Month: June 2018

D-BAT CEO Named Finalist for EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award

D-BAT Sports is proud to announce that our Founder and CEO, Cade Griffis, has been named a finalist for the EY (formerly Ernst & Young) Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Southwest Region. This is a huge honor for Griffis, saying:

“This is a tremendous honor to be an EY Finalist in the Entrepreneur of the Year program. We are very proud of our team at D-BAT and the positive impact we are making on youth baseball and softball, not only in the United States, but overseas as well. We know how competitive the business atmosphere is in the Southwest, and we are thrilled to be included in this amazing group of finalists.”

About the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

EY evaluates potential candidates for the award based on innovative business practices, personal commitment to their communities and business, and overall financial performance. Candidates are chosen by a panel of independent judges, and a winner will be chosen at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas on June 23. The Southwest regional winner will then go on to compete for the National Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in California, and the winner from there goes on to the Worldwide Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Monaco.

D-BAT Sports is proud to be recognized for our entrepreneurial spirit and growth! With locations around the United States and even overseas, Griffis has created a model that strives to be the best softball and baseball training facility in the country. D-BAT operates over 50 D-BAT Baseball Academy locations, each equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. We also carry only the best in baseball gear for sale: wood bats, gloves, batting gloves, helmets, etc. Our Pro Shop experts are equipped to find the gear that meets each player’s individual needs. A personalized approach – coupled with a top coaching staff – prepares each individual player for the next level.

Crucial Baseball Skills Every Catcher Must Know

Many outside the realm of baseball think being a catcher is simple. All they do is sit there and catch balls behind the plate, right?

As those inside the game know – the answer is a resounding “no.” The position of catcher is so much more than that. Here are 3 crucial skills every catcher must know to be successful:

1. Strong Leadership

A catcher must be able to take control of the game, and if the coach isn’t calling pitches, it is up to the catcher to fill this roll. He must also be aware of everything that is happening on the field at all times, and he’s responsible for non-stop communication with the pitcher to ensure he’s calm, collected, confident, and prepared for all situations.

2. Knowledge

The higher the level of baseball, the more responsibility the catcher has to call pitches and handle the pitcher. A catcher might spend hours getting to know both his pitching staff and the opposing team’s hitters to get a sense of a game plan for the big game. Baseball catchers must have a keen sense of the game and the ability to make split second decisions that can be the difference between a win and a loss. Again, understanding where everyone is on the field, where you’re at in the batting lineup, etc. is all a part of what makes a great catcher stand out.

3. Aggressive Catching

This may be obvious, but a baseball catcher has to be able to make the catch in order to prevent unnecessary stolen bases. Also – remember that a catcher is the only player on the field wearing protective gear. Use that protection to your advantage! Get out there and be aggressive, don’t be afraid to get down and block pitches, you’re wearing catchers gear for a reason.

Sound easy? It’s not. Catchers have one of the most difficult jobs on the field, but it can also be extremely rewarding. If you’re ready to hone your skills as a catcher, call us today to set up some instruction time! D-BAT Sports is the best baseball training facility, with state-of-the-art facilities around the country. Call us today for a tour and to set up a few practice sessions with our expert coaching staff. Check out all our locations HERE! And don’t forget to get all your baseball gear at dbatsports.com!