baseball
Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
Slow Pitch Softball Cliches Fast Approaching Their Expiration Date
I thought it would be cool to take a look back at the first article I ever had published. References are a bit dated but the content still works.
Rich MonettiPublished 5 years ago in Unbalanced4 Baseball Exercises for Hitting Power
What baseball player doesn’t like the idea of hitting a ball so hard it goes far beyond the reach of the outfielders? The hit that becomes an instant home run and the hit that everyone will be talking about for weeks to come is what every baseball player dreams of. It’s the kind of hit that legends are made out of, and that type of hit is only possible by improving hitting power. Sure, accuracy, focus, and batting form all play integral roles in creating a hit like that, but without hitting power, none of those other factors will lead to an instant home run. Even a poor batter can hit the ball out of the park occasionally if they have some serious hitting power.
Sofia AlvesPublished 5 years ago in UnbalancedBeechcroft Stuns Mifflin 20-0 in Season Opening Victory
As the sun set just behind the baseball diamond at Mifflin High School, in Columbus, Ohio, coach Brian Knisley, first year coach at Beechcroft High School, circled his players up and said these words.
Winners OnlyPublished 5 years ago in UnbalancedThe Lewisboro Lightning Never Quit as Their Three Year Journey Ends
In baseball when you start slow, a cold, wet spring always stands at the ready as an explanation. Whether the team will warm with the calendar certainly remains a question. But the uncertainty didn’t rule for Lewisboro Little League Coach Jason Pizer as his twelve year olds got caught in between all the April raindrops.
Rich MonettiPublished 5 years ago in UnbalancedRooting for the Underdog
I am a very proud New Yorker. I was born in the grand ole year of 1956 in Manhattan. Why is this so important to my story? You will see why in a few minutes. Read on, my friend.
Maurice BernierPublished 5 years ago in UnbalancedGuess Who Just Received the Highest Free-Agent Player Contract in the History of the MLB?
So I'm sitting here in my makeshift office/bedroom trying to make a dime or two for me and my lovely wife, and what do I happen to read in the Wall Street Journal but this - Manny Machado is now the recipient of the largest-ever free agent deal in the history of that great North American sport we call baseball. Manny who? Manny freakin' Machado, that's who!
Vaden ChandlerPublished 5 years ago in UnbalancedBaseball Thoughts... (Pt. 2)
Obviously, if you are a baseball fan, you know the name Henry Aaron. He set the home run record, passing Babe Ruth. In fact, I can remember it like it was yesterday, as I sat at my Aunt Edna’s house and watched on her TV as Henry Aaron swatted the ball off Al Downing that eventful night. I can still see it in my mind as he rounded the bases, being mobbed by fans and players alike, it was a bright moment for a player that had achieved so much.
Dan ReinhartPublished 5 years ago in UnbalancedBaseball Thoughts...
I was born into a family where my dad worked many long hours to provide for our family. He was a “Sanitation Engineer” or as what we called him, “the sewer cleaner.” Don’t get me wrong, I knew he loved me. In fact, he would always tell my mom to let me stay up so that he could see me.
Dan ReinhartPublished 5 years ago in UnbalancedBaseball Bat Buying Guide: Find the Best Bats
Baseball has become one of the popular sports that is mainly played in the United States of America. In fact, it is also the national sport of the nation. Compared to several other sports, such as golf and ice hockey, you do not require much accessories to play a game of baseball. Just a baseball bat, ball, and gloves. Talking about baseball bats, there are several types of such bats in the market. These are available in different lengths and are also made from different materials. However, there are certain rules and regulations as far as baseball bat materials are concerned when it comes to major leagues. When it comes to choose a bat for yourself, you need to be extra careful that you choose one of the right length.
Patty McDanielsPublished 5 years ago in UnbalancedWho's the Problem?
"That guy is the worst." "He doesn't know what he's doing." "My kid needs some real coaching." Those were the comments coming from a friend of mine as we were discussing how his son's baseball season was going. I asked for examples of what was happening, favoring his own kid seemed to be the biggest complaint about the little league coach. That’s understandable, I can see a coach doing that, after all this is a volunteer little league coach. We’re not talking about a club travel ball coach that collects $400 per month per player on the team (this is a whole different topic for a blog on a different day, club coach vs. volunteer coach). We continued to talk more about the kids (we both have 11-year-olds and sometimes they play against each other) and other sports they've been involved in. There was a recurring theme when my friend would talk about the different sports and teams his son played on. That theme? The coach sucks.
Dean AyoobPublished 5 years ago in UnbalancedMy Unqualified Hall of Fame Ballot
Let me be perfectly clear. I am not a baseball writer. I am not, and probably will never be a member of the BBWAA. At best, I am a casual baseball fan. That being said, I have become obsessed with the art of selecting baseball's Hall of Famers. The debates are endless. The ballot shaming is in full swing. There are so many factors and stats and points of principle to sift through that you could argue most anyone should at least get a vote. So, it got me thinking. Who would I tick off if I had a vote? After weeks of crunching the numbers (and opening up dozens of Baseball Reference tabs at a time), I have a ballot that I am confident to defend.
Sean LeamenPublished 5 years ago in UnbalancedBest Books for Baseball Fans
It was the mid-1940s and World War II caused a spike in civilian fear. Men were being drafted, families were rationing food, and there were major political changes afoot.
David McClearyPublished 5 years ago in Unbalanced