Familiar names, new attitude on Easton’s 2012 fastpitch softball bat lineup

Over the past several years, Easton has developed a reputation for producing some of the best fastpitch softball bats in the game.

If you need a fastpitch softball bat with pop — one that will not only stand up to relentless abuse from year-round high school, college and travel ball seasons, but also perform consistently the entire time — turn to Easton.

Easton’s lineup has familiar names you’ve probably heard before: Synergy Speed, Stealth Speed and Synge.

They’re back again this year, with a new attitude. The engineers at Easton have spent the last year analyzing and re-analyzing, making tweaks as they go, in order to wring every last drop of performance out of these bats.

Here’s a quick look at Easton’s 2012 lineup of fastpitch softball bats:

Easton 2012 Stealth Speed Fastpitch Bat ($299.99)

The all-composite construction means the 2012 Stealth Speed has 98 mph performance right out of the wrapper, and the two-piece frame provides superior vibration reduction. Available in a slightly end-loaded -9 or an evenly balanced -10.

Easton 2012 Synergy Speed Fastpitch Bat ($259.99)

The Synergy Speed’s Single System Technology improves bat control and balance. Available in a slightly end-loaded -9 or an evenly balanced -10.

Easton 2012 Synge Fastpitch Bat ($199.99)

The -11.5 drop and even balance make this a great softball bat for young players. The all-composite bat is designed with a balance point in its handle, which allows players to get the most possible bat speed through the hitting zone.

Related: Shop our entire selection of Easton softball bats.

Softball season is right around the corner. Here’s how to safely train in cold weather

Depending on where you are in the country, your softball season is bound to start sometime within the next 2-4 months.

That makes it prime time to work on an offseason conditioning program to lead into softball practice. We’re talking sprints, ladders and such — the stuff that will give you what it takes to play every inning at your best without getting too fatigued.

But in January, that’s easier said than done. It’s cold out and it gets dark early, which makes it a lot easier to hibernate through the winter.

It’s not impossible, though, to get out and train. Follow these three simple tips, and you’ll be ready to go by softball season.

1. Dress the part.

Wear layers, so you can peel off or add on clothing depending on how you feel. An easy way to do this is to wear a warm-up jacket while you warm up, which you can take off when you get to the hard part of your workout.

The goal here is to keep yourself from getting chilled or wet. Getting cold or wet is an unnecessary stress on your body, which of course can bring on a cold, which will hamper your training.

Preferably, your base layer should be made with moisture-wicking materials. This keeps your gear from getting soaked with sweat while you train, which can chill you off when you’re done.

This makes Under Armour’s Coldgear a great choice for outdoor training in the winter.

Coldgear is designed for temperatures under 55° F and features a double-sided fabric that wicks moisture away and circulates body heat.

2. Hydrate.

Just because you’re not out there sweating in the summer sun doesn’t mean you’re not losing fluids. You lose it through evaporating sweat, your breath and the metabolic effects of being in the cold.

Add to that the fact that cold weather can actually depress feelings of thirst, and it’s easy to get dehydrated when it’s cold out.

Depending on how much you weigh and how much you sweat, your mileage may vary, but an easy rule of thumb is to drink 5 oz. of water or sports drink every 10-15 minutes. That will keep your performance level high and your immune system from getting depressed.

3. Warm up and cool down.

Don’t jump right into things, and don’t stop abruptly. Your muscles and connective tissues need time to reach their ideal warmth, otherwise your performance will be less-than-ideal and you’ll be at risk for injury.

A good warmup should last about five minutes, and it should involve some light calisthenics — jogging, jumping jacks, etc.

Once you’re done with your workout, finish things off with some light jogging and then begin stretching. That’ll improve your recovery, reduce your risk of injury and help you feel ready to go the next time.

Related: Train in style. Browse our entire selection of softball performance apparel.

Footwear Friday: Save $32 on a pair of Adidas Women’s Fastpitch 4 Low Metal Softball Cleats

Adidas’ Women’s Fastpitch 4 Low Metal Softball Cleats were designed with competitive softball players in mind.

The lightweight synthetic leather upper is durable, engineered to withstand the rigors of constant practice and game conditions. The abrasion-resistant toe gives the shoe added durability, and the extra fabric over the toe is perfect for pitchers.

These softball cleats usually retail for $74.99, but you can get a pair for $32.98 at Softball Sales.

Related: Shop our entire selection of women’s softball cleats.

Hit a home run this Holiday Season with a Softball Sales Gift Card!

Looking for the perfect gift for the hard-to-shop-for sports nut on your list?

Give them a Team Express Gift Card.

It’s ideal for hardcore athletes, recreational players, casual fans and everyone in between. Recipients can choose from our selection of 5,000 top-quality products from brands like Adidas, Easton, Nike, Rawlings, Reebok, Mizuno, Louisville Slugger, Under Armour and Wilson.

Use it on any of our eight brands: Baseball Express, Softball Sales, Football America, Cheerleading America, Basketball Express, Volleyball America, Team Express or Soccer Team Express.

Gift cards will be mailed and can be redeemed either online or over the phone.

Get them in a variety of denominations — from $10 to $500 — at Softball Sales.

Related: Need a stocking stuffer? Take a look at our top softball gifts under $10.