Tuesday, June 27, 2006

baseball glove : Baseball-glove chair exhibit on display

Just one look, and you can tell that a lot of thought went into these unique gloves. All of them were designed by local school children and various local groups, as a way to show what baseball means to them. Dozens of kids took part.

Mary Rentz said, "A teacher has told us that all three of her art classes or all of the kids in this troop, or group participated in realizing the design and that's quite a challenge to coordinate."
A group of volunteers that make up the group "Art of the Game" coordinated the project. The artists and baseball enthusiasts are hoping to commemorate Pittsfield's baseball heritage.

Phil Massery, president of 1st Home Plate Corps., said the concept of the program is unique one.

"Athletes and baseball fans working together hand-in-hand with artists," Massery said. "It's kind of a unique marriage, because they usually don't mix."

Project leaders said they're hoping to transform Pittsfield's downtown streets into a baseball-themed playground. Brian Johnson, the "Art of the Game" Co-Chair, said has the city has opportunity to distinguish itself.

"Pittsfields got the distinction of the title, the birthplace," Johnson said. "Pittsfield needs to do something with it, and I think they can transcend from this and be a plus for baseball as well."

Massert added, "This is kind of a lanching pad for what's called the '1st Home Plate Project,' because in 1791 the first homeplate in history was right here in the center of Pittsfield. That's a big deal, isn't it? It's a big deal!"

These gloves will be on display until the end of the summer, but you can grab one of your own at an auction being held at Hancock Shaker Village on September 16th .

By: Web Staff

baseball glove : Baseball Facts You May Not Have Known

What is the difference between baseball and softball?

Baseball is team sport where a player on one team attempts to throw a hard, fist- sized ball past a player on the other team, who attempts to hit the baseball with smooth, tapered, cylindrical stick called bat.

A team scores only when batting, by advancing past a series of four markers called bases arranged at the corners.

Softball is a variant of baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Despite its name, the ball used is not necessarily soft, but it is larger than a baseball and it may have a softer outer layer. The rules of this game vary somewhat from those of baseball.

* What are baseballs made of?

Generally, the core of the ball is made of rubber, cork or a mixture of the two and sometimes, layered. Its constriction varies. Around these are various linear materials that include twin and yarn. Sometimes wool is also used.

A leather cover is used put on in two pieces and is stitched together using 108 stitches of waxed red cotton thread.

* What are bats made of?

Usually, baseball bats are made of wood. Most wooden bats are made from ash wood. Other woods used for making baseball bats are hickory, maple and bamboo.

For professional baseball, only wooden bats are permitted. They are not allowed to be corked or bat that is filled with a light substance such as cork which reduces the weight without costing greatly in hitting power.

For amateur baseball, both wood and metal alloy bats are permitted.

* What are the different kinds of baseball mitts?

In the beginning of baseball, the players did not wear baseball mitts and gloves. They played baseball bare-handed. However, during the evolution of the game, mitts were used and in time, were very important safety equipment in baseball.
Today, there are already different kinds of baseball mitts. These are the catcher's mitt, baseman's mitt and fielder's mitt.

The catcher's mitt is big, round and padded. The baseman's mitt is longer than the other kinds of mitts especially when compared to the fielder's mitt.
The fielder's mitt has two types, the infielder's mitt and the outfielder's mitt. The infielder's mitt is smaller than the outfielder's mitt.

* How far apart are the bases?

The baseball bases, along with the home plate, should form a perfect diamond. According to the rules, the distance between each base, starting from the home plate to the first base, from first base to the second base etc., should be less than eighty-nine feet. However, for little league, it should be fifty-nine feet.

* How far is it from the pitcher's mound to home plate?

The distance of the pitcher's mound from the home plate is fifty-nine feet, or eighteen meters, with eighteen feet in diameter. This is according to the regulation from the Major League baseball.

The pitcher's mound is the raised section in the of the baseball field or in the middle of the diamond, to be exact. It is where the pitcher stands when throwing the pitch.

by Bob Hanneck

Sunday, June 25, 2006

baseball glove : Red Sox Greats

It's no wonder the Boston Red Sox wear red and white. While red symbolizes passion and excitement and white symbolizes the "good guy" who wins in the end as well as angels, it's the Red Sox greats such as Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski that make us believe there really are "angels in the outfield." The true pride American League baseball is represented by some of the best players in the nation.The history of baseball changed with the added excellence of Carlton Fisk,
Wade Boggs, Cy Young, Luis Aparicio, Dennis Eckersley, Roger Clemens,
Fred Lynn, Nomar Garciaparra, and Pedro Martinez. Even a die-hard Yankees
fan like me must admit the extraordinary accomplishments of some of the
finest players to have ever dug their cleats into Fenway Park¡¯s turf. Let¡¯s take a
closer look into the historical realm of the greatest players to wear the official
jersey of blood, sweat, and tears. It is necessary to pay homage to one of the
best teams in American baseball.

First up is not only quite possibly the best hitter in baseball history, but also a
remarkable U.S. Marine and fisherman, is Ted Williams, left fielder. This
retired number 9 jersey wearing power hitter was nicknamed "The Splendid
Splinter," "The Kid," "Teddy Ballgame" and "The Thumper." Since 1930, no
one could hit .400 until 1941 when Williams first did. Now, no slugger yet has
been able to hit over .400 again since Williams. Missing four seasons due to
his U.S. Marine commitment, Williams¡¯ batting average probably would have
been even higher. The 521 home run hitter wrote six books about fishing and
baseball, one named, The Science of Hitting; appropriately titled since
Williams believed in practicing the art of batting.

by H.A.Brempell

baseball glove : Tips For Improving Your Baseball Game

Because baseball is game of skill, the top athlete isn't always the better baseball player, especially if he or she doesn't possess the multitude of skills that can help them become a complete player. Baseball is a game of throwing, fielding, pitching, catching, base running, and hitting. To improve all of these areas, you must practice using drills. However, practices can be fast, jumping from one drill to another. As a player, you must always focus on getting the most out of every drill session. Don't just "go through the motions" as you will develop bad habits. Don't just go through the drills to get as many opportunities as you can. You have to focus on getting quality out of your drills. Focus on getting top form with as many opportunities you get while in practice. The following information will provide you some tips to keep in mind while you drill that will help you improve your game

Tip 1: Throwing the ball

Grip the ball with your index finger and middle along the long seams of the baseball with your thumb underneath to give support. When you throw square up your shoulders with your target, move towards the target and throw with a ¾ arm action. Remember to follow through.

Tip 2: Fielding the ball

Make sure you have good balance by having your feet spread and get down. You don't want the ball to go between your legs. Always have your glove in front so you can block the ball and see it go into the glove. Bring the ball up to your midsection and throw.

Tip 3: Catching Fly Balls

If you're in the outfield and want to be striding towards your target, you want to be behind the ball. First, you can see the ball and secondly, you can quickly get into your stride to throw to your target. Furthermore, catch the ball above your shoulder with a bend in your elbow. That will help cushion the catch.

Tip 4: Batting Stance

Generally, you want a parallel stance with your feet shoulder width apart. Your toes should be pointed inward slightly. This will help your balance. Look at the pitcher with your head level.

Tip 5: Pitching

Focus on consistent strikes with good mechanics. This will reduce the changes or arm injury. Don't throw each pitch with the same speed. Keep the batter confused and their timing off. Learn to locate the ball inside, outside, up and down. Learn to get late movement in your pitches.

Tip 6: Base running

You always want to run in a manner to give yourself the best chance for top speed. For instance, if running more than one base, time your steps so you hit the base with your right foot as you get less arc and can keep a more consistent stride losing less speed towards the next base.

Although these tips are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to skills for playing baseball, they will help in your effort in becoming the complete baseball player.

by Robert Michael

Saturday, June 17, 2006

baseball glove : How to Break In a Leather Baseball Glove

Many baseball players will tell you that leather fielding gloves and mitts need a lot of tender loving care. Try the following for a great start in your relationship with your glove.




Steps:
1. Use your glove often. Playing catch is the best way to break in a new baseball glove.

2. Rub the pocket linings of the glove with linseed oil, saddle soap or shaving cream.

3. Let the glove dry on its own if it gets wet - placing it near a heat source or using a hair dryer will cause the leather to crack.

4. Place a baseball in the glove's pocket when the glove is not in use, and wrap a rubber band tightly around the glove; this will gradually give it a catching shape.

© 1999-2006 eHow, Inc. How things get done

baseball glove : Baseball Trade Review

The Carlos Beltran sweepstakes are over and the Houston Astros are the winners. After spending the offseason recruiting Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, the Astros have found themselves mired back in the pack of a tough NL Central division race.

Beltran brings a flashy glove to center field and some excitement and run production to the top of the lineup. Of course, players like him don't come without a cost. Houston sent away closer Octavio Dotel and catcher-of-the-future John Buck.


The added wild-card is that Beltran's contract expires at the end of this season. Should the Astros fail to reach the playoffs and also lose their new star center fielder to free agency, this deal could haunt them in the future.


Kansas City, Beltran's former team, sent Dotel on to Oakland in exchange for two prospects, third baseman Mark Teahan and pitcher Mike Wood. The Royals had decided they wouldn't be able to match Beltran's asking price this offseason and picked up the best value they thought they could get. Oftentimes these deals turn out very favorable for the team willing to trade current talent for high-potential minor leaguers.


The Oakland Athletics jumped in to make this a 3-way deal and filled a big need by picking up a consistent closer. Arthur Rhodes had excelled with other teams in a setup role but hasn't fared well closing out games for the A's. Nothing is more frustrating to a starter than to pitch hard through seven or eight innings in a close game only to see a win slip away in the ninth. Oakland boasts one of the best rotations in baseball and a solidified bullpen should help them overtake Texas and maybe even make a run in the playoffs.


This trade will be seen as a success or failure for both Houston and Oakland by the end of the 2004 season. For Kansas City, however, it could be a few years before anyone knows how their 3 new players will pan out. All three teams did well in accomplishing something that made sense for their situation.

by Dustin Smiley

Sunday, June 11, 2006

baseball glove : We Are Going to Cooperstown

I just had to see these pictures. I was compelled. to walk down this aisle.

The first picture as I entered the area was of Babe Ruth. His bat was over his shoulder. His face was wrought with age. He looked a little old, heavy and a little overweight. As I stared at the picture I got very sad. I could see that his career was about to end.

Next painting was of Lou Gehrig. A smiling Lou Gehrig. I felt so happy just to be in the presence of one of my all time heroes. Even if it was just a picture.

Then there was one of Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams standing on the dugout steps Their bodies were angled toward each other. I enjoyed the joy they seemed to have just being there. Ready to play another game.

There were other paintings one of Jackie Robinson, another of Ty Cobb

and another of Honus Wagner that I loved.

Upon gazing toward the end of the row of paintings I saw a glass case with what looked like a tan baseball glove inside. This seemed very weird in that all the players that were depicted in the paintings were from an era when dark brown gloves were used. . I felt confused. This mitt did not seem to belong here. I just had to see whose glove this was.

I could not believe my eyes. It was not a glove. It was a sculpture of a glove. Perfect in size. Detailed so exact that the grayish colored seams were complete in length width and color. The depth of this piece was ideal What this sculptor had captured amazed me. I thought about the time he invested in creating this piece. About how much this person must have loved baseball that he took the time to mold a piece equipment. I visualized he sitting in his workroom playing with clay to make this piece real.

I called my wife to come see this incredible piece. We both were moved. I even cried.

I was given a glimpse of one of the greatest pieces of art I had ever seen. I have been to major museums and have seen painting by Van Gough, Picasso, and Dahli ..I have seen the Thinker by Rodin.

I have never been moved like I was by the glove.

Whenever I think of the Hall of Fame my mind jumps to the glove. I do not know if this piece is there any more. It did have a price tag of $8500 when I was there so it may have been moved.

But if you get the chance to see the glove I suggest you take a look.

© 2006 Hotlib.com - All Rights reserved

baseball glove : Santa Is A Great Leader

Can you imagine trying to manage a few hundred giddy elves who are shut in year round and spend their off hours drinking spiked hot chocolate and doing who knows what with fairy dust? It would be enough to drive even the best of entrepreneurs to hide out at the North Pole. Somehow Santa manages the task without pulling his whiskers out. I expect he has a management system that promotes from within. The hard working elves get into management. The slackers are stuck cleaning up after the reindeer.

Santa Perfected "Just In Time" Manufacturing

Santa heads up one of the largest, most diverse manufacturing operations in the world. His product lines range from rag dolls to toy trains to rocking horses to baseball gloves for the little kids, to iPods and cellphones and diamond rings for us big kids. Santa's factory runs year round, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week and never, ever suffers from cost overrun or production shut downs. Santa perfected the "just in time" method of production that is used by many of the world's largest manufacturers today.


Santa Pioneered Global Product Distribution

Santa is the king of single channel distribution. How else could he deliver millions of presents to good little girls and boys all around the world on a single night? Santa's distribution process is a closely-guarded secret (elves and reindeer are required to sign iron-clad nondisclosure agreements), but I expect it involves a highly detailed logistics plan and the best CRM software on the planet. You never hear about Santa calling up a kid and telling them a present is backordered until July.

Santa's Delivery & Tracking Systems Are Second To None

If you think FedEx is number one at tracking packages think again. Santa's track record is spotless. He has never, ever missed a single delivery or left a box sitting on the porch in the rain. Every package is delivered in perfect shape, right under the tree.

Santa Wrote The Book On Customer Satisfaction

Santa proudly boasts a 100% perfect customer satisfaction rating. You never hear about class action lawsuits and Better Business Bureau complaints against St. NIck. Santa makes sure that his customers are happy and if they aren't, he'll come back next year to make things right. If JD Power could find him, I'm sure they would give Santa their Christmas Customer Satisfaction Award.

Santa Claus Is Watching You

Not everyone believes that Santa is the perfect entrepreneur. There are those kids who complain that Santa never brings what they ask for, but we grown ups know that Santa brings the gift that is deserved, not necessarily the gift that is asked for.

Here's a little Christmas tip from your Uncle Tim, boys and girls, ladies and gents: If you get a lump of coal in your stocking this year it's because you were bad and that's what you deserved.

It was not because Santa dropped the ball.

Merry Christmas everybody!

by Tim Knox