Changes to Baseball Equipment

Changes to Baseball Equipment

Baseball game basics have remained the same throughout the years, but there have been a number of changes to baseball equipment that users should be aware of before making any purchases. For example chest protectors, face masks, and gloves used to be optional for baseball games, but now they are required for any professional match. A shin guard should also be worn to protect the catcher’s leg from high speed balls.

The mouth guard is another addition to league baseball, and was originally invented by the creator of the Red Sox team. This mouth device was very similar to those that were worn by football players and boxers, with its purpose to protect the player’s teeth in case the ball hit them in the face.

The face mask is has been around for a long time in baseball, first used in 1876. However, it has undergone many design changes to make it lighter and easier to play with. The mask protection is called a rat trap, and it provides good protection and an excellent view of the surroundings.

Gloves started to be used during the 1870’s, but their designs were very different from the ones that you find … Read more at FryingPanSports

Baseball Heads Down the Back Stretch

all star game 2010

Baseball Heads Down the Back Stretch

Now that the All Star game is over, we need to take a look at the standings and project what might happen from this point to the final weeks of the season.

The trading deadline is coming up and there are a few names floating around that could help a contender. Some deals have already been made. The biggest deal was SP Cliff Lee going to the division leading Rangers. He gives the team the one thing they did not really have–a true #1 starter. Even with the team’s financial problems, they decided to go for it all this year.

The Jays and Braves traded SS with Alex Gonzalez going south in a five-player deal along with 2 minor leaguers for SS Yunel Escobar and LHP Jo-Jo Reyes. The Braves needed a little more O and Gonzalez should help. Escobar has been at best inconsistent.

The Jays are in 4th in the tough AL East and have put out the word that RPs Kevin Gregg, Scott Downs and Jason Frasor are available. They are looking to build for next year. Several teams might be interested in Gregg who has converted 20 of 23 … Read more at FryingPanSports

Sports Buffet for 06/29/10

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NFL

Lions president Tom Lewand was recently charged with DUI. That got him a not so friendly visit with Comm. Goodell this week. While there is no decision yet on punishment for the charge or from the league, the players and NFLPA Ex. Dir. DeMaurice Smith will be watching this case very closely. They will want to see if management is held to the same standard as the players.

UFA RB Brian Westbrook was charged with DUI in February but has been found not guilty.

Bengal RB Cedric Benson is in trouble again. This time he was charged with assault with injury resulting from an altercation at a downtown Austin Texas bar. He reportedly punched a bar employee in the face. He paid his bond but the charge is a class A misdemeanor. It will get him a ticket to meet with Comm. Goodall sometime soon.

Steelers OT Willie Colon’s hurt his Achilles’ tendon and will miss the entire year. He had started 54 straight games. The team is searching for a replacement but the good ones are gone.

NBA

We are getting closer to knowing where the big name UFAs will be going. One thing that looks fairly certain … Read more at FryingPanSports

Sports Buffet for 06/15/10

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NFL

The lower round rookies are beginning to sign. The deals are too scattered to give you a good analysis but look for the top picks to have some extended holdouts. The league ownership is in a penny pinching mood. The best indication of that is the fact that none of the usual sources have the financial data on the rookie deals. Given the concern over what the next CBA might look like and the economy still being in the tank, owners won’t quickly let the agents talk them into big increases over last year.

The RFAs are also signing. Today, the teams have the option of lowering any unsigned RFA to 110 percent of the salary the player made last year. In most cases the teams will do this for those players that they consider reserves or not critical to their long term plans.

NBA

The Celtics lead in the finals now 3-2. It is hard to get a handle on this series because each team looks unbeatable in one game but then lays an egg in the next one. While some of the differences in the games is due to injuries and foul trouble. But that can not … Read more at FryingPanSports

The Commissioner suspends the entire National League for 50 Games!

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By Bill Smith

Just kidding, but if things keep going they way they have been it could happen. Baseball thought it finally had a handle on the steroid problem—not so much. What it does have is the very short end of a very long stick.

Manny Ramirez of the LA Dodgers is the latest one to be caught. He was taking female fertility drug HGC. He reportedly was prescribed the drug by a doctor in Florida. HGC was added to the no-no list in 2002. He has been suspended for 50 games—the first failed drug test by a player in the program. According to team mates, Manny brings leadership any locker room west of the Massachusetts boarder. Baseball can only hope he isn’t leading players to massive suspensions. To the further frustration of baseball, Jose Canseco said that Manny was using in his first book Juiced. Maybe Canseco is a member of the psychic network.

The reason that Baseballs stick is so long for the most part is the fault of the sport’s leadership. Baseball really didn’t want to even admit there was a rock called steroids let alone look under it. Sammy Sosa went from looking like a … Read more at FryingPanSports