Pittsburgh Pirates

Posts Tagged ‘Baseball’

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

Article by Angela

Colorado Rockies is a MLB team based in Denver. Colorado Rockies doesn’t have a big name as the New York Yankees since it didn’t have even a championship in its history. But this can’t blame Colorado Rockies itself. It’s mainly because of its home field, the Denver Coors baseball field.  Denver has the name of The Mile-High City because the 15th stair on the west of the City Hall is 1 mile above the sea level. Colorado Rockies is based in such a city on highland thus its baseball field was about 1600 meters high above sea level. The air density here is much lower than other baseball fields and the highland makes the attractive force of earth much smaller than flatland. These two characteristics make the ball flies much further than a general condition, about 10 percent further. This made the ball which would be received becomes a home run. When the baseball field was being built, the designer thought of the effect of highland and built it 10% larger than an ordinary one. The designer wanted to get the balance though this way, but he or she was failed to accomplish this aim. When the ball was kicked by the cue, it looks like flying on the moon, absolutely separated from the gravitational force. So the Coors baseball field has two nick names, one is The Tomb of Pitcher, and another is The Heaven of Batters. It produced many awards for batters but none for pitchers. This problem was solved in 2002. Colorado Rockies began to use the cigar box to store the baseball and then put the box into a equipment which can keep a constant moisture. They took out the balls just before the game in order to shorten the time which the ball is in the domestic cold air. This process successfully makes the ball’s hardness and elasticity improved. In the first two trial years, the home run decreased more than 35 times a year. The number of home run decreased to fewer than 200 in 2005. In the recent five years, the number is always under 200 and in 2008 it reached the lowest number since 1995, the time when the field was built. Also, it’s the first time under the average number of the whole MLB. Now, Coors baseball field has become an ordinary field for Colorado Rockies and we can expect that it will become a shine team one day.

Article by Aron Wallad submitted fro Jason Conyers

The Forgotten game How I Fell In Love With The Game Of Baseball AGAIN.It happens to the best of us. One day we realizes a piece of us is missing. With the things we love it is not as simple as patting your back pocket to make sure you didn’t leave the house with out your wallet. Such is the case with me and the game of baseball. I don’t think I really fell out of love with baseball, life just sort of happened and I grew up. What I did not know was that the time I spent away from the game, the game of baseball was actually still in my heart just waiting for the day I would yell out “play ball!” again. I remember when it all came back to me. It was after the strike of 94′ before all the money hungry major leaguers I called my hero’s agreed to play OUR game again. Something clicked inside me that year. I don’t know if it was the silence of all those empty ball parks or the fact that the only ballplayers playing that year were guys just like me. Guys who just loved the game and were paid with checks they could not cash. You know the kind paid to the order of “reality”.I could feel it coming back every time I would pass an empty ball park. My senses would bring me closer to my most precious memories. The unique aroma of freshly cut grass mixing with clouds of infield dust were calling me back into time. Memories flooded my mind.The chatter of little leaguers in the heat of a sizzling summer game rose up from the silence of adulthood. I was way too old to play little league and too young to give up on the game I loved. This is a tough time in a man’s life. The time when we have to choose how we will continue loving the game. Some choose to softball, some choose to coach little league and some accept that their lot in life is being no more than an avid fan. You see time marches on and youth slips away. It leaves behind only the memories that we have held tight. These are the memories that we refuse to forget.These kind of memories are seeds of hope that are proof that God has blessed us with something worthy of remembrance.Memories like the first time you took the mound and feared beaning that shaking kid in batters box or the feeling of numbness in your fingers as you connected with your very first fastball. My baseball memories will never be forgotten. I have written them on a canvas with colors that would make Picasso cry. I always dreamed I could play with Don Mattingly one day. Back then I was naive enough to think that if I kept on just playing baseball, time would march me right to third base in Yankee stadium so I could dive to my left and snag that hot grounder then from my knees sling the ball across the diamond right into Donny’s baseball’s out stretched glove. All that was left for him to do was point and tip his hat. That dream never happened of course but I will never let go of the memory. While Donny baseball is still in pinstripes he has been replaced at 1st base, by a new superstar. He is not quite as big but I would never even think of trading him. You see my new 1st baseman is my son and the only time I sling the ball from my knees at third base is when I trip while showing his teammates team how to field the routine grounder at little league practice. Together he and I are making new baseball memories and thanks to him I finally got play little league again. Thank you son, your are my treasure. As faithful as Lou Gerhig himself time has kept its promise. It has brought me from childhood to fatherhood where for the love of the game I have accepted my duty in passing on my baseball memories to my children. Though they are still too young to understand why,they know that I am passing on a piece of our American heritage. Many have made mention of baseball and apple pie but I say baseball is America so never let it die! Relive all those wonderful memories and you will see why… By: Jason A. Conyers

With so many techniques and tactics that you have to be briefed about to learn baseball, it will be best if you will start the learning process as soon as possible. You have to get started while the passion is still there and while you are still very eager to know more about this favorite pastime and sport in the US and all over the world.

To make sure that you will learn things right, it is recommended that you get trained by a qualified coach. This person can teach you all essential things that you need to know about as you get out in the field. Although they can tell you almost everything that you need to learn, you have to help yourself to be able to absorb things fast. This can be done by watching real games live or even on TV. Make sure that you list down all essential details as you watch these games. You never know when the time will come that you will be able to apply these tactics on your own game.

To begin the learning process, you may want to know more about the equipment that is used in the game.

Here’s a list of the things that players will need once the game is played in the field.

The name of the sport clearly indicates that the most important part of it is the ball. This comes in the shape of sphere that has a circumference of about nine inches or 23 centimeters and has an approximate weight of 5 1/4 ounces. This kind of ball is manufactured by wrapping yarn around a cork. The center can also be composed of rubber. A cowhide is stitched tightly to cover the yarn. For this purpose, a horsehide can also be used.

Aside from the ball, the other most important equipment on this game is a bat. The baseball bat is usually made of a solid wood material like ash that measures 2.75 inches in diameter. The thickest part of the bat known as barrel measures 42 inches in length. As a player, you have to choose the right kind of bat that will be easy for you to swing.

When you are assigned as the batter, you will need a batting helmet that will as serve as your head’s protection. The pitcher can execute a very fast throw that can cause injury on your head and the helmet can prevent any accidental hits. The pitcher can throw the baseball in the speed as fast as 100 miles per hour.

There are many batters who prefer to wear batting gloves to protect their hands while the game is on. This is not actually required, but this is recommended to make sure that you won’t have any blisters. Other players prefer to wear the gloves as they run through the bases to serve as protection for their hands as they slide into the series of bases.

There are many other gears that you have to be equipped with as you learn baseball. These include the fielding glove, catcher’s equipment and cleats.

Shop for a Youth Baseball Bat.

Every year in baseball, there are relatively unknown players who put up great numbers (e.g. Ben Zobrist) and great players who put up atrocious numbers (e.g. Barry Zito in 2008).  This year, there are a few players who fit the bill for these titles and I will opine on whether or not their numbers are for real.

1. Ricky Romero (Toronto)- At the beginning of last season, Romero broke out into the fantasy landscape making an impact for a few months.  After that, he started to fold like a two and a four in a game of Texas Hold ‘Em.  He ended the season with 4.30 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP.  This year, however, he is showing signs of his true ability.  He is 5-2 with a 3.14 ERA and 1.20 WHIP heading into June. What is amazing is that he has 79 Ks in 77.1 IP to go along with multiple complete games.  He proved his maturity and focus after bouncing back from a horrific start in which he gave up seven earned runs in five innings against the Angels.  This 25-year old former first-round draft pick has cemented himself as a reliable fantasy option and a potential all-star. For Real.

2. Jose Bautista (Toronto)- Sorry Toronto, but Bautista is not for real. Many fantasy players have jumped on the Bautista bandwagon of late, but I just do not see it.  He is nearly 30 years-old and is not getting any younger.  Although he has 16 HRs so far this season, he is by no means a power hitter.  In fact, he has never hit more than 16 homers in a season (until this year perhaps).  What is overlooked is the fact that he is batting a mere .251.  He has never bat higher than .254 in a legitimate season and is a career .239 hitter.  Sorry Blue Jays fans and Bautista owners, but he is just on a hot streak that will inevitably cool down. 

3. Carlos Gonzalez (Colorado)- Gonzalez is an absolute stud. The 24 year- old lefty reminds me of Grady Sizemore before the injuries.  Actually, he could have a much better average than what Sizemore had.  Nevertheless, Gonzalez is on pace to bat .300 and have a 20-20 season.  He may be able to reach 25-25 status in that ballpark he plays and the talent he occupies.  I love this kid and see him as a perennial all-star one day. CG is definitely For Real.

4. Jeff Niemann (Tampa Bay)- Niemann, who is having a great season, is difficult to pinpoint.  The 27 year-old only has two full seasons under his belt and the numbers he recorded were by no means mind-boggling.  Including this season, the enormous righty has improved every season.  He has five wins and has yet to take a loss thanks to the Rays offense and his 2.37 ERA.  The one statistic that does bother me is his strikeout rate.  In 64 innings, he has only 41 strikeouts and his stuff by no means overwhelms the opposing batter.  My heart says For Real, but my gut says not so much. Sorry, heart.  

5. Josh Willingham (Washington)- Ending this article on high note, the last player I will discuss is Josh Willingham. Willingham is having a solid year with the Nats and will continue with that theme unless injuries slow him down. Other than 2008 when he played in 102 games, Willingham has hit at least 21 home runs each season.  His career best was when he launched 26 HRs with the Florida Marlins in 2006.  He will hit no better than his current .275 average, but I do not see why he cannot reach 30 HRs this season. He has the power. Willingham, along with Washington, is For Real.    

Sports in general has become a costly affair. Especially with more children entering this field, any form of sporting activity has become competitive. And the prices of sporting goods has become very expensive.

Be it a tennis racket, squash rcket, cricketbat or baseball bat, all of them are priced very high. When your child gets involved with any of these games, as a parent you want them to have the best of the equipments available.And when you are looking for the best, you have to looki for the sports shops that sell quality products. Also you have to look around and shop for a good discount.

This has to be done because you don’t want to spend the child’s educational fund and at the same time you don’t want to compromise on the equipments that you want your child to play with. You need to be aware of certain discount sales where you may be sold with some faulty or slightly damaged equipments. Buying these may hamper the performance of your child. Never compromise quality for cost.

]]>

A good bat is very essential for a baseball player. Your performance can rely very heavily on the type of bat that you are using. Technology has improved the quality of baseball bats.

They are made of composite metals that are light-weight and at the same time very strong. There are so many good brands like Easton, Rawlings, Wilson or Louisville Sluggerare, to choose from. While all of them make quality bats, the technology they use differ. All of them claim their products are the best in the market. Mizuno bats are very popular in asian countries.

They are also becoming a well-known name in the US as many popular players like Ichiro Suzuki and Mike Piazza are using their bats. You can buy second-hand products ata cheaper price. But you have to make sure they are in good condition and were used sparingly.

If you are looking to buy a baseball bat that is not used and at the same time you do not want to spend for a new branded bat that is very expensive, then you must try to locate a new bat that is sold at a lower price just because there is some minor flaw like a scratch or a blemish in the paint.

These kind of minor flaws do not have any adverse effect on the performance of the bats. This way it is possible to buy a new bat at a reduced price. The amount of money you are going to spend on buying the necessary equipments need not be very high in the initial stages.

Although as a parent you want to provide the best for your child, it is advisable not to invest too much very early because the child should take a liking for that particular sport. Spending more money for buying equipments that are going to be used only for a brief period, does not make sense. So the ideal thing to do is to shop around for a new bat which is available at a discount.

Article by Wil Rothly

Any flea market merchant that buys and sells in wholesale should consider the benefits that low-cost embroidered baseball caps have and their potential for profit. These are 3 benefits that cheap baseball caps can have on a small inventory and their ability to increase sales. Read and see if they make a good fit for your flea market business.

1. Cheap embroidered caps from import wholesalers are a low-cost investment for any small business buying wholesale to make a profit. There are many designs and themes on embroidered caps and hats that make them a good fit for most flea market businesses. They are a low-cost way to add an impulse item to a small inventory and still allow for a good profit.

2. There is no shortage of design variety and themes that have a widespread appeal to those that wear baseball caps. Small bulk buying is an easy way for a flea market merchant to test what sells best for their particular location. A vendor can usually buy a broad selection for a small amount of money with a good wholesaler. Low-cost embroidered baseball caps are good sellers and do well in a dollar store type setting.

3. Embroidered baseball caps will always have many uses and purposes to those that buy and wear them. Whether buying for sun protection, work wear, or fashion, the baseball cap is always in style. Fresh designs with a good selection will give them the impulse appeal to sell themselves, usually. A good price will always make them a bargain to the customer and still allow for a good profit to a flea market business.

These are three benefits that low-cost embroidered caps have and how adding them to your flea market business can make for additional profit. Buying themes and designs that target your specific traffic can streamline your sales. Consider selling them in pairs or three for a low-cost deal that your customers cannot refuse. They are impulse items and with the right type and price they can bring in more profit. Many retailers still over price the real value of low-cost embroidered baseball caps and this can be good for a flea market business.