Sports Product Review

The National Hockey League had a problem.

Defense dominated the 1928-29 season so much that teams combined for only 2.9 goals a game. A radical solution was adopted for the 1929-30 season: Allow players to make forward passes in the offensive zone. The effect was immediate. Goal scoring doubled by December 1929.

With scoring now at a 42-year low, some of the NHL's leaders think its time for another radical move. Team executives and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman have begun discussing ways to increase scoring. But the developers of the Shooter Tutor at Score100Goals.com don’t believe it is a rules issue. The feel players need to learn a new way to score.

Goalies are being taught to aggressively cut down on the shooter’s angles, players are being taught to aim at the same spots goalies are being coached to cover.  It’s not working.  So how do you score more goals? They analyzed over 1,000 NHL goals and found trends based on a player's position in the offensive zone and goals scored from that position. The Shooter Tutor divides the offensive end into 5 distinct zones based on angles and depth.  These Zones are separated and color-coded based on how a goalie positions himself to the shooter.

Each zone has a different area on the net to shoot for the highest probability of scoring. Players trained in this system know exactly where to shoot from any place in the offensive zone. This means players can almost shoot without looking and the puck will be off the blade and in the net before the goalie has a chance to react. A quick release will become habitual, and accuracy for the best scoring probability from that particular zone will also be there.

Will we see scoring increase in hockey soon? It’s hard to say. But there is a pretty good chance it will increase for every young hockey player who trains with the Shooter Tutor.

Source: Score100Goals



I’m on my second pair of Nike Free’s, which is a shoe that is designed to be worn without socks. I loved my first pair because I could slip them on over bare feet when I was in a hurry, they were so comfortable, and yet gave great support, just like a tennis shoe. The only problem? Foot perspiration caused them to deteriorate and smell, and soon they were a nasty old pair of sneakers. My wife bought me a new pair and I pledged to keep them nice, by only wearing them with socks. But doing that takes away most of the benefits of the shoe. It is less convenient to have to pull on a pair of socks each time, and with socks, they don’t look or feel as good.

But now I can wear them “free” again. That’s because I learned about Stuffitts, (www.stuffitts.com), a tremendous shoe saver created to absorb moisture and eliminate odor, extending the life of your favorite pair.

Stuffitts, which come in multiple sizes and colors, contain aromatic eastern red cedar inserts designed to wick moisture away from shoes quickly, while arresting undesirable orders left behind from sweat or mildew. They also come with a handy connecting strap, which allows you to keep your Stuffitts together and also serves as a convenient hanging or carrying strap for every pair you “Stuff.” Stuffits are being marketed primarily to runners, but these would be great for basketball shoes, cleats and awesome to put in ski boots too.

We are in the midst of one of the biggest rain storms in Southern California history and when I went out yesterday, my running shoes got soaked. I left the Stuffitts in the shoes overnight and this morning they were completely dry and, instead of being musty and dank, smelled refreshed and new.

So I’m looking forward to this spring and summer. I’ll be able to wear those Nike Free’s whenever and wherever I want, and not worry how hot and sweaty my feet get in the process. Because I’ll know that when I get home, there will be a couple of good soldiers waiting to burrow inside, dry, clean and refurbish them without a single complaint. It’s a dirty job, but Stuffitts enjoy doing it.

Source: Stuffitts

We’ve all seen the “test your fastball speed” booth at the fair, carnival or ballpark. It’s fun to throw the ball into a vinyl tarp and see if you got it over 70. I should say it’s fun the first time. After that – yawn.

Maybe that’s why at more and more venues you’ll be seeing the Mojo Pitching Cage (www.mojosportsusa.com). You can’t walk past the Mojo Pitching Cage with it’s like-like pitcher and catcher mannequins and not want to pick up a ball and see if you can hit the mitt.

The catcher is motorized so the mitt can move to various locations. And while the batter doesn’t swing, he looks real enough to provide a true “live” sensation. There are some things that look fun, but they’re really not. We tried this at the American Baseball Association Coaches Convention and it really is fun.

Not only does this make a perfect “fun zone” addition to stadiums and fairs, but if you don’t mind spending a few (thousand) dollars and have a son who would do anything for a permanent bullpen catcher who never gets tired, the Mojo Pitching Cage awaits. And because the set-up includes a batter crowding the plate, the practice is much more realistic and effective.

If you see a Mojo (they also have a version for soccer, football, and basketball) when you’re out and about – give it a try. The catcher may not be able to move and block your pitch in the dirt, but this mannequin is no dummy.

Source: Mojo Sports


The perfect gift for the big fan? A tiny one! If you’re into English Football, its time for you to show everyone that you’re a No 1 Fan (www.no1fan.co.uk/). The No.1 Fan is a 23cm tall football fanatic who sits on your desk waiting to entertain you. Think bobblehead doll, but funnier and more active.

He loves his team and proudly wears a mini replica shirt as well as waving a club scarf above his head. When a button on the base is pressed, the No.1 Fan comes to life. He belts out five of your team’s most popular terrace chants, swings his hips and waves his scarf.

Visit the website and watch the two-minute video to see him in action. You’ll be sold before he finishes his first chant. He comes in versions for Manchester Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and West Ham with more, including a 2010 World Cup model, on the way. The No 1 Fan is a winner with kids and parents alike.

He’s great to have at home, but you might also want to take him in to work. When he does his thing on his little stand, everyone will know just where you stand.

Source: No 1 Fan

As we look back on 2009, as a thank you to our many loyal readers and subscribers we've gained over the past four years, we’d like to offer a quick review (pardon the pun) of some of our favorite products of 2009.

In no particular order:

More Than ERA (www.morethanera.com): The most thorough, useful and productive pitching statistic software you can find. Used by top college and high school coaches to turn pitching data into meaningful information, More Than ERA’s youth version will soon revolutionize the way coaches and parents help guide youngsters on their way up as well.

Pitcher’s Nightmare Swing Trainer (www.pitchersnightmare.com). The swing trainer is an ingenious device that straps onto knee and elbow, and uses resistance technology to mold perfect swings for baseball hitters.

Sports Dashboards (www.sportsdashboards.com) and Team Pages (www.teampages.com). Online league management websites which allow organizations to better communicate with players, parents and coaches.

No Errors (www.no-errors.com). Quite simply, the best baseball bags we’ve seen. Oversized “Fatboy” wheels, lightweight but roomy construction, durability and value all team up to make a bag your baseball-playing son or softball-playing daughter will roll with pride for years.

And we love bats – especially wood bats. We’ve tried bats from D-Bat, (www.dbatinc.com), (they also make awesome gloves), Viper Bats (www.viperbats.com), Metal Wood (www.metalwoodbats.com) and BWP Bats (www.bwpbats.com). All are unique in their own way, and it would be difficult to choose a favorite among them. But suffice to say that in the haystack of wooden bat companies out there, these four “needles” will make you extremely happy.

Last but not least, we salute GCI Outdoor (www.gcioutdoor.com). These folks understand camping, hiking, and watching kid’s sports. Set up one of their chairs at your son or daughter’s soccer games and enjoy the envious stares from luxurious comfort.

Here’s hoping you’ve enjoyed our reviews in 2009 and that 2010 brings us all peace, prosperity and new sports products to review. Best wishes for a safe and happy New Year.

Source: Sports Product Review