Looking for the perfect Father’s Day present for the baseball dad in your life? Check out our recommendations for baseball gifts that he’ll absolutely love.
Father’s Day is just around the corner, and the baseball dad in your life would really appreciate more baseball stuff.
While it’s true that all the baseball purchases over the year for your boys were really as much for him.
But still, it’s Father’s Day, and you know he wants it.
5. Every Baseball Dad Needs a Hitting Net
Every baseball dad needs a quality hitting net for the backyard. This allows you to do tee work and soft toss with your kid without breaking your windows, or your neighbors’ windows.
Having a net for the backyard is especially important since so many teams don’t regularly do batting practice before games. With the net in the backyard, you can have your kid take a good 30 swings before you head out for a game.
Another great thing about the net is your kid can use it to practice when you’re not there with him, and you can bring it indoors when it’s raining and during the winter.
You can also use the net for:
- Pitching drills (combine it with a pitching pad so your kid can work on locating his pitches)
- Fielding drills (use the net as a first baseman)
Amazon is selling the above hitting screen for about $100. Plus you can get 10% off with the above code.
My wife got me a net for Father’s Day a couple years ago, AND she installed it herself. I don’t think I’ve ever loved her more.
4. If Your Dad Likes to Grill, He’s Going to Want Baseball-Themed BBQ Grill Tools for Father’s Day
The guys at Baseball BBQ have come up with some imaginative barbecue tools modeled on baseball equipment. And what true baseball dad would not love a spatula or tongs for his grill with a neat wood bat handle that feels like you’re holding an actual bat?
They also have cutting and serving boards shaped like home plate, and a bottle opener that also comes with the baseball bat handle. It’s kitsch, but it’s pretty awesome, too. Check them out.
Use discount code “BASEBALLBBQ20” go get 20% off all our products. Order by 6/9 to guarantee delivery by Father’s Day!
3. David Cone’s Book on Pitching is an Awesome Father’s Day Baseball Gift
If your husband’s a reader, he’ll absolutely love former Major-Leaguer David Cone’s book Full Count, which he wrote with erstwhile Yankee beat writer Jack Curry. Cone recounts how his own father dutifully worked with him on pitching as a young boy in Kansas City, getting him to throw softer until he could locate his pitches. The rich details of the close father-son relationship will resonate with anyone bringing up their own young baseball player.
Throughout the book, which is half-biography, half-pitching manual, Cone provides great nuggets about pitching theory that translate to a youth player. For example, Cone writes that he wouldn’t want to end his pre-game warmups until he knew he could locate his outside fastball. Once he had confidence that he had that pitch, he could expand his arsenal knowing he had something to fall back on. I read the book over a year, and I still tell my son to make sure he has the outside fastball before going into a game.
It’s just a great book in so many ways, and any baseball dad will happily devour it.
2. Take a Look at Blast’s Swing Analyzer if You’re Looking for Baseball Gifts for Father’s Day
This one’s not cheap (about $125), but I have to say I use it almost every time I go hitting with my son, and it’s good for charting his improvement.
What is Blast Motion?
Blast is a sensor that fits onto the knob of your kid’s bat with a cap they provide. It monitors certain metrics for each swing, including:
- Bat Speed
- Rotational Acceleration
- On Plane Efficiency
- Attack Angle
- Early Connection
- Connection at Impact
- Vertical Bat Angle
- Power
- Time to Contact
- Peak Hand Speed
Blast has an app that synchs up with the sensor, and delivers the information to your phone. It all works pretty easily, as long as your remember to charge the sensor every week or so.
The App is Addictive
When my son comes home from a practice, I essentially “check up” on him by synching up my phone to his sensor. I then get to evaluate that day’s swings and don’t have to just take his work on how it went. It’s a baseball dad guilty pleasure!
To learn about other batting aids, see The 4 Best Baseball Batting Aids (No. 3 is Free)
1. A Batting Cage is at the Top of Your Dad’s Father’s Day Wish List
Just like Ralphie in A Christmas Story is pining away for a a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model rifle, your baseball dad is dreaming of a bating cage for the backyard.
To be able to pitch to your kid in the comfort of your backyard, and not risk breaking windows all over the block, is the dream within a dream. It’ll also allow him to pitch a few to your kid before games to make sure he’s ready, as teams don’t always get to take pre-game batting practice.
Of course, not every backyard is suited for a batting cage. If you have a ton of trees or don’t have the space, this obviously isn’t for you.
How Much You Should Pay for a Baseball Batting Cage
Batting cages are expensive, but a lot cheaper than a sports car or a guys weekend golf retreat! The price of the cage goes up if you want a larger cage and/or heavy duty netting.
Expect to pay around the following prices:
- 40Ft long cage: $1050
- 50Ft long cage: $1125
- 60Ft long cage: $1300
- 70Ft long cage: $1425
The less expensive netting is referred to as #21. If you want the more expensive one (#36), expect to pay $300 in addition to the above prices.
For a more affordable option, check out this baseball cage net on Amazon for $700. Note this net doesn’t come with the pole/frame.
Also anticipate paying roughly $300-$400 for the install. If you can find someone local to put one up, they might cut you a deal on the installation. To find someone who can do this, post on your local Facebook groups that you’re looking to put up a batting cage and ask for recommendations.
Regarding picking the right size of your cage, the 40 to 50 Ft size is perfectly fine for the younger players. However, when the kids eventually move on to high school, they’re probably going to need a longer cage and the heavier netting.
So if you’re pretty sure your kids are going to still be into baseball in high school, and you’re confident you’re not going to be moving houses in the near future, it pays to go with the bigger cage.
DO YOU HAVE ANY MORE IDEAS FOR BASEBALL GIFTS? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS.
For information about the emotional side of baseball, see:
- Anger Management and Youth Baseball: How to Calm Down
- How to Manage Your Kid’s Baseball Tantrums and Meltdowns
- 4 Ways to Respond to a Coach Playing Favorites
- How to Stop Being a Crazy Baseball Dad
- How to Be a Good Baseball Dad in the Backyard
- Is It Now Fashionable to Hate On Baseball Dads?
- Are Local Little Leagues Bad for Baseball?
For information on hitting, see:
- How to Get Out of a Hitting Slump
- 4 Best Baseball Batting Aids (No. 3 is Free)
- 4 Hitting Drills You Need to Do Before Every Game
- 4 Old School Baseball Drills You Need to Be Using
- 6 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Baseball Bat
For information on pitching, see:
- What You Need to Know About Little League Elbow
- 4 Ways To Increase Your Kid’s Pitching Velocity
- Is the Circle Change Dangerous for Youth Pitchers?
- Why I Don’t Let My Son Pitch in Little League
- Pitching and Head Injuries: What You Need to Know
- How to Make Sure Your Kid Isn’t Overpitched in Baseball
For ways to get faster, see:
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