Sports Unlimited Blog

Small Business Owners – Beware of ADA Compliance

This blog post is to warn small businesses of a situation happening across the United States where law firms are trying to take advantage of small business owners. I want to share first hand my experience of how I was threatened and overcame a potential law suit / settlement.

I was sitting at my desk working away when an employee dropped off a FedEx overnight letter. The letter was addressed to someone that didn’t work at the company and the return address was from a law firm. My first thought through me head was, UGH! This can’t be good!

There was a document inside with the subject Re: Request for a Reasonable Accommodation to Access to your Website. The letter started out like this: This letter is sent on behalf of client, ABC, who suffers from neuropathy, ataxia retinitis pigmentosa, or NARP. As a result of this genetic disorder, this person lost all useful vision in 1986. Today, he is totally blind. He uses JAWS screen reader technology to navigate the Internet. Screen reader “software translates the visual internet into and auditory equivalent. At a rapid pace, the software reads the content of a webpage to the user.”

Then the letter went on to talk about how our website www.SportsUnlimited.com is a service of public accommodation that must be accessible to screen ready technology pursuant to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). I’m thinking to myself, I have never heard of this, I’m angry, scared, and what the heck am I going to do.

On and on the letter went detailing items on our site that were not ADA compliant. The letter was extremely threatening! The law firm said they would seek further action if we did not comply, quickly.

The law firm referred to the following standards… Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/

After reading through the entire document, I started doing some research. I did a quick google search on the law firm that sent the letter. Sure enough, many, many results appeared. There were dozens of companies that had received the exact letter I received. This was basically a law firm out to get money from small businesses. I don’t know if the plaintiffs mentioned in the letters are really people or not. Now, I’m really mad.

I contacted my attorney and shared the letter with him. He did his research and found out that there was a ruling that was made and would make our site in need of being ADA compliant. He asked that I start working on making our site ADA compliant.

After researching the web for a few hours I stumbled onto a company called Accessibe that claimed they could make your site ADA compliant within minutes. I thought to myself, no way it’s that easy. I reached out to Accessibe and they shared a demo of the product and allowed us to test it on one page on our site. We tested it out and it worked great. The next day the code was deployed on the entire site and just like that our site was ADA compliant. Accessibe designed and tested their software with the JAWS screen reader technology. Our site now has screen reader technology.

I responded to the letter I received from the attorney and told them our site is now ADA compliant back in February 2019 and I have not heard from them yet. Fingers crossed!

Build Confidence in Young Baseball Players with Sports Unlimited’s Diamond Shield Padded Shirt

As a father of three boys who love to play baseball, I have experienced many of their ups and downs in the game first hand. My boys have played all kinds of sports including baseball, basketball, football and soccer. One of the most important things in sports for a young athlete is to play with confidence. After 10+ years of coaching, I have learned that success – particularly in baseball – comes when a player is confident. It is extremely important to develop the appropriate mechanics and fundamentals for catching a baseball, fielding ground balls, pitching, catching and hitting. There is a progression from tee ball all the way to the pros. The game gets faster the balls are hit harder and harder.

When my oldest son was 5 and in his first year of baseball, he took a ground ball in practice right off his sternum. It was a simply a bad hop, a frequent occurrence on the diamond. My son was crying. He had lost his confidence and he now feared the baseball. This turned into him fielding ground balls off the side of his body and creating bad mechanics. Worst of all, he stopped having FUN!

Protection from the line drive up the middle!

I went home and started searching online for something that would protect his chest area. I discovered a padded shirt where the padding covered the sternum and chest area. The shirt was sleeveless, lightweight and compression fit. I purchased the shirt for $49.99, ouch. My son wore it without hesitation to his next practice. Without even saying anything, he started fielding ground balls in front of him again. His confidence was back! All due to an undershirt with some padding. He wore a padded shirt under his jersey in every practice and game up until last year when he turned 13. He fields the ball with no fear now and I believe this padded shirt is what propelled his confidence.

After spending $50 a piece on a padded shirts for three boys over the last few years, I decided to design our own youth padded baseball shirt with the same quality in mind, but for a lot less money. It took about a year and half to get the style, sizing and padding just right. I am excited to launch the Sports Unlimited Diamond Shield Padded Baseball Shirt. Call it a Baseball Sternum Guard or Baseball Confidence Shirt, but make sure you pick up one for your player this season. The Sports Unlimited shirt sells for $29.99, which is $20 less then the closest name brand. This padded shirt is great for kids starting tee ball all the way up to 12 to 13 years old.

The Diamond Shield padding is sized smaller on the small and medium shirt and larger on the large and extra-large shirts to get the correct balance for protection and range of motion. This shirt is compression fit and sleeveless so your little ball player won’t even know they’re wearing it. The shirt is light weight, just the right length to stay tucked in and it’s constructed to wick sweat away.

This sternum guard is great to use for any sport. Don’t limit your use of it to baseball. Kids use it in soccer, basketball, softball, lacrosse, and I’ve even heard paintball. Watch your kids’ confidence soar!

Pink Football Socks for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is just around the corner and you know what that means! Time to gear your players up for Breast Cancer Awareness month. We have tons of different options from crew socks to over the calf socks. Not to mention, different color options to meet your needs. We have black & hot pink socks, all pink socks, Hot Pink & Pink, and we even have the digital camo black & hot pink socks! All of the Twin City Knitting socks have a ribbon on them, whether it be on the back, side, or front of the sock, we’ve got you covered! The socks have moisture control, blister control and odor control technology, these socks are perfect to keep your feet dry. The breathable mesh fabric will make these socks feel nice and light on your feet. Support the cause and get your Breast Cancer Awareness socks today!

Shop Pink Football Socks Now

Same Day Shipping

One of the greatest benefits of shopping at SportsUnlimited.com is how fast we’re able to ship you products. As a small business competing with some of the biggest stores in the world, we have to do everything in our power to make our customers happy.

SAME DAY SHIPPING ON IN-STOCK ORDERS BEFORE 3PM ET WEEKDAYS One way we’re able to maintain our extremely high customer satisfaction ratings on Google and Trustpilot is by shipping out orders we receive the same day we receive them. When an order gets placed at Sports Unlimited, we quickly approve it (if it is valid) and then gather the items from our warehouse. Those items are verified as the correct ones that were ordered, and then we package them and ship them out.

Of course, as a small business, the people doing those jobs don’t work 24 hours a day and our shipping carriers only pick up packages at certain times. Because of that, we have determined that to make sure we can guarantee that your order will ship out the same day, we need that in-stock order to be placed by 3pm ET Weekdays.

Just because it ships the same day, does not mean it will deliver the same day! Once the package leaves our warehouse, we can’t control how fast it gets to you other than shipping it via the shipping method you’ve selected upon ordering, but we continue to provide customer service throughout.

For more information visit our our Shipping Time page.

Best Field Hockey Sticks by Position and Skill Level

Which field hockey stick is best for my position and/or skill level?

With the vast amount of options these days, it can be difficult to choose which field hockey stick to purchase based on your position and skills. Here we break down which sticks are best for each position or skill level and why, and we’ve included our stick recommendations for you to check out.

Beginners

It is recommended that a beginner player use a stick with a standard bow shape and no larger than 20 millimeters in size.

Beginner field hockey players should choose a stick with a wood or fiberglass composition. Wood sticks will provide the most forgiving feel and the best touch on the ball, while fiberglass sticks also provide an excellent first touch with a lightweight feel. Having a flexible stick will help them learn the fundamentals, so they can get accustomed to trapping the ball without too much rebound off the stick. It should feature a larger hitting surface to help players get a touch on the ball. A maxi toe or hook head shape will offer you the largest surface area, ensuring you make great contact with the ball when trapping it or driving it down the field.

When choosing a stick, you must also consider the bow size and shape. It is recommended that a beginner player use a stick with a standard bow shape and no larger than 20 millimeters in size. This will help him or her learn the basics while maintaining excellent control over the ball. A larger size or later shape will more easily cause the ball to pop up in the air and earn yourself a dangerous play whistle. A standard bow is very versatile and can be used on offense or defense, making it the ideal stick shape for beginners who have yet to discover which will be the best position for them.

Our recommendations:

STRYK Burst Field Hockey Stick

and

Grays Surf 500 Field Hockey Stick

Defenders

We recommend buying a stick that has a higher fiberglass content since carbon can be more brittle in a compound stress way.

When searching for the perfect stick, defenders will often choose heavier sticks with the weight concentrated in the head of the stick. This allows them to make stronger block tackles, and the extra weight will help generate more momentum when hitting the ball down the field. Also, often times, defenders will buy slightly longer sticks than their player height recommends to give them a little extra reach when tackling and jabbing at the ball.

TK 1.1 INNOVATE DEFENSE FIELD HOCKEY STICK

Since defenders see a lot of stick-on-stick contact when tackling their opponent, they require a stick with a lot of durability. We recommend buying a stick that has a higher fiberglass content since carbon can be more brittle in a compound stress way. Including aramid in the composition can also help improve the strength and durability of the stick, and it dampens the vibrations felt in the handle of the stick for less sting in your hands. In addition, we recommend choosing a stick with a maxi toe as it provides the largest sweet spot, allowing you to make better contact with the ball when hitting or trapping it.

Our recommendations:

STX Apex 901 Field Hockey Stick or other sticks in the STX Apex line

and

TK Total 1.1 Innovate Field Hockey Stick

Midfielders

The attribute we find most important in a midfielder’s stick is control. Midfielders are responsible for controlling the ball and delivering it safely to the attackers to put it in the back of the net. They are also sometimes trying to score themselves, or they are trying to stop their opponent from advancing down the field. Therefore, a lightweight and well-balanced stick with a lot of versatility is a must.

The presence of aramid in a stick’s composition can make all the difference. Aramid dampens vibrations to keep the ball from rebounding too far off the stick, allowing you to have great control when trapping the ball and dribbling. It also adds durability to the stick, helping to prolong its life even with all the stick-on-stick contact it sees when making defensive blocks and tackles.

Since midfielders play with the defense and the offense, they need a lightweight stick that can keep up with the speed of their game and offer the necessary precision for ball handling and passing skills. A midi toe provides a well-balanced feel that’s great for all around stick skills, especially reverse stick work, and it provides a decent sized sweet spot for quickly trapping the ball and passing to your teammate. A standard or mid bow size (19 – 23mm) is recommended for midfielders because of its versatility, but any shape you are most comfortable with can be used.

Our recommendations:

Gryphon Tour Pro Field Hockey Stick

and

Voodoo Punisher E3 Field Hockey Stick

Forwards

Offensive players, or forwards, prefer to use lightweight sticks that are well-balanced, giving them the necessary agility to move the ball around their opponent. A lightweight stick is not only more effective when dribbling, but it allows you to swing your stick faster and quickly get a shot off before the defender can intercept it. A midi toe also helps to enhance a forward’s abilities. The toe is smaller in size and lighter in weight, and it increases maneuverability and offers more precise ball control. It allows you to quickly and easily move the ball from side to side to dodge your opponent and dribble towards the goal.

A forward demands power from his or her stick. They must be able to generate extreme power when shooting and when passing to an open teammate across the field, which is why they need sticks with a high carbon content. The higher the carbon content the more powerful the stick will be and the harder it will be for your opponent to stop you. This added power will also improve your drag flicks and aerial skills to enhance your 3D game. The attacking position is defined by speed, accuracy, and precision, so their sticks should be too.

Our recommendation:

Osaka Pro Tour Gold Pro Bow Field Hockey Stick

Aerial players

The most important element of a stick that the aerial player should consider is the shape and size of the bow. A stick that bends closer to the head will allow you to get under the ball more to perform aerials and lifts. A low bow or late bow is most recommended since their point of maximum bow is the closest to the head the FIH will allow (200mm). Also, the more the stick bends the easier it will be to execute 3D skills with precision and accuracy. A large bow, such as a 24 or 25 millimeter, will help generate high velocities when drag flicking.

Another feature that has recently become more popular is incorporating a slight concave channel onto the face and shaft of the stick. This helps to channel the ball where you want it and keep the ball on your stick as you lift it up for aerials.

Our recommendations:

adidas DF24 Carbon Field Hockey Stick

Gryphon Taboo Striker Samurai Field Hockey Stick

TK Total 2.2 Innovate Plus Field Hockey Stick

If you’re uncertain which position you will be playing when purchasing your stick, it would be best to buy a medium-weight stick that’s versatile and can be used in any position.

What’s In A Football Helmet Safety Rating?

With safety concerns mounting and new concussion research taking place every season, the football helmet has quickly become one of the most scrutinized pieces of protective apparel in sports.

Each year, manufacturers introduce new technologies to make their helmets more equipped to handle head impacts, rotational forces and linear impacts that occur during standard course of play. And now there are two laboratory studies that give us even more insight into how football helmets work.

Virgina Tech Study

NFL/NFLPA Study

In 2011, Virginia Tech’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics released its first STAR rating system, putting football helmets to test in a lab environment. The study assigns a rating to each helmet and breaks them into six categories ranging from five stars (Best Available) to zero stars (Not Recommended).

In 2014, the NFL followed suit, forming an Engineering Subcommittee as part of its existing Head, Neck and Spine Committee. The subcommittee completed its first project in July of 2015, a helmet study jointly sponsored by the NFL and NFL Players Association (NFLPA). Initially, the study set a threshold and broke 10 of the 17 helmets into a “Top Performing Group” meaning none was statistically significant from the others. Continue reading “What’s In A Football Helmet Safety Rating?”

New Team Travel Bags for Summer – 30% Off All Mojo Brand Luggage

Summer is just around the corner, which means you’re probably making travel plans, if you haven’t already. Whether you’re flying across the country, visiting the beach, or making a weekend getaway, you’ll need a travel bag to carry your luggage. If you’re a sports fan, then you have to check out our selection of sports luggage from Mojo! With College, NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL bags, there is something for every fan. And these aren’t some cheap bags that have a logo slapped on them. Mojo takes pride in making premium travel gear, and applies high definition logos on every bag. If you’re a frequent traveler, then I’m sure you’ve noticed many similar looking bags at the airport. With a team logo suitcase or carry-on, you’ll be able to locate your bag in a sea of black travel bags!

Mojo has a number of different travel bags for each team. From carry-ons, to duffles, backpacks, business luggage, and checked-in bags, they have a bag to fit your needs. One of our best selling pieces is the 21″ carry-on. This bag maximizes your storage space, while still meeting the requirements for a TSA approved carry-on. It features a two inch expandable main compartment for extra storage, telescoping handle, and smooth rolling in-line wheels. The interior is fully lined, and has garment straps to keep your gear secure and organized. A zippered mesh interior pocket can store shoes or toiletries, while two exterior pockets are perfect for quick access to magazines, a phone charger, or anything you need handy on your travels. The padded top provides added protection, while side and bottom grab handles make it easy to load in your car, and overhead storage on the plane. And finally, it’s finished with a high quality embroidered team logo, so you can represent your favorite team no matter where you’re headed!

Rather than going into detail on every piece of luggage we have to offer, I’ll let you browse our selection of Mojo travel bags. Just visit the bags and backpacks section for your favorite team on the Fan Gear section of Sports Unlimited, and find your new travel bag for this summer! See the links below for each league and then use the filtering system on the site to choose your favorite team!

NFL Travel Bags

NCAA Travel Bags

MLB Travel Bags

NBA Travel Bags

NHL Travel Bags

To kick the summer off, we’re offering customers a 30% discount on Mojo luggage. From 6/8-6/29, all Mojo bags and luggage will be discounted, no promo code necessary. At Sports Unlimited, we like sports and travel just like you, and want to provide you with the best sports luggage available. Enjoy your summer!

The Best Portable Soccer Goals

School’s almost out which means you’re about to have a lot more time to hone your soccer skills. If you’re looking for a new portable soccer goal, let me tell you about a few of the best currently on the market.

Kwik Goal Flex Soccer Goals

Kwik Goal just introduced a new line of soccer goals called the Flex series. Available in a few sizes: 6.5’ x 12’, 4’ x 6’ and 2m x 3m (Futsal play) to meet your needs. Weighing in at 30 lbs or less per goal, the Kwik Goal Flex goals feature an ultra-durable fiberglass and metal frame that is expandable with a snap button construction. Quick and easy set up and take down with a true soccer goal appearance. These goals are ideal for recreational leagues, practice or backyard training.

PowerNet Portable Soccer Goals

PowerNet also makes a superior portable goal, offered in multiple size options. It’s lightweight design can be set up in under 3 minutes without the use of tools. Steel and fiberglass poles plus ground stakes create a durable construction that flexes with each shot resulting in a stable base. It can also be used as a rebounder when laid on it’s side. Packs up conveniently in the included bag, making it ideal for coaches and backyard training or pick-up games. Check out this quick video to see the PowerNet 6’ x 4’ Soccer Goal in action!

Bownet Portable Soccer Goals

Bownet offers portable soccer goals in all sizes from as small as 3’ by 5’ to as large as official regulation size (8’ x 24’). All set up in less than 3 minutes and can be done without the use of tools. Bownet’s EAS (Energy Absorption System) technology diffuses ball energy throughout the goal to create better stability and extend the life of the goal. Rubber, non-marking feet help maintain stance making Bownet great for indoor or outdoor use. See how quickly a Bownet portable soccer goal can be set up below.

Whether you are looking for a small indoor or a large outdoor goal, Sports Unlimited has the perfect portable soccer goal for your needs. All Bownet, PowerNet and Kwik Goal portable goals ship free and many even ship out the same day if ordered before 3pm EST. So don’t wait, get a head start on your summer soccer training!

Reusch World Cup 2018 Soccer Goalie Gloves

The 2018 World Cup of soccer in Russia is just around the corner and Reusch created limited edition goalie gloves for its professional athletes. Called the Prisma Pro G3 Fusion Evolution, this goalkeeper glove features the most advanced palm foam ever for the best grip in all weather conditions.

G3 Fusion Foam combines a G3 foam base sprinkled with hard ground and wet condition latex foams on the surface. With 11 different host cities across Russia, many with differing climates, Reusch created the Prisma Pro G3 Fusion Evolution to offer superior performance in all conditions. The Aqua latex with Hydrograin technology provides exceptional grip in rainy conditions. The G3 foam base is ultra soft and includes special adhesive additives while the solid latex speckles within the foam increase durability.

A brand new wrist band closure constructed of sport mesh offers added protection for the wrist bone while remaining breathable and comfortable. The asymmetrical slip on design provides a better fit and is easy to get on/off. Reusch’s Ortho-Tec finger and thumb stay system features free-floating stays that can be removed through a zipper for customized protection.

Along with the Prisma Pro G3 Fusion Evolution, Reusch created a full line of gloves with the same World Cup themed backhand pattern of blue, black and orange. So even if you aren’t as advanced as the professionals, you can still wear the same World Cup design at a more affordable price. See all the Reusch Prismas here.

And make sure to keep your eye out for these limited edition gloves on your favorite keepers all tournament long! Play kicks off June 14th!

– Steph

Park & Sun Outdoor Volleyball Nets – Best Sets Hands Down!

Park & Sun Volleyball Nets Tournament

When it comes to finding the best volleyball sets in the country, look no further then the Park & Sun line of volleyball net systems. Park & Sun Sports, based out of Englewood Colorado, is committed to manufacturing high quality and innovative outdoor, portable volleyball sets. For over 30 years they have set the standard for upper end volleyballs nets with its telescopic, aluminum poles that adjust to three playing heights and their original slip on sleeve net design. The three net heights include Men – 8’, Women – 7’4″, and Coed – 7’8″.

Park And Sun Volleyball in the park

You don’t need me to tell you how good they are. Take a look at the reviews on amazon for the Park & Sun Spectrum Classic Volleyball Set It’s available in 6 different colors with my favorite being the All American Red, White & Blue combination. It’s perfect for your outdoor barbecues for Memorial Day and the 4th of July. Made in the U.S.A of course!

Park & Sun does not cut corners. Every piece of every volleyball net and volleyball system is well thought out and made to last. From the professional sleeve net to the easy-adjust guylines to the telescopic, aircraft-aluminum poles, Park & Sun delivers! You will not believe how easy and fast the set up is. Most set are fully assembled in under 5 minutes. Sets also include a storage bag, boundary lines (with convenient hand winder), volleyball, pump, and steel stakes.

Chances are if you see a volleyball tournament happening in your area, they are using a volleyball set from Park & Sun Sports. They are the official volleyball net supplier to some of the nation’s top volleyball tournaments and leagues: Emerald Coast Volleyball, Motherlode Volleyball Classic, Pottstown Rumble, United States Youth Volleyball League, Volleyball of the Rockies, Volley America, Waupaca Boatride Volleyball Tournament.

You don’t have to pay $250 for a great set either. The Park & Sun Tournament Flex 1000 Volleyball Net is an excellent choice at about $160.

There are many other choices from Park & Sun Sports; not just volleyball. Park & Sun manufacturers a variety of volleyball, pool volleyball, tetherball, bocce, pickleball, disc golf, foosball, sports goals, and more. For a complete list check out https://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/park-sun-sports.html.

Park & Sun Sports, American Made with quality and innovation for over 30 years.

– Mike