Line Up Forms

The 3x composite technology used in the TPX Triton is once again used in the H2 Hybrid but this time, it is only applied on the handle. The barrel of H2 Hybrid is like the 2008 Exogrid model with ST+20 alloy material. The Louisville Slugger stated that this hybrid bat barrel design of 2009 makes the baseball bat stiffer and thus stronger by having more flexibility and trampoline effect upon contact.

The TPX Triton Bat is a composite baseball bat which is the first from the TPX models of the Louisville Slugger with 3X composite technology in three pieces. Three-piece means that the handle and two-piece barrel is connected to each other by the transition bubble to make it one piece bat. If you wonder how it is possible, it uses the computer technology and with graphite accurately placed in angles, the large barrel is strong and large enough to produce a hit. The company claimed to have the best and stiffest bats in the market.

One Handed Fielding Drill

Drill Objective
This baseball infield drill is great for working on footwork, body position, glove position, and head position when fielding ground balls in the infield.

Drill Setup
Set up the infielders in their positions excluding the pitcher.

Drill Instructions
The fielders start with their non-glove hand behind their back. This will cause the fielder to move feet properly to get positioned behind the flight of the ball in order to properly field the ball. Ball should be returned to the catcher. Add a 2nd hitter to make drill run faster for more reps.

Drill Coach Points
•Good quick footwork aligning body behind ball
•If slow roller make sure players attack ball
•Get glove under the ball
•Keep head down

Drill Objective
Great baseball warm up drill that focuses on infield fielding and gets players comfortable throwing to all bases.

Drill Setup
Set up your infield excluding your pitcher. The coach should be the batter with a supply of balls. You will have 3 sets of directions of which each will be run for about 4 minutes each.

Drill Instructions
1st Set – Coach hits ball to the short stop who throws to 1st base. Next the coach will hit to 2nd baseman who touches 2nd base and throws to 1st base. Last the coach hits to 3rd baseman who throws to the catcher at home plate.

2nd Set – Coach hits to short stop who attempts double play to 2nd base who throws to 1st base. Next hit to 2nd baseman who throws home to catcher. Last hit to 3rd baseman who throws to 1st base.

3rd Set – Hit to the short stop who throws home. Next, play to 2nd baseman who throws to 1st. Last hit a short ball to the 3rd baseman who must charge to the ball and throw to short stop at 3rd base.

Drill Coach Points
•Infielders attack the ball
•Handle ground balls with ease/care
•Good accurate throws
•After fielding the ball get to throwing position quickly

Field Short Hops

Drill Objective
This baseball infield drill focuses on fielding short-hop ground balls and helps players learn to properly judge short-hoppers.

Drill Setup
Have each infield player partner up in groups of two. Have each partner face each other 3 to 5 yards apart. Each pair needs a ball.

Drill Instructions
Have players get into “baseball ready” stance. (Knees bent, butt down, hands in front/middle of body). One partner tosses a short hop in front of their partner about a foot in front of them. Partner should field the ball and repeat to other partner.

Drill Variations
•If players cannot properly throw short-hops, line up players and have the coach throw to each player.

Drill Coach Points
•Catch ball out in front of their body
•Ball under glove
•Head down on ball

Rundown Throwing Drill

Drill Objective
This baseball throwing drill will focus on accuracy throwing during a rundown play. This drill can be altered to focus on throwing accuracy or baserunning.

Drill Setup
Have a base runner at 1st and 3rd. Evenly divide players into 4 lines behind each base. The players at 1st and 3rd start with the ball.

Drill Instructions
The runner attemps to run from base to base without being tagged. Throwing players throw to the opposite line and move the back of that line. Throwers can also run the runner back towards the base he started at before making the throw. Have players communicate and ask for the throw. 1st and 2nd baselines is one group where 2nd and 3rd base lines are a seperate group

Drill Coach Points
•Try to keep the number of throws to no more than 2 throws before tagging the runner.
•Minimize number of throws between tags.

Sharpen Your Catchers Accuracy
Drill Objective
This accuracy throwing drill is designed to improve the catchers accuracy when throwing down a runner to 1st, 2nd, or 3rd base.

Drill Setup
If you have 4 catchers, place a catcher at each base and behind home plate. If not, place as many catchers as you have on each base and fill in any infield player at the remaining base.

Drill Instructions
The catcher behind the plate should throw to any base. The catcher placed at that base should then throw to another base, then the ball should be thrown back to the catcher behind the plate. Have the catchers behind the plate rotate after 10 throws to each base (30 throws)

Drill Variations
Have catcher simulate getting up after the pitch to make the throw.
Have the coach toss ball behind catcher to simulate overthrown pitch

Drill Coach Points
Good accuracy allowing an easy tag on 2nd and 3rd base.

Last for our review of Easton baseball bats would be the V12 Ozone. The unique feature of this model would be its all aluminum component. No composites are placed on this V12 Ozone instead V12 scandium alloy was used throughout the entire bat. The stiffest in all the Easton products, the V12 Ozone baseball bat has a flex rating of 100.

With a Moment of Inertia or M.O.I. of 60, the V12 Ozone baseball bat has the lowest swing weight among the Easton 2010 models. Upon using this model, it would give you a very light feel. If you are one of the loyal players that opt for all aluminum 1-piece design, this model is just right for you. Aside from its characteristics, this V12 Ozone model is also the most affordable of all the Easton baseball bats at $200 and would fit your budget.

To continue the review for the famous Easton baseball bats, let’s now look at the SV 12 models. Just like the Synergy and Stealth models, SV 12 models also used the Easton’s IMX composite technology but only on its handle. For the baseball bat’s barrel, SV 12 used the V12 scandium aluminum alloy.

The SV 12 models are composed of 2-piece hybrids and differ on the flex ratings. For the three SV 12 models, the most flexible would be the Ozone 65 with the lowest assigned number after the model. Ozone 90 and 95 would be expected to be stiff. Unlike the Stealth models, the Moment of Inertia or M.O.I. of the SV 12 models are a bit lower with the 70 mark. This would give the SV 12 models a lower swing weight and a lighter feel. These models are quite cheap compared to the Stealth and Synergy models at $300.

Sportsmanship seems to have gotten lost along the way. Winning, succeeding or advancing have become the curse of sport. The lesson parents seem to be teaching today is that winning, not fun, is the goal. But how can we instill the values of sportsmanship? Here are a few tips:

- Show by your actions and words every day, that you value sportsmanship. Set a good example. Actions speak louder than words.
- Expect and demand that everyone involved follows all the rules, including fans and parents. If they don’t they should not be allowed to participate. Leagues and teams should communicate the importance of sportsmanship to all participants on a regular basis, not just the beginning of the season.
- Have team discussions about sportsmanship throughout the season. Use this as a time to relate sportsmanship.
- Never tolerate violent behavior in practice or in competition.
- There should be clear and immediate penalties for unsportsmanlike actions, no matter what the surrounding circumstances are or how important a game is to a season. This applies to both athletes and parents.