Sports Climb

There is a  website SportsClimb.com that I have recently checked out AND joined.

It's a site built for youth sports players and their parents. Players and/or parents can keep a record of all their sports in one place. Friends and family can become "fans" and follow them. With parental controls no one can become a fan of a player without parents permission first.

Teammates can be added onto one team (so everyone doesn't have to enter the same info).  When a game is over, players record results(a team voting system ensures accurate game results), stats, photos, video, and a personal recap. Then players can send the results to all their fans. Fans can keep up with their "stars" sports activities and participate in forums for players, teams, and games.

Scott Bowers had the idea back in April 2009, and launched the site in August 2010. He is continuing to add new features. Some things to come are a "log" for players to record height, weight, strength, and speed over time. Coach and "team mom" capabilities for teams. And even a "snack duty" check box next to games.The capability to upload a photo for on the players page is also in the works!

I highly recommend checking this out. It is nice to be able to have all the  sports and teams in one spot. It really helps with keeping things organized. You also can get email alerts when something is coming up. Its so easy for family and friends to keep track of how the player is doing and even let them know if they will be attending a game!. The best part (I believe) is the pride my son has when he adds in game result and stats. It motivates him to do his best because he can see and share everything.

USSSA History

United States Slow-pitch Softball Association (USSSA) was founded in 1968 in Petersburg, Virginia by Robert Mueller, James DiOrio, Ray Ernst, Frank Ciaccia and Ted Mazza after the founder's ideas were turned down at a national softball association meeting.  In 1996 USSSA founded a baseball program and had over 1,000 teams in its inaugural 1997 season. In 1997 USSSA reorganized to become the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), the first multi-sports governing body.  Today USSSA is the largest multi-sport association in the world with over 3.5 million members.  In the 2010 season, USSSA Baseball registered over 42,000 teams.  It is currently based in Kissimmee, Florida.
 
USSSA Baseball has gained positive recognition because of it's philosophy "More Kids Playing More Baseball"

California Considers Protective Head Gear

California was working on putting a moratorium on metal and composite bats.  Instead they agreed to move up standards on metal bats to this year and begin the process of requiring protective head gear.  They are working on developing standards for protective headgear for pitchers, infielders, and base coaches in both baseball and softball.  They are encouraging schools to require protective head gear this season  and will consider making it mandatory next year.

  For the full story.

California is usually first when it comes to safety requirements.  This could easily spread across the country in a few years.  California Assemblyman Jared Huffman says  "A few years from now, baseball and softball pitchers at all levels, and in all states, will take for granted the protective head gear they wear. "

Aluminum VS Wood Bats Video

Wood VS Aluminum Bats

1. The aluminum bat is typically lighter than a wood bat. A lighter bat allows you to swing faster. This gives a batter more time to see a pitch and aim the swing.

2.  Studies have shown that aluminum bats produce a faster ball speed. A wood bat absorbs more of a balls energy at contact, while an aluminum bat "gives" and then "springs" the ball back off of it (trampoline effect). This means an aluminum bat typically would hit farther than a wood bat.

3.  The sweet spot on a wood bat is smaller than on an aluminum bat. It is the spot that gives a powerful clean hit. So the wood bat has less room for error.

4.  A wood bat is more likely to break. An aluminum bat can dent without affecting the bats performance. They also can break, but wood bats break more often.

5.  Typically wood bats are less expensive than aluminum bats.

Wood bats are used in pro baseball and in some colleges. Typically kids use aluminum bats, but most leagues do allow the use of wood bats also.

Aluminum bats came out in 1970. Before then everyone used wood bats. Some people say it's a disadvantage to use an aluminum bat because you may have a harder time with a wood bat when/if you play in leagues that require them.

Metro Baseball League History

1992- Volunteers from Apple Valley, Bloomington, Burnsville, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Hastings, Lakeville, Prior Lake, Rosemount, Shokopee, and Wayzata banded together to form the South Metro Baseball League (SMABL).

1996- Significant growth occured when the Northstar League, which were primarily north metro teams, merged into the SMABL and changed to Metro Baseball League (MBL).

1997- The demise of the MYBA brought a number of additional east metro teams to the MBL.

1999- Bloomington Classic League brought close to 150 teams into the MBL.
The North Classic League also agreed to merge their 60 teams into the league.
A total of 486 teams competed, making it the largest baseball league of its kind in the nation.

More Baseball

My son wants to play in two different leagues this upcoming season. He loves baseball and wants to play as much as possible. Obviously, one of the teams would have to be a priority over the other. This could make some people mad, or maybe not. There is a number of kids that already do this. I think it would be good for him. More practices, more game time.

I am just hoping it doesn't become too much for him.. or me. Especially if he wants to try out for the All Star team again, and if he makes that team. That could be a lot of baseball. A lot of running around. A lot of money...... and a lot of fun. 

 

How to Wear Your Baseball Pants With High Socks

1.  Put on the socks and pull them all the way up.

2.  Put the pants on.. pull the legs up to just below the knee

(or to the length you want them)

3.  Drop the pants to the floor, so they are inside out with

the elastic on the legs still on your legs at the length you want the pants

(Or you could just put the pants on legs first inside out)

4.  Fold the top of the sock down over the elastic on the

pants

5.  Pull the pants up so the are no longer inside out

You are ready to play ball!

I have heard that this is the best way to do this and that the legs stay up throughout the game. I will be trying it out this season with my son!

My Baseball Days

When I was in 4th grade I played baseball. My team was The Flame. We went undefeated in the regular season, but lost our first playoff game :( I was the only girl on my team and to my knowledge there was only one other girl in the league. 

My mom signed me up without me knowing.. and in the nick of time. I was so shy, I only knew one kid on my team (and I kind of had a crush on him). So although I liked baseball a lot, I didn't put full effort into it. I don't know if I realized that back then or not.  

The fastest pitcher in the league was on my team (the crush). During a practice he was pitching to me and I took a ball to the head (Yes, I had a helmet on). After that I really didn't do much at the plate. Unfortunately, that happened early in the season. But, I had an arm and could catch as good as anyone. 

Man, I'd love to turn back the clock and play my heart out!

Babe Ruth League/ Cal Ripken Baseball History

1951- Founded as Little Bigger League in Trenton, NJ by a group of men who named Marius D. Bonacci as founder, for ages 13- 15yrs old

1955- Babe Ruth's widow gave permission for her husbands name to be used, Little Bigger League became Babe Ruth League

1952- Had their first World Series

1966- The 16- 18yrs old division was started

1968- 16- 18yr olds first World Series

1974- 13 yr old Prep League was started

1980- First World Series for the Prep League

1982- Bambino Division was started for 5- 12yr olds

1984- The first Bambino Division World Series, Softball divisions for 4- 18yr olds started

There is also a Bambino Buddy Ball League for special needs children ages 5- 20yrs old

More Babe Ruth History

2000- Renamed the Bambino Division to Cal Ripken Baseball to honor Cal Ripken for all his help with the league

2007- The first World Series was held for the new Cal Ripken Major 70- Foot Division

Now the 12yr old division competes in the Cal Ripken World Series in Aberdeen, MD

More Cal Ripken History

CDO baseball selling patches to honor Christina Green

Christina Taylor Green 9/11/2001- 1/8/2011

The youngest victim in the Tuscon shooting.

The Canyon Del Oro Little League, where she played, is giving out uniform patches in her memory for the upcoming season. Patches are also for sale at the their website. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Christina Taylor Green Memorial Fund.

Here is the story.

Treyton Kilar Field of Dreams

I just heard about this story and felt compelled to share.

Last September 6yr old Treyton Kilar from Whitewater, WI was killed by a drunk driver while him, his dad, and two sisters where heading home from a volleyball game. Here is the story.

Treyton was a huge Brewers fan and was even buried in his favorite player's jersey, Prince Fielder. Now they are trying to win the Pepsi's Good Idea/Refresh Projects 250,000 grant to build a "Field of Dreams" in his memory for the Whitewater community. If you would like to help the cause read more and vote here!

Thank you for taking the time to read this story. My heart goes out to this family.

The History of Little League

1939- Little League was founded by Carl E. Stotz in Williamsport, PA

1947- The first Little League World Series (then it was called the National Little League Tournament) was played, Allen"Sonny" Yearick is the first Little Leaguer to play pro ball ( Boston Braves Org.)

1953- Little League World Series (LLWS) is televised for the first time, Joey Jay is the first former Little Leaguer to play in the Major Leagues (Milwaukee Braves)

1956- Founder Carl Stotz severs ties with the organization, Little League Foundation is created

1961- Senior League Baseball was created for 13-15yr olds

1968- Big League Baseball was created for 16-18yr olds

1974- Rules were revised to allow girls, Little and Senior League Softball is created

1979- Junior League Baseball was started for 13yr olds

1980- Big League Softball was created for 16-18yr olds

1990- Was the first full season of the Challenger Division for mentally and physically disabled children

Buy me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks

My Fav Concession Stand Foods

1. Pretzels with Cheese

2. Brats

                                                                       3. Walking Tacos

4. Burgers

                                 

                                               5. Nachos

 

Composite Bat Ban- My Opinion

Baseball bats have regulations they need to be within for most leagues. Like the length, barrel width, drop (difference between length and weight), and bat performance factor (BPF). BPF measures how fast a ball comes off a bat when hit. Composite bats start off within these standards but as the are used they develop more give. More give allows the ball to come off the bat faster.  Sometimes referred to as the trampoline effect. 

I think composite bats are pretty cool. Come on, who wouldn't want a bat that helped you hit faster, harder, or farther? But, as we all know, I am concerned with safety. A ball coming off of a bat faster gives the fielders less time to react, especially the pitcher.  So I agree with the ban. I also like what USSSA did by moving back the mound and spacing the bases farther apart.

The point is technology advances so fast that sometimes changes have to be made..

Composite Bat Moratorium

Picture by Michael Miley

 Little League has put a moratorium on composite bats in all divisions as of Dec. 30 2010. This decision was made based on research by the University of Massachusetts that found composite bats can exceed the maximum performance standard after using it for a while. For more info follow this link Little League Moratorium

Metro Baseball League in Minnesota has made no change for 10U- 14U, although I have heard they plan to change for the 2012 season. 15U will follow the standards of the National Federation of State High School Association for the 2011 season. The NFHS has banned composite bats until they meet the BBCOR performance standard. Bats with composite handles and tapers will continue to be legal. For more info follow NFHS Standards

Here are the NFHS Approved Composite Bats

USSSA Has no ban on composite bats. They believe with bigger fields, stricter penalties and new rules for manufacturers a ban is not needed or fair. They are also working on making a compression testing machine available for ball parks and players for under $500. They also point out that anyone concerned is allowed to use any available protective gear. For more USSSA Announcements

Cal Ripken Baseball currently has no bans on composite bats for Major, Minor, Rookie, or T Ball divisions.

HBB has no ban on composite bats as of now.

Little League Memories

I thought this was pretty cool..

My Favorite Baseball Movies

1976 The Bad News Bears

An Ex-ballplayer is forced to coach a little league team of misfits. He is more into women and beer, until he gets tired of watching the kids lose.

1989 Field of Dreams

An Iowa farmer replaces some of his corn field with a baseball field. Then some old time baseball players, including Shoeless Joe Jackson, show up and start playing on the field. "If you build it, he will come."

1992 A League of their Own

Based on a true story. When the baseball pros go to war, women take over the game. A drunk, washed up player is hired to coach the Rockford Peaches. Who turn out to be some good ballplayers.

1993 The Sandlot

The new kid in town lacks baseball talent until he is recruited to play at a nearby sandlot with the neighborhood kids. The group have a summer they will never forget.

1993 Rookie of the Year

A little leaguer breaks his arm and when it heals he is capable of throwing a 100mph fastball. The Chicago Cubs sign him and he has the pressure of the major leagues to handle.

1994 Little Big League

A 12yr old baseball genius inherits the Minnesota Twins from his grandpa. He names himself manager and tries to turn the team around and reminds the guys that baseball is fun.

1994 Angels in the Outfield

A 11yr old foster child asks God to help the California Angels win the pennant. Believing if they do his dad and him will reunite. Real angels come to help.

2002 The Rookie

After injuring his arm in the minor leagues, Jim Morris ends up coaching a losing high school baseball team. When the kids realize he has a good arm yet, they make a deal with him to try out for a major league team.

2006 The Benchwarmers

Three guys, trying to make up for their childhood, form a team to take a on a team of kids. The other "left out kids" begin looking up to them.

2007 The Final Season

A small town high school team has won 19 state championships. Lead by their coach, they try to win their 20th and last championship after learning that their school will be merged with another large school.

To pitch or not to pitch?

I have been spending these winter months trying to decide if I should allow my son to pitch or not. He has one hell of an arm, and coaches want him to pitch. My concern, other than him being mature enough to handle the pressure, is his safety. I can not stop picturing a line drive right back at him. There is so little time to react from the mound! These kids' heads are left unprotected. Serious injury or death can occur, all for a baseball game! Baseball is extremely important to us, but not worth my child's life.

So, should I allow him to pitch using a fielding helmet? He says he will wear whatever he has to to be able to pitch. Is that enough? What about a face mask? Will this protective gear (especially the face mask) hinder his pitching and/or fielding? Or should I just forget about it and enjoy the game at ease? His strong arm is useful in other positions too.

I guess it's a good thing I have a little more time to decide.

Play Ball!

I am a proud mom of a youth baseball player. I am here to share my experiences, opinions, and any interesting info I come across relating to youth baseball. Feel free to comment, ask questions, and share your own experiences.