Pitching - Mental Aspect

By John DiNicola

Pitching is a very trying and challenging position as well as the most important part of the game. A game cannot be played without a pitcher and a play cannot happen without a pitcher for that matter. This brings a large spotlight to the position. At all times, all eyes will be on the pitcher. There is no way to hide. Thus when things go wrong, it will be the pitcher and the pitcher alone when standing on the mound. It can be a very lonely place. No matter the circumstances, the pitcher will either be the hero or the goat.

A major part in succeeding in such a demanding position is how the pitcher is made up mentally and how they handle the trials and tribulations that come with being front and center at all times. This brings about pressure. The good ones deal with the pressure but the great ones THRIVE on the pressure. The question is, how do you handle adversity on the mound? How do you handle success on the mound?

In every game things will go wrong. From bad calls by the umpire to not being able to throw strikes to the other team getting multiple hits off of the pitcher, there are ways to handle each situation. Your successful pitchers have ways of shaking it off and moving on as if nothing happened, you're not so successful pitchers will dwell on the negatives and succumb to the adversity.

However having success on the mound can present challenges in itself. A lot of pitchers will be cruising through a game or have a good start to the season and start to lose focus. They will deviate from their plan that made them successful in the first place and take a downward path. Believe it or not, success may be harder to deal with than adversity because it is not stressed enough.

Notice the great pitchers over time. What has been one key thing that has gone along with their greatness? Consistency, from their workout routines to their approaches on the mound to the way they react to adversity, they are always consistent in the way they go about their overall game.

To learn more on the mental make up of a pitcher, please visit http://www.easypitching.com

I coached high school baseball for 12 years and had success with teaching young pitchers the basic skills of throwing a baseball. I feel if a pitcher can have proper grip on a baseball and have proper throwing techniques this will take care of his velocity and control. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_R_Di_Nicola

2010 Louisville Baseball Bat Reviews

By Robert Nelson

Louisville has a long and respected history in the baseball bat industry, but they've falling behind in the composite segment of the market. They're 2009 entry into the high end composite category, the Triton, was met with a tepid reception. For 2010 they've changed ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to their line-up except for cosmetics. They didn't even make an attempt to fool us into believing they made any changes. The verbiage for their 2010 bats is identical to the verbiage for their 2009 bats. They even changed the name of their second tier composite bat for the third year in a row without changing anything about the bat. This is extremely disappointing from what most consider the holy grail of baseball bat manufacturers. On a positive note they have adjusted their pricing policy to align the price (except for the EXO) to the material of the bat.
Here's the breakdown of the Louisville line-up:

Louisville Composite Bats

• TPX Triton - A 3-piece bat made with 100% composite material with Louisville's stiff handle and a balanced design. The 2010 Triton is the exact same bat as the 2009 model except for a putrid blue/yellow color change that makes it look cheap. This bat has by far the largest barrel I've seen on a baseball bat. As I've stated in the past, it would be in Louisville's best interest to either call this a multi-piece bat or stick to a true 1-piece design. Instead they continue to market it as a three-piece bat bonded together as a one-piece bat. I've hit with the Triton and seen high school kids use it in games and it seems to be a quality bat, but it just hasn't caught fire. You will rarely see it in a high school games and almost never in College. Even on a College teams using Louisville bats the players choose the Exogrid, Omaha or H2 (in that order) and not the Triton. The retail price remains at $399.99 for the Adult -3 model. If you like this bat you'll save about $100 by picking up the 2009 model on the discount rack (and have a bat that looks good). I recommend the Easton Speed for experienced players who want a 100% composite bat.
• TPX Dynasty Composite - This 100% 7C composite, one-piece bat has the Louisville stiff handle and a balanced design. This bat is the same bat as the 2009 Omaha Comp and 2008 Catalyst. Louisville seems to be playing musical chairs with the name of this bat and decided the old Dynasty name would make sense for 2010. I believe this bat is an excellent second tier composite bat choice for two reasons. First, it has a great price at $259 for the Adult -3 model. Second, it has a proven track record being a Catalyst/Omaha Comp. An excellent choice for those looking for a lower priced composite bat.

Louisville Hybrid Bats:

• H2: The 2010 model is the exact same bat as in 2009 but with one major difference, they've adjusted the price to what a hybrid bat should be! Do you believe in miracles? It looks like the H2 did not sell well in 2009 and they were forced to price it correctly. It's a two piece bat that bonds the pieces together to make the claim that it's a one piece bat (we've already covered this). The 100% composite handle is Louisville's stiffest which is saying something. The barrel is a 100% ST+20 alloy barrel and a balanced swing weight design. The Adult -3 model retails for $299 in 2010 $70 less than its retail price in 2009. You can also find the 2009 model for even less.
• Exogrid: The EXO continues to chug along! It's been one of Louisville's best selling bats and the 2010 model is identical to the 2008 and 2009 models. Clearly their going to milk this golden goose for as long as possible because it continues to retail for an amazing $369. In my opinion this bat is closer to a 100% alloy bat then a hybrid but with the carbon sleeve cut into the handle it's in the hybrid category. I believe the price of this bat is way too high and I can't recommend it when for an additional $30 I can get the 100% composite Triton. Don't get me wrong, it's a good bat but I just can't recommend pulling the trigger at $369. If you love this bat find the 2008 or 2009 model. It's the same bat and will cost you a lot less money. As mentioned no change to the design it's still a one piece, 100% alloy bat with some metal cut out of the handle and replaced with composite material. It comes with Louisville's stiff handle and a balanced design. As mentioned earlier, most players on College teams who use Louisville bats swing the Exogrid.

Louisville Alloy Bats

• TPX Omaha: The Omaha also continues to chug along. It' a one -piece, 100% alloy bat with the Louisville stiff handle and a balanced design.. The 2010 is the same bat as the 2009 model and is priced at a reasonable $199.99 for the Adult -3 model. It's a great choice for those who are not looking to break the bank to purchase a baseball bat. Many players on College teams with Louisville contracts prefer to use the Omaha instead of the Triton or H2.
• Omaha XT Stiff: This bat has apparently been out since last year but I've not seen it anywhere except on the Louisville website. I don't know if it's a hybrid or an alloy all Louisville says is it has ST+20 alloy and extra stiff composite reinforced transition. Seem odd to call this bat the Omaha Stiff when all Louisville bats are known for their stiff handles and the H2 has the stiffest handle of all.

Louisville makes quality bats but they need to decide if they're going to jump into the multi-piece bat market or not. If you're coming out with a multi-piece design tell me it's a multi-piece design and why that makes sense. Don't tell me it's bonded to be a one piece bat.

See more at Making a Clickable Link The Baseball Bat Reviews Blog

http://baseballbatreviewsblog.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_V_Nelson

Topic: Hitting Tip: Use a Wooden Bat In Batting Practice

Wood bats have smaller sweet spots than metal and composite bats. Using a wood bat in BP will make the sweet spot on your metal/composite bat seem huge. You can purchase both youth and adult wood bats with varied weight/length ratios. A few onces heavier than the game bat is good to build up muscles related to bat swing. I usually recommend taking half BP with wood then the last half with metal/composite. You can get a good wood bat for under $50... give it a try!

Coach Bob

How to Hit For Power in Baseball

By Joe Brockhoff
Hitting for power has always been associated with the big strong player. But in our research, we have discovered it is not so much the size of the player, but rather the strength of his hands.
If strength needs to be improved, it is in the hands and wrists. The ability to use the body is also imperative. Big guys and little guys can hit for distance if they incorporate body action in their strokes. This means they have learned to use their hips first, and hands last, with a powerful snapping action.

It is imperative that the batter develops a quick pivot and quick hands. Many young players never develop power because they are taught to just "meet the ball." It's a common phrase in baseball. As a result, many hitters stop their hands on contact and they never hit through the ball.

A hitter must be aggressive. Hitting is controlled aggression, while maintaining balance and control.

Another problem young hitters have comes from watching baseball on TV. They let the top hand go too soon. My suggestion-finish with both hands. This will further incorporate hitting through the ball.

Add to this the problem that many players are taught baseball hitting drills by getting their hands out over the plate on contact. Some times this is as a result of being taught incorrectly to get extension over the plate. Extension does not occur on contact, but rather after contact. When hitters try to extend on contact, it is like sawing wood, using too much arms and shoulders. This method will not power the ball.

In order to learn how to hit for power in baseball the hitter has to get his hands out in front of the body to contact the ball, with the top hand over the bat, and the bottom hand under the bat. The top hand is then like a hammer on contact.

Using the hands like this will increase bat speed at least 30-40% more than the arm swing.

How to hit for power in baseball comes down to :

1. A strong body
2. Quick hips
3. Especially quick hands, out front on contact
4. Hitting through the ball
5. Being aggressive

Former Tulane Hall of Fame Baseball Coach, Joe Brockhoff, fully explains his baseball hitting drills with the Super 8 Hitting System, completely demonstrated with videos and baseball hitting tips to help you hit with more power and raise your batting average.
http://www.learnbaseballhitting.com/.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Brockhoff