Louisville Sluggers – Silver Slugger Award
The Silver Slugger Award is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball (MLB). These voters consider several offensive categories in selecting the winners, including batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage, in addition to “coaches’ and managers’ general impressions of a player’s overall offensive value”.[1] Managers and coaches are not permitted to vote for players on their own team.[1] The Silver Slugger was first awarded in 1980 and is given by Hillerich & Bradsby, the manufacturer of Louisville Slugger bats.[2] The award is a bat-shaped trophy, 3 feet (91 cm) tall, engraved with the names of each of the winners from the league[1] and plated with sterling silver.[3]
As with the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, the prize is presented to outfielders irrespective of their specific position.[4][5] This means that it is possible for three left fielders, or any other combination of outfielders, to win the award in the same year, rather than one left fielder, one center fielder, and one right fielder. In addition, only National League pitchers receive a Silver Slugger Award;[5] lineups in the American League include the designated hitter, who replaces the pitcher in the batting order,[6] so the designated hitter receives the award instead.[4]
Embattled home run record-holder Barry Bonds[7] has won 12 Silver Slugger Awards in his career as an outfielder, the most of any player.[5][8] He also won the award in five consecutive seasons twice in his career: from 1990 to 1994, and again from 2000 to 2004. Retired catcher Mike Piazza and current New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez are tied for second, with ten wins each.[4][5] Rodriguez’ awards are split between two positions; he won seven Silver Sluggers as a shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, and three with the Yankees as a third baseman.[9] Wade Boggs leads third basemen with eight Silver Slugger Awards;[4][10] Barry Larkin leads shortstops with nine.[5][11] Other leaders include Ryne Sandberg (seven wins as a second baseman)[5][12] and Mike Hampton (five wins as a pitcher).[5][13] Todd Helton[5][14] and Albert Pujols[5][15] are tied for the most wins among first baseman with four, although Pujols has won two awards at other positions. Three players are tied for the most wins among designated hitters: Edgar Martínez,[16] Paul Molitor,[17] and David Ortiz;[18] all have four wins at the position, though Martínez also won one award at third base.[4][16]
American League winners
National League winners
Metal Baseball Bat Time Line for the Last 40 Years
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1974 – Metal bats are introduced to college baseball for the first time, just four years after they were developed. 1998 - Following a 21-14 College World Series championship game and a season of record offense, the NCAA takes the first major action to control the performance of metal bats, reducing the size of bat barrels by 1/8 of an inch (to a maximum of 2 5/8 inches) and establishing a limit between the difference in the length of a bat and its weight. So-called -3 bats have been the standard since then, so a 34-inch bat must weigh at least 31 ounces. The same year, the Baseball Research Center was founded with a $400,000 grant from Major League Baseball and Rawlings Sporting Goods at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. The lab and the NCAA helped to develop the Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR) test in the first true scientific measure of the performance of baseball bats. 2008 – After the bat standards of the late 1990s tempered offense in high school and college, offensive numbers gradually crept up through the 2000s. The NCAA and other organizations realized the BESR standard had limitations, so they developed a new standard, the Bat-Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR), announced in September 2008. The BBCOR test was considered more accurate and was expected to be implemented in metal bats over several years. 2010 – The NCAA announces that beginning with the 2011 season, all bats must meet the BBCOR standard, including the ABI process. Other college governing bodies follow suit. California high schools will also follow the NCAA standard right away. The National Federation of High School Athletic Associations follows the NCAA by imposing a moratorium on composite bats and announces a plan to move toward the BBCOR standard. 2012 - For the NFHS, effective Jan. 1, 2012, only bats (composite or aluminum alloy) meeting the BBCOR performance standard will be permitted. |
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2009 - In July, based on increasing offense and complaints from coaches and others, the NCAA issues a moratorium on composite bats. The timetable was moved up due to worries about improper tampering with bats improving their performance, usually attributed to a process known as bat rolling. The NCAA’s memo announcing the decision read in part: “Before the committee’s recent meeting, numerous concerns were voiced by the membership with a request for action. After a thorough review of compliance testing and a review of the improved performance of composite bats, often exceeding NCAA acceptable limits, these concerns have proven to be valid. Therefore, the committee has decided to put an immediate and indefinite moratorium on the use of composite bats in NCAA competition. “The research reviewed included compliance testing during the Division I Baseball Championship. During this testing, 80 percent of the composite bats tested failed the current NCAA performance level. Because all bat designs must pass this test before mass production, this research indicates that the performance of such bats changed thereafter, most likely due to repeated, normal use and/or intentional alteration. Offensive statistics at the Division I level also indicate a significant increase in batting averages and home runs the past two seasons.” Due to worries about performance improving during the life of a bat, the BBCOR standard was combined with a process known as the Accelerated Break-In procedure (ABI), which tests bats at various stages of wear to assure that they never exceed the maximum performance level allowed by the new rules. 2011 – For colleges, only BBCOR bats will be permitted. To allow its member schools to make a smoother transition, and account for the limited availability of the new BBCOR bats, the NFHS will allow some BESR bats for one more season. BESR standard aluminum bats, BESR standard composite bats that have received a waiver for meeting the ABI, all one-piece solid wood bats, and all BBCOR standard aluminum and composite bats will be permitted. All other composite bats are prohibited. |
Courtesy www.baseballamerica.com in there 2011 Bat guide Magazine
How have Aluminum Bats changed Baseball?
Scientific answers to frequent questions about bats.
How have Aluminum Bats changed Baseball?
Click the link to find out more.
If you want more Sientific information on the technology and research that goes along with bat testing and design then check out Dr. Daniel A. Russell’s page on the Physics and Acoustics of Baseball and Softball Bats
This is one of the most informative and scientific websites that I have found for the unbiased facts about the performance of different types of baseball and softball bats. Click the following link to check out the site http://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/bats.html
Statistics for NCAA Division 1 College Baseball batting averages 1970-2011
"The bottom line is that aluminum bats have had an impact on the game of baseball. Depending on your point of view one could argue that the impact has been either positive or negative. The facts show that batting averages and the frequency of homeruns in college baseball are higher now then they were before aluminum bats were introduced. However, pitchers finally appear to be adjusting and are currently striking out batters with the same frequency as they did in the wood only days. And, the recent restrictions on the performance of bats introduced by the NCAA in 1998 have brought the game back to the level of play in the early 1990′s or early 1980′s. It is not the same as in the wood only era, but batting averages and home runs are significantly lower than they were in 1998 when metal bat technology threatened to blow the game out of proportion." Daniel A. Russell, Ph.D. Click here to read the entire artical.
Bat Speed Training for Explosive Rotational Power
I found a couple of really good strength training videos for Explosive Swing Power.
The first is from a website called www.baseballstrengthblog.com. They use two variations of an upper body exercise called landmines to help develop rotational power. One variation is with a little rotation, and the other has a lot more. Both these are great exercises for gaining bat speed and power.
The Second video watched was by Jon Doyle from www.baseballtrainingsecrets.com. This exercise will keep you sore for days. However you will gain rotational power and bat speed. There are also some good articles on his website.
If you have any questions just contact us at
(602) 272-1010
Bill@arcadiasports.net
www.arcadiasports.net
Or just reply back to this post.
How to Choose a Baseball Glove Video from Wilson
This is some good info for finding the right glove for you.
How to Choose the Right Size Baseball or Softball Glove
First, lets go over the Parts of a glove.
- The Pocket - Should not be too deep. Especially for infielders who need to transfer the ball quickly.
- The Webbing - There a few different styles including closed webbing which can’t be seen through and open webs which are preferred by outfielders and third-baseman.
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- Wrist Adjustment - Look for the ability to adjust the wrist and back opening. Some gloves have D-rings or other band fasteners. Stay away from Velcro-type fasteners since they wear out quickly.
- Leather - The better the quality the longer the glove will last. Avoid plastic or imitation leather.
When you are ready to buy there are a number of factors involved in choosing a baseball glove to meet your needs, including size, your position and your budget. Anyone looking to buy should make the following considerations:
Your Budget: Baseball gloves range in price from under $15 for base models, to over $300 for high end gloves from manufacturers such as Wilson, Mizuno, Easton, or Rawlings. Quality baseball gloves generally cost a bit more, but will last longer. If you expect to get heavy use out of your baseball glove, it may be less expensive in the long run to spend a few dollars more on a glove that will last. Additionally, younger players who may quickly outgrow their baseball glove may not want to invest in a high end model.
Your Position: Baseball Gloves come in different shapes and sizes based on the position they will be used for. For example, pitchers gloves and infield gloves are generally smaller than an outfielder’s glove, and first baseman’s gloves and catchers mitts are unique unto themselves. If you will be playing multiple positions, a utility glove (which is larger than an infielder’s glove) may be your best bet.
The Feel: Make sure to choose a baseball glove that feels right for you.If the glove is uncomfortable, it may affect your performance in the field.
Your Age / Size of the Glove: Baseball gloves come in many different sizes made to fit different ages, positions and games (softball gloves). Gloves are measured by their “pattern size”, a measurement from the heel of the glove (by your wrist) to the top of the glove on the palm side (near your fingers). Youth gloves range from 8″ (very small) to about 12″. Adult gloves usually fall in the 12″-13″ range. Professional gloves are actually required by the rules to be no more than 12″, although the rule is rarely to never enforced: Rule 1.14 …”not more than twelve inches long, nor more than eight inches wide, measured from the base of the thumb crotch to the outer edge of the glove..”
Age |
Position |
Glove Size |
| Under 8 | Infield | 9 inches |
| Under 8 | Outfield | 11 inches |
| 8-13 | Infield | 9-10 inches |
| 8-13 | Outfield | 11-12 inches |
| High School/Adult | Infield | 10 1/2 – 11 1/2 inches |
| High School/Adult | Outfield | 12 – 12 1/2 inches |
Youths:
Youth baseball gloves should be chosen carefully – a common mistake is to buy a big glove for a little kid. This often results in a younger child with a huge glove on their hand that they can’t even close. Youth sizes range from 9″-11″. 8 year olds can often use 11″ gloves, while teenagers often may fit into 12″ gloves.
Types of Webs & Backs
Open Web: Preferred by Outfielders and Third Basemen
Closed Web: Preferred by Middle Infielders and Pitchers
Open & Closed Back: Individual Preference, though middle infielders like open back.
Gloves By Position:
Catchers Gloves: More of a mitten than a glove, they are heavily padded (needed when catching fastballs all game long) and are not used at any other position.
First Base Gloves: First basemen’s gloves resemble a catchers mitt in that they are heavily padded (as first basemen spend their days catching balls thrown very hard). They are also longer in order to help the first basemen more easily field balls.
Infield Gloves: Infield gloves are smaller gloves (generally 10 1/2 ” – 12″) so that the fielder can easily pull the ball out of the glove and throw it. Too large of a glove would result in increased time needed to retrieve the ball and throw it to base – very important when a game can be decided by a tenth of a second.
Outfielders Gloves: Outfielders gloves are larger and longer (12″ +), to provide fielders with the greatest possible advantage at catching fly balls.
Information about the BBCOR Testing Process
