Baseball Hitting Drills - Four Workouts That Can Be Done at Home

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Baseball Hitting Drills - Four Workouts That Can Be Done at Home
By Jake Wyatt

Everyone wants to know the best baseball hitting drills to improve their swing and batting average. You can invest in expensive equipment and pay a lot of money for private coaching, clinics, and batting cages. These are great ways to learn - especially the private coaching; all are an important part of improving your skills. But you can also practice at home with what you have around you. You don't need fancy equipment to practice baseball hitting. Here are four things you can do at home to work on your batting skills that if done regularly will help you improve your game.

PREPARE MENTALLY.

Before you start, make sure you are mentally prepared to practice and take each drill seriously. There is no point in doing drills half-heartedly and then giving up when you can't see any results. Be prepared for bad days when nothing goes right, your swing may be off, or you're just not able to get the technique right. Don't get discouraged. The more you practice, the better you will get - be prepared to put in the hours.

VISUALIZE YOUR STANCE AND SWING, AND DO THEM IN SLOW MOTION.

Now that you are mentally ready, before you start with the physical part of the workouts you need to practice visualization. This is taking your bat and going through the game in your mind. Imagine the pitcher staring you down, imagine different types of throws you will get, and plan how you will react to each of them. Once you have visualized the move, perform it slowly until the moves are ingrained in your mind. This is a fantastic workout that can be done anywhere with a bit of space!

USE A HEAVY BAT DURING PRACTICE.

Another great idea is to use a heavy bat or a bat weight while practicing. This improves the strength of your swing. Again this can be done with the visualization technique or with a friend in the backyard. When it is your turn at bat during an actual game, you will find you have more power when hitting the ball.

WORK ON MUSCLE MEMORY

Muscle memory is an important part of any sport; it is especially important in batting. This workout involves tying a ball to some string and hanging it from above. Without actually hitting the ball, practice your footwork, rotation, and eye-hand coordination. So when it comes to game time you don't have to think about your moves, they will come naturally. All you need to do is concentrate on the ball.

Use these workouts at home year round to improve and maintain top-notch batting skills!

In order to be the best baseball player you can be, training should happen year-round and be a joint effort between the coach, the player and the parents. Get more free tips to improve baseball performance, reviews of e-products related to baseball, and links to training resources at http://youth-baseball-training.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jake_Wyatt



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Building a Batting Cage

Building a Batting Cage
By Jason Gluckman

Batting cages are mostly used by baseball or softball coaches and players for practice. There are several types of batting cages, including indoor, outdoor, portable, and tunnel batting cages. Completely enclosed batting cages need more space. There is a simple net behind the batsman.

Weather is an important factor in choosing a batting cage. Indoor batting cages are required if the weather is bad. Portable batting cages are useful for players who frequently participate in games; they can practice any time with the portable cage.

In order to build a batting cage, one must understand its main features. The netting and frame are the two important features of a batting cage. The frame used in a batting cage is constructed with high-strength, adjustable aluminum tubes. In outdoor batting cages, the frame is coated with a special weather?resistant powder coating. Manufacturers are conducting tests with batting cage materials for strength and durability. The material used for netting should be durable enough to withstand adverse weather conditions. The net material may be chosen according to the application. The netting used is often black in color. Nylon material is used for netting in indoor batting cages. Polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polyester Kevlar, and KVX200 are other common netting materials. Batting cage nettings now available are weather coated with polyurethane and water repellants and spray-coated with resins to ensure longer life. Construction is another factor that determines the durability of a batting cage.

Flooring is usually made of polypropylene stretchable material attached to the net. The cage entrance needs black PVC-coated chain link. Some batting cages use pitching machines, which are either coin- or token-operated pitching machines. The number of pitches in the machine can be selected. Pneumatic ball return systems automatically return the balls to the pitching machine.

Many dealers provide do-it-yourself batting cage kits with proper instructions, which contain all the materials for a standard batting cage.

Batting Cages provides detailed information on Batting Cages, Indoor Batting Cages, Outdoor Batting Cages, Batting Cages Equipment and more. Batting Cages is affiliated with Cheap Baseball Tickets.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Gluckman

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Baseball Batting Cages and Pitching Machines - Ideal for Batting Practice

By James_M_Peterson

Batting cages and pitching machines are an effective alternative to a live pitcher and an open field when it comes to batting practice. Batting is all about the right form, timing and speed. Getting the right swing doesn't happen overnight, which means that a lot of practice and determination are essential to success.

The main advantage of pitching machines over a live pitcher is consistency. Unlike live pitchers, pitching machines don't tire or make errors. Given that the first thing novice batters will need to develop is the proper form and follow through of a swing, pitching baseballs to them at consistent speeds and angles will be crucial in developing the swing. Pitching consistency also helps batters properly time their swings.

Batting cages address quite a few batting practice concerns. First, they eliminate the need for vast open spaces just for practice - a smaller area will do thanks to the cage's nets which limit the trajectory of the balls. Second, batters and trainers don't have to worry about where a wild ball or even a perfectly hit ball might land. Property damage or injuring a third party doesn't become an issue. Finally, batting cages, together with pitching machines, allow players to practice on their own time even without company. Some cages even have sloped interior floors so that the balls are automatically fed back to the pitching machines, making it unnecessary for the lone pitcher to gather all the balls around him and manually feed them to the machine for another round of practice.

South Padre Island Nets, Inc. (SPI Nets) is a 100% family owned business known for providing the highest quality netting and accessories for sports, marine and industrial applications. Its line of products includes batting cages, protective screens, training aids, golf, football/soccer and baseball batting cage nets. For more information, please visit SPInets.net or call (866) 243-6387, toll free.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_M_Peterson ===========

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Batting Cage - Its Types

http://www.baseballcoachingdigest.com

Batting Cage - Its Types
By Nancy Chin

A batting cage is generally used to practice batting skills for the game of baseball. It is a netted cage that encloses a particular area to catch the balls. A home batting cage is also referred to as backyard batting cage. It is very useful for those who need regular practice as they can skip out on long waiting hours at the sports complex and also save up on traveling time.

When one decides to purchase a home kit, he should make considerations such as, the space available to set it up, the period of use, whether temporary or permanent, and also the perfect pitching distance. Some ideal pitching distances can be seen as follows.

Pinto - 38 ft
Mustang - 44 ft
Little league - 46 ft
Bronco - 48 ft
Pony - 54 ft
Pro/ College/ High school - 60.6 ft

The size of depends on specific requirements for example if you require a pitching machine you would need more space. Whereas a batting cage for T- ball would require very less space. Batting cages are made of different materials for different purposes, for example, if you need to set up one outside, in the sunlight, material suggested is polyethylene. This material is also best for backyard use. Setting up of a cage does not take long, after the ground sleeves are cemented in, it should take roughly one or two hours to finish installing the frame. While using a pitching machine, it is advised to use a backstop. This helps to prevent damages done to the net. This can be used if the pitching machine is at 60 mph or less. For machines more than 80 mph it is advised to choose twisted poly and nylon.

Netting can either be twisted or knitted. Twisted netting is a stronger type of netting, it has knots and includes three strands together. These are hung on squares. Knitted netting in knitted like golf netting. I does not let the balls to escape through them. It is recommended for under high school level baseball. These are hung on diamonds which increases the stretch from all sides.

Batting cages can either be nylon or poly. In case of an indoor one, it is advised to use a nylon cage net. This material is stronger than poly. If outdoor batting is the choice, then one should use poly batting nets.

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How to Hit Better in Baseball Immediately

How to Hit Better in Baseball Immediately
By guest author: Jeffery A Wise

Every baseball player serious about the sport desires to become the best hitter they can be. Even major leaguers always seek to improve their hitting. You should also want to learn how to hit better in baseball.

Players, parents and coaches should all be interested in learning the secrets to hitting better. Parents can encourage their children and give pointers. Coaches have a huge impact on teacher their players the hitting skills they need. If the following skills are practiced regularly, players' hitting abilities are sure to improve.

The basics include hitting mechanics, confidence and the right timing. Let's touch on hitting mechanics first. If we don't go over the mechanics of baseball hitting then we are doing a disservice to ourselves. Remember, even professionals work on basic mechanics every day. They get to the ballpark early to practice hitting and fielding. Those basic mechanics are:

-Stand shoulder width in the batter's box for maximum balance and bend slightly at the knees and waist while holding your bat in a vertical position six to eight inches away from your chest.
-Wait for the ball and keep your shoulder and hips closed until it's time to swing.
-Always have your head pointed towards the pitcher and keep your eyes on the ball at all times.
-Try to have a smooth and consistent swing no matter where the ball is pitched.
-Make sure you follow through with your swing

Confidence is most important while hitting. Remain in control, be selective and hit your pitch. Don't swing at the first pitch for a while to get the feel of the pitcher. If your at-bat goes all wrong, don't let it get you down. Even if you have no hits in three at-bats, the next at-bat might be the one to win the game or sustain a rally for your team. Stay calm and in the game.

When referring to right timing, it's not about the timing of your swing. Instead, it's the reality that sometimes the hits fall for you and sometimes they don't. You can have all your mechanics and confidence down to a science, but sometimes you hit it right at a fielder or you hit the ball foul by one-half inch. That's part of the game everyone goes through. If it wasn't, then everybody would hit.750 or better.

To learn how to hit better in baseball, begin working on these tips immediately and regularly. Never give up. Be sure of yourself and always be ready to attack the ball. These tips will help you be the best baseball hitter you can be.

Jeffery A Wise invites you to learn the proven system of how to hit a baseball so that you can learn how to hit a baseball better. Start learning today by reading our information, watching our videos and participating in our blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_A_Wise

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Bunt Young, Bunt Often In Little League

Bunt Young, Bunt Often In Little League
By guest author: Marty Schupak

Bunting is a very big part of baseball. And, when a bunt is laid down the right way, it is very difficult to defend. I have always been big on bunting, and feel it can be taught at a young age. There are basically two types of bunts: the square bunt and the pivot bunt. My preference is the pivot bunt because the players just pivot on their toes and do not have to lift their feet. Once in a playoff game, I had a player perform a square bunt, and he put down a perfect bunt, and beat it out...we all thought. The only problem was, when he lifted his leg and put it down in a different position, it was right on home plate and he was called out. The best way to teach bunting for the first time is to practice with a soft covered ball or a rag ball, which is described in The 59 Minute Baseball Practice video. With the rag balls or a soft covered ball, there is very little danger of getting hurt, and the players can actually pitch to each other. Once they seem confident, coaches can pitch a hard ball to his team.

There are many bunting strategies that can be used in a game. My favorite is with less than two out and a runner on third. In this situation, the batter can bunt to the third baseman as the base runner bounces toward home. When the third baseman releases the ball to first base, the player on third runs home, and must slide. If it is a good bunt, and the base runner breaks to home when he should, this is almost unstoppable. Remember that youth baseball players can practice bunting at a very young age. Seek out your high school coach to teach the proper technique. Also, make sure your best bunters get a chance to swing away.

http://www.YouthSportsClub.com

http://www.VideosForCoaches.com

Marty Schupak has coached youth baseball for 18 years and is the video creator of "The 59 Minute Baseball Practice", "Backyard Baseball Drills", "Winning Baseball Strategies", "Hitting Drills & Techniques", “Pitching Drills & Techniques”, and author of the popular book, "Youth Baseball Drills". He is a principle with Videos For Coaches and is also President of the Youth Sports Club, a group dedicated to making sports practices and games more enjoyable for kids.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marty_Schupak

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Build a Batting Cage

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Used Umpire Equipment

Used Umpire Equipment
By guest author: Pete Reiser

Buying used umpire equipment requires, as Will Ferrell's George Bush once said, "strategery." The purchase of some used items is just plain gross (e.g. a protective cup). The purchase of other used gear may be a smart move.

Mask

At first blush using someone else's mask sounds just nasty. However, an umpire mask is composed of two parts, the frame and the padding. Most most mask manufacturers make replacement pads. For instance, Diamond offers replacement pads for its widely popular DFM-UMP that sell for about $18. Most used masks on Ebay sell for around $15. If you can buy the mask for $15 and pop in new padding for $18.00, you can save a few dollars off the $60 retail price.

[editor's note: I have actually seen a new DFM-Ump on sale for as low as $35 online. It seems to me a little legwork on the internet is a better choice than buying used umpire equipment.]

Chest Protector

Let's face it: umpires sweat - a lot. Some umpires do not use undershirts (gross). Luckily some chest protectors are washable (e.g. Pro Nine Chest Protector CPU).

Leg Guards

Some leg guards are washable. Some leg guards can be disassembled for washing.

My opinion is that the above equipment can be purchased new for around $150. Used you may get it for $80. Personally I would rather pay the extra $70 for equipment that is my own and does not remind me of rotten fish. Use umpire equipment is generally not worth the savings. With that said, I would consider a great deal on an unblemished lightweight mask if I could replace the pads and save more than 50%.

Pete Reiser is an amateur baseball and softball umpire in the Midwest. Pete has umpired at various levels from 9U to NCAA Division I.

For more information about umpiring and equipment visit Pete's blog at
http://www.midwestump.blogspot.com


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Bat Swing Mechanics 101

Bat Swing Mechanics 101
By Jeffery A Wise

Swinging a bat is an essential part of hitting, that's why it's so important to have a good bat swing. This is one of the first things all ball players should learn, whether they're in Little League or high school.

Learning bat swing mechanics helps prevent mechanical breakdowns later. Professional players still occasionally have to tweak their mechanics, so that should tell you how important it is.

On a team, kids don't get a lot of one-on-one time with coaches, so I'm going to tell you the basics so you can work on them at home with a parent or friend. When I was growing up my father knew these mechanics and patiently taught them to me. Without his help, I would have never excelled in the sport.

Here are the basics to learn and practice:


Proper stance in the batter's box
Feeling comfortable while holding a bat.
Keeping your eyes on the ball
Having fun

No matter where the ball is pitched, you must maintain a consistent, smooth swing. Hold the bat like you normally would and practice your swing. Your eyes should always be on the ball with your head pointed towards the pitcher. As you swing, extend your arms and when you make contact with the ball point your head slightly down. If you don't see the ball you can't hit it.

Keep your hips and front shoulder back and wait for the ball. Your trigger motion gets your swing started and once your weight begins to shift forward again that is when your hips and shoulder open up and you hit the ball.

If you're having trouble with your bat swing, review these tips and give attention to the areas that need improvement. Identifying your problem is the first step in solving it. If necessary, ask for advice from a parent, coach or another player. Be patient and you will perfect your swing.

Jeffery A Wise invites you to learn more about improving your bat swing mechanics so you can hit better and help your team win. Start learning today by following our baseball hitting Facebook fan page, reading our information, watching our videos and participating in our blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_A_Wise

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Geeks and Baseball

Geeks and Baseball
By guest author: Rob Lefkowitz

With the baseball season in full swing, it's time to remember how geeks and technology have transformed the game of baseball. Over the past three decades, the internet, medical advances, and the globalization media have fundamentally transformed how fans consume baseball and how ballplayers play America's pastime. Below is a survey of some of the ways technology has effected baseball, and some ideas on how some new technologies will continue to affect baseball.

Baseball, Technology, and Fans

1. Video Games

From the beginning, video games have attempted to replicate baseball. In 1971, Don Daglow at Pomona College wrote ''Baseball.'' During the early 1980s, Atari and Mattel also released baseball video games. In 1983, Mattel released Intellivision ''World Series Baseball.'' For the first time, players of ''World Series Baseball'' could use multiple camera angles to show the action. A gamer could see the batter from a modified "center field" camera, see baserunners in corner insets, and view defensive plays from a camera behind home plate. ''World Series Baseball'' also integrated fly balls into their interface.

In 1988, baseball video games made another jump, when Electronic Arts (EA) released ''Earl Weaver Baseball'', which added an actual baseball manager provided run by artificial intelligence. The important of ''Earl Weaver Baseball'' was acknowledged by Computer Gaming World in 1996 when it named ''Earl Weaver Baseball'' 25th on its list of the Best 150 Games of All Time. This was the second highest ranking for any sports game in that 1981-1996 period behind FPS Sports Football.

Nintendo also hit a homerun, in 1988 when it released ''RBI Baseball.'' RBI was the first video game to be licensed through the Major League Baseball Players Association. The game contained authentic major league players and rosters, and not surprisingly was a huge hit with players.

Twenty years after the first baseball video game, ''Tony La Russa Baseball'' appeared on shelves across the country. The game made significant advancements in baseball game play. First, ''La Russa'' included a circular Fly Ball Cursor that appeared where the ball was going to land, and grew or diminished in size based on the height of the ball. If the wind was blowing the cursor would move its location to reflect the changing course of the ball. The Fly Ball Cursor introduced real fly balls and pop-ups to computer baseball games, eliminating the last segment of the sport that had never been simulated accurately. Second, ''La Russa'' allowed users to conduct drafts and set up their own leagues, all with access to the game's comprehensive player statistics. Third, ''La Russa'' was the first baseball game to offer accurate stats for each individual pitcher against each individual hitter, data that actual managers use extensively in the dugout. In contrast to many sports celebrities who merely lent their names to games, Tony La Russa spent extensive sessions over a period of years working to make the game's artificial intelligence as accurate as possible.

The quality of baseball games has continued to develop since ''La Russa.'' The development of EA's ''MVP Baseball'', Sony's ''MLB The Show'', Out of the Park Developments' text-based simulation ''Out of the Park Baseball'', and the and growth of gaming systems (from Genesis to XBox360) has transformed the depth and reality of baseball games. Even players themselves admit to using them prepare for games. According to an FHM article written by 2004 AL Cy Young Winner Johan Santana (April 2006 pg. 113), "I can see the hitting zones of each player and statistically where he doesn't like the ball. I can also get a feel for when he will swing at fastballs and when he may not expect a change-up. I wouldn't say that I would pitch to a guy in a real-life game the same way, but it gives you ideas of how to approach certain hitters."

2. Internet Fantasy Baseball

Hate it (girlfriends, wives) or love it (practically every baseball fan), fantasy baseball has become as popular as the sport itself. Once regulated to stat junkies who painfully calculated and managed everything on their own, the expansion of the internet has allowed millions of fans to participate in leagues with friends and other fans throughout the country. This couldn't possibly affect the actual sport itself right? Wrong. Fantasy Baseball has a huge impact on fan interest. Did your team throw in the towel mid-season, or currently in an unwatchable rebuilding year? That's OK. You can still follow your fantasy team and can continue to watch games involving your players via the MLB Baseball Cable Package. Major League Baseball is a product, and anything that allows your customers to constantly read, write, and talk (thus promoting) about your product in a passionate way becomes important.

Fantasy baseball would not have becomes popular without technology. Computers and the internet ushered in this sports revolution. The advent of powerful computers and the Internet revolutionized fantasy baseball, allowing scoring to be done entirely by computer, and allowing leagues to develop their own scoring system, often based on less popular statistics. In this way, fantasy baseball has become a sort of in-time simulation of baseball, and allowed many fans to develop a more sophisticated understanding of how the real-world game works.

According to a recent Fortune article, the "American male's obsession with sports is nothing new, but try this on for size: More than half of fantasy sports fanatics spend over an hour a day just thinking about their teams." Fantasy baseball is a ''billion dollar industry.'' However, Much like the RIAA and MPAA, Major League Baseball is putting clamps on the fantasy technology that fueled professional baseball's rebirth after the 1996 strike. MLB has decided to dramatically restructure how it licenses companies that run fantasy games on the Web. Official licensees will now likely be restricted to a Big Three of ESPN, CBS Sportsline, and Yahoo! (some reports add AOL and The Sporting News as well). "Mom and pop" shops that helped usher the fantasy baseball phenomenon into existence will be severely limited by the licensing deal. They will only be allowed information to service 5,000 customers apiece. Everyone else using baseball statistics to run small fantasy leagues will have to choose between scaling back their operations, closing up shop, or receiving a visit from MLB's lawyers.

3. User Created Media

Before the internet, media creation was limited to professionals. Newspapers, radio, television, and niche sports magazines like Sports Illustrated possessed a virtual stranglehold over the dissemination of sports news and information.

The first user created sports media occurred with the advent of Sports Talk radio. An extension of talk radio, which has existed since the 1940s, sports talk radio took off in the early 1980s. Today, over 30 major sports talk radio stations exist throughout the country. Sports talk radio provided fans a soapbox to voice their complaints, thoughts, and analysis of sports. However, instead of ranting only to their friends and family, sports talk radio gave fans the ability to transmit their ideas to a potentially large audience.

Wanting a voice, sports fans used technology to disseminate their ideas over the internet. The first of these technologies was sports messageboard communities. While sports messageboards have never reached mainstream popularity, they have a solid presence on the net. A quick search for "baseball messageboards" in Google will return over 8.5 million hits.

Internet messageboards also represented the first Petri dish for user-created media. This sentiment is best exemplified by a scandal that occurred at the beginning of the 2000 season. Bobby Valentine, then the New York Mets manager, gave a lecture at the Wharton School of Business -- an "off-the-record" talk. But "off-the-record" is only a term relevant to journalists. While the ''Daily Pennsylvanian'' (Penn's school newspaper), gave a perfunctory mention to the speech, one student-attendee went much further. Brad Rosenberg, using the username brad34, logged onto a Mets message board and claimed that Bobby V blasted some players and management. The mainstream media ran with it; then-general manager Steve Phillips hopped on a plane to Pittsburgh to pow-wow with Valentine; and minor scandal was in the works.

Today, the phenomenon that started on message boards has extended to blogs. Over the past two years, blogs have exploded. Everyone (from grandmas to infants) are starting their own blogs, and not surprisingly a number of these blogs talk about sports. Blogs provide individuals with the community of a sports talk radio and potentially infinite world-wide reach. A powerful combination. Today, there are approximately, http://sportsblogs.org/sports.php?subject=Blogs, 1158 baseball blogs floating around the internet. Read more.

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--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k

12 Baseball and Softball Batting Cage Buying Tips

By Nick Dixon
There are some basic points that you must know before buying a batting cage. When you buy a batting cage you are making an investment that should provide you with years and years of top quality batting practice. Here I discuss what I believe are the 12 most important things to consider when you purchase your home, team, school or backyard batting cage. Remember these batting cage buying basics:

1. Batting cages nets come in a variety of sizes but they are all rectangles. The net itself must have square corners to save construction time and cost. The sizes of a cage vary with the length, width, and height of the netting. Be careful about buying cages that are too narrow. These cages do not allow older batters to take a comfortable swing and finish. The greater the width and height of the batting cage, the better sensation a batter has when a ball is hit. The wider and higher cages allow the batter to read the path of the ball when it comes off the bat. A short and narrow cage tends to "smother" a hitter. The higher and wider cages are also safer for the coach, player or parent throwing batting practice.

2. Batting cage netting is most commonly available in three common twine sizes which are #21, #36, and #42. The lower the number, the smaller the twine used in construction and the lighter-weight the cage will be. Heavy-duty cages such as the #42 better withstand the elements of time and use therefore they offer more durability and added years of use.

3. Batting cages are most often available in black. The twine is dyed black and UV is added to the netting. Black cages seem to last longer and in my opinion, they look better.

4. When you buy a batting cage do not just consider the cost of the cage, but you must also calculate the cost of shipping. Many companies have shipping managers that provide you with an added service of securing the lowest shipping cost possible.

5. All cages require a support structure from which the cage will be hung. The longer the cage, the more support sections that will be required to hold it in place. The smaller and more light-weight a batting cage is, the less support structure it must have. You can plan on putting a support section at both ends and every 20 feet, if you want your cage to be hung adequately without a lot of droop. So a batting cage60 feet long would require at least 4 supports for a heavy-duty net and you may get by with three supports for a light-weight net. You may also need cable or heavy duty rope suspended between your supports to maximize cage support.

6. You can not fit your space to the batting cage. You must fit your batting cage to the space you have available. Step off you or measure the area you have available. Make sure to order a batting cage that will best suit your available space. Do not allow space to deter your commitment to a batting cage purchase. Small cages in the 35, 40, and 50 foot lengths are long enough to allow great batting practice work.

7. Your chosen area must be level and it must drain well. If you can afford the additional cost, you may want to add a floor to your cage. There are two materials that make a great floor. Cement or concrete is the most costly. You may want to cover your hitting zone with indoor-outdoor carpet to extend the life of your leather baseballs. If you use rubber pitching machine balls in a pitching machine, they will withstand the abrasive properties of the cement cage floor. Another great floor alternative is to use weather treated 2 x 4s to build a raised floor. You will border all sides and ends of your batting cage floor with the 2x4s and stake them into place. You will then fill the inside floor area with a commonly used infield material, crushed stone. This provides a raised dry hitting surface that will offer a safe and less abrasive surface upon which to hit.

8. You are going to need to purchase a protection L-screen to protect the pitchers throwing batting practice. Make sure that your L-screen is a sock style made of at least #42 netting to insure that it will withstand the heavy-duty abuse it will be subjected to. A square protective screen is also a great investment to consider if you will be using a pitching machine often. There are screens specially designed to protect the person operating the pitching machine.

9. You will need a plate for batter and pitcher reference during batting practice. The pitcher will use the plate to throw the various pitch locations and the batter will use it to adjust to certain situational hitting drills. If your cage has a suitable floor, you may want to paint a plate and batters box to add a much appreciated feature.

10. You will need a power source if you have plans to light your cage and to use a pitching machine. Make sure that you can reach a source with extension cords or run a permanent source if you can do so safely.

11. If you have additional questions or need additional assistance, shop with a company that takes orders by phone. This allows your to ask questions and get answers. Depending on the description and details listed on a website, may cause you to order a cage that is not suitable for your needs. Most reputable batting cage companies have toll-free phone numbers and a staff available during business hours to offer you advice and information before you buy.

12. For many families the best and most user-friendly and trouble-free approach to buying a batting cage is to buy a complete batting cage package. These packages contain the net size and weight of your choice and a batting cage frame specifically designed to match the net. These packages are easy to assemble. Most of these batting cage packages can be assembled by two persons with about 2 hours of work. These batting cage packages can easily be taken down in the off-season and stored if there is a need to do so. Many of these packages include everything you need including the protection "L" screen. When the package arrives, all you have to do is carefully read and follow the step-by-step instructions to assemble your new batting cage.

Visit the Baseball Coaching Digest Blog for daily post and articles on every aspect of coaching baseball. The Baseball Coaching Digest Blog. Check out BattingCagesDirect.com for top quality batting cages at discount prices. They specialize in complete batting cage kits with net and frame included for one low price. Check out the Batting Cage Door by Nedco Sports.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon

Reasons To Have A Backyard Batting Cage Of Your Own

Reasons To Have A Backyard Batting Cage Of Your Own
By Colin Scott

As an all American sport baseball is extremely popular. As a result of its popularity many persons start playing from an early age. The necessity of a backyard batting cage then becomes evident as long as you have a backyard that is!

The key to winning any baseball game is to be able to bat and of course to have the stamina to get around the bases. Purchasing a batting cage or having access to one is essential to get the appropriate practice needed so that you can play well. Renting a cage can be quite an expensive feat.

Think of the long term benefits to having a batting cage. It will be available whenever you want to go out and practice. It you are really serious about becoming a better baseball player then it is a wise investment. You can also set a better practice routine if you have a backyard batting cage. After all you have no excuse to miss practice. Whether or not adults or children are using it just think of what you will save with not having broken windows to worry about. You also do not have to worry about the long wait when you get to the park and are not limited in terms of practice time.

A wonderful thing about getting your own cage is that they are not that expensive. In fact if you are handy with tools you can make it yourself. You would just have to buy the materials.

The major problem with practicing without a cage is that balls go missing quite regularly. With a cage this is eliminated. No longer will you need to hop over the fence or try to crawl under the house or look in some nook and cranny to find the elusive ball.

The last thing that you can consider as a positive attribute to having a backyard batting cage is that with proper care it can last a very long time. Usually only minor repairs would have to be made to the netting and that does not cost much. You get much more return on this investment.

Colin Scott is a recreation and sports enthusiast. For more information on Backyard Batting Cages visit http://www.backyardbattingcages.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colin_Scott

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High-Quality Batting Cage Nets Can Help Prevent Injuries and Property Damage

High-Quality Batting Cage Nets Can Help Prevent Injuries and Property Damage
By Jack M Patterson

For sports equipment business owners, safety is an essential concern. Baseball pitching equipment throw balls at high speeds, and batting cage nets need to be able to handle not just the force of the ball, but the regular wear and tear that comes with regular use.

Netting plays a significant part in batting cages. They act as barriers to keep the balls in and away from spectators while making it easier for owners to maintain their ball count. If not used properly, these nets can deteriorate faster and may rip at some parts, allowing the probability of balls to escape the baseball battling cages and hit an unsuspecting person. Owners should be meticulous about the small rips in their netting for these holes could grow bigger given time.

Nylon and polyethylene fibers are among the most popular materials used in the production of sports netting, and are available in a variety of tensile strengths and twine sizes. For instance, baseball cage nets for backyard and little league use are made with .065" twine size netting, which have a tensile strength of approximately 220 lbs. Commercial-grade batting cages such as those used in training facilities should have #60 or .116" twine size netting, which have a tensile strength of up to 560 lbs. Additional options such as all weather latex treatment and UV protection can further increase the durability of the netting for years to come.

Owners should not put their business on the line by compromising the quality of their facilities. Batting cage nets are just one of many safety factors to consider when running a commercial or professional training facility. Investing in high-quality equipment is the first step towards safety.

Resource Box:

South Padre Island (SPI) Nets, Inc. is a family-owned business committed to providing quality nets for various applications. From sports and batting cage nets to fishing and industrial netting, SPI Nets offer a wide array of products made out of quality materials. Training aids, turf mats, and baseball batting cages are also available. For more information, call 956-276-9598 or visit SPINets.net.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_M_Patterson

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Baseball Safety Tips for Kids

Baseball Safety Tips for Kids
By guest author: Sandra Chaser

Baseball is not really a dangerous sport, but it doesn't mean that there will be no injuries from a bad pitch, battered balls and when a kid is not looking, he or she could end up in a collision with another teammate. A parent could prevent further injuries and the impact would be lessened when a kid gets in an accident during a baseball game. The parent could make the kid wear safety equipment while their child is playing baseball. Here are some of the baseball safety equipments that your kid should wear before he or she starts playing baseball.

Just like other sports, baseball also uses safety equipments. Wearing the right safety gear can prevent further injuries when an accident happens. The gear is important in protecting your child from more accidents that may come when your child plays baseball. The kid should know the needed safety equipments that he or she should wear when the kid is playing baseball.

• A batting helmet is a batters best friend. A kid who is at bat must wear the batting helmet to prevent the accident when the ball is thrown wrongly. Even grown ups wear batting helmets when the player is at bat. The helmet has a chin strap that can be fastened to the kid who is at bat firmly yet comfortably. The helmet has an eye shield or otherwise called a faceguard that protects the batters face when the ball might hit the child's face. The batting helmet must be in good condition to keep other accidents at bay.

• When there is a batter, there is always a catcher. A catcher is the one that catches the ball when the ball has been unsuccessfully hit by the batter. To prevent any injuries, especially a ball hitting the throat of a catcher, he or she should wear these safety equipments. The helmet is used to protect the catchers head. The facemask is the one that protects the child catcher's face. The full-length chest protector is for the protection of a player's chest. And the kid catcher's mitten is to prevent the hard impact on the catcher's hand when the kid catches the ball.

• To prevent any slipping, a child baseball player should use a baseball spike. Baseball spike is another term for baseball shoes. The baseball spike is different from any other shoes because the baseball spike's soles have spikes instead of being flat. But the shoes should only have plastic cleats. In a kid's baseball game, a baseball spike with metal cleats isn't allowed. Metal cleats are quite sharp which could sometimes can injure other kids when something goes wrong.

• Another safety gear that any child player in the baseball should wear is sliding pants. Sliding pants are made to protect the kids from cuts and scrapes.

These are the safety tips to keep your kid safe from any accident that can happen during a game of baseball. If your kid loves baseball, you should do everything to keep your kid safe. So, let your kid wear safety equipments to prevent any further injuries while he or she is playing the game.

Sandra Chaser has helped a lot of people over the years with everything from Kids Helmets, to Kids Bike Helmet, and other baby, kids and teens topics.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Chaser

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Baseball Hand Signals

Baseball Hand Signals
By guest author: Wiley Channell

Baseball players would be in a pretty pickle if all signals were verbal. Would a player be excused, by an irate fit to be tied coach, if he did not hear the screaming that goes on.

The coaches are out there giving signals. The umpire is giving signals. Baseball players are watching everything. What is this signal thing about anyway?

There is a secret among a coach and his players and they dare not let the opponent in on the know. I have seen the first and third base coaches play around out there like they had the itch or mosquitoes biting or something.

They will scratch their shirts across the letters, take off their caps, run their hands through their hair, rub the back of their legs with their foot, and even rub their arms like crazy. I know something must be up. Wonder if it's catching?

I'll tell you who had better catch it. Those team players. I'm told these are their secret signals.

The umpires also go through all kind of gyrations. I have seen the base umps run down the foul line on a well hit ball suddenly stop, turn toward the playing field and point like a bird dog on point.

Another common antic of an umpire is he will intently watch when a runner is running to a base and a tag is about to be made. If the tag is too late to get the runner out then the umpire goes half ape. He will stand there throwing his hand out as if he is shooing away a swarm of gnats. Then he calmly turns his back and walks away.

Players may jump up and down and exclaim he was out and the manager may even come a running. Brother, the umpire simply stands there with his arms folded across his chest and utters not a word. The coach sends his players away with a hand motion. The coach has his say to the ump. The coach makes out like he is mad but suddenly, like an ole hound dog which has been shot with a B B gun, he tucks and trots away.

Folks all of this signaling and use of hands serves a most useful and human purpose.

Many, many years ago a couple of deaf players loved and played the game of baseball. These two gentlemen, a Mr. Luther Taylor and Mr.William Hoy, are owed a tremendous debt of gratitude for their dedicated insistence for use and development of umpire hand signals. Read more

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Quick Hitter - Improve Your Swing!

Quick Hitter - Improve Your Swing!
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The Quick Hitter Batting Trainer delivers a short accurate toss directly in the strike zone. This new soft toss drill improves timing & mechanics by getting kids at the youth level to read and react to the toss more effectively.

This new soft toss technique eliminates the slow arching toss from the side, which in turn helps correct the BIG WIND UP. And all of us coaches know from experience that the big wind up contributes to over striding and a slower swing!

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Styles of Baseball Pitching

Styles of Baseball Pitching
By guest author: Chris Moheno

There are even more styles of pitching than there are for baseball hitting and that's due in part to the specialization of pitchers at the Major League level. You cannot simply be a "pitcher" anymore. You can be a starting pitcher, a closer, a middle reliever, a left handed specialist, or any number of other pitchers... but not just "pitcher". You can try to get people out in many different and assorted ways as well. From a young age, athletes participating in baseball training are learning to tailor their programs and techniques to specific styles, hoping to hone in on a specific area of pitching they can excel at.

What's your goal in the game?

One of the main separators in terms of different styles of pitching is what your goal in the game actually is. A starting pitcher won't have the same goal, and therefore won't have the same techniques, as a closer or middle reliever. Additionally, even different pitchers within the same role, i.e. starter, will have different goals in a specific game. One day your team may be low on available relievers, so as a starting pitcher your goal above all else is to eat up as many innings as possible, as opposed to flat out dominating several.

The different assignments a pitcher will have strongly helps to determine his style of pitching.

How will you get a batter out?

Of course not every pitcher achieves his goal - getting the batter out - in the same way as everybody else. Many pitchers, especially pitchers in Little League and in high school, rely purely on power. They are going to wind up and chuck the ball as hard as they can and hope they can leave the batter swinging and missing. Other pitchers rely more on finesse. That includes using a wide array of successful pitches, including more than one "out" pitch, focusing on pinpoint placement of a pitch and working the count the get the advantage on a batter.

Other styles of pitching include focusing on either producing ground balls or producing fly balls. A ground ball pitcher typically uses many sinkers and other low pitches that induce the batter to hit a ground ball. This provides a great chance at getting the batter out if you can master those pitches. A fly ball pitcher on the other hand tries to pop the batter out and might throw a lot of pitches high and inside. Typically, a ground ball pitcher will be known more as a finesse pitcher whereas a fly ball pitcher is more commonly a power pitcher. Both styles are effective and ultimately what you end up relying on depends on which pitches you can control the best and how fast you can throw the ball.

Windups and Techniques

There are also many different windups and throwing motions that a pitcher can deploy. As a pitcher, you really have to focus your baseball training on methods that will lead to the best results, and learning a new windup or throwing motion can take a great deal of time and effort. Even within one game you will need to use different deliveries or styles of pitching. You can't take a long windup with a base running threat on the bags.

Careers have been saved and lost based around learning new delivery motions and adapting one's self to what you can do the best. Sometimes a pitcher will have no success out of a classic overhand delivery, but will go on to learn an underhand or sidearm delivery and see great results. Deliveries like this are less common and therefore give the pitcher the edge because a batter will have less experience dealing with it.

Baseball hitting is always trying to play catch up to the pitching component of a game. As soon as a new pitch or style of pitching is developed, batters will study it and learn how to try to deal with it.

So as a pitcher you have to stay ahead of the game by really finding out the style of pitching that works best for you and your role in the game. You don't have to - and shouldn't try - to be the best at every pitch, windup or style, but rather focus in on the key areas you can develop to your fullest potential.

Chris Moheno has a long time passion for sports in general and for baseball coaching more specifically.

His goal is to spread the word about effective non-fluff baseball training techniques for both more experienced and young baseball players, to help them perform better during the game. Discover more about baseball training secrets on baseballtrainingsecrets.

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Baseball Strength Training

Baseball Strength Training
By guest author: Kris Saelen

Baseball strength training and conditioning programs depend on the quality of coaching. The importance of coach is not negligible. If a coach is not well-experienced about baseball strength development, then it may lead to shoulder pain or shoulder injuries.

Normally, it is observed that more attention is paid on traditional body building and weight lifting methods. But in baseball, such traditional workouts create trouble and result in unpleasant incidents.

In baseball strength training and conditioning programs, care should be given in exercise selection. More concentration should be given on rotator cuff exercises. It should not be neglected in any case.

The best training and conditioning programs are divided into two categories. They suggest exercises for upper and lower body separately and consider the sensitivity of all organs. The purpose of the programs is to build strength and not to hold risks. This program teaches you better about risk handling.

The upper body exercises are carried out with low weight and lower body exercises with heavy weight. In traditional upper body exercises, push ups are more important. They strengthen the shoulder muscles and rotator cuff. Push ups are more preferable than bench presses. However, bench presses can also be done, yet it should be worked out with great care and concern. Only dumbbells should be used instead of heavy weights. Otherwise, injuries may occur.

Force, strength and speed are significant and vital when it comes to baseball. If the thrower is not able to throw the ball at high velocity then his participation in the team will be a question? In the same way, hitter should be able to hit the ball with extra force and power.

The basic and key purpose of baseball strength training program is to build confidence and also get protection from injuries. In training programs, any little things should not be neglected. Smalls things can make conspicuous difference and can improve your performance.

The major objective of every baseball player is to enhance and increase maximal strength in order to give power-packed hits. When better level of energy is produced, they of course help you in hitting the ball with complete strength. In this contest, bigger muscles are not important, instead stronger muscles are essential.

To enhance the maximal strengths, strength training programs should practice of plyometric exercises for both upper body and lower body. Kicking, jumping, quick changes in directions, sprinting are the most important exercises. Medicine ball exercises should also be incorporated in strength programs. It is a good idea and approach to gain strength, and further convert it into sport specific programs.

Baseball is a game in which sudden movements, reactions and variety of angles are involved. The players should have to respond with explosive power in accurate for achieving winning contest. Baseball strength training and conditioning programs should be developed, supervised and progressed by the experts of concerned field.

Kris Saelen is the webmaster of Baseball Gear - Baseball and Softball Equipment at TheBaseballStore.net. The Online source for baseball and softball equipment at discount prices. Over 300 brands and 20.000 baseball and softball items!

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Make the Perfect Pitching Mound

Make the Perfect Pitching Mound
By guest author: John Grant

Here is a project that when at first may seem daunting, but if you put your mind to it one that can easily be accomplished. That is building a pitching mound. Yeah, sounds a bit scary, right? But with a simple plan and a bit of knowledge, you can tackle this project yourself and will not have to hire a special contractor for it.

The pitching mounds used in the ballparks are built according to a specific size, namely it has to be 10 1/2" inches tall and 18' inches in diameter. The size of the mound can affect the quality of the game, so keep it in mind.

There is more to creating a pitching mound than shoveling bucketfuls of sand onto a surface. To get the pitching mound up to par with what is used in the game, you must have the right tools and materials.

To get started prepare the following materials: silt, clay sand and a rubber mat measuring 24 x 6. For the tools, you need a wheelbarrow, stakes, some string, a measuring tape, a roller press, a rake and shovel.

You begin the process by mixing the silt, sand and clay. Do not just dump everything in at once; mix it properly about an inch at a time. Make sure each component is added in equal amounts. One of the reasons why a lot of pitching mounds do not function properly is that the material used consists only of sand or clay. It has to be a mix of all three, and they must be joined together.

Next use the roller press to spread out the soil until it covers a diameter of 18 inches and it is an inch high.

Take a stake and place it at the 10 inch spot in front of the circle and secure it with a string. From the 17 inch mark of this stake place another one behind the soil. Go around the initial stake you placed. The result will be a more conspicuous slope at the back of your pitching mound. Add some more material into this spot.

Repeat this process for the pitching mound until it reaches ten inches high. At the top, place a stake 10"x 6" just in front of the mound. From five feet behind put in another stake. At the left and right border of the mound place four stakes. Put in half an inch of the composite material you mixed. If you constructed the pitching mound properly, there will be a one inch slope per foot.

Use the roller press to strengthen it. It should be 5 inches wide and 10 ½ inches high. Now you can install the rubber mat. Just put a stake in the center of the mound, Put the mat two inches from the spot where you put the stake, Make sure the front of the mat is centered and that it is set into the soil so it does not move. Once this is done, the pitching mound is finished.

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Our Top 10 Baseball Christmas Gifts List

Our Top 10 Baseball Christmas Gifts List
By guest author: Jeffery A Wise

Even though Christmas is nearly four months away, it's not too early to start thinking about presents. You most likely have a friend or family member who's a baseball fan. Well, here are ten great gift ideas ranging over different age groups. Meaning, whether you have a son in Little League or your dad's been a baseball fan for years, this list will be helpful to you.


Tee ball set. This could be for young players or for anyone just starting out. Even older, experienced players often use a tee set for practice.
Baseball cards. I still have all the baseball cards I collected and received as a kid. For kids who love the sport, this is a great hobby. Or perhaps an adult you know would love a classic baseball card of their favorite player.
Baseball equipment including a glove, bat, baseballs, etc. These are great for anyone just starting to play.
Classic baseball movies like "Major League" and "Field of Dreams"
Clothing for a favorite team including t-shirts, jerseys, hats, etc.
Team mugs or cups. Really, anything with their team's logo is considered a great gift.
Books to teach how to hit a baseball. All players long to improve on their hitting averages. A tool like this can help them accomplish their goals of hitting.
Subscription to MLB.com. A great gift for adults!
Tickets to a Major League Baseball game next season. Living in Tennessee, where there aren't a lot of professional teams nearby, I would kill to get a gift like this for Christmas. Better yet, for those of you who do live near an MLB team, why not purchase season tickets?
Parent playing catch with their child. There's no better gift for a child than time with their parents doing something they love. As children grow up, they won't remember all the gifts you gave them at Christmas, but they will remember whether or not you spent a lot of time with them.
All of these gifts I've either received at one time or would love to receive now. I'm sure you've found something on this list that catches your eye. Start planning now for friends and family who love baseball. This will be the easiest present you purchase this holiday season.

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