As usual, the collection of baseball people from anywhere and everywhere was a given. Gary LaRocque from the Cardinals looked as happy as I’ve ever seen him, the Yankees’ Damon Oppenheimer was looking dapper as ever, and for the first time in a milennia, Mets’ PR man Jay Horwitz appeared to be relaxed.

The New York contingent of columnists, beat writers, online correspondents, and bloggers easily outnumbered everyone else, and for the first time in a long time, most had very little to do.

It allowed for some networking time, and as a journalist who also has a business to run, new digital magazines to launch, covering the Meetings is more than just hanging out in the lobby.

I spent some real quality time with a fellow I’ve read many times, but never actually met, Gary Armida. Gary is known for his excellent work over at FullCountPitch.com, and is now writing the excellent Baseball Report Newsletter. What a delightful guy. You can follow him on Twitter at @GaryArmidaFCP.

I also got the opportunity to spend some time with some students from Lynn University, whose department head Professor Theodore Curtis had brought along to get some real-time “lab” work in. Seems Prof. Curtis thinks that giving his students real hands-on work to do is the best way to prepare them for their chosen profession. A man after my own heart.

A great group of young people, Curtis was able to arrange for his group to meet exclusively with some of baseball’s top business execs, including major league officials and even the president of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Jeff Idelson.

“Our students take what they learn in class about the baseball business and now come here and become a big part of it all,” says Curtis. “For Lynn students, learning doesn’t end in the classroom – it begins there.”

While hundreds of other students aimlessly will roam the halls at the Swan and Dolphin Hotel at Disney praying for a bite, Lynn students will take part in their exclusive meetings, discuss internship possibilities at the Job Fair and discover sports industries at the Baseball Trade Show.

“This active learning experience will stay with our students in their future careers as baseball executives and sports business leaders,” says Curtis, who has taken his students to the Winter Meetings each of the last four years.

Lynn graduates now work for dozens of teams and leagues throughout professional sports. Maybe you should go there. Hell, maybe I should go there.

Lastly, like the good professor and his charges, I also spent time at the Trade Show, looking to make some contacts for my sales staffs at both BaseballDigest.com and GothamBaseball.com, as well as look for some cross-branding and cross-promotinal opportunities. I did find some excellent candidates for all of my needs, and I also found some great products.

Annoyed by the price and quality of much of the food in Orlando, if not for the Picabu cafe in the Dolphin (open 24 hours), and the Fountain (a great little diner-type place, also in Dolphin), I would have been very cranky. I also found a few booths I snuck off to in the Trade Show multiple times.

Mama Mancini’s Meatballs – Having been born and raised in Brooklyn, with a mother and slew of aunts that made Sunday sauce, I am a meatball and gravy snob. This was a little taste of home for me. Nice job, chef. Next time, have a little rigatoni, too.

MexiDog – The chorizo made by these folks is awesome. Not for the faint of heart or palate, mind you. Instead of the poor excuse for the wet bars in the lobby of the Dolphin (No Jameson or Irish whiskey of any kind), they should have set up MexiDog stands with ice-cold buckets of Guinness and Harp.

I also discovered some really interesting products:

GI Nutrition – The Karsos brothers have themselves a very supplement business, and their sales pitch is very straightforward and honest. I also didn’t spit any of their products out after tasting them. That’s a good sign. I usually hate protien drinks and bars of that nature. These were solid.

Cutters Gloves – I have always liked Cutters batting gloves, which have unique grips and are very comfortable. What I didn’t know was that they have a new product, that isn’t so new. Longtime glove and bat manufacturer Nokona is now part of the Cutters family, and they should have a new website up and running soon. When they do, go check it out. They make some of the most attarctive, comfortable American-made gloves and bats you’ll ever see.

In the upcoming weeks, you’ll start seeing other products popping up here on BaseballDigest.com, and understand that if we don’t really like’em, we don’t endorse ‘em. That’s a pledge from me personally.

Mark Healey is the Online Editor Of Baseball Digest, the Founding Editor of Gotham Baseball and the host of Baseball Digest Live. You can follow him on Twitter @BaseballDigest9.

This week we will review the Rawlings SC750 pitcher and infielder’s glove.  The glove features an 11.5 reach, a 130 degree deep pocket depth, lace-less heel and pocket and the new REVO Solid Core Technology.

The first thing I noticed about the glove was really how soft and pliable it is.  Gloves purchased at mass retailers or even sporting good stores have been sitting on the shelves under the lights for who knows how long.  This has a drying out effect on the gloves and can make them brittle and hard.  This factory fresh glove is well conditioned and easy to fit and move.  This is a huge advantage when it comes to “breaking in’ your glove.  I still recommend a good quality glove conditioning oil, but buying a glove direct instead of off a shelf somewhere will cut down your ‘break-in’ time from weeks to days.

The lace-less heel and pocket eliminate bunching and binding of the glove.  Not only does this add to comfort in wearing the glove, but makes the glove more flexible and easy to move.  The full-finger index pad also adds comfort to control.

The innovative pocket and web design allow for the three different pocket locations, flat, standard and deep.  The different locations are for player preference and comfort.  Everyone who used the glove though agreed that either a standard or deep pocket was preferable.  Having always used mass retailer purchased gloves I never realized that I had a pocket preference until I used this glove.  For me, the deep pocket location leaves the ball closer to the heel of my hand.  This made for easier and quicker transfer to my throwing hand when having to relay the ball.

The new REVO solid core technology of this glove is the real highlight however.  When compared to other infielder’s gloves, the Rawlings SC750 is noticeably lighter.  This makes turning and flipping quicker and more accurate.  Less weight does not mean less protection though.  I was catching some shots, much harder at close range then you would ever need, and never felt any discomfort.  The best analogy I can offer is that the REVO solid core is like a snowshoe.  It displaces the pressure or weight throughout the core instead of having it all at the point of impact.  Playing catch against even some of the hardest throwers will not leave your hand sore or tired with this glove.

Keep on eye on the lacing as it does need to be re-tightened pretty regularly.  I also recommend that even after breaking in your glove that you keep a softball in the pocket when not in use to help the glove keep it’s shape and not go flat.

Overall the glove offers an almost barehanded feel.  The glove really does become a part of you so you are not weighed down by bulky heavy leather.  Quick effortless movement while catching and transferring will add to your game.

A MSRP of $160.00 makes this a very attractive glove for beginner to advanced players and high school players.

Rawlings provided Baseball Digest with a specification sheet and you can look at that by clicking here. (Link is to a PDF file over 6 MB in size)

Until next time, remember that of all of the baseball equipment out there, only certain products make your game “Gear Driven.”

All of the equipment reviewed by “Gear Driven” was used by the author and members of the Mason County Central High School baseball team.  When possible, the equipment is donated to the team with thanks from Baseballdigest.com.

Charles Sollars:  This trend of the batting practice hat being new every year or two is a cool idea in concept but the problem is that most of these hats are just ugly. I guess they have to be ugly to match the batting practice jersey which is a whole other article by itself. So, for now lets focus on the hat.

Bill Ivie: I disagree, I think it gives a fresh look to a franchise without them having to change their look and really irritate the purists.  It gives fans the opportunity to find something fresh and new without losing the traditions they love.

Sollars: These things are everywhere, from the ballpark to malls!  People will buy them, which means New Era will make a new batch next year.

Ivie: What is the problem with other people wearing these hats? Why are you so worried about what other fans wear?

Sollars: If people keep buying these ugly things one day soon in the near future wool hats will be a thing of the past and that is just something that I can’t stand to think about. There is something classic about a fresh wool New Era on opening day. Then there is the comfort of a ten year old wool hat that team doesn’t even wear any more. The classic wool hat should be left alone. If the boys want to wear a bp hat give em two wool hats.

Ivie: Wool hats aren’t going anywhere.  But the batting practice hats are cooler in the summer heat.  They breathe better and they still hold the traditions of the old designs mixed with today’s styles.

Sollars: If the thought of wool being gone is fine in your book lets take a closer look a the bp hat. First of all why is there NASCAR like piping on these hats?  Secondly why do some teams have a wedge of color on the bill? These hats just look someone ran out of material.  To say I am a Yankee fan is the furthest thing from the truth but the fact that the Yankee hat has something on it other than the white NY is just wrong in my book.

Ivie: These are some of the features that I love about the hat.  The piping gives a three dimensional feel and adds depth to the hat.  Catch up with the times, my friend, everything is high def, why not our hats?  The two-tone look incorporates the teams two primary colors better than the old style’s secondary color barely visible on the primary.

Sollars: Then if you happen to turn one of these ugly things around what is up with the half circle around the MLB logo?

Ivie: I think it’s just style, and I like the fact that my MLB logo does not always have to look the same.

Sollars: I will give New Era some credit there are three hats that I do not hate (Cardinals, Braves, and Tampa Bay Navy Blue). The other 30 hats can be added to the next disco night fire. Yes, there are 33 hats because the Rays, Tigers and Yankees all have home and away versions.

Ivie: Ok, you got me there, more than one hat per team is only ok if everyone has one.  Either there is two hats per team or there is one, but three extra hats is a little strange.

Sollars: While we are on the subject lets also state that the red flag logo hats are ugly as well but they are honoring men and women that keep this land free so we will give them a pass.

Ivie: I agree they deserve a pass due to the men and women they honor.  But I think it was a classy way to honor those men and women.

Sollars: The solution to the ugly batting practice hat is simple.  Teams should allow players to either have a mesh flex fit or wool version of one of their game hats as option one.  Option two would be a throwback cap.  Finally, if New Era and MLB say that the hats have to be different so that they can sell more hats, then please just keep the hats to no more than two colors, one for the bill and one for the panels.  Unless the team wants to do two white panels on the front.  This will keep us all from having to wear piping or zig zagged color patches.

Ivie: I love the idea of throwbacks, jerseys or hats.   I will also admit that I agree, this is a marketing ploy for MLB and New Era to sell more hats.  But when it comes down to it, I think the players should have the freedom to wear anything with the team logo on it before game time.

What is your opinion of the Great Hat Debate?  Visit the post on the bleachers and vote in our poll.

After years of sampling various products designed to improve hitting, Rob realized there wasn’t anything on the market that would both teach players the proper swing while also increasing strength and muscle memory. To fill this void, he created the VIZUBAT, a unique training device which offers both strength training and improved technique, while helping the hitter visualize successful contact.

Two-time A.L. MVP and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame Robin Yount calls it “the best tool I’ve seen for visualization and strength training. It teaches you to hit the ball properly”

Several sports psychologists have conducted research studies on the professional and non-professional athlete. They proved that when the act of “visualizing success in the sport” occurs, it would contribute to actual success and improvement of their performance skills.

The VIZUBAT visually trains the batter to correctly hit the pitch that covers all areas of the strike zone.

I BELIEVE IN THE VIZUBAT HITTING DEVICE SO MUCH THAT, NOT ONLY ARE MY THREE SONS USING IT, BUT I AM ENDORSING THE PRODUCT TO BE INTRODUCED TO OUR MAJOR LEAGUE PLAYERS,” says Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett.

The VIZUBAT can be used for everything from loosening up in the on-deck circle, to batting-tee drills, to soft-toss drills. It will train the young and the old ballplayer to keep their head and eyes down, on and through contact.

“VIZUBAT’ IS DEFINITELY A DEVICE THAT MAJOR LEAGUE, LITTLE LEAGUE, AND ALL LEVELS OF SOFTBALL CAN BENEFIT FROM, BOTH YOUNG AND OLD!” – Hall Of Fame outfielder and eight-time Batting champ Tony Gwynn.

I had a chance to sit down with Rob Deer for a little Q&A session.

BD : How did you come up with the idea for the VIZUBAT?

Rob Deer : I started by duck-taping a ball to the sweet spot on a bat, cause it was the best way that I could think of to help the players “see” what I was trying to teach them.

BD : So, why the VIZUBAT? Why doesn’t everyone just tape a ball to a bat?

Rob Deer : There is more to the VIZUBAT than just seeing the ball on the bat. The product offers skill and drill training that you can’t get from a ball taped to a bat.

BD : Like what?

Rob Deer : I designed two attachments for the bat. The first is a flat-capped ball for use in tee work and soft-toss. The second is a full ball for use in the on-deck circle.

BD : So, the batter actually hits a ball off the tee with the flat-capped ball? Is it strong enough to handle the contact?

Rob Deer : You bet! We have major league players using the bat every day in their hitting drills. By incorporating the VIZUBAT in tee work a player will be able to see how they are contacting the ball and why.

BD : It sounds like hitters will be able to correct their swing quicker because they can see what they are doing wrong. Is that right?

Rob Deer : Yes. I am not trying to teach a hitting philosophy. Players have hitting coaches for that. The VIZUBAT is a tool that simply gives a visual representation of where and how contact with the ball is made. Hitters are better able to see and to adjust their grip as well as to see where to make contact with a ball in all areas of the strike zone.

BD : How is the VIZUBAT different than other training tools?

Rob Deer : The VIZUBAT is different from other tools because there is nothing on the market that helps develop three key factors in young and old, male or female hitters. The VIZUBAT helps you understand and get a feel for pitches in the strike zone and the correct approach to hitting them properly. The VIZUBAT creates correct habits naturally during tee and soft-toss drills by visualizing keeping your head down on and through contact, as well as focusing on hitting the ball repetitively on the sweet spot of the bat. With the VIZUBAT’S Patented steel shot weighted bags, you can naturally build strength by adjusting how heavy you want the round ball during warm-up, weight training drills, or just practicing your swing. The VIZUBAT allows you to build strength naturally that is conducive to your swing.

BD : How long before people start seeing results from using the bat?

Rob Deer : I’ve seen swings change within three swings off of a tee. I’ve found that younger players catch on faster than older players! I’ve had Major League players take ten swings to catch on, while I’ve had Little Leaguers square up nine outta ten off the tee. I want people to understand that this isn’t designed to be a quick fix gimmick. The key to being a good hitter is repetition of proper swings that build a foundation that lasts as long as his or her playing days! The VIZUBAT does this naturally.

BD : What is the biggest benefit you’ve seen from people who use the VIZUBAT?

Rob Deer : I think the biggest benefit is when I see the young players understand and get the feel of squaring up a ball off the tee because they are doing what I consider to be the biggest factor of all – keeping your head down on and through contact. You can’t hit what you can’t see! Observing how the VIZUBAT gets young players to do this consistently through repetition is great!

BD : So, how much better of a hitter would you have been in the Majors if you had a tool like this?

Rob Deer : Me? Not much better. (laughing) I had already developed my habits by then. It would have made a big difference if I had a tool like this in Little League or High School. I teach hitting differently now than how I hit in the Majors. I was a dead-pull hitter. The VIZUBAT teaches a hitter how to use the whole field; how to contact a ball that is inside, middle of the plate, or outside.

BD : Many big leaguers are using the bat and saying good things about it. What have you seen with those using it at the lower levels (high school, little league, etc.)?

Rob Deer : I recently spent time with over 300 high school players at a camp at Stanford University. The coaches at Stanford run an elite program and were kind enough to invite me to work with some of the kids. You should have seen the kids’ eyes light up as they used the VIZUBAT during tee work? Their bat speed increased and they were hitting solid line drives off the tee. Some of the boys asked if I would put a bat in the on-deck circle during their game. It was fun to watch them use the bat in the on-deck circle and then make solid contact with the ball during the game.

BD : Now is the VIZUBAT just for baseball players or can softball players use it as well?

Rob Deer : Absolutely! The VIZUBAT is just as effective for softball players. That’s why we offer a softball version. Although the trajectory of a softball pitch is different from baseball, it is still a matter of contact point. “See ball hit ball” applies to both. This is why Vicky Galindo endorses the VIZUBAT and has experienced so much success, as well as many travel ball teams.

BD : So, what’s next for VIZUBAT?

Rob Deer : Well, getting the word out and letting everyone know about this training tool. Soon there will be an infomercial on the MLB Network in the form of a mock hitting clinic. We have found that seeing first-hand in a live demo how the VIZUBAT is used really helps hitters understand the value of this amazing tool. In fact, it’s great to see how the Major League players have responded to the VIZUBAT. The real fun, though, is in working with youngsters. I enjoy using the VIZUBAT to help them develop as hitters and to develop a passion for the game.

BD : So, how do I get one?

Rob Deer : Right now they are available online at www.vizubat.com or through Brett Brothers Bat catalogue. Soon they will be available in retail stores.

BD : Well, you have some big names backing the VIZUBAT – both current and former players. I wish you the best.

Rob Deer : Thanks.

Some of the greatest hitters in MLB history have benefitted from the VIZUBAT – so whether you are an experienced hitter or are just picking up a bat for the first time, it’s your turn to see how the VIZUBAT can help you.