The Dugout

Dive into the world of baseball with the Plate Crate blog, where you can swing for the fences with the latest news, all while getting the inside scoop on player profiles, training tips, and more!

What’s a Good OPS in Baseball?
What’s a Good OPS in Baseball?

At a Glance: OPS stands for On-Base Plus Slugging and combines on-base percentage and slugging percentage into a single number that measures overall offensive production. A good...

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How Baseball Players Can Increase Bat Speed
How Baseball Players Can Increase Bat Speed

At a Glance: Bat speed measures how fast the bat moves through the hitting zone in miles per hour, with averages ranging from 40-55 MPH for youth players up to 65-78+ MPH at the...

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Baseball Infield Drills for Youth Players
Baseball Infield Drills for Youth Players

At a Glance: Infield drills develop the fielding mechanics, footwork, throwing accuracy, and game awareness that separate reliable defenders from defensive liabilities. Effectiv...

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What is a Sliding Mitt & How Can It Help Your Game?
What is a Sliding Mitt & How Can It Help Your Game?

At a Glance: A sliding mitt is a protective glove worn on the lead hand during base running, designed to shield fingers, knuckles, and the back of the hand from jams, fractures,...

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Baseball Agility Drills for Youth Players
Baseball Agility Drills for Youth Players

At a Glance: Agility is the ability to accelerate, decelerate, and change direction efficiently, and it is just as important as straight-line speed for baseball performance. You...

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Average Exit Velo By Age: See How You Compare
Average Exit Velo By Age: See How You Compare

At a Glance: Exit velocity measures how fast the ball travels off the bat immediately after contact, serving as a key indicator of a hitter's power potential. Average exit veloc...

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Exercises for Youth Baseball Pitchers
Exercises for Youth Baseball Pitchers

At a Glance: Youth baseball pitchers benefit most from age-appropriate off-field training that builds foundational strength, coordination, and body control while reducing injury...

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Baseball Footwork Drills for Youth Players
Baseball Footwork Drills for Youth Players

At a Glance: Footwork is the foundation of strong defensive play, allowing fielders to get into position faster, field balls cleanly, and create momentum for accurate throws. Pl...

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The Baseball Box vs Plate Crate: Picking the Right Box
The Baseball Box vs Plate Crate: Picking the Right Box

At a Glance: The Baseball Box and Plate Crate are both monthly baseball subscription services that offer training aids and lifestyle items, but Plate Crate focuses on innovative...

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How Youth Players Can Master Baseball Swing Mechanics
How Youth Players Can Master Baseball Swing Mechanics

Table of Contents Why Swing Mechanics Matter for Young Players Baseball Swing Phases Key Mechanical Elements for Youth Hitters Tips for Coaches and Parents Discover Baseball S...

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Strength Training for Youth Baseball
Strength Training for Youth Baseball

At a Glance: Age-appropriate strength training helps youth baseball players improve performance, prevent injuries, and build coordination through exercises like squats, lunges, ...

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The Best Baseball Swing Trainers: How to Build a Game-Ready Swing
The Best Baseball Swing Trainers: How to Build a Game-Ready Swing

A great swing is built through intentional reps, smart feedback, and tools that actually teach you something. The best baseball swing trainers train mechanics, improve bat speed...

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