Baseball and softball players know the challenges and frustrations of dealing with weather. Never trust the forecast. Always come prepared. From extreme heat to gusting winds to pouring rain to brutal cold – ballplayers have to deal with it all.

Of course, most of the season is played in the more temperate months, which helps. But that doesn’t mean players don’t run have to keep cold weather baseball and softball drills handy. For players who train year-round, cold weather is inevitable.

In this blog, ballplayers will find some tips for keeping your game hot during those cold weather months, as well as some indoor drills for when the weather just won’t cooperate. 

Warming Up

What’s the first thing a player does before any game or practice? Warm up. Warming up prevents injuries and gets the blood pumping before competition or training. In cold temperatures, warming up is even more important, as the muscles are likely colder and stiffer than usual.

Starting a warm-up in multiple layers of clothing can help players get warm quicker. To ramp up body heat, start warm-ups with a jacket or sweatshirt and remove layers as the activity ramps up. Another option for adding layers is compression tops or bottoms, which players can easily wear under their uniform.

Layering in a smart and functional way can help harness body heat and help athletes play comfortably in much colder weather!

Staying Warm

Getting warm is one thing – staying warm is another.

An unfortunate reality of the game is that there will be times when a player isn’t doing much of anything. They might be in the dugout, waiting for their at-bat, or they might be playing the outfield on one of those days when their pitcher has unhittable stuff. In these situations, it doesn’t take long for muscles to get cold and stiffen up. Staying warm throughout the whole game or practice is crucial for keeping the body, along with the mind, ready for big moments.

Here are some easy, low-intensity exercises to help keep warm in the game’s dull moments:

• Jog in place
• Do jumping jacks
• Play catch with a teammate
• Take some dry swings
• Do arm circles (add baseballs or softballs for extra heat in your shoulder joints)

Doubling up on socks and using hand or foot warmers are other easy ways to stay warm throughout competition.

Keeping Your Equipment Warm

When dealing with cold temperatures, the risks to equipment increase drastically. Cold weather can have negative effects on gloves, bats, batting gloves, and protective gear. Caring for their equipment during cold weather months is one of the most important things a player can do to get the most out of their gear.

Players should keep a particularly close eye on their bats in cold temperatures. Composite bats are not to be used in temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Doing so can risk cracking or otherwise damaging the carbon fiber materials that the bat is made of. 

Cold weather practices are a great time to break out bat practice sleeves or other training tools – like the Easton Thunderstick or Rawlings one-hand training bat – that don’t require the use of your game bat. Many players also opt to use alloy bats, which are more durable in cold weather, during offseason training.

And remember: Gear should never stay in the car or garage after practice! Leaving gear in a cold area for a long period of time means it will be cold for the next usage, which decreases performance and increases the risk of breakage. Gear should always be stored in a temperate, dry area whenever possible. After all, who wants a cold bat?

Indoor Baseball and Softball Drills

Sometimes the weather just won’t cooperate and your only option is to practice inside. Luckily, there are plenty of indoor baseball and softball drills to try. We all know that tee work makes the dream work. Grab a tee, set up a net, and practice those mechanics.

Limited on space? Grab a tennis ball or an IncrediBall, a special training ball with a soft outer cover but realistic weight. With just a single ball, players can practice skills like short-hops, transfers, spins, and framing. 

Can’t get your hands on a ball? Not a problem. Grab a towel and work on your throwing mechanics. Baseball pitchers of all ages have used the towel drill to improve form, build strength, and even add velocity to their pitches. There are also drills you can do without a single piece of equipment. First basemen can practice receiving footwork, outfielders can work on crow-hopping, and catchers can perfect their blocking form. You don’t need a lot – just a little space and motivation!

Last but not least – players can take advantage of their nearest D-BAT location to do their indoor training at the best facilities in the game, no matter the weather.

Check out all our different training tools to find the right accessories for improving your game in the cold months!