The Bender

The Hammer The Yakker The Deuce The Hook A pitch that goes by many names is always a hot topic for discussion especially when it comes to young pitchers. I found this five-year study by the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of North Carolina in 2008 called The Learning Curve which produced several interesting findings including the following:  1. The relationship between age, type of pitch and injury risk is complex, but…

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The Heart of Youth Baseball

In my opinion, this is an amazing coach.  How many coaches would be willing to do this?   Three years ago, while we were hosting the Cal Ripken World Series in Aberdeen, a team from Hawaii made it to the Championship game against Mexico.  Their coach really understood what’s at the heart of youth baseball, and I hope he can serve as an inspiration to other coaches. In the top half of the last inning,…

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MLB dads take their kids out to the ballgame – FOX Sports Photo Gallery

My son and I watched the Home Run Derby last night.  One of his favorite parts was seeing the kids on the field with their dads.  He said, “Oh cool, they get to be on the field with their dads.  That would be sick!”  I would have to agree, that would be “sick” and the best take your kid to work day ever. Here are some photos from Fox Sports of MLB dads with their…

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Little League Pledge

Growing up I played Little League baseball.  I remember saying this Little League Pledge before every game.  It was written in 1954.  I wonder what type of response it would generate if it were written today. The Little League Pledge was written by Peter J. McGovern, the late president of Little League Baseball, in 1954. It made its first appearance in the February 1955 “Little Leaguer” magazine. Its text has remained unchanged in the half-century…

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MIT 2012/2013 Season Try Outs

THIS UPCOMING SEASON  WE ARE EXPECTING TO HOST TEAMS IN THE FOLLOWING AGE GROUPS: 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, AND 14U THE FIRST STAGE OF TRY OUTS WILL BE JULY 21st at Oaks Christian Field 1915 N. Twin Oaks Valley Rd. San Marcos, CA 92069. 8U AND 9U  9AM – 11AM 10U AND 11U  11:30PM – 1:30 PM 12U 13U 14U 2PM – 4PM For more information see TRYOUTS.

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2012 Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run National Finalists Announced on MLB.com

The 24 national finalists in the 2012 Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run competition, the official youth skills competition of Major League Baseball, were announced yesterday live on MLB Tonight on MLB Network. These 24 boys and girls will compete at the National Finals taking place during MLB All-Star Week in Kansas City, MO. The competition will take place on Monday, July 9 at 2:15 p.m. CT prior to Gatorade All-Star Workout Day,…

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Knuckleball! – Throwing the Pitch

My son and I were playing catch yesterday and I was trying to throw a knuckleball.  He laughed saying I was trying to be R.A. Dickey.  I laughed at the fact he knew R.A. Dickey.  Guess he watches a lot of Sports Center.  This documentary to be released on digital platforms in September. Acclaimed documentarians Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg deconstruct the unpredictable and erratic pitching style known as the knuckleball in this highly entertaining…

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San Marcos Youth Baseball Fall Registration

Registration for the 2012 Fall season is now open. San Marcos Youth Baseball. WHY PONY BASEBALL? Pony vs. Little LeagueIf you like playing complete baseball, then PONY Baseball is for you. PONY Baseball allows lead offs, base stealing, and lots more big time baseball action. If you are looking for a more challenging baseball experience or just looking for a place to really improve your skills, then PONY Baseball is for you. Whatever your skill level, PONY baseball is…

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Wrist Protection

A few days ago I was hitting infield to my son’s team and a ball was thrown into our young catcher on a one hop.  The catcher put his glove down but the ball took a bad bounce and hit right off his glove hand wrist.  Ouch!  It looked painful and from his reaction it was. I remembered back when I played infield I liked to wear a wrist band on my glove hand for…

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