More Baseball baseball equipment news – glove, bat, and more baseball gear reviews

Nike Huarache 2K5 Cleats: Still Cool, and Very Cheap

If you want quality cleats, but don't need the newest and most expensive ones available, check out the Nike Air Huarache 2K5. At the time of their release for the 2005 season, the Nike Air Huarache 2K5 Baseball Cleats were HUGE!They were close to $100 at their arrival, but as the years have gone by and Nike has put out more and more cleats, that price has plummeted from $85.00 to $19.99.

The style is barely different from the new Nike Air Huarache LWP90 Cleats that are $89.00 at Eastbay and the most popular footwear in baseball.

If you wear a size 15-16 you're in luck. You can find the Huarache 2K5 in basically any color combo for $19.99. If you're a smaller size, they're still a bargain at $39.99.

Where to Buy:
Eastbay
6pm
Footlocker

Best Cleats to Wear with Long Baseball Pants

It's important to know which cleats are going to force the ankle of your pants to ruffle and bunch up above your shoe, and which ones will help you keep a smooth look throughout a game. The most important thing to remember is that shoes with a flap that covers the laces are not the best for long pants. There is more bulk to the area just above the ankle bone... this is the same place the pant leg has to lay over. In addition, the flap usually doesn't stay down for more than a month of use. Some are made with velcro to help keep the flap down, but it usually wears out and is weak. The majority of these are found on low cleats such as the Adidas Excelsior Low Metal Baseball Cleats ($59.97 at Sports Authority), Mizuno Classic G5 Low Metal Baseball Cleat ($69.98 at Team Express), and the Verdero Low Metal II Baseball Cleats ($104.99 at Team Express). If you wear your pants up, these are great cleats, but for the stylish long pant look they aren't your best option.

The next option is a low cleat without a flap such as the Mizuno Vapor Elite G4 Low Metal Baseball Cleats ($68.28 at Zappos) or the Nike Shox Fuse 2 Low Metal Baseball Cleats ($104.99 at Baseball Express). Without the flap your pants are more likely to cover the laces, but because of the low height it's still easy for the pants to collect above the shoe.

A mid-height cleat such as the Under Armour Clean Up Mid Metal Baseball Cleats ($24.97 at Dick's Sporting Goods), or the Mizuno 9-Spike Classic G5 Mid Metal Baseball Cleat ($69.98 at Team Express) allow more of pant leg to cover the cleat, which lessens the chance they will come up over the shoe and bunch like they do with low cleats.

What I've found is that even with mid-height cleats, the laces still cause problems. The best way to ensure your pant legs will stay down over your shoes for the entirety of a game is to go with the Nike Huarache Mid Metal Baseball Cleat ($89.99 at Baseball Express). These have an upper ankle lace strap that keeps your laces and shoe tight around you foot, it also helps keep your pant legs from rising above the ankle. The strap makes the shoe height even higher than your average mid-height cleat. The only drawback to these cleats is the weight. At 14.6 ounces, they can be over 2 ounces heavier than a low cleat.

Where to Buy:

Low Baseball Cleats

Adidas Excelsior Low Metal Baseball Cleats
Sports Authority
Team Express

Mizuno Classic G5 Low Metal Baseball Cleat
Team Express
Buy.com

Verdero Low Metal II Baseball Cleat
Team Express

Mizuno Vapor Elite G4 Low Metal Baseball Cleat
Zappos
6pm
Team Express

Nike Shox Fuse 2 Low Metal Baseball Cleat
Baseball Express

Mid Baseball Cleats

Under Armour Clean Up Mid Metal Baseball Cleat
Dick's Sporting Goods

Mizuno 9-Spike Classic G5 Mid Metal Baseball Cleat
Baseball Express

Nike Huarache Mid Metal Baseball Cleat
Baseball Express

The Rundown: Gonzalez’s Walk-off Cycle, Crawford’s 400th SB, and Reliever Wardrobe Malfunction

• Rockies left firlder Carlos Gonzalez completed the sixth cycle in Rockies history Saturday night. After the Rockies surrendered a three run lead in the eighth inning, Gonzalez became the first player ever to hit for the cycle with a walk-off home run. His solo shot gave the Rockies a 6-5 victory over the Cubs. "I heard everyone saying I was going to do it. You just believe in yourself. I guess it was meant to be. It was my night." [USA Today]

• Last night the Red Sox won their second straight game in walk-off fashion. Darnell McDonald scored the winning run when Marco Scutaro's sacrifice bunt was errantly thrown into right field. The Red Sox went into the ninth with a 3-0 lead, only one Tiger had reached second base on BoSox starter Clay Buchholz. Johnathan Papelbon received the win despite surrendering three runs and the lead. Saturday night David Ortiz was the hero after his game ending 3-run double. [NBC Sports]

• Carl Crawford stole his 400th career base against the Yankees this weekend. The Yankees attempted a pitchout on Crawford, but he beat the throw for his milestone. He became only the seventh player to have 400 stolen bases before the age of 29. [MLB.com]

• Milwaukee reliever Chris Capuano wore the wrong jersey for his 2-inning outing Saturday night. Capuano wore the home alternate jersey which has "Brewers" across the chest instead of the new road alternate jerseys that say "Milwaukee." The umpires must not have noticed because he finished his outing with no interruption. [MLB.com]

• Cardinals righty Adam Wainwright improved upon his MLB best home record, making it 11-0 with a 9-1 win against the Pirates. He K'd five batters without giving up a walk and lowered his ERA to 1.22 at home (2.19 overall). [Yahoo Sports]

• Cubs right-hander Carlos Silva left Sunday's game against the Rockies with an abnormal heart rate. Alan Tramell, who was managing the game instead of Lou Piniella was unaware of any history of this problem. Silva's heart rate returned to normal on the way to the hospital. [NBC Sports]

Ichiro Cleats Chronicled on Asics Japan Baseball Website

Ichiro's cleats have always looked different than spikes worn by most other MLB players.

Surprising, because you don't see much Asics baseball gear in the U.S. (There's no mention of baseball on AsicsAmerica's website.) Oddly familiar, because the uppers remind you of Asics wrestling shoes. And mysteriously appealing, because you have to wonder if their sleek fit would add even the tiniest bit of Ichiro's speed and grace to the way you move.

Although we might never get to try a pair of Ichiro's player-exclusive Asics cleats, at least we can see exactly what he's worn each year, courtesy of Asics Japan's ICHIRO SPIKE HISTORY. (for robotic English translation, click here)

Asics lays out a timeline, taking you through Ichiro's cleats year-by-year from the current 2010 models all the way back to the low-tops Ichiro wore in 1995, midway through his career with NPB's Orix BlueWave.

For each year Asics comments on the materials and artistic inspiration used in the design, as well as notes on striving to satisfy Ichiro's obsession with making his cleats lighter and lighter -- all the way down to 250 grams, or just 8.8 ounces! (The popular Nike Air Huarache cleats weigh over 14 ounces each.)

A few notable years for Ichiro's cleats

• 1995-97 & 2000 - leather soles
• 1999 - first high-tops, his signature today
• 2001 - 10-spike configuration used through 2010
• 2009 - World Baseball Classic special edition with Japan flag

Links
Ichiro Spike History - original Japanese
Ichiro Spike History - translated to English (sounds weird, but you can pick out some key words)

More proof of the focus on light weight...here are press releases from 2007 and 2008, announcing Ichiro's new AND LIGHTER! baseball spikes.

P.S. You might notice the word "yakyu" in the URLs on the Asics Japan Baseball website.
Main page - http://www.asics.co.jp/yakyu
Ichiro page - http://www.asics.co.jp/yakyu/ichiro

"Yakyu" is how they say "baseball" in Japanese.

Best Long Baseball Pants Review: Rawlings, Nike, Mizuno

Let's face it, baseball pants have become a fashion statement. It's happened in basically all sports... in football receivers opt out of using thigh or knee pads, players roll up their jersey sleeves to look sleeker. In basketball the shorts are huge and jerseys always on the verge on coming untucked (bad fashion maybe, but fashion nonetheless). In baseball the pants are worn down over the shoe to produce a clean smooth look. If you've tried to utilize this look, you understand that not all pants are created equal. Some curl up or fold over at your ankle after every swing or every bend, they always seem to bunch up after you sit down and can become a nuisance. But... instead of going back to my younger days when I would simply roll the pant leg just below the knee like Alfonso Soriano, I did a little research.

After trying out numerous pants here are my results.

Nike Phenom Baseball Pants

The Nike Phenom Baseball Pants ($54.99 at Eastbay) are decently comfortable, but not extremely durable or functional. Unlike their cleats and many other products, I found the Nike Phenom Pants to be rather poor quality for the expensive price. To me, they are made for appearance and not performance. As you can see, in motion the pants pulled up over my laces, but fell nicely over my Nike Shox Cleats the majority of the time. They looked nice, but there are better, cheaper options. They're selling the brand name along with decent pants.

Rawlings Flare Relaxed Fit Pro Weight Baseball Pants

The Rawlings Flare Relaxed Fit Pro Weight Pants ($39.99 at RawlingsGear) are the pants Manny Ramirez wears, and I should have realized what I was getting myself into. They were comfortable pants, but obviously way too baggy. My legs are spread a little here and you can still tell there is tons of extra space and material. They layed nicely over my cleats because of the extra material. Would I recommend these? Well... it's basically like playing in sweat pants... so if you're okay with that, then go ahead.

Mizuno Mens Premier Relaxed Full-Length Piped Pants

The Mizuno Premier Relaxed Pants are durable, very comfortable, and look nice. I only had a few complaints including the bagginess and the way they lay on the cleats. They are baggy around the thigh and knee. It's a personal preference, but I like comfort and flexibility without looking shorter and a little less classy (like Manny). Also, they come extremely long. I'm 5'10" with a 34 inch waist, I ordered a Medium and they fit great other than the length which you'll need hemmed. While wearing my Mizuno Classic G4 Low cleats, the pants kept ruffling just above the shoe. Overall, for $10 cheaper than most pants of this quality, they are a great buy if you have the right cleats to go with them. Not my favorite due to the extra space around my knees, but very solid pants.

Rawlings Pro Flare Baseball Pants

Cream of the crop. The Rawlings Pro Flare Baseball Pants (Piped are $49.99 at Team Express, Solid Grey or White are $39.99 at Team Express) are comfortable, durable, flexible and loose, but not baggy. You'll find that they're well worth a little extra cash. I ordered a Medium of this and they fit, but the sizing is a little tight. When I sit or bend to field a ground ball they come up over my shoes just a bit, with a Large (36-38 inch waist) this wouldn't be a problem.

They are extremely similar to the Mizuno Premier Relaxed Full-Length Piped Pants, but aren't baggy or extremely long when purchased. They feel and look the exact same other than the difference in fit. The logo is even in the same place. The only differences are the button placement on the front, and that the Rawlings Pro Flare's don't have buttons on the pockets.

If you like a baggy feel, go with the Mizuno Pants, if you want the same comfort and a thinner leg, the Rawlings Pro Flare Pants are the way to go.

Where to Buy:

Nike Phenom Baseball Pants

Eastbay
Homerunmonkey

Rawlings Flare Relaxed Fit Pro Weight Baseball Pants
Rawlings Gear

Mizuno Mens Premier Relaxed Full-Length Piped Pants
Baseball Savings

Rawlings Pro Flare Baseball Pants
Piped - Team Express
Solid - Team Express

The Rundown: Collin Curtis Hits First Career HR, MLB Wife Guilty of Kidnapping

• Collin Curtis was asked to pinch-hit in a hole. Yankees center fielder Brett Gardner had just been ejected after arguing a called strike, leaving Curtis with an 0-2 count. After three straight balls, Curtis launched his first career home run, a 3-run shot that put the Yankees ahead 10-5 followed by a curtain call. "You hit it and you see it go out, and it's the first one of your career in a big situation. I was real excited just running around and trying to hold back a big smile." [MLB.com]

• Amalia Tabata-Pereira, wife of Pirates center fielder Jose Tabata, has pled guilty to kidnapping, interference with custody, and impersonating a public official. In March Tabata-Periera posed as an immigration official and threatened a woman and her boyfriend with deportation unless they handed over their child. Tabata Periera faked a pregnancy and stole the baby to fool Jose into believing he was a father. Tabata has avoided his wife and is continuing work towards a divorce. [NBC Sports]

• Carl Crawford is tougher than any man I know. Even after the direct shot to his boys, he still refuses to wear a cup, saying that it is too restrictive. "You couldn't hit it in a better spot. It just took the wind out of me. Right now it's real sore, but the doctor said there was no damage." NBC put together a compilation of videos to scare Crawford into self-protection. [NBC Sports]

• Pedro Martinez has decided to not pitch in the 2010 season. His agent said, "Martinez, who will turn 39 in October, decided that he was enjoying the time off with his family this summer too much to embark on a comeback for the second season in a row." But... Pedro said he is "wide open" to pitching in 2011. [NBC Sports]

• Just a day after Cubs manager Lou Peniella announced he will retire following this season, Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg clarified his position on the opening spot. "There is a lot to managing, and with almost four years under my belt, I believe I'm ready. I'm not interested in on-the-job learning or on-the-job training. At this point, I'm interested in winning ballgames at the major league level." [ESPN.com]

• Clayton Kershaw was suspended five games while Joe Torre and bench coach Bob Schaefer were suspended one game each for intentionally hitting Giants outfielder Aaron Rowand. [USA Today]

SkyBall is the New Home Run Derby

The Sky Ball is supposed to bounce up to 75 feet off the ground, thanks to being filled with helium and pressurized air, so obviously you can hit it a mile too.

After the Sky Ball sold like hot cakes by itself, and naturally people were hitting it with all kinds of bats, Maui Toys stepped up to the plate with a Sky Ball and Bat set that is sold with the promise of hitting up to 300 feet.

Darren Rovell, CNBC's sports business reporter, named it "Sports Toy of the Year" because he can't hit a Wiffle ball but the Skyball makes him "feel good about [himself]."

Rovell also reported that Maui Toys is launching a Sky Ball set with a bam-bam fat bat for toddlers, a lock for his 2011 Sports Toy of the Year.

Skyball even got a little blurb in the July 26 issue of ESPN magazine (Aaron Rodgers cover, page 36). Paul Kix reported, "Kids aren't he only ones who want in on the action. The Yankees are mulling a session of Skyball before an upcoming game"

Where to Get Skyballs and Sky Ball & Bat sets

VAT19.com: SkyBalls in five colors
Amazon: Sky Ball and Bat set -  Sky Balls 2-pack -  Sky Ball JUMBO 2x size
Toys R Us: Skyball Jumbo

The Rundown: Carl Crawford’s Horrific Injury, Major League Manager Dies, Piniella Retiring

• "Ladies and gentlemen, that is precisely why you should always wear a cup." Carl Crawford went through some serious pain last night. On a pickoff attempt Crawford took the throw directly where it counts, forcing him to leave the game with a "testicular contusion." Insult to injury came when he rolled off the bag in pain and was tagged out by Baltimore's Ty Wiggington. Here it is if you can handle it. [NBC Sports]

• James Gammon, who played manager Lou Brown on Major League, passed away this weekend after a long battle with cancer.  [Deadspin]

• Lou Piniella has announced that he plans on retiring from baseball following the conclusion of this season. [Bleacher Report]

• Ubaldo Jimenez's struggles didn't begin last night when he was pulled in the sixth after giving up 6 runs, 4 earned. In his last eight starts he has posted an ERA of 4.85, 23 BB and only 48 K's in 52 innings. But, his run support has led him to a 5-0 record in this streak. In three of his no decisions his ERA is 9.00, without the support he's being given, his record and season could be on a very different path. [Bleacher Report]

• Angels Macier Izturis, Mike Napoli, and former Yankee Hideki Matsui, all hit 2-run home runs against the Yankees last night to win 10-2. [USA Today]

• Manny Ramirez has been placed on the 15-day DL with a strained calf. This is Manny's third stint on the DL this season. [NBC Sports]

The Best Infield Training Gloves

Training gloves have evolved from a simple hard foam pad, like the Jeter SKLZ Softhands ($14.86 at Walmart), to small, leather, game-shaped gloves with webbing. Each type of training aid serves a different purpose. Softhands force you to use both hands, trapping the ball agains the pad. This teaches the mechanics of using two hands to not only catch balls, but to field ground balls hit directly at you as well. This method is great for prying Little Leaguers from their habits of using one hand to catch fly balls or field balls hit on the ground.

The training glove most people use is the basic, round, flat pad with a slot for your hand and fingers on the backside. The Mizuno Classic Pro GXT-1 ($34.95 at Baseball Savings) and the Akadema Pancake Glove ($49.95 at Baseball Savings) give you more padding while using the same flat form as Softhands. The extra padding allows you to field balls hit or thrown harder at you while still forcing you to use two hands for a clean catch. There's no pocket and very little flexibility with these, but the leather is more durable and offers a more realistic feel for your glove hand.

Cal Ripken brought a new design to the training glove field with the Great Hands Glove. It's padded for your thumb, palm and fingers, but also has a unique T-Pocket design that allows you to close your hand around the ball. They glove bends as you field the ball unlike the flat training gloves. While this is a step up, it's not as glove-like as possible. It doesn't feel real. The Great Hands Glove is 8.5 inches and only $35.00. It's an effective training aid and much cheaper than the flat glove.

The Valle Eagle Trainer Lit'l Jen 975 is a training glove that feels like a real glove. It's small enough to force concentration and two hand catching the majority of the time, but shaped like a true glove, letting you backhand and field balls to your side with one hand. The Eagle Trainer is 9.75 inches, and has a velcro strap. It can be used for little leaguers, but the finger slots extend so that teenagers or adults can use it as well. The idea is there, but it looks like a youth glove. The velcro strap, while convenient, doesn't resemble a glove you're proud to wear... if you're older than 8. It's $57.99 and not the best quality, you could buy it because it's more useful than the flat gloves, or you could keep reading and get a better one for a better price!

The Rawlings 5-Tool Pro Training Glove and the Mizuno Classic Pro GXT-2 Training Glove are the best training gloves I've found.

At 9.5 inches, the Rawlings ProTrain is great for middle infielders needing to practice quick transfers from the glove to the throwing hand. The most important thing is that it feels like a real glove. It's made for an adult hand, but out of the box it doesn't seem that way. It feels much smaller than 9.5 inches (hard to believe, right?), it's extremely stiff, and the first few times playing catch you'll get frustrated with the tiny webbing and pocket. The leather is good quality, and once it breaks in and you get used to the feel you'll forget how small it actually is. Overall... great glove for the price ($49.99 at Baseball Express). It makes you concentrate more on where the ball hits your glove as you try to avoid taking the ball in the palm. It's not too much more expensive than a little league glove you'll find at Wal-Mart, but clearly better quality, and it can be used by almost all ages.

The Mizuno Classic Pro GXT-2 Training Glove is similar to the Rawlings glove, but only 9 inches. It's shaped more like a glove you could use on an everyday basis, but the size of it makes it a training glove. As you can see, it has a bigger pocket than the Rawlings trainer, making it more functional for fielding ground balls hit straight on and catching. The problem is backhanding because of it's small make. It's more expensive than the Rawlings, $59.95 from Baseball Savings, but definitely a good buy. I wish I would have had this glove in little league, instead of the standard 11.75" or 12" monster that swallowed my hand.

Where to Buy:

Derek Jeter SKLZ Softhands
Walmart

Mizuno Classic Pro GXT-1 Training Glove
Baseball Savings
Dunham's

Akadema Pancake Training Glove
Baseball Savings

Cal Ripken's Great Hands Glove
Great Hands Glove

Valle Eagle Trainer Lit'l Jen 975 Glove
Valle Baseball

Rawlings 5-Tool Pro Training Glove
Baseball Express
RawlingsGear
Baseball Savings

Mizuno Classic Pro GXT-2 Training Glove
Baseball Savings

The Rundown: Molina’s Cycle, Peralta’s Crazy Home Run, Burnett’s Temper Tantrum

• Rangers catcher Benji Molina, one of the slowest players in baseball, became the first catcher since 1900 to hit for the cycle with a grand slam. Molina needed a triple as he came to the plate in the 8th inning against the Red Sox. Ian Kinsler wasn't too confident in his teammate, "I would have bet everything I own that Bengie Molina would never hit for the cycle. Ever!" Molina hit a ball deep to center and was able to get the triple after the ball bounced off the glove of Eric Patterson. After lumbering his way into third he left the game with tightness in his right quadriceps. You need to watch him run out the triple! [NBC Sports]

• Indians Johnny Peralta hit an inside the park home run in his first at bat after the All-Star break. Tigers center fielder Ryan Rayburn leaped at the wall but crashed through the bullpen door as the ball ricocheted into an empty outfield, resulting in Peralta's 3 run home run. Watch him bulldoze the outfield wall! [Yahoo Sports]

• A.J. Burnett must have never watched Bull Durham. If you're going to hit something in frustration, at least use one hand... preferably your left, A.J. After two awful innings against Kansas City, the Yankees righty slammed open the clubhouse doors, slicing both palms on plastic lineup holders. He was then pulled in the third inning because of the cuts. He has now apologized to his team for the idiotic display. [NBC Sports]

• Alex Rodriguez hit his 598th home run this weekend... but more impressively, he will make his acting debut in a movie titled Friends with Benefits. The movie will star Justin Timberlake, Woddy Harrelson, and Andy Samberg. Get Ready. [Bleacher Report]

• Most fans are lucky to catch a foul ball or home run once in their lifetime... this guy did it on consecutive pitches off of Stephen Strasburg's bat. MLB Fan Hall of Fame shoo-in. [NBC Sports]

• Julio Borbon became the first Ranger to steal home since 1991. With two outs in the fourth inning the Rangers put on a double steal against the Red Sox, bringing home Borbon and making the score 3-1. [MLB.com]