Coaching and Strategy in Baseball

by Jimmy Cox

School teams have one coach who directs all play, offensively and defensively. He usually sits on the bench and gives signals to the first-base and third-base coaches, who in turn pass them on to the batter or base-runner.

The head coach of a team is responsible for planning all the pre-game strategy and the tactics during the game. He makes up the lineup, placing his hitters in the batting positions he believes will bring the most runs. In planning the lineup, he must also consider which players are hitting the ball well, which players are in a slump and which players do well against the pitcher they will have to face.

Batting Order. - Most coaches stick to the same formula in making up a batting order. The No. 1 hitter is fast afoot, an excellent judge of a ball and a strike, and a player who is hard to pitch to because he is small or has an unusual stance. This player should have the ability to draw a great number of walks, thus getting in position to start his team toward a run.

The No. 2 hitter should have about the same qualifications as the lead-off man, but he should be good as a bunter and a batter who can hit to right field. A single to right field by the No. 2 batter, if the lead-off hitter is on base, most likely will result in a first-and-third situation.

The Nos. 3, 4 and 5 batters should be the power hitters. There is really not much difference in whether the No. 4 hitter should bat third, or vice versa. However, it is good policy to have your strongest batter hit in the No. 3 spot. In this way he is certain of getting up in the first inning, and over the nine innings may get more chances to bat than the Nos. 4 and 5 hitters. It's interesting to note that Babe Ruth, baseball's greatest slugger, batted in the No. 3 spot throughout most of his career.

The No. 6 hitter should be a bit stronger than the No. 7 batter since he may have more opportunities to drive in runs than the No. 7 man. The No. 8 batter is perhaps the weakest hitter in the lineup, with the pitcher following in the No. 9 position.

Many school coaches who have a pitcher who is also a fine hitter, will place the pitcher much higher in the lineup. There is nothing wrong with this strategy, particularly if the pitcher is strong and physically able to carry the hitting, as well as the pitching burden.

Signals. - Each hitter should know just when to be alert for a signal. Sometimes the situation is so obvious that the hitter automatically knows he is on his "own" at the plate.

With bases empty and one or two strikes on the batter, it's quite obvious that the coach is not going to tell him to "take" a pitch. To take a pitch means to let one go by. This signal is usually given when the batter is ahead of the pitcher in the ball-and-strike count, or if the coach wants the batter to take the first pitch from the pitcher in the hope that it will be a ball.

Don't be discouraged if you are ordered to take a pitch as you get to the plate. There is nothing wrong with this strategy, especially if the pitcher is inclined to have a little control trouble. A pitcher who gets behind in the count constantly is in trouble, and when the count gets two balls and no strikes, or three balls and one strike, you may then get the pitch which you will be able to drive out for a safe hit.

Follow your coach in all things, and your baseball will only get better!

About the Author:
Tips & Tricks On How To Play Baseball Like A Pro - These Little-Known Secrets Will Have You Hitting The Longest Yard Over The Boundary Fence! Click Here For Free Online Ebook http://www.baseballhittingdrills.net/

All About Discount Softball Bats

You can find softball bats manufacturers' closeouts & factory seconds, cosmetically blemished softball & baseall bats, mitts, baseball gloves, softballs, cleats and other sports gear. You will probably find some of the best deals anywhere on quality softball, baseball and hockey merchandise. At stores with a mixture of current seasons stock plus insane deals on cosmetic blems, over runs and prior seasons closeouts.

When shopping for discount softball bats, follow the coaches' rules. They understand what's best for their players. We're talking world-class softball players here, not the weekend warriors on the diamond with a cooler of beer and sandwiches. So we're talking world-class coaches.

The first move is to head your nearby superstore of sporting goods. Even if you plan to buy online, where you can discover some of the finest deals, take the time to visit a brick and mortar store first. It's important to find a sporting goods store that will let you exam different bats. That way, you can precisely feel which bat works for you. Sure, you can use online reviews to aid you narrow down which bats you want to test, but at no time rely on these reviews alone. They are based on the reviewers on personal feel for the bat.

Once you have a bat in your grasp, the first thing you want to look for is length. Standing with your arms straight down to your sides, check where the knob of the bat is. It should be lined up with the crease between your wrist and your hand. You likely need a longer bat if the knob is at your palm level. You want a shorter bat if the knob is at your forearm. Just because you're looking to buy discount softball bats does not mean you should sacrifice comfort, your talent level, or your chance for improvement.

Then get a sense for the weight of the bat. Remember, it should feel like the heaviest hunk of wood that you can swing without losing swing velocity or swing mechanics, or knocking yourself out. It may be a matter of ounces

Once you have a bat selected, make note of it and race home to surf to your favorite discount softball bats vendor online. Then you can be assured that the bat that comes in the mail will be perfect to up your game.

Be sure when shopping discount to look carefully and you will find great products that unfortunately will no longer be selling at great discount prices. Some colors and or sizes may vary but the quality is usually the same. Take advantage of this opportunity when you find it because when they are gone they're gone forever as a rule! Usually Very limited quantities and colors in stock.

About the Author:William Smith lives in Florida with his wife and three cats. William writes frequently on many subjects that may be of interest to all. Discover all the joys and secrets of baseball at Baseball's Holy Grail

Proper Batting Helmet Sizing

by Uncle BooYah

It's a sad fact that one of the number one reasons for sports related injuries among children is that they were wearing sports equipment that was ill-sized or weren't wearing it at all. When you consider how hard a baseball or softball actually is and how fast and hard they are thrown even in children's games; the damage that can be done by the impact of a ball to a child's head is enormous. One of the reasons many children give that don't wear their safety gear such as batting helmets, at all times during a game is that the batting helmets aren't comfortable. Usually once a parent looks into it, they will find it is not really the batting helmet at all, in all actuality it is a case of the batting helmet not being fitted to the child properly.

No one has to tell you that your child should be wearing a helmet at all times and you can help make that a reality for every game if you work with your child when you're buying a batting helmet and make sure that the batting helmet fits comfortably so the child will be protected as well as comfortable while playing.

A batting helmet should fit snugly but not so snug your child has a headache. When the child moves his head from side to side the helmet should stay in place not move around. Inability to see due to a helmet shift is another reason that injuries sometimes happen, make sure that your child has a well fitted helmet by doing a little smart batting helmet sizing for your child before you buy.

The foam on the interior of the helmet is a must-have for your child's safety. It keeps the head away from the outer shell of the helmet in the event of an impact. While the odds are not high that your child will get beaned with a ball when playing, you need to prepare for something like that "just in case" and your child's head will be protected in the small chance that something like that happens.

Last word, don't skimp on the batting helmet that you choose. You're basically buying safety and you don't want cheap safety. You want the best you can get and that may be the difference between purchasing some unknown off-brand with questionable plastic parts and may or may not have quality foam and a name brand that has been inspected and meets safety standards. Choose the batting helmet that will offer the ultimate protection and one that is properly sized for your child.

Use these tips and make sure that you get the best fitting helmet for your child. When you have a properly fitted batting helmet, you may just find you have the opposite problem and you can't get your kid to take it off - even to go to sleep at night!

About the Author:Rick Grantham writes for BooYahVillage. He has written numerous articles on sporting goods, sporting tips, and Fan Gear.

Origin and Early History of Baseball Explained

by Jimmy Cox

Henry Chadwick, called the father of baseball, its first writer and the inventor of the box score, claimed that American baseball was positively descended from the British game of rounders, which became "town ball" in this country, then baseball. He was an eyewitness to the evolution, having seen rounders played as a boy in England, and rounders, town ball and baseball in this country.

A. G. Spalding, founder of the famous sporting goods house, a fine pitcher himself, and publisher of the "Baseball Guide," claimed that such a theory was nonsense and that baseball was purely an American invention. A committee was appointed to investigate the matter. The findings of the committee - that baseball had been invented in 1839 by Abner Doubleday, a distinguished Civil War General, in Cooperstown, New York - were based wholly upon evidence submitted in a letter written by a man who stated that he had observed the actual invention when he was a schoolboy in Cooperstown.

Many accepted the findings of the committee even though there seemed to be much more evidence to support Chadwick's claim than that of Spalding. To this day, even though numerous baseball authorities have repeatedly poked holes in the Doubleday theory, there are many who still believe this old story. It should be noted that Abner Doubleday himself never made any claims whatever to having had any influence on baseball. He had died years before the findings were published.

By the early 1840s, the baseball games played in this country had been pretty well standardized into "Town Ball," played East of New York, and "the New York Game," played, naturally, in New York. They were alike in many respects but Town Ball was patterned more after the ancient rounders, while the New York Game seems to have been largely taken from cricket. In 1842, the New Yorkers drew up the first diagram of a baseball field and grown men began to take this boys' game seriously and to see in it possibilities for a great sport.

In 1845, the Knickerbocker Baseball Club of New York was formed, the first such organization in history. It was an amateur group with duly elected officers. No professional organization was to appear for twenty-five more years. The Club immediately began drawing up a set of standard rules and making plans for a more satisfactory playing field. Draftsman and surveyor Alexander Cart-wright was given the task of preparing a diagram for a new type of field.

By the following year, Cartwright had prepared the diamond diagram which, except for minor changes, is the baseball field used to this day wherever baseball is played. The Knickerbockers also established uniform rules which set the pattern for present-day ball.

The First Game. - The Knickerbockers then issued challenges to take on all comers and the first baseball game ever played under organized rules took place on June 19, 1846, at Elysian Fields (near Hoboken), New Jersey. "The New York Nine" was the opposing team and they beat the Knicks 23-1 in four innings.

So depressed were the Knickerbockers that they played no more inter-city games until 1851, but limited their play to practice games. After five years of practice, they evidently believed they were ready for another go at the game and took on the "Washington Baseball Club of New York" on June 3, 1851 on the same Elysian Fields.

Both teams were tied at the end of the ninth, but the Knicks got two runs in the tenth to win the game 22-20.

From this small beginning, the great game of baseball has developed into the huge game it is today.

About the Author:
Tips & Tricks On How To Play Baseball Like A Pro - These Little-Known Secrets Will Have You Hitting The Longest Yard Over The Boundary Fence! Click here for FREE online ebook! http://www.baseballhittingdrills.net/

Groomsmen Gift Ideas You Can Swing, Bat, And Dunk

by Bradlley Mckoy

Most men like sports. This is a universal truth. But try giving your groomsmen a tennis ball or a sports drink as a wedding gift, and you can see for yourself that liking and receiving are words and worlds apart. Still, this does not mean sports-related presents are out of the question. You may give your groomsmen presents that remind them of sun, sport, and outdoors. Just make sure that your groomsmen gift idea can last longer than one sports game or workout.

Golf Gadgets
A gentleman's game, golf is played in leisure and with class. Help your buddies set course records with the following groomsmen gift ideas:

1. Personalized Hampton Executive Putter Set
This item is truly golf on-the-go. It is an attractive golf set for executives. The set includes a shiny wooden case, a handle constructed of brass, and an engraved plate that includes the same metal as the handle. Inside the box of this groomsmen wedding gift, golf-lovers can find a putter that can be broken down, a practice cup made of wood, and a pair of golf balls.
Price: about $45

2. Groomsmen Golf Balls Set
This is a groomsmen gift idea that is perfect for avid golfer friends. It includes two premiere golf balls that are built to last and built to travel far. Three golf balls and attractive gift sleeves are included in this set. Portions of tuxedos are printed on the golf balls.
Price: about $12

3. Deluxe Golf Ball Monogrammer
This present will give your groomsmen's golf balls a personal touch. Golf balls launched into a lake or treetop will always be challenging to find. This is why this is such a great groomsmen gift idea. It will definitely makes it easier for a golfer to find his balls. The golfer's initials are attractively plastered on the balls. In fact, this groomsmen wedding gift kit makes monogramming as easy as one-two-three...fore!
Price: about $25

Batty about Bats
America's favorite pastime can also be an inspiration for coming up with groomsmen gift ideas. In fact, bats are special groomsmen gift ideas that score a home run every time!

1. Engraved Hall of Fame Mini Baseball Bat
Step up to plate and get this perfect groomsmen wedding gift for fans of the game formerly known as Rounders. Two lines of engraving can be added to the 18-inch long bat.
Price: about $25

2. Personalized Mini Baseball Bat Groomsmen Gift
This gift is made of real ash and contains grain that is a light brown. It can even be personalized with lines of text. Win the pennant with this bat!
Price: about $25

Be Like Mike
Though Michael Jordan has retired from basketball, guys around the world still dream of being "like Mike." The following groomsmen gift ideas keep the spirit of his air-ness alive.

1. Personalized Photo Sports Ball
This is the perfect groomsmen gift idea for the hardcore basketball enthusiast. An uploaded picture can be copied on the ball. Then add a personalized message above and below the photograph.
Price: about $35

2. Personalized Basketball Coach Framed Roster Graphic
This groomsmen gift idea includes your favorite basketball team's information and colors. It also displays personalized information, such as the team name and player roster. The gift is enclosed in an attractive frame.
Price: about $35

3. Personalized Wood Mini Basketball
These are made of solid wood maple. They even include basketball seams and engravings that lasers created!
Price: about $30

You can't go wrong with carefully picked sports items. If the groomsmen of your wedding are sports fanatics, your sport-related presents will make them feel like champions.

About the Author:Put vitality back into groomsmen gifts! ExecutiveGiftShoppe.com has an array of groomsmen wedding gifts that will have your buddies leaping with joy.

Baseball Basics: How to Field

by Jimmy Cox

A team that has players who can throw and catch fly balls and grounders better than its opponents, and can come up with the clutch fielding play, is going to be hard to beat. The team that has the most agile fielders - those players who have fast reflexes and can change direction in a split second - will also have the better fielders. Thus, if the pitching and batting of the two opposing teams are of equal strength, the better fielding team will then be more formidable.

Good fielders, like good hitters or pitchers, do not require special physical qualifications. However, the player with the sharper reflex action will usually develop into a better fielder in a shorter space of time than a player of normal reflexes. This does not mean that the player of average reflex action cannot become a quality fielder.

The player of normal reflex should not be discouraged because he sees other players who seem superior to him as fielders. Better reflex action can be obtained by constant practice and proper conditioning of the body. By leaping, twisting and lunging for grounders, fly balls and throws, the fielder of normal reflexes will soon sharpen his reflex action and will in time work himself into a better than acceptable fielder.

Fielding in reflex action means the player performs his movements without thinking about them. His movements become natural and graceful and he is able to twist his body in any direction. Ground balls take many unexpected bounces; fly balls get caught in wind currents and may take sudden drops or carry farther than the fielder anticipated. The good fielder can adjust himself to these sudden hops and changes of ball direction.

Choosing a Position. - In choosing a position a player should select one he thinks he can play best; then concentrate on learning all the techniques involved in playing that position. Do not pick a position because your favorite major-leaguer plays it. That's not mature reasoning and you will only hurt your chances of making the team if you can play better at another position.

Try to analyze your strong and weak points and then try out for that position where you can fit in, and also, at the same time, convince the coach that you are the best candidate for that specific fielding spot.

A player who is below average height and who can field any position equally well, should not try out at first base. It's common sense that if you can catch a grounder while stationed at second base, shortstop, third base, just as well as at first base, you should concentrate on trying out for any of the latter three positions. This is because you would not be able to use your limited height to any advantage if you tried out as a first baseman. A first baseman must stretch high for high throws and well into the diamond for low throws. The coach would be more inclined to use a fielder at that position who has more height and reach than a player of limited height.

Infielders' Stance. - There is a basic fielding stance for all infielders.
The infielder has good stance when his body is in a squat position, bent at the waist, knees turned out. His arms and hands are between his knees, enabling him to touch the ground without any undue strain. From this position, he is able to field a ball that hugs the ground, and he is in proper position to straighten up and grab a ball that may take a sudden bounce upward.

With practice and determination, you can become a great infielder.

About the Author:
Tips & Tricks On How To Play Baseball Like A Pro - These Little-Known Secrets Will Have You Hitting The Longest Yard Over The Boundary Fence! Click Here For Free Online Ebook http://www.baseballhittingdrills.net/

How To Coach Little League Baseball

by Jimmy Cox

There are several aids which can be helpful in the training of your baseball team.

Sliding Area.

The time to teach sliding is when a boy begins to play baseball. He is closer to the ground and eager to learn. Let the grass grow 6 or 8 inches high in foul territory at the end of a bullpen or outside the outfield fence. This is all the cushion the player needs.

Place a loose (detached) base in the center of the sliding area. Every boy who is physically fit should practice sliding every time he goes to the field, sliding three or four times to the right and three or four times to the left so that he forms the correct habit pattern and has no fear of sliding. He should wear sliding pads, basketball trunks, or heavy swimming shorts to avoid skin burns.

Pitching Target

The pitching strings, introduced to professional baseball by Branch Rickey, provide a target for a pitcher. Two strike zones are recommended. They are erected over home plates in the bullpen. (The bullpens, incidentally, should face in the same direction as the pitcher's mound and home plate.) They can be built of scrap lumber, painted white, and anchored to the ground with wooden pegs for this purpose.

Poles 2 by 4 inches can be stuck into the ground approximately 10 feet apart with the 4-inch sides parallel to the pitcher's mounds. The poles should be lined up so that cords strung between them will be directly above the front of each home plate. One string should be at the average knee-high height of Little League batters and the other string at the average armpit height of a majority of batters in each league.

The strings, which can be obtained in hardware stores, should be of strong white cord similar to a carpenter's marking line. Once the cross-strings have been stretched, vertical strings at the width of each home plate should be strung between the cross-strings directly above the sides of a home plate to complete the strike zone.

Practice pitching mounds should be erected the proper pitching distance from the strike zones, and again practice pitching slabs can be built from scrap lumber, painted white, and anchored to the ground with wooden pegs.

When pitchers warm up, using the strike zone for a target, this practice can be made more realistic by having a batter stand in the batter's box. In this way the batter has a chance to judge strikes and balls and become familiar with the pitched ball, and the pitcher gets used to pitching to a batter.

After a few sessions, the batter can start his swing and then pull back to get the practice of checking his swing when the pitch is bad. This is a good drill for the batter, but he should never go through with the swing because it would break the strings and might injure someone working out elsewhere.

Batting Range

If there is space near your playing field, develop a batting tee range. A net or canvas can be strung between poles or buildings. The size of the area is not too important, but an area from 8 to 10 feet high and 30 feet wide is recommended. This would take care of three batting tees and batters at one time.

By using a woolen practice ball, the batting tee area could be set up beside a building or any other barrier which would eliminate the necessity of going a long distance to retrieve the batted ball. A woolen practice ball will carry far enough in flight to determine whether the batter is hitting line drives, grounders, or high flies, and will eliminate the breaking of windows and other hazards of that nature. Again if no area is available, tees can be set up behind the regular field backstop and balls can be hit against the backstop. Use a rubber-covered baseball, plastic ball, or tennis ball if woolen balls are not available.

With these few aids, training your team can become much more effective.

About the Author:
Free Online Ebook Reveals How To Teach Youngsters To Use A Little League Baseball Bat In 5 Easy Steps Click Here For Free Online Ebook http://www.littleleaguebaseballbat.com/

Top Picks in Baseball Collectibles

by Jimmy Spier

Is someone in your family a fan of baseball collectibles? Or maybe you, yourself, have an affinity for amassing large quantities of memorabilia from America's favorite past times.

There are several different types of keepsakes you can acquire to add to your baseball collectibles. One item that will put a big smile on any fan's face is an autographed baseball. A ball that was held by an icon has special meaning for those who look up to him.

Another road you can take in adding to a fan's baseball collectibles is giving them baseball cards. Some fans like to invest in packs of trading cards, while others will appreciate an autographed card of vintage value.

Dating back to the 1950s, bobble head dolls have been a popular baseball collectibles addition. Now, they're mass-produced, but there are many bobble head dolls that were limited in quantity, making them more valuable.

Sports equipment is also now a hot commodity with baseball collectible enthusiasts. If you're able to get an autographed baseball bat from a beloved player of the game, it'll be a big hit with any avid fan.

While we've primarily focused on the items themselves, don't forget about getting your hands on the best guides to baseball collectibles. This is a treasure because it helps the fan acquire items that not only have the most sentimental value, but also the best potential for a financial investment.

Barry Halper's Collection of Baseball Memorabilia details the 2,500 plus collectibles that were sold through the famed auction house Sotheby's. It includes photos of the rare baseball collectibles from Barry Halper's stash of fan favorites.

Another great choice to help aficionados of America's favorite past time learn all about the finest memorabilia available for this sport is the Beckett Almanac of Baseball Cards and Collectibles.

Guides like these will help novice and seasoned collectors alike learn the value of memorabilia before they invest. And it also helps them determine the value of their own collection so that they don't inadvertently get rid of something that may turn out to be a rare find and worth far more than the price they originally paid.

You probably won't go wrong getting a fan any sort of addition for their baseball collectibles. People who love the game can never have too many of any one keepsake and having double of something is often a blessing because it means they have the luxury of trading one of the pair for something they don't yet have.

About the Author:
For tips on baseball pitches and baseball drills, visit the Baseball Tips website.

Baseball for Dummies

I'm writing this article for the person who knows nothing about baseball, the person who doesn't know the difference between the Triple Crown and an unassisted Triple Play. I'm not going to write about the history of baseball so if that's what you want look somewhere else, I'm going to tell you the necessary information so you can sit down on a Saturday afternoon and watch a baseball game. Even if you do know a lot I'm hoping you can learn a little.

Introduction

Baseball is a bat and ball sport played by 2 teams of 9 players a side. The goal of baseball is to score runs by hitting a ball that is thrown by the pitcher and run around the bases. The bases are arranged on the corners of a 90 foot square called the diamond. Players on the batting team take turns hitting while the fielding team tries to get them out. Once a player on the batting team gets on base he can choose to stop in the hope that a teammate will drive him in. The teams switch between batting and fielding when the fielding team gets 3 outs. Once each team gets 3 outs that is an inning, there are 9 innings in a MLB game. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins.


Major League Baseball

In the United States and Canada the professional baseball league is called Major League Baseball (MLB.) MLB is divided into 2 leagues, the National League (NL) and the American League (AL) which in turn, are divided into 3 divisions: East, Central and West. To determine the champion of baseball MLB uses an 8 team playoff. The teams that make it are all 6 division winners plus a Wild Card. The wild card is the team with the best record that isn’t a division winner. The first round is best of 5 while the second round and the World Series are best of 7. Each major league team has a farm system of minor league teams at various levels. These teams allow players to gain improve while playing against opponents with a similar skill level.


Equipment and Field

There are 4 basic tools in baseball: the bat, the ball, the mitt and the field

The bat is an offensive tool used by the batter that is either wood or aluminum depending on the league. It is a long stick maybe 35 inches long, 2 inches wide and 35 ounces heavy.

The mitt otherwise known as a glove is worn by the fielding team to assist in catching the ball. Mitts take various shapes and sizes to accommodate the needs of individual positions.

A baseball is about the size of a fist and white with red lacing (Although other colors could be used.)

Baseball is played on a field in which the dimensions vary depending on age. However every field has bases which are arranged on a diamond that offensive payers try to run around counterclockwise. The part of the field closest to the bases is the infield and the part farther away is the outfield.


Game Play

Baseball is played in a series of 9 innings, each of which are divided in to 2 halves, top and bottom. In each half-inning, the offensive team attempts to score runs until three of its players are put out. After the third out, the teams switch roles for the other half of the inning. The home team plays defense first, and so plays defense in the top of every inning and offense in the bottom of every inning. At the beginning of each half-inning, the nine defensive players arrange themselves on the field. One defensive player is called the pitcher and stands at the center of the diamond on a designated spot, called the mound or the rubber. Another defensive player is called the catcher and stands on the other side of home plate from the pitcher. Typically four more players are arranged along the lines between first, second, and third bases, and the other three are in the outfield.

Runs are scored as follows: starting at home plate, each offensive player attempts to earn the right to run to the next base of the diamond, then to touch the base at that corner, continuing on to each following base in order, and finally returning to home, whereupon a run is scored. Often an offensive player will achieve a base but be forced to stop there; on future plays the player may continue to advance, or else be put out.

A play begins with an offensive player called a batter standing at home plate, holding a bat. The batter then waits for the pitcher to throw a pitch (the ball) toward home plate, and attempts to hit the ball with the bat. If the batter hits the ball into play, the batter must drop the bat and begin running toward first base. There are other ways to earn the right to run the bases, such as walks or being hit by a pitched ball. The catcher catches pitches that the batter does not hit (either by choice or simple failure to make contact) and returns them to the pitcher.

If the batter fails to hit a well-pitched ball (one within the strike zone) or if he hits it so that it goes outside of the field of play it is called a strike. However, if the ball is hit over the outfield and exits the field there, it is instead (one type of) a Homerun: the batter and all other offensive players on bases may complete a tour of the bases and score a run.

When a batter begins running, he or she is then referred to as a. Runners attempt to reach a base, where they are safe and may remain there. The runner defensive players attempt to prevent this by putting the runners out using the ball; runners put out must leave the field (returning to the bench or Dugout the location where all the other inactive players and managers observe the game).

There are many ways that the team on defense can get an offensive player out. For the sake of simplicity, only the five most common ways are listed here:

1. The Strikeout: occurs when the batter acquires three strikes before hitting the ball (within the field); the batter never becomes a runner.

2. The Groundout: when the batter hits the ball but a defensive player retrieves it after it has touched the ground and throws it to another defensive player standing on first base before the runner arrives there.

3. The Forceout: occurs when a runner is required to run to advance bases ahead of a teammate's hit but fails to reach it before a defensive player reaches the base with the ball. The "ground out" is actually a special case of "force out."

4. The Flyout: if a defensive player catches a hit ball before it touches the ground, the batter (now a runner) is out (regardless of his location).

5. The Tagout: while between bases, a runner is out if a defensive player touches him with a held ball.



Baseball Statistics

Statistics play an important role in summarizing baseball performance and evaluating players in the sport. Since the flow of baseball has natural breaks to it, the game lends itself to easy record keeping and statistics. This makes comparisons between players' on field performance relatively easy, and therefore gives statistics more importance in baseball than in most other sports. Statistics have been kept for professional baseball since the creation of each league.

What are softball bats made out of?

Softball bats were at one time made chiefly of wood, but advances in technology have introduced materials such as aluminum, graphite, and composites. Each material has its positive and unique features.

Wood: Wood softball bats are very rare but are slowly regaining favor with softball enthusiasts who would rather hear a whack and not a ping when the bat meets ball. A wood softball bat is bottle-shaped and can weigh between 32-35 ounces (around 8 ounces heavier than an aluminum bat). Traditionally, wood bats have been made from ash. However, ash is light and soft and bats made from ash tend to splinter and dent fast. Wood from maple, oak, and bamboo is also used for these bats. Maple is harder and its grain is denser as compared to ash, making it less susceptible to splintering and chafing. Bats made from Chinese bamboo are the closest wood bat equivalent of an aluminum bat. Bamboo is extremely light-weight and ha a tensile strength higher than that of steel.

Aluminum: The increased research and engineering in the science of bat making has resulted in high-tech aluminum softball bats that can cost upward of $300. Aluminum bats are lighter thereby enabling batters to generate greater bat speed and control. They are stronger and more durable than wood bats and they do not break; however, they may dent or crack over a period of time. Aluminum bats are available in different alloy and weight combinations. Light aluminum alloys that are thinner are more resilient and provide a larger hitting zone or "sweet spot". Aluminum bats are made in single-layer and double-layer combinations; double-layer bats are used by the power-hitters.

Graphite/Titanium lined: Aluminum bats are lined with graphite or titanium. These light, durable, and strong materials are added to aluminum bats with thin walls in order to make the bats lighter. Lighter bats help batters to generate more power in their swing. Bats lined with graphite or titanium have a greater hitting zone or "sweet spot". These materials are shock-absorbent as well and aid in reducing the shock felt when a stroke is mistimed.

Composite materials: Bats made from composite materials such as carbon, glass, or Kevlar are light weight, rigid, and sturdy. Composite materials enable bat manufacturers to incorporate varying strengths and stiffness in different parts of a bat. The result is a bat with stiff bat handles for greater control, low stiffness hitting areas for better performance and reduced shock, and differentiated swing weights. Bats made from composite materials have a large hitting surface with a more pronounced "sweet spot". However, the extreme velocities at which the ball rebounds off the bat can pose a safety hazard to the pitcher who has to react in a very limited time.

About the Author:
Samuel Johnston recommends that you visit http://www.kellysultimatesports.com/ for more information on softball bats.

How To Collect Autographs Of Your Favorite Baseball Players

If by any chance you live in the United States of America, there is a high chances that you are a baseball fan. As the game of baseball gets more and more popular all around the world, you can find baseball fans in more and more areas of the world. And, if you do love this sport, you are likely to be one of the many baseball fans who would love to get autographs of their favorite baseball players.

The general opinion is that it is almost impossible to get autographs of the best baseball players. In reality, things are not like that at all. Getting the autograph of your favorite player is much easier than you might think. Don't be a geek and think that the only way to get an autograph to the player you admire more is going to the stadium and fighting with the large crowd for a chance to get an autograph.

There are several ways to accomplish your goal easier. The first of them is getting an autograph through the mail. Many players sign the majority of their autographs outside the ball park, one of them is through mail. How do you go about it? It is quite simple. First of all, visit the official site of the club. You will surely find on it an address where you can send fan e-mail to he players. E-mail a picture, sports card or letters through the e-mail, and in a few days you will get it back signed by the favorite player. Nowadays, many professional athletes will sign an autograph and send it back to you. Be thoughtful and remember to send a self-addressed stamped envelope so that the player can send it back where you want it.

Another way to collect the autographs of your favorite baseball players is to buy them. How is that possible? Well, just visit E-bay, and you will be surprised on what you can find there. Do watch out for fakes. It's always best to deal with the people who have been doing business on E-bay for a while. Many of the top autograph sellers are power-sellers. What I've also found lately on the web is some internet addresses where you get guidelines on getting the autographs of famous people, and among those several baseball players. They sell the addresses and they guarantee the information are reliable. I personally don't know if it works, but you can at least try it. Just give it a shot, and if you really get an autograph, it will be worth it.

The other possibility is to go to autograph sessions. Just pay attention to the news on the official sites of the baseball clubs and even on the personal sites of the baseball players. The serious clubs regularly organize autograph sessions with some of their players, and you might get lucky. So, in conclusion, no matter what method you try, it will likely be easier to succeed attaining that autograph than going to the baseball stadium and clawing your way through thousands of people to get to your favorite ball player for an autograph.

About the Author:By Michael Shapiro for http://www.baseball-bats-hq.com Find a large selection of maple bats, ash bats, fungo bats in addition to the batting cages & baseball gear.

Baseball Sunglasses - a Home Run in Sports Eyewear

by Trevor Mulholland

Baseball, the greatest pastime of America. It's such a part of many Americans' lives: little children pitch and bat in the Little League while their parents proudly look on. The same intensity can be felt by baseball players in the Big Leagues. They feel pressure not only from public scrutiny, but also from making sure that they take every step possible to avoid injury or sickness, because time away from the field means less money and more chances of being replaced by someone younger and stronger. Baseball sunglasses are part of a player's arsenal of protective bodywear and accessories for staying in the game.

Many baseball games are played at night, but about just as many are played outdoors in broad daylight, too. This is when baseball sunglasses are indispensable. Without such sports sunglasses, trying to catch a ball - especially one that is hit up high - is very difficult indeed. Staring straight up into the sun while trying to ascertain the ball's location and speed of descent can strain the eyes and increase the chance that the ball will be missed. It is partly for this reason that baseball players wear sunglasses - to enhance their playing performance. Many baseball sunglasses come with lenses that are optimized to eliminate glare and enhance vision, especially on sunny days. Baseball players prefer wearing so-called amber sunglasses on such days, even though the lenses aren't really amber. More often than not, they are either brown or gray.

There are also baseball sunglasses that are suitable for games played at night, but the tint of the lenses need to be considered very carefully. It is best to use clear lenses that have an anti-reflective coating to offset or absorb the glare of bright stadium lights. Baseball players sometimes use sunglasses with yellow lenses for indoor games, but experts warn that such colored lenses can compromise visual discernment and can affect reaction times.

Another aspect of the importance of sports eyewear is their ability to shield players from serious injury. In fact, figures from the National Society to Prevent Blindness show that thousands of injuries were caused directly or indirectly by playing baseball. Many of the injuries were inflicted on players' eyes when the ball would hit them there. A baseball that has been pitched or batted can travel at very fast speeds, and the injuries they can cause have the potential to be very serious indeed. For this reason, it is recommended that baseball players choose sports sunglasses with polycarbonate lenses, which are able to withstand the impact of a baseball and are virtually shatterproof. Having a lightweight but durable frame is just as important. Polycarbon frames are likewise resistant to breaking and are suitable for baseball players. Some baseball sunglasses have a shield design where the entire front of the frame is a polycarbon lens while the temples are another material. What's good about this type of design is that the lens can be changed to suit the daylight condition of a particular game.

Players who need prescription sports sunglasses or goggles need not worry. Many brands now offer customized eyewear to fit any prescription. There are even models where the user can change the lenses to fit lighting conditions while maintaining lens prescription. Rudy Project is one such brand that offers prescription sunglasses.

There are many other baseball sunglasses brands in the marketplace, the vast majority of which offer the high quality and stylistic design that athletes want and need. Some brands use their own proprietary technology in their sports sunglasses. For instance, Oakley incorporates its Polaric Ellipsoid technology in its lenses to ensure purity of vision, one that is not hampered by distortions. Akadema is another popular brand whose shades offer 100% ultraviolet radiation protection and shatter-proof frames and lenses. Kaenon, Nike, Bolle - these and many more grace the faces of baseball players and other athletes, both in the professional and non-professional leagues.

Baseball sunglasses are part of the whole package that contributes to how a pitcher pitches, a batter bats, or a catcher catches. They can enhance playing performance and play a major role in protecting players from eye injuries caused by either sunlight or an errant ball. On top of all that, they can make a player look cool, too! This proves that baseball sunglasses are not only useful and functional, but that they are attractive pieces of sports eyewear as well.

About the Author:Sunglassology.com provides you with information on baseball sunglasses, where to buy, which are crap and which are slick. From prescription sunglasses to baseball sunglasses. http://www.sunglassology.com/

What I Know and Remember about Baseball - Successful Hitting

For Successful Hitting,in my opinion, there are numerous hitting methods and styles that exist for baseball. They all claim the same thing: that they are the best; who is right and who is wrong? They all can work depending on the ability of the individual. Individual style from how you lace your cleats to the position of your hat and the 400 or so moving parts in between all add up to one result; smacking a round ball with a round bat in the sweet spot of both while getting down the baseline as fast as possible.

Different approaches, stances and swing, wrist speed etc. See what works and does not work for you. The consensus is that there are 7 common traits shared among great hitters, no matter what hitting method is used.

1. Comfort, What is there or worry about?
Relax, the guy 45 or more feet away is going to throw a ball at you. You have seen it before, you will see it again. So what if you take one for the team, stay in there and drive it right back at the person who threw it at you. The batter is really in control of the outcome. How many times have you seen players hit the ball when its over their head, way inside or even bouncing off the plate. Calm down, you can put the bat on the ball whenever you decide.

2. Confidence, Do not let your mind strike you out before you begin.
If you are convinced you can hit the ball, what is to stop you? Believe in yourself and let it happen. Be mindful of the count, when you are ahead, look for the good ones, when behind, smack it! If you leave it up to the Umpire to see it the way you do, chances are you will be walking back to the dug out. You have tons of time at the batting cages and practice, you can hit it!

3. See the Ball.
Watch the pitcher, does he release the ball from over his head, off to the side, under hand? The key is the ball is in his hand and the release point will be within fractions of an each on each pitch. So, if it always starts in the same place, how does it get all over? Simple, its variation in the motions it takes to get to the release point. But get over all that, when you see where it starts, you can determine where its going and your bat will follow your eyes instructions.

4. The Twitch.
Your reaction to the ball being released is the twitch, the quicker your twitch, the longer you can watch the ball. If your twitch is slower, start it sooner. I have seen batters wait for half the distance before they start their swing, I have seen others begin their step as soon as the pitcher leaves their balance point.

5. Core Power.
It really begins with the feet, then torso then hands. But you need to have all three work in rhythm. Power is transferred form the feet to the torso which multiplies the power by expanding the circle and creating speed, which is then transferred into the hands. If any part over-powers the following, you loose the build up of momentum. Work on getting all three to work together.

6. Swing, Let Mr. Baseball out.
Keep it short and sweet! You are closer to the plate than you think, so keep the hands inside and let the bat do the work. Step, turn the hips while keeping your hands back, power is loaded and transferred through the core, whamo, let it all out at once! Do not be timid about swinging at the ball! Swing, Swing, Swing! Remember #2, believe in yourself, you can hit anything! And it does not matter how well it is driven each time, the point of the matter is putting the bat on the ball period.

7. Balance, You cannot hit well from the ground.
There cannot be enough said about balance. It allows you to see the ball, transfer power to the ball and get out of the box. The quickest way to learn is hitting soft toss from a teeter board, if you can do it there, there is no question you can do it from the dirt. Learn to swing through the ball with the bat, not your whole body. If your body follows your arms you are taking away from the power sent up from your legs. Bring the bat around and keep your feet.

So what does it all add up to?

You will hit the ball the way your body, skill and ability sees best for you to assemble your 400 or so moving parts. Work on the elements of hitting on their own. And remember, batting practice is just that, batting practice! Plan your practice accordingly, some time on each of the pieces, then more time putting it all together. Do not try to do both at the same time, it is a sure recipe for frustration. To commit good habits to muscle memory, do your conditioning first, get the muscles nice and tired; this is the moment you must make every effort to do motions correctly. If your lazy about the particulars when you are tired, it will come out at the game. You want to train yourself and your body to react quickly and correctly. Only perfect practice can make perfect.(to quote form Cal Ripken Sr.)

About the Author:
Mr. Dowdy is an Official Distributor for Kelley Athletic You can also visit his site for more news/tips/articles on the subjects of baseball, construction, building codes. Thanks for reading my article!

What I Know and Remember About Baseball - Seasons

The shift from 1974 to 2007 has been dramatic. Baseball once relegated to the dreams and comforts of summer is now a year round ambition. Not only for paid players but for the amateurs as well.

Way back when, well if you were born after 1985, pre Baseball season followed the winter sports of basketball and in some areas soccer. As each Team Sports season has gotten longer in all age groups, with the exception of High School Sports, the down time and need for pre season conditioning has diminished.

Many training exercises in other sports cross over. Running, Sprint Training and over all Conditioning are several of the cross over items. Some movements are specific to baseball.

Fielding, butt down hands out, and batting are the most notable. Time should be set aside every couple of weeks to reacquaint the muscles with those movements. Simple stationary fielding drills in the back yard are excellent. Taking 30 correct swings with the bat, nothing to hit or strike, is also excellent.

These simple drills not only provided muscle memory for doing them correctly, but when the parents are involved on such an individual and intimate setting, well, it makes up for a lot of the shows kids watch on Nick.

Parents have a lot to compete with to gain the attention of their children. In 1974, competition was with the radio, shortly thereafter, MTV. Today, kids are bombarded from the moment they wake up until they fall asleep with sounds and noise from all sorts of things vying for their attention and spending dollars.

As a Parent, the most important thing you can give to your child is yourself. What better opportunity than to separate your and your child from all the noise and participate together in a single activity. This is where baseball memories start. These memories are held closest to the heart.

So, once or twice a month, regardless of the season or the weather, take time with your child to practice a little baseball. Keep things simple, keep them brief and try a few yourself.

Much of baseball is situational. If this happens then I do that. Learning correct technique is best learned when you teach. Let your child teach you a little. It is amazing what you each will learn.

Copyright 2007 may be reprinted in whole with all links

About the Author:Mr. Dowdy is an Official Distributor for NW Kelley USA Baseball Visit Hirsch Group LLC for more news/tips/articles on the subjects of baseball, construction, building codes or check out the Hirsch Group Official Blog for what is going on now.

Simple Tips For Playing Baseball

by Jason Roberts

Baseball is a game of skill and for that reason the best athlete is not always the best player. Baseball involves thrilling, pitching, catching, baserunning, fielding, and hitting. If you want to improve in all of these areas and skills then you must practice regularly using drills. Practicing must be fast and include jumping from one drill to the other. A good baseball player must always focus on making the most out of every drill session instead of just going through the motions which can often lead to bad habits. If you want to improve your baseball game focus on top form in as many drill opportunities as you can. Here's some information to help you while work on improving your baseball game.

Throwing the ball

You should grab the baseball with your index finger and middle finger along the long seams of the baseball while keeping your thumb underneath it to provide support. When you throw be sure to square your shoulders with your target and while moving towards the target throw with a 3/4 arm action.

Fielding the Ball

If you keep your feet spread and stay down you'll ensure good balance. You do not want the ball to go between your legs and you always want your glove in front of you so you can block the ball and see it go into your glove.

Catching Fly Balls

If you're out in the outfield you'll want to be striding towards your target and you'll want to be behind the ball. You need to be able to see the ball and you need to be able to quickly get your stride to throw to your target. Finally, be sure to catch the ball above the shoulder with your elbow bent. This will help cushion when catching.

Batting Stance

When batting your stance should consist of your feet shoulder length apart with your toes pointed inward slightly. This stance will help you keep your balance. Be sure to look at the pitcher with your head level.

Base Running

Always run in a way to give yourself the best chance for top speed. For example, if you plan on running more than one base try to time your steps so you hit the base with your right foot as you get less arc and stay consistently striding without losing speed towards the next base.

Pitching

Good pitchers focus on making consistent strikes with proper mechanics. Proper mechanics will reduce the chances of an injury. If you vary the speed of your pitch the batters will remain confused and their timing will be off.

These tips for improving your baseball are just beginning. It is important that you practice on all of these skills if you want to become a well-rounded baseball player.

About the Author:
Robert Michael is a writer for www.faubaseball.com which is an excellent place to find baseball links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.faubaseball.com

A Brief Look At The History Of Baseball In America

by Gregg Hall

Baseball is probably the most watched sport in America today. The way the game is played is two teams are formed with 9 players each. The pitcher will try to haul the baseball to the batter. The pitcher is trying to strike out the batter, three strikes and your out but the batter can hit the ball. The other 8 person playing with the pitcher are the 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, 3rd baseman, shortstop, left fielder, center fielder, right fielder and the catcher which catches the ball that the pitcher throws unless the batter hits the ball.

People will argue where the sport was originated but the real origin of baseball lies here in the good old United States. The game was played here back to the early part of the 19th century, but back then it was all white baseball no other players could play until the 60s and 70s came around where they allowed all players to try out and could play if they were good enough.

The National League was formed in 1876 where they started first playing baseball. After that more leagues and teams were added on and they started to play more and more of baseball and soon it grew to what we now know today as baseball. With Barry bonds and Alex Rodriguez hitting home runs every time up to bat, the players are getting better but the game is still the same. Maybe they need to start making the fields larger so it makes it harder for those good players to get a lot of home runs.

After the world wars baseball was a world wide sport and everyone wanted to play it. By then there were so many teams that they could have a baseball world series which didn't start till later on down the road. There were baseball teams from all over the world like Puerto Rico, Cuba, Netherlands, Australia , Africa, south Africa, Europe, England, great Brittan, anywhere that you could think of as a country there was a baseball team for it that's how popular baseball got after the world wars ended. If you wanted to play all you had to do in those days was go try out and if you could run and catch the ball with ease and actually hit the ball when you batted you were going to be on the team.

That's just how it was back in those days; they just wanted players so they could player each others teams and have something to talk about every day. Back then all you heard talk about all day was baseball. Now today all you hear about is news about the Iraq war and occasionally talk of baseball. The big talk on baseball at the moment is the steroid issue.

About the Author:
Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about baseball as well as baseball equipment

Baseball... Anyone?

by Lanny Hintz

How it all began

What comes into your mind when you hear the word baseball? For those of you who have been in a real baseball event would it lead you to think of a huge 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 shout of the umpire of what decision he has for the teams? For those of you who in anyway have not experienced being in a baseball game but have seen it through sports channels or heard it on the radio or viewed it online, you might also have the same perception of the game. For those who are not into baseball but may have had the chance to observe a game or two, it might be obvious that the spectator watches two teams playing against each other, there is a presence of a pitcher, a batter, an umpire or referee and the people guarding the bases. If that spectator figures out the way of scoring then he might have probably learned the basics of the sport.

In the context of an in depth look at the sport itself, only a few people, minus the avid baseball fans and players would even care to understand who thought about it, where it came from and where it is most popular at as a sport...

Baseball, which can be classified as a game of bat and ball and which is also sometimes identified as hard ball to differentiate it from a similar game known as softball (a more compact version of the game) can be traced back to accounts of being an evolved version of the game called rounders, which was said to have originated in Great Britain and Ireland dating back to as early as the 17th century. There are similar accounts about the existence of the game but the pioneering full documentation of baseball in North America was by Dr. Adam Ford in his modern description of the game that took place on June 4, 1838 in Beachville, Ontario. It was on June 19, 1846 in Hoboken, New Jersey that the first game of baseball in U.S. history was officially recorded with the New York Nine defeating the Knickerbockers in a 23-1 four innings game.

Today, Baseball is recognized as the national sport of the United States. The sport also has spread its popularity, is being patronized and played in most of the American regions, the Caribbean and East Asia.

About the Author:Lanny Hintz writes about Lids Sales, Mitchell Ness Promo and MLB Gear Savings Code

Baseball Memorabilia – Bats and Balls, Maketh a Difference

by Robert Riles

Baseball memorabilia belongs to the sport that is played by every single person in the United States of America. Baseball, the game where there are a striker and a pitcher and is played on a unique shaped pitch is the national sport of America and there are many teams that are world champions in this. Just like how cricket souvenirs are famous in most of the world, baseball memorabilia is popular here. Also the collection of Baseball memorabilia includes everything from an autographed ball to a cap worn by a famous player.

There are TV channels dedicated to this sport and people flock the stadiums to watch a baseball match between their favorite teams. Recently, there has been a spurt in the sales of the Baseball memorabilia because there are a couple of new websites which have come up where they sell baseball related objects and items. There are autographed helmets, T shirts, shoes worn by players during a major game and some other products for sale. And people don’t hesitate to spend thousands of dollars to get their hands on one of these. This makes them the proud owners and they get to boast to all their friends and family that they own a piece of history at home.

A Derek Jeter jersey or the bat he used to play with are all cherished items that will go for high prices. Similarly, there are a few pictures of Babe Ruth still available on some websites waiting to be snatched away by a baseball fan. All this goes to show the kind of passion and craze people have towards sports, especially baseball. If one were to scrounge on the net, am sure they would find a hat or a jacket worn by a famous player back in the 1900s up for sale. And some sites while trying to lure people into buying these memorabilia have slashed prices and offer them at a discounted rate. This reflects on the personality of all these people and how much in love with the sport they are. There are also a multitude of photos and photo frames available which are said to belong to players of yesteryears. And there will be thousands of fans waiting in line to make it theirs. Such is the world of sports today where men are said to be more into them than women, atleast sports like football and baseball.

The baseball memorabilia in a person’s house would be priceless, and he would make sure no one touches it or damages it. And some might go to an extent of insuring the same against robbery as they are more valuable than any piece of jewellery. Baseball memorabilia are collected by people from a very young age, right from baseball cards they begin developing their passion towards the sport and as they grow older it grows stronger and stronger. As long as one doesn’t get addicted and over protective of their possessions, there will be a good balance at home.

About the Author:
Article written by Robert Riles III, owner of skyfireproducts.com a store for allSports Fans.

Baseball and Network Marketing

by Charlie Wolter

With the advent of another baseball season upon us it reminds me of just how much network marketing is like baseball. In baseball you have guys who hit .300 making millions of dollars. Quite the same as a closing rate of 30% can earn you millions of dollars as a marketer, especially in the network marketing business. So basically baseball players and marketers are getting paid to loose 70% of the time. That's a sobering thought but one that can frustrate the average network marketer into quiting. So how do we look at this in a different light to improve our mindset on this matter.

We have to like in baseball look at this as a numbers game, because honestly that's all it is, that really all baseball is. That's why you see tons and tons of books, newspapers and magazines spend so much time on statistics in baseball. In baseball people have even invented new mathematics to support a player's worth, Bill James calls is saber-metrics for example. The worth of a baseball player is measured by his production over a period of time in numbers. So if we take that and really use it for our own mental well being in our network marketing we would be very much more mentally fit for the endeavor we are undertaking.

First thing we have to realize is that it is extremely rare that a player hits .300 from their first day or months playing baseball, whether that is in the big leagues, minor leagues or youth leagues. We much learn a skill set over time. The key here is over time, specifically repetition over time. No one makes it to the big leagues, hits .300 on his first day of playing baseball. Network marketers, just like ball players must practice over time. And the next key here is that every attempt is really just practice, its the practice of failing 70% of the time! As we practice our average may start at .100 gradually move to .200 and then to .300 or better, but it is the practice of failure. So how many attempts do we take? Ask yourself this, does a ballplayer ask or tell himself I will take 600 at bats this year and if I don't hit .300 I'll quit? No, there is no idea of quiting or a goal that he has to make to keep practicing, they love the game so they keep on playing whether they are hitting .100 or .300. Now granted the may or may not stay in the big leagues, but that does not mean they quit. Take a look at how many minor league teams there are in the country. Point is they keep on playing, practicing and failing most of the time. We as network marketers can do the same but we must keep practicing.

The amount of practice time we may have to put in as network marketers, scares a lot of people away. Again how many at bats do you think major league players take before they hit .300. Yes the answer is thousands, once again thousands and yes they still may not hit .300. But doesn't that make you feel better about our craft, isn't that better than working a job with a set salary for life. If we are going to step into this arena and ask for the millions of dollars we want to generate, it seems to me that a thousand or even ten thousand prospecting calls, presentation calls and closing calls is a very small price to pay. In addition we have very little threat of injury, due to being thrown at by a 90 mph fastball over a thousand times!

So the next time your feeling a bit frustrated about not growing your network marketing down-line think of two things. One baseball it keeps most things in perspective and two this article and the web site that can help keep everything in perspective in your network marketing growth. I do love baseball and network marketing, I did not make it the big leagues because I did not learn this lesson until I was introduced to network marketing. I am grateful for that because I believe I can change more lives for the better as a business growth specialist than I could as a ball player. Whether you take the next step in following up to my web site or not, good luck in all of your pursuits and remember to "Root, root, root for the home team at the Ole' Ball Game !"

About the Author:
Charlie Wolter is a business growth specialist, primarily working with individuals who have network marketing businesses."http://www.RepstheEasyWay.com"

Youth Baseball Coaching Rules and Regulations

by John Nowly

The following article is an excerpt from the free online course "Learning to Coach Youth Baseball".

When you get the job as a new coach, it is important that you meet the league director. You might have already met the league director as he or she may have been the person that hired you. If this is not the case, I recommend you set up a meeting as soon as possible to review several things.

Get your notebook handy, as I will give you a list of some questions to ask them.

First, you should ask: May I get the final copy of the league rules and a game schedule if available? It is obviously important to get a finished copy as soon as possible, as this will be a blueprint for your calendar.

About the Author:ProfessorNow.com™ offers free educational courses in an easy to follow format in various subjects. To view a free online course covering the subject of this article, please visit ProfessorNow.com.
Second, you should ask: Will I have any assistant coaches? Do you know where I can find a couple?

Next I suggest you ask, What fields will we be playing at?

And, Do we have a block of time available for baseball practice and which diamonds?

The next question should be, What type of equipment do we have available?
Finally, inquire about special days that the team needs to get together. These days will probably include a picture day, uniform day and end of year tournament.

With this information in hand, you have the basis for some advanced planning and organization. I have found that being organized will help with everything you do for the coming season. I recommend you buy a spiral notebook or create a ring binder for the coming season. Notebooks tend to be easier to carry around and write on, while binders have the sleeves for handouts, schedules and other things. Either way you go, it is important to have one of the two.

You will need to write down phone numbers, dates, contact names and other miscellaneous notes about your team. Later on, as you gain more experience, you might even find yourself writing down different batting lineups to try in the upcoming games. On the front of your notebook, you will write down the year and your teams' name.
The director has probably given you a set of local city rules. These rules more than likely will be modifications to particular national, state or high school sets of rules. Some of the more common local rules address game length, safety of players, batting orders, player substitution and re-entry. When you get your league rules, make sure you read them thoroughly. Give them to your assistant coaches and have them read the rules thoroughly. Try and get the rules in your hands as soon as possible so you can do your homework.

While reading them, I suggest you take notes in a notebook on interpretations or any questions you may have. If you do not have any questions on the rules, you did not read them well enough. Do not be afraid to get your questions answered at a coaches meeting or at league wide tryouts. There probably will be a league wide meeting where you can network with some of the other coaches who will have similar questions.

Pay particular attention to substitution and re-entry rules. Understanding these will be very important when switching pitchers, pinch hitting, pinch running, and getting all your players in the game. Finally, obtain your game schedule as soon as possible, so everyone can begin planning his or her summer.

The Best Baseball Colleges In Ohio

by Ian Koch

Since there are readers not only from USA but also from other countries, I don't take for granted that everybody knows what baseball actually is. According to The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia baseball is "bat-and-ball sport known as the national pastime of the United States. It derives its name from the four bases that form a diamond (the infield) around the pitcher's mound.

Teams consist of nine players who use a leather-covered hard ball, a wooden (in the professional game) or aluminum bat, and padded gloves. Additionally, the batter, catcher, and home-plate umpire wear special protective gear. Teams alternate turns in the field and at bat, the home team batting last. One turn at bat for each team constitutes an inning, and nine innings constitute a game. In the field there are a pitcher, a catcher, four infielders, and three outfielders. The pitcher throws overhand, employing a variety of deliveries (fastball, curve, knuckleball, etc.), from the raised pitcher's mound to home plate, a distance of 60.5 ft (18.4 m). An opposing batter attempts to hit the pitches and safely reach base, while the fielders attempt to put the batter out through various plays. A batter who misses three pitches, or fails to swing at three judged hittable, is out on strikes; but if the pitcher first throws four pitches out of the strike zone, the batter obtains a base on balls, or walks to first base. A run is scored every time a batter becomes a runner and crosses home plate after touching each base in the prescribed order. When the fielding team puts out three batters (or runners), the teams exchange places. If the score is tied at the end of nine innings, play continues into extra innings until one team has scored more runs than the other in an equal number of turns at bat."

While Ohio may not immediately come to mind when you think about baseball it does have a number of colleges and universities that offer outstanding sports college programs focusing in on baseball. Whether you are ramping up for a career in the major leagues or just want to try out for the college team while you pursue your degree, athletic departments are often ranked up there with quality of education when it comes to choosing which higher educational institution to pursue your degree at.

Sports and colleges go together. In any region of the country college athletics usually play a big part in the community. So important has athletics grown in higher education that many students and parents can base decisions on which school to attend based partly on the reputation of their sports program. After all, college game days can rank up there with mid-terms examine in many people's minds in terms of importance.

When deciding which college offers the most robust program it often comes down to reputation of the team or family tradition. It is not uncommon to see 3rd or 4th generations of families attend the same school because of school spirit and pride. In some places your last name can be your ticket to joining just about any team you wish based on past performance by family members.

If you want to obtain more information about which school offers exceptional programs you only have to turn as far as the Internet where you can research statistics, program history and variety of programs offered. Many schools even offer summer introductory programs where you can pick up the bat and give a swing with other members from the school team to experience the program first hand.

About the Author:Ian Koch likes to publish College Education Info Resources and related stuff. You can go to the-best-colleges.com for more.

A Little History of Baseball

by BJ Johnson

Baseball is probably the most watched sport in America today. The way the game is played by two teams are made up of 9 players each. The pitcher will try to pitch the baseball to the hitter or batter. The pitcher is trying to strike out the batter and with three strikes the batter is out, but the batter can hit the ball. The 8 other people playing with the pitcher are the 1st baseman, 2nd baseman, 3rd baseman, shortstop, left fielder, center fielder, right fielder and the catcher who catches the ball that the pitcher throws unless the batter hits the ball.

People will say where the sport was originally started, but the true origin of baseball is here in the good old USA. The game was played here in the early 19th century, but at the time it was all white baseball no other colors could play until 60 and 70 years has come close to where they allowed all players to try and could play if they are good enough.

The National League was formed in 1876 when they start playing baseball. After a greater number of leagues and teams have been added and they began to play more and more of baseball and soon he grew up in what we know today as baseball. With Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez hitting home runs every time up to bat, the players are better but the game is always the same. Maybe they need to start making the biggest fields, it makes it more difficult for good players to get a large number of home runs.

After the world wars baseball is a sport around the world and everybody wanted to play. At that time, there were so many teams that they could have a world baseball series that did not start later on the road. There were baseball teams from all over the world, as Puerto Rico, Cuba, Netherlands, Australia, Africa, South Africa, Europe, England, Great Brittan, anywhere you might think as a country, it was a baseball team so how popular baseball was after the world wars ended. If you want to play all you had to be done in the days go try and if you could run and catch the ball with ease and actually hit the ball when you batted going to be on the team.

That's how it was back in those days, they just wanted the players to enable them to each player and other teams have something to talk about it every day. At that time everything that you hear about all day was baseball. Now, today all you hear is news about the war in Iraq and occasionally to talk about baseball. The major speech on baseball at the moment is the question of steroids.

About the Author:
For more baseball information visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball. Also for baseball bats visit http://www.justbats.com.

The Experts Guide to Baseball Training

by Jimmy Cox

Batting or putting the wood to the ball, is the key to the success or failure of the ball club and the individual.

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

1.A certain amount of natural ability
2.A mastery of the fundamentals
3.Confidence in his ability to hit

The phrase natural ability covers a great deal. It means strong arms, wrists and hands; quick reflexes, good coordination, perfect eyesight and speed afoot.

Regardless of how much natural ability a boy has, however, he will not hit as well as he should if he does not master the fundamentals and believe in his ability to hit the ball as it comes through the strike zone. Self confidence, of course, stems from success. Moreover, success in batting comes from practice. The following text describes the mechanics of hitting as they apply to ball players in general. By following the principles involved, the well coordinated boy could easily become the batting star of his team; the average boy could certainly become a better than average hitter.

In learning about batting there are some key points you will need to know. These include areas of

The Stance
The Stride
Arm and Hand Positions
The Swing

The stance required depends on the side they favor. If a boy is right handed, he should turn his left side to the pitcher; the right side if left handed.

The body should be fairly erect and relaxed with the weight distributed evenly on both feet. The hips and shoulders should be level. The feet should be shoulder width apart with the toe of the front foot even with the instep of the rear foot. When the ball is being delivered, the batters heels should be up slightly, his knees flexed slightly.
The stride covers how the call should be hit. As the ball is being delivered to the plate, the batter should raise his front foot just above the ground and slide it forward (toward pitcher) about six inches. This step, a critical part of hitting, begins what is generally termed timing. All other movements that are a part of batting flow from it.

Practice with this formula:

Ready?

Step and twist.
Back to starting position.
Again, step and twist. Back.
Step and twist. Back

Arm and hand positions coordinate with both the stance and the stride. Right handed batters: place your left palm against the front of your right shoulder, little finger down, thumb up. Move the left hand forward about six inches and make a fist.

Left handed batters: place your right palm against the front of your left shoulder, little finger down, thumb up. Move the right hand forward about six inches and make a fist.

The elbow of the arm that is now extended across the body should have almost no bend in it and there should be no strain on the arm. This is the arm and hand that guide the bat through the swing. The opposite arm and hand provide the power.

Make a fist with the Power Hand and place it on top of the Guiding Hand.

Raise the elbow of the Power Arm so it is level with the top of the shoulder. There will be some strain there. Drop this elbow slowly until there is no strain. The elbow of the Power Arm should come to a stop about two inches below the top of the shoulder.

Keep elbows and hands away from the body!

About the Author:Tips and Tricks On How To Play Baseball For Boys. These Little Known Secrets Will Have Your Youngster Hitting The Longest Yard Over The Boundary Fence! FREE For A Limited Time http://baseball-training.org

How To Play Fantasy Baseball

by Billy Beansprout

The first thing you want to do to play fantasy baseball is find, or form, a fantasy baseball league. Ten to twelve teams is usually the norm in a league, though you may have anywhere from four to 24 teams in a given league. Each team in the fantasy league must consist of 23 players. Many of the leagues you will find use only American or National League players, so the number of quality players is limited.

Your team's roster will consist of nine pitchers, five outfielders, two catchers, one player for each of the three bases, a middle infielder, one corner man, and a miscellaneous player (designated hitter in AL based fantasy leagues, utility man in NL based fantasy leagues.

Players: Choosing Your Team

Each owner is given a list of players, and their eligible positions on draft day. There are two methods used to select your team in a fantasy baseball league. One method is the draft method, the other is the auction method.

Draft method- The teams are arranged in a random order. Following this order, owners take turns selecting players until all teams have twenty three players. The draft order is usually reversed for even numbered rounds. Before drafting starts, decide if the league will wipe the slate clean for the next season, or whether it will protect seven to fifteen players.

Auction method- In the auction method, each fantasy baseball team owner will start with 260 units of credit. Owners will take turns opening bids on players. Bidding proceeds, as with a normal auction, until only the highest bidder remains. Bidding will have a minimum increase of one unit of credit. With the auction method, you can force teams to stay under the 260 credit unit salary cap, or allow the purchase of remaining players once the bidding is complete and the owners have their teams completed.

Players and Their Eligibility

A player may play any position that he played in at least 20 major-league games the previous year. If he doesn't have a position that he did play 20 times, he is eligible for the position he played the most often. The player is also allowed to play any position that he may appear in through the season.

How Fantasy Baseball is Scored

Cumulative scoring system-
There are a total of eight categories each team will be scored on. These are batting averages (pitcher excluded), home runs, runs batted, stolen bases, run average, wins, saves, and WHIP (Walks and Hits divided by total Innings Pitched). At the end of the season, each team is ranked from first to last in each category. In a ten team league, first place in each category will receive ten points. Second place receives nine, so on and so forth. The champion of the league is determined by the highest score at the end of the year.

Head to head scoring system-
Based on the same eight categories, teams play a game each week with another franchise. Each team will receive a point for each category they win, and ties are thrown away. Alternatively, teams can receive two points for wins, and one point for ties. If tied games will not be allowed to stand, strikeouts, doubles, runs, triples, and home team wins are excellent tie breaking categories.

About the Author:Billy is a contributer to the Big Show Baseball MLB News & Opinion Blog which includes a page on Fantasy Baseball

Babe Ruth Baseball Cards, Still A Good Investment?

by Veronica Davis

The legend of Babe Ruth is still just as much alive today than it was during his reign of baseball in the early 1900's. There isn't a baseball fanatic, or baseball cards collector in the world that would not want to get their hands on an official Babe Ruth baseball card, and he continues to have die-hard fans that weren't even thought of being born when he was hitting home runs.

Babe Ruth, born in Baltimore Maryland was actually named George Herman Ruth Jr., but became known by many names including The Great Bambino, The Home Run King, and The Sultan of Swat. His record speaks for itself with 714 home runs which remained unbeatable by baseball players to follow for an astounding 39 years. He was born to Kate Schamberger-Ruth and George Herman Ruth, Sr., but did not live out his entire childhood with them. They worked long hours, and when Babe Ruth was seven years old his father took him to St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys and gave them custody of him. There, he didn't conform well to their rigid environment. Family visiting days were not even highlights he could look forward to because his family didn't come to visit.

As you can see, his father was not to be thanked for enhancing his then, unreal baseball abilities. The man who has the right to that claim is Brother Matthias of the St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys, who eventually became a father figure of sorts. He played on the school's baseball team, starting out as a catcher, and then given the chance to play the pitcher's position. His talent was evident. Babe Ruth was signed to the Baltimore Orioles at the age of 19 by their owner, Jack Dunn. It was during this time that he obtained the nick name Babe, because people viewed him as "Jack's newest babe"... Jack Dunn had the reputation as a top scout at that time. The Orioles were a Boston Red Sox minor league team, but Ruth's contract was bought out by the Red Sox after playing on the Orioles for only five months. He was now playing with the big boys in the major league.

Babe Ruth is, of course, mostly known for his amazing batting talent. However, for the first six years on the Boston Red Sox he was a pitcher. He set unbelievable records, in both pitching and batting positions in the years to follow. Good times rolled for the Red Sox until 1919, when Harry Frazee became the new owner of the team and chose to sell Ruth to the Ney York Yankees. What did he get in return for handing over the legend in this transaction? Ruth was sold for $100,000 and a $350,000 loan that Frazee in turn used to finance his Broadway productions dream.

It was this turn of events that led to the "Curse of the Bambino". The Yankees experienced tremendous victories, while the Red Sox wouldn't earn a World Series title again until many years later in 2004. The legend of Babe Ruth will always carry on, and the Curse will always be felt in the heart of Red Sox fans. Therefore, Babe Ruth baseball cards will always be highly sought after.

About the Author:Find more information about Babe Ruth baseball cards. Veronica Davis is a full time freelance writer. You can find out more about her at http://www.vgal.info/