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The Easy Buying Guide for Baseballs and Bats

With all the choices out there these days, deciding which baseballs and bats to buy can be an overwhelming task. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about these two very important pieces of baseball equipment.

Baseballs

Ever wonder what's inside a baseball and what makes one baseball better than another? You're not alone. To answer that question, you must become familiar with the four essential parts of a baseball:

Baseball Covers

There two types of baseball covers: leather and synthetic. Leather covers are the "traditional" choice and are used at higher levels of play. They offer a better grip and are generally more expensive. Synthetic covers are made from vinyl and are more resistant to water, dirt, and stains. Baseballs with synthetic covers are less costly than leather baseballs.

Baseball Stitching

There are three main forms of baseball stitching. The first form is raised seams. This type of stitching is prominently raised and can benefit pitchers as the raised seams lead to greater ball movement. The second form is standard seams. This type of stitching is not as pronounced as the raised seams. It is also called "major league stitching" because it is the type of stitching used in the major leagues. The third form is flat seams. Flat seams are used for pitching machines or practices and are rarely used in games.

Baseball Windings

The baseball windings are found under the cover and are made of yarn and thread. The yarn is either made of pure wool or wool blends. Pure wool windings are offer the best compression and shape retention. Wool blend windings are more common. The wool purity and the tightness of the thread determine the quality of the windings.

Baseball Cores

The core of the baseball is found in the middle of the baseball windings. High quality baseballs have cushioned cork cores that consist of cork wrapped in rubber. Lower quality baseball cores are made of solid rubber or a cork and rubber composite.

Bats

Baseball bats are a hitter's tool and must be chosen carefully. There are three primary types of bats to choose from: aluminum or aluminum alloys, composite, and wood.

Aluminum or Aluminum Alloy Bats

Aluminum or aluminum alloy bats have been the primary choice for most youth leagues for many years. Aluminum bats are light and durable. There are many different alloys or combinations of metals that are used in aluminum bats, each having their own unique set of properties. The most common alloy is 7046 but there are others that give the bat more durability and strength, such as CU31/7050, C405/7055, and C555. You can expect to pay slightly more for these stronger alloys.

In addition to the alloy of the aluminum bat, the construction of the bat is also a factor in the durability and performance. Double-layer aluminum bats offer increased power and durability. One type of metal treatment used is cryogenic treating. This method of metal treatment involves freezing then heating the metal to increase strength, power, and reduce vibration. Both of these types of aluminum bats will be more pricy as they offer better overall performance.

Composite Bats

There has been a lot of controversy since the introduction of composite bats. Composite bats are simply bats made of lighter, stronger materials such as graphite or titanium. These materials are usually used as linings on thin walls of aluminum. They can reduce the wall thickness considerably thereby increasing overall bat speed and power. Other advantages are that composite bats typically have a larger "sweet spot" and vibration is reduced considerably from the standard aluminum bat.

Composite bats do have disadvantages. The first disadvantage is that composite bats cannot be used in cold weather or they are at risk of cracking. Also, composite bats typically have a "breaking-in" period whereby they need to be used for a period of time before they reach full performance levels.

Composite bats have been under fire in recent years due to studies that have indicated that the ball-exit-speed-ratio (BESR) for some brands of these bats is beyond the safe limits for use in regulation play. This argument is still being debated and has resulted in banning these types of bats in some organized leagues.

Nevertheless, composite bats are still a very popular choice for many high school and collegiate leagues. Always check the BESR rating for the bat versus your league rules before purchasing, and expect to pay considerably more for the added performance.

Wood Bats

While wood bats were the only choice of baseball bats until the 1970s, the use of these bats in youth leagues has all but vanished. Wood bats these days are typically only used in professional leagues. Nevertheless, they are still a viable choice for anyone that is looking to purchase a bat.

Wood bats have three significant disadvantages. They splinter and break easily, they have a very small sweet spot, and they have much less hitting power than aluminum or composite materials.

When purchasing baseballs and bats, always consider your requirements versus the performance and price of the equipment. Use the above guidelines to help you determine the perfect equipment for your needs.

Dustin Peek is a former player with a life-long love for the game of baseball. He enjoys helping players of all ages learn the skills necessary to be successful on the diamond. Do you want to learn more about buying baseballs and bats? Find this and much more at: http://www.baseballskillscenter.com

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Autographed Baseballs

Proper storage of autographed baseballs is a must. You should keep in mind that these are your most prized sports possession. Upon seeing them, you will be reminded of the glorious career path of your favourite baseball player. You will have to be mindful in the proper way of storing your baseball souvenirs especially those with the autograph of your favourite baseball stars.

When you display your autographed baseballs, you must use a case for it. This will keep things organized and will prevent the damaging of the balls. The main goal of proper storage is to keep the signature from fading off the autographed baseballs. Find the best materials to use for your autographed baseballs. The material must be strong and durable enough to protect the item in the most possible way. You can check with Lucite case or acrylic material. The cover must be removable to hold the piece of the baseballs. You can find these store cases and display cabinets in various hobby shops in town.

You may include your autographed baseballs with the rest of items you have collected throughout the years. Place them in your sports memorabilia cabinet and you can highlight these autographed baseballs by placing them in a pedestal that all your visitors can see. You may include the baseballs with your baseball card, baseball photos and even pins and caps.

You can have your creativity going by making sports scrapbooks. You can possibly create a sports scrapbook that you can display and read through your future kids to inculcate with them how baseball made your life worthwhile. You can include photos of your autographed baseballs as you hold and aim on it. You can make an article about your autographed baseballs and post it in your scrapbook. If you have a continuous internet access you can make your own website or webpage to display your most prized sports souvenirs. Include in the website the important autographed baseballs you have. In this way, you can encourage other sports enthusiasts to make their own way of expressing their devotion to your most favourite type of sport.

When choosing for the best display cabinet, you must choose hardwood cases. The case must shape like a baseball too. You have to keep in mind, that the inner surface of the cabinet must be smooth and round indentions to secure that the surface of the balls will not be marred and scarred.

If you have a ball which has signatures of several baseball players, you can rotate the baseball from time to time. This will provide each signature of a player to be recognized. You can even include a small biography and research for career time line of the player. This can help the visitors associate the player and the successful years the player had at the height of a baseball career. You must protect the signatures from fading. Try using a clean cloth to cover the balls when nobody is viewing it. This autographed baseball is a timeless treasure you can share to everybody.

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Vintage Baseball Gloves

In the early days, players were expected to take the field without protective gear such as a baseball glove. But later, for protection, the players started using baseball gloves to prevent bone contusions and tissue damage.

Baseball gloves used by great players are in great demand. A vintage baseball glove is a unique gift idea for those who want to cherish the memory of great players from the past. Vintage baseball gloves are available in different sizes, shapes, styles, and designs.

The simplicity and exquisiteness of vintage baseball gloves have made them a perfect gift for those who love baseball. Today, dozens of brands and hundreds of different models of baseball gloves are available to choose from. Good sources for purchasing vintage baseball gloves include antique stores, vintage-clothing stores, and museums. Their large selection of designs will help you to find the glove that you are looking for.

The gloves used in early days of baseball were hand-stitched and hand-sewn. Over the years, baseball gloves have undergone changes in style and size. Nowadays, replicas of baseball gloves, which were used in early days, are available on the market.

Vintage baseball gloves were made of durable, lightweight leather. The pricing of vintage baseball gloves depends on the condition. Made from burgundy-colored leather, the 1908-Spaulding fielder's glove with a full-sewn web is a great vintage baseball glove. This early baseball glove is of the highest quality. The 1940's U.S. army fielders' glove is a wonderful, high-quality glove made in Ripon, Wisconsin. The Joe Cronin, 1915-20 youth-size fielder's glove, and 1915-20 fielder's glove are some examples of split-finger gloves used in the early days.

Proper care of vintage baseball gloves can increase their lifespan. They are best stored in dry places. Vintage baseball gloves are kept in specially made glove boxes or in plastic containers, with the objective of keeping the gloves in their original conditions of softness, smoothness, and suppleness.

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Evolution of Baseball Glove Manufacturing and Today's Current Brands

Baseball mitts are a common part of a baseball players' equipment. These special baseball gloves are made of different types of leather. Mitts can be only worn by the catchers or by the first basemen. It is very important to know that mitts are gloves that are made without fingers.

In the beginning of baseball, catchers used to play with bare hands. However, today catchers wear mitts. Doug Alison that played in the Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1870 was the first player, who had mitts on his hands. However, there are some speculations that Charles Waite was the one who used them first.

In 1920, Bill Doak made a suggestion how to improve baseball mitts. After that, they were made with and a pocket. That pocket helped the catchers to catch the ball much easier. This new design became widely used in manufacturing new baseball mitts. However, after a while, baseball mitts were produced in bigger size. Bigger mitts made a huge step in the history of baseball. Catchers were able to catch the ball with one hand in comparison to earlier periods, when they had to use both their hands.

Nowadays, the baseball rules determine the shape and the size of baseball mitts. Modern baseball mitts are made to be precise and efficient. Manufacturers create different types of baseball mitts in order to answer to various needs. The best quality baseball mitts are made out of heavy leather. There are indeed many types of mitts. Baseball mitts come with extra padding. Their unique shape of a claw helps the catcher catch the very fast balls. Baseball adult sizes vary from 32 to 34 inch.

Different companies make baseball gloves or mitts. Some well known manufacturers of baseball equipment are Wilson, Nokona and Rawlingsgear. Wilson's mitt, which is universally known by its original stock number A2000, was constructed in 1957.Wilson's offer all type of gloves for different positions. Above all, they brought to the market their new A2000 Showcase.

Nokona's had many years of experience with leather. Their radical innovations helped them to produce unique and quality gloves for each position. For instance, their Bloodline series offers high quality materials and the best fit. However, some other companies produce gloves for various positions in baseball. One of them is Rawlings. Moreover, Rawlings is also successful in producing youth gloves.

Though all mitts are made of leather, different companies choose different leathers to make the gloves. Buffalo, kangaroo, or cowhide leathers are usually used in their production. The gloves are machine made, though custom made gloves are also available. Ordered gloves, are made by hand, so their price is significantly higher. All of them come in different range of prices, from very cheap to expensive ones.

A type of a glove that you are going to choose depends on few factors. First, there is the difference between youth and adult mitts. Then, there are different types for each position in baseball. The price is also an important factor while purchasing a baseball glove. Each extra spent dollar on the glove is always good investment.

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Cheating? Who's cheating? When an egghead chemistry professor (Ray Milland) stumbles upon a formula for making baseballs resistant to the touch of wood, he sneaks a little onto a pitcher's glove and for a time has a career throwing from a major league mound. Set aside ethical concerns: this light comedy is in an Absent-Minded Professor mold, with balls clownishly, impossibly dancing around the swing of batters. (Besides that, the climax requires an act of minor heroism on the prof's part when the magic suddenly isn't there.) Directed by Lloyd Bacon (42nd Street), the movie is a lot of fun for all ages and proves that you can make kids hysterical with silly action without wrapping a stupid, crude story around it. With Ed Begley, Alan Hale Jr., and Paul Douglas. --Tom Keogh

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Youth Baseball Digest - Arrogant Coach, You're So Vain, You Probably Think This Article is About You

One of my biggest "pet peeves" in baseball and life is when I have to associate with coaches that think too highly of themselves. They have overbearing and arrogant attitudes. They are "know-it-alls" that put themselves on a pedestal above the game, above their peer, and above their players. I would have to say that 99.9% of all baseball coaches that I have ever met are sociable, likable, and humble people that know their true worth and importance to the game of baseball. That other 1/10 of 1 percent of all baseball coaches too arrogant for my liking.

Arrogance is defined by Webster as an offensive display of superiority or self-importance; overbearing pride. You have seen coaches like I am describing. They are completely "full of themselves". They feel that they are the object around which the world of baseball revolves.

These baseball coaches are easy to spot. They are overly loud. They are overbearing. They are too flashy for their own good. They want to be seen and to put on a "show".

Many of these coaches feel that baseball is privileged to have them. They consider themselves as "God's Gift to Baseball". They highly overestimate their self worth and importance to baseball. Many of these coaches are young and too inexperienced to know better. As they mature they begin to realize that baseball coaching success can be achieved without making enemies and alienating people by being too arrogant.

I am a firm believer that two qualities that every person in life must learn are humility and modesty. Players must understand that baseball is bigger than one team, one player, one league, one season, or one career. Baseball is "God's Gift" to us as players and coaches. It is a privilege to coach and play it. Every player and coach has a duty and responsibility to protect the values and virtues of the game.

There is no need or place for arrogance in baseball. You can have pride and confidence as a player and coach without being a "jerk".

I hope this article was informative to you. Good luck to you and your team in the coming season. Have a great day, Nick.

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Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, a sports training company established in 1999. Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Target Trainer, the SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and the SKLZ Strikeback Trainer. Dixon is also a contributing writer for BaseballCoachingDigest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

Don't Get Embarrassed - Stay Focused on the Baseball Game

How Many Outs Are There?

Mental Baseball Coaching

What's the difference between a good baseball player and a great baseball player? Most of us might say foot speed or homerun power or a powerful arm. But the reality is what separates the elite from the rest of the crowd is having mental maturity and a baseball mind?

What is a baseball mind? It's being able overcome the stress and pressure of the game. It is the ability to comeback after repeated failure, understand baseball psychology and have mental foresight.

It's true! According to the top professional baseball scouts, players at the AAA level (one below the major leagues) what separates the 5% from the rest of the best is having that baseball mindset, the ability to overcome intimidation and keeping your cool. You see at the AAA baseball level most of the players are equal in their physical baseball talents - it is their mental game that sets them apart.

This is an extremely important baseball skill that seems to be overlooked when we teach our kids baseball. So if you want to make yourself a top level coach, even in youth baseball league, it is a good idea to enhance your mental baseball coaching skills. Here are a few ideas mental baseball training techniques you can introduce to even very young players.

Teach Optimism and Positive Thinking

Baseball is a tough game because there is so much failure. Case in point, a good hitter is one that gets a hit 3 out of every 10 at-bat and a good team winning percentage is over .500. Being successful in mental baseball coaching is being able to teach your kids to not get discouraged. You need to explain to the kids exactly what baseball is full of adversity and you have to believe in yourself and not be afraid to fail.

Teach Them To Avoid Distraction

It's amazing that even at the major league level, players make mental mistakes all the time because they are not focused and get distracted. Players throw the ball to the wrong base, forget how many outs there are and even forget the game situation. All of these are unacceptable at any level.

A great tip for keeping the young baseball player's mind from being distracted is that before each pitch, ask themselves these questions: How many outs? What's the count? How many men on base? and most importantly, what am I going to do when the ball is hit to me. Answering these questions will distract them from being distracted (hey, a Yogi-ism).

So give your youth baseball players some advanced mental baseball techniques and set them on the road to success. It's something they can use in all aspects of their lives. Being a mental baseball coach is not rocket science, in fact it is common sense. Good Luck!

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A Brief History of the Baseball Glove

Baseball has long been praised as America's favorite pastime. Baseball gloves have been used for nearly as long as the baseball game has existed are a very integral part of the sport.

The first baseball gloves were used in the 1870s and are very different from the baseball gloves we use today. Prior to the late 1800's, the sport of baseball was much more rugged than what we are accustomed to today; players were expected to catch or knock the ball with no protection. One can only imagine the injuries sustained from this practice.

Early baseball gloves were fairly simple as compared to today's standards. The basic idea was to create a glove that would pad and protect the players' hands and provide a cushion for catching the ball. Surprisingly, the first gloves were designed so the player could knock the ball to the ground and not necessarily catch it. History's first baseball gloves were made from pieces of leather sewn together to fit over a player's hand. Not nearly as padded, thick or advanced style-wise, early baseball gloves are on display at many sport and baseball museums across the country.

The first players to use baseball gloves were often taunted and teased as being "too soft" or "sissies" because they did not want to catch the ball with their bare hands. It is difficult to understand the resistance and fun-poking of the late 19th century since baseball gloves are a standard item used in modern games. Eventually, however, the use of baseball gloves became more accepted and a safety standard in the sport.

The history of baseball gloves is a colorful one with many advances in comfort and safety. The evolution of baseball gloves has helped to shape the game and many cannot imagine the sport without them.

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What Baseball Scouts Are Looking For - A Parents' Perspective

Trying to understand baseball scouting can be confusing and frustrating for hopeful baseball players, parents and coaches. Why some players are considered "prospects" and get drafted whereas other players who appear to be more successful are not given the time of day, creates the confusion and frustration.

Before going into detail on what baseball scouts are looking for when scouting, there are some questions players and parents should answer as to whether a player is a possible draft choice.

1. Is the position player far and away the best athlete on the team? If a player is not the best athlete on a high school or college team, chances are they do not have major league potential. The only exception is a hitter who has unbelievable power.

2. Does the player or pitcher dominate at his level or have the "wow" factor? This player may or may not have overwhelming statistics but they definitely possess the "wow" factor. A player who displays a skill where everyone watching says "wow" is what I am talking about. Chances are if the player does not over-match or show the wow factor at the pre-professional level, they are not good enough to merit a professional opportunity.

3. Even if a player dominates, is the competition level advanced enough to determine that a player may have pro potential? It is important to watch how a player does when facing the top players on the opposing teams. Many players can dominate against average competition but not against the top competition.

4. Does the player appear to have a love of playing baseball? Many apparently dominant players are never drafted because they do not have a passion for the game. Without an intense passion for the game, scouts know that players will never withstand the rigors of a 162 game season.

I have had many experiences dealing with baseball scouts on my way to a major league career, as well as helping my son play professional baseball. I was a player who had borderline major league skills but was drafted in the major league draft. My son, who has very projectable major league skills, never was drafted into professional baseball. Once again, understanding what scouts are looking for can be confusing and frustrating, but there is a method to the madness.

It is important to understand a couple of common baseball terms that baseball scouts use. The first one is projectable. Baseball scouts are in the business of projecting where a baseball player will be in a few years. They look at players' physical attributes and try to determine if they can realistically play major league baseball. The second term that is necessary to understand is tools. In baseball, scouts rate players tools - running, throwing, fielding, hitting and hitting with power for position players. Pitchers tools are rated on a different scale - arm speed, arm action, arm strength, off speed pitches and control.

Players must possess "plus tools" by the time they reach draft age in order for scouts to consider them for the major league draft. Observing scouts must feel like a drafted player can develop and refine their advanced tools to major league caliber skills. Rarely will a player develop professional tools if they are not evident by the time a player reaches draft age, 18 to 21 years old. Therefore, if a player cannot run, throw or hit close to major league skill levels by these ages, they will not be drafted into professional baseball.

What are those levels for position players?

1. Players must be able to throw the ball at least 85 miles an hour.

2. They must be able to run the 40-yard dash well under 5 seconds, with catchers given a slight exception.

3. They must be able to get the ball to jump off their bat producing groundballs that get through infield holes and line drives that can get to and through the gaps in the outfield, if not out of the park.

4. They must have good hands where they can develop the ability to catch balls hit at major league speeds.

Pitchers:

1. Must be able to throw the ball 90 mile an hours or higher. Pitchers who throw in the high eighties must have great ball movement, control and off-speed pitches.

2. Must display an easy-throwing arm action and demonstrate a respectable amount of control.

Most drafted players have exceptional tools in one or two of the areas and are average in the others tools. Potential star players have the ability to be well above average in all the tools. Baseball scouts are most interested in players' raw skills and not necessarily as concerned with a player's statistics. Scouts ask themselves, "With the proper training, do I see this player playing in the major leagues in a few years?" If they can answer yes to this question, the player is put on the scouting list to be further watched for the intangibles of attitude, heart, character and work ethic.

Once a baseball scout believes a player has potential major league skills and the listed intangibles, they have a good chance of being drafted. Of course, it is not an exact science because a few potential major league players slip through, but baseball scouts do have an advanced, keen eye for talent.

Former major league baseball player, Jack Perconte gives baseball hitting tips and batting practice advice for ballplayers of all ages. His baseball playing lessons, books and advice can be found at http://www.baseballhittinglessons.com/baseball. Jack is the author of two books, The Making of a Hitter and Raising an Athlete - his positive parenting advice and books can be found at http://positiveparentinginsports.com.

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Baseball Coaching Digest - 10 Important Facts About Composite Baseball Bats That You Should Know

Every little league baseball, high school baseball, and college baseball team in america now uses the composite baseball bat. These bats have a reputation for extreme durability in warm conditions, incredible pop, a larger sweet spot, extended break-in time, limited warranty coverage, poor cold weather durability, and noticeable handle flex. These bats are also known for having a lot of forgiveness for a poor quality swing. Many people feel that a good composite bat can make the average hitter more productive and powerful at the plate.

What are the benefits of using these bats? What are the disadvantages? This article outlines 10 facts about these bats that every baseball coach, baseball player and baseball parent should know.

10 Composite Baseball Bats Facts that you should know:

1. These bats have a much longer break-in period than aluminum bats.

2.The best way to break one in is to hit real baseballs is in batting practice by taking 100 to 200 hits.

3.When breaking the bat in, the balls should be thrown 40 to 50 mph. The barrel should be rotated 1/8 of a turn each time a good contact so as to break the barrel in evenly.

4. These bats are not as durable as metal bats. Never use your composite bat when hitting off a pitching machine or with while hitting pitching machine balls. Hitting pitching machine balls or rubber balls can do serious damage to composite bats.

5. A Composite bat should not be used in cold weather. When used in temperatures less than 65 degrees they can easily crack. The warmer the weather, the bigger the sweet spot is.

6. Composite bats are more expensive than metal or hybrid bats with most composite bats costing from $330 to $400.

7. If broken in correctly and used under proper conditions, a composite bat will outlast and perform the metal and hybrid bat.

8. Never leave a composite bat in cold weather for an extended period of time. Always take your bat inside your home at night. It is a risk to leave it in your car or truck over night.

9. Composite bats have flex in the handle so a good impact blow on the handle can cause them to break. Most breaks occur in the handle area.

10. Only hit leather cover solid baseballs. Make sure to not hit water logged baseballs with your composite bat. Heavy baseballs could damage the bat especially in colder conditions.

Buyers Tip: Different bat manufacturers have their own terms and conditions as to the warranties on their bats. Read the bat warranty policy for your bat before using it. Most bat warranties cover manufacturing defects from normal field use only. Use in commercial batting cages is not covered. If you alter your bat or mistreat it is any way, your warranty will be voided. Make sure to keep your purchase receipt. The bat company will ask for proof or purchase date and place when you ask to return a defective bat.

I hope that you found this article informative. I appreciate you taking the time to read it. Look for more articles like it at the Baseball Coaching Digest, Youth Baseball Digest, Baseball Parent Guide, and the Little League Digest. Good luck to you and your team! Have a great day, Nick.

The CoachesBest Baseball Store has a great selection of 1400 Baseball Products. Check out the Baseball Coaching Digest for hundreds of free baseball coaching articles and the daily featured article.

Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, a sports training company established in 1999. Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Target Trainer, the SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and the SKLZ Strikeback Trainer. Dixon is also a contributing writer for Baseball Coaching Digest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

Choosing Your Baseball Bats

From the time small children are old enough to hold a baseball bat many have longed to be part of the great American pastime. Baseball bats have been around ever since the game was created and there are baseball museums that have collections of baseball bats owned and used by famous players.

When kids first start to play the game of baseball they use a plastic bat. There are plastic baseball bats made today for the youngest of ballplayers and some even have baseball teams or players names on them.

As children get older and more serious about the game they find there are choices to be made about which bat to buy. Baseball bats come in many widths, lengths and materials. A heavier bat gives the ball more momentum but a heavier bat also means a less speedy swing. Bats that are made from graphite or aluminum hit balls farther than baseball bats made from wood.

Players endorse baseball bats and many have their names on them. Baseball team logos are also represented on baseball bats.

When aluminum bats were first introduced in the 1970's, batting averages rose 30 points and home run hits doubled. In the Major Leagues batters now use wooden bats instead of baseball bats made from lighter materials. They could change to the baseball bats made from aluminum or a lighter material but it would significantly change the home runs hit today and the traditional records and baseball legends would not seem as important.

If you are wanting to buy a baseball bat consider who will be using it. Age and which league you are playing in is also a deciding factor. Little League bats can't be more than 2 1/4 inches in diameter or more than 33 inches long for instance. Adult leagues have rules about baseball bats also.

Speed and control are the most crucial factors to consider when buying a baseball bat. Check the weight of the bat, if it's too heavy it won't work for you. When checking the grip, your fingertips should meet when closed around the handle.

You can buy a small wooden baseball bat for $10-$20. An aluminum bat will cost between $20-$200 or more but it won't chip or peel and the balance and weight will remain constant.

There are thousands of baseball bats to choose from. Talk to an expert who can help you decide which is the perfect baseball bat for you.

Ken Austin

Baseball Gear and Equipment

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Independent Professional Baseball Players - Why They Play For Such Little Money

If you have attended an independent professional baseball game then you know that the level of play is equivalent to different levels of the regular "affiliated" Minor Leagues. What is not known by many fans, however, is how little money many of the independent baseball players make.

Unlike many other jobs across North America, independent baseball players do not have union. They can be released almost at any time, for almost any reason, and there is usually nothing in their contracts which guarantees any sort of payment after players retire. When told all about this, many fans say, "Why would these players do that?!?"

Here are a few of the reasons:

* Genuine love of the game: Many players in independent baseball believe that they have been overlooked by the Major League teams' scouting departments. They genuinely believe that they deserve a chance to be in an "affiliated" farm team with one of the Major League organizations; and they truly love playing baseball. Many fans whom have attended independent baseball games comment on the hustle and passion of the players. A player who believes that he was overlooked may play with a "chip on his shoulder" in order to prove that he belongs with a Major League-affiliated farm team.

* Need to be closer to home: Often, there are a few guys in each independent league who genuinely belong in a higher level of baseball. For whatever reason, however, they need to be closer to home with a less-grueling travel schedule. Sometimes players just started a family, others need to help out with a sick family member, and others need the support of friends and family in order to be comfortable with playing at the professional level.

* A desire to continue his career in baseball: Many players will play in an independent baseball league in order to gain credibility for his post-playing career. Certain players want to manage or coach in professional baseball, others want to coach at the college level, and others want to transition to the front office of a professional sports team after they retire.

* A need for camaraderie: If you have ever watched any documentary about "life in the minors" then you know that the players love playing baseball, enjoy crazy antics with their teammates, playing cards in the clubhouse, and the chance to develop lifelong friends especially on those long bus trips! If a player is good enough to be considered professional then many will take the opportunity to play in the independent leagues because he knows how competitive the demand is. Other players from around the continent are more than willing to take his spot, so he knows that he part of an elite level of baseball even though it is considered to be independent of the affiliated organizations.

* A chance to rebuild his career: Sometimes an extremely talented player ends up in an independent league due to an injury, salary cap move, o r simply due to "politics" in organized baseball. Such a player will play on an independent baseball team in order to prove to scouts that he is healthy, willing to go back at a more economical price, or simply that the other team which released him made a mistake. In a given year, dozens of players in independent baseball sign contracts with affiliated Minor League teams; and each year a few will get to play in the Major Leagues.

The next time you see an independent baseball game, or if you meet some independent baseball players around town, now you have a better understanding of why they do what they do regardless of the price at which they play. If you ever have said that you think pro athletes need to play with more passion and that they are overpaid, then be sure to attend an independent pro baseball game. You will be pleasantly surprised!

If you ever played or worked in independent baseball then you can relate to this article! Be sure to join the free Independent Baseball Alumni membership site.

If you are a player and want to get your name in front of independent baseball general managers and managers for tryout information then be sure to visit Independent Baseball Tryouts.

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The Value of Custom Baseball Gloves

Baseball gloves have advanced tremendously over the years. From the original game played with the bare hands to the advanced models of today, baseball gloves have as rich a history as the game itself.

The first gloves developed were not accepted easily since many players thought negatively of those using them. Today's players, however, accept baseball gloves as a necessary and standard part of the game. Modern baseball gloves come in a variety of sizes, comforts, accessories and price ranges.

For the more serious baseball enthusiast, custom baseball gloves are all the rage. Today's baseball gloves can be customized for a particular fit, color, type of leather, and more. Since pricing can range from $100, on the low end, to more than $400 for high-end custom made baseball gloves, most beginning players do not find them necessary. For semi-professional or professional baseball players, however, most will say that they would not go back to generic gloves.

Different companies will obviously offer different custom baseball gloves to choose from. Some companies specialize in material types and others will specialize in matching the player with a glove with the perfect fit. Some baseball glove manufacturers also offer custom baseball gloves that are designed for catchers, infielders and outfielders. Those earning a living playing baseball or those who are very serious players will likely benefit from purchasing a custom baseball glove.

Most every major supplier of American baseball gloves will offer customizable options. When shopping for the right glove, you can begin by reviewing the company or companies' Web sites to see what they have to offer. Keep in mind that the custom baseball gloves offered will be quite a bit pricier than "generic" models available at sport and discount stores. From reading reviews and comments on custom baseball gloves, those who use them are not likely to revert back to standard gloves. You can expect to spend several hundred dollars on a custom glove, but the glove is designed with you in mind and can meet and exceed your highest expectations.

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How Much Do You Know About Baseball?

Baseball is America's greatest past time. How much do you know about the game? If your friends asked you baseball trivia questions would you be able to answer them or would you just be dumbfounded? Baseball is an easy game to learn and is even easier to learn about. There are a lot of great facts to be learned about baseball and it is never to late to get in the game. I consider myself a baseball fanatic and enjoy the game very much. I can handle quite a bit of baseball trivia. Granted, I do not know everything there is to know about this great sport, but I know enough to talk baseball for hours.

Baseball trivia questions always stay the same, but the answers are constantly changing with records being broken every year. For example, Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron held the homerun record for a single season until Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Barry Bonds entered the scene. They players are constantly getting better and constantly changing history. The Yankees this year played their final game at Yankee Stadium, the house that Ruth built. They will be moving to a new stadium next year.

The thing that will never change is America's love for the game and their quest for baseball trivia knowledge. Everyone wants to be the first person to stump their friends with a good baseball trivia question. I love asking baseball trivia to all my fellow baseball fanatics. It always keeps them on their toes and it keeps all the statistics and facts fresh in my mind. Baseball has been a big part of my life ever since I was six years old. There is still a lot I need to learn, but someday I will get there. You can not expect to know everything there is to know about baseball over night, but learning a little bit everyday is a great start.

Every baseball game you watch on television or listen to on the radio is chalked full of great baseball trivia. Some baseball teams even have baseball trivia questions for their fans to participate in. Quite a few of baseball's greats have retired, but stayed close to the game by either becoming a manager or announcer for their team. The announcers for the Chicago Cubs always enjoy their history as a baseball team and love to give you fun and interesting facts about the team. A great place to learn baseball trivia is from the announcers during a game.

A great place to learn about baseball is Cooperstown, the home of the Hall of Fame of baseball and all its greats. Cooperstown is a great vacation for baseball fans everywhere and is a great place to learn more baseball trivia questions. You may even learn facts you never knew before. Baseball goes back over a hundred years and has a tremendous amount of history. It is really difficult to know everything about this great American game. I will continue to learn as much as I can and I encourage everyone to learn more about this beautiful game.

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Baseball English, Oh! If Only a Baseball Could Talk!

The game of baseball has used baseball english since the beginning of the game which Abner Doubleday so aptly named "baseball."

All the players on a baseball team should be proficient in using baseball english. The pitcher and the three (3) outfielders are the ones we so desperately depend upon to be the masters of baseball english.

Get those good marks in english classes and excell at the game of baseball. All around baseball players are the baseball players who know all about baseball.

The baseball itself seems to have taken on an animated life and ability to respond when the masters of the english instructs.

This baseball english language is a partnership developed thru many practices and numerous games with the players and the baseball. Here is how it all takes place.

The pitcher grips that ball with different styles. When he wants the baseball to veer or curve to the left as it approaches the plate he grips the ball a certain way. He is in essence telling the baseball I am going to twist my wrist and release you so that you spin (he puts english on the ball). When I spin you this way I want you to go to the left. If I spin you this other way (like this) I want you to go to the right.

Wouldn't you just know it the pitcher is putting english (spin) on the ball and the ball just as if he understands does as the pitcher wants. Now isn't this a blast the pitcher is talking and doing and the baseball is doing and it's nothing more than english making it do.

Now folks this english talk with the pitcher talking to the ball can get complicated, ole hosshide don't care.

Those good outfielders have their work cut out to give perfect and proper english to that baseball. When there are runners on base each outfielder must think ahead of the probable play situation. Where is my throw to go when I have to field that hard hit ground ball coming to me? The throw going to the second baseman will be a hard throw with significant velocity as to reach the 2nd sacker right in the letters.

He tells the ball "I want you to go like a rifle shot straight and true." The fielders puts top spin (english) on the ball when he releases the ball from his hand. The ball hums it's way straight and true with a slight rise upwards and bingo right in the letters of the second baseman. The ball silently said in a soft hum, "yes boss." Ka-Plop the the 2nd sacker puts a sweet tag or at least dared the hitter to come on.

There is a whole new english lesson which the outfielder and his partner the baseball must execute when cutting a runner down going to third. The outfielder knows the throw needs to be arriving to the third baseman on a good clean hop. If the throw is coming from the rightfielder then that long throw means the ball must make a really long hop. The outfielder tells his little buddy (baseball) "I'm going to put some top spin (english) when I let you go, don't you slow up because you have to really scoot." The ball just as if it was really listening hits that clay dirt diamond and kicks up a puff of dust and zap right in there on time. The baseball is a quick learner the next throw to third might require a short sudden stop hop. The outfielder and the ball are getting good at this rapping going on between them. The fielder throws with all his might and puts back spin (english) and little baseball dutifully kicks up a bigger puff of dirt with his back spin putting on brakes and hops into 3rd baseman's big glove. A trio of jubilation with 3rd sacker grinning, the outfielder pumping his fist saying, "Yeh Yeh" and little baseball taken from the game by the umpire because he got scuffed in the deal.

Fans and friends it's a sweet and well known language this english between baseball and ballplayer.

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Baseball Coaching - How To Coach Baseball For Players 12 and Under

There is more to baseball coaching than just strategy and fundamentals. While these are important I am going to cover the aspects that I feel will help you become the best coach you can be.

Baseball Coaching Tip #1 - Patience

Without patience you're in for a very long season. Especially at this young age with skill levels being so drastic from player to player and hormones just starting to kick in (obviously depending on age) you will need to exercise extreme patience. Everything from patience of a kid not being able to do a drill correctly to a kid acting up. You usually don't know what is going on at their home. If it's a bad situation they are in, baseball practice may be their escape, even if they don't act like it sometimes. Remember, nobody said this was easy and you certainly aren't dealing with robots so be sure to be patient at all times...

Baseball Coaching Tip #2 - Self-Control

At times you will want to rip your hair out and may be so frustrated with a player, not necessarily how he is performing, but how is he acting that you'll want to thro whim off the team. Now this isn't politically correct, but you'd be kidding yourself if you thought this didn't happen in every youth league across the country. It's at these times where you'll have to be a leader to these young boys, which leads into my next tip...

Baseball Coaching Tip #3 - Leadership

These boys look up to you. How you act will help shape them now and in the future. Great baseball coaching is always done in a positive fashion. There is never a time to be negative, especially at this young age. Lead by example and be positive and supporting.

Baseball Coaching Tip #4 - Instill Self-Esteem

Most of the kids you will deal with won't be great athletes or baseball players. You'll be lucky to have 1 or 2 players who will even play in high school, let alone in the Major Leagues. But the self-esteem they learn from you will help them in every aspect of their life. Be positive, reinforce positives over and over again. This does not mean they shouldn't be properly coached and instructed, just don't focus on anything negative.

Baseball Coaching Tip #5 - Fundamentals

In most lists you would have found this at #1. Truth is it's just not important on the grand scheme of things as 1-4 on this list. Don't get me wrong, you should do your best to teach your kids the proper fundamentals of the game: hitting, throwing, catching and running. Don't worry about advanced techniques or any of that non-sense. That stuff will come down the line if they are still playing in high school or college. Focus on what will get them there, which is proper baseball fundamentals.

Baseball Coaching Tip #6 - Mental Aspect Of Baseball

This is very important in baseball coaching because, just like Yogi said "90 of the game is half mental". In other words - it's critical to success, not only in baseball but life. Great hitters fail 70% of the time. Great businessmen and women fail at an even higher rate, yet they get back up and keep trying. Dealing with failure is the secret in baseball and life that everyone's looking for. Be positive, provide some instruction to learn from mistakes and move forward.

Baseball Coaching Tip # 7 - Ability To Deal With Parents

This is a biggie, mostly to make your life easier. At the beginning of the season set ground rules for the parents. Things such as no yelling, not talking to kids during the game, not interrupting at practice, etc. Whatever you feel comfortable with. Set these ground rules early, both verbally and on paper and it will be clear to all if any rules are broken.

I commend you on your decision to join the baseball coaching ranks. Without you there is no high school, college and MLB baseball. You are the rock of America's pastime. Accept that responsibility with pride and our future generations are in good hands.

Jon Doyle, MA, CSCS is considered the world's foremost authority of effective baseball training having worked with tens of thousands of professional and amateur ball players. His baseball training website is the largest site in the world of it's kind. Be sure to check it out and sign up for his FREE Baseball Training Newsletter.

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Baseball Bats Facts - How to Choose the Right Baseball Bat

If you go out shopping for a baseball bat, do you know exactly which one to buy? What are the factors that determine which bat off the shelve you should buy and why?

Let's say you are buying one for yourself. You should really look into stuff like your level of play, your own size, how comfortable you are holding the baseball bat and of course, how much it is going to cost you.

If you are not a professional baseball player, you should choose a baseball bat made of aluminum or composites as these are lighter and stronger than wooden baseball bats. However, if you are a professional baseball player, you are only allowed to use wooden baseball bats and nothing else.

Because of its lighter weight, aluminum baseball bats allow you to hit the baseballs with greater speeds and they last longer than most wooden bats. This saves you more money in the long term even as prices of baseball bats continue to increase amid strong prices for raw materials. If you are looking for a youth baseball bat, it could cost you up to 2 hundred dollars a piece.

Do not let the price fool you though as higher costs does not mean better baseball bats. The user of the bats should also be present prior to purchase to feel the comfort of handling individual bats. If one is not comfortable with the grip of the bat, the effectiveness of using them is often compromised.

Whenever possible, try to get a bat which has already been bought by a friend to test it in a larger space for comfort as stores generally does not give you ample swinging space at leisure. If you are buying a youth baseball bat for someone, take note that you should not buy one which is too heavy for them to handle. Imagine trying to swing a heavy bat!

Also, one should consider the height of the user when choosing a baseball bat. If the person is tall, he should use a longer bat. This is normal as the reach of taller and shorter people are different hence it is vital to have the right length of bat for each individual.

As every level of play in baseball has different regulations, you should also determine the type of baseball bats that are allowed for usage as playing in a little league is totally different from playing in a major baseball league.

When you know which baseball bats suits each individual, it makes the buying decision a lot easier.

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The History of Baseball in Japan

Horace Wilson, a professor at Kaisei School in Tokyo, introduced baseball to Japan in between 1867 & 1872, historians disagree on the exact year. The Japanese called the game Yakkyu, which translates into "Field Ball."

The era known as the Meiji restoration period, a period when the Japanese began to modernize their society and was greatly influenced by Western culture, was fertile ground for the new sport.

Baseball immediately gained popularity because the Japanese people viewed the one-on-one competition of pitcher vs. batter psychologically similar to the native Sumo wrestling. The timing and special harmony required between body and mind for such a match up was a natural fit for their culture and it surpassed all other sports being introduced at that time.

Not all of Japanese society agreed with allowing Western culture to infiltrate Japanese society and adamantly spoke against it. The newspaper, Asahi Shinbun, ran continuous editorials proclaiming the "Evils of Baseball" and what it was doing to the Japanese people.

One prominent doctor wrote an editorial maintaining the continuous throwing of a baseball would cause the body to develop lopsided and had negative effects on the brain.

Although there were hundreds of baseball teams popping up in Japan, it wasn't until Tokyo University added it to their sports program that the game was legitimized. In 1896 the University team defeated an American team, the Yokohama Country and Athletic Club, 29 to 4 becoming the first recorded International Baseball game in Asia.

In 1913 Matsutara Shoriki, a baseball enthusiast and wealthy newspaper owner, sponsored an All American baseball team tour, which traveled throughout Japan playing College All - Star teams.

With the quality of American players which included, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Jimmy Fox, it was not surprising the Americans won all 17 games they played.

Modern Japanese Baseball is called the Nippon Professional Baseball League. Not surprisingly, since America introduced the game, the rules and technical aspects are nearly identical to American baseball.

The Nippon League is divided into two Divisions, the Central and Pacific leagues, which is identical to the National and American Leagues of MLB. The 6 teams of the Central Division utilizes the designated hitter, as our American league, but the Pacific League, as our National League does not use the designated hitter.

The season begins in April and ends in a Championship series in October, however their schedule is 144 games long while MLB is 162 games.

There are a few distinct and large differences between the two countries. The Japanese allow games to end in a "Tie" after 12 innings. This is a cultural necessity as trains are the main source of transportation and fans could not be allowed to miss the last train of the night.

The Japanese baseball is smaller and is wound tighter than the American baseball, which makes it travel farther. The baseball coupled with Japanese baseball stadiums being smaller than American Parks, 5 teams play in extremely undersized parks, any comparison of Japanese and American Baseball Players' accomplishments are extremely skewed.

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Baseball Coaching Digest - Why Baseball Players Are the Most Accountable Athletes in Sports

Baseball players are held to a higher level of accountability than any other athletes in the world. If you compare baseball, football and basketball to see which sport holds the player athlete more responsible for mistakes and errors, you will find that baseball holds players to a higher level of accountability. This article explains my perspective on why baseball players are the most accountable athletes in sports.

I am absolutely sure that baseball players are held at a higher level of accountability than other sports athletes. Why do I feel this way? Have you ever been to a football game and seen a player miss a tackle or block that cost his team dearly? Did the official score "flash" error on the football scoreboard? The answer is no. Have you ever watched a basketball player miss a wild open layup that hurt his team? Did the score keeper or score operator flash "error" on the scoreboard? The answer is no.

On the other hand, as baseball player can bobble a hard hit ground ball and the whole world will soon be notified and an official documentation of the mistake will be made in the scorebook. The scorekeeper will write a big "E" in the scorebook that makes the error officially known. Then the scoreboard operator will also turn on the "error" light on the scoreboard to let every player and spectator in the park know that an error was made.

That is the reason I feel that baseball players are the most accountable athletes in sports.

Maybe other sports consider adding an "Error" light on their scoreboard or writing a big "E" in their scorebook when a player makes a mistake. Then maybe the next time a player fails to execute on a football field or basketball court, they will know what it's like to be held publicly accountable and responsible like a baseball player.

I hope that you enjoyed this article. Thanks for taking the time to read it. Visit the Baseball coaching Digest, Youth Baseball Digest, Little League Digest and Baseball Parent Guide for more baseball articles. Good luck to you and your team, Nick.

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Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, a sports training company established in 1999. Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Target Trainer, the SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and the SKLZ Strikeback Trainer. Dixon is also a contributing writer for BaseballCoachingDigest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

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Youth Baseball Digest: The 3 Absolutes of Coaching Youth Baseball

Baseball is one of the most demanding sports to coach. The purpose and function of youth baseball is to provide a quality sports team experience that builds baseball skills, teaches team-first attitudes, builds a respect for authority and regulations, and develops an appreciation for the value and consequences of hard work.

To be a successful baseball coach, you must have an understanding how the game is taught, played and practiced. There are three absolutes that every youth baseball coach should remember when they plan, organize, and prepare their "game plan" for the coming season! This article outlines those three absolutes.

The three absolutes of baseball are:

Youth baseball is a game for youngsters, not adults.
Baseball must be taught and practiced for success to be achieved.
Discipline must be a part of every team's preparation and execution.

Now I will briefly explain what I mean by each of these absolutes.

Youth baseball is a game for youngsters, not adults.

When I say "Youth Baseball is for Youths" what I mean is that we have youth baseball for the youngsters that are playing it, not for the coaches that are coaching.You will find that kids can accept responsibility, become accountable, work hard, and learn from their team successes and failures, but at the same time they have to see purpose, see progress, and enjoy their participation. They must have fun.

For kids to love and appreciate the game they must be motivated, challenged, and enjoy the majority of their team time whether it be a practice, a workout, or a game. There is no law that says coaches should not laugh, smile, joke and have "Light" moments with the team. I consider myself a pretty good baseball coach. My team discipline is strict. But, my players know exactly when they can goof off, joke around, crack on each other, or generally be "loose" as a team. They also know exactly when they have to be focused, attentive, and acting "by the book". The point I am trying to make here is that coaches have to understand that players need to learn to relax and as much as they need to learn to work and focus. It is a coach's job to teach them to enjoy themselves without guilt so long as their enjoyment comes from wholesome and proper behavior that is acceptable.

Baseball must be taught and practiced for success to be achieved.

Baseball is a sport that required a high level of commitment and dedication. It is important that players develop good work habits as early in their careers as possible.It is impossible to fake work or fake good practice when it comes to baseball. Those coaches, teams and programs that work extremely smart, work exceptionally hard, and that always work with a higher level of purpose and commitment are the baseball programs at the top of the "food chain". So, if you plan to coach, get prepared to practice. In fact, if you need to make sure that you have

Discipline must be a part of every team's preparation and execution.

I am a firm believer that teaching team and self-discipline are two of the most important roles of every coach in all sports. To be successful a player must learn to discipline himself to stay out of trouble. To be build a championship atmosphere and environment, a coach must establish control of his players and staff. With discipline also comes respect. Without discipline, there can never be respect. Without respect your team will never achieve to its highest attention.

Players not only expect and appreciate a coach's discipline, but they also have a strong desire for it. Kids want to be controlled, instructed, and taught. It makes them feel like they are respected, appreciated, and a part of something worth spending their effort and time in. When a coach displays no backbone, no will to control, and no will to handle adversity with a firm and strong demeanor, the players will not put their full and complete trust in him. Coaches should set team rules. The coach should display a willingness to plan, prepare, organize and execute both practice and game plans. This shows a high level of self-discipline on the coach's part. Teams emulate a coach's attitude, actions, and habits.

Instilling and maintaining a firm discipline builds a strong foundation upon which to build a championship season. I hope that you found this article to be informative. Please visit the Baseball Coaching Digest, Youth Baseball Digest, Baseball Digest Blog, and the Baseball Parent Guide for free baseball coaching articles, drills, and tips. Good Luck to you and your team in the coming season. Have a great day, Nick.

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Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, a sports training company established in 1999. Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Target Trainer, the SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and the SKLZ Strikeback Trainer. Dixon is also a contributing writer for BaseballCoachingDigest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.