YouGoProBaseball is a YouTube channel with 239K subscribers, run by John Madden who used to play in the MLB. He has prolific video of pitching, hitting, fielding and equipment tips drills and tips. If you are a self motivated athlete, parent or coach willing to sort through material to find what you are looking for, this channel is a wealth of information.

The Hitting Vault is an online resource of various training programs, paths and drills to help your hitter develop in whatever area their swing may be lacking. Access to video swing analysis is included in the top two tier memberships.

The Starter Membership gets you 6 services including partial access to a hitting drill library and a 30 day swing program.

Pro Membership gets you 10 additional services, including access to the 200+ hitting drill library and additional programs, like SwingBuild, SwingFit, Strength training, bat speed training and access to video swing analysis.

Coach Membership gets you all of the above, plus private access to the coaching staff and a few other resources for the coach to access, including a private Facebook group.

The Baseball Doctor has a YouTube channel for self guided instruction. They also offer swing analysis developed from three videos you send in. You can then purchase the 2 week practice plan to help with swing deficiencies, or various other programs to help with things like creating separation, dragging back elbow, youth hitting, bat speed and high school hitting.

Baseball Rebellion provides video analysis and coaching on your hitter's swing. Through an app, you upload video for the hitting coach to watch and return to you with voice over analysis and instruction. The service begins with a frame by frame swing analysis. This is a great in season, quick adjustment option because of the affordable price and lack of commitment required.

Antonelli Baseball offers lifetime access to an online course that teaches Antonelli's step-by-step system to build your hitter's swing. The course includes in depth video instruction analyzing the four core principles of the swing to generate greater bat speed, quickness and power, more than 25 hitting drills, and the instruction on how to quickly identify, diagnose and fix your swing flaws.

With Epstein Online Hitting Academy, you receive interactive coaching, a customized training plan and in-depth video analysis of your baseball mechanics. All packages feature video annotations done personally by Jake Epstein in addition to drill library and professional player/collegiate player examples.

Driveline provides online hitting training focused on improving bat speed, consistent contact, and strategy at the plate. The monthly access includes a full swing analysis, individualized hitting, mobility and strength workouts, and video explanation of how to improve swing mechanics.You have direct access to your trainer, TRAQ software and your plan is tailored to your schedule.

Camwood All-American 30 Day Program is a training system that uses the Camwood bat (comes with purchase) in conjunction with a daily trainer that tells you what drills to do and how many swings to take for 30 days. The objective of the bat and drills is to teach proper swing mechanics of staying inside the ball while increasing bat speed and power. As you train, you can access the private FB group to upload videos and receive feedback from Camwood coaches.

Out Front Hitting uses a holistic coaching method to help players reach their hitting potential through online classes, video analysis, tutorials and drills.

The Hitting Performance Lab is a training option that focuses on the science of human movement to give your hitter a leg up. They offer an online lesson program that aims to help your hitter "hit with more repeatable power in the next 6 months," through sending back and forth video of your hitter and receiving feedback instruction from the "coach". You get one live call after the first feedback session.

Meg is a fantastic resource for all things fastpitch---including hitting. Her YouTube, TikTok, IG and Facebook pages are all worthy follows and she has a Baseball Doctor vibe about her ground-up work for getting better every day. All of her online content is free but her clinics start around $75 and held throughout the country.

You can't go wrong here. The Black Pepper from Spitz are the best seeds on the market in terms of consistency, flavor and something you can eat all day, every day.

These eeds are the OG. Before people realized you could flavor your seeds, this was all you got. Salt, seed, and David. Live the 1980's all over again.

If you want to try something different, you will love the Bacon-flavored Bigs sunflower seeds. These are the only seeds we think to compete with the Cracked Pepper from Spitz. They're unique, taste great, and are as addicting as you can find.

Chinook Seedery roasted jumbo seeds with parmesan and pepper are our favorite of the line, and they are a fun group too. You can't go wrong. These guys are a seed-only company and a commitment to the craft shows. Well worth the try for the best seeds you've never tried.

Although we've neer tried them, the Bigs old bay seasoned got A LOT of votes from our readers. They ranked out in the top 5 and are on the top of our list to try next time we can find some.

If you need one all-purpose glove for a high school or youth baseball player then the A2000 1786 is as good as you'll get. Lots of colors and web designs too.

The 2022 Nokona S-V1 is a fantastic glove for the younger player looking for the industry's best. Its buffalo hide is quickly worked in, and it comes super soft out of the wrapper. Don't hesitate on the velcro wrist wrap, either. It allows for an adjustable fit for the kid who wants a tight fit or the one who is hyper-aware of how a glove feels on their hand. In any case, Nokona's glove constantly gets some of the best ratings for young players and, even though it's probably $150 more than we want to spend, is the best youth baseball glove readily available on the market today.

This is a Dicks Sporting Goods exclusive glove, but it really hits on all cylinders for the player looking for a great glove at a reasonable price. There is a reason DSG can stay in business and it's because they leverage their unparalleled distribution to get major manufacturers to produce the item they know the public wants. This Highlights 11.5" glove is exactly what a lot of players needs and can use just great for a year or two. Great reviews, perfect price. If you don't want to order this online (or don't have a DSG in town) then check out a very similar glove like this on Amazon.

Although it might be a bit long for a smaller second baseman, the 11.75" SC1975SS from Wilson is a fantastic, popular, durable, and top-of-the-line middle infield glove. Although there are a few others in the 11.75" that would win this category, we really love the supers skin back as well as the shallow H web. This glove also has the 'spin control' in the palm which we really like. On the downside, the glove is tough to work in so be patient with it. But, otherwise, expect a great product from the best in the business.

This glove is brilliant in either the Heart of the Hide or the Pro Preferred. We are big fans of the trapeze webbing for our outfield gloves---if it is good enough for Mike Trout then it is good enough for us, too. Expect full leather, a great feel and a mild break-in time. If you play outfield at the high school or above level then no one will think twice about this top of the line glove. The 12.75" trap glove is an ideal glove for outfielders.

There are a lot of 3rd basemen who use an 11.5" glove. However, most generally agree that the 11.75" is reserved for the hot corner, the 11.5" is for the shortstop, and the 11.25" is a 2nd baseman's glove. Of course, to each his own, but we put our favorite 11.75" glove here. Wilson also makes a great 11.75", as is there a great glove in the Pro Preferred from Rawlings. But, when we take in user reviews, feel, and pro player usage, then this is the best 3rd baseman's glove.

There are a lot of really good first baseman gloves on the market. We particularly like the Shoeless Joe Jackson line of gloves and think their 1B glove is brilliant. Still, though, in terms of access, value, durability, feel, and performance no glove beats the 1620 with SuperSkin from Wilson. The glove is perfect in every way. The Superskin makes it light, the lace and leather are top-shelf quality. The only thing we don't like is the price. But, welcome to the world of high-performance gloves. In any case, the 1620 SS from Wilson is the best first baseman glove readily available on the market today.

Although Wilson, Marucci, and Rawlings make great catchers gloves, we think the best out there is All-Stars 35-inch Pro Elite is the best in the business. A number of pro guys use this gear and, considering the stranglehold that Wilson and Rawlings have on the business, it is quite the feat. These gloves aren't cheap and the work on these guys is gonna require a few run-ins with a mack truck. Even still, it is way worth it and it is the best catcher's glove on the market today.

Pitcher's like their glove web to be closed. This makes it harder, one could believe, to see the direction of the wrist and ball and, therefore, make it harder to pick up on what pitch is coming. Most amateur players don't pitch only. So, having another high-end glove in the bag for pitching outings seems silly---although plenty do it. Instead, if you want a more affordable option for your pitching glove then we really, really like the Rawlings GG Elite Series in a closed web for a 12-inch in mostly black that prices out sub $200 and is often on sale.

The best glove brand for baseball is the A2000. And, to be sure, it is close. Rawlings Heart of the Hide and Pro Preferred as well as Wilsons very own A2K line of gloves are outstanding gloves. But, when we consider the overall user satisfaction, quality, price point, durability and straight nostalgia of the worlds favorite glove line, the Wilson A2000 comes out on top. No one doesn't like their A2000. No one. And a lot of people straight love it.

This replica of the infamous bat used by the iconic Ken Griffey, Jr. comprises injection-molded plastic. Due to its construction is a very durable piece of equipment that is void of compromising mass. It measures 33 inches, providing an adequate reach across any strike zone. Unfortunately, the bat does possess a slight bend, but it does not appear to affect its performance. Also, note that there is a slight wobble if it is swung hard.

The Blitzball bat is the same as the Louisville C271. The only difference is the color; this bat is blue. The Blitzball bat provides an excellent feel and balance as well as impressive pop. Just as well the Griffey bat, there is a slight curvature, but performance is not hindered.

This is a real basic kid tee ball bat. Dont' expect to use this is an adult game, stay with the Blitzball for that. But, if you just need a simple plastic/wiffle ball bat then this is your ticket.

These bats are ridiculous. Full single-piece composite bats built for the very serious Wiffle Ball player. They feel great, hit the ball a mile and can last forever if you take care of it. If you're in a serious Wiffle Ball league then this is a place to look. We're not sure we'd ever pay $300 for a plastic bat, but to each his own.

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If you're kid is an Ortiz fan, they might really like the Ortiz Branded plastic bat and ball set. It's not made for adult leagues, but kids. But, it does look cool and if your kid is big into the big Pappi, then check this one out.

Probably the most common thumb guard you'll see is the EvoShield thumb protector.  They are relatively easy to find in big box stores like Dick's Sporting Goods and are inexpensive, costing around $25 for one.  They are also straightforward and reasonably easy to use.

EvoShield protective devices come in a sealed foil package in a gel form that once you open, you form the device to the player's body part they are protecting, and it hardens into a protective shell that sets in about 20 minutes and fits your player well. While it is not difficult to form the thumb guard for your catcher, watching an EvoShiled's how-to YouTube video is recommended for a visual example, taking out any guesswork.

The Catcher's Thumb is another thumb guard available for catchers specifically.  It uses a plastic device fitted to the thumb.  The process is a little more intricate than the EvoShield, as it requires making a template of part of your hand, cutting the material, fitting and then trimming the material up for best fit.  Once hardened, it protects well, but if you trim too much you may be left without a usable product and out the $35 that it costs.

The Endoskel is a thumb guard that takes a different approach than the wearable thumb guards.  The Endoskel is an aluminum/alloy composite that is covered in foam and rubber for comfort.  The Endoskel is a single piece that instead of wrapping around the thumb is slid into the glove's thumb hole and tied in place.  The Endoskel remains in the glove so it removes the risk of the player losing his thumb guard, which we all know is a high probability with younger ball players.  The Endoskel is competitively priced at $30.

If you're looking to take the sting out of your catcher's hand from a big heater then why not forget about the thumb guard and go for an inner glove from the leader in catchers gear? All star inner protective gloves  are similar to batting gloves but with additional foam in the high-impact areas of the hand.

The D30 retails for around $22. They also have their D30 protective glove sponge, a foam finger that slips over the index finger for protection, though it does nothing for the thumb. It retails for around $10. If you are not set on a thumb guard specifically, and really just want some added protection for your hands while catching, these might be the right choice.

The answer might be an elite/high-level catching mitt if your thumb hurts while catching. These aren't cheap, and they are a real commitment. But, if you're using an old or more inexpensive glove and are just starting to catch some real hits, consider checking out Wilson's line of top-end catcher's mitts. The upgrade will be worth it, and you might not even need a thumb guard.