Great Baseball Quotes

Great Baseball Quotes

By Aron Wallad

I love what prominent baseball people have to say about the great ballplayers. They seem to eloquently capture what we are thinking. "It was his solemn duty to catch a ball that wasn't in the stands." - Monte Irvin (Newark Eagles OF, May 6, 1981), on Willie Mays

"Maybe they should see if his body is corked." - Howard 'Hojo' Johnson (NY Mets), on Bo Jackson, from Sports Illustrated, October 19, 1986

"When he took BP everybody would kind of stop what they were doing and watch." - Jim Kaat, former pitcher, on Mickey Mantle

"I played with him for nine years and marveled at how hard he hit and how fast he ran. How can anyone ever forget the catch he made on Gil Hodges' line drive to save Don Larsen's perfect game?" - Tony Kubek, former shortstop, on Mickey Mantle

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson

"Having Willie Stargell on your ball club is like having a diamond ring on your finger." Chuck Tanner

"Ted Williams was the greatest hitter I ever saw, but (Joe) DiMaggio was the greatest all around player." Bob Feller

"No one hit home runs the way Babe (Ruth) did. They were something special. They were like homing pigeons. The ball would leave the bat, pause briefly, suddenly gain its bearings, then take off for the stands." Lefty Gomez

"When Neil Armstong first set foot on the moon, he and all the space scientists were puzzled by an unidentifiable white object. I knew immediately what it was. That was a home run ball hit off me in 1933 by Jimmie Foxx." Lefty Gomez

"Every time Johnny Bench throws, everybody in baseball drools." - Harry Dalton

"He (Babe Ruth) hits a ball harder and further than any man I ever saw." - Bill Dickey
"He (Lou Gehrig) just went out and did his job every day." Bill Dickey

"He gets better every year, that's what's remarkable about him. Some guys are good and stay good. Some guys are good and get better. He reminds me of Kareem. Hubie Brown said that Kareem worked at the beginning of every season to improve some facet of his game. It's that way with the best, whatever the profession. That's the way this kid is."
Ed Bradley on 60 Minutes - Talking about Derek Jeter

"I think he was one of the greatest third basemen of all time. He had one of the sweetest swings I ever saw." - Teammate Johnny Logan - Referring to Eddie Mathews

"How good was Stan Musial? He was good enough to take your breath away." - (1989)Vin Scully

"When he (Maury Wills) runs, it's all downhill." Vin Scully

Seeing what these writers, ballplayers and managers has to say about these players lights up the page for me. I can visualize these players on the field hitting home runs, running with arms outstretched to catch a ball or throwing out a would be base runner trying to steal a base.

This is my baseball memorabilia.

Feel Free to pass this article on to anyone you think would enjoy reading it.

Aron Wallad has been a baseball lover for over 45 years. You will love his honesty and his passion.. You will be touched by the heartwarming stories. The unusual statistics will amaze you and the quotes will make you laugh...Sometimes

Go here right now to join his ezine ==>http://www.baseballsprideandjoy.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aron_Wallad

Shop CoachesBest.com for your baseball coaching needs including baseball training aids, training videos, and other coaching supplies. Check out the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting machine by SKLZ at HurricaneTrainer.com.

See the “Original” Rotational Hitting Machine at BatAction.com. Are you looking for the perfect trainer to teach proper timing and swing mechanics? You can stop looking and go to HandsBackHitter.com.

Players develop incredible abt speed and confidence when they regularly use the Quick Swing Trainer. See it at QuickSwingTrainer.com. See the world’s most advanced batting tee at AdvancedSkillsTee.com.

Are you looking for a great batting cage at discount prices? Are you considering building your own backyard batting cage and training center? If so, you should visit BattingCagesDirect.com now!

Two Situations Drills For Little League Pitchers

Two Situations Drills For Little League Pitchers

By John R Di Nicola

Once you have had a couple of practices and have had infield and outfield practice you can venture to the next step working on game situations. You set your 9 players in their positions. Have your spare players as base runners. Have them stand behind home plate and you hit ball. This is so important it enables you to practice your pitchers and position players real situations. You will have to have patience. At first they will throw the ball around and be out of positions. Below are two drills that are very important in teach the fundamentals of defense.

Situations

Backing up 3rd base and home plate.


With nobody on base and ball is hit into gap pitcher should line up in between third base and home plate.
With base runners on first base and ball hit into gap they should do the same and watch and see where the play may be and make their decision which base they should back up.
With men in scoring positions and ball hit into the gap they should back up home. You have to make sure the pitchers have good distance from the foul line so they are not to close and have a good angle to go between third and home. The Pitcher must have depth behind the base so they get overthrown ball.
The mistake they all make is getting to close to base. Explain, they are backing up to get the overthrow. If they are to close they can't make adjustments. This defeats the purpose of them backing up the base.

Covering Home Plate on Pass Ball

This drill is very important because you will have passed balls at this level. Providing the backstop is not to far back it is an excellent way to get what I call a cheap out.
You can have signals for the pitchers to call out to the catchers. Most of the time the catchers will not be able to pick up which directions the ball has traveled.
You can use one, two and three. One being right, once he has turned to retrieve the ball. Two would be middle of backstop. Three would to the left.

Organizing your practice set up your schedule and rotate your days you do the drills. You will find that some of the drills they will pick up quicker than others. The biggest thing is you cannot have marathon practices. By keeping the practices short and crisp you will keep players motivated. I found if you have a practice schedule and post it will show the players approximately how long each drill will be and what to expect.

Practice makes perfect.

By: John R. Di Nicola

Thank you for taking the time to read my article. If you would like further information on this topic or other information you can E-Mail me at:
jdinicola@easypitching.com

You can follow us on Twitter
http://twitter.com/easypitching

Web site:
http://www.easypitching.com,

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_R_Di_Nicola

Shop CoachesBest.com for your baseball coaching needs including baseball training aids, training videos, and other coaching supplies. Check out the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting machine by SKLZ at HurricaneTrainer.com.

See the “Original” Rotational Hitting Machine at BatAction.com. Are you looking for the perfect trainer to teach proper timing and swing mechanics? You can stop looking and go to HandsBackHitter.com.

Players develop incredible abt speed and confidence when they regularly use the Quick Swing Trainer. See it at QuickSwingTrainer.com. See the world’s most advanced batting tee at AdvancedSkillsTee.com.

Are you looking for a great batting cage at discount prices? Are you considering building your own backyard batting cage and training center? If so, you should visit BattingCagesDirect.com now!

Baseball Training Equipment for Little League Players

Shop CoachesBest.com for your baseball coaching needs including baseball training aids, training videos, and other coaching supplies. Check out the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting machine by SKLZ at HurricaneTrainer.com.

See the “Original” Rotational Hitting Machine at BatAction.com. Are you looking for the perfect trainer to teach proper timing and swing mechanics? You can stop looking and go to HandsBackHitter.com.

Players develop incredible abt speed and confidence when they regularly use the Quick Swing Trainer. See it at QuickSwingTrainer.com. See the world’s most advanced batting tee at AdvancedSkillsTee.com.

Are you looking for a great batting cage at discount prices? Are you considering building your own backyard batting cage and training center? If so, you should visit BattingCagesDirect.com now!

Baseball Recruiting Calendar - Four Keys to Staying on Track

www.QuickSwingTrainer.com

Baseball Recruiting Calendar - Four Keys to Staying on Track

By Gary V Hawkins

Are you trying to make the jump from high school baseball to college baseball? Are you wondering about the baseball recruiting calendar and how it effects your chances of being recruited? If so, this article can help you understand the process and get an edge on your competition.

Here are four keys you should know about the baseball recruiting calendar:

1- Don't wait until too late to get started

College coaches want more than just one year to evaluate prospects. Waiting until your senior year to begin making contact with college coaches is a big mistake.

2. Start making contact early

You should begin making contact with coaches no later than your junior season. If you are setting the world on fire and playing varsity as a sophomore, you should start making contact during your sophomore season. Making early contact in the baseball recruiting calendar gives coaches plenty of time to monitor your progress.

3. Patience is mandatory

Unless you are a blue chip or elite level player, don't expect the recruiting process to end until much later than you want it to. Coaches are usually monitoring several players for each roster spot, so they don't offer you a spot on the roster until late in the process. Stay patient and keep the communication lines open.

4. Marketing and promoting yourself is vital at all stages in the recruiting calendar

No matter what stage of the process you are looking at, you need to take responsibility for your own recruitment and market and promote yourself to college coaches. Coaches at all levels need quality players.

Start making direct contact early in the baseball recruiting calendar. If you have the talent and skills to help their program succeed, coaches will be happy to hear from you.

Gary Hawkins is a well known recruiting and athletic scholarship expert and the author of a popular 17-page free report titled:

"Five Secrets You Must Know To Get Recruited For Athletic Scholarships"

Head over to http://www.recruitedforscholarships.com/freereport.html to get your FREE copy now!

Gary Hawkins is passionate about helping high school athletes reach their dream of playing at the college level. In his Athletic Recruiting & Scholarship System, Gary teaches anyone how they can finally get the attention of college coaches and start being recruited for athletic scholarships. Just visit http://www.recruitedforscholarships.com/ and pick up your copy today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_V_Hawkins

Video Demo of the Hurricane Batting Machine featuring Derek Jeter

Athletic Performance For Baseball Players!

www.AdvancedSkillsTee.com


Athletic Performance For Baseball Players!

By Brandon Richey

Being a strength and conditioning specialist and ex-athlete I understand the importance of having strength, speed, agility, and power when it comes down to playing any sport. The amazing thing to me is that I have had more argumentative disagreements with baseball coaches on training than any other coach in any other sport. The smart coaches are coming around, but there is still an "old school" mindset that looms out there with some coaches on how they train their players in athletic performance.

The thing that those "old school" coaches don't get is that bigger, faster, and stronger should be the goal in EVERY sport! The old school coaches don't understand the importance of athletic performance. They still want to constantly work on specifically "baseball skills" rather than trying to optimize there players' athleticism. Performance for baseball is just as critical as any other sport. Football players spend the better part of their summer in the weight room or on the field conditioning before they ever touch a football. The truth is that those "football skills" will come back in regular season practice.

The same thing happens with basketball these days too. Guys spend more time in the weight room and trying to sharpen their speed and agility for when the time comes for them to jump back on the court. Just about every other sport does this across the board more than baseball. I simply point out the facts. I don't make this stuff up. I'm a former baseball player so don't think I don't understand, because I do. If you are a player then don't cheat yourself. Make sure you take the time to get stronger, faster, more agile, and overall well conditioned before the season.

Its time for a change in the baseball community. If you are a parent that is paying for your kid to take cuts in the batting cage during the off-season you need to rethink your investment. I'm not saying they don't need to practice those skills, but if you really want them to improve on those skills then try to work on making them a better athlete first! That is where you will get them better. Train hard my friends!

To learn more about Kettlebells, Fitness, and achieving Total Mind-Blowing Strength come and visit me at: http://www.efandps.com
To be one of my members and to receive more tips on INSANE BODY CONSTRUCTION please visit me at: http://www.efandps.com/www.efandps.com/Brandons_Members_Newsletter.html
I'm Brandon Richey the Strength and Conditioning Pro!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Richey

The 4 Things That Make a Great Hitter

The 4 Things That Make a Great Hitter

By Todd Thomas

There are 4 things that make a can make a GREAT baseball or softball hitter. FOUR CRITICAL THINGS. Leave just one thing out and you can forget about greatness. Be absent of two or three or all four and your going from Good, to Average, to Poor, to finding another easier athletic endeavor.

These 4 things are...Potential, Technique, Work Ethic, and Mental Approach. Let's discuss each and their importance in being a great hitter.

1. Potential: This one a coach has no real control over. If a hitter does not have the potential to hit like Alex Rodriguez, then I dont' care who their instructor is they cannot make him/her hit like Alex no matter what they are taught nor no matter how bad they or their parents want that. No more than Hank Haney (Tiger Woods swing coach) can teach any given golfer the same stuff he teaches Tiger and turn that golfer into Tiger Woods. It can't be done. The only real control an Instructor has is to help a hitter to hit to their own potential whatever that is. It may be an outstanding Rec player. Maybe that's your potential. OR Maybe a really good select player or a top high school player, a top College prospect, or maybe a pro prospect. Potential does come in varying degrees that is for sure. Some may even seem to have the ability to stretch their potential, but I would submit to you that the potential they reach was always within their own God given potential. Part of a player's natural ability to fulfill their own potential shows in their ability or lack thereof to "take it between the lines". Some players are great batting practice hitters but when they step into the batters box, they just can't seem to hit(consistently or at all) like they do in the cage or at practice. It's a frustrating and perplexing phenomenon, but it's real. The bottom line fact, and it's hard for most if not all players and their parents to accept this, is that some players just don't have it "built in" to their natural ablility/potential to perform between the lines to a high level or to the level they expect they should. Some players have the desire to be great and I'll talk more about desire later in this article. However, if the potential is not there then I'm sorry neither will be greatness.

2. Technique: When good technique is put together with good potential, good things definitely will happen for a hitter. Some players with tremendous potential and natural ability can have horrible technique and still do very well. However, in my opinion, even though they may be good they are NOT reaching their true potential without good technique. Players with average to below average potential with bad technique certainly shouldn't expect much. Conversely, players with average to below average potential can expect to be much better and have the ability to make great strides toward their own personal potential with good technique. So what technique can help hitters reach their personal potential? It is the technique used by the best Major League and Collegiate hitters. What technique is that? That depends of what you call it. Mike Epstein calls it Rotational Hitting. Some people have a problem with that term for whatever reason. Mostly because they haven't a clue of what it really means or what we specifically teach from the beginning of the swing to the end. But they "assume" and are wrong. Okay, so call the technique what you want if it makes you or someone else feel better. Call it The Big League Swing. Call it a Hybrid Swing. Call it whatever you want, but it simply is the technique of the best Big Leaguers and Collegiate players. It should be noted that some current and former players from these categories have no clue what their true technique is/was and have no clue how to actually teach it either. For you or any hitter to reach their potential, a hitter must have good technique/mechanics.

3. Work Ethic: Along side work ethic is something I mentioned earlier and that is desire. Without desire, there is no sustainable work ethic within a player. A hitter MUST have the desire to be great and because of that they MUST work hard at reaching their potential. I have seen many players with loads of potential. They have learned the best technique and yet they don't work at it. They wonder what's wrong with them, or the technique, or maybe even with their teacher. I say this to every hitter... There is no SHORTCUT to being good(and certainly not great). It takes work and it takes it for an extended period of time. In fact, it takes work until the day they stop playing the game. The best hitters in the world are Major League ball players and the top college softball players. My question to you is... How often do they take batting practice? If you answered "Every Day", you are pretty much right on. Is there a day off here and there? Sure. But for all intents and purposes, they take BP EVERY DAY! Why do they do this? They are already great. What do they need to work on it for? I'll tell you. Because hitting is a lifelong pursuit. One never has "it" figured out permanently. If the best players practice every day, then why do some hitters want to take a "lesson" and then just show up for games and expect to be good?!? It's inexplicable. Yet I see it all the time. I believe that the One Who Works The Hardest, HITS The Hardest! Work, work, work. Take a break and then work some more. Only then should a hitter expect to be their best.

4. Mental Approach: Without a solid mental approach going to and at the plate, a player can only ever expect to be good, but not great. How a player thinks in the batter's box and prior to getting there is what can make a good hitter a great hitter. There are several schools of thought on this. I say subscribe to one and APPLY IT! One side of the mental game is confidence and focus. The other side of the mental game is being prepared and thinking along with the pitcher. Mike Epstein believes the best mental approach lies in anticipating pitches. Having a plan, using acquired information (either from observation or from teammates), and anticipating pitches. Now I am not going to get into the specifics here on this. There is much more to it and to cover than I want to go into here. Mike Epstein's book "The Mental Side Of Hitting" is a good resource. I know one young hitter who has read this book SIX times and guess what, IT SHOWS! There are others resources out there on having a quality at-bat or being a thinking hitter. There really is some good information on this and those hitters that want to reach their potential are the ones who will seek it out, dive into it, and apply it. Many hitters short change themselves by selling short how important it is to have a solid mental approach at the plate. They hear it and it goes in one ear and out the other. Meanwhile, they want their instructor to just help them to perfect their technique to make them better and to reach their potential. They won't and their coach can't if their technique is already solid. Get into the mental side of hitting if you DESIRE to be GREAT.

In closing... As the title to this article would indicate, in order to be a great hitter and/or to reach YOUR maximum potential, you must have all 4 of these things. Think about it. What good is any one of these things without AT LEAST one other element? Without one, you can only expect to be good. Absent of two, a hitter will be average AT BEST. With only one element, it's all but hopeless. Do we even need to consider none? Not really. The good news is that 3 of the 4 are simply a decision. All any player has to do is to decide to have good technique, a good work ethic, and a good mental approach. Only potential/natural ability is out of your control. If God has blessed you with natural ability, then fulfill you're potential by deciding to apply yourself in the other areas. Finally... if you DECIDE to leave out one of the 3 areas that are under your control, now you'll understand the results you'll get.

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 Scholarships - 5 Mistakes to Avoid

www.bataction.com


The competition for baseball scholarships in college is tough. There are 11.7 NCAA Division I scholarships per school. NCAA DII only has 9 and NAIA schools have 12. The most scholarships available are at NJCAA or junior colleges who have 24 scholarships.

By Joe Hobbs

The NCAA and NAIA classify baseball as an equivalency sport which means the scholarships can be divided into partials and awarded out to more players than scholarship numbers. Meaning if you are awards a DI 50% or .5 partial scholarship, the coach has 11.2 more to award.

You will face a lot of competition for a baseball scholarship and it is important that you treat recruiting serious and like a job. Those who do are rewarded. Here are some of the most common mistakes see athletes make year after year.

1. Not believing in your talent. As hard as it is to believe I see many high school baseball players that should be playing in college but do not think they are good enough. Sometimes recruiting comes down to who wants it more once athletes reach a certain talent level.

2. Giving up during the recruiting process. Getting a scholarship is hard work. Many times athletes who are used to success are not prepared for the brutal nature of earning a scholarship. Those who can press forwards after being turned down by school after school are the ones who win in the end.

3. Choosing the wrong summer team. Playing in summer leagues has almost become a necessity. College coaches are not able to recruit during the season because they overlap. The summer is the main recruiting season for baseball. Don’t choose a league with you friends, choose a team that will maximize your exposure.

4. Neglecting your academics. This is something that is preventable and should never happen. By just getting over a 3.0 GPA you make it 100 times easier for a college to accept you academically and recruit you. If you are behind on your grades, make every effort today to turn them around.

5. Not being flexible. We are talking about being able to touch your toes here. College coaches want athletes who can play multiple positions. If you want the scholarship be willing to play and be able to play around the field.

Remember, these are just 5 critical mistakes I have seen and continue to see every year. Start your recruiting process early to get a baseball scholarship and treat it like a job.

Want to earn the baseball scholarship you deserve? Do it right and beat out the competition. More recruiting tips!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Hobbs

Prospects For Baseball - Know the Difference Between High School and College

Stepping out from the crowd of prospects for baseball and getting to the college level is not always easy. There are thousands of high school players from around the country and even the world trying to get into American colleges to play baseball.

By Gary V Hawkins

Stepping out from the crowd of prospects for baseball and getting to the college level is not always easy. There are thousands of high school players from around the country and even the world trying to get into American colleges to play baseball.

If you want to set yourself apart from all the other prospects for baseball out there, you need to really understand the differences in the high school and college game and what college coaches are looking for in the players they recruit.

College players are simply stronger and faster than high school players. College players also have a good grasp on what it takes to keep themselves in great condition. Most college players understand that a good diet and getting the proper amount of rest is important to being their best.


Buy the 5-position batting tee at discount prices.

A majority of college teams have strength and conditioning coaches and/or athletic trainers who can assist them with their training needs. Some colleges even go so far hiring mental training coaches who help their players with their confidence and visualization skills. Obviously, in high school these type of specialized coaches are not available. You and all the other prospects for baseball out there have to take it upon yourself to get yourself in shape and stay in shape for the season.

Another key difference in college and high school baseball is the amount of games played. This creates more stress on the players bodies and also requires a lot of discipline and time management to keep up with academics. The college game is faster and the competition level is just so much higher. Practices are more intense and baseball is a year round process of working out and trying to improve baseball and athletic skills.

If you are one of the thousands of prospects for baseball out there and you feel like you have the talent and drive it takes to play the college game, make a commitment right now to do whatever it takes to get noticed by college coaches. You can give yourself a big advantage over all your competition by simply marketing and promoting yourself to colleges!

Gary Hawkins is a well known recruiting and athletic scholarship expert and the author of a popular 17-page free report titled: "Five Secrets You Must Know To Get Recruited For Athletic Scholarships"

Head over to http://www.recruitedforscholarships.com/freereport.html to get your FREE copy now!

-------------------------------------------------------

Gary Hawkins is passionate about helping high school student-athletes reach their dream of playing the sport they love at the college level. In his How To Get Recruited For Scholarships System, Gary teaches anyone how they can finally get the attention of college coaches and start being recruited for athletic scholarships, no matter what sport they play. Athletic success is within your reach - just visit http://www.recruitedforscholarships.com/ and pick up your copy today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_V_Hawkins

HurricaneTrainer.com
BatAction.com
HandsBackHitter.com
QuickSwingTrainer.com
AdvancedSkillsTee.com
BattingCagesDirect.com

Key Strategies to Player Development While Avoiding Burnout in Baseball Players

Key Strategies to Player Development While Avoiding Burnout in Baseball Players

By Brandon D. Smith

Quick question for baseball coaches (and parents) to get things started:

What does the umpire yell at the start of every baseball game?

A.) Think ball!
B.) Execute ball!
C.) Work ball!

The answer is no to all three. The umpire yells out "Let's Play ball!" to signify the start of the game.

What a wonderful way to start a game. An annoying whistle doesn't blow or an obnoxious horn sound to start the game, rather the ultimate official mandates that both teams PLAY. How can you not love baseball? Allow your kids and players to play the game. I have seen several areas that have taken the "play" out of baseball.

Too much pressure can cause fear which takes the "play" out of baseball. Players that have unrealistic expectations placed on them often loose the enjoyment of playing baseball.

Being competitive has gotten a bad rap in athletics recently. When I work with parents and coaches, I hear "Yeah, I know my kid is a bad sport but he is just competitive." I disagree you can be competitive without being a poor sport.

Coaches and parents may use the same excuse in a different setting. "Yeah, I know I act like a jerk on the field...But I guess it's just my competitive nature coming through." No it really is you being a poor communicator and even less of a motivator to your players.

Players need motivation and guidance to help them become the best they can be. But when unreasonable expectations are placed on them then they loose the whole reason they got involved with baseball in the first place and that was to "Play ball!"

Too much instruction can cause "paralysis by analysis". As an instructor, I am often guilty of this one. I want my players and kids to do things technically correct.

Practice it is the appropriate time to get players into a setting that will give them the best chance for success. Playing the game using the proper mechanics happens after many practice reps to the point that the desired skill is more reactionary than thought out and processed. As players reach this level of competency they are truly able to "Play ball!" Controlling the speed of a drill and the likelihood of success for the player can be accomplished during practice. It is for these two reasons that the game is best taught in practice rather that in the game.

When players are trying to process training setting information at game speed it usually results in "paralysis by analysis". This leaves the player wanting to do the right thing but the speed of the game passes by them.

During the game, the speed is much faster and coaches have little control of the likelihood of success for his players. So remember, during the game, the mandate from the umpire is to "Play ball!" During practice is the (more) appropriate time for coaches to teach the game.

Over emphasizing critical situations makes it difficult to bounce back. Errors and strike outs are part of the game. When a player makes a bad play or gets out it is more difficult to bounce back if too much is made of the situation. Parents and coaches have said to players "your strikeout at the end of the game caused our team to loose the game." First of all no single play determines the outcome of the game and secondly, if it did would this style of parenting/coaching make a player more excited to try again? I seriously doubt it. Placing too much emphasis on a given situation, coaches and parents, can take the fun out of the game.

In the area of the country that I coach baseball, it has almost gotten to the point where kids are so matter of fact in the way they approach baseball that if they are enjoying the game it sure does not show on their faces.

When did aspiring to play professional baseball start to look like a job for a 9 year old? Use the younger ages to imagine and to fearlessly try to be great with no fear of failure.

To help keep it in perspective for overzealous parents and coaches...there have not been any elementary or middle school age players taken in the MLB Draft. It is o.k. when kids make mistakes. It is a vital part of the development process. As coaches and parents, try to encourage your kids to enjoy the game by doing what the umpire tells them to do... "LET'S PLAY BALL!"

Brandon Smith is a professional baseball instructor in the Atlanta area. He has more than 18 years of coaching and instructing experience to go along with his 6 year professional playing career (as a catcher) in the A's and Mets organizations.

The author of "Blue Print For Baseball", Brandon works with Associations, coaches, parents and players to build people up through the game of baseball.

His training videos can be accessed at ebaseballtips.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_D._Smith

If You Are a Baseball Player Are Your Priorities in Order During the Off-Season?

If you are a baseball player that is looking to really get on top during the off-season then what are your priorities? Do you have your off-season training in order to gain optimal benefits or are you wasting too much time in the cage?

By Brandon Richey

If you are a serious baseball player then you should improve your game year after year just like any other athlete. Now I have talked about my frustrations involving misconceptions on training towards other athletes and trainees, but for the sake of this article I am addressing baseball players. It amazes me that in this day and age that a lot of baseball players still have an incorrect mindset when it comes to their off-season training. Note that I did not say "all" baseball players, just a lot of them!

You see the one thing that amazes me is that several baseball players do not generally put a lot of emphasis on strength and conditioning. With the MOST successful athletes it is known that their off-season strength programs are fierce. The goal should be to get bigger, faster, and stronger. If a baseball player is not concentrating on these elements, which several don't, their training is flawed and their priorities are mixed up. You see here are the facts. The batting averages for the entire major league baseball ranged from .292 on the low end and .364 on the high end. These averages were gathered from all of major league baseball statistics in 2008. Now why am I showing you these? Well, whether or not you are a little league player, high school, collegiate, or in the majors more than likely you will not obtain an average better than .364 and I don't care how many hours you devote inside the batting cage. Realistically you won't even hit around .290 consistently. So knowing this and knowing that baseball is a multi-skilled game why do so many baseball players spend so much time in the cage?


www.HandsBackHitter.com

The problem is in a false mindset. I have trained many athletes for years including baseball players and I have always had to battle this old mindset. You see the truth is that a committed baseball player will retain the necessary skills of hitting, throwing, and catching by practicing on a consistent basis, but the real way to improve these is to become a better athlete! Athleticism is underrated in baseball. Many of the players that I trained for an extended few months prior to the season went out the next year and had record numbers. Many other studies have been done to prove the effectiveness of strength training and athletic performance training in baseball players among other athletes as well. Yes, getting bigger, faster, and stronger does apply to baseball players. If you don't believe me then look at Barry Bond's numbers. Oh, and don't give me the whole spill about him being on steroids. He may or may not have used a performance enhancing substance, but if he did and did not apply the proper training it wouldn't have made a difference. Trust me, had he used an anabolic steroid and spent the majority of his time in the "batting cage" he wouldn't have gotten a bit stronger.

I would like to close by saying that if you are a baseball player young or old then you should be working in an athletic performance program in the off-season. If you are a mom and dad that is currently throwing a lot of money out the window for batting cage time then that is your choice, but if you want your kid to have a break out year then I would recommend that you take that money and use it on getting him professional help to get stronger and faster! Strength means he'll have greater bat speed and speed means that he'll be better able to chase down a fly ball or beat out a throw to get a base hit instead of an out. That's the difference!

To learn more about Kettlebells, Fitness, and achieving Total Mind-Blowing Strength come and visit me at: http://www.efandps.com
To be one of my members and to receive more tips on INSANE BODY CONSTRUCTION please visit me at: http://www.efandps.com/www.efandps.com/Brandons_Members_Newsletter.html
I'm Brandon Richey the Strength and Conditioning Pro!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Richey

How to Get Your Star Baseball Player Noticed?

www.BattingCagesDirect.com

A question that often comes up from coaches and parents of a good high school baseball player is how can I get my son or star player noticed by scouts.

By Jack D. Elliott

This is a very good question when you consider how difficult it can be for great players to get attention from college coaches and scouts. For this reason, I have put together a list of tips that can help you increase the chances that your player will get noticed:

1. Have the kid go to a professional major league try out in your state soon. This provides some exposure and allows him to get tested in a control environment for running, arm speed, hitting, etc.

2. Start to build a videotape of his performance for next couple of years. These tapes can be consolidated and sent to college coaches and/or major league scouts.

3. Send a letter introducing the player to area scouts. The letter should include basic stats like name, address, height, weight, position, age, grade, high school team and summer league team. Some scouts frown on letters being sent to them and others don't mind it at all. For this reason, it is best to send a letter and take your chances.

4. Have the kid join the best all star and top level travel teams in the area. This is a way to get some additional exposure. Many players have been discovered when scouts were checking out another player.

5. Have him take lessons with top baseball instructors who have ties to the major leagues. These tend to be more in the big cities, but this can be another way to get exposure. The kid can follow-up with the instructor on how to get noticed and they may be able to open some doors for him.

6. Recommend the kid go to a "showcase" event. These are events that have the best players in an area play in several games. Scouts come to these games and watch the games. If he does well here, this gives him more exposure.

7. Get started immediately on promotion of this kid. Scouts start looking at kids at age 14 and 15 so you can definitely get started beginning with high school.

By applying these methods, you have a very good chance of getting your son or star player noticed. Remember every little bit helps and so try to take a comprehensive approach to these methods as that extra letter may make all the difference.

Jack Elliott, is a former player and fan of the game. To read more tips and techniques like the ones in this article, please click here: http://www.baseballtrainingtechniques.com/Baseball-Strategy/ or Baseball Strategy

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_D._Elliott

Message To Young Baseball Players (Especially Pitchers): Take Care Of Your Arms

Frequently on spring afternoons I hear the plinking sound of aluminum baseball bats and the popping of mitts as players ranging from six years or younger up to the local high school team work on their skills at the park in my neighborhood. Living close to two baseball parks gives me the opportunity to go out and throw the ball around once in awhile. Each time I do, I'm reminded of the consequences of not taking care of my arm while I was younger. Besides a lack of talent, the potential I had in high school to take my baseball career as far as I wanted was caused by my neglect of the "rules" for surviving years of tearing down muscles. With that background, here are a few suggestions for young players and their coaches. Following these guidelines will most likely keep a budding pitcher from finding his career cut short.

By Richard Robbins

Make sure you spend enough time and effort warming up and stretching out.
Growing up I had a tendency to be impatient with this part of the game. I would often start throwing longer distances or with more speed than I should have before my arm was loose. The act of throwing a baseball is hard enough on a pitcher’s shoulder and elbow. The natural wear and tear that comes with throwing a ball is accelerated (and much more destructive) when muscles are still tight and haven’t had the time to adjust to the motion. Younger players may see quicker recovery times after ignoring this rule, but as they continue the bad habit of not warming up and stretching out, the effects gradually become more apparent. Make sure that you stretch out and start slowly when practicing or preparing for a game.
Learn the fundamentals of throwing early and remind yourself of them often.
If human arms were intended to be the sling shots we need for throwing baseballs, we would all be built much differently than we are. Instead, baseball players have to adapt to the throwing motion. From years of experience, a few fundamentals have been developed that reduce the damage done to the arm by throwing a baseball and that allow pitchers and fielders to throw more accurately and at higher speeds. Arm injuries often result from ignoring the fundamentals repeatedly. If you are being lazy in your approach to throwing, and if you don’t force yourself mentally to pay attention to the fundamentals taught by your coach, you put yourself at risk for injury. Your performance also takes a dive when you forget about the fundamentals.





For more info..click here.







My experience as a new Little League pitcher shows the importance of learning the fundamentals and reminding yourself of them often. When I threw a baseball, I started my arm rotation with my palm facing upwards. I soon noticed that my shoulder and elbow tired quickly and that it was more painful than it should have been. When a pitching coach showed me how to start the rotation with my palm facing down, it not only reduced the pain I felt after throwing, but it improved my accuracy and speed.
Know your limitations and be patient about working within them.
When I first started pitching (about the age of ten), I wanted to get out on the mound with a full arsenal of pitches that none of my opponents had ever seen before. I wanted to throw a curveball, a slider, and whatever else I could learn. I was warned not to attempt to throw those specialty pitches too young. That advice is good stuff to follow. Before the age or 13 or 14 (depending upon how they develop physically), young pitchers should generally focus strictly on the fastball motion (including changeup pitches) and placement instead of the curveballs and fancy stuff. Trying to throw curveballs when you are too young will damage the elbow and shoulder.
Repairing your muscle tissue
Many different methods exist for recouping your muscles after they have been torn down from practice for from an outing on the mound in a game. The most effective treatments for repairing your torn down muscles includng have your arm massaged, treating it with alternating heat and ice, and even vibration. Just make sure you are doing one of those treatments to repair your throwing arm after a day at the park.
Listen to your body
Arm injuries can come from a variety of causes, from throwing too much to throwing the wrong way. Let your arm tell you when it needs rest or adjustment. That big game for which you are supposed to pitch six innings won’t seem so big in a few years when you can’t use your arm without pain. If you need rest, let your coach know.
These are a few simple but effective guidelines for keeping your baseball career alive long enough to allow your potential to be realized. Many players, including myself, have seen our opportunities limited by not following these rules as closely as they should have.

Richard Robbins is one of the owners of Robbins Sport and Athletics, an online supplier of sports apparel, team warmups, and sports duffel bags. He is also a sports fan and a former competitive athlete.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Robbins

Here's Some Baseball Thoughts And Quotes For Youth Baseball Coaches And Players

Here are baseball thoughts and some quotes that I thought all you youth baseball coaches would appreciate. There are far too many hot dog players and coaches in youth baseball today. I believe we must honor the game baseball by example. Most of it is just common sense and courtesy. I'm not giving you any secret formula to success.

By Chip Lemin

Everyone on the team must be willing to trade sweat, effort, and sacrifice for success. When looking at yourself as a player, the critical. There are too many egotists among players today. Egotism is the anesthetic which deadens the pain of stupidity.

Success is costly. You must exchange something solid in yourself for success.

Concentrate on improving your weaknesses. It is more obvious than your strong points.

No player ever becomes a success by giving up. Keep trying.

If your coach criticizes you, it indicates that he is watching you, so appreciate that.

Never alibi. Excuses never win games.

Be confident. Say to yourself, I can I will, I must.

Be a good team player. Encourage your teammates and cooperate with them. They in turn will do the same.

Don't yell at the officials or umpires. They are seldom responsible for your success so don't blame them for your failure.

Your conduct, both on the field and off the field of, is a true test of you as an individual. It reflects your degree of dependability, responsibility, and the extent of your self sacrifice.


Click here for more information on the ThroMax Trainer.




Here are some anonymous quotes...

If what you did yesterday still looks big to you, you haven't done much today.

The coach may not always be right, but he's always the coach.

When I won I thought I was lucky, but the harder I work, the luckier I got.

Every athlete has problems, the winners handle theirs.

The player who refuses to be beaten is tough to beat.

Not always a winner but never a loser.

If you know anyone who has always received a fair deal, get a witness- you're seeing a miracle.

Repetition is the mother of education.

I will get ready and perhaps my chance will come.

Enthusiasm is like a coat of paint- it covers up a lot of mistakes.

Little things make big things.

The surest way not to fail is be determined enough to succeed.

The player who does what he pleases is seldom pleased with what he does.

When a winner makes a mistake, he says I was wrong. One loser makes a mistake, he says, it was not my fault.

Hustle! You cannot survive without.

Enthusiasm and action will overcome fear.

The greatest key to success is a good attitude.

If You Think You are good, then why not be better. If you'd think you are better, then be the best.

Winning is not everything, but wanting to win is.

It takes a cool head to win a hot game.

I will leave you with this, it pertains to more than just baseball.

You can never get ahead of someone as long as you are trying to get even with them.

Thanks for your time, I hope these quotes, the ones without quotation marks around them, will help you get through this long winter waiting for baseball season start.

Thanks again, Coach Chip

Hello My name is Chip Lemin. I'm a long time youth baseball coach who loves to promote this great game of youth baseball. Promoting sportsmanship in this game of youth baseball is something that really needs I feel. I have a free course that will give you some solid coaching information along with great help on the inter-personal relationships we must have to be good youth baseball coaches.

Things such as parents, travel baseball, getting parents to help out, how to communicate better to parents and players, just to touch on a few. This course will help to organize practices like an elite coach. How to motivate players and other coaches with your positive attitude. It really is not very hard to be a great coach when you know what to do.Best of all you will learn how to have fun with these great kids that you have the privilege of coaching. Do yourself a favor and check it out, it's free,you will get 1 part every couple of days in your e-mail. Coaching can be fun and rewarding if you have a plan in place first, and you have an idea what you are doing. I would like to help you with that.

Sign up at http://www.baseballecourse.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chip_Lemin


www.AdvancedSkillsTee.com

BatAction.com
HandsBackHitter.com
QuickSwingTrainer.com