Guest Author - Kari Livingston

It's that time of year again-- the time to start shopping for holiday gifts. If you have a softball player on your gift list, it can be easy to shop for them because there are so many great choices when it comes to softball gifts.

Equipment

New equipment is usually at the top of most player's wish lists. New gloves, cleats, sliding shorts, and especially bats are great gift ideas for those with deep pockets. Christmas is a great time to buy these expensive items. They are likely to be on sale and with spring practice a month or two in the future, it gives the player time to break in the new equipment. If your player isn't in the market for a major equipment purchase, you can't go wrong with a new bucket of practice balls.

Lessons, Camps, and Clinics

As softball evolves into a more year-round sport, many places offer winter clinics and lessons. If there is a particular skill that your player wants to improve, the winter offers a great opportunity to take lessons to sharpen up before the season starts. A gift certificate to your local batting facility also makes a great present.

Jewelry and Accessories

Hey- they don't spend all of their time on the field! Many places offer cute softball themed necklaces, earrings and bracelets that are perfect for showing off her love of the game even when she's nowhere near a diamond. Prices range from $5 (great for stocking stuffers) up to several hundred dollars. Headbands, shirt scrunchies and practice visors can make great small team gifts and stocking stuffers.

Books and DVDs

There are a wide variety of softball books and DVDs on the market, aimed at all levels of ability. Many of DVDs offer defensive techniques that can dramatically improve a game. There are also many books that have great drills, but not all of them are books on technique. There are books on the psychology of the game and there are even a few fiction books for times when your player just wants to read a good story.