How to Get Baseball Scholarships - Why You Should Market and Promote Yourself

By Gary V Hawkins

The question of how to get baseball scholarships is a question that thousands of high school baseball players from around the country or even world have on their mind. If you find yourself in this situation, this article can help you get started on the path to playing in college.

How to get baseball scholarships is a question that you should take a step back from and make sure you look at from a different perspective. To do that, ask yourself these questions:

- Why do you wear the brand of baseball shoes you wear?
- Why did you buy the particular glove you use?
- Why do you wear a particular brand of clothing when you practice baseball?

Before you think I've gone off the deep end and you can't see how these questions tie into how to get baseball scholarships, think about this for a second. Every product we wear or use started off as an unknown product that had to be marketed and promoted before it became a household name. In other words, these products didn't just magically become popular and people starting buying them for no reason. All these products had to be marketed and promoted.

You should see yourself in the same way. As a baseball prospect, you are a product that has to be marketed and promoted to college baseball coaches. These coaches won't know who you are or what your skills and talents can do for their program unless you make direct contact with them. Making direct contact with coaches can get you the attention you have been looking for. Just like all other products, you need attention to make something happen.

The mystery of how to get baseball scholarships doesn't have to be a mystery for you any longer. Simply market and promote yourself to college coaches in the same way all other products are and I think you will like the results you get.

Gary Hawkins is a well known recruiting and athletic scholarship expert and the author of a popular 17-page free report titled:

"Five Secrets You Must Know To Get Recruited For Athletic Scholarships"

Head over to http://www.recruitedforscholarships.com/freereport.html to get your FREE copy now!

Gary Hawkins is passionate about helping high school athletes reach their dream of playing at the college level. In his Athletic Recruiting & Scholarship System, Gary teaches anyone how they can finally get the attention of college coaches and start being recruited for athletic scholarships. Just visit http://www.recruitedforscholarships.com/ and pick up your copy today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_V_Hawkins

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Superstar Conditioning - The 3 Best Workout Ingredients For the Baseball Player's Athleticism!

By Brandon Richey

Workout routines for baseball players have certainly evolved over the years. I am here to talk about what 3 conditioning type exercises are the best for baseball players to significantly improve their athleticism.

You see the truth is that exercises for the best baseball players are pretty much the same exercises that are implemented by the best athletes in every other sport. The only variables that differ are the intensity and volume of what is trying to be accomplished. Baseball players should focus on developing their athleticism in areas of flexibility, speed, power, and overall total body strength in order to be well conditioned. These are the same goals that should be intact for every other highly competitive athlete out there. I have included 3 top ingredients for baseball players to achieve top notch physical conditioning below.

1. Kettlebell Training: This is the first on my list of "must have" exercises for baseball players to implement into their training. Kettlebell training offers such a different dynamic in training because it is all "movement specific," not "muscle specific." This is the ideal combination for the development of both strength and conditioning type elements. You see this style of training is all movement based and is perfect for conditioning your body into working against a resistance through natural movement patterns that are specific to your sport. For the baseball player this is of superior value!

2. Plyometric Training: This is a "must have" ingredient for all athletes because plyometrics are great for training your body to respond to the stresses of movement by being explosive and quick in response to the outside stimulus being put on it. In other words, you develop reaction time (acceleration, deceleration, and jumping) by executing quick explosive type exercises.

3. Agility Training: This is another key ingredient that is essential in completing the task of conditioning you for baseball. Agility provides you with further reaction time, but more specifically directional reaction time. For agility you have to be quick moving right to left and front to back at a moments notice in the sport of baseball. Executing certain cone drills for lateral speed and agility are necessary to complete the tall order of being a top conditioned baseball player by today's standards. Remember to train hard my friend, but make sure to make your conditioning for baseball smart as well!

To learn more about how to utilize your body, Kettlebells, and to achieve Mind Blowing fitness get your copy of My "Better Than Steroids Ebook" by clicking here: http://www.betterthansteroidsebook.com/www.betterthansteroidsebook.com/Better_Than_Steroids_Ebook.html.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Richey

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Baseball Instruction's 7 Essential Mental Skills

By Robert Bulka

There are many different methodologies for teaching baseball instruction. When most folks talk about baseball instruction they talking about three things: fielding, hitting and throwing. I often wondered why there isn't more importance put on teaching the mental aspects of baseball as well. What I've come to realize it that mental skills are learned, but it is an implied knowledge, meaning it's found it to be so important that I added my "7 Essential Mental Skills" to my baseball instruction program. Here they are:


How To Keep Your Cool
How To Use Visualization
Confidence and Positive Thinking
How to Eliminate Negative Thoughts
Stay Focused - No Distractions
How o Overcome Intimidation
How To Prepare in pressure situations (like a sacrifice bunt)

1. How To Keep Your Cool
One of the most important things you can teach your baseball players is how to act, both on and off the field. Another hot topic is arguing with an umpire, coach or another player. Arguing can result in immediate expulsion of the game and possibly the league.

To help players deal with frustration I teach the "10 second rule". This simply means they count to ten before talking. This is to let the rage pass. Believe it or not I have seen it work pretty well.

2. How To Use Visualizaion
Visualization is simply seeing things in your "mind's" eye before they happen. Let's say the hitter has a bunt sign. He can step out of the batter's box and visualize himself successfully executing the sacrifice bunt. Now, when he steps back in the box he has a mental picture, or a blueprint so to speak, to help him execute the strategy. This is a very effective tool.

3. Confidence and Positive Thinking
Positive Thinking and confidence are an essential part of baseball instruction. Think about the game in general, think about how many times you fail. I mean a .300 batting average is great but realistically it's being successful only 30% of the time. Think about how many outs we make, and the errors, and the mental lapses in judgements, etc. etc. There is negative and failure all around.

To promote positive thinking I use stories of incredible baseball comebacks of the past so the kids can see it's possible to comeback from a deficit and win. To boost morale and confidence players are encouraged to root and cheer for each other. It can makes all the difference hearing it from your peers.

4. How To Eliminate Negative Thoughts
Using the confidence building and positive thinking techniques also help to eliminate those negative thoughts. You can help visualize the release of negative thoughts by breathing in deep and exhaling. At the same time visualize that negatively exiting with your breath.

5. Stay Focused - No Distractions
This is so difficult to do, especially for kids. Here is a a great fielding drill that helps them focus and avoid distractions. It uses competition as it's catalyst.

With glove in hand, have four to eight players make a semi-circle around you. Yo will need a baseball glove and two balls. Now throw random ground balls and try to keep at least one of the balls active at all times. Any player who misses the ball or doesn't throw the ball directly back to you sits down and is waits for the next game. Last player left is champ.

6. How to Overcome Intimidation
Sometimes games are won before they even begin. This is because a team's appearance can intimidate a team so much that psyche themselves into thinking they have no chance. Before each game, pump your players up with accolades to boost their confidence. Another technique you can use is to huddle and give a real good pep talk.

7. How To Prepare In Pressure Situations (like a sacrifice bunt)
The use of the skills discussed above, combined, will help them prepare in pressure situations.

Robert Bulka is a former college baseball pitcher and current coach in the New York Metropolitan area. He has penned 2 books on Baseball Scorekeeping and he manages three baseball related sites. http://bestbaseballebooks.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Bulka

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Jacked Up Baseball Equipment Truths!

By Mike Corrado

Baseball: the great all-American pastime. Few of us can remember a summer from our childhood that did not include throwing a ball around or running the diamond. Today, baseball is all of that and much more. Baseball equipment has become as advanced as the space station…well, maybe not that advanced, but it is certainly more complicated than when we were kids! The point is baseball is not just a game anymore.

A few years ago, you grabbed your wooden bat and baseball and headed to the park for a game. However, the days of wooden bats are over (at least in the unprofessional realm of the sport). Today, everything is alloy and not just aluminum either. Boasting magnesium, scandium, and even titanium, the bats of today are far more advanced than their predecessors – but the advancement in technology does not stop there. Many new bats on the market offer graphite cores and even two-piece bats to eliminate vibration.

When it comes to advancements in baseball equipment technology, gloves were not left out. Once simply made of leather, the old fashioned kind made from cows, many gloves on the market are now available in buffalo, kangaroo, and pigskin, not to mention the numerous grades of cow and steer hide offered. The major differences in each type of hide is the softness and durability of the material, which determines the amount of time necessary to break it in and, of course, how long the glove lasts.

To the best of my knowledge, luckily, baseballs have not changed much over the years. Unless there is a square ball out there I am unaware of, the balls of the past are still used to play the game today.

With all of the advances in baseball equipment, is it any wonder records are constantly being broken? If the tools really do make the man, baseball equipment should be producing superstars, as that is the technology form which they come.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Corrado

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The BatAction Baseball Training Machine offers 5 great benefits:

By: Nick Dixon

The BatAction Baseball Training Machine offers 5 great benefits:

1. The BatAction Machine has a large circle of ball movement - This large path of ball movement allows the batter to see, hit and track the ball before and after each swing. The BatAction ball movement closely simulates live pitching!

2. The BatAction Machine allows the batter to read swing contact. The ball is suspended in mid-air without cables, string, or ropes. This unique patented design allows the ball to react to bat contact much like a real ball. The batter receives instant feedback as to the quality and power of every swing. The batter can immediately read the ball after contact to see if the ball hit was a line drive, ground ball or fly ball. This instant feedback is extremely useful and beneficial to rapid skill improvement and bat speed development.

3. Every swing is a challenge - The BatAction Machine features a moving ball with adjustable speeds. Players really love the challenge and fun of seeing and hitting a moving ball. The harder a player hits the ball, the faster it will return. This ball movement keeps the batter challenged and motivated to practice more and more.

4. The BatAction Machine fast moving ball makes every swing a challenge - The BatAction Machine features a moving ball with adjustable speeds. Players really love the challenge and fun of seeing and hitting a moving ball. The harder a player hits the ball, the faster it will return. This ball movement keeps the batter challenged and motivated to practice more and more.

5. The BatAction Machine is a great trainer for planned or impulse training - The BatAction is often used as a hitting station for team training. It is great for these planned activities. But, one of the benefits that makes it one of the most popular home trainers ever, is the fact that it can be set up as a hitting station in the backyard. This makes the BatAction Machine always available to a hitter for fun and recreational use. These impulse workouts can be done alone, even when Dad or Mom is not at home. This is why the Bat Action Machine is often called the Backyard Basketball Goal for baseball and softball players. It is so much fun to hit that kids spend hours and hours of their free time hitting the fast moving ball. These fun workouts are the reason that BatAction Machine owners are some of the most dominate hitters in the game today.


The BatAction Hitting Machine is the Original Rotational Hitting Machine. The BatAction Machine is a great baseball training device for baseball players of all ages and ability levels. The BatAction Machine has an innovative patented design that has a ball suspended horizontally. This simple design makes learning to hit easy, simple and safe. When a player hits the BatAction Ball, the ball is driven forward and around the machine. The machine then stops the ball and returns it to the player. The horizontal patented design of the machine suspends the ball in mid-air allowing the ball to react to bat contact like a real baseball or softball. The player can hit the ball moving or wait until the ball stops. The batter has ample time between swings to reset and prepare for the next swing. The Bat Action Machine allows the batter work at a comfortable speed and pace. There is no need for another person. The batter has to do nothing but swing the bat. The Bat Action Machine does everything else. These are no balls to gather, no balls to chase and no balls to pick up. There are no levers to press, balls to toss, or pedals to step on. The Bat Action is absolutely 100% energy efficient and it is so much fun to hit! It's no wonder; the Bat Action Machine is one of the most popular and best selling baseball training machines ever!


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It's All in Your Attitude in Coaching Youth Baseball

By Chip Lemin

I realize it's fall going on winter, but one can always start thinking
about next year and what you are going to do different do become an
improved coach.

I would like to give attitude a big plug here because it is so vital
not just in youth baseball, it is vital in all areas of your player's
lives. You have a responsibility to impart more than just baseball
lessons to your players if you are truly serious about helping
your players.

As you may already know I'm a big fan of positive attitude from the
coaches as well as the players and parents. I feel there is no place
on a youth baseball club for tearing down of players no matter what
the perceived importance of the situation.

In the little league world series it was good to hear some coaches go
out to on to the field to address their clubs in a tight game and
start off the talk with something positive. Maybe the microphone had
something to with it, I hope not.

Your team will take on your attitude no matter what. You will never
hurt your effectiveness as coach by being positive, patient, and having
some fun out there.

You must be an example to parents and players. It's only a game in the
end. No else outside of a few adults on your team will even care how
your team does, believe me. You need your players to have positive
experiences in youth baseball to enrich their lives. This way they
may pass it on if and when they have a chance to coach later.

Here are a few ATTITUDE ideas I would like to share with you. I will
sending a few more in the coming weeks. Let's call this letter #1 on
ATTITUDE for players and coaches

There are many hallmarks of a well-coached team, disciplined team. They
are clearly evident during practice and games. The following items
are what makes up a solid team.

Players believe in school.
Players believe in coaches.
Players believe in their teammates
Players and coaches are punctual for practices, games and meetings.
Players dress properly.
Players respect their community

ATTITUDE FROM THE TOP DOWN

Mental attitude plays such a big role in the success of a player. A
player can have great natural talent and ability, but will have a tough
time reaching their potential if they do not develop a good positive
mental attitude and outlook. The player with the right mental outlook
and attitude will make his natural talent come through. What makes up
a proper mental attitude?

DETERMINATION

All skill levels of players will benefit from having a strong desire
to be the best they can be regardless of how they did this day or
ant other day. You must have a strong determination, a spirited desire
to win, but only by the rules, and without dishonoring this great game.
To become very good at this game, you must be wiling to invest long
hours in practice perfecting your game, because your best opponents
are doing just that very thing.

CONCENTRATION

When you take the field your thoughts should be strictly baseball. You
will have to groom your mind to and body to perform a skill though
concentration. You and the coaches must always be alert and thinking.
For example, when hitting, keep one thought with you, follow the ball
to plate and hit it.

RELAXATION

Relaxation is essential in developing skills needed in baseball. Youth
baseball is meant to be fun for players as well as coaches. Everyone
who relaxes will perform better no matter what the task at hand. Con
cent ration and relaxation are like peas in a pod, whether it is throw
ing a ball to a hitter or spearing a line drive at third. You must learn
to control your emotions as a player or a coach. By concentrating on
what you doing, you will remove fear and tension from your mind.
A confident mind and relaxed body are great keys to success on and
off the baseball field.

I hope these tips will help you. I used to think and feel being the
loud tough manager was the only way to get results. Over the years
I have learned that I was missing out on some the best parts of
coaching youth baseball, being a chance to be a teacher and a friend.
We must have discipline on the team, and it comes from example, not by
yelling or tearing down of players. You and your players will have
many good memories to share with others. That is what it is all about
anyway.

Thanks for your time Coach Chip Lemin 440 465 3337

http://www.baseballecourse.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chip_Lemin



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