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Chan Ho Park, who pitched for the National League champion Philadelphia Phillies out of the bullpen last season, has made a one year deal agreement with the New York Yankees. This announcement was made Monday at a news conference in Seoul, South Korea. Although the Yankees have not confirmed the signing and even the team’s General Manager Brian Cashman has not disclosed if the deal was really approved and finalized. There were some talks between Park’s agent Jeff Borris and Cashman, and according to Brian Cashman, the deal is not yet over.

It was said that the offered package is worth US$1.2 million with an additional $300,000 in performance bonuses if Park decides to join the Yankees. And this is exactly what Chan Ho Park agreed to when he announced in the news conference his decision to join the New York Yankees. The 36-year old right-hander went 3-3 with a 4.43 earned-run average in 45 games with the NL champion Philadelphia Phillies last year. Park also made 3 1-3 scoreless innings against the Yankees in the World Series.

Park has a career record of 120-95 with a 4.35 ERA over 16 big-league seasons with the Phillies, Rangers, Dodgers, Padres and Mets. And the first South Korean to play in the Major League

(Photo via zimbio.com)

This is a baseball pitch that speaks for itself, a great pitching grip for beginners, amateurs who wants to learn to throw a curveball for the first time. This pitch is quite the opposite of a fastball that backspins, instead, a curveball spin from top to bottom and leverage comes from the front of the baseball to create the curve.

The beginner’s curveball is the easiest way for amateur pitchers to correctly learn the proper spin.

Here’s how to do it: Grip a baseball leaving the index finger off – like you were pointing at something. (Your index finger will be used to aim the baseball at your target.)

Next, put your middle finger at the bottom seam of the baseball and put your thumb on the back seam. When you throw the pitch, the thumb must rotate upward, and your middle finger should snap downward while your index finger points in the path of your aim. This is the reason why this pitch is great for beginners: the ball follows the direction where your index finger points. The beginners ‘curveball keeps your hand and ball align to the target.

A professional baseball hitter may be able to counter this pitch throw easily, and therefore shouldn’t be applied in the game unless you are playing with amateurs.

(Photo via thecompletepitcher.com)

So what’s the latest news with New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez or more commonly called as A-Rod? I have read from an article that baseball fans all over the world visit online for an auction and it was shocking to know that A-Rod’s 500th career home run was sold for $103,579. That’s a lot of money right? Now I am looking forward for his 600th which is 17 home runs away and some predicts it will hit in June. So where will be the Yankees this coming June? They are heading to Toronto, Baltimore, Arizona, and Los Angeles where each city stadiums is expected to be fully-packed. What could be A-Rod’s plans? That’s for us to find out.

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.

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.

Another famous model for the Easton baseball bats is the Synergy Speed 90 that is manufactured using the IMX composite technology just like the Stealth models. However, unlike the Stealth Speed 75 and 95, the Synergy Speed 90 is a 1-piece bat so it did not use the CXN but SST technology where SST stands for Easton’s Single System Technology.

Though a bit stiff, the Synergy Speed 90 has lower Moment of Inertia (M.O.I.) than the Stealth Speed 75 and 95. With the rating of 75, this baseball bat would give an average swing weight that makes it less heavy than the previous ones when swung. For about $400, this baseball bat is a good investment for adults in the amateur baseball games.

Easton baseball bats are among the brands being sought in the market for youth and adult baseball games. This specific brand features composite, aluminum, hybrid and even 1-piece and 2-piecee designs. For this article, the Stealth Speed 75 and 95 would be reviewed. The number 75 and 95 after the model name stand for the flex rating of the baseball bat. The higher the number of the flex rates, the stiffer the baseball bat. Between the two models, the Stealth Speed 95 has stiffer handle than the Stealth Speed 75.

Though composite bats are now banned for college games, these Stealth bats are still being used in amateur baseball. These 2-piece Stealth Speed 75 and 95 are made using CNX technology of Easton with Moment of Inertia (M.O.I.) of 80. This M.O.I. indicates the swing weight of the baseball bat where the center of gravity can be modified with the handling of the bat. The higher the M.O.I. of the baseball bat, the higher the swing weight that makes it most likely to be end-loaded. These Stealth Speed 75 and 95 are somewhat end-loaded that means the center of gravity is far from the handle making it heavier when swung.

Real innovative equipment that is consists of a cable with attached ball that is further fixed to a rope, the Hit-A-Way helps in improving baseball bat swings and proper timing. To set this one up, the rope can be attached and wrapped to a post or tree. Upon unwinding the rope, the ball would move towards the batter and once hit, the process would repeat again.

For just about $50, you can get better swing, power and batting average through practice with Hit-A-Way. Your eyes, mind and muscles will work together as one without much hassle from picking up balls. This is also light-weight and adjustable at any place and with all ages. Build up your confidence by learning the mechanics of the game and with this hitting aid.

If you intend to master baseball all by yourself but seem impossible, think again. Soft toss machines are made for home practices on your own yard or garage. Just make sure that you also placed a soft toss net to help you manage your balls. On set time, the machine would release the balls toward the batter. An advantage about this equipment is that it could stimulate your senses to develop good hand and eye coordination in your own pace and space. It would also allow you to observe different baseball bat speed at various pitches.

It is worth investing for this soft toss machine would give you bat swings that may lead you to be a better hitter. Most available soft toss machine models ranges from $100 to $300 depending on the quality and durability. Some are feeder style machines while ground based tri-pod models also exist. Rechargeable batteries are also used on some styles while you need extension cords for the others.