ashleesports

Do You Understand the Language of Baseball?

2010-03-04T15:55:00.001-08:00

If you've been around a baseball field for years, you develop a new vocabulary that is unique to the game. Many people may be familiar with the classic baseball sayings, quotes, and monologues over the years, but few casual fans really know the chatter and language that is used in the dugouts and on the field.

I compiled a fun little list of some of the phrases and terms I have come across over my many years of playing and coaching baseball. For the purpose of protecting the ears of minors, I decided to keep out the profanities. Take a look and see if any of these phrases are part of your baseball vocabulary:

Throwing cheese- A pitcher that is throwing hard
Throwing BB's -- Pitcher who throws hard
Went deep- Hit a homerun
12 to 6- Describes a curve ball that drops straight down (references the numbers on a clock)
Big hammer- Throws a good curveball
Filthy stuff- Describes a pitcher with above average pitches and ability
Soft hands- Describes a smooth, effortless fielder
Jacked one- Hit a homerun
Throwing gas- Pitcher who throws hard
The bump- Describes the pitcher's mound
Doggin it- A player who is not playing as hard as he can.
Hands are bleeding- A hitter that was jammed on an inside pitch
In his kitchen- Getting inside on a hitter with a pitch
Has wheels- Describes a fast runner
Paints the corner or the black- Throwing a pitch right on the edge of homeplate for a strike
Fill his ear hole- Suggesting that a pitcher purposely hit a batter
Spin his cap- Encouraging a batter to hit a ball up the middle past the pitcher
Hit the bull- Something yelled from an opposing bench after the pitcher threw a wild pitch off the backstop (references Bull Durham)
Throwing seeds- Throws hard
Roll a pair- Turn a double play
Turn the page- Something yelled from an opposing bench after the pitcher makes several throws to first base, keeping the runner close.
He rakes- Describes a good hitter
Got lit up- Describes a pitcher who didn't pitch well and was hit hard.
Throwing leather- A player or players who are making great plays in the field
Has a hose or cannon- Describes a fielder who has a good arm
So there you go, now you can talk baseball too.

The baseball season is just beginning~ why not plan on attending a game? Even a spring training game?? Check out tickets at . MLB Spring Training Tickets

Buy NBA Basketball Tickets at RazorGator Get your tickets for basketball ~ Boston Celtics, LosAngeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons ~ just to name a few. Many teams available!!

Boston Bruins Tickets as low as $30 at StubHub! New York Rangers Tickets from $50 at StubHub!
Many other hockey teams available

See Sold-Out Shows! Tickets Available on StubHub.com Check us out for hard-to-get shows!

Attending a game or show ? ? Why not stay over night?

Coach Steve Rau is a long time baseball instructor and co-founder of Play Ball Academy. He has been a part of championship baseball programs as both a player and coach for over 20 years. He currently helps hundreds of coaches and young ballplayers improve their baseball knowledge through online and offline instruction.

Baseball coaches can find baseball tips, video lessons, and audio sessions at: http://www.PlayBallAcademy.com Ashlee Sports

Article Source: Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Rau

Getting married shortly ~ http://sparklingwedding.blogspot.com/

Jewelry? http://ashleewedding.blogspot.com/

Should you Rent or Buy Powder Skis?

2010-03-03T16:53:00.000-08:00

Black Diamond Havoc Skis 2010

Wondering whether or not you should buy a pair of powder skis? If you live in an area that gets a lot of snowfall, and ski more than 2-3 powder days per year, it's definitely in your best interest to get your own equipment. Here's why:

1. Renting powder skis takes away from your time on the slopes. Anyone who has skied in deep powder on powder skis knows the glorious feeling you get from getting fresh tracks on a run. If you have to wait for the ski shop to open, fill out the appropriate forms and waiver and wait for a fitting, there may not be much powder left by the time you hit the slopes.

2. Renting premium skis costs upward of $40 per day. Why throw all that money into rentals when you could own your own pair? Just a few powder days on your own skis can pay for themselves!

3. Supply and demand. On a perfect powder day, the ski shop at your mountain is going to be sold out... of powder skis! That may be the most disappointing realization of all. That you're missing out on a day of powder without the proper equipment.

K2 Apache Crossfire Skis + Marker MX 12.0 Bindings 2010

You can see that owning your own pair of powder skis can really pay off if you live in a snowy area. If you are from an area that doesn't get a lot of snow, you should consider renting them as needed. However, if you are going on a ski vacation to an area that gets a lot of snowfall, you may consider renting a pair in advance- just to have while you are there. As mentioned above, the last thing you want to do is stand in line at the rental shop while all the locals are getting fresh tracks.

Sponsored by ~

Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet
Eat cookies, lose weight!
Free shipping available now

Home Gyms Keep off that extra weight!!

Health Conscious?? Check out this site ~ http://thehealthymoments.blogspot.com/
Getting Married?? Visit http://mysweetheartforever.blogspot.com/
Travel?? Vacation?? Honeymoon?? http://sunshinetravel.blogspot.com/

Ethan Waldman is an Internet Marketer, Musician and avid skier. His passions include cooking, cycling, and traveling.
Powder Skis.
Backcountry Skis.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ethan_Waldman

Top NFL Football Pick Tips to get You to Start Winning Today!!

2008-09-23T11:46:00.000-07:00

Consider first what are your reasons to engage in sports betting? Are you doing that out of a friendly bet? Is it because your favorite home team is playing and you would want to show your support even if just through betting? Or are you in it for the big gains? Well, whatever your purpose may be then if you're reading this and searching out for info on sports betting, then you must be in it seriously. Let me help you with that with a few tips on how to conduct a good NFL Football pick so you can start winning.

Research is the key

That's right. Although this may come as a natural advice, but you might be surprised to find out that there are hundreds of bettors out there who place bets out of a whim. They just play with their gut feel. While this may net them a good win or two, it is a haphazard way to play and will surely end in losses in the long run. You must have a well-researched NFL Football pick to start with. Football is a science, statistics is a science so I believe it is equally imperative that you approach sports betting as a science, too. Here are a few things you must consider in your research:

1. Every good NFL Football pick is backed with reliable information. Stats if you would prefer to call it. Know everything that there is to know about the players and the teams. Keep this line in mind though, because I will stress more about the importance of getting these pieces of information later on.

2. Did your choice of players or teams played well last season? This is important because you can practically guess the outcome of the coming season based on their performances in the last outing. Players and teams can have winning streaks and it can continue well into the next season.

3. Are there injuries you will have to contend with? Did any of the major players incur serious injuries? You must also consider the health of the backup players because as they say, a winning team is only as good as its second bit players. It is vital in making your NFL Football pick that you are aware of and understand the general health and well-being of your players.

4. The last and probably the most intriguing tip that I can give to you is to not be ashamed to admit that you need help. Understanding all of these information such as the statistics, the injuries and the performances of all, and I emphasize the word all, of these teams and players is the single vital strategy in your NFL Football pick decisions.

Take for example the injuries of these players. Not only do you have to know the type of injuries they incurred, but you must understand the repercussions these can bring to your team or the players' performances. Every injury is important because well obviously, an unhealthy player is virtually useless in a game. He can be great liability. You must also know if the injury will persist or if that player can recover in time to eventually have a good season performance.

Perhaps it is too daunting for you to amass and analyze of these information. That's where a professional can help you. You will find the assistance of good sportsbooks, handicappers and other sports analysts vital in helping you to continuously win.

Need tickets for football? or basketball or maybe hockey? Check out the tickets at~

Going out of town for the weekend to attend a sporting event? well check out ~Search Here for Hotels.com Best Hotel Deals!

Need a car rental? ~~

Sports, anyone?

Too bad that baseball is ending for now!

Getting married? Check out www.weddingsbyashlee.com for great ideas!!

Chris Grisham is a professional sports bettor living in the USA. For the past decade he has been consistently winning any sports he wagers on using his proven system based on his nfl football pick system. Find about his system for FREE at http://www.SportsbookInvesting.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Grisham

Stretches to Boost Your Weight lifting Routine

2008-09-06T13:47:00.000-07:00

Stretching is an important part of any weightlifting routine. It lengthens tendons, gives you a wider range of motion, loosens joints, and prevents injury. Here are some stretching basics to add to your workout routine.

Pre-workout Stretches

Pre-workout stretches are called dynamic stretches. Dynamic stretches are stretches where you are moving quite a bit. This warms up your muscles while stretching them. Warm muscles are less prone to injury and gain muscle faster.

For example, one dynamic stretch is doing windmills with your arms.

Twisting your trunk while swinging your arms from side to side is also a great dynamic stretch that warms up your arms and core.

Post-workout Stretches

Post-workout stretches are called static stretches. Static stretches are less active than dynamic stretches because after your workout your muscles are warm and can stretch better. This is the time to really stretch your muscles to the limit.

Work on trying to touch your toes. Touching your toes is a great static stretch that works out several different muscle groups. If you are not very flexible, reach towards your feet as far as you can, and reach a little more each day. If you are already flexible, try working on laying your hands flat on the floor, palms down.

The Swan Lift is another static stretch that works many different muscle groups. Lay flat on the floor, reach behind you, and grab your ankles. Lean your head and chest back. Hold this position for a few seconds until you feel the "burn," then release.

Use these dynamic and static stretches as part of your everyday weight loss plan to become more fit and flexible like No Nonsense Muscle Building review, and you may find that you have less stress than ever.

Weightlifting a Guide for Parents & Coaches

End of Year Clearance at Bodybuilding.com!

KUNG FU KICKBOXING WORKOUTWITH TIFFANY MAX CHEN (DVD) DVD

Marriage in your plans?

Honeymoon or Vacation?

Recommended Sport sites

http://ashleesports.blogspot.com/

http://pitchersarm.blogspot.com/

The author, Aaron Patterson, went from couch potato to kickboxer in less than a year! His favorite passion is helping people get off their butts and start leading healthier, more active lives through his Website, http://www.eliminatetheweight.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaron_Patterson

Tips for Buying the Perfect Tennis Shoes

2008-09-06T13:37:00.001-07:00

Tennis shoes which are also called as athletic shoes or gym shoes are designed primarily for strenuous and sporting activities. Tennis shoes are also known in different names in different parts of the world like trainers in U.K., runner shoes in Canada, sandshoes in Australia.

These shoes are used extensively in sports like tennis, running, jumping and basketball. Tennis shoes are made up of very flexible material and rubber sole are used to give ultimate comfort. Costly and branded tennis shoes are available in different shapes for different types of users. Moreover, you can still opt for custom made tennis shoes in case you are not able to find your right shoe size or shape. Shoe manufacturers have always tried to make suitable changes keeping in view of the changing time and the choice of users.

Choosing a right pair of tennis shoes can be a tricky affair. However with right guidance as described below, the job of choosing perfect tennis shoes will be a lot easier.

* Do not go in only for brand names and looks. Looks do not matter as long as the shoe serves your purpose and though brand name has some worth, they should not be the sole criterion to choose a tennis shoe. You should give more consideration to its functionality.

* Choose tennis shoes according to your foot type. The foot should fit comfortably without any stretching.

* Many people overlook to check the robustness of the heel box. A heel box is the part of the tennis shoes that covers the heel of your feet and keeps your feet in control while playing. Ideally the heel box should be made of leather with some rubber or plastic as support. To see the resistance of your heel box, you can try squeezing or bending it over.

* For sports persons, it is a good idea to take your doctor`s and coach s suggestions while buying tennis shoes.

* Flexibility is an important aspect to look at while choosing tennis shoes. The ideal shoes should bend easily. In addition, tennis shoes should have cushioning and shock absorption quality. It helps while playing tennis on hard courts.

* Watch out for the air max unit in the heel area of your tennis shoes. The air max unit provides great protection to your feet especially on hard court surface.

* Checking the outsole and toe guard of the tennis shoes is important as they ensure durability of the shoes.

* The upper part of the shoes covers the fore and mid foot and saves you from any unforeseen injury. Hence ultimate care should be given to see if your feet fit comfortably in the upper region.

* It is a good idea to replace your worn out tennis shoes with a new one to save you from unwanted injuries.

Many popular brands today manufacture tennis shoes customised to men`s and women`s category. Because of their difference in physique, women sports players need shoes with extra comfort and cushioning and sports manufactures make shoes exclusively meant for women tennis players.

Also for different surfaces, different types of tennis shoes are available. Like the structural and material design of them meant for playing on clay court surface are different than that of shoes meant for playing on hard court surface. Sports companies also hire top tennis and other sports persons to merchandise their products. However, comfort rather than brand should be the first priority while buying tennis shoes.

Win Free Shoes at Zappos.com!

Get your own Weight Loss Doctor . . . It's a proven strategy that has worked for thousands of others. It will work for you, too!

Athletic Shoes at Zappos!

Basketball, Baseball, football tickets!! Playoffs ~ World Series ~ Super Bowl~~Visit here for great tickets!!

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil

Interesting baseball site ~ http://pitchersarm.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roberto_Sedycias

Alex Rodriquez is a Powerhouse in Yankee Jerseys

2008-09-06T11:44:00.001-07:00

New York Yankees Embossed Leather Checkbook Cover - MLB Baseball Fan Shop Sports Team Merchandise

Although he still has some ways to go to reach the all-time greats he is only 33 years of age, and has been nicknamed A-Rod. He is slowly, but surely making his way to the homerun record held by Barry Bonds (762) with 545 homeruns to date. Not only is A-Rod headed to homerun greatest, but he has also set some other records along the way as he continues to destroy opposing pitchers in his campaign with the New York Yankees.

Before becoming the highest paid baseball player in the MLB at $275 million over ten years ($30 million more if he breaks Bonds' homerun record) with the Yankees, A-Rod began his career as a major leaguer with the Seattle Mariners alongside another future hall of famer in Ken Griffey Jr. in 1994.

As one of the most promising young shortstops in Major League Baseball, A-Rod had his first taste of success in the back in 1996 where he officially took over the Mariners shortstop position full time and excelled not only with his glove, but also with his bat by putting up monsters numbers like 36 homeruns, 123 RBIs and a very impressive batting average of .358 which was the highest by a right handed player since way back in 1939 when Joe DiMaggio hit .381 for the Yankees.

Although A-Rod's performance in the 1996 season was one of the best in history and was widely considered the favorite for the AL MVP, Juan Gonzalez won the award with A-Rod a close second at only three points behind which was the 2nd closest MVP race in MLB history.

Needless to say, A-Rod had become a superstar attraction in the league which made the Seattle Mariners who along with two other superstars in Ken Griffey Jr. and pitcher Randy Johnson one of the most exciting teams in baseball in the late 90s.

Unfortunately, these awesome trio of Griffey, Johnson and A-Rod didn't last very long as the Mariners started dealing all of the stars to other teams. After both Griffey and Johnson were gone, A-Rod faith in the franchise and hopes of a World Series started to disappear which resulted in the superstar bolting to the Texas Rangers in 2000 when he became a free agent. Although the Rangers were in just as bad shape as the Mariners in terms of playoff hopes, he was offered a deal he just couldn't refuse, $252 million over ten years which was the highest in baseball history, until he went to the Yankees a few years later of course.

Even though A-Rod made a name for himself as one of the best homerun hitters in baseball while with the Rangers by hitting multiple 50+ homeruns seasons, 57 dingers in 2002, the Rangers were going nowhere as they failed like many a franchise in the past to surround their superstar with talent to make it to the Fall Classic.

As a result of the Rangers being unsuccessful, A-Rod was traded to the Boston Red Sox to get rid of his huge contract burden on the Texas team. With the Boston deal looking to be a big team move, the MLBPA or Major League Baseball Players Association vetoed the trade which resulted in the 3 time AL MVP eventually ending up in New York with the arch rivals of the Boston Red Sox in a New York Yankees uniform.

Even though A-Rod was a golden glove winner at the shortstop position the Yankees had a golden glover and future hall of famer of their own in Derek Jeter playing the position which resulted in A-Rod moving to third base and switching to now one of the most famous Yankees jerseys number 13 out of respect of Yankees legend Babe Ruth who wore the number 3 Yankees jersey.

Although A-Rod hasn't been able to get the New York Yankees back to their World Series winning ways of old, he has been able to make a name for himself as one of the most dominant hitters ever to wear a New York Yankees jersey by consistently being one of the best hitters in baseball.

Click Here for the Best New York Hotel Deals! ~ How about spending a weekend in New York and taking in a ballgame?

Check out the great listing of tickets for concert, theater or Broadway besides sporting events!

Find a Great Selection of New York Yankees / Red Sox Merchandise!

Pitchers Arm

Boston Red Sox Embossed Leather Checkbook Cover - MLB Baseball Fan Shop Sports Team Merchandise

Jonathan Tucker, a fan of the New York Yankees, started the Yankees jerseys website to help other fans support the team.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_R_Tucker

Are Players a Distraction to the Team?

2008-08-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

Hello baseball fans,

Do you believe that Manny Ramirez was a distraction to his teammates? If you listen to the fans, radio talk shows or read the newpapers it was a big problem. However, in the clubhouse it was different ~ definitely non-issue. The players didn't care about it at all. If you were a hitter you'd be concerned about the pitcher you're facing in tonights game. If you were the pitcher, you'd be thinking about getting people out and winning the game for your team.

Babe Ruth was one of the greatest "distractions" in the history of baseball. He was a guy who got so angry at his manager, Miller Huggins, that he held him upside down at the end of a moving train!! The rest of the Yankee team just kept on playing baseball. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig never got along very well, but their main interest was in winning and that was very important to both of them. Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris were not the best of pals, because of Mantles drinking. However, winning games were more important.

If there was ever going to be a distraction from someone on a team, remember in 2007 ~ New England Patriots Rodney Harris using steroids. Any problems? Nope. The head coach accused of stealing opposing team signals. Every week more allegations!! Very negative attitude with the press, talk shows. All the players, front office, coaches believed the Pats would win the Super Bowl, but they didn't win. The Giants did!!

If the owners and manager feel Manny is valuable to the Red Sox, he will remain ~ if not he will be elsewhere. We all know that he was traded to the LosAngeles Dodgers
just before the trade deadline.

What are your thoughts about this trade? Good or bad?

NFL Tickets ~ football anyone??

MLB Baseball Tickets! Red Sox? Yankees? Tampa Bay Rays?

How about a "fun" cruise this fall or winter?

Muscle Advance Sports Nutritionals provide high quality weight gainer with all the vitamins, calories and supplements essential for avid body builders, recreational workouts and everyday muscle building support. Visit us out at MarketHealth.com

Ashlee Sports Visit me today and talk sports!

Author Ashlee Williams is the publisher of several baseball, travel and wedding sites.

Baseball Is It Americs's Favorite Pastime?

2008-08-23T12:59:00.000-07:00

In case you missed, baseball is considered the national pastime here in the United States. Even after the sport's recent battles against use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs, baseball has quickly recovered from the fiasco, and the sport's popularity continues to remain high. Although it was controversially removed out of the summer Olympics, many people rank it as the seventh most popular sport in the world. While it's popular world-wide, the sport is most popular in the United States, Central and South American, and Eastern Asia.

One interesting aspect of attending baseball games is that every ballpark is different. In contrast with the highly regulated playing fields in other sports, each baseball field is unique from the others. Although the infield of the park must fit specific dimensions, the rest of the field can be configured uniquely.

There are a wide variety of customizations that take place in major league ballparks. The distance required for a home run varies between stadiums, and sometimes one side of the field is further back than the other. Some stadiums have higher fences than others, affecting the likelihood an athletic over-the-field catch. The discrepancy means that statistics aren't always effective in comparing players. A home run in one stadium may be an easy out in the outfield in a game played at another stadium.

For an avid baseball fan, finding a great ticket is an important part of making the most out of trip to see the big game. Some fans make pilgrimages to history stadiums such as Fenway Park, while others just look to support the local triple-A team, but there's definitely a strategy to finding the best seats in the ball park.

Some fans' dream seat would be right behind the fence, down at the home plate. After all, all of the action is right in front of you, and you can watch the plays unfold in front of you in real-time, without needing the aide of the giant scoreboard or a pair of binoculars. If you want to be in the prime seat for watching the ceremonial first pitch, or watching your team trot around the bases after a bottom of the ninth grand slam, then down behind the fence is the premier seat.

However, if you souvenirs are what you're after, it's necessary to rethink the seating strategy. Some sports memorabilia collectors carefully pick their spot outside of the stadium, waiting for player to hit a homer out of the ball park. For the purposes of this article, though, we'll focus our seating strategies inside the field.

When memorabilia collectors expect there to be a souvenir ball sent over the fences, they strategically pick their seat in the park, picking what they consider to be a "hot spot". This spot depends on which hand the batter uses to swing with. If an easy catch is what you're after, tough, foul balls are easier to come across. They'll still have some sentimental value without significantly raising you to another tax bracket.

Baseball continues to be a tremendously popular game for both young and old people alike. For those people of all ages, still looking to live an outlandish childhood dream of playing in the major leagues, experiencing the game from inside the ball park is a great way to live the dream and potential catch a souvenir.
***********************************************************************************

New York Yankee tickets

Hotels.com by city, dates and number of guests

Tampa Bay tickets

Chicago Cubs Spend a weekend in Chicago and "take in " a Cub game!!

A new sport site by Ashlee

Book early with easyCar to make sure you get a car for your trip!

Getting married? Visit http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com

About the Author
If you are looking for cheap baseball tickets visit MLB Tickets Box for your MLB tickets.
Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=288659&ca=Sports

Baseball ... Anyone??

2008-08-21T15:59:00.000-07:00

How it all began ~~~~~~~~~ The Biggest Baseball Bat!!

What comes to mind when you hear the word baseball? For those of you who have been to a real baseball event, would it lead you to think of a huge stadium, an open field, the heat of the sun, the cheer of crowds, the cracking of the bat as it hits the ball, or the shout of the umpire of what decision he has for the teams?

For those of you, who in anyway have not experienced being in a baseball game, but have seen it through sports channels or heard it on the radio or viewed it online, you might also have the same perception of the game. For those who are not into baseball but may have had the chance to observe a game or two, it might be obvious that the spectator watches two teams playing against each other. There is a presence of a pitcher, a batter, an umpire or referee and the people guarding the bases. If that spectator figures out the way of scoring, then he might have learned the basics of the sport.

In the context of an in depth look at the sport itself, only a few people, minus the avid baseball fans and players would even care to understand who thought about it, where it came from and where it is most popular at as a sport…

Baseball, which can be classified as a game of bat and ball and which is sometimes identified as hard ball to differentiate it from a similar game known as softball (a more compact version of the game). It can be traced back to accounts of being an evolved version of the game called rounders, which was said to have originated in Great Britain and Ireland dating back to as early as the 17th century! There are similar accounts about the existence of the game but the pioneering full documentation of baseball in North America was by Dr. Adam Ford in his modern description of the game that took place on June 4, 1838 in Beachville, Ontario. It was on June 19, 1846 in Hoboken, New Jersey that the first game of baseball in U.S. history was officially recorded with the New York Nine defeating the Knickerbockers in a 23-1 four innings game.

Today, Baseball is recognized as the national sport of the United States. The sport also has spread its popularity, is being patronized and played in most of the American regions, the Caribbean and East Asia.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Football anyone??

New York Yankees Tickets Last season to see "the boys in pinstripes" play in "the house that Ruth Built" New stadium in 2009!! Place your order now!!

Buy NHL Hockey Tickets at RazorGator

Not interested in sports ~ then how about a concert? In LasVegas?

Buy Concert Tickets at RazorGator

Save up to 80% at FansEdge Clearance Center - shop NFL, NCAA, MLB, NBA & More
Event Tickets Jonas Brothers, Madonna, Jimmy Buffet, Wicked, Neil Diamond, Grease, Mary Poppins ~ just to name a few!

Visit http://pitchersarm.blogspot.com

Marriage plans in near future? http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com Great ideas!!

About the Author
Lanny Hintz writes about Lids Sales, Mitchell Ness Promo and MLB Gear Savings Code
Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=134390&ca=Sports