Sometime last year while sitting at my desk I began to feel excited. No, it wasnt because my new pair of jeans was slightly too tight and applying too much pressure on my prostate. It was because I realized how exciting of a sports year 2006 was going to be. Besides the usual great events such as the Super Bowl and March Madness there was also the World Cup of Soccer and Olympic Hockey to look forward to. But just when I thought it couldnt get any better than that, the powers that be added the World Cup of Baseball, or the World Baseball Classic as I later found it to be named. Three huge global events in a matter of 6 months with March Madness sprinkled in the middle, how can you top that? Well that was then, and this is now.
In reality, I have no one to blame but myself for the let down that I have come to experience. How could I have been so stupid? I mean, surely I should have realized that Bud Selig was running the show and that doom was certainly impending. It may look all well and good now, but here are ten reasons why I wont be watching the World Baseball Calamity, err, Classic.
10. No Yankee pitchers will be allowed to pitch. There is no way that Steinbrenner is going to risk his investments and allow his pitchers to participate in this tournament. Chin Ming Wong is currently listed on the roster of Chinese Taipei, but look for that to change in the next month as they trim rosters from 60 to 30 (this will be a recurring theme throughout the countdown).
9. Chinese Taipei. Just the fact that Chinese Taipei has a team in this thing makes me question its very fabric. Im not exactly sure yet if this is a real country, or just a made up land where every Asian with a hyphenated name was forced to migrate to.
8. Mike Piazza playing for Italy. Give me a break. If youre going to allow a country to play in the WBC then at least let them lose with their own players. Putting a future hall of famer in their lineup just because his name ends in a vowel seems a little vulgar to me.
7. South Africa. Check out the teams that have been slated in Team USAs pool: Canada, Mexico, and South Africa? Its one thing to throw this country into the WBC mix, which joins China as being the only teams with a roster that lacks a player who plays on a current major league team, but to put them in a pool with the other North American countries just to give USA one less challenge? Seems pretty obvious to me whats going on here, not to mention pathetic.
6. Players choosing their country. One of the things that was an initial draw for me was that, being called the World Baseball Classic, I assumed I would be watching the best that each country had to offer while they battled it out against each other. Well, apparently baseball players get to choose where they would like to have been born, and then play for that country. Besides Piazza playing for Italy, you have As pitchers Kirk Saarloos and Danny Haren joining former As pitcher Mark Mulder on the Netherlands (and after all, Mark Mulder was in fact born in South Holland, Illinois, which, besides the fact that the city contains the word Holland in it, is practically right next door to the Netherlands), and American born Nomar Garciaparra is playing for Mexico (although Michael Young who is half Mexican is playing for Team USA). You also have Alex Rodriguez playing for the Dominican Republic, but then not playing at all, and now apparently playing for the US, even though both the Dominican and US rosters list him as a player for their team. My guess is that by next week he may just decide to play for a World Series of Poker bracelet. While theyre at it they might as well let Barry Bonds play for South Africa. The list goes on and on, which once again shows that this tournament has little to do with national pride, and a lot to do with the financial gain of major league baseball.
5. Drug Testing. Because of the strict Olympic style drug testing, you will be sure to see many more players for the US and other countries drop out of this just as Barry Bonds did. Bonds, who is once again under the delusion that people actually think he is clean, first said he would be honored to play for his country, but recently dropped out, citing the fact that he wants to take more time to rest his knees. Interestingly, he had ample opportunity to announce this in front of the large number of media that was in attendance during a recent celebrity golf tournament Bonds attended, but he instead chose to make the announcement via his web site where he of course is able to avoid any questions that people may want to ask of him. Look for other big names, most notably Roger Clemens, to drop off the roster before they go from 60 to 30 in the next month for similar reasons. The fact is that MLBs drug testing policy is a joke, and no urine test is going to come close to detecting HGH or anything else that has been newly developed. Even some blood tests will not detect the new designer steroids out there, but it does increase the chance that you will get exposed. However, that is another discussion for another day.
4. All about the money. Lets face it; the only reason that we are even talking about the World Baseball Classic is because Major League Baseball wants to generate more revenue. Just look at the adds throughout MLB.com. They are even using guilt in order to sell tickets, such as Your favorite players are supporting their countries. Now its your turn to support yours. Give me a break. Kind of funny how the rosters are still at 60 players. Wouldnt it be funny it right after the tickets were sold out they just happened to cut the rosters down to 30, and all the players you wanted to decided they didnt want to play in March and risk injury? Interesting how that works out.
3. Pitch Counts and Mercy Rules. You heard me right, the WBC has set pitch counts for each round of the World Baseball Classic. For the first round it is set at 65 pitches, and it increases to a whopping 80 pitches in the second round and 95 pitches for the semis and finals. Apparently if a pitcher reaches 65 pitches in the midst of an at bat he may finish out that batter, which begs the question does a pitcher who is coming up on his 64th pitch try even harder to throw a strike, regardless of the count, in order to force the batter to make contact in the hope of being able to face one last batter? Talk about changing the way players play the game! They also adopted a mercy rule of 15 runs after 5 innings or 10 runs after 7 in order to end blowouts in a timelier manner. If I wanted to watch little league baseball I would wait until the summer time.
2. March Madness. Talk about poor planning. The WBC takes place smack dab in the middle of March, right during the peak of college basketballs tournament season. Last year baseball tried to upstage the NCAA with their steroid hearings, and now this? Nice try Bud.
1. Bud Selig. The definition of a poor leader. Sure he got lucky with realignment, the wild card, and interleague play (which by now has kind of lost its luster), but any moron who just happened to be the commissioner during the 90s would have come up with the same ideas. It was just a matter of time. He single handedly made football the most popular sport in America, and let the issue of steroids run amuck in the world of baseball. Say what you will about George W. Bush, but at least he surrounds himself with competent people. Seligs cronies are just as clueless as he is. Once again Selig is proving that hes just about putting money in the pockets of his owners, and that he will continue to milk the fans for all they are worth.
So before you tune in to see just what the World Baseball Classic has to offer, remember these ten things I have laid before you. Dont make the same mistake you did last year and miss some exciting college hoops because you want to see how uncomfortable some congressmen can make Mark McGwire and Donald Fehr look. Watch something that really matters, not spring training baseball masquerading as the real thing.
RACS RANT will appear twice each month on SportsLizard.com. You can contact Dick Richards at racsrant@hotmail.com
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It is often difficult and hard to teach younger hitters is the process of using the hips to generate power and bat speed. The key first element to teaching them to use their hips is to do a drill that allows them to see and feel how the hips should turn. The "Hip Turner" drill works great for this purpose. Have the batter assume the "inside pitch location" drill position.
The Hurricane Machine Ball should be directed at the batters front hip with the ball's location inside and out in front of the front leg.The batter will then look away from the ball and find a "landmark" to identify visually. It is great to have a player or coach stand behind the batter at a safe distance. The coach will instruct the batter to assume the ready position and then look back at their teammate or coach. The coach then gives the player the instruction to take a full swing, turn the hips completely, and then look at your teammate or coach from the other side. This look, swing and look, process is done for 4 swings.
This over exaggeration of the hip involvement allows young players to see how the hips turn, how much the hips can turn, and to usderstand what their coach means when he says "turn on that inside pitch". Then the batter is allowed to take 6 more swings.
Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machines at Discount Prices at CoachesBest.com.
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It was a painful surprise to watch CC Sabathia, after putting the Milwaukee Brewers on his shoulders in nearly all of his second-half starts, lose his control briefly in the second inning of Game 2. With a 1-0 lead, the Brewers’ ace allowed back-to-back doubles to Jayson Werth and Pedro Feliz. With two outs, Sabathia walked Philadelphia starter Bret Myers.
The Phillies right-hander, not known for his hitting prowess, induced a cheer from the crowd after fouling off a pitch early in the at-bat. After a lengthy battle with Sabathia, Myers walked on a 3-2 count. Then Sabathia failed to find the plate on four pitches to Jimmy Rollins, which loaded the bases. The next batter, Shane Victorino, teed off for a grand slam. Philadelphia scored five times in the second in a 5-2 win. The one inning doomed the Brewers, who go home down two games to none.
It’s possible pitching on three days’ rest for a fourth consecutive time may have caught up with Sabathia, who allowed six hits and walked four in 3.2 innings Thursday. He’d allowed a total of just four walks in his four previous starts -- a span of 28.2 innings. If there was any chance of the postseason convincing Sabathia to stay in Milwaukee next year, it may have gone out the window.
After having an MVP-worthy second half with the Dodgers, Manny Ramirez continued his hot-hitting ways in Los Angeles’ two victories over the Cubs. He’s homered in each postseason game, and Thursday night’s power blast landed on the roof of the batting eye in deep center at Wrigley Field, more than 450 feet from home plate. His first homer in Game 1 didn’t travel as far, but was equally impressive.
Ramirez was out in front of an offspeed pitch in the seventh inning of Game 1. With his weight on his front leg, he adjusted to a diving offering headed for dirt -- a good pitcher’s pitch -- and put enough of a swing on it to golf it into the Wrigley’s bleacher seats. It didn’t take long to leave the premises, either. How does he do that?
“I’m just being Manny,” Manny told reporters after the game. Being Manny is required to hit that pitch out with that kind of power.
In Game 1 of the Tampa Bay-Chicago series Thursday, there was drama beyond home runs, RBIs and lost command. With the Rays leading 6-3 in the seventh inning, reliever Grant Balfour entered the game with the sacks loaded with White Sox and only one out.
Balfour, who often looks as though he’s spent way too much time at the clubhouse coffee machine before the game, fanned Juan Uribe to record the second out of the inning. Up stepped Chicago shortstop Orlando Cabrera, with a late chance to close the gap.
After Balfour missed the strike zone with the first pitch, Cabrera stepped forward, kicked dirt and plenty of chalk toward the mound, and barked at the pitcher. The hard-throwing right-hander stepped toward home and barked back.
It seemed unprovoked, but Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune shed light on what inspired the minor dustup. According to Rogers, Balfour “happens to scream a certain four-letter word after just about every pitch he throws. He let loose with one of his self-directed obscenities after throwing an outside fastball to Cabrera.”
Balfour told Rogers that Cabrera responded to the blue language by ordering him to “throw it over the plate.” Balfour, who has a certain something in common with Al Hrabosky, had plenty to say back as he approached the mound. Umpire Joe West had to intercept him on his way to the plate.
The Rays reliever threw three of the next four pitches for strikes and fanned Cabrera on a 2-2 fastball. Balfour pumped his fist and pointed at the White Sox shortstop. What did he have to say as he walked off the field?
“Go sit down,” is what Balfour told Rogers, who asked if that’s exactly what he said. “I might have mixed in one or two words with it,” Balfour conceded.
“They say that he always gets pumped up like that,” Cabrera said after the game. “I didn’t know that, so I just got mad a little bit. . . It was just heat of the moment.” Balfour can heat up any situation.
Meanwhile, the Cubs have already had one of those once-in-a-century moments in the playoffs. Winning its first title in a century looks all but impossible now, but in Thursday’s Game 2 loss, each of the Cubs’ four infielders committed an error, leading to five unearned runs in a 10-3 loss to the Dodgers.
The last time a team's entire infield committed an error in a postseason game was Game 1 of the 1934 World Series between Detroit and St. Louis. Tigers first baseman Hank Greenberg, second baseman Charlie Gehringer, shortstop Billy Rogell and third baseman Marv Owen each made an error.
It marked the first time the Cubs have had each of their infielders commit an error in a game since April 27, 1977. In a 21-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field, first baseman Larry Biittner, second baseman Manny Trillo, shortstop Ivan DeJesus and third baseman Steve Ontiveros each committed a miscue.
The timing of this week's feat will give the curse a new storyline if the Cubs are eliminated by the Dodgers. The franchise’s history already features a black cat and the 1969 collapse, as well as a key grounder through the legs of first baseman Leon Durham and the personal curse of Steve Garvey in 1984.
Five years ago, an Alex Gonzalez error in Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS against the Marlins sabotaged the Cubs’ chances of securing a trip to the World Series in six games. Chicago was up 3-0 in the eighth inning, but the error was part of an eight-run inning by Florida. The Marlins made it two straight at Wrigley Field in Game 7 the following night, and went on to win the second World Series title in Florida’s brief history
Gonzalez’s error was every bit as costly as Durham’s, but it’s all but forgotten because a guy named Steve Bartman innocently went for a foul ball that no one on the field had a legitimate chance of catching. Of course, the Bartman angle makes for more drama in covering the century-long troubles of the Cubs.
Now the four errors and the Cubs’ looming 2008 failure will join the lore. The team looked tight in a must-win situation Thursday, facing a Dodgers club that has been on top of its game for more than a month. After Thursday night’s victory, the Dodgers have won 21 of their last 29 games. The starters have a 2.83 ERA in this stretch, and Derek Lowe and Chad Billingsley were better pitchers than Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano in the first two games.
Speaking of the Cubs, TBS should dump the obsession with close-ups of distraught Cubs fans in the late innings of playoff games. This has become a broadcast staple since Moises Alou attempted that impossible catch at Wrigley Field in 2003.
The Cubs have lost eight playoff games in a row, a streak that began with the Cubs up three games to one in that NLCS with the Marlins. So there’s been ample opportunity to bombard TV audiences with crest-fallen Cubs fans, but it’s a rare soul on the planet who’s old enough to carry the weight of 100 years of failure. So quit feeding the myth of the star-crossed Cubs and the lifelong angst of their fans, who live under some sort of curse. There’s a game going on.
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lacrosse equipment and apparel for generation lax. BALTIMORE A record 34 lacrosse organizations will receive US Lacrosse Youth. Every fighter is only as good as the time and effort he puts into training.
2006 Equipment Grant Application now available: PDF version Word document Please fill out the 2006 Equipment Grant Application and submit by August 15, 2006! Youth Equipment- Focus, discipline and drive are what it takes to become a champion. This is a quick guide to finding youth sports equipnment, sporting goods and sport uniforms and apparel for kids and juniors. FEATURED PRODUCT: Franklin NFL Youth Helmet, Jersey Uniform Set- Kids Halloween Costume! Youth Baseball Equipment Bags Help Keep Equipment Organized. US Lacrosse Names Youth Equipment Grant Recipients.
Buy discount baseball and softball supplies and accessories online from! The evolution continues with the newest helmet in the Riddell lacrosse line.
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It was a painful surprise to watch CC Sabathia, after putting the Milwaukee Brewers on his shoulders in nearly all of his second-half starts, lose his control briefly in the second inning of Game 2. With a 1-0 lead, the Brewers’ ace allowed back-to-back doubles to Jayson Werth and Pedro Feliz. With two outs, Sabathia walked Philadelphia starter Bret Myers.
The Phillies right-hander, not known for his hitting prowess, induced a cheer from the crowd after fouling off a pitch early in the at-bat. After a lengthy battle with Sabathia, Myers walked on a 3-2 count. Then Sabathia failed to find the plate on four pitches to Jimmy Rollins, which loaded the bases. The next batter, Shane Victorino, teed off for a grand slam. Philadelphia scored five times in the second in a 5-2 win. The one inning doomed the Brewers, who go home down two games to none.
It’s possible pitching on three days’ rest for a fourth consecutive time may have caught up with Sabathia, who allowed six hits and walked four in 3.2 innings Thursday. He’d allowed a total of just four walks in his four previous starts -- a span of 28.2 innings. If there was any chance of the postseason convincing Sabathia to stay in Milwaukee next year, it may have gone out the window.
After having an MVP-worthy second half with the Dodgers, Manny Ramirez continued his hot-hitting ways in Los Angeles’ two victories over the Cubs. He’s homered in each postseason game, and Thursday night’s power blast landed on the roof of the batting eye in deep center at Wrigley Field, more than 450 feet from home plate. His first homer in Game 1 didn’t travel as far, but was equally impressive.
Ramirez was out in front of an offspeed pitch in the seventh inning of Game 1. With his weight on his front leg, he adjusted to a diving offering headed for dirt -- a good pitcher’s pitch -- and put enough of a swing on it to golf it into the Wrigley’s bleacher seats. It didn’t take long to leave the premises, either. How does he do that?
“I’m just being Manny,” Manny told reporters after the game. Being Manny is required to hit that pitch out with that kind of power.
In Game 1 of the Tampa Bay-Chicago series Thursday, there was drama beyond home runs, RBIs and lost command. With the Rays leading 6-3 in the seventh inning, reliever Grant Balfour entered the game with the sacks loaded with White Sox and only one out.
Balfour, who often looks as though he’s spent way too much time at the clubhouse coffee machine before the game, fanned Juan Uribe to record the second out of the inning. Up stepped Chicago shortstop Orlando Cabrera, with a late chance to close the gap.
After Balfour missed the strike zone with the first pitch, Cabrera stepped forward, kicked dirt and plenty of chalk toward the mound, and barked at the pitcher. The hard-throwing right-hander stepped toward home and barked back.
It seemed unprovoked, but Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune shed light on what inspired the minor dustup. According to Rogers, Balfour “happens to scream a certain four-letter word after just about every pitch he throws. He let loose with one of his self-directed obscenities after throwing an outside fastball to Cabrera.”
Balfour told Rogers that Cabrera responded to the blue language by ordering him to “throw it over the plate.” Balfour, who has a certain something in common with Al Hrabosky, had plenty to say back as he approached the mound. Umpire Joe West had to intercept him on his way to the plate.
The Rays reliever threw three of the next four pitches for strikes and fanned Cabrera on a 2-2 fastball. Balfour pumped his fist and pointed at the White Sox shortstop. What did he have to say as he walked off the field?
“Go sit down,” is what Balfour told Rogers, who asked if that’s exactly what he said. “I might have mixed in one or two words with it,” Balfour conceded.
“They say that he always gets pumped up like that,” Cabrera said after the game. “I didn’t know that, so I just got mad a little bit. . . It was just heat of the moment.” Balfour can heat up any situation.
Meanwhile, the Cubs have already had one of those once-in-a-century moments in the playoffs. Winning its first title in a century looks all but impossible now, but in Thursday’s Game 2 loss, each of the Cubs’ four infielders committed an error, leading to five unearned runs in a 10-3 loss to the Dodgers.
The last time a team's entire infield committed an error in a postseason game was Game 1 of the 1934 World Series between Detroit and St. Louis. Tigers first baseman Hank Greenberg, second baseman Charlie Gehringer, shortstop Billy Rogell and third baseman Marv Owen each made an error.
It marked the first time the Cubs have had each of their infielders commit an error in a game since April 27, 1977. In a 21-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field, first baseman Larry Biittner, second baseman Manny Trillo, shortstop Ivan DeJesus and third baseman Steve Ontiveros each committed a miscue.
The timing of this week's feat will give the curse a new storyline if the Cubs are eliminated by the Dodgers. The franchise’s history already features a black cat and the 1969 collapse, as well as a key grounder through the legs of first baseman Leon Durham and the personal curse of Steve Garvey in 1984.
Five years ago, an Alex Gonzalez error in Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS against the Marlins sabotaged the Cubs’ chances of securing a trip to the World Series in six games. Chicago was up 3-0 in the eighth inning, but the error was part of an eight-run inning by Florida. The Marlins made it two straight at Wrigley Field in Game 7 the following night, and went on to win the second World Series title in Florida’s brief history
Gonzalez’s error was every bit as costly as Durham’s, but it’s all but forgotten because a guy named Steve Bartman innocently went for a foul ball that no one on the field had a legitimate chance of catching. Of course, the Bartman angle makes for more drama in covering the century-long troubles of the Cubs.
Now the four errors and the Cubs’ looming 2008 failure will join the lore. The team looked tight in a must-win situation Thursday, facing a Dodgers club that has been on top of its game for more than a month. After Thursday night’s victory, the Dodgers have won 21 of their last 29 games. The starters have a 2.83 ERA in this stretch, and Derek Lowe and Chad Billingsley were better pitchers than Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano in the first two games.
Speaking of the Cubs, TBS should dump the obsession with close-ups of distraught Cubs fans in the late innings of playoff games. This has become a broadcast staple since Moises Alou attempted that impossible catch at Wrigley Field in 2003.
The Cubs have lost eight playoff games in a row, a streak that began with the Cubs up three games to one in that NLCS with the Marlins. So there’s been ample opportunity to bombard TV audiences with crest-fallen Cubs fans, but it’s a rare soul on the planet who’s old enough to carry the weight of 100 years of failure. So quit feeding the myth of the star-crossed Cubs and the lifelong angst of their fans, who live under some sort of curse. There’s a game going on.
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AL East
Tampa Bay: Winners
Reasoning: Development of superb young talent, and a very talented young pitching staff
Bright Spot: Evan Longoria (.272 BA, 27 HRS, 85 RBI, .343 OPB)
Boston: Winners
Reasoning: Good mix of young and veteran talent, established pitching staff
Bright Spot: Jon Lester (16-6, 3.21 ERA, 152 Ks)
New York: Losers
Reasoning: Injuries and lack of effective starting pitching
Bright Spot: Mike Mussina (20-9, 3.37 ERA, 150 Ks)
Toronto: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of a potent offense
Bright Spot: Team ERA (3.49; best in AL)
Baltimore: Losers
Reasoning: Weak pitching staff
Bright Spot: Aubrey Huff (.304 BA, 32 HRS, 108 RBI, .360 OBP)
The AL East's breakdown comes with a stigma attached to it just because of the names in the league. Tampa Bay is this year's cinderella hoping that the ball goes all the way to the World Series. Boston is a winner for being able to manage major injury issues whilst still making the playoffs, and this is the exact opposite reason why the Yankees are losers. Toronto is in the loser category mainly for a team that was supposed to contend, but winds up fourth in its' own division, and Baltimore just needs to chuck the '08 season out the window and start over!
AL Central
Chicago: Winners
Reasoning: Power baseball (235 team HRS; 1st in AL)
Bright Spot: Carlos Quentin (.288 BA, 36 HRS, 100 RBI, .394 OBP)
Minnesota: Winners
Reasoning: Solid hitting
Bright Spot: Justin Morneau (.300 BA, 23 HRS, 129 RBI, .374 OBP)
Cleveland: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of offensive production
Bright Spot: Cliff Lee (22-3, 2.54 ERA, 170 Ks)
Kansas City: Winners
Reasoning: Developing young talent
Bright Spot: Joakim Soria (2-3, 1.60 ERA, 42 SVs, 66 Ks)
Detroit: Losers
Reasoning: Inefficient pitching staff
Bright Spot: Miguel Caberea (.292 BA, 37 HRS, 127 RBI, .349 OBP)
The AL Central didn't quite go as planned when the analysts looked at the league during spring training. This was supposed to be a race between Cleveland and Detroit, not Chicago and Minnesota. For that reason, Chicago and Minnesota both receive winners marks as this division needed more than 162 games to decide it between teams that weren't suppose to be there. It is for that same reason that Cleveland and Detroit get losers marks because they both had such high expectations for when the season started that when it actually started quickly fizzled away. Kansas City gets a winners mark because they are starting to develop some young talent, and they didn't finish in the AL Central basement (gotta start somewhere people!).
AL West
Los Angeles: Winners
Reasoning: Excellent pitching staff and good mix of young and veteran talent
Bright Spot: Francisco Rodriguez (2-3, 2.24 ERA, 62 SVs, 77 Ks)
Texas: Winners
Reasoning: Excellent hitting (.283 BA; 1st in AL)
Bright Spot: Josh Hamilton (.304 BA, 32 HRS, 130 RBI, .371 OBP)
Oakland: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of offensive production
Bright Spot: Justin Duchscherer (10-8, 2.54 ERA, 95 Ks)
Seattle: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of hitting and pitching
Bright Spot: Raul Ibanez (.293 BA, 23 HRS, 110 RBI, .358 OBP)
The AL West was good and decided long before the waning days in September. Los Angeles claims a winners mark by being the only team in baseball this year to earn the 100 win mark. Texas claims a winners mark with putting together a talented group of hitters that only with a little pitching help could become very dangerous in the American League. The A's receive the losers mark because most of their players couldn't hit the ball if it was off a tee. The Mariners earn the losers mark by claiming the title of worse American League team with a mark of 61-101.
NL East
Philadelphia: Winners
Reasoning: Power hitting and depth relief pitching
Bright Spot: Brad Lidge (2-0, 1.95 ERA, 41 SVs, 92 Ks)
New York: Losers
Reasoning: Poor bullpen production
Bright Spot: Johan Santana (16-7, 2.53 ERA, 206 Ks)
Florida: Winners
Reasoning: Power hitting (208 HRS, 2nd in NL)
Bright Spot: Ricky Nolasco (15-8, 3.52 ERA, 186 Ks)
Atlanta: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of depth at pitching, poor bullpen
Bright Spot: Chipper Jones (.364 BA, 22 HRS, 75 RBI, .470 OBP)
Washington: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of pitching and hitting
Bright Spot: Cristian Guzman (.316 BA, 9 HRS, 55 RBI, .345 OBP)
The NL East was again supposed to be going to the Metropolitians of New York, but for a second year Philly spoiled their claims to the crown. Philadelphia gets the nod for the winners designation for convincingly taking the NL East. The Mets of course, earn the losers mark for again crashing and burning not only for the division, but the wild card as well. Florida earns a winners mark because after seemingly losing their top pitcher and hitter they still manage to finish seven games above .500. Atlanta gets the losers rank because they were not able to sustain all the pitching woes, and if it wasn't for Chipper who knows how many games they would have lost. Finally, Washington gets the losers mark because they had the worse record in baseball this year with a 59-102 mark.
NL Central
Chicago: Winners
Reasoning: Solid hitting, good starting pitching, and depth in the bullpen
Bright Spot: Geovany Soto (.285 BA, 23 HRS, 86 RBI, .364 OBP)
Milwaukee: Winners
Reasoning: Solid hitting and good starting pitching
Bright Spot: C.C. Sabathia (11-2, 1.65 ERA, 128 Ks; whilst on Milwaukee)
Houston: Winners
Reasoning: Productive hitting
Bright Spot: Lance Berkman (.312 BA, 29 HRS, 106 RBI, .420 OBP)
St. Louis: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of starting pitching and an inefficient bullpen
Bright Spot: Ryan Ludwick (.299 BA, 37 HRS, 113 RBI, .375 OBP)
Cincinnati: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of offensive production and poor pitching depth
Bright Spot: Edinson Volquez (17-6, 3.21 ERA, 206 Ks)
Pittsburgh: Losers
Reasoning: Poor starting pitching and an nonproductive bullpen
Bright Spot: Nate McLouth (.276 BA, 26 HRS, 94 RBI, .356 OBP)
The NL Central was at times a four team race with Chicago, Milwaukee, Houston, and St. Louis all bidding to win the division. Chicago earns the winners mark for taking the NL Central crown by 7.5 games. Milwaukee also receives the nod of winners marks for edging the Mets and taking the wild card, and playing in the postseason for the first time since 1982. Houston also claims a winning outcome by their level of play at the end of the year. If they are able to play like that for much of the '09 season they will be extremely tough to beat. St. Louis garnishes the losers mark only because in recent memory it is hard to recall the Cardinals not near the top, let alone fourth in the division. By the way, Pujols wasn't the Bright Spot, only because even though he put up excellent numbers it has come to be expected of him, and for Ludwick to almost match his production slips him into that honor. Cincinnati has a losers rank because they have so much raw young talent, but they can't seem to find a way to harness it for a productive season. Pittsburgh earns the losers tag because not only were they bad, but what little they had at the beginning of the year they traded all away during the season.
NL West
Los Angeles: Winners
Reasoning: Excellent hitting and depth in the bullpen
Bright Spot: Manny Ramirez (.396 BA, 17 HRS, 53 RBI, .489 OBP; whilst on Los Angeles)
Arizona: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of offensive production
Bright Spot: Brandon Webb (22-7, 3.30 ERA, 183 Ks)
Colorado: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of starting pitching and an inefficient bullpen
Bright Spot: Matt Holliday (.321 BA, 25 HRS, 88 RBI, .409 OBP)
San Francisco: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of offensive production, lack of starting pitching, nonproductive bullpen
Bright Spot: Tim Lincecum (18-5, 2.62 ERA, 265 Ks)
San Diego: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of offensive production and lack of starting pitching
Bright Spot: Adrian Gonzalez (.279 BA, 36 HRS, 119 RBI, .361 OBP)
The NL West was by far the worse division in all of baseball, and was also the most disappointing in all of baseball. After the '07 season, which produced Arizona with the best record in the NL, Colorado and San Diego fighting in a one game playoff to make a trip to the postseason, and a Los Angeles team that was right in the playoff hunt until the very end, to have Manny Ramirez reviving the Dodgers and the rest of the league being just absolutely abyssmal?! Well, Los Angeles with the off the charts Manny Ramirez hitting machine gets the winners rank for a team finally stepping out of the ashes to claim the NL West. Arizona receives a losers mark because this team just had the bottom dropped out on them when the playoff push came into frame. Colorado has the losers brand because this team is essentially made up of the same cast of characters that went to the World Series last year. I was tempted to put San Francisco into the winners column because I knew they would be bad, but a team that has 90 losses needs a better excuse than just that! The San Diego Padres fall into the losing ranks because it seems the phantom tag at home in the one game playoff has haunted them their entire '08 season. Is this a new curse? For Padres sakes, let us hope that '09 dispells those rumors!
Well, if you made it through the whole thing congrats! As for me, I will be taking the rest of the week and weekend off most likely, but not to worry...my football outlook as well as a deeper October baseball look will be here within the next week of action.
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- Mood:Good
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This is the backbone of your work space and is of paramount importance... you don't want to buy this stuff twice!
Most indoor facilities tend to use a cabling system to hang their nets as opposed to the steel framework you see at a typical ballpark. We can help you design and decide on your choices.
Standard sizes cages are more inexpensive and will fit most, so see if these sizes will fit you:
(and yes, we can custom-build for your unique building)
Recommended Standard Sizes
12 ft H x 14 ft W x 55 ft L
12 ft H x 14 ft W x 70 ft L
Please do NOT purchase 12 ft wide cages if you can avoid this...they are just too small for your LH and RH hitters and will potentially drive you nuts on a daily basis. You will probably have premature wear from RH hitters who follow through and graze the net.
We understand that many or even most facilities are housed in buildings that have been converted from another use... one more reason to be dealing with someone with experience.
Here's a few more helpful thoughts on the subject of batting cages and nets:
The length of your cages will not determine the future success of your hitters... but pitchers must practice at their game-distances. So, you can save some money and precious space utilizing shorter cages for hitters. The weight (strength) of your netting is of highest importance...there are variations in materials, and how they are knotted... boring stuff but this will determine function, longevity and your ultimate price.
Please speak with us about your options if you are unclear as to your available choices ...please DO NOT SHOP BY LENGTH, WIDTH, HEIGHT AND PRICE ONLY!
The ultimate price of your nets will include their years of service.
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AL East
Tampa Bay: Winners
Reasoning: Development of superb young talent, and a very talented young pitching staff
Bright Spot: Evan Longoria (.272 BA, 27 HRS, 85 RBI, .343 OPB)
Boston: Winners
Reasoning: Good mix of young and veteran talent, established pitching staff
Bright Spot: Jon Lester (16-6, 3.21 ERA, 152 Ks)
New York: Losers
Reasoning: Injuries and lack of effective starting pitching
Bright Spot: Mike Mussina (20-9, 3.37 ERA, 150 Ks)
Toronto: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of a potent offense
Bright Spot: Team ERA (3.49; best in AL)
Baltimore: Losers
Reasoning: Weak pitching staff
Bright Spot: Aubrey Huff (.304 BA, 32 HRS, 108 RBI, .360 OBP)
The AL East's breakdown comes with a stigma attached to it just because of the names in the league. Tampa Bay is this year's cinderella hoping that the ball goes all the way to the World Series. Boston is a winner for being able to manage major injury issues whilst still making the playoffs, and this is the exact opposite reason why the Yankees are losers. Toronto is in the loser category mainly for a team that was supposed to contend, but winds up fourth in its' own division, and Baltimore just needs to chuck the '08 season out the window and start over!
AL Central
Chicago: Winners
Reasoning: Power baseball (235 team HRS; 1st in AL)
Bright Spot: Carlos Quentin (.288 BA, 36 HRS, 100 RBI, .394 OBP)
Minnesota: Winners
Reasoning: Solid hitting
Bright Spot: Justin Morneau (.300 BA, 23 HRS, 129 RBI, .374 OBP)
Cleveland: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of offensive production
Bright Spot: Cliff Lee (22-3, 2.54 ERA, 170 Ks)
Kansas City: Winners
Reasoning: Developing young talent
Bright Spot: Joakim Soria (2-3, 1.60 ERA, 42 SVs, 66 Ks)
Detroit: Losers
Reasoning: Inefficient pitching staff
Bright Spot: Miguel Caberea (.292 BA, 37 HRS, 127 RBI, .349 OBP)
The AL Central didn't quite go as planned when the analysts looked at the league during spring training. This was supposed to be a race between Cleveland and Detroit, not Chicago and Minnesota. For that reason, Chicago and Minnesota both receive winners marks as this division needed more than 162 games to decide it between teams that weren't suppose to be there. It is for that same reason that Cleveland and Detroit get losers marks because they both had such high expectations for when the season started that when it actually started quickly fizzled away. Kansas City gets a winners mark because they are starting to develop some young talent, and they didn't finish in the AL Central basement (gotta start somewhere people!).
AL West
Los Angeles: Winners
Reasoning: Excellent pitching staff and good mix of young and veteran talent
Bright Spot: Francisco Rodriguez (2-3, 2.24 ERA, 62 SVs, 77 Ks)
Texas: Winners
Reasoning: Excellent hitting (.283 BA; 1st in AL)
Bright Spot: Josh Hamilton (.304 BA, 32 HRS, 130 RBI, .371 OBP)
Oakland: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of offensive production
Bright Spot: Justin Duchscherer (10-8, 2.54 ERA, 95 Ks)
Seattle: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of hitting and pitching
Bright Spot: Raul Ibanez (.293 BA, 23 HRS, 110 RBI, .358 OBP)
The AL West was good and decided long before the waning days in September. Los Angeles claims a winners mark by being the only team in baseball this year to earn the 100 win mark. Texas claims a winners mark with putting together a talented group of hitters that only with a little pitching help could become very dangerous in the American League. The A's receive the losers mark because most of their players couldn't hit the ball if it was off a tee. The Mariners earn the losers mark by claiming the title of worse American League team with a mark of 61-101.
NL East
Philadelphia: Winners
Reasoning: Power hitting and depth relief pitching
Bright Spot: Brad Lidge (2-0, 1.95 ERA, 41 SVs, 92 Ks)
New York: Losers
Reasoning: Poor bullpen production
Bright Spot: Johan Santana (16-7, 2.53 ERA, 206 Ks)
Florida: Winners
Reasoning: Power hitting (208 HRS, 2nd in NL)
Bright Spot: Ricky Nolasco (15-8, 3.52 ERA, 186 Ks)
Atlanta: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of depth at pitching, poor bullpen
Bright Spot: Chipper Jones (.364 BA, 22 HRS, 75 RBI, .470 OBP)
Washington: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of pitching and hitting
Bright Spot: Cristian Guzman (.316 BA, 9 HRS, 55 RBI, .345 OBP)
The NL East was again supposed to be going to the Metropolitians of New York, but for a second year Philly spoiled their claims to the crown. Philadelphia gets the nod for the winners designation for convincingly taking the NL East. The Mets of course, earn the losers mark for again crashing and burning not only for the division, but the wild card as well. Florida earns a winners mark because after seemingly losing their top pitcher and hitter they still manage to finish seven games above .500. Atlanta gets the losers rank because they were not able to sustain all the pitching woes, and if it wasn't for Chipper who knows how many games they would have lost. Finally, Washington gets the losers mark because they had the worse record in baseball this year with a 59-102 mark.
NL Central
Chicago: Winners
Reasoning: Solid hitting, good starting pitching, and depth in the bullpen
Bright Spot: Geovany Soto (.285 BA, 23 HRS, 86 RBI, .364 OBP)
Milwaukee: Winners
Reasoning: Solid hitting and good starting pitching
Bright Spot: C.C. Sabathia (11-2, 1.65 ERA, 128 Ks; whilst on Milwaukee)
Houston: Winners
Reasoning: Productive hitting
Bright Spot: Lance Berkman (.312 BA, 29 HRS, 106 RBI, .420 OBP)
St. Louis: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of starting pitching and an inefficient bullpen
Bright Spot: Ryan Ludwick (.299 BA, 37 HRS, 113 RBI, .375 OBP)
Cincinnati: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of offensive production and poor pitching depth
Bright Spot: Edinson Volquez (17-6, 3.21 ERA, 206 Ks)
Pittsburgh: Losers
Reasoning: Poor starting pitching and an nonproductive bullpen
Bright Spot: Nate McLouth (.276 BA, 26 HRS, 94 RBI, .356 OBP)
The NL Central was at times a four team race with Chicago, Milwaukee, Houston, and St. Louis all bidding to win the division. Chicago earns the winners mark for taking the NL Central crown by 7.5 games. Milwaukee also receives the nod of winners marks for edging the Mets and taking the wild card, and playing in the postseason for the first time since 1982. Houston also claims a winning outcome by their level of play at the end of the year. If they are able to play like that for much of the '09 season they will be extremely tough to beat. St. Louis garnishes the losers mark only because in recent memory it is hard to recall the Cardinals not near the top, let alone fourth in the division. By the way, Pujols wasn't the Bright Spot, only because even though he put up excellent numbers it has come to be expected of him, and for Ludwick to almost match his production slips him into that honor. Cincinnati has a losers rank because they have so much raw young talent, but they can't seem to find a way to harness it for a productive season. Pittsburgh earns the losers tag because not only were they bad, but what little they had at the beginning of the year they traded all away during the season.
NL West
Los Angeles: Winners
Reasoning: Excellent hitting and depth in the bullpen
Bright Spot: Manny Ramirez (.396 BA, 17 HRS, 53 RBI, .489 OBP; whilst on Los Angeles)
Arizona: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of offensive production
Bright Spot: Brandon Webb (22-7, 3.30 ERA, 183 Ks)
Colorado: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of starting pitching and an inefficient bullpen
Bright Spot: Matt Holliday (.321 BA, 25 HRS, 88 RBI, .409 OBP)
San Francisco: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of offensive production, lack of starting pitching, nonproductive bullpen
Bright Spot: Tim Lincecum (18-5, 2.62 ERA, 265 Ks)
San Diego: Losers
Reasoning: Lack of offensive production and lack of starting pitching
Bright Spot: Adrian Gonzalez (.279 BA, 36 HRS, 119 RBI, .361 OBP)
The NL West was by far the worse division in all of baseball, and was also the most disappointing in all of baseball. After the '07 season, which produced Arizona with the best record in the NL, Colorado and San Diego fighting in a one game playoff to make a trip to the postseason, and a Los Angeles team that was right in the playoff hunt until the very end, to have Manny Ramirez reviving the Dodgers and the rest of the league being just absolutely abyssmal?! Well, Los Angeles with the off the charts Manny Ramirez hitting machine gets the winners rank for a team finally stepping out of the ashes to claim the NL West. Arizona receives a losers mark because this team just had the bottom dropped out on them when the playoff push came into frame. Colorado has the losers brand because this team is essentially made up of the same cast of characters that went to the World Series last year. I was tempted to put San Francisco into the winners column because I knew they would be bad, but a team that has 90 losses needs a better excuse than just that! The San Diego Padres fall into the losing ranks because it seems the phantom tag at home in the one game playoff has haunted them their entire '08 season. Is this a new curse? For Padres sakes, let us hope that '09 dispells those rumors!
Well, if you made it through the whole thing congrats! As for me, I will be taking the rest of the week and weekend off most likely, but not to worry...my football outlook as well as a deeper October baseball look will be here within the next week of action.
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- Mood:Cry
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Enough about that team from the other side of town, what I really want to talk about is the fact that my Chicago Cubs are in the postseason back-to-back years for the first time since 1908. Oh, yeah, that's also the last time they won the World Series. It's like they say, anybody can have a bad century. The past is the past, and in the present it would be hard to argue that the Cubs are not the best team in the National League. So what makes this team's chances better than the 99 before them? It all starts at home. The Cubs have often had a reputation of being road warriors, but this year the Cubs won 55 games at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. The Cubs will have home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs, and that alone gives them a great chance to make it to the World Series for the first time since 1945. What's that? They got swept last year? Yeah, they did. The 2007 team had the worst record of all 8 playoff teams that year, and got to the playoffs by marching through a very weak NL Central Division. This year, the division was much improved, and not only did the Cubs win again, they won decisively.
Here are the top 5 improvements to the 2008 team:
5. Offseason acquisitions- In the offseason, Jim Hendry made spectacular moves in signing the Cubs' first Japanese player Kosuke Fukudome, and a great role player in Reed Johnson. Both players significantly improved the hitting and defense of the team. Also, draft pick Jeff Samardzija has been a key in middle relief.
4. Jim Edmonds- they were further complimented by the addition of Jim Edmonds. As a Cardinal, Edmonds was one of the most hated, and feared, players by Cub fans, but after being let go by St. Louis and having a poor run in San Diego, Edmonds found himself a free agent. Jim added some valuable veteran leadership to the bench, and came through in several clutch situations throughout the season, including a game winning home run against St. Louis.
3. Geovany Soto- With rookie of the year candidate Geovany Soto as the backstop for an excellent pitching staff, the Cubs fill a huge hole that they had last season. Soto has shown the poise of a veteran behind the plate and been a monster with the bat.
2. Rich Harden- The Cubs' rotation was solid to start the year, but many critics said that one more great starter could really make a difference between a good rotation and a great one. Hendry fixed that hole when he pulled of a six-player deal that would send Rich Harden to the north side. Since being traded he is 10-2 with a 2.07 ERA
1. Rotation/Closer shake-up- The most significant change from last year involved two players who had already been on the roster for several years. The decision to move Ryan Dempster out of his closer role to the starting rotation was a contriversial one, but he ended up winning 17 games and has an ERA under 3. Along with that move came the transitition of long-time Cub Kerry Wood into the closer role. While Kerry has developed a reputation for dramatics, he finished the regular season with 34 saves and a 3.26 ERA.
There is no doubt that this is the best chance for a Cubs championship any of us (under 100 years old) have ever seen. So what stands in their way? Here are the top 5 concerns for Cub fans.
5. Kosuke Fukudome- Kosuke, who had been a hit machine early in the year, really struggled towards the end. This puts Lou in the tough position of deciding whether to keep him in the line-up, or use one of the talented utility players on his bench in his place. If Kosuke can hit like he did earlier in the year, it could be the difference in getting the run production the Cubs need.
4. Streaky Hitting- The Cubs must avoid going on a cold streak with their bats. The team batting avg. is highest in decades, but overall they went through many slumps and hot streaks. Let's hope the bats are hot in October.
3. Middle Relief- In many ways, Marmol has become the premiere set-up man in the NL. However, he has shown that the pressure can sometimes get to him. Marmol, Howry, Wuertz, Cotts, and the rest of the gang must be able to bridge the gap between the starters and Kerry Wood. Otherwise, it could be a short postseason for the Cubbies.
2. Injuries- Alfonso Soriano has already served two stints on the DL this year, and Cubs can not afford to lose him in the playoffs. Also, starting pitchers Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano have appeared fragile at times during the regular season. It is imperitive that the rotation remain intact if the Cubs are going to win the World Series.
1. History- The players must put out of their minds everything that has happened in the last 53 years since Billy Sianis claimed that he cursed the Cubs because they wouldn't let his goat inside the ballpark. Curses do not really exist, but players' psyches do, and I can't help but believe that the 2003 players let things crawl inside of their heads after Steve Bartman inadvertently disallowed Moises Alou to attempt catch a foul pop up.
If the Cubs can manage to not let any of these things hurt them, there is nothing stopping them from becoming World Champions.
What's on Wednesday?
Of course, it is a playoff baseball triple-header on TBS.
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Apple Power Mac G3 - Tower - 1 x PPC G3 450 MHz - RAM 128 MB - HDD 1 x 9 GB - CD - RAGE 128 - MacOS 8.6 - Monitor : none Product Image
Fast enough to handle the toughest video and publishing applications with ease. Smart enough to grow with your needs for years to come. Stylish enough to make your computer time more enjoyable than ever. With the Power Macintosh G3 computer, all these incredible features are yours in one great system, at one remarkably low price.Whether youre a design professional who appreciates the marriage of beauty and power, an educator who needs performance and flexibility in a system that provides a solid investment for the future, or a home user whose family wants to run business applications, Internet programs, and games, the Power Macintosh G3 computer is a superb choice.At the foundation of these computers is their amazing responsiveness. With processor speeds of up to 450 megahertz, they can handle video and high-resolution graphics at lightning speed. Performance is further enhanced by a superfast system bus and a backside cache of 1 megabyte. And if youre a design professional or you just like games, youll love the built-in high-performance ATI RAGE 128 graphics card.The innovative design of the Power Macintosh G3 does much more than simply make it look great. Just flip the computer open for fast access to everything inside. The easy-open (but lockable) enclosure lets you easily add memory, storage, or PCI cards. Built-in handles simplify moving the computer from room to room.Speaking of expansion, the Power Macintosh G3 is one incredibly versatile computer. It comes with three available PCI slots and two Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports that support a wide variety of cards and accessories. And it features a fast FireWire bus designed especially for connecting digital cameras and other high-speed devices.
Search for low priced Apple Power Mac G3 - Tower - 1 x PPC G3 450 MHz - RAM 128 MB - HDD 1 x 9 GB - CD - RAGE 128 - MacOS 8.6 - Monitor : none on eBay.
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Press Office
Press Release
The Southern Wall of Jerusalem that Dates to the Time of the Hasmonean
Dynasty was Discovered on Mount Zion (9/3/08 )
An exciting discovery in Jerusalem constituting extraordinary remains of the wall of the city from the time of the Second Temple (second century BCE-70 CE) that was built by the Hasmonean kings and was destroyed during the Great Revolt, and also the remains of a city wall from the Byzantine period (324-640 CE) which was built on top of it, were uncovered in an extensive excavation that is currently underway on Mount Zion. The lines of these fortifications delineated Jerusalem from the south in periods when the ancient city had reached its largest size.
The new finds were presented today (Wednesday) at a press conference that was held on Mount Zion. The excavation has been in progress for the past year and a half, under the direction of archaeologist Yehiel Zelinger of the Israel Antiquities Authority, in cooperation with the Nature and Parks Authority and with financial support provided by the Ir David Foundation.
The project is being implemented as part of the master plan for the Jerusalem City Wall National Park, the purpose of which is to preserve the region around the Old City of Jerusalem as an open area for tourism. In the future the remains of the ancient city walls will be incorporated in a promenade that will encircle the southern side of Mount Zion and will continue along the northern bank of Gai Ben Hinnom and terminate in the City of David.
The lines of the wall that delineate Mount Zion from the west and the south were first discovered and excavated at the end of the nineteenth century (1894-1897) by the Palestine Exploration Fund, under the direction of the archaeologist Frederick Jones Bliss and his architect assistant, Archibald Dickie. The work methods they employed involved the excavation of shafts that were linked by subterranean tunnels which ran along the outer face of the city walls.
Over the years their shafts and tunnels have filled up with soil and a year and a half ago when archaeologists were asked to determine the location of the areas that were excavated one hundred years ago they were unsuccessful in doing so. By cross-referencing the plans of the old excavation with updated maps of the area from today archaeologist Yehiel Zelinger was able to locate the tunnel which the British expedition had dug. There remained in it "souvenirs" that were left behind by the early excavators in the form of one of the laborer's shoes, the top of a gas light which was used to illuminate the tunnels, as well as fragments of beer and wine bottles from 120 years ago.
According to Yehiel Zelinger, excavation director on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "Having located the two city walls on Mount Zion corroborates our theory regarding the expansion of the city toward the south during these two periods, when Jerusalem reached its largest size. In the Second Temple period the city, with the temple at its center, was a focal point for Jewish pilgrimage from all over the ancient world and in the Byzantine period it attracted Christian pilgrims who came in the footsteps of the story of the life and death of their messiah. The exposure of the Hasmonean city wall and the line of fortifications from the Byzantine period, which is dated 400 years later and is right on top of the former, prove that this is the most advantageous topographic location for the defense of the city. The artifacts indicate that in spite of the fact that the builders of the Byzantine wall were unaware of the existence of the wall from the time of the Second Temple they constructed their wall precisely along the same route". Zelinger adds, "The fact that after 2,100 years the remains of the first city wall were preserved to a height of three meters is amazing. This is one of the most beautiful and complete
sections of construction in the Hasmonean building style to be found in Jerusalem".
Additional Information and Details
The Byzantine Period City Wall
Christian pilgrims of the fifth and sixth centuries CE ascribe the line of the city wall's construction to the Empress Eudocia, the estranged wife of Emperor Theodosius II. According to the historical sources of this period, the city wall was erected because of a biblical verse that appears in the Book of Psalms (51:20), "Do good in thy favor unto Zion; Build Thou the walls of Jerusalem". In translating the Bible to Greek the word that meant "do good in thy favor" was translated with a word that greatly resembled the name of the empress. Eudocia therefore concluded that the reference was explicitly intended for her and that it was she who was destined to build the walls of Jerusalem. In the excavation a section of the city wall was uncovered that rises to a maximum height of 3.30 meters and is approximately 2.50 meters wide. The wall was built of stones that were specifically quarried and dressed for this purpose; however, one can also discern some of the stones in its construction were probably taken from nearby ancient fortifications.
The Fortifications of the Second Temple Period
South of the line of fortifications from the Byzantine period and at a depth of approximately 4 meters below the elevation of its base, a tower that is preserved to a height of 3.20 meters was exposed which dates to the time of the Hasmonean Dynasty (the Second Temple period). The tower was built on the bedrock which was straightened and made fairly level. It was constructed of large stones that are characterized by a dressed boss in their center, with no bonding material between them. The "header-stretcher" construction method used in building the tower is typical of the Hasmonean period. The tower was part of the line of the "First Wall" that is described by Josephus. Other sections of the "First Wall" were revealed at the base of the western wall of the Ottoman city wall, in David's Citadel and in other excavations that were conducted in the Jewish Quarter. The soil fill and the pottery sherds that abut the city wall prove that it was used until the time of the Great Revolt and the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in the year 70 CE. Afterwards, the stones of the wall were taken for secondary use, probably in order to build "Aelia Capitolina", the Roman colony which the emperor Hadrian established on the ruins of Jerusalem in the year 131 CE.
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Enough about that team from the other side of town, what I really want to talk about is the fact that my Chicago Cubs are in the postseason back-to-back years for the first time since 1908. Oh, yeah, that's also the last time they won the World Series. It's like they say, anybody can have a bad century. The past is the past, and in the present it would be hard to argue that the Cubs are not the best team in the National League. So what makes this team's chances better than the 99 before them? It all starts at home. The Cubs have often had a reputation of being road warriors, but this year the Cubs won 55 games at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. The Cubs will have home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs, and that alone gives them a great chance to make it to the World Series for the first time since 1945. What's that? They got swept last year? Yeah, they did. The 2007 team had the worst record of all 8 playoff teams that year, and got to the playoffs by marching through a very weak NL Central Division. This year, the division was much improved, and not only did the Cubs win again, they won decisively.
Here are the top 5 improvements to the 2008 team:
5. Offseason acquisitions- In the offseason, Jim Hendry made spectacular moves in signing the Cubs' first Japanese player Kosuke Fukudome, and a great role player in Reed Johnson. Both players significantly improved the hitting and defense of the team. Also, draft pick Jeff Samardzija has been a key in middle relief.
4. Jim Edmonds- they were further complimented by the addition of Jim Edmonds. As a Cardinal, Edmonds was one of the most hated, and feared, players by Cub fans, but after being let go by St. Louis and having a poor run in San Diego, Edmonds found himself a free agent. Jim added some valuable veteran leadership to the bench, and came through in several clutch situations throughout the season, including a game winning home run against St. Louis.
3. Geovany Soto- With rookie of the year candidate Geovany Soto as the backstop for an excellent pitching staff, the Cubs fill a huge hole that they had last season. Soto has shown the poise of a veteran behind the plate and been a monster with the bat.
2. Rich Harden- The Cubs' rotation was solid to start the year, but many critics said that one more great starter could really make a difference between a good rotation and a great one. Hendry fixed that hole when he pulled of a six-player deal that would send Rich Harden to the north side. Since being traded he is 10-2 with a 2.07 ERA
1. Rotation/Closer shake-up- The most significant change from last year involved two players who had already been on the roster for several years. The decision to move Ryan Dempster out of his closer role to the starting rotation was a contriversial one, but he ended up winning 17 games and has an ERA under 3. Along with that move came the transitition of long-time Cub Kerry Wood into the closer role. While Kerry has developed a reputation for dramatics, he finished the regular season with 34 saves and a 3.26 ERA.
There is no doubt that this is the best chance for a Cubs championship any of us (under 100 years old) have ever seen. So what stands in their way? Here are the top 5 concerns for Cub fans.
5. Kosuke Fukudome- Kosuke, who had been a hit machine early in the year, really struggled towards the end. This puts Lou in the tough position of deciding whether to keep him in the line-up, or use one of the talented utility players on his bench in his place. If Kosuke can hit like he did earlier in the year, it could be the difference in getting the run production the Cubs need.
4. Streaky Hitting- The Cubs must avoid going on a cold streak with their bats. The team batting avg. is highest in decades, but overall they went through many slumps and hot streaks. Let's hope the bats are hot in October.
3. Middle Relief- In many ways, Marmol has become the premiere set-up man in the NL. However, he has shown that the pressure can sometimes get to him. Marmol, Howry, Wuertz, Cotts, and the rest of the gang must be able to bridge the gap between the starters and Kerry Wood. Otherwise, it could be a short postseason for the Cubbies.
2. Injuries- Alfonso Soriano has already served two stints on the DL this year, and Cubs can not afford to lose him in the playoffs. Also, starting pitchers Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano have appeared fragile at times during the regular season. It is imperitive that the rotation remain intact if the Cubs are going to win the World Series.
1. History- The players must put out of their minds everything that has happened in the last 53 years since Billy Sianis claimed that he cursed the Cubs because they wouldn't let his goat inside the ballpark. Curses do not really exist, but players' psyches do, and I can't help but believe that the 2003 players let things crawl inside of their heads after Steve Bartman inadvertently disallowed Moises Alou to attempt catch a foul pop up.
If the Cubs can manage to not let any of these things hurt them, there is nothing stopping them from becoming World Champions.
What's on Wednesday?
Of course, it is a playoff baseball triple-header on TBS.
Similar posts: baseball machine pitching
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- Music:Southern All Stars
The small diameter also allows coaches to easily hit pop ups to catchers and infielders. The bat is designed to hit not thrown or pitched balls, but rather balls tossed up in the air. Baseball Bat Guide- Sizing Charts Use the charts below as a general guideline for. Fast, free shipping via FedEx on orders over 99. Fungo batA fungo bat is specially designed bat used by baseball and softball coaches for practice purposes. Today, the baseball bat is much more uniform in design."Lumber" is a sometimes-used slang term for a bat, especially when wielded by a particularly good drop of a baseball bat is its length in inches minus its weight in ounces. (The first player to endorse and sign a bat was.) The next step is the finishing of the head: bats are more often given a rounded head, but some 30 of players prefer a "cup-balanced" head, in which a cup-shaped recess is made in the head; this lightens the bat and moves its center of gravity toward the handle. Great selection of baseball bats, gloves, practice equipment, and more for. Formerly, bats were hand-carved to a template obtained from a fixed number of calibration points; today, they are machine-turned to a precise metal template: these templates are kept in the bat manufacturers' vaults; for example, 's template, which became understandably popular among major-league players, is R43 in the archives. (June 2007)This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the ase help recruit one or yourself. In some 12-year-old-and-under youth leagues (such as Baseball), the bat may not be more than 21/4 inches (57mm) in diameter.
Display your autographed or collectible bat and ball memorabilia. Bats with smaller drops create more power. Sometimes, especially on metal bats, the handle is wrapped with a rubber or cloth grip. Sell's wooden baseball bats, little league bats, wood baseball bats, pro maple bats, ash bats, composite bats, bamboo bats, batting gloves, wood bats, softball bats. Recently, Major League Baseball has debated whether maple bats are safe to use, due to the tendency for them to shatter into hin the standards set by the various leagues, there is ample latitude for individual variation, and many batters settle on an individual bat profile, or occasionally adopt a profile used by another batter. Barry Bonds used the bats the season that he broke Mark McGwire's home run record in 2001.
Once the basic bat has been turned, it is then branded by burning, with the manufacturer's name, the serial number, and often the signature of the player for whom it was made: the brand is applied to the hard side of the bat, allowing the batter visual control of the hardness of the surface hitting the ball; the burn residue is then sanded off. During the 19th century, many shapes were experimented with, as well as handle designs. See also References Canadian Sports Magazine, Vol. Buy premium baseball bats from Easton, Louisville Slugger, DeMarini, and much more.
Check out the latest baseball bats, gloves, and equipment from Easton, Louisville Slugger and more. However, Rule 1.10(b) only requires that the bat be removed from the game promptly; it does not necessitate any sort of change to the play. Over the centuries, the baseball bat's form has become more refined. The end of the barrel is not part of the sweet spot, and is simply called the tip or end of the bat.
Maxbats offers real maple baseball bats. A monster selection of wood bats- use our resources and reviews to find the best wood baseball bats for you.
You haven't played baseball until you've played with a MaxBat maple baseball. Baseball bat regulationsIn, only wooden bats are permitted, but metal bats are also permitted within regulations and they are not allowed to be that is, filled with an alien substance such as cork which reduces the weight, and is thought to thus increase bat speed without greatly reducing hitting power.
Aesthetically, wooden bats are generally agreed to be superior to metal bats, both because of their more traditional appearance and because a ball hit with a wooden bat makes a loud "crack" sound, while metal alloy bats have a "ping" t wooden bats are made from. The part of the barrel best for hitting the ball with, according to construction and swinging style, is often called the sweet spot. Typical fungo bats are 3537 inches long and weigh 1722 ounces. For example, if a bat is 33" long and it weighs 30 ounces, then the drop is-3. The barrel narrows, and becomes the handle.
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Jump start your game today with the right softball brands like Miken, Mizuno. Softball Equipment offers top name softball equipment with secure online ordering. This site provides tips for finding the top online softball and ball sports stores. You can find all the gear and supplies you should need slow pitch and. Provides A Huge Selection Of Fastpitch Slow Pitch Softball Equipment At Cheap Discounted Prices. Find all your Major League Baseball Team Hats, Jackets, Jerseys Apparel here.
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Jump start your game today with the right softball brands like Miken, Mizuno. Softball Equipment offers top name softball equipment with secure online ordering. This site provides tips for finding the top online softball and ball sports stores. You can find all the gear and supplies you should need slow pitch and. Provides A Huge Selection Of Fastpitch Slow Pitch Softball Equipment At Cheap Discounted Prices. Find all your Major League Baseball Team Hats, Jackets, Jerseys Apparel here.
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Like any young athlete we were always looking for ways to improve our game and gain a step on our competition. And like any young athlete we always looked to our superiors for advice. At times they would offer suggestions and teach us a thing or two, but more often than none we usually picked up ideas from observing them.
The one memory that is very vivid in my mind was a training technique that we used called . We would band together like a small platoon and jog around the local football field. I cant remember how far we would jog or for how long? But I can tell you that we jogged and took it quite serious. Sometimes we would jog twice a day; once in the morning and again in the evening.
Now my question is: What the hell does jogging have to do with baseball? Let me think for a minute..oh thats right, NOTHING!
The purpose of this article is not to give you a speed program or template to follow, but rather outline some ideas that you can implement right away to get on the right track to help increase your speed for your game. So lets get to it.
First and foremost you are not an Olympic sprinter. You are a ball player. I say this because when I was working with a young player; his father had made the observation that his sons running mechanics did not resemble Maurice Greene or Tim Montgomery? I almost fell over. The boy was only 12 years old and just looking for support. He was nowhere near his physical limit. Hes 12 dad! Greene and Montgomery work on sprinting (straight ahead) every single day. They are Olympic athletes with Olympic trainers! We need to be cautious of our mechanics but we are ball players.
Next, aerobic training is pretty much a waste of time. Thats right all of that jogging I did; not going to help me in baseball. There is nothing in baseball that is done aerobically. When was the last time you witnessed a pitcher jogging back-and-forth from the pitchers mound to home plate over and over again? Hopefully never! Baseball requires hand and eye coordination and explosive acceleration to get from point A to point B. The last time I checked, its only 90 feet between the bases. Ok, depending on what level of baseball you are playing! But you get my point. So, why train slowly, if our sport needs us to be fast?
So what exactly do we need? Most multi-directional sports such as baseball, football, basketball, soccer and tennis require us to have that first-step quickness, acceleration and agility. Have you ever noticed how quickly a major-league infielder reacts to a ground ball? They can take one or two steps perhaps dive and field that ball and turn and make a play. This doesnt happen from jogging!
Here are some drills that can help you get started. I always prescribe a dynamic warm-up before jumping into any type of agility or sprint training to elevate the body temperature and warm the connective tissue in the joint areas.
* Set up two cones or bases (just so you have a starting and finishing point) approximately 30 yards from each other. Have a partner hit the baseball or softball into the ground and you take-off when you hear the sound and sprint to the designated spot or cone. Remember that when you are playing sports you rely on several of your senses and this drill will help increase your auditory response.
* Have one of your parents throw the ball from behind you and you run in the direction of the ball based on the visual cue. Now you are relying on your visual sense to help develop that speed you need for your game.
* Play a mock game of game of baseball by yourself or with friends. But play it backwards, pretend to hit the ball from home plate swinging opposite of your normal swing and run to third base. Then get a lead off and steal second and so forth. This will seem quite confusing to your body because weve become so adapted to playing our sport in one direction.
* Simply a good game of tag with friends will help to increase your agility and first step quickness. Sounds funwell it should be.
* The centipede: If you have ever observed a centipede walking on the ground you will notice that his tail end always follows along in different directions that the head is moving. This drill will require a few of your friends. Simply form a straight line with roughly 3 yards between each one of you. The person at the front of the line begins the drill by starting with a slow jog and each person will follow accordingly. The leader can then change the tempo and direction of the run as he or she chooses and those following need to mirror that movement. Thus simulating the tail of the centipede.
Remember this is just a starting point. These simple drills will deliver the change of direction and acceleration skills needed for the game of baseball or softball. In part II of this series I will outline a basic template for a speed program so that you can see how to put some of the pieces together. Until then; remember keep it fun and work hard.
Similar posts: baseball machine pitching
- Mood:Cry
- Music:Sukiyaki
Like any young athlete we were always looking for ways to improve our game and gain a step on our competition. And like any young athlete we always looked to our superiors for advice. At times they would offer suggestions and teach us a thing or two, but more often than none we usually picked up ideas from observing them.
The one memory that is very vivid in my mind was a training technique that we used called . We would band together like a small platoon and jog around the local football field. I cant remember how far we would jog or for how long? But I can tell you that we jogged and took it quite serious. Sometimes we would jog twice a day; once in the morning and again in the evening.
Now my question is: What the hell does jogging have to do with baseball? Let me think for a minute..oh thats right, NOTHING!
The purpose of this article is not to give you a speed program or template to follow, but rather outline some ideas that you can implement right away to get on the right track to help increase your speed for your game. So lets get to it.
First and foremost you are not an Olympic sprinter. You are a ball player. I say this because when I was working with a young player; his father had made the observation that his sons running mechanics did not resemble Maurice Greene or Tim Montgomery? I almost fell over. The boy was only 12 years old and just looking for support. He was nowhere near his physical limit. Hes 12 dad! Greene and Montgomery work on sprinting (straight ahead) every single day. They are Olympic athletes with Olympic trainers! We need to be cautious of our mechanics but we are ball players.
Next, aerobic training is pretty much a waste of time. Thats right all of that jogging I did; not going to help me in baseball. There is nothing in baseball that is done aerobically. When was the last time you witnessed a pitcher jogging back-and-forth from the pitchers mound to home plate over and over again? Hopefully never! Baseball requires hand and eye coordination and explosive acceleration to get from point A to point B. The last time I checked, its only 90 feet between the bases. Ok, depending on what level of baseball you are playing! But you get my point. So, why train slowly, if our sport needs us to be fast?
So what exactly do we need? Most multi-directional sports such as baseball, football, basketball, soccer and tennis require us to have that first-step quickness, acceleration and agility. Have you ever noticed how quickly a major-league infielder reacts to a ground ball? They can take one or two steps perhaps dive and field that ball and turn and make a play. This doesnt happen from jogging!
Here are some drills that can help you get started. I always prescribe a dynamic warm-up before jumping into any type of agility or sprint training to elevate the body temperature and warm the connective tissue in the joint areas.
* Set up two cones or bases (just so you have a starting and finishing point) approximately 30 yards from each other. Have a partner hit the baseball or softball into the ground and you take-off when you hear the sound and sprint to the designated spot or cone. Remember that when you are playing sports you rely on several of your senses and this drill will help increase your auditory response.
* Have one of your parents throw the ball from behind you and you run in the direction of the ball based on the visual cue. Now you are relying on your visual sense to help develop that speed you need for your game.
* Play a mock game of game of baseball by yourself or with friends. But play it backwards, pretend to hit the ball from home plate swinging opposite of your normal swing and run to third base. Then get a lead off and steal second and so forth. This will seem quite confusing to your body because weve become so adapted to playing our sport in one direction.
* Simply a good game of tag with friends will help to increase your agility and first step quickness. Sounds funwell it should be.
* The centipede: If you have ever observed a centipede walking on the ground you will notice that his tail end always follows along in different directions that the head is moving. This drill will require a few of your friends. Simply form a straight line with roughly 3 yards between each one of you. The person at the front of the line begins the drill by starting with a slow jog and each person will follow accordingly. The leader can then change the tempo and direction of the run as he or she chooses and those following need to mirror that movement. Thus simulating the tail of the centipede.
Remember this is just a starting point. These simple drills will deliver the change of direction and acceleration skills needed for the game of baseball or softball. In part II of this series I will outline a basic template for a speed program so that you can see how to put some of the pieces together. Until then; remember keep it fun and work hard.
Similar posts: baseball machine pitching
- Mood:Very good
- Music:Mai Kuraki
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