Get an Akadema baseball glove for half price, and get a FREE ion necklace

It just got easier to own one of the hottest up-and-coming gloves in the game.

While supplies last, select Akadema baseball gloves are marked at half price. Each purchase will also include a free gift from us, an Ion Necklace.

Akadema released its first glove in 1998, which makes them a baby in baseball equipment company years, but their innovative glove designs — including the revolutionary Stress Wedge technology in catcher’s mitts — have moved them into a class with the big boys.

They’re the glove of choice for players like Bryce Harper, Derek Holland, Cameron Maybin and Shane Victorino.

The half-price baseball gloves are listed below.

Akadema USA Series 12 3/4″ Baseball Glove ($99.98)

Made with pride in the USA, the Patriot series of gloves offer kip leather with a lighter feel and higher tensile strength, all while being 20% lighter than steerhide. Built to last. ($99.98)

Akadema Torino Series 11 3/4″ Baseball Glove ($99.98)

Also features kip leather, which makes the glove 20% lighter but just as durable as steerhide. The light tan palm and chocolate brown shell are constructed to break in quickly and remain durable. ($99.98)

Akadema Torino Series 11 1/2″ Baseball Glove ($99.98)

A quarter-inch shorter than the previous glove, which is ideal for middle infielders who prefer easy access for relay throws. Features kip leather, which makes the glove 20% lighter but just as durable as steerhide. ($99.98)

Akadema Torino Series 11 1/4″ Baseball Glove ($99.98)

Even shorter than the first three gloves, for the quickest possible access to the pocket. Features kip leather, which makes the glove 20% lighter but just as durable as steerhide. ($99.98)

Akadema Torino Series 12 3/4″ Baseball Glove ($99.98)

The Torino series model made for outfielders. Features kip leather, which makes the glove 20% lighter but just as durable as steerhide. ($99.98)

Related: Browse our entire selection of baseball gloves.

Buy a Louisville Slugger Z-1000 BBCOR Baseball Bat, get a FREE Louisville M9 MLB Pro Maple Wood Bat

Like they say, the best things in life are free.

They must be right, because, for a limited time, you can get one of the most popular wood baseball bats on the market for free — nothing, zilch, nada. Zippo.

Through March 11, you’ll get a free Louisville M9 Maple Wood Baseball Bat when you purchase a Louisville 2012 Z-1000 -3 Adult Baseball Bat at Baseball Express. The package with your Z-1000 will include a mail-in form for the M9. Send it in, and your bat will be on its way quicker than you can say “professional-grade maple.”

The BBCOR certified Z-1000 features thinner, lightweight graphite fibers in the barrel, designed to help you bring the lumber. Thinner fibers also allow use of more layers in the barrel for added strength.

It includes two inner discs, positioned inside the barrel at the sweet spot to stop the barrel from flexing past the performance limit. That gives players the maximum allowable performance under the new BBCOR regulations.

The M9 is our most popular turning model, and it features a cupped end for superior balance.

Our reviewers have raved about its durability, some saying a single bat has lasted through several seasons, and praised its responsiveness. As a reviewer from Portland wrote, “I’m better with this bat than I am with my aluminum bats.”

It usually retails for about $80, but you can get it for free, when you get the Z-1000 for $369.99 at Baseball Express.

Related: Browse our entire selection of Louisville Slugger baseball bats.

Baseball season is right around the corner. Here’s how to safely train in cold weather

Depending on where you are in the country, your baseball season is bound to start sometime within the next 2-4 months.

That makes it prime time to work on an offseason conditioning program. Ideally, if you worked on a strength program during the fall, that would set you up perfectly for a short conditioning period to lead into baseball practice.

We’re talking sprints, ladders and such — the stuff that will give you what it takes to play every inning at your best without getting too fatigued.

But in January, that’s easier said than done. It’s cold out and it gets dark early, which makes it a lot easier to hibernate through the winter.

It’s not impossible, though, to get out and train. Follow these three simple tips, and you’ll be ready to go by baseball season.

1. Dress the part.

Wear layers, so you can peel off or add on clothing depending on how you feel. An easy way to do this is to wear a warm-up jacket while you warm up, which you can take off when you get to the hard part of your workout.

The goal here is to keep yourself from getting chilled or wet. Getting cold or wet is an unnecessary stress on your body, which of course can bring on a cold, which will hamper your training.

Preferably, your base layer should be made with moisture-wicking materials. This keeps your gear from getting soaked with sweat while you train, which can chill you off when you’re done.

This makes Under Armour’s Coldgear a great choice for outdoor training in the winter.

Coldgear is designed for temperatures under 55° F and features a double-sided fabric that wicks moisture away and circulates body heat.

2. Hydrate.

Just because you’re not out there sweating in the summer sun doesn’t mean you’re not losing fluids. You lose it through evaporating sweat, your breath and the metabolic effects of being in the cold.

Add to that the fact that cold weather can actually depress feelings of thirst, and it’s easy to get dehydrated when it’s cold out.

Depending on how much you weigh and how much you sweat, your mileage may vary, but an easy rule of thumb is to drink 5 oz. of water or sports drink every 10-15 minutes. That will keep your performance level high and your immune system from getting depressed.

3. Warm up and cool down.

Don’t jump right into things, and don’t stop abruptly. Your muscles and connective tissues need time to reach their ideal warmth, otherwise your performance will be less-than-ideal and you’ll be at risk for injury.

A good warmup should last about five minutes, and it should involve some light calisthenics — jogging, jumping jacks, etc.

Once you’re done with your workout, finish things off with some light jogging and then begin stretching. That’ll improve your recovery, reduce your risk of injury and help you feel ready to go the next time.

Related: Train in style. Browse our entire selection of baseball performance apparel.

What’s the deal with Yak baseball gloves?

Baseball is an old sport, with lots of history and tradition. Ever since baseball players have been putting gloves on their hands, those gloves have been made with cowhide leather.

Well, that’s about to change.

“Hi, I’m the new guy.”

Late last year, Wilson introduced two styles of baseball gloves made with yak hide. There’s the Pro Soft Yak Series and the Exclusive Yak Series, which is exclusive to Baseball Express.

Why yak hide? Yak hide is three times stronger than cowhide. That allows the glove designers to construct a baseball glove with the same toughness and feel as cowhide leather, but using far less material.

That means your glove is slimmer, lighter and easier to use.

And unlike other “soft touch” gloves, Wilson’s yak gloves are extremely durable and will hold up to anything hit its way.

The Pro Soft pitcher’s glove was designed with help from Giants pitcher Brian Wilson, and the infielder’s glove was designed by Mets third baseman David Wright. The outfielder’s glove is the yak version of Wilson’s popular KP92, which features a T-web and a large deep pocket. For middle infielders, the legendary 1786 design has a shallow pocket for quick relay throws.

The Exclusive series comes in a variety of styles, including a catcher’s mitt.

You can get a yak glove and try it out for yourself for $149.99 at Baseball Express.

Related: Shop our entire selection of Wilson baseball gloves.