tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42909554273442617022024-03-19T05:31:34.010-05:00Loud Mom in the StandsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-49853219234883405812012-02-21T16:09:00.000-06:002012-02-21T16:09:10.002-06:00Loud Mom's Scoreboard<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUa7eeihaLCKzUX8vQQEVUHpw4VL5dJwnBzaiSgUrAb3cDeVEukSI_oH4SbV812UGtUvoY1eMY9hwCVbnb6v_WrFhleSfMN-usof3xFnslUlL51JHTAKXt9Z_qxN3TH-xCXD1y1BRYUo/s1600/gamechanger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUa7eeihaLCKzUX8vQQEVUHpw4VL5dJwnBzaiSgUrAb3cDeVEukSI_oH4SbV812UGtUvoY1eMY9hwCVbnb6v_WrFhleSfMN-usof3xFnslUlL51JHTAKXt9Z_qxN3TH-xCXD1y1BRYUo/s320/gamechanger.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Loud Mom now has a GameChanger Scoreboard! GameChanger is a score keeping app for smart phones, ipads, and ipods. It's an awesome way for family or friends to keep track of your ball players games! It is also a good way to track stats! Check it out at <a href="https://www.gamechanger.io/features">GameChanger</a>. Create your own scoreboard and/or add your team. If you have a team and you would like to be added to Loud Mom's Scoreboard email me the info at LoudMomintheStands@gmail.com</span>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-14578194041811397602011-04-17T20:40:00.003-05:002011-04-17T20:48:27.632-05:00Bob Dekoning Interview<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgii4uwVMHvWhmWlfQZL_s4bWCftgjI0TnrWULmKnKghF2vllB9niYr7utmOXBYIx3i3URKGMf_DtwUN7UU3nWWmhAxicXA-f1Wr032q8dfXR4rF2PaMQiJ9nk-ziiqEiJAoHRckPehjyY/s1600/XMAS+card+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgii4uwVMHvWhmWlfQZL_s4bWCftgjI0TnrWULmKnKghF2vllB9niYr7utmOXBYIx3i3URKGMf_DtwUN7UU3nWWmhAxicXA-f1Wr032q8dfXR4rF2PaMQiJ9nk-ziiqEiJAoHRckPehjyY/s320/XMAS+card+2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doug and family</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I was lucky enough to be able to interview Doug Dekoning's father, Bob Dekoning! Thank you Bob.. It is so nice to hear from a parent of a ball player who has worked his way through youth baseball so successfully.</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">LoudMom:</span> What sacrifices have you had to make for Doug's baseball career?</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Bob:</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Were do I start, as a single parent my sacrifices may be different compared to a 2 parent family with 2 incomes. many missed family get together,working a part time job from late Spring through late Fall to make/ save money for the upcoming season ,and all the trips and expenses connected to it. Passing on overtime to travel. Driving all over 8-10 or 12 hour trips each way, and getting very little rest, and returning home ,usually very late Sunday nights or early Monday mornings, and going into work tired. Passing on buying personal gifts for myself as I needed to save for Doug's need for equipment and travel expenses. Aluminum bats and top quality gloves are not cheap. Bats only last one season. There is a sample of my sacrifices for Doug and I am so glad that I did all those sacrifices and more. They were well worth it and then some !! </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">LoudMom:</span> </span><span style="font-size: large;">What influence did you have in Doug's college choice?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Bob:</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This is the way that went down. Doug was 11 years old and he started batting lesson's at Mike Hegan's and Scott Doffek was assigned to be his coach. Doug had great success with Scotts hitting style and approach and we just kept it up for several more years. When it came to High School and his Junior season we had made up our minds that if UWM gave Doug a Scholarship we were going there. Scotty made Doug the hitter he is and we felt it only right to give him 1st choice at reaping the rewards of all his hard work into Doug. So,the choice was easy,even though there were a few Colleges from the South that had showed some interest in Doug, UWM would be were Doug was going. Was the right thing to do then and still is the right thing to do today.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">LoudMom:</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What is your favorite youth baseball memory of your son?<span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Bob:</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When Doug was 7 years old he played on a team that was comprised of 6 kids from Menomonee Falls and 6 from Whitnal. They went to the championship game and won it all and a team trophy that was 6 feet tall. The moment that stood out was, back then, Doug was a pitcher and a good one. He pitched a lot that weekend and he was tired and sore but the coach asked him if he had one more inning in him to close the game and bring home the championship. He did a great job and we won the game,it was so awesome !! I have pictures of that game in the rec room that will be up as long as I am alive.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">LoudMom:</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Do you have any advice for other baseball parents?</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Bob:</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Make sure it is your son or daughters dream to play ball and not yours. If it is there's, then be there for them in good or bad times. It is easy to be a fan when things are going good but it shows the kids that your love and commitment to them is not conditional on winning only. Take the time to invest in them no matter what that is that they enjoy. You may not like what they like but, it is there time, not yours. Take the time to smell the roses and enjoy your kids and family. There is more to life than making money and working your way up the ladder of success. These moments in time are special and they come and go so quickly that if your not careful you just might miss them. I am so glad with all that I sacrificed and gave up for Doug that given a second chance I would do it all over again. He is a special kind of rose and I am so glad I took the time to smell it !!</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-82807107239258203222011-04-13T11:14:00.002-05:002011-04-17T20:33:49.174-05:00Check Out This Kid!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaL_If6hItNIyDqtIMPKuqGEtyi_SJAo2jADxS5674FsiqK5DltElghvPOk2zx-JqMC-O5WXHo6_cDpBkYwzNqA48gBl08WmkhVj9N3ljp5a1p3iYtBmedZkGo9vNCb2bpOy24x2NzRo/s1600/2010+UWM+media+guide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaL_If6hItNIyDqtIMPKuqGEtyi_SJAo2jADxS5674FsiqK5DltElghvPOk2zx-JqMC-O5WXHo6_cDpBkYwzNqA48gBl08WmkhVj9N3ljp5a1p3iYtBmedZkGo9vNCb2bpOy24x2NzRo/s320/2010+UWM+media+guide.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://uwmpanthers.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/dekoning_doug00.html">Doug Dekoning</a> is an outfielder for the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. He ended the 2010 season with a .300 batting average, recording 66 hits, 5 triples, 3 home runs, scoring 38 runs, and 25 RBI's.. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He has had a great start to the <a href="http://uwmpanthers.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stats/2010-2011/teamcume.html#TEAM.LDR">2011 season</a> as well! He leads his team in most offensive categories including having a .404 batting average.. 46 hits, 24 runs scored and 25 RBI's..</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTH6Jt0M_WbvUKhj6yAsbdUN5p1igoDCyEZFHtYE-ChwnT-Fyx3K0-sTjc-IQ9ds6pbyME-mAB_i3Rw1rMTQesTCJ6R7QEpg3KP4aOIEEYu1B74c8tTVFgST8lnFDVG-EWoNd6At76fuc/s1600/Doug_Diving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTH6Jt0M_WbvUKhj6yAsbdUN5p1igoDCyEZFHtYE-ChwnT-Fyx3K0-sTjc-IQ9ds6pbyME-mAB_i3Rw1rMTQesTCJ6R7QEpg3KP4aOIEEYu1B74c8tTVFgST8lnFDVG-EWoNd6At76fuc/s320/Doug_Diving.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Way to go Doug!! </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-19602620901181917952011-03-29T12:51:00.001-05:002011-03-29T12:56:07.853-05:00“The Game and Me”<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wouldn't it be cool to have your sports related memories or anecdotes published? To be able to save that memory forever and share it with others? Well, here is your chance!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <a href="http://thegameandme.com/?page_id=9">Kelly O'Neil</a>, editor and avid sports fan, is </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">collecting </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">these stories to share in the book "The Game and Me"</span></span>. <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He believes (and is right as far as I'm concerned) that there are so many of these sports stories out there just waiting to be told. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So here is the scoop:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><b>WHO:</b> Editor<i>, </i>dedicated sports fan and father of three Kelly O’Neil is looking for your most memorable sports story.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><b>WHAT:</b> You’re invited to submit your sports-related memories and anecdotes for consideration in “The Game and Me” (Synergy Books).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><b>WHEN:</b> Submissions for “The Game and Me” will be accepted on an on-going basis until a sufficient amount of material has been collected.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><b>WHERE:</b> To submit your short story and see submission guidelines, please visit <a href="http://www.thegameandme.com/">www.thegameandme.com</a>.</span></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>WHY:</b> Americans have long had a love affair with sports. From baseball to football and sports in between, “The Game and Me” is a celebration of sports and those who’ve been shaped by the game. Whether you were at the game, watching from home, playing or coaching we want to hear about the unforgettable sports moments that changed your life, inspired you and touched your heart.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-21140548925959095462011-03-24T21:00:00.002-05:002011-03-24T21:02:29.551-05:00Keeping score<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Position Chart</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you "keep the book" at your child's baseball or softball games? Have you ever wanted to, but didn't know how to keep score of a baseball game. It's not that hard once you get the hang of it. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the beginning of most scorebooks they have instructions for keeping score. Numbers are used for all the positions to make it easier to keep track of everything. Familiarize yourself with the terms used at a site like <a href="http://www.eteamz.com/sunsetparklittleleague/files/SPLLScorekeeperGuide.pdf">Sunset Park Little League Guide to Scorekeeping.</a> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some leagues for younger kids will keep a much simpler book. They will simply record if someone got out or reached base. Then they will darken the line around the bases as they advance. Filling in the diamond shows that a run has scored. This basic amount is usually the minimum required by leagues to make sure the score is right. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you have an IPhone, Blackberry or Android phone you can get an app to score the game with. <a href="http://iscore.fasterthanmonkeys.com/">iScore</a> and <a href="http://www.gamechanger.io/">GameChanger </a>are two of the apps available to do this. Once you have a scorebook or a smartphone app, watch some games on tv and practice what you have learned. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-15342701652727658322011-03-18T21:19:00.001-05:002011-03-18T21:58:20.335-05:00Fundraising<div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoh5ca-6qsipMjqWeNQR2K-m4fAUutefEF9nPYh_fsNNp_tHO23cNIaPUgv_lHGZcSnUJh_LDXIMm3WYnE1vvkyqpkVxftwatq2yuL3Nu50nRh6j4QeSuqN18zNrWBc63NHFxqmfbUl8/s1600/money-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoh5ca-6qsipMjqWeNQR2K-m4fAUutefEF9nPYh_fsNNp_tHO23cNIaPUgv_lHGZcSnUJh_LDXIMm3WYnE1vvkyqpkVxftwatq2yuL3Nu50nRh6j4QeSuqN18zNrWBc63NHFxqmfbUl8/s200/money-1.gif" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">There are many different ways you can raise money for your team. Here are some options. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Raffles can be big money makers especially if you can get all your prizes donated by local businesses. Then the only cost you will have is printing the tickets. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can sell products to raise money. From <a href="http://www.jacklinks.com/SubChannel_Channel_AboutUsPartnerwithJack.aspx#SubChannel_AboutUs_FundraisingandMore">beef jerky</a> to <a href="http://www.spiritline.com/catalog.cfm?cat=11689">seat cushions</a> there are opportunities to sell many things. Some of them you get the product and then sell them one by one. While others yo<span style="font-family: inherit;">u take orders from a catalog. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another option is selling discount cards or <a href="http://www.entertainment.com/fundraising/">coupon books</a>. They provide great value for the price if used regularly. You can raise money much faster selling $20 coupon books than with the $1 items. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many large corporations such as <a href="http://www.nikebiz.com/responsibility/nike_giving_guidelines.html">Nike</a> and <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/en-us/">Microsoft</a> offer grants available to youth sports organizations. Some government agencies also help with funding youth sports.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Fundraising is a great way to help keep costs down for parents. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We all know the expenses can rack up fast for our kids sports. Just check out </span><a href="http://www.statsdad.com/p/youth-sports-costs.html" style="font-family: inherit;">STATS DAD</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> for more on the cost of youth sports.</span></span> </div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-2826898048704596372011-03-09T10:43:00.007-06:002011-03-18T22:02:07.615-05:00PONY Baseball<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1DsuzcagDEwVIWZt2g-bxH0WoXCnT6mQLgROdn4pYqvECJ5XINtZ1HEkg2qjYInDPYlL_n0FW8fh1KlRj0-3X59npXd-7CO1cZiSb-BG-2GqTR8d1k1xH7Yf27appXi_K0wEjYxvR-0/s1600/tn_pony_color.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1DsuzcagDEwVIWZt2g-bxH0WoXCnT6mQLgROdn4pYqvECJ5XINtZ1HEkg2qjYInDPYlL_n0FW8fh1KlRj0-3X59npXd-7CO1cZiSb-BG-2GqTR8d1k1xH7Yf27appXi_K0wEjYxvR-0/s1600/tn_pony_color.png" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;"><a href="http://www.pony.org/home/default.asp?menu_category=Home&menuid=677&parholdid=14">PONY</a> stands for Protect Our Nation's Youth. The concept for the name originally came from boys at the local YMCA in Washington, Pennsylvania and stood for "Protect Our Neighborhood Youth," but change in the early 1950's (when PONY became a national organization) from "Neighborhood" to "Nation's."</span></span><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;">Check out the <a href="http://ponyball.net/pony-baseball-history.html">history of Pony Baseball</a>.</span><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;"> </span></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;">For the most part <a href="http://www.pony.org/home/default.asp">Pony Baseball</a> uses two year age brackets. Traditionally it goes like this...</span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;"><i>Shetland-</i> 4-6yr olds</span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;"><i>Pinto-</i> 7-8yr olds</span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;"><i>Mustang-</i> 9-10yr olds</span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;"><i>Bronco-</i> 11-12yr olds</span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;"><i>PONY-</i> 13-14yr olds</span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;"><i>Colt-</i> 15-16yr olds</span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;"><i>Palomino-</i> 17-18yr olds (+ three 19yr olds)</span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;">Check out this <a href="http://www.pony.org/home/default.asp?menu_category=Home&menuid=1220&parholdid=14">video</a> that explains how the divisions work. </span></span></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-67718108432165836382011-03-03T15:34:00.000-06:002011-03-03T15:34:18.977-06:00Dixie Baseball<div style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyx61YTLU204TsumYz-H75SRp6rAwj8IguUsv3JrGe8nWY5YvsAgN7FcqploQtCPKtrRON2TJUp3yUs4BBrJa5oVCvI-hRbBKO2KzoJ1S3JRf7Us6JvP5MMIuBe4ZwDMkf6WBY4diwAU/s1600/DixieYouthLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyx61YTLU204TsumYz-H75SRp6rAwj8IguUsv3JrGe8nWY5YvsAgN7FcqploQtCPKtrRON2TJUp3yUs4BBrJa5oVCvI-hRbBKO2KzoJ1S3JRf7Us6JvP5MMIuBe4ZwDMkf6WBY4diwAU/s200/DixieYouthLogo.jpg" width="195" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.trouprec.org/Dixie%20World%20Series_files/What%20is%20Dixie%20Youth%20Baseball.pdf">Dixie Youth</a> Baseball was organized in the state of South Carolina in 1955. The name of the program was Little Boys Baseball. In 1962 the name was changed to Dixie Youth Baseball.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://youth.dixie.org/">Dixie Youth Baseball</a> has leagues in eleven states across the south. They have five divisions of play.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>A</u> is t-ball for ages 6 and under and uses 50' baselines.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>AA</u> is ages 8 and under and is played differently in different leagues. Some leagues have pitching machines while others have coach pitch. They use 60' base paths and 46' from the pitching rubber to home plate.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>AAA</u> uses the same field dimensions and is for ages 10 and under.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">For the 12 and under age group they have 2 divisions.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">- The Majors Division which uses the dimensions of the lower divisions.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">- "O" zone division which has 70' base paths and 50' from rubber to the plate. This level has open bases (you can lead off and steal), and regular baseball rules.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPARzJZAOg8GttqILrUXFhteagfUtXLjQtHFv2tGgLwbhvZMoHYJSOLMo0KunCv9wvasVogWspZzoh0ti6yjr96JxU8iP5TKxW5wsjoGXu46ymeeToQLUTBElP3YfAcwc6rwVx4dk19E/s1600/Dixie_Boys_Baseball_Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPARzJZAOg8GttqILrUXFhteagfUtXLjQtHFv2tGgLwbhvZMoHYJSOLMo0KunCv9wvasVogWspZzoh0ti6yjr96JxU8iP5TKxW5wsjoGXu46ymeeToQLUTBElP3YfAcwc6rwVx4dk19E/s200/Dixie_Boys_Baseball_Logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://baseball.dixie.org/Home.htm">Dixie Boys Baseball</a> is for ages 13 and 14, with an 80' base path and 54" pitching distance.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dixie Majors uses a 90" base path and a pitching distance of 60'. They are for ages 15-19. At the end of local league play a Pre-Majors team, ages 15 and 16, may be selected for tournament play.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Their intent was to develop a program <span style="font-family: inherit;">which would give local leagues more control in deciding how their leagues are <span style="font-family: inherit;">run. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are basic fundamental rules each league must follow</span>, but</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> customs will vary</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and leagues may establish policies for the operation of their local</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">program.</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-31998563259365879092011-02-20T17:07:00.003-06:002011-02-21T11:28:15.394-06:00Brendan Harris<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Last month my son attended the <a href="http://www.brendanharris23.com/Bio.html">Brendan Harris </a>Baseball Clinic. Recently I was lucky enough to ask him a few questions.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjjI84QTo4ewYIeUAxFRPYrJEcB9Ai2DtGF8hoDJDIqoIoLQQa2vWfapWG7gqmeVLQQgckkSVkvaLe4LhyMdoW20ZI8uKTsNyP5PxJC592jmqEPSDBYCoiEgMBnjiSoHDd8znLw9pGaw/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjjI84QTo4ewYIeUAxFRPYrJEcB9Ai2DtGF8hoDJDIqoIoLQQa2vWfapWG7gqmeVLQQgckkSVkvaLe4LhyMdoW20ZI8uKTsNyP5PxJC592jmqEPSDBYCoiEgMBnjiSoHDd8znLw9pGaw/s320/038.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">LoudMom</span>: </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">When did you start playing baseball?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Brendan:</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I started playing probably around 4-5 years old. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">LoudMom:</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is your favorite youth baseball memory?</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Brendan:</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">My favorite youth memory was when I hit my first homerun over a fence, and I didn't know it went out, and I slid into second base. The umpire had to tell me it was a homerun, and then I continued around the bases. I think I was 10.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">LoudMom:</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">What kind of influence did your parents have on your baseball career?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Brendan:</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">My parents had a big influence in my athletic career. My parents both played sports and encouraged me to try a lot of different things. My dad was a big baseball fan and we would always watch the Yankees together when I was little and we'd also make it to a couple games a year.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">LoudMom:</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What advice do you have for young ballplayers with big dreams?</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Brendan:</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">My advice to younger players would be to always chase your dream, but remember to take one step at a time. No one makes the major leagues at 12 years old, learn the game, enjoy the company of your teammates and have fun with baseball and other sports as well. Always try to improve yourself from year to year and get the most out of your abilities, whether its baseball or in the classroom. Try to climb the ladder one step at a time; make yourself a good high school player, a good college player, and then a good pro. If you prepare yourself and work hard, good things will happen, but always remember that players can get hurt and have baseball taken away, but no one gets hurt and forgets a good education, so study hard.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you Brendan!</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-47518192018116404092011-02-19T21:36:00.000-06:002011-02-19T21:36:38.913-06:00CSN Stores $20 Giveaway WINNER!!!!<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">CONGRATULATIONS CINDY!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cindy won a $20 gift code to use at ANY of the more than 200 CSN stores!! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks for playing!!! </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-22413512041162755742011-02-13T13:45:00.001-06:002011-02-15T08:32:08.609-06:00Composite Bat Moratorium Update<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Little League</span></span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> extends its <a href="http://www.littleleague.org/media/newsarchive/2011/Jan-Apr/TestingResultson2-_1_4InchCompositeBats.htm">ban on composite bats</a> to the Little League (Majors) level. For a list of approved composite bats for <a href="http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/approvedcompbatssmall.htm">Little League (Majors) division.</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For a list of approved composite bats for <a href="http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/approvedcompbats.htm">Junior, Senior and Big League Baseball</a> divisions of Little League. </span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Babe Ruth League</span></span></i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2124545416"> </a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.baberuthleague.org/side-indexes/latest-rule-changes.html">updated on 2/4/11</a>. The 13-15 and 16-18 divisions will now follow the NFHS. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Metro Baseball League</i> also follows the NFHS.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=4155&terms=composite+bats">NFHS approved bats.</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If I missed something or you know of any other leagues and their standings on the composite bat moratorium or approved bat lists please let me know! </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-73516018364410172542011-02-09T18:19:00.004-06:002011-02-09T18:34:06.863-06:00CSN Stores $20 Giveaway!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1b47ZSrT6jpyI7kIg95ueT47OWuipmwTrQRA0XRK5TWYn6AUr6LJD65N1_VRf25tnlcFfxH26zceTZ8ObYh0ASRmU8VTwVi_vJW8QgxJexgMz3m97dSq2iNcFLVjQ8s-lEqkjEzgYJg/s1600/CSN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1b47ZSrT6jpyI7kIg95ueT47OWuipmwTrQRA0XRK5TWYn6AUr6LJD65N1_VRf25tnlcFfxH26zceTZ8ObYh0ASRmU8VTwVi_vJW8QgxJexgMz3m97dSq2iNcFLVjQ8s-lEqkjEzgYJg/s1600/CSN.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">CSN Stores has contacted me about hosting a giveaway. I thought, why not do that for my readers! One winner will get a $20 gift code!* You can use it on ANY product at ANY one of CSN's sites!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">CSN has over 200 stores with over 2 million products, everything from baseball equipment to <a href="http://www.allmodern.com/Barstools-and-Counter-Stools-C33786.html">modern bar stools</a> to birdhouses to.... well there is too much to list! You will just have to check them out.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">GIVEAWAY: All you need to do is fill out the form below! The contest ends 12:00am Thursday the 17th.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> No entries after that time will be counted. The winner will be announce that day.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> US or Canadian entrants only.. Good luck!</span></span><br />
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*Does not cover any shipping costs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-44048568141967532262011-02-08T13:43:00.001-06:002011-02-08T13:49:38.051-06:00Trivia Answers<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. While playing for the Boston Red Sox, Babe Ruth hit his first career home run against the New York Yankees on May 6, 1915. He was later traded to the Yankees for a mere $125,000.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIir6_j8mls9FwZ9f3vavD-xSttt4dBQ8bMYZbTsadbbAGs4Jwizx5G6e3svfqDoKcykgJYK4gsfseU4dLOdpRXQfQtWKJb4RX0DwYhf1QVpeqr_XBcNlfr43Lhu-pAWodpHuLa6D8cE/s1600/AAHG191_8x10Babe-Ruth-Red-Sox-Poste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIir6_j8mls9FwZ9f3vavD-xSttt4dBQ8bMYZbTsadbbAGs4Jwizx5G6e3svfqDoKcykgJYK4gsfseU4dLOdpRXQfQtWKJb4RX0DwYhf1QVpeqr_XBcNlfr43Lhu-pAWodpHuLa6D8cE/s320/AAHG191_8x10Babe-Ruth-Red-Sox-Poste.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. On September 7, 1974, in a game against the White Sox, California Angels pitcher Nolan Ryan became the first player to break the 100 mph barrier when one of his pitches was officially clocked at 100.8 miles per hour.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhMiY-GpXjoxVmVl_5bhv5BxNRuIr0xUszk0pvJd0P3EgvVQo8bnbqu_MV5WEreTZpnzR20FMpZACEnWku3bhKafBbcxfcO-UQIEv3Eixp2EDrS0MtQ0b4-QExcVq3teEwj4-FHJDaqw/s1600/nolanryan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhMiY-GpXjoxVmVl_5bhv5BxNRuIr0xUszk0pvJd0P3EgvVQo8bnbqu_MV5WEreTZpnzR20FMpZACEnWku3bhKafBbcxfcO-UQIEv3Eixp2EDrS0MtQ0b4-QExcVq3teEwj4-FHJDaqw/s320/nolanryan.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. On May 30, 1894, Bobby Lowe, of the Boston Beaneaters, became the first Major League player to hit four home runs in a single game. The unlucky opposing pitcher was Elton Chamberlain of the Cincinnati Reds.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjo7mNwITWvcIRwERaYf72OEV5jmvSqqyZMzaATM8ps8UVvMm99iBdCsxFhT-J20QgzuFwWUDGE4DdtRRSXS0eodZmgvPPcjj3NlhYX7kDS1EcT-5vuK9XmzWq9MUrCuf6yf6dQcTfQ5k/s1600/bobbylowe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjo7mNwITWvcIRwERaYf72OEV5jmvSqqyZMzaATM8ps8UVvMm99iBdCsxFhT-J20QgzuFwWUDGE4DdtRRSXS0eodZmgvPPcjj3NlhYX7kDS1EcT-5vuK9XmzWq9MUrCuf6yf6dQcTfQ5k/s320/bobbylowe.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. The first perfect game in American League history was thrown by Cy Young on May 5, 1904, when he led the Boston Red Sox to victory over the Philadelphia Athletics. One of the most consistent and durable pitchers the game has ever known, Cy Young won 511 games -- almost 100 more than any other pitcher in history. In 1904, he crafted one of the most amazing streaks of pitching excellence in baseball history. The right-hander pitched 24 1/3 innings without surrendering a hit, through May 11. Young had pitched two hitless innings at the end of a loss on April 25, seven innings of hitless relief on April 30, and a perfect game on May 5. Stretching his hitless streak to 24 innings against Detroit on May 11, Young finally gave up a hit to future Hall of Fame outfielder Sam Crawford in the seventh inning.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEYAB7A2J9DWNVzuljJqT4Wm2Qtl6sEv4rmPqzmrOE6vzuGO3C-Wsu6QFPiYla4GQrc_23iFR_P5zo_QASeF7CP2F172bXSRf7lmh6rE-zHgl3_FzcAeb73gpRubEGuGca4ycdvYjjb4/s1600/cy-young.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEYAB7A2J9DWNVzuljJqT4Wm2Qtl6sEv4rmPqzmrOE6vzuGO3C-Wsu6QFPiYla4GQrc_23iFR_P5zo_QASeF7CP2F172bXSRf7lmh6rE-zHgl3_FzcAeb73gpRubEGuGca4ycdvYjjb4/s320/cy-young.jpg" width="189" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. On March 7, 1941, the Brooklyn Dodgers rolled the Cleveland Indians 15–0. Pee Wee Reese and Joe Medwick wore a batting helmet designed by two Johns Hopkins doctors with the help of Larry MacPhail. The two Dodgers, victims of HBPs the previous year, pronounced the helmets satisfactory.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JGA7vCGy32uFw1uZDPrHDy5hytwO8GHfuHeUqsD4F3S885YK8pdtcj64STVOONSc14n_RPKYcb9Mnq3SariUv8lFGiHY6-zlMbmacI7n6ZLWAiqqbtEYY-HEEowgwwi3bW4R-2RTJjE/s1600/Brooklyn_Dodgers_Nat_l_Champs_1941_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JGA7vCGy32uFw1uZDPrHDy5hytwO8GHfuHeUqsD4F3S885YK8pdtcj64STVOONSc14n_RPKYcb9Mnq3SariUv8lFGiHY6-zlMbmacI7n6ZLWAiqqbtEYY-HEEowgwwi3bW4R-2RTJjE/s320/Brooklyn_Dodgers_Nat_l_Champs_1941_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">6. Ty Cobb stole home plate an amazing 54 times during his career. On four occasions, he went so far as to steal second, then third, then home plate in the same inning!</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19JzZSTWWLxUs5d_yj_qvUIfjAjbhgtI4hJASUn5VAxkmSHxFOYr7Cj7fmmIy-JpBlihh1bJA2cyYJzS-ibHXO7CyRk25bEJl-jB2qQaWjeOaz1VOr3xR5WMoY2M4lWwOItF1c2M1ZCs/s1600/cobblg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19JzZSTWWLxUs5d_yj_qvUIfjAjbhgtI4hJASUn5VAxkmSHxFOYr7Cj7fmmIy-JpBlihh1bJA2cyYJzS-ibHXO7CyRk25bEJl-jB2qQaWjeOaz1VOr3xR5WMoY2M4lWwOItF1c2M1ZCs/s320/cobblg.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">7. Before 1880, it took Nine balls to walk a batter!</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">8. Michael Jordan signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox in 1994 and was assigned to the team's minor league system. That summer he batted .202 with the Birmingham Barons, a class AA affiliate of the White Sox. Later in the year he batted .252 with the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3j-rdMZUf2qsQgIZXilN3oAApP4iBq6FWP-ZEsZYmCVSeWeEKXpJAiMmHGELahK4rwxXx0WsH8x0KKnDzeCz1jwxgbxb-01tPYSiW68Ho2r8mj2taTbELlMYDwivUmfafEDsH0qpEIU/s1600/jordan_baseball_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3j-rdMZUf2qsQgIZXilN3oAApP4iBq6FWP-ZEsZYmCVSeWeEKXpJAiMmHGELahK4rwxXx0WsH8x0KKnDzeCz1jwxgbxb-01tPYSiW68Ho2r8mj2taTbELlMYDwivUmfafEDsH0qpEIU/s320/jordan_baseball_2.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How many did you know? </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-90988905602514267902011-02-07T18:23:00.001-06:002011-02-08T13:58:35.688-06:00Trivia Questions<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anybody want to give it a try? Don't look them up! Take a guess!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. What team did Babe Ruth hit his first career home run against?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> A) New York Yankees B) Baltimore Black Sox C) Boston Red Sox</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Who was the first Major League player to pitch a ball over 100 mph?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A) Tom Seaver B) Nolan Ryan </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">C) Roger Clemens </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Who was the first Major League player to hit four home runs in a single game?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A) Lou Gehrig B) Babe Ruth C) Bobby Lowe </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Who was the first American League pitcher to throw a perfect game?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A) Smokey Joe Wood B) Cy Young C) Don Larsen </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. What was the first Major League team to wear plastic batting helmets?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A) Brooklyn Dodgers B) New York Yankees </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">C) Cleavland Indians </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6. What player holds the career record for stealing home plate?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A) Ty Cobb B) Jackie Robinson C) Lou Gehrig</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7. How many balls did it take to walk a batter before 1880?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A)Three B) Five C) Nine</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8. What retired basketball player tried out for the Chicago White Sox in 1994?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A) Frank Thomas B) Michael Jordan </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> C) Dennis Rodman </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Answers to come! </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-31209681770830048962011-02-03T12:31:00.001-06:002011-02-03T16:37:14.955-06:00Now There's Something To Be Proud Of<a href="http://www.halliepark.com/hbb_history.htm"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">History of Hallie Boys Baseball</span></span></b></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the early spring of 1970 a group of parents got together at the Eagles Club in Hallie and made plans to begin a youth baseball program. They called it Hallie Little League.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There were only enough kids to make up four teams that first year. The games were played on the softball field at the Eagles Club. The first game was played on June 23rd, 1970.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVu7oKCPUtT_e9iNWDU_CN0JFfmD38mp46QMZgoPr5PNL_5i1CHnMPQxra2XLcVYqXxfNYCwyXXUGZl_cnzcD8GIIwgC3ET-Y0Uhikp3fP-xqA54COqjZC5wE0jRkNa99qqJzIimYVxc/s1600/LL+70+cards+champs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVu7oKCPUtT_e9iNWDU_CN0JFfmD38mp46QMZgoPr5PNL_5i1CHnMPQxra2XLcVYqXxfNYCwyXXUGZl_cnzcD8GIIwgC3ET-Y0Uhikp3fP-xqA54COqjZC5wE0jRkNa99qqJzIimYVxc/s320/LL+70+cards+champs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little League 1970 Champs coached by Barry Nesja</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The following year they decided to end their affiliation with the National Little League. The name was changed to <a href="http://www.halliepark.com/hbb.htm">Hallie Boys Baseball</a>. And new rule's were established such as no tryouts and an "everyone bats" lineup. Also in 1971, the Eagles Club leased some land to Hallie at no cost for a baseball field of their own. Volunteers built Hallie Little League Field. </span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today the boys play at <a href="http://www.halliepark.com/index.htm">Hallie Park</a>. It's a baseball and softball complex in Lake Hallie, WI. There is a total of seven fields and it has full concessions (Yummy). </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwKlpng7vK2baM-1SqX9KZxL7pfykoSVSdw9dY2iB192S5zixVd7sux1g_YvJyKbBRqflMyTy5LD8U3UJ8mXih23ojJCOdngqdPGhDFF5WpQcZxthtzD3iAML26i1rDEWcYcGIZCZ7Ak/s1600/99+fog+and+lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwKlpng7vK2baM-1SqX9KZxL7pfykoSVSdw9dY2iB192S5zixVd7sux1g_YvJyKbBRqflMyTy5LD8U3UJ8mXih23ojJCOdngqdPGhDFF5WpQcZxthtzD3iAML26i1rDEWcYcGIZCZ7Ak/s320/99+fog+and+lights.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1999 Babe Ruth</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Last year there were eight Tball teams, seven Modified Pitch teams, ten Little League teams, seven Babe Ruth teams, and two Senior Babe Ruth teams (that play in a five team league). This accommodates players from age 5 through age 18. AND it's still growing!</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not bad for a group of parents and some hard working volunteers!</span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am proud to say this is where my son plays! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for the pictures Barry!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-91661244135641072772011-02-01T16:39:00.027-06:002011-02-03T16:37:47.977-06:00Greg Reinhard<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe2EkfXhJOwQ7jNsTPHzCiHq2MB6FceCk6FJYIRryB1czx9QjWM4tyJ_U-UVyoapjWtuXaGe91xmd_BHz_CKKDuIsOPYCfTWuz2K9fM6mSFwPKAcL-M0KHTKFoAIO18Df5RKb6TFXRDg/s1600/Greg+Reinhard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe2EkfXhJOwQ7jNsTPHzCiHq2MB6FceCk6FJYIRryB1czx9QjWM4tyJ_U-UVyoapjWtuXaGe91xmd_BHz_CKKDuIsOPYCfTWuz2K9fM6mSFwPKAcL-M0KHTKFoAIO18Df5RKb6TFXRDg/s1600/Greg+Reinhard.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greg Reinhard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Professional baseball player <a href="http://gregreinhard.com/camps/my-career/">Greg Reinhard</a> agreed to do an interview for me. Thank you Greg!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">LoudMom</span>: At what age did you start playing baseball? <br />
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<span style="color: #e69138;">Greg:</span> I have been playing baseball as long as I can remember. My first memories are out in the yard having a catch with my dad. He was insightful enough to get me in organized baseball two years early by lying about my age, so I'm guessing I was 5 in the 7 year old league. He didn't make me play either, which is what I'm guessing people would take from him signing me up young. My dad has always said, and made it known that I could do whatever I wanted. It just seems all I have ever wanted was to play this game, or be around it.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">LoudMom:</span> What is your favorite youth baseball memory?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e69138;">Greg: </span> My 9 and 10 year old days of playing on the All-Star teams in Marinette stick out. Before the days of club baseball for youth players, the All-Stars is all we had to play tournaments with. So many of those kids are still my good friends today. It is really where I learned to win, and to excel in big moments that likely weren't that big of a deal, but seemed like the only thing in the world that mattered at that time.<br />
<div><br />
</div>Other than that, playing catch with my dad. I know people have written books about it the experience, but it is really special. We still get the chance occasionally when I'm home. It seems from the beginning we used a game of catch to have conversations about life. That's probably the reason why so many dads and kids in America love the game. It gives kids a chance to have a relationship with there dad after he gets home from work, and for dad to stay young and have that same relationship.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">LoudMom:</span> What kind of influence did your parents have on your baseball career?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e69138;">Greg:</span> My parents have had the most impact on my career than anyone. They have done so much, but from the beginning I think they realized how much I loved it and how serious I was about it. It has always been so much more than a game, more like a lifestyle or way of life. Since I think they saw that in the way I treated it, they always were willing to be there for anything I have needed, whether it meant driving to Tennessee to experience my first taste of serious baseball when I was 15, or driving back to Tennessee when I was 23 in professional baseball. I am forever indebted to them for all the help along the way.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">LoudMom:</span> What advice do you have for youth baseball players?<br />
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<span style="color: #e69138;">Greg:</span> I think young players need to have fun with the game of baseball, but treat the game with respect. I can not think of a time as a youth player where I threw my stuff, or didn't take the game serious when I was between the lines. There is only one way to play the game, and I think it is kind of escaping the baseball culture in today's game. <br />
<div><br />
</div>Lastly, there is no pickup baseball games being played anywhere. Kids need to learn the game, follow it, and dream about it. Playing video games doesn't seem to be the answer. They should be outside in the neighborhood playing wiffleball, wall ball, pickle, anything but PS3.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-342083647220641292011-01-28T11:37:00.007-06:002011-01-31T11:09:56.387-06:00Sports Climb<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is a website <a href="http://www.sportsclimb.com/">SportsClimb.com</a> that I have recently checked out AND joined.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRY4DM0rFDMqKbw6WE7lD8ELcjks-c8pFTFXWlplQuP5nv03YDLJOG35hFr_Jl8n43zUJQSkkFJkYo3Q8SI2gquxTa1CPleXaT6pl0b5DvnowfEqI6-r2EupLWHWPt_4nc7s0D39Fiz-Y/s1600/sportsclimb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRY4DM0rFDMqKbw6WE7lD8ELcjks-c8pFTFXWlplQuP5nv03YDLJOG35hFr_Jl8n43zUJQSkkFJkYo3Q8SI2gquxTa1CPleXaT6pl0b5DvnowfEqI6-r2EupLWHWPt_4nc7s0D39Fiz-Y/s320/sportsclimb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(a team voting system ensures accurate game results)</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">, 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. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scott Bowers had the idea back in April 2009, and launched the site in August 2010. He is continuing to add new features. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some things to come are a </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">"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.</span><span style="font-size: large;">The capability to upload a photo for on the players page is also in the works!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">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. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-22548237386214561992011-01-27T10:33:00.003-06:002011-01-31T11:08:25.019-06:00USSSA History<span style="font-size: large;">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</span><span style="font-size: large;">. In 1996 USSSA founded a baseball program and had over 1,000 teams in its inaugural 1997 season. In 1997 </span><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOG1ho7N24td5TnUT4nukPQfs7N7yAT7GyuEFHPi9FaBiPAPvctvGG_EJsxzrZRpXQmwCH5-1YaYc-qljMB0yim3dZt8WIUN2PdjpUm6vYeRX63qPoc9zDnhyphenhyphenJ8RlRidYixKl_cyGXPk/s1600/usssabaseball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOG1ho7N24td5TnUT4nukPQfs7N7yAT7GyuEFHPi9FaBiPAPvctvGG_EJsxzrZRpXQmwCH5-1YaYc-qljMB0yim3dZt8WIUN2PdjpUm6vYeRX63qPoc9zDnhyphenhyphenJ8RlRidYixKl_cyGXPk/s1600/usssabaseball.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">USSSA Baseball has gained positive recognition because of it's philosophy "More Kids Playing More Baseball"</span></span><br />
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-8304717836058227892011-01-25T19:07:00.001-06:002011-01-31T11:11:10.288-06:00California Considers Protective Head Gear<span style="font-size: large;">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.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_15742478?source=email&nclick_check=1">For the full story.</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">California is usually first when it comes to safety requirements. This could easily spread across the country in a few years. California <span id="default"><span id="CCT_Article">Assemblyman Jared Huffman says </span></span><span id="default"><span id="CCT_Article">"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. "</span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-91171390673150288422011-01-24T18:46:00.001-06:002011-01-31T11:07:09.258-06:00Aluminum VS Wood Bats Video<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Qdx41UQM-8c?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-55406139572319226342011-01-24T12:55:00.004-06:002011-01-25T19:15:34.520-06:00Wood VS Aluminum Bats<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvpAnwIg_ZQEQeau80EaLMcaXHX83fWOcig1S-MdIoRWQMg5kkKU93DsQGYJARn2FjBkLIWzljAwVCPv-eBzi7x222YKCtuTV3KxQeU7aB6J9QdE0LhIe0HX5qkuLreb7c3yVBr8gTqM/s1600/aluminumbats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvpAnwIg_ZQEQeau80EaLMcaXHX83fWOcig1S-MdIoRWQMg5kkKU93DsQGYJARn2FjBkLIWzljAwVCPv-eBzi7x222YKCtuTV3KxQeU7aB6J9QdE0LhIe0HX5qkuLreb7c3yVBr8gTqM/s320/aluminumbats.jpg" width="299" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">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.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">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.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">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. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Typically wood bats are less expensive than aluminum bats. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">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.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3tpdu9dVokutuEkSFYziYBXZ-BTNXBFzs2WE1nyKJYNQDqRFX-b4GvMmdv8FGRgTFI9Wlle8D6L3Qf7w0YmjAdJMdbb2coSzKU_nXmebo2ITypFxVM2eeWMdZd2cWJvaIMCkF6uS32w/s1600/bats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3tpdu9dVokutuEkSFYziYBXZ-BTNXBFzs2WE1nyKJYNQDqRFX-b4GvMmdv8FGRgTFI9Wlle8D6L3Qf7w0YmjAdJMdbb2coSzKU_nXmebo2ITypFxVM2eeWMdZd2cWJvaIMCkF6uS32w/s320/bats.jpg" width="214" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-46911469808907042022011-01-22T18:30:00.003-06:002011-01-24T10:49:53.228-06:00Metro Baseball League History<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1992- Volunteers from Apple Valley, Bloomington, Burnsville, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Hastings</span></span></span>, <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lakeville, Prior Lake, Rosemount, Shokopee, and Wayzata banded together to form the South Metro Baseball League (SMABL).</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1997- The demise of the MYBA brought a number of additional east metro teams to the MBL.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1999- Bloomington Classic League brought close to 150 teams into the MBL.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The North Classic League also agreed to merge their 60 teams into the league.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A total of 486 teams competed, making it the largest baseball league of its kind in the nation.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-52342645211516065112011-01-21T09:47:00.014-06:002011-01-24T09:59:48.429-06:00More Baseball<div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ey4if0IF6jxpvc4RWpyVZQxdClfPimDf-BKnItSzxmI48xnSNUSTaWExiyo6m8udFuCrEis44wLKTxldCAZiFAdveC35ddEKpBoG4O26rtLX2MpxuCWNEJ_Nc-QVcGIddoP1qra8oFg/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ey4if0IF6jxpvc4RWpyVZQxdClfPimDf-BKnItSzxmI48xnSNUSTaWExiyo6m8udFuCrEis44wLKTxldCAZiFAdveC35ddEKpBoG4O26rtLX2MpxuCWNEJ_Nc-QVcGIddoP1qra8oFg/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></div></div><div style="color: #999999; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="color: #999999; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-1518144266198557382011-01-20T12:28:00.003-06:002011-01-24T10:00:31.481-06:00How to Wear Your Baseball Pants With High Socks<div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Put on the socks and pull them all the way up.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Put the pants on.. pull the legs up to just below the knee</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">(or to the length you want them)</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Drop the pants to the floor, so they are inside out with</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">the elastic on the legs still on your legs at the length you want the pants</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Or you could just put the pants on legs first inside out)</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. Fold the top of the sock down over the elastic on the</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">pants</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. Pull the pants up so the are no longer inside out</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbOCHhNeb2OknXtW7ruRbFkcd-aNHhsTPtYURfCL5cg8nQU2XdMlnS9e4yEcqgz7wMwJ6OUPD8mq8VwyDL8kbkhIeRc8qX1E9_U2Ay_8AU4y_KDD5nf7GoFYpCshyphenhyphenvk-kiLLLhil3Vn8/s1600/athletes_alfonso_soriano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbOCHhNeb2OknXtW7ruRbFkcd-aNHhsTPtYURfCL5cg8nQU2XdMlnS9e4yEcqgz7wMwJ6OUPD8mq8VwyDL8kbkhIeRc8qX1E9_U2Ay_8AU4y_KDD5nf7GoFYpCshyphenhyphenvk-kiLLLhil3Vn8/s320/athletes_alfonso_soriano.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You are ready to play ball!</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">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! </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290955427344261702.post-8363546088890867212011-01-19T17:40:00.001-06:002011-01-24T10:01:33.973-06:00My Baseball Days<div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaLgWgM-XDA-LmM5K9_hf9FW2I4aUQi25w1du9swhmj62oEIvzEmREYvKusQ6udo-hcSvOBrWEMGtfNkVNsyboF5TxTnjPvvfBUM6zHqUNP8TpEEFNhmOvQuqAz8ls2FbS7qok2nY3lc/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaLgWgM-XDA-LmM5K9_hf9FW2I4aUQi25w1du9swhmj62oEIvzEmREYvKusQ6udo-hcSvOBrWEMGtfNkVNsyboF5TxTnjPvvfBUM6zHqUNP8TpEEFNhmOvQuqAz8ls2FbS7qok2nY3lc/s320/002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Man, I'd love to turn back the clock and play my heart out!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0