Pittsburgh Pirates

Archive for January, 2012

When choosing a new baseball pitching machine or softball pitching machine there are !

www.baseball-pitching-machines.org

, if the machine is not accurate and durable with consistent speeds it is worthless! , does the manufacturer stand behind their product. Warranties can range from one year to five years. Be sure to read the fin print because some warranties cover only certain parts that may or may not wear out quickly. Also consider if the because in the event you decide to sell that will be an excellent selling point.  of the pitching machine. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. If you are purchasing a machine for recreational use you do not need to purchase a machine that cost a lot of money. that will serve you well and last for years. . Some batting machine companies actually make a profit off shipping cost! Those that really want and need your business will provide reasonable shipping charges and Be sure to find out if parts are available for the machine you choose in the event you ever need to replace anything. There are pitching machines with speeds from 20 mph to over 100 mph. Be sure to choose a machine that will meet the speed requirements that are best for you. Some multiple wheel batting machines will throw a verity of pitches. Curveballs, fastballs, knuckleballs, sliders and more. There are also single wheel models that will throw only fastballs and have speeds ranging from 20 mph to near 100 mph.

]]>

When used properly pitching machines are a great way to improve arm, back, shoulder and upper body batting strength, hand eye coordination and batting technique. Commonly used to save the pitchers arm for game day. They are also great when combined with batting cages to save on ball recovery time.

Most companies will take PayPal payments, Visa, Mastercard and debitcards.

No matter what pitching machine you choose, consider the questions above and you will make a great decision on a machine that will give years of trouble free service and still have resale value.

Article by Craig Garrett

Article by sheva troysdale

In any sport, safety should be a priority, and this holds true for baseball as much as any other sport. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating the danger of playing baseball. Compared with baseball, other more dangerous sports take more precaution in the way of protective gear than baseball does. Safety is certainly something to keep in mind here as well since bats are heavy and balls fly fast.

The player who requires the most safety gear is the catcher. It is imperative that it is worn at all times. There is a chance that the catcher can be hit by a ball at any time. So, the most vulnerable parts of the body must be protected. This consists of a helmet, face mask, chest protector and the right gloves. The catcher’s mask has to have a throat protector attachment. This is because an incoming pitch to throat can be very deadly. Although though every team member should be knowledgeable about safety, the catcher has the most dangerous position on the team and has to really focus on being safe. Due to the fact that they have to stand behind the person batting and are thrown the pitches, catchers must be extremely careful. More than any other player, the catcher has to be alert at all times.

Bats are one of the most potentially hazardous items on the baseball field. Players should only swing bats at specified times, and never carelessly. If someone isn’t up to bat or on deck, they shouldn’t be swinging a bat in the dugout or on the field. No one should come within a dangerous distance of anyone who is holding or swinging a bat. As a rule, no one should swing a bat without looking around first. The potential danger of bats should be emphasized by coaches to ensure no one is careless about this issue.

In any sport, the right footwear is extremely important, and this holds true for baseball as well.

Players should have cleated baseball shoes, not cheap or worn out sneakers. Hitters and fielders alike need the right shoes that allow them to safely and speedily run around the field. The ground you’re moving on can change quite a bit based on the field and weather, so you need shoes that support your feet adequately. Without good baseball shoes, there’s a greater chance of accidents and injuries. When playing baseball, you’re always better off getting shoes made specifically for this game. Baseball is a sport with timeless appeal. By following the type of safety guidelines we’ve covered in this article, players can enjoy the game with less chance of accidents or injuries. You do not have the power to predict when things will go wrong. If players wear the right gear and abide by the rules, then baseball will become much safer.

As I previously stated to be a elite baseball player you need to develop all 5 tools. You need to be able to hit for average, hit for power, field, throw, and run. Now you can’t improve all of these skills in the gym. Hitting for average, hitting for power to some degree, and fielding are things that require hours and hours of practice on the field. It doesn’t matter how hard you swing a bat, if you pitch recognition is below average you won’t hit for power or average. You can plan your offseason  to increase your physical tools. In the gym you can increase your ability to generate bat speed, which can buy you another precious tenth of a second or two to recognize and square up a pitch. You can also increase your speed and quickness on the basepaths as well as in the field.  Here are five of the best strength exercise for baseball.

FRONT SQUAT
DEADLIFT
SLEDGEHAMMER SWINGS
SEATED POWER CLEANS
EXTERNAL DUMBBELL ROTATIONS

I am sure that the first thing you noticed is that I did not include the bench press or the military press on the list. I know that no matter what I say here you are going to press. That’s why I didn’t bother including either. Some people debate over which one is more effective; while others claim that they are too dangerous for ball players.  I can understand both sides of both arguements. I personally believe that the overhead press is superior. However, baseball players develop shoulder problems from pattern overload so it is hard to recommend either. You’ll also notice that the list works from the floor up. This is the way sports are played.  Baseball workouts should emphasize the lower body over the upper body. To be a true five tool player you should think of your body as a whip. The legs provide the base of power, the core transfers that power up from your feet to the hand or arm using that power to swing the bat or throw the ball. Let’s take a closer look at the exercises.

For some of you this will be an exercise that you have limited experience with. The few of you that do squat have probably been taught the back squat. And the back squat is a tremendously effective exercise. However, for baseball players I believe the front squat is superior because of the additional core work it provides. You have to have very strong abdominals and lower back to maintain the proper upright position during the front squat.

The deadlift is probably my favorite exercise for overall strength. If an athlete can only do one exercise in a strength training session they would be hard pressed to find a better one than the deadlift. It works your entire posterior chain as well as your forearm and grip. If you get stronger at the deadlift, you will get faster on the basepaths as well as swing/throw harder.

Ted Williams used to say that he developed his swing by chopping down trees. Any baseball player that saw his swing probably grabbed an axe and headed to the forest. Sledgehammer swings are a more convenient option these days. Doing overhead swings works your core, as well as your grip strength and forearms. This has a tremendous carry over to your bat speed.

This may be an exercise that you are unfamiliar with, but it is one of the best for your rear delts and upper back.  For those that don’t know, the rear delts serve as the brakes of your arm. Your body tries to limit your arm speed to what your brakes (rear delts) can handle. So if you increase your rear delts braking ability your arm speed will increase.

Baseball players throw a lot. Many develop pattern overload in their throwing shoulder. Positional players and especially pitchers develop rotator cuff issues. External dumbbell rotations are a good way to keep the muscles of your rotator cuff in balance. When these muscles become imbalanced that is when a player developed shoulder problems.

There you have it. Five exercises to include in your . Some of them you may already be doing, but some may be new to you. If you improve your strength on those five exercises your performance on the field will definitely improve.  To be a complete baseball player you have to use choose the most effective exercises. If it doesn’t help you between the lines, then why bother doing it?

Go to the full website for all articles at: FS-FanAddict.com

Fantasy Baseball-The first round this season is very much like it was in 2010, though there are a few things that have changed. The catcher position is no longer the empty pool that it was a year ago. There are at least three more solid backstop options than what we had at last season’s fantasy draft. First base now has a log jam beginning with Albert then the other three or four that are going to challenge him for the top honors at the position. Lastly, AROD got bumped out of the first round discussion. This season you want an early pick or hope that one of two shortstops fall to your button. If you don’t get one of the early picks then it seems that the back end would offer more value with having two picks at once–the middle picks are going to be like waiting for santa to see what is left in his bag. With the preamble concluded… let’s begin:

#1 Hanley Ramirez SS, FLA: lots of power and lots of speed. He and one other shortstop (Tulowitzki) are must haves in 2011. Ramirez is a 20/30 lock and he has a batting title on his resume–he will compete for another one before his days are done.  The kid has a wicked stick and he will compile 100 runs, and 100 RBI’s. He is 27 years old and is only going to get better. The shortstop crop this year is very sparse and to secure the position early in the draft will be the number one strategy of this fantasy baseball season.

#2 Troy Tulowitzki SS, COL: I have Troy and Ramirez ranked one and two, but they are more like 1a and 1b. It all depends on what you want more of–homers? or stolen bases? If it is home runs then Troy Tulowitzki is your man. He will bat for average and has a real shot at hitting 40 home runs this year. He has enough speed to steal double digit bases and his home games are played at Coors Field. Humidor or not Rockie’s batters will have more extra base hits and homers than if they played on any other team. Like Hanley, Tulo is in the prime of his career and will continue to get better. In the month of September of 2010, He stunned the baseball world with 15 home runs and 40 RBI’s–he added 6 doubles and 2 triples. During the same stretch he hit .322 and had a slugging percentage of .800, his OPS was 1.176. He did all this after coming back from injury that cost him 30+ games. If he can remain heathy he will compete for league MVP in 2011.

#3 Albert Pujols 1B, STL: There is nothing I can add that hasn’t already been said about the perennial MVP candidate. He has it all. He hits for average, power, and will even steal 10 bases if you let him. First base is the deepest pool in the game but the first few at the position to come off the board will be slightly better than the few that will follow. Until Pujols slows down or breaks down, he is in the top picks category of any fantasy baseball draft conversation. 40+ home runs 120+ RBI’s, and a .320+ batting average is to be expected of him because he does it every year. Don’t hesitate to take him again to boost your OPS.

#4 Miguel Cabrera 1B, DET: Yet another 27 year old star who is in the prime of his career. Cabrera will challenge Albert for the top spot amongst all first base eligible players. Last season he hit 38 home runs, and compiled 126 ribbies. His percentage stats were MVP type numbers–batting .328, OBP .420, SLG% .622. His only knock is that he won’t steal bases. Last season he stole 3 bases and was caught stealing 3 times. His OPS of 1.042, was second highest in the majors behind AL MVP Josh Hamilton. Miguel had a run in with the law in February of this year as he was arrested on DUI charges and will seek help to deal with his alcohol issues–but not to worry. Look for him to excel and maybe pass Pujols as the top fantasy first baseman in 2011.

#5 Evan Longoria 3B, TB: Speed and Power is the ideal combination you want out of your first round pick. Longoria qualifies as that player. Third base is a middle of the road position as far as depth goes but shallow enough that if you get the number five pick or later, and the previous four on this list are gone, if you use an early pick on him you can feel secure knowing you have done the right thing. Longoria is 25 years young and still improving. Look for 25 home runs, 100 RBI’s, 100 runs scored with a batting average around .300. He strikes out a bit (124 last season) but it seems to be the norm for third basemen. If stats are any indication of a players worth then he is the best baseball has to offer at the hot corner. Take him somewhere in the first round because he will not fall to the second.

#6 Carlos Gonzalez OF, COL: If Carlos repeats his last year numbers, he could be the most valuable player in fantasy baseball. All his tools are stockpiled full of fantasy stats. His only enemy is his KO/BB rate (135/40 from 2010). Unless your league penalizes for strike outs you won’t even feel it. Last season he made a huge jump statistically to lead all outfielders in fantasy rankings. After looking a little closer at his OPS (.878) it’s not like he came out of nowhere. It is scary though to think of him building on his 2010 season, but the possibility is there. The outfield crop isn’t as rich as it might seem, so grabbing Carlos in the first round is as good of a move as you can make. Power and speed is what you want and he features both. A 30/30 year is extremely possible with a batting average above .300.

#7 Joey Votto 1B, CIN: The reining NL MVP made the necessary improvements to excel into the elite group of first round fantasy players. A first baseman who is a threat hit 40 homers and steal 20 bases is elite indeed. Votto nearly did that very thing in 2010 when he led his team to the NL pennant. Another youngster who has the sky is the limit potential may be drafted even higher than here and only Albert and Cabrera stand in his way. The first base crop is rich indeed but picking Votto somewhere in the middle of the first round is the right choice, feel safe to do so.

#8 Adrian Gonzalez 1B, BOS: The move from Petco to Fenway should prove beneficial to the left handed hitting Gonzalez where the short porch in right field must feel somewhat like a welcome mat for him. The truth be told we don’t really know just how much better his fantasy stats will get, but I am gambling they improve soundly. He hit 32 home runs last season in one of the most pitcher frinedly ball parks in the majors. Victor Martinez is gone but Boston is at the top of the charts where power hitters are concerned, and I am sure they will promote somebody in the line-up to protect him. 40 home runs and 125 RBI’s is a very real expectation. I don’t have a problem showing him off in the first round at all and you shouldn’t feel bad for taking him here.

#9 Ryan Braun OF, MIL: Filling your outfield spots can be tedious because you need severeal of them on your roster. After the top 20 are off the board it gets pretty thin pretty fast. You will have to sacrifice either power or speed for a featured outfielder. Picking Braun in the first round is a solid late pick but remember that he took a step back in 2010. He flew under the radar but still put up decent numbers–25 home runs and 14 stolen bases with a 103 RBI’s. I don’t have to tell you how old he is cuz you already know. Pujols is the only player in the first round (so far) who is not 25-26-or 27. Braun has the tools necessary to operate as a first round outfielder, but he only gets my first round nod because of the scarcity of the position. Braun will need to revert back a year in order to earn the pick but he has huge upside and if he bounces back, he is worth it.

#10 Robinson Cano 2B, NYY: What kind of draft would this be without a Yankee in the first round list? Cano has power at a position not chalk full of it across the board. If he didn’t play for the Bombers I probably wouldn’t have him on this first round list. In that line-up he will score a ton of runs and have plenty of RBI chances. I like my first round picks to have the combination of homers and stolen bases–Cano is not that player. There are second base eligible players out there that feature that combo, but the red flags of injury are looming all around them. Chase Utley should be in this very spot but time spent on the DL knocked him off his perch a year ago, and Cano hit so well that fantasy owners now have a sense of security at second base–at least with him you know what you are getting. He will hit .320, 25-30 home runs, 100 runs scored and 100 RBI’s. The only thing missing is stolen bases but as one of the last picks in the draft he is definitely worth it here.  So make the pick and relax, you have another one coming back at you.

David Wright 3B, NYM: At pick 11, in some leagues this is the second round so let’s keep that in mind. It all depends on what your strategy is because Wright is a legitimate first round thought. In 2009 he did a flip flop with his home runs and stolen bases where we saw his power drop off considerably hitting 23 fewer homers and stealing 12 more bases than he did in 2008. Last season he flip flopped back to the norm, but you have to ask yourself, “what if he puts it all together this season and hits 30 home runs and steals 30 bases?” aaargh! Just that thought alone makes him a first rounder.

#12 Carl Crawford OF, BOS: Crawford is another 2011 transplant on an explosive Red Sox team. Filling out the batting card is going to be alot of fun for Manager Terry Francona. Crawford had a career year in 2009 as far as his power numbers are concerned hitting 19 home runs and driving in 90 runs–he still stole 47 bases and scored 110 runs himself. I am glad that I chose to make this “first round” article for a 12 team league because in my mind Crawford is a first round pick. If he can continue hitting with decent pop he is absolutely worth drafting early. He is getting a little older now (almost 30), but I don’t see the tread wearing off those tires for another year or two. Look for 40-50 stolen bases and any power that you get will be a gift.

Custom trading pins are a cherished part of youth sports today, with an increasing number of young athletes sharing the fun of trading pins at games and tournaments across the nation. Nowhere is this more true than in the world of youth baseball. As a result, increasing numbers of coaches and parents are learning the ins and outs of ordering pins.

Designing and ordering great trading pins isn’t hard. With a little bit of information about how they’re made, and the help of a great supplier, trading pins are fast, easy and fun to order.

Whether you’re an experienced customer or a first-timer, ordering trading pins can be made easier with a little advance planning. In the past few years, trading pins have evolved in new directions. New technologies, styles and great new options make exciting new designs possible in ways you might not have imagined.

Trading pins are available in several styles, depending on both your design and budget.

Soft enamel pins are by far the most popular style of trading pins. These rich, detailed, durable pins are the most sought-after pins you can buy.

If you need to reproduce a painting, photo or organizational logo precisely, offset digital printed trading pins are a great choice. These pins print your design directly onto the metal.

Photo etched trading pins can be an economical way to get great looking pins at an economical price. These will not generally be as durable as soft enamel trading pins, however.

The most basic thing to decide once you’re ready to start designing your team’s trading pins is the size of the pins. It’s a simple fact of life that, all other things being equal, bigger pins trade better than smaller ones. The bigger your trading pins are, the more room there is to showcase your design.

Another advantage of bigger pins is that they give you the opportunity to add bigger and more options. If you really want to make your trading pins the ones that everyone at the ballpark wants, go for the add-ons.

Glitter enamel is a great place to start with options for trading pins, especially if you’re on a tight budget. It’s an inexpensive way to add richness and sparkle to your team’s trading pins.

Danglers are a great way to showcase the year your team is in the tournament. These secondary pins hang from the main trading pins, and can also be used to show your team’s state or region. If your budget is tight, you can use the same main pins for multiple years and just add new danglers.

If you want to really increase the trading power of your team’s pins, add motion. Sliders, spinners and bobbles all add a “play” element to the trading pins and create a hard to miss, eye-catching look.

If your team mascot appears on your trading pins, you can even give them blinking LED eyes. How cool is that? The blinkers also can be customized for other styles as well.

Ultimately, your trading pins are limited only by your imagination. Get creative when designing this year’s pins and your players’ trading pins will be second only to their performance on the field!

Very simply, a baseball hitting slump occurs because of something that you are now doing that is mechanically incorrect when swinging the bat or it can be something that you were doing correctly and now you are not doing it. In other words, either you have developed a bad habit or have gotten away from a good habit.

The reason we have hitting coaches is because even the great hitters, some who are professionals, occasionally get off track. No matter how good a hitter you are, it can be a very common problem to fall into the much dreaded hitting slump. That’s one of the reasons a very good hitting coach is extremely valuable.

Rather than focus on the entire swing, focus on specific areas to narrow it down as to where the problem is. It’s very helpful to divide a player into two sections, his lower half of the body and his upper half. Use a clip board and block your view of the player’s upper body and focus solely on the lower part, to make sure the hitter’s “foundation” is okay. If all seems okay with the lower half, block the lower half with the clip board and focuses on the upper half. Sometimes changing the angle that you are watching the batter will help also. When advising the hitter, always remember that visual is better than verbal.

Hard work, practice and several repetitions are the best remedies for curing a mechanical slump. Some hitters try different methods to end their slump as quickly as possible. Some try to hit the ball the opposite way. The theory is that they will have to wait on the ball and let it come to them, instead of being too anxious and not “staying back” on the pitch. Some try to hit the ball right up the middle of the field. The theory here is that usually, if you hit the ball up the middle, a lot of things have to be done properly, such as your timing.

Common Causes For Hitting Slumps:

1. Check your swing from Point “A” to Point “B.” Point “A” is where you load up, cocking the wrists and the hips. Point “B” is where you make contact with the ball. Make sure that you are going A to B in a straight line. You must swing directly to the baseball! The slightest loop in your swing causes you to lose a fraction of a second. A fraction of a second is an eternity when it comes to hitting a baseball. The very start of the baseball swing is a downward movement and is not level at all. The back of your bottom hand faces the pitcher at the start of the swing and only at contact should you have one palm up and the other palm facing down.

2. Make sure that your front hip is staying closed and not opening up too early.

3. Make sure that your front shoulder stays closed until the pivot foot and hips open the front shoulder.

4. Make sure that your back shoulder is not collapsing and going lower than your front shoulder.

5. Make sure you are getting good pitches to hit. When in a slump, it is a very common problem to swing at bad pitches. The very natural tendency is to get a hit and have your slump be a thing of the past. Looking for that all important hit can easily cause you to be too anxious and chase bad pitches.

When you have figured out what the mechanical problem is, you can make good use of the “soft toss drill” so you can repeat the rediscovered proper way many, many times. You can get many repetitions without even being at the ball park and making good use of the “soft toss” will speed up the time it takes to get back on the right track. You can hit a hundred balls in no time at all.

One of the better baseball coaching tips to remember is that all players go through hitting slumps. Hang in there, get to work and you will get back on the right track.  

About the author:

You CAN improve and overcome any baseball weaknesses if you are a player, a coach, or a baseball parent and your son is struggling! Larry Cicchiello has hundreds of baseball articles on line and has some FREE baseball tips on hitting and FREE baseball pitching tips available at http://www.LarryBaseball.com. Get ready to be raising a few eyebrows!

Meaning it’s time to see what happens when you combine leagues, present a record 19 categories, conduct comprehensive This Year In Baseball fan balloting over eight weeks and tally submissions from hundreds of esteemed, credentialed panelists — who account for 75 percent of the totals, where to buy Discount MLB Jerseys? maybe ujersy is a good choice.

“These awards have picked up a lot of heat in their significance. It used to be just a niche online thing for the real hardcore baseball savant,” said MLB Network host and veteran play-by-play man Matt Vasgersian, who was one of the panel voters. “What’s really cool is a chance to combine leagues, and to add postseason categories and something like a best Fan Moment — which aren’t taken entirely seriously, but are still fun.

“The cool thing is, these awards are accessible to every fan.

The way the awards are presented on the site, it gives fans a chance to click around and do research. You can look at clips, then make a vote and watch it all unfold. For us at MLB Network, not to jump on this would be unconscionable.”

GIBBY Awards voters remembered everything.

The postseason isn’t generally factored into baseball awards. But this year, the GIBBY Awards have added a new dimension by celebrating what is traditionally the most exciting time of the year, recognizing the Postseason MVP and best Postseason Moment.

Tim Lincecum, the winning pitcher of the clinching World Series Game 5 for the Giants, was named Postseason MVP. Halladay, who pitched the second postseason no-hitter ever against the Reds in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, saw his gem cited as the easy choice for Postseason Moment.

“It’s hard to explain, but pitching a game like that, being able to win the game comes first,” Halladay said after dominating the Reds. “That’s kind of your only focus until after it’s over with. I think once it ends, it’s a little bit surreal to know some of that stuff.”

Carlos Ruiz had career bests with a .302 batting average and .400 on-base percentage, and his stalwart defense was a key for the Phillies. Although most of the notoriety went to the club’s “H2O” rotation, the catcher they fondly call “Chooch” was voted X-Factor Player of the Year. He beat out other such key contributors as Omar Infante (then with the Braves), Pat Burrell of the Giants and the Twins’ Danny Valencia.

There was a close call in the Moment of the Year balloting. In the end, voters chose Dallas Braden’s Mother’s Day Perfect Game for the A’s over the Oct. 2 Bobby Cox Day ceremony in Atlanta.

Braden’s own mother, Jodie Atwood, had died of cancer when he was a high school senior. The pitcher shared a long and tearful hug with the woman who raised him, his grandma Peggy Lindsey, in front of the dugout.

“It hasn’t been a joyous day for me in a while,” Braden said. “With my grandma in the stands, it makes it a lot better.”

The Play of the Year happened on Opening Day at U.S. Cellular Field. White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle pitched to Cleveland’s Lou Marson, who hit a comebacker off the lefty’s foot. The ball ricocheted past the first-base line into foul ground. Buehrle chased it down and then magically flipped it with his glove behind his own legs, a la Roger Federer, and right into the mitt of Paul Konerko.

“When stuff like that happens, it surprised me just like it did 40,000 people here today,” Buehrle said. “It’s one of those when you are running over to do, you see a play happening, you are saying, ‘Do I slide and spin or grab the ball and throw it?’ Every thought went through my head but that one.”

“I think that was the best play I’ve ever seen,” Indians right fielder Shin-Soo Choo said after that game, if you want to buy Boston Red Sox Jerseys, go to ujersy.

For Performance of the Year, the winner is poetic justice. While there were five regular-season no-hitters, including the two perfect games by Braden and Halladay, the winner was Armando Galarraga. The Tigers hurler outdistanced the others by a wide margin to make up in small part for a call that cost him a perfect game.

On June 2 in Detroit, Galarraga was one out away from history when umpire Jim Joyce incorrectly called the Indians’ Jason Donald safe at first base. Galarraga got the next out for the one-hitter and 3-0 Tigers victory. Joyce apologized afterward to the pitcher, and then they shook hands the next day and moved forward in classy style. In addition to this award, TIME Magazine named it the top sports moment of 2010.

“I just cost that kid a perfect game,” Joyce said. “I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay.”

“He understands,” said Galarraga. “I give him a lot of credit for coming in and saying, ‘Hey, I need to talk to you to say I’m sorry.’ That doesn’t …

More information please views: Baseball Awards being unveiled

Start Over
When couples first get together, everything is new and exciting. They overlook the little annoying things the other person does. However, after time, the nagging starts, instead of hearing, “You look beautiful,” they might hear “Why are you wearing that shirt?” If this sounds like your relationship, first, the two of you need to sit down and be honest that things have changed. Identify the things each other did in the beginning of the relationship that created the attraction in the first place. Then together, make a commitment to start over. The truth is, both of you will have to work on this. It will not automatically be easy but it is possible. Start by forgiving each other, forgetting the past, and then start over with the flirtation. Focus only on the special things your mate does and relearn to put the unimportant things aside. It will take some time so be patient.

Schedule Time
Spending quality time together is crucial. This time can be with friends, dining out, attending a sporting event, or cuddling together while watching a favorite movie. The activity is not what is important but the fact that you are together, doing something that you both enjoy. People have extremely busy schedules and between work, family, the home, errands, and everything else going on, finding time for your mate can be difficult. Just as you would schedule a meeting on your calendar, show some courtesy in the relationship by scheduling time with each other. Once the plan is in place, no backing out unless you have some life and death emergency.

The Power of Touch
When a child is ill, doctors will tell you that it is proven that a simple, loving touch of a parent can quickly pull the child through a crisis. It is the same for relationships. Playing with your mate’s hair, rubbing their hand, a soft kiss on the neck, a soft pat on the leg or giving a gentle back rub will make a huge difference in how your mate responds to you. When was the last time you walked up to your mate for no reason and without saying a word, affectionately placed a kiss on their neck? This is not in a sexual way, but an affectionate way. There is a difference. The next time the two of you are sitting in the car, at the grocery story, or standing in line at the theater, quietly reach over and take their hand. Do not be surprised if you get a strange look of curiosity the first time!

Surprise
If you and your mate have scheduled some time for a Friday night dinner, put together a surprise instead. For example, if your mate loves professional wrestling, buy some tickets near the front or if they like concerts, purchase the tickets ahead of time, getting the best seats possible. When Friday night comes around, insist on driving and head toward the location where the event is taking place. When asked where you are going, simply answer, “I have a surprise for you. I know you love professional wrestling so I purchased two great seats for tonight’s performance,” or “I know we had planned on going to dinner, but I wanted to surprise you with something special. I purchased tickets to see one of your favorite groups in concert.” The idea of you getting the tickets for something THEY like and then keeping it as a special surprise will touch the heart!

Needed Space
As important as it is to spend quality time together, it is equally important to give each other time to do something they like. If your mate loves to fish but you have no desire to bait a hook with little, slimy worms, or if you like to go to the casino but your mate would rather do something different, encourage each other to take time apart. Try establishing a set time for this very purpose, if possible. For example, perhaps you could determine that every other Friday night is “singles” night. This is not a time to date other people, but to enjoy preferred activities. Remember that you have to place trust in your relationship. If you try this and then drill them, to see what they did, whom they were with, and where they went, then the exercise has failed.

No Debates
If you know that you and your mate have proven differences in opinion on certain subjects, avoid those subjects. As an example, if you are a Republican and your mate is a Democrat, politics should probably be avoided. As the two of you identify new topics that could cause a debate session, stop the conversation before it even gets started.

Filler Talk
If you are married, especially with children, break out of the habit of talking about nothing. Many times, families will be sitting around the dinner table and the conversation consists of, “Do you like your carrots?”, or “I wonder what is on TV tonight?” Instead, change your strategy to include real questions, showing real interest. Replace the normal, “Did you have a good day at work?” with “Tell me what you did at work today.” Even if you do not understand everything being said, listen with interest. It is not that you are so much interested in the work, but your mate’s life.

Re-establish Old Traditions
If you and your mate had a tradition of some kind when you first got together, dust it off and breathe life back into it. Perhaps you met after work on Friday at the local pub for a drink, washed your cars together every Saturday morning, or attended church together on Sunday. Whatever it was, re-establish the tradition.

Predictability
If asking couples the factors involved in the demise of their relationship, one of the common responses is that everything in the relationship is so predictable. When rebuilding a relationship, do not be afraid of letting go of boredom. If you normally hate the fact that Saturday afternoons consist of your mate sitting for hours watching football, fix some finger sandwiches and something cool to drink and go join them on the couch, or if your mate spends hours in the garden trying to make things look perfect, surprise them with a new flowering plant, and then help to plant it. When taking a walk with your mate, stop and give them a soft kiss, say, “I love you,” and then keep walking. Take some chances and do the unexpected.

Lighten Up
Often when couples have gone through or are going through some bumpy spots in their relationship, things tend to get serious. It could be that there is a tremendous amount of tension or perhaps they are not sure what to say. Regardless of the reason, learn to lighten up. Do not take every comment, glance, or movement as a serious problem. If your mate makes a mistake, which you both will, let it go, or if appropriate, laugh about it. If you make a mistake, do not be afraid to poke fun at yourself. This will automatically start the process of tension breaking.

Communicate
When couples are having problems in a relationship, communication is the first thing to stop. It is often easier to just be quiet than to get mad. When rebuilding relationships, just as communication was the first to stop, it now needs to be the first to start. This will require that both individuals let down their guard and pretty much throw caution to the wind. Healing in the relationship cannot start until you talk. Make an agreement that you will talk about anything and everything and that you will listen, really listen. That does not mean that you will agree with everything, which is perfectly fine. However, if you do not agree, do not yell, rather, the two of you need to calmly discuss the issue and together, work out a solution. This is hard work but within a very short time, you will both feel much better, individually and as a couple.

A Night of Passion
Intimacy and passion in relationships is not only important but also healthy. Couples need to enjoy being together in an intimate way. When relationships are troubled, the last thing either person wants is to be sexual or passionate with each other. However, this is a part of the healing and rebuilding of the relationship and although it might be awkward in the beginning, it is crucial. Make your intimate time together special. Surprise your mate with a warm bubble bath, lighted candles, soft music, and a bottle of wine, or reserve a nice romantic evening at a local hotel to include a wonderful candlelit dinner, fine wine, and a beautiful room.

Dinner Party
Start a new tradition of hosting a dinner party every other month or two and inviting several of you and your mate’s friends. Set up board games that everyone will enjoy, have some light and lively music playing, and plan to have a blast. Spending time with friends in this kind of setting is a great way to reduce stress. When stress is low, couples get along better. This is a wonderful way to interact with each others friends as a couple.

Happy Birthday
As people grow older, in general, birthdays become less celebrated. Gifts are quickly given, meals eaten, and it is over. For your mate’s next birthday, take some time to plan something very special. Make this a true celebration of their life as a way of showing your love and appreciation. Every person, even adults, like attention and love to be appreciated. Whether a surprise party or not, your mate will be impressed that you went to all the effort just for them.

Secret Getaway
Plan a nice weekend getaway to some place off the beaten track where you can enjoy some privacy. A quaint cottage or charming bed and breakfast would be ideal choices. Scout out the area ahead of time and choose a few things that the two of you would like to do in the area but just be sure to leave plenty of time for you to enjoy some alone time. Order a nice bottle of wine or some hot cappuccino and relax in front of the fire! Make this a romantic weekend where you can rekindle your love. If you’re really adventurous, head off across the world to phuket.

Special Greeting
If your mate has to work late and you know he had a bad day, surprise him with a late-night gourmet meal. When you hear him arrive home, greet him in new, sexy lingerie, a warm kiss, and wonderful hot meal. After he picks himself up off the floor, he will fall in love with you all over again for this wonderful greeting. If reversed and the woman is coming home, after giving her a lingering kiss, have her join you in the dining room where the table is set with soft glowing candles and a wonderful meal. Have an envelope lying by her plate that when opened, she will read, “This certificate is good for one thirty-minute massage after dinner.” This is how you keep romance alive!

Just Because
Give your mate gifts “just because.” These do not have to be expensive whatsoever. For example, one woman had a miniature dish collection in her kitchen. Her husband came home and told her that he had a gift for her. Holding out her hand, he gently placed in her hand a miniature porcelain cup with her name neatly written in blue ink. She knew that this cup probably cost no more than .00 but the thought that he would take the time to find something she enjoyed, was worth million. The small gifts packed with thought are far more cherished.

Say it with Words
Surprise your mate with little notes found in unexpected places. If your mate travels for work, place a loving note somewhere in their suitcase. Perhaps they have a long commute to work. If so, slip a note saying, “I love you,” in their CD case where you know they will find it. Another recommendation is sticking a note on the bathroom mirror so this will be the first thing seen in the morning. Be creative and have some fun with this.

Cuddle Time
When couples first start dating, cuddling is usually a part of their everyday existence. However, as the relationship progresses or after children enter the picture, the cuddling stops. Take some time just to cuddle. If your mate is sitting on the couch watching a movie, or laying in bed reading, scoot close and tell them that you just want to cuddle. This makes both people feel secure and loved.

Breakfast in Bed
When was the last time you or your mate were served breakfast in bed? Never? On a Saturday or Sunday, when nothing special is planned, get up a little early and fix their favorite breakfast. Include the morning newspaper as an added bonus.

Make the Men Feel Good
For the man in your life, here are some recommendations for making him feel special:

§ Flirt with him in public places.

§ Just once, leave the toilet lid up.

§ Lavish him with compliments.

§ Tell him how sexy he is.

§ Act jealous once in awhile, even if you are not.

§ Remind him that he is a wonderful mate, husband, father, whichever applies.

§ Tell him how handsome you find him.

Make the Women Feel Good
Just like men, woman love feeling good about themselves. These recommendations might help:

§ Tell her how beautiful she is.

§ Compliment her on her many skills (be specific).

§ Just once, leave the toilet seat down.

§ Tell her how much she means to you.

§ Let her know that she is your best friend.

§ Show affectionate to her in front of family and friends.

§ Let her know that you find her sexy.

That Kiss
As couples become comfortable with each other, kisses can become lame. Get rid of the pecks and get serious with the kisses. The next time the two of you greet each other, enjoy your kiss and do not be so quick to stop. While there are appropriate times for serious kissing, they should be loving, sincere, and passionate, regardless of how long they last. You will find that as you pay attention to your kissing and let your mate know that you enjoy kissing them, you will both feel better about your relationship.

Be Kind to One Another
Unbelievably, kindness is often over simplified. Even good relationships can lack acts of kindness. This refers to “Do unto others…” Simple acts of kindness can have huge impacts on a relationship. If your husband or boyfriend is out working on the car on a hot summer day, make a thermos of ice-cold tea and take it to him, giving him a gentle kiss. If your wife or girlfriend has been working at the computer all day, walk up behind her and massage her shoulders and neck. You get the idea. Kindness means looking at the other person’s situation and seeing what you can do or add to that situation to make it better or easier. This is a way to validate your respect for each other. Kindness will go a long way in a relationship.

Special Hobby
Find some type of hobby that you both enjoy and then do it together. It might be that you both love refurnishing furniture. Turn this into an adventure of going to estate sales together to find nice pieces of furniture and them refurbishing them as a team. Another option would be if you have both wanted to learn how to ballroom or salsa dance. Take lessons together so you can then go out on the town and dance the night away. This is a great way to make your relationship even stronger while adding in something fun that you both enjoy. Maybe something like paintball to go out and have fun, or if you live near the beach, beach volleyball.

Listen – Really Listen
Get into a habit of listening to what your mate is saying. Not the kind of listening that you do when you go out or sit at the dinner table, but a different kind of listening. Have you ever overheard your mate make a comment to a friend or family member about something they really want or want to do? Maybe you heard your boyfriend or husband tell a friend that they would love a certain tool. For no reason whatsoever, make a special effort to get that for him. You might have heard your girlfriend or wife mention a spa that they would love to try. Again, without any reason, surprise her. This shows that your mate is really paying attention to things important to you.

Be a Kid
Do not be a prude. There is absolutely no reason why couples at any age cannot get into tickling matches or wrestle on the floor. Do not allow your relationship to grow old and stale. Understand and accept that it is perfectly fine to be silly from time to time. If you have nothing special planned on a Friday night, rent a few games, order in Chinese, plug in the Play Station, and play games.

All Decked Out
Although most people do not get dressed formally to go out, as a special treat, find an upscale restaurant, the opera, or even a ball, where the man can wear a tuxedo and the woman an evening gown. If possible, rent a limousine and have a bottle of champagne chilling before you get in. You will both feel good about yourselves and spending this magical evening together. This is something unique that brings another unexpected twist into the relationship, which keeps things interesting and alive. The two of you will have a romantic night that you will never forget.

Showing Love
Although hearing the words, “I love you” is special and important, sometimes you wish you could tell your mate as well as hear from your mate those words, but in special and unique ways. Here are some ideas of how this can be accomplished:

§ Rent his favorite movie, even if it is something you do not like, and plan an evening alone where you can be with him as he enjoys his special treat.

§ When he gets out of the shower, hand him a warm, cozy towel just heated in the dryer.

§ When you make him pancakes, first pour the words, “I Love You” on the griddle and cook for a minute to brown. Then, pour more batter over the words to create a round pancake. The result will be a pancake displaying those three special words when you flip it over.

§ While he is out of town, wash his car and surprise him by picking him up in a clean, shiny car at the airport.

§ Take him out to lunch.

§ Have his favorite breakfast on the table along with the morning newspaper.

§ Instead of bugging him to go to the grocery store with you, let him stay home.

§ Display your favorite picture of the two of you on the refrigerator.

§ Buy him a subscription to his favorite magazine.

Split the Responsibility
Whether dating or married, weekends are always full of errands and chores. If you find that on the weekend things are lopsided, help your mate out. For example, if there are kids involved and one has a soccer game while the other has a baseball game, at the same time, offer to take one of the kids and your mate take the other. Make this a special time by packing a special lunch or snacks. Perhaps one of you has company coming and the house needs to be cleaned, laundry done, and groceries purchased. Set aside something you need done and offer to pitch in to help. Simply say you want to help and ask which of the jobs you can take over. This gesture will show your mate that you really care by sacrificing your time.

Love Means Having to Say You Are Sorry
If you make a mistake by doing or saying something that is hurtful or damaging to the relationship, say that you are sorry. Many people struggle with these words, even when they know that what they did was wrong. It actually takes a strong person to apologize. Do not wait until you think you have the courage but say it immediately, and with sincerity. Too often when couples argue, there is a long period of silence, which actually makes the anger and tension worse. You need to let your mate know immediately that you made a mistake and ask for forgiveness.

Be Yourself
Do not be phony in your relationship, trying to be someone or something different as a way to please your mate. For a relationship to work, both people need to be themselves and react to things naturally. Just imagine if you are really kind of on the silly side, enjoying life to the fullest. Then you meet a wonderful person who is much more conservative than you are. Because you are attracted to them, you try to squelch your normal vibrant personality. You are miserable and eventually, the person is going to be exposed to the “real” you. You have to base any relationship on honesty or it will eventually fall apart.

Maintain Your Health
You might think – what does good health have to do with a good relationship? In reality, it has a lot to do with it. Having a good relationship means having the energy to enjoy getting out and doing things together. To do that, it is important to eat right. When people are tired, they become short-tempered and frustrated. For this reason, it is important to get the right amount of sleep. Good exercise keeps your body in shape for being adventurous together. Taking care of your body and mind will flow over into your relationship and make you a calmer, stronger, and better-balanced person. (Go here for more info on health.)

Compliment – A Lot
Be generous with compliments. It is very common for people to notice something nice about another person and think about it internally, but never voice it. When in a relationship, compliments are like glue. They hold the couple’s attention and respect. Make sure your compliments are genuine and based on something you see or hear your mate do. If you have a clogged garbage disposal and your boyfriend or husband is able to unclog it, compliment them on being handy. If your girlfriend or wife takes her mother to the doctor, compliment her on her generosity. The fact is that criticism is destructive and can very quickly tear a relationship apart. Just like the cliche, “If you do not have something nice to say, then do not say anything at all.” This is very true – take notice of the good things your mate does and make it known to them that you see and appreciate those things.

Realistic Expectations
No matter how wonderful and flawless your mate seems, no one is perfect. Be careful about putting someone on a pedestal, especially in the early stages of your relationship. Make sure that the expectations you have for your mate and yourself are realistic. There are going to be differences in opinion, and probably some disagreements. Also, do not assume that your mate knows how you feel or what you think about something. When discussing something important to you, ensure that you both understand the same thing. The reality is that neither one of you is going to know exactly what the other one needs. As long as you do not expect them to read your mind and accept that this is a part of getting to know one another and communicating, you will be fine.

Leave the Baggage Behind
Every person on the face of the Earth has some kind of history, or “baggage”, although at varying levels. Do not walk into a relationship with your arms loaded with that baggage. The past is the past. Even though there are things from the past that are hurtful, and even damaging, learn from those things and come out a better and stronger person. This allows you to step into a new relationship with better knowledge of what not to do. Leave the baggage from the past alone, focus on today, and look forward to tomorrow.

Do Not Repeat, Do Not Repeat, Do Not Repeat
Learn from your mistakes. When something goes wrong and the two of you work through it, do not repeat the same mistake. Rather than dive right back into whatever it was you did or said, think before you act. At first, this will take some discipline but as you see positive results in the relationship, be encouraged that it is working.

I really hope this helped. Part two has the rest!
 

There are many different choices of baseballs and bats on the market. Before making a costly investment in this baseball equipment, you should be sure that you know what you are buying. Use the guidelines below to help yourself make an informed buying decision.

Baseballs

Ever wonder what’s inside a baseball and what makes one baseball better than another? You’re not alone. To answer that question, you must become familiar with the four essential parts of a baseball:

Baseball Covers

There two types of baseball covers: leather and synthetic. The “traditional” choice for baseball covers is leather. Leather is the only type of cover used at higher levels of play. They offer a better grip and are generally more expensive. Synthetic covers are made from vinyl and are more resistant to water, dirt, and stains. Baseballs with synthetic covers are less costly than leather baseballs.

Baseball Stitching

There are three main forms of baseball stitching. The first form is raised seams. This type of stitching is prominently raised and can benefit pitchers as the raised seams lead to greater ball movement. The second form is standard seams. This type of stitching is not as pronounced as the raised seams. It is also called “major league stitching” because it is the type of stitching used in the major leagues. The third form is flat seams. Flat seams are used for pitching machines or practices and are rarely used in games.

Baseball Windings

The baseball windings are found under the cover and are made of yarn and thread. The yarn is either made of pure wool or wool blends. Pure wool windings are offer the best compression and shape retention. Wool blend windings are more common. The wool purity and the tightness of the thread determine the quality of the windings.

Baseball Cores

The core of the baseball is found in the middle of the baseball windings. High quality baseballs have cushioned cork cores that consist of cork wrapped in rubber. Cores constructed out of solid rubber or a cork and rubber composite are generally lower quality.

Bats

Baseball bats are a hitter’s tool and must be chosen carefully. There are three popular types bats: aluminum or aluminum alloys, composite, and wood.

Aluminum or Aluminum Alloy Bats

Aluminum or aluminum alloy bats have been the primary choice for most youth leagues for many years. Aluminum bats are light and durable. There are many different alloys or combinations of metals that are used in aluminum bats, each having their own unique set of properties. The most common alloy is 7046 but there are others that give the bat more durability and strength, such as CU31/7050, C405/7055, and C555. These stronger alloys are generally slightly more expensive that the common alloys.

In addition to the alloy of the aluminum bat, the construction of the bat is also a factor in the durability and performance. Aluminum bats can be constructed with a double layer of aluminum that can increase power and durability. One type of metal treatment used is cryogenic treating. This method of metal treatment involves freezing then heating the metal to increase strength, power, and reduce vibration. Both of these types of aluminum bats will be more pricy as they offer better overall performance.

Composite Bats

There has been a lot of controversy since the introduction of composite bats. Composite bats are made out of lighter and more durable materials such as graphite or titanium. These materials are usually used as linings on thin walls of aluminum. Adding these composite materials to the construction of the barrel decreases the wall thickness allowing for faster bat speed and much more power. Composite bats offer other advantages such as a larger “sweet spot” and reduction in vibration if a ball is poorly hit.

Composite bats do have disadvantages. The first disadvantage is that composite bats cannot be used in cold weather or they are at risk of cracking. Also, composite bats typically have a “breaking-in” period whereby they need to be used for a period of time before they reach full performance levels.

Composite bats have been under fire in recent years due to studies that have indicated that the ball-exit-speed-ratio (BESR) for some brands of these bats is beyond the safe limits for use in regulation play. The debate continues today and has even resulted in the banning of composite bats in some leagues.

Nevertheless, composite bats are still a very popular choice for many high school and collegiate leagues. Always check the BESR rating for the bat versus your league rules before purchasing, and expect to pay considerably more for the added performance.

Wood Bats

While wood bats were the only choice of baseball bats until the 1970s, the use of these bats in youth leagues has all but vanished. Wood bats these days are typically only used in professional leagues. Nevertheless, they are still a viable choice for anyone that is looking to purchase a bat.

Wood bats have three significant disadvantages. They splinter and break easily, they have a very small sweet spot, and they have much less hitting power than aluminum or composite materials.

When purchasing baseballs and bats, always consider your requirements versus the performance and price of the equipment. Follow the guidelines offered above to choose the appropriate equipment for you, your child, or your team.