Rawlings Official Major League Baseballs

     The Field
     The field consists of infield and outfield. Infield is the area of the field closest to the bases. The grassy area reaching farther is the outfield. The diamond is the major part of the infield, which includes the pitcher’s mound, home plate, and 3 other bases. These bases are numbered counter-clockwise. From the diamond, the bases are 90 feet. However as per basic baseball rules for kids, and softball, this distance could be less. Then there are foul lines and the whole area beyond the foul lines is termed as foul territory. Although this aspect – the area and expanse of ground bordering the field between long white lines connecting first base to home plate and third to the home plate differ from field to field. The pitcher’s mound is an elevated portion of the ground almost in the middle of the diamond. There is rubber on that and the pitcher has to touch one foot to the rubber while delivering the ball. Read more on layout of a baseball diamond.

     The Equipment
     There are 3 constituents of the entire array of baseball equipment. Ball, bat and gloves or mitt.

     Ball: The circumference of the ball used for baseball is 23 cm or 9 inches. It is roughly the size of an adult fist. There is a rubber or cork at the center and it is wound in yarn. Finally, it is covered with white cow hide, having red stitching.

     Bat: This bat is not the same as cricket bat, it is a hard, round stick and has a diameter of around 6.6 cm or 2.5 inches at the hitting end. This end then tapers to a narrower handle, ending in a knob. It is made of solid, single piece of wood. Read more on how to hit a baseball. Read the rest of this entry »

     These were among the few listings of baseball card values. Now, let’s go into a more important aspect of baseball cards worth; finding the values of the cards. The process of finding the value can turn out to be an inaccurate process, however, putting some effort in doing so can be extremely rewarding.

     Sources, as mentioned earlier, are many; such as websites and magazines for researching the value of your baseball cards collection. To start with, get your cards organized in a systematic order; like sorting star baseball players in one box and common players in another. Often, rookie players value more, due to people’s fancy over their potential. If you are unaware about some baseball payers; regarding their performance or position in this sport, the best place to visit would be the Baseball Hall of Fame.

     The Internet is the best platform which can provide the appropriate resources for checking baseball card values. You can visit sites such as ‘ebay’ and see for yourself the valuation of the cards you own. Visiting dealers at memorabilia shows or at online auction sites can provide direct access to the source of price-setters. Read the rest of this entry »

     StubHub is an online ticket marketplace that provides a venue for the public to buy and sell baseball tickets. The website is completely secure and all purchases are backed by the StubHub FanProtect guarantee. Customers can buy baseball tickets to a long list of games around the country. Those who wish to sell their baseball game ticket can do so in a safe environment where a large number of potential customers can view their offerings.

     When you are looking for baseball tickets for sale, it can be tough to find the game you want at the price you want. At StubHub, you can purchase baseball game tickets for just about any game on the schedule. In many cases, the tickets might be from a baseball season tickets holder who has excellent seats to offer. Because the sale is backed by the StubHub FanProtect guarantee, you can rest assured you will get your tickets in time for the event you choose. Read the rest of this entry »

     The lament, reputed to have been delivered by a small boy to the legendary fielder and hitter Shoeless Joe Jackson outside a New York courtroom, was back in circulation this week as the world of professional baseball confronted its latest demon: the use of illegal, performance-enhancing drugs.

     On Wednesday, an investigative committee of Congress issued subpoenas to seven active and retired major league players, among them some of the sports biggest names, as well as four baseball officials, to testify before the house committee on government reform on the use of steroids.

     Yesterday, players and team owners delivered their preliminary response: No.

     Stanley Brand, a lawyer for the baseball commissioner’s office, said the players would contest the subpoenas. He went on to accuse Congress of using concerns about drug use to try to win points with the public at the sport’s expense. He also warned that the hearings could compromise a grand jury investigation now under way in California into steroid use. “The legal audacity of subpoenaing someone who’s been a grand jury witness before there has been a trial in the case in California is just an absolutely excessive and unprecedented misuse of congressional power,” Mr Brand told reporters.

     The showdown now sets the stage for a fullscale confrontation between US lawmakers and baseball authorities. In a hard-hitting response to Mr Brand, the committee leaders, Republican congressman Tom Davis, and Democratic congressman Henry Waxman, indicated they were determined to have the players testify. If players defy the subpoenas, the committee could vote them in contempt, an action that could potentially result in jail time. Read the rest of this entry »

     At UCLA Jackie seemed to have a natural preference for sports. He was well known for his prowess in football, baseball, basketball and the track events. He went on to become an officer in World War II. Jackie Robinson was a born athlete and he soon was at the crossroads of which sport to take up as a career. The decision he took at this stage made him the first black Major Leaguer in sixty years. Jackie Robinson went on to become one of the best baseball players of all time.

     In 1945, Jackie Robinson impressed Branch Rickey, the president of the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. Inducting Robinson into the team meant a considerable amount of risk for Rickey because no one had heard of a black baseball player. It was something that was inconceivable for most people. Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. One of the many conditions that he had to agree to was that he would not be allowed to argue because he was black.

     The news that a Blackman was playing Major League baseball spread like wildfire throughout the nation. All over the country, blacks were united in their support for Robinson. Special masses were held on match days where the preachers would pray for Jackie Robinson.

     Apart from being black another factor that went against Jackie Robinson was that he was 27 years old. It was unusual for someone to make his major league debut at this age. He was famous for not backing down when faced with the most difficult of circumstances. As a lieutenant in the Army he risked a court-martial by refusing to sit in the back of a military bus.

     In his first season with the Dodgers, the players made life difficult for Jackie Robinson. A group of Dodger players, led by Dixie Walker, suggested they would strike rather than play alongside Robinson. But the team management told them that Jackie would play and that Dixie and his mates could leave if they wished. Robinson found solace in the company of Pittsburgh Pirate – Hank Greenberg, the first major Jewish baseball star who had experienced anti-Semitic abuse. Jackie Robinson formed a very effective combination with shortstop Pee Wee Reese. Jackie Robinson was named Rookie of the year in 1947. Read the rest of this entry »