Quiet Ambassador: Pee Wee Reese Story

(2) They're good communicators, especially under pressure. It is often the catcher who calms his erratic or fading pitchers by calling for a quick conference on the mound. Knowing when to call the time out, and what to say during it, are really important skills. Corporate managers who know when to give their people an impromptu break, or who sense when something subtle is askew, are some of the most effective mentors.

(4) Their heads are always in the game because they're part of every play. They're alert and always vigilant.

But they, like most catchers, were adroit students of the game.

Managers - Think Like A Catcher!

Dr. Gary S. Goodman is a top trainer, conference and convention speaker, and sales, customer service, and negotiation consultant. A frequent expert commentator on radio and TV, he is also the best-selling author of 12 books, more than 1,000 articles and several popular audio and video programs. His seminars are sponsored internationally and he is a faculty member at more than 40 universities, including UC Berkeley and UCLA. Gary's sales, management and consulting experience is combined with impressive academic credentials: A Ph.D. from USC, an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School of Management, and a J.D. degree from Loyola Law School, his clients include several Fortune 1000 companies.

It's easy to think of catchers as the samurai of baseball.

(1) They take total responsibility for the game, suggesting pitches to pitchers, those that are most calculated to retire hitters. They even position fielders, because they sense where the ball is most likely to be hit.

I don't know what my manager saw in me, but in Little League, he converted me from being an infielder to a catcher. Possibly, more than anything else, the training and experience I got, then and at higher levels of baseball, enabled me to become and effective corporate manager and independent consultant.

They don armor before going into combat and they withstand a pummeling by opponent after opponent, without expressing a hint of discomfort.

They strategize, incessantly, and with every pitch and nuance they detect, their game plans adjust.

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Managers should emulate catchers, if only because catchers, as a general rule, become great managers.

So was Joe Torre, as I recall.

The man who took over for departing Yankee manager Joe Torre, Joe Girardi, was a catcher.

It may be too late for you to change your Little League position, but it's never too late to study catchers and the managers they become, and above all, to learn to think as they do.

In 2007, the two gentlemen voted Managers of the Year by Major League baseball, had been catchers in their playing days. They didn't post remarkable batting averages. In fact, their career averages were about .237, which isn't very good, at all.

(3) Constantly, they see the big picture. Only catchers can eyeball every other player on the field, simultaneously.

Why do catchers make such fine managers? Five reasons:

And they are constantly WATCHING, whether it is a slight change in the orientation of their pitcher's throwing arm or the warm-up swings of an unknown adversary in the on deck circle.

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The New MLB Drug Testing Policy

The new policy was brought about by threat of legislation from Congress. Under the policy tougher penalties for steroid use are implemented. Under the new policy the players are to be tested during their spring training along with at least one additional test during the regular season as well as being subject to random testing throughout the regular season.

Under the previous policy testing was also conducted on a much less frequent basis. Testing was conducted at the beginning of spring training with no additional testing through the regular season other than random testing. Under this policy, it was quite possible for a player to only be tested once from the beginning of spring training throughout the regular season.

The policy stipulated that players who tested positive for steroid the year prior to the new policy taking affect would be treated as first time offenders under the new policy if they should test positive again.

If youve been following the news lately, no doubt youve heard about the new MLB drug testing policy. While you may have heard about the policy you might not understand the specific implications of the policy and how it may affect your favorite players and teams.

The policy also takes a stab at possession of illegal steroid use in addition to use of illegal steroids. Players convicted for the possession of illegal steroids are subject to a 60-80 game suspension for the first offense and 120 games to one year for a second offense. A lifetime ban is on the table for a third offense. Players who are convicted of steroid distribution face tougher suspensions for the first offense and are subject to a lifetime ban after the first offense.

Penalties for amphetamine use are slightly less severe than for steroid use. Mandatory follow-up testing is dictated for the first offense with a 25 game suspension for the second offense. An 80 game suspension will be given for the third positive test and at the fourth offense the penalty is left up to the Commissioner, which could include a lifetime ban.

Under the previous policy, penalties were much less severe. For example, for a first offense a player would be subject to a 10-day suspension and then 30 days for a second offense. A third offense would rate a 60 day suspension. The new policy calls for a 50 game suspension for the first offense and a 100 game offense for the second offense. For a third offense the player will receive a lifetime ban. Additionally, after the first offense the player will be subjected to amphetamines testing as well as steroid testing. This is the first time the problem of amphetamine use will have been addressed by a policy with MLB. Under the old policy a player could not receive a lifetime ban until he had been hit with at least a fifth offense.

(6) Six Packs of 2008 Topps Opening Day Baseball Retial Packs - (6 Packs - 6 Cards/Pack & 1 Piece of Gum) - Baseball Cards

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He is a star in the making.

Fantasy Football Fans will want to remember the name Deion Branch. When preparing for your fantasy football drafts this summer, don't let the New England receiver slip too far in your ratings or in your round-by-round projections.

If you have 12-16 teams in your league, look to nab Branch in the seventh or eighth round. He will be a steal here, but if you wait longer, you may let an amazing sleeper get away. Branch is just the type of player that the men in my novel, The League, look to steal in their drafts.

Branch is small but quick, as evidenced by his 13-yard-per-catch career average. This was just his third year in the league, and he is certainly a star on the rise.

Branch's 35 catches and four touchdowns in 2004 may make him barely visible on many people's radar screens. Others may look for him to slip into the lower rounds, because of these modest numbers. Don't make this mistake.

Only the most astute talent evaluators will remember that Branch missed seven games. Even they, however, will remember his stellar performance in the Super Bowl, which earned him MVP honors. He tied a Super Bowl record with 11 catches for 133 yards. More impressive were his circus-style catches.

What I Know and Remember About Baseball - The Eyes Have It

Eating carrots to develop good eye sight is sound advise. Unfortunately there is a little more to developing how your eyes move in relation to playing Baseball. Albeit there are many persons with natural ability use their eyes in tracking there target, still the normal reaction is to move the entire head and in the worst case, the entire body.

Sit for a moment and pick two objects 5 to 10 feet away from you about 6 to 10 feet apart. You should be able to comfortably see both at the same time. Now pick one to focus on. As quick as you can, turn your head to the second object and note the time it takes to select it. Now, start with your original target, hold your head still and move your eyes only to the second target. Unless you have quick twitch muscles throughout your body like a Barry Bonds, you should have noticed that it takes much less time to move your eyes than it does your head. That is because your eyes can move up to 5 times faster than your neck.

The speed at which you tract a target relates to your brain how much information you gather about the target and the perceived speed of the target. Occasionally experts will discuss how great baseball hitters and fielders see the ball well enough to slow it down. By allowing your eyes to make the most of the movement you gather more information and the perceived speed slows down. You now have the information to react sooner, get into position quicker and let your developed eye - hand coordination complete the desired result.

Focus on the object, in our case a baseball, is easier and far more comfortable when you have given some time to teach your eyes what you expect of them. Active vision training is not difficult. As players progress and the speed increases, active vision is essential for the next phase, prediction.

When a pitcher hurls the ball at 90+ mph there is only a fraction of a second with which to pick up the ball and determine where to swing the bat. Some have theorized that the last two one hundredths of a second, when the ball meets the bat, even the best players cannot see that moment. So how do they hit it? The information presented by their vision helps their body predict where the ball will be. More information, better prediction, better batting average.

Baseball vision training does not have to be a grueling process. Simple exercises such as sitting still and tossing a ball in the air and catching it while keeping your head still is an excellent beginning. Then move on to standing with the baseball going higher. Mix it up with left to right movement bearing in mind to track the ball with your eyes only.

An advanced drill that is a lot of fun is to place a ball on three feet of string. Have your player lie flat on their back in a room where you can control the light. As a pendulum, swing the ball back and forth and give the catch command at which point your player grasps the ball quickly with both hands. To add difficulty, swing the ball then have your player close their eyes for a swing or two then give the command. Need more challenge, turn off the light and add a strobe light, laughter will ensue, but it really does work.

Vary the challenges of the drills and the speed of the strobe lights.

For those of the practical persuasion, visit a batting cage. Stand outside the net and mid length of the cage and have your player track the baseball from the machine to the plate. You can seehow the longer flight to follow enables a longer task to work from.

Baseballs, batting cages, rain dripping off the gutter even house flies; the act of being still and letting your eyes do the work will develop the players vision. The more they see, the easier everything becomes.

Mr. Dowdy is the father of 3 and after re-entering competitive baseball with his oldest frustration of finding suitable glove is what lead him to become an Official Distributor for Kelley Athletic Click now for a free catalog or sign up your e-mail for special offers.

You can also visit the Hirsch Group site more news/tips/articles on the subjects of baseball, construction, building codes and more that most will find a quick way to fall asleep.

Thanks for reading my article!

Each 2007 Topps Chrome Baseball Cards Box contains 4 random MLB trading cards per pack and 24 packs in display box.Each box will contain 2 Autographed Rookie cards 2 box loader cards and either a parallel or insert card in each pack. 361 card set with 251 veterans, 55 Rookies, 24 Award Winners and 31 Autographed Rookies (approx 2 per box). White Bordered Refractors-- 330 cards numbered to 499-- 31 Rookie Autos numbered to 200. Refractors-- 330 cards -- 31 Rookie Autos numbered to 500. "Generation Now" 41 cards, "The Mickey Mantle Story" 30 cards, "Mickey Mantle HR History" 29 cards-- all these inserts are available as white refractors numbered to 200 and refractors numbered to 500. 2 Hobby Exclusive box loader packs -- pack 1 will contain either a "SuperFractor Parallel" 1 of 1, a "Red Bordered SuperFractor Parallel" numbered to 90, or a "Printing Plate 1 of 1" including autographed versions--- pack 2 will contain 2 "Arod Road to 500" cards.
Customer Review: I'm in love with Topps Chrome!
I got hooked with Topps Chrome when I bought a few boxes of 1998/99 basketball, when Tim Duncan, Chauncey Billups and others were rookies. I am now into baseball cards much more than basketball,and 2007 Topps Chrome baseball is still a great product! I love the refractors, the signatures and the whole look of the product. Price is very reasonable, too. And being a Red Sox fan, there are some great Sox rookie cards!

2008 Upper Deck Series 1 Baseball Cards SUPER STAR PACK - Mini Box (75 Upper Deck Series 1 Cards PLUS Special Pack) GREAT VALUE!

Each Super pack will include 3 card SUPERSTAR pack which will feature autographed SUPERSTAR parallel

Are you shopping for a gift for a female friend or loved one? Well, if you've got a bit of cash to spend, you would probably do well to look for gifts in the fashion area, and there are few things that are more fashionable than an authentic and genuine Coach handbag.

Coach handbags are a very coveted and desired item. Why are they so popular? Well, Coach is an established brand name manufacturer of fine handbags, luggage, and carrying accessories. Coach products run a little on the pricier side, but there are many places where you could purchase them for a slightly discounted price. Before we discuss where you can go to for Coach deals, let's talk about the history of Coach products.

They have been around for more than half a century in the United States of America. The legacy of Coach all started in Manhattan, New York. I bet you wouldn't have the least idea of what the object was that was the inspiration of the first Coach handbag. Well, believe it or not, it was a leather baseball catcher's glove or mitten. The craftsmanship of earlier leather baseball gloves does have a resemblance of Coach leather handbags in its grain and color and stitching. The next time you get a chance to examine an authentic Coach leather handbag or other type of accessory, try examining it to see the similarities between it and a leather baseball glove.

Well, now that you know a part of the history of Coach, where can you go to purchase these great designer accessories for less? Well, there are a few good in-store sales at certain times of the year, however there is a place that you can access from the comfort of your own home that can lead the way to great deals. The answer is the internet. Many online stores offer competitive pricing on a wide range of products including Coach handbags. If you would like to find great deals, try doing a Google search for the specific model or type you are looking for.

Coach Online Outlet Store features nearly every product that Coach makes. You'll be able to find Coach handbags and accessories for less than retail prices.

Champion Sports Youth Baseball/Softball Uniform Belt

This Champion Sports youth uniform belt for baseball offers a comfortable elastic construction with durable, full-grain leather tabs. It measures 1.25-in wide and is sized 18 in - 32 in.

Certification marks are required on all non-wood bats used in high school baseball play. This certification mark called a BESR-Ball Exit Speed Ratio requirement applies to all high schools which belong to the National Federation High School Association.

There seems to be something strange about the Certification rule. Is this BESR certification requirement based on a guarantee that the bat is safe for use?

Does the rule accomplish a specific intent? Correct the misapplication if the reading of the BESR certification does not state the certification ensures the bats maximum of 97 miles per hour BESR. Is this to be interpreted to mean that the bat is certified tested to stay intact up to the maximum of a BESR of 97 miles per hour. All bets are off if the ball exit speed ratio reaches 98 miles per hour?

In essence the bottom line might be for what purpose does this BESR certification marking on every non-wood bat do for the bat the player or the game of baseball?

The manufacturer of non-wood bats does this certification testing for every bat and placing the certification mark tested to a maximum BESR of 97 miles per hour ensure the bat is safe?.

Do the bat production standards being utilized by the manufacturer dictate that such certification is required?

The average pricing structure for new non-wood bats is at a significant level in comparison to used bats. Is it prudent to assume the certification markings on used bats are as valid as the BESR certification on the original new bat?

Does the National Federation High School Association have any statistics which they could share that supports the real and true value of the BESR certification rule? Based on casual observation with no statistical backup data from the outside simply surmising the value of this BESR rule it appears to be an added cost with no return value.

Disregard my thought process if for some reason such an observation concerning BESR certification requirement is off base and the rule serves a fortunate and common need.

The subject of BESR certification it appears is not something for which the general public and even the baseball fans, parents or players even have an inkling.

BaseballFarming is for real so an Introduction to the concept of baseball farming which includes ideas on strategies, training, and winning! by Major Wiley B. Channell USMC (ret) is available at: http://www.baseballfarming.com

Baseball Lingo is real baseball talk by the baseball world. You can become fully up to speed walk the walk and talk the talk by visiting us at: http://www.baseballfarming.com/BaseballLingo.html

A special invitation for you from Major Wiley B. Channell USMC (ret) to come visit and read the five pages which is my take on the five essential elements of hitting a baseball at: http://www.baseballfarming.com/BaseballHitting.html

If you enjoy your visit with us at baseballfarming then tell a friend and you too come back to visit often.

SNK Arcade Classics Vol 1

Celebrate the history of SNK with the ultimate collection of arcade classic hits. 16 NEOGEO games on one UMD for your Sony PSP. It's a comprehensive stack of popular SNK games. It's a must-have addition to any arcade fan's collection! Re-Live the classics of gaming in these amazing titles from SNK. The list of classics are Art of Fighting, Baseball Stars 2, Burning Fight, Fatal Fury, KOF94, King of the Monsters, Last Resort, Magician Lord, Metal Slug, Neo Turf Masters, Samurai Shodown, Sengoku, Shock Troopers, Super SIdekicks3, Top Hunter, and World Heroes.And you don't even need a roll of quarters!

Metal Slug View larger.

KING OF FIGHTERS '94 View larger.

SNK ARCADE CLASSICS: VOLUME 1 will include the following SNK games:

• ART OF FIGHTING - The first game in SNK's second fighting-game franchise, set in the same universe as FATAL FURY. It was the first fighting game by SNK to feature the character designs of former SNK illustrator Shinkiro, who would go on to do the character designs for the later Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters games.
• BASEBALL STARS 2 - The sequel to SNK's popular baseball arcade game. Players can create leagues of up to 125 games (6 teams playing each other 25 times) and view statistics such as League Standings, Average, Home Runs, Runs Batted In, Earned Run Average, Wins and Saves. Players can fire players and upgrade them using the same 15-point system introduced in the original Baseball Stars.
• BURNING FIGHT - New York detectives battle organized crime in this fighter. Duke and Billy, two popular and renowned New York City Police detectives, are hot on the trail of a dangerous Japanese crime syndicate. Their investigation has led them to the mean streets of Japan where they meet a police officer and martial arts expert named Ryu. Ryu agrees to join the NYPD detectives as they track down the crime syndicate bosses and end their reign of terror once and for all.
• FATAL FURY - First released in 1991, FATAL FURY introduced the two-plane fighting system. The main fighting game feature that the original Fatal Fury was known for was the two-plane system. Characters would fight from two different planes, and by stepping between the planes, attacks could be dodged with ease.
• KING OF FIGHTERS '94 - The first game in the popular KING OF FIGHTERS series. King of Fighters '94 introduces the series' signature 3-man team system. Instead of a simple one-on-one, two round fight system, a player chooses a team of three characters, then determines the order to play them in. Each fight consists of up to 5 rounds, and each round ends when one of the two fighters is knocked out; the remaining fighter stays and faces the opponent's next character. A fight is won when one of the two players loses the last of their three fighters.
• KING OF THE MONSTERS - In KING OF THE MONSTERS, giant monsters fight for power in epic battles. Players get to choose any one of six monsters (four in the ports) for battle, and two players can join forces to fight the monsters together. Battles end when one of the monsters is pinned for a three count or if time expires (in which case the player loses)
• LAST RESORT - A challenging futuristic shooter. The gameplay was heavily inspired by R-Type and its system of pod attached to the player's ship. Its first level remained memorable for its homage to the futuristic Neo-Tokyo depicted in the anime Akira.
• MAGICIAN LORD - Players help the wizard Elta save his homeworld in this platformer. The player controls the wizard Elta, the last magician lord, on his quest to save his homeland from the evil Gul-Agieze who plans to resurrect the god of destruction using eight tomes of mystical power. As Elta the player must battle through eight levels to find each of the tomes before he can reach the final battle and seal away the evil god once again.
• METAL SLUG - This run-and-gun side-scroller was the first in the popular series. It's widely known for its sense of humor, extremely fluid hand-drawn animation, and fast paced two-player action.
• NEO TURF MASTERS - A golf game which debuted on the Neo Geo Pocket Color in 1999. The game included a VS mode and three single player modes, as well as having six players to choose from. You played in one of three countries, USA, Japan and Germany.
• SAMURAI SHODOWN - Set in the 18th century, SAMURAI SHODOWN features bladed-weapon combat and an international cast of characters.
• SENGOKU - In SENGOKU, players face off against undead feudal Japanese armies.
• SHOCK TROOPERS - In this run-and-gun adventure, players save a scientist and his granddaughter from the Bloody Scorpions.
• SUPER SIDEKICKS 3 - A soccer game featuring teams from all over the world.
• TOP HUNTER - Bounty hunters protect colonists from space pirates in this futuristic action game.
• WORLD HEROES - This classic fighter pits players against historical figures in a tournament enabled by time travel.

"With 16 of our most beloved games, SNK ARCADE CLASSICS: VOLUME 1 is a must-have addition to any arcade fan's collection," said Ben Herman, president of SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION. "It's the most comprehensive SNK compilation to date."

Customer Review: Great Collection - Eagerly Awaiting Vol. 2
While the goal here seemed to be to represent SNK's past hits, rather than those that have aged well, this is a nice compilation. The graphics are good, everything controls well (unless you have an original model PSP, as the d-pad inability to perform the complex movements for special moves holds true here, and, while initial load times are quite lengthy, once a game is loaded, it rarely needs to access the disc again, except for some of the newer, more complex titles, like Metal Slug and Shock Troopers. Basically, they are the arcade games, for better or worse, which means there aren't any enhancements (aside from viewing options and the ability to save checkpoints). So the collection will live or die based on the games themselves. Some highlights: Art of Fighting / Fatal Fury / Samurai Showdown / World Heroes / King of Fighters '94 - all are the first entries into SNK's multiple fighting series. Still good games today, but their sequels generally superior. King of Monsters - Wrestling game with giant monsters fighting in Japan's major cities. Trashing the cities during your attempts to take down your rival is fun, but the gameplay is pretty shallow, and huge sections of the city are out of bounds, so the intact buildings sit there and taunt you. Magician Lord - Fun, fantasy-themed platformer, which time has been surprisingly kind to. Metal Slug - Humorous, side-scrolling shooter, inspired by Contra. Best game on the disc; a classic, though nothing has changed from the previously released Metal Slug Anthology version. Shock Troopers - Commando rip-off. Fun, and has a nice level branching system, but not as polished as Metal Slug. Baseball Stars 2 - The many baseball games released after this makes the flaws stand out more than ever, but considering the varying quality of many of those baseball franchises, you could do a lot worse. Last Resort - Total rip-off of R-Type (even has similar looking enemies) down to the high difficulty, but still fun if you liked that series. Overall, a good compilation. Many notable games were missing, such as Nam-75, Crossed Swords, Ninja Combat, Robo Army, Cyber Lip, Mutation Nation, and Super 8 Man. Also, many of these games, such as Art of Fighting, Fatal Fury, Samurai Showdown, King of Fighters, and World Heroes, have sequels that essentially add content and tweak the gameplay, rather than revamping everything, so these are already obsolete. Still, a good value, and a quality collection.

The 2008 Major League Baseball season is officially underway, and it is ironic that an obscure statistician from Kansas is making the news, one who was ridiculed for many years. Today he is a chief decision-maker for the world champion Boston Red Sox, having gaining notoriety throughout professional sports - and acceptance to his metrics continues to grow.

On CBS 60 Minutes, Morley Safer interviewed Bill James, a baseball writer and historian who has written more than two dozen books devoted to baseball statistics, highlighting his unique approach - known as Sabermetrics: the science of why teams win or lose games.

A fair comparison can be made to the retail auto sales and service industry: It's the numbers, stupid.

Bill James helps the Boston Red Sox decide which players to keep, who and whey they play and who gets traded-away in the off-season, in order to improve the team's statistical chances of having a winning year. He also helps them grow champions. But it wasn't always that way.

Working as a night security guard in Kansas during the late 1970's, James began studying box scores (arguably similar to an RO Analysis). He soon published "The Bill James Baseball Abstract" in 1977, by challenging baseball's typical metrics of what determined a great player. He argued that it was not wins or losses (for a pitcher), nor hits, home runs nor batting average.

Instead, he created statistical innovations (the new metrics) such as:

• Runs Created: Put simply, hits and walks divided by plate appearances.
• Range Factor: The defensive contribution of a player, assists and putouts divided by games played.
• Defensive Efficiency Record: The percentage of balls in play that a defense turns into an out.
• Win Shares: A comparison of players at different positions.
• Pythagorean Winning Percentage: The relationship of wins and losses to runs scored and allowed.
• Major League Equivalency - A metric that uses minor league statistics to determine how a player is likely to perform in the majors.

For most of his career, Bill James ideas were either been ignored or rejected by major league baseball teams. Most teams preferred to follow the maxims that were created decades ago, as well as their gut instincts.

The Red Sox hired James in 2004. Using his ideas, they have won two World Championships. In our constantly changing industry of customer counts and sales and dollars made, perhaps we need to take a step back and look at new and innovative ways to measure our success, and that of our people.

In these challenging times, it requires different thinking along with different processes, to become a world champion.

Think about it.

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Boston Red Sox Official MLB Dog Collar w/ Collar Charm - Size M/L 16-26

Show support of your favorite team with this collar made with woven ribbon sewn on high-tensile webbing and quick-release buckle. ID tag made with engraved team logo, hand polished with silver-tone finish. Your dog's name can be engraved on back of tag. Small - 5/8" width - Fits 10"-14" Med/Lg - 1" width - Fits 16"-26"Matching leash available in our Amazon Store!
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This is an exceptional true book that John Grisham has given to his readers. The Innocent Man causes the readers to place themselves in the position of a prisoner when they are not guilty but have been charged as guilty and sentenced to death or life without parole. It is not a place anyone would want to be in but rather be FAR from it. The story occurs mostly in Oklahoma in and near the city of Ada. Peggy Stilwell's beautiful daughter, Debbie Carter, was one that liked to live by herself and do things that she wanted to do without her mother or anyone interfering. She wanted to be independent. Some of the places at which she worked or hung out were not the best places in town but as I said, Debbie was a free spirit.

When Peggy Stilwell found her daughter nude, bloodied, raped, and dead on the floor in her own apartment, she was horrified. The investigation began by tracing her activities from the time she got off work early to when her body was found. In 1982 many of the present day tools for tracing clues were not available but the shoddy work done by the inexperienced police force in Ada did not help the situation at all. Many possible suspects were interviewed, many of which were let go without close investigation. After several months the trail finally got to Ron Williamson. Ron had been a baseball nut, playing for his schools wherever he went and being quite successful until alcohol started dimming his ability to play. He would not accept that his career was over no matter how old he got. His mind always retained that he was a great baseball player and still could play with the best.

As time went on, his drinking and drug use became a huge detriment to his living and his ability to keep friends. His short-term marriage ended. He went from one rehab center to another. Eventually Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz were arrested and charged with the murder of Debbie Carter and the police suspected they were also involved in some other rapes and murders. Dennis Fritz was not nearly suspected as much as Ron so most of the attention and investigation and some very shoddy police work was done against Ron Williamson.

Ron was out of prison at times but he was repeatedly rearrested, again because of the uncertain evidence gathered by the police. Eventually Ron Williamson settled into his prison life while getting more and more mentally unstable as every week passed. He was sent to various psychiatric hospitals and was interviewed by many shrinks all of who thought he was very unstable. Life in prison was a nightmare for any inmate but especially worse for someone in Ron's condition. He aged very fast even though he wasn't an old man.

This true story will guide you though Ron Williamson's life from youth to his final days and all he endured in and out of prison. Another book that is hard to put down. Knowing it is a true story makes it even harder to absorb and makes one wonder about our justice system. Please read this great story by a terrific author.

Reader review by Cy Hilterman.

Reviewer of many types of books.

Baseball - Rawlings Unfinished Inseam Baseball Pants

Rawlings Unhemmed Ankle Baseball Pants Custom Fit! This pant comes with an unhemmed 37" inseam so you can tailor to your exact length. Features include a zip fly front with belt and tunnel loop - Softball Pants

In many ways, we can read the history of America on its ball fields, written in the dust of the infield or the chalk of the baselines. Well-suited to lazy summer days by virtue of its leisurely pace, and providing a wealth of statistics to keep its fans amused during the off-season, baseball is a uniquely American blend of action, reflection, and squabbles (called rhubarbs in the vernacular). And in this, the game oddly reflects the culture that gave it birth.

For those whose appreciation of sports extends no further than the city limits of New York or Boston, a book about a team of mere provincials may prove as alluring to east coast sophisticates as a trip to WalMart to mingle with the riffraff. But for those with a love of the traditions and lore of the Great American Pastime, Tales from the Detroit Tigers Dugout offers a welcome and tantalizing glimpse into one of the oldest and most successful baseball teams in history. Fast-paced and tightly written, the book will delight Tiger fans, and enlighten fans everywhere.

As the author recounts, in recent years the team from Motown had fallen on hard times. Tiger fans had begun to measure the time between winning teams in decades, rather than seasons, capped by a team-record 119 losses in 2003. Yet in those dark years, careful behind-the-scenes planning was already laying the foundation for the teams 2006 re-emergence into the upper tier of major league baseball. And the book is filled with past legends and hints of future glory that offer fans the promise of baseball glory in the years to come.

Though often ignored by sportswriters from bigger cities, Tiger legends are among the most gifted and venerated names in the history of the sport. Ty Cobb, for instance, was probably the best player ever to walk onto a baseball fieldand arguably the nastiest and most contemptible human being ever to don a baseball uniform. But other Tigers were almost as skilled, yet often labored in the shadows of their better-publicized counterparts from the coast. Hank Greenburg, Charlie Gehringer, Al Kaline, and other Hall-of-Famers brought off-field class as well as on-field brilliance to the game. As the author notes, their contribution to franchise history is not lost on students or true fans of the game. Though like other stars of Cooperstown, their timeless talents are often obscured by the large salaries and larger egos of todays lesser stars, fans of all ages and eras will enjoy the stories of how and why baseball in Detroit has grown along with the game that is among the treasures of American culture.

All Americans love an underdog, one who can rise from nothing and soldier on through adversity. Win or lose, there is something about the struggles of the common man that speaks to the American heart, giving us hope for ourselves and our future. A book about baseball will not solve the problems of world hunger or global terrorism, but the magic of sports consists of bringing people together through shared adventures in a sheltered world where conflicts are solved through teamwork and effort. And by sharing some of the hopes and dreams of a long-suffering and newly emerging sports team, Tales from the Detroit Tigers Dugout reminds us that miracles are everywhere around us. We only need to open our eyes and hearts to the magic, and sports can bring smiles to our souls, no matter what is happening in the rest of the world.

Jeffrey Caminsky, a veteran public prosecutor in Michigan, specializes in the appellate practice of criminal law and writes on a wide range of topics. Both his science fiction adventure novel The Star Dancers, the first volume in the Guardians of Peace (tm) science fiction adventure series, and The Referees Survival Guide, a book on soccer officiating, are published by New Alexandria Press, http://www.newalexandriapress.com.

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Chicago White Sox Franchise Fitted Baseball Cap

Founded in 1946, Twins Enterprise is the creator of The Franchise, their signature cap that is always the perfect fit. Twins has the exclusive rights to create fitted, relaxed caps for Major League Baseball. Several top universities (including Alabama, Texas, Notre Dame, and North Carolina) look exclusively to Twins to create the Franchise cap for their students and fans. When Major League Baseball players celebrate winning their Division or the Wild Card they proudly wear caps manufactured and created by Twins Enterprise. Available in just about every major sport, as well as many impressive companies and brands, Twins Caps are everywhere. You may even be wearing one right now.

MLB has only three captains in uniform on MLB rosters. Two of those three captains square off this year in the Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees rivalry, in Derek Jeter and Jason Varitek (Paul Konerko-Chicago White Sox is the other). No surprise that these two old-school MLB's lead their teams, for the two grand franchises of the game.

Derek Jeter and Jason Varitek - you will not find two more different players in MLB. Derek Jeter, the smooth, above-the-action player that transcends the sport courtesy of playoff glory past. Jason Varitek, the get-down in the dirt Catcher of the Boston Red Sox, whose team goes South every time he is not in the lineup.

Both lead with authority, by example, every day. Both have multiple rings to show for their labor, and both Jeter and Varitek play for cities that expect to win the World Series every year, with hordes of media to back up that challenge.

I was surprised that only three teams in MLB have captains, but it is not surprising that Derek Jeter and Jason Varitek are among them. The title of Captain is a serious one in MLB. As good a player as Alex Rodriguez is for example, and his statistics dwarf Derek Jeter's, A-Rod is just not the type of player that fits as a Captain...too much "me" instead of "we."

The title means a lot to both Jeter and Varitek, and it is one that both men have worn very well in leading their teams, especially in pressure spots.

http://www.fastbreakblog.com

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Hit-A-Way Baseball - Jeter Series

Endorsed by All-Star Derek Jeter! A player can use Hit-A-Way to warm-up or practice most anywhere, even in limited space. Simulates pitches without chasing balls. Develops hand eye coordination and is the perfect tool when learning to switch hit. New materials in cord produce better timing to develop stance and swing mechanics. Hit-A-Way is very easy to carry, weighing less than two pounds. Can be stored in bat bags, back packs or carry- alls. "The hottest new batting aid on the market today." Amazing results in ball players of all ages. New sleeve design improves visibility as well as contact feel and sound. (Post not included).

Do you want to play fantasy football? Indeed, this game is gaining popularity among males and females of all ages. It's no longer a fight for the brawns but of the brains. The better you are with your knowledge of football leagues and the different strategies on how to win the game the higher your chance to become the ultimate champion in no time. There isn't too much pressure and yet you can play along with your favorite teams and even team players.

The ultimate question, however, is this: are there costs involved? It all depends on where and what team you are playing. Let us analyze the top-notches in fantasy football league.

Football League Manager

This league knows what the word custom means. You can set your own rules for the league and even categories of your scores. The administrators will be the ones that handle the scoring system. You can also choose among their comprehensive ways of stat categories. You can also enjoy live scoring, online drafts, and trades. You can pick the defensive players or go for waiver claims. But because it is your own league, you are responsible for the prizes that will be given away. The cost starts at a very small price of $69 though it can get higher as more extras are added.

CDM Fantasy Football

They can give you a complete point-style football game. There is moderate risk involved and rewards are given by the administrators. Scoring systems are simple. You can choose your own team of 22 players as well as manage each of them. There is a maximum value capital of $60 million. For the winners, there are cash prizes given, including $20,000.

Fees involved are usually entry as well as transaction fees. You can play the game either through phone, e-mail, fax, or the World Wide Web.

High Roller Fantasy Football

There is definitely large cash involved in here. In fact, it has one of the highest stakes in fantasy football. You can choose your own team composed of 20 fantasy football players. Scoring is rotisserie style. There is no cost for every transaction. You only have to pay the entry fee, and you can enjoy the game either online or through fax and mail.

Playoff Football Challenge

This is considered to be CDM Football Challenge's post-season version. There isn't an salary cap involved. You can create your own league that will play through the entire playoffs. Cash is given for leagues as well as overall matches. The ultimate winner can get $5,000. You only have to pay the transaction fees and, of course, entry fees to enjoy the game.

Fantasy Playoff Football

There are no fantasy values in Fantasy Playoff Football. This is the post-season version for the Budget Football. There are a total of 33 players involved. Twenty-two of them shall be active players while 11 are players on the bench. Grand prize for the winner will be $3,000. There are no transaction fees only entry fees. The method of playing is through the Internet. If you want to play the game in other forms such as voicemail, fax, phone, or mail, you need to pay a minimal surcharge for the transactions made.

Mid-Season Fantasy Football Challenge at Fan ball

You can choose your own football team and manage them, but you will be constrained to a salary cap of $55 million. Cash will be given during the weekly, league, and overall competition. The overall winner shall be rewarded with a grand prize worth $5,000. Cost involved is only for your entry fee. There is additional charges, however, if you decide to play the game other than through the World Wide Web.

Draft and Play Fantasy Football

You can participate in real-time online drafts as well as head-to-head matches every week. There will be 2 divisions composed of 4 teams each. These teams, made up of 10 players, meet during the playoffs. There is a cash prize for every winner of the league. You can play the game through the Internet after you have paid the entry fee.

The energy is surely mounting even in fantasy football. That's why even if there are costs involved, many are still more than willing to pay the price.

Regine Hehn owns and operates http://www.fun-fantasy-football.com - Fun With Fantasy Football.

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Logitech USB Desktop Microphone

Move up to true digital quality audio--without drivers to install or download. Includes noise-cancellation technology for better voice recognition and superior speech recording.
Customer Review: Drivers missing
Do not purchase this microphone unless you want a hassle installing it. As yet, I have not been able to get it to install with Windows XP including Service Pack II. I finally located the number of the microphone and see that installation problems date back a few years. A CD with the appropriate driver should come with this microphone. It did not. Look elsewhere. LHerr
Customer Review: Works FINE under Vista (and Linux too)
Contrary to what some reviewers have said, this microphone works just fine under Vista. If you have kept your Vista current with Service Pack 1 (SP1) and subsequent updates, you should have no problem. For the record, I am using Vista Home Premium with SP1 and all updates through June 5, 2008. And a note for Linux users: My preferred operating system is Ubuntu, version 8.04. I can report that the Logitech USB mic works perfectly with this OS too. I have used Audacity under both Vista and Ubuntu to make excellent recordings with this mic.

Spring Training has just started for professional baseball, while college baseball teams have been at work since January. It is time to get in shape for the 2008 baseball season.

I love baseball - always have. I was an "All Conference" pitcher and Captain of my college baseball team. I coached at a University for four years and have coached at the High School level for four more. I was a "bird-dog" scout for the Cleveland Indians and the Texas Rangers for a few years, and I have coached Little League teams forever. My nephew is a pitcher in the Detroit Tigers organization, and a legitimate prospect. Really, I love baseball.

But there is a strange and perhaps disappointing story about ADHD and MLB that has come out since the release of the Mitchell Report.

It seems that in 2006 there were 28 major league players who had diagnoses for ADHD, and were receiving treatment with stimulant medication during the season. They were permitted to receive such treatment with stimulants through MLB's "Therapeutic Use Exemption" program. Now, there is no story here - at least not yet. There was no story until MLB placed the use of amphetamines on their "banned substances" list. Then things changed.

In 2007 the number of TUEs requested by major league players jumped from 28 to 103 for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This increase was so startling that even some sleeping Congressmen woke up and decided to make it an issue for the media as a part of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearings on the abuse of performance enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball.

Other "experts" jumped into the media conversation as well. "This demands an explanation. There's something fundamentally wrong them going from 28 to 103," said Dr. Gary Wadler, chairman of committee that determines the World Anti-Doping Agency's banned-substances list. "If we had this percentage increase in the general population, it would be on the evening news as a national epidemic. It's an outrageous number." Wadler said the ban on amphetamines in 2006 appears to be tied to the increase. No kidding. "I can't prove anything. Certainly you put all the facts together, I think that's a reasonable explanation," he said. "Might there be others? I guess so. It could be an anomaly year of some sort."

Even ADHD guru Russell Barkley, a well-known ADHD expert, was interviewed on the topic. He said that while children with ADHD are often drawn to sports, which could explain the relatively high number, the sharp increase in one year is more difficult to explain.

Note to Dr. Barkley: In the average baseball game there will be less then 18 minutes of "action" per 150 game. Baseball does not draw ADHD kids to it, except perhaps for pitchers and catchers. Most ADHD kids who play the outfield will quit by the age of 12. Try martial arts, swimming, tennis, soccer, basketball, or hockey instead.

There are 30 Major League teams. They each have a 40 man major league roster, and a 25 man roster for "active players" during most of the season. As players came and went off of major league rosters there were 1,354 athletes who were subject to random drug testing during the course of the 2007 major league baseball season. That means 8.2 percent received permission from their team physician and Dr. Bryan Smith, baseball's independent program administrator, to use Ritalin and Adderall, stimulants better known as treatments for hyperactive kids.

Baseball already has made changes in the TUE process for 2008. Before a player will be allowed to use a drug, the team physician must send the prescription to the independent administrator for approval before the player uses the substance.

So should Ritalin, Adderall, or other stimulants be viewed as "performance enhancing drugs" as steroids and HGH now are?

No. Ritalin, Adderall, and other stimulants are treatments for a real medical condition called ADHD. If the condition exists with a player, and he has been diagnosed by a real medical doctor, and that player goes through the MLB exemption process, then he should be allowed to receive his prescribed treatment.

This is not to be compared to an athlete taking illegal or controlled substances, without a doctor's prescription, to make that athlete bigger, stronger, faster, and more competitive.

I have seen Ritalin improve reaction time in subjects, improve time on task, and improve focus. During the course of a long season these would be valuable to any professional athlete. But Ritalin and other stimulants also decrease appetite and may cause difficulty sleeping, two problems for any athlete. But the way, I have seen Attend improve reaction time in college athletes whose baseline reaction times were much better than the "middle of the bell curve" too. Perhaps these MLB players ought to look into Attend instead.

I have also seen major league players who certainly had ADHD. One player that I am thinking of pitched for me at the University that I coached at, and went on to play in the majors for several years. He was clearly ADHD, and I knew it before I ever heard of ADHD. Easily distracted, he couldn't focus for more than five innings without some kind of stimulation, like being yelled at. One baseball writer describes him this way, "(He) soon learned to harness his fastball, completing his array of pitches, but became known as somewhat of an underachiever. Despite winning 15 games for (his first team), just a year and a half after his debut, he never really achieved his full potential... He was also suspended for ten days in 1987 when he was caught using sandpaper to scuff the ball on the mound. Though the incident cost (him) some respect, it ended humorously three years later, when he called the commissioner's office to ask for his glove back."

If this player had known about ADHD, and legitimate treatment available for it, he would have been really good - perhaps even great. But instead he is described as an "under-achiever."

So, for what it is worth, let the players who have legitimate medical diagnoses for ADHD use whatever treatment they feel will benefit them the most during the course of their season and their career. Isn't that what any adult with ADHD wants? Doesn't every adult with ADHD want to be able to choose the best treatment intervention for their particular type of ADHD?

But for the players who want to "get an edge" by using stimulants without legitimate medical reasons, let me suggest that you just use our ADHD eating program plus a cup of coffee before the game. You will get much the same benefit, but without giving a bad name to the players who actually need the treatment.

Learn more about ADHD and treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at http://NewIdeas.net - the ADHD Information Library. This information is not to be considered medical advice, but is for information only. Consult your physician.

Under Armour® Heat Gear Full T-shirt

Under Armour Heat Gear Full T-shirts. These Under Armour Heat Gear Full Tees are constructed of lightweight, quick-drying microfiber which expands, allowing moisture to bead off your body as you sweat. Versatile and durable, slides over your body with a second-skin fit. Delivers compression without restriction, making it the perfect choice for any activity. Maximum moisture transport in moderate to extremely warm weather. Your choice of a range of colors. State Color and Size. Choose and get this champion under-layer right now! Under Armour Heat Gear Full T-shirt
Customer Review: As advertised
I've bought these before, so I knew exactly what I was getting (and I like 'em). Good price. Speedy service. No surprises.
Customer Review: Great Work-out Shirt for the cold mornings
I did not want to spend the money, but once I did, I'm now a fan of Under Armour's workout gear. I purchased three Heat Gear Full T-shirts and love them. They are great in keeping you dry and protected. But, the big down-fall for the average Joe with this shirt is that you need to be in shape to wear it. The T-shirt sides over your body as a second-skin. In other words, a compression fit. I wear it under a second T-Shirt in the morning when I run. My goal is to just wear it by itself.

After two weeks of getting hammered, it's still lookin' grim.

The wire is about tapped, it might be time to start looking at some match-ups.

If your extremely thin at running back you might want to look at a couple of these guys. Samkon Gado was picked up by the Miami Dolphins and there is a possibility he could win the starting job off of Jesse Chatman. If you have extra space, pick him up for a couple weeks and see if he gets any carries. Another guy to watch is the new starter in Green Bay, Ryan Grant. I don't trust any Packers RB enough to start him right now, but when the weather turns for the worst in Green Bay they'll start running the ball more. Justin Fargas will be the primary carrier in Oakland. Look for the Raiders to continue to run the ball quite a bit but expect modest numbers. Adimchinobe Echamandu will be the back up to Ahman Green in Houston, a nice gig for a bench player considering the struggles Green has in staying healthy. Look for A.E. to get a starting shot at some point in the next few weeks.

The wide receivers in my leagues are picked clean. Take a good look at what you have on your wire before you pick up any of these guys, you might have someone sitting there that shouldn't be. Kevin Walter is going to continue to have nice yardage totals in Houston while Andre Johnson is out. David Patten looks to be Drew Brees' favorite target with two 100 yard games. Roddy White will get receptions and yards in Atlanta, but don't expect touchdowns. The same could be said for Ike Hilliard in Tampa Bay. And Brad Smith is said to be getting more looks in New York for the Jets. He might be a nice addition if he can step in and fill the void quickly.

As for quarterbacks, I hope you have a solid starter. The only starters that are on the wire in my leagues are Jeff Garcia, Jason Campbell, Tarvaris Jackson, Alex Smith, Steve McNair, Kellen Clemens and David Garrard. For this week against the Jets I think Campbell would be the best start out of all these guys.

This weeks IDP waiver wire steal.

Paris Lenon - LB Detroit Lions

Lenon has racked up 40 tackles so far this year. Playing against the Broncos running attack this week you can expect Paris to add 7-10 tackles to that total. If your thin at LB this week, pick him up.

Tim Campbell writes for the Steeler Maniacs fansite at http://www.SteelerManiacs.com

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San Diego Padres Team Of Destiny 2008

San Diego Padres of the National League west has the ingredients now to play magic in the California southern sun.

What with two super additions joining the Padres for the 2008 season standby folks and follow these boys of summer through out this up coming season.

Jake Peavy and Greg Maddux supplying the firepower as pitching aces. Colt Morton coming into his potential behind the plate as the catcher.The addition of Tadahito Iguchi at 2nd base joining Khalil Greene the shortstop makes a combination around the keystone is dynamite. Brings us head on to center field with Jim Edmonds acquisition being the smartest buy since the Yankees acquiring of the Great Bambino from Boston.

OK you baseball fans around the globe take a good look at the solid strength up the middle for the San Diego Padres and tell me this does not look great for the Padres for 2008.

Did you or did you not somewhat agree that Jake Peavy and Greg Maddux were top aces fixed upon the mound. Lookout you sports fans the San Diego have added two fresh hands to bolster that pitching corps.

I will not provide you with the names at this time but suffice it to be they are both eager and determined to prove their worth. It just so happens they are coming back from surgery to those pitching wings.

Now if you earned a living by production of your ability to prove what once was your calling to fire the baseball past wannabe hitters and you had to prove this ability once again what would be your mindset?

Standby for both of the newly acquired pitchers does nothing but add to an existing "can do", "must do", and "ready to do" baseball team hungry to prove "they have the right stuff".

Here is the real magic which really makes this pudding pie so good and just like Jello which jells. There is absolutely nothing which beats the "mind set and the inherent winning attitude" than a team filled with satisfied and eager skilled players.

Did Jake Peavy not willfully and without a hassle sign his contract extension? Jim Edmonds the consummate professional with joy untold gladly accept his trade to join the Padres. Tadahito Iguchi a solid experienced middle of career player coming aboard with nothing but can do will do smarts and solid credentials. Khali Greene with out a doubt a player with out question in ability to range far and wide at shortstop with All-star abilities. Colt Morton at 6' 5" will settle in as rock solid and prove his once questionable height could be a factor ironically it will be a double plus positive factor.

My pick was Colt behind the plate but the Padres management is it appears set on Josh to get the job done as the first line catcher.

I think this straight down the middle solid line up put the Padres in the cat bird seat to show major league baseball and its local fan following a 2008 season of winning destiny.

The magic and proof of the pudding is within the mind set of each of these individual players. From a casual and very limited personal and no up close observation I think the chemistry available by this team will prove invincible.

The 2008 season will find me anxiously awaiting each days reported box score of each and every game of the San Diego Padres.

Are the San Diego Padres a team of destiny for the 2008 season? The Padre organization projects the lineup to start the season as follows:

PROJECTED LINEUP: Manager Bud Black (second season)

1. RF Brian Giles

2. 2B Tadahito Iguchi

3. 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff

4. 1B Adrian Gonzalez

5. CF Jim Edmonds

6. SS Khalil Greene

7. C Michael Barrett or Josh Bard

8. LFScott Hairston

Pitching Rotation: RH Jake Peavy, RH Chris Young, RH Greg Maddux, LH Randy Wolf, RH Justin Germano

Key Relievers: RH Trevor Hoffman, RH Heath Bell, RH Cla Meredith

Pitching Corps Is Suppose To Be One Of The Best In The Majors.

This is not a fast team. Last year, they only stole 55 bases. Giles is the best prospect to lead off, although he is coming off microfracture knee surgery. Iguchi does give the team a proven No. 2 hitter. Edmonds could slip in the order if his production again slips, as it has each of the past three seasons.

At Nos. 4-6, the hitters are a lot better than believed. Gonzalez and Greene combined to hit 90 doubles and 57 homers and drive in 197 runs last season. And Kouzmanoff hit .309 with 17 homers and 70 RBIs in the final 118 games after getting off to a 9-for-83 start. Hairston could be pressed by rookie prospect Chase Headley in left. Bard hit .406 with runners in scoring position last season

Batter Up----Let's Play Ball....

Batter Up----Let's Play Ball.... is a signature statement of Major Wiley B. Channell USMC (ret) an Introduction to the concept of baseball farming which includes ideas on strategies, training, and winning! at: http://www.baseballfarming.com

Major Wiley B. Channell USMC (ret) invites you to come visit and learn the five essential elements of Baseball Hitting at: http://www.baseballfarming.com/HittingABaseball.html

Talk baseball at http://www.baseballfarming.com/ShowAndTell.html this is your contact to us with an opportunity to do some of your baseball talk.

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2007 Upper Deck First Edition Baseball Trading Cards

36 Packs with 10 Packs Per Box. Collect All 300-Cards of 2007's First Upper Deck Set! Look For Unique Insert Cards, Falling One Per Pack, on average! Find rare 1 of 1 Printing Plates! Pull Tomorrows Superstars with First Pitch Foundation Cards! The first RCs of 2007.
This item cannot be shipped to P.O. Boxes or APO or FPO addresses.
*Framing and custom items can require additional handling time. Please call for details.

With all of the controversy surrounding Roger Clemens and his high-profile steroid case, I got to thinking about how scandals can affect athletes' chances of making it into their respective Halls of Fame. Take for instance a player like Pete Rose. He has been banned from the Hall of Fame for life. And for what? Betting on baseball as a player. Now, that sounds like a pretty bad thing, right? Well, I don't know about that. Betting on the other team and then taking a dive is one thing and is in clear violation of the unspoken moral rules in baseball. But, Rose didn't do that. Most of the time he didn't even bet on the Reds. And when he did, he bet that they would win. So, obviously he wasn't taking a dive or cheating to make some quick cash. Rather, he was supremely confident that his team would win. I do not see the wrong in that.

Now, juxtapose Pete's situation with that of Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. It has been proven that Barry Bonds did, in fact, take steroids to enhance his performance. He has not been punished, though, because no one has proven that he knowingly took steroids. But the reality of situation is that Bonds had illegal help getting to where he is today. Ask yourself whether or not Bonds will be inducted into the Hall of Fame one day. The answer is that he most likely will. Does that seem fair? Nope. Furthermore, although Bonds has faced a lot of scrutiny from the media, the league and from once adoring fans, he has not been completely cut off from the game like Rose was - and all without cheating or having some kind of outside help to bolster his game.

Roger Clemens is in a similar situation as Bonds. Though conclusive evidence has yet to surface regarding the Clemens affair, Roger has already faced the ever present gossip that has primarily centered around how this incident will affect his bid for the Hall of Fame. If we go by what the analysts and bloggers are saying, Roger Clemens may face a little bit of a tarnished reputation, but will in no way be precluded from the Hall of Fame. And obviously he has not been cut off for the baseball world as he is still pitching for the Yankees.

The banning of Pete Rose just seems a bit much in my eyes. Here is a player who played his heart out, game in and game out. Yes, he made a mistake in betting on baseball and on his team in particular. But when it came to the actual games, he never took a dive or threw a game. He always played to the best of his ability. He was the prototypical competitor. Compared to Bonds who did take steroids and Clemens who may or may not have taken steroids, Pete Rose seems like he is a lot more deserving of the Baseball Hall of Fame than either one of them.

Nishan Wilde is VP of Sales at RobbinsSports.com, an online resource for Baseball Uniforms, Portable Scoreboards and Basketball Uniforms.

MLB Baseball Team Chrome License Plate Frame

Show everyone which team you foot for with this chrome license plate frame! Heavy-duty chrome frame features your favorite team's name and logo in raised letters and vibrant team colors, with pre-drilled holes for easy mounting on any vehicle. A classy chrome auto tag frame for your license plate lets all passersby know the team that drives you! Frame measures approximately 7" x 13.5".
Customer Review: Save your shoes!
I wore out my shoes trying to find this item in local stores and malls. In five minutes I nailed it at Amazon. The quality of the product is excellent, as was the service.
Customer Review: Yankees license plate
We were very pleased with the quality of the plate. It was metal, not plastic. It was delivered very quickly. We would order from them again. Thank you. Susan L.

Fantasy football can fulfill your gaming and coaching fantasies without you having to break a sweat (unless you count that finger workout you have get with your computer mouse). Using statistics of real life players, along with virtual representations of these real life players, fantasy football is all about winning the game online and strategizing the draft by knowing players capabilities early on.

Just as in the real world, there are the big leagues and the little leagues, the pro leagues and the amateur leagues, the good leagues and the bad ones. You create your leagues in fantasy football, and you find your own players. You just need to know exactly how the fantasy football world works, and how you can use it to your advantage.

Your Run-of-the-Mill Leagues

First, you have to be part of a league. There are different kinds of leagues in fantasy football, with each of them comprising as few as eight, and as many as fourteen teams each. There are also three major leagues. The redraft league begins with a clean slate: that is, each owner has no players at the start of the season, and thus enlists a fantasy team to play for him or her. The keeper league is for owners with a little more experience, where the owner keeps a few players from the last season, depending on who played best and who might play well in the future.

The dynasty league is for advanced players who already have enough experience to predict player performance. In the dynasty league, owners can keep as many players as they wish from their last season, and draft rookies into a team. Drafts can happen via the serpentine method, where each player is called out to join a team; or through an auction, where owners put their bargaining powers to the test.

The salary cap leagues are part of the dynasty league type, but this time, they add the salary cap, which makes the play even more realistic. In salary cap leagues, players not only posses statistics and play integrity; they also have salaries. There is a maximum total of salaries that each team can have, and this salary cap can be carried over into the fantasy football dynasty league. This is an added challenge for owners, who want to spend a lot on good players, but who need resources for training as well.

Knowing which players to keep and which ones to trade can be complicated by the fact that some leagues also allow trading within the season. There are no real rules on how to trade and who to trade, although an important rule to follow is not to dump good players on another team forcing the other team to win. Trading can usually still happen about a third into the season, but all trades are closed after.

The New, Emerging Leagues

There are actually new leagues coming out of the fantasy football arena. The familiar survivor pool wagering style in the NFL has carried over into online football games. Offline, a member of a pool can pick a team to win every week. The team can be picked only once the entire year. Online, fantasy leagues can also allow their owners to draft new teams every week, with seven players added fresh, and with every player of the seven available for only a week out of every play year. This can pose yet another challenge for owners, as they have to match their players perfectly every time and think ahead (as well as on their toes!).

Simulation football is also gaining popularity. In old fantasy football leagues, touchdowns and passes and their like are counted, but no game actually occurs that the participants can see. In simulation football, however, a computer can actually simulate the games with players, instead of relying on statistics and offline players.

So, are you ready to get into the big fantasy football leagues? All you need is some Internet savvy, as well as some free time on your hands. Look for fantasy football sites online that you can work with and fit into your schedule. Read the rules and regulations carefully, and see that you don't break any, especially as they pertain to behavior and league creation. Lastly, play well and enjoy the game!

Regine Hehn owns and operates http://www.fun-fantasy-football.com Fun With Fantasy Football

Sunglasses Wrap Style X6 UV400 Lens for Baseball, Softball, Cycling, Golf, Kayaking and All Active Sports

JiMarti Sunglasses combine two functions: 1) Protect the eyes from the harmful UV spectrum of sunlight, and 2) Make a fashion statement. Sunglasses are a fashion accessory which must look stylish and elegant. Sunglass products offered by JiMarti will take good care of your vision, protecting your eyes from harmful sun rays. These sunglasses feature UV400 Lens Technology, absorbing over 99% of harmful UVA and UVB spectrums. Sunglasses comply with ANSI Z80.3 (USA UV Protection standard) and comply with 89/686/EEC and CE (European directives). Some of our products come with Polarized lenses which remove glare, thus promoting safe driving, boating, and also allowing you to see into the water while fishing. Our shades are an ultimate fashion statement at affordable prices! Comfortable, and appropriate for any occasion or activity, these new sunglasses from JiMarti are guaranteed to make heads turn. The Styles we offer are designed for both women and men. We carry a broad selection of sports and casual eyewear at our Storefront Location, so you search JiMarti and go right to us. We inventory multiple styles, colors, and price ranges for Immediate Delivery thus insuring that everyone will find a pair they like at Value Pricing.
Customer Review: Great glasses
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Professional baseball is one of the most popular sports in the United States, watched live and on screens by millions of fans. Professional baseball players are subjected to repetitive stress and strain injuries from batting and pitching. Different designs of professional baseball gloves are available to suit individual needs.

If the glove is uncomfortable, it may affect performance in the field. For the best performance on the field, select the right sized baseball glove. Usually, professional baseball gloves measure not more than 12 inches. Buying an oversized baseball glove can lead to inconsistent play. So be cautious enough to purchase appropriate sized gloves.

Another factor to be considered is the quality of the gloves. Consider the material when selecting professional baseball gloves. The gloves come in a variety of materials, and the player can choose from synthetic, leather, and treated leather. In addition, the player should determine the size of the pocket and the back and wrist adjustments that suit their needs.

In order to maximize performance and durability, special care must be given to professional baseball gloves. Apply glove oil to the pocket, break, and web areas of the glove with a dry cloth. Too much oil can cause the leather to become too soft, flexible, and heavy, so the gloves should be oiled lightly. Professional baseball gloves are best stored in dry places.

To meet the demands of professional players, customized professional baseball gloves are also available. For custom professional baseball gloves, the player has to specify the size, material, type of back, color, webbing, and lacing he wants. Today, there are several manufacturers that produce professional baseball gloves. Online stores are also available to purchase professional baseball gloves

Baseball Gloves provides detailed information on Baseball Gloves, Baseball Glove Reviews, Custom Baseball Gloves, Baseball Batting Gloves and more. Baseball Gloves is affiliated with Wood Baseball Bats.

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Infant Baseball Cap

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BK1 Sunglasses Wrap Style UV400 Lens for Baseball, Softball, Cycling, Golf, Kayaking & Active Lifestyles

Top Quality Polycarbonate shatterproof Substrate Lens & FrameBeautiful Cast Metal logos100% UV Rayblock LensAnti-Fog Hydrophobic water repellant lens coatingMicrofiber cleaner/bag includedAnti-Scratch lens coatingLifetime Breakage WarrantySweep lens allows 180 degree field of vision30 Day Money Back if not Totally Pleased

Some of the most valuable autographed baseball cards are those which are signed by those players who rarely give their signature away. But it's not just baseball players whose autograph is coveted by collectors, as managers Terry Francona and Joe Torre are two mangers whose signature collectors often purchase or trade for.

As far as baseball cards go, the New York Yankees are often at the top of collector's lists and historically, Yogi Berra autographed baseball cards have been a collector favorite like none other. Much of this is due to the fact that Yogi remains active today by appearing in commercials and has a minor league stadium named after him. Of course, his 3 MVP awards, 15 American League All-Star appearances and 10 World Series championships help to drive up the price of his autographed baseball cards.

Perhaps more than any other retired baseball player, Yogi maintains frequent public appearances and makes an effort to sign as many autographs as possible. Normally a high amount of signatures on cards would drive down market prices, but Yogi's great popularity amongst both collectors and the general public help to keep the cards in demand and the prices higher than most.

Many of the most popular autographed baseball cards in the last few years have come from the Boston Red Sox. There's nothing like a World Series or two to spark interest in player cards and signatures, and with the Red Sox having won twice during the first 6 years of the 21st century, collectors and fans alike have taken keen interest in previously unknown players such as Tim Wakefield, Mark Bellhorn and Orlando Cabrera. These players' card values have skyrocketed in the last few years due to the fact that they only had a few autographs on the market once they started winning.

Cal Ripken autographed baseball cards have continued to stand the test of time, and with his 19 All-Star appearances as a shortstop firmly in the record books, the popularity and prices of his cards are going nowhere but up. It helps to be regarded as one of the greatest shortstops ever to play the game, but it is Cal Ripken's actual signature that make his autographed baseball cards so enticing to collectors. Ripken's penmanship on his cards and memorabilia has always been crisp and clean, and has stayed so throughout the years despite the numerous requests placed upon him. This clarity in penmanship has collectors and fans constantly looking for Ripken autographed items.

The value of any card with a signature on it will of course vary, but it comes down to mainly the player, team, design and scarcity. Most of the time, cards with multiple signatures will outweigh the value of any one signature on a card, but of course the players need to be desirable for this to hold true.

A final factor in determining the value of signed cards is whether or not they are certified. Autographed cards that come from the manufacturer with a certificate of authenticity will generally be more desirable than those whose authenticity is in doubt, such as cards signed in person or via mail. Regardless, collectors and fans alike love it when they can get their favorite player to sign something for them.

About The Author:

Justin Michael contributes to several baseball forums across the net, and operates an article directory devoted entirely to Baseball Cards

To find out more red-hot information about baseball cards, visit Baseball Cards Junction now!

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NIKE Mens Shox Monster Metal Cleats

NIKE Mens Shox Monster Metal Cleats feature:

Track inspired for maximum speed, support and comfort

Constructed upper of two-piece synthetic, double lasted rand and overlay for support

Breathable mesh upper keeps feet cool

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Midsole with Poron wedge for smooth cushioning

Heel with NIKE Shox platform for impact protection

Shox technology provides optimal cushioning and uniquely responsive feel

NIKE Shox technology provides a slower rate of impact loading to help reduce the risk of impact related injuries

Full length BRS 1000 carbon rubber outsole

Forefoot insert of Duralon material for extra cushioning

Pebax plate with full and 5/8 length metal cleats in the forefoot

Contrasting NIKE Swoosh logo on the side

Customer Review: great transaction
this was a great transaction. The seller was faster on delivery than we ever expected.
Customer Review: nike shox cleats
These are great shoes and the price was what I was looking for. I went to amazon for the size. My son has a big foot and we had trouble finding the size without paying over a hundred dollars.

Loyal South Side fans have something to party about since their beloved White Sox finally won another World Series. The White Sox have been less than inspiring in the last fourscore and eight years, but they have finally pulled out of their record-breaking slump.

Maybe it was more than rut. Some believe it was the "South Side Curse," caused by th "Black Sox." This label was given to eight players from an early White Sox team that conspired together to throw the World Series in 1919. Whatever the cause, it seems as if the sun is finally shining on the Chi-Sox, after a pitiful record for most of the Twentieth Century.

Let's take a look: Of the four World Series the White Sox participated in during the last eighty-eight years, they won two. The first was an exciting victory when the Sox beat their hometown rival, the Chicago Cubs in the ultimate "Crosstown Classic," the only World Series in history dominated by Chicago teams.

For those that don't know, the Crosstown Classic is an annual competition between the American League Chicago White Sox and the National League Chicago Cubs. The two teams alternate hosting the game each year, and this event kicks off the baseball season by firing up fans from both sides of town.

The next Series the Sox played in was in 1917, when they overtook the New York Giants, four games to two.

It was in 1919 that the "Black Sox" gained notoriety after intentionally throwing the Series to the Cincinnati Reds, allowing them to win five games to three. It would be a full forty years before the White Sox would snag another chance at the World Series.

Unfortunately, upon challenging the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1959, the Chi-Sox experienced another defeat. The Dodgers beat them four games to two.

Eighty-eight years after winning a Series, the Sox have finally pulled it off again. In October of 2005, the White Sox swept the Houston Astros, defeating them soundly in the first four games of the Series.

The scores were as follows: In game one, Chicago won by two points, with a final score of five to three. Game two was close at seven to six. The third game, a record breaker lasting more than five hours, resulted in the Sox winning by two, after an unheard of fourteen innings. This was the longest game in World Series history, and the final score was seven to five. Game four was another record-breaking game, as it was one of only six in which any team won the Series with a score of one to nothing.

In all fairness, the Astros played a tough final game, with both team's pitchers shutting out batters for the first full seven innings. Unfortunately, fans, players, and even the coach admit that the Astros did not play well throughout most of the Series.

Chicago fans are thrilled by their newfound status as winners. They are crossing their fingers in hope that the new millennium is the beginning of a new era for the White So Ball Club. Only time will tell, but sweeping the Series is a great start.

Article written by Cassaundra Flores, owner of Sports Fan Store,skyfireproducts.com.

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Sportscamp Baseball

Sportscamp Baseball is nine hard-hitting, expert training sessions for young players, their parents and coaches. From hitting and pitching to fielding and bunting, these in-depth lessons are taught by three-time American League All-Star and two-time World series Champ Bucky Dent and MLB coaches Larry Hoskins and Wally Horsman. Teaches: Throwing mechanics, pitching, playing catcher, infield techniques, playing the outfield, base running, hitting and bunting with the best.This action-packed installment of the SportsCamp series presents nine baseball training sessions designed especially for young players, their parents and coaches. Featuring appearances by three-time American League all-star and two-time World Series champ Bucky Dent and major league coaches Larry Hoskins and Wally Horsman, these engaging lessons cover throwing mechanics, pitching, infield techniques, base running, hitting and bunting.

For as long as I can remember, I've always subscribed to the Kiss Principle Keep It Simple, Stupid!

"Often times the only change people like, is the change that makes noise in their pockets." Richard Bach

Baseball is a simple game, and almost everyone knows how to play the game. The game is very simple: 1) you throw the baseball; 2) you catch the baseball; 3) you hit the baseball with a bat, right? But, there are people who can make the game of baseball so complicated and technical, it will make your head spin! Case in point:

Many years ago, I managed a Little League baseball team, and I got my brother-in-law to help me as a coach. I had never done anything like this before, so I didn't know what to expect from a bunch of 9-12 year olds, etc. I had no idea how much a nine, ten, or eleven year old knew about the game of baseball or what he could learn. To see 15 of those little faces sitting around the backstop, didn't sit well when we got started. I felt like we were going to fail, etc. And, I began to wonder if I should have volunteered in the first place. But, we went on and do the best we could. After all, it was all for the kids.

Fifteen kids...ages 9-12 year olds, from every walk of life, were waiting there at the backstop for me to get started. I have to say I was nervous, and I didn't quite know where to start. I had no idea how much a 9-12 year olds knew about baseball and what they could do. How was I going to mold these kids into a team that could win? Opening day was about a month away, and we had to get on with practice right away. After a few comments about the rules of the game, and our own rules as a team, I got the boys out on the field to throw the ball around and loosen up. My brother-in-law hit a little in field practice to get things started.

While they were doing this, I went over to another part of the school grounds, and watched another team in our league practice. I thought it would be good for me to get ideas and tips on how they were doing things and go from there. I thought it would help me with my own coaching as well. As I watched this team practice, I found out very quickly what I was NOT going to do with my team! What I was watching here was incredible!

This team was working on things that Major League teams work on. Things like double-plays; run-downs; bunting; signs from the third base and the dugout; getting the lead run; one bounce to the plate from the outfielders! These two fathers (coaches) were confusing these kids and getting too technical with them, in my view. We're talking about 9-12 year olds...they're just starting out learning the game!

I was getting irritated as I watched this team, because many of these kids don't have the strength, the coordination and the eyesight to perform like the big guys...they don't! I really didn't know at the time what I was going to do with my team, but I knew for sure I was not going to do what these coaches were doing with these kids, etc.

In the two years I coached Little League baseball, I only saw one double-play; no run-downs; I saw no bunts; and no stealing of bases, etc. So, why practice them! By practicing these various things, I felt that this team I was watching would get worse as the season went on. The only reason why I think a coach would teach the kids this stuff, is an ego trip. Trying to show the kids how much they know about the game of baseball. That's all it could be!

Our approach was going to be completely the opposite! Our approach was going to be to keep it simple and practice, practice and more practice, until the kids got it right, and until they made no errors. The kids would learn to catch the ball over and over and over until they got it right! They would learn how to throw the ball over and over and over until they got it right! And, they would stand at the plate and hit the ball over and over and over until they got comfortable at the plate and not be afraid of the ball, etc.

We were going to make the game as simple as we could make it. There would be discipline, and the first thing that disappeared was the bubble gum. Blowing bubbles was too distracting! And, there were only four things the players had to remember. Throw the ball (hopefully straight): catch the ball; hit the ball and go for the easy out! We would never, never go for the lead runner, even if they scored.I think that was pretty easy for the kids to remember.

There would be no complex, technical blah, blah on this team. Simplicity ruled, and it would stay that way. Good pitching was the key to winning. I was lucky, I had good pitchers, and they were very good, and we would work with them every chance we had. As the season started and progressed, my pitchers would strike out an average of 14 batters per game. So, why would we need all that practice on defense. Not many on the other team are going to reach base anyway. And, why should we practice all that technical blah-blah...not many are going to reach base anyway.

I felt like we had a good practice month and now the proof was in the pudding. Opening day came, and we were to have our first game, and we would find out if we were a disciplined team that could win. It was the discipline that made these kids organized and look and play like a baseball team. I was pleased at what I saw and how far we had come in such a short time. I felt that this team was going to win more games than they would lose, but the jury was still out.

When the season started, we won our first eight games in a row, and we won them on simplicity and not making any errors. And, then we lost two in a row, which had me a little worried. But, to make a long season short, the kids came back and, for the season they won 17 games and lost only 3 games.

Sadly, the team that I watched practice early on, won only 2 games and lost 18 games! I felt sorry for this team because they were in shambles. In Little League, there is a 10 run rule. If a team is 10 runs ahead of the other team, the game is stopped! That's so the kids are NOT humiliated...that's not the purpose of Little League. We beat this team by more than 10 runs both times we played them and the games were stopped.

The kids on that 2-18 team were confused by the coaches; they used too many technical terms and play in baseball and they were awful. At the end of the season, the coaches (fathers) were nowhere to be seen, and the team finished the season with a 14 year old coach. PRETTY SAD!

As far as I was concerned, I enjoyed working with the kids so much, that I came back to coach the following year. Surprisingly, it was a repeat of the first year, as we, again won 17 games and lost only 3 games, for a two year total of 34 wins and only 6 losses. And, we did it on simplicity! I was very proud of the kids!

"We design our lives through the power of choices." Unknown

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NOTE: I have been a woodcarver for over twenty years. I was invited to teach a class on woodcarving at the University of New Mexico. If I do, it will be the same approach in wood carving as in Little League baseball...keep it simple, stupid!

ARTICLES PUBLISHED; (70+ websites/includes links); Direct link: http://humordoctormd.homestead.com/articlespublished.htmlWebsite name; humordoctormd - Over 150 colorful pages; over 300 graphicshttp://humordoctormd.homestead.comemail; humordoctormd@yahoo.comCopyright; Jerry L. Aragon (The Humor Doctor); 2006

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