BestShopSites
Bottom Line Rating*

Best Sites
Capsules/Description

Accolades

+++

JustBalls
www.justballs.com

EW review: "Here's an e-business with gumption: ''Basically, we're all about balls,'' states the FAQ page of this single-minded website. But it's hard not to brag when you stock 1,700 different sizes and varieties of spheroid, including 152 kinds of soccer balls. Balled over? Simply follow the easy, three-step search process: Input age, gender, and sport, then click (no, we're not kidding) ''Show Me the Balls!'' Are your balls the right size? Check the Sizing Chart to see if they measure up. If you're still confused, check out the Ball Encyclopedia, arranged by sport from badminton to wallyball. You'd be nuts to shop anywhere else.  Grade: A"

"A" & "Best of Breed" : Entertainment Weekly 11-12-99

Fogdog Sports
www.Fogdog.com

Forbes Review: "It may sound like an obscure Generation-X site, but Fogdog is a great sporting goods e-tailer. You’ll find a huge selection for every sport—and we mean every sport, from boxing to rugby to wakeboarding. And the site is content-rich: buying guides, fitness articles, expert advice, quick training tips and product comparison charts. Want to learn about kiteboarding? This is the place." (Forbes--click here for full review)

EW review: "Named after the shaft of light that pierces a thundercloud, this purveyor of athletic equipment and apparel sports 60,000 wares drawn from 500 different manufacturers. Daunted? E-mail the site's experts -- real experts, such as Mike Murphy, equipment manager for the San Francisco Giants. On the off chance that the 'dog won't hunt, a ''search squad'' will retrieve the elusive item, even purchasing it from a competitor if necessary. Good Fogdog. Here's a biscuit:  Grade: A"

Time Digital Review:
"Easy-to-navigate site stumbled on delivery"
Ease of Use: A-
Delivery: C
Returns: B

Forbes Selection  in Best of the Web Forbes 9-11-00

"A" in Entertainment Weekly 11-12-99

Paintball Online
www.paintball-online.com

EW review: "Patrons of the bloodless blood sport have long known of Adam Stites' online armory, the virtual incarnation of his Portland, Ore., store and the largest Internet supplier of paintball equipment. In fact, satisfied customers include several police departments and the U.S. Marine Corps. Paintball guns range from cheap shots ($29.99) to serious heat ($1,200), with plenty of value packages in between (you can get a starter set of gun, mask, 200-round hopper, safety plug, and CO2 for $120). No. 1 with a paintball.  Grade: A-"

"A-" : Entertainment Weekly 11-12-99

Title Nine Sports
www.title9sports.com

EW review: "Like its namesake legislation, this site makes certain vows to female athletes: Women of all ages and body types shall have equal access to comfy active-wear, designed for their needs and tested by T9 staffers. The inventory is top-heavy with sports bras (about $20-40), which shame the other, smaller departments. But the real find is the Splog, a bedroom slipper-clog hybrid ($75), which T9 recommends for leisure while admitting that ''here in Berkeley, well, we wear these shoes to work.''  Grade: B+"

"B+" : Entertainment Weekly 11-12-99

The Press Box
www.shoppressbox.com

EW review: "Sports fans will score at this site dedicated to officially licensed sports apparel. Whether it's Red Sox or White Sox you're trying to stuff, it's all here: jerseys, T-shirts, caps, and novelties from major-league teams in baseball, football, hockey, basketball -- plus NASCAR and the World Wrestling Federation.  Grade: B+

"B+" : Entertainment Weekly 11-12-99

Internet Cue Store
www.cuestore.com

EW review: "Mothers, lock up your daughters! Fathers, rein in your sons! Rock Lalande is selling pool cues on the Internet! Twelve premium varieties of the filthy Satan-sticks, with a promise to match or beat the offers of other online vendors! All this, plus racks and table accessories besides! And how soon can he ship it? Two days! With a capital ''T'' and that rhymes with ''B'' and that stands for billiards!  Grade: B+"

"B+" : Entertainment Weekly 11-12-99

MVP.com
www.mvp.com

Time Digital Review:
"Michael Jordan and co.'s site delivered quickly"
Ease of Use: A-
Delivery: B+
Returns: B

Time Digital 12/00