You may have heard in the past about players who had great one-game careers, great seasons, great moments even, but has anyone in professional baseball ever had a greater INNING than Gene Rye? The diminutive outfielder of the 1930 Waco club in the Texas League accomplished something no other player has, before or since, by blasting out three home runs in one inning! Rye later went on to play for the Boston Red Sox, and went homerless in his 17-game big league career
Perhaps no one will beat the one-game pitching record of Ron Necciai, who in his regular turn for Bristol of the Appalachian League on May 13, 1952 actually threw a no-hitter where he struck out 27 batters, an all-time record! Just to prove that was no fluke, Necciai turned around and fanned 24 batters in his next start! Necciai was promoted to the Pittsburgh Pirates later that season, but only managed to compile a 1-6 record and 7.04 ERA.
Sammy Sosa has topped the 60-homer mark three times, and Mark McGwire has done it twice in the big leagues, but the only player to turn the trick twice in the minors is Joe Hauser, a first baseman for the Philadelphia Athletics of the 1920's who ended his career in the bushes. In 1930 he smacked 63 home runs for the International League's Baltimore Orioles, then came back in 1933 to blast 69 for the Minneapolis Millers of the American Association.
McGwire beat that total by one four-bagger in 1998, but at the time he still had to settle for second place on the all-time list in Organized Baseball (until Barry Bonds' 73 of course). Local fans must have thought they were seeing UFO's in 1954 when Joe Bauman, playing for Roswell (N.M.) in the Class C Longhorn League, pumped out 72 round-trippers, a mark which held up until Bonds' onslaught in 2001. You would think a feat like that would have produced a swift ticket to the majors, but in reality, Bauman never played an inning of big league ball!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Jay
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Baseball - Not All Hall of Fame Honorees Are Inductees
Induction ceremonies for baseball's Hall of Fame will take place this year on July 26 in Cooperstown, and invariably it will be preceded by those members of the media who will exercise their annual piece of misinterpretation, something that may sound a bit anal, but is nonetheless important when it comes to writing and speaking about things in a historical context. The writers and broadcasters who will be honored that day will be referred to as "Hall of Famers" or "inductees," but that would be inaccurate.
This year, Dave Niehaus will receive the Ford C. Frick Award, emblematic of "major contributions" in baseball broadcasting, an honor which is indeed bestowed upon its recipients at the induction ceremony. But this award does not constitute induction into the Hall, nor has it ever. Neither does the Spink Award, which is given "for meritorious contributions to baseball writing" and which Larry Whiteside will get.
It has long been a common misconception among fans and members of the media that the writers and broadcasters so honored have been enshrinees. I fell under this misconception at one time myself. It was only in the process of writing a Hall of Fame trivia book that clarification of this issue became important to me.
I noticed that in a couple of "sports almanacs," it is stated that the Frick and Spink awards were not symbolic of enshrinement. Then, during a pilgrimage to the Hall of Fame in the course of my research, I visited the exhibit in the Hall of Fame Library that depicts these honorees, and in conversations with Hall of Fame officials, it was confirmed to me that indeed, the awards were not synonymous with induction.
If you need further affirmation, you can go to the Baseball Hall of Fame website - where under the description of both the Frick and Spink awards is the following passage -- "Each award recipient (not to be confused with an inductee)..."
Interestingly, the Negro Leaguers faced a similar fate when their "wing" was being discussed in 1971. The Negro Leaguers were to be honored in a separate "exhibit", without the distinction of being full members, to which Satchel Paige replied, "I ain't going in the back door to the Hall of Fame". Eventually, the Hall of Fame officials buckled to the tremendous public criticism that ensued and established former Negro Leaguers as "real" Hall of Famers.
Much of this may seem completely meaningless, except to someone like me, who has to ask questions that concern which Hall of Famers did this, and which Hall of Famers did that. In that instance, it indeed carries a certain degree of importance, in establishing who is and isn't a Hall of Famer.
I do contend, however, that some members of the print and broadcast media do indeed deserve full-fledged enshrinement, as many of them had as much impact, were responsible for as much contribution, as many of the players did. Not one per year, which would seem a bit much, but certainly an elite group, which would include people like Red Barber, Mel Allen, Vin Scully, Ernie Harwell, Harry Carey, Bob Prince, Jerome Holtzman, Bob Broeg, Hugh Fullerton, Red Smith, and some others.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Jay
This year, Dave Niehaus will receive the Ford C. Frick Award, emblematic of "major contributions" in baseball broadcasting, an honor which is indeed bestowed upon its recipients at the induction ceremony. But this award does not constitute induction into the Hall, nor has it ever. Neither does the Spink Award, which is given "for meritorious contributions to baseball writing" and which Larry Whiteside will get.
It has long been a common misconception among fans and members of the media that the writers and broadcasters so honored have been enshrinees. I fell under this misconception at one time myself. It was only in the process of writing a Hall of Fame trivia book that clarification of this issue became important to me.
I noticed that in a couple of "sports almanacs," it is stated that the Frick and Spink awards were not symbolic of enshrinement. Then, during a pilgrimage to the Hall of Fame in the course of my research, I visited the exhibit in the Hall of Fame Library that depicts these honorees, and in conversations with Hall of Fame officials, it was confirmed to me that indeed, the awards were not synonymous with induction.
If you need further affirmation, you can go to the Baseball Hall of Fame website - where under the description of both the Frick and Spink awards is the following passage -- "Each award recipient (not to be confused with an inductee)..."
Interestingly, the Negro Leaguers faced a similar fate when their "wing" was being discussed in 1971. The Negro Leaguers were to be honored in a separate "exhibit", without the distinction of being full members, to which Satchel Paige replied, "I ain't going in the back door to the Hall of Fame". Eventually, the Hall of Fame officials buckled to the tremendous public criticism that ensued and established former Negro Leaguers as "real" Hall of Famers.
Much of this may seem completely meaningless, except to someone like me, who has to ask questions that concern which Hall of Famers did this, and which Hall of Famers did that. In that instance, it indeed carries a certain degree of importance, in establishing who is and isn't a Hall of Famer.
I do contend, however, that some members of the print and broadcast media do indeed deserve full-fledged enshrinement, as many of them had as much impact, were responsible for as much contribution, as many of the players did. Not one per year, which would seem a bit much, but certainly an elite group, which would include people like Red Barber, Mel Allen, Vin Scully, Ernie Harwell, Harry Carey, Bob Prince, Jerome Holtzman, Bob Broeg, Hugh Fullerton, Red Smith, and some others.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Jay
Baseball - Some Stuff About Babe Ruth You Didn't Know
Babe Ruth, for all the incredible home run records he set during his illustrious major league career, never hit four home runs in a big league game. However, Ruth is believed to be the first major league player ever to hit four homers in an exhibition game. That's right. On April 18, 1919, when Ruth was in spring training for what would be his final season with the Boston Red Sox (1919), he blasted four round-trippers in a pre-season game between his club and the Baltimore Orioles of the International League.
Ruth reached base six times in six trips that day, getting two walks in addition to his four home runs. Henry Rodriguez, now with the Florida Marlins, came along and hit four homers in a spring training game for the Dodgers in April of 1995 - he joins Ruth as the only big leaguers we know of to do it.
Ruth dreamed of managing his beloved New York Yankees when his playing days were over, but by and large, Yankee management felt that Ruth had enough problems controlling himself to be able to control his players. He later was strung along by the Boston Braves and their owner, Judge Emil Fuchs, becoming a playing vice-president who was promised an eventual opportunity to manage in the majors which never came.
But the Bambino did indeed eventually manage a game in Yankee Stadium, albeit one that didn't count in the standings. On July 27, 1943, Ruth managed a combination Yankee-Indian team called the "Yank-Lands" in a war benefit game against a contingent called the "Chapel Hill Cloudbusters", based at a Navy pre-flight school and managed by Ted Williams. During the game, the 48-year-old Ruth actually stepped up to the plate once, drawing a walk, and advanced to second base before signaling for a pinch runner. His managerial debut was unsuccessful, as the Cloudbusters won 11-5, before 27,281 enthusiastic fans at the Stadium.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Jay
Ruth reached base six times in six trips that day, getting two walks in addition to his four home runs. Henry Rodriguez, now with the Florida Marlins, came along and hit four homers in a spring training game for the Dodgers in April of 1995 - he joins Ruth as the only big leaguers we know of to do it.
Ruth dreamed of managing his beloved New York Yankees when his playing days were over, but by and large, Yankee management felt that Ruth had enough problems controlling himself to be able to control his players. He later was strung along by the Boston Braves and their owner, Judge Emil Fuchs, becoming a playing vice-president who was promised an eventual opportunity to manage in the majors which never came.
But the Bambino did indeed eventually manage a game in Yankee Stadium, albeit one that didn't count in the standings. On July 27, 1943, Ruth managed a combination Yankee-Indian team called the "Yank-Lands" in a war benefit game against a contingent called the "Chapel Hill Cloudbusters", based at a Navy pre-flight school and managed by Ted Williams. During the game, the 48-year-old Ruth actually stepped up to the plate once, drawing a walk, and advanced to second base before signaling for a pinch runner. His managerial debut was unsuccessful, as the Cloudbusters won 11-5, before 27,281 enthusiastic fans at the Stadium.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Jay
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Mental Training and Goal Setting
Each year I work with teams of youth baseball players in teaching them the values of the mental game of baseball. Just as there are skills needed to develop the physical side of the sport, there are skills necessary to build the mental side of the game as well. Unfortunately, teaching the mental game is a bit more difficult to teach because the results aren't necessary visible as quickly. Let me assure you however, if you have goals of playing baseball at the collegiate level or above, you will need a sold mental game if you are going to excel.
One of the first things I teach kids is set proper goals. This usually sounds a bit dry and boring, but it's important that a game plan is created in order to form a path to follow as an athlete. There are three important steps involved in setting goals that are functional. Broad goals, process goals, and action habits. Let me explain those below.
If we are talking about a season to season focus, broad goals are essentially what you want to accomplish by the end of the season. These should be something you can measure like batting average, fielding percentage, stolen bases, etc.
Process goals are the middle level of goal setting. There are the things you need to solve or improve upon in order to accomplish your broad goals. They should be specific as far as the things you are going to do daily, but they should be areas in your game that need immediate improvement. So let's say you have a season goal of hitting .400. A process goal would be to improve on your ability to hit off speed pitches. Or, it could be that you need to work on what pitches you choose to swing at.
The last part of this goal setting process is your daily action habits. These are the day to day things that you will do to get better at accomplishing your process goals. Using the example from above, if you process goal is to get better at hitting off speed pitches, your daily action habit might be to spend 15 minutes in the batting cage working on hitting a curveball. Whatever you choose to make it, it should be something that has a time frame attached to it.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nate_Barnett
One of the first things I teach kids is set proper goals. This usually sounds a bit dry and boring, but it's important that a game plan is created in order to form a path to follow as an athlete. There are three important steps involved in setting goals that are functional. Broad goals, process goals, and action habits. Let me explain those below.
If we are talking about a season to season focus, broad goals are essentially what you want to accomplish by the end of the season. These should be something you can measure like batting average, fielding percentage, stolen bases, etc.
Process goals are the middle level of goal setting. There are the things you need to solve or improve upon in order to accomplish your broad goals. They should be specific as far as the things you are going to do daily, but they should be areas in your game that need immediate improvement. So let's say you have a season goal of hitting .400. A process goal would be to improve on your ability to hit off speed pitches. Or, it could be that you need to work on what pitches you choose to swing at.
The last part of this goal setting process is your daily action habits. These are the day to day things that you will do to get better at accomplishing your process goals. Using the example from above, if you process goal is to get better at hitting off speed pitches, your daily action habit might be to spend 15 minutes in the batting cage working on hitting a curveball. Whatever you choose to make it, it should be something that has a time frame attached to it.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nate_Barnett
Independent Baseball Teams - What They Are
You may have recently heard about an independent baseball team near where you live, or near where you were traveling. If so, you may have wondered what makes a team "independent" and if it is worth your money to go watch that team.
An independent professional baseball team is a team which plays in a professional baseball league that is not affiliated with any Major League organization or the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, which is now named (officially) Minor League Baseball. These teams have complete control over the players they sign, the personnel they hire, and their players can be signed by any "affiliated" team in Minor League Baseball.
Occasionally, an independent baseball player may make it to a Major League Baseball roster after having started his career in the independent baseball leagues. Many players who make it to a Major League roster after having spent time with an independent baseball team usually had previous Major League, or high-level Minor League experience prior to joining a Major League Baseball roster.
For the 2009 season, nearly 60 independent teams fielded a team in 8 independent leagues. The teams play in the U.S. and Canada. There are independent baseball teams in the Northeast, Quebec, Calgary, California, the Mid-Atlantic, Texas, Arizona, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota and the Dakotas, just to name a few regions. The players can range from just out of college, former "affiliated" minor league players who were released, players who could be in the minors but opted to play closer to home for family reasons, former Major League players, and occasionally international players. Many teams have managers and coaches whom have previous Major League Baseball experience.
The question you may still have, however, is if an independent baseball team is worth your time and money. In most markets this is a "yes."
Here are just some of the reasons why:
* Prices are usually equal to or less than comparable entertainment, such as the movies
* Concession prices are usually less than at higher-level professional sports
* Kids and fans get participate in on-field and off-field promotions
* Many teams offer incentives for you to bring groups
* Many of the general managers and team executives have years of professional sports experience, so they understand what it takes to give you good entertainment for your money
* Many of the players are accessible for autographs
* The quality of play is considerably high, especially compared to other alternatives you may have in your area
Hopefully this article gives you a better understanding of independent baseball and helps you make a better decision for your entertainment dollar.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Mc_Dermott
An independent professional baseball team is a team which plays in a professional baseball league that is not affiliated with any Major League organization or the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, which is now named (officially) Minor League Baseball. These teams have complete control over the players they sign, the personnel they hire, and their players can be signed by any "affiliated" team in Minor League Baseball.
Occasionally, an independent baseball player may make it to a Major League Baseball roster after having started his career in the independent baseball leagues. Many players who make it to a Major League roster after having spent time with an independent baseball team usually had previous Major League, or high-level Minor League experience prior to joining a Major League Baseball roster.
For the 2009 season, nearly 60 independent teams fielded a team in 8 independent leagues. The teams play in the U.S. and Canada. There are independent baseball teams in the Northeast, Quebec, Calgary, California, the Mid-Atlantic, Texas, Arizona, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota and the Dakotas, just to name a few regions. The players can range from just out of college, former "affiliated" minor league players who were released, players who could be in the minors but opted to play closer to home for family reasons, former Major League players, and occasionally international players. Many teams have managers and coaches whom have previous Major League Baseball experience.
The question you may still have, however, is if an independent baseball team is worth your time and money. In most markets this is a "yes."
Here are just some of the reasons why:
* Prices are usually equal to or less than comparable entertainment, such as the movies
* Concession prices are usually less than at higher-level professional sports
* Kids and fans get participate in on-field and off-field promotions
* Many teams offer incentives for you to bring groups
* Many of the general managers and team executives have years of professional sports experience, so they understand what it takes to give you good entertainment for your money
* Many of the players are accessible for autographs
* The quality of play is considerably high, especially compared to other alternatives you may have in your area
Hopefully this article gives you a better understanding of independent baseball and helps you make a better decision for your entertainment dollar.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Mc_Dermott
Braves Get Bombed
The Bronx Bombers unleashed their fury in Atlanta, Georgia for two nights this week.
As an avid Braves fan, I should have known it was far too good to be true. The first game and a half of a three game set went as perfect as a game and a half could go for Atlanta. They shut out a 200 million dollar lineup for 14 straight innings. Hell, Kenshin Kawakami and Kris Medlen had combined for a perfect game for the first five innings of the second game. Then, the law of averages caught up with the Braves.
You see, winning those 14 consecutive division titles from 1991 to 2005 really has us screwed now. Having Cy Young Award winners filling the rotation for all those years has simply caught up to the Braves. And now, Atlanta cannot get the ball to take a single bounce their way. And in a game of inches, one bounce means a lot.
While baseball is a game of inches, the Yankees beat the Braves by a few hundred miles in games two and three of this series. Sure, mainstream media will give all the credit to manager Joe Girardi's ejection in the 6th inning of the second game, but the offensive outburst had very little to do with his tirade. Bottom line is, the freakin' Yankees are flat out loaded. Look at their order. Jeter, Damon, A-Rod, Teixiera, Swisher, Cano, Posada. The Yankees have guys on their bench that would hit in the middle of some lineups. A modern day murderer's row, cannot be shut out forever. That is why they beat up on Atlanta. They were simply overdue.
Of course it didn't help that Kawakami took a line drive off his neck and forced Bobby Cox to go to his bullpen in the 4th inning. It's tough for any bullpen to have to give you six quality innings, and against the Yankees nonetheless. And you can't overlook that Derek Lowe was absolutely awful. New York can make a lot of pitchers look terrible, but Lowe has been bad against everybody in the month of June(lost 3 straight decisions).
All those factors certainly helped a Yankees lineup that needed no help. They just needed time. So the New York Times can chill out, no need to suggest a trade out of desperation. And Brian Cashman didn't need to fly to Atlanta unexpectedly so that reporters could speculate that Girardi's job was on the line. It appears that a sleeping giant just woke up in the ATL.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Doyle
As an avid Braves fan, I should have known it was far too good to be true. The first game and a half of a three game set went as perfect as a game and a half could go for Atlanta. They shut out a 200 million dollar lineup for 14 straight innings. Hell, Kenshin Kawakami and Kris Medlen had combined for a perfect game for the first five innings of the second game. Then, the law of averages caught up with the Braves.
You see, winning those 14 consecutive division titles from 1991 to 2005 really has us screwed now. Having Cy Young Award winners filling the rotation for all those years has simply caught up to the Braves. And now, Atlanta cannot get the ball to take a single bounce their way. And in a game of inches, one bounce means a lot.
While baseball is a game of inches, the Yankees beat the Braves by a few hundred miles in games two and three of this series. Sure, mainstream media will give all the credit to manager Joe Girardi's ejection in the 6th inning of the second game, but the offensive outburst had very little to do with his tirade. Bottom line is, the freakin' Yankees are flat out loaded. Look at their order. Jeter, Damon, A-Rod, Teixiera, Swisher, Cano, Posada. The Yankees have guys on their bench that would hit in the middle of some lineups. A modern day murderer's row, cannot be shut out forever. That is why they beat up on Atlanta. They were simply overdue.
Of course it didn't help that Kawakami took a line drive off his neck and forced Bobby Cox to go to his bullpen in the 4th inning. It's tough for any bullpen to have to give you six quality innings, and against the Yankees nonetheless. And you can't overlook that Derek Lowe was absolutely awful. New York can make a lot of pitchers look terrible, but Lowe has been bad against everybody in the month of June(lost 3 straight decisions).
All those factors certainly helped a Yankees lineup that needed no help. They just needed time. So the New York Times can chill out, no need to suggest a trade out of desperation. And Brian Cashman didn't need to fly to Atlanta unexpectedly so that reporters could speculate that Girardi's job was on the line. It appears that a sleeping giant just woke up in the ATL.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Doyle
Choosing Your Next Baseball Bat
People want a baseball bat that looks good and is productive. That's why it is of the utmost importance to choose an appropriate bat. The bat does many things for the hitter. For example, the baseball bat can determine the velocity of your swing, as well as how far the ball will travel after contact. Choosing the right bat will ensure that you use less effort compared to an ineffective bat which will require more effort to get the results you want.
You should consider length, weight, and type.
A short bat will not let the hitter hit as many balls within their strike zone as a longer bat will allow. Also, a short bat causes the hitter to reach out and hit the ball, which is definitely a no-no in the world of hitting. Reaching out and hitting the ball causes the hitter to lose their stance as well as their rhythm. To remedy this problem, just get the right size bat. A very long bat is often too heavy. Also, the person will swing the bat slower and this will cause him or her to miss more often than not.
A hitter should stand in the center of the batter's box and put the bat on the home's plate inside corner. The end of the bat should be right where the batter's palm is at. A long bat will extend beyond the palm. A short bat will end where the fingers are at.
Weight is a big concern. There have been several professional players who have been caught up in a cheating scandal involved with lightening their bat in illegal ways. A lighter bat is easier to swing and thus, allows you to hit the ball further due to increased velocity and then you are in control. Cork is illegal in professional baseball because it gives an obvious unfair advantage to the hitter. However, the down side is that a lighter bat will cause batters to over swing. This often causes the hips to fall behind the shoulders. Players are often taught that the hips should be the leader of the swing. The shoulder can't be used too quickly because there won't be enough power in the batter's swing.
You should consider whether you want wood or aluminum for your bat. The type is an obvious consideration you will make because it affects how your bat looks and swings. You should check out the league rules to figure out if either is not allowed before even considering either. If the league you play in doesn't have specifics about what type, then this definitely needs to be discussed.
Aluminum bats are newer than wooden bats. There are different techniques that you can use for aluminum bats that you do not necessarily need for wooden bats. It's important to use the proper mechanics for the particular bat because if you don't then you will do more harm than good.
The weights in the two are different. Wooden bats are heavier than aluminum ones. Players that use aluminum bats on average have a higher hitting percentage because they can adjust at the last minute, whereas players with wooden ones really can't. The density and weight causes a wooden bat to hit the ball further. If you use these tips, then you are on your way to being a good hitter.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colby_Brister
You should consider length, weight, and type.
A short bat will not let the hitter hit as many balls within their strike zone as a longer bat will allow. Also, a short bat causes the hitter to reach out and hit the ball, which is definitely a no-no in the world of hitting. Reaching out and hitting the ball causes the hitter to lose their stance as well as their rhythm. To remedy this problem, just get the right size bat. A very long bat is often too heavy. Also, the person will swing the bat slower and this will cause him or her to miss more often than not.
A hitter should stand in the center of the batter's box and put the bat on the home's plate inside corner. The end of the bat should be right where the batter's palm is at. A long bat will extend beyond the palm. A short bat will end where the fingers are at.
Weight is a big concern. There have been several professional players who have been caught up in a cheating scandal involved with lightening their bat in illegal ways. A lighter bat is easier to swing and thus, allows you to hit the ball further due to increased velocity and then you are in control. Cork is illegal in professional baseball because it gives an obvious unfair advantage to the hitter. However, the down side is that a lighter bat will cause batters to over swing. This often causes the hips to fall behind the shoulders. Players are often taught that the hips should be the leader of the swing. The shoulder can't be used too quickly because there won't be enough power in the batter's swing.
You should consider whether you want wood or aluminum for your bat. The type is an obvious consideration you will make because it affects how your bat looks and swings. You should check out the league rules to figure out if either is not allowed before even considering either. If the league you play in doesn't have specifics about what type, then this definitely needs to be discussed.
Aluminum bats are newer than wooden bats. There are different techniques that you can use for aluminum bats that you do not necessarily need for wooden bats. It's important to use the proper mechanics for the particular bat because if you don't then you will do more harm than good.
The weights in the two are different. Wooden bats are heavier than aluminum ones. Players that use aluminum bats on average have a higher hitting percentage because they can adjust at the last minute, whereas players with wooden ones really can't. The density and weight causes a wooden bat to hit the ball further. If you use these tips, then you are on your way to being a good hitter.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colby_Brister
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Women in Baseball - A Chapter in Baseball History
In the 1900's, barnstorming teams known as "Bloomer Girls" were formed in parts of the United States of America.
An attempt to profit from the participation of women in baseball was thought to have caused the rapid increase in its popularity.
In 1931, Jackie Mitchell signed a contract with the minor league Chattanooga Lookouts. Mitchell pitched against the New York Yankees and struck out their two star players, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig! Since then, in 1952, organized baseball formally banned women from signing professional contracts with men's teams. This is still in effect today!
The amount of women in baseball was about to increase as the Second World War saw many men go off to fight for their country. This meant that many women took their place, to keep the game of baseball alive. It when then that the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) was founded with four teams; the Rockford Peaches, the Racine Belles and the Kenosha Comets, and the South Bend Blue Sox. The population of women in baseball soared!
Rules encouraging the wearing of lipstick and long hair on the women in baseball were declared. Also the banning of wearing trousers off the field.
At first, the women baseball players played fast pitched softball, with a larger ball with no overhand pitching. In 1948 overhand was introduced. Women's baseball's rules evolved from the men's baseball rules, with a few small changes.
The AAGPBL finally folded in 1954, due to the televising of major league baseball in the 1950's. But the spirit of the women of baseball was to live on, as on November 5, 1988, the All American Girls Professional Baseball League enshrined memorabilia in the Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, New York. More than 550 names are on a plaque in the exhibit named "Women In Baseball".
Currently, there are around 40 youth and women's baseball teams throughout the U.S. They play in roughly nine leagues and independent tournaments throughout the year.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathan_R_Park
An attempt to profit from the participation of women in baseball was thought to have caused the rapid increase in its popularity.
In 1931, Jackie Mitchell signed a contract with the minor league Chattanooga Lookouts. Mitchell pitched against the New York Yankees and struck out their two star players, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig! Since then, in 1952, organized baseball formally banned women from signing professional contracts with men's teams. This is still in effect today!
The amount of women in baseball was about to increase as the Second World War saw many men go off to fight for their country. This meant that many women took their place, to keep the game of baseball alive. It when then that the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) was founded with four teams; the Rockford Peaches, the Racine Belles and the Kenosha Comets, and the South Bend Blue Sox. The population of women in baseball soared!
Rules encouraging the wearing of lipstick and long hair on the women in baseball were declared. Also the banning of wearing trousers off the field.
At first, the women baseball players played fast pitched softball, with a larger ball with no overhand pitching. In 1948 overhand was introduced. Women's baseball's rules evolved from the men's baseball rules, with a few small changes.
The AAGPBL finally folded in 1954, due to the televising of major league baseball in the 1950's. But the spirit of the women of baseball was to live on, as on November 5, 1988, the All American Girls Professional Baseball League enshrined memorabilia in the Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, New York. More than 550 names are on a plaque in the exhibit named "Women In Baseball".
Currently, there are around 40 youth and women's baseball teams throughout the U.S. They play in roughly nine leagues and independent tournaments throughout the year.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathan_R_Park
Baseball Pitching Mechanics - All You Need to Know
Problems in life can sometimes cause distraction during a game and if this happens to you, it is best to approach your trainer and ask help especially on different baseball pitching mechanics. Your trainer can help you control your emotion and thoughts and use the important concept on the field. One of the most essential things that should be noticed is their attention on performing at their highest level. Remember that all physical and mental skills can be learned and developed with hard work and diligence.
An important part of baseball pitching mechanics is work out in order to respond faster, build a more athletic body, have a tougher mind, acquire more stamina for games, to practice longer without losing concentration and have the ability to execute even in hot conditions. It is recommended to do stretching for at least two to three minutes after every game. In order to play properly, it is best to have a regular exercise routine. It is also important to concentrate on different small factors involved in baseball pitching mechanics such as discipline, focus, taking care of your baseball equipments and teamwork.
One of the important baseball pitching mechanics is keeping the ball near to the ground as well as on the corners. You should also avoid walking at almost all the time except for some situations. Make sure to be assertive on the bases and never give easy bases to runners. It is essential to keep your mental state strong throughout the game. In order to increase speed, it is recommended to determine your fitness level and go on an appropriate fitness program. You can ask your trainer to perform a test for your conditioning quality and throwing mechanics aspect. In order to enhance your speed, it is best to change your pitch velocity. You must use bigger muscle groups in throwing a baseball instead of using your shoulders and arms only. You must learn the right way to pitch from the ground going up. Remember that speed comes from the forces that are added to the ball.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Karpuch
An important part of baseball pitching mechanics is work out in order to respond faster, build a more athletic body, have a tougher mind, acquire more stamina for games, to practice longer without losing concentration and have the ability to execute even in hot conditions. It is recommended to do stretching for at least two to three minutes after every game. In order to play properly, it is best to have a regular exercise routine. It is also important to concentrate on different small factors involved in baseball pitching mechanics such as discipline, focus, taking care of your baseball equipments and teamwork.
One of the important baseball pitching mechanics is keeping the ball near to the ground as well as on the corners. You should also avoid walking at almost all the time except for some situations. Make sure to be assertive on the bases and never give easy bases to runners. It is essential to keep your mental state strong throughout the game. In order to increase speed, it is recommended to determine your fitness level and go on an appropriate fitness program. You can ask your trainer to perform a test for your conditioning quality and throwing mechanics aspect. In order to enhance your speed, it is best to change your pitch velocity. You must use bigger muscle groups in throwing a baseball instead of using your shoulders and arms only. You must learn the right way to pitch from the ground going up. Remember that speed comes from the forces that are added to the ball.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Karpuch
See Where Baseball History Lives at Wrigley Field in Chicago
The Chicago area is a wonderful tourist destination to visit any time of the year. With countless concerts and events, great places to say, and a wonderful smorgasbord of eating establishments, it should be on your list of "must see" destinations.
During the long baseball season, Chicago is a mecca for ball fans who can combine their love of sport with their vacation. The world famous Chicago Cub have their home at historical Wrigley Field, playing host to other professional ball teams, all season long.
Baseball fans are inevitably history fans, at least when it comes to the game of baseball, and Wrigley Field is steeped in moments that echo down through the years. Built way back in 1914, 2009 marks its 96th season showcasing Major League Baseball. Incredibly the Cubs have played there for 94 of the 96. Only Fenway Park, built in 1912 in Boston, can claim seniority.
What baseball fan hasn't heard of Babe Ruth's "called shot". The story goes that in the third game of the 1932 World Series, Ruth was up to bat and before the pitch he pointed to an area in the bleachers. The opposition's pitcher Charlie Root fired, and The Babe connected for a homer that landed in the area he had just pointed to. It's a legend that will live on forever.
Wrigley Field started out as Weeghman Park on land that once housed a seminary. Charles H. Weeghman acquired the land, investing a sum of $250,000, bringing in more than 4.000 yards of soil and planting four acres of bluegrass on the outfield. This ball diamond became home to the Federal League with Weeghman financing the startup baseball club, first known as the Federals and later as the Whales.
April 23, 1914 marked the very first major league game. The Federals beat Kansas City by a score of 9-1. Art Wilson, the Federals catcher, smashed a two run blast off Kansas City's Chief Johnson in the second inning, marking the park's very first home run.
After the 1915 season, the Federal League collapsed due to financial problems, and Weeghman bought a team called the Cubs and installed them at his two year old ballpark. With a little bear cub looking on, the Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 in a game that went 11 innings. This was the first National League game and it happened on April 20, 1916.
In 1920 Weeghman Park morphed into Cubs Park when the Wrigley family bought the team. The name Wrigley Field began in 1926 to honor the club's owner William Wrigley Jr., and has stuck ever since.
About ten years later, in 1937, a scoreboard and bleachers were built in the outfield because attendance was increasing. This scoreboard remains to this day with numbers that are changed by hand. Imagine the thrill of being the person posting those numbers to the assembled crowd.
Perhaps you have seen the magnificent wall of ivy at Wrigley Field. It is very distinctive and many folks have seen it on televised games. A gentleman by the name of Bill Veeck is responsible for that horticultural touch. He first strung bittersweet from the top to the bottom of the wall and then planted ivy plants all along the base. Now, seventy years later, the wall is simply blanketed in green.
It is hard to fathom this fact, but no batted ball has ever hit the scoreboard in center field. With the number of games that are played, and the skilled players who have hit many home runs, not one has connected with that scoreboard.
Two have come really close, however. Way back in 1948, Bill Nicholson hit a home run onto Sheffield Avenue, and then in 1959, Roberto Clemente smashed one onto Waveland Avenue. Could 2009 be the year someone makes contact with that fabled board?
Here is another charming tradition. If you drive past Wrigley Field and spot a white flag flying from the scoreboard masthead, with a blue letter "W", that indicates that the Cubs were victorious that day. If the flag is blue with a white "L" it means that the Cubbies were beaten. If it was a doubleheader with a split result, then both the flags are hoisted.
This summer or fall would be a great time to visit Chicago and soak up the sights and sounds of the city as well as see some great baseball. Be sure to get your Chicago Cubs tickets today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Messe
During the long baseball season, Chicago is a mecca for ball fans who can combine their love of sport with their vacation. The world famous Chicago Cub have their home at historical Wrigley Field, playing host to other professional ball teams, all season long.
Baseball fans are inevitably history fans, at least when it comes to the game of baseball, and Wrigley Field is steeped in moments that echo down through the years. Built way back in 1914, 2009 marks its 96th season showcasing Major League Baseball. Incredibly the Cubs have played there for 94 of the 96. Only Fenway Park, built in 1912 in Boston, can claim seniority.
What baseball fan hasn't heard of Babe Ruth's "called shot". The story goes that in the third game of the 1932 World Series, Ruth was up to bat and before the pitch he pointed to an area in the bleachers. The opposition's pitcher Charlie Root fired, and The Babe connected for a homer that landed in the area he had just pointed to. It's a legend that will live on forever.
Wrigley Field started out as Weeghman Park on land that once housed a seminary. Charles H. Weeghman acquired the land, investing a sum of $250,000, bringing in more than 4.000 yards of soil and planting four acres of bluegrass on the outfield. This ball diamond became home to the Federal League with Weeghman financing the startup baseball club, first known as the Federals and later as the Whales.
April 23, 1914 marked the very first major league game. The Federals beat Kansas City by a score of 9-1. Art Wilson, the Federals catcher, smashed a two run blast off Kansas City's Chief Johnson in the second inning, marking the park's very first home run.
After the 1915 season, the Federal League collapsed due to financial problems, and Weeghman bought a team called the Cubs and installed them at his two year old ballpark. With a little bear cub looking on, the Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 in a game that went 11 innings. This was the first National League game and it happened on April 20, 1916.
In 1920 Weeghman Park morphed into Cubs Park when the Wrigley family bought the team. The name Wrigley Field began in 1926 to honor the club's owner William Wrigley Jr., and has stuck ever since.
About ten years later, in 1937, a scoreboard and bleachers were built in the outfield because attendance was increasing. This scoreboard remains to this day with numbers that are changed by hand. Imagine the thrill of being the person posting those numbers to the assembled crowd.
Perhaps you have seen the magnificent wall of ivy at Wrigley Field. It is very distinctive and many folks have seen it on televised games. A gentleman by the name of Bill Veeck is responsible for that horticultural touch. He first strung bittersweet from the top to the bottom of the wall and then planted ivy plants all along the base. Now, seventy years later, the wall is simply blanketed in green.
It is hard to fathom this fact, but no batted ball has ever hit the scoreboard in center field. With the number of games that are played, and the skilled players who have hit many home runs, not one has connected with that scoreboard.
Two have come really close, however. Way back in 1948, Bill Nicholson hit a home run onto Sheffield Avenue, and then in 1959, Roberto Clemente smashed one onto Waveland Avenue. Could 2009 be the year someone makes contact with that fabled board?
Here is another charming tradition. If you drive past Wrigley Field and spot a white flag flying from the scoreboard masthead, with a blue letter "W", that indicates that the Cubs were victorious that day. If the flag is blue with a white "L" it means that the Cubbies were beaten. If it was a doubleheader with a split result, then both the flags are hoisted.
This summer or fall would be a great time to visit Chicago and soak up the sights and sounds of the city as well as see some great baseball. Be sure to get your Chicago Cubs tickets today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Messe
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