1.) The Net System:  The Cobra Volleyball System; the cobra volleyball system is a unique system that uses no guy wires making it easy to set up in only a few minutes.  The cobra system meets all competition regulations and specifications and is safer than standard net systems.  The cobra net fits tight and stays tight without the use of dangerous guy wires.  This system is ideal for tournament, beach, park, home and indoor gym use.
Portable and easy to use the cobra is designed for set-up on sand, grass and indoors using specially engineered ground sleeve anchors that can be hammered into soil using 6 pound hammer (not included).  Uprights adjust in heights for men’s, women’s and junior volleyball specifications. 

 Each cobra system comes with:

• Adjustable high strength poles
• Boundary lines
• A carrying bag
• A regulation net
• Ground anchors
• An instruction sheet
• And pole pads

The Cobra is an excellent beach volleyball net.  The cobra is more for tournaments, there is also the viper system that is just for recreation use which has the same design.  You can check that one out here- THE VIPER.

 

2.) The Ball:  Mikasa FIVB Beach Champ Volleyball; the Mikasa FIVB beach champ volleyball was the official game ball for the 2001- 2004 FIVB world tour and the 2004 Olympic games.  It is an official size beach volleyball.  The cover is made of exclusive micro cell composite leather for good feel and grip.  It is specifically designed for outside use.  The ball has a 1 year manufacturer’s warranty.  With this proven ball all you need is some good players on your team.

 

 

3.) The Fence:  The Multi-Sport fence; the multi-sport fence is a great fence for beach volleyball.  It is available in two sizes 3’ x 24’ and 3’ x 40’ so you can get the size you need.  It comes with two-piece pole sections, pole stakes, j-hook net stakes and a carry bag.  Why chase the ball all over the beach with this inexpensive net you won’t have to.

 

 

4.) The Bench: Kwik Bench; the Kwik bench is perfect for tournaments and temporary seating needs.  It transports easily and folds up for storage.  It’s available in two different sizes 3 seat and 6 seat.   The 6 seat bench is 103” long and the 3 seat is 52” long.  The seats are 17 ½” wide with 16” high seat backs.  The seats fold for storage into a black nylon bag for easy transport.  Also the Kwik bench has a lifetime warranty.  This is a perfect solution for seating on the beach for a tournament or just for chillin with friends.

 

 

 

 

5.) The Scoreboard: Deluxe Flip-A-Score; the deluxe flip-a-score is a perfect flip-a-score for beach volleyball.  It folds flat for easy transportation and storage.  It has big 7” numbers for good visibility and a period indicator.

 

 

All of the above items should get you started with your beach volleyball plans whether it’s a tournament or just a fun game on the weekends.

For more information on where to get the above items and pricing please see the links below:

• Cobra System
• Mikasa Beach Volleyball
• Kiwk Bench
• Multi-Sport Fence
• Flip-A-Score
  

 

        

Anyone in the market for soccer goals is sure to notice some stark differences in pricing.  I have seen goals selling for as little as $1600.00 per pair all the way up to over $4,000 per pair.  All of these are official size goals meeting NFHS and NCAA standards and they look similar.  So…What are you paying for if you buy those $4,000.00 goals?

Intrigued I spoke to representatives at Kwik Goal Ltd. Who were happy to forward me information to assist me in answering my question.  Here is some of the information they sent to justify the hefty price tags of their soccer goals.

Some of the information they sent was about goal testing.  I have to admit I never really thought about it that much but I have noticed “Meets ASTM Safety and Performance Specifications F2056-00” in goal descriptions before.  You can actually find out what is required to meet that standard at www.astm.org.  Here is what Kwik goal does…

All Kwik Goal designs are thoroughly tested for safety and durability. Goals are held to the strictest goal industry and recreation equipment standards.  Conditions of normal use and foreseeable abuses are analyzed.  These tests not only ensure the safety of all involved, but also verify the quality of the product. 

Goals are tested for:

• Entrapment and entanglement hazards- performed to assure there are no potential areas for a child or adult to get a body part trapped in the goal frame.
• Sharp edges- A goal’s design is visibly checked for sharp edges that could cause injury to the user. 
• Unsafe projections- Templates in accordance with recreational equipment standards are used to detect situations where protruding components could cause injury. 
• Durability and strength- Mechanical testing is performed with compliance with American and European specifications.

Pull tests are performed on goals to ensure the integrity of the design.

 

The swing test is performed to improve the goal frame and anchoring system will withstand extreme abuse by uneducated users.

A lot goes into testing the Kwik Goal goals so they will hold up to tough standards and back up their lifetime guarantee.

 

This shows that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the price of soccer goals.  Next time you are in the market for Soccer goals think about what you are paying for before you buy.  I hope this article has given you a little insight into what goes into the manufacturing of a soccer goal.

 

 

        

If I asked you what the date June 4, 1838 was significant for most people would struggle for an answer.  That my friend is the day the first organized game of baseball was played.

 

By the 1860’s semi pro baseball had started and soon farm teams were taking over the Midwest.  It wasn’t long before every kid across the country was dreaming about being in the big leagues.

 

While baseball has evolved into the great American pass time and there has been substantial changes made to the equipment used in the game one component has remained virtually unchanged…. the ball.

 

In fact I can only think of a few major changes… in 1974 horsehide covers became a thing of the past when cowhide covers took over and of course the fact that in the present day United States most baseballs sold are manufactured in China. 

 

Well Rawlings has kicked it up a notch for the new millennium with their new EIT™ or Extra Innings Technology™.  This new design in ball construction will not only improve the game but also help to stretch athletic budgets across the country.

 

What’s the trick you ask- polymer.  Yep I said polymer.

 

Sure we’ve all heard terms like cushioned cork center, wool winding and genuine leather thrown around by manufacturers to describe why their ball is better than the next.  Now you throw a word like polymer in there and you’re sure to turn a few heads… and rightly so.

 

What is a polymer you ask- WIKI says…

 

“A polymer is a substance composed of molecules with large molecular mass composed of repeating structural units, or monomers, connected by covalent chemical bonds..."

 

That’s a mouthful huh- in terms of EIT™ all we need to know is that a polymer can make dreams come true.

 

Rawlings exclusive Extra Inning Technology™ makes baseballs retain compression longer and keeps moisture out like the Great Wall of China.

 

Ok not every baseball coach is dreamin’ bout’ a baseball that retains its compression or fights off moisture like the marines taking Iwo Jima.  Here are a couple of graphs taken from the new Rawlings spring & summer catalog that may help you visualize what the polymer layer in Extra Innings Technolgy™ can do for you.  At the least these graphs might make it more important to you.

        
 

Bottom line is that if this technology is available why wouldn’t you want it? It improves the overall performance of the baseball which will enhance your teams’ performance.

 

Rawlings has added this technology to select baseballs ranging from Little League to Collegiate level play.  You can see a whole list of available models in by checking out this video… click the link.

 

EIT™ baseballs have already proven themselves at the highest level of competitive play being used at the NCAA College World Series and the NJCAA and NAIA Championships.  Not to mention the hundreds if not thousands of schools and youth leagues across the country using them.

 

It isn’t common to see a simple new technology make such a remarkable difference in a product that has been on the market for over a century.  In fact most people using the new EIT™ baseball probably don’t even realize that their baseball is harnessing the power of a substance composed of molecules with large molecular mass composed of repeating structural units, or monomers, connected by covalent chemical bonds.

For more information check out this informative video at MorleyAthletic.com

        

As the leaves began to fall from the New England trees in 1891 a man named James Naismith started to develop and indoor game to keep students in shape during those cold Northeastern winters. An instructor at the Y.M.C.A. Training School in Massachusetts, Naismith attached a wood peach basket to the walls at opposite ends of a gymnasium and used a soccer ball to shoot baskets. Naismith named the game basketball, soon YMCA’s across the country were playing the game and by the end of WWII it was a recognized sport through out the world thanks to U.S. troops. Unlike many other sports that utilize protective padding you need very little equipment to play the game.  Thus many manufacturers have spent a lot of money on developing the best basketball conceivable.  Changes over the years have been numerous.  In fact you may be able to bid on an old laced basketball on EBay if you wanted to buy a piece of history.  Truthfully we don’t have to go that far back to see substantial changes in the ball. Little more than a decade ago most players preferred a full grain leather cover with narrow channels and the only thing between the cover and the bladder was glue. Now composite balls top the sales charts and wide channels have replaced narrow channels almost completely and the space between the cover and the bladder is now home to things like Rawlings Padded Zone Technology®. Modern basketballs are like high tech sports cars.  When your behind the wheel all you want to do is drive.  Like a sports car the technology under the hood blends with your skill and reflexes for the ultimate experience.  Let’s take a look at the Rawlings Vision Basketball for example.  A supple microfiber cover, deep skived channels and to top it off Padded Zone Technology® for unbeatable ball control.  Suddenly the ball is improving my performance on the court. We’ve certainly come a long way since Naismith developed the game and I have no doubt that basketballs will continually change as new materials become available. Until then test drive a Rawlings Vision Basketball…. Learn more… Click Here: http://www.morleyathletic.com/sports/basketball/basketballs/rawlings/m10017-vision-basketball.htm

        

“Rule 1.06: Beginning with the 2008 season, it will become mandatory that all leagues utilize bases that disengage their anchor. Leagues are encouraged to begin the process of implementing these types of base systems during the current season on all their fields so that the process is completed by the 2008 season.” -2006 Baseball & Softball Little League Rule Book.

If you have not done so yet it is time to get some of these new bases for your little league.  There are a lot of different styles out there from magnetic to friction.  The Schutt Hollywood Quick Release bases adds an innovative design to an already quality base.

Here are the Features of this base:

• Kwik-Release Bases disengages from base upon impact
• Patented design compresses upon impact
• Easily installs in standard 1 3/4” square ground anchors
• Rubber Base won’t absorb water and repels dirt
• Two resistance levels available: Youth & Varsity
• 15” x 15” x 2 1/4” - 3”
• Fully compliant with Little League® Rule 1.06
• U.S. Patent #5,000,447 & 5,415,395 Other
  patents pending

CHECK OUT THE HOLLYWOOD QUICK RELEASE HERE!

        

Rawlings has come out with some new shoulder pads that will be shocking the market this year!  The Rawlings Spartan and the Rawlings Titan™ shoulder pad are sure to make some touch downs.

The new Spartan pad is available in two styles MPL and QBL basically the MPL is for DL-LB-TE-OL-FB  and the QBL is for CB-S-QB-WR-RB-K.  They offer flat pad construction for skill positions and the low profile design provides for excellent mobility and field vision which we all know is very important.  They have customizable memory foam clavicle pads for a personalized fit.  Also they use Rawlings Pro Dri® anti-microbial moisture wicking fabric interior.

The price on these pads is a steal!

 
Rawlings also has the new Titan™ shoulder pads.  There are six different pads in this series if you can't find a pad in this series that fits you I don't know what will.  They incorporate the air management II™ padding system into the 6 different arch designs to meet the needs of players at any position.  The air management II™ padding system provides for excellent protection while maintaining a lightweight, comfortable fit.  The re-engineered Titan™ shoulder pad line also provides for a number of function design improvements including:

• Improved foam durometer for a more comfortable fit
• Smaller epaulets for increases range of motion and field vision
• Improved epaulets attachment belts
• Velcro attached strip padding for easy removal and cleaning

Each pad is designed for maximum range of motion for the player in mind.

        

We have this new lacrosse bag that is currently under $30.00.  Its dimensions are 44"l x 15"w x 13"h which is bigger than any of name brand bags out there.  It has a huge main compartment that can fit all your equipment. It has a full length padded stick compartment to protect your stick.  It has a wet compartment for shoes or wet uniforms.  Its got a mesh pocket on the inside to hold your wallet, keys, or anything else that you need to store while your playing the game.  One end is mesh to keep the air in the bag fresh.  It has a waterproof bottom and is made of heady duty nylon.  You can even have the sides printed with your school logo.  It's only available in black but who cares, it has everything you need and its under $30.00, what a deal!   

We think this bag is a great deal for any lacrosse player or lacrosse team that is on a short budget or even a team that has a huge budget and wants a great bag at a low price.  You can buy a bag with a crazy name or you can buy this one and use the savings to buy other equipment, it's your choice!

        

 Rawlings new football the ST5PROS is here and ready to ship for the 2008 football season. Packed with features this new pigskin is sure to turn the heads of those who are currently using the Wilson GST ball. On the top of the feature list has to be what most quarterbacks at the high school level are looking for... the QB05 pattern... engineered to the smaller end of the NCAA® and NFHS® specifications. Add to that hydroban water repellent treatment to keep you playing in any weather, a new composite lace design to improve grip offering quarterbacks better control and feel and genuine Horween® Center Cut™ leather cover with Tanned-in-Tac and you have a winner in all respects. Another great addition to add to the longevity is the new ballistic lock-stitched seams that can hold this ball together through a hurricane. Check out the video from www.morleyathletic.com.

  

        

TEAM SPORTS BLOG is sponsored by Morley Athletic Supply Co., Inc. who owns www.morleyathletic.com.  Morley Athletic Supply Co., Inc. is an independent team dealer that has been around since 1931.  We work with many sporting goods manufactures and have seen many changes come to the market over the years, good and bad.  With this experience and the access to new and tried & true items we started TEAM SPORTS BLOG.  This blog is to inform coaches and athletic directors of new and tried & true equipment  that can extend their budgets, help comply to new rules, or give their team an edge in the game.