The Road to a Little League Championship

by Michael Lamont of MidwestSportsWarehouse.com ( )

Baseball is America's past time.  Each summer for over 100 years, ball players have taken the field and played their hearts out for millions of fans all over the country.  There is no feeling quite like walking into a ballpark and seeing the splash of colors – the finely manicured grass, the perfectly raked dirt, the precise and accurate baselines – it's all a shock when witnessing it for the first time.  For kids, the thought of baseball brings to mind one thought: Little League season.  Kids everywhere hit the field and try and emulate their favorite player's batting stance.  However, Little League coaches know that even though the main goal is to have fun, taking home a championship trophy would be a nice added bonus.  Here are a few tips to help your Little League team make it to the finals while making sure the kids are having fun on the field:·         Use the proper equipment.  For a list of approved equipment, most Little Leagues will have a list of model numbers for each product.  The last thing you want is to be stuck with illegal gear.·         Take the team to a sporting goods store and have them try on items like gloves, bats, shoes, and catcher's gear.  Not only will the kids be able to find the equipment that suits them well, but the coach can also make sure that each item provides the highest level of safety.·         When receiving the team sports uniforms at the beginning of the season, ask each kid which number they want.  If you're willing to spend some extra cash, an added perk would be to have the names of each player embroidered on to the back of the jerseys.  This will help the kids feel more like a team, which will give them a boost of confidence.   ·         Never put pressure on the kids.  Remind them every day that they're there to have fun.  Playing worry-free baseball is the easiest way to have the team go out and play their best.It is important to remember that no matter what, baseball is just a game.  Little leaguers aren't getting paid millions of dollars like the pros, so their main objective should be having a good time and playing safe.  The right mentality and the right equipment, like gear from Russell Athletic or Louisville Slugger, will help your team make a championship run each year. Written by Derek Shcimmel, a freelance writer.