Rawlings Official Major League Baseballs

The Adirondack Lumberjacks came into Wade Stadium with a mission. Consider that mission accomplished. The Lumberjacks used solid pitching and timely hitting to down the Dukes in the first two games of the Northern League Championship Series. The Lumberjacks led by pitching of Chad Ward on Friday Night and Former Chicago Cub, as well as player manager for the Lumberjacks, Les Lancaster.

The Lumberjacks won the first game 3-2 over the Dukes. The Jacks scored early in the game when they strung together 4 base hits in the second inning to score two runs and give themselves an early 2-0 lead. The Lumberjacks then added to the lead in the 5th inning with another run. The three runs were all that Adirondack needed in the first game as they held onto the lead with a 3-2 victory. Pitcher Chad Ward picked up the win, moving his post season record to 2-0. Jordan Romero of the Dukes was the tough luck loser and his post season record fell to 0-2.

In Game three there would be less drama, as Lumberjacks pitcher Les Lancaster was in control from the beginning. The Lumberjacks opened the scoring in the 5th inning on a base-hit by Matt Cano to bring in Keith Goodwin. The floodgates opened in the 6th inning when the Lumberjacks scored 3 runs off Dukes ace Chris Swaitkiewicz. Then in the 7th inning Former Kansas City Royal Darryl Motley blasted a home run and gave the Jacks a commanding 5-0 lead. Read the rest of this entry »

The first thing you should look for when browsing through the variety of catchers mitts is the size. Try on several different brands and sizes to select the best one for you. It is important that the mitt fits properly and can be worn comfortably. There is nothing worse than losing your glove while in your position, with a pitch coming at you at several miles per hour. Proper protection can only be offered by a well fitting catcher’s mitt.

The quality of baseball catcher mitts is also an important factor. The glove should be well padded to prevent injury to your hand when catching fast pitches. It is best if the mitt is made with real leather. Softer materials can wear out faster, which can result in having to replace it sooner or risk damage to the palm of your hand. Also, full leather tends to keep your hand safer than other types of mitts.

Check out the padding of the catcher’s mitt before you selecting the right one for you. The padding should not be in the way of effective catching. If it is, you risk dropping or missing the ball, which can cause harm to you or can allow the other team to win. There should be more padding found in the area of the fingers than in the palm. This allows you to properly use the glove during game play.

Know what you are looking for when shopping for baseball catchers mitts. As mentioned, these gloves are specially designed and will only work for the position behind home plate. The mitt will not have finger cutouts, and will look more like a mitten than a glove. Also, when buying for youth players, make sure there is enough room in the finger area, but not too much room. Many parents want to purchase a larger mitt for their children to grow into, but this can be dangerous for both the ability and safety of the player. Read the rest of this entry »

     Bonds, who has been crucified in the media for steroid use, is currently being investigated by a federal grand jury for possible perjury when he appeared before the BALCO grand jury in 2003, denying that he ever used steroids.

     “I don’t know whether he used steroids or not,” stated former Giants manager Roger Craig, “but even if he did, to hit those homers is incredible. He gets one pitch a night and he hits a homer. This guy has some skills and athletic ability you only see once in a lifetime. You’re watching something you may never see again in sports.”

     It may not be a completely celebratory atmosphere Tuesday night if Dodgers fans vent their hostility towards Bonds.

     “It would be very disheartening and disappointing,” Giants center fielder Dave Roberts said. “It’s something that’s going to be showed over and over again. With Hank (Aaron), you saw guys run on the field, and everyone’s going crazy. That’s the way it should be.

     It’s the greatest record of all time. For it to be charred with that kind of acceptance would be disappointing at any ballpark. I would hope it wouldn’t be like that.”

     For New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez, Tuesday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox could garner a major career victory. With 499 runs under his belt, Rodriguez, 32, could easily become the youngest player ever to hit 500.

     Bonds, who needs two home runs for his career highlight, showed angst for Rodriguez during Sunday’s game against Baltimore. Read the rest of this entry »

     This year’s schedule and related emotional investments has been even more intense than ever before as dozens of milestones and the most hallowed record in all of sports were reached this year by numerous different players. Baseball has resurged from its years of disinterest in the 1990s and the awful strike of 1996 to become more popular than ever before, and the players associated with the game have subsequently undergone more scrutiny than ever before.

     The Competition

     What can best be remembered about the 2007 Major League Baseball season though? It’s hard to say until the season is over and passed, but the changes are greater than ever. First, the competition. For the first time in years, the level of competition in Major League Baseball has reached an all time high.

     The Boston Red Sox have ended an 11 year streak of Eastern Division titles by the New York Yankees, winning their first such title in more than a decade. Many consider the Red Sox to be the strongest team in the major leagues and with one of the best pitching lineups in baseball and some of the best rookies in professional sports this year, they stand the best chance of going all the way.

     But it is not just the Red Sox this year that have surprised this year. The Chicago Cubs are poised to win the division for the first time in years and the Milwaukee Brewers are almost back from the brink of last place with a winning season and the Seattle Mariners – despite a late season collapse – managed to end in second place behind the outrageously good Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

     The Records Read the rest of this entry »

     Upon retiring from baseball, Derek Jeter has similar aspirations to Michael Jordan, and would like to enter into an ownership role of a professional sports team.

    Jeter is sponsored by the Jordan brand, and was in Tampa where the Yankees’ spring training facilities are, unveiling his newest edition in his shoe line, the ninth installation.

     Jordan made headlines last week when his ownership of the Charlotte bobcats was unanimously passed by the other owners in the league and NBA Commissioner David Stern.

     “Oh yeah,” Jeter said. “The only interest I have in ownership is to be able to call the shots. I’ve said that time and time again.”

     Jeter and Jordan have known each other since the basketball player tried a stint in professional baseball upon his first retirement from the NBA.

     “I’m happy for him. I know it’s something he’s wanted to do for quite some time. Not too many former players get an opportunity to be an owner. It’s something I’d like to do as well,” Jeter remarked.

     But Jeter has no intentions of retiring anytime soon.

     “I’m going to play as long as I’m enjoying myself. I don’t really put limitations on too many things. I think when you start putting limitations out there, you’re in trouble,” the 10-time All-Star said. “I’m having a blast right now playing, and I’m going to play for a long time. That’s the plan.” Read the rest of this entry »