Baseball: How to Slide

Breaking-in a Baseball Glove

Many of the other kids on my team get new gloves that need to be softened up and broken-in.

Here is an online chat with a bunch of ideas on how to soften up a glove.

Here's a great blog article on Caring for Your Glove.

Here's what the professionals recommend for a new glove.

Congratulations AA Arlington Champion Rattlers!

Way to go Jeff Candell and the rest of the Rattlers!

Signals and Signs

This Week's Featured Blog Sponsor - Grip N'Rip Club

Check out this week's featured sponsor of Seamus' Baseball Blog -

The Grip N'Rip Club

Look for more on The Grip N'Rip Club here on Seamus' Baseball Blog.

Be sure to start all of your sports training, equipment and apparel shopping on Seamus' Baseball Blog.

Seeking Guest Youth Baseball Bloggers

Seamus' Baseball Blog is interested to host guest bloggers of all ages with stories to tell about local or international youth baseball.

Contact us at beep123beep@Gmail.com if you are interested to be a guest blogger.

Thank you.

Pitching Mechanics

Woburn Fall Baseball Registration

From the Woburn Little League Website -

Fall Ball Baseball/Softball League registration is now open

Fall Ball league registration is now open for the 2009 season. The league will run for six weeks, from September 12th thru October 18th. The games are played on weekends only. Baseball players can be registered for either Saturday or Sunday

Seamus, Dick Drago and "A Glove of Their Own"

In between weightlifting sets, Seamus had time for a brief interview with former Major League pitcher Dick Drago, who during his 13 year major league career pitched on such historic teams as the 1975 World Series Boston Red Sox.

These days, Dick Drago is involved in a wonderful children's book project called "A Glove of Their Own" and he tells Seamus the details:

Seamus:

How old were you when you started playing baseball?

Dick Drago:

I was 7 years old when I really became interested in playing baseball. However back then you had to be 10 to play organized baseball so we just played sandlot games just like in the book, "A Glove of Their Own." LOL!!

Seamus:

LOL! Wow. What was the best baseball team you ever played on?


Dick Drago:

That is a toss up between the 1975 and 1978 Red Sox. Even though we went to the World Series in 1975 I think the 1978 team was probably a better all around team.

Seamus:

Wow. When you were a kid, what was your favorite position?

Dick Drago:

I loved playing SS in little league. Because I had such a good arm at an early age I pitched as well. I liked the action you got playing SS. Also batted clean up. Those were the days.

Seamus:

What would you tell young players who want to stand out from the crowd?

Dick Drago:

Work hard at what you do and most important, listen to the players who were good at the game. Pick their brains and practice everyday. Also watch the games on TV as much as possible to see how the best perform.

Seamus:

What advice do you have for youth baseball coaches?

Dick Drago:

Keep teaching, teaching, teaching. You are the most important person to these kids in learning the game. Encouragement so necessary in today's world. Things have changed in youth baseball since I played. I wasn't allowed to throw breaking balls as a kid and it served me well as my career can attest. If I was coaching that would be one thing I would cut down on.

Seamus:

What kind of baseball projects are you involved with today?

Dick Drago:

I am very involved in getting "A Glove of Their Own" in the hands of every kid. To make sure every kid who wants to play baseball has equipment ( glove, bat, shoes, etc.)

I am also involved with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni doing several golf outings for charities and clinics for kids.

I participate in the Red Sox Fantasy camp every year in Ft Myers, Fl.

Seamus:

Mr. Drago thank you very much for coming on Seamus' Baseball Blog to speak about the "A Glove of Their Own" project.

Dick Drago:

My pleasure Seamus, keep up the great work.


Related Articles and Links

"A Glove of Their Own" on BostonSportsU18.com

Dick Drago on Facebook

When a Save Was a Save - Through the Eyes of Dick Drago

Boston Red Sox History

Seamus' Baseball Card

Arlington Youth Baseball Fall Tryouts for Spring Season

From the Arlington Youth Baseball Website -

New for 2010 Fall Tryouts for Baseball Majors and AAA (9s- 12s)

The AYBSA Board has decided to hold fall tryouts for the 2010 Baseball Majors and AAA programs. The weekends of September 13 and 19/20 will be the days of the tryouts. Times will be determined in the next couple of weeks. A player trying out will be required to make at least 1 of sessions to be considered for the Majors.

The Baseball Major and AAA programs are for players (boys and girls) ages 9 to 12. If your child is 9, 10, 11, or 12 years old on April 30, 2010 they are eligible for these programs.

The fee for 2010 registration will be the same as 2009, $170 (which includes the $50 for prepayment of raffle tickets). But for registering for fall tryouts a $25 deposit is all that is needed which will be counted to the $170 fee.

The tryouts will be outside at Buzzell.

Times will be 12PM to 6PM on the Sunday tryouts and 8:30AM to 2:30PM on the Saturday. The specific time for each child to show up is still being worked out. BUT when it is and there is conflict with another activity arrangements will be made to get your child to a time that works.

More information will be forthcoming has details are finalized. Keep checking the website.

Youth Baseball Leadership

If you have a chance to look deep in the back pockets of the Woburn Extra Innings website, you may find a link to an interesting new project - The Stable Baseball Academy.

Kudos to Jonathan Pollard for including a large community services component in their curriculum to develop "scholarship worthy" student-athlete. The leadership skills young student-athletes develop by community development activities are so valuable, that youth baseball everywhere would do well to always include a considerable community service component.

Here we have emulated the Player Profile section of The Stable website, in our own effort to record, organize and work toward scholarship worthy profile information.

Basic Player Information

Player: Seamus
Height: 4'7"
Weight: 68 lbs.
Age: 9 on April 30, 2010
Class: 2018
Bats: Both
Throws: Right
Positions: RHP - C - SS - 3B
Velocity Fastball:
Velocity Curveball:
Velocity Changeup:
Velocity CutFastball:
Avg. K/Inning: 2
Long Distance Throw: 32 yards
Catching Pop.
60 Yard Dash:
40 Yard Dash:
Home - 1B Run:
Favorite Baseball Player:
Favorite Television Show:
Hobbies:


Athletic Achievements

"Silver Slugger" Team's Best Hitter Award - Arlington AA Baseball Orioles 2008
Game Ball 5/9/09 - Hit 3 triples - 6 RBI - Arlington AA Baseball Orioles 2009
Game Ball 8/09 - Struck out 5 in 2 Innings Pitched - Woburn Bulls Baseball 2009

Coach David Evaluation

Seamus is a hard throwing pitcher who has already mixed four different pitches into baseball game play. Seamus currently throws a fastball, change up, 12/6 curve ball and a cut fastball.

Seamus has a strong arm and is a good athlete. As a catcher, Seamus will continue to develop his blocking skills, and will continue to work on making the throw to second base.

As a shortstop, Seamus may continue to add leadership to his solid shortstop play and should become more vocal on the infield.

At the plate, Seamus should continue to drive the ball to the outfield. Seamus may improve his sacrifice bunting and his hitting to the opposite field. Seamus will continue to improve his left-handed hitting, and should switch hit on some kind of a regular basis.


Community Involvement Activities

Raised $135 for the Woburn Bulls team fund raising effort for The Jimmy Fund Pediatric Cancer Research Center with an advert on Seamus' Baseball Blog.

Posted photo and link to Volunteer Opportunities at The Pine Street Inn Homeless Shelter in Boston, Massachusetts on the Seamus Baseball Blog.


Seamus is brother to older sister Hannah (10).

Very Funny Baseball Pitcher

Arm Action Secrets Pitchers Must Learn

Manny Ramirez Swing Analysis

Back Side Follow Through in Baseball Pitching

Balance Stage in Baseball Pitching

Elbow Up Drill for Baseball Pitching

Pitching Drills to Improve Your Fastball

How to Pitch a Baseball : Power Position

How to Pitch a Baseball : Full Wind Up

Bryce Harper hits 502ft baseball home run

Mental Training for Batting in Baseball

More DIY videos at 5min.com

Baseball Strength Training Workout

Two Different Leagues

Two Different Leagues
By Seamus

Just this year I joined a second baseball league.

It's kind of nice because if one league has a special rule and the other does not you will see how different people play.

Anyway, you should try it.