Surviving Softball Tournaments and All Nighters – 7 Basic Steps
“Hard is what makes it great. If it was easy, everyone would do it.” This quote from Rockford Peach coach Jimmy Dugan on your own league That sums it up in general. Whether it’s slow pitch softball, fast pitch softball, or baseball, there are basic steps to surviving a tournament, especially an all-night weekend tournament. This sport is great and this is how you can be at the top of your game.
1. Stay fit — Practice with equipment and/or with independent training aids. You need to be in shape. Chances are, if you’re signed up for an overnight stay, you’ll have this part covered. Make the cardio work. It’s easier to hit a home run when your heart is in top condition. Breathing is good. Plus, get some extra hits in the batting cage or on the team’s pitching machines.*
2. Stay hydrated — Don’t underestimate the power of H2O. Water should be your number one choice. Avoid energy drinks as long as possible; all that sodium can weigh you down in the heat of the day. Yes, this is softball, but limit your alcohol intake.
3. Eat right – Carbohydrates. Rice, pasta, and other wheat-based foods are good sources of carbohydrates to fuel your body. Proteins (meat and peanut butter) will help repair torn muscles. Dairy products will keep your bones strong and prevent breaks or fractures. Avoid crashes and burn sugars.
4. Stretch and warm up — Take care of those muscles. They will get work 24 hours. Take a slow jog around the field or park before your game. Throw with a partner to warm up your arm. Relax your back with a few practice swings when you’re on deck. You may even want to swing with two softball bats or one softball bat weight.
5. Prepare — Pack a softball emergency kit: Biofreeze, ice packs, bandages, ibuprofen, antibacterial spray, hand sanitizer and a change of clothes. As simple as it sounds, fresh and dry socks can make a world of difference in how you feel at your next game. Dust and dirt from bricks can infect slider bits very quickly. Store the antibacterial spray and Biofreeze in your bat bag so you can use them right away if needed.
6. Buddy system — In addition to setting the alarm clock, exchange phone numbers with a teammate. You don’t want to be the reason your team had to lose a 4 AM game. Try to stay close to the ball park. If you’re up late, you don’t want a speeding ticket, or worse yet, you don’t want to get into an accident trying to beat the coin toss.
7. Take care of your equipment — After each game take an inventory of your softball team. You don’t want to start a game only to find that you left your softball glove on the bench in your last game. Make sure your softball bat can withstand low night temperatures. Even in summer, the nights can be quite cold. Because cold weather can damage thin-walled bats, it is recommended to limit use when temperatures are below 60 degrees. A bat sock or leg warmer can help with this.
Follow these steps and you’ll increase your chances for a fun-filled, injury-free tournament. It is not easy to be the best. It requires hard work, preparation, training and responsibility. Being the best is great. Train hard, wear the proper softball gear, and enjoy your sport.
* Please note that using your bat in a cage may void your softball bat warranty. Use only with leather covered balls, not plastic or rubber cage balls.