The holiday season is creeping closer and closer, which means there is less time for shopping.

Get a head start on your gift giving this week.

For 48 hours only — from today through Tuesday — you can get free shipping and 10% off your order at Softball.com. There is no minimum purchase.

Just enter the coupon code JGEBAN8 at checkout.

Speaking of discounts, the biggest shopping day of the year is coming up at the end of the week. And we’ve got a heck of a Black Friday coupon to pass along to you.

And we’re going to post it a day early.

Check the Softball Sales blog, our Twitter page or our Facebook page to see the coupon code on Thursday.

Related: Get the New York fan in your life some Yankees gear.

For some quality Friday timewasting, here is another USA Softball video.

We’ve showed you video before of Team USA’s gold-medal game against Australia and its exhibition game against Stratford University.

Here’s another, from USA Softball’s game against Virginia Tech last year. Hokies pitcher Angela Tincher throws a no-hitter in the victory.

It’s in a bunch of parts. Here they are:

We have no idea what they’re saying, but we know this is pretty crazy.

Two-time USA Softball Olympian Michele Smith recently made an appearance on a Japanese TV show.

We’re not sure exactly what’s going on, but it looks like Smith and Japanese Olympic softball pitcher Ueno took turns pitching to various contestants. It runs the gamut from comedians and children to professional baseball players.

Smith currently plays for the Toyota Shokki.

We think if they got a hit, they won some money. But your guess is as good as ours.

Check out the video:

USSSA Florida Pride to be based out of Kissimmee, Fla.

NASHVILLE –- The National Pro Fastpitch League announced today that the USSSA world’s largest amateur sports association has finalized their purchase of an NPF franchise. The USSSA Florida Pride will be at home at the Association headquarters in Kissimmee, Fla.

During the 2009 NPF Season, the USSSA managed the team entity known as the Pride, but yesterday finalized their commitment to women’s professional fastpitch softball by inking the deal. USSSA became involved shortly before the NPF season last year and saw their Pride team go all the way to the finals of the Championship Series, finishing second to the Rockford Thunder.

“The involvement on the ownership level of the USSSA is a game-changer for women’s professional fastpitch softball,” commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “For an organization of this size and influence to join the National Pro Fastpitch team is a great day for the future of this game at the professional level.”

The USSSA Pride had a star studded line-up last season that included former Olympians Kelly Kretschman, Caitlin Lowe and Monica Abbott. Kretschman and Abbott both cut their teeth on highly competitive SEC softball, while Lowe was twice an NCAA National Champion at the University of Arizona.

“The USSSA has taken a very important step in the transition from being involved with the NPF and the USSSA Pride as a managing partner to actually owning and operating the team. We were very fortunate to have had the opportunity of managing and running the franchise prior to making the decision to permanently acquire it,” stated Don DeDonatis, Chairman/CEO of the USSSA. “Clearly, I was very impressed with the League and the foundation on which it is built, along with the talented group of players that are playing in the NPF as a whole. Top to bottom it is showcases the best talent in the world,” continued DeDonatis. “The NPF & USSSA are both striving to expand and grow the interest in fastpitch softball. We are very excited and are looking forward to the 2010 season.”

The 2010 NPF Season runs from June 3rd through August 29th. The Season will culminate in the 2010 with its hallmark Championship Series event hosted in Sulphur, La August 26th-29th.

USSSA is headquartered in Kissimmee, Fla. Offering over 13 primary sports programs, including baseball, slow pitch and fastpitch softball and basketball, USSSA has over 3.7 million participants nationwide.

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. The League, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL).

Related: Visit the Softball Sales homepage.

Take 20% off any order of $100 or more this week at Baseball Express.

Just enter the coupon code JGEBAN5 at checkout.

Use it to save some serious money.

For example, we ordered $100 worth of stuff: A spray bottle of Rawlings glove oil, some low-rise softball sliding shorts, a Tee Stackers hitting trainer, a mini softball keychain, a Reebok NFL long-sleeved t-shirt, a box of eye black strips, a pair of Mueller Slider G2 batting gloves, a Schutt one size fits all batting helmet and a set of Nike Sparq resistance bands (which we’ll need to build the strength to carry the box inside.)

Our total comes out to $108.90.

But when you enter the coupon code JGEBAN5 at checkout and take 20% off your bill — it shrinks down to $87.12!

Not a bad deal, but it doesn’t last for long. This deal is only good through Saturday.

Related: Save even more money when you shop the Discount Dugout.

Mizuno’s Women’s Finch G4 Molded Cleats are equal parts flashy and functional.

They look great and they play great.

Endorsed by softball queen Jennie Finch, these softball cleats are equipped with Mizuno’s patented 9-Spike configuration, designed to give you the best grip and traction possible on the field.

You’ll be able to take off in a flash and stop on a dime.

Even better, the Finch G4 Molded Cleats are comfortable.

They feature Parallel Wave technology in the midsole, set above a full-length, molded EVA footbed for superior shock absorption and cushion. Not only will it feel great to run, it will reduce the shock and stress on your joints so you’ll have less of a chance of injury.

The upper part of the Finch G4 Molded Cleats is made of synthetic leather to provide excellent ankle support.

Get it in a variety of colors, including our favorite: Flashy red.

(Order the Mizuno Women’s Finch G4 Molded Cleats today and get them shipped to you for FREE. Just enter the coupon code JGEBAN2 at checkout.)

Related: Take a gander at our entire selection of softball cleats.

A few weeks ago, we posted someone’s videos from the USA Softball team’s Olympic gold medal game against Australia.

This week, we’ve got USA Softball’s exhibition game against Stratford.

Like usual, this video was shot by a spectator using a handheld camera. We are not responsible for any motion sickness that you sustain from watching these videos.

Some of the heavy-duty hoodies out there keep you warm, but when you wear them it feels like you’re giving a very short person a piggy back ride.

That’s not the case with Under Armour’s new logo hoodies.

The techno mumbo jumbo: The hoodie is made of ArmourFleece fabric, which combines a soft brushed inner layer (which traps body heat to keep you warm) with a lightweight fast-drying outer layer.

The ArmourStretch technology improves mobility and accelerates dry time with lightweight fabrics built in a 4-way stretch. 3-piece hood for optimal fit and coverage. Raglan sleeves allows for total mobility and a full range of motion, while eliminating shoulder seam abrasion points.

What it means: It’s not heavy, it doesn’t bunch up and it moves with you.

This hoodie is perfect to wear to batting practice. It’s ideal to wear outside when you run, condition and train during the winter.

Heck, it’s perfect to wear even when you’re not out playing softball.

Related: Browse our entire selection of softball hoodies and jackets.

Here’s an interesting video from the NCAA taking a look at the women who helped carry an opponent around the bases when she was injured after hitting the game-winning home run.

Early bird Christmas shoppers: Don’t miss this deal.

For those looking to get the gift buying out of the way — and those who just want some softball gear — this deal can save you some cash.

You can get free shipping and take an additional 10% off your order when you shop at Softball Sales this week.

This deal is valid through Monday, Nov. 16.

Just enter the coupon code JGEBAN2 at checkout.

Related: Save even more money when you shop the Discount Dugout.