Q&A with Post 82 head coach Mike Grayson

Shelby Post 82 American Legion baseball players have a saying when it’s time for head coach Mike Grayson to pass out the uniforms at the start of the season.
“It’s like Christmas in June.”
If you’ve seen Grayson’s squad on the field during his tenure, you’re probably well aware that Post 82 is consistently one of the best-equipped teams and is always on top of the newest trends in uniform styles and materials.
There’s a good reason for that as Grayson owns S&M Sport Shop in Shelby.
“I’ve got an unfair advantage with having a sporting goods store. I see all the latest stuff,” Grayson said.
Grayson also gave a lot of credit to his family and the parents of the Post 82 players for helping with all of the costs.
“Post 82 is basically a family-run business. We’ve had great parents through the years. They’ve raised money, and they raised that money because they knew their kids were going to get the best stuff,” Grayson said. “We couldn’t do everything we do without our family and all the parents.”
Star Assistant Sports Editor Gabe Whisnant interviewed Grayson about some of the trends in baseball uniforms and equipment. Here is part of that interview. To see more equipment and past uniforms, visit www. legionworldseries.com/news.

Does every player needs the best equipment to be the best player?
MG: Until a young player finds out what position he wants to play, why buy a $300 infield glove when next year you might be an outfielder? Once you find that out that baseball is your passion and love, and you’ve figured out your position, then I would say go get the best equipment. But I don’t think it’s necessary in the younger ages when you really don’t know they are going to stick with it.

Along the same lines, do you feel like teams need to look good to play good?
MG: I want our players to feel good about themselves. In dressing, we try to have nice stuff. I think it sells our program when our players look nice on the field.
We want every young player around here wearing a Post 82 hat and T-shirt. That’s why we print 300 of them. We want them to be thinking in the stands that they want to play for Post 82 one day.

Is it difficult for coaches to stay on top of the latest equipment and uniform upgrades?
MG: With all of the sporting goods salesmen out there pushing their product, the coaches know what’s out there. There are always people coming around … everybody’s got the newest, latest and greatest thing. Most of the coaches in this area are in tune with what’s going on.

What have been some of the key developments in equipment technology?
MG: The metal bat changed the game. The bats are better alloy every year … they always come up with something bigger and better. The bats have a bigger sweet spot and that’s got to help the hitter … you can miss-hit it and still fist it over the infield. I would like to play today with this bat. The exit speed off of these bats can be about 95 or 97 miles per hour.
The durability of the aluminum and carbon fiber bat has gotten 10 times better, even in the last few years. They have to be more durable though … with bats at $399 they don’t want to have to replace those.
Gloves are much better. They are lighter and longer with deeper pockets. Just like the bats, they’ve come a long way.
Until the last two years, uniforms got sleeker and narrower instead of the baggy look. Now, the baggy look is coming back. There’s no wool anymore. Now, uniforms are made out of the polyester, moisture management to keep you drier and cooler. Even the hats today are made out of moisture management material. Even the major leagues are getting away from the wool hat.