How to throw a Fork Ball

How to throw a fork ball.
Start your stance with your index and middle fingers along the seams like you were going to throw a two-seam fast-ball. Spread your fingers out as far as possible around the ball and the ball should be jammed further between your index and middle fingers than in a split-fingered fastball.
Try not to over throw the pitch. This is a location pitch. When you release the ball, snap your wrist. This causes the ball to have a slight forward spin which causes the ball to tumble down the strike zone. As always, have someone watching you when you practice to help you get proper form. When pitching a fork ball to a right handed batter, throw it on the “high and in zone”.
So go grab your baseball glove and practice to be your best.

How to care for a wood baseball bat

How to care for a wood baseball bat.
Wipe your bat with alcohol daily, especially if you use pine tar on the handle. Alcohol cleans and prevents dirt and tar buildup.
Do Not store the bat in a damp area. Try not to get the bat wet or place it on a wet surface. If the bat does get wet, dry it immediately with cloth and rub it with a light coat of linseed oil.
Rub the bat with another wooden bat. Use hard strokes, as if you were using sandpaper, rub for about 5 minutes or until the bat's surface appears to be smooth.
Always store your wood baseball bat vertically in a dry place, keeping the handle side up.

How to throw a curve ball.

How to throw a curve ball.
There is nothing more important in pitching then to throw a pitch correctly. So be sure to grab your Akadema mitt and go out and practice your curve ball.
Step 1:
Hold the ball with your index finger and middle finger with your middle finger on the seam and index finger right next to it where the seams are the closest. Your thumb should be on the bottom on the opposite seam.
Step 2:
Now start your motion as you would if you were throwing a fastball but face your palm in. The C formed from your index finger and thumb should face the sky. Now stretch your arm back but leave you elbow slightly bent.
Step 3:
Shorten your stride a little to help you get on top of the ball.
Step 4:
Roll the ball off your index finger and spin the ball with your middle finger and thumb. Try not to snap wrist because this can cause injury.
Step 5:
Release the ball when your arm gets just past your head.
Step 6:
Your arm should be at your opposite hip on follow through.

How to relace your baseball or softball glove

Did you break a lace in your baseball glove? Here are the steps to replace them.
Step1
Try to buy quality laces from the manufacturer of your glove. Then treat the new lacing with a leather softener or glove oil before you begin work. This will allow the leather to soften and they will be easier to handle.
Step2
Be sure to inspect the lacing and memorize the lacing pattern before you remove the old laces.
Step3
Remove one section of the broken lacing. If necessary, use a pair of scissors to cut it free.
Step4
Tie a simple overhand knot at one end of a long piece of the new lacing. Pull the knot as tight as possible.
Step5
Using a leather awl, ice pick or other pointy tool, push the lacing through the first hole in the stitching pattern. Pull the lacing through, up to the knot.
Step6
Continue threading the lacing, following the lacing pattern of the original. Pull the lacing as tight as possible but do not deform the glove. The lacing will stretch over time, so tightness is essential.
Step7
Place another overhand knot in the lacing at the end of the section. Adjust the knot so that it is snug against the glove. Remove any excess lacing.
Step8
Continue replacing other laces as needed.

Breaking in a baseball glove!

So you bought a new baseball glove, and it is probably as stiff as a board. Now the question is how are you going to break it in? There are 2 basic goals of “Breaking in a Glove”: to soften the leather and to create a pocket. Well there are a number of products out there that say they speed up the break in process. They also say use petroleum jelly, saddle oil, or linseed oil or even shaving cream. This I feel does nothing more than make the glove heavy. There is also the idea of dunking your glove in boiling water. What does boiling water do to your skin? Some people say to tie up your glove with a ball in it put a heavy weight on it. I have even heard to park your car on it overnight. How you break in your glove is pretty much personal preference. However there is one method that seems to be agreed upon by just about everyone. Just go out and play catch.

If you’re in the market for a new baseball or softball glove there are a few things to consider. First is position. Most ball gloves made now days are categorized by position like Infielder, First baseman, Pitcher, Outfielder and Catcher.
Infielder and pitchers gloves are usually smaller (10 ½” to 12”) to allow for faster mitt to hand transfer. First baseman gloves lacks individual finger stalls like a catcher’s mitt but with less padding and longer (12 ½” to 12 ¾”) to pick up or scoop a poorly thrown ball. Outfielder gloves are longer (12” to 14”) for catching the fly ball on the run or reaching over the wall to rob that homerun. Catcher’s gloves are really mitts because they lack finger stalls to help provide a good target. Catcher’s mitts are typically measured by the circumference, and will typically measure 32” to 34” around. They are heavily padded to handle the fastballs throughout the game. Also types of leather come into play as well with gloves. High quality leather will be easier to break in, wear better over time and for better to your hand and ball.
Next thing to consider is price. Prices range from $20 to $250. For children, consider a lower priced glove because they will probably outgrow the glove before they wear it out. Children and early teens should focus on a glove that fits and feels good. High school and adult players should look for a higher end glove that is specific to their position.
There are many brands to baseball and softball gloves on the market but Akadema is one of the few companies that has been more innovative in glove design that sets it above the rest.