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A boy may have a strong arm and know all the mechanics of pitching, but if he doesn’t think about the hitter’s weaknesses and strengths, he’ll become nothing more than a “thrower” and will not help his team much.

A pitcher, even more than a catcher or manager, will know which of his deliveries the batter can or cannot hit. That is, if he studies the hitter constantly. This is just as true in Little League ball as it is in the Major Leagues. As a matter of fact, the younger the hitters are, the more faults they have. Thus, the young pitcher has a great advantage if he thinks about the hitters. Here are some general principles to follow.

Try to get “ahead” of the batter with the first pitch. That doesn’t mean to groove the ball waist high and over the center of the dish. That means get the ball in the strike zone where you think the batter is weakest. If the batter stands so far away from the plate that his bat will not reach the outside corner, there is only one thing to do - pour that fast ball over the outside! If the hitter crowds the plate, fire it over his fists! Now then, if he looks strong at the plate and you know nothing about him, your best pitch is always low and outside or high and inside. Once around the league, the average pitcher should know something about the hitters. Don’t worry about not learning all there is to know about every hitter. If you find one or two with weaknesses and can get them out consistently, you’ve made a good start.

The “situation” (as covered in Chapter 16) tells the pitcher a great deal about what to throw. If he expects a sacrifice, for example, he should pitch high, which will increase the possibility of a pop-up.

If a runner on 3rd streaks for home on a “suicide squeeze” play, he has to keep the ball away from the batter and put it where the catcher can make the tag. (Throwing at the feet of a right-handed batter is recommended; pitch-out if a lefty is at the plate.)

If the pitcher suspects a steal, he shouldn’t throw a slow curve but stick to the fast ball.

When a pitcher has a 3-ball 2-strike count on a hitter, he should go to his best pitch. If his “best” is the curve, use the curve. It it’s the fast ball, use the fast ball. Remember, though, that the “best pitch” may vary from game to game.

Try not to throw the same pitch twice in a row. Change speeds. Move the ball around the strike zone, always shooting at the corners. In doing this, your objective is to upset the hitter’s timing. This is especially important when the pitcher faces the league’s best hitters. The long foul, remember, is just another strike.

The pitcher who gets two quick strikes on the hitter should “waste” the next one by putting it where the batter can’t possibly hit it.

Don’t curve ball a weak hitter! Don’t let up on a weak hitter! If the hitter is really weak, the fast ball can overpower him usually. If you throw the curve, you’re throwing a slow speed pitch and it may be the only one this hitter can get his bat on.

If you’re getting a hitter out regularly with one pitch, don’t start experimenting with another.

If you’re striking a lot of batters out and the game is going well for you, keep that pitching foot on the rubber and pitch as fast as the umpire will let you. On the other hand, if things are going bad, stall all you can to “cool off” the opposition.

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This park opened in 1992 and pays homage to the early days of baseball. With its graceful wrought iron embellishments and brick facade, Oriole Park set the new standard for modern ballparks and is still considered the best park in the country by purists. Architects incorporated the B&O Railroad warehouse into the design of the park, creating a pedestrian area called Eutaw Street where fans can stroll before and after the game. Players who actually hit the warehouse with a home run receive a commemorative plaque on the spot. For a relatively new park, Oriole Park has its share of baseball history. On September 6, 1995 Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig’s record of 2,130 consecutive games, one of baseball’s most treasured records.

Fenway Park, Boston

Fenway is one of only a few remaining original ballparks built in the early 1900s. With its distinctive “Green Monster” left field wall, Fenway presents a challenge to even the best hitters in the game. Ballpark aficionados will appreciate the manual scoreboard that has been used since the park was built in 1912 and the only ladder in play in the major leagues. History buffs will revel in visiting a park that has been home to such baseball greats as Cy Young, Ted Williams, Carlton Fisk and Carl Yastrzemski. At one time, Fenway was also host to the longest drought in World Series history however, the Red Sox finally won the Series in 2004.

Wrigley Field, Chicago

Another historic ballpark, Wrigley Field hosts the Chicago Cubs, the “lovable losers” of baseball. Wrigley is more famous for the historic moments that have happened there than for its comfort or amenities. In fact, the ballpark did not have outdoor lighting until 1988. But it was the site of Babe Ruth’s famous “called home run” in 1932 and Kerry Wood’s 20 strikeout game in 1998. Wrigley is the home of many quirky traditions including flying a flag bearing a “W” or an “L” atop the scoreboard at the conclusion of every game.

AT&T Park, San Francisco

Widely considered the best ballpark in the country by fans and players alike, AT&T Park (formerly Pac Bell Park) was built in 2000. Privately funded by baseball fan and Giant’s team owner Peter Magowan, AT&T Park offers fans spectacular views of San Francisco, an innovative children’s play area and the best public transportation access in the major leagues. Home runs splash into San Francisco Bay where boaters and kayakers float, listening to the game.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Baseball, Games, and Recreation

The game of baseball is said to have started in the beginning of 19th century, but that’s just fragment of the truth. The match was played much before but the first baseball societies were formed around that period. An British named Alexander Cartwright in the year 1845 devised the first set of baseball rules. In fact, many of the rules listed out then are still used in the league.

In 1858, a group of amateur sportsmen came together to form the first baseball game - known as the National Association of Baseball sportsmen. Right from the first year, the National Association of Baseball sportsmen started charging for admission to baseball games.

At the turn of the century, the American Match of baseball came into being and began playing in 1901. The league of baseball was still very much a match of strategy. The match relied on bunting, base stealing and contact hitters. With the invention of the cork centered baseball, all that changed. Because the new baseball permitted for more home runs baseball’s popularity took off and so did the expense of admissions. Throughout the beginning 20th century, the match of baseball relied more and more on the hitting of home runs, and lesson strategy. This was thanks to great baseball players like Babe Ruth, who totally revolutionized the game with his prowess at hitting home runs. It is mainly resulting from the “Babe” that baseball became one of the most accepted sports in America. And it didn’t hurt future baseball players that people were willing to pay to see Babe Ruth play.

Even as late as 1960, rival matches tried to make their way into American baseball. All of them failed to leave any significant mark, and the match is still ruled today by the National and American Matchs. And throughout the last part of the 20th century, baseball became both a game of strategy and hitting. Pitching and home run hitting, though, are the baseball benchmarks of today. Baseball teams are either big winners or big losers, depending on the ability of their bullpens and their home run hitters. And the price of admission still continues to rise.

In the initial 20th century the concentration was more on hitting the home runs. Babe Ruth changed the course of the league with his magical abilities to home runs. It was resulting from sportsmen like Babe Ruth that baseball achieved the levels of popularity that it did. The well-knownity of Babe Ruth also helped in improving the money in the game, since people just went to watch Babe Ruth in action.

Rival matchs kept trying to penetrate into American baseball even as late as 1960. Of course, they all failed to leave any significant mark, and could not challenge the supremacy of the National and American Games that rule the match till date. Baseball became a match of strategy and hitting throughout the last part of the 20th century. However, pitching and home run hitting are the baseball benchmarks of today. Depending on the power of their bullpens and their home run hitters, baseball teams are either big winners or big losers. The only thing that is unchanged is that the price of admission still continues to increase.

Wallace Willis is the editor of
Ticket To Watch Baseball. One
of the leading baseball information resources and online baseball ticket portal.
For more insight, visit http://www.tickettowatchbaseball.com

With the sun beating down on your neck and the bases are loaded, the pressure is on you, the first baseman, to play the game right. Did we mention that you play for the majors? The roar and rumble of the crowd, the dust rising up and glistening in the sunlight, the glares of the opposing team all around, it can be a tough place to focus on the task at hand. And then it happens. Bat hits ball, the fans roar, and second base suddenly throws you fire. Before you can even think about it, you react with the ‘instinct’ which has been trained and integrated into your mind and into your arms for years. And when you look down you have done it. The ball’s in your hand. The batter’s out. You’ve won the game.

Anyone who has a love for the game has experienced these glory moments, be it in reality or only in fantasy. Moreover, for those who are striving to experience more of reality, it is vital to know what you are doing. Making great plays is no accident. It takes practice, discipline, endurance, and knowing how to choose the right equipment.

That’s where Akadema comes in. Known as being ‘on the cutting edge of sports technology’, and backed by Hall of Famer’s galore, Akadema knows baseball. Akadema is back by a design team of professional player Bob Feller, Gary Carter, Carl Yastrzemski, and Ozzie Smith. Moreover, when you are ready to choose a glove, how should you choose them? How do you find the glove that is right for you? It is easier than it looks despite the wide selection and variety out on the market right now.

The first thing to ask yourself is what position you will be playing. Are you known on your team as the star of just one role, or will you be rotating through them all? As the game has evolved, so has the merchandise. There are now gloves for all positions, not just first basemen and pitchers like in the old days. It is important to go to a reputable dealer like Akadema to make sure that you get the right size and fit for you.

Secondly, you should consider the web of the glove. There is only one thing that really matters when it comes to this component. Can you see through it? This will help you to be functional and rid you of unnecessary dirt and other interferences during the game. Webs that are solid work best if you need a sun shield for fly balls.

Next, think about what works better for you; an open back or closed back. Just like the web, this comes down to personal choice and comfort. If you tend to overheat out there on the field, an open back will keep you a little cooler, while also offering you options such as an adjustable wrist strap. Closed backs are a little more solid, offer less breathing room, and yet more support.

The final factor that should be considered is the price of the glove. Nobody wants to spend a lot, but also remember that what you spend also reflects quality and advanced glove technology in many instances. The bigger the brand names the bigger the price tag, so keep that in mind when shopping. Small, reputable manufacturers, such as Akadema can often offer the same quality (or better) for a more reasonable price. Akadema is the choice glove for more than 200 colleges and Universities, as well as major league baseballs such as Mike Myers of the New York Yankees, Manny Ramirez of the Red Sox, Dan Johnson of the Oakland A’s, and Mike Sweeny of the Kansas City Royals.

Scott Peters is an avid baseball fan and baseball equipment retailer. For more information, please go to Choosing a Baseball Glove.

In recent years, the arrival in the United States of players like Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui has enlightened Americans about the popularity of the sport in Japan. But most Americans don’t know that Japan has almost as long a baseball history as the United States.

The exact date that baseball was introduced in Japan is not known, but it is attributed to American professor Horace Wilson sometime between 1867 and 1912. The Japanese people were immediately intrigued by western baseball, seeing psychological similarities between baseball and their native sports of sumo and martial arts.

In the 1930s, a team of famous American baseball players including Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig toured Japan and played games against Japanese college players. Even though the Americans won every game they played, the series helped build interest in baseball throughout Japan. The first Japanese professional team was formed in 1934.

During the years of World War II, as more men joined the military, baseball fell into disfavor and many baseball fields were turned into ammunition dumps or used to grow food crops. However, after Japan was defeated, Allied commanders assisting in the rebuilding of Japan turned to baseball to boost morale and build stronger ties with the west.

In 1950, the Japanese league took on the form it still holds today; two leagues of six teams each. The introduction of television in 1955 brought baseball to a wider audience in Japan as it did in the United States.

There are a few differences in the style and rules of play between modern American and Japanese baseball. The ball used in Japanese baseball is smaller and lighter than the ball used in American baseball. Also, unlike American teams, Japanese teams are only allowed four foreign players per team, two position players and two pitchers.

Stylistically, Japanese coaches focus more on the fundamentals of bunting, base running and fielding whereas American baseball has come to rely heavily on pitching talent and long ball hitting. Because of these differences, Japanese baseball games typically have closer and lower final scores than American baseball games.

In recent years, Japanese baseball teams have been hit hard by players defecting to American teams. The Japanese league and Major League Baseball have an agreement requiring the payment of fees by American teams wanting to recruit Japanese players, but the rules do not apply to free agents. Japanese people today are far more likely to watch an American team on television than they are a Japanese team. Players like Ichiro Suzuki are wildly popular in Japan and are considered national heroes.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Baseball, Golf, and Recreation

Batting or putting the wood to the ball, is the key to the success or failure of the ball club and the individual.

There is no great mystery about what makes a boy a good hitter. He has to have:

1. A certain amount of natural ability
2. A mastery of the fundamentals
3. Confidence in his ability to hit

The phrase natural ability covers a great deal. It means strong arms, wrists and hands; quick reflexes, good coordination, perfect eyesight and speed afoot.

Regardless of how much natural ability a boy has, however, he will not hit as well as he should if he does not master the fundamentals and believe in his ability to hit the ball as it comes through the strike zone. Self confidence, of course, stems from success. Moreover, success in batting comes from practice. The following text describes the mechanics of hitting as they apply to ball players in general. By following the principles involved, the well coordinated boy could easily become the batting star of his team; the average boy could certainly become a better than average hitter.

In learning about batting there are some key points you will need to know. These include areas of

The Stance
The Stride
Arm and Hand Positions
The Swing

The stance required depends on the side they favor. If a boy is right handed, he should turn his left side to the pitcher; the right side if left handed.

The body should be fairly erect and relaxed with the weight distributed evenly on both feet. The hips and shoulders should be level. The feet should be shoulder width apart with the toe of the front foot even with the instep of the rear foot. When the ball is being delivered, the batters heels should be up slightly, his knees flexed slightly.
The stride covers how the call should be hit. As the ball is being delivered to the plate, the batter should raise his front foot just above the ground and slide it forward (toward pitcher) about six inches. This step, a critical part of hitting, begins what is generally termed timing. All other movements that are a part of batting flow from it.

Practice with this formula:

Ready?

Step and twist.
Back to starting position.
Again, step and twist. Back.
Step and twist. Back

Arm and hand positions coordinate with both the stance and the stride. Right handed batters: place your left palm against the front of your right shoulder, little finger down, thumb up. Move the left hand forward about six inches and make a fist.

Left handed batters: place your right palm against the front of your left shoulder, little finger down, thumb up. Move the right hand forward about six inches and make a fist.

The elbow of the arm that is now extended across the body should have almost no bend in it and there should be no strain on the arm. This is the arm and hand that guide the bat through the swing. The opposite arm and hand provide the power.

Make a fist with the Power Hand and place it on top of the Guiding Hand.

Raise the elbow of the Power Arm so it is level with the top of the shoulder. There will be some strain there. Drop this elbow slowly until there is no strain. The elbow of the Power Arm should come to a stop about two inches below the top of the shoulder.

Keep elbows and hands away from the body!

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If you are serious about your youngster playing baseball and really enjoying it, then you need the right equipment. There’s nothing more frustrating to a child than to make learning to field with a glove that is hard as a rock and difficult to break in.

You want to get a glove that the child can use right away with success. If the child can not properly manipulate the glove and catch the ball, they can become discouraged and give up the sport before they really get started.

There are gloves on the market specially designed for those kids that take their baseball seriously. You will want a glove made from supple leather, so the glove is easy to break in. Another benefit of supple leather is the ball will stay in the glove, unlike gloves made from plastic fabric that allow the ball to slip out all too easily.

Two innovations in glove design are incorporated into several of these gloves on the market. There is a three finger design by Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith. The other unique design is a youth catchers mitt by Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter.

The three finger design allows the pinky, ring and middle fingers to be in the same large finger stall. This arrangement allows balls to be scooped easily and facilitates closing the glove.

The unique catcher’s mitt is a hybrid of a first basemans mitt and traditional catchers mitt. With more surface area to catch the ball plus extra padding where you need it, young catchers will find this glove very easy to use. The youngsters hand will be protected and they will experience less ’sting’. Also incorporated into this design is a well defined pocket that allows the ball to easily stay in the glove once it has been caught.

The measure of quality in a glove is the material it is made from and the design for serious youth ball players and are age specific. High quality gloves are made with steerhide or a combination of steerhide and thin more flexable leather used on the back of the glove which makes it light, durable and easy to break in. These types of gloves are typically hand crafted for high quality the serious players demand. Many good quality gloves also incorporate the a velcro wrist strap system, allowing the player to adjust the wrist strap to just the right size.

Youth gloves come in different sizes, for example, and 11.5 inch glove. This measurement is meant to indicate the overall length of the glove. However, there in no standard and you may find that an 11.5 inch glove from one manufacturer is different from another.

Typical sizes are 10.5 inch, 11 inch, 11.25 inch and 11.5 inch. There