Save 10% off baseball training aids at Baseball Rampage
Order your baseball training equipment online and receive 10% off your order. Enter coupon code AID10 at checkout. Offer expires 12/31/09 and may not be combined with other coupons, sales, and discounts.

Baseball Training Aids
Baseball Training Aids are devices that a ball player can use to improve a part of their game. These products are used for practice, and help improve the performance of any player from beginning to professional.

Struggling at the Plate? Get back to the basics
If you’re in a slump at the plate, get back to the basics. Grab a bag of whiffle balls and a tee and start hacking. Most likely you’ll notice the ball heading up or down off the barrel of the bat. The idea is to hit the whiffle ball square with a level swing, as soon as you do this it will look like your hitting a knuckle ball off of your bat.

Buy online and save 10% off baseball training aids at Baseball Rampage. Enter coupon AID10 at checkout. Offer expires 12/31/09.

Receive 10% off batting gloves at Baseball Rampage
Buy batting gloves online at Baseball Rampage and receive 10% off your order. Enter coupon code 10BGBR at checkout. Offer expires 12/31/09 and may not be combined with other coupons, sales, and discounts.

Batting Gloves
Batting Gloves are designed to help batters to get a better grip on the bat and to protect a player’s hands. Advancements in batting glove technology and materials have allowed increased performance and protection. Many players wear batting gloves while at the plate hitting and on the base paths.

Save 10% off batting gloves at Baseball Rampage. Enter coupon code 10BGBR at checkout. Offer expires 12/31/2009

MLB Futures: 2009 NL Rookie Of The Year Odds by Bet Online

The baseball season is well underway, and even though the weather hasn’t warmed up fully quite yet, some teams have come out of the gate flying hot.
Last week we took MLB betting handicappers on a tour of the American League rookies who we projected will make the biggest impact on their sport and now we’ll put the shoe on the other foot and examine the top NL rookies:

Cameron Maybin, OF - Florida Marlins

Cameron Maybin isn’t even 22 years old yet, but the world is expected from him. Maybe was the key centerpiece in the Miguel Cabrera trade and if he pans out, he could be a Rookie of the Year candidate this season. MLB betting fans should be aware that Maybin has a very unique blend of power and speed, that should place him among the best fielders in the game. He’s still pretty young but if he gets full-time hours with the Marlins, don’t be surprised if he finishes with more than 20 home runs and steals.

Colby Rasmus, OF - St. Louis Cardinals

Hardcore baseball betting fans are familiar with Rasmus, who is a potential five-tool All-Star. The Cardinals have already shifted around Skip Schumaker in the field to make room for Rasmus, who could spark the Cards to have one of the better lineups in baseball. Rasmus spent a lot of time with the team in the 2008 season and he has looked fairly comfortable early on this season. With a lot of protection in the order and with little pressure, Rasmus could be the NL Rookie of the Year.

Andrew McCutcheon, OF - Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates will be banking on Andrew McCutcheon this season as the franchise is really short on franchise talent. McCutcheon has the five-star potential to be their next centerpiece, but he has yet to crack their outfield. While he’s a long shot to be the Rookie of the Year, MLB betting handicappers should expect a strong second-half showing from him. The Pirates should call him up by mid-season.

Tommy Hanson, P - Atlanta Braves

While the Atlanta Braves are trying to bring along Tommy Hanson slowly, they might not have a choice if he dominates the minors again like he did last year. MLB betting fans know that the Braves lack a little bit of spice to keep up with the New York Mets but Hanson could be the answer. Hanson led the Arizona Fall League with five wins, while posting an ERA of 0.63 with 49 strikeouts in 28.2 innings pitched.

Chris Perez, P - St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals primary plan of using Jason Motte as their closer failed miserably in the first week of the season, which means Chris Perez should get a chance to shine. Perez started the season in the minors but considering his fastball pushes 100 mph and he has a dominant sinker, he’s too much of an asset not to try out in the closer’s role. After all, it’s not like the Cardinals have many other options. If Perez steps in and dominates, he could have a dark horse for National League Rookie of the Year.

About the Author
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Youth Baseball Conditioning by Trevor Sumner

There are many valuable youth baseball conditioning techniques to increase your players’ abilities by maximizing their strength, range of motion, and flexibility. Just as a car can only travel as fast as its engine will allow, in like manner, baseball players can only perform to the degree that their bodies will allow. If coaches, parents and mentors ensure that their players are involved in recommended youth baseball conditioning training, they will be increasing their players’ chances to fulfil their maximum potential. Here are some advised youth baseball conditioning techniques that are recommended for youth baseball coaches for the development of their players: Pitching Better through Swimming - Swimming can actually strengthen the shoulder muscles and enable pitchers to throw the baseball harder while protecting pitchers from devastating shoulder injuries. It is recommended that pitchers swim in free style for two minutes with a series of 4 repetitions. If the player can not swim, then the pitcher can stand waist deep in water under adult supervision and push the water away from the body with a hard thrust and fingers spread apart. This should be repeated for 2 minutes at a time. Sprint to Success - One of the traditional youth baseball training programs remains the best. Players need to build up their endurance in order to play the entire game with strength and energy. Wind sprints are the best way for youth baseball players to build up their endurance and, at the same time, bond with their teammates. If your players run wind sprints as a team or in bunches, such as pitchers, catchers, infielders and outfielders, you will be building up their endurance and the team will become closer as a unit. Ten 60 yard sprints are a good way to start, and you can lengthen the distance and repetitions over time. Squeeze that Ball - Another simple youth baseball conditioning exercise can be done everywhere from the ball field to the schoolyard and even to bed. Baseball players can increase their wrist strength by squeezing a rubber Spalding ball. Yes, these pink balls are still of infinite value to baseball players - pitchers, to increase the speed of their pitch; hitters by increasing their bat speed and, therefore, the distance of their drives; and fielders by increasing the strength of their throws. Stretch Before Games - Stretching and warm-ups are a key element of baseball conditioning training protocols to prevent injuries. Prior to every game and practice, baseball coaches should lead their team in a regular series of stretching and warm-up exercises for at least 10-12 minutes. Before the players begin playing baseball, make sure to cover all major muscle groups including shoulders, legs, arms, hips, and back.
Of course these are just a few, simple youth baseball conditioning exercises among many. Baseball coaches should be familiar with a wide variety of exercises and should weave these into a more holistic conditioning training plan that is appropriate to the age of their players. Combined with a variety of baseball drills that make the game fun and build the fundamental skills needed to play, a strong baseball conditioning training regimen will ensure that players reach the top of their game and avoid unnecessary injury.

About the Author
By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a {a href= ” http://www.weplay.com/youth-baseball “} youth baseball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information they need to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay has one of the most comprehensive baseball drill libraries in its active baseball community.

Swimming Pool Safety This Summer
By Fay Freedell

Who doesn’t love to splash around in the pool on a bright sunny day? Who doesn’t love to cool down and relax by the swimming pool? Since the beginning of time, water has been everyone’s best friend, not only because it is undeniably an essential element for survival, but also because it is a source of happiness and recreation as well.

Drowning Accidents

However, this universal element, when taken advantage of irresponsibly, may be a grim enemy to many. In fact, a great percent of fatalities through time have been caused by accidents involving bodies of water - drowning accidents among them. Drowning accidents have taken an alarming number of lives and have caused countless injuries since the beginning of time. In statistical research, more that 1,000 children drown each year with 65 percent occurring in swimming pools - at home, apartment complexes, or a public facility. Children aged 1 to 4 years old may be the most vulnerable to the risks of drowning in residential or public swimming pools since they generally have not acquired the skill of swimming, are small in size, and are often times very physically active and curious. Among the leading causes of these incidents is unsupervised access to the water.

The Solution

You may, after all, breathe a sigh of relief as you get a relaxing massage, sip your fruit smoothie, or work on your tan by the swimming pool. The answer to your worries is right at your doorstep. With a Pool Protector installed, you can now minimize the risks of drowning accidents. It is not only designed to watch after your kids, but it keeps your valued pets safe from drowning accidents as well. It is basically an electronic monitoring system that works wonders. It is a state-of-the-art sensor that detects children and even pets falling into an unsupervised swimming pool. It automatically gives off alarm sounds when children or pets fall or get in the water. The best thing about this Pool Protector is that it is portable, self-contained, lightweight, and very easy to operate. Safety doesn’t have be complex.

How does the Pool Protector Work?

The Pool Protector has an electronic sensor. When an entry into your unsupervised pool is detected, the sensor triggers a loud pulsating sound, which will be heard from the unit and inside your house - since it comes with a remote receiver. The Pool Protector will be installed on the pool deck. To ensure its constant life watch, it cannot be inactivated after you get it installed. Unless you put it in a sleep mode, it stays in the alarm ready mode to continue keeping you worry-free and relaxed. You would know if the alarm mode has been triggered because it will sound an alarm. The remote receiver can be mounted in your home up to 200 feet from the main unit. When using the Pool Protector, you only have to make sure that your electrical system operates compatibly with a twelve-volt power supply. Another bonus it that its nine-volt battery has long lifespan, lasting for approximately one year. One of the best places I have found to buy this unit is http://www.freedomsecurityproducts.com.

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Are All Home Runs Equally Beautiful?
By Dr. Gary S. Goodman

Gary Sheffield just signed with the Mets. He is one home run shy of his 500th.

He’s playing in a new stadium, and he’s 40. There is a remote possibility that he could sock a caroming shot in the alley and bag an inside the park homer.

Would that be sweeter than launching a “no doubt about it” rocket into the stratosphere?

Does the type of home run inform how we feel about it as players and fans?

I’ve hit my share, and had my career in the sport been extended, I would have hit more.

Some are especially memorable and beautiful.

Like the time I “called my shot,” bragging to an opponent that I would park one in dead center the first time I faced his pitching in a game.

Sticking to the improbably self-glorifying script, I accomplished exactly that, taunting the hurler with an I-told-you-so grin as I rounded the bases.

When I screen “The Natural,” my favorite sports movie of all time (”Heaven Can Wait” is a runner-up), I never fail to get chills as the fictional Roy Hobbs smashes that walk-off, pennant winning shot in the bottom of the ninth, while bleeding through his bandaged ribs.

Speaking of walk-offs, who can forget Bobby Thompson’s “Shot Heard Round the World” or the hobbling Kirk Gibson’s World Series winner for the Dodgers, in 1988?

Home runs are dramatic, individual achievements.

But a first inning, nobody on base, one-run accomplishment, while portending a great game for the team that earns it, doesn’t necessarily leave you clutching your heart, at least as a fan.

It gives you hope, it makes you look forward with positive anticipation.

But I suppose that isn’t the same as watching a stunner, a game or season ending triumph that illuminates a ballplayer like a halo, never dimming.

Every kid should hit at least one dramatic homer, and every fan should be present when one instantly makes sports history.

Personally, I hope Sheffield hits 50 of them this year.

I’ve always liked his swing.

Dr. Gary S. Goodman is a top speaker, sales, customer service and negotiation trainer, a TV and radio commentator and the best-selling author of 12 books, including SIX-FIGURE CONSULTING: HOW TO HAVE A GREAT SECOND CAREER. He conducts seminars and convention presentations around the world and can be reached at: gary@customersatisfaction.com

His original class, “Best Practices in Negotiation,” is offered at UCLA & UC Berkeley Extension and at a number of other fine universities and organizations.

See: https://www.uclaextension.edu/r/Course.aspx?reg=U8637

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