IL) H.S. “Creating a Championship Program”

Eric Regez, Head Coach, Tomball (TX) H.S. “Indoor Practice”

The Best of the Best, Year After Year. CHAMPIONSHIP FIVE OF THE LAST SIX NATIONAL TEAMS USED LOUISVILLE SLUGGER. 1 4 5 10 12 71% 75%

ity National Champion – Rice Univers TPX exclusively of the final 4 teams in Omaha used teams used TPX of the last 6 national championship championship of the last 12 teams playing in the game used TPX ionals used TPX of 16 teams in this year’s Super Reg e made with TPX of all hits in Omaha this year wer year were knocked of all runs scored in Omaha this in with TPX

R has dominated baseball at every SINCE 1884, LOUISVILLE SLUGGE s using ption, with all of the final four team level of play. This year was no exce y. ersit Univ Champion, Rice TPX – including the new National onse™ series: the Louisville Slugger TPX Resp the t swep So get the bats that aha® Scandium XS. Because if you’re and the Louisville Slugger TPX Om choice you can make. serious about winning, it’s the best

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Circle No. 12

ABCA

2004 PREVIEW

Cosby, Gerry & Company, Inc. - 301 3 Pennsylvania Plaza Madison Square Garden New York, NY 10001 (877) 563-6464 Travel/equipment bags & protective equipment Michael Cosby Covermaster, Inc. - 602 100 Westmore Drive #11-D Rexdale, ON, Canada M9V 5C3 (800) 387-5808 Sport surface covers Gerald Hackett

Sports gloves—baseball Chris Sears

Team uniforms, jackets & caps Michael Gentz

D-Bat, Inc. – 671 1400 Preston Road, Suite 110 Plano, TX 75073 (888) 398-3393 Wooden baseball bats Cade Griffis

Diamond Pro (txi) - Bay 449 1341 W. Mockingbird Lane Dallas, TX 75247 (800) 228-2987 www.diamondpro.com Professional groundskeeping products, infield conditioners, calcine clay, mound clay and bricks, marking dust, warning track, and infield mix. See ad on page 18

Dartfish USA - 593 1301 Hightower Trail, Suite 111 Atlanta, GA 30350 (888) 655-3850 Video analysis software Ron Henderson

CoverSports USA - 408 5744 Woodland Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143 (800) 445-6680 Field covers, windscreens & fence toppers Fred Hoge

*David Sunflower Seeds - 217 5626 E. Shields Avenue Fresno, CA 93727 (800) 876-0231 Sunflower seeds Bonnie Hippenstiel

The Creativity Warehouse - 114 631 Conestoga Trail Chanhassen, MN 55317 (952) 949-3063 30" plastic baseball bat display device for fundraising Kirk D. Harrington

Decker Sports USA - 402 6912 N. 97th Circle Omaha, NE 68122 (800) 431-5128 Training equipment, baseballs & gloves Thomas Decker

*Cutters Gloves - 636 4515 N. 32nd Street, Suite 110 Phoenix, AZ 85018 (800) 821-0231

DeLONG - 510 & 512 821 - 5th Avenue Grinnell, IA 50112 (800) 733-5664

Circle No. 13

Earth & Turf Company- 260 112 S. Railroad Avenue New Holland, PA 17557 (888) 693-2638 Multispread superseed John Bentley See ad on page 30

Digital Scout - 409 3248 W. Henderson Road Columbus, OH 43220 (800) 249-1189 Software, stats & scouting Nathan Schmidt

Easton Sports, Inc. - Plaza 335 7855 Haskell Avenue, Suite 200 Van Nuys, CA 91406 (800) 347-3901 x 653 Bats, gloves, bags, accessories, apparel & shoes Jim Darby See ad on the Back Cover

Disney Sports Attractions - 216 P. O. Box 470847 Lake Buena Vista, FL 34747-0847 (407) 938-3841 Tournaments Christine Asay

www.proschoice1.com

1.800.648.1166

*Dura-Kold Corporation - 653 3525 S. Purdue Oklahoma City, OK 73179 (800) 541-7199 Reusable ice wraps Keith Brink

Diamond Sports - Bay 341 11130 Warland Drive Cypress, CA 90630 (800) 366-2999 Baseballs, catcher’s gear, mitts, bags, field equipment & training devices Andrea Gordon

For premium performance and a color that will set your field apart, choose from the Soilmaster Select Series by Pro’s Choice. Scientifically engineered to cope with daily maintenance challenges, Soilmaster Select gives your field a professional look and is the TRUE choice of groundskeepers around the league for building and maintaining winning ballfields. Now available in four distinct colors, Soilmaster Select uniform granules manage moisture and alleviate compaction to keep your fields playable. Pro’s Choice delivers a full line of sportsfield products for conditioning soil and infield mix, top dressing infields, quickly drying puddles and revitalizing turf. Call for information and product samples

Douglas Sports Nets & Equipment - 535 3441 S. 11th Avenue Eldridge, IA 52748 (800) 553-8907 Baseball tunnels, protective screens & covers Matt Schwirtz

Plaza 229

ESPN The Magazine - 218 Disney Sports & Recreation Clubhouse P. O. Box 10,000

ABCA Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 (407) 938-3423 Fund-raising magazine Pete Bryden Eversan, Inc. - 210 34 Main Street Whitesboro, NY 13492 (800) 383-6060, www.eversan.com With 2.4 Ghz digital spread spectrum wireless scoreboards, message signs, timers, and video displays, Eversan, Inc., sets new industry standards with intuitive operations, high reliability, simple installations, and energy-efficient LED and reflective digits. Allan Roberts See ad on the Inside Front Cover Francis L. Dean & Associates, Inc. - 303 2800 S. Hulen Street, #200 Fort Worth, TX 76109 (800) 375-0552 Athletic insurance Jill Faulder

Granada Pitching Machines, Inc. - 148 P. O. Box 3490 Central Point, OR 97502 (800) 547-5032, www.battingpractice.com Granada Pitching Machines, inventor of the two wheel machine, has been producing pitching machines for more than 40 years. Mark Shelemer & Greg Goheen See ad on page 10 *Grand Slam Sports – 113 226 W. Main Street, Suite 2AA Valley Center, KS 67147 (316) 755-2001 Pitching machine Bennie Lee *The Graphic Edge – 137 743 Highway 30 East

2004 PREVIEW

Carroll, IA 51401 (800) 747-9744 Uniforms, bat bags, tees, sweats & jackets Ryan Foley *Hadar Manufacturing - 509 1515 N. 11th Street Humboldt, IA 50548 (888) 655-1606 Bases and equipment Wayne Miner Harv-Al Athletic Mfg. - 583 & 585 P. O. Box 91, 409 W. Main Street Ranger, TX 76470 (254) 647-3774 Team uniforms Bret Lund

Franklin Sports, Inc. – 106 & 108 17 Campanelli Parkway Stoughton, MA 02072 (781) 341-2480 x 228 Baseball equipment Greg Fortier & Kim Phelps Frozen Ropes Training Center – 152 & 154 12 Elkay Drive Chester, NY 10918 (845) 469-7331 Baseball/softball training & apparel Daniel Hummel Funtastic Sports - 206 277 Thornecliffe Drive, Suite A State Road, NC 28676 (877) 375-0315, www.funtasticsports.com Improve swing mechanics, increase bat speed and strength, and increase batting average with the Rotor Twin, the best swing trainer available. Bob Balsdon See ad on page23 Game Ops Commander - 177 910 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Portland, OR 97232 (800) 346-8037 Game Ops Commander John Jackson Gerry Cosby & Company, Inc. - 402 (See Cosby, Gerry & Company) Glover’s Scorebooks - 248 P. O. Box 355 Forestville, CA 95436 (707) 887-2812 Scorebooks & accessory items Tom Glover Go Play Sports Tours - 670 1520 16th Street, Suite D Sacramento, CA 95814 (800) 222-6379 Leader in international sports tours for U.S. teams & coaches Tim Andrews GoodSports - 406 P. O. Box 769 Exton, PA 19341 (800) 860-4303 Field & facility equipment Roger Higgins

Plaza 459

Circle No. 14 COACHING MANAGEMENT

ABCA

2004 PREVIEW

Hitting Is A Guess - 128 41303 27th Street West Palmdale, CA 93551 (661) 609-0105 www.hittingisaguess.com The Hitting Is A Guess Video Series and accompanying four-color workbook is designed to challenge hitters to test their swing to see if they are at their max levels in power and consistency. The Functional Hitters Workout and the products combine plyometric training with batting practice to build power and explosiveness. See ad on page 48 Hoosier Bat Company - 309 (Home Run LLC) 4511 Evans Avenue Valparaiso, IN 46383 (800) BAT-ERUP (228-3787) www.hoosierbat.com Quality ash baseball bats. Also, Wood Force 2000 has ash handle, hickory sweet spot, maple on end. Fungo same construction. Never tape barrel of either. Debbie Cook See ad on page 35 Human Kinetics Publishing - 201 P. O. Box 5076 Champaign, IL 61825 (800) 747-4457

Sports & fitness books, videos & software Ted Miller

Championship rings Jim Dougher, Mike Callison & Nicole Olson

Hunter Industries - 610 73 High Rock Road Sandy Hook, CT 06482 (203) 270-8529 Irrigation equipment Lynda Wightman

Jugs/JKP Sports - Bay 471 19333 S.W. 118th Avenue Tualatin, OR 97062 (800) 547-6843, www.jkpsports.com New Jugs Pearl with NeverBreak™ Seam Technology is the first and only leather baseball designed for pitching machines. Dave Candello See ad on page 31

*Jack Davis & Associates - 509 9659 Fallbrook Dallas, TX 75243 (214) 348-5931 Baseball uniforms & equipment Michael Davis *Jack Stroker Bats, Inc. - 155 505 Rita Drive Odenton, MD 21113-1703 (410) 674-2116 Hard maple bats George Lytle, Clemente Bonilla, Jr., *Jet Sportswear, Inc. - 672 646 Schooner Lane Elk Grove, IL 60007 (866) 538-9327 Performance moisture migration sportswear Edan Tau *Jostens - TBD 5501 Norman Center Drive Minneapolis, MN 55437 (800) 235-4774 x 8401

Just For Nets/ Division of Lee Fisher International, Inc. – 681 3922 W. Osborne Avenue Tampa, FL 33614 (888) 569-6387 Sport nets, batting cages, backstops & net products Alen Kozic K & K Insurance Group, Inc. - 240 1712 Magnavox Way Fort Wayne, IN 46804 (800) 426-2889 Sports camp insurance Stacie Richardson Kennedy Athletic - 205 2800 E. 11th Street Los Angeles, CA 90023 (800) 225-4326 Custom headwear Mike Pilcher

Kwik Goal, Ltd. - Plaza 459 140 Pacific Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 (800) 531-4252, www.kwikgoal.com Kwik Goal manufactures a full line of baseball and speed training equipment, including L-screens, batting tunnels, catch screens, portable batting cages, speed ladders, and speed hurdles. Sean Irey See ad on page 17 L.A. Steelcraft Products – 149 1975 Lincoln Avenue Pasadena, CA 91103 (800) 371-2438 Manufacturer of baseball equipment Lee Van Valkenburg Levatino Bat Speed Machine/Swingbuilder - 211 10028 Jefferson Highway Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (888) 465-1331 Bat speed machine Sam & Lisa Levatino, Jeff Edwards Liflong-Products.com - 575 3200 S. Country Club Road Melbourne, FL 32901 (877) 543-5664 Training equipment (hitting) Larry Thompson

Reversible Life-Size Target

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twinhitters@aol.com www.pitchers-mate.com Circle No. 15

COACHING MANAGEMENT

Bay 449

Circle No. 16

ABCA Louisville Slugger - 401 & 500 800 W. Main Street Louisville, KY 40202 (800) 282-2287, www.slugger.com Since 1884, when John A. "Bud" Hillerich hand-turned a white ash bat for Pete "The Gladiator" Browning, the finest hitter of the day, the name Louisville Slugger has been synonymous with the game's greatest players and teams. Kevin Uhrhan See ads on pages 11 & 15 M.A.S.A., Inc. - 131 & 230 1413 S. Meridian Road Jasper, IN 47546 (800) 264-4519, www.masa.com M.A.S.A., Inc., distributes a fullcolor 74-page sporting goods and field maintenance catalog. We carry a wide assortment of baseball, softball, soccer, and football equipment at discounted prices. Michael Schmitt, Jr. See ad on page 30 M-F Athletic Company & Perform Better - 307 P. O. Box 8090, 11 Amflex Drive Cranston, RI 02920 (800) 556-7464 Functional training & rehab equipment John Brock

Manufacturer and direct supplier of the Iron Mike Arm Style Pitching Machine, batting cage nets and frames, “L” screens, protective screens, and related items. Patrick Corley See ad on page 39

MagnetStreet - 252 1749 S. Naperville Road, Suite 200 Wheaton, IL 60187 (800) 438-3210 Custom full-color sports schedule magnets Tim Butcher *Major League Partners - Plaza 275 28463 U. S. Highway 19 North, Suite 102 Clearwater, FL 33761 (877) 657-8326 Interactive hitting automated lesson Phil Eddleman Markwort Sporting Goods - 304 4300 Forest Park Avenue St. Louis, MO 63108 (800) 669-6626 sales@markwort.com Markwort Sporting Goods Company is a distributor/manufacturer of baseball equipment, including baseballs, gloves and mitts, protective equipment, batter’s gloves, uniforms, socks, laces, glove oil and training accessories. Herb Markwort See ad on page 35 Master Pitching Machine, Inc. Plaza 323 4200 NE Birmingham Road Kansas City, MO 64117 (800) 878-8228 www.masterpitch.com

2004 PREVIEW

Mayday Publishing, Inc. - 606 11038 Hildreth Court Camarillo, CA 93012 (805) 491-0379 More Than ERA Pitching Statistics Software Larry A. May *McDavid Sports/Med – 214 10305 Argonne Drive Woodridge, IL 60517 (800) 237-8254 Compression apparel & sports medicine Dave Doezie

Millcreek Manufacturing - 260 112 South Railroad Avenue New Holland, PA 17557 (800) 311-1323 www.millcreekmfg.com Millcreek provides simple, rugged, and affordable turf maintenance equipment, including topdressers, spreaders, and infield maintenance tools. Ideal for programs with limited budgets. See ad on page 21 Miller Net Company, Inc. - 517 & 519 P. O. Box 18787 Memphis, TN 38181 (800) 423-6603 Sports nets & equipment Harold Miller Milliken & Company - 103 P. O. Box 1926 Spartanburg, SC 29304 (864) 503-2016 Team uniform & performance fabrics Michele Young

Memphis Net & Twine - 561 P. O. Box 80331 Memphis, TN 38108 (800) 238-6380 Sports nets & equipment Albert Carruthers Mickey Owen Baseball School - 665 P. O. Box 4504 Springfield, MO 65808-4504 (800) 999-8369 Baseball instructional services Mark Daniel

Missouri Turf Paint - 250 1147 E. 63rd Street Kansas City, MO 64110 (800) 426-0774 Athletic field paint, lining systems & equipment Larry Davis

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Circle No. 17 COACHING MANAGEMENT

ABCA

2004 PREVIEW

Mizuno USA - Plaza 329 4925 Avalon Ridge Parkway Norcross, GA 30071 (770) 453-7807 Baseball equipment & apparel Bram Krieger Muhl Tech – 292 503 Ogden Wharton, TX 77488 (888) 766-8772 Baseball training equipment Wesley Johnston *MVP Baseball – Plaza 393 1270 E. 58th Avenue Denver, CO 80216 (303) 293-2277 Indoor batting cages Bill Leary National Batting Cages, Inc. - 318 P. O. Box 250 Forest Grove, OR 97116-0250 (800) 547-8800 Baseball training equipment Fred Schmidtke National Mower Company – 189, 191 & 193 700 Raymond Avenue St. Paul, MN 55114 (651) 646-4079 Grounds maintenance equipment Greg Brodd & Bill Kinney

National Spit Tobacco Education Program - 310 410 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 352 Chicago, IL 60611 (800) 523-3438 Spit tobacco education & cessation Brad Hutchins *Neal Portnoy Art Studio, Inc. - 290 22 Walnut Street Holden, MA 01520 (508) 829-8000 Sports artwork Neal Portnoy New England Collegiate Baseball League – 109 515 Hawthorne Lane Windsor, CT 06095 (860) 285-0133 Summer wooden bat collegiate league Kevin MacIlvane New Era Cap Company - 116 8061 Erie Road Derby, NY 14047 (800) 989-0445 Caps Tim Talley NIKE, Inc. - Bay 365 One Bowerman Drive Beaverton, OR 97005 (503) 532-5001 Sporting goods Scott Henson

Nocona Athletic Goods - 615 P. O. Box 329 Nocona, TX 76255 (800) 433-0957 Baseball equipment & gloves Rob Storey Northwoods League - 242 P. O. Box 12 Rochester, MN 55903 (507) 536-4579 Summer college league Dick Radatz, Jr., President

Enumclaw, WA 98022 (800) 325-7238 Safety screens, training aids & field maintenance Mark Zender *Palmgard International, Inc. - 577 P. O. Box 688 Randallstown, MD 21133 (800) 472-5642 Baseball gloves Charles Webster, CEO Paul Pryor Travel Bags, Inc. - 508 12401 - 66th Street North Largo, FL 33773 (800) 330-8400 Travel/equipment bags, underwear & sportswear Bob Milleman

Oakley, Inc. - 236 & 238 One Icon Foothill Ranch, CA 92610 (800) 800-6254 Eyewear & apparel Matt Genovese *Old Hickory Bat Company, Inc. - 316 1735 Highway 31W Goodlettsville, TN 37072 (866) PRO-BATS Maple baseball bats Travis Copley OMNI Sports Technologies - Plaza 243 3525 Ridge Meadow Parkway Memphis, TN 38115 (800) 529-6664 x 125 Baseball training equipment Joe Amore Osborne Innovative Products - Bay 249 2221 - 2nd Street

Perfect Game USA/World Wood Bat Association - 656 1203 Rockford Road SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 (319) 298-2923 Scouting report service Gregory A. Legg Pickle-Ball, Inc. - 219 4700 9th Avenue Northwest Seattle, WA 98107 (800) 377-9915 Poly baseballs Doug Smith

Voted “Best of the Best” in Testosterone Magazine The Xvest is considered by many of the Major League strength coaches to be an essential tool for “the edge”. “We have used the Xvest and have found it to be the best, most comfortable and effective weight vest. We have seen measurable improvements in range of motion, strength and power.”

Gene Coleman, Ed. D. Strength and Conditioning Coach – Houston Astros

Lance Berkman Houston Astros

If you want to play XPLOSIVE, you have to train

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Xvest can be used in your strength, conditioning, speed, agility, plyometric and sport specific drills or training. You will see dramatic improvements in speed and power as well as conditioning and strength. A few Major League Baseball Teams using the Xvest: 2002 World Champions Anaheim Angels Houston Astros (Divisional leader) Chicago White Sox (Divisional leader)

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Call 800-697-5658 281-693-4034 Email Info@TheXvest.com www.TheXvest.com Circle No. 18

COACHING MANAGEMENT

ABCA Pinnacle Systems, Team Sports - 302 55 Technology Drive Lowell, MA 01851 (978) 275-0201 Digital video analysis Mike Stenhouse

Players Sporting Goods - 305 5737 N. Graham Street Charlotte, NC 28269 (800) 896-1200 Louisville Slugger Products Ashley Stallings

*PitchCommand – 122 & 124 23212 53rd Avenue SE Bothell, WA 98021 (425) 481-9345 Computerized system measures pitch speed & location Dennis Bremner

Portolite Products, Inc. - Plaza 423 2950 Nelson Road Delano, MN 55328 (800) 315-8115 Portable pitching mounds Michael Hoppe *Post Performance, LLC - 676 P. O. Box 515 Chesterfield, MO 63006-0515 (618) 973-7760 Customized footwear Jeff Adams

*Pitch Count, LLC - 228 3824 Dade Drive Annandale, VA 22003 (703) 256-4929 Pitch counter/calculator Dave Tinsley

Power Systems, Inc. - 611 2527 Westcott Boulevard Knoxville, TN 37931 (800) 321-6975 www.power-systems.com Power Systems, Inc. is an international distributor of sport performance, fitness, and health products and programs. We are the one resource for all your training needs.

Pitching Central - 542 26206 Hanna Road Spring, TX 77386 (281) 298-6319 Baseball pitching information products & services Ron Wolforth Pittsburgh Souvenir & Novelty Company - 644 6628 E. Montreal Place Scottsdale, AZ 85254 (480) 922-1070 Apparel Mike Rossman

Powers Manufacturing Company - 514 1340 Sycamore Street Waterloo, IA 50703 (319) 233-6118

2004 PREVIEW

Uniforms Josh Bevins Prep Illustrated, Inc. - 537 P. O. Box 191 Eagle Grove, IA 50533 (800) 505-4456 Sports magazine Kay Derscheid *Prime Hospitality Corp. - 110 (Amerisuites/Wellesley Inns & Suites) 20351 Village Green Drive Strongsville, OH 44149 (866) 239-9012 All-suites hotels with complimentary continental breakfast Pro Ice - 600 22612 Mojave Lane Mission Viejo, CA 92691 (949) 859-3795 Cold therapy products Tom Nolan Pro-Line Cap Company - 529 & 531 1332 N. Main Street Fort Worth, TX 76106-9117 (888) 465-3212 Baseball caps Joel Taylor Pro Look Sports - 623, 625 & 627 37 E. Center Street, Suite 304 Provo, UT 84606 (800) PRO-LOOK www.prolooksports.com

The fastest growing team sportswear company for the past six years. We make custom team uniforms, travel warm-ups, and apparel designed to your exact specifications. Dustin Rhodes See ad on pages 4-5 ProMounds, Inc. – Pending P. O. Box 522 Winthrop, MA 02152 (877) 227-4824 Pitching mounds & sports equipment Joe Murphy Pro Nine - 648 & 650 P. O. Box 1765 Los Alamitos, CA 90720 (562) 803-1210 Baseballs, bags, & protective equipment Frank Hardy ProBatter Sports, LLC - Bay 481 92 Woodmont Road Milford, CT 06460 (203) 874-2500 Video pitching machine David Kellogg Profile Products - Plaza 435 750 Lake Cook Road, Suite 440 Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 (800) 207-6457 www.turface.com For more than 40 years, PROFILE Products LLC has been the leading manufacturer of soil modification products including the TURFACE®

Scarify and level infields in one step ■ New Millcreek Spin Groomer™

spins as you pull it. Self propelled, works like magic. ■ Moves material sideways to fill

in low spots automatically. ■ Ideal for conditioning tough,

rock-hard infields.

■ 7' or 8' sizes, no power needed

FA C TU RI N G

1-800-311-1323 Booth No. 260

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Booth No. 630

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2004 PREVIEW

line of infield and sports turf conditioners, and mound clay products. Joe Betulius See ad on page 13 Promats, Inc. - 506 P. O. Box 508 Fort Collins, CO 80522 (800) 678-6287 E-mail: promats@aol.com Promats manufactures protective field wall padding, railing, and pole padding, windscreening, turf protectors, field covers, and other related stadium components for baseball and softball facilities. Eileen Corbiere See ad on page 38 Proper Pitch – 528 & 530 P. O. Box 2294 Garner, NC 27529 (800) 336-7503 Indoor/outdoor pitching mounds Mike Beck Pro’s Choice Sportsfield Products - Plaza 229 410 N. Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60611 (800) 648-1166 proschoice@oildri.com Soilmaster soil conditioners relieve compaction, quickly wick water away, and promote drainage on soccer, football, and baseball fields

resulting in tough, resilient turf. Charlie Selvik and Dave Cygan See ad on page 16 PUMA - Bay 381 5 Lyberty Way Westford, MA 01886 (800) 782-7862 Baseball footwear Matt Lancor QHI Sports - 673 36A N. Research Drive Pueblo West, CO 81007 (888) 784-5448 www.qhisports.com Manufacturer and distributor of the Quick-T automated batting tee. Bob Nicholson See ad on page 47 Rawlings Sporting Goods - Bay 349 1859 Bowles Avenue St. Louis, MO 63026 (800) 729-7770 Sporting goods Jeff Noser Reader's Digest Campus Fundraising (eFundraising.com) - 111 5969 Fiddletown Place San Jose, CA 95120 (800) 243-9902 eFundraising.com, a subsidiary of QSP Reader’s Digest, offers quality

service and up to 90% profit with your choice of proven fundraising programs. Get your free kit! Ron Reynolds See ad on page 48 Reebok International, LTD - Bay 165 1895 J. W. Foster Boulevard Canton, MA 02021 (888) 898-9028 Footwear & apparel Team sales Reef Industries, Inc. - 680 P. O. Box 750250 Houston, TX 77275-0250 (800) 231-6074 Polyester reinforced plastic sheeting Mark Young Riddell – 209 3404 Steeplechase Trail Arlington, TX 76016 (800) 275-5338 x 2329 Baseball equipment & clothing Dave Hostetler Ringor - 403 & 405 7929 SW Burns Way Wilsonville, OR 97070 (800) 746-4670 Shoes & apparel Ryan Garrett Ripken Baseball – 213 10801 Tony Drive, Suite A Lutherville, MD 21093

(800) 486-0850 Camps & clinics Andrea Kunicky Ripken Management & Design - 215 10801 Tony Drive, Suite A Lutherville, MD 21093 (410) 823-0808 Stadium projects & products Alyssa Budkofsky Rixtine Trophy - 212 2350 ‘O’ Street Lincoln, NE 68510 (800) 347-3810 Trophies, awards, pins, patches & recognition items Tim Hoffman & Del Bokowski Russell Athletic - Bay 181 755 Lee Street Alexander City, AL 35010 (256) 500-5089 Athletic apparel Larry Linenberger Salinas Baseball Gloves – 114 5525 S. Alameda Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (361) 991-7881 Baseball gloves Orlando Salinas Schutt Sports - 501, 503, 505 & 507 1200 E. Union Litchfield, IL 62056

Field Maintenance Equipment www.Infield-Drag.com PRO GROOMER

-levels -grooms -mixes -chisels -easy-to-use -6 ft. wide Keep Infields, warning tracks, and other granular surfaces level, well-groomed and in safe playing condition with the “Pro Groomer”TM from Heying Co. It cuts off high areas and fills low areas. Break up hard-compacted surfaces with chisel attachment. Save labor, reduce water puddling problems, weeds, etc. No need for hydraulics or three-point hitch. No tools needed to adjust. Steel welded construction.

ALL-STAR CHISEL-DRAG

Break up hard-compacted surfaces with the “All Star Chisel-Drag”TM from Heying Co. Cutting depth adjusts easily from 0” to 3”. Teeth are high-strength hardened steel and are easy to replace when worn. Includes top weight tray. Articulated tongue and hitch adjust quickly and easily. Quickly raises up to travel off the field, so no need to carry. Heavy-Duty steel welded construction. No tools needed to make adjustments. Broom and Drag Mat attachments also available for general purpose dragging.

Broom Mat Broom and and Drag Drag Mat attachments attachments available

available

Complete Info. at: www.Infield-Drag.com Heying Co. 515 6th Ave. Alton, Iowa 51003 Ph. (712) 756-8847 PR-AS-25,a

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Circle No. 22

ABCA (866) 4-SCHUTT www.schuttsports.com Schutt Sports markets innovative, quality, protective and field/court equipment for baseball, basketball, football and softball, and collective helmets and bases to promote fan enjoyment. Larry Brushett See ad on page 27

Diane Cotroneo Cooke See ad on page 23 S.E.N.T. Company, LLC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 687 P. O. Box 834 Gainesville, TX 76241 (800) 905-8837 The Ultimate Pitcherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Toolâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;instructional device for pitchers Tank Nelson

ScorePAD Sports, Inc. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 679 5240-Q Panola Industrial Boulevard Decatur, GA 30035 (678) 270-4000 ScorePAD Baseball for Palm Alex Ricchi & Douglas N. Hines

Sho-Me Baseball Camp - 443 P. O. Box 2270 Branson West, MO 65737 (800) 993-2267 Youth baseball instructional camp Christopher Schroeder, Camp Director

*SDSM - 294 429 Rockglen Drive Wadsworth, OH 44281 (330) 620-1511 New exercise equipment Stephen T. Ross

Skillshow, Inc. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 146 1201 First Avenue South Seattle, WA 98134 (866) 687-9072 Recruiting videos online Tom M. Koerick, Jr.

Seating Services Inc. - 634 P. O. Box 4 Angola, NY 14006 (800) 552-9470 www.seatingservices.com Stadium chairs and quality blow molded, bravity tip, low maintenance stadium chairs to enhance your facility. Add your VIP section today.

*Skyline Baseball, Inc. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pending 7241 Garden Grove Boulevard #C Garden Grove, CA 92841 (714) 893-9937 Baseball gloves & balls James Lee Slugmaster - 612 c/o TechnaSport P. O. Box 981 Lakeville, MN 55044

2004 PREVIEW

(952) 898-0421 BatMaxx bat speed indicator & Slugmaster hitting station Jahn Stopperan Smithco, Inc. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 189, 191 & 193 34 West Avenue Wayne, PA 19087 (610) 688-4009 Infield groomers & line markers Emil Miller *Southland Athletic Manufacturing Company - 509 P. O. Box 280 Terrell, TX 75160 (800) 527-7637 Stock & custom baseball uniforms Bill Sturgeon South Padre Island Nets, Inc. - 119 2001 Amistad Drive San Benito, TX 78586 (866) 243-6387 Sports netting/baseball training equipment Robert Alba Southern Athletic Fields, Inc. - 525, 622 & 624 1309 Mainsail Drive Columbia, TN 38401 (800) 837-8062 Field materials & accessories Bill Marbet

Southwest Host Services - 319 P. O. Box 13808 Scottsdale, AZ 85267 (480) 945-2359 Hotel accommodations for teams & recruiting Linda Hitchins *Spectrum Corporation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 120 10048 Easthaven Houston, TX 77075 (800) 392-5050 Scoreboards Darren Garner Speedline Athletic Wear - 416 & 418 1804 N. Habana Tampa, FL 33607 (813) 876-1375 Team uniforms Dave Aubuchon Sportdecals, Inc. - 123 P. O. Box 365 Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0358 (800) 435-6110 Baseball awards, T-shirts, incentives & helmet decals Don Metivier Sports Attack - 404 P. O. Box 1529 Verdi, NV 89439-1529 (800) 717-4251 www.sportsattack.com Sports Attack is a manufacturer of

3TADIUM #HAIRS "LOW -OLDED OR )NJECTION -OLDED 0(/.% &!8 WWW SEATINGSERVICES COM

Booth No. 634

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Booth No. 159

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2004 PREVIEW

quality sports training equipment. With 35 years of pitching machine design experience, the current product offering includes professional baseball, volleyball, and tennis training equipment. Kurt Brenner See ad on the Inside Back Cover Sports Belle, Inc. - 637 & 639 P. O. Box 50243 Knoxville, TN 37950 (865) 938-2063 Team uniforms, performance apparel & coaches apparel Royd Walker The Sport Source, Inc. - 657 1845 Summit Avenue, Suite 402 Plano, TX 75074 (800) 862-3092 Educational publishing Charlie Kadupski Sports Sensors, Inc. - 276 11351 Embassy Drive Cincinnati, OH 45240 (888) 542-9246 Glove Radar & Swing Speed Radar Al Dilz Sports Treasures, Inc. - 581 11529 S. Mingo Bixby, OK 74008 (918) 369-3633

Sports décor, jewelry & bags Kaylin Coody *Sports Turf Managers Association - 153 1027 S. 3rd Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-6875 (800) 323-3875 Association for athletic field professionals Steven Trusty Sports Tutor - Bay 281 3300 Winona Avenue Burbank, CA 91504 (800) 448-8867 www.sportsmachines.com Sports Tutor is a premier manufacturer of sports machines including machines for baseball, tennis, volleyball, and soccer—for over 15 years. John Henderson See ad on page 24 SportsDEV, LLC - Plaza 565 14117 W. 61st Terrace Shawnee, KS 66216 (913) 438-1707 Sports technology products George Kauffman Sporturf - 595 & 694 P. O. Box 2008 Dalton, GA 30722 (800) 798-1056 Artificial turf Darby McCamy

*Sportwaves - 134 404 W. Baseline Road Lafayette, CO 80026 (800) 580-4122 Custom team duffle bags Kerry Evans St. Petersburg/Clearwater CVB - 539 & 541 14450 - 46th Street North, #108 Clearwater, FL 33762 (727) 464-7257 Sports destination Kevin Smith Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. - 159 205 S. 28th Street Phoenix, AZ 85034 (800) 336-2468 www.stabilizersolutions.com Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. is a unique company that specializes in natural and fiber reinforced sport, recreational, and landscape surfaces world-wide. Architects, contractors, groundskeepers, and facilities managers incorporate our natural soil binders, manufactured soil amendments, and engineered fiber reinforcement systems into their projects. Jon Hubbs See ad on page 39 Stalker Radar - 660 2609 Technology Drive

HomePlate

Plano, TX 75074-6796 (888) STALKER www.stalkerradar.com Stalker Radar (Applied Concepts) is the nation's leading manufacturer of speed radar. Stalker Sports' radar guns are the most sophisticated and highest performing radars manufactured in the world. Jim Shaw See ad on page 32 *Stiggy’s Sports Shop - 112 11444 Deerfield Road Cincinnati, OH 45242 (513) 530-9910 Baseball equipment & training items Steve Stigler & Scott Lawson STM Baseball 4016 Sunhill Court Woodstock, GA 30189 (888) 486-4786 Baseball field construction/renovation Skip Kirby Strike Zone, Inc. - Plaza 423 10531 Maryland Circle Bloomington, MN 55438 (952) 829-7790 Portable batting practice device John L. Beintema Stromgren Supports, Inc. - 684 P. O. Box 1230

The Next Generation ! TM

BY SPORTS TUTOR The Programmable Pitching Machine

SEE HOMEPLATE IN ACTION AT THE ABCA SHOW!

THROW A DIFFERENT PITCH EVERY 7 SECONDS

• Simulate opposing pitchers • Fastballs, Sinkers, Curveballs, Sliders to 90 MPH • 80-ball automatic feed system FORL W O N TBAL SOFTOO From $2,995 Circle No. 25

COACHING MANAGEMENT

www.sportstutorinc.com

1-800-448-8867

FREE

brochure Sports Tutor, 3300 Winona Ave., Burbank, CA 91504 Bay 281

ABCA Hays, KS 67601 (800) 527-1988 Sports medicine & protective products Carl Wilhite Super-Net – 429 & 431 3209 Air Park Road Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (800) 955-6387 Batting cages, protective screens/netting & field maintenance equipment Glen Passner SwingAway - Bay 249 2221 - 2nd Street Enumclaw, WA 98022 (800) 325-7238 SwingAway—transportable hitting station Mark Zender TechnaSport - 612 P. O. Box 981 Lakeville, MN 55044 (952) 898-0421 BatMaxx bat speed indicator & Slugmaster hitting station Jahn Stopperan *Texas Collegiate League – 207 P. O. Box 200988 Arlington, TX 76006 (214) 333-5340 College summer league Wayne Poage *3 in One Industries - 173 2954 Highway 32, Suite 1300 Chico, CA 95973 (866) 503-5628 Baseball diamond grading tool Mike Grosberg & Kyle Sylvester *Tier 1 Gear - 659 7323 Emerald Glen Drive Sugar Land, TX 77479 (281) 545-8987 Pitcher’s jackets Kim Cooper Tomark Sports - 410 & 412 P. O. Box 1088 Corona, CA 92878 (800) 959-1844 Recreational equipment Mark Harpin The Toro Company - 647 & 649 8111 Lyndale Avenue South Bloomington, MN 55420 (952) 888-8801 Workman Utility Vehicle & Reelmaster Mower Dale Getz Tuff Toe, Inc. - 306 1442 W. Collins Avenue, Suite G Orange, CA 92867-5443 (800) 888-0802 Pitching toes & batting sleeves Jeff Musick Turbo Link International, Inc./TLI Sports - 604 1452 Crestview Street Clearwater, FL 33755

(800) 958-8726 Sports surfaces, nets, padding & design Charles Meeks TurboSlot Sports - 643 P. O. Box 819 Mocksville, NC 27028 (800) 726-3568 Hitting gloves & TurboStiks Fred Willett TurboStats Software - 557 P. O. Box 144 Towaco, NJ 07082 (800) 607-8287 Stat-tracking software Don Trifari Turfco Manufacturing - 189, 191, 193 1655 - 101st Avenue NE Blaine, MN 55449 (800) 679-8201, www.turfco.com Turfco Manufacturing has served the professional turf industry for more than 50 years by providing the most advanced aeration and renovation equipment on the market. Bob Brophy See ad on page 29 Twin City Knitting Company, Inc. - 616 P. O. Box 1179 Conover, NC 28613 (800) 438-6884 Athletic socks, belts, hats, wrist/headbands Francis Davis Under Armour Athletic Apparel - 411 & 413 1020 Hull Street Baltimore, MD 21230 (888) 427-6687 Performance apparel Kevin Culley Uniforms Express - 419 & 518 2284 Old Middlefield Way #11 Mountain View, CA 94043 (888) 661-7044 Uniforms, hats & jackets Geoff Samuels United States Specialty Sports Association - 445 215 Celebration Place, Suite 180 Celebration, FL 34747 (800) 741-3014 Association Joey Odom USA Athletes International - 613 12819 S. Navaho Drive Olathe, KS 66062 (800) 413-6418 Sports tour organization William A. Edington USA Baseball - 415 & 417 P. O. Box 1131 Durham, NC 27702 (919) 474-8721 Olympic baseball team David Perkins

2004 PREVIEW

USA TODAY Sports Weekly - 317 7950 Jones Branch Drive McLean, VA 22108 (800) 582-0404 Publication Ted Chase Vantage Products International - Plaza 359 7895 Stage Hills Boulevard, Suite 105 Memphis, TN 38133 (800) 244-4457, www.vipsports.com Supplier of batting cages, protective screens, and netting as well as many other baseball related items. Jonathan Bawcum See ad on page 10 vCoach, Inc. - Plaza 565 14117 W. 61st Terrace Shawnee, KS 66216 (913) 438-1707 Mobile instant replay George Kauffman Victory Custom Athletic - 202 & 204 9006 Owensmouth Avenue Canoga Park, CA 91304 (800) 959-3566 Baseball uniforms, jackets & caps manufacturer Ed Le Cocq Vizual Edge, LLC - 614 105 Town Line Road, Suite 2020 Vernon Hills, IL 60061 (847) 816-3131 Visual performance evaluation & training Kathy Puchalski Weather Beater by Colorado Lining - 414 670 Painted Canyon Drive Bozeman, MT 59718 (877) 448-2777 E-mail: annalora@imt.net Athletic field covers Linda Annalora See ad on page 7 West Virginia Bats - TBD P.O. Box 11905 Charleston, WV 25339 (304) 346-3351 www.westvirginiabats.com Makers of the Original Metalwood Bat, the only bat that combines the durability of aluminum with the safety and playability of wood. Jay Cipoletti See ad on page 43 Western Athletic Supply Company - 102 P. O. Box 5407 Riverside, CA 92517 (800) 624-6637 Baseball equipment Jack Lenertz Western Industries – 107 P. O. Box 428 Miles City, MT 59301

(800) 488-5592 Infield, mound & plate covers Richard Martinez *Whip-O – 161 5103 Clyde Park Avenue SW Wyoming, MI 49509 (616) 532-1900 Warm-up bat Bruce Ritsema Wilson Sporting Goods - Bay 235 8700 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 11 Chicago, IL 60631 (800) 443-0011 x 6853 Full line of baseball/softball equipment, bats & uniforms Jim Hackett *Wind Weighted™ by Aer-Flo, Inc. - 617 & 619 1904 44th Ave. East Bradenton, FL 34203 (800) 823-7356 www.windweighted.com Manufacturer of Wind Weighted™ by Aer-Flo, Inc., baseball tarps and installers: self-ballasted covers for mound, home base, bullpens. No stakes or sandbags needed. Patent pending. Bill Henning, President See ad on page 6 World-Sport - 540 P. O. Box 661624 Los Angeles, CA 90066 (800) 496-8687 Top-quality international baseball tours David Eby Worth, Inc. - 603 & 605 P. O. Box 88104 Tullahoma, TN 37388 (800) 282-9637 Bats, balls, gloves & bags Mike Cunningham WSI Manufacturing - 314 2767 Highway 55 Eagan, MN 55121 (800) 783-4476 Moisture management & protective gear Ryan Holland *Xtra Bat Company - 195 14614 115th Avenue, Court E Puyallup, WA 98374 (877) 987-2228 Warm-up/training bat Tim Hecktor Zingbat/BMI Sales Group, Inc. 630 7750 Archer Road Justice, IL 60458 (866) 946-4228 BMI Sales Group, Inc., designed, produced, and sells the “Zingbat” bat swing trainer. The Zingbat teaches the batter to stay “inside the ball”. John G. Ciesar See ad on page 21

COACHING MANAGEMENT

ABCA

2004 PREVIEW

Products on Display AKADEMA (973) 772-7669, www.akademapro.com Much like in the insect world where the Praying Mantis is known to devour its competition, Akadema’s new catcher’s mitt will do the same to conventional catcher’s mitts. The Akadema patent pending Praying Mantis includes “stress wedge” technology located between the index finger and Booth Nos. 633 & 635 thumb to absorb the shock. Additional features include the double-sided slim padding, allowing increased pocket size. Circle No. 56 on Reader Inquiry Card

The Reptilian Claw™, from Akadema®, is the most innovative outfield glove on the market today. Designed to raise the level of play, the Reptilian Booth Nos. Claw features three wider fin633 & 635 ger stalls, which are much larger than a regular glove, as well as a Doubleflexed Hinge™ for easier collapse points in the pocket. The Reptilian Claw is made of top US Steerhide, and has a modified Flytrap™ web design. Circle No. 57 on Reader Inquiry Card

AMERICAN ATHLETIC, INC. (800) 247-3978, www.americanathletic.com AAI Batting Tees are constructed of tough polyurethane, the same material used in pitching machine balls. This construction makes the AAI Tees the toughest on the market. Solid polyurethane stems allow for constant pounding and will last significantly longer than standard tees. Stem height adjustment is 20.5” to 37”. Circle No. 58 on Reader Inquiry Card

ATEC (800) 998-ATEC, www.atecsports.com As the Official Pitching Machine of Major League Baseball®, the Hitting Streak®, from ATEC, is the ideal training tool for every level of performance. It delivers fastballs up to 60 mph and hundreds of different breaking pitches. A simple twist of the wrist allows you to quickly change from one pitch to another and easily run dozens of fielding drills. And to make your training sessions Bay 265 more productive, add the new Hitting Streak® 15-Baseball Automatic Feeder. Circle No. 59 on Reader Inquiry Card

BEACON BALLFIELDS (800) 747-5985, www.ballfields.com Beacon Ballfields has introduced the new Beacon Streamliner 35 dry line marker. The Beacon Streamliner 35 has features:

COACHING MANAGEMENT

A look at what suppliers will be displaying at their booths in the exhibit hall

Booth No. 543

a handle that easily collapses to 29” for easy storage; a molded plastic hopper with a semi-transparent cover for monitoring material; a variable chalk-flow control delivering two or four-inch lines; and the best string-line guide in the industry. Circle No. 60 on Reader Inquiry Card

BETTER BASEBALL (800) 997-4233, www.betterbaseball.com Betterbaseball is a total baseball supply house, specializing in custom cutting of any size net or batting cage you might want. The company provides quick, friendly customer service. Betterbaseball supplies everything from bases to plates, mounds, gear, and hardware, and it can all be found at betterbaseball.com or Booth No. 274 by calling the company. Circle No. 61 on Reader Inquiry Card

COLORADO LINING (877) 448-2777, www.weather-beater.com Each athletic field cover has its own unique characteristics. Rain Cover is no exception. As covers become more complicated, and more expensive, there Booth No. 414 are a certain number of customers that just need a cover, no bells and whistles. Just keep the rain off the field. That’s exactly what The Rain Coat, from Colorado Lining, does. It’s a little less complicated; it’s a whole lot cheaper. When the budget is as big of a problem as the precipitation, Rain Coat is your solution. Circle No. 62 on Reader Inquiry Card

COMPETITIVE EDGE DECISION SYSTEMS (888) 329-0722, www.chartmine.net Electronic pitch/hit charting. Developed in conjunction with Dean Stotz (associate head coach, Stanford Baseball) and Jay Miller (head coach, Mississippi State Softball), ChartMine is the most advanced pitch/hit charting program available. Chart the game on the field and transfer the data to your computer. Standard statistics and unbelievable pitching/hitting stats. If you want a Competitive Edge, you have to go beyond paper charting and simple electronic score keeping. You need to mine the wealth of information that is hidden in your pitching/hitting charts. Booth No. 441 Currently used by over 30% of DI programs, including Stanford, Fullerton, and UT Austin. ChartMine has been named a “best product” by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper the last three straight years. Circle No. 63 on Reader Inquiry Card

Booth Nos. 501, 503, 505 & 507

Circle No. 26

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2004 PREVIEW

Products on Display DIAMOND PRO (800) 228-2987, www.diamondpro.com Diamond Pro offers a complete line of professional groundskeeping products; infield conditioners, calcined clay, mound & homeplate clay/bricks, marking dust, infield and warning track mixes. The company offers fast and convenient delivery. Diamond Pro’s vitrified clay red infield conditioner is available in bulk nationwide. It is easy to handle and apply. Truckloads are available in 10-, 15-, and 24-ton loads that save you both time and money. Bay 449 Enjoy bulk savings nationwide and create an all-around safe professional infield playing surface. Circle No. 64 on Reader Inquiry Card

EARTH & TURF Booth No. 260

(800) 693-2638, www.earthandturf.com The affordable MultiSpread 300 topdresser, from Earth & Turf, will spread a variety of materials such as topdressing for athletic fields, golf greens, baseball infield mix, chips on

pathways, and salt-sand on sidewalks and driveways. Its capacity is 22 cubic feet, and a brush, beater, or twin spinner spreading system can be chosen with spread patterns from 3’ to 15’, making the model 300 highly versatile—another Earth & Turf “simple, well-built” design. Circle No. 65 on Reader Inquiry Card

EFUNDRAISING.COM (866) 224-8452, www.efundraising.com Try World’s Finest Chocolate $2 Straight Packs for your next fundraising campaign! Your supporters will love the creamy taste of these huge candy bars, and with up to 50% profit, your group will love the huge profits! Choose from Milk Chocolate with Almond Bars, W.F. Crisp Bars, Continental Almonds, or Fund Raisin’s! Less work, more profits: Booth No. 111 who could ask for more? Circle No. 66 on Reader Inquiry Card

EVERSAN, INC. (800) 383-6060, www.eversan.com Eversan, Inc. offers an array of outdoor scoreboards, timing systems, message centers and video displays. Eversan’s major

Orlando, FL / January 3 – 4, 2004 BASEBALL topics to include…

FOOTBALL topics to include…

• Off-season baseball conditioning

• Position-specific speed training for football

• Conditioning differences between high school, college, and professional athletes

• World class strength and conditioning facility opens at US Air Force Academy

• In-season maintenance—nutrition and wellness in baseball

• In season complex training

NSCA National Sponsors

Conference CEUs—NSCA 1.5 / NATA 15 For more information or to register call, the NSCA National Headquarters or visit us on the web.

National Strength and Conditioning Association P.O. Box 9908, Colorado Springs, CO 80932 • www.nsca-lift.org • 800-815-6826 Circle No. 27

COACHING MANAGEMENT

ABCA

2004 PREVIEW

Products on Display emphasis is producing energy efficient products that require low voltage and little maintenance; our outdoor scoreboards will run on a 12volt battery. All outdoor scoreboards come with brilliant reflective digits, which are Booth No. 210 energy efficient and can be viewed in direct sunlight. Its wireless system with a 2.4 GHz spread spectrum frequency allows for simple installation with no cable hassles. Circle No. 67 on Reader Inquiry Card

why many coaches agree that it’s the best swing trainer they have used. Circle No. 69 on Reader Inquiry Card

GRANADA PITCHING www.battingpractice.com, granada@battingpractice.com Granada baseball and softball pitching machines offer a true pitch indoors and outdoors. No nets are needed. The Booth No. Granada system has been proven to 148

increase a batter’s hitting on the field and in laboratory testing. Good batting practice should include at least 200 cuts a day without fear of the ball. Aggressive hitters will get 1,000 or more cuts a day. Granada has been improving hitting for more than 40 years. Circle No. 70 on Reader Inquiry Card

Eversan, Inc. provides 2.4 Ghz digital spread spectrum wireless scoreboards, message signs, video displays, timers and shot clocks. High frequencyhopping data transfer eliminates cable clutter, reducing installation cost and Booth No. 210 set up time. This energy-efficient system is built with fully integrated microprocessor-controlled components and embedded radios. Auto scanning allows for no complicated channel changes. Interference-free operation with long distance communication capabilities means data can be transmitted over one mile with optional antennas. Circle No. 68 on Reader Inquiry Card

FUNTASTIC SPORTS (877) 375-0315, www.funtasticsports.com The Rotor Twin, from Funtastic Sports, is a swing trainer/hitting station that players enjoy using Booth because it provides No. 206 a realistic hitting sensation and feedback on every swing. With proper swing plane and solid contact, it spins like a top. Poor swing or contact produces an erratic spin. Use it indoors or outdoors and take it anywhere. The height is adjustable. It’s durable, safe, and affordable. Find out Booth Nos. 189, 191, 193

Circle No. 28

ABCA

2004 PREVIEW

Products on Display HITTING IS A GUESS (661) 609-0105, www.hittingisaguess.com The Hitting Is A Guess Target gives hitters the feedback they need to test their swing for Line Drive Consistency off the tee. You can use it as a way to test your ability to hit line drives or use it for competition between players every day. Make the target a permanent station in Booth No. 128 your practice. Circle No. 71 on Reader Inquiry Card

HOOSIER BAT COMPANY (800) 228-3787, www.hoosierbat.com Hoosier Bat Company makes an all ash bat, used by many major and minor league players, and a patented three-piece wood bat, the WOODFORCE 2000 that’s now NCAA Approved. With Booth No. 309 ash in the handle, hickory in the sweet spot, and maple on the barrel end, this bat provides a solid sweet spot that will not flake, while retaining the same look and feel as a traditional all ash bat. All of our bats

Circle No. 29

are made from quality wood and crafted to exacting standards. Circle No. 72 on Reader Inquiry Card

KWIK GOAL (215) 536-2200, www.kwikgoal.com The Oversized L-Screen, from Kwik Goal, provides more protection for the pitcher during batting practice than the standard L-Screen, while being light enough to be moved on and off the field with ease. The Oversized L-Screen stands 7.5’ H x 7.5’ W, and the frame is made of 1.75” O.D. aluminum, which keeps the screen lightweight without Plaza 459 compromising its strength. Circle No. 73 on Reader Inquiry Card

With speed becoming more important every season, it is imperative for coaches to train Plaza 459 their players with various speed training exercises. To help coaches with their sessions, Kwik Goal now offers the Speed Training Pack. The pack includes

Booth No. 260

Circle No. 30

COACHING MANAGEMENT

Booth Nos. 131 & 230

ABCA

2004 PREVIEW

Products on Display a Speed Ladder, the new Speed Hurdles, Speed Rings, and Disc Cones. The equipment in this pack will allow players to improve both their speed and agility. Circle No. 74 on Reader Inquiry Card

LOUISVILLE SLUGGER (502) 588-7350, www.slugger.com Aerospace technology, which gave us most of the aluminum alloys used in the manufacturing of bats, continues to be an inspiration to Louisville Slugger engineers. TPX Armor features a matrix material coating, a proprietary combination of Booth Nos. 401 & 500 metal and ceramic, which is also used in jet engines. The metal portion of this ultra hard coating gives you the performance you expect, while the hard ceramic reduces wear and tear experienced in typical field play. Circle No. 75 on Reader Inquiry Card

Louisville Slugger and Alcoa have teamed up again to develop the newest member of the “Exclusive Alloy Family”—GEN1X with Scandium. In aluminum bat construction, the alloy’s strength is key to bat design, performance and Booth Nos. 401 & 500 durability. GEN1X with

Scandium combines the ultra strong GEN1X with Scandium, the best alloy-strengthening additive available for aluminum bat development. The result is an alloy with unprecedented levels of strength and toughness. Circle No. 76 on Reader Inquiry Card

M.A.S.A., INC. (800) 264-4519, www.MASA.com Poly Cap® from M.A.S.A. has been designed with both the players and the fans in mind. When applied to the top of chain-link fences, Poly Cap covers the sharp barbs that can damage uniforms and cause player injuries. Its advantages also include field beautification, increased visibility, and durability. The product’s optic-yellow color clearly defines the field for players and umpires alike. Poly cap is weathBooth Nos. 131 & 230 er-treated and UV-protected with a patented formula to withstand the most severe conditions. Circle No. 77 on Reader Inquiry Card

MARKWORT SPORTING GOODS (800) 669-6626, www.markwort.com Glove Locker™, from Markwort Sporting Goods, is the com-

The first and only leather baseball designed for pitching machines.

One-year guarantee on NeverBreak ™ Seams Hitting Streak® Axis®

Rookie

JUGS® has developed a new high-tech thread material that is 5 times stronger than stitching used in other leather baseballs.

Casey® Pro

Consistent Accuracy, Reliability and Performance

The New JUGS Pearl® has these quality features:

Pro Performance Requires Pro Practice. It pays to have the best tools for the job, no matter what your level of play. For over 25 years, ATEC’s complete line of baseball and softball pitching machines and training products have been the choice of the Major LeaguesTM, college and high school programs and youth leagues across the globe. And Consistent, Reliable Performance is the reason. For more information or a catalog of products, visit www.atecsports.com or call 1-800-998-ATEC.

ATHLETIC TRAINING EQUIPMENT COMPANY, Inc. Major League Baseball® trademarks and copyrights are used with the permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc.

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• Regulation Size: 9 in./5 oz. • Full-Grain Leather Cover • Cushion-Corked Center • Wool Winding Please visit the JUGS Booth at the ABCA to receive your free sample of the New JUGS Pearl® Buy a Bucket (4-Dozen Baseballs) and receive a $ Free Ball-Bucket Bag (a $39.95 value): Or, buy them by the dozen: $

135 80 33 95

To order or for more information call 1-800-547-6843 Bay 471

Circle No. 32

COACHING MANAGEMENT

ABCA

2004 PREVIEW

Products on Display plete ball glove break-in and maintenance kit, as it hugs your glove uniformly with the ball secure in an inner pocket. The result is Pocket Perfection™. The Glove Locker is made of stretchable and washable Booth No. 304 neoprene that is super light yet durable. The Glove Locker kit also comes with a supply of Glove Lube™, which is applied to the glove before wrapping the Glove Locker around it. Circle No. 78 on Reader Inquiry Card

MASTER PITCHING MACHINE (800) 878-8228, www.masterpitch.com The “Iron Mike” Pitching Machine, from Master Pitching Machine, features a throwing arm that allows the batter to see a full windup before the ball is pitched. This allows the batter to properly develop the Plaza fundamentals used when facing a live pitcher. This capability makes the “Iron 323 Mike” the preferred pitching machine of professional and amateur players and coaches. All machines are selffeeding, include an 80-foot remote

“This is the most innovative catcher’s mitt ever created” Gary Carter 11-Time All-Star Catcher

control, and carry a manufacturer’s warranty. Circle No. 79 on Reader Inquiry Card

MILLCREEK MANUFACTURING (800) 311-1323, www.millcreekmfg.com Wet material is notoriously the most difficult to spread because of its tendency to clump and clog spreading equipment. Millcreek Manufacturing Co. has introduced the Turf Tiger™, a large capacity topdresser that applies sand/peat topdressing, compost, infield mix, soil conditioners, and other bulk materials even when wet. The Turf Tiger has a 7,500pound capacity, and features a Booth No. 260 patent-pending SaberTooth spreading mechanism that applies wet material in uniform 8-foot to 12-foot wide patterns, depending on material conditions. Circle No. 80 on Reader Inquiry Card

PRO’S CHOICE (800) 648-1166 Pro Mound® packing clay from Pro’s Choice® is the choice of professional teams, universities, municipalities, and Little Leagues worldwide. When used at the mound and batter’s box

A 95 MPH Fast Ball Just Got Easier To Catch!

APM40 33.5" circumference pattern, Spiral-Lock web, open back, deep pocket, right hand throw only.

Slim-padding

Stress-Wedge

Spiral-Lock Web Finger-Hammocks

Much like in the insect world where the Praying Mantis is known to devour its competition, Akadema’s new catcher’s mitt will do the same to conventional catcher’s mitts. The Akadema patent pending Praying Mantis is the most innovative catcher’s mitt ever to hit the market, with many unique features setting it apart from the competition. With new patent pending “Stress Wedge” technology, located between the index finger and thumb, the Praying Mantis offers shock absorbing protection for the hand against injury and sting when receiving the ball. The Praying Mantis also offers two additional “Finger Hammocks” allowing the fingers to be firmly positioned and more secure in the glove. Additional features include the Double-sided Slim Padding allowing for increased pocket size and easier ball retention. Uniquely designed shape allows the throwing hand easier access into the pocket, resulting in a quicker glove to hand transfer and faster times to second base. The Praying Mantis also features a “Double Flexhinge” which makes the glove snap closed on contact.

Circle No. 33

COACHING MANAGEMENT

www.akademapro.com

Booth Nos. 633 & 635 Circle No. 34

Booth No. 660

ABCA

2004 PREVIEW

Products on Display areas, it bonds to form a solid sub-surface foundation that allows the pitcher and batter to dig in to establish firm footing without creating large wear holes. Pro Mound installs quickly, and more imporPlaza 229 tantly, it lasts. Experience safer playing conditions and reduced mound and batter’s box maintenance by choosing Pro Mound. For more information, call Pro’s Choice. Circle No. 81 on Reader Inquiry Card

safety, and maximized athletic performance. PROFILE also offers TURFACE MVP®, which eliminates compaction, bad ball hops, and rainouts on skinned infields; TURFACE Quick Dry®, designed to absorb excess water during wet conditions and to become a part of the infield mix; TURFACE Gray and TURFACE Red, infield conditioners manufactured in gray and red tones for a non-glare surface for greater ball visibility; and TURFACE Mound Clay, the clay used to build mounds on leading professional fields in the major leagues. Circle No. 83 on Reader Inquiry Card

For premium performance and a color that will set your field apart, choose the Soilmaster Select Series from Pro’s Choice. Scientifically engineered to meet daily maintenance challenges and give your field a professional look, Soilmaster Select is the true choice of groundskeepers around the league for building and maintaining winning ballfields. Plaza 229 Available in four distinct colors (red, green, brown, and charcoal), the uniform granules in Soilmaster Select manage moisture and alleviate compaction to keep your field in top playing condition. Pro’s Choice delivers a full line of sportsfield products for conditioning soil and infield mix, topdressing infields, quickly drying puddles, and revitalizing turf. Circle No. 82 on Reader Inquiry Card

TURFACE® offers a complete line of infield conditioners featuring newly patented Pro League®. Manufactured with smaller, uniform particles, Pro League® is the only patented calcined clay infield soil conditioner. Pro League® provides infield conditioning benefits creating superior sliding and fielding surPlaza 435 faces. Pro League is unmatched in drainage and absorption qualities for maximum rainout protection. Pro League® outperforms crushed aggregates by absorbing more water and conditioning the infield soil. The preferred soil conditioner of many Major League groundskeepers, Pro League® is designed to increase safety, playability, and drainage for baseball and softball infields at any level. Circle No. 84 on Reader Inquiry Card

PROFILE PRODUCTS LLC (800) 207-6457, www.turface.com For more than 40 years, PROFILE Products LLC has been the leading manufacturer of soil modification products, including the TURFACE® line of infield and sports turf conditioners, and mound clay products. Patented TURFACE Pro League® conditions infield soils for exceptional moisture Plaza 435 absorption, increased

PRO LOOK SPORTS (800) PROLOOK, www.prolooksports.com Pro Look Sports has become the fastest growing team sportswear company in the last six years for one reason: fully custom, quality uniforms. Most Booth Nos. companies limit your 623, 625, 627 choices to a few styles made from sub par materials. Continued on page 35

Circle No. 35 COACHING MANAGEMENT

THE

clipboard ddd

www.gssiweb.com

How to Evaluate Supplements By ELLEN COLEMAN, M.P.H., M.A., R.D. Nutrition consultant for the LA Lakers and The Sports Clinic (Riverside, CA)

Many athletes take dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs and others, to improve their performance and health. But caution is needed! Unlike medications, dietary supplements do not have to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration for safety or effectiveness. Dietary supplements are not standardized, so there is no assurance of product potency (strength) or purity. Some manufacturers may have poor quality control where the amount of an active ingredient may differ from the amount listed. Some supplements have been shown to contain contaminants or dangerous levels of active ingredients leading to injury or death.

✓ Made by nationally known food and drug

Just because a product claims that it contains “natural” ingredients does not always mean that it is safe.

✓ Accurate and appropriate claims. If statements are

manufacturers. Reputable manufacturers follow strict quality control procedures. If the company does not answer questions or address complaints, do not use their product.

✓ Supported by research. Reputable companies should provide research from peer-reviewed journals to support claims.

unclear or the label makes preposterous claims, it is unlikely the company follows good quality control procedures. If the claims sound too good to be true, be wary.

Banned Substance Alert Some dietary supplements may contain ingredients, such as androstenedione and ephedrine, that can produce positive tests for banned substances. Athletes may not realize that a product contains a banned ingredient because an unfamiliar name for the ingredient is used or the ingredient is not declared on the supplement label.

At the very least, the unwitting use of banned products by an athlete may result in a doping suspension. Choosing a Supplement Although there are no guarantees, select dietary supplements with the following:

✓ Carry USP (United States Pharmacopeia) on the

label. USP means that the supplement passes tests for dissolution (how well it dissolves), disintegration, potency and purity. The manufacturer should also be able to demonstrate that the product passes tests for content potency, purity and uniformity.

Talk with a doctor or pharmacist about dietary supplements. These products may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications as well as other supplements and cause potentially serious adverse effects. Read the product label, follow all directions, and heed warnings. Report any harmful effect to a physician and the Food and Drug Administration MedWatch.

ABCA

2004 PREVIEW

Products on Display Pro Look’s uniforms are made of the finest materials available; cut, trimmed and sewn to your exact specifications. There are no additional costs for embroidered logos or for soft tackletwill names and numbers. Additionally, all work is backed by an unprecedented two-year guarantee. If you can think it, we will do it for one inexpensive price. Go Pro. Circle No. 85 on Reader Inquiry Card “Just wanted to let you know that we received our uniforms today—they look fantastic. Thanks for everything. The kids are extremely excited. I will be in touch regarding my summer team.”—Keith Williams, Head Baseball Coach, RutgersCamden. If you want to feel the same way about your team’s uniforms, call Pro Look Booth Nos. 623, Sports. Go Pro. 625, 627 Circle No. 86 on Reader Inquiry Card

PROMATS (970) 484-2500, www.promats.com Promats, Inc. has supplied protective padding for teams or stadiums with affiliations in Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, World Cup Soccer, Indoor Arena

Football, college baseball, college softball, college football, and the Canadian League Football. Over 350 stadiums nationally contain Promats protective field wall padding prodBooth No. 506 ucts. Each facility is unique in its requirements and Promats offers many different types of padding to fill those needs. Just give us a call and our staff will help you design a padding system that will work for you. Circle No. 87 on Reader Inquiry Card Promats, the leader in stadium field wall padding with more than 350 major installations worldwide, introduces a revolutionary new field wall pad utilizing superior SKYDEX® Smarter Cushioning™ materials. Promats field wall pads with SKYDEX technology are vastly more durable, almost 60 percent lighter, and able to absorb impact far better than standard pads. Like all Promats products, Promats field wall pads with SKYDEX Smarter Cushioning can be customized for your stadium or arena. Booth No. 506 Circle No. 88 on Reader Inquiry Card

HOME RUN, LLC d/b/a

HOOSIER BAT COMPANY Fast becoming THE name for bats. We have what the players want!

WOOD FUNGO Guaranteed Never to Flake!! With No Taping Required!

GAME BATS Major League Stock • Minor League Stock

WOODFORCE 2000 Hickory Hitting Area – No Taping Required Game Use Approval for: Short Season A and Rookie League NCAA BESR CERTIFIED

28 B.P. 3-Piece Bat for One Hand, Soft Toss and T drills

ORDER YOURS TODAY 1-800-BAT-ERUP (1-800-228-3787) FAX (219)465-0877 • e-mail: baseball@netnitco.net

www.hoosierbat.com Circle No. 36

Booth No. 309

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2004 PREVIEW

ABCA

Products on Display QHI SPORTS (888) 784-5448, www.qhisports.com Hit like a pro. The Quick-T automated batting tee, from QHI Sports, will better develop the “muscle memory” so critical in the development of a batter’s proper hitting technique. The consistency of the automatic ball-feedBooth No. 673 ing system will enable the player to enjoy a more focused practice session by maintaining his or her batting stance, concentration, and rhythm. Each ball feeds on demand as the previous ball is hit off the tee with the 12-volt battery system supporting more than 3,000 hits before needing recharging. At 25 pounds, the Quick-T is light and very portable, yet stable enough to handle the toughest of practice drills. Maximize your practice time while improving your hitting technique. Circle No. 89 on Reader Inquiry Card

SCHUTT SPORTS (866) 4SCHUTT, www.schuttsports.com Schutt Sports’ 2800 Elite Batter’s Helmet for high school, collegiate, and professional play offers quality with a two-year warranty. It combines elements of Schutt’s Football Helmet System to provide for the ultimate in comfort and fit. Booth Nos. Available in an unlimited number 501, 503, of Pro Gloss® paint finishes, 505, 507 including Gold and Silver Metallic Flake and new Kandy™ finishes. The helmet is also available with custom bill and shell painting. Circle No. 90 on Reader Inquiry Card

Schutt Sports, the Official Base Supplier of Major League Baseball®, now brings you the opportunity to custom logo your bases on the tops and sides of your home plates and pitching rubbers on top as seen in such MLB® Jewel Events as the World Series®, All-Star Game™, Opening Day, and Home Run Derby™, and on all 300 MLB diamonds. Customize your bases for that championship look or utilize them for sponsorship opportuniBooth Nos. 501, 503, 505, 507 ties—another innovation from Schutt Sports, The Gear That Makes The Game™. Circle No. 91 on Reader Inquiry Card

SEATING SERVICES, INC. (800) 552-9470, www.seatingservices.com Seating Services, Inc. provides your stadium chair needs. The Series 3000 Cardinal Model blow molded chairs are gravity tip. They have no springs and/or pinsmaking them less expensive to manufacture, install, and maintain. The chairs have been designed for installation on conBooth No. 634

COACHING MANAGEMENT

crete or steel/aluminum grandstands. Seat widths can range from 18” to 22”. A wide variety of colors and options make these an excellent way to make fans comfortable and provide VIP seating that can be used for fund-raising. Circle No. 92 on Reader Inquiry Card

SPORTS ATTACK (800) 717-4251, www.sportsattack.com Sports Attack offers the Hack Attack Baseball Pitching Machine. This exclusive design allows the hitter to see the ball clearly all the way through the feeding motion, acceleration and release, just like a live pitcher. This visual arm action signals the hitter when to stride and Booth the angle of release, giving the hitNo. 404 ter an actual live arm sense of timing and location. The Hack Attack will throw unmatched array of right and left-handed pitches. Including major league quality fastballs and breaking pitches, curve balls, sliders, sinkers, and knuckleballs. All this is accomplished by simply changing the speed of the wheels with three dials, eliminating the time-consuming chore of adjusting the throwing head. It instantly switches to fungo work, pivoting in any direction, throwing grounders, long fly balls, deep line drives, towering infield popups, and popups up and back for your catcher with real game-like back spin. Circle No. 93 on Reader Inquiry Card

Sports Attack is introducing the Track Attack Vision Training Machine, a quality year-round majorleague training tool for hitters. Track Attack uses soft, limited flight pitching machine balls that are 20-percent smaller than a baseball. It is a valuable hitting station, forcing the hitter to track and focus on the center of the ball. It makes the head stay down Booth No. 404 causing the front shoulder and hips to stay in. Use it on any surface, indoors or out, gym field, or at home. A ball feeder is also available. Circle No. 94 on Reader Inquiry Card

SPORTS TUTOR (800) 448-8867, www.sportstutorinc.com The new HomePlate machine from Sports Tutor is the first programmable pitching machine designed for both batting cage and on-field use. The HomePlate machine can simulate almost any pitcher you are likely to face. It can throw a 90 mph fastball, followed by a 75 mph curve, followed by a change-up, followed by a slider, with only seven seconds between pitches. You can store up to eight different pitches in each of eight different programs. The programmed pitch0es can be thrown either sequentially (for specific hitting drills), or randomly (to simulate game conditions). HomePlate sells for $4,995. Bay 281 Circle No. 95 on Reader Inquiry Card

www.AthleticBid.com

www.AthleticBid.co Looking for companies and products via the INTERNET? AtleticBid.com gives you the tools to research products

thleticBid.com is a free service to help buyers at schools and athletic organizations research and contact companies in the most efficient fashion. AthleticBid.com offers the following services.

Online Buyer’s Guide Using AthleticBid.com’s on-line Buyer’s Guide, you are able to: • View the complete product line of companies. • View catalog pages or spec sheets from many of the top companies. Click on the “View Company Brochures” button for these

companies, and you will find PDF files titled by product or category. Print them out for easy reference. • Read a profile or description of select companies by clicking on the “About the Company” button. • Request to be contacted by a company representative. • Request catalog and sales literature from companies. Simply click on a button and fill in your address and an e-mail with your request is sent directly to the supplier.

Dealer Locator • Locate your nearest dealer for many leading manufacturers and suppliers.

The Market Place • Purchase inventory close-outs, discontinued items and products on sale from national suppliers. The products featured in this section are being sold at significant savings.

Place an RFP • You can use this service to request and receive information from numerous suppliers by providing your product specs only once and letting AthleticBid.com do the rest.

Jersey Field Products Park City, NJ 08832 Phone: (800) 275-8000; (973) 222-3300 | Fax: (973) 222-3333 Contact Name: John Jame s Email address: Jersey@a ol.net Company Description: Your “One-Stop Source” for America’s Leading Spor Supplies! Special mixes t Surfaces and for infields, pitcher’s mou nds, home plate areas and by over 100 pro teams and warning tracks. Used 5000 colleges, with 200 products from more than and bulk plants across the 20 distribution centers country. Call 1-800-275-80 00 for more information. View Product Line

The Product Connection • Products for your team or organization are highlighted through both descriptions and photos. You can request sales literature on products you’re interested in with just a click.

leticBid.com www.A

ABCA

2004 PREVIEW

Products on Display STABILIZER SOLUTIONS (800) 336-2468, www.stabilizersolutions.com Hilltopper, from Stabilizer Solutions, Inc., is a unique combination of long lasting binders and natural clay that produces a flexible, stable compound for mounds and home plate areas. Hilltopper provides optimum cohesion right out of the bag. It does not need water—just spread and tamp. No mud. No dust. It’s ready to Booth No. 159 play. Installation and repairs take half the time of traditional clay products. Circle No. 96 on Reader Inquiry Card

STALKER RADAR

Booth No. 660

(888) STALKER, www.stalkerradar.com The ultra-high performance Stalker Sport Radar Gun, from Stalker Radar, precisely measures the speed of a baseball when it leaves the pitcher’s hand, and it also reads the speed as it crosses the plate (these speeds can be up to 12 mph different). The Stalker

is three times more powerful than any other sports radar gun, and can accurately clock pitches from over 300 feet away. A new double capacity battery handle is available that provides 7-40 hours of use between charges. About 90 percent of the Major League Baseball teams use the Stalker. Circle No. 97 on Reader Inquiry Card

TURFCO MANUFACTURING (800) 679-8201, www.turfco.com Unlike traditional rotary edgers, the Turfco Edge-R-Rite’s unique oscillating blade cuts turf without throwing debris, making it safer to use in high-traffic areas and easier to cleanup after. The edger eliminates spade or shovel edging and leaves Booth Nos. 189, 191, 193 a professional-looking edge. The right angle blade edges golf course bunkers, baseball diamonds, or flowerbeds. Additional blades can be added to edge sidewalks, curbs, driveways, and to cut in drainage or install all sorts of edging. Depth control can be easily adjusted up to four inches. The Edge-R-Rite is built with a solid-steel frame and a traction-assist drive. Circle No. 98 on Reader Inquiry Card

NEW SKYDEX CORE TECHNOLOGY “ULTIMATE PLAYER PROTECTION”

PROMATS… Creating a safer place to play.

FIELDWALL/BACKSTOP PADDING BACKSTOP NETTING POLYCAP/FENCEGUARD BASEBALL/SOFTBALL ACCESSORIES LARGE FORMAT ADVERTISING RAIL/POST PADDING

Protective padding products for over 30 years.

WINDSCREENS BASE COVERS BENCH PADS TURF PROTECTORS

www.promats.com Circle No. 38

COACHING MANAGEMENT

CUSTOM MANUFACTURING Booth No. 506

ABCA

2004 PREVIEW

Products on Display Turfco's Mete-R-Matic XL tow-type top dresser features a midrange hopper capacity for larger turf areas on sports fields. The Mete-R-Matic XL features the proven Mete-R-Matic patented design, the patented chevron belt, a ground drive system and Turfco's industry-leading 3-year warranty. The Mete-R-Matic XL's mid-range hopper capacity is 2.25 cubic yards, or 60.75 cubic feet, and it can carry a maximum load weight of 6,000 pounds. Stop by booth nos. 189, 191, and 193 for more information. Circle No. 99 on Reader Inquiry Card

VANTAGE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL (800) 244-4457, www.vpisports.com VPI now offers the Big Bubba Professional Portable Batting Cage. The Big Bubba is the premium choice for high school, collegiate and professional baseball programs at considerable cost savings. The heavy-duty aluminum construction, easy portability and collapsible design make it the perfect backstop for Plaza 359 any level. It is 18’ W x 22’ D x 12’ H and collapses to only 5’ high for limited storage space. Sixteen-inch pneumatic wheels make relocation simple. Forty-

Booth No. 206

Circle No. 39

two feet of ricochet cushion minimizes ball rebound. Use the coaches’ observation bar for safe elevated viewing. Circle No. 100 on Reader Inquiry Card

ZINGBAT (866) Zingbat (946-4228), www.zingbat.com Zingbat™ has recently introduced the new “16 oz.” one hand isolation trainer. The batter can now practice lead arm and top hand drills to isolate proper arm path and hand action. With each swing, the isolation trainer forces the arm to take the correct path, keeping the hand inside the ball. The wrist must snap the barrel at the correct instant, or the patented Zingbat™ “click” will occur before contact. Coaches and players across the country are welcoming this new addition Booth No. 630 to the Zingbat™ line. Call for a free instructional video or see a demo on the company’s Web site. Circle No. 101 on Reader Inquiry Card

Plaza 323

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COACHING MANAGEMENT

PRODUCTS DIRECTORY

ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY

® ho-Pat P F A L RODUCTS

CTIVE

CIRCLE NO.

IFESTYLES

All Products Made in the U.S.A.

COMPANY

4 . . . . Aer-Flo

PAGE NO. (Wind Weighted Tarps).

.......6

31 . . . . ATEC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 7 . . . . Bannerman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 6 . . . . Beacon Ballfields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 44 . . . . BetterBaseball. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

I.T.B. Strap W NE

Sizes: XS - XL

Applies compression at the area of discomfort, usually above the knee joint or upper thigh, to prevent the snapping or friction of the iliotibial band.

45 . . . . ChartMine

(Competitive Edge)

. . . . . . 47

41 . . . . Cho-Pat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 15 . . . . Diamond Pro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 29 . . . . Earth & Turf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 50 . . . . Easton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BC 47 . . . . eFundraising.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 1 . . . . Eversan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC 2 . . . . Gatorade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 42 . . . . Gebauer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 8 . . . . Granada Pitching . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 22 . . . . Heying Company

Cho-Pat® Knee Strap

Sizes: XS - XXL

Cho-Pat’s Original Knee Strap is designed to alleviate certain knee discomforts due to overuse syndromes, arthritis, and other forms of degeneration. Nearly two million sold!

(Infield Drag)

. . . . . 22

48 . . . . Hitting Is A Guess . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 37 . . . . Hoosier Bat Company . . . . . . . . . . 35 32 . . . . JUGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 14 . . . . Kwik Goal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 10 . . . . Louisville Slugger . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 12 . . . . Louisville Slugger

(TPX) .

. . . . . . . . . 15

30 . . . . M.A.S.A. Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 36 . . . . Markwort Sporting Goods. . . . . . . 35 40 . . . . Master Pitching Machine . . . . . . . . 39 43 . . . . Metalwood Bat

(W. Virginia Bats)

. . . . 43

19 . . . . Millcreek Manufacturing . . . . . . . . 21 27 . . . . NSCA

Dual Action Knee Strap

(Now Patented)

Sizes: Sm - XL

Strengthens and tightens kneecap mechanism by applying pressure upon the tendon above and below the kneecap and lessens the development of iliotibial band and overuse syndromes.

(Sport-Specific Conference) .

. . . . 28

35 . . . . Partac/Beam Clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 16 . . . . Pitcher’s Mate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 33 . . . . Praying Mantis

(Akadema)

. . . . . . . . 32

3 . . . . Pro Look Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 13 . . . . Pro’s Choice Field Products . . . . . . 16 38 . . . . Promats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 46 . . . . QHI Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 39 . . . . Rotor Twin

(Funtastic Sports)

. . . . . . . 39

26 . . . . Schutt Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 23 . . . . Seating Services, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . 23 17 . . . . Signature Fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Achilles Tendon Strap

Sizes: S, M, L

This patented device will reduce stress upon the Achilles Tendon and provide effective relief from pain and discomfort associated with Achilles Tendonitis.

49 . . . . Sports Attack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC 25 . . . . Sports Tutor

(HomePlate)

. . . . . . . . . 24

24 . . . . Stabilizer Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 34 . . . . Stalker Radar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 (PIK Products) .

. . . . . . . . . . 22

(Profile Products)

. . . . . . . . . . 13

21 . . . . Swift Stik 11 . . . . Turface

28 . . . . Turfco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 9 . . . . Vantage Products Int’l. . . . . . . . . . 10 5 . . . . WeatherBeater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 18 . . . . Xvest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 20 . . . . ZingBat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Call 800-221-1601 (toll free) or 609-261-1336 or visit www.cho-pat.com to learn more about Cho-Pat’s innovative sports/medicine devices. Circle No. 41

40 COACHING MANAGEMENT

For Quicker Response, Request Information From Advertisers On-Line at

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CIRCLE NO.

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COMPANY

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Aer-Flo (Wind Weighted Tarps) . . . . . . . Akadema (Praying Mantis) . . . . . . . . . Akadema (Reptilian Claw) . . . . . . . . . American Athletic, Inc. . . . . . . . . . ATEC (FlatBat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ATEC (Hitting Streak) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bannerman (Ballpark-6) . . . . . . . . . . . Bannerman (Diamond Master). . . . . . . Beacon Ballfields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BetterBaseball. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ChartMine (Competitive Edge) . . . . . . Cho-Pat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diamond Pro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Earth & Turf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Easton (half-mock T) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Easton (long sleeve crew) . . . . . . . . . . eFundraising.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eversan (outdoor scoreboards) . . . . . . . Eversan (wireless scoreboards) . . . . . . . Funtastic Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Granada Pitching . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heying Company (Infield Drag) . . . . . Hitting Is A Guess (resistance belt) . . . Hitting Is A Guess (target) . . . . . . . . Hoosier Bat Company . . . . . . . . . . JUGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kwik Goal (Oversized L-Screen) . . . . . . Kwik Goal (Speed Training Pack) . . . . . Louisville Slugger (GEN1X). . . . . . . . Louisville Slugger (TPX Armor) . . . . . M.A.S.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Markwort (C-Flap guard) . . . . . . . . . . Markwort (Glove Locker) . . . . . . . . . . Master Pitching Machine . . . . . . . . McDavid (Body Shirts) . . . . . . . . . . . . McDavid (Microfiber Shirts) . . . . . . . . . Metalwood Bat (W. Virginia Bats) . . . . Millcreek Mfg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moyer Sports U.S.A. . . . . . . . . . . . Nike (Pro Compression) . . . . . . . . . . . Nike (Pro Vent) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NSCA (conference) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NSCA (membership) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Partac/Beam Clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pitcher’s Mate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power Systems (Baseball Power Program) Power Systems (catalog) . . . . . . . . . Power Systems (CorBall) . . . . . . . . . Pro Look Sports (sportswear) . . . . . . Pro Look Sports (uniforms) . . . . . . . . Pro’s Choice (Pro Mound packing clay) . Pro’s Choice (Soilmaster Select) . . . . . Promats (protective padding) . . . . . . . Promats (stadium field wall padding) . . . QHI Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Schutt Sports (batter’s helmet) . . . . . . Schutt Sports (custom logo bases) . . . . Seating Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Signature Fencing (EventDeck) . . . . . Signature Fencing (SportPanel) . . . . . Sports Attack (Hack Attack) . . . . . . . . Sports Imports (Track Attack) . . . . . . . Sports Tutor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stabilizer Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . Stalker Radar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Swift Stik (PIK Products) . . . . . . . . . . . Turface (Pro League) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Turface (Profile Products) . . . . . . . . . . Turfco (Edge-R-Rite) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Turfco (Mete-R-Matic XL) . . . . . . . . . . Vantage Products Int’l. . . . . . . . . . WeatherBeater (Colorado Lining) . . . . Xvest (Don Chu) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Xvest (Fire Fighter model) . . . . . . . . . . Zingbat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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American Baseball Coaches Association 108 South University Avenue Suite #3 Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858-2327 Web site: www.abca.org

Phone: (949) 775-3300 Fax: (949) 775-3600 E-mail: abca@abca.org

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 College Baseball Coaches Association. Over the past 50 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, $35 for Canadian members, and $40 for others. All membership must be paid on US money orders or checks drawn from US banks.

2004 ABCA NEW MEMBER FORM

I wish to: (circle one)

Name Title Address

Please Circle Association: NCAA I NCAA II NCAA III YOUTH ACAD CANADA

School/Organization Phone No. Check CC#

Renew my membership Change my address Join as a new member

Office Use Only Check # Invoice Date NAIA SCOUT

NJCAA HS PRO INT’L

Years Coached Fax No.

E-mail

Visa/Mastercard Exp. Date

Signature

TOPICAL SKIN REFRIGERANT

Booth No. 42 COACHING MANAGEMENT

ABCA

2004 PREVIEW New Products Debuting Get a jump on scoping out hot new products making their debut in San Antonio.

AER-FLO, INC. (800) 823-7356, www.windweighted.com Wind Weighted™ Baseball Tarps are virtually wind-proof. The patent-pending covers for mound, home base, and bullpens feature built-in ballast weights to keep them down in wind. No spikes or sandbags are needed. The installer device allows installation in 30 seconds with as few as two people. The tough, waterproof 14 oz. vinyl-polyester fabric is UV and mildew treated. It has a two-year warranty and is competitively priced. Wind Weighted™ Baseball Tarps—the hottest new product of 2004. Contact the company or visit Booth Nos. 617 and 619 for more information.

ATEC (800) 998-ATEC, www.atecsports.com Increase your batting average. Basic body mechanics, especially the way you grip the bat and roll your wrist are crucial to developing a great swing. The top Major League hitting coaches have used the FlatBat for years to get the best possible performance from their players. Get the instantaneous feedback you need in building proper muscle memory. Use the FlatBat in training with your tee, soft toss, and live-pitch drills. Contact the company or stop by Bay 265 for more information. Circle No. 104 on Reader Inquiry Card

JUGS (800) 547-6843, www.thejugscompany.com JUGS offers the new JUGS® Pearl with NeverBreak™ Seam Technology. The company that was first to give you a five-year guarantee on its pitching machines now gives you an unprecedented one-year guarantee on the longest-lasting leather baseball. The JUGS Pearl®. JUGS has developed a new high-tech thread material that is five times stronger than stitching used in other leather baseballs. The JUGS Pearl is regulation size 9 inch/5 oz. and has a fullgrain leather cover. Contact the company or visit Bay 471 for more information. Circle No. 105 on Reader Inquiry Card

Circle No. 103 on Reader Inquiry Card

MARKWORT SPORTING GOODS (314) 652-8935, www.markwort.com Markwort Sporting Goods is debuting several new products at the convention, including the C-Flap guard and HeartGard. The C-Flap features an innovative design that helps prevent facial injuries to batters. It easily mounts to the ear flap of the batting helmet, covering the side of the face exposed to the pitcher, without obstructing vision or air flow. The Heart-Gard is a small (6" by 6") polyethylene protective guard that absorbs impact energy and forces it away from the heart. Visit Booth No. 304 for more information. Circle No. 106 on Reader Inquiry Card

COACHING MANAGEMENT

POWER SYSTEMS (800) 321-6975, www.power-systems.com The Baseball Power Program exclusively from Power Systems is a baseball specific, 12-week training program designed to enhance speed, agility, quickness and explosiveness. The package includes the necessary equipment to help develop the skills most fundamental to baseball, plus a video and training manual to take you step-bystep through the program. The Baseball Power Program includes: Agility Ladder, 6 lb. Power Medicine Ball, Lateral Stepper, Balance Disc, Power Chute, Power Throw Ball, nylon carry bag and Power Program manual and video. Visit Booth No. 611 for more information.

POWER SYSTEMS (800) 321-6975, www.power-systems.com The CorBall from Power Systems enables you to train your body in an explosive manner in all planes of motion. This unique design combines the traditional medicine ball with a grip ball to give you a more functional and diverse training product. The dual handgrips provide versatility and are ideal for abdominal training, rotational movements and strength training. Constructed of hollow synthetic rubber. Available in sizes 8 lbs. to 20 lbs. All balls are 11" diameter. Check out Booth No. 611 for more information.

Circle No. 107 on Reader Inquiry Card

Circle No. 108 on Reader Inquiry Card

Catalog Showcase

HITTING IS A GUESS (661) 609-0105, www.hittingisaguess.com The Resistance Belt, from Hitting Is A Guess, is designed to resist against the two most critical lower body movements of the swing; pushing off the back side and turning the hips. During the load, it teaches you to stay leveraged and during the swing it forces you to work hard to get through the ball. Visit Booth No. 128 for more information. Circle No. 109 on Reader Inquiry Card

POWER SYSTEMS, INC. (800) 321-6975, www.power-systems.com Since 1986 Power Systems has been a leading supplier of sport training, health and fitness products. The company prides itself in being the one resource for all of your training needs. Its new 2004 catalog has a new look with better graphics and photos. Included areas are core strength, medicine balls, speed, plyometrics, agility, strength equipment, strength accessories and flooring. You will find the catalog full of hundreds of new products and dozens of products available exclusively from Power Systems. The company has also lowered some prices to enable the customer to get premium products at great prices. Go online or call Power Systems to request a free 2004 catalog today. Circle No. 111 on Reader Inquiry Card, Booth No. 611

To request information from these companies, immediately go to www.AthleticBid.com and visit the Buyer’s Guide section. You can search by vendor or product category to find these companies.

WEST VIRGINIA BATS (304) 346-3351, www.westvirginiabats.com The Original Metalwood Bat, from West Virginia Bats, combines four attributes in one bat – playability, durability, affordability, and safety – that until now were mutually exclusive. "The Original Metalwood Bat brings together the best qualities of both wood and aluminum bats. The metal handle is strong and comfortable, allowing you to cast the barrel. The wood barrel makes it mandatory that you take a major league swing." – Merv Rettenmund, Toronto Blue Jays hitting instructor. Contact the company or visit its booth (tbd) for more information. Circle No. 110 on Reader Inquiry Card

Circle No. 43 COACHING MANAGEMENT

Performance Apparel What athletes are wearing underneath their uniforms. By Dale Strauf, Athletic Equipment Manager, Cornell University, and President of the Athletic Equipment Managers Association You don’t want to purchase any type of undergarment until you have had an opportunity to field-test it. In conducting the field-test, evaluate the garment in the following areas: O O O O

Does it perform the way it is supposed to on the athlete? Does it hold its shape during use? Does the fabric appear to be durable? Are the seams finished off and reinforced so that they’ll hold over time? O Is the waistband stitched enough so that it won’t be abrasive to the athlete? O Does it hold its color when you wash it?

EASTON SPORTS/ EASTON BASEBALL (800) 347-3901 www.eastonsports.com Product Name: Compression HalfMock T Features: 100% nylon BioDri™ technology with four-way compression; Long sleeve two tone performance construction; The ultimate in comfort and compression for maximum performance; Skinz™ Moisture Management Apparel (detailed below) Fabric content: 100% Nylon Bio-Dri™; Skinz™ apparel features 100% micro-fiber fabrics Styles Offered: Colors: Black, navy, red, royal Adult sizes: M-XXXL Youth sizes: M-XL Single-layer or multi-layer construction? Two tone performance construction Perspiration Wicking Qualities: Skinz™ moisture management apparel featuring: 100% micro-fiber fabrics; Engineered for maximum comfort and performance; Bio-Dri™ fabric wicks away moisture keeping you dry and light; The ultimate in baseball/softball performance apparel Team Discount Program: Various programs available upon contacting Easton via 800 number. Circle No. 112 on Reader Inquiry Card

COACHING MANAGEMENT

You should field-test the garment by letting one of your more active players—someone who’s really going to give it a lot of punishment—wear it during workouts. It’s best to conduct the testing right after the season’s over during conditioning workouts. Have the athlete wear it for a minimum of two weeks to properly test it. You shouldn’t have any problems getting companies to provide you with product to field-test. The companies that are really confident in their product will have no problem giving you a sample to test. Let the company know that you will return the sample back to them at their request. If the undergarment holds up to its claims during the fieldtestings, and the price and features meet your needs, then you know you are purchasing the right undergarment for your athletes.

Product Name: Loose Fit Long Sleeve Crew Features: 100% micro-fiber polyester; BioDri™ fabric wicks away moisture keeping you dry and light; Engineered for maximum comfort and performance Fabric content: 100% micro-fiber polyester Styles Offered: Colors: Black, navy, red, royal, white, grey Adult sizes: M-XXXL/Youth sizes: S/M L/XL Single-layer or multi-layer construction? Single-layer Perspiration Wicking Qualities: 100% micro-fiber fabrics; Bio-Dri™ fabric wicks away moisture keeping you dry and light Team Discount Program: Various programs available upon contacting Easton via 800 number. Circle No. 113 on Reader Inquiry Card

MCDAVID SPORTS/MEDICAL PRODUCTS (800) 237-8254 www.mcdavidinc.com Product Name: McDavid Body Shirts (hDc Performance Apparel) Features: Long sleeve, short sleeve, sleeveless (mock/crew). Fabric content: 85% nylon, 15% spandex

Styles Offered: Nylon/spandex construction with hDc Technology offers premium compression support. Single-layer or multi-layer construction? Single-layer Perspiration Wicking Qualities: hDc is a permanent compound that absorbs moisture and disperses it into the fabric evaporating moisture quickly. Chemical Treatments Used: Ultra hDc, hDc Circle No. 114 on Reader Inquiry Card Product Name: Microfiber Shirts (hDc Performance Apparel) Features: Long sleeve, short sleeve, sleeveless (mock/crew). Fabric content: 100% micro polyester Styles Offered: Microfiber loosewear is an ultra light micro polyester that provides maximum comfort. Single-layer or multi-layer construction? Single-layer Perspiration Wicking Qualities: hDc is a permanent compound that absorbs moisture and disperses it into the fabric evaporating moisture quickly. Chemical Treatments Used: Ultra hDc, hDc Circle No. 115 on Reader Inquiry Card

Performance Apparel NIKE Web site: www.niketown.com Product Name: Nike Pro Compression Features: Nike Pro is featured in sleeveless, long sleeve, mock, and tees, as well as shorts and tights. Nike Pro Compression provides cool, lightweight support for your workout. Made with stretch Dri-FIT technology designed to keep you dry and comfortable while enhancing athletic performance. Fabric Content: 62% polyester, 22% nylon, 16% spandex Styles Offered: Nike Pro featured in a sleeveless, long sleeve, mock, tee, short, and tight.

Single-layer or multi-layer construction? Single-layer Perspiration Wicking Qualities: Made with stretch Dri-FIT technology designed to keep you dry and comfortable while enhancing athletic performance. Chemical Treatments Used: In addition to fiber construction there is a wicking chemical finish. Circle No. 116 on Reader Inquiry Card Product Name: Nike Pro Vent Features: Nike Pro Vent is featured in a sleeveless, long sleeve, and short sleeve top. Nike Pro Vent provides cool, lightweight support for your workout.

Strategically placed vents are laminated to Dri-FIT fabric to improve air flow and keep you dry and comfortable while enhancing athletic performance. Fabric Content: Body: 82% polyester, 18% spandex Mesh: 86% polyester, 10% spandex, 4% other Styles Offered: Nike Pro Vent is featured in a sleeveless, long sleeve, and short sleeve top. Perspiration Wicking Qualities: Made with stretch Dri-FIT technology designed to keep you dry and comfortable while enhancing athletic performance. Chemical Treatments Used: In addition to fiber construction there is a wicking chemical finish. Circle No. 117 on Reader Inquiry Card

Check out www.AthleticBid.com to contact these companies.

Netting And More

On The The Web Web $275

www.BetterBaseball.com OR CALL us @ 800 99 SHADE (74233) Booth No. 274

Circle No. 44

COACHING MANAGEMENT

More Products Here are some products that will not be at the ABCA Convention that you should also consider as you prepare for your upcoming season. BANNERMAN LTD. (800) 665-2596, www.sportsturfmagic.com Restore your diamond’s luster in 20 minutes or less. Bannerman Ltd., in Rexdale, Ont., manufactures groomers that will level and care for baseball diamonds, warning tracks, and walking trails. The B-DM-6 Diamond Master® has five grooming tools, including: Ripper Blade, Rake, Leveler, Roller, and Finishing Brush. Options available: Extension Wing Brush Kit, Hydraulic Tractor Top Link, 50-gallon Water Tank with spray nozzle, and Long Tine “Fluffing” Rake. Circle No. 119 on Reader Inquiry Card

When your players’ safety comes first, look to Bannerman Ltd., which manufactures groomers used to shape, level, and care for baseball diamonds. The B-BP-6 Ballpark-6® model has five grooming tools, including: Ripper Blade, Rake, Leveler, Roller, and Brush. Accessories available: Extension Wing Brush Kit, Hydraulic Tractor Top Link, 50-gallon Water Tank with spray nozzle, and Long Tine “Fluffing” Rake. Circle No. 120 on Reader Inquiry Card

CHO-PAT, INC. (800) 221-1601, www.cho-pat.com Cho-Pat’s Forearm Support secures and supports forearm muscles that are over-exercised or strained during athletic activities such as baseball or tennis; activities where one repeatedly extends the arm and applies force. The strap applies compression at the forearm to absorb and dispense pain-causing forces easing stress on the forearm muscles and their attachments and reducing inflammation. Circle No. 121 on Reader Inquiry Card

COACHING MANAGEMENT

HEYING CO. (712) 756-8847, www.infield-drag.com The All Star Chisel-Drag™, from Heying Co., breaks up hard-compacted surfaces such as infields, warning tracks, etc. Cutting depth adjusts easily from 0” to 3”. Teeth are highstrength hardened steel and are easy to replace when worn. Includes top weight tray. Articulated tongue and hitch adjust quickly and easily. Quickly raises up to travel off the field, so no need to carry. No tools needed to make adjustments. Broom and Drag Mat attachments also available for general purpose dragging. Circle No. 122 on Reader Inquiry Card

MOYER SPORTS (800) 255-5299, ext. 3, www.moyersports.com Moyer Sports offers a full line of stock baseball and softball uniforms. Top name brands such as Bike and Moyer’s custom line are offered. A variety of hats with custom styling is also available. Circle No. 123 on Reader Inquiry Card

NSCA (800) 815-6826, www.nsca-lift.org Join the elite of football and baseball strength and conditioning professionals for two days of learning and networking at the 2004 NSCA SportSpecific Training Conference. Plan to ring in the New Year in sunny Orlando, Florida – home to DisneyWorld®, Epcot®, Universal Studios®, SeaWorld®, and more. Coaches from bowl-contending and collegiate world-series contending universities will be giving cutting-edge presentations on football and baseball. Circle No. 124 on Reader Inquiry Card

Share your knowledge with other specialized individuals by joining more than 26,000 professionals in the sport science, athletic and fitness industries that are members of the NSCA. Enjoy leading

strength and conditioning publications, cutting-edge conferences, nationally accredited certifications, educational resources and products, and career services. Circle No. 125 on Reader Inquiry Card

PARTAC/BEAM CLAY® (800) 247-BEAM Partac/Beam Clay® offers FenceGuard™ Protective Covers for chain-link fencing. Now available in six colors—safety yellow, dark green, red, white, blue, and orange—plus standard and premium grades. These heavy-duty, UV-resistant, polyethylene covers protect players from chainlink fence injuries and provide a neat and distinctive look to fencing. FenceGuard comes in cartons of 10 eight-foot sections with 50 eight-inch UV-resistant ties for securing every two feet to the fence. FenceGuard has a five-year manufacturer’s limited warranty and ships by UPS. Circle No. 126 on Reader Inquiry Card

PITCHER'S MATE (270) 586-6186, www.pitchers-mate.com Pitcher’s Mate offers this reversible lifesize target. The target features a lifesize 5’10” baseball and 5’4” softball batter and a pass-through, four-section strike zone. Constructed of tough material and a stainless steel frame, this target weighs only 28 pounds and is easy to set up and move. Use this target indoors and outdoors for serious offseason throwing. Circle No. 127 on Reader Inquiry Card

SIGNATURE FENCING SYSTEMS (800) 569-2751, www.signaturefencing.com Signature (Fencing) Systems, LLC, offers its SportPanel® portable outfield fencing. SportPanel is a lightweight, weather-resistant, easy-to-install outfield fenc-

More Products ing system that enhances player safety, while providing a “stadiumlike” feel at your next game. Panels come complete with foam connectors and anchoring wickets, and foul poles are available for tournament play. Circle No. 128 on Reader Inquiry Card EventDeck Portable Flooring, from Signature (Fencing) Systems, is a rollable temporary flooring and pathway system, which provides access, turf protection, and decorative enhancement for special events and other gatherings. From natural and synthetic turf stadiums, to ice and dirt arenas, and from large tent functions to track crossings, EventDeck will provide a firm, comfortable floor upon which all types of events and gatherings can be held. Whether you’re planning a concert for 60,000 or a wedding for 100, EventDeck is the perfect alternative to costly tarps, built up wooden floors, staging, and decking. You’ll experience immediate labor savings, improved speed of installation, and reduced long-term maintenance due to EventDeck’s unique design features. Contact the company for more information. Circle No. 129 on Reader Inquiry Card

SWIFT STIK (877) 845-STIK, www.swiftstik.net Swift Stik is the fastest way to improve your swing. This simple-to-use lightweight training bat is great for baseball and softball and gives you hundreds of

X VEST (800) 697-5658, www.THExVest.com “I have found the X Vest to be an excellent tool for providing overloads in both plyometric and strength training, conditioning and rehabilitation programs. The fit and adaptability are excellent. The X Vest allows for freedom of movement and doesn’t interfere with any of the agility, bounding or running programs that I write for a wide variety of athletes, both collegiate and professional. The X Vest has proven itself in my programs! Thank you for all your efforts and help in improving my capability as a strength & conditioning specialist.”—Donald A. Chu PhD, PT,

ATC, CSCS and author of Jumping into Plyometrics. Circle No. 131 on Reader Inquiry Card Xvest has a new weight configuration and it’s heavy, 84 pounds of heavy. The NEW Xvest known as the Fire Fighter model was developed for the Fire Fighter and their rigorous training. It has the basic design as the original Xvest but internally it has a new weight configuration allowing for 84 pounds. Because of its ability to adjust weight like the original Xvest numerous individuals from bodybuilders to the military are buying them. Circle No. 132 on Reader Inquiry Card

Check out www.AthleticBid.com TM

ChartMine

Award-Winning Electronic Pitch/Hit Charting for Baseball and Softball

• Chart pitching and hitting on the field using a PocketPC • Transfer the data to your desktop computer with ease • Standard stats PLUS incredible analysis not available anywhere else • Named “Top Product” by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper for 3 straight years • Used and recommended by 1/3 of all D1 teams including Stanford, Texas, UCLA & Arizona. Also used by USA Softball and top high schools

www.chartmine.net or call toll-free: 888-329-0722 Booth No. 441

Circle No. 45

Booth No. 673

Circle No. 46

extra swings per day. You get results fast. It improves hand-eye coordination, builds muscle memory, isolates the sweet spot, and increases bat speed. Endorsed by professional hitting guru Mike Epstein, “This is, without a doubt, the best training tool I have ever used.” It is available in 34” and 30” sizes with a patented, adjustable foam “sweet spot”. It is packaged with an instructional video and four small polyballs. Use it with tennis, wiffle, or soft foam balls. Special coaches pricing is available. Circle No. 130 on Reader Inquiry Card COACHING MANAGEMENT

Web Connections AMERICAN ATHLETIC, INC. WWW.AMERICANATHLETIC.COM

FAIR-PLAY SCOREBOARDS WWW.FAIR-PLAY.COM

The American Athletic, Inc., Web site describes AAI’s quality-driven design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities and its world-class products for the sports of gymnastics, baseball, volleyball, and basketball, as well as for the sports construction business.

Check the latest brilliant innovations in scoreboard and message center systems. Proven lamp and LED technology – plus wireless control systems for indoor and outdoor products. All from Fair-Play, America’s Scorekeeper for 70 years.

COLBOND, INC. WWW.COLBOND-USA.COM Visit the newly updated Colbond Web site for product information on natural turf protection products. New site features include downloadable technical information, on-line literature / sample requests, and “Ask the EnkaTech guy” burning product / application questions.

DIAMOND PRO WWW.DIAMONDPRO.COM On this site, Diamond Pro features a section called “Ask the Pros,” which is an interactive forum with professional groundskeepers. The site also has an online “How-To Workshop.”

LYON WORKSPACE PRODUCTS WWW.LYONWORKSPACE.COM Lyon Workspace Products is the world’s leading manufacturer of specialty lockers for athletic facilities, and now offers an antimicrobial paint finish, featuring silver ion technology, to fight bacterial and mold growth in locker rooms.

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SPORTS MEDICINE WWW.NASM.ORG

in 15 countries and now offers advanced credentials and more than 20 continuingeducation courses in a variety of disciplines.

SPORTS ATTACK LLC. WWW.SPORTSATTACK.COM Sports Attack is a manufacturer of quality sports training equipment that includes the Hack Attack Professional Baseball & Softball Pitching Machines, The Attack and Attack II Volleyball Machines and the Ace Attack Tennis Machine.

MOMENTUMMEDIA WWW.ATHLETICBID.COM AthleticBid.com is a free service to help buyers at schools and athletic organizations research and contact companies in the most efficient fashion.

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is the industry’s premier provider of continuing education and certification for fitness, sports-performance and sports medicine professionals worldwide. Today NASM serves more than 20,000 members

Check out www.AthleticBid.com to contact these companies.

Circle No. 48 Circle No. 47

COACHING MANAGEMENT

Booth No. 111

Booth No. 128

A Difference You Can See ™

Now you can have it all with the NEW Hack Attack!! Better than a two-wheel machine for vision. Hack Attack has a three wheel design, the hitter never loses sight of the ball.

Better than an arm machine for a sense of timing. It’s almost human; life-like ball release follows the path of the pitcher’s arm, giving the hitter a realistic sense of timing and location.

Better than an arm machine for a variety of pitches thrown. The throwing head stays in place requiring only the changing of the speed of the wheels to throw any series of breaking pitches with extreme accuracy and speed.

Better than a two-wheel machine in ease of operation.

No cumbersome adjustments!! Moving to fungo work takes only seconds; pivots instantly for ﬂyballs, line drives, grounders and pop-ups Sports Attack creates professional performance using 35 years of pitching machine design experience. If you want to be the best next season…buy the best.

With the three-wheel design, the hitter never loses sight of the ball

Booth No. 404

Call for more information and a product demonstration: 1-800-717-4251 www.sportsattack.com Circle No. 49

IF IT’S GOOD ENOUGH FOR THIS LINEUP, IT’S GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOURS. Introducing The All-New Lineup of Easton Performance Apparel Featuring Skinz™ Moisture Management Technology with Bio-Dri™ fabrics to wick moisture away from your skin and keep you dry and light, plus the best looks and the #1 brand name in baseball and softball. Easton Performance Apparel… If it’s good enough for this lineup, it’s good enough for yours.

Compression Half-Mock T 100% nylon/Bio-Dri™ technology with 4-way compression. Long sleeve, two-tone, performance construction.

Short Sleeve Compression Crew 100% nylon/Bio-Dri™ technology with 4-way compression. Short sleeve, two-tone, performance construction.

Loose Fit Crew 100% micro-fiber polyester with Bio-Dri™ technology. Available in long sleeve or short sleeve.

Game Day Pullover Lightweight, high-density nylon is both wind proof and water resistant. Ribbed shoulders, rounded drawstring bottom. Embroidered “Oval E” logo on back of neck. Available in long or short sleeve.

Baseball Sleeve 100% cotton, pre-shrunk. Contrasting 3/4 sleeve and ringer collar in black. True garment dyed for maximum comfort. Front distressed lettering with “Oval E” on back of neck.

TOP ROW: Bobby Abreu, Eric Gagne ROW 2: John Olerud, Luis Gonzalez, Luis Castillo ROW 3: Javy Lopez, Dusty Baker BOTTOM ROW: Sammy Sosa, Eric Chavez, Vicente Padilla Plaza 335

The Difference is Easton www.eastonsports.com

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