As the 2008 baseball season is more than halfway over, it does so without its biggest name and most infamous star. Barry Bonds, whose 762 career home runs put him atop the career long-ball list, has yet to be signed. His shocking absence from any team's roster jives with sports fans concerned about his reputation as a chemistry killer. Others question if the 44 year old veteran bat has fallen victim to one of baseball dirtiest and most secretive practices, collusion.
Earlier this season, the uncharacteristic actions of management prompted player's association chief Donald Fehr to say he would be looking into the matter as part of his annual free-agency review. Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement explicitly states that "Players shall not act in concert with other players and clubs shall not act in concert with other clubs." When acting together, collusion amongst the owners can unofficially ban players - as has been alleged in the Bonds case - or collectively drive down the value of the salaries paid to players on the free-agent market.
The idea of collusion is not without precedent in baseball. One of the league's most famous cases was in 1985, when the owners collectively agreed not to pursue free agents from other ball clubs - claiming they individually decided to be more "fiscally responsible". The outcome: all 29 free agents that off-season were forced to re-sign with their former teams. Of those players, just one, Carlton Fisk, agreed to what was termed a true "bona fide" offer. The case was brought to arbitration and the owners were ordered to pay the players a penalty of $280 million.
The recent change in atmosphere throughout the free agent market has come under heavy scrutiny. For example, in recent years, successful veteran pitchers have been signing incredibly lucrative long-term deals. In 2005, Kevin Millwood signed with the rangers for $60 million over five years. In 2006 Esteban Loaiza cashed in for $21 million over three years, and most recently Barry Zito signed a seven year deal for $126 million in 2007. The list goes on, but clearly quality pitching has been a lock to pull the big contract in the recent market.
However, in this 32nd winter of free agency, similar veteran pitchers are not inking the same caliber multi-year deals. Randy Wolf signed for one year at $4.75 million while solid veterans Kenny Rogers and Tom Glavine both signed contracts spanning just one year for $8 million.
"It's a highly irregular situation to see veteran pitchers who are out there and only one American pitcher got a multiyear contract," player agent Scott Boras told the New York Times.
It seems clear that teams are just not spending like they used to. Optimists would no doubt write this newfound frugality off to the proverbial bubble bursting on player values. Mediocre talent is being recognized as such, and salary inflation is finally undergoing a bit of self-correction. Isn't that a possibility too?
Certainly it is, but this cannot explain the Barry Bonds enigma. There is absolutely no doubt that many clubs, especially in the American League, could benefit from having a powerful left-handed bat like Bonds' in their lineup. Last season, the three-time most valuable player hit .276 with 28 homers, 66 RBIs and drew a major league-leading 132 walks. He made $19.3 million. Bonds has made it clear he wants to play, and he would do so for less than that kind of money. He will put fans in the seats, and he will produce. Many fans from many teams are left wondering: what's the holdup?
But, fans aren't the only ones questioning their teams' agendas. Even team officials have made public statements regarding Bonds' services, like St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. His call for the Cards to sign Bonds was promptly shot down by management. The Tampa Bay Rays also held internal discussions about making a play for Bonds, according to the St. Petersburg Times. So far no club has made an offer for the slugger, raising suspicions that there might be more at play than meets the eye.
As the investigations into these most recent allegations of collusion continue in this age of celebrity, reality TV, Senate hearings, and probes more answers are sure to come. Maybe teams just aren't willing to spend like they used to or maybe there is a big, closed door behind which illegal activities are taking place.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
That Perfect Summer When Manny Was a Dodger
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be; so true.
Yet one can't help recalling with a grin and a sigh how transforming The Might Manny's presence was when he was wearing the Blue Bandanna at Chavez Ravine.
Young players suddenly caught on.
A veteran, like Jeff Kent, earned his last hurrah at 40, connecting with his bat better than he had done all season; heck for two or more seasons.
Manager Joe Torre had genuine, performing ballplayers to guide, who played as a team, battling back to pull out victories against all odds.
And Dodger owners, despite numerous personnel miscues, were seeing money go in and stay in their pockets.
Then, after the '08 season, Manny was free to negotiate with any team, and as he had allegedly whispered, his most welcomed suitor was the New York Yankees. Offering him $61 million for two years, with an option for a third, Manny declined the Dodgers' comparatively paltry gesture of $42 million, and away he chortled, ready to vanquish the team that had spurned him, the Boston Red Sox.
What went wrong? Why didn't the Dodgers cough up the premium needed to keep Manny in LA?
Some excused the brass because they were on a "youth campaign," seeking to develop tomorrow's stars from within their farm system. Having dropped big change on Andruw Jones and other disappointing veterans, the front office was thrice shy about taking out a mega Manny mortgage.
Cynics pointed out that the Dodgers got a free pass. They didn't have to go out of pocket to obtain Manny in the first place. The Red Sox offloaded him but continued paying his 2008 salary.
His dream sequence in Hollywood was a one-shot production. When the curtain fell on the 2008 season, Manny-The-Roadshow had scooted down the line to the next paying venue, where he packed them in.
But now that this has all played out, the Manny-Dodgers coupling was doomed from the start, much like that other Glittertown mismatch--featuring Lyle Lovett and Julia Roberts.
The Dodgers were out of their league in sharing company with this all-time great ballplayer.
But this can't prevent fans from recalling with melancholy that perfect summer when Manny was a Dodger.
Yet one can't help recalling with a grin and a sigh how transforming The Might Manny's presence was when he was wearing the Blue Bandanna at Chavez Ravine.
Young players suddenly caught on.
A veteran, like Jeff Kent, earned his last hurrah at 40, connecting with his bat better than he had done all season; heck for two or more seasons.
Manager Joe Torre had genuine, performing ballplayers to guide, who played as a team, battling back to pull out victories against all odds.
And Dodger owners, despite numerous personnel miscues, were seeing money go in and stay in their pockets.
Then, after the '08 season, Manny was free to negotiate with any team, and as he had allegedly whispered, his most welcomed suitor was the New York Yankees. Offering him $61 million for two years, with an option for a third, Manny declined the Dodgers' comparatively paltry gesture of $42 million, and away he chortled, ready to vanquish the team that had spurned him, the Boston Red Sox.
What went wrong? Why didn't the Dodgers cough up the premium needed to keep Manny in LA?
Some excused the brass because they were on a "youth campaign," seeking to develop tomorrow's stars from within their farm system. Having dropped big change on Andruw Jones and other disappointing veterans, the front office was thrice shy about taking out a mega Manny mortgage.
Cynics pointed out that the Dodgers got a free pass. They didn't have to go out of pocket to obtain Manny in the first place. The Red Sox offloaded him but continued paying his 2008 salary.
His dream sequence in Hollywood was a one-shot production. When the curtain fell on the 2008 season, Manny-The-Roadshow had scooted down the line to the next paying venue, where he packed them in.
But now that this has all played out, the Manny-Dodgers coupling was doomed from the start, much like that other Glittertown mismatch--featuring Lyle Lovett and Julia Roberts.
The Dodgers were out of their league in sharing company with this all-time great ballplayer.
But this can't prevent fans from recalling with melancholy that perfect summer when Manny was a Dodger.
Stiff Or Flexible Baseball Bat Handle?
This Stiff vs. Flex Handle debate is the centerpiece of the baseball bat wars and complicated when evaluating baseball bat reviews. Manufacturers like Easton and Demarini have pushed the flex handle, while Louisville says a stiff handle is the way to go. By the way, a bats handle is rated at 100 for the stiffest and down to 65 for maximum flexibility.
So who is right? Kettering University conducted an in-depth study on the subject. I'll save you some time from reading their fifteen pages, thirteen graph analysis. The answer is... WE DON'T KNOW. Believe it or not that is their conclusion. Are you kidding me? Every bat manufacturer touts the benefits of one or the other and the scientists can't tell the difference. What's a ball player to do? Here's my recommendation.
First decide what you want to spend, the material that's best for you and then the handle design. Although there doesn't seem to be a scientific difference I side with the stiff handle design when all else is equal for two reasons. First, we all know the barrel needs to flex. If the handle is flexing too it just seems it has to interfere with the barrel flexing (and yes I slept through physics in HS). Hence, Louisville's stance of "when the handle flexes, the barrel can't. This reduces the potential for trampoline effect when the barrel comes into contact with the ball. A stiff handle produces more barrel flex resulting in great trampoline effect" makes more sense to me than the stance of the flex handle people. Second, after years of pushing the flex handle Easton now has a stiff handle version of all their bats. This tells me they know something. More players from little league to college go with Easton's stiff handle bats as opposed to the their flex handle bats. They even removed all of the flex handle research from their website. Again, I'm assuming they did this because they have some evidence.
So who is right? Kettering University conducted an in-depth study on the subject. I'll save you some time from reading their fifteen pages, thirteen graph analysis. The answer is... WE DON'T KNOW. Believe it or not that is their conclusion. Are you kidding me? Every bat manufacturer touts the benefits of one or the other and the scientists can't tell the difference. What's a ball player to do? Here's my recommendation.
First decide what you want to spend, the material that's best for you and then the handle design. Although there doesn't seem to be a scientific difference I side with the stiff handle design when all else is equal for two reasons. First, we all know the barrel needs to flex. If the handle is flexing too it just seems it has to interfere with the barrel flexing (and yes I slept through physics in HS). Hence, Louisville's stance of "when the handle flexes, the barrel can't. This reduces the potential for trampoline effect when the barrel comes into contact with the ball. A stiff handle produces more barrel flex resulting in great trampoline effect" makes more sense to me than the stance of the flex handle people. Second, after years of pushing the flex handle Easton now has a stiff handle version of all their bats. This tells me they know something. More players from little league to college go with Easton's stiff handle bats as opposed to the their flex handle bats. They even removed all of the flex handle research from their website. Again, I'm assuming they did this because they have some evidence.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Pitching Machine Baseballs - The Right Choice When Using a Pitching Machine
The controversy surrounding what type of ball to use when taking batting practice has been around for years. Coated baseballs, also called pitching machine balls or dimple balls, are often thought of in a negative manner with the argument that they do not provide the same feel as a real baseball when struck by the bat. In my opinion the pitching machine balls are superior for their durability, longevity, cost benefit and the fact that they do not scuff and pick up moisture like real baseballs so the flight from the machine is much truer leading to better pitches and more consistent swings during batting practice. This article describes those points in great detail.
Color - When hitting in the batting cage the color of the pitching machine ball becomes very important. As you work to train your hitting eye a yellow ball is easier to pick up than a white ball. The yellow color is designed to give you the best overall visibility in several different lighting conditions.
Durability and Consistency - It is important to keep in mind the durability of a baseball. A standard baseball is made for game use. With consistent use it will pick up moisture, scuffs and wear out very quickly. The design of a pitching machine baseball, with a plastic outer coating, will last much longer. You should expect the pitching machine baseball to last at least 2 to 3 years. That is a lot hits, long drives, and home runs. The design of the pitching machine ball adds to its durability. Because of their plastic outer coating, pitching machine balls are designed to not attract moisture. A standard leather baseball can pick up moisture from many sources. It can come from either a wet or damp field, overnight rain or even the morning dew. Over time, the regular baseball begins to add weight from the moisture and can become very heavy. If a wet or heavy ball is used in a pitching machine the pitches can become unpredictable. When that happens the act of taking batting practice can actually become dangerous. A lot of wild pitches are sure to follow. Take comfort in knowing that you will get a consistent pitch every time with the use if regular pitching machine baseballs.
Like New Quality - The high durability of the pitching machine ball makes the balls very easy to clean. You don't have to worry about getting them wet. The pitching machine balls will easily clean using water and a mild cleaning detergent. I have had good luck simply wiping them dry after each use. This simple task, much like a golfer wipes their clubs clean after each use, helps to keep the color bright and the balls in great shape to last to their full life expectancy of 2-3 years.
Lower Cost - While the initial cost of a set of pitching machine baseballs may be slightly higher than regular baseballs, the long-term cost of pitching machine baseballs are lower. As the cost of baseball equipment rises, a standard baseball is no exception. The cost of a box of 24 balls will be about $60. With year long training you will probably need to replace the balls about twice a year. The easy solution is to switch to pitching machine baseballs. The cost with the pitching machine baseballs is very close to the same as regular baseballs, with the cost of the pitching machine balls being about $72 for 24 balls. The real savings comes from the fact that the pitching machine balls should last about 2 - 3 years.
It does not take a hitters eye to see that the smart choice is to use pitching machine baseballs with your pitching machine. If you are preparing for the upcoming baseball season or if you are in mid-season form getting ready for the stretch run, fire up the pitching machine, it is time to Play Ball!
Color - When hitting in the batting cage the color of the pitching machine ball becomes very important. As you work to train your hitting eye a yellow ball is easier to pick up than a white ball. The yellow color is designed to give you the best overall visibility in several different lighting conditions.
Durability and Consistency - It is important to keep in mind the durability of a baseball. A standard baseball is made for game use. With consistent use it will pick up moisture, scuffs and wear out very quickly. The design of a pitching machine baseball, with a plastic outer coating, will last much longer. You should expect the pitching machine baseball to last at least 2 to 3 years. That is a lot hits, long drives, and home runs. The design of the pitching machine ball adds to its durability. Because of their plastic outer coating, pitching machine balls are designed to not attract moisture. A standard leather baseball can pick up moisture from many sources. It can come from either a wet or damp field, overnight rain or even the morning dew. Over time, the regular baseball begins to add weight from the moisture and can become very heavy. If a wet or heavy ball is used in a pitching machine the pitches can become unpredictable. When that happens the act of taking batting practice can actually become dangerous. A lot of wild pitches are sure to follow. Take comfort in knowing that you will get a consistent pitch every time with the use if regular pitching machine baseballs.
Like New Quality - The high durability of the pitching machine ball makes the balls very easy to clean. You don't have to worry about getting them wet. The pitching machine balls will easily clean using water and a mild cleaning detergent. I have had good luck simply wiping them dry after each use. This simple task, much like a golfer wipes their clubs clean after each use, helps to keep the color bright and the balls in great shape to last to their full life expectancy of 2-3 years.
Lower Cost - While the initial cost of a set of pitching machine baseballs may be slightly higher than regular baseballs, the long-term cost of pitching machine baseballs are lower. As the cost of baseball equipment rises, a standard baseball is no exception. The cost of a box of 24 balls will be about $60. With year long training you will probably need to replace the balls about twice a year. The easy solution is to switch to pitching machine baseballs. The cost with the pitching machine baseballs is very close to the same as regular baseballs, with the cost of the pitching machine balls being about $72 for 24 balls. The real savings comes from the fact that the pitching machine balls should last about 2 - 3 years.
It does not take a hitters eye to see that the smart choice is to use pitching machine baseballs with your pitching machine. If you are preparing for the upcoming baseball season or if you are in mid-season form getting ready for the stretch run, fire up the pitching machine, it is time to Play Ball!
Examples of Strategy Used in Baseball
Baseball is commonly thought of as the sport that involves the most strategy. To be successful in the sport players not only need to be strong and athletic, they also need to be very knowledgeable. This article highlights a few examples of how understanding the game better can sometimes be more important than muscle or speed.
Outfielders Moving Back in Later Innings
When you are watching a game, it isn't uncommon for the announcers to mention that the outfield has backed up in an effort to 'limit extra base hits'. An extra base hit is something that goes for more than a single. If the outfield plays a little deeper, it makes it harder for a hit ball to slip between the players. People ask me, "if the players are deeper, isn't it harder to throw the runners out?" Sure it is, but major league players hit the ball hard and it gets to the outfielders very quickly. Many players simply are not fast enough to run down a hard hit ball and if the ball gets past them, the play can quickly turn into a double or worse yet, a triple. Shifting the outfielders to a deep position is usually done when a team is ahead. The goal is to force the losing team to get 4 hits to score a runner, which is very hard to do. The strategy usually isn't employed early in games because it gives opposing teams too much opportunity to score single runs. By backing up the outfielders, teams are trying to avoid the big innings.
Pitch Counts
When I was growing up, a starting pitcher would throw every 4th day and it wasn't uncommon for them to pitch an entire game. Pitchers often threw for 300 innings a year while remaining healthy. So what has changed? Today's pitchers are paid a lot more than they were 20 years ago and with such a large investment, teams are not willing to risk the chance of injury which increases with the number of pitches thrown. Pitchers are now played and rotated based on the "pitch count". At 100 pitches you'll see most managers looking to make a pitching change, even though it may look like the pitcher is doing fine.
Double Switch
I personally love this move. It is a favorite of teams that have players who are defensive specialists. It is also a great strategy for teams with hitters who excel against certain pitchers. In a double switch, two players are replaced to change the hitting lineup. For example, the Chicago Cubs right fielder Cliff Floyd ends the inning with a grounder to second base. Instead of Cliff going back into the field the Cubs remove him for another player like Craig Monroe. At the same time, the Cubs also change pitchers but instead of the replacement pitcher hitting in 9th spot where the previous pitcher was hitting, he now replaces Cliff Floyd in the lineup with Craig Monroe hitting 9th. This is called a legal double switch. Teams use this strategy so the pitcher doesn't have to hit for a couple more innings and it gives regular players more at bats. It also allows the team to get the better defender in the game for the later innings or the hitter that hits better off of lefties for example. This strategy gives the team manager greater flexibility with the roster.
Outfielders Moving Back in Later Innings
When you are watching a game, it isn't uncommon for the announcers to mention that the outfield has backed up in an effort to 'limit extra base hits'. An extra base hit is something that goes for more than a single. If the outfield plays a little deeper, it makes it harder for a hit ball to slip between the players. People ask me, "if the players are deeper, isn't it harder to throw the runners out?" Sure it is, but major league players hit the ball hard and it gets to the outfielders very quickly. Many players simply are not fast enough to run down a hard hit ball and if the ball gets past them, the play can quickly turn into a double or worse yet, a triple. Shifting the outfielders to a deep position is usually done when a team is ahead. The goal is to force the losing team to get 4 hits to score a runner, which is very hard to do. The strategy usually isn't employed early in games because it gives opposing teams too much opportunity to score single runs. By backing up the outfielders, teams are trying to avoid the big innings.
Pitch Counts
When I was growing up, a starting pitcher would throw every 4th day and it wasn't uncommon for them to pitch an entire game. Pitchers often threw for 300 innings a year while remaining healthy. So what has changed? Today's pitchers are paid a lot more than they were 20 years ago and with such a large investment, teams are not willing to risk the chance of injury which increases with the number of pitches thrown. Pitchers are now played and rotated based on the "pitch count". At 100 pitches you'll see most managers looking to make a pitching change, even though it may look like the pitcher is doing fine.
Double Switch
I personally love this move. It is a favorite of teams that have players who are defensive specialists. It is also a great strategy for teams with hitters who excel against certain pitchers. In a double switch, two players are replaced to change the hitting lineup. For example, the Chicago Cubs right fielder Cliff Floyd ends the inning with a grounder to second base. Instead of Cliff going back into the field the Cubs remove him for another player like Craig Monroe. At the same time, the Cubs also change pitchers but instead of the replacement pitcher hitting in 9th spot where the previous pitcher was hitting, he now replaces Cliff Floyd in the lineup with Craig Monroe hitting 9th. This is called a legal double switch. Teams use this strategy so the pitcher doesn't have to hit for a couple more innings and it gives regular players more at bats. It also allows the team to get the better defender in the game for the later innings or the hitter that hits better off of lefties for example. This strategy gives the team manager greater flexibility with the roster.
Fun and Competitive Baseball Games That Help Young Players Develop Proper Fundamentals
Young baseball players should be encouraged to get outside whenever possible to practice their baseball skills. Playing outside is great exercise and it builds hand-eye coordination which is crucial to playing baseball. Playing video games will not build the fundamentals young players need! Kids need to know that there are many baseball games they can compete in aside from an official game that requires 18 players and an umpire. This article explains some of the most classic baseball games kids can participate in with very few participants and in just about any environment.
Over the Line
In over the line, an imaginary line is determined on the field. One player is the pitcher and one player is the hitter. Each hitter gets three outs and nine innings are played. On most fields the infield dirt is decided to be the imaginary line. If a hit ball does not make it past the line, the batter is out. If the ball makes it past the line but doesn't roll to the fence, it is a single. If it rolls to the fence, it is a double and if it hits the fence on the fly, it is a triple. "Ghost runners" are used after each hit. The purpose of this game is to allow the hitter to hit, not strike him out. To make the game more interesting, add fielders to the mix and make the field smaller.
For example, if the hitter hits the ball to the right of center field it is an out. This forces the hitter to pull the ball and hit it over the line to be safe. By adding the fielder, any ball that is caught is an out. In one last twist, the fielder can field the ball cleanly and throw to the pitcher on the fly. If he throws the ball directly to the pitcher, the batter is out; however, if the ball bounces to the pitcher or the pitcher drops the ball, the batter is safe. No hitter can be called out on an error by the fielder. In the case of the sacrifice fly, the hitter must yell if the runner is going to tag up while the ball is in flight to the outfielder. If the fielder catches the ball and makes a clean throw to the pitcher on the fly, a double play occurs. If the throw doesn't make it to the pitcher, or isn't caught by the pitcher, the runner scores. Some of my favorite memories of playing this game are as an adult. It is often difficult to pull together enough people for a game so this is a great way to get your baseball fix with only a few people. Try it and you'll love it.
Wiffle Ball
As kids we would take our mom's mini trampoline and stand it on end to use as a target. The trampoline became our strike zone. If the pitch missed the tramp, we actually had a sheet set up to stop the balls. It worked wonders. Wiffle balls are light and using them teaches a player to learn to read different pitches as well as helping them to focus on different pitch speeds. I encourage younger players to play with the real wiffle ball bat that is skinny and yellow and not the giant, orange-barrel bats. If a player can master hitting with the yellow bat, a real bat will seem easy! You can play this game in teams and include base running if desired.
Home Run Derby
Believe it or not, this game has a purpose. Young players are often trained to make contact with the ball when they should be trained to drive the ball. Too many times as a youth I was content hitting the ball instead of hitting the ball hard. My father was an excellent coach and was constantly encouraging me to drive the ball consistently. It takes a lot of time and encouragement to instill hitting tenacity in young players. Playing home run derby can teach a player to recognize a good pitch, as well as the proper mechanics behind hitting the ball hard. Typical home run derby should be played on a field where everyone involved can hit homers. You don't want it to be easy but you also don't want it to be impossible. The purpose after all is to hit the long ball. We typically play nine innings with three outs an inning to keep the game moving.
HotBox
Before you play hotbox, make sure that you have clearance from your parents. This game will wear out the grass quickly. We had to constantly play our hotbox game in different areas of our yard to avoid turning our parents' yard into a series of trails. If you live near a hill, find a flat place to play so you don't have to chase the ball relentlessly. To play hotbox, you need at least three players and two bases. Don't place the bases too far apart for this game. One player is on each base with the 3rd player being the base runner. The runner keeps track of each base he safely gets to before he is thrown out. The game is simple. The runner must attempt to run the bases before being tagged out by another player. If the players on base throw the ball away, the runner keeps running until the ball is back in play and the runner is out. This will encourage hustle from all players. When the runner gets out, another player takes a turn running the bases. You can create your own winning score. Make sure there are no sprinklers or other objects in the area when playing hotbox. I slid into a sprinkler while playing the game once and it cost me about 15 stitches.
These games encourage healthy competition and love of baseball. I hope your young players build fond memories playing these games.
Over the Line
In over the line, an imaginary line is determined on the field. One player is the pitcher and one player is the hitter. Each hitter gets three outs and nine innings are played. On most fields the infield dirt is decided to be the imaginary line. If a hit ball does not make it past the line, the batter is out. If the ball makes it past the line but doesn't roll to the fence, it is a single. If it rolls to the fence, it is a double and if it hits the fence on the fly, it is a triple. "Ghost runners" are used after each hit. The purpose of this game is to allow the hitter to hit, not strike him out. To make the game more interesting, add fielders to the mix and make the field smaller.
For example, if the hitter hits the ball to the right of center field it is an out. This forces the hitter to pull the ball and hit it over the line to be safe. By adding the fielder, any ball that is caught is an out. In one last twist, the fielder can field the ball cleanly and throw to the pitcher on the fly. If he throws the ball directly to the pitcher, the batter is out; however, if the ball bounces to the pitcher or the pitcher drops the ball, the batter is safe. No hitter can be called out on an error by the fielder. In the case of the sacrifice fly, the hitter must yell if the runner is going to tag up while the ball is in flight to the outfielder. If the fielder catches the ball and makes a clean throw to the pitcher on the fly, a double play occurs. If the throw doesn't make it to the pitcher, or isn't caught by the pitcher, the runner scores. Some of my favorite memories of playing this game are as an adult. It is often difficult to pull together enough people for a game so this is a great way to get your baseball fix with only a few people. Try it and you'll love it.
Wiffle Ball
As kids we would take our mom's mini trampoline and stand it on end to use as a target. The trampoline became our strike zone. If the pitch missed the tramp, we actually had a sheet set up to stop the balls. It worked wonders. Wiffle balls are light and using them teaches a player to learn to read different pitches as well as helping them to focus on different pitch speeds. I encourage younger players to play with the real wiffle ball bat that is skinny and yellow and not the giant, orange-barrel bats. If a player can master hitting with the yellow bat, a real bat will seem easy! You can play this game in teams and include base running if desired.
Home Run Derby
Believe it or not, this game has a purpose. Young players are often trained to make contact with the ball when they should be trained to drive the ball. Too many times as a youth I was content hitting the ball instead of hitting the ball hard. My father was an excellent coach and was constantly encouraging me to drive the ball consistently. It takes a lot of time and encouragement to instill hitting tenacity in young players. Playing home run derby can teach a player to recognize a good pitch, as well as the proper mechanics behind hitting the ball hard. Typical home run derby should be played on a field where everyone involved can hit homers. You don't want it to be easy but you also don't want it to be impossible. The purpose after all is to hit the long ball. We typically play nine innings with three outs an inning to keep the game moving.
HotBox
Before you play hotbox, make sure that you have clearance from your parents. This game will wear out the grass quickly. We had to constantly play our hotbox game in different areas of our yard to avoid turning our parents' yard into a series of trails. If you live near a hill, find a flat place to play so you don't have to chase the ball relentlessly. To play hotbox, you need at least three players and two bases. Don't place the bases too far apart for this game. One player is on each base with the 3rd player being the base runner. The runner keeps track of each base he safely gets to before he is thrown out. The game is simple. The runner must attempt to run the bases before being tagged out by another player. If the players on base throw the ball away, the runner keeps running until the ball is back in play and the runner is out. This will encourage hustle from all players. When the runner gets out, another player takes a turn running the bases. You can create your own winning score. Make sure there are no sprinklers or other objects in the area when playing hotbox. I slid into a sprinkler while playing the game once and it cost me about 15 stitches.
These games encourage healthy competition and love of baseball. I hope your young players build fond memories playing these games.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Tale of the Two Joes
"Sooner or later, no matter how smart you are, baseball plays everyone for a fool," remarked an old hand at the game.
He could have been talking about the Steinbrenner clan that owns and runs the New York Yankees. Putting the screws to Joe Torre to win a World Championship or to take a cut in pay, Joe T. traded a sour apple for a sweet orange, accepting a longer and arguably much better contract with the Dodgers.
The Yanks promoted Joe Girardi, a fine former catcher and a gritty leader. Did I mention Girardi's about a couple of decades younger than the other Joe? But you knew that.
So did the Steinbrenners, who thought they had brought youth, vigor, and a certain championship to the Bronx. Now, it's August, and the pin-stripers are in third in their division and very wobbly. Whispers are deafening that the Yanks might miss out on tying a record 14th consecutive visit to the post-season.
That discard, the 70-something veteran who was consigned to baseball's worst division, that Joe-how's he doing?
Torre's team is torrid right now--tied for first place with the Diamondbacks. With the addition of Manny Ramirez's bat and electricity, the Blue Crew is coming on strong.
Both Joes have had to manage through adversity, including multiple player injuries.
They're effective, but you have to wonder if Torre's steady hand, his ability to keep an odd coupling of youngsters and oldsters in contention until Ramirez' arrival, will have been the decisive factor when the post-season begins.
You heard of the "Curse of the Bambino," that winning drought that Boston brought upon itself after trading Babe Ruth to the Yanks.
As I've said before, we might be witnessing more than a Tale of Two Joes.
It could be the first year New York suffers The Curse of the Torreno.
He could have been talking about the Steinbrenner clan that owns and runs the New York Yankees. Putting the screws to Joe Torre to win a World Championship or to take a cut in pay, Joe T. traded a sour apple for a sweet orange, accepting a longer and arguably much better contract with the Dodgers.
The Yanks promoted Joe Girardi, a fine former catcher and a gritty leader. Did I mention Girardi's about a couple of decades younger than the other Joe? But you knew that.
So did the Steinbrenners, who thought they had brought youth, vigor, and a certain championship to the Bronx. Now, it's August, and the pin-stripers are in third in their division and very wobbly. Whispers are deafening that the Yanks might miss out on tying a record 14th consecutive visit to the post-season.
That discard, the 70-something veteran who was consigned to baseball's worst division, that Joe-how's he doing?
Torre's team is torrid right now--tied for first place with the Diamondbacks. With the addition of Manny Ramirez's bat and electricity, the Blue Crew is coming on strong.
Both Joes have had to manage through adversity, including multiple player injuries.
They're effective, but you have to wonder if Torre's steady hand, his ability to keep an odd coupling of youngsters and oldsters in contention until Ramirez' arrival, will have been the decisive factor when the post-season begins.
You heard of the "Curse of the Bambino," that winning drought that Boston brought upon itself after trading Babe Ruth to the Yanks.
As I've said before, we might be witnessing more than a Tale of Two Joes.
It could be the first year New York suffers The Curse of the Torreno.
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