What I Know and Remember about Baseball - Batting Slumps

For what ever the reason, nearly every person who has played baseball runs into a slump. The prospect of buying a base hit is all that seems left for the player to get past the desperation of hitting anything.

Pressure placed upon ourselves for letting the team down, pressure from out statistics going in the toilet and pressure from teammates; while nothing is said, the looks and actions tell the real story of what they are holding back. It can be a spiral that places doubt in all your abilities, creating hesitation and second guessing what you already know what to do.

Batting slumps can do far more that merely divot the batting averages. It is important for Players and Coaches to recognize these slumps and do all they can to get their player, teammate back on track. Any chain is only as strong as its weakest link. All links get fatigued and need the time and attention of restoring the temper.

Baseball Players in batting slumps have great difficulty in observing their actions objectively. The best meaning parent can have this same trouble of objective detachment. Even they Players coach can loose the objective focus it takes to figure out what the real trouble is.

Younger Players have the most difficulty developing a consistent swing throughout the season. Constantly changing bodies is the number one culprit. Growth spurts, hormone changes, broader interests, emotions; you name it, everything a healthy growing body goes through affects their swing to some degree.

Intensity changes in activity is largely overlooked as contributors to swing changes. If your Player was dynamite during spring ball but seemed to unwind in summer ball, look to the off diamond activity. It is likely you will find the during spring ball and the school year the Player was on a good regiment. The freedom of summer and no school the structured day to day is gone.

Enterprising Players take the summer time to earn the dollars necessary to support their dreams. Jobs available to these people are usually heavy on the labor. Its simple physics to deduce that heavier work plus longer work hours will invariably build strength. Now that 31 they had been swinging like a pro is coming around too fast and at all sorts of wood chopping angles.

Now that we have covered the detrimental affects of a batting slump, the never ending array of reasons why the slump started and that the inner circle of the Players world may not be able to identify the issue, is there a fix?

Back to the basics, first up, put the bat on the ball. Do the T work under the Coaches eye. Use video to slow things down to take a bit by bit look. If the corrections are not working, seek a once over from a different coach. One of the wonderful things about baseball is the willingness of all Coaches to see all Players succeed. Be it League, Division or School, there is someone closer than you think that would be more than happy to spend and hour to two getting your swing back on track.

Time spent at the batting cage can be useful too. Particularly good is bunting in the cage, yes bunting. The batting slump is a simple result, the bat is not being put on the ball. So, when you can go to the cage and drop a tokens worth of pitches dead, you are now putting the bat on the ball. Start by being square to the machine and catch each pitch with the bat. Once that is done, take your normal stance and go through the whole motion. Drop another token and drop those pitches.

Even if your batting slump is mid season, developing your bunting skills are practical training. If your not ready to swing away, bunting yourself on base is still a base. While your out there, go ahead a steal one too. Plus when you are at the plate, and the pitcher hangs a cure ball, well, smashing that one is going to be a confidence builder.

No access to a baseball batting cage, no problem. Toss yourself the baseball and hit it into the backstop or other net that is not likely to break or get you into trouble. Again, the object is to put the bat on the ball. Even a bad toss you have to chase a little bit to hit is ok. Hitting from different locations, walking to retrieve the ball and hit again; drills like this add variation you will not find at stationary batting Ts or cages.

Inner city Players have options too. Grab your buddies and go play some stick ball. When your buddies are not available, do the toss drill above with a stick bat and golf ball size whiffle ball.

The solution to a baseball batting slump is to discover what has changed and make the corrections to bring back your success. Get back to the basics of putting the bat on the ball in varying situations not all customary and usual.

Above all, the most significant thing you can do to end your slump is to be patient with yourself.

Rawlings SLLMPG Plasma Gold Senior League Baseball Bat (-8)

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About the Author:

Mr. Dowdy is the father of 3 and after re-entering competitive baseball with his oldest that lead to frustration of finding suitable glove, he became an Official Distributor for NW Kelley USA Baseball you can also click over to Hirsch Group for more news/tips/articles

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Nolan Ryan Introduced as Rangers Team President

Baseball legend Nolan Ryan is back with the Texas Rangers. This not not as the all time strike out king but as the Rangers team president. Only now, the 61-year-old who set many of his greatest milestones in a Rangers jersey is tasked with doing the same from the front office.

"Another thing in my career that I never anticipated," Ryan said. "You really wonder where baseball and life is going to take you."

Ryan threw an unmatched seven no-hitters and won 324 games in a record 27 major league seasons. The last five of those came with the Rangers and included his final two no-hitters and 5,000th strikeout. Ryan got a hero's reception at The Ballpark in Arlington, where his number remains the only one to ever be retired by the Rangers. A packed hall of onlookers cheered as Hicks introduced his latest hire with a video highlight package that trumpeted the return of The Ryan Express. Ryan will be in charge of baseball operations, a role that Hicks said Cogen didn't have as president. Hicks described Ryan as an asset useful in evaluating the character of players and prospects while dealing with business issues as president.

"It's hard for me to predict what impact I might have on the baseball business aspect of it," Ryan said. "I think I probably have a better feel for the playing aspect of it."

Mounted Memories Nolan Ryan Ryan Express Autographed Baseball

Official Rawlings Major League baseball. The ball is personally hand signed by Nolan Ryan and inscribed Ryan Express with a ball point pen on the sweet spot.

Mister Runs Batted In Lou Gehrig

The production company called Lou Gehrig was a thriving business in the late 1920's and throughout the 1930's. No man had more of impact for me of driving home runs than Lou. Production is what Lou was all about. He had seven years where his business surpassed 150 RBIs in that year. A record for most times knocking in 150 or more runs in a year. And his RBIs per game is still the highest percentage in major league history at .921. From 1930 to 1934 he knocked in 813 runs. Averaging 162 RBIs per season Lou averaged more than one run batted in per game, during this time of. An outstanding pace.

Whenever I look at Lou Gehrig’s statistics I find something new about the man. Like the number of triples he hit. Or all the runs he scored. Thirteen consecutive years scoring at least 100 runs to go along with the same 13 consecutive years of driving in at least 100 runs. Eight years accumulating at least 200 hits. All these statistics and a lifetime batting average of 340 to boot. He is also 3rd in slugging per cent age and 3rd in on base and slugging per cent age (OPS) all time. These numbers represent career figures.

Lou Gehrig more than any other player I have studied has been the epitome of class, success and production. When I think of RBIs I always think of Columbia Lou. When I think of a great teammate or a champion my mind consistently recalls his name.

Being a Yankee fan as I was growing up, anything connected with the Yanks caught my eye. When I saw "Pride of The Yankees," with Gary Cooper and Teresa Wright I found another hero. Gary Cooper’s portrayal of Lou Gehrig was that of a strong, focused and quiet man. I related I was very quiet as a kid. His success made me feel good. I was so proud that I liked the Yankees because Lou Gehrig was a part of my team. You did not get any better than Lou.

Lou Gehrig has been an inspiration for me. I look at what he has accomplished in his baseball life. I am amazed. I have seen film of Lou batting without a shirt on. As his muscles rip as he swings the bat I am reminded of his awesome power and strength.

As much as Lou is admired, I wonder if he would have been more of an icon had he not played in the shadow of Babe Ruth.

Feel free to pass this article on to baseball enthusiasts that you know.

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The grand game of baseball. What could be better? Join Aron as he gazes at the old sport from a variety of angles. Loving the game of baseball for Aron Wallad has been a playful way of life for a long time. For over 45 years he has followed the game by coaching, watching games, reading stories and checking player's stats. He has played baseball, softball and stickball. You will find his short stories awakening and inspiring. You will be amazed when you see some of the unusual statistics he offers. The quotes will impress you or make you laugh. He wishes everyone loved baseball. Go here right now to join his ezine, and have some fun www.baseballsprideandjoy.com Or to check out some Rawlings Baseball Equipment go here baseballsprideandjoy.com/rawlingsbaseballequipment.htmwatching games, reading stories and checking player’s stats. You will find his stories moving. You will be amazed when you see some of the unusual statistics he presents. The quotes will move you or make you laugh. Go here right now to join his ezine, have some fun www.baseballsprideandjoy.com Or to check out some Rawlings Baseball Equipment go here baseballsprideandjoy.com/rawlingsbaseballequipment.ht

Lou Gehrig

A biography of the Iron Horse who played in 2,130 consecutive games

How to Bat in Baseball

Take a boy to the ball field and guess what he will pick up for the first time... a glove or a bat? Right. Just about everybody who plays baseball, or who ever thought of playing baseball, loves to bat. Some players have the gift of being "born" hitters; that is, they are blessed with excellent eyesight, quick reflexes, strong wrists and husky shoulders. These players usually become the better batters, but that does not mean the average player with normal build and strength cannot become a moderately successful batter.

Selecting a Bat - Take a bat and swing it. If it feels "good" and is not too heavy or not too light, try it out. Do not use a bat that is too long, stay away from a bat that is too short. To help you select the right type of bat, remember that the average school player uses one that is about thirty-four inches long. Also, the weight of the bat is equal to one ounce for each inch. Thus a 34-34 bat, in length and weight, is just about average.

Stance - Many batters approach the plate and do not know how close, or how far, to stand from the plate. Some batters wonder whether they should stand in front of the batter's box, others cannot decide whether it is best to place their feet to the rear of the batter's box. None of this is important in the learning stage of batting, but what is important is that the batter makes himself comfortable at the plate.

When a batter takes his stance, he is taking one of three stances: the parallel stance, the closed stance, the open stance. Each stance has its advantages, but the batter who feels most comfortable in any of the three should use that particular stance.

Again, just which stance to assume is strictly a matter of choice and comfort. However, the more advanced player may, on occasion, switch stances according to the type of pitcher he is facing, or the situation in the game.

In the closed stance only the front foot (the left if a right-handed batter, the right if a left-handed batter) is closer to the plate.

In the parallel stance both feet are the same distance from the inside batter's box line closest to the plate.

Spread - The spread of the feet is also a matter of individual taste. Some batters prefer to keep their feet close together thus making for a longer stride when swinging at the pitch. Others will take a medium spread, thus shortening the stride; and there are some batters who will take a wide spread and therefore cut down their stride to a minimum.

The average hitter normally spreads his feet about seventeen to nineteen inches and many coaches recommend this spread distance. The power hitter, however, will use a shorter spread since he gets most of his strength from a longer stride. Joe DiMaggio had just about the widest of all spreads and his stride was one of the shortest. But the average batter should not attempt to imitate great batters in spread and stride unless he feels comfortable doing it.

It is not good for the beginning player to take too close a spread because it may cause a lunge in the stride. The stride should be smooth and quick, therefore the proper spread is most important.

Grip - Just as in choosing a bat, taking a stance and assuming a spread, comfort dictates, for the most part, just how to grip the bat. Some batters keep their hands together; others may leave a bit of space between the hands when gripping the bat. No matter what type of grip, hands together or apart, the bat is not to be gripped too tightly.

By keeping the fingers securely, but not tightly, around the bat and the fingers aligned on the bat, the batter can get a better snap of the wrists when meeting the ball. Grip a bat too tightly and the arm muscles automatically tighten up thus permitting no wrist action.

Grasp these basics of baseball batting, and you will be off to a great start.

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About the Author:

Tips & Tricks On How To Play Baseball Like A Pro - These Little-Known Secrets Will Have You Hitting The Longest Yard Over The Boundary Fence! Click here for FREE online ebook! www.baseballhittingdrills.net/

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Steroids and MLB

With all the steroid stuff going on with MLB it seems that most of the attention has been brought to San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds. I'm not going to talk about Bonds case in particular but more about the steroid use in baseball.

We all know that steroids make you stronger. We all should also know that steroids do not give you any skills though. For instance, if someone got all juiced up on steroids he would still need the skill of a baseball player to make contact with a 90 MPH fastball and the other abilities that a baseball player needs. For instance, I am not a baseball player and if I started taking steroids I would not be a better baseball player. No way, no chance, no hell. So what does it matter some say. Well at least that was the view of some callers in a local sports talk radio show.

Well, it does matter. You have to understand that these guys already have the skills of a baseball player. They have been playing since they were kids. Now, let's say a guy on steroids slams 60 or 70 home runs during the season, you have to understand that without the steroids many of the shots would have been caught at the warning track. That extra muscle from the drug carried those balls over the fence. The guy would have probably hit 35-40 home runs had he not been on steroids. Remember those days, when 40 home runs were good enough to lead the league in home runs? Back in the 80's if you smacked 20 home runs in a season you were considered a home run hitter!

Looking at the situation from a players prospective is easy too though if you think about it. If you are not on steroids and a younger player come up from the minors and he can take your job, there can be a lot of pressure to get on steroids. Especially if you are not performing too well, maybe in a slump and there he is on steroids hitting home runs left and right. You might do anything to save your job. Just a few thoughts on the subject here.

Baseball Bat Cases

For an avid sports fan there is little that compares to having an item that is autographed by their favorite player. Baseball fans are always on the look-out for signed baseballs and bats. It’s not enough to get the ball or bat home. You also need a place where you can proudly display it. That’s why baseball cases and baseball bat cases are so important.

Many people actually collect sports memorabilia simply because they want a piece of history. For them, they generally already understand the importance of keeping their investment in a secure spot away from wandering fingers. Although most bats that are autographed have seen at least some play, they can lose value if touched by sticky or greasy fingers. Therefore keeping them in baseball bat cases keeps their value up and their condition perfect.

The most popular design is the type that can hang on the wall. The reason is simple in that a signed bat is something you want everyone to see. Many professional men and women have baseball bat cases proudly hung on a wall in their office. It’s not only a wonderful accent piece for any room, but it’s also an unusual conversation piece.

Wood seems to be the choice of most sports fan that are into this type of collecting. Many wood baseball bat cases come with a metal plate that can be inscribed. It’s a nice idea to have the name of the player, their number and the date the bat was signed engraved on the plate. This is a great hint for anyone who may not have the same love of the game as the collector.

Sliding glass doors make for easy access to the bat itself. Although if you are the owner, you probably aren’t going to want too many people handling the bat, it’s nice to have the option of removing it now and again. Although some baseball bat cases come with a lock, this is really only necessary if the bat is very valuable or if there is a risk of someone touching it.

Parents may opt for the locked choice as kids tend to find things like baseball bats particularly interesting. No parent wants to come home to find that their Little Leaguer has gotten their hands on the bat and has taken it to practice. Although you can certainly explain to a youngster that any of the bats in the baseball bat cases are off limits, keeping it locked will ensure they’ll be restricted to admiring it from afar.