Sunday, July 31, 2011

Bad Calls and Baseball Hitting Tips

By Jeff Wise


As a baseball player, you're bound to experience some bad calls every now and then. It's easy to get emotional when the umpire calls a bad strike and forces you back into the dugout. You feel cheated and even angry. You need to know the baseball hitting tips for handling bad calls.

Players can get downright ugly when they get a bad call against them. I've seen players throw their helmets, give dirty looks at the umpire or even yell at the umpire. It's not a pretty sight. It's better in these times to swallow your pride and not show your frustration.

Getting mad will only hurt your game. First, it won't undo the bad call that was made. Second, it will mentally cause you to lose focus throughout the rest of the game. Finally, it may even cause the umpire to seek revenge and give you more bad calls later.

It's best to just accept whatever call is given and move on with the game. If it's a bad call and your coach is bothered by it, he will say something to the umpire. You, on the other hand, should try not to let it bother you. If you strike out, just make up your mind that you'll do better the next time you're at the plate. If necessary, you can always vent your frustrations to the coach or other players.

If you can react this way instead of showing your anger, it will show that you're a good sportsman. The fans and your teammates will be encouraged by your response. Keeping a positive attitude will affect the rest of your game in a good way. The bad call should motivate you to play better so your team will win.

Stay focused and don't let bad calls bother you. These baseball hitting tips will really help you be the best player you can be. A good player is not all determined by stats. It's also about how you play the game and your sportsmanship.




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Saturday, July 30, 2011

A Look At The Insanely Remarkable Dominance Of Albert Pujols

By Paul Queenman


Sports are always a topic of debate, and baseball is no exception. If you are a fan, you will undoubtedly have been asked at sometime if you think that the best hitter you've ever seen is Albert Pujols.

So that we all know who I'm talking about, I'm not going to go to players from days gone by, only from the 1980 onwards.

Players from the past such as Mays and Williams were great in their day, but the game has changed so much since then comparisons can't really be made. Conditions and even equipment are completely different in the modern game.

As the game has evolved so much, we can't tell how well players from the past would have played today, and vice versa. We can consider Pujols to be the batsman of our times on his merits alone.

To start with, there is a possibility he can still improve as he doesn't hit 30 until his next birthday. His consistency has been second to none; few players can boast that they have turned out every week and played like Pujols has, let's check out a few of his statistics.

His career average could win a league all on its own. In the second season he played in, he hit a career low average of .312, his worse since has been .327 and his overall average is .334. This is a staggering average whichever way you look at it.

Having played 9 seasons in MLB, Pujols hit 40 home runs in 5 of them. His worst season was still an impressive 32. The stats keep building and who knows where they will end?

The stats speak for themselves, you can't argue with the figures. Every season Pujols proves himself time and time again. No one can dispute he is a great hitter. He has a long career still ahead of him, and its hard to imagine that when he does retire, we won't be considering our greatest batsman.




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Thursday, July 28, 2011

A World Series Comeback For The Ages

By Al Casilla


It has been more than 23 years since that famous baseball game that the fans of the Mets will never forget and the fans of the Red Sox would like to forget. This game will never be forgotten and it was a crazy night in baseball history.

The Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets went to the World Series in 1986. It was destined to be a remarkable game as they were both at the top of their leagues.

It really surprised a lot of people when the Red Sox came away with the win during games one and two that took place in New York. For the Mets, along with their fans, this was a real downer.

Fortunately, the team's fortunes turned during the next few games and the Mets evened the series before falling behind by a 3 games to 2 count. Game 6 would give the Red Sox a chance to close out the series in Queens.

It seemed like that was destined to happen. It was the bottom of the 9th with the Red Sox in the lead by 2 runs and the Mets did not have any of their players on any of the bases. Everyone was ready to celebrate and thought this game was pretty much over and done with.

Miraculously, even though the Mets had just one strike left, they were able to get some base hits several times. Not long after that, a runner was able to score due to a wild pitch and that made the game tied. The people in the crowd started going crazy since this game appeared to be in the process of making history.

Then, something very unexpected happened next. The first base line is where Mookie Wilson hit a dribbler to and it should have been a super-easy out and the end of the game. However, the ball traveled right through Bill Buckner's legs which resulted in a run being scored by Ray Knight and the Mets getting the win.

They went on to win game 7 of the World Series, making this one of the most meaningful and memorable games in the history of professional baseball.

There are so many fans of baseball that will always believe that this was indeed the greatest game of baseball that ever took place. And, judging from how it happened, maybe they are correct in that thinking.




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The Amazing Story of Doc Ellis

By Ian Miras


You've probably never even heard of him, even if you know about baseball pretty well. If you have heard of him, then you've most likely heard about this story already. What's interesting is that most people are completely unaware that this ever happened. Dock Ellis's no hitter in 1970 was one of the more unique things to ever happen in baseball.

The funny thing is, it was not until 14 years later that we were told what made his no-hitter infamous: he was under the influence of LSD. Even more ironic about this all is the fact that he was working for an anti-drug program at the time when he finally admitted it.

Why would a pitcher ever take drugs on the day of his start, you ask? Well, it wasn't as if he purposely did this. He actually mistakenly believed that his next start wasn't for a few days, so he had taken LSD on his day off, not thinking he would have to pitch until a few days later. When he learned that it was his turn to start, he rushed to the stadium immediately.

He would later say he remembers very little about the game. He focused solely on the catcher's glove, and was pretty wild the entire game. He had numerous walks and hit batters, but no one could actually hit him.

Teammates had to let him in on the past actions of the hurler. He had a few fielding chances, but jumped out of the way. Sometimes he said the ball looked very small, while other times it was big.

LSD is bad for you. No one needs to be told that, and certainly not someone now who works to teach youth how bad it is. However, the fact a guy could pitch a no-hitter in a MLB game while on such a powerful drug is truly remarkable.

The feat will always be more infamous than famous, but this is one record that hopefully will never be broken. I'm not sure if anyone could if they tried.




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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

A Quick Guide to Fitness Gear

By Thomas Wilson


If you are intending on giving you better level of fitness, which all baseball players should, you will need to know about different styles of gym equipment. Whether you are planning to buy a piece or two of equipment for your home gym, or you are utilizing your school or gym's, you will want to know which pieces of equipment can help you get the very best baseball workouts. This guide will hopefully provide you with a basic background on a few of the most popular pieces of equipment and let you deicide which ones you would want to begin using to help you improve your overall health and performance about the field.

Treadmill: Essentially the most well-known piece of gym equipment, the treadmill is designed to provide you with a good cardio workout by walking, jogging, or running. Some benefits of by using a treadmill are you could workout in spite of the weather, you can take control of your incline, and if you happen to get an injury you will not be miles from home. You should run on the treadmill just as should you be running outside. Motorized treadmills start from around $400 and can run up to $7,000 based on what features you want. Some of the higher priced models have some really cool features like customized workout sessions, top of the line shock absorbing technology, and much more! All gyms really should have no less than a few treadmills to utilize.

Stationary Bike: Stationary bikes, like treadmills, can supply you with an intense cardio workout. There are two main forms of stationary bikes: upright bikes which ride much like a real bike, and recumbent bikes where you are leaning back and peddling with you feet out in front of your body. Once again similar to treadmills, stationary bikes have different numbers of potential to deal with imitate riding up and down hills. Stationary bikes start from around $100 and will run up to around $4,000.

Elliptical Crosstrainer: One of the most popular pieces of equipment at many health clubs and fitness centers, the elliptical crosstrainer was created to provide you with all of the advantages of jogging, though less stress on the joints and fewer perceived physical exertion. Elliptical crosstrainers begin from around $150 and can run up close to $5,000.

Free Weights: There are plenty of different weight lifting exercises you can do with free weights that there's absolutely no way I possibly could list them all here. Bench pressing and bicep curls would possibly be the two most popular exercises related to free weights, though they are so diverse that you could pretty much work on any muscle group in your body using them. There are lots of different sets of free weights accessible in the $75-$1,000 range.

Weight Machines: As options to (or in addition to) free weights, weight machines each perform a specific exercise to work over a specific group of muscles. A disadvantage in free weights is that to carry out as many different workouts as possible do with free weights, you need to have a variety of weight machines which will get very expensive. For that reason, very few people have weight machines at their house, but alternatively opt to use a local gym's wide selection of different machines. An advantage to weight machines over free weights is that if you can no more lift the load or you need to stop lifting for reasons uknown, the weights won't come crashing down, since there is something of pulleys and cables that may slowly lower the weights. Weight machines, based on which one will cost ranging from $200 and $10,000.

Although you don't have to go out and buy many of these pieces of equipment being a successful baseball player, you will need to try to have access to at least some of these whether it be at your home, at your school, or at your local gym. You will likely be with such pieces of equipment throughout the offseason probably the most and it will assist you to keep a daily routine no matter the weather outside. While this equipment isn't 100% necessary, it is rather important that you try to make use of it as much as possible given it really helps a lot in gaining better baseball workouts and hitting drills!




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A Guy's Guide To The Most Memorable Baseball Movies From The Last Few Decades

By Vincent Donaldson


Over the years, there have been some brilliant films about Baseball. Whether they are comedies, dramas, or films involving the subject of romance, there are baseball films that have embedded themselves into the movie hall of fame (if such a thing existed).

While there are a lot of junk films involving the sport of baseball, there are certainly some which are worth seeing. The following are my favorite baseball films of all time.

Released just last year, Sugar is a must see for any fan of baseball. This film gives a truthful look at the journey of a dominant player from the Dominican Republic, who has big dreams, but no clue of the journey he will have to go on to reach the Pros.

Another film that must be mentioned is The Sandlot. You can ask any American under the age of 30 who Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez is, and they will be able to tell you. The Sandlot is an incredibly important baseball film.

The original Bad News Bears is another one that has to make my list. Walter Matthau plays the iconic Coach Buttermaker, and this movie is a great watch for the whole family.

Field of Dreams remains one of Kevin Costner's greatest films to this day. True, he hasn't done much recently, but even if he did my statement would hold true! This movie encapsulates the spirit of American baseball and puts it into film.

Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins and Susan Surandon starred in 1988's Bull Durham, which gives us an honest look at the sport of baseball both on the field and behind the scenes. If you are a fan of baseball, movies or both, this film is a must see.

This was not an easy list to compile, as there are many other films worthy of consideration.




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Thursday, July 21, 2011

Baseball Recollections That You Can Enjoy And Cherish

By Dusty Mattingly


As a baseball player, you only a small window of time that you get to make your impact on the game. Before you next baseball practice, consider that at some point you are going to have to "retire". If your not in the small percentage of professionals, retirement is going to be sooner than later.

As we arrived early Friday night I had the chance to reminisce with my baseball buddies about our playing days. It was great to have a chance to kick back and relax on friends who shared the same passion as myself.

As the night went on we began talking baseball strategy for Sunday's game. We had high hopes of taking home a victory on Sunday, and fortunately for us, two of our teammates still played baseball professionally.

We took the field on Sunday and we picked up right where we left off. We spent more time heckling our own team then we did our opponents and everyone played there part in the win. At the end of the day it was Alumni Baseball 10, and the current baseball team 4.

After the game we gathered together for a barbecue and said our last goodbyes before we headed back to our respective lives. On my way home I couldn't help but think how much I missed what we had. I didn't realize it at the time, but we had something truly special that most people never get to experience.

Shortly after we took the field everything started to fall back into place. This meaning that we began jeering our own team more than our opponents! However at the end of the day, the Alumni had came away victorious outscoring our opponents 10-4. Although it may not have been the highlight of my career, it is certainly a moment I will never forget on the baseball field. I challenge you to do the same for the rest of yours!




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Daytona Beach Is A Hotspot For Motorsports

By Cedric Fairchild


Daytona Beach, Florida, featuring its hard packed sand, is known as a hotspot for motor sports. The Daytona Beach Road, which has now made way for the Daytona International Speedway, is notorious for the amount of races it has held over the past 50 years. One more reason why the city is this well-liked is because it is NASCAR's headquarters. Daytona Beach welcomes countless out-of-towners throughout the Speedweeks that takes place in February when the Daytona 500 season open takes place. Other events like Coke Zero 400 (NASCAR) happen in July, and in accordance with a news story, this is just what the city is getting prepared for currently.

Select stores of the chain Wal-Mart, in Daytona, will host exclusive events for NASCAR fanatics via Race Time, a program that is ready to launch in the coming week. Customers who show up at these events stand the chance of getting behind the wheels of racing cars and simulators. The program has been created based on a finding - nearly nine NASCAR fans out of 10 shop at Wal-Mart. Realizing this, Wal-Mart has created an extraordinary range of experiences that are apt to impress those customers, who are also NASCAR fans.

Race Time events, simulators and merchandise

The Race Time functions will happen in the parking lots at Wal-Mart. The stores will have NASCAR products that customers can buy over the racing season. Some of the items that you can get here are racing flags, t-shirts and beverages. The store will also display a broad range of exclusive products. The Cypress Point store will have a simulator of an M&M, Oreo Ritz, Coors Light, Cheerio's, Miller Lite, Coca Cola 2 seater, Pepsi Max/Amp and Keystone Light Camaro show car simulators. Different stores in Dunlawton Avenue and Beville Road Daytona Beach too are going to have similar simulators.

Biketoberfest, Daytona Cubs and Pelican Bay Club

Together with these, there are many other activities that lure travelers to the beach. One of these is the Daytona Beach Bike Week 200 which has motorcycle races, biker reunions as well as bike shows in March. Later in the year, in October, the city hosts Biketoberfest. Additional events such as the Turkey Run are a big hit among guests and local people alike. Sports including baseball and football also have functions - the Daytona Cubs and Daytona Beach Thunderbirds respectively - which have quite a few fans. Daytona Beach's golf courses attract many vacationers to it; Pelican Bay Club is just one of them. It has 2 courses - the South and North. Daytona Beach Golf Course, Indigo Lakes Golf Course and LPGA International are a couple of other golf courses here.

You can make the most of the incredible sports and recreation options that the city has to offer, by staying in a resort that gives you the luxury of unwinding and also the proximity and availability to these spots. The best option for this is the Daytona SeaBreeze, a bluegreen resort where you can spend an entire day in the incredible waters or on the beach. Luxuriate in the resort pool or hot tub and have an experience not like any you've had before.




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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Better Training, Goal Setting, and Playoff Baseball For Every Person

By Dusty Mattingly


Every year in late September the excitement builds for baseball fans around the country. The pennant race is coming to a close, and with only a few games left, it's hard to tell if your favorite team will be in the playoffs or not. I am a firm believer that playoff baseball is the best entertainment in sports today. Between seeing a new pitcher every night, and the anticipation placed on every pitch, you can feel the excitement in air.

Now that I no longer play, I can step back and really appreciate what it takes to be successful at that level. After a long 162 game season, players must battle through 3 more series to take home the most coveted prize in baseball. And if that's not enough, the "playoff atmosphere" will make these games the most mentally and physically demanding baseball games of the year.

Between the meticulous practice sessions, and the hours in the gym, it takes a true professional to keep his mind right and battle through the ups and downs of such a rigorous season. I played just over 100 baseball games every year during my college career, and to be successful I had to be conscious of every decision that I made. Success and longevity became a product of my every day operation, not just my performance on the field.

Achieving and maintaining success at that high of level for that long is more than just talent, it is a lifestyle commitment. One step in the wrong direction mentally or physically, and rest assured you season is coming to a close long before the baseball season is over. The type of success they achieve is a product of their daily mental and physical habits. Professionals know that every action they make will consequently have one of two results, create a good habit or create a bad habit. If you are not careful, you can coast through every day decisions and miss opportunities to better yourself and your skills. Every day decisions affect you mood, your energy level, and how productive you are. If you make bad decisions off the baseball field, they are sure carry over on the field.

Now of course you don't have to train your baseball hitting skills every day, or work your motion to the plate every day, but it does involve a tremendous amount of discipline and the elimination of shortcuts from your mode of thinking all together. Short-cuts bread laziness, and laziness ensures mediocrity or worse. Even the simple choice of what do drink, what to wear, how much sleep will get affect your energy level and thus your performance. In order to be game ready over the course of an entire season, players must have a minute to minute commitment of good choice after good choice.

If you are not asking yourself the question, "Will this make me better?" at least 10 times a day, then your not working on getting any better. In fact, most people will never ask themselves this posing question. Quite simply, most people do not want to change. Change involves effort, and most people would rather be stuck in their ways than actively try to change.

If you're a professional baseball player, you probably have your performance plan down pat. However, if you are a young athlete working towards your baseball goals, you may still be under the mindset that success on the field and off the field are two different things. If you are a selfish person off the field, chances are you're a selfish player off the field. If you are easily distracted in the classroom, chances are you are easily distracted on the baseball diamond.

Take the time to view your situation from the outside in and surround yourself with people that will help you achieve your goals. If your peers are brining you down, find new peers. If you need a more knowledgable batting instructor, find him. Do everything in your power to change your situation for the better.

In order to begin making quality decisions on a minute by minute basis you have to actively try and look a things from a different perspective. I have often beed told, "You can't solve a problem with same mindset that created it." If you are struggling with an issue whether on the baseball field, or in the classroom, ask someone else's opinion. Don't just choose any random person, find an expert who knows more about the topic then you do. Education is a powerful tool that will change anyones perspective. By reading or listening to different approaches to the same topic, you naturally incur what it is like to begin a task with a different mindset, but also achieve same result with a different solution.

If you want to be the best batter on you team, train like the best batter. Spend time developing your batting mechanics and do what is necessary in your batting training sessions, not just what is fun. If you want to be the best fielder, or pitcher, try out some new baseball drills or learn a new way to approach your position differently. The better quality education you receive and the higher focus repetitions you are able to practice, the better you will become.

By know you should be saying to yourself, "This all sounds great, but where do I begin?" Keep it simple. What is it that you are really after on the baseball field? What do you want to accomplish in your next baseball batting training session? What grades do I want to get in school or what job would I like to have?

The most common trap for young baseball players is trying to take shortcuts. Whether it is on the field or off the field, shortcuts lead to failure. A shortcut will do exactly what it's meant to do, it will shorten your playing career and cut your talent at the knees. If you are constantly taking shortcuts, then you never fully invest in what your doing. It's impossible and at the end of the day you will end up with a bunch of would of, could of, and should of's.

Now that you have answered those questions write down what you can do today to make that happen? The last piece of the puzzle is keep asking yourself questions, and writing actionable steps to accomplish the solution. Make good choices a habit, not a choice! This is the only way to pitch on short rest, hit in the clutch, and keep you performance consistent day after day! A series of successful days equals a successful week, a series of successful weeks equals a successful year, and a series of successful years equals a successful career!




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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Improve Your Basketball Shooting Skills

By Dannie Okeson


Anyone who plays basketball wants to get better at shooting, as this is the objective of the whole game. In order to shoot accurately, you have to pick the best opportunities to shoot, and focus your mind completely on the task. You also have to remember that you can't learn to shoot properly without paying your dues by practicing continuously. Anyone can boost their basketball shooting skills, and in this article we'll be discussing some of the best ways you can start scoring more points.

One of the most complicated aspects of shooting basketball is that you never get to be in the same place twice. You must have the ability to shoot the ball from under the basket just as well as a long distance from the hoop. That's why it's important to practice at various angles and distances. For instance, it would be a smart move to practice some free throws. But, you do not want to continue doing shots that don't have a different spin on them. You want to be able to shoot the ones that are from different angles and locations that no would else is expecting. To be a well-rounded player, you should be comfortable making any kind of shot, no matter where you are on the court, as long as you're within range.

Whenever you're on the court, you should know whether or not you're within shooting range, which is something that differs from one player to the next. This is a matter of both strength and technique, and you can improve this over time, but during a game you shouldn't try to shoot outside your range. This means the distance from the rim that you have a good chance of making the shot. There are certain situations when you have to take a shot no matter what (e.g. the clock is running out), but in most cases, you only want to shoot when you're within comfortable range. While it's good to increase your range, it's really more important to be accurate within your range, as this will enable you to know when to shoot and make a high percentage of your shots.

While visualization may not sound very practical, it's been proven that basketball players can become better shooters by imagining themselves making more shots. Several documented studies have been done where basketball players' shooting skills were measured before and after visualizations. Surprisingly enough, it's been shown that players can improve their shooting performance as much by visualizing as by actual practice! This doesn't, of course, mean that you should stop practicing and only visualize. There's no reason why you can't do both. You can practice visualizing making perfect shots whenever you have a spare moment.

There is no quick way to become a great basketball shooter. You will need to practice and work hard to improve. After identifying the areas where you need the most help, spend time focusing on them. You will start to see progress in your shooting skills when you use the tips discussed above.




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Monday, July 18, 2011

Tips for Playing Baseball without Getting Hurt

By Athena Hunter


In any sport, safety should be a priority, and this holds true for baseball as much as any other sport. Many players, coaches and parents will underestimate the degree of danger posed with playing baseball. While contact sports such as hockey and football are considered dangerous, players wear a great deal of protective gear, while in baseball, many such precautions are not followed. Yet in a game where a hard ball is thrown at high speeds, and heavy bats are being swung, safety is definitely something that has to be kept in mind.

Sometimes players can be much safer simply by talking to each other at crucial times. For example, players in the field must be taught to be clear about communicating when a pop up or fly ball comes their way. It's standard practice for fielder to call out, "I've got it!" or something similar, and this is essential to avoid collisions. Of course, confusion can still occur if two players both call for it at the same time, but at least then they'll be aware of each other's presence and can hopefully sort it out.

A good warm-up before the game is a simple way to reduce the chances of injuries on the field. Simply by stretching before a game allows everyone to be better prepared to play safely.

Athletes should also do regular cardio exercises to maintain a high level of fitness. Working out prior to games or practices keeps everyone safer and healthier. Players who are in top condition physically will not only play better, but they're much less likely to get injured. It would be wrong to conclude that staying fit isn't as essential in baseball as with more obviously physical sports such as football or basketball. While accidents can always occur, a high level of fitness can prevent many injuries.

Regular aerobic type workouts are also good to keep everyone in top condition. Workouts get players properly warmed up and prepared for the kind of movements they have to make when playing the game. As a parent or coach, you should also encourage players to maintain a high level of physical fitness at all times. Some people don't consider conditioning in baseball to be as important as other sports, but this is a mistake. If players are encouraged to stay as fit and healthy as possible, there will be fewer injuries during games.

When playing in extreme heat it's important to stay well hydrated. Most activity will make a person thirsty but when you're in the heat of a game you may not think to drink more especially for young players. During extremely warm weather, it's possible for even healthy players to suffer from heat exhaustion or sunstroke. There are of course times when too much heat should be a sensible reason for cancelling a game. If you have younger players on your team use common sense to make the call in hot weather situations. Hydration too is critical in the heat and in any weather. Baseball has a never ending appeal. By listening to these few tips, players will have a reduced probability of having any accidents. You do not have the power to predict when things will go wrong. If players wear the right gear and abide by the rules, then baseball will become much safer.




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Sunday, July 17, 2011

Improve Your Shooting in Basketball

By Major Wieseler


Anyone who plays basketball wants to get better at shooting, as this is the objective of the whole game. In order to shoot accurately, you have to pick the best opportunities to shoot, and focus your mind completely on the task. You also have to remember that you can't learn to shoot properly without paying your dues by practicing continuously. Anyone can boost their basketball shooting skills, and in this article we'll be discussing some of the best ways you can start scoring more points.

One of the most complicated aspects of shooting basketball is that you never get to be in the same place twice. You must have the ability to shoot the ball from under the basket just as well as a long distance from the hoop. That's why it's important to practice at various angles and distances. For instance, it would be a smart move to practice some free throws. But, you do not want to continue doing shots that don't have a different spin on them. You want to be able to shoot the ones that are from different angles and locations that no would else is expecting. To be a well-rounded player, you should be comfortable making any kind of shot, no matter where you are on the court, as long as you're within range.

Jump shots are an important part of shooting, and for this reason you should work to improve your vertical jump as well as your shooting technique. Keeping your elbow in and under the ball will help you aim better as well as improve your control of the shot. You will need to jump higher to make shots that are further away. However, don't focus so much on jumping that you lose control of your hands and the ball.

The shot should be done in one fluid motion. Release the ball as you reach the peak of your jump. It will take practice to perfect your jumping and your jump shots.

There is no quick way to become a great basketball shooter. You will need to practice and work hard to improve. After identifying the areas where you need the most help, spend time focusing on them. You will start to see progress in your shooting skills when you use the tips discussed above.




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Professional Baseball Strategies You Can Use Today

By Athena Hunter


We all know that a high level of skill in something like baseball is difficult to do. Yes, people have natural ability, but most do not and that means only one thing - practice. But still, it is worth the time and effort to find out useful information. The path to true excellence is filled with knowledge and new information. If you love baseball, then you will naturally want to play it as much as possible. Always watch what decisions are being made and whether these have successful results or not.

In some cases, the key focus of the defense team is to stop a run from occurring. This can be a crucial situation, like when the winning runner is on second or third base and an extra run would win the game. However, even if the whole game does not depend on that run, you still should have a way to stop them from occurring when you are in the field. One plan that can be utilized is making the infield stay in place when there is a runner on the third base. If a ground ball is hit to the infielders, they can throw the ball to the home plate instead of attempting to get an out on first base. Of course, there's also a risk to using this tactic. This means that there is a huge chance that the balls will go over the infielders' heads. Hitting the ball is one of the most complex parts about baseball. Whether someone is playing in a Little League or the Major Leagues, making solid contact with the ball is necessary if anything is going to be accomplished. The batter has to have a grounded stance and feel very balanced and comfortable when standing on the plate. The most important thing about being a wonderful hitter deals with being able to see the ball at all times. Don't tense up your shoulders when you turn to swing and also keep a solid, but not too rigid hold of the bat. Hitting drills can get players to watch the ball when they are swinging and help them to concentrate on the ball when they swing and possibly make it easier to hit the ball.

Players in the outfield have to be knowledgeable about what is taking place in the game and know priorities at all times. Simply put, your job is to catch all balls that come in your section of the outfield. But it's also essential that you know where to throw the ball once you have it. It is very common for players in the outfield to throw to the wrong base. This can be an error that costs the game.

The coach has to strategize about who to send to the plate. It a lot of cases, it is wise to have a pinch hitter instead of the regular one. The general reason for this is to get a hitter who can hit the pitcher's balls. Generally, it is better to put a left handed hitter up against a right handed pitcher. However, managers who know their players and the other pitcher can decide based upon the information about particular players. For instance, if your team is lacking in runs, you might consider using a really good pinch hitter.

When a batter comes to the plate, it is smart on his part to plan where the ball is going to be hit so that he can help the other teams on the bases to get home. For instance, if there is a player on the first base, the batter up should hit the ball far into right field. This means that the runner will have a better time trying to get to third base. The right fielder has a longer throw to third base than the left fielder would have if the ball was hit into left field. This is also known as hitting behind the runner. It's something hitters should keep in mind as they swing.

This tips that we have examined should help you and your team play like advanced players.




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The Importance of Having the Right Baseball Gear

By Athena Hunter


You can of course find many types of baseball gear due to the simple fact that gear needs differ from one person to another. Before you run out and buy gear you need to consider the position you play as well as the particular rules for your league or team. You do however have a set of general guidelines you can go by which will be covered here.

The baseball glove is one of the most fundamental pieces of gear needed to play the game. The position you play in the field will dictate the kind of glove you'll need. Those who play first base need a glove that's larger than usual to make it easier to catch balls thrown at a variety of angles. But if you're an outfielder, you need a glove that's long so you can catch fly balls easier. If you're a pitcher, you need a glove with closed webbing so batters can't see what type of pitch you're going to throw. Catchers use wide gloves with extra padding to help them withstand the impact of fastballs and other pitches for an entire game.

You can reduce the risk of injury by wearing as much protective gear as you can, even beyond what's strictly required. In many situations, for example, wrist guards provide excellent protection. There are many ways you can injure your wrists, whether you're at bat, running the bases or in the field.

If you play on a team, an equipment bag is something you should get. This helps you carry around all your gear efficiently and not lose track of anything. And because it will help protect your equipment, it all stay in the best possible condition. Some teams have a standard bag for their members otherwise your preference will determine the type of bag you get. Some prefer baggage type bags with wheels, while others like backpacks or duffel bags. The important thing is that you get a bag that's large enough to carry all your gear and that's well made and waterproof, so everything stays dry.

If you're a pitcher, you may want to invest in a pitching target so that you can get more practice. You'll want one of these simple devices if you don't often have a practice partner in your spare time as it can help you improve your aim and your technique. One device you might consider is the Rawlings Comeback device which offers you some great fielding practice in addition to your pitching practices. The angle can be adjusted to practice catching fly balls or grounders. This type of device is useful, then, for infielders, outfielders and pitchers alike. Increase your skill set with the practice you'll get by owning your own equipment. You can bring out the best in your game if you have the right baseball gear. Ideally, you don't want to have to think much about your equipment while you're playing, as it should fit well and serve its purpose so you can concentrate on the game itself. This is why you need to do your research to find the gear that is right for you and your position.




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Baseball and Steroids

By Leland Poliks


There's been a large amount of furore about steroids in baseball. Does it boost performance and what are the complications. Are records today the results of steroids. And are sportsmen hurting themselves. Firstly, we have to understand what's a steroid. And why do players use it. Anabolic steroids are a synthesised version of the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone in it is usual state promotes and boosts muscle growth and development. When it is bolstered with steroids, you have got an increase of muscle, reduction of blubber, and reinforced endurance. It is employed by sportsmen to try and have the edge on the competition. It is assumed that by utilizing a steroid in baseball it'll lead you to hit the ball further.

And longer. What are a few of the side-effects? They range all the way from psychologically to physically. From a mental viewpoint, they can go from a sense of contentment to depression. Mood issues. And even rage. On occasion called 'roid rage'. Other detrimental mental effects can include intense aggression and violence.

From a physical perspective, you may have all sorts of changes. You'll have increased muscle bulk and increased endurance, but the side-effects can include numerous issues. The worst being liver damage, and cancer. You may have acne, exorbitant hair growth or loss. Testicular atrophy ( shrinking ), for example. What's the reward versus. Risk? The reward being a fast avenue for increased muscle bulk, increased performance, and increased endurance. A sense of invincibility. The danger is permanent physical morbidity and crazy episodes that include aggression, violence, and fast mood issues. Also sensations of depression and suicide. Is the reward worthwhile? Definitely not! Yet it is abused by sportsmen today for the fast gain of fortune and celebrity. It is assumed that by employing a steroid in baseball it'll lead you down the trail of fortune and celebrity. There was a large amount of rumpus whether Mark McGwire or Barry Bonds or Gary Sheffield and others have utilised a steroid in baseball. There's the famous BALCO event where there are claims that Barry's long time mate Greg Anderson was supplying Barry with an untrackable steroid, occasionally called "the cream" or "the clear". Which raised lots of questions in the baseball world. Did they utilise a steroid in baseball and is there explanation it augmented their game? We will draw a couple of conclusions from this. First is there any explanation that a steroid in baseball has augmented the record book with bigoted records. At this time, no. We have got to remember two things before making an attempt to point fingers, and so on. Barry Bonds went on to have an impossible to believe season setting a single season record of home runs that may possibly never be exceeded in my mind. This occurred from a man that typically averaged around 35 homers a season. Are you able to explain the unexpected jump in home runs? Likely not. But you can make the presumption that he has matured to the apex of his game and he had a dream season. Now, let us take a look at Roger Maris. When Roger went on to hit 61 home runs from a fellow that often never hit that many. Did everybody in the world all of a sudden start to say there should be a steroid in baseball that he's using? Or he has to be doing something to improve his game. No they didn't.

They assumed that he just had a miraculous season that only comes round ever so frequently. Are we able to draw the same conclusions about Barry, and about Mark? Yes, we will be able to.

Could it be they had wondrous seasons? Positively. Till the proof comes out, we do not know what any sportsman is doing.

What I know as a previous major leaguer is how hard it is to perform at such a high level day in and day out. In my mind, whether they do steroids or not, you still need to hit the ball over the fence. You still need to make solid contact habitually.

You still need to have great basics. I suspect what's happened on the baseball field has been noteworthy and we are fortunate to be in a position to witness such great sportsmen perform daily. Steroids in my mind take away from the game. Although they supply a fast explosion of muscle bulk and endurance, over the longer term, they'll harm you.

They're going to cause insane events, and physiological damage which will last a life time. The final analysis is easy. Play the game the way that it is supposed to be played. Play with respect and pride and grace. And above all, leave steroids out of it.Using a steroid in baseball is not worth it.




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Saturday, July 16, 2011

Should We Let Shoeless Joe Into Cooperstown?

By Andy Starr


A long standing controversy in major league baseball has been that surrounding Shoeless Joe Jackson and his alleged throwing of the World Series for the Chicago White Sox of'19. Jackson has long been gone from baseball and long deceased, but many have still pushed to carve out his place in Cooperstown. Does he belong?

Shoeless Joe has some very impressive stats over his- year career. He is known for playing with the White Sox, but played with a total of 3 other teams, having played with ith the Athletics, Naps, and Indians for half a season. He posted very good standard stats that should alone be hall of fame worthy.

1772 hits, 307 doubles, 168 triples, 54 home runs, 785 RBIs, 519 walks, 158 strikeouts, and a .356 batting average.

Well maybe not H.O.F. worthy from looking at those right away, but he seemingly hit for average. Now I'll post his advanced numbers, which are pretty impressive.

9.4 walks percentage, 4.2 strikeout percentage, .423 on base percentage. 517 slugging percentage, and a .940 OPS. These are great numbers and H.O.F. numbers in fact.

Aside from the numbers, his biggest roadblock is the '19 World Series incident. Jackson's team, opposing the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series, lost, and Jackson and all of his teammates were accused of intentionally throwing the World Series in what became known as the "Black Sox scandal". Despite these accusations, Jackson batted .375 with a World Series record 12 hits. Never made any errors either. One could easily argue that Jackson didn't throw the series.

Many have accused Jackson of allowing multiple Reds triples in left field, where he played for the White Sox. However, further research of mine has shown that no triples were hit to Jackson's part of the field in the '19 series. Jackson, however, did receive a $5,000 payment according to records.

This begs the question: does Shoeless Joe belong in the hall?




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Who Deserves to Win the National League Cy Young Award?

By Aaron Scott


2009 in baseball was definitely the year of the pitcher. While it looks like Zack Greinke should definitely win the Cy Young award in the American League, things are much closer in the National League, leaving many to speculate about a very interesting race.

There were some exceptional pitching performances in the National League in 2009. It can be argued that at least 4 or 5 pitchers would have won it hands down in seasons past had they had these seasons then. Some of the best pitchers this past season included the likes of Adam Wainwright, Jair Jurrjens, Clayton Kershaw, and Matt Cain. Not to mention many others.

Between the St. Louis Cardinals' Chris Carpenter and the San Francisco Giants' Tim Lincecum, the two pitchers pieced together two of the best pitching seasons in baseball that I've witnessed over the last few years. A quick look at their numbers would lead you to agree.

However, there's a lot more to what both of these aces accomplished than just some incredible stats. Sometimes, intangible factors like these may factor into determining who's more worthy of an award. That may very well have to be the case this year.

As for Tim Lincecum, the Giants are once again a winning baseball team, thanks largely in part to his reliable presence as the team's ace. He struck out more batters than anyone in the National League, had a handful of complete games, and the second best ERA in the National League.

How about Carpenter though? Having missed two seasons in a row, he came back and was better than ever. With an NL best 2.24 earned run average, and NL best 1.01 WHIP, and a 17-4 win-loss record, Carpenter was as good as it gets.

As for who will win this race, all bets are off. Voters will probably be required to vote based on the surrounding details rather than the stats themselves. After all, the stats themselves would lead someone to mull this over all day.




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Friday, July 15, 2011

Players Need Good Baseball Hitting Techniques

By Jeff Wise


As a baseball player, you have to learn a lot of baseball hitting techniques. One I'd like to talk about today is helpful for adjusting your swing during an off-speed pitch. It is called the trigger mechanism and it is when you transfer your weight from front to back to front again. This weight transfer not only allows you to hit more powerfully, but it also allows you to control your swing better.

During this technique, your shoulders, hands and hips must be closed. This is the only way to be successful. If they are open, your chances for hitting the ball will be much fewer. This simple rule will determine whether or not you have success with the trigger mechanism.

This technique is so helpful because if allows you to adjust your swing during the middle of a pitch. Sometimes the ball changes height or direction and sometimes it is an off-speed pitch. Other times the pitcher will just throw you a tricky pitch to try to surprise you and make you strike out. With the trigger mechanism, you are able to slow the process down and wait for the ball. As you see the need to adjust your swing, the trigger mechanism will allow you to do just that.

In order to be successful, you must practice this baseball hitting technique often. Get help from a coach or teammate. They can give you tips or throw surprise pitches to help you practice. Once you feel comfortable with this technique, you will have more success during games.

Once you are successful with this technique, you are likely to get more hits. Like all baseball hitting techniques, you just have to practice and believe that you'll be able to do it. Visualize yourself mastering the trigger mechanism and you will. Your teammates will also be appreciative because it will probably help your team win more games.




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A General View Of What A Baseball Park Is

By Leland Poliks


As general as one can get in the dictionary definition of a ballpark it is that place generally a field where the game of baseball is played with the spectators and all of the other facilities included.

If you're quite acquainted with the appearance of a baseball field, you could have spotted it is with a big diamond formed area having white plates where the players would race around to score. In the technical facet of the ballpark, the area formed in a diamond is known as the infield containing the bases, a home plate and the area where the pitcher stands which is commonly called the pitcher's mound. 2 white lines ( sometimes called the foul lines ) runs vertical along the sides connecting the plates. These lines figure out what is into and out of play. Between the foul lines and outside the infield is what you call the outfield. It's a massive grassy field 2 times the depth of the infield. Outside the area set by the outfield fences mark the end of play of the field.

Fences may also be found in the foul territory, nonetheless it is thought to be under that round the foul area. These Days baseball parks are trapped by a multi seating structure, specified as a grandstand.

The seats generally end in fair territory leaving the view for the outfield fences typically giving the view of what's outside the fence itself. This open area may contain add-ons like seats, bleachers, score boards and other contrivances the designers could have or may think about in days to come.

There are various permutations as to the way the ballpark is designed but the basic structure of the discipline of play and perhaps the seats is virtually always the same through the remainder of the ballparks. Adaptations are sometimes manufactured by home groups to serve as an extra attraction to the park and to the place itself. There had been a major addition to ballparks which was started in the Yankee Stadium in 1923, which is now present in all ballparks and that's a gravel area or rubberized track surface measuring up to ten feet wide round the fringe of the field called the alert track. The primary point of this track is to alert the fielders ( infielders and outfielders alike ) of their approach to the boundary of the field. This has helped the fielders to attenuate default moves in the game.




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Thursday, July 14, 2011

Winning Baseball Tips that the Experts Use

By Athena Hunter


There are no shortcuts to excellence in any sport, and of course that includes baseball as well. It takes years of practice and hard work. But still, it is worth the time and effort to find out useful information. The more you know and experience, it only follows that you will improve your game. Of course you can learn by observing the pros, but nothing beats hands-on practice. Enjoying a baseball game on TV is more than entertainment because you are watching to learn, as well.

All solid information is good, and that what this article represents.

One of the most interesting facts about baseball is that when the batter comes to the plate he has to think about so many different things. In addition to the score, runners on base and how many outs , the hitter has to always know what is going on in terms of numbers. When you first get up to the plate, you have the freedom to pick your pitches.

Although there are some batters that are just naturally talented and can hit the ball better than their teammates, the best way to improve batting performance is to practice. A batting tee can be a resourceful tool for any age from young to old. This is a tool that can be utilized during the offseason just like the normal baseball season. So it aids batters from practicing their skills year round. Even practicing your swing in the air can be helpful, especially if you visualize hitting the ball. Coaches should also try monitor every batter very closely and see if there are things that need to be improved. This is because a few hitters should modify their stance or their batting grip.

The manager has to determine his strategy about who goes to the plate. It a lot of cases, it is wise to have a pinch hitter instead of the regular one. The usual reason for this is to use a hitter who has a better chance of hitting well against the pitcher. Generally, it is wise to set up a left handed hitter with a right handed pitcher and the other way as well. However, the managers who know what both their players and other team's pitcher can do will make decisions based upon that valuable information. For instance, if your team is behind in runs, you might want to put in a powerful pinch hitter. Basically, baseball cannot be considered a easy game because of all of the tactics to learn and no two games are the same. Every player always has to make certain split second decisions. The more knowledgeable and better trained players are, the more likely it is that these will be the correct decisions. We have talked about some very important things to consider. The more that players are able to practice, the more they will be able to make use of their knowledge.




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The 5 Most Influential Athletes of All-Time

By Fred Young


Considering that just about none of us were alive at the turn of the 20th century, it's hard to write this article without at least a trace of bias.

If we weren't around to see these athletes in action, we'll never really know just how much they meant to the world at the time. Despite the fact that we've heard all of the stories, it simply isn't the same. Having said that, I'm going to do my best to account for this too.

It's hard to narrow this list down to five, but these are the five men who I think had more meaning to their sports than any others. This is all subject to opinion, and I'd love to hear yours.

Ty Cobb. A pioneer in the baseball world, his time came before Babe Ruth's. He was one of the first true superstars of the sport and still remains one of the greatest hitters to ever play the game.

As far as boxing goes, Muhammad Ali was the most high profile boxer to ever grace the sport. His personality and charisma were second to none, and the same can be said about his boxing skills.

In the soccer world, most will agree that Pele was the best man to ever play the sport. While soccer isn't as big in the US, this is the world's biggest sport. Pele could by and large be considered the most influential athlete in the world.

In baseball, no one gets more credit for shaping the sport than Babe Ruth does. He changed the way people watched the sport, and turned it into the biggest thing in the country. He also helped the Yankees to a dynasty that still lives on to this day.

In the basketball world, everyone wants to be like Mike. Many of us were fortunate enough to see him in action, and Jordan was the kind of athlete whose talent is witnessed once in a lifetime.




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The Importance of Getting The Best Baseball Gear

By Athena Hunter


As you may have guessed baseball gear comes in a variety of forms and what you'll need may be different than what you're buddy needs. It's first necessary to analyze the rules of your particular league or team and then the position to be played before you buy anything. Nevertheless, there are some general principles you can use when shopping for baseball gear, and we'll be looking at some of these in this article.

The whole game of baseball revolves around one object -the baseball itself. Baseballs don't often live very long in the world of major league games in which you are likely to go through several dozen of them. Balls are easily damaged by hard swings and lost in various ways, which is why it makes sense to purchase them in bulk. You will probably not need your own balls for official practices and games but you'll want to have some for practicing in your spare time. Your practice balls don't need to be major league quality but you will want a high quality leather or synthetic type material even for practice.

Depending on how serious you are about the game, you may want custom baseball gear. You can get customized gloves in a variety of colors, leather types, webbings and weltings. If you have been playing for a while you probably know just what works best for you making this a good thing to consider. Another item some players get custom made are bats, where you can choose the exact size, type of wood or metal, weight and specifications, as well as any logo you might want. Customized baseball gear is of course more expensive than your typical retail gear but can be worth it.

If you play on a team, an equipment bag is something you should get. This will help you carry around all your gear efficiently so you don't lose track of anything. It will also protect your equipment, keeping it in the best possible condition. Your preference will dictate the type of bag you get although sometimes there is a standard bag for all members of a team. Some prefer baggage type bags with wheels, while others like backpacks or duffel bags. The type isn't important as long as it's large enough to carry all your gear, well made, and waterproof to keep everything dry.

You may want to have a batting tee if you need to seriously improve your hitting skills. Consider a tee for any age player as an effective tool for teaching swing technique or hitting performance. It's important to practice these skills off the field since you are limited to the number of "at bats" you get even during practice. Even though it may seem like a tedious task it's still important to practice your swing repetitively. You want your swing to be natural like in a real game so be sure to set up your tee correctly. You can bring out the best in you and your game when you have the right baseball gear. Ideally, you don't want to have to think much about your equipment while you're playing, as it should fit well and serve its purpose so you can concentrate on the game itself. So do your research and find gear that is right for you and the position you play.




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Important Baseball Safety Guidelines

By Athena Hunter


Even though baseball isn't considered as dangerous as football there are still some safety guidelines to follow. Injuries can happen in a number of ways including being hit by a ball or a bat as well as player collisions. Read on for safety guidelines that will help you prevent or avoid injury and accident during baseball play.

The baseball glove is a vital tool that's made a little differently for every player on the field. Aside from having a glove that's ideal for your hand, you need one that's made precisely for the position you play. The player who needs the largest and most rugged glove is the catcher, who has to be ready to catch pitches that may be coming at high speeds. First basemen have to catch and scoop balls that come from all over the field, so their gloves have to be longer than average. You're both safer and able to play better when you have the right type of glove for your hand and your position.

Warming up well before games is a way to prevent many injuries. In order to have everyone's muscles loose, it's a good idea to stretch before playing.

Regular aerobic type workouts are also good to keep everyone in top condition. Workouts get players properly warmed up and prepared for the kind of movements they have to make when playing the game. As a parent or coach, you should also encourage players to maintain a high level of physical fitness at all times. While players in contact sports are usually aware of the importance of conditioning, it's also something baseball players need to be aware of. If players are encouraged to stay as fit and healthy as possible, there will be fewer injuries during games.

The baseball safety guidelines covered above are quite simple, but they can help to keep all players healthier and safer during every game. Ignoring safety is something that players may be able to do for a while, but sooner or later it catches up with you, so it's best to be sensible. That's why it's important that coaches and others supervising a game keep close watch on the field and players to make sure everyone is staying safe.




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Baseball How It All Began

By Leland Poliks


How it all commenced What comes into your consciousness when you hear the word baseball? For those who've been in a genuine baseball event would it steer you to think about a massive stadium, an open field, the heat of the sun, the cheer of crowds, the cracking of the bat as it hits the ball, or the roar of the referee of what call he has for the groups? For those individuals who in anyhow have not experienced being in a baseball game but have seen it thru sports channels or heard it on the radio or viewed it online, you may also have the same perception of the game.

For those that aren't into baseball but have had the opportunity to observe a game or 2, it may be apparent the viewer watches 2 groups playing against one another, there's a presence of a pitcher, a batter, a referee or referee and the people protecting the bases. If that beholder finds out the way of scoring then he may have potentially boned up on the basics of the game. In the frame of reference of an in depth glance at the sport itself, just a few folks, minus the keen baseball fans and players would even care to appreciate who thought about it, where it came from and where it is most well liked at as a sport Baseball, which can sometimes be catalogued as a game of bat and ball and which is also occasionally identified as hard ball to set apart it from a corresponding game known as softball ( a compact version of the game ) can be worked back to accounts of being a developed version of the game called rounders, which was expounded to have came from Great Britain and Eire going back to as early as the 17th century.

There are similar accounts about the existence of the game but the ground-breaking full record of baseball in Northern America was by Doctor .

Adam Ford in his modern outline of the game that occurred on June four, 1838 in Beachville, Ontario. It was on June nineteen, 1846 in Hoboken, New Jersey the first game of baseball in U.S. History was officially recorded with the Long Island 9 defeating the Knickerbockers in a 23-1 4 innings game. Today, Baseball is known as the nation's sport of the US.

The game also has spread its recognition, is being patronized and played in the majority of the North American regions, the Caribbean and East Pacific Rim.




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Sunday, July 10, 2011

Suggestions for Playing Baseball without Getting Hurt

By Athena Hunter


In any sport, safety should be a priority, and this holds true for baseball as much as any other sport. Many players, coaches and parents will underestimate the degree of danger posed with playing baseball. If you've seen other contact sports like hockey and football you have seen how well they are protected compared with baseball. Yet in the game of baseball, a hard ball is thrown at blaring speeds and heavy bats are often thrown which is cause for safety concerns.

First, managers and coaches need to be aware of players' pre-existing medical conditions. For example if a player has an injury that hasn't had enough time to completely heal you won't want them making the injury worse by continuing to play while injured. Injuries that happen during game play need to be immediately assessed. Some players will try to put up a brave front and act like they aren't badly hurt, but coaches or managers have to use their best judgment and decide if medical attention should be sought. In some cases, such as an ankle sprain or a pitcher with a shoulder injury, to continue playing can make the condition much worse.

It's important to drill players on this type of scenario so they know which fielder should be given the play, based on where it is. Both infielders and outfielders must learn to keep an eye on other players as well as the ball for safety reasons. There are a lot of debates involving baseball in terms of using metal bats. Many hitters like them because they're more durable than wooden bats. Also, they have a larger impact when the ball is hit. Quite naturally, this is the very reason that they are so dangerous. Advocates of banning metal bats argue that players on the field, especially pitchers, don't have adequate time to react when balls are hit with these bats. A few studies recommend that wooden bats should be used instead of metal ones, especially when it comes to reducing injuries in younger ball players. If you or your child's league still uses metal bats, you may want to look into this. Even if new wooden bats have to be bought just to replace the old ones, safety should still be a top priority.

In any sport, the right footwear is extremely important, and this holds true for baseball as well.

As you can see safety in baseball is nothing more than a matter of paying attention to details. Players should be reminded that they must always wear the proper protective gear and be aware of what's going on at all times, whether playing a game or practicing. The best thing you can do for your own safety (aside from wearing protective gear is to have a keen awareness of your surroundings.




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Great Ideas On How To Shop For Baseball Cleats

By Ian Ellis


Cleats play an important role in a child's performance in playing baseball. Therefore, you should choose a good quality baseball cleat for your son.

High quality cleats greatly enhance performance; therefore, it is necessary to invest in one to boost your child's confidence.

Most often, youth leagues have mandated cleats. You should go and check as to what kinds of cleats are permitted and which ones are not.

For the most part, youth leagues prohibit metal cleats. This is because metal cleats have high chances of falling in an accident. Therefore, you should restrict your selection to molded cleats only.

Rubbers made studs are ideal as they allow efficient movement on either dry or wet fields. Good cleats also help in preventing knee or ankle injuries due to the presence of shock absorbent.

You will find while shopping for your son that youth baseball cleats are made of leather. Good thing about leathered baseball cleats is that they are chemically treated and polished. This treatment with the cleats protects them from getting damaged under extreme wet conditions.

It is immensely important for cleats to be flexible so that your child can bat strong, run fast and pitch well. There are cleats available in the market made of hard material which inhibits flexibility, thus hindering your child's performance.

You should also make sure that the rubber cleats that you plan to buy are secured by Velcro. Rubber keys secured by shoe strings are not ideal as they untie very often. This in turn, restricts your child to perform his best.

It is always a great idea to buy two different kinds of cleats. One to be used on dry field, while the other to be used on grassy field. Buying two different types of cleats become a necessity if your child's team plays on both grassy and dry baseball fields. Such an investment would greatly increase his chances of performing his best.




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A Coaching Guide to Baseball

By Leland Poliks


Handling the beater or putting wood at the ball, is the key with the success or the failure of the club of ball and the individual.

There is no great mystery about what makes to a boy a good bruiser. He must have:

1. A certain quantity of normal capacities
2. A control of the fundamental principles
3. Confidence in its capacity to strike

Normal covers of capacities of expression much. They mean the arms, the wrists and the hands forts; fast reflexes, good coordination, perfect sight and speed under development.

Independently how much of normal capacities a boy has, however, of him will not strike like him if if it does not control the fundamental principles and does not believe in its capacity to strike the ball while it comes by the zone from strike. The confidence of art of the self-portrait, naturally, comes from success. Moreover, success in the wadding in sheet comes from the practice. The following text describes the mechanisms to strike while they apply to the bowlers in general. While following the implied principles, the well coordinated boy could easily become the wadding in sheet hold the first role of his team; the average boy could certainly become a bruiser better than average.

While getting information about handling the beater there are some key points which you will have to know. Those include sectors of

The Position The Step Positions of arm and hand The Oscillation

The position required depends on the side which they support. If a boy is a droitier, it should turn its left side in the jug; the good so left-handed side.

The body should rather right and be slackened with the weight distributed even on the two feet. The hips and the shoulders should be level. The feet should be width of shoulder with share with the toe of the foot before even with the instep of the back foot. When the ball is delivered, beats heels should be to the top slightly, its slightly bent knees. Covers of step how the call should be struck. While the ball is delivered to the dish, the smooth paste should raise its foot before Juste above the ground and slip it ahead (towards the jug) approximately six inches. This stage, a part criticizes to strike, starts what generally names synchronization. All other movements which are a part of flow handling the beater of it.

Practical with this formula:

Loan?

Stage and torsion. Again with the starting position. Still, stage and torsion. Back. Stage and torsion. Back

Co-ordinate of positions of arm and hand with the position and the step. Droitier beats: place your left palm against before your right shoulder, little finger to the bottom, inch upwards. Advance the left hand approximately six inches and made a fist.

Left-handed person beats: place your right palm against before your left shoulder, little finger to the bottom, inch upwards. Advance the right hand approximately six inches and made a fist.

The elbow of the arm which is now prolonged through the body should not have almost any curve in him and there should not be any constraint on the arm. In fact the arm and the hand guide the beater by the oscillation. The opposite arm and the hand provide the power.

Make a fist with the power give it and place on the hand of guidance.

Thus raise the elbow of the arm of power it is of level with the top of the shoulder. There will be a certain constraint there. Drop this elbow slowly until there is no constraint. The elbow of the arm of power should come to a stop approximately two inches below the top the shoulder.

Maintain the elbows and the hands left the body!




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Saturday, July 9, 2011

Choosing Baseball Gear that Brings Out the Best in You

By Athena Hunter


If you play baseball you probably already know how widely varied the gear you need really is based on position and league type. The gear necessary for playing baseball differs by location but this game is often played by all age groups. Helpful guidelines follow here in this article for the different considerations you need to make before buying baseball gear.

No matter what position you play cleats are important to speed and agility as well as overall ability to play well. Your shoes must be comfortable and give you maximum traction. A cleat that can handle any type of field condition is important given that baseball field conditions can vary depending on a variety of circumstances. It's important that you know what your league rules are with regard to cleats since some don't allow metal ones although you can purchase both metal and rubber cleats in high and low top varieties.

The seriousness of your game may dictate the customization of your gear. One thing that can be customized in a variety of ways including leather type, webbing, welting and color is your glove. If you are well versed in what works for you this is a consideration you may want to make. Another item many players will want customized is their bats which can be made of wood or metal and vary in weight specs and logos they may want on it. It can be worth the extra cost to buy customized gear if you know exactly what you want rather than mass made retail versions.

Caps with visors are worn by baseball players because they are part of the uniform and for other practical reasons. When it's raining but not hard enough to cancel the game, wearing a well fitted cap can help keep your head dry. Because the visor will help keep the sun out of your eyes, keeping track of the ball will be easier. Finally, a good cap will have a headband that prevents sweat from getting into your eyes. A baseball cap is a basic part of your uniform and it isn't the most important or costly part, but it can help you focus on your game.

Baseball is a very traditional game, and while some types of gear, such as bats, have changed over the years, many things remain fairly constant. Having a glove that suits your hand and the position you play, and clothing and protective gear that fits properly will always be an essential part of the game. The above tips will help you find equipment that fits you and allow you to focus on the game.




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How To Mentally Hit a Baseball

By Jeff Wise


To be a great baseball hitter, you have to know that there's more to it than physically swinging a bat. When you learn how to hit a baseball, you should also learn that a large part of hitting well is mental. Without mentally being in the game, there is little hope for success.

What you think can either cause you to have great hits or no hits at all. When players get into mental slumps they strike out much more often. But those who are confident and can visualize getting a hit have better stats overall.

It's necessary, of course, to know the physical necessities for hitting. You need a consistent swing, proper hitting mechanics and a slightly up swing. Be patient and wait for the pitch that feels right. Since you have at least three chances at the plate, don't give up or feel down if the first two swings are strikes. Many times it's that last possible pitch that gets you on base.

Every player experiences a mental slump at least once in their baseball career. When it happens to you, you start to doubt yourself and you can feel a little down. To combat this mental slump, change your attitude. Remember all the great hits you've had in the past and know that you can do that again. Remain confident in yourself, knowing you will get good hits soon.

Mental slumps will affect your game, but only as long as you let it. At this point, it's no longer the pitcher's fault for you getting out. It's your fault because you're not totally in the game. You are the only one who can make things better.

Start practicing this new attitude as soon as possible. During practice, talk to your coach or teammates and seek encouragement from them. Give it your all during practice and then you'll be mentally ready for games.

If you can hit the ball mentally as well as physically, you will be a better hitter. Now that you know what a mental slump is, you can takes steps to change it when that happens.




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Some Of The Best Baseball Stadiums In The World

By Francis Jordan


Going on a road trip to see new baseball stadiums is an awesome way for fans to travel and see their favorite sport in one stop. There are many stadiums that are blended into downtown areas and give fans the opportunity to see a game and then check out the city after the game is over. Over the last decade, this has become more and more popular.

There are a lot of clubs that designed their parks for this purpose. Fans of these teams tend to be pretty happy with this movement. The next time you plan on going to a game, think about where it is at and give time to check out the city after the game.

Take Coors Field in Denver as a good example. It is a popular and modern ball park that is in a beautiful part of the country. When the architects and planners developed the new park, the downtown area was in a slump. Now, the area is thriving with lots of shops and activities and has undergone a revitalization due to the stadium.

After the stadium opened up for business, the downtown area became a very popular stop for tourists as well as locals. The breweries in the neighborhood opened up pubs while stores and restaurants started to thrive. Not to mention that the most popular pedestrian mall in Denver is a short few blocks from the stadium.

On the west coast we find AT&T Park in San Francisco. This ball park is the home of the San Francisco Giants and has been since around 2000. This area of the city is a wonderful place with its variety of bars, restaurants, museums and of course shops.

Some of the other attractions include the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Ferry Building farmers market. If you have never been to the Ferry Building market before, it is worth checking out on your next visit. There, you can find a wide variety of local produce, meat and cheese that is organic.

The next time you are in Seattle Washington, check out Safeco Field. The park is located in Pioneer Square, one of Seattle's oldest neighborhoods. The Mariners have games next to the city's best architecture and parks.

If you do make a visit to see the Mariners play, feel free to walk around the neighborhood. Walking for just a few blocks around the area gives you an idea of the vibrant culture that this historic Seattle neighborhood has to offer.




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Tips to Play Baseball Like a Professional

By Athena Hunter


A person can learn the basics of baseball, but executing them with competence is another story. That is why you find pros who have been playing since a young age. Yet the learning curve can be reduced by absorbing the wisdom of time tested strategies. There are many nuances in everything, and baseball is no different. You can do this by watching games as well as by playing yourself. When you watch it on TV, then you have a chance to see how things are done.

Defensive strategy in baseball depends on the circumstances. That is exactly why you see things happen when the infield suddenly shifts their playing positions. What they are doing is covering the field better to prevent a hit that could drive opposing players home. But keep in mind that when you do that it also creates holes in other places. Sometimes you just have to take your chances and cope with whatever happens. But these are the decisions that must be made when the situation is close. All players should be knowledgeable about the tagging up practice. If there are players on base and less than two outs, a runner can tag up, or run to the next base, after a fly ball is caught. It is a must that you understand that the player must not start running until the ball has been caught. This very risk run is usually attempted when there is a player on the third base and the ball is considered to be way out in leftfield. This can score a run. But then again, if the outfielder is really good at throwing the ball, the runner should be especially fast if he wants to reach home plate.

Outfielders have to be very aware of what's going on in the game and what the priorities are at any given time. Obviously, as an outfield player, your main job is to catch any balls that come in your direction. But it is also important that you are knowledgeable about where to throw the ball when you have it. It is very well known that outfielders will throw the ball to the wrong base. This can be a error that pays the price.

In general, you should throw to stop a run from scoring or to prevent a runner from getting into scoring position. This generally means to throw the ball to the base in front of the runner. So if the batter hits the ball and is on base, you should throw the ball to second base before he gets there.

In conclusion, baseball is a complicated game. In order for the team to do well, all players must understand what has to be achieved and the priorities of the game. This means that everyone on the team should do drills that will make their performance better and be more alert to what is going on in the game.

As this article shows, playing baseball involves working as a team and many other such factors. It is important to learn from the things that you have done bad as well as the good. So coaches should go over games where mistakes were made, not to berate players, but to instruct them on how to do things better next time. Even though the main focus of baseball is to have plenty of fun, no will say that they like to lose more than win.




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