When it comes to baseball, having quick hands either for fielding or hitting would definitely be an advantage for any player. And as to the question how to develop quick hands for baseball? The answer normally lies not only in improving upper body movement, strength, and coordination, but also in doing hand speed drills that can also deliver stability.
Training Method
In the game of baseball, increasing hand speeds would be equivalent to increasing lower body speed. This means that training methods must include drills that will mimic traditional speed drills while using virtually the same type of equipment.
How to get quicker hands for baseball? There are commonly some basic drills that do not require much equipment to do, but will immensely help you reach the goal of having quicker hands. These drills involve using a 45-pound plate while use are in a push-up position. The drills can be done either once or twice a week as part of the training to improve upper body capabilities.
Using three sets with an interval of six to ten seconds rest in between sets.You will observe that your hand speeds will gradually improve and along with it your fielding and hitting game. What are these drills?
Alternate Plate Taps
In this training drill, you begin in the push-up position with both hands positioned directly under your shoulders and the plate placed about two inches in front of your hands. Proceed by tapping the plate using your hands alternately as fast as you possibly can. This should be done for 30 seconds with a six to ten seconds interval between sets. As your speed progresses, you can decrease the number of seconds for each set including the length of rest intervals.
Lateral Plate Taps
From a push-up position, place the plate approximately two inches away from your hand. You can start with either your left or your right hand. Tap the plate using your hands alternately as many times as you can within 30 seconds. After a six to ten seconds rest, place the plate on the other side and repeat the process. You have completed one set once the plate has been on both sides.
In and Out Taps
For this drill, place the plate between your hands while you assume the push-up position. Tap the plate with both hands simultaneously as you push off the ground. Repeat the process as fast as you can in a span of 30 seconds with a rest of six to ten seconds between sets. As you get better with this drill, reduce the number of seconds for the rest in between sets.
Throwing Drill
The great thing with this drill is that you can do it on your own and even young players will not find it difficult to do. The objective is to achieve not only quick hands, and hopefully quick feet as well. Here is how you do it.
Begin by going into the catching position and proceed by turning and simulating to make the throw.
Turn your back foot sideways as you extend your throwing arm outwards to the target.
Go back to the catching position before you repeat the process.
The intention is to improve how the player follows the ball into the glove, find the ball and the seam quickly, before turning to face the throwing target and quickly return to the position ready for the next throw.
As you begin this throwing drill, remember to start slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the entire motion. As with any type of drill, repetition is the key to reach the intended goal, which is to make the player throw faster and with consistency as well as efficiency.
You can also vary this training by throwing the ball into the air and then catching it with both hands. What this helps you achieve is to get into the motion of setting your feet before attempting to make the throw.
Most of the time, when we talk about quicker hands for baseball, players often focus on lower body speed drills. These hand speed drills clearly offer benefits that lower body speed drills do not deliver.
If you want to further improve your baseball game, do these drills consistently and make sure that you have the proper equipment. Visit M^Powered Baseball today to make the most out of your game.
Baseball Fashion: Hitting it Out of the Fashion Park Jock Style
The fashion world and celebrities have always gone hand in hand. But when we think of baseball it’s another story. The NBA and NFL have been sporting stylish fashions for some time now. In the soccer arena, players like David Beckham are famous for their sheik style and high fashion connection. Major League Baseball, on the other hand, is a different story. Short pants and stirrup socks don’t exactly lay a foundation for high fashion. Honestly, it’s pretty hard to look cool in a baseball uniform. In spite of these challenges, baseball fashion style is having a comeback.
Baseball Fashion: Trend in 2018
Let’s take a look at some of the baseball jock style influencing fashion trends. Is it wise to adopt some of these styles for your “summer look”? You’ll have to decide.
Varsity Jackets and Windbreakers:
There are many rainforest tree frogs that don vibrant colors to announce their presence in the jungle. This is a common technique in the natural world. It is also a fundamental design element in the shiny nylon windbreakers and varsity cut jackets baseball players wear. Now, more and more people are being seen in similar jackets. Decorated in bright colors and logos, these styles proclaim the presence of baseball fashion.
Mirrored Blade Sunglasses:
Long days out in the sun is a fundamental part of the job for baseball players. To catch a fly-ball you have to look up into the sky. Practical sunglasses with complete coverage and visibility are a necessity. Thus, the wrap-around design of blade sunglasses. But do they have to be mirrored? It seems like ridiculous looking eye-wear is a prerequisite to becoming an MLB player. Now, more and more celebrities are starting to be seen imitating this baseball fashion style. Mirrored blade sunglasses are back on the streets and ready to play ball.
High-Calf Athletic Socks:
Short pants and stirrup socks have been a key part of the baseball uniform since its inception. In the 1920s young men wore knickerbockers, short dress pants with high socks. Believe it or not, this concept is showing up in modern-day baseball fashion trends. Young men are wearing shorter and shorter pants with brightly colored high-calf athletic socks.
Embroidered Cotton Mock-necks
The mock-neck or short rimmed turtleneck, have been worn under baseball jerseys for years by pitchers on the mound. Many hardcore baseball fans have also been sporting this style in homage to their favorite teams. More recently brands have been embroidering their names on the collar instead of the teams’ logo. The traditional t-shirt will always be in style but mock-necks have their place.
Jersey
Baseball jerseys are the barometer for how much baseball is influencing fashion. Often worn with a long sleeve t-shirt underneath, jersey style cuts are becoming more and more common. Seen in both classic and contemporary styles, Major League Baseball jerseys are leaving a mark on our fashion sense.
The T-Shirt
While t-shirts have been a foundation piece in baseball fashion for a long time, we see baseball’s influence here as well. The contrasting colored sleeves and vertical stripes are originally inspired by baseball uniforms.
The mix of fashion and streetwear has gained momentum due to internet blogs and social media sites. For example, in Europe baseball is not a very popular sport. But there are many fashion trends that influence street style heavily based on baseball.
The nice thing about the baseball fashion trend is that it looks classy. The writing is written in gothic fonts and French collars create a classic style. Other sports-related fashion trends sponsored logos and advertisements.
M^Powered Baseball supports Youth Baseball
Tips and Strategies for MLB Betting
Regardless whether you are a frequent bettor or not, you definitely would always want to come out on the winning end, right? If you are looking for a betting edge for MLB baseball betting, then you need more than a sportsbook. There are other important factors that you must consider to increase your percentage of winning. Here are some tips you can try.
The Season
Obviously a baseball player will not get worn out by playing a single game unless of course you are the starting pitcher and you finish the game. This is why when it comes to MLB baseball betting trends, looking at the time of the season becomes a huge factor.
Definitely, come middle or deep in the season, the fatigue factor will begin to set in. Considering that there are 162 games on a schedule, it is easy to understand how every game can take its toll on the human body no matter how fit the player is. This factor becomes more important as it reaches the postseason right after the All-Star break in mid-July. How do you take advantage of this?
Try to look at the matchups like a team on an extended road trip that is playing against a home team for an extended period. It would be reasonable to assume that the team on an extended road game would be more exhausted compared to one playing at home for an extended run. This of course does not take into account individual matchups that will happen during the game itself.
Pitching Rotation
Why is this important in setting betting trends? Well, in MLB, the starting pitcher does not normally finish the game. So aside from comparing the starting pitchers from each team, you also need to take a look at those sitting in the bullpen. Having a bad finisher in the bullpen can put the entire game in danger.
Key statistics that you can keep an eye on when deciding on how to bet would be the ERA and WHIP. Why are these important? The ERA will give you a pretty good idea of the average number of runs that the starting pitcher gives up over the nine innings. On the other hand, WHIP indicates the number of walks and hits given up by the pitcher on the average for an inning. A low ERA with a high WHIP usually translates to having base runners that do not score. Having a high WHIP when facing a team with a strong offense can result in multiple runs.
As far as the bullpen goes, it is definitely a good sign if it is well-rested. This means a better percentage of saving the game and increasing your chances of winning a bet.
Home-Away Games
Why is it better to bet on the home team when you are betting under? Because there is a very high chance that come the ninth inning, the home team is leading and does not have to come to bat. This is a huge advantage that every betting man should be able to recognize.
By taking the home-away game strategy, you also need to realize that by picking the right underdog team, you increase the amount of money that you can possibly win. An upset after all is not unheard of in MLB. But how do you pull a successful bet on a possible upset win?
An away team is almost always considered as an underdog. However, remember that the starting pitcher represents the single most influential person of the game. So focus your attention on the pitcher of the team listed as an underdog and see how he matches with the starting pitcher of the other team. Keep in mind that it is also possible for a home team to be listed as an underdog so be very on the lookout for these potential opportunities.
There is definitely an advantage playing at home, but this does not guarantee a win. Despite having batters familiar with the home stadium, the away team can always have stronger pitchers in the rotation that can negate the advantages of the home team.
Are you serious in understanding MLB baseball betting trends to increase your chances of winning? Well then, make sure that you have more than one sportsbook to rely on aside from considering these tips and strategies.
For all your baseball needs, make sure to check out MPowered Baseball today.
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