What I've Learned From Baseball by Coach John Peter
The game of baseball is infinitely more complex than most give it credit for. Most that I have learned about baseball is common sense.but each lesson took someone with more common sense than I to point it out.
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The great thing about baseball is that you get judged everyday starting in High School. This means that on any given day you can be "found"!
As a hitter, you cannot control getting a hit. However you can control hitting the ball hard...and ultimately, that is what will get you paid!
Every successful pro player is highly competitive. Why, because if you are not, you won't do what it takes to reach the highest level of play.
Note: All three of these things have been related to me within the last six months. This brings up another point that I have learned from this game...
You never know when or where you are going to learn more about this game! Keep your ears open!
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Featured Product at BaseballTips.com: Newsletter Only Specials
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These prices are only good through 11 PM (EST) Sunday. Order online in our secure shopping cart or call me toll free Monday through Friday at 1-800-487-7432 (9-6 EST). In the meantime, take advantage of the extra savings!
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All Star Week Special - Any Size - No Limit. The Edge Gloves are used by major leaguers and major college programs. They are field tested and players will see increased bat speed and throwing velocity.
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Featured Article
What It Takes to Be a Good Coach by Coach Gordie Gillespie
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Ever see the movie Rudy? Someone must have convinced Rudy that he could succeed. It was his High School football coach and mentor, Gordie Gillespie. Now baseball's all time winningest coach shares his insight on what it takes to be a good coach.
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Baseball's Believe It or Not
The origins of the All-Star Game
The first Major League All-Star Game was played on July 6, 1933 at Comiskey Park in Chicago to coincide with the World's Fair. It was initiated at the insistence of Arch Ward, a sports editor for the Chicago Tribune. It was billed as The Game of the Century and most people thought the game would be a one-time event. American League owners agreed to the contest after considerable discussion that it would join strictly as an attraction for the 1933 Fair. At first the National League opposed it, but finally agreed to play the game, also for only one year.
With Comiskey Park being chosen over Wrigley Field by a coin toss, the inaugural contest drew 47,575 fans and the first pitch was at 1:15. Those in attendance saw Babe Ruth hit the first homer in All Star history. The American League, managed by Connie Mack, defeated the John McGraw-led National League 4-2. Lefty Gomez recorded the first win and also had the first RBI, a run-scoring single in the second inning.
The MVP Award
An All-Star Game MVP was not selected until 1962. The MVP Award is named after Ward, the game's founder. Since then, the name of the award was changed to the Commissioner's Trophy in 1970 and back to the Ward Memorial Award in 1985. At the 2002 game held in Milwaukee, the MVP award will be renamed after Ted Williams, who died last week at age 83. "Ted Williams meant so much to the All-Star Game, it's only fitting to name the MVP Award after him," commissioner Bud Selig said.
Selecting the Team
All-Star teams were originally selected by the managers and the fans for the 1933 and 1934 games. From 1935 through 1946, managers selected the entire team for each league. From 1947 to 1957, fans chose the team's starters and the manager chose the pitchers and the remaining players. From 1958 through 1969, managers, players, and coaches made the All-Star Team selections. In 1970, the vote again returned to the fans for the selection of the starters for each team and remains there today.
Other Facts
From 1959-62, two All-Star Games were played. The only year an All-Star Game wasn't played was 1945, when World War II travel restrictions made it necessary to cancel the game.
The Polo Grounds in New York was the first ballpark to host two All Star games (1934 and '42).
The National League leads the series 40-31-1.
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Famous Baseball Quotes, Wit & Wisdom
Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter.
Ain't no man can avoid being born average, but there ain't no man got to be common.
I ain't ever had a job, I just always played baseball.
Satchel Paige
Above anything else, I hate to lose.
Jackie Robinson
Nice guys finish last.
Leo Durocher
I think I was the best baseball player I ever saw.
Willie Mays
I don't care who you are, you hear those boos.
Mickey Mantle
It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy.
Nolan Ryan
You can't compare me to my father. Our similarities are different.
Dale Berra
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Southeastern Baseball Camp
Professional Instruction Since 1975
If you live in Alabama or Georgia, there are still spaces available at the 2002 Southeastern Baseball Camp that will be held at Southern Union State Community College in Wadley, AL from July 14-17 and 21-24. The camp is in its 28th season and features professional instruction, an 8-to-1 instructor to camper ratio, two games and 200 swings a day. For more information and an application form, go to www.sebaseballcamp.com.
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Your Turn
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Got an article or drill you want to share? Maybe there is something that you would like to see added to this newsletter. What product or information would you like us to add to the Baseball Tips.com website? Please fill out the form below and press "submit comments." Thanks - Coach JP.
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