THE BASEBALL GUIDE

There are several stories of where the sport of baseball originated. For an extended period of time, it was believed that a man by the name of Abner Doubleday invented the game in the late 1830s. This claim is widely disputed however because when Doubleday died he left behind no evidence that he was involved with the sport at all. While Doubleday was indeed a well respected individual during the Civil War, the invention of baseball is found nowhere in his journals or his obituary. According to Civil War general A.G. Mills, a crude form of the game was played during the Civil War to keep the troops alert while the battles were waning. Some think that the adoration for Doubleday eventually landed him the loving role of father of the game.

To find the true answer to who invented baseball, it is important to look beyond the stereotypical design of American baseball. Written accounts of games played with a ball and a stick (or, later, a bat or mallet) can be found as far back as the 1300s. All throughout history, there are verbal and written accounts pertaining to baseball games of some sort. These reports come from an impressive range of places: England, Romania, and later on, Canada. It is reported that the first recorded game in history occurred in Canada in 1838.

It is widely believed that much older games led to the eventual creation of another sport that was once popular in England. The game, called Rounders, consists of two opposing teams alternating turns at fielding and batting. In Rounders, much like baseball, bases (or posts) are utilized, the game is played in innings and each team uses nine active players while fielding. The game was popularized in the mid 1800s and was an updated version of an older game that some refer to as stool-ball. These two games are believed to be the true inspirations behind the game of baseball which we are familiar with today.

In 1845, the first official rules for American baseball were written and conducted by Alex Cartwright. Cartwright briefly lived in Hawaii where he founded a Hawaiian baseball league. This league would later be the model that the MLB’s National and American leagues were built upon. Cartwright later went on to form a team in New York called the Knickerbockers. The first official game ever recorded in US history occurred in New Jersey in June of 1846. The game featured the New York Knickerbockers and a group known only as The New York Nine. Even though Cartwright was borrowing the game’s structure from older games like Rounders, his creation of basic rules and guidelines leads many to believe that Cartwright is the true founder of American baseball. In 1953, the United States Congress gave official credit to Alex Cartwright for the invention of the modern game of baseball.

What’s better kicking back at your favorite stadium during baseball season? How about taking in some spring training games? Lots of people think of Florida when they think about baseball teams working out in the spring to train for the rigors of summer ball. However, spring training baseball Arizona, known as the “Cactus League,” offers up some of the hottest teams in America, and you can see them up close and personal in smaller, intimate stadiums.

Does your favorite team play in the Cactus League? Well, here’s a list of the teams that play spring training baseball in Arizona.
• Arizona Diamondbacks
• Chicago Cubs
• Chicago White Sox
• Colorado Rockies
• Kansas City Royals
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
• Los Angeles Dodgers
• Milwaukee Brewers
• Oakland Athletics
• San Diego Padres
• San Francisco Giants
• Seattle Mariners
• Texas Rangers

The teams play for the entire month of March, in seven different cities throughout the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Usually, spring training baseball Arizona takes place every day, so if you’re planning a trip, you’re almost certain to catch a game or two, even if it’s not between your favorite teams. Sometimes, they play a couple of dates at the end of February and the beginning of April, too.

A Little League History

The Cactus League first formed in 1946, when the Cleveland Indians went to Tucson and the New York Giants went to Phoenix to work out for a month before the baseball season opened. This first spring training baseball Arizona detoured from Florida because the Indians signed Larry Doby, the American League’s first black player, and Cleveland’s owner, Bill Veeck thought Arizona would be more open to a mixed race team. The Chicago Cubs came in 1951, and ever since then, the spring training roster has grown to 13 teams who play games every day throughout the month of March.

Smaller Stadiums with Smaller Prices

The weather in Phoenix and Tucson in March is warm and perfect for early spring baseball, and the teams play close enough to each other that it’s an easy drive from one stadium to the next. Best of all, these are small, intimate baseball stadiums; where fans can get much closer to all the baseball action, and that’s why so many people are heading for spring training baseball in Arizona. Tickets are cheaper too, and you still get to see the big players hit one out of the ballpark; only you’re more apt to catch that homer in one of these smaller stadiums.

Spring training baseball Arizona is all about seeing up-and-coming rookies make their mark, too. If you attend Cactus League games, you may see the next A-Rod or Ken Griffey, Jr. right there, warming up in the on-deck circle right in front of your seats.

Stadiums are located in the Tempe, Mesa, Peoria, Scottsdale, Glendale, and Surprise areas of Phoenix, and in Tucson, less than 2 hours south of Phoenix. Tickets are available through the local spring training baseball Arizona ballparks, and thorough the individual teams’ websites. Enjoy the Cactus League in Arizona, and see some of the best baseball you’ll ever see in March!

Florida is a beautiful city in America and a perfect place for base ball spring training. It is located in the south eastern region of the United States and is home for some of the major Baseball Teams. Climate of Florida is well regulated because of its proximity to water. This “Sunshine State” is known for its lightning and it is also known as lightning capital of United States. Afternoon thunderstorms are also common in Florida; precipitation is also higher in some parts of Florida. Spring climate is ideal for baseball training. Florida baseball Spring training is a right choice for you during spring. Spring in Florida is composed of hot and wet climatic conditions. Baseball is known as the Americans favorite past time sport. It has fans from all over the world. The first base ball league outside Canada and United States was formed in Cuba and was founded in 1878. It remained as a strong opponent right from 1930 since international play began. A team can be strong with good guidance and training which can be obtained at Florida baseball spring training camps. Florida baseball Spring training camps makes you compete with international teams. A by product can be obtained by right mixture of talent and training which is imparted by Florida baseball Spring training camps. Florida can be rightly said as the traditional home of the MLB (Major League Baseball’s spring training) and almost 2/3^{rd (}MLB) people have their spring training in Florida.

Florida State has two Major league Baseball teams. It also hosts minor league baseball championships. Florida baseball spring training camps have immense experience backing them up which can definitely assist you in the long term. Florida Marlins and Tampa bay rays are two home teams of Florida. Dolphin stadium is the home of Florida marlins whereas Tropicana Field is the home of Tampa bay rays. Teams are informally organized into Grape fruit league. During spring training Florida hosts the following major league teams. These are the following clubs located in Florida for Florida baseball Spring training Atlanta Braves is located in Walt Disney world; Baltimore Orioles is located in Fort Lauderdale, Boston Red Sox located in Fort Myers, Cincinnati Reds located in Sarasota, Cleveland Indians located in Winter Haven, Detroit Tigers located in Lakeland, Florida marlins located in Jupiter, Houston Astros located in Kissimmee, Minnesota Twins located in Fort Myers, New York Mets located in Port St. Lucie, New York Yankees located in Tampa, Philadelphia Phillies located in Clear water, Pittsburgh pirates located in Bradenton, Saint Louis Cardinals located in Jupiter, Toronto Blue Jays located in Dunedin and finally Washington Nationals located in Viera. These are some of the Florida baseball Spring training camps located in Florida.

The first four teams were founded in South Bend, Indiana; Kenosha and Racine, Wisconsin; and Rockford, Illinois. The players were recruited wherever they could be found, but the best source seemed to be the Girls Athletic Association (GAA). The first season began in the summer of 1944. The league thrived the first few seasons garnering much popularity and fan support.

But when the war ended in 1945, things began to get hard. Especially the fact that when the men returned and took up their old jobs, forcing women out of the workplace and challenging the popularity of women’s baseball. The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League reached its peak in 1948, then began to fall. The teams eventually all went into debt, and between 1949 and 1951, it dwindled down to nothing. However, women’s baseball holds a special place in history, with a section of the Baseball Hall of Fame dedicated to this era.

With soccer becoming a hit among women in the United States, with their World Championships, baseball has taken a backseat. It will come to a point again in the future where baseball becomes a hit amongst the average woman. WNBA has become highly commercialized, and soccer extremely popular. Why not baseball?

Baseball has long been praised as America’s favorite pastime. Baseball gloves have been used for nearly as long as the baseball game has existed are a very integral part of the sport.

The first baseball gloves were used in the 1870s and are very different from the baseball gloves we use today. Prior to the late 1800’s, the sport of baseball was much more rugged than what we are accustomed to today; players were expected to catch or knock the ball with no protection. One can only imagine the injuries sustained from this practice.

Early baseball gloves were fairly simple as compared to today’s standards. The basic idea was to create a glove that would pad and protect the players’ hands and provide a cushion for catching the ball. Surprisingly, the first gloves were designed so the player could knock the ball to the ground and not necessarily catch it. History’s first baseball gloves were made from pieces of leather sewn together to fit over a player’s hand. Not nearly as padded, thick or advanced style-wise, early baseball gloves are on display at many sport and baseball museums across the country.

The first players to use baseball gloves were often taunted and teased as being “too soft” or “sissies” because they did not want to catch the ball with their bare hands. It is difficult to understand the resistance and fun-poking of the late 19th century since baseball gloves are a standard item used in modern games. Eventually, however, the use of baseball gloves became more accepted and a safety standard in the sport.

The history of baseball gloves is a colorful one with many advances in comfort and safety. The evolution of baseball gloves has helped to shape the game and many cannot imagine the sport without them.

Baseball caps serve many functions. They aren’t just seen on the field but on the streets, in the stands and almost anyone you look. Baseball caps have an interesting history, the first ones were worn by the New York Knickerbockers and they were made of straw.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tailgate parties are an American pastime to fans of spectator sports virtually everywhere in the country. From college to professional sports, tailgating adds additional entertainment to an already entertaining event. It is the hardcore fan’s pre-game parking lot ritual.

Tailgate parties have been around for many decades. People have been gathering in parking lots before baseball and football games for years. Grilling and eating hot dogs and hamburgers, and drinking as much beer as possible before the game starts, has been going on since at least the middle 70’s.

Only in the last few years, however, has an evolution in tailgate parties occurred. A whole new industry has sprung up from the popularity of tailgating. Tailgating supplies no longer consist of a portable grill and a couple of lawn chairs. You still see quite a bit of these items in parking lots before games, but these days there are products made specifically for tailgate parties.

Here are just a few of the tailgating supplies available that are bringing a whole new aspect to pre-game sports parties:

1. Barbecue grills made specifically for tailgating - With portability always kept in mind; manufacturers are designing grills that can connect directly to the trailer hitch on your pickup or car. Your hitch acts as a support stand when grilling. After the tailgate party is over, the grill folds up for easy storage.

Other tailgate grills are mounted on trailers. These are not the large grill trailers used by barbecue caterers, but instead, are smaller grills that are light enough to be moved and positioned by hand.

2. One very innovative idea comes from the fact that there is generally no electricity hookup for appliances, etc. in a stadium parking lot, short of buying a generator. Manufacturers now make drink blenders and food choppers that are gas powered. The engine that powers these small appliances up is similar to the 2-stroke engine you find on a gas weed trimmer or edger. Just pull the cord and mix up a batch of frozen drinks to beat that parking lot heat.

3. Speaking of beating the heat, there are many kinds of coverings and awnings made today that pop up easily and quickly, providing much-needed shade from the hot sun. Some even come with your favorite team’s logo printed on them.

4. Large flags with team logos are very popular at tailgate parties. They can be attached to flag poles that will extend to 25′ and higher. Of course, the flagpoles are easily folded up after the party for quick storage.

5. Tailgate party decorating is even considered. Full lines of glassware, plates, tablecloths, and various party decorating items with team colors and logos imprinted on them can be purchased and many tailgating supplies stores.

These are just a few of the supplies to consider for your next tailgate party, as new innovations and ideas keep appearing every sports season. With this growing and still new industry, expect tailgate parties to continue to get better and add more fun to sporting events for many years to come.

“Get your head in the game!” is a now trendy slogan made popular by Disney’s highly successful “High School Musical” movie. When it comes to playing sports, for fun or professionally, pure talent no longer is a guarantee of sports stardom and success. Focus is the key, and those that have the skills for the game and the focus to keep their head in it, will come out stars.

One such believer may be heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. As a young, up and coming fighter, Mr. Tyson used sports hypnosis to become the heavyweight champion of the world. He certainly had the skills to be a fighter, but many believe it was his drive and focus that made him a champion. If you studied any of his early bouts, you would see the determination and concentration he had. Many sports stars use hypnosis, especially when they need to get out of a slump. But waiting until you are in a slump may not be the best choice. More than a few medallists in both Olympic games have successfully used sports hypnosis to keep their focus and attention on the prize; they do not get second chances! Sports hypnosis has become so popular, that hypnotists have been hired by entire Olympic teams to make sure they bring home the gold.

Hypnosis works for enhancing your game, no matter what the sport. Is it a miracle worker? Will it take a person who can’t throw a baseball more than 20 miles per hour and 15 feet into a baseball star? No, absolutely not. Obviously, you need the skills before hypnosis can work its wonders. However, it can take a mediocre player and make him or her good or possibly great with practice.

How does hypnosis work and what happens during a session? The answer for that question really depends on the hypnotist or psychologist that works with you. There are many techniques and theories and can vary dramatically. Some techniques are as simple as visualization. Imagine you are a basketball player and you need to practice free throws. When you practice, you make the shots sometimes, but also miss many times. So you are practicing to miss, not practicing to make it. Of course one needs to practice but visualizing you making the shot every time builds confidence and esteem. It also sets the mind in motion to know what it needs to do. It has been proven that this type of visualization technique increases shot percentage. Try it yourself if you can. Stand on the foul line and take some shots counting your baskets and misses. Then close your eyes and go through the motions of making the shot (but do not actually shoot, don’t even hold the ball). Feel the motion of your arms, go through the shot and visualize, actually see the ball go in the basket. Do this numerous times until you feel you have the motion down. Then open your eyes, take the ball, relax, and take a deep breath and shoot. Take the same number of shots as before relaxing prior each shot. Remember to keep track of your hits and misses. You should see a vast improvement. This can work with most any sport, for example, gymnasts should visualize their complete routine, over and over in their minds, never missing, always landing each move perfectly.

Again, there are many techniques and the example above was a simple one using pure visualization and did not include hypnosis. This alone as part of a sports psychology session can be helpful and learning to do these techniques on your own is invaluable. But to get the full potential, hypnosis can intensify the effects of the visualization. Do not be afraid of hypnosis. Be assured that you will not act like a chicken (unless of course you don’t mind, your sport is dancing, and your routine is the chicken dance) and you will not do anything you are not willing to do. Yes, one should always check the references of whomever you choose to work with and make sure you feel comfortable with the person.

So, whatever your sport, goal, or hobby; use hypnosis to increase your potential and get your head in the game.

If you have a youngster who loves baseball and is anxious to improve, you might consider investing in a pitching machine.

Nowadays machines can be had for as little as $150, and all the way up to several thousand dollars.

But will it improve your child’s batting stroke?

A pitching machine can be a fairly large piece of equipment so you will need to supervise its use. It can provide hours of repetitive practice for your budding big leaguer, but it should only be used as a helpful tool, and not as a replacement for hands-on coaching.

One thing that must be considered is, if a kid is having a problem with his/her swing, a pitching machine won’t necessarily help the problem, but actually may prolong it by reinforcing bad hitting habits.

On the positive side, being able to repetitively hit a baseball or softball will certainly help develop the proper hand-eye coordination required to successfully hit a ball.

One company that manufacturers its machines so that improving hand-eye coordination is a top priority is Personal Pitcher.

Personal Pitcher designs battery operated machines that use golf ball size whiffle balls. The theory here is that the hitter’s goal is to hit the ball in its center, so used as a training aid, it doesn’t matter if the size of the ball is a golf ball, baseball, or softball.

By using whiffle balls the machine is of a lighter weight and is supported by a simple camera tripod. Its lighter weight means kids can set it up in their back yard and practice their swing at just about any time.

A pitching machine can also serve a young player well by pitching ground balls for infield practice. Some models will also serve up fly balls so that young players, through repetition, can lose the fear of the ball hitting them as they try to catch popups.

Some resourceful coaches will also use a pitching machine to throw balls to infielders who then practice tagging out runners at their respective bases. The repetition is the key - through it, young players will improve their hand-eye coordination.

A pitching machine can be a great learning tool for aspiring young ballplayers. With the proper adult supervision, the machine can improve both offensive and defensive aspects of the youth player’s game, along with increasing the player’s enjoyability factor of baseball and softball.

It’s been around seemingly forever. The rules of the game really haven’t changed. And attending professional baseball games is still a great way to spend time with your family.

But unfortunately, professional baseball has been tarnished by an illegal substance scandal that just yet may reach epic proportions.

How did it get out of hand?

Back in 1994, the MLB labor strike cancelled the World Series for the first time in history. The Series had been played between the American League and National League Champions every year since 1905. Bitter negotiations continued through the off-season, and when the team owners decided to begin the 1995 season with non-union replacement players, a deal between the owners and the Players Union was finally struck.

But the gauntlet had been thrown.

You don’t just cancel an American institution such as the World Series.

Teams really struggled regaining their fan bases after the ‘94 strike. Many fans, bitter over the cancellation of the Series, stayed away from the stadiums.

In 1998, baseball fans were treated to a record home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. Fans returned to the game in droves as McGwire hit 70 home runs, eclipsing Roger Maris’ major league record of 61. Sosa also cruised past the Maris mark by belting 66 homers. A nation was once again captivated by baseball.

What fans did not know at the time was that this was an era of heavy steroid and human growth hormone (HGH) usage by players. It should be pointed out that McGwire and Sosa have never admitted to using illegal performance enhancing substances, but they have been accused of doing so by other players.

Over the past decade, with allegations by former slugger Jose Canseco, and federal investigations into supplying players with illegal substances (the BALCO scandal), Major League Baseball has finally taken a stand and implemented a policy banning substances such as anabolic steroids and HGH and requiring random drug tests for steroids (there is no test yet available for HGH).

Is it too little too late? MLB has nobody to blame but themselves. With the fascination of the home run race of 1998, MLB seemingly looked the other way in an attempt to bring their old fan base back to the game. The result is that baseball’s statistical records, which always could be compared through the game’s different eras, have now been tarnished.

Because it is a game that’s been passed down through generations, there is a very good chance baseball can survive this current scandal. The current eras hitting statistics however, are forever tainted. In the future, when comparing players from different eras, statistics gathered during the “Steroid Era” will most likely be discounted.

There is a certain amount of credibility destroyed by the steroid scandal, but baseball, America’s original National Pastime, will survive.