A few weeks ago I did an article on “Improving Your Hitting” and mentioned Coach Brockhoff from Tulane University. In a subsequent newsletter, Coach Brockhoff made a very interesting point. Young aspiring ball players are encouraged to learn hitting by being thrown pitches they “can” hit. However, when they transition to levels of baseball leagues beyond little league and into college, the minors and maybe even the majors, they learn hitting by being thrown pitches then “cannot” hit. It is an interesting “transition.”

How?
Coach Brockhoff points out that a young player’s hitting instruction prior to this transition is critical; and in some cases that instruction may do more harm than good. This has much to do with learning how to hit correctly the first time, and avoiding bad habits. Bad habits will take time to “unlearn”; and sometimes, players (and all humans) will naturally revert back to how they first learned a skill, even though they know better. This is especially true when under significant stress. It is certainly true in my area of expertise, flight instruction, as well as in many others. Instructors and students alike should be careful to make every effort to learn how to do a skill correctly the first time. Two superb examples are learning to hit a baseball from a consulate professional like Tulane University Coach Brock or learning to fly an airplane from a world renown college or university, such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, or from the U.S. military. Your choice can make the difference between turning a keen interest into a frustrating exercise of futility or a fulfilling and rewarding lifelong career.

Where?
Choosing an institution of higher learning can be complicated task, whether you want to learn to play baseball professionally, fly aircraft professionally or pursue any other career aspiration. However, there is a professional and high quality source for choosing the best college or university for you, including the best online colleges and universities – MyCollegesandCareers.Com. Choose the best to help you find the best. Regardless of how you arrived at this article on the World Wide Web, your time will be very well spent.

When?
Baseball season is just around the corner! So get in shape now, mentally and physically! And whether you play or you are an avid fan who cannot wait for April 1st and the opening game of your favorite high school, collegiate or professional American or National League team, get out to the ball park often. The 2012 baseball season is almost here!

Thank you for reading!

In last week’s article we made the statement,

Baseball is more consistent with Christianity and Christian principles than football, because Jesus was not a violent man; although, when He had to make a critical point and get humanity’s attention, He could be, was and will continue to be extremely violent.

This week we will explore this statement in some depth.

Why Watch Football?
The objective here is to emphasize that, as a Christian, football should not be enjoyed because of the violence, injuries and potential for injury, yet realizing these are part of the game. It should be enjoyed because of the suspense of third downs, the skill a quarterback has in leading his team, calling plays, completing passes and finding open receivers, realizing these are but a few of his required skills. It should be enjoyed because of the appreciation of the talents required by linemen, backs, ends, safeties and receivers, as well as the teamwork, timing and coordination required and exhibited. It is an extremely fun game to watch, play and get excited about, especially when its your home team!

Why Watch Baseball?
However, the objective here is also to emphasize that, as a Christian, baseball should also not be enjoyed because of the violence. It should be enjoyed because of the suspense of having men on second and third, the skill of the pitcher delivering “three and two” pitches, the skill of pitchers facing a variety of batters, holding men on base, pitching no-hitters or perfect games, placing the ball and working the count, realizing these are but a few of his required skills. It should be enjoyed because of the appreciation of the talents required by the catcher’s leadership, the third basemen’s fast reflexes, the shortstop’s range and coordination, the second basemen’s athletic ability to turn a double play, the first basemen’s fielding and holding of the runners, as well as the outfielders running, judgment and throwing abilities. However, these usually do not come in rapid succession. Conditions and the situations have to be just right. Good Judgement, timing and anticipation has to made with every pitch. You have to admit, that does have a close resemblance to everyday life!

But because there is less violence, injuries and potential for injury, baseball is more consistent with Christianity. Why? For thirty-three years, with one notable exception (explained below and only applicable to a few of the following), Jesus is never described in the Bible as running, rushing, cussing, yelling, hurting others, threatening others, intimidating others or otherwise inflicting violence on people. He was a leader, commanded respect, demanded respect and had the ability to communicate wisely, administer advice and suggestions, and counsel even in the most difficult situations. Not coincidentally, these are also often the attributes of the very best pitchers, catchers and shortstops in baseball, the usual leadership positions of team leaders in baseball; and of course, these are also the attributes of the very best football quarterbacks.

Does Violence Have A Place?
Absolutely it does! When a critical point has to be made, it can and should be used. The most notable example in the Bible is Jesus overturning the moneychanger’s tables in the “house of worship” (Mathew 21:12-13). Commerce and bargaining for personal gain had no place there and has no place in churches, synagogues, temples and other houses of worship today. Jesus made His point very effectively! It should also be pointed out that the Lord committed many other violent acts, when a critical point had to be made. He did this through earthquakes, floods, fire and brimstone from the skies, pestilence, famine and many other natural and supernatural acts.

Professional, collegiate and high school football would have to be changed to “flag” or “touch football” to even be close to “on par” with baseball. “Clean baseball” or legal baseball (following the established rules of the game) prohibits intentionally hitting a batter with a pitch, sliding into home plate with cleats held high, or allowing a runner or fan to interfere with a making a play. Such violent acts are not allowed. The numerous “legal” violent acts of football do not have to be described.

Are there “Christian scholarships” to play football? Should there be? Are there “Christian scholarships” to play baseball? Should there be? These are interesting questions for another week and another article.

As always, your comments and questions are most welcome. Thank you for reading!

Baseball is America’s pastime and will remain as such for many years to come. But other sports and cultural changes will affect it, and maybe even change it.

Football
I just finished, actually yesterday, watching the New York Giants defeat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LXVI. It was a very exciting game, entertaining to watch and the “best team” definitely won (21/17), even though I am a Patriots fan and always will be. (There’s only two reasons for me missing even one church service on Sunday – the Patriots in the Super Bowl and the Red Sox in the World Series!) Americans appear to love fast action, violence, partying, rowdiness, alternatives to the “same-old-same-old” and heroes. Well, Eli Manning definitely was a hero, and so are the Giants to a vast majority of every American living in New York, and others! But where does that leave major league baseball? Well for starters, it still leaves it about two months away!

Cultural Changes
So what is there about football that is lacking in baseball? It has some of all of the elements listed above, just not as much of two of them.

Fast Action. In baseball, fast action only occurs in spurts and many minutes apart, sometimes hours apart. A low scoring “no-hitter” is extremely boring to watch for the first three to six innings. Although I am sure some of you pitchers might disagree, most fans would agree. Home runs, more than two or three hits in a row, more than one or two spectacular fielding plays in a single inning, a hit batsman, injuries, stolen bases, and doubles and triples are all fun and exciting to watch; but they are fairly infrequent and seldom happen very often. Many Americans lose interest and their attention is drawn elsewhere.

Violence. Baseball certainly has its share. Fast pitches brushing back a hitter, line drives right at an infielder, sliding into second base to break up a double play, crashing into a wall (or even occasionally another player) to catch a fly ball and the (fortunately) very occasional melee that erupts as an entire bench empties onto the field to defend their player, followed by the opposing bench doing the same, all add to the adventure and intrigue of baseball. However, many Americans often want more of it and at a faster pace.

There may be others, but these two are the “biggies.”

The Others
Partying, rowdiness, alternatives and heroes were also mentioned above. But each of these have direct or indirect connections to “fast action” and “violence.” And each of these are also included in baseball, in sufficient quantities for many Americans, perhaps most Americans. However, the culture is changing, and not always for the better. As a final thought, I will leave you with a controversial statement to consider, remembering I am a New England Patriots fan and a Boston Red Sox fan.

Baseball is more consistent with Christianity and Christian principles than football, because Jesus was not a violent man; although, when He had to make a critical point and get humanity’s attention, He could be, was and will continue to be extremely violent.

We will explore this statement in some depth next week.

Thank you for reading!

Have you ever thought about how many common phrases we use in every day English, which come directly from our American pastime? There are actually quite a few!

Almost, No More Chances
Your boss has warned you repeatedly about being late for work. Family obligations, car problems, the weather, finishing your work at home and getting stuck in traffic all seem like legitimate reasons. But all your boss sees is that there is no one in your office at 8 o’clock. Does he say, “One more time and I will have to take some action.”? Maybe, but more likely he will give you some warning and say, “Twice this month is too much. Once more and action will be taken. Three strikes and your out!” Actually, you may not get fired; but he got the point across; your time at the plate is almost up!

Step Up!
Initiative is an admirable quality. But if your boss, your spouse, your kids or best friend want you to step forward and get the job done, are they going to say, “Take some initiative and get it done!”? Maybe, but more likely they will admonish you and say, “Come on! Step up to the plate and get it done!” Again, the point is gotten across very clearly; and “the plate” is where it gets done!

Superlatives
You could not have done it better! Your boss, spouse, kids or best friend believe you not only did your best, but went way beyond expectations. It might have been convincing a company to become a new client or finding just the right present for a spouse or child. Do they just say, “You did a great job.” or “You could not have made a better choice!” Maybe, but they are more apt to say, “You hit a home run! …” Everyone knows exactly what it means. You really excelled!

Not Even Close!
We all make mistakes. Some are easily dealt with, while others leave you in consternation for hours or days. But when the mistake did not even come close to expectations, are people going to say, “You’re not even close with this one!”? Maybe, but more likely they will say, “Your way out in left field with this one!” The analogy is obvious. At least in their estimation, you were far away from where you should have been. Whether this refers to keeping the ball in the infield, where it should have been (at least from the team in the field’s point of view), or whether it refers to something far from the center of attention (home plate and the infield), the point is clear. You “blew it,” at least in that person’s mind.

How Did I Do?
I’m sure there are others, but these are probably the most common. I hope you found these entertaining. Do let me know if this article is a “home run” or “way out in left field.” In either case, thank you for reading!

As a final thought for you writers, learn how to become an artist. This article is different from most of my work; but it has also given me some ideas for future articles and, maybe ever so slightly, broadened my writing expertise. Writing can definitely become an art-form. Have you thought about broadening yours? Again, thank you for reading!

What position do you play? What position should you be playing? Many of us love the game and just want to play baseball, regardless of the position. However, sometime during your high school or college ball, you may consider making baseball more than just a fun sport or interest; you may consider choosing it as a career. Then, you should consider matching your talents with a position.

The Most Physically Demanding Positions
The catcher, then the pitcher, I believe are the most physically demanding. The catcher also is often the team leader, both physically and strategically. Strategically signing for each pitch, sometimes reminding all players about the count and always about the number of outs, backing up the first baseman, chasing wild pitches and foul balls, getting hit with the ball, sometimes getting hit with the bat, watching the base runners, wearing the most protective gear and taking the pounding of each pitch. It is an extremely demanding position!

The pitcher obviously has to have a strong arm and stamina. Mentally, having a strategy for each batter is mentally taxing. Add to that the mental pressure of having men on base, remembering the count, not hitting a batter and knowing that all eyes are on you – two teams and often tens of thousands of fans and millions more when on TV! I believe the mental pressures outweigh the physical; but that would also depend on the number of pitches thrown and the tempo of the game – three up and three down or hit after hit after hit with base runners everywhere!

The Positions Demanding Fast Reflexes
These positions are third base, then shortstop, then second and finally first base. For the third baseman, it may be a matter or survival! With mostly right handed batters, each one is trying get ahead of the pitch and looking for that big, fat fastball right down “the wheelhouse”! If the ball crosses the plate at 90 to 100 mph, how fast do you believe it leaves the bat of Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron or Barry Bonds? Well, it doesn’t slow much before reaching the third baseman, who must be right handed to get the ball to first or second as quickly as possible.

Next to the catcher, the shortstop is very often the team leader. He also has to take many very hard line drives and probably fields more batted ball than any other infielder. Stamina, quick reflexes and being mentally sharp are all critical for a shortstop.

The second baseman often has to catch the ball, sprint to second base, quickly get it to first and then sometimes take a pounding from the runner going into second, as the runner tries to break up the double play. Certainly fast sprinting, reflexes, superior coordination and stamina are all important for this position.
The first baseman must be steady and reliable. Occasionally, he will also get line drives. And sometimes he will even have to field a double play ball; then his quick reflexes will certainly be needed to get the ball to second ASAP and then scramble to first to make the second out. Concentration on the pitcher, holding the runner on first and then getting into position is also a very demanding, repetitive task with runners on base.

Positions for Running Athletes
Obviously, three outfielders need to be able to run. But additionally, they need to jump, exercise excellent judgement to determine where that speck in the sky is going to land and have a strong and accurate throwing arm to get the ball into the correct infielder, or the cutt-off man, ASAP.

Final Thoughts
I always played outfield, but often thought I would have been better as an infielder, like my dad who played third base. His reflexes were so fast he almost beat a table tennis champion in the U.S. Army, failing only as the ball hit the edge of the table; he got the paddle on it but could not return it. When I was in college, I got ten or twelve points from the New England Table Tennis Champion, who would repeatedly return the ball after I repeatedly would hit it as hard as I could swing the paddle. It was great fun, but I was no match for Table Tennis Champion, Bob Parquet, in the 1970s. I digress, but if you too have quick reflexes, consider an infield position. It may do the most to “Match Your Talents With A Position!”

Thank you for reading!

Learning any new skill takes time. And hitting is no different. Learn from the professionals, meaning the best who are actually playing the game professionally and professional batting instructors. As a flight instructor for many years, I know the importance of learning how to accomplish a new skill correctly the first time. In the air, learning any other way may cost you your life. In baseball, learning any other way may cost you many frustrating trips to the plate and may cost your team more than just a few runs.

A Great Philosophy of Teaching
I did not spend much time researching this until I came across Coach Brockhoff from Tulane University, a hall-of-fame head baseball coach. In a short free video Coach Brockhoff describes the basics; but he also cautions viewers that to master the skill of swinging the bat takes much time, practice and work. Describing what to do and how to do hit correctly, including demonstrations, is certainly a prerequisite; however, that is completely different from putting it into practice. As a flight instructor for over a quarter of a century, for what I consider to be the best aeronautical university in the world, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, I always described the maneuvers on the ground before demonstrating them in the air. And only then would I allow the student to take the controls. “Coach Brock,” as he is commonly called, has a similar philosophy.

A Proven Record
At Tulane University Coach Brock has over 641 wins, with players executing over 10,000 hits and over 900 homeruns. As a flight instructor, I can appreciate his expertise. Just as not every one of my students now flies for a Part 121 carrier such as United Airlines, Delta Airlines or American Airlines or the U.S. military, not every one of Coach Brock’s students now plays for a professional major league baseball team. However, today there are dozens of my former students who now fly for a Part 121 carrier or the military; and 45 of Coach Brock’s Tulane University students have gone on to play professional baseball. As with Part 121 carriers and the military, major league baseball teams only hire the best of the best. Therefore, learn from the best, study what your instructor says and demonstrates, and then work hard. If you are really serious about professional baseball as a career, there is no other way to learn how to pick a career than to strive to become one of the “best of the best.”

The Heroes
You may never be a Ted Williams with a 344 lifetime batting average, a Pete Browning with a 349 lifetime batting average or a Ty Cobb with a 366 lifetime batting average – the career leader for batting average. But you can be the best possible hitter with the body and talents God gave you. Make the best of them with hard work and dedication. For what is actually a fairly nominal fee, Coach Brock’s videos and reports, called the “Super 8 Hitting System,” will give you the correct instruction and fundamentals to be that best possible hitter. So why not give it a try!

Thank you for reading!

Baseball requires special exercises to maintain physical fitness during the off-season. In addition to overall conditioning and stretching, one of the most common recommendations is “interval training.” Short bursts of speed and great strength for short time intervals are critical for ball players.

Position Matters
The physical fitness requirements for pitchers and catchers is dramatically different from that required for outfielders. (Highlighting these differences will be the subject of a later article.) And infielders require still different fitness requirements. And except for pitchers in the National League, all positions must take their turn at the plate. The muscles used to swing the bat are those in the back, chest and arms, and to a lesser extent in the legs and torso. However, baseball trainers and coaches agree that overall conditioning is important regardless of the position played.

Interval Training
One recommendation for interval training includes a number of sprint exercises. With only a 15 second interval between sprints, players participate in 90 yards sprints followed by sprints of 80, 70 and 60 yards. Then, after only a 2 minute break, the whole set of sprints is repeated. Then, after repeating this whole double set of sprints, players may have completed their single workout session.

Overall Conditioning
Weight lifting in compound exercises is another recommendation, but usually with light weights and repetitions of only 10. These may include squats, bench presses and deadlifts. Weights in the areas of about half what a player is capable of lifting is commonly recommended. These exercises provide a workout for muscles throughout the body. Using a rowing machine is also highly recommended for overall conditioning.

The Importance of Stretching
Doing stretching exercises before and after each workout is extremely important, especially to decrease risk of injury. Full body stretches, including holding the stretch for at least 15 seconds, has proven to improve performance and is also recommended by the Mayo Clinic. One article by the Mayo Clinic staff mentioned that the benefits of stretching a mixed. However, they agree that the main benefits are improving overall conditioning, which results in improved athletic performance and flexibility, and a reduction in injuries. It was also mentioned that stretching increases the blood flow to the muscles.

But stretching must be done correctly. Stretching cold muscles, or muscles which have not been exercised recently to increase blood flow, can be dangerous. Warm up should be done by five or ten minutes of such exercises as walking, jogging or biking before stretching. Or, the Mayo Clinic staff recommends only stretching at the end of the workout session; then muscles are ready. And they also recommend not stretching just before an intense physical activity such as sprinting or other track and field activities. Several sources also cautioned against bouncing while stretching; this can result in small tears in the muscles, which may leave scar tissue as the muscle heals, and decreases flexibility as well as increasing susceptibility to pain. If you feel pain, you have gone too far; back off until there is no pain and hold that for at least the previously mentioned 15 seconds.

Finally, if you have an injury or some chronic condition, approach stretching with caution. It may cause more harm than good. Consult with your doctor or physical therapist before stretching such muscles.

Now you have some idea how professional baseball players get themselves in shape for the new season, and how you too may get in shape for playing on the diamond next spring. Thank you for reading!

Have you checked the new 2012 schedule yet for your team? What new players will be drafted? There will be significant new rule changes for the 2012 draft as a result of the new collective bargaining agreement between Major League Baseball (MLB) and its players union. These changes will be described in next week’s article.

Major League Baseball Attendance
Do you buy season tickets, attend only a select number of games or simply attend one to three games each year, while watching or listening to the others on TV and radio? In the 2011 season, league statisticians (and with the economy the ways it is, I’m sure accountants too) put home game attendance up for major league baseball by 451,020 over the 2010 season. There were nearly 73 million fans in attendance for 2010 and 73.4 million for 2011. Although not large (actually only a 0.07 percent increase), at least the change was positive. Of the 30 major league baseball teams, 18 increased their attendance and 12 had an attendance decreases between 2010 and 2011. The Cleveland Indians had the greatest attendance increase, 449, 191, while the Boston Red Sox had the smallest increase, 7, 556; but the Red Sox also have one the smallest park, yet for years have sold out every game. The Los Angeles Dodgers had the greatest attendance decrease, having 627, 179 less fans in attendance, while the Chicago Cubs have the smallest decrease, having only 45,007 less fans in attendance.

Has the economy negatively affected major league baseball attendance? Undoubtedly it has. Fans electing to watch TV or listen to radio are certainly no less loyal to their team; but priorities must be set to keep the lights on and the mortgage paid. Attending major league sporting events probably will not be high on the priority lists of American families for at least a few more years, maybe longer.

Attendance Comparisons With Other Sports
However, major league baseball is way ahead of other major league sports in attendance. The National Basketball Association (NBA) only had 21.3 million in attendance, almost identical to Nippon Professional Baseball, the highest level of baseball in Japan. The National Hockey League (NHL) comes in next with 20.9 million fans. And the National Football League (NFL) comes in at 17.1 million fans; although, they obviously have a much shorter season. All these numbers are for the 2011 or 2010-2011 sports seasons.

The average attendance may provide more indication of fan loyalty among major league sports. Not surprisingly, the NFL came in with the highest average attendance, 66,960. This was followed by association football in Germany, England and Australia (with 42.6, 35.3 and 34.9 thousand fans at the average game, respectively) and then Major League Baseball with 30.4 thousand fans at each game. Interestingly, the La Liga league of association football in Spain had nearly the same average attendance as American MLB; Spanish fans averaged 29.1 thousand fans per game.

The 2012 MLB Season
So get out to the ballpark in April! I am already looking at the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Boston Red Sox schedules. And if the two teams ever play each other at the D-Back’s Chase Field in inter-league play, you can bet I will be there! Unfortunately, they never do so in 2012. However, there is always the possibility of them meeting for the 2012 World Series. I would almost be in heaven!

As always, thank you for reading. Your comments and questions are most appreciated.