Upgrading Yours

6 Types of Baseball or Softball Pitching Machines You Can Consider

noreply@blogger.com (Firman) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 20:02:00 +0700

Are you getting a baseball or softball pitching machine but fretting over the different brands and options available? Well, it's inevitable isn't it? After all, there are at least 6 different types of pitching machines and countless different brands and models out in the market today!

Here are the 6 major types :

(1) Real Ball Pitching Machines

As the name suggests, "Real Ball" pitching machines throws out real balls or those machine pitch dimpled balls you see at the commercial batting cages. Both types of baseballs weigh about 5oz.

Such equipment usually comes in 2 major categories which comprises of the Arm Styled Wheel Machines or the Compressed Air Machines. Although there may be exceptions, all require a batting cage. Invest in an auto feeder and remote control if you're opting for a one player mode and you're good to go.

(2) Wheel Style Pitching Machines

Ever seen those pitching machines used in leagues, high schools, colleges, pro ball or simply off someone else's backyard? Yes, these are the ones. One of the most popular choices, wheel style pitching machines can be used just for baseball, softball or in a combination package for both sports.

Through the support of a rubber wheel(s), a motor propelling the wheels' movements, dynamic parts with speed and directional adjustment knobs and a metal frame attached to a tripod, wheel styled pitching machines run on 110v power. If you're using them on fields without electricity supply, you'll need a power generator.

(3) Single Wheel Machines

These are entry level machines used to throw a straight pitch in a speed ranging from 25-70 mph. The price is usually set above $900. Currently, there are only a few single wheel machines out in the market which has the added feature of churning out curveball throws. Coaches may prefer the curveball option since they're more versatile when it comes to throwing the breaking ball from either of the "hand". But be prepared to pay as they can cost $1,200 or more.

Overall, single wheel machines are still slightly cheaper than the real ball machine and is lightweight enough to be carried from your car boot to the ballpark. However, if you prefer higher speeds or a greater variety of pitch throws, you may want to consider the 2 wheeled machines instead.

(4) Two Wheel Machines

These machines can simulate almost every pitch regardless of the angle, hand (be it left or right) or speed you're talking about. Naturally because of the additional capabilities, they're also much more expensive than other types of pitching machines.

Their ability to throw all the different types of pitches and the added advantage of using them for ground balls, fly balls and even catchers pop-ups increases the thrill and fun practising with such machines. They are relatively portable too.

Some people dislike the fact that they can't see the movement of the "pitcher's arm" with such machines. But after a bit of getting used to, it's not really a major disadvantage. More importantly, however is that the consistency of their pitches drops with either wet, waterlogged balls or swollen balls. Like all wheel type machines So, if you're living in a region that's consistently dealing with rainy or wet weather, you may want to consider other options.

(5) Arm Style Pitching Machines

Yes, these are often the ones you see at the commercial batting cages. You know, those junky heap of steel affixed with the red lightbulbs alerting the batter on the impending pitch?

Equally suitable for both baseball or softball, these machines have been around for more than 50 years and can throw a straight and accurate ball at speeds that varies between 25 to 85 mph. Because of their bulk, instead of shoving them into your garage, the smarter move is to just cover them up and leave them where they are after the season. Otherwise, they're pretty durable.

(6) Rack Fed or Hopper Fed Pitching Machines

Such machines are pre-fed with baseballs or softballs so that no auto feeder are required. There are mainly 2 types. One is rack fed and can contain 38 baseballs or 28 softballs at one time. The other is hopper fed and can hold as much as 600 baseballs or 400 softballs.

These are professional base ball training equipment and are incredibly durable. Maintenance is often just a routine application of lubricating oils to a couple of the joints and even if you do need to replace a few of faulty parts, they're relatively inexpensive and easy to fix.

One advantage with these machines is that player can often see the pitcher wind up so that he can position himself for the swing in a more realistic timing. However, because of their bulk, they're not really as portable as the other types mentioned earlier.

How to Act on a First Date

noreply@blogger.com (Firman) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:54:00 +0700

The key to a successful first date is to relax and just be the real you. If you try to act in a way that you think the other person will like, then they may start liking someone who you are not, and in the end you will wind up breaking up and getting hurt, so honest truly is the best policy, and in the end if you are just being you and it does not work you, you know they were not the one for you.

Dating is like gambling at poker, sure a good bluff may win you a hand or two but you are not going to win the World Series of Poker by bluffing, only by playing the best you can. This is no different from dating if you make things up to try and impress this person they are not liking you but are liking the fake you and eventually they will see the two are no the same.

Try to think back to the things you talked about when the both of you spoke on the phone and see if you learned anything that may help you decide where to go for your date, but if you do not have enough information about them to know what they may like you sometimes have to gamble and throw the dice, and hope you don't crap out.

The most important thing to do on a first date is to have a good time, the bigger a deal you make of it the harder it is going to be and the higher the chances of you making a jerk of yourself. If you are nervous before the date take a few minutes and take a few deep breaths and if this does not help then I recommend you do what I like to do in the casinos when my nerves are bothering me I simply have a drink. The alcohol in one drink will usually calm me down enough to concentrate.

The key to having a nice first date is simple:

Take her/ him to a nice place, quite but not too quiet, you should be able to hear each other but other distractions are also good for those uncomfortable moments.

Do not take her/ him to a place where your friends hang out, this will make her/ him feel as if they are being ganged up on or they may feel out of place and resent you for making them feel that way.

It is very important to have the whole night planned out already before the date and have a backup idea just incase. The tricky part is making it look like it was not all planned. Let's say you decide that you are going to take her for dinner, then after you want to take a walk on the beach do not just say hey after dinner let's take a walk on the beach. I would recommend you wait till after dinner and ask her if she wants to take a walk to burn off dinner and then take her to the beach.

Then when you are on the beach take her/his hand while walking, this makes a physical connection between you and makes it easier later on when you go for your first kiss.

Just remember that dating is a gambling sometimes you are going to get a bad hand and eventually if you play your cards right you will find the right person and win the jackpot.

The Joy Of Writing Obituaries

noreply@blogger.com (Firman) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 18:54:00 +0700

Are you intrigued or surprised by the way I titled this article? It probably seems like writing obituaries would be filled with anything other than joy. I agree, or at least I would have agreed up until a few months ago when I had the privilege of helping two friends write the obituaries for their grandmothers.

I used to think that writing obituaries would be a thing of dread, filled with nothing but morbid thoughts of how a loved one would no longer be around to share life with you. I was sure that writing obituaries was never a healthy, healing thing for a person to do. My two friends changed my views of all of this. I sat with my two friends at our favorite coffee shop as they determined to write appropriate obituaries for their grandmothers who had ironically died within a week of each other. I ordered everyone lattes and joined my friends with a bit of reservation about what the next hours would hold. I think I was there for moral support, to grab a Kleenex if I saw a tear or to order another drink if more caffeine was needed. I sat quietly and watched as they began to write the obituaries that many people would read to grieve and remember the women who had passed on.

Minutes passed quickly until we had been in the coffee shop for three hours. I was nearly in shock over all I had observed and learned during that time. Rather than being filled with an endless stream of tears, our hours were filled with tons of laughter. My two friends were looking at the task of writing the obituaries with joy and gratefulness. They were glad to have been the ones in their families chosen for the task and they threw themselves in to the work fully.

For both of them, writing obituaries for their grandmothers was a privilege. They enjoyed the opportunity to wander back through years of memories and special moments shared with their grandmas. Their grieving was overshadowed only by the joy of remembering. This was a lesson that I needed to learn. I never thought about writing obituaries as an opportunity to honor a loved one and find joy, peace and healing in the process, but that is exactly what my two friends did that afternoon.

So now, as I sit down to write obituaries for my own loved ones who have passed, I do it with joy. I do it to remember the best parts of who they were and the many ways that they influenced my life for the better. It may sound a little silly, but writing obituaries isn't something I mind doing at all.

Tips for Finding a Legitimate Business from Home

noreply@blogger.com (Firman) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 18:52:00 +0700

Today, there are seemingly tens of thousands of home business opportunities on the Internet. While they all initially sound spectacular, upon closer inspection many Internet business opportunities promise the moon and the stars - and don't deliver. How, then, do you find a legitimate business opportunity that will truly allow you to succeed? Here are some tips to point you in the right direction.

Expect to Work

Legitimate business opportunities require work to succeed. If a home business opportunity promises that you simply have to open your virtual doors with your own URL in order for the money to start rolling in, don't believe it. Any type of true financial success requires work.

That's not to say, however, that you have to work 40, 50, or even 60 hours a week. Legitimate business models can harness the power of the Internet so that you can make an executive-level salary working four or five hours a day. If you choose to work longer hours, your earning potential certainly increases. But the bottom line is that you do need to work.

Find Mentoring and Support

Unfortunately, too many Internet business opportunities sign you up and cut you loose. They may have a bare bones virtual back office and they might even have a webinar or two, but all too often they give you little direction or guidance. A legitimate business opportunity will provide you with training and mentoring, as well as ongoing support - ideally from people who have already achieved their financial goals from the same business model.

So, when you're considering an Internet-based home business, look for transparency. This means that the website should have a phone number, and that you should be able to speak directly to someone in a position of authority within the company. It should also have an email address for an individual, rather than for a general department, such as "sales" or "support."

Expect to Invest in Your Business

Fly-by-night Internet business opportunities might promise that you won't have to lay out any money, but don't believe it. Ask any entrepreneur, and he or she will tell you that start-up money is required. A legitimate business opportunity will tell you this up front.

However, keep in mind that Internet-based home businesses do have two start-up advantages over traditional brick-and-mortar businesses. First, you don't have to rent an office or storefront, hire staff, or invest in a tremendous amount of overhead. Second, you should be able to recoup your start-up investment very quickly - often in a matter of days.

Examine the Compensation Model

Most Internet business opportunities are based on network marketing and sales. This isn't a bad thing, but you do need to review the compensation model for each business you consider. Legitimate business opportunities provide for immediate cash flow to cover your initial expenses, as well as ongoing compensation so that you can consistently see a profit that is aligned with the time and effort you put into your business.

Working from home in a legitimate business is a wonderful way to achieve your financial dreams. In fact, it can change the course of your life and the lives of your children. Just keep in mind that, like any business owner, you need to invest in and work at your business in order to succeed.