If you live in NJ, and participate in youth baseball, then you know the story of Steven Domalewski, the boy from Wayne Township who was severely injured in a Little League game a couple of years ago.
His family has now brought a lawsuit - read it here.
Now, I have no idea what heartache these people have endured. Having two sons myself, my thoughts, hopes and prayers go out to the Domalewskis and Steven in particular. Having said that, this needs to be recognized as what it was, an accident.
Now, a lawsuit has been filed against a bat company, Louisville Slugger, owned by Hillerich & Bradsby, a store, The Sports Authority, and Little League International. Unbelievable.
I started to right a 'why not X' line here and thought better of it. I wouldn't want to give some attorney any ideas. As a matter of fact, I am done writing on this subject.
5.21.2008
5.18.2008
Pool Update
After much patience and alchemy...
I am pleased to report...
CRYSTAL CLEAR. Still kind of cold though.
And in baseball news:
Mets up 4-2 going to top of 5th. Umps blew a call on a 3-run Carlos Delgado homer, called it foul. Replay shows it fair. Guess we'll have to score some more runs the old fashioned way.
I am pleased to report...
CRYSTAL CLEAR. Still kind of cold though.
And in baseball news:
Mets up 4-2 going to top of 5th. Umps blew a call on a 3-run Carlos Delgado homer, called it foul. Replay shows it fair. Guess we'll have to score some more runs the old fashioned way.
5.17.2008
Subway Series!
The battle for NYC is on!
The Amazin' Mets beat the crosstown rival Yankees by a score of 7-4 this afternoon. Clutch.
For the most part, Interleague Baseball can be kind of a letdown. Mets-Yankees is the exception to that rule. Series was shortened because of last night's rainout - so they will most likely have a home and home day-night doubleheader in June.
Gotta go.
The Amazin' Mets beat the crosstown rival Yankees by a score of 7-4 this afternoon. Clutch.
For the most part, Interleague Baseball can be kind of a letdown. Mets-Yankees is the exception to that rule. Series was shortened because of last night's rainout - so they will most likely have a home and home day-night doubleheader in June.
Gotta go.
5.15.2008
Everybody in the Pool
Mid-May means it's time to get the swimming pool ready - a task that requires some attention. Dang thing, not a lot of time to do it in.
Uncovered the pool in late April, but neglected to get the pool filtration system going. The other night (in the dark) I start working after baseball practice for the kids. Attention wanders and BAM! - I snap a rod in the filter - the kind that can't be replaced. Now I'm good and p****d.
Restless night thinking I have to get a replacement. How much? Not doing myself any favors here, but I run out at lunch to my pool store and pick one up. Can't set aside enough quality hours in the daylight until Thursday night though. (Hey, travel baseball practice has to be a priority!)
So, Wednesday morning comes and I'm sitting at work - stewing about that filter. Each day, my pool is taking on a gloss of pollen and "whirlybirds" - a mess if you ask me.
Lunch time comes - there is only one thing to do - go home and get cracking, Boyo!
Start by removing my shirt and tie. Now I look a bit like Brando in Streetcar - wifebeater and dress slacks. Good look. Begin removing old filter, uncoupling from pump, etc. Get the job done.
Throw the switch on the ol' 220 and away we go. Pumping water at a rate of 75 gallons an hour - we'll be clean in no time.
And now Thursday night can be used to clean debris from pool and vacuum - it will require a dip tonight in some very cool water. I'll let you know how that goes. Hope the shrinkage is kept to a minimum.
Blog the Pool Daily
Uncovered the pool in late April, but neglected to get the pool filtration system going. The other night (in the dark) I start working after baseball practice for the kids. Attention wanders and BAM! - I snap a rod in the filter - the kind that can't be replaced. Now I'm good and p****d.
Restless night thinking I have to get a replacement. How much? Not doing myself any favors here, but I run out at lunch to my pool store and pick one up. Can't set aside enough quality hours in the daylight until Thursday night though. (Hey, travel baseball practice has to be a priority!)
So, Wednesday morning comes and I'm sitting at work - stewing about that filter. Each day, my pool is taking on a gloss of pollen and "whirlybirds" - a mess if you ask me.
Lunch time comes - there is only one thing to do - go home and get cracking, Boyo!
Start by removing my shirt and tie. Now I look a bit like Brando in Streetcar - wifebeater and dress slacks. Good look. Begin removing old filter, uncoupling from pump, etc. Get the job done.
Throw the switch on the ol' 220 and away we go. Pumping water at a rate of 75 gallons an hour - we'll be clean in no time.
And now Thursday night can be used to clean debris from pool and vacuum - it will require a dip tonight in some very cool water. I'll let you know how that goes. Hope the shrinkage is kept to a minimum.
Blog the Pool Daily
5.09.2008
Throw Strikes
Great advice for a pitcher, no matter what age.
Being involved with Youth Baseball, both Travel and Rec, I see a lot of boys going to the mound without the proper instruction and/or development. In the case of Rec, many coaches simply put any boy who can throw a baseball fairly hard on the mound. But pitching is more than just throwing hard. And while that attribute is always something you like to see, it doesn't pay if the ballplayer throws hard, but every pitch is in the dirt or two feet over the head of a kid who's 4-ft tall!
If you coach and you are like me, I'd rather see a boy get up against us and hit a ball over a fence for a grand slam than walk in the runs. When I see BB in the book, I cringe. That's why the simple advice is "Throw Strikes".
So how do you approach pitching? Keep in mind I'm sure others could explain this much better than I can. This is my simple plan.
Mechanics are important, even at a young age. You want your pitchers to be consistent in everything they do - whether it's a wind-up or from the stretch. My suggestion is to get boys winding up - it gives them more momentum towards home plate and instills the proper mechanics.
Next is the step. Every step should be towards home plate - not 1st or 3rd base. You see a lot of inexperienced boys dropping their foot in any position. This needs to be corrected. By placing the foot in the proper position and direction, you have a better chance of the ball going to the intended spot.
And now the throw. Arm back, palm down, bring arm up into throwing position and release - this should be the same everytime. Same spot, same release point. And the other arm should be extended towards the plate as the arm is back, so you maintain proper balance.
The grip - I deal with 9 and 10 year olds. Most have no idea about a grip. Teach a four-seam or two-seam fastball. Your more experienced boys can also be taught a simple change. Use a palmball-type change if their hands are small, or a circle change for bigger mitts. The change is sometimes a challenge since they are holding the ball a little tighter. They tend to hold onto it a split second too long and bounce a lot of them. Practice. One thing with all boys is get them to stop squeezing the ball like juice will come out of it. It should be held as hard as they would an egg. In fact, you could bring a couple of eggs to practice (hard-boiled - but don't tell them) and have them hold those as a reference. And a note about curves, etc. - If you teach this to any boy under the age of 15 - then you should be ashamed of yourself.
The follow-through - sometimes the hardest part to teach, whether it's throwing or batting. Try a bucket drill to help teach.
Now throw the ball over the plate. Do not worry if it is hit, that's why the boys behind you are scattered about and have gloves on (some of them may be day-dreaming though).
Most of all, show the kids some enthusiasm and confidence in their skills. In Rec I have a rule; I will try any boy out on the mound during a game (one inning the first go) if they can prove to me in practice they can get the ball over the plate consistently. After practice I let the boys who want to try throw me 10 pitches. If 6-7 are good pitches, they get 10 more. If they can't find the plate or reach the dish, they are told to practice on their own until the next time. And when they get that chance, and their parent is looking at you quizzically because they can't believe their son is pitching, and the kid gets his first out - it's what it's all about.
Last Note of the Day -
I see a lot of coaches 'hiding' boys in the outfield in Rec- Rec is about getting the boys involved and excited about playing baseball. Let them play an infield position a couple of innings. You will build their self-esteem and make them feel like more of the team. It's a game. Let the kids play it and have fun.
Being involved with Youth Baseball, both Travel and Rec, I see a lot of boys going to the mound without the proper instruction and/or development. In the case of Rec, many coaches simply put any boy who can throw a baseball fairly hard on the mound. But pitching is more than just throwing hard. And while that attribute is always something you like to see, it doesn't pay if the ballplayer throws hard, but every pitch is in the dirt or two feet over the head of a kid who's 4-ft tall!
If you coach and you are like me, I'd rather see a boy get up against us and hit a ball over a fence for a grand slam than walk in the runs. When I see BB in the book, I cringe. That's why the simple advice is "Throw Strikes".
So how do you approach pitching? Keep in mind I'm sure others could explain this much better than I can. This is my simple plan.
Mechanics are important, even at a young age. You want your pitchers to be consistent in everything they do - whether it's a wind-up or from the stretch. My suggestion is to get boys winding up - it gives them more momentum towards home plate and instills the proper mechanics.
Next is the step. Every step should be towards home plate - not 1st or 3rd base. You see a lot of inexperienced boys dropping their foot in any position. This needs to be corrected. By placing the foot in the proper position and direction, you have a better chance of the ball going to the intended spot.
And now the throw. Arm back, palm down, bring arm up into throwing position and release - this should be the same everytime. Same spot, same release point. And the other arm should be extended towards the plate as the arm is back, so you maintain proper balance.
The grip - I deal with 9 and 10 year olds. Most have no idea about a grip. Teach a four-seam or two-seam fastball. Your more experienced boys can also be taught a simple change. Use a palmball-type change if their hands are small, or a circle change for bigger mitts. The change is sometimes a challenge since they are holding the ball a little tighter. They tend to hold onto it a split second too long and bounce a lot of them. Practice. One thing with all boys is get them to stop squeezing the ball like juice will come out of it. It should be held as hard as they would an egg. In fact, you could bring a couple of eggs to practice (hard-boiled - but don't tell them) and have them hold those as a reference. And a note about curves, etc. - If you teach this to any boy under the age of 15 - then you should be ashamed of yourself.
The follow-through - sometimes the hardest part to teach, whether it's throwing or batting. Try a bucket drill to help teach.
Now throw the ball over the plate. Do not worry if it is hit, that's why the boys behind you are scattered about and have gloves on (some of them may be day-dreaming though).
Most of all, show the kids some enthusiasm and confidence in their skills. In Rec I have a rule; I will try any boy out on the mound during a game (one inning the first go) if they can prove to me in practice they can get the ball over the plate consistently. After practice I let the boys who want to try throw me 10 pitches. If 6-7 are good pitches, they get 10 more. If they can't find the plate or reach the dish, they are told to practice on their own until the next time. And when they get that chance, and their parent is looking at you quizzically because they can't believe their son is pitching, and the kid gets his first out - it's what it's all about.
Last Note of the Day -
I see a lot of coaches 'hiding' boys in the outfield in Rec- Rec is about getting the boys involved and excited about playing baseball. Let them play an infield position a couple of innings. You will build their self-esteem and make them feel like more of the team. It's a game. Let the kids play it and have fun.
5.03.2008
Why Soulslam?
Good question. If you see the blog's address, it's Soulslam in the URL. So why that name? Where did it come from? An epiphany perhaps? A sublime thought? No.
Soulslam is just one of the many bands I was in when I was younger. It also happens to the favorite name of a band I ever came up with. The band was exceptional, but alas, did not last long. Oh well.
Here's a list of band names (that I was in) I can find in the traps of my mind, in no particular order:
Soulslam
Blazing Blonde (could've been huge)
Vatican Bronze
Slugfest (angry industrial)
Scabeater (teenage punk)
Slam Generation Zero (a reformed Blazing Blonde, wearing better clothes)
Erotic City
Whores of Babylon
Cheyenne
Heartless Rex
Joe
Rockets Redglare (USA Punk)
Wheelbarrow Sam (cover band)
I'm sure there are more, I just can't remember them.
Which reminds me of a joke:
"what do you call a guy who hangs around musicians?"
"A Drummer"
Drummers love that joke.
Blog and Roll
Soulslam is just one of the many bands I was in when I was younger. It also happens to the favorite name of a band I ever came up with. The band was exceptional, but alas, did not last long. Oh well.
Here's a list of band names (that I was in) I can find in the traps of my mind, in no particular order:
Soulslam
Blazing Blonde (could've been huge)
Vatican Bronze
Slugfest (angry industrial)
Scabeater (teenage punk)
Slam Generation Zero (a reformed Blazing Blonde, wearing better clothes)
Erotic City
Whores of Babylon
Cheyenne
Heartless Rex
Joe
Rockets Redglare (USA Punk)
Wheelbarrow Sam (cover band)
I'm sure there are more, I just can't remember them.
Which reminds me of a joke:
"what do you call a guy who hangs around musicians?"
"A Drummer"
Drummers love that joke.
Blog and Roll
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