Franklin Sports Mlb Crossfire Pro Baseball Batting Trainer No. 14947

• Allows players to practice outside of a batting cage
• Hopper style ball feeder has the capacity for 60 balls for continuous pitches
• Ball automatically pitches every 5 seconds
• Set includes: 12 mini EVA foam baseballs, 1.5" in size
• Replacement balls available #14940

The fun and effective Franklin Sports MLB Crossfire Pro Pitching Machine is designed to help improve baseball and softball batting skills. This dynamic machine pitches mini 1.5in foam balls. The small design forces batters to focus on the ball from release to impact zone for improved skills. The Crossfire Pro includes a hopper-style feeder, which holds up to 60 balls for continuous practice! This lightweight and portable baseball training aid is perfect for practice at home or on the field!

Rating: (out of 2 reviews)

List Price: $ 69.99

Our Price: $ 45.39

Click Here For Info About Franklin Sports Mlb Crossfire Pro Baseball Batting Trainer No. 14947

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Reasons Why Independent League Baseball Is Worth Following

If you have heard about the professional independent minor league baseball teams and leagues, sometimes called the "indy leagues", then you may have wondered why you should pay attention to them.  Since the leagues are not affiliated with the Minor League Baseball teams, many people dismiss these leagues and teams without much thought.  

Here are four reasons why you should pay attention to independent baseball:

First, independent baseball virtually guarantees that fans get something which they claim to want for a long time:  seeing professional athletes who make less than the fans do!  The players rarely receive any money during the off-season, and most have to work jobs from September through April in order to have the ability to play during the summer.  Many people do not know this, but a Major League superstar making million a year oftentimes makes more per game than the entire season's player payroll of an independent baseball team!  

Since many players in independent baseball get signed to contracts with affiliated Minor League teams, the perceived discrepancy in talent is not as wide as many may think.  This means that fans get to see quality professional baseball at a great price and have the opportunity to cheer for the underdog player who may have been overlooked.  Over 30 players who have MLB experience started their pro careers in the independent leagues, having never been signed to a Minor League contract before throwing their first professional pitch or at bat.  Kevin Millar and Chris Coste are just two examples of players whose careers started in the independent leagues.

Second, you may want to consider following independent baseball because you get to see players who truly play for the love of the game.  An "insider's secret" about professional baseball is that there are many guys sitting at home who, after a few weeks of getting in shape, could play in the independent leagues.  Whether the guys are beginning careers, families, have legal concerns, nagging injuries, or simply didn't have the funds to travel to several tryouts, they are not in uniform for one reason or another.  Many times, however, a player will not play because he believes - oftentimes incorrectly - that he is "worth more money" than what an independent team is paying.

This means that fans get to see players who genuinely care about playing baseball regardless of the financial situation.  The other benefit is that many independent leagues, depending on your geography, often offer a caliber of play which is superior to a lower-level affiliated team.  This claim is justified by looking at the rosters of several independent baseball teams which have lots of former Major Leaguers and Triple-A players.  Odds are that they would beat many "rookie" teams and other lower-level teams simply due to their physical maturity and level of professional playing experience.  Again, this means that fans get terrific baseball at a great price.

Finally, consider following independent baseball because you get to see former Major Leaguers who are managing these teams.  During the 2009 season there were at least 20 independent baseball team managers and coaches with Major League playing experience.  Many of these managers sign autographs, share stories with fans at games, and pass along some tremendous knowledge to their players.  Their experience lends credibility to the independent baseball industry and gives the fans reassurance that they are watching quality baseball.

The next time you read a story about an independent baseball team hopefully you will have a greater appreciation for the players and managers.  Should you have the opportunity to attend an independent league game then be sure to enjoy your time at the game and remember that you will be seeing some terrific baseball.

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Soccer is a competitive sport that the interests of men, women and children is under review and to varying degrees by fans across the USA. Follow the pace with the type of soccer which is available in the USA will be a great company because soccer is played professionally by men and women of the USA and foreign countries, and is also offered to youth at various levels .

The interest in soccer has increased considerably over the last ten years partly because of media coverage of the game and players participating in games every week. Men and women throughout the USA participate in training camps of soccer which are available in the world. Such formal training to prepare soccer players for a job the USA national team, or can prepare to play soccer on a college level.

Various programs soccer used a simple introduction to the world of soccer and will allow people to decide if this sport is robust adapted to their life. Instead of training, some soccer fans magazines rely on sports to help them keep pace with the world of professional soccer. Through various magazines, a soccer player can learn and read on the ideas of many people who serve as coaches, and other articles will focus on nutrition, training exercises and other elements of information that every soccer player will find very useful to some in their busy career.

There is always something useful to be acquired by a person who takes the time to read magazine articles about soccer. These bits of information on health issues affecting soccer players in the world could well prove useful by parents who have children who are interested to learn this sport. The lifestyle they lead when they are young can make a difference on how they play the game of soccer when they become an adult. A healthier lifestyle means they have more energy to put in each party.

Most articles contain useful information that will help a soccer player improve the way they play soccer. Another way that soccer fans keep pace with the world of soccer is by reading interviews with soccer players who play the sport robust each week at a professional level. There are things that happen on the ground may be very controversial, and the hearing of soccer players fans can personally understand what happened on the ground during a game of soccer.

A fan can keep pace with the current styles offered in soccer held by visiting various retailers on the Internet that specialize in faith shirts, shorts and shoes that are worn by soccer teams across the USA and the world. Fans can also keep pace by purchasing tickets for soccer events that will see for themselves what the appeal of tough action in a soccer match is all.

Fans will be able to hold a conversation on a level much more to these events with other fans if they keep up with what's happening in the world of soccer. A fan can use forecasts Major League Soccer to maintain a close relationship with their favourite soccer team. These tools will help them keep pace with the changes taking place in the team files throughout the year and win a little personal history on people who play the game.

Selecting the right soccer ball boils down to choosing the size and construction of the ball based on the playerâ??s age and league requirements. The younger the player, the smaller the ball in most cases. Cost is also a big factor in selecting the correct soccer ball. Synthetic-leather balls are the most expensive and basic rubber-type soccer balls cost the least. Leather is no longer the favorite choice of soccer ball coverings because leather absorbs more moisture than synthetic soccer balls. A wet leather ball gets heavier over time and becomes much slower in play.

There are three basic categories of soccer balls. Match soccer balls used in professional international matches meet all Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) requirements and are imprinted with the organizationâ??s logo on the ball. They are also the most expensive type of soccer ball. In the middle range are the competition balls used in college and high school competition. Recreational and training balls fill are the least expensive.

Most soccer balls are made of blends of polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and common rubber or nylon. The best and most expensive PU balls feel like leather and are very firm, durable and water-resistant. The PVC balls are also very durable but are not as soft and responsive as the PU-blend balls. Common rubber and nylon balls can present a real value because they cost the least and last the longest. Although the rubber and nylon soccer balls lack the feel of match balls, they are fine for practice and training.

Soccer balls are all clearly marked in one of three sizes with the smaller the size number, the smaller the ball. Most all soccer balls come marked in sizes 3, 4 or 5. Size 3 soccer balls are used for beginners under 8 years old are 23-inches in circumference and weigh 12-ounces. Size 4 balls are designed for players between the ages of 8 and 12 and weigh about the same as the smaller balls at 12-ounces but are larger in circumference at just over 25-inches. Size 5 soccer balls are designed for use by all players 13 and older and are built to the international standard size for all sanctioned competition. The size 5 balls weigh about 15-ounces and have a circumference of 28-inches.

Additional factors to consider in soccer ball construction are the lining and inner bladder. The lining underneath the outer covering controls the shape and feel of the ball. The bladder contains the air inside the ball and also contributes to shape and responsiveness in play. Match soccer balls usually have four layers of a combined cotton/polyester-blend lining. Mid-range balls have two layers of cotton and two layers of polyester lining, and the least expensive balls have only two layers of polyester lining.

Soccer ball bladders come in both latex and butyl. The latex bladders are considered the best type of ball construction, but they donâ??t hold air as long as butyl bladders and need attention to proper inflation. Butyl or butyl-blend bladders hold their air better but are harder less responsive in play. The most common bladder found in mid-priced balls will usually be a blend of 80% butyl with 20% rubber.

The number of panels on a soccer ball can influence flight characteristics and how much control the player will have in play. A 32-panel ball is the type used in international soccer competition. Major League Soccer in the United States uses an 18-panel ball, and most indoor soccer leagues use 6-panel balls. The panels on high-end soccer balls are hand-stitched with synthetic thread. Mid-priced soccer balls have the same high-quality thread but are machine stitched to reduce cost. Low-cost practice and training balls will usually have panels that are glued together.

Adidas, Nike, Voit, Puma, Brine and Diadora all make good all-around quality balls that are relatively affordable, ranging from $20 to $80. Good practice balls can be purchased for as little as $15. For most young players today, an inexpensive training ball is usually all they will need to get into soccer and start having fun.

If you have always loved professional baseball, then it is possible for you to become involved with the industry in one way or another.  One avenue to pursue is employment with a team or league in the independent baseball league section of the pro baseball industry.  Independent baseball leagues and teams are not affiliated with any specific Major League Baseball organization, and their ultimate goal is to become a profitable enterprise.  Front office and league personnel have more flexibility in hiring people to help them reach that aim.

The question then becomes, "In what other way can I work in the professional baseball industry without being a player, manager, coach, or owner?"  Here are several starting points, each with a short description to help you better understand what is available to you:

League-level:  It is possible for you to work with an independent baseball league at the league office level.  Skills here include media relations, strategic planning, marketing, attracting major sponsors for league-wide exposure, and other similar duties. Entry-level (team):  Many independent baseball teams need help with game-day operations, ticket sales, community relations, and many other tasks to entice local organizations and individuals to spend money with the team.  You will need interpersonal, computer, phone, and event-planning skills.  In addition, the hours may be long and some physical effort will be required, especially if you work on game-day operations. Specialty skills:  You can join an independent baseball team with a number of specialty skills.  These could include online radio broadcasting, public address announcing, statistician, dealing with local and regional sports media, promotions development and implementation, online marketing, grounds keeping, stadium management, concessions skills, and merchandise/inventory management.  Even higher-level specialty skills include stadium design, graphic design for logos and sponsorship obligations, game scheduling, and raising capital for teams. Management (team):  You will need to be able to manage employees, interns, and have a good ability to deal with other executives, team owners, and the league executives.  You also will be working long hours overseeing items dealing with concessions, merchandise, stadium operations, stadium construction/renovation, speaking at the local service organizations, dealing with player contracts, and many other tasks.  You should have the ability to run a small/medium business, including accounting/payroll understanding, budgeting, networking, and many other senior-level tasks.

With over 50 independent baseball teams scheduled to play in 2010, there are several opportunities to join this industry.  Remember that your love for the game has to be tempered with the understanding that the team owner, league president, and general manager all want to turn a profit while maintaining a high standard of excellence in the local market.  If you are willing to do what you can to offer professional quality while focusing on making a profit and obtaining new fans then you have the first step needed to join independent professional baseball.

You may have recently heard about an independent baseball team near where you live, or near where you were traveling.  If so, you may have wondered what makes a team "independent" and if it is worth your money to go watch that team.

An independent professional baseball team is a team which plays in a professional baseball league that is not affiliated with any Major League organization or the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, which is now named (officially) Minor League Baseball.  These teams have complete control over the players they sign, the personnel they hire, and their players can be signed by any "affiliated" team in Minor League Baseball.  

Occasionally, an independent baseball player may make it to a Major League Baseball roster after having started his career in the independent baseball leagues.  Many players who make it to a Major League roster after having spent time with an independent baseball team usually had previous Major League, or high-level Minor League experience prior to joining a Major League Baseball roster.  

For the 2009 season, nearly 60 independent teams fielded a team in 8 independent leagues.  The teams play in the U.S. and Canada.  There are independent baseball teams in the Northeast, Quebec, Calgary, California, the Mid-Atlantic, Texas, Arizona, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota and the Dakotas, just to name a few regions.  The players can range from just out of college, former "affiliated" minor league players who were released, players who could be in the minors but opted to play closer to home for family reasons, former Major League players, and occasionally international players.  Many teams have managers and coaches whom have previous Major League Baseball experience.

The question you may still have, however, is if an independent baseball team is worth your time and money.  In most markets this is a "yes."

Here are just some of the reasons why:

Prices are usually equal to or less than comparable entertainment, such as the movies
Concession prices are usually less than at higher-level professional sports
Kids and fans get participate in on-field and off-field promotions
Many teams offer incentives for you to bring groups
Many of the general managers and team executives have years of professional sports experience, so they understand what it takes to give you good entertainment for your money
Many of the players are accessible for autographs
The quality of play is considerably high, especially compared to other alternatives you may have in your area

Hopefully this article gives you a better understanding of independent baseball and helps you make a better decision for your entertainment dollar.

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