I've tried four different types of organizational strategies for player positions, etc. The first was just doing it verbally each inning, which is a total disaster. Then I moved on up to typing up a spreadsheet via Excel and posting that in the dugout. The drawback of this approach was that I couldn't change anything after printing it and it was probably too many columns for the kids to follow (i.e., a separate position line up for each inning). Then I bought my first line-up board (not this one), and that was another step up. The players names were written on paper and slid into slots for the batting order. I think I used a dry erase maker for the positions. But then I found this board, which has been the best tool thus far. What I like about it is that it is all magnetic, which allows me to move the players around each inning. I like how their name goes in the actual physical area of the field (on the board) where they are supposed to be playing. This is helpful for those kids who can't remember where is "shortstop." Also, no more, "What position am I playing next inning?" I just tell them, "Check the board." The only negative of this board is that the magnets can fall off if someone violently hits or shakes the dugout fencing that the board is attached to (this has certainly happened, but you can usually find all the magnets on the ground right below the board). More problematic is losing magnets in transition to and from games. Two solutions to this are to get a bag to keep this thing in once the game or practice is over. That way you don't lose any magnets. Another solution (just figure that you WILL lose some magnets no matter what) is to go to Michael's or some craft store and buy a strip of magnets (they will probably come in a circular roll--just get some that are the same width, maybe 1/2 inch). When you lose one, just cut off a replacement from the circular roll, write the player's name on a piece of paper, and then peel off the waxy paper on the magnet and affix the paper on the sticky side of the magnet. This has worked for me.
This is perfect for me so I do not have to constantly write names. Another coach liked my team board so much they purchased one. Magnets can fall off easily so be careful when transporting in and out of car/ball fields. I gave a four because I am skeptical of it lasting for many years. The material feels like cardboard wrapped in a plastic kind of like what you see on a school binder. If you baby your belongings as I do then it will last and also serve its purpose. It does come with a few backup magnets which is nice.
This is a MUST HAVE for a ball coach. My husband coaches girls slow pitch softball and this was an absolute great item. I have actually purchased two of these because the first one came up missing (the hubby lost it). The magnets are great and I have purchased additional of these just to have on hand. I recommend making sure that you use a sturdy paper when making the name pieces for the magnets. It is nice that you don't have to waste a piece of paper every game for a line-up or positions. The girls can quickly and easily glance at it and know exactly what to do and where to be. If anything needs to change, just a quick shift of a magnet and you’re done.
Make sure that you clip this board in a place where players won’t brush up against it. If they do, you could lose a magnet or so and then you have to search and find.
The marker that comes with it is a piece of junk. It is supposed to be a dry erase marker and leave no residue. It’s wrong. Once you write on the board, I feel that the sun/heat bake it on and then it won’t come off. We wrote on it with the enclosed marker and after just one ball game, it wouldn’t come off. The marker then went into the trash. It really isn’t a necessity though because the magnets do the job.
It does seem a little pricey in the beginning, but I feel you get your money out of it. When storing it in a bag, make sure to keep it flat or it will curve the inner cardboard (learned this from the first purchase).
The absolute best friend of a baseball or softball coach. For a recreation team it makes substituting players so much easier. I would have a game plan for the subs worked out prior to the game and then a player would not show up. No problem with the board, its easy to shift the players based on who is there and available. For travel ball it is equally valuable. Being able to slide players in and out of the batting line up when batting 9 helps keep everyone straight. Players know who they subbed in for and when they are batting. This board allows the coach to focus on the game and not answering questions about positions or batting line ups.
The board works very well, but be very careful not to get it wet because the bottom of the board is not sealed. I recommend sealing it with some clear packing tape because it will eventually rain and once the board is close to moisture it shrivels and then the magnets will not stay on the board reliably. Buy extra magnets if you are coaching youth, the seem to disappear on occasion.
Works pretty well, though I wish the magnets were a tad stronger. It's not bad, it could just use a bit more magnetic strength. I'm tempted to buy some small neodymium magnets and gluing them on board... hopefully the slight weakness is from the magnetic strips and not the board itself. Over all thought, I like it and found it to be much more helpful than pasting up a printout of the usual Excel spreadsheet. So much easier to manage unexpected fielding and batting order changes.
Still training the boys to stop asking me every inning who's up next or where they are on the field -- "Just look at the board!".
Feature Product
- Coacher Magnetic Baseball Players line-up board is 8-1/2" x 14".
- Has 3 outfield positions.
- Field layout diagram on reverse side.
- Includes 30 magnetic name tags and a pen.
- Grommeted hole and safety hook for hanging on fence.
Description
Athletic Specialties MCBB Coacher Magnetic Baseball Players line-up board is 8-1/2" x 14". Includes 30 magnetic name tags and a pen. It has 3 outfield positions. Grommeted hole and safety hook for hanging on fence.
This is my second year as team/dug out mom. I've had AA & AAA teams. I LOVE this board. I eventually ditched the magnets, while they worked great (as pictured), I was just bad at keeping track of them (my own flaw, lol) and chose to start using the dry erase marker. Erases with ease as positions and sitters flip flop between innings. Can easily be unhooked & handed to coach if needed. The board has held up all season (sturdy) and is ready for the next. The boys love it, they love helping keep it in order. Much better than my DIY chart from last season, lol. I've seen negative reviews, but honestly, so long as you properly take care of it, it works great and is well worth it! It comes with the clip, the labels (you just have to cut them), the marker, and magnets. Highly Recommend.
This board was a game changer for me this Fall. It helped me be more organized and less stressed about what had to happen each inning. I would print out the lineup ahead of time and hand it to the dugout coach. I never had to worry about it again, which really freed up my time for other coaching duties. My biggest recommendation is that you find a large ziplock bag to hold it in when it's not in use or you will lose the magnetic pieces over time.
I love the ease of setting a lineup and the defense with the magnets. The board itself feels like it is bowed and not as flat as I would expect. I disliked the paper inserts for the magnets. Ended up using an electronic labeler to print out names and then sticking those in place of the paper inserts - this seems to be working well. The clip for the board to hang on the fence is cheap plastic and basically worthless. Replaced it with a metal clip I picked up at Office Depot. Mine did not come with anywhere to place the marker, so I purchased some Velcro and applied to the board and marker which seems to be holding up. For the pricing of this board, the quality should be better. After my modifications, it is much more usable and has become a staple of our softball team games - love it for that aspect. If quality of components was better, I would give this 5 stars ... almost takes it to 3 stars having to make these adjustments at more cost, but do love what it provides in the end.
This has been a great tool for coaching rec ball. I have been coaching rec ball for over five years and this is the best organizer I have had for batting order and field position. I only had a magnet fall off once (I used it for one full season). I do keep it in a large Ziploc bag to prevent from losing magnets during transport. I am getting ready to get it set up for its second season of use. The key benefits are:
1) Very flexible, easy to change lineup or field positions when kids do not show up, get sick, hurt, etc. Also good for mixing things up base don how the game is going.
2) Easy to play around with fielding positions to come up with strategies for player positions.
3) Being able to slide the next batter slightly to the left so kids know where we are at in the lineup when we come in to bat.
I LOVE this board. As the dugout mom it lets me keep track of my batting order by pushing out the magnet of the player that is next at bat. I don't have to use clothes pins on the fence, or carry a paper and a pencil to keep my batting order current. I can also make player adjusts in the field up top as the coaches modify positions when we take the field. I haven't used the dry erase feature to keep track of stats, I probably won't. I ordered another full set of magnets "just in case" I lost a few, I haven't lost any yet. I used a standard Brother brand label maker to print the player names. The tape in the label maker is laminated and I don't have any issues with the names getting messed up. This will help if you are trying to lose the paper and clip boards!
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