From the Dugout: Memories of Team Benches

When a player hangs up his cleats for the last time, he tends to miss a lot about the about game. For me, it was the time I spent on the bench. Of course, I missed the perfect hit and run and batting practice was high on that list too, but whether it was the coming and going between innings or sitting with my pitcher when I caught, my shortstop when I played second, the bench was the center of it all.

Here’re a few of the memories that stick out the most:

• My dad and I painted my high school dugout and our team bench when I was a sophomore. My coach and the booster club appreciated it and doing so gave me a little more ownership over the field that I played on and maintained for four years. Two years later, we painted the bench and dugout for my college ball club. My head coach appreciated that a whole lot less.
• The bench is where we sat and learned the nuances of the game. It was the desk in our dugout classroom, our home bench having a familiarity to it that bordered on superstitious. Many of the lessons that had nothing to do with baseball and everything to do with living were given and received on the various benches I’ve sat on.
• Living in Atlanta since before the Braves had much to offer, I watched the unbelievable pitching staff of Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Greg Maddux, and others, grow and blossom under the care of master gardener Leo Mazzone. There is a vivid image implanted in my brain, one that I have seen countless times, Leo Mazzone rocking back and forth next to Bobby Cox on the Braves’ bench. The two were generally calm, cool, and collected, the real exception being Bobby Cox’s notable explosiveness, generally directed at umpires. But those four hip pockets held down the bench for decades, leading to a lot of quality baseball.

The bench is a place where memorable things happen. We know you can get attached, but if you’re ready to upgrade, give us a call at (800) 487 9798 or visit Baseballtips.com today to see your options. Let us help you start making memories today. Check out our blog post about How to Buy a Team Bench too!

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How To Buy A Team Bench – Sports Benches For All Needs

Since no one buys team benches very often, I thought it would be worthwhile to offer some direction.

The Determining Factors:

• How many players will you need to accommodate? Allow 18” width per player.
• How much of your budget will you allocate?
• Which type of bench do you prefer?
• How will you mount your new bench?

Team Benches – Baseball Benches – Basketball Benches – Dugout Benches  Sports Benches – Aluminum Benches – Soccer Benches…  Is there a difference?

The Best Answer Is… No!

Our aluminum benches are built for all team sports. It is the bench length, model, and mounting style that will help you decide what works best for you and your team or league.

3 Team Bench Styles

No Back Basic Team Bench – These are those the single plank benches you have seen. These are your most economical option.

Seat Bottom With Back – Adding a seat back to the basic seat model offers much more comfort. Better for sports where players and coaches are sitting for lengthy periods of time.

Seat, Back With Top Shelf – Adding a 20” wide top shelf to our seat bottom with back bench models offers the benefit of storage for team items such as Gatorade coolers, training, and coaching supplies. Players, gloves, towels, water bottles are other typical uses as well. Baseball and softball players like to sit up here, too. Note that safety laws require a complete frame understructure, so these models are used as portable or surface-mounted only, not to be built into fresh concrete, also known as a permanent mount.

3 Team Bench Mounting Styles

Portable Mounted Benches – Allows for moving indoors or out. Portable dugout benches make cleaning and pressure washing easy. They have sturdy post legs and T-style feet that stay out of the way.

In Ground Mounted Benches – Allows for easiest installation in fresh concrete. Best for reducing vandalism. Large diameter pipe-shaped legs go straight into a hole where concrete is then poured.

Surface Mounted Benches – Here is your best choice where existing concrete is already poured & where security may be an issue. Four holes are drilled and anchored for each leg. Directions are incredibly easy to follow!

How To Determine That You Are Buying From A Reputable Team Bench Dealer:

• Are you talking to coaches who know what you’re looking for or are you just talking to a salesman?
• Are they offering a full line of products or do they sell a bench or two every season?
• Are warranties posted and are they adequate? We recommend looking for a minimum of five years.
• Are their products made in the US? The best tend to be.

Can we help you put a new team bench in your dugout or new aluminum bleachers on your field?

Here at Baseballtips.com, we are dads and coaches who know the game and know what it takes to run a team. The team benches we offer are all made in the USA and we have a complete selection of sizes, styles, and mounting choices, all in anodized aluminum with aluminum or steel legs and understructures. Team colors are available too! We hope you will consider us for your team benches and aluminum bleachers, too. Check out our offerings today!

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