Can Baseball Poise Be Taught?

Can Baseball Poise Be Taught?

By Jim Bain

You'll sometimes hear fans, bear in mind these are mostly relatives of the players, at amateur baseball games comment on the composure, determination, toughness or mental attitude of a player.

What they are attempting to describe, and everyone has their own mental conception, is the Poise a player maintains during a critical game moment. The question is... can Poise be taught?

To make sure we're all on more or less the same page, I'll define Poise as the ability to keep one's nerves and emotions in check when confronted with a game changing situation, while maintaining 100% ability.

This poise issue pertains to all players, all positions and all situations, such as a batter who represents the last hope to drive in the tying run or the game is lost, but because the pitcher encounters the situation more often than any other player, coaches will tend to use them as their example. They want a pitcher with poise.

Let's look at some of the various tell tale signs of a pitcher having poise.

1. He is not arrogant, but is confident he has the ability to pitch out of any situation. He never wants to be pulled from the game.

2. He realistically assesses the situation, it's not a time for denial, and formulates a plan of action to deal with the situation. If he walked the bases loaded he must take responsibility for his control, not blame the lousy umpire.

3. He will do whatever it takes to compose himself and stick to the plan. In a critical situation, if you have a pitcher who reacts to a called ball then waits impatiently for the return throw from the catcher, he is about to or has, lost his poise.

It's human nature to experience disappointment when a call, especially a close call or the pitcher honestly believes he threw a strike, goes against him. It's how you deal with the disappointment which dictates poise.

Same scenario, but when the pitcher receives the return throw, walks to the back of the mound rubbing up the ball, then returns to the pitching rubber, has maintained his poise. He took time for the negative feelings to dissipate, refocused and began anew.

4. Makes quality pitches when it's absolutely necessary. Instead of grooving a belt high fastball in an attempt to get a strike, he throws a breaking ball to an over-anxious hitter. He remains a pitcher... not a thrower.

There are many more actions which indicate a pitcher with poise, but again, can poise be taught?

The answer is as simple as looking at the soldiers in our military. Military training teaches you everything possible in order to perform your duty under duress. You are drilled and taught to perform complex functions without thought or hesitation, your training takes over.

However, no matter how intense or realistic the training is, the element of pure terror, which can only be invoked by actual combat, can not be simulated or experienced.

So without the actual fear, the training is worthless? Obviously, that's ridiculous. The reason I gave this example is you'll hear coaches say that without the actual feeling of game pressure, practicing poise is worthless. I say ridiculous.

Practice methods:

1. Literally set up critical situations for your pitcher to deal with during practice.
(a.) Bases loaded with 1 out;
(b.) Have runners on base;
(c.) Have a batter actually trying to hit the pitch.

2. Challenge the pitcher to throw 6 strikes in a row while you stand behind him watching. Suddenly 6 pitches will seem like 60 and your shear presence will create pressure to perform.

3. Set up situations where the pitcher is asked to Limit the Damage.
(a.) Bases loaded 1 out;
(b.) Have pitcher attempt to limit the number of runs scored before attaining 3 outs.

There's no doubt the element of actual game pressure adds significantly to a player's ability to remain poised. However, the coach's job is to train and teach the pitcher how to handle all sorts of pressure cooker situations, leaving the game pressure as the only addition to the pitcher's problems.

No matter how difficult, dealing with one issue vs. numerous is much more accomplishable.

Jim Bain, former Minor league baseball player and member of "Baseball Coaches of America" shares his advice on baseball coaching baseball drills on his exciting info packed website: http://www.learn-youth-baseball-coaching.com

Be sure to check out his 2 books on Amazon, "The Pitch" and "Season of Pain". Great reading about baseball.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7791770

Baseball Coaching Digest - Team Making Too Many Errors? Two Great Mid Season Team Defensive Drills

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Baseball Coaching Digest - Team Making Too Many Errors? Two Great Mid Season Team Defensive Drills
By Nick Dixon

Team defensive baseball drills should be a daily routine for your baseball team. Team defensive drills make your players execute and perform under pressure more than regular ground ball drills. These two team defensive baseball drills are excellent ways to build defensive skills, build confidence, and to improve mental concentration. The two drills are: 1) Infield Live Batting Drill 2) Live Game Action Drill.

If you incorporate these two drills into your baseball practice routine, I am confident that you will see an improvement in your team defensive play and a reduction in errors.

Infield Live Batting Drill - Your infield players will be in their regular positions and they will be making the plays. Your outfield will be the base runners. The coach hits the ball. When the coach hits the ball, the base runners will run to first. If the runner is safe, the runner is on first base. You will keep hitting balls until the infielder record three outs. The infielders must talk during this drill to make sure they know where the runners are, how many outs there are, and where the play should be made. For example, with bases loaded and two outs, the players will say "take it to the easiest base or that the play is at one".

This baseball drill has multiple purposes. The outfielders can improve their base running skills also. You will clear the bases after each three outs. The coach can also lay down bunts to check bunt coverage. Make sure to mark a starting spot for the base runners. Make sure that the runners wear helmets during this drill.

It is recommended that you perform this drill for 21 outs at least two days a week.

Live Game Action Drill - This drill is performed with all players at their defensive positions. You will have 5 or 6 players running the bases while your infielders make plays. The coach will hit the ball in this drill with the base runners going as far as the hit ball will allow them. The players must execute, communicate, and stay alert mentally during this drill. You will clear the baseball after each three outs. Normally you will require your team to do this drill for 21 outs two days a week. Make sure to mark a starting spot for the base runners. Make sure that the runners wear helmets during this drill.

I hope that these two drills prove to be useful in helping your team improve defensive play. Thanks for taking the time to read this article. For more articles like it, you can visit the Baseball Coaching Digest, Youth Baseball Digest, and Little League Digest. Good Luck to You and Your Team. 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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon


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The Coach and Player Relationship in Baseball - It Can Make All the Difference

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The Coach and Player Relationship in Baseball - It Can Make All the Difference
By Guest Author: John Peter Pero

This weekend I played in a celebrity golf tournament with a Big League infielder with whom I did not know prior to the outing.

Truth be told, I was penciled in and looking forward to playing with a young 2-time All Star catcher but was switched and ended up spending the day golfing with another player, one who may possibly have more career behind than in front of him. What a break for me.

I first saw him as a young Big Leaguer and kind of figured him to be a career utility guy, a 25th man. He could swing it a little but probably was not seen as a long-term solution on anybody's Big League roster.

So here he is, as likeable and casual a fellow as you could hope to play golf with, and now a better than ever ballplayer.enough so that he recently signed a healthy free agent contract.

Without meaning to pry or step over any unspoken social boundaries, I was more than curious as to what made this kind of career difference ..the kind of difference that separates having a real job from having a dream job.a starting infielder for a contending National League ballclub!

I got two answers.

1. The first was from this fine young man himself when he soberly stated the difference was working out with his new hitting coach (after being traded from the team he grew up with - the team he subsequently left for a life-changing contract that would provide for his young family). It was this hitting coach whose teachings rebuilt a swing.and a career!

2. The second was when I placed a phone call to my mentor, a retired National League scouting director. His comments were brought up from the dusty memory vaults that long time scouts all seem to have.

Without missing a beat, this old scout pulled up his mental file of the when's and where's he first saw this player, his strengths and weaknesses at that young age.comparing those with his more recent observations.as if he were laying one over the other and putting them up to the light to check for differences.

He spoke about the mind and the mindset of this ballplayer; how hard he played, how he would grind it out, giving all he had to help his team win.night after night.

And the point is... Players need to find that coach who makes sense to them. Coaches need to constantly look for ways to get through to ballplayers.helping them to develop repeatable swings, throws and catches. I favor videos (now DVDs) to help me coach, and most video titles generally describe the content.

Whether it is the mind or the body we are working to improve, a connection between coach and player is paramount to success!

Skill alone will only take you so far. Remember, every pitcher throws 90 in the Show. Every Big League hitter has a certain amount of batspeed.but you need more than that to be the best you can be at all levels of play!

Without help.and without a plan.luck is what you have. And luck is nothing to bank on!

As my buddy Steve Springer says. "If this game wasn't mental, then every 1st rounder should play 10 years in the Big Leagues. But they don't. Somebody tell me why David Eckstein (a 19th rounder) was the MVP of the 2006 World Series? No, let me tell you...it's because he's one of the top 10 competitors in baseball!"

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Baseball Coaching Digest: Articles for Today

Good Wednesday Morning to you. Here are 4 articles that I recommend.
Have a great day. Nick

Coaching Baseball - Two True Base Running Blunders That Teach a Lesson

We all know the importance of good base running. We know that "solid" base running scores runs and wins games. We also know that poor base running can easily cause a team to lose a game. The following two stories are true stories of base running mistakes that cost the team a win. All the team had to do to win was to have the base runner advance to the next bag. These two stories are great stories that you can tell to your players to teach young players two important rules of base running.


Coaching Baseball - Strategies For Facing Overpowering Pitchers

Every one of us has at one time or another, either as a player or a coach, had to face what is considered the "unhittable" pitcher. You know what I mean, the pitcher that is undefeated because he has an overpowering fastball, nasty curve ball, and a 3 pitch arsenal of potent pitches that intimidates the average team while he is just warming up. Coach Dixon discusses is strategies that can used when your team faces a dominating and overpowering pitcher. The main strategy in this situation is that you must have a "strategy" that you and your kids believe will work. The trick is have several scenarios and plans that you will apply as the game progresses.


Youth Sports Coach - Watch What You Say

Volunteering to coach youth sports can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life. It is a privilege to spend time teaching, coaching and mentoring youngsters in one of the most critical stages of their mental and physical development. Many kids do not have positive role models in their life. Many kids do not get the attention and the discipline that they need and desire. The main thing I want to discus today is the importance of thinking before you speak and the fact that your words greatly affect the self esteem of your players.


Coaching Baseball Pitchers - Two Windup Variations Used to Disrupt a Batter's Concentration

There are two simple actions that a pitcher can use to distract or disrupt a batters concentration. The two actions are the "double pump windup" and the "start over" pitch deliveries that are done to change a pitchers regular windup. Both of these actions are used when there are no base runners on base. They both serve as effective ways to disrupt the concentration of opposing batters.

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9 Top Baseball Superstitions

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9 Top Baseball Superstitions
By John Kochanski

The game of baseball has a long history of superstition. I'm sure you've heard about the curse of the Bambino, players refusing to shave and pre-game routines. Pitchers are known to be the most superstitious of all baseball players. So much so, that the non-pitchers think they are all crazy.
The funny thing about baseball superstition is they can arise at anytime based on good or bad game experience.

Baseball superstitions are fascinating and is embedded deep in baseball folklore. Here are my nine top baseball superstitions. I'm using nine to go with that "superstition" theme - shake a leg!

The Top 9 Baseball Superstitions

1. Not Stepping on the foul line when going on or coming off the field

Pitchers and managers are always very cautious not to touch that foul line.

2. Eating the same food before every game

Wade Boggs, who played for the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees was infamous for eating chicken before ever game.

3. Leaving the Pitcher Alone and Not talking about a No-hitter

This is one of the superstitions that almost every baseball player adheres to. The last thing any player wants to do is jinx his pitcher when he has a No-hitter going. The superstition goes - if you talk about it the no-hitter will be broken.

4. Lucky Bat or Glove

Some players must have there lucky bat and/or glove in order to be successful (in their mind). But what happens when they break their lucky bat?

5. Sign of the cross/pointing up to the heavens

You see it everyday. Players pointing up to the sky to give thanks and players making the sign of the cross before getting in the batter's box.

6.Tapping the bat on Plate

It seems every player does this. I guess it's similar to knocking on wood!

7. Sitting in the same place in the dugout

You may not have heard about this one but it is very, very common. If you watch you're favorite Major League baseball team over the course of the season you will notice that players tend to sit in a specific area in the dugout with the same group of guys.

8. Not Shaving

Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees has make this famous. Earlier in the 2008 season Jason did not shave for a couple of days and then had a big day at the plate. So much so that he grew a mustache. Believe it or not he went on an incredible hitting streak for weeks to come. It became such the rage with fans and media that the Yankee front office actually promoted it with a mustached Jason Giambi Bobble Head Doll day. This is a classic.

9. Going to the Same Restaurant or Eatery Before Every Playoff Game

In the fourth game of the 1998 world series, Jim Leyritz of the New York Yankees hit a three run homer walkoff homerun off Mark Wohlers of the Atlanta Braves. That homerun changed the momentum of the series and it le to the Yankees winning the World Series. After hitting that home run, Jim returned to the same restaurant he had eaten in the day he hit the three run homer. It worked! - the Yankees went on to win four of the next five world championships.

So there you have it, the top nine baseball superstitions that make baseball what it is. The next time you're watching a game and your team needs a few runs to win the game ... Put on your rally caps and become part of the mystique of baseball - maybe your team will win - "Knock Wood"

Baseball Superstition

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

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Baseball Coaching Digest: Recommended Articles

Coaching Baseball - 4 Things the On-Deck Batter Should Always Do and 4 Things He Should Never Do

Baseball coaching is teaching the big and little details of the game. Every position or location on the field requires a player to observe and to be aware of what is happening. Many young batters on deck often do no pay attention to what is happening. They are often guilty of looking into the crowd or even talking to someone through the fence. On-deck batters that do not closely observe the pitcher and the catcher are missing a greatly opportunity to "scout" the opponent.

Baseball Pitching - Coaching Pitchers to Succeed by Starting With the Basics

The coaching of baseball pitchers does not require a degree in "pitchingtology". There is no such degree to my knowledge. I just made that up. My point here is that coaching baseball pitching is not rocket science. However, having a basic knowledge of the terms and mechanics is a must.


Coaching Baseball - 12 Things That 3rd Base Coaches Should Say to Baserunners

Fewer things in baseball are more embarrassing for a young baseball player than to make a base running mistake that cost his team a run. Some of the most devastating and demoralizing mistakes in baseball are made by baserunners at 3rd base. When a runner gets to third, the team momentum and confidence is increased. The team and the player, and the fans feel like they are going to soon score a run. But, to have that chance of scoring removed by a blunder by the runner or coach can take the momentum completely away from the team.

Coaching Baseball Pitchers - The Use of Visual Anchor Points For Curve-Ball Accuracy

The skill of throwing a good curve ball accurately is a skill that must be taught and coached. Teaching curve ball control and accuracy is vital to a pitcher's success at any level. Here I discuss the method I use to teach and coach our high school pitchers to vary their curve ball location and to accurately control the spot to which the ball will break.


4 Baseball Pitching Drills For Little League Players

Teaching, training and developing young baseball pitchers takes a lot of time, patience, and practice repetition. Many young pitchers need to practice pitching skills daily. To keep the interest level high, it is best to use a variety of drills on alternate days to prevent boredom. Here are 4 baseball pitching drills that can be used to train youth and beginner pitchers.

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The Categories they have are: BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!

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Sports Psychology and Baseball Hitting Tips - How and Why to Relax at the Plate

Sports Psychology and Baseball Hitting Tips - How and Why to Relax at the Plate
By Jay Granat

The baseball season is about to begin and I already getting calls from parents, players and coaches who are concerned about hitting slumps.

Anyone who has played baseball for any length of time has experienced the frustration of an extended hitting slump. And there are many causes of these performance valleys.

Some of the causes are physical. A breakdown in mechanics, poor balance, poor technique, a moving head, a tight grip on the bat or an injury can contribute to poor performance by baseball players.

Some of the causes of hitting slumps are mental. A batter who has been hit by a pitch can be scared in the batter's box. A player who has been hitting poorly can lose his confidence. A batter who is worried about impressing his coach, his parents or a scout can become quite anxious. A player who is conflict with teammates may find it hard to hit to his potential. Similarly, a player with stress related to his or her life off the field can have difficulty concentrating when he or she steps up to the plate.

Also, it is important to understand that there are many relationships between the mind and the body where hitting a baseball is concerned. For instance, a nervous player is apt to grip the baseball bat too tightly. Likewise, a tense player is apt have difficulty turning on a pitch.

Interestingly, some people believe that our vision gets worse when we are tense and that it improves when we are relaxed.

There are many ways to relax one's mind and one's body before you get up to bat.

Players can learn relaxation techniques, meditation, visualization or self-hypnosis. Some players benefit from listening to music in the dugout or before a game. Others do some aerobics before they take the field as they find that this helps them to relax when they get up to bat.

Tension will work against you at the plate, so it is important that baseball players learn how to get very comfortable when they face the opposing pitcher.

Jay P. Granat, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist and the founder of http://www.stayinthezone.com. He is also the author of 101 Ways To Break A Hitting Slump With Sport Psychology And Self-Hypnosis. http://www.stayinthezone.com/shop-stay-in-the-zone.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=21

Dr. Granat can be reached at 888 580-ZONE.

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

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Coaching Baseball - Four Valuable Coaching Tools That Every Baseball Coach Should Own

Coaching Baseball - Four Valuable Coaching Tools That Every Baseball Coach Should Own

By Nick Dixon

First of all, let me say this is not a commercial or endorsement for a baseball training tool or product, although my company sells some of the best in baseball. This article is about 4 relatively inexpensive components that are valuable coaching tools that are available in your favorite mass merchant store. I feel that these components should be in the carry bag of every sports coach.

We all know and realize that productive practices do not happen by chance. The good practices are well planned and organized with specific practice time periods and specific skill drills. As a high school football and baseball coach with over 25 years of experience, I am 100% convinced that these four components can make any sport practice, at any level, more organized and productive. Those components are 1) a Stop Watch, 2) A Detailed Practice Schedule, 3) a Video Camera, and 4) Practice Cones or Markers.

How these four coaching tools improve the quality of practice and instruction.

1. Stop Watch - It is essential that every practice be divided into specific individual or team drill periods. A good stop watch helps keep everything on time and running smooth. It is recommended that time slots be kept shorter for younger age groups. Very seldom would a drill go over 10 minutes for youth teams.

2. Written Practice Schedule - Going on a practice field without a written practice schedule is like driving a car without a steering wheel. You can not conduct good practices without good planning and organization. The practice schedule is divided into time periods with specific team and individual drill. Taking the time to evaluate what the team needs most is extremely important. These written schedules should be kept and reviewed to see when various topics, fundamentals, and skills were taught and practiced. Each schedule outlines what drills are done, the time of the session, what players are involved, and what coaches are conducting the drill.

3. Digital Video Camera - As you have heard many times over and over, the "big eye in the sky does not lie". A saying that coaches use to emphasize that what you see on video is exactly the way it is. The video camera is a coaches best friend when it comes to teaching hitting, pitching and fielding fundamentals. Video filmed practice action shows players what they need to improve on or correct. Video play backs can also provide positive or negative feedback to reinforce coaching and teaching sessions. If they actions are wrong, they can see their mistakes. If their action is correct, they can see how well they performed. Players recognize and understand verbal instruction much better when they can see a video. Hitters can correct a flaw in swing mechanics much easier if they can actually see the mistake they are making. It is a good idea to video both individual and team drills for later review.

4. Plastic Practice Cones or Markers - These relatively inexpensive cones or markers are used to set up drills. They are orange in color and stack inside themselves to make this easy to store and carry. There are many uses that these can be used for. You can mark bunt zones. You are mark the "get to the line" spot for pitching fielding practice. You can use them to mark the path for a base runner to "fish hook" at first base on a ball hit through the infield. You will come up with many more uses as you plan your practices and workouts.

I hope this article has been useful to you. If you are looking for more articles on baseball, you may visit the Baseball Coaching Digest Blog and the Youth Baseball Clinic Blog. Both feature daily post and articles on all aspects of coaching baseball.

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The CoachesBest Baseball Store has a great selection of 1400 Baseball Products. Check out the BatAction Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.

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.

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

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The Categories they have are: Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!
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The Baseball Mind

The Baseball Mind
By Robert Bulka

The game of baseball is one of statistics. You see the Major League Baseball Managers going through the numbers, analyzing pitcher/batter matchups, looking at the tendencies of each batter on both teams. Teams have their best scouts send ahead of them on road trips to scout out the next opponent.

The Baseball networks are fanatics for numbers and statiistics, sometimes meaningless numbers too! The baseball mind is one that completely understands the nuances in baseball. It is one that is always thinking ahead and being prepared for any scenario.

Here are some questions a Major League manager might be thinking when deciding to use a pinch hitter or not:


Is he a better hitter against righties than lefties?
Can he hit the off speed stuff?
Can he bunt?
Does he have trouble against this pitcher?
Does he have success against the guys in the bullpen?
Does he have the bat speed to get around on the pitches?
Is he smart at the plate?
Does he swing at the first pitch?
Does he have a tendency to strike out?
Is he a clutch hitter?
Who is up after the pinch hitter?
Who else do I have on the bench?
What opponent's pitchers are still available?

This is just a very simple example of the questions going through the mind of the manager when trying to decide if he should bring in a pinch hitter or not. Now, if you decided to go with the pinch hitter you also have to be ready for the opponent to make a counter move, like bringing in a righty pitcher to face the righty. But you were waiting for this and have a plan up your sleeve that can make the difference in the game. This is where the baseball mind comes through..

The baseball mind is one that is always thinking, analyzing, looking for that something that will get you an advantage. In today's game it is just amazing how you see things like the double switch, hit and run, run and hit, rotation play and other types of strategies the baseball minds have in their toolbag.

Learn more about the baseball mind

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



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Bat Rolling - The Truth About Detection

Bat Rolling - The Truth About Detection
By Brock Gibson

Everyone who rolls bats will let you know that bat rolling can't be detected; to a degree this is fact. Any type can be rolled and be undetectable; this statement comes with some exceptions. In about 90% of cases, rolling is virtually undetectable, even if a trained roller was to take it for examination. The other 10% would have issues with being undetectable.

When a roller says that bat rolling is undetectable they are not lying but they are not telling the entire truth either. As I said earlier all can be rolled with no detection. In order to do this the bats will not come even near to being entirely broken in. What that means is the pressure placed on the bat will be not enough to break up the resin. I believe some rollers are afraid of breaking them or are inexperienced and do not know how to properly roll. This is why they roll with less pressure. Some composites and all aluminum bats will have long flat spots along the length of the barrel after rolling. With composites, this is typically caused by low-grade composite material but can also be caused by too much stress. So the question remains what if I have one of these bats that rolling will leave roller marks? Answer: A good roller will create procedures that will work around this challenge. One of these tactics is parallel rolling. One can't successfully roll an aluminum bat with a perpendicular rolling machine. Let me say that again, "You cannot effectively roll an aluminum bat with a perpendicular rolling machine". This is where a parallel rolling machine is a necessity. It will efficiently roll the bat without leaving flat spots.

I can say the same thing about some composite bats. As I made the point in the second paragraph, a few composite bats are made of substandard material and perpendicular rolling can cause flat areas. Some of these composite bats include: 2009 or above Mikens and Worths, Easton Extended 2008, TPS, most youth fastpitch, and most youth baseball bats. This is not a complete list but it gives you an idea of some of the potential problems with perpendicular rolling. I mentioned that Mikens and Worths have this occur, this is not to say that they have low-grade composite but it definitely occurs with these bats. Again, this can be avoided with a parallel roller and an expert bat roller. So if these sorts of bats are rolled to there full capability in a perpendicular bat roller there will be flat areas. Again, there will be flat spots with perpendicular bat rolling.

Getting back to the original question, can bat rolling be detected? No, as long as you use a parallel bat rolling machine and an expert bat roller. I have personally sent 4 bats back to Easton and Miken that had been rolled and got my replacements. You will see bat rollers on Ebay trying to get your business with no real experience. You will see things like "we can roll bats 'Hot' or 'Super Hot'", what in the backyard nilly willy is this? You will find claims of 20-60 feet; rolling has only been tested to increase distance by 40 feet. You will see bat rollers who blame the bat companies for graphics coming off. Ebay is a proving ground for inexperienced bat rollers. What to look for: look at Ebay feedback, make for certain you get it done by a legit bat rolling company, and look for a bat roller who does both perpendicular and parallel. This will improve your chances of not receiving a detectable bat after bat rolling.

The Bat Rolling and Bat Shaving Authority BigDawg Bat Rolling

Rolled or Shaved Bats for Sale

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