Baseball tips: Improve your posture, Improve your level of play

From our friends at Crossover Symmetry, here’s a very quick primer on posture and the role it plays in athletic performance.

The things we do in our modern-day lifestyles — whether it’s hunching over our desks at work or slouching on the sofa in front of the TV — can lead to poor shoulder posture. We roll our shoulders forward, and that can lead to problems down the road in sports.

That’s especially true in baseball, where the shoulder and rotator cuff are so important.

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Poor posture equals poor mechanics. You won’t be able to get the most out of your throwing motion, and, at worst, you can injure your shoulders.

So how do you avoid it?

Perform regular stretches and exercises to counterbalance your forward posture.

The primer includes a few examples to help. Those stretches and exercises keep the muscles in your shoulder girdle strong and tension-free, which will have you in prime condition when baseball season rolls around.

Related: Keep your shoulders in top condition with a pair of Crossover Symmetry Cross Cords.

Ends Monday: Save $10 on any 2011 Easton Rival Series Baseball Glove

Through Monday, you can get a brand-new 2011 Easton Rival Series Baseball Glove for $89.99.

That’s a $10 savings versus the Rival’s retail price. The discount is valid on any Easton Rival Series glove.

Designed for high performance, the Rival is constructed with American Steerhide, some of the strongest leather in the world. It features a contoured index finger channel, which combines the flexibility and comfort of an open-back glove with the feel and control of a closed back.

The lace is big-league grade USA Tanned Rawhide.

Through Monday, you can get one for $89.99 at Baseball Express. The discount is applied in the cart.

Related: See our entire selection of baseball gloves.

Under Armour’s new 2011 baseball gear is on the shelves at Baseball Express

The 2011 assortment of Under Armour baseball apparel is on the shelves here at Baseball Express, and we’re having trouble picking out our new favorite piece of gear.

There’s just too much to pick from.

Let’s start with Cage Shirts:

Under Armour Men’s Cage-To-Game Midlayer Shirt ($49.99)

The Cage-To-Game Midlayer Shirt is designed to be worn year-round — on the field and in the cage. No matter if it’s snowing outside or if it’s the middle of August, the Cage-To-Game Midlayer Shirt provides a lightweight, comfortable fit.

That’s because it’s made with Under Armour’s AllSeasonGear technology, radical fabrics that flex with changing weather conditions. The moisture transport system delivers core temperature regulation and maximum breathability.

If a 3/4 sleeve is more your style, Under Armour has you covered there, too.

New Workout Shirts:

Baseball season is getting closer and closer, and that usually means turning up the intensity on your off-field workouts.

Under Armour’s Men’s Catalyst T-Shirt ($29.99) is ideal to wear while conditioning, whether you’re running stairs or hitting the weights.

With a loose fit, the lightweight workout shirt features Under Armour’s HeatGear knit, designed to keep you cool.

Lastly, sliding Shorts:

Under Armour Men’s Core Sliding Short ($54.99)

These sliding shorts provide comprehensive protection. Made with the New MPZ 2 padding, they utilize a series of strategically placed elastics to stabilize and protect the entire body core (hips, groin, quads and hamstrings).

And if you’re looking for a pair of sliding shorts that provides specific protection to the family jewels, take a look at Under Armour’s Men’s Turn II Sliding Shorts with Cup ($44.99).

Related: Take a look at our entire selection of new Under Armour baseball apparel.

More bat news: Easton Omen, Mattingly Balistk will be allowed in Little League

More bat news to pass along…

Three 2 1/4″ composite-barreled youth bats have passed Little League Baseball’s waiver process, and they will be allowed in competition this year.

Those bats are:

• Mattingly Balistk (Model No. BTKYB)

• Easton Omen -12 (Model No. LNC1XL)

• Easton Omen -10 (Model No. LNC2XL)

To be recertified for play, these bats had to stay within Little League’s bat performance standard after a thorough break-in process.

Little League is expected to continue adding to its list of approved composite 2 1/4″ bats. You can view their list here.

Related: Here is the page where we’ll continue adding to information on bats in Little League and Babe Ruth League Baseball.