Becoming a Home-Run Hero

Ever dreamed about the day you smashed that home run to win for your favorite team? I know I certainly have. Even today, the thought of swinging for the ball and making that sweet connection before sending it soaring into the crowds is very appealing. OK, so that goal might be beyond me, but it is possible, if you are just starting out in baseball, that you too could reach that level one day, and you could be smashing that homer for your local team, or even in the major league. The first thing... Read more »

What I Know and Remember About Baseball - Juicing

Juicing in baseball occurs on two levels. First is the newer baseballs with composite rubber compounds that enable the ball to behave stronger. Better flight and response to the bat which results in more home runs. Second, juicing the player with steroids for increase red blood cells that allow more oxygen metabolizing and muscle growth. For any baseball fan that has a subscription to Scientific American you can appreciate how they bring in subjects that in one aspect are very in line with their... Read more »

A Brief Look At The History Of Baseball In America

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... Read more »

Things You Need To Know If You Are Considering Coaching Baseball

So you have decided to become a baseball coach, maybe because your child had a team but no one was willing to step up to coach or maybe you just have a passion for working in this field. Whatever the reason is really is not the important factor. Every coach wants a winning team and every player wants the same thing but this all lies within the overall effectiveness of the team as a whole, including the coach. A coach is a teacher and like any good teacher you should always be looking for ways to... Read more »

What I Know and Remember About Baseball - Hot Bats

Banjo hitters are always on the look out for hot bats to get them out of the cellar. What they do not realize is that getting on base at a higher frequency outweighs the over the wall thrill of crushing the baseball. At the amateur level the playing field was leveled by having bats certified. The figures and ratios for these different levels of certification were designed to protect defensive players. Once the batter puts the ball into play, the defender only has their glove, skill and ability to... Read more »

Creating The Best Little League Team

In building a team, the pioneers of modern baseball discovered patterns which are essential to success on the field. John McGraw always wanted strength down the middle when he managed championship teams for the New York Giants. He wanted topnotch defensive players in center field, at shortstop and second base, and behind the bat. In checking the strength of the Chicago White Sox, 1959 American League champions, you will find it in those positions - Landis in center field, Fox at second base, Aparicio... Read more »

Learning To Pitch With Pizazz

Although baseball is a team game - and complete cooperation from every player is necessary for victory - coaches, players and spectators agree that the most important factor in the success of a team is the pitcher. Many major-league managers have attempted to evaluate just how much pitching means to a team. Their estimates generally run from 70 to 85 per cent. It is not important to accurately gauge the precise percentage of pitching to the success of a team; it is more important for a team to have... Read more »

Coaching and Strategy in Baseball

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... Read more »

The ‘08 Boston Red Sox Pitching Rotation

In Bean Town, even coming off a World Series triumph with another awesome pitching rotation (the second World Series victory in four years after their excruciating drought) there will always be anxiety about what lies ahead in 2008. Are the Red Sox the favorite again for the new year; and equally - if not more - important, did the Red Sox do more in the off season than the New York Yankees did to maintain their advantage in the constant arms-race? Truth be told, neither of those teams succeeded... Read more »

How to Beat a Fastball Pitcher at Their Own Game

The pitcher is well known for his fastball. Your ace hitters are either knocking it foul or whiffing it altogether. There is a secret to beating a hard fastball Pitcher. Fastball Pitchers are accustomed to having their way at the plate. Very little unravels their poise. They know their job and they know it well. Throw hard and throw strikes. Occasionally their zest sends an unwitting batter to first on a free trip. Pitchers console themselves with the knowledge that all wounds will heal. It is merely... Read more »