Recovery

The Freeze Sleeve is a reusable cold therapy sleeve that combines cold with compression. You chill it in the freezer, then slide it over your arm, elbow, knee or calf for even coverage all the way around, with no ice bags to hold or leaks to clean up. It's popular with pitchers and players after games, practices and tournament days. Follow the product instructions for chilling time and how long to wear it. See all recovery products.

Opinions differ among coaches and trainers. Many pitchers use cold therapy after throwing to relieve soreness, while others prefer active recovery, like light throwing, band work and stretching, to keep blood flowing to the arm. The best approach is the one recommended by your coach, athletic therapist or physiotherapist. If you do use cold, a Freeze Sleeve covers the elbow and forearm evenly. Arm pain that doesn't go away is a reason to stop throwing and see a health professional. See all recovery products.

Roll slowly over the large muscles that work hardest in baseball and softball: calves, hamstrings, quads, glutes and upper back. Spend about 30 to 60 seconds on each area, pausing on tight spots, and keep breathing. Avoid rolling directly over joints, bones or an injured area. The Nike Recovery Foam Roller is a great all-around option for after games and practices. Find more tools in our recovery collection.

Each tool targets different areas. A foam roller, like the Nike Recovery Foam Roller, covers large muscles like the back, quads and hamstrings using your body weight. A roller bar, like the Nike Recovery Roller Bar, is held in your hands, so you control the pressure on your calves, thighs and forearms, and it fits easily in a bat bag. A massage ball, like the Nike Recovery Ball, reaches small and hard-to-reach spots like the feet, shoulders and glutes. Many players keep a roller bar or ball in their bag for the dugout.

A simple routine goes a long way, especially on tournament weekends with several games in a row. Cool down with light movement and stretching, rehydrate with a water bottle from our hydration collection, eat a balanced snack or meal, and use a foam roller or massage ball on tight muscles. Cold therapy, like a Freeze Sleeve, can help with soreness, and a good night of sleep is the most important recovery tool of all. Find everything in our recovery collection.

Yes. The Sidelines Sports Doctor 2 First Aid Kit is a ready-made kit for the dugout, so coaches and team managers have the basics on hand at every practice and game. Complete it with Renfrew athletic tape and pre-wrap from our taping collection, and keep everything together in a team bag. Check and restock the kit at the start of every season.