Top 5 Baseball Speedsters

 by: Kevin Bourassa

5. Joey Gathright- Tampa Bay Devil Ray(OF, Minors)

Joey Gathright has been called the fastest player in the league, he’s even been called the fastest man in the world, but he hasn’t yet received big-league playing time. Gathright could be that guy, who gets to the 100 SB mark. He’ll have to wait however with a crowded list of OF’s on Tampa Bay. Joey Gathright is so fast, so athletic that he can jump over a car… the long way. “But I can’t do it anymore,” Gathright said. “It’s in my contract. I’m not allowed to jump over cars anymore. Can’t jump fences, either.” Gathright could get a call to the majors sometime in 2004. Steals projection this season: 45, between Minors and Majors.

4. Rafael Furcal- Atlanta Braves(SS)

If Rafael Furcal got more SB opportunities he could easily steal 50+ bases in a single season, but the Braves don’t send him enough. Furcal stole 25 bases last year, and was caught stealing just twice. With Furcal’s speed, he should get twice as many steals as he did last season. In 2000, Furcal stole 40 bases, so why aren’t they sending him now? SB aside, Furcal showed his speed last season when he scored 130 runs in the Braves leadoff role, good enough to place him 3rd in the majors. With some of the big-name sluggers gone from Atlanta, the Braves need to find a new way to produce runs, and Furcal will be a key part in that. Steals projection this season: 40

3. Carlos Beltran - Kansas City Royals(OF)

Carlos Beltran stole 41 bases last season, and was only thrown out 4 times. That’s a ration of 10 steals per 1 time being thrown out, and thats an amazing ratio. Beltran can not only run the basepaths well, but he hit 25 HR, batted in 100 RBI and batted .307 last season. Carlos Beltran is an all-around fantasy god. He should steal more bases this season, because he missed 20 games last season due to injuries. Carlos Beltran is a 4-10 pick overall, and he won’t disappoint you with his speed. Steals projection this season: 55

2. Juan Pierre - Florida Marlins(OF)

Pierre led the leagues in SB last season, so why isn’t he the top speedster? Well he did get CS 20 times. Pierre is on a Florida team that loves to run, 5 Florida hitters stole double-digit bases last season, and Pierre was their leader. Batting at the top of the order, Pierre would get on base and then he would proceed to try to steal second. Pierre attempted a steal about once every 3-4 times he got on base. Pierre’s fantasy value skyrocketed last season, and he should get around the same amount of steals this season as he did last year. Steals projection this season: 58

1. Carl Crawford - Tampa Bay Devil Rays(OF)

So you might be asking, why Crawford over Pierre or Beltran? Carl Crawford stole 55 bases last year, in his first full season, Crawford stole 55 bases and was CS 10 times. That’s 5.5 SB per 1 CS, which is a whole lot better than Juan Pierre’s ratio. Crawford should only improve his speed over the next few seasons, in which his whole team will be improving around him. In his best season Crawford could steal 70+ bases and score 120+ runs. Steals projection this season: 63

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Easton - One of the top makers of aluminum bats and baseball equipment. There are many varieties of Easton bats, from wood or aluminum models to ultra high end bats.

Did you know that it takes 42,000 pounds of pressure to emblazon an etching onto the sides of a baseball bat? We players take that for granted as we grip our trusted slugger and head to the plate. Who ever would have thought that the smash hit you’re aiming for has already undergone that kind of pressure?

It’s really fascinating, the procedure and the concept. These days though, that procedure of customizing a baseball bat is nearly passe. Most baseball bat makers today are leaping into the future of technology by using the ever so prevalently relied upon laser approach for etching their logos and signatures onto their bat products.

The old fashioned way entails Brand or Foil stamping, which may be inducing an undue amount of compression on the wood fibers that are the final composition of the carved baseball bat. The potential for that pressure against the wood to cause internal fissures and harm that would be impossible to uncover or be informed of is no longer essential to do.

This would be allowing for the baseball bat to be experienced packed force as a hitting device, with no previous events to exam its density and impact the solidity of its mass. Looking for the laser emblazoned baseball bats may prove to be a leap on having a more dependable and durable slugger.

Who wants to maintain all points in line, a certain swing primed for a home run, and just as ball meets bat, the sliver in the wood that you had no way of knowing was splitting with every hit, instantly cracks? Don?t hazard losing your favorite, home run bat.

Great sporting goods stores feature a great selection of baseball bats priced to provide baseball players with the best baseball bat possible from manufacturers like Louisville, Easton, DeMarini, Rawlings, and more, all at affordable prices. You want to do business with a store that bring to their customer’s each manufacturer industry leading high performance technologies that make each baseball bat perform at the highest level possible. Expect and request the finest and you will get it.

Louisville Slugger / TPX - The original and most well known brand of bats. Today Louisville Slugger is the most popular brand of pro wood bats, and the company continues to move into the aluminum bat market.

About the Author

William Smith lives in Florida with his wife and three cats. William writes frequently on many subjects that may be of interest to all. Discover all the joys and secrets of baseball at Baseball’s Holy Grail

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Baseball In January? I must be loco. ? Here it is January 2. What am I thinking about? Baseball, and specifically my glove.

Hey, I used to do that when I was a kid. That’s one habit I cannot seem to break. I have not tried very hard to snap that habit. ? I can see my glove in my minds eye in the garage on top of a heap of my daughter’s softball gear. Her glove, her batting gloves, and some softballs are all in the milk crate in my garage. ? I remember as a kid I would always find time to think baseball in January. I would find my glove to make sure that it still has the fit I liked. Hey I had not played in three months. Maybe the glove some how got disfigured by the by by well whatever. I had to do some oiling of my glove. Hey I had to take care of the mitt. I had to get back into the swing of things. And the swing of things meant baseball.?

I had to go and find my bat. Did it still feel right to me? I think I will take a few practice swings. Nice and easy. As I checked out my wrists I started getting a warm glow. How many days ’till the season starts? I can’t wait. ? Now it was time to pick up the baseball. Get that grip in my hand. Get the feel. I would take a few slow motion tosses without throwing the ball. Just limbering up the arm a bit. This is when I used to think I was a pitcher and make believe I was throwing one to Yogi or Elston Howard. ?This felt great. I would never throw the ball. I was inside the house.

Except for this one time when I was going through my motions. It wasn’t so bad. I learned how to plaster a wall that winter.

About the Author

Aron Wallad has been a baseball lover for over 45 years. You will love his honesty and his passion.. You will be touched by the heartwarming stories. The unusual statistics will amaze you and the quotes will make you laugh…

Go here right now to join his ezine http://www.baseballsprideandjoy.com/index.php?tag=goart

Contact Aron - The Baseball Networking Guy at aron@baseballsprideandjoy.com

Baseball caps serve many functions. They arent just seen on the field but on the streets, in the stands and almost anyone you look. Baseball caps have an interesting history, the first ones were worn by the New York Knickerbockers and they were made of straw.

There have been many styles of baseball caps throughout the years, ten different styles were advertised in 1888 in Spauldings Base Ball Guide. You could buy a baseball cap for 12 cents to $2.

Now baseball caps are available in numerous styles and colors. You can get a baseball cap that represents your favorite team. Baseball caps are sold at all the professional games and in sporting good and specialty stores around the world.

Baseball caps are worn by people of all walks of life and income levels. You see baseball caps not only at the games but at restaurants, parties, on the beach and in airports.

People sometimes wear baseball caps to make a statement about which team they support. The lucky ones have had their baseball caps signed by a favorite player. These baseball caps are treasured by their owners.

Baseball caps are comfortable to wear and adjustable. They are often made of fabric that “breathes” making them a cool choice even on a hot day. Baseball caps keep the sun out of your face and even deflect raindrops.

There is no age limit to the wearing of a baseball cap. From the smallest of children to the oldest fan, there is a baseball cap made to suit nearly everyone.

Whether you are a faithful attendee of the pro baseball games or just someone who likes to wear baseball caps, check out all the baseball caps and find one or two or three…. that is calling your name.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Whether you just want to play the sports enough so you can hit a home run or are determined that your son gets the opportunity to enter the major league. You could do a lot better by investing in baseball equipment that trains you for this.

As a little leaguer coach or just looking to bond with your son by coaching him on specifics of baseball, you can use baseball equipment that trains you for this job.

Why not try this baseball training equipment? The baseball Instructional DVDs & VHS videos would train you to pitch by learning the 30 common pitching mistakes to avoid. Or you could try baseball hitting videos that will take you from basic skills through advanced hitting drills and techniques. There are video training baseball equipment that would give you baseball workouts to increase you power and performance on the playing field. These kinds of training baseball equipment are worth investing on, as you can replay these until you get the training basics right.

Another baseball equipment you could utilize to increase your swinging prowess to a better speed are such products as a training bat. This baseball equipment usually has a properly weighted bat and resistance weights in the form of rings to ensure you train at just the right weight. As you build up strength, you can swing through the strike zone at higher and higher rates of speed.

Some other baseball equipment may not exactly qualify as baseball equipment but these magazines, training manuals and even training sessions with a professional are constructive steps to getting your baseball skills up to swing. Whether you want to go professional or just get one or two home runs. The use of baseball equipment to train you into improving is always a wise investment.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Keep this in mind-There are professional artists for creating custom jerseys for any sport including baseball. So if you are looking for baseball apparel you just want to be clear in your mind as what you desire and the designers can do the rest for you. These master artists are there to produce one of a kind apparel for you. You can also select to submit your existing team crest, and the designers will apply it to your jersey in the way or mode of your choosing.

The finest baseball uniform discount packages can offer the gamut of supplies for each of athlete on the team. That includes the accessories essential for each player to care for the gear they take to the field, as well as the items they obtain as being a member of your ball club.

Packages will customarily include the following items for each player a glove, a player bag with an optional upgrade to a roller bag for around fifteen to twenty dollars, on average, additionally. Sunglasses and leather treatment oil for maintaining appropriate care of the player’s glove or mitt are included, the latter being always an exceptional way to get players to take responsibility for maintaining a supple, flexible, long lasting glove.

Batting gloves and wristbands are also items that are included with the finest baseball uniform discount packages. The discount, which may not seem like much when you first look at it, does add up to being worth the trouble to research an acceptable baseball uniform discount package for your team. Per player, usually, it will average to about between $27 to $30 dollars.

When you factor in the number of players, the discount is well worth it. The start of the season is never met with a better event that when these packages arrive and every player gets to begin the year with that feeling of unity and camaraderie that will set in place the winning spirit!

Baseball Uniforms from most manufactures are quality baseball uniforms and are available in several different styles. Most all baseball team uniforms come in a wide variety of designs, colors, sizes and materials. You should be able to buy baseball uniforms individually or in team quantities at even greater discount prices in most good stores.

Baseball apparel is popular among fans since it not only looks good and fashionable but also is considered suitable attire in general circumstances. Baseball apparel mirrors the fans passion for baseball sport and is a perfect way to express their loyalties with their favorite teams.

About the Author

William Smith lives in Florida with his wife and three cats. William writes frequently on many subjects that may be of interest to all. Discover all the joys and secrets of baseball at Baseball’s Holy Grail

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Preparing the High School Body for Collegiate Baseball by Coach Dan Huff, CSCS http://www.baseballstrength.com

If you are like most high school baseball players you are much more than just a baseball player. You are also involved in basketball, football, soccer, and maybe even track and field. This means that you are also required to train for baseball as well as basketball, football, soccer, and maybe even track and field. This leaves very little room for sport specific training.

The chances are that you are in pre-season training all year long. As soon as baseball season ends you begin pre-season training for football. As soon as football season ends you begin pre-season training for basketball, and so on…

Now don’t get me wrong, there is definitely a place (and a very important one) for pre-season training, but the pre-season is just the icing on the cake. And what kind of cake would you have if it was only icing?

When you get to college you can expect a drastic change in your training styles because along with your pre-season training you will also have off-season, post-season, and in-season training. In other words, you will be training for baseball 52 weeks out of the year.

Keep this in mind during your junior and senior years of high school as you are getting ready to move onto the next level of competition. If you can begin training like a collegiate baseball player before you get to college you will have a step up on your fellow incoming freshmen.

The first thing that you will need to realize is that next season starts the day after this season ends. Sure, we will not be training all out the day after the season ends, but we will have opening day in our sights. Your training calendar needs to begin with post season training, a 4 to 6 week period where you allow your body to recover from the physical demands of the season. This is where you will be visiting your athletic training room for rehab treatments and doing a lot of low intensity work to give your body a chance to take it easy without taking it off.

After these 4-6 weeks you will begin to pump up the intensity and move into your off-season training. During the off-season you will be building your foundation for the next season. If you are lacking in strength, that will be your focus. If you are lacking in power, that will be your focus. If you are lacking in speed, that will be your focus. The key word in those statements is focus. That does not mean that we are not at all interested in the other components, we are simply focusing on your weakness.

After 8-12 weeks of off-season training you will move into your pre-season training. This is the 12 weeks leading up to your opening day. During this phase of training you will we working on the key components of the game, arm strength, acceleration, change of direction, rotational power, ect… These components will be built on the foundation that you developed during the off-season. Your in-season training will usually be 2 days of training each week consisting of preventative exercises so that you can maintain the healthiest body possible during the season.

The sooner you can prepare your body for this type of year long training for one specific sport the better off you will be during your college career.

Coach Dan Huff, CSCS http://www.baseballstrength.com

About the Author

To learn more about Coach Dan Huff and his unique baseball strength training and conditioning methods go to www.BaseballStrength.com

In baseball, how does a pitcher throw a curveball?

A successful major league batter gets a hit only 30 percent of the time he comes to bat. One of the ways pitchers lower these chances even further is by throwing a curveball. A curveball is a pitch that appears to be moving straight toward home plate but that is actually moving down and to the right or left by several inches. Obviously, a pitch that curves is going to be harder to hit than a fastball that is moving straight.
There are two basic factors involved in creating a curveball:

Proper grip

Air resistance

Any baseball pitch begins with how the pitcher grips the ball. To throw a curveball, a pitcher must hold the baseball between his thumb and his index and middle fingers, with the middle finger resting on the baseball seam. When the pitcher comes through his motion to throw the ball, he snaps his wrist downward as he releases the ball, which gives the ball topspin. If the pitcher throws properly, the back of the his hand will be facing the batter at the end of the motion. The ball will break down and away from a right-handed batter if thrown by a right-handed pitcher.

The spinning action created when the pitcher releases the ball is the secret behind the curveball. This spinning causes air to flow differently over the top of the ball than it does under the ball. The top of the ball is spinning directly into air and the bottom of the ball is spinning with the air flow. The air under the ball is flowing faster than air on top of the ball creating less pressure, which forces the ball to move down or curve. This imbalance of force is called the Magnus Effect, named for physicist Gustav Magnus, who discovered in 1852 that a spinning object traveling through liquid is forced to move sideways.

Adding to the air pressure exerted on the ball are the 108 red stitches that hold the cover on the ball. Because they are raised, the stitches increase the amount of friction created as the air passes around the ball and places more air pressure on top of the ball. A well thrown curveball can move as much as 17 inches either way. If you’ve ever seen a batter jump out of the way of a baseball that ends up crossing over the plate, you’ve seen a good curveball.

http://www.a1-baseball-4u.info/

choosing a good Baseball Bat!Silent Onechoosing a good Baseball Bat!

Ash

Most wood bats today are made from Northern White Ash generally harvested in Pennsylvania and Upstate New York. It is graded for quality with straight grain being the most important criteria. (Southern Ash grows too quickly and is not as dense). Major League grade is of course, the best and is also in short supply. Most of what you see that’s labeled or sold as Pro-Stock or some similar name is actually Minor League wood or a lesser grade and generally is found for around $40. Of course, there are other levels of quality down to the $20. range. They are known by grades called high school, trophy and retail (don’t expect to see the grades labeled). Generally, they are not of very good quality and only worth purchasing if money is an issue. (Better than not having any wood at all). You won’t find these on our site. We only work with quantities in straight ash.

Maple

Here is another material that has recently gained some Major League notoriety. They cost a bit more, but when made properly AND from the right material known as Rock or Sugar Maple, it is absolutely worth the extra money simply because it tends to outlast ash bats many times over. So in the long run, because they last longer, they’re less expensive.

So why don’t all major Leaguers use maple? Actually, as they are becoming more well known, more players are now using them. Just like in your own dugout, players will try out each other’s new bats. And since they have such good “feel”, some players will switch while other players having the superstitions that many ballplayers tend to have, will never change even the color much less the type of bat that they use. Also, since Major leaguers aren’t concerned with saving money on bat breakage, economy is not the issue that it is for the rest of us.

http://www.a1-baseball-4u.info/

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My Top Ten Favorite Baseball Movies ? My top ten baseball movies consist of five movies on the list. There have been many movies with a baseball theme that I have liked, but there are only five I have loved. I will get to them soon.

Some of the ones I have liked are “Bull Durham” with Kevin Costner, a light hearted tale about a minor league season in North Carolina and the characters on and around that team. “Bang The Drum Slowly” with Robert DeNiro, “Cobb” with Tommy Lee Jones, “Fear Strikes Out,” “Eight Men Out,” “A League of Their Own,” “Major League,” ?and “Rookie of the Year.” ? One thing that my favorites have in common is that I have been moved to tears. For similar and different reasons, I have been inspired or moved by some of the following scenes.

? Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner and James Earl Jones. When I think about this movie I always think how corny it was. Come on - Cut down a corn field to create a baseball field. I have seen this movie approximately 15 times. It is the only movie I have seen in my adult life twice in the theaters. The scene that is so moving for me is when Kevin Costner asks his father to play catch. He is so awkward in his asking. He is so delighted when his father says “sure.” I melt whenever I see this scene.

? The Rookie with Dennis Quaid

How does a man in his late 30’s leave his family and start playing baseball in the minor leagues. He is fulfilling a dream. There are a couple of scenes in the movie that lead to a most uplifting moment. While playing in the minor leagues in the Tampa Bay organization Dennis Quaid (Playing pitcher Jim Morris) thinks he may have made a mistake by leaving his family to pursue a dumb dream. He is in anguish. He is not making any money pitching in the minors while his family is suffering at home with very little money coming into the house. Finally, after vacillating between playing baseball and going back to his wife to make a constant living he sees one of his teammates and asks him. “Do you know what we are going to do today?” His teammate looks puzzled. Dennis responds to his own question. “We are going to play baseball today.” With a big grin on his face Dennis captures the joy of playing baseball. I loved it.?

The Natural with Robert Redford

The music in this flick was superb. Good versus evil. Robert Redford comes out of the hospital to play in the most important game of the year. As corny as this movie was I loved the scene at the end of the movie when he hits the ball into the lights and a shower of sparkling flashes illuminate the screen. I can still hear the music from that part of the movie, as he circles the bases. I get chills whenever I see this part of the film.

? Pride of The Yankees with Gary Cooper and Teresa Wright

One of my all time favorite movies. One of my all time favorite players, Lou Gehrig, is played on the screen so superbly by Gary Cooper. The scene that gets to me every time is when Lou goes to see the doctor at the hospital because he feels a nagging injury not healing. As his wife nervously waits in the waiting room, Lou is examined and then given the fatal news of his illness. He is greeted by his wife as he leaves the examination room. She then asks him how it went. They embrace and he tells her its a little bump or bruise. She seems to know without him telling her that this is serious. Oh my. I melt every time.?

This following epic motion picture reminds me of a baseball season. Long, lasting and lovable. Baseball by Ken Burns

Can you believe 18 hours of baseball footage? Still pictures from the 19th century. Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Lou Gehrig, Buck O’Neil. Highlights on film. Dead ball era. Modern day. Pitchers, hitters. This movie had it all. The pictures were spectacular. There were so many stories that were told. I was amazed. Ken Burns commitment to get this movie done is what moved me.

So there you have it. I cannot thank the people ENOUGH that made these movies. I have been touched writing about their commitment, passion, and excellence.

About the Author

Aron Wallad has been a baseball lover for over 45 years. You will love his honesty and his passion.. You will be touched by the heartwarming stories. The unusual statistics will amaze you and the quotes will make you laugh…

Go here right now to join his ezine http://www.baseballsprideandjoy.com/index.php?tag=goart

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Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Baseball?

1 The Ultimate Challenge Hitting a round ball with a round bat. The feeling I would get when I hit the ball. Just think of a baby that is crying for food. When that baby gets her bottle the first thing you hear is that ahhhhh sound. Oh that ah. When I hit a ball perfectly I would have that ahhhhh.

2 I call it Contentment at a high level. I played all the time when I was a kid. Some of my favorite memories were from the diamond. When I hit two home runs in one game off the star pitcher form our High School team. I rounded the bases in full view of our High School coach. I was glowing. When I hit a game ending home run off Jay Klein. He thought I could only hit singles. Rounding the bases of redemption was a another special moment for me. When I broke up two no hitters from the star, city league pitcher. I felt like I had made the grade, and that was awesome.

3 Easy watching I can sit in my favorite chair and root for Derek Jeter to hit one up the gap. Holding my breath with every pitch delivered to him. Or, I can sit and read the paper and view the events of the game through the corner of my eye. Either way is ok with me.

4 I am amazed by what Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig accomplished in their careers. I look at old film footage, or read about either The Babe or Larripin Lou and always feel awed by the big numbers they both put on the board. From home runs to RBIs to batting average to runs scored, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig achieved over and over again.

5 Double my pleasure. I could play baseball and get a tan at the same time. ?

6 My sons played and my daughter still plays. I have had the pleasure of sharing joyous moments with my children. Times that I will not forget. Like when my daughter got the game winning hit against Fair Lawn High School last year. We won 1-0. I was jumping up and down. I was so excited. I was so happy she delivered.?

7 I love all of the statistics. Did you ever see so many stats? Runs, RBIs, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, stolen bases etc….. Comparing eras, or comparing players. Duos like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig - how do they stack up against other twosomes. Who had the highest batting average in a three or four or five year stint? So many statistics to choose form. It is endless.?

8 A place to excel I loved taking a hit away from the batter. I felt great stealing a base. Why is it that stealing is bad except in baseball? My satisfaction was heightened by a solid hit. This was the best. Ahhhh. I especially felt great rounding the bases after hitting a homer. I think I know how Babe Ruth felt when he whacked one. ? 9 My favorite team is the Yankees. Of all the teams I root for in all the professional sports I watch the Yankees are the only team that wins on a fairly regular basis. All my other teams usually lose. It feels good when my team wins.

10 I love the stories. Like the story Mickey Mantle tells of the time when he first joined the Yankees. He was not hitting well. His confidence was dwindling. After days of desperation he called his father when he was ?playing near Oklahoma. Mickey Mantle was hoping his father would give him a pep talk. But when Muck Mantle got to the hotel room where Mickey and the New York Yankees were staying. Muck did not give his son a pep talk. He did the opposite. Mickey’s father told Mickey that he was there to pick up his son and bring him home. Mickey’s father said that he did not know he raised a quitter. Mickey Mantle got the message. He started to hit after his father left. He attributes that meeting with his father as a turning point in his career. I have heard Mickey Mantle tell that story a few times on tape or live. Whenever I hear him tell it I am moved by Mickey’s love for his father.?

11 It is just the greatest game.

Feel Free to pass this article on to anyone you think would enjoy reading it.

About the Author

Aron Wallad has been a baseball lover for over 45 years. You will love his honesty and his passion.. You will be touched by the heartwarming stories. The unusual statistics will amaze you and the quotes will make you laugh…Sometimes

Go here right now to join his ezine http://www.baseballsprideandjoy.com