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!

===============

Thanks to our sponsors:


SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!

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.

=============
Thanks to our sponsors:

=======================================
Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine
=======================================

Derek Jeter Hurricane Machine Training Blog

HurricaneMachine.com - Links

---15 Reasons To Buy a Hurricane Trainer
---6 Questions Often Asked By Customers
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---Hurricane Hitting Machine Drills
---20-Minute Hurricane Batting Practice Workout
---Hurricane Hitting Machine Video Demo Clips

Baseball2u.com has a one of the internet's largest selections of baseball coaching and training dvds

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.

============
Thanks to our sponsors:



Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer
QuickSwingTrainer.com
How Does the Quick Swing Batting Trainer Work?
Joe Mauer Quick Swing Links
Video Demo of the Joe Mauer Quick Swing Baseball Batting Trainer


Jugs Small Ball Pitching Machine

Baseball Season and Best Little League Baseball Bats

Baseball Season and Best Little League Baseball Bats
By guest author: Phillip Matin

The moment you have to participate in any event it is important that you need to select the perfect quality bats. There certainly are a number of manufacturers who make quality baseball bats that are very much suitable so they can be used in different types of events and leagues. There are a number of organizations that also have their personal requirements regarding the equipments they are making use of. The moment you have to select any quality bats you just have to be sure that you select one that is of perfect length and diameter. There are also a number of such leagues that allow players to make use of non-wooden materials.

Always bear in mind that these bats that are made up of alloys certainly are very much lighter in weight. This is one factor that is very much important the moment you need more swing from your bat. This is very much convenient factor for a number of new players as they just don't have to try and apply too much of power to hold the bat and strike the ball to a far off distance. These bats are designed such that they can generate right amount of power and speed required to swing the ball. It is very much important that you need to try and select a bat that is just the right type. It is important that you need to pick the right weight and length of the baseball bat.

You can also try and refer different types of information and charts that are available online. These can always be used as the best guideline when selecting a perfect bat for your youth. You certainly can search for a number of such websites online over the internet. When selecting the right type of bats it is important that you try and pick one that matches perfectly with your height and weight. You certainly can find a number of such websites that offer you with multiple charts which make use of height and weight of the players. There are also chances that when selecting any genuine baseball bat, you just need to try and make use of non-technological means that are in fact more effective. One of the best options when selecting any bat is that you should hold and try to swing the bat for a few minutes.

You can also try and play a few rounds before selecting one bat as you can be sure that this bat is offering you with perfect amount of power and swing that is required to drive the ball away to a far off distance. This is one of the best non-technical way that you can use when selecting little league baseball bats.

==============

Thanks to our sponsors:



Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer
QuickSwingTrainer.com
How Does the Quick Swing Batting Trainer Work?
Joe Mauer Quick Swing Links
Video Demo of the Joe Mauer Quick Swing Baseball Batting Trainer


Jugs Small Ball Pitching Machine

Teaching Baseball Mental Techniques

Teaching Baseball Mental Techniques
By guest author: Robert Bulka

Physical Vs Mental Skills

Ask any baseball fan what it takes to succeed as a baseball player and they usually talk about bat speed, arm strength, foot speed and power. You very rarely ever hear them mention the mental skills required to excel in the game. The important mental techniques include focus, concentration, confidence and composure. That is why it is important to start teaching baseball mental techniques early in a player's development.

Why is having the mental tools so important to making it in the game? All you have to do is look at the minor league farm clubs to see that the vast majority of players there have the physical skills needed to make it to the next level but don't have the cognitive skills to take them there.

How do you go about teaching baseball mental techniques?

There are some tips for developing the mental skills needed to make it to that elite level: teach visualization, use the 10 second rule and overcoming failure.


Visualization Since baseball is a game of adversity and failure is ever present, using visualization techniques help to clear the mind of negative thoughts, avoid distractions and provides a mental road map for the task at hand. Visualization is a very good baseball mental technique.
10 Second Rule Many young bright baseball stars lack the maturity to control their emotions and it takes them off their game. The 10 second rule is designed to help control the reactive emotional outburst of dissatisfaction. The tip is to count to 10 before you react or speak after a tense situation. This is a great tip when teaching baseball mental techniques.
Overcoming Failure As I stated before, baseball is a game of constant failure. If you get a hit thirty percent of the time you are considered an above average hitter. If you're a pitcher you are constantly dealing with walks, hits, home runs, past balls and errors committed by your teammates.

===========
Thanks to our sponsors:

http://baseballmitts.org

http://nokonaglove.net

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

How to Buy Portable Batting Cages

How to Buy Portable Batting Cages
By guest author: Andy Brock

Do you want to practice your batting skills anywhere you want? Or do you want to practice indoors or outdoors without buying a new batting cage? The solution to your problem is the portable batting cage. Portable batting cages, as the name suggests, are cages that can be transported from one location or place to another and can be disassembled and kept into a storage area for future use. But just like buying a standard batting cage, you also have to consider several things when buying a portable cage. Here are some tips for buying portable batting cages.


The first consideration that you have to think about is the durability of the cage, especially if the users are adults or if it will be used often. Check for the materials used for the pipes and the netting. Netting is especially important because this limits the ball from going somewhere far from your playing space. If the adult player hits too hard, the netting might be damaged and may cause the ball to go out of the cage and hit other things that should not be hit such as a neighbor's glass window or a passer-by's face. Choose nets that have protection for UV rays.
Portable batting cages should also be light so that you can easily transport them from one place to another. But make sure that it is strong enough to withstand strong winds when you are using it outdoors. Since your main reason for buying a portable cage is because you can assemble and disassemble it for travel or storage, you have to make sure that the portable batting cage that you use can easily be broken apart and put back together. The maximum number of minutes you should allow yourself in assembling a portable batting cage is only half an hour. More than this amount of time is spending too much time on assembling the cage.
Just like a standard batting cage, you should also consider the type of netting. Nettings are made of different materials, but the best material for the netting that requires heavy usage is knotted nylons. They are more expensive than, say, polyester nets but they are easier to repair when damaged.
You should also choose durable accessories for your batting cage such as the L screen. This is the protection that surrounds the live pitcher or the pitching machines from the balls hit by the batter. Some models included this in their batting cage set but others do not. This will benefit you in the long run that is why you should also invest on this.

==============
Thanks to our sponsors:

XtenderBattingCages.com
Xtender Batting Cages For Home & Youth Baseball
Heater Combo Pitching Machine & Xtender Batting Cage Package
Heater Pitching Machines

Coaching T-Ball - Choosing the Right Equipment

Coaching T-Ball - Choosing the Right Equipment
By guest author: David Comora

Spring is well underway, which means its T-Ball season. One of the most common questions that parents and coaches of new players have concerns purchasing equipment for their teams and for their children. We thought it was time to address many of those questions, in order to give you some guidance on how to go about selecting the right equipment for your players.

For those of you who are new coaches and are wondering what kind of equipment you can expect to receive for your team, typically, your league's equipment manager will contact you and they will give you instructions on where and when to pick up your team's equipment. You will normally receive an equipment bag with a tee, a box of tee-balls for practices and games,3 to 4 helmets with chin straps, and a tee-ball bat or two. Actual number of items will vary based upon your leagues discretion.

One piece of safety equipment to be aware of is a heart guard. This piece of protective gear, when worn properly, will prevent a player from receiving serious injury if hit with a batted tee-ball in chest around the heart area. If the league requires a heart guard be worn, each parent or coach must abide by this rule. However, eve If the league does not require a heart guard, I would make sure the parents of your players are aware of it so they can decide if they want their children to wear one.

Glove sizes range from a size 8 to 11 in ½ increments depending on the size of your child's hand. The size is normally indicated on each glove. A good bench mark is to have your child try on the glove and ask them to squeeze it. If they are having trouble closing the glove, it is probably too big. The glove should also adequately cover the lower portion of the palm at the beginning of the wrist. Glove manufacturers have made great improvements over the years in which most gloves do not require a tremendous amount of "breaking in". "Breaking in" a glove is opening and closing the glove to remove some of its initial stiffness. There is nothing like the feeling of a broken-in glove. Its always good to keep a baseball or tee-ball in the glove at all times when not in use. The beauty of glove leather is it has a memory and by placing a ball in the glove when not in use, the glove pocket will take the shape of the ball.

Most tee-ball leagues will provide one tee-ball bat, so if parents would like to purchase their own bat, I would recommend doing so. Tee-ball bats range in length and weight. To find the right size bat for your child, have your child pick out a bat they like and hold the bat in their power hand (the left hand for right handed batters and the right hand for left handed batters) with the arm and bat fully extended and parallel to the ground. The child should hold this position for 30 seconds and if the arm and bat do not sag and lose their parallel position with the ground, the size is correct for your child. In general, we always have our players err on the lighter side. Read more.

=============
Thanks to our sponsors:

=======================================
Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine
=======================================

Derek Jeter Hurricane Machine Training Blog

HurricaneMachine.com - Links

---15 Reasons To Buy a Hurricane Trainer
---6 Questions Often Asked By Customers
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---Hurricane Hitting Machine Drills
---20-Minute Hurricane Batting Practice Workout
---Hurricane Hitting Machine Video Demo Clips

Baseball2u.com has a one of the internet's largest selections of baseball coaching and training dvds

The Importance of a Batting Cage Net

The Importance of a Batting Cage Net
By guest author: Y. Tilden


The use of a batting cage net is essential in making baseball practices more efficient, practical and just plain fun. Naturally, not just any ordinary net will do, considering the power and impacts that these practice tools must withstand.

Cage nets come in different deniers, or thread counts, of twine-type materials, most commonly nylon or polyethylene. While cheap nets can readily be sourced from certain places, chances are these nets will be made of low-quality material and may break easily with the amount of force a good pitch can deliver. This, of course, defeats the original purpose of the net.

Nets for batting cages are meant to trap balls thrown as missed pitches. This saves a lot of time and energy that would otherwise be wasted collecting errant balls on a field or even in the stands. With such a tool, players and other team members are focused on the task at hand, which in this case, is batting practice.

Batting nets are most often left stationary; that is, attached to a batting cage without ever being removed. As such, they are exposed to all the harshness that the elements can bring. A scorching sun, for example, emits UV rays that can rapidly weaken the twine that makes up a cage net. Rain, snow and freezing winds can also do their own damage to a net.

Manufacturers of high-quality nets counter the damage the elements can inflict with specialized chemical solutions such as UV inhibitors. Of course, using only the finest high-density, non-corrosive fibers should be a given as well. These factors, among others, spell the difference between a bargain-bin batting cage net and one that will truly perform for its users.

===========
Thanks to our sponsors:



Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer
QuickSwingTrainer.com
How Does the Quick Swing Batting Trainer Work?
Joe Mauer Quick Swing Links
Video Demo of the Joe Mauer Quick Swing Baseball Batting Trainer


Jugs Small Ball Pitching Machine

The Basics of Swing Building in Baseball

The Basics of Swing Building in Baseball
By guest author: John Peter Pero

Build a house or build a swing.it all starts with a good foundation.

You will play as good as you practice!

Writing a single article on something so complex that it causes sleepless nights for the best trained and paid talents in the world is daunting.at least to this coach.

Styles vs. Absolutes

First - I cannot and will not debate hitting styles, though I certainly have my opinion. The reality is that half of the Hall of Fame has an unconventional swing. I will leave this area to you in hopes that you will stay on the straight and narrow and will continue gaining the knowledge it takes to help ALL your players season after season.

Here's a hint

Anything resembling the teachings of Ted Williams or The Mike Schmidt Hitting Study will keep you on the right road.

For every bad swing a hitter practices...it may take three swings to correct!

Here's where I've chosen to start.by making one assumption.

(Be brutally honest with yourself before incorporating the steps below!)

I will assume that your player(s) have a basic working knowledge of good swing mechanics. Players who practice incorrectly not only waste time, but tend to go backwards to the point that it can affect their future success and love of the game. The baseball road is littered with talented players who have been eliminated from the game prematurely when poor youth baseball swing mechanics become overmatched by superior pitching and the improvement of their own teammates. Read more.

============
Thanks to our sponsors:



Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer
QuickSwingTrainer.com
How Does the Quick Swing Batting Trainer Work?
Joe Mauer Quick Swing Links
Video Demo of the Joe Mauer Quick Swing Baseball Batting Trainer


Jugs Small Ball Pitching Machine

Tips For a Great Batting Practice

Tips For a Great Batting Practice
By guest author: Mike Posey

Batting practice is an important ingredient to every practice, but it can also be a time waster. Many players at a young age accomplish little during an ineffective BP session. Here are a few tips to help every coach run a quick paced, exciting, BP session.

Batting Practices that Rock!


Stay in Small Groups. Divide your team into groups of 4 or 5. One group can hit BP, one can be in the field shagging balls, and one group can be with another coach in the batting cages working on tee drills or toss drills.
Good Batting Practice Pitchers Throw Strikes. A good BP pitcher must throw a lot of strikes and keep the pace moving. We also use a hack-attack pitching machine twice a week to supplement our pitching. Use coaches to throw BP when possible and let the players throw in scrimmages.
Take Quick Short Rounds Hit in quick short rounds of no more than eight (8) swings. Keep the hitters moving in and out. Usually hit 3-5 rounds.
Have a Goal for Each Round Each round must have a purpose. First round can be to the opposite field, second round can be hit and run, third round can be moving runners over from second, etc.
Use a Lightning Round at the End. Lightning rounds can be fun as the last round. The concept of a lightning round is every hitter gets one pitch, if he hits a line drive then he gets a second pitch. Every line drive will result in another chance. If they miss, then the next player jumps in. Keep them moving in and out.
Use a Roll On Batting Tunnel A portable roll on tunnel will help BP move much faster. Every league should invest in a good roll on to use every day at practice.
Hustle make sure everyone is busy and hustles when changing groups. Group in the field can rotate to the cages, the cage group rotates to the field BP, and the BP hitters go to the field. Use a stop watch or field timer if needed (you can even use an air horn when its time to change groups, train them to hustle)
Running the Bases If you have enough players for a fourth group, then add a base running group. If not, you can have groups of four or five, with two base runners while the others hit. But plan to practice base running at times during BP.
Take Ground Balls If possible, have fielders rotate into short and second. A coach (or volunteer) can hit fungo ground balls in between BP pitches.
Situational Hitting Some BP sessions can include a round of situational hitting. The coach calls out the situation for the hitter to execute (if you have runners on base, put them in a situation). For example, runners on third with no outs. (hit a ground ball in the infield or outfield fly ball) Runner at second base with no outs (hit behind the runner to move him up to third base)

Batting practice should be fun. Keep them moving and throw strikes.

===========
Thanks to our sponsors:



Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer
QuickSwingTrainer.com
How Does the Quick Swing Batting Trainer Work?
Joe Mauer Quick Swing Links
Video Demo of the Joe Mauer Quick Swing Baseball Batting Trainer


Jugs Small Ball Pitching Machine

Finding Quality Batting Cages for Sale

Finding Quality Batting Cages for Sale
By guest author: Jason Gluckman

Batting cages are an essential tool for any softball or baseball organization. They are used both by batting coaches and by recreational athletes to help improve a batter's speed or to improve his or her accuracy in hitting a ball. However, baseball coaches often need assistance in finding the best places to purchase batting cages.

When browsing batting cages for sale, there are a few options. Because batting cages are used for both commercial and recreational activity, vendors offer a variety of styles and prices, including indoor and outdoor batting cages, as well as portable and tunnel style cages.

Batting cage equipment can be purchased through many sporting goods stores and suppliers. In addition, batting cage equipment can be ordered online and, in some cases, delivered as soon as the next business day. The quality, material, and size of the net and frame will largely determine the price of the batting cages. Be sure to inquire about a product's warranty.

New batting cages can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. The least expensive option is a simple batting cage kit, which can sometimes cost less than $100. Small, portable batting cages start at approximately $400, and larger, heavy duty cages can cost upwards of $1,600.

Depending on where you shop, the price may be negotiable. For example, a baseball coach may find it advantageous to participate in an auction of city equipment, some of which may come from the parks and recreation department. Such opportunities may provide very good values.

Batting Cages Info provides detailed information about batting cage equipment and indoor, outdoor, portable, and tunnel batting cages for sale. Batting Cages Info is the sister site of Trampolines Web.

==========
Thanks to our sponsors:



Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer
QuickSwingTrainer.com
How Does the Quick Swing Batting Trainer Work?
Joe Mauer Quick Swing Links
Video Demo of the Joe Mauer Quick Swing Baseball Batting Trainer


Jugs Small Ball Pitching Machine