Baseball Throwing Part Eight - Specialty Throws
There are all kinds of specialty throws for infielders that have absolutely nothing to do with lining up and warming up. To give you an example of a specialty throw lets look at first baseman giving the ball to a pitcher covering the base. It is an important play. This has to be taught and it has to be worked on. As far as the underhand throw is concerned, I feel that the whole hand should be behind the ball and that he should give it to him so that the ball is going rise up into the pitcher's face. You will lead him with the throw he needs to follow with a couple of quick steps. He needs to follow that throw instead of just flat-footed because a lot of times those big hitting first basemen, they will get flat-footed and will flip and go way up.
Choosing the Right Baseball or Softball Pitching Machine
A pitching machine is a tool that, when used properly, can benefit a player enormously as well as improve the quality and efficiency of baseball or softball hitting drills. Whether refining a player's baseball or softball hitting technique or working on fielding practice, a pitching machine can literally function as an extra coach. That having been said, most consumers are quickly overwhelmed by all of the variations of baseball and softball pitching machines available. Questions of age appropriateness, features, the many different balls, etc are all important and need to be addressed. First off, a baseball or softball pitching machine, when used for hitting practice helps refine the swing, no matter the age of the player.
The Home Run King at Last - What Should Bonds Do Now?
A few nights ago, Barry Bonds ended his long-term home run saga by blasting number 756, by-passing legendary Hank Aaron. Bonds knew he had done it the moment the ball jumped off his bat. Visually relieved, he threw up his hands in sheer joy, exclaiming what one would most likely guess as something a long the lines of "Finally! " Well, being a Giants fan, I can tell you that we, Giants fans, are as relieved as he is. Even though it has been nice to have every single Giants game broadcasted on national television, the constant scrutiny and speculation have been rather annoying. This whole ordeal has been like a trip to a distant country. It"s fun while it lasts, but once over, you"re glad to be home.
Manny
On July 19th, the Boston Globe wrote an article titled "Getting it right in left?" stating that Manny Ramirez is making left field look difficult because he is playing too shallow, allowing too many doubles that haven't hit the wall, blah, blah, blah. Don't the people at the Globe have better things to write about now that the Red Sox have given up some ground to the Yankees in the AL East Standings? Its so typical of the Globe, and everyone else in Boston, to just start panicking when the team faces a little adversity. Lets get a few things straight, the Sox are still 7 games up in the East, and Manny playing five feet 'too shallow' ISN'T THE REASON WE ARE LOSING GAMES!
The Emergence of Julio Lugo
What a difference a few weeks makes! Just before the All-Star break Julio Lugo, had gone hitless in 33 straight at bats, and people were calling for a shortstop deal at the deadline. Others had said Alex Cora should become the everyday guy. Fast-forward to today, where Lugo's single yesterday afternoon against the Chicago White Sox, allowed him to continue his season best hitting streak of 12 games. Earlier in the week Lugo thanked the fans in an interview about his recent success "I want to thank the fans for not giving up on me" he said. To the winner goes the spoils, as the fans said a thank you of their own on Friday night, after Lugo delivered a Grand Slam to break open a 6-3 game in the 8th inning.
Mike Lowell vs A-Rod
The major difference between Mike Lowell and Alex Rodriguez is quite simple: Mike Lowell had cancer, and A-Rod is a cancer. In 2000 Alex Rodriguez was essentially the face of baseball. He signed the largest contract to date in American sports, one that would pay him $252 million over 10 years. We all know this, but what is also surfacing especially lately is his cancerous behavior that brings teams down. It is common knowledge that both Seattle and Texas improved when A-Rod left, earning him the nickname "The Cooler". Many players have attributed the success post A-Rod, to the fact that he thought he was better then everyone else. He treated teammates like they were little leaguers, and always made it sound like he was more committed and worked harder than everyone.
Barry Bonds - Mixed Emotions Over the Homerun Record
So Barry Bonds hit his 756th homerun late Tuesday night on August 7th, 2007. How do you feel about this? Are you excited to see such a great record broken? Are you aggravated because it was Bonds who did it? For most people the answer is likely both. Bud Selig called Bonds afterwards. Hank Aaron had a message on the big screen in the outfield. Neither seems too excited for Bonds. The fans cheered, but some booed. So why was there so many contradicting emotions? Are we truly upset that Bonds broke the record when we believe he used steroids? When Bonds broke the single season record by knocking 73 homeruns out, there wasn"t such an outcry about steroids so we didn"t complain so much then, but still some people complained.
Baseball or Fastpitch Softball Hitting Drill - Hands to the Ball
The dreaded Golf Swing is a common problem for Softball players. You know what I'm talking about, the player consistently misses below the ball by four or five inches. You have talked to them about taking their hands straight to the ball and about swinging level, yet time after time they are underneath the ball. You finally decide the girl is a complete moron and is unable to process the valuable information you are giving her or you determine that she must enjoy bringing you pain and misery. Your Hitter is probably into the pain and misery he/she is causing you, but on the outside chance that's it's just a bad batting habit you should try this Hands to the Ball drill.
Oakland Athletics Tickets Mean Outstanding Baseball
Oakland Athletics tickets are not always easy to come by. That's because baseball fans know that an Oakland Athletics game is going to mean good baseball. Not only is the team known for its impressive number of World Series wins, but also for its history that many like to see in terms of different dynasties. The Oakland Athletics are part of the Major League and is affiliated with the West Division and the American League. Their home games are played at McAfee Coliseum. They have nine World Series and fifteen American League wins to their name. They are often referred to as the A's, the Elephants or the White Elephants. The White Elephants While the team itself was born in 1901, it wouldn't be until 1968 that the team began to play from Oakland.
Understanding America s Game - By Someone Who Wasn t Raised With Baseball
Ah, the great American Pastime has arrived for yet another visit. The warm breezes, the hope and confidence of a new season are all thrown together with warm beer in the one fabulous season that is Summer. The crack of bat against ball, as well as the sound of barley beverage cans being popped open lift the spirits. These two sounds become indistinguishable after a while sitting in sunshine consuming the contents of several of these containers. And perhaps that is the point. Baseball is relaxing if not always entertaining. After a long winter, it is great to hang outside, drink in the sunshine and order $10.00 beer. It strikes the Sage that sitting on the patio would provide the same value and the patio"s proximity to the fridge ensures that the beer would be colder and cheaper.