There is no better way to add spirit to a school or organization than to get custom sideline chairs.  Custom sideline chairs are most popular for basketball and volleyball teams but there are also many other uses for custom sideline chairs.  They can be used for graduations, special events, badminton, field day, school spirit events, school meetings, indoor sports, corporate meetings, family gatherings, and anything else where showing pride is important.

When it comes to sideline chairs you want to get the best quality chairs you can for safety and durability.  The Morley custom sideline chairs have a 10 year manufacturers warranty on the frames which is a testament to their quality. 

Morley custom sideline chairs come with 2- one color imprints: example; a team name on the back rest and team logo on the seat top.  Up to 3 color logos can be used for an additional charge.  It takes 8-12 weeks for the chairs to be delivered after art work approval.  If you place your order 3 months before your event you’ll be all set.

These custom chairs have a thick seat pad with quality vinyl that gives you two large imprint areas.  The extra-sturdy frames can be powder-coated in colors: red, purple, black, royal blue, navy blue, maroon, forest green, Kelly green and orange, and come with dual reinforced steel support bars on the back legs.  

Powder coating makes the finish stronger and look new longer.  The frames are very heavy duty they have a 375 lb. recommended capacity, to be honest with you I have seen them hold a lot more.  These chairs are very sturdy and very comfortable.

The legs are fitted with non-scratch, non-skid caps so they will not hurt your gym floor.  This is very important, you don't want to spend thousands of dollars on your gym floor just to have them scratched up by your sideline chairs. 

The steel hinges on these chairs are heavy duty.  I am sure everybody has had the experience of using low quality rusty folding chairs that are a pain to get folded.  With these heavy duty steel hinges you will never have that problem.  Storage is simple; once the chairs are folded you can store them on the chair caddie for organized portable storage. 

Custom chairs with your schools or organization logo on them can show off your pride or advertise your business.  Everybody will be asking you where you got your custom chairs because of the impression they will make.  For more information check out Custom Chairs

Many years ago an entrepreneur had a brilliant idea.  Make soccer balls in colors.  It was this simple idea that helped launch one of the most successful soccer brands… Brine.

Brine offers a full line of soccer balls, shin guards, goalie gloves and accessories.  They have brought innovation, technology and quality to the sport over the years and their current line of products brings those qualities to the table.

On the team end of the line 5 different soccer balls make up the majority of ball sales.  The purpose of this article is to explore those soccer balls so that you will be better able to make your selection.  All of the available models can be purchased through www.morleyathletic.com and links to each type of ball will be provided.  In fact review videos are also available if you follow the links.

Brine BC105 Championship 

Let’s start off with the top of the line tournament ball.  The Brine BC105 Championship soccer ball has become an icon in the industry.  It is in use through out the country and has been tested again and again by teams only to come out on top.  A premium high performance glossy PU cover keeps this baby coming back for more while inside it boasts a true-touch latex bladder for optimal control.  Brine recommends the Championship for match level play but who doesn’t want to use the best.  I use a BC105 in my backyard with the kids.  The Brine BC105 Championship meets NCAA and NFHS specifications for tournament play.  Add in a manufacturers 3 year unconditional guarantee and you are hard pressed to explain why you don’t buy this ball.

Brine BC145 Phantom

Available in a ton of colors and priced to keep a smile on your face the Phantom is second in command.  A shiny abrasion resistant PU cover keeps it lookin’ shiny and new while the AirTech bladder works behind the scene for optimal air retention and a true bounce.  The Phantom features hand stitched quality and is recommended by Brine for match level play.  I have heard a lot of players calling the Phantom a practice ball and the only reason I can come up with for this is the price.  Have no doubts however, the Brine BC145 Phantom is 100% thoroughbred and ready for match action.  The Phantom, like it’s older brother, meets NCAA and NFHS specifications for tournament play and features a manufacturers 3 year unconditional guarantee.  Unconditional!  How often do you hear that these days.

Brine IHS32 International

Old faithful, the International Hand Sewn, has been around for as long as I can remember.  This ball has undergone some minor changes over the years and can hold its own against its more expensive cousins.  The Brine IHS32 is a top quality match ball and is recommended by Brine for club and high school level play.  The ball is NCAA and NFHS approved for tournament play.  The cover on the International is a high grade PU for durability and it features a latex bladder.  A multi layer backing adds to handling.  The Brine IHS32 International comes complete with a 2 year manufacturer’s unconditional guarantee.

Brine SBVOR2 Voracity

vo·ra·city -  Having or marked by an insatiable appetite for an activity or pursuit; 

That just about says it.  The Voracity is on the scene.  Hands down this ball offers the best bang for the buck.  While it doesn’t have the finesse of the Championship or Phantom this ball still beats the competition all day long.  Check out this feature list…

• abrasion resistant PU cover
• soft cover technology
• Air-Lock C-2 bladder
• uniform pressure dispersion
• maximum air retention bladder
• hand stitched quality
• 2 year manufacturers unconditional guarantee
• NFHS seal

The top selling feature of this ball, the cherry on top if you will, is the NFHS seal.  Yep, finally a quality ball at a practice price that comes complete with the NFHS seal.  Use it for practice, use it for games, use it for your tournament or feed it to the dog.  At this price level you can’t go wrong.

Brine SBATK4 Attack

Best I can figure is this ball was named the Attack because it represents a full out attack on the competition.  With this ball Brine is making a statement…  “Stop buying cheap machine made balls all together.”  This ball is priced so low it beats the socks of those import practice balls all day long.  The Brine Attack features a highly durable PVC cover, Airtight butyl bladder for superior air retention and a 1 year manufacturers unconditional guarantee.  An unconditional guarantee on economy price ball… hope old Beelzebub has a winter jacket if you know what I mean. 

Any way you shake it Brine has covered all the bases for soccer teams.  Check out the above balls at www.morleyathletic.com where you will find video reviews and a huge selection of soccer equipment for all your teams needs.

When it comes to archery target faces schools generally use skirted target faces made of either glasscloth or glassflex material.  Many people opt for the less expensive glasscloth faces but is that the best choice?

Let's take a closer look at the differences between the two to determine what the real difference is and which target is really best for your program.

This article is going to compare the premium target faces that can be purchased at www.morleyathletic.com.  Target faces sold elsewhere may be manufactured to a different standard.

The models sold at www.morleyathletic.com have been in use at schools throughout the country for decades and make good test subjects.

Glass cloth Target Faces

We will start with the less expensive glasscloth target faces.  Here is a breakdown of the features and prices.

Features:

•  Available in 36" or 48" standard sizes
• Skirted target faces for ease of use (no target pins required as the target face wraps around the edge of round targets)
• Durable woven material for longer use
• Fade and waterproof ink for longer lasting bulls eye rings

Pricing:   

Advantages:

1.      Color fast ink lasts longer than traditional target ink

2.      Woven material stands up to arrows and weather much better than paper targets

Glassflex Target Faces

Now lets take a look at the more expensive glassflex target faces.  Here is a breakdown of the features and prices.

Features:

·         Available in 36" or 48" standard sizes

·         Skirted archery target faces for ease of use (no target pins required as the target face wraps around the edge of round targets)

·         Made of a durable woven material that includes a durable man made fiber

·         Fade and waterproof ink for longer lasting bulls eye rings

Pricing:

·         36" size around $20.00

·         48" size around $25.00

Advantages:

1.      Color fast ink lasts longer than traditional target ink

2.      Woven material features a man made fiber that spreads apart when an arrow passes through the target face.  This flex action is where the target gets its name.

Conclusion

The price difference in percentage does look to be a little steep.  Glassflex targets are around 15% to 25% more expensive than glasscloth.  If we look at those figures in dollars rather than percentage the difference isn't that huge.

Let's say you buy twelve 48" archery target faces.  Glasscloth would cost $264.00.  Glassflex rings up as $300.00.  A difference of only $36.  That $36 dollars is buying a target that will last much longer though.

Physical education classes give target faces a real workout.  Glassflex targets have the ability to let arrows pass through them without causing significant damage to their flexible woven material.  They will last longer in PE classes and will most likely  turn out to be the most economical choice in the long run.

Gym climbing ropes have been around for many years.  I bet you remember the days in gym class when you got to climb the rope.  You either loved it or hated it but when you were done I bet you felt a little empowered.  Gym climbing ropes not only build upper body strength but they also build courage and character in the climber. 

There have been many ways invented to get fit and to build upper body strength over the years but none can match the simplicity of climbing a rope.  When you climb a gym climbing rope you have a predetermined goal- to get to the top as fast as you can!  When your goal is so easily laid out, there is only one thing to think about, how to get to the top.  The best way to test your endurance and strength is to be totally focused and when you are climbing a rope your focus is on just that- climbing! 

The benefits of climbing ropes are immeasurable that's why schools and fitness gyms are getting back into climbing more than ever.  With the new high quality ropes you don't have to worry about getting splinters in your hands or having them break. 

The three different types of material available for gym climbing ropes are, manila, unmanila (polypro), and polyplus.  The manila is the same type of natural material always used for climbing ropes but with one difference, there is a new pure grade A manila that is strong and very durable.  Make sure if you are buying a manila climbing rope that you get this new grade A manila or you will regret it.  The unmanila or polypro is a man made type of rope that is very similar to the manila.  It offers a stronger rope at 2/3 the weight.  Polyplus rope is a super strong and durable rope and is soft to the touch.  It is recommended to get knots on the polyplus ropes because the soft polyester jacket can be a bit slippery.  The polyplus ropes are great for younger climbers and people with delicate hands.  Ropes can be bought in custom lengths to accommodate any gym height.  Each rope comes with a choice of bottom, a leather seat or turks knot end, a poly boot end or a whipped end.  These bottoms keep the end of the rope together and help with spotting.

You can get knots installed on your ropes to make it easier to climb, you can choose from woven, big knots, or rubber ball stops.  Woven knots are spliced right into the rope for climbing assistance.  The big knots are tied out of the rope itself, they are bigger and provide platform like assistance when climbing.  The rubber ball stops are easy to grab onto and are recommended for the younger climber.  Knots should be 18 inches apart.  To find out how many knots you need just multiply the length of your rope by 12 and divide by 18 then subtract 2.  This sounds confusing but is quite simple.  I will break it down for you.  First you need to multiply the length of your rope by 12, this breaks the size down into inches.  Example a 18 foot rope x 12 = 216.  Then you need to divide by the 18 inches that knots need to be apart 216/18= 12.  This gives you the number of knots, but you do not need a knot at the top or at the bottom of the rope so you subtract 2, 12-2=10.  You would need 10 knots for an 18 foot climbing rope.

Installation has never been easier!  If you have an I beam, Pipe, or wood beam to hang from, there is a rope hanger designed for you.  You can get an I beam hanger, a wood beam hanger, a pipe clamp hanger or a chain with a quick link to hang your rope.

For safety there is the safety cable attachment which is a back up device attached to the top of the gym climbing rope just in case any of the ceiling hardware fails.  Also it is recommended to have a spotter at the bottom of the rope to help keep the rope steady.  Safety landing mats are a must for on the floor below the ropes.  You can get different thicknesses but 6" - 12" thickness is the best for safety.  If you are using the rope for kids or in a public gym then it is best to get a tambourine for the rope.  A tambourine is a 20" diameter 1/2" thick piece of plywood that gets clamped to the rope.  It can be used to limit climbing height for children but is most popular for limiting access to the mounting hardware and beams where the rope is attached. 

For storage you can get a rope hoist so that when the rope is not in use you can hoist it up to the ceiling so it is out of the way.  This also stores it so people do not have access to it when they are not supposed to.  You can choose from a regular rope hoist or one with a metal lock box so unauthorized people will not be able to get into it.

Gym climbing ropes help build strength, courage, and character.  With so many options you can easily get a climbing rope set up in your school or gym in no time.  You can customize your climbing rope and set up anyway that you need to.  There is just one thing to think about- How are you going to get to the top?

For all your climbing rope needs and to purchase grade A climbing ropes go to www.morleyathletic.com

Badminton has been an old standby for PE classes through the decades.  A fantastic sport that can be played by youngsters and adults alike, badminton requires little equipment and offers an exciting workout that will improve eye hand coordination and agility.

Physical education equipment takes a beating and lightweight badminton rackets, birdies and nets are not known for their ability to withstand punishment. 

While new racket materials such as titanium composites have become more prevalent there are a few standard models that are known to take a lickin’ and keep on “racketing”.  You get the point!

This article will point out a few badminton racket models that physical education teachers across the country have depended on.  We will also discuss badminton shuttlecocks and badminton nets that will help you run your physical education program.

Badminton Rackets

While competitive badders through out the world may be in the market for high tech composite badminton rackets for physical education classes you should have one material on your mind… steel, steel, steel.

There is no substitute for good old steel.  Steel shaft, steel frame and even steel strings.   Here are some popular models:

The Morley# M14539 badminton racket offers about as much steel as you can get into a racket without ending up with giant spatula.

The Morley#M14540 doesn't feature the steel strings but it does not lack in durability.  Double steel shafts keep this badminton racket coming back for more, again and again.

The Morley# M14543 badminton racket is 2" shorter than a standard badminton racket.  Measuring in at 24" in length it is designed for younger elementary school badminton players.  It also features a durable steel shaft and a steel frame.

Other models that are popular at the institutional level are as follows:

Carlton Attack Ti, Carlton C9750, Carlton 313, ADA 76 Smack Excel, Yonex B460 and HL 110.

Some of these models feature aluminum shafts and frames but all of these models have proven themselves in the gymnasium and are a great value.  These higher end models are still available at economy prices which makes them a great purchase for high school level physical education classes were durability may be a little less of a concern and a better playing racket is more important so students can excel.

Badminton Shuttlecocks & Birdies

Here it gets a little tricky – while steel rackets are usually some of the least expensive and best for PE classes when it comes to shuttlecocks cheapest is not always best.  The least expensive shuttlecocks are plastic with rubber tip and should be considered only for backyard use.

They do not offer the best flight characteristics so they will actually make the game harder as the birdie appears to have a mind of it’s own in flight.  They are a bargain though and very durable (if you don't mind putting them back together) so you may want to have some on hand just in case.

The best models have a cork tip for better pop off of the racket and nylon skirts that perform well.

As for speed my advice is medium / blue speed as this is practical for all age groups.

In the color arena yellow has become increasingly popular for youngsters as they are easier to track in flight.

My pick for shuttlecocks for PE would be one of these or a mix:

Carlton T800 Yellow Blue Speed

Carlton C100 White Blue Speed

Yonex Mavis M300M White or Yellow

All of the above are of high quality for great playability.  They will pop of the strings, fly in the direction you intended (assuming you know how to use the racket) and they are durable enough to survive physical education classes.

Badminton Nets

A lot of school accounts purchase our PE quality badminton net (M14564) or economy nets (M14565) which is fine but if your net will be used indoors may I suggest the M14563 institutional net.  The difference, other than a few dollars, is that the institutional model features taped sides and bottom while the less expensive models are just net.

The taped sides and bottom make the net keep its shape better for a more professional look and better playability, the tape also helps the net standout more and most importantly the taped sides and bottom make the net last longer and easier to roll for storage.  Believe me the extra few bucks is well worth it.

If you’re using the net outside however go with the cheapest model – this will stand up to the elements best and provide more bang for your buck.

This little bit of advice should help you stretch your physical education equipment budget. 

is a fantastic sport and teaching it to our children in physical education classes will help build healthy adults.  The sport will improve coordination, balance and agility as well as building a healthy respect for competition.

Born out of necessity stirrups socks were designed so that our baseball forefathers could add some color to their stockings without being injured. The problem back in the day was that dyes used on fabrics were not color fast- meaning they could seep out of the fabric and into other things.

Many players would end up with infected wounds from the dyes used in their colored stockings. This dilemma lead to player wearing two layers of stockings- a white sanitary stocking that was put on first and a colored stocking on the outside.

Of course while this did reduce the number of infected injuries but a new problem was arose- now the players shoes fit wrong from the extra layer of material. So after much thought on the subject stirrups were put into use. Now the player could wear the white sanitary stocking with a colorful stirrup over with minimal extra material in the shoe.

More information about the evolution of the baseball uniform can be found on the Baseball Hall of Fame's web site.

Given the interesting history behind the use of stirrups in America's favorite pass time it is no surprise that real stirrups are making a come back.  Most interestingly it's Little League teams showing an interest in wearing real stirrups again- and we're not just talking about your run of the mill 3 layer 100% nylon solid color stirrup- I mean custom, made to order stirrups.

To find a selection of stirrups ranging from the fore mentioned solid color stirrups to styles like the famous ranger or red sox stirrups check out the baseball sock catalog.  Here you will find a selection of custom made stirrups that can be delivered within 2 to 3 weeks- best part is they're made right here at home in the good old USA.

Let your little leaguers feel like pros and set the team up with some professional looking stirrups this season.

All you other more experience players out there should be wearing stirrups already.  Come on, don't tell me you've given in to the 2-in-1 sock.  Keep history alive- toss those 2-in-1's and start wearing professional quality, made in the USA, stirrups.

1.) The Net System:  The Cobra Volleyball System; the cobra volleyball system is a unique system that uses no guy wires making it easy to set up in only a few minutes.  The cobra system meets all competition regulations and specifications and is safer than standard net systems.  The cobra net fits tight and stays tight without the use of dangerous guy wires.  This system is ideal for tournament, beach, park, home and indoor gym use.
Portable and easy to use the cobra is designed for set-up on sand, grass and indoors using specially engineered ground sleeve anchors that can be hammered into soil using 6 pound hammer (not included).  Uprights adjust in heights for men’s, women’s and junior volleyball specifications. 

 Each cobra system comes with:

• Adjustable high strength poles
• Boundary lines
• A carrying bag
• A regulation net
• Ground anchors
• An instruction sheet
• And pole pads

The Cobra is an excellent beach volleyball net.  The cobra is more for tournaments, there is also the viper system that is just for recreation use which has the same design.  You can check that one out here- THE VIPER.

3.) The Fence:  The Multi-Sport fence; the multi-sport fence is a great fence for beach volleyball.  It is available in two sizes 3’ x 24’ and 3’ x 40’ so you can get the size you need.  It comes with two-piece pole sections, pole stakes, j-hook net stakes and a carry bag.  Why chase the ball all over the beach with this inexpensive net you won’t have to.

4.) The Bench: Kwik Bench; the Kwik bench is perfect for tournaments and temporary seating needs.  It transports easily and folds up for storage.  It’s available in two different sizes 3 seat and 6 seat.   The 6 seat bench is 103” long and the 3 seat is 52” long.  The seats are 17 ½” wide with 16” high seat backs.  The seats fold for storage into a black nylon bag for easy transport.  Also the Kwik bench has a lifetime warranty.  This is a perfect solution for seating on the beach for a tournament or just for chillin with friends.

5.) The Scoreboard: Deluxe Flip-A-Score; the deluxe flip-a-score is a perfect flip-a-score for beach volleyball.  It folds flat for easy transportation and storage.  It has big 7” numbers for good visibility and a period indicator.

All of the above items should get you started with your beach volleyball plans whether it’s a tournament or just a fun game on the weekends.

For more information on where to get the above items and pricing please see the links below:

• Cobra System
• Mikasa Beach Volleyball
• Kiwk Bench
• Multi-Sport Fence
• Flip-A-Score
  

Anyone in the market for soccer goals is sure to notice some stark differences in pricing.  I have seen goals selling for as little as $1600.00 per pair all the way up to over $4,000 per pair.  All of these are official size goals meeting NFHS and NCAA standards and they look similar.  So…What are you paying for if you buy those $4,000.00 goals?

Intrigued I spoke to representatives at Kwik Goal Ltd. Who were happy to forward me information to assist me in answering my question.  Here is some of the information they sent to justify the hefty price tags of their soccer goals.

Some of the information they sent was about goal testing.  I have to admit I never really thought about it that much but I have noticed “Meets ASTM Safety and Performance Specifications F2056-00” in goal descriptions before.  You can actually find out what is required to meet that standard at www.astm.org.  Here is what Kwik goal does…

All Kwik Goal designs are thoroughly tested for safety and durability. Goals are held to the strictest goal industry and recreation equipment standards.  Conditions of normal use and foreseeable abuses are analyzed.  These tests not only ensure the safety of all involved, but also verify the quality of the product. 

Goals are tested for:

• Entrapment and entanglement hazards- performed to assure there are no potential areas for a child or adult to get a body part trapped in the goal frame.
• Sharp edges- A goal’s design is visibly checked for sharp edges that could cause injury to the user. 
• Unsafe projections- Templates in accordance with recreational equipment standards are used to detect situations where protruding components could cause injury. 
• Durability and strength- Mechanical testing is performed with compliance with American and European specifications.

Pull tests are performed on goals to ensure the integrity of the design.

The swing test is performed to improve the goal frame and anchoring system will withstand extreme abuse by uneducated users.

A lot goes into testing the Kwik Goal goals so they will hold up to tough standards and back up their lifetime guarantee.

This shows that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the price of soccer goals.  Next time you are in the market for Soccer goals think about what you are paying for before you buy.  I hope this article has given you a little insight into what goes into the manufacturing of a soccer goal.

If I asked you what the date June 4, 1838 was significant for most people would struggle for an answer.  That my friend is the day the first organized game of baseball was played.

By the 1860’s semi pro baseball had started and soon farm teams were taking over the Midwest.  It wasn’t long before every kid across the country was dreaming about being in the big leagues.

While baseball has evolved into the great American pass time and there has been substantial changes made to the equipment used in the game one component has remained virtually unchanged…. the ball.

In fact I can only think of a few major changes… in 1974 horsehide covers became a thing of the past when cowhide covers took over and of course the fact that in the present day United States most baseballs sold are manufactured in China. 

Well Rawlings has kicked it up a notch for the new millennium with their new EIT™ or Extra Innings Technology™.  This new design in ball construction will not only improve the game but also help to stretch athletic budgets across the country.

What’s the trick you ask- polymer.  Yep I said polymer.

Sure we’ve all heard terms like cushioned cork center, wool winding and genuine leather thrown around by manufacturers to describe why their ball is better than the next.  Now you throw a word like polymer in there and you’re sure to turn a few heads… and rightly so.

What is a polymer you ask- WIKI says…

“A polymer is a substance composed of molecules with large molecular mass composed of repeating structural units, or monomers, connected by covalent chemical bonds..."

That’s a mouthful huh- in terms of EIT™ all we need to know is that a polymer can make dreams come true.

Rawlings exclusive Extra Inning Technology™ makes baseballs retain compression longer and keeps moisture out like the Great Wall of China.

Ok not every baseball coach is dreamin’ bout’ a baseball that retains its compression or fights off moisture like the marines taking Iwo Jima.  Here are a couple of graphs taken from the new Rawlings spring & summer catalog that may help you visualize what the polymer layer in Extra Innings Technolgy™ can do for you.  At the least these graphs might make it more important to you.

Bottom line is that if this technology is available why wouldn’t you want it? It improves the overall performance of the baseball which will enhance your teams’ performance.

Rawlings has added this technology to select baseballs ranging from Little League to Collegiate level play.  You can see a whole list of available models in by checking out this video… click the link.

EIT™ baseballs have already proven themselves at the highest level of competitive play being used at the NCAA College World Series and the NJCAA and NAIA Championships.  Not to mention the hundreds if not thousands of schools and youth leagues across the country using them.

It isn’t common to see a simple new technology make such a remarkable difference in a product that has been on the market for over a century.  In fact most people using the new EIT™ baseball probably don’t even realize that their baseball is harnessing the power of a substance composed of molecules with large molecular mass composed of repeating structural units, or monomers, connected by covalent chemical bonds.

For more information check out this informative video at MorleyAthletic.com