www.BatAction.com
Tee Ball Baseball Parents will find the TeeBall Parent Blog to be a valuable source for information, tips, and articles related to teaching your child to play baseball. Being a baseball parent carries with it the duties and responsibilities of starting your child off correctly. Teaching your child to hit, throw, field and run can be a fun and exciting family activitiy. Subcribe to the TeeBall Parent Blog and get a better insight and understanding of how to help your child.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving to Our Tee Ball Parents Blog Readers
Happy Thanksgiving to Our Tee Ball Parent Blog Readers
The staff at Nedco Sports wishes you and your family a safe and Happy Thanksgiving Holidays.
The staff at Nedco Sports wishes you and your family a safe and Happy Thanksgiving Holidays.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Field Training Tips For Baseball Kids
By Sameep Shah
Kids enjoy the game of baseball and like to be a front runner in winning tournaments. Some like to play a role of strong hitter, some like to be an accurate pitcher, but everyone has to be a good fielder.
The fielding positions in the sport of baseball differs and each position is as important as other is. Field training tips for the kids make them get hold on any ball slogged towards them and lead the way towards victory. You get only three chances to hold the catch of opponent player or run them out and get entire team out in one round. When opportunities come your way they are to be grabbed and your true fielding talents are to be displayed. Fielding in the baseball sport is not that simple but lot of practice and daily efforts taken will surely make you stronger in respective position.
Kids or young lads like to share their part in tournaments arranged by the schools and colleges. Like any other games, football, baseball, basketball are coming up rapidly in educational institutions as more kids are taking part in them. Baseball basically needs lot of thinking and it is considered as a mind game rather than power. Every one has to field at some position or the other. Some kids are gifted with natural talents in fielding positions like the first base, second base, third base, short stop, infield, outfield, fence and others. Your throw has to be on the spot from any positions. It is essential to catch the ball properly and through it back to the pitcher to run someone out. The best players always throw themselves on the ground to catch and hold on to ball coming from any direction.
Keeping an eye on who is running when and throwing the ball towards the base fielders is the responsibility of fence fielders. The other important factor for the players to look out for is the grip of gloves. There is no point in fielding at any position if your glove is not firm in the hands. Using proper leather glove and conditioning it at times will be beneficial. All beginners in the game of baseball are given the field training tips to make them strong in all positions. Some one may specialize in a particular field while some others may be flexible enough to field at couple of positions when required. Usually it is better to take hold of one field position and be the king of it.
For more information visit Sportscapers University at houston youth football - You can also find more information and online training videos to help you improve your skills at katy youth football.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sameep_Shah
===Advertisement from our sponsor:=====
Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.
The Categories they have are: Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!
Monday, November 23, 2009
3 Things Every Tee Ball Baseball Batter Must Be Taught When First Learning to Hit
By Nick Dixon
It is important that very young baseball players receive proper instruction in baseball hitting mechanics. Young baseball players benefit greatly from top quality instruction and teaching that is easy to understand, simple to execute, and consistent from one lesson to another. Young baseball players experience a higher level of success, satisfaction, and enjoyment when they are taught to "do things right". Here are 3 things that every Tee Ball player must be taught when first learning to hit.
1. Keep your eyes on the ball. The batter must learn to keep their eyes on the ball from the time the ball leaves the pitchers hand until the ball leaves the bat after contact. If the batter keeps the eyes on the ball, the possibility of the batter having one common flaw, the "pulling of the head", will be eliminated.
2. Have a proper grip. The proper grip is a grip with the "knocking knuckles" on both hands aligned with each other. This puts the grip of the bat in the fingers and out of the palm. This grip allows for smoothly and quicker hand which will improve bat speed.
3. Take a short step toward the ball. When kids are very young they need to learn to shift their weight. They are need to learn to take a shirt stride. Having them take a short step toward the pitch or pitcher is the best way to teach this early.
4. Hit the ball hard. Young batters should learn to swing level and "kill the ball". The harder you hit the ball, the more successful a batter will be. "Soft" contact leads to outs. The emphasis should be for the batter to make good solid contact by driving the bat barrel through the baseball.
5. Keep the head still during the swing. The lower body strides. The upper body will rotate. But the head should remain still, chin down, and with the eyes on the ball as mentioned in #1. The batter begins with his chin on his front shoulder and ends the swing with his chin on his back shoulder. Is you hear someone say go "Ike to Mike", that is what many coaches use to describe this movement of the shoulders.
Check out Blogs4Coaches.com. for a directory of blogs recommended for baseball coaches, players and parents.
Check out the Bat Action Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon
===Advertisement from our sponsor:=====
Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.
The Categories they have are: Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!
It is important that very young baseball players receive proper instruction in baseball hitting mechanics. Young baseball players benefit greatly from top quality instruction and teaching that is easy to understand, simple to execute, and consistent from one lesson to another. Young baseball players experience a higher level of success, satisfaction, and enjoyment when they are taught to "do things right". Here are 3 things that every Tee Ball player must be taught when first learning to hit.
1. Keep your eyes on the ball. The batter must learn to keep their eyes on the ball from the time the ball leaves the pitchers hand until the ball leaves the bat after contact. If the batter keeps the eyes on the ball, the possibility of the batter having one common flaw, the "pulling of the head", will be eliminated.
2. Have a proper grip. The proper grip is a grip with the "knocking knuckles" on both hands aligned with each other. This puts the grip of the bat in the fingers and out of the palm. This grip allows for smoothly and quicker hand which will improve bat speed.
3. Take a short step toward the ball. When kids are very young they need to learn to shift their weight. They are need to learn to take a shirt stride. Having them take a short step toward the pitch or pitcher is the best way to teach this early.
4. Hit the ball hard. Young batters should learn to swing level and "kill the ball". The harder you hit the ball, the more successful a batter will be. "Soft" contact leads to outs. The emphasis should be for the batter to make good solid contact by driving the bat barrel through the baseball.
5. Keep the head still during the swing. The lower body strides. The upper body will rotate. But the head should remain still, chin down, and with the eyes on the ball as mentioned in #1. The batter begins with his chin on his front shoulder and ends the swing with his chin on his back shoulder. Is you hear someone say go "Ike to Mike", that is what many coaches use to describe this movement of the shoulders.
Check out Blogs4Coaches.com. for a directory of blogs recommended for baseball coaches, players and parents.
Check out the Bat Action Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon
===Advertisement from our sponsor:=====
Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.
The Categories they have are: Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Baseball Trainers for Home and team Use
Baseball2u.com
BatAction.com
Hit2win.com
Here are 3 widely known and respected baseball batting trainers that make great backyard hitting stations.
Baseball Batting Practice Trainer Videos
Video shows the Hands Back Hitter baseball batting trainer. The Hands Back Hitter by Swing Buster is a great for all ages and ability levels. The HBH teaches and builds correct hitting fundamentals.
The Stayback Tee is designed to help teach and practice rotational hitting that can increase bat speed. The Stayback Tee helps the batter establish the proper axis to launch the swing. It virtually eliminates forward motion after swing initiation commonly called lunging. This enhances balance in the stride landing and allows the hitter to adjust to different speed pitches and maximize the power by leading with hips and turning into the ball.
Short video demonstration of the BatAction Hitting Machine baseball softball trainer, The BatAction offers high speed ball movement drills that are 100% Guaranteed to Improve batting averages, bat speed and hitting skill. Unit is suitable for all ages from t-ball to high scholo. Great for Little League team parctices and home backyard workouts. The BatAction is often called the "Backyard Basketball Goal" for baseball and softball players.
Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.
The Categories they have are: Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
How to Teach Throwing to Baseball Players
By Dick Birmingham
In the game of baseball correct throwing mechanics are of the utmost importance. If a player can’t throw with accuracy he does his team little good out in the field. Players must constantly strive to perfect their throwing mechanics. Few players take the time necessary to become really good throwers. Great pride should be taken when a player can consistently throw to a target.
Key Points in Throwing
The Grip
Many young players grip the ball with their fingers too wide apart. This affects accuracy severely reduces velocity of the throw. The fingers should be about ¼ inch apart (about the width of a yellow #2 pencil). The index and middle finger should lay across the wide seams of the ball. This grip is also known as a 4-seam fastball. The pads of the index and middle finger sit on the seam of the ball. If you think of the ball as a clock, the index and middle fingers should rest on either side of 12 o’clock and the thumb would rest straight underneath the ball at 6 o’clock. There should be "daylight" between the ball and palm of the throwing hand. This is the best grip for achieving straight backspin and avoiding any "tailing" of the ball.
Arm Action
Arm action refers to the path the throwing arm travels from hand separation to release-point and follow-through. Baseball throwers must concentrate on breaking the hands and making a big sweeping motion with the arm in order to stay long with the arm going back to a good power position. Power position refers to the position where the player has the throwing arm back, level with the shoulder or higher, and bent at the elbow. The throwing-hand index and middle fingers should be point up forming a "V". The back of the throwing hand should face the thrower while the palm of the throwing hand should face away from the thrower. Practicing a good power position is essential in becoming a good thrower. The front shoulder should always point at the target and stay closed. As the player turns to throw, the glove-side elbow should be as high or higher than the throwing-side shoulder. The throwing fingers must stay pointing up through release to get good straight backspin. When throwing with a partner, young players should imagine painting a vertical line with their throwing hand from the letters on their partner’s hat to their partner’s belt buckle.
Throwing To The Circle
Baseball players should always practice throwing on a downward plane to their target. When throwing with a partner, the player should focus on throwing down into "the circle". The circle is an area from the partner’s hat, right shoulder, belt buckle, and left shoulder. A player who can throw down into the circle consistently is a good thrower.
Note: A player receiving a ball should always have both hands in front of the chest with fingers pointing out and up. This makes a great target in the center of the circle.
Staying On Line
Throwers should imagine a line running from their pivot foot straight through their target. As they throw, they should separate their arms on the imaginary line being careful not to let the throwing arm pass behind the line. The stride should also be on the line. Any variation from the line will decrease accuracy. As the player releases the ball he should concentrate on keeping his body on the line. Many players spin off the line when they throw instead of following-through toward their target.
Note: The chin MUST point toward the target. Where the chin faces the eyes will face and the body will follow.
Squaring the Pivot Foot
The pivot foot (throwing hand-side) needs to be "square" to the target. If the player starts by facing the target when throwing the pivot foot should be opened 90 degrees toward the target to allow for the closing of the front side (hips and shoulders). Failure to do this can result in poor accuracy and velocity. Many young players do not turn their pivot foot a full 90 degrees to their target. Squaring the pivot foot should be emphasized to all players to ensure correct throwing mechanics.
It has been said many time that baseball is a game of catch, and the team that plays catch the best will usually win. As a coach, teach your players the proper fundamentals of throwing and you will win more games and develop your players.
For more baseball throwing tips and baseball throwing drills visit the Dick Birmgingham Sports Championship Baseball Drill Book at http://www.BaseballDrillBook.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dick_Birmingham
In the game of baseball correct throwing mechanics are of the utmost importance. If a player can’t throw with accuracy he does his team little good out in the field. Players must constantly strive to perfect their throwing mechanics. Few players take the time necessary to become really good throwers. Great pride should be taken when a player can consistently throw to a target.
Key Points in Throwing
The Grip
Many young players grip the ball with their fingers too wide apart. This affects accuracy severely reduces velocity of the throw. The fingers should be about ¼ inch apart (about the width of a yellow #2 pencil). The index and middle finger should lay across the wide seams of the ball. This grip is also known as a 4-seam fastball. The pads of the index and middle finger sit on the seam of the ball. If you think of the ball as a clock, the index and middle fingers should rest on either side of 12 o’clock and the thumb would rest straight underneath the ball at 6 o’clock. There should be "daylight" between the ball and palm of the throwing hand. This is the best grip for achieving straight backspin and avoiding any "tailing" of the ball.
Arm Action
Arm action refers to the path the throwing arm travels from hand separation to release-point and follow-through. Baseball throwers must concentrate on breaking the hands and making a big sweeping motion with the arm in order to stay long with the arm going back to a good power position. Power position refers to the position where the player has the throwing arm back, level with the shoulder or higher, and bent at the elbow. The throwing-hand index and middle fingers should be point up forming a "V". The back of the throwing hand should face the thrower while the palm of the throwing hand should face away from the thrower. Practicing a good power position is essential in becoming a good thrower. The front shoulder should always point at the target and stay closed. As the player turns to throw, the glove-side elbow should be as high or higher than the throwing-side shoulder. The throwing fingers must stay pointing up through release to get good straight backspin. When throwing with a partner, young players should imagine painting a vertical line with their throwing hand from the letters on their partner’s hat to their partner’s belt buckle.
Throwing To The Circle
Baseball players should always practice throwing on a downward plane to their target. When throwing with a partner, the player should focus on throwing down into "the circle". The circle is an area from the partner’s hat, right shoulder, belt buckle, and left shoulder. A player who can throw down into the circle consistently is a good thrower.
Note: A player receiving a ball should always have both hands in front of the chest with fingers pointing out and up. This makes a great target in the center of the circle.
Staying On Line
Throwers should imagine a line running from their pivot foot straight through their target. As they throw, they should separate their arms on the imaginary line being careful not to let the throwing arm pass behind the line. The stride should also be on the line. Any variation from the line will decrease accuracy. As the player releases the ball he should concentrate on keeping his body on the line. Many players spin off the line when they throw instead of following-through toward their target.
Note: The chin MUST point toward the target. Where the chin faces the eyes will face and the body will follow.
Squaring the Pivot Foot
The pivot foot (throwing hand-side) needs to be "square" to the target. If the player starts by facing the target when throwing the pivot foot should be opened 90 degrees toward the target to allow for the closing of the front side (hips and shoulders). Failure to do this can result in poor accuracy and velocity. Many young players do not turn their pivot foot a full 90 degrees to their target. Squaring the pivot foot should be emphasized to all players to ensure correct throwing mechanics.
It has been said many time that baseball is a game of catch, and the team that plays catch the best will usually win. As a coach, teach your players the proper fundamentals of throwing and you will win more games and develop your players.
For more baseball throwing tips and baseball throwing drills visit the Dick Birmgingham Sports Championship Baseball Drill Book at http://www.BaseballDrillBook.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dick_Birmingham
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Give the Coach a Hand - Tips For Building a Solid Relationship With Your Child's Coach
By Bob Hines
Youth baseball leagues cannot survive without volunteerism. It takes the time and effort of many dedicated people to deliver a great experience for its players. This includes managers and coaches who tend to offer many hours on and off the field.
As parents we have an obligation to the team as well. Here are a few ways you can help the coach and your kid during the baseball season.
1. Communicate With Coach And Arrive On Time. Whether through email or via phone make sure the coach knows your kids availability for games and practices. If your child is going to be late give an accurate time as to when he/she will arrive. Games require prep work and coaches generally figure out where kids are going to play prior to game time (a rotation). This can take a long time to put together and if a player is late getting to the game, it creates a lot of extra work for the coach. Also, make sure your player is well prepared for the game with the proper equipment.
2. Get Involved. Coaches generally welcome parent who volunteer to help. Tell the coach at the beginning of the year that you are willing to help. Let him know what you can offer the kids.
3. Pick Up A Rake. Most leagues have requirements to prep fields before or after games. Parent can help out by taking over this responsibility for the team leaving time for coaches to warm up before a game or have post game discussions with the team. These are both important parts of the baseball experience and parents should pave the way for this to take place.
4. Cheer For All Players. Baseball is a team sport. Parents should cheer for all players on the team. It's even OK to cheer for kids on the opposing team. Give the kids a smile and cheer for all of them.
5. Have One-On-Ones With Coaches After Games. From time to time you may need to speak with your kids coach privately about issues. The best time to do this is after games or practices. The best way to go about this is to ask the coach a few days in advance if they will have some time to speak with you. Give them an understanding of what it is you want to talk about. Most importantly have this discussion without the kids around to listen.
6. Be Constructive. Not destructive! Nothing is worse that negative energy on a baseball team. It can drive teams with great talent to the brink of destruction. It's important for parents to keep things positive. Don't give into discussions with others about what the coaches are doing wrong... focus on what they are doing right. If you have an idea, observation or suggestion... result to item #5. Keep things positive. In most cases all involved are there to make the experience a great one... help that cause, don't fight it.
Always remember that we are all doing this for the kids. At the end of the day what's important is that the kids are playing baseball, participating in a positive activity, getting exercise, making friends, learning to be a teammate. I hope these few ideas will help you develop great relationships with your child coach and make your child's baseball experience a better one.
Coach Bob
Visit Coach Bob's Youth Baseball Blog @ http://youthbaseballblog.blogspot.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Hines
Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.
The Categories they have are: Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Baseball Legend Mickey Mantle
By Shawna S. Ruppert
There are a certain group of baseball legends which have certain things in common. Most of the most legendary players were from a certain era, and most played for the New York Yankees. Mickey Mantle trivia will certainly show that he is no exception to this, and he still stands as one of the most popular Yankees, and indeed most popular players of all time.
An interesting piece from a Mickey Mantle quiz is that he almost had his career ended before he started. He was growing up in Oklahoma, and was playing football when he got an injury resulting in an infection. The infection might have claimed his leg except that penicillin was becoming widely available, and he was able to get the treatment he needed to keep the leg, although he would suffer from after effects of the osteomyelitis for the rest of his life.
Mantle would first take the steps towards Pro Ball with a team called the Baxter Spring Whiz Kids, a semi pro team. Mickey Mantle trivia shows this is where he was first scouted by the Yankees. Although he was sent back to the minors after the first time he was called up, accusations from his father and the prospect of becoming a miner for the rest of his life spurred him on to become the ball player that would evolve into a legend.
One of the most threatening things about Mantle as a ball player was his uncanny ability to switch hit, and to still be an effective hitter from either side of the plate. A Mickey Mantle quiz question about his switch hitting ability might mention the number of home runs he managed to hit batting from either direction. Over the course of his career, he would hit 372 home runs from left handed at bats, and 164 right handed.
During his day, Mickey Mantle would become the highest paid player in the league, although others would make more before and since. Mickey Mantle retired in 1969 from baseball, and shortly thereafter was inducted into the hall of fame, and had his number, 7, retired by the Yankees. Many people don't know that Mantle wore number six the first time he got to play major league ball, but during the time that he had been sent back down to the minor leagues another player had claimed that number, leaving Mantle to choose number 7 when he got his second chance with the team.
Masters of Trivia is a website dedicated to trivia games and quizzes that cover several different areas of interest. The various trivia questions available on the site can be easily accessed and played by going to http://www.mastersoftrivia.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shawna_S._Ruppert
===Advertisement from our sponsor:=====
Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.
The Categories they have are: Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!
There are a certain group of baseball legends which have certain things in common. Most of the most legendary players were from a certain era, and most played for the New York Yankees. Mickey Mantle trivia will certainly show that he is no exception to this, and he still stands as one of the most popular Yankees, and indeed most popular players of all time.
An interesting piece from a Mickey Mantle quiz is that he almost had his career ended before he started. He was growing up in Oklahoma, and was playing football when he got an injury resulting in an infection. The infection might have claimed his leg except that penicillin was becoming widely available, and he was able to get the treatment he needed to keep the leg, although he would suffer from after effects of the osteomyelitis for the rest of his life.
Mantle would first take the steps towards Pro Ball with a team called the Baxter Spring Whiz Kids, a semi pro team. Mickey Mantle trivia shows this is where he was first scouted by the Yankees. Although he was sent back to the minors after the first time he was called up, accusations from his father and the prospect of becoming a miner for the rest of his life spurred him on to become the ball player that would evolve into a legend.
One of the most threatening things about Mantle as a ball player was his uncanny ability to switch hit, and to still be an effective hitter from either side of the plate. A Mickey Mantle quiz question about his switch hitting ability might mention the number of home runs he managed to hit batting from either direction. Over the course of his career, he would hit 372 home runs from left handed at bats, and 164 right handed.
During his day, Mickey Mantle would become the highest paid player in the league, although others would make more before and since. Mickey Mantle retired in 1969 from baseball, and shortly thereafter was inducted into the hall of fame, and had his number, 7, retired by the Yankees. Many people don't know that Mantle wore number six the first time he got to play major league ball, but during the time that he had been sent back down to the minor leagues another player had claimed that number, leaving Mantle to choose number 7 when he got his second chance with the team.
Masters of Trivia is a website dedicated to trivia games and quizzes that cover several different areas of interest. The various trivia questions available on the site can be easily accessed and played by going to http://www.mastersoftrivia.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shawna_S._Ruppert
===Advertisement from our sponsor:=====
Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.
The Categories they have are: Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Baseball & Softball Swing - Confidence Vs Mechanics
HurricaneMachine.com
By Todd Thomas
I was at a high school level ball game recently. Of the two teams playing, one was filled with a group of very cocky players. They were cocky and CONFIDENT. What's interesting is that the players on this team had some of the worst baseball swings I have ever seen in my life. But they were confident as all get out.
It's an interesting phenomenon to observe that a player can have horrible mechanics but have supreme confidence(cockiness is a good word to describe here) and still be able to hit the baseball successfully. Alex Rodriquez successfully? NO! No, as I watched the game none of these players really scorched the baseball but they did swing confidently at it and put the ball in play often finding holes and blooping hits all the way to a 14 to 2 win.
These players' potential to play at higher levels is limited with bad mechanics. Ultimately, they will reach an end to their success(and subsequently their confidence) as they move to higher and higher levels of baseball. These were high school players. Obviously, they are going to have some success at the high school level. Reaching the collegiate level is probably out for most of them because of their technique, but one or two of them may reach that level. Then that's probably it. I once had a collegiate player over for some training and his mechanics were awful, but he was playing Division I baseball. Why? More than likely he was extremely confident up until this point but now was crashing and burning at the collegiate level. He also had a load of natural ability that had carried him this far too. However, he had reached his peak and I remember telling him that if he has sights on playing professionally he needed to change what he was doing mechanically. And he did have the desire to play pro ball.
However, even if a player works on and gets mechanically sound, I believe that any player(no matter what age) will struggle if they don't learn how to be confident. If they are not confident and their new mechanics aren't "working" for them, then they will blame the mechanics or the teacher or both and will keep searching for that "perfect" way to swing to insure success. When what they really need is confidence training in order to raise the game and to be successful.
So is learning the proper mechanics the "answer" to being a good hitter? I teach the mechanics of the best players in the game and I am supremely confident in what I teach. Let's say however that I took a player from the team of confident hitters with bad mechanics and we started working on fixing his mechanics. IF he is able to sustain his confidence, look out. He should excel in a big way.
What if though(and this probably goes higher the younger the player is) the player starts "thinking too much" about executing the proper swing mechanics? What if he starts over-analyzing his swing and trying to hard to make things happen with his new swing? Questions and doubt may start building within him after a bad(weak) hit or a strike out. He then starts asking himself, "Am I doing it right?" "Am I performing my mechanics correctly?" If the results are not there, then the player will assume that he is not swinging "correctly" and there begins the process of over-thinking, over-analyzing, and confidence shrinking. And I believe the downward spiral of his hitting results and confidence will continue to fall.
What's interesting as I think about the team of cocky confident hitters is that I don't think they realize that they suck. Their mechanics that is. They seem to have no idea how "bad" they are and they play as if not to care. They are just confident. On the contrary, they are pretty good because they THINK they are in spite of what they don't know.
So which is more important? Confidence or mechanics? It seems from my observations that confidence with bad mechanics can still have a degree (albeit limited) of success. YET, good mechanics with zero confidence and playing scared seems to have no chance to succeed.
Hmmm?
Todd Thomas is a Baseball Coach and Professional Hitting Instructor for Mike Epstein Hitting. Coach Todd's personal hitting website is http://www.HitItHere.net. Coach Todd also enthusiastically endorses http://PlayMyBestBaseball.com as a place where baseball and softball hitters can master the Confidence, Composure, Focus and Consistency of their game so they can reach their full potential.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Todd_Thomas
Baseball Dealz Ebay Store
Visit the Baseball Coaching Digest for daily post and articles on every aspect of coaching baseball. The Baseball Coaching Digest Blog. Check out the Bat Action Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty. Check out Baseball2u.com/Coachesbest.com for all of your coaching and training equipment needs. Visit the Baseball Dealz Ebay Super Store to purchase top quality baseball training equipment at discount prices.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Baseball Tips on Hitting - Some Baseball Hitting Tips Highly Recommended For You to Be Successful
By Larry Cicchiello
Not all baseball tips on hitting are etched in stone but here are several very good guidelines to follow:
A Balanced and Workable Stance
All good athletes are balanced almost all the time. It gives you a solid, comfortable foundation, which is where hitting begins. Some very good hitters find it useful to have a little body movement while in their batting stance. They may rock a little back and forth which they find relaxing. It's almost impossible to have your muscles tighten and tense up when your muscles are moving. You can then be quicker and shift your weight much better than someone who is just standing there like a statue. It's identical to a goalie in hockey. If he stands up straight like a statue, what chance will he have to move freely to make a save on a slap shot that's traveling close to 100 mile per hour? What chance will a tennis player have waiting for a serve in excess of 100 miles per hour? None of them will have a good chance and neither will a baseball hitter.
Striding With the Front Toes Slightly Closed
If your toes are slightly closed, it encourages you to keep your front hip and front shoulder closed as well. In other words, instead of having the toes pointing straight out away from your body when you take your stride turn them an inch or two inward, back toward your body. If you point the front toes out toward the pitcher, it will encourage you to open your front side too early which will create many baseball hitting problems.
Have the Bat Fully Loaded When the Stride Foot Touches the Ground
All good hitters have the bat in the launching position when their front foot completes the stride.
You stride and then you swing. They are two separate movements that should happen very quickly and smoothly but they are separate movements.
Making an Aggressive Motion Toward The Pitcher
A lot of hitters do NOT do this but all the great hitters do. That is where the ball is coming from and that's where you should be going. Real good hitters go into the ball to hit it. It's a common problem to NOT go toward the pitcher when swinging. The reason it's such a common problem is because it is simply not natural to move your body toward a baseball that someone is throwing in your direction.
Having a Tension Free Swing
"Tension is a hitter's worst enemy," is a quote that's been around for decades and is still one of the best baseball tips on hitting. Tension destroys a fluid, graceful swing that's necessary for hitting the ball properly. Don't squeeze the bat too tightly and don't tighten up your muscles.
Head Behind the Swing
The real good hitters actually see the ball a little longer than the weaker hitters. They literally lower and turn their heads when making contact. You simply can not keep your head facing the pitcher and look at the baseball out of the corners of your eyes when trying to make contact.
Hitting to All Fields
Rarely will you find a hitter with a high batting average who limits himself to hitting the ball to only one part of the field. Pay attention to the old expression, "hit it where it's pitched." In the long run, you will be much better off.
Hitting Through the Ball
Hitting through the ball is necessary to successful hitting. You should pretend that you are trying to hit three or four baseballs that are tied closely together with a piece of string, instead of hitting only one baseball. This will help you keep the bat in the hitting zone longer.
All of the above mentioned are definitely good rules of thumb to be followed.
Larry Cicchiello is the author of "Excellent Baseball Coaching: 30 Seconds Away." His site offers many FREE baseball tips on hitting, baseball pitching tips, baseball coaching drills, etc. You will be FULLY EQUIPPED!
You can visit his website at http://www.larrybaseball.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Cicchiello
Not all baseball tips on hitting are etched in stone but here are several very good guidelines to follow:
A Balanced and Workable Stance
All good athletes are balanced almost all the time. It gives you a solid, comfortable foundation, which is where hitting begins. Some very good hitters find it useful to have a little body movement while in their batting stance. They may rock a little back and forth which they find relaxing. It's almost impossible to have your muscles tighten and tense up when your muscles are moving. You can then be quicker and shift your weight much better than someone who is just standing there like a statue. It's identical to a goalie in hockey. If he stands up straight like a statue, what chance will he have to move freely to make a save on a slap shot that's traveling close to 100 mile per hour? What chance will a tennis player have waiting for a serve in excess of 100 miles per hour? None of them will have a good chance and neither will a baseball hitter.
Striding With the Front Toes Slightly Closed
If your toes are slightly closed, it encourages you to keep your front hip and front shoulder closed as well. In other words, instead of having the toes pointing straight out away from your body when you take your stride turn them an inch or two inward, back toward your body. If you point the front toes out toward the pitcher, it will encourage you to open your front side too early which will create many baseball hitting problems.
Have the Bat Fully Loaded When the Stride Foot Touches the Ground
All good hitters have the bat in the launching position when their front foot completes the stride.
You stride and then you swing. They are two separate movements that should happen very quickly and smoothly but they are separate movements.
Making an Aggressive Motion Toward The Pitcher
A lot of hitters do NOT do this but all the great hitters do. That is where the ball is coming from and that's where you should be going. Real good hitters go into the ball to hit it. It's a common problem to NOT go toward the pitcher when swinging. The reason it's such a common problem is because it is simply not natural to move your body toward a baseball that someone is throwing in your direction.
Having a Tension Free Swing
"Tension is a hitter's worst enemy," is a quote that's been around for decades and is still one of the best baseball tips on hitting. Tension destroys a fluid, graceful swing that's necessary for hitting the ball properly. Don't squeeze the bat too tightly and don't tighten up your muscles.
Head Behind the Swing
The real good hitters actually see the ball a little longer than the weaker hitters. They literally lower and turn their heads when making contact. You simply can not keep your head facing the pitcher and look at the baseball out of the corners of your eyes when trying to make contact.
Hitting to All Fields
Rarely will you find a hitter with a high batting average who limits himself to hitting the ball to only one part of the field. Pay attention to the old expression, "hit it where it's pitched." In the long run, you will be much better off.
Hitting Through the Ball
Hitting through the ball is necessary to successful hitting. You should pretend that you are trying to hit three or four baseballs that are tied closely together with a piece of string, instead of hitting only one baseball. This will help you keep the bat in the hitting zone longer.
All of the above mentioned are definitely good rules of thumb to be followed.
Larry Cicchiello is the author of "Excellent Baseball Coaching: 30 Seconds Away." His site offers many FREE baseball tips on hitting, baseball pitching tips, baseball coaching drills, etc. You will be FULLY EQUIPPED!
You can visit his website at http://www.larrybaseball.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Cicchiello
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Involving Your Child in Organized Sports
By Jon Ferraro
Involving your child in organized sports can be somewhat expensive. You want your child to have the best equipment and be part of a team, but you often wonder how to accomplish that while staying in the family budget. To really save money, you should ship for the items at discount and second hand sporting goods retailers.
Some items with very small imperfections that don't affect performance will often times be marked much lower than regular price. Baseball is a sport that requires the right equipment for optimum performance. Baseball bats utilize new technology using strong yet lightweight metals.
Some popular bat brands include Easton, Rawlings, Louisville Slugger and Wilson. The technology of the bats varies from brand to brand, but they all strive for durability and performance. Mizuno is a leading baseball bat company in Asia that is becoming more popular in the United States.
Their best-selling bats are made from Japanese wood, and many major league players use Mizuno bats. If you need to purchase a baseball bat but are hoping for a discounted rate, you should look into blemished baseball bats. These are bats that are new and unused, but have a very small blemish that does not affect the bat's performance.
Some flaws include scratches or irregular paint marks. If you purchase a blemished baseball bat, you can often save 30 to 70 percent off the regular price of the bat. Saving money on a child's sporting equipment is especially helpful for parents who are not sure the child is going to stick with the sport. If you pay full price and your child quits the sport, you may regret the purchase.
But if you are able to get a discount, then you may not feel so bad. Many sporting goods stores and online retailers offer a selection of blemished baseball bats so you can get the equipment you need at a discounted price.
John has been writing articles online for nearly 4 years now. Not only does this author specialize in a variety of subjects, but you can also check out his latest website on Demarini Vexxum which reviews and lists the best Demarini Vexxum Senior.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Ferraro
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tips For Hitting In Youth Baseball
By Brian McClure
How did Babe Ruth, Micky Mantle Blast the Ball farther than Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa?
Batting drills can be fun, practice has to be done but in the long run hands, wrists, and forearms need to be strong to develop a quick swing and result in hitting the ball hard. This will not only help your child or team hit the ball harder with more control of the bat , but also prepare them for high school baseball. Here is a simple inexpensive way to do just that.
1) Tennis Ball - Have some tennis balls around the house and especially in your childsroom. While your youth baseball player is watching t.v. or waiting on his turn to play a video game he can be squeezing the tennis ball building the muscles on the hand , wrist , and forearms .
Sure you can buy exercise equipment for this but don't waste the money. This will provide enough resistance for what your child or team needs to develop.
(Bonus) Wrist roller - You can also take a rod (old broomstick handle will work) The rod needs to be 15 or 16 inches long with a hole drilled in the middle. Take some thin rope, run one end thruough the hole and tie a knot or two in it so it will not fall through. Leave a few inches past the rope for adjustments later. Take the other end and tie to a brick or weight. The rope should be long enough the weighted object rests on the ground but will lift when the youth baseball player rolls his wrists. The youth baseball player will hold the rod palms up and rolls his wrists. This mechanism is adjustable with the rope as the child grows
or you can tie on different weights.
2) Repetition - Simply put, It takes swings. Hitting off the tee, Soft Toss and some live batting practice. These three can be done at home or at off practice times to increase hitting performance. As a coach of youth baseball practice it would be great to set up one day just for hitting and have some volunteers help and move kids from stations. A tee station. A soft Toss station, a live free hitting station.
Coaches, be sure and tell your kids and parents about the tennis ball. Several will do it. And if you do a repetition station day and tell the parents this is what they can work on at home..many will do that. After all everyone loves to hit the ball, or at least see their son do it. This will be a great step toward the coaches team (or your child) hitting the ball.
For more free Free youth baseball tips & drills
Author- Brian McClure
More about helping your child in youth baseball as a parent or coach?
http://www.coaching-youth-baseball.com/
See our complete list of Topics and articles on youth baseball here
http://www.coaching-youth-baseball.com/topics.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_McClure
How did Babe Ruth, Micky Mantle Blast the Ball farther than Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa?
Batting drills can be fun, practice has to be done but in the long run hands, wrists, and forearms need to be strong to develop a quick swing and result in hitting the ball hard. This will not only help your child or team hit the ball harder with more control of the bat , but also prepare them for high school baseball. Here is a simple inexpensive way to do just that.
1) Tennis Ball - Have some tennis balls around the house and especially in your childsroom. While your youth baseball player is watching t.v. or waiting on his turn to play a video game he can be squeezing the tennis ball building the muscles on the hand , wrist , and forearms .
Sure you can buy exercise equipment for this but don't waste the money. This will provide enough resistance for what your child or team needs to develop.
(Bonus) Wrist roller - You can also take a rod (old broomstick handle will work) The rod needs to be 15 or 16 inches long with a hole drilled in the middle. Take some thin rope, run one end thruough the hole and tie a knot or two in it so it will not fall through. Leave a few inches past the rope for adjustments later. Take the other end and tie to a brick or weight. The rope should be long enough the weighted object rests on the ground but will lift when the youth baseball player rolls his wrists. The youth baseball player will hold the rod palms up and rolls his wrists. This mechanism is adjustable with the rope as the child grows
or you can tie on different weights.
2) Repetition - Simply put, It takes swings. Hitting off the tee, Soft Toss and some live batting practice. These three can be done at home or at off practice times to increase hitting performance. As a coach of youth baseball practice it would be great to set up one day just for hitting and have some volunteers help and move kids from stations. A tee station. A soft Toss station, a live free hitting station.
Coaches, be sure and tell your kids and parents about the tennis ball. Several will do it. And if you do a repetition station day and tell the parents this is what they can work on at home..many will do that. After all everyone loves to hit the ball, or at least see their son do it. This will be a great step toward the coaches team (or your child) hitting the ball.
For more free Free youth baseball tips & drills
Author- Brian McClure
More about helping your child in youth baseball as a parent or coach?
http://www.coaching-youth-baseball.com/
See our complete list of Topics and articles on youth baseball here
http://www.coaching-youth-baseball.com/topics.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_McClure
Monday, November 9, 2009
Batting Tee - It is Not Boring at All and is Simply Outstanding!
By Larry Cicchiello
The batting tee is extremely valuable when used properly.
It is very versatile and can be set up almost anywhere and by no means is a baseball field even required. During bad weather for example, you can hang an old piece of carpeting against the garage wall, set up your tee, and start hacking.
Sometimes it takes many, many repetitions to break a bad habit and using the batting tee can speed up the entire process. Instead of getting just 10 swings in practice, you can get an additional 100 off a batting tee. If a player is struggling at the plate, life will be made alot easier if he can get back on the right track in a week or so compared to a month or so.
Two Things Are NECESSARY For Getting the Most Benefit From the Batting Tee:
1. That it's set up properly.
2. That you take the same swing that you would normally take in a live game. If you are willing to spend your time, you are certainly entitled to reap the benefits.
Position yourself and the ball on the tee so it is at the point where you would be making normal contact with a live pitch.
A good place to set up the ball is across from your front striding foot, before the stride is taken.
You can change this as you see fit because you are the one doing the hitting.
Waist high is a good height when working on your overall swing but you can vary the height of the batting tee if you want to practice at a specific height.
Feel free to position the tee so you can practice hitting both inside and outside pitches as well.
Young Players And The Batting Tee
As a rule, youngsters are NOT a big fan of the batting tee and quite often feel it's boring.
To motivate them, remind them that MANY outstanding professional hitters take as many as 500 swings a day off the tee.
Always take your work off the batting tee VERY SERIOUSLY and you MUST swing like you are swinging at a live pitch in a ball game! It is one of the best baseball coaching drills for a coach to use with his players. What can possibly be better than speeding up the process if you have "lost" your swing or to maintain your swing if you are in a good groove? Remember, practice doesn't make perfect but perfect practice makes perfect.
If you're working off the batting tee, obviously you are willing to put in the time so don't cheat yourself and make sure you get the full benefit that you deserve. Treat it the same exact way as a live pitch in a live ball game.
Larry Cicchiello is the author of several very informative baseball coaching books. All of his editions are included in "Excellent Baseball Coaching: 30 Seconds Away." Larry is unique in that his site offers visitors several FREE TIPS that are straight from his books. Baseball tips on hitting, baseball pitching tips, baseball fielding tips, baseball base running tips, baseball coaching drills and more. Your baseball coaching "help desk" will be open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Larry invites you to check out his FREE TIPS. You will be FULLY EQUIPPED as a manager, coach, player at any level or a parent who wants to help their child improve or overcome any baseball struggles.
You can visit his website at http://www.larrybaseball.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Cicchiello
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The Categories they have are: Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!
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The batting tee is extremely valuable when used properly.
It is very versatile and can be set up almost anywhere and by no means is a baseball field even required. During bad weather for example, you can hang an old piece of carpeting against the garage wall, set up your tee, and start hacking.
Sometimes it takes many, many repetitions to break a bad habit and using the batting tee can speed up the entire process. Instead of getting just 10 swings in practice, you can get an additional 100 off a batting tee. If a player is struggling at the plate, life will be made alot easier if he can get back on the right track in a week or so compared to a month or so.
Two Things Are NECESSARY For Getting the Most Benefit From the Batting Tee:
1. That it's set up properly.
2. That you take the same swing that you would normally take in a live game. If you are willing to spend your time, you are certainly entitled to reap the benefits.
Position yourself and the ball on the tee so it is at the point where you would be making normal contact with a live pitch.
A good place to set up the ball is across from your front striding foot, before the stride is taken.
You can change this as you see fit because you are the one doing the hitting.
Waist high is a good height when working on your overall swing but you can vary the height of the batting tee if you want to practice at a specific height.
Feel free to position the tee so you can practice hitting both inside and outside pitches as well.
Young Players And The Batting Tee
As a rule, youngsters are NOT a big fan of the batting tee and quite often feel it's boring.
To motivate them, remind them that MANY outstanding professional hitters take as many as 500 swings a day off the tee.
Always take your work off the batting tee VERY SERIOUSLY and you MUST swing like you are swinging at a live pitch in a ball game! It is one of the best baseball coaching drills for a coach to use with his players. What can possibly be better than speeding up the process if you have "lost" your swing or to maintain your swing if you are in a good groove? Remember, practice doesn't make perfect but perfect practice makes perfect.
If you're working off the batting tee, obviously you are willing to put in the time so don't cheat yourself and make sure you get the full benefit that you deserve. Treat it the same exact way as a live pitch in a live ball game.
Larry Cicchiello is the author of several very informative baseball coaching books. All of his editions are included in "Excellent Baseball Coaching: 30 Seconds Away." Larry is unique in that his site offers visitors several FREE TIPS that are straight from his books. Baseball tips on hitting, baseball pitching tips, baseball fielding tips, baseball base running tips, baseball coaching drills and more. Your baseball coaching "help desk" will be open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Larry invites you to check out his FREE TIPS. You will be FULLY EQUIPPED as a manager, coach, player at any level or a parent who wants to help their child improve or overcome any baseball struggles.
You can visit his website at http://www.larrybaseball.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Cicchiello
===Advertisement from our sponsor:=====
Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.
The Categories they have are: Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!
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Friday, November 6, 2009
What are the best swing trainers in baseball?
Video features five popular and productive batting trainers. The trainers are the BatAction Machine, Hurricane Machine, HandsBack Hitter, StayBack Tee, and SKLZ Target Trainer. Each batting trainer is shown being hit by a player. Each trainer's specific use and purpose is also given.
Baseball Dealz Ebay Store
Visit the Baseball Coaching Digest for daily post and articles on every aspect of coaching baseball. The Baseball Coaching Digest Blog. Check out the Bat Action Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty. Check out Baseball2u.com/Coachesbest.com for all of your coaching and training equipment needs. Visit the Baseball Dealz Ebay Super Store to purchase top quality baseball training equipment at discount prices.
Baseball Dealz Ebay Store
Visit the Baseball Coaching Digest for daily post and articles on every aspect of coaching baseball. The Baseball Coaching Digest Blog. Check out the Bat Action Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty. Check out Baseball2u.com/Coachesbest.com for all of your coaching and training equipment needs. Visit the Baseball Dealz Ebay Super Store to purchase top quality baseball training equipment at discount prices.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Baseball Swing Grip
www.BatAction.com Baseball Training Machine
By Nate Barnett
The hands are the only physical connection you have with the bat as the baseball swing begins. While other parts of your body are responsible for generating the power in hitting a baseball, your hands and how they grip the bat play a large role in how fluid the bat passes through the hitting zone. Therefore, it stands to reason that some time and attention by paid into understand the quick and easy fundamentals of gripping the bat.
A good grip occurs when the handle of the bat is held primarily in the fingers of the hand. In order to accomplish this correctly, simply lay the handle of the bat across the lower base of the fingers of each hand. Then, just close your hands around the handle. Pay attention that you are not squeezing the bat. Instead, hold it lightly in your fingers.
The reason you should keep a light grip is because it will keep the muscles of the hands, wrists, and forearms loose and prepared for quick action in your baseball swing. Loose muscles are fast muscles while tense muscles will create a blocky swing that will produce little positive results. Unfortunately, many hitters when facing a pitcher who throws a speedy fastball will grip the bat with flexing muscles and white knuckles. The tightness in the hands, wrists, and forearms will prevent other muscles from helping you create a quick baseball swing. Next time you get a chance to watch a Major League Baseball game, watch how many of the hitters lightly grip and re-grip the bat as they wait for the pitch. This is simply an unconscious habit many hitters employ to keep from gripping the bat too tightly.
Two Effective Grips
Option #1: The easiest way to ensure that you are keeping the bat up in the fingers is to rotate your hands so that the second row of knuckles on each hand line up with each other. Many hitters find this grip slightly uncomfortable. The second option may be better suited if this is the case.
Option #2: Rotate the hands until the second and third knuckles line up with each other. This "box grip" is used by quite a few Major League players. With either option you choose, it is important to be comfortable. So, pick the one that feels the best for your size and shape of hand and stick with it.
Nate Barnett is owner of BMI Baseball designed to improve the mental game of baseball in athletes. Learn how to help your game by improving the skill of mental baseball
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nate_Barnett
Baseball Dealz Ebay Store
Visit the Baseball Coaching Digest for daily post and articles on every aspect of coaching baseball. The Baseball Coaching Digest Blog. Check out the Bat Action Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty. Check out Baseball2u.com/Coachesbest.com for all of your coaching and training equipment needs. Visit the Baseball Dealz Ebay Super Store to purchase top quality baseball training equipment at discount prices.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Baseball Lessons For Hire - Good Or Bad?
Bat Action Trainer - BatAction.com
By Mike Posey
Things have certainly changed in youth and high school baseball over the past twenty-five years. When I first started coaching high school baseball none of our players hired outside hitting or pitching instruction. Today, it seems like everyone has an instructor and it starts in little leagues. In fact, most towns now have baseball/softball facilities that offer instruction. It has certainly changed the way things work, but does it help?
It's not unusual to receive several calls during a week asking if I offer paid instruction or requesting a good reference to someone that might offer lessons. Good instruction is not cheap. The top instructors offer 30 to 45 minute lessons that range from $35-65. Many instructors at facilities require monthly contracts to be signed and payment to be made up front.
Over the past several years I have been studying this trend of paid instruction and find it interesting. In my research I have found both good and bad. I realize our players need instruction and if parents are willing to pay for the instruction I would encourage it, especially in the off season. The off season is the best time to work on skill development when hitters/pitchers can be free from the everyday worries of competing for a position or excelling in a game. I don't mind instruction during the season for younger players, but for older varsity players I would prefer they work hard in practices and then work individually on their own time during the season. There can be a distraction when players hear terminology each day at practice and go to an instructor at night/weekend that might use different teaching terms. It can be confusing for players. Hitting is reaction and good hitters need to be free of thoughts about mechanics when they are in a game. For pitchers, we need to know their pitch load during the week to protect their arms and outside instruction during the season for a varsity player adds to the wear and tear on the pitching arm. Also, after a 2 ½ to 3 hour practice, another hour for instruction at night would be overloading the player. It would be better for them to hit for 15-20 minutes on their own free from distractions after practice. Hitting at home off a tee or doing toss drills can be a lot of help. During the week, players need to get home to eat, do their homework, and rest.
I remember a story one of my former players told me several years ago. He was in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and had a great year in AA ball at San Antonio hitting .296 with 18 HR. At spring training the next year he was hoping to make the big league team but was trying too hard and the results were not good. The Dodgers hitting instructor at that time, former big league slugger Reggie Smith, suggested he work with him after practice in the cages. He thought Reggie was going to change something he was doing, but instead he loaded up the automatic pitching machine with about 100 balls and told him to hit everyone hard right back up the middle. For the next 45 minutes it was him and those 100 balls in the cage. (Reggie actually left and came back) The next day he went 4-5 with two doubles. He had been taking plenty of practice swings each day, but what he really needed was to get alone for about 45 minutes and clear his head of distractions.
One of the trends I find today is parents feel they must pay someone fore their child to improve. That can be true or false. It amazes me to see someone spend $45 on a weekly lesson and wait until the next week to attend the next lesson, spending zero amount of time between lessons working on their skills. It would be better if the player spent 30-45 minutes 4-5 days a week working on their skills with no paid instruction. If a player doesn't have the desire to work to improve, especially at the high school level, they are not going to improve. Young players don't grow up today playing sand lot games in the summer or competing each afternoon with neighborhood kids. Paid instruction is taking the place of pick up games and many are getting bored with the instruction. Good instruction 2-3 times a month is plenty during the season and 4-5 times a month during the off season is fine. Spend the rest of the time practicing to improve. Nothing takes the place of a hundred ground balls or a hundred swings, if they are done properly.
So what does a parent look for if they desire to pay an instructor? First, look for someone that gives you your money's worth. Talking for 30 minutes and not doing repetitive drill work is a waste of time. With a good hitting instructor the student should be taking a lot of swings. That's the only way to improve. Really, you're paying for that person to be a coach and oversee the practice time. Changes are not needed every lesson. Some instructors feel the need to give customers "something for their money" and encourage them to keep coming back each week. These types of instructors are a waste of time and money.
Also, hitting instruction should not be wasted on style, but on improving the mechanics of the swing. Styles should only be changed when it is getting in the way of the mechanics of the swing. Make sure you hire someone that really knows the mechanics of the baseball swing.
A good pitching instructor will spend time working on the basic throwing motion before working on pitching mechanics, especially with younger players. Regardless of the player's position, proper throwing mechanics are important and young players can not improve as pitchers without good easy throwing motions. The most important thing for pitchers is control and velocity. Control is learning how to repeat good mechanics every pitch. This takes time and practice regardless of who you pay for instruction. Mechanics often change as young players go through growing spurts, especially young tall pitchers that may be growing through stages that don't allow complete body control.
Developing velocity also takes time, there is no magic formula and some of it is just plain genetics. As players get older they can be taught a proper off-season long-toss program to improve their arm strength and begin learning good exercise programs for the arm and shoulder, in addition to an overall strength and conditioning program. This should wait until the player is mentally and physically ready to handle an exercise program. Youth players can start out with fun conditioning drills at practices or a couple of shoulder/arm exercises using their glove as the weight. Make it fun as well as a learning time.
Youth league players need to spend time practicing (and throwing) the fast ball to develop good arm strength. When control of the fastball has been accomplished they can then learn a good change up. The curveball should not be taught until they are at least 14-15 years old depending on their physical development.
With video technology today, more parents need to take advantage of video. Players need to see themselves to develop a mental image of what they are doing during the activity. Take video during the lesson and also during some games. Then spend some time looking at the videos and making comparisons. It's also good to use the DVR to video some good professional or college players on TV. Slow down the video to study their motions then compare them. This is a great way to learn and improve.
Mike Posey has been a high school baseball coach for the past twenty-five years, winning multiple championships and coach of the year honors. He is also the creator and owner of Expert Baseball Tips. Home of the Baseball eLessons, virtual on line lessons to help players improve.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Posey
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Tuesday, November 3, 2009
10 Baseball Fielding Tips Guaranteed to Help
SKLZ Hurricane Batting Trainer - HurricaneMachine.com
By Jack Perconte
Baseball players usually love to hit and getting kids to practice their hitting is usually not difficult. Getting ballplayers of any age to want to work on their fielding skills is often a different story. Subsequently, many kids reach the high school team and get cut from the team. They are perplexed when they do not make the high school team because they have always been good hitters, with many of them being top notch travel team ballplayers. The reason for their failure to make the cut is that they are one dimensional ballplayer who can only hit. At some point in their young careers they failed to recognize the importance of fielding, neglected that aspect of the game and fell behind to the point where their importance to a team was limited.
As baseball followers know, there can only be one designated hitter in a lineup and coaches need to have nine defensive position players. Because of this fact, coaches look for kids in a tryout who are multi-dimensional, meaning they can hit, run, throw and field. With this in mind, parents and coaches should stress the importance of being proficient in every aspect of the game so they are not left out in the cold come tryout time. Following are some tips for parents and coaches to help players work on their fielding skills with the understanding that the earlier (age) they teach these the better:
1. Use a softer ball - this allows the coach to challenge players with more speed and game like balls.
2. Repeat, use a softer ball - this gives players the assurance that they will not get hurt when hit by the ball and will promote good fielding mechanics of getting in front of ground balls and under fly balls for the above mentioned reason.
3. Like everything in sports, development of skills is dependent on correct fundamentals. With fielding this involves good footwork. Practicing the correct footwork from approaching the ball all the way through the throw is necessary, with consistency of action the key to success.
4. Begin fielding practice with hitting or throwing slow ground balls so fielders. This will promote aggressive fielders by having to charge the ball.
5. Teach kids to catch balls correctly - glove hand only (one handed) for balls they reach for and two hands for balls within their body.
6. Avoid practicing ground balls on a smooth surface (indoors) whenever possible. Players can get away with incorrect fundamentals on a smooth surface because hops are always true and predictable. If a smooth surface is only option, roll many balls very low to ground to promote keeping glove and body low for good fielding mechanics.
7. During team batting practice, position non-hitting players and have them play balls off bat as if in a game. This is especially helpful for outfield practice to get the real feel for judging fly balls.
8. Teach players to get into the correct "ready" position according to the position they are playing.
9. Try to devote at least half of practice time on fielding drills and game like situation practice. Knowing what to do in a game (i.e. where to throw ball, what base to cover) on defense is very important.
10. Remind kids of the importance of throwing, both arm strength and accuracy, to fielding success. A play is usually only half over with a catch, completing a play with a good throw is necessary.
Former major league baseball player, Jack Perconte gives baseball hitting tips and batting practice advice for ballplayers of all ages. His baseball hitting lessons advice can be found at http://www.baseballhittinglessons.com/baseball Jack is the author of two books, The Making of a Hitter and Raising an Athlete - his parenting blog can be found at http://positiveparentinginsports.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Perconte
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Monday, November 2, 2009
The Latest Greatest Hitting Training Device
www.BatAction.com
By Todd Thomas
The latest, greatest training device for young hitters...
...may be EARPLUGS!
So many young hitters and even some of the not so young hitters are so confused at the plate. Why? They are hearing so many people in the ears telling them what to do and not to do mechanically WHILE AT THE PLATE. This is not the time or place to be working on mechanics. It's already hard enough for hitters to make the necessary adjustments needed to what the pitcher is throwing them without their head swimming with what every coach(and parent sometimes not even their own parent) within ear shot telling them what to do or not to do when in the box and when they swing. It's no wonder so many young hitters struggle not only with their swing, but even more tragically in most cases their confidence.
The problem is that most of the time they are hearing a variety of different cues: "swing down", "keep your elbow up", "don't dip your back shoulder", "keep your head down", "you're pulling your head out", "stay tall", "stay back", "swing level", "quit doing (this)", quit doing (that), (insert one you've heard or said here); ...and to add confusion to confidence destruction, some of the things they hear are physically contrary to each other even to actual physics itself. Have you ever tried to "stay back" AND "swing down"? Have you ever tried to "swing level" to a pitch at your knees?
What players should be hearing during game time situations and especially when they are actually at the plate are simple things like "look for something you can hit hard" or "make contact and put the ball in play". Before a player goes to the plate, I like the simple phrase "Don't try to do too much just look for a good pitch to hit and put a good swing on it." Save the intensive mechanical and technique instruction for practice and the cage. Another simple encouraging comment is simply, "Let's go! Make contact and put the ball in play". That's it. Tell them to do. More specifically, tell them what you want them to do, not what you don't want them to do. For example, "Hit the ball hard somewhere"... "Let's go! Hit a line drive"... "Hit the ball to the right side, let's move the runner"... "Drive one to the gap"... "Keep you focus on the ball and put the ball in play"... "Make contact"... "Drive this run in"... (insert your positive message of what you want them to do here)...
There's an old story of a pitcher in a tight situation that was facing a big hitter and his manager came to visit him on the mound. The manager didn't say much. He just said, "Whatever you do, DO NOT throw him anything on the inside half of the plate". The manager returned to the dugout. The first pitch... a fastball on the inside corner... Going, Going, GONE! Instead of planting the seed in that pitcher's mind of where he shouldn't throw the ball, wouldn't it have been better to say something like, "Keep the ball low and away on this guy. You can do it". I think so.
You would be surprised. A lot of young hitters have a very good natural swing and the ability to make on the fly adjustments to what the pitcher has thrown until some coach(es) and/or parents come and take it away from them with either bad hitting "instruction" cues or even good ones but at the wrong time. The problem with even the good ones(as far as mechanical or technique cues) is that the hitter is often hearing contradictory messages coming in the other ear. Now their head is swimming while confidence in what they can actually do is taking a nose dive.
The time to for a hitter to work on their hitting and their swing is at practice and in the cage. For those who think ONE practice a week and ONE trip to the cage a week is good, you should know that the best hitters in the world take batting practice and work on their technique every day! What does that tell you about hitting? It's HARD! Hitting a is a lifelong pursuit. It is something that must be constantly worked on with lots of repetition. Write down this simple phrase and put it somewhere that you see it everyday... Repetition Is The Mother Of Skill.
When it comes to actual instruction and the things we say to hitters or ask them to do, do we tell them why? If a hitter is given a piece of advice, tell them exactly why that is the best thing for them to do. We should show them, demonstrate, and explain why what we're showing them is proper and what they should expect from such technique? How about evidence? Do we show them visual evidence that what we are telling them to do is what the great hitters do? Show them a picture of Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, or Derek Jeter doing what you are asking them to do. Show them. I can hear it already... "these kids are not ARod, they should not be trying be him or trying to do what he is doing. He's a home run hitter." First off.. why not? Secondly, okay then show them Derek Jeter. He's not a home run hitter. Derek has never hit more than 24 HRs in a season and he's only topped 20 HRs three times. He's just a career .317 hitter at the big league level. Show Derek. I guarantee you that Derek's and ARod's techniques are scary similar.
If you don't want your son/daughter/hitters to try to hit like the MLB hitters, that's okay. Show them some pictures of the best collegiate hitters or of the best high school hitters that you know. You might be surprised if you compared the best high school and collegiate hitters to the best big league hitters at what you might see. Similarities! OR... if you don't want to show them evidence of the best hitters at the high school and collegiate level, then show them evidence of average to below average hitters in their sport. It's up to you, but show them some visual evidence that what you are telling them to do is what is right.
I guarantee you kids are not stupid. They watch SportsCenter. Many have Tivo or some kind of DVR. They can stop, rewind, and slowmo. They can see the contradictions of what they often hear and what they are actually seeing the best hitters doing. Unfortunately, the highlights are almost always certainly the best hitters of the sport doing what they do. There aren't too many Highlights of the average or bad hitters so if that's what you want them to show them, you'll have to do that yourself.
Finally... Don't overreact to one at-bat or one game or even a few games for that matter. I doubt the Yankees hitting coach made any major changes to ARod's swing or approach when he struck out FOUR TIMES in one game last season(three of them LOOKING!). It happens. It ALL happens. Watch any big league game and you'll see it all... Strikeouts(swinging and looking)... Pop ups... Fly Balls... Ground Balls... Line Drives... Long Fly Balls.. Bloopers... Dribblers... Bleeders... Texas Leaguers...Home Runs!... Every hitter does all those things, save only for the home runs. Don't overreact or over coach, and in doing so you will give them a better chance to build confidence and succeed. Give or get them good instruction from someone who teaches what the best players at ever level are doing. An instructor's nice resume is just that. Nice. Check out what an instructor is teaching and as Mike Epstein says just ask yourself one simple question in regards to what a coach is telling them to do. And that is... "Does this make sense?"...
Bottom line... Give your young hitters a consistent, positive message about their technique and abilities.
Todd Thomas is a Baseball Coach and Professional Hitting Instructor for Mike Epstein Hitting. Coach Todd's personal hitting website is http://www.HitItHere.net. Coach Todd also enthusiastically endorses http://PlayMyBestBaseball.com as a place where baseball and softball hitters can master the Confidence, Composure, Focus and Consistency of their game so they can reach their full potential.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Todd_Thomas
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