Softballers,

Three weekends away.

That’s how close we are to the start of the 2009 softball season. The major USSSA schedule kicks off this April with a double NIT in Kissimmee, Florida on April 16, where we’re expecting 30-35 teams for a four-day stretch that could see some teams playing 12 to 13 games in a single weekend.

And despite a packed February and March on the diamond, I think it’s safe to say everyone is looking forward to four days of nothing but softball.

To recap a whirlwind last couple months – we just wrapped up a pair of Easton/Brett Helmer “Bring Ur Real Skilz” tournaments in California to close out the month of February, including a police softball “Real Skilz” at Chino Hills’ Big League Dreams park (Feb 21-22) and another at the Riverside Big League Dreams park the same weekend.

We had almost 90 teams going – definitely a great weekend for ball. Even though I spent almost as much time in the car as I did at the plate, it was well worth it and was a great way to ramp up heading into March.

March highlights included the 8th Annual Jim Wessel Memorial Bash for Cash in Cincinnati March 13-15, plus the tailend of Softball Magazine’s Spring Training Event in Cocoa Beach, Florida March 18-22.

We had over 200 teams at the Bash for Cash for the third straight year, which was really a great milestone for Easton. We got involved with the Bash for Cash about six years ago when there were less than 100 teams – to see how the tournament has grown is really pretty impressive. I remember heading there on a Friday night years ago with one or two guys for a home run derby – now we’ve got 25 to 30 of the best players in the game crushing the ball – we’ve come a long way together.

Brian Wegman and I helped tutor about 50 guys – we ran clinics, helped them with their swings, plus got in some game work. There were a lot of other manufacturers involved, ensuring these guys got not only some great coaching, but the equipment to match.

Speaking of which, get ready for Easton’s new line of 100-plus mile-per-hour bats – there’s a foursome of bats built for USSSA ball players this year, including a new Stealth and Synergy. Guys are always making comments that they love the feel of some of the older bats we made, so we went back to our roots and will be putting out a product they’re going to be very happy with.

It’s going to be a good year to be an Easton-sponsored team.

Beyond the softball diamond this year, we’re thankfully closing in on the 2009 Major League Baseball season – I’m honestly excited to start watching these guys play, rather than listen to all the garbage that’s come with this Winter from steroids to contract disputes. And the icing on this cake will be a handful of Easton-sponsored guys practically in my backyard – reigning AL MVP Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox, plus a nice new signing for use – David Ortiz. Those guys are studs and we’re excited to have high-caliber guys like Dustin and Big Papi using Easton products.

Hope you’re as pumped for this month as I am,

Brett