The Immaculate Inning and Other Baseball Rarities

The Immaculate Inning and Other Baseball Rarities

By Michael Piccoli

By its very nature, baseball is the sport that is most conducive to endless debates and arguments over the relative merits of its players. Since each of the ballparks is unique with respect to the size and shape of their outfields and the height of their fences, there will never be a logical way to determine the definitive "best" pitcher or hitter. Unlike basketball or tennis, for example, baseball is not played in a uniform setting which makes comparing the statistics of players, who play half of their games in their own unique home stadiums, dubious at best.

There are, however, rare player accomplishments in baseball history which transcend the differences of the playing fields, or the weather conditions at the time, or anything else for that matter. They are noteworthy for both their tremendous infrequency and their high level of achievement... and they also provide excellent material for baseball trivia questions. I suspect fans will argue over which feat is the most impressive for some time to come. Here are a few to consider:

•The Immaculate Inning - Three batters are struck out in the same half inning on just 9 pitches thrown by the same pitcher. This feat has been accomplished only 47 times in Major League Baseball history. Forty-four pitchers have done it once during their careers while 3 have done it twice. You realize it's a rare event when you look at the number of possible opportunities versus the number of actual occurrences. In each game, pitchers have 8 or 9 opportunities to pitch a half inning. Each of 30 teams play 162 games each. That's a range of between 38,880-43,740 chances for all pitchers to pitch an Immaculate Inning... and that is during only ONE season! Multiply those numbers by, say, only 30 seasons and you get 1,166,400 - 1,312,200 opportunities. Now compare that to only 47 actual occurrences. It's mind boggling!

•4 Home Runs In One Game By Same Batter - Only 16 players in the history of Major League Baseball have hit 4 home runs in one game. No batter has hit more than that and no player has hit 4 in a game more than once during his career. Again, the numbers are staggering: 9 players have an opportunity to hit 4 home runs in each of 162 games. There are 30 teams. The total opportunities are 43,740 in one season. If we multiply that number as we did in the first illustration by only 30 seasons, we get a grand total of 1,312,200 opportunities. We then compare 16 occurrences to that number. I'd say the 4 home run game is a baseball rarity!

•The Baseball Triple Crown For Batting - This award is given to the hitter who led his league in home runs, runs batted in and batting average all in the same season. Since the first Baseball Triple Crown was awarded for hitting in 1878, only 17 players have won it making it one of the rarest of all achievements in baseball. 17 winners in 135 years!

•The Baseball Triple Crown For Pitching - To win this award, a pitcher must lead his league in wins, strikeouts and earned run average all in the same season. While not as rare as the batting Triple Crown, this prize has been awarded only 38 times since it was first presented in 1877.

•The Perfect Game - A perfect game is achieved when a pitcher throws to the minimum number of batters from the opposing team and not one of them reaches base over nine innings. This means no hits, walks, hit batters, errors, catcher's interference or strikeouts with passed balls or wild pitches. Since there are 3 outs per inning and there are 9 innings, a pitcher must retire 27 batters in a row to achieve a perfect game. How rare is this? A total of only 23 perfect games have been pitched in Major League history since the first one in 1880. Statistically less rare (due to far less playoff games) but equally impressive is the one perfect game pitched in post-season history; Don Larsen of the New York Yankees needed only 97 pitches to make history in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series.

•Home Run During First At-Bat - In the history of Major League Baseball, only 113 batters have hit a home run in their very first at-bat. Of those 113 hitters, a mere 28 hit their respective home run on the very first pitch. Everyone was a rookie at some point in their careers so every player that ever got to the plate had a chance to hit a home run in his first at-bat. As it turns out, this accomplishment is one of the most rare events in baseball history.

In the Major Leagues, teams play 162 regular season games. The games' lengths are determined only by the time it takes to play 9 or more innings and not by a time clock. The pace is generally slow and deliberate. Winners and losers are not determined until the final out is recorded. Teams do come back from large deficits to win games when the odds are overwhelmingly not in their favor. Just one final pitch or swing of the bat can make history. The lack of time constraints can provide moments of great drama and rare feats of accomplishment.

We have discussed some of these rare feats, some of which took just a few seconds to accomplish while others occurred over the course of one game or an entire season. Our list was far from exhaustive but it does include some good material for baseball trivia questions! Did you think of any other baseball rarities? If so, we invite you to share them at our site.

Hi. My name is Mike and I started playing competitive baseball as a Little Leaguer in Upstate New York. Like all sports, baseball occasionally showcases rare and amazing accomplishments. On a personal level, we can all strive to reach our own goals and make our own history. With the right baseball equipment and supplies, we can experience our own glory days... even if it's only drawing a bases loaded walk to win a game. It's easy to get started with the information we provide @ http://roundballgames.com/baseball-equipment/ If you'd like to learn about other sports equipment, we've got you covered there, too. Stop by today! And If you have any baseball rarities in mind, feel free to share them with our visitors by commenting on my blog @ http://www.roundballgames.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Piccoli Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7755773

Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players

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Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players
Uploaded by Coach2winVideos
The Hurricane Machine endorsed by Derek Jeter is the ultimate backyard batting machine. It is often called the "Basketball Goal for Baseball Players" because it makes batting practice as easy, convient and entertaining as shooting backyard basketball. The Hurricane Hitting Trainer provides high speed moving ball workouts that develop incredible bat speed, batting skills, and batter confidence. For free drills and tips visit the Hurricane Hitting Machine Training Blog at http://hurricanebaseballtrainingmachine.blogspot.com/ or HurricaneMachine.com for free drills, tips, and coaching articles.

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Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Trainer

Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Trainer
By guest author: Leny J


You've heard coaches preach practice, practice, practice. Work hard and good things will happen. But what I find interesting with this concept is that most of the players do work hard and practice practice and practice - but that's all they do - they work hard at practice at practice - which is great. But in my opinion, in order to improve on your game, particularly hitting a baseball, you not only need to work hard at practice but you need to also work hard after practice - on your own time. At home in the back yard, or at the park, or even in your garage. You need to spend time out of practice to work on your skills. There is not enough time during regular practice to fine tune your craft. Taking time for yourself to refine your skill is a must in this day and age of competitive athletics. I've found a great baseball hitting aid to help accomplish this.

Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Trainer. This machine will help you to improve hitting a baseball. This solo swing training tool is ideal baseball swing trainer for the beginning Little League player to the high school all-star.

This durable machine with its integrated ball and stick means you can practice on your own anytime anywhere -- no more running after balls! It provides you with immediate feedback on bat speed, power and eye hand coordination. It is easy to set-up and transport. Workout in your garage or the backyard. Take it with you to the park and warm-up before the game. Have fun with it.

I'm a husband and a father of two. I enjoy watching all types of sports and spending quality time with my family. I'm also a former youth baseball coach and former president of a local Little League organization.

Practice hard and learn to be a better hitter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leny_J

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Baseball Power Hitting Drills - These Power Hitting Drills Are a Must For Any Baseball Player

Baseball Power Hitting Drills - These Power Hitting Drills Are a Must For Any Baseball Player
By guest author: Tyler Barton

If you are a dedicated baseball player like I am with the thirst for power hitting, you know how important a good set of power hitting drills are. The sweet feeling of entering the ball park having your teammates proud and thankful to be on your team, to step up to the plate and have the other team's coach tell the fielders to move way back...it feels great.

However, before I found the right set of power hitting drills to incorporate into my baseball training, I didn't exist in the world of batting, let alone power hitting - I sucked!

It didn't matter what power hitting drills I did..or ate. My family couldn't afford a weight system, batting gloves don't help - just a waste of money, batting tees kinda helped my level swing - useless against non-stationary baseballs, I even tried eating a plate of spaghetti before every game - a mom tip. I would either end up flailing around at the plate like I had spaghetti arms (no pun intended), or I would get a stomach ache.

I was sick of everybody's advice and almost quit - there was a nice summer reading program at the library I could volunteer at for my community service hours for school.

Believe it or not, it was physics class that gave me a new practice drill - we had a question involving baseball distance and batting speed. Obviously, went home and looked for ways to improve my bat speed. WARNING: CLICHE MOMENT. It seemed too good to be true -PowerHittingDrills.com - a site devoted to baseball power hitting drills by university coaches and scientists (don't let this discourage you, it's about baseball, so it's written for baseball players).

Given that it's tested material, and the fact I was fed up with dumb redneck batting tips and willing to try anything, Given that these baseball power hitting drills are tested power hitting drills, and the fact I was fed up with dumb redneck batting tips and willing to try anything, I went for it. Going back to the beginning of this little blurb, this was the best investment ever - better than my ps3.

By just adjusting my grip I lost spaghetti arm and could make solid contact with the ball, so I was excited about learning the real power hitting drills.

Within weeks (or within a few season games for another perspective) I had added several power hitting drills and tips to my arsenal, power hitting baseballs to the fence for triples, and even ground rule doubles. Finally, within a month....same ol' season games - I hit my first home run - 290ft. Within another week or so, I became a power hitting machine. It's quite amazing how many friends remember you when you start winning games for their team.

You can read more about my story at PowerHittingDrills.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Barton

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Hurricane Baseball Batting Trainer at Baseball2u.com

Hurricane Baseball Batting Trainer at Baseball2u.com
Uploaded by Coach2winVideos The Hurricane Batting Machine is one of the most popular baseball trainers on the maket today. This amazing new breakthrough in hitting training technology makes backyard batting practice more convient and productive. Endorsed by Derek Jeter, the CAT 4 hitting machine, has high and speed adjustments for all ages. The unique design of the machine allows the ball to react like a real baseball on bat contact. Give the batter instant feedback to speed quality. Large circle of ball travel simulates real live pitching. Availabe at http://www.baseball2u.com/husotrmajese.html. Visit the Hurricane Machine Training Blog at http://hurricanebaseballtrainingmachine.blogspot.com/ for free tips, drills and coaching information. www.HurricaneMachine.com

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Thanks to our sponsors:


Baseball2u.com and CoachesBest.com is your online super store for baseball batting cages, pitching machines and protective screens and nets. This fully licensed company has a full time staff to help you from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. You may order securely online or by phone, toll free, at 1-877-431-4487.
Check out these categories that are featured at Baseball2u.com.
Jugs Complete Packages
Batting Cages
60' Portable Batting Cage
55' Portable Batting Cage
70' Portable Batting Cage
Extender Batting Cage 30'
Jugs Pitching Machines
Iron Mike Pitching Machines
BATA Pitching Machines
Heater Pitching Machines
Granada Pitching Machines
Phantom Pitching Machines
…and if you are looking for Youth Training Equipment, Advanced Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, and Pitching & Throwing Trainers, or Portable Mounds, they have those too!
Plus, they have one the internet's largest selections of Baseball Training and Coaching DVDs and Books. Make sure to chweck our their CLEARANCE DEPARTMENT for rock bottom prices on top quality equipment.

Baseball Hitting Drills - Teaching Plate Discipline

Baseball Hitting Plate Discipline


By Hunter Sendefer

Hitting drills are very important for young players and one of the best hitting drills that a coach can utilize teach plate discipline. It is very important that a hitter learns to have an approach at the plate, rather than simply swinging away at every pitch, so this drill is vital to the hitter's overall makeup.

This drill starts with the screen close enough to the plate that the batting coach pitcher can have excellent control. Each hitter then gets up to ten pitches, although only three strikes will be permitted. Before the hitter steps up to the plate, he or she will be told how many strikes he or she currently has, as this will directly influence how the hitter handles the pitches.

If the hitter is stepping up to the plate with a fresh count, he or she will begin by showing the pitching coach where he or she likes the ball. If the pitch is in the hitter's hitting zone and he or she takes a swing, the pitch count is reduced by one. If the pitch is outside of this hitting zone, but the player still swings, the hitter not only loses that pitch, but one additional pitch. If the pitch is outside of this hitting zone and the player does not swing, the pitch does not count at all. If the pitch is outside of the strike zone altogether and the player swings, however, he or she will lose half of his or her swings remaining.

If there is one strike, the penalty for swinging at a pitch outside the strike zone is less strict, as the player will only lose that pitch plus one more. This is because when there is one strike, pitchers will tend to come after the hitter a little more, which makes these pitches a little harder to lay off.

Finally, when there are two strikes, the hitter's goal is to be as tough an out as possible. If the player swings at a pitch that is in the strike zone, he or she only loses that pitch plus one more. If a pitch that is around the strike zone is taken, it is an additional pitch penalty because umpires tend to call borderline pitches strikes when there are already two strikes. If an obvious strike is taken, that player is done completely because it is never a good idea to take a third strike.

The goal of each hitter turning this drill is to make sure that he or she gets through all ten pitches without striking out. Also make sure that your players know that each strike that you call will be a judgment call, which is exactly how an umpire will make the call. By teaching your players to have an approach at the plate based on the strike count, you can turn them into smarter hitters. You will also be giving them a better idea of where the strike zone is, so they will know which pitches to take and when to take a cut.

Hunter Sendefer is a former player and current youth baseball coach who consistently coaches his teams to the winners column including an active 26 game winning streak. He frequently contributes to http://www.Batting-Trainer.com where you can sign up for free baseball batting videos and hitting tips or learn about the revolutionary new Insider Bat batting trainer. http://www.Batting-Trainer.com/features

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hunter_Sendefer

The Best Batting Tees in Baseball:
Advanced Skills Tee
5 Position Batting Tee