Softball Site
	Don McKay BellaOnline's Softball Editor

Baseball Hitting Stick Batting Trainer
3 stars. Good while it lasted, but did it last long enough? Every coach should have a product similar to the Baseball Hitting Stick, but I cannot recommend this product until I do more testing with other similar products.

Coaching Fastpitch Softball Successfully
5 Stars. The best overall book I have found on managing and coaching a team. It is written with the travel/high school/college program in mind, but there is so much valuable and unique information in this reference that EVERY coach should have it, and use it often!

Coaching Girls Softball by Kathy Strahan
4 stars. This is an excellent reference for a coach new to girls fastpitch softball, one that they will continue to use as they gain more experience. Experienced coaches will also benefit from the pre-season checklists and such that I continue to use every season.

Defensive Softball Drills by Jacquie Joseph
4 Stars. A defense-only drill book, but still one of the best drill books overall. The drill finder is the best I've seen in helping the reader narrow down to the specific drill needed.

Easton 7-foot Popup Catch Net
4 stars. The best catch net I have found so far. My teams have used this for over two full seasons, and it is still in great shape. Great as a soft-toss batting station, or backing up throws at defensive stations.

Easton Popup Playback Trainer
4 stars. I love that my girls LOVE using this as a fielding station. Good for team practices or individual use (just ask my youngest daughter), it teaches players to throw hard at a target, as well as tracking line drives and pop-ups.

Hurricane Net
2 Stars. This catch net is made of high quality material, but the design leaves much to be desired. As a home batting aid, where stakes in the ground can be cemented into place, the Hurricane Net may suffice. As a portable batting station, though, it is pretty frustrating to use.

Orbit Portable Outdoor Mister System
5 Stars. Inexpensive, easy to install, and usable at just about any water pressure. If you are looking for an easy, quick way to cool dugouts, look no further than this product.

Schutt Striker II Hitting Trainer
1 Star. Possibly the most frustrating piece of equipment I have ever used as a batting station. If you DO end up with one (hopefully you didn't buy it), I suggest drilling holes at the end of each support and holding it in place with bungee cords.

SKLZ Hit-a-Way
This is a great individual batting aid that kids absolutely love to use. Ours has lasted over 3 years and hundreds, if not thousands of swings. If your kid likes swinging the bat, they will voluntarily use this on their own.

SKLZ Practice Net
1 star. This product should not be used for softball practice. It will only last about a month of practices before it breaks down. There are plenty of better catch nets on the market.

SKLZ Pujols Power Stick
Simply the best batting aid I have found to date. Parents, get this for your daughters and use it regularly. Coaches, get this for your team and use it each practice. You will not be disappointed.

SKLZ Reaction Ball
4 stars. If you are looking for a great individual or coaching tool for developing quicker hands and better defense, look no further. This crazy thing is fun to play with and makes for a great fielding station.

Softball Skills and Drills by Judi Garman
2 stars. Neither a very good skills book, nor a very good drills book. I'm glad I got this book essentially free with an Amazon bundle, or I would be even more disappointed in it. There are definitely better books out there.

The Baffled Parent’s Guide to Softball
2 Stars. The information in this book is generally SO basic that even beginner coaches will outgrow it after a week or so of practices. First time coaches would be better served by other books.

The Softball Skills Book by Kirk Walker
3 stars. A good, but not great, drill book. It has good information in it, but actually finding it can be problematic. Don't make a face if you get it for Christmas, because there are worse drill books out there. The problem is, there are better ones out there as well.