Monthly Archives: September 2012

Baseball Basics — No Comments
26
Sep 12

Pulling Off a Perfect Base Running Slide

Base running is important as much as the batter can hit the ball and a pitcher can throw a fastball. Any baseball player needs to know how to make a good slide run for those intense in-game moments that the ball is close to the base runner to make a save. To make the buzzer beater win for your baseball team, below is the process to make a good base running slide.

The basic principle of sliding is that you touch the base plate using your feet. When sliding, concentrate your weight on the foot that is to touch the base plate. Pulling this off can be dangerous, but the steps below should ensure your safety in making the slide.

1. Anticipate the base plate when you’re exactly 3 to 5 feet before the base plate.

2. Ensure that after your full spring, you start to go down a sliding position. You’ll need to place your legs underneath the other. To make your sliding position easier, place your weight against your buttocks as if you were sitting down while running. Bend the leg that is to go underneath the main foot to help you slide better.

3. Your core body should be tight. Place your arms on your side at shoulder level while sliding. Do not attempt to hold the ground using your hands while you slide. This can cause injuries to your elbow and forearms due to the sudden impact of your hands with the ground.

4. Start with four cones 4 feet from the base when practicing. You should begin your slide from the cone. You can gauge at which distance can you make the slide perfectly through constant practice. Be sure that you don’t slide past the base or slide before the base. Finding the right distance is crucial.

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Health — No Comments
17
Sep 12

The Health Risks in Playing Baseball

Any athletic sport is physically demanding. Without proper training, stress and fatigue can get the better of the athlete. In playing sports, one must be cautious that in performing well, they will need to improve their physical capabilities. Baseball is no exception when it comes to health risks in sporting. Here are some of the ways baseball can put you in harm’s way.

1. Ball Bullets

A ball hit by a wooden bat can reach a maximum speed of 100 mph. A ball hit by metal bats, which are relatively lighter for most batters, can reach speeds more than 100 mph. “Ball Bullet” incidents, which killed some young children and injured adult audiences in the stands, is a powerful ball hit from a metal bat. Most youth, high school and college leagues make use of bats with metals. However, many states are considering to ban the use of non-wooden bats to avoid the injuries.

2. Little League Arm

As with any sporting activity, without enough exercise and muscle development, injuries can be common. Young players practicing their pitches may have trouble with their arms during the time they begin playing. Too much pitching exercises can lead to broken bones in the arm joints.

3. Fatigue

Fatigue easily sets in especially during long practice and playing sessions. Fatigue is virtually harmless in itself; but it can give way to other serious injuries. Fatigue causes the lack of concentration. Collisions with running players can cause concussions or brain damage. Getting hit by a pitched or batted ball even with safety equipment can also be a problem with fatigue. A player must be able to rest when fatigue sets in to avoid possible injuries.

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Baseball Basics — No Comments
03
Sep 12

Essential Things to Know About Base Running

Baseball or softball is not just about hitting the ball as hard as you can or pitching and catching everything effectively. Baseball is also about strong legs and lower body strength when running from one base to another. The only way a team scores points is if a player manages to run through all bases. Here are a few things that base runners should keep in mind.

1. Fast is Not Always the Answer

Base running is not just about getting to the other side. It is about taking into consideration all possibilities of strategy. Running fast is an advantage, but you’ll need to know where the ball always is, check if there’s a fly ball, anticipate the action and know when to slide. Being fast is not always the answer; a slow runner who understands when to slide and knows if the ball is near or far from them can always make it safely to the next base.

2. Hit And Run

Once you hit the ball, don’t wait for the ball to be considered foul or a grounder. Run as soon as you hit the ball whichever way you did. This places more pressure on the other team by trying to catch the ball and take you or one of the base runners out.

3. Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

Don’t be scared of the fielder reaching the ball for you. When running, focus on the next base and getting there as fast as you can. If you focus on the impending fielder, you’ll only get slowed down.

4. Look for Opportunities

Anticipate the action. Try to observe the other game players and their strengths and weaknesses. By knowing these small details about them, you can actually outrun them during a hit better than knowing nothing at all. Keep a close watch on the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses to know where the window of opportunity can actually help you in the process.

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