Analysis. History. Perspective.

Sports Then and Now



5 Sports That Improve Hand-Eye Coordination 1

Posted on July 24, 2020 by Brooke Chaplan

Your hand-eye coordination is an asset. Although it’s commonly associated with sports, there are benefits to hand-eye coordination that can be realized off the field. That said, sports can be among the best ways to get yours up to snuff. These five sports can greatly increase your hand-eye coordination.

Tennis

With tennis, it’s all on you to watch the ball and make sure you’re timing things just right. Make your swing too early or too late and lose a point. When you have proper control of your racket and keep your eyes focused, you can keep the ball in play for a very long time.

Basketball

The difference between sinking a basket and missing it can come down to being off by even a fraction of an inch. Professional players make it look easy, but they have become seasoned professionals through hours of practice that lets them figure out the exact right angle for getting the ball through the hoop. Start off by going to your local gym and working on your fundamentals, such as your aim and follow-through. As time goes on, you should have a much better percentage of baskets made.

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Great Apps to Help You Enjoy Baseball More and How To Know Which is the Right One for You 1

Posted on December 03, 2019 by Andrea Scott

Ever since childhood, I have lived and breathed baseball. As the years went by, I was playing baseball all the time, so I barely had time to keep track of my favorite MLB teams. Currently, as a baseball coach, I have the same problems because my team takes up all of my time.

Gone are the days of being able to sit down and watch my favorite MLB teams every night. So I started looking for better ways to stay up-to-date on MLB news. I quickly came across this helpful website.

Top MLB & Baseball Apps

Now, I simply have to check my phone notifications for the latest baseball news and highlights. Here are a few major benefits from these apps that you can keep in mind as you check them out.

Get the latest news from the MLB

MLB apps make all of the latest news available to you at the touch of a button. These apps make it possible for you to keep up with your favorite teams, favorite players, and other news around the league. Whether you’re checking into the latest power rankings or figuring out which players had the most fantasy points, you can be a more informed fan just by checking your phone.

As the trade deadline approaches, the rumor mill will start churning out some drama. If you don’t want to be left out of the water-cooler talk at work, then you’ll want to keep up with the latest rumors on which big stars are on the move this year. And if this water-cooler talk involves fantasy baseball leagues and trash-talking opponents, you can use these MLB apps as a baseball reference site for the best fantasy baseball information.

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What to Do if You Chip a Tooth Playing Baseball 1

Posted on April 10, 2018 by Martin Banks

Spring is here, and it’s time to play ball! Baseball is a great sport that’s suitable for a wide range of ages. However, the nature of a sport that features a high-velocity ball can lead to injury, one of the most common being a tooth chipping. If your tooth chips during a baseball game, leave immediately and consult a dental professional, even if there is no pain or blood. Call your dentist and make an appointment as soon as possible, since timeliness plays a role in whether the dentist can save your tooth.

baseball-workouts

Baby or Adult Tooth?

It’s important to identify the chipped tooth. If a baby tooth is chipped, you probably don’t need to do anything, since the tooth will fall out on its own naturally. The chipped tooth may look funny, but poses no risk to dental health if it’s a baby tooth. The only exception is if there is an injury to the gums also, or the chipped tooth causes a sharp edge. Either scenario will be easy to see or detect. If the tooth is jagged, a dentist can remove the sharp edges and contour the tooth for safety and aesthetic appeal. Read the rest of this entry →

How to Enjoy Every Game this Season 1

Posted on March 15, 2018 by John Harris

Orioles-2017As any sports fan can attest, you do not choose the teams you support; you grow up with them. They are either the teams your dad loved as a kid or the one that captured your heart at a young age. Supporting a team is a very emotional experience, and anyone who can pick and choose their sports team as each season passes are not true fans. That being said, supporting more than just one team can help keep the whole season exciting, rather than just the games your team is playing.

Getting caught up in the thrill of the sport is the key goal of every sports fan, which is why, though you have your absolute favorite that you will cheer on no matter what, following these tips will help you stay excited throughout the season:

Knowing the History

Though this isn’t necessary to enjoy any sport, it can make things so much more pressing when it comes to records or up-and-coming talent. It can also help you appreciate the sport and how far athletes have come. You can find this information in a variety of ways, and the one that is perfect for you will depend on your preferences. You can watch movies, or documentaries, you can read articles on the history of sports, or books, or listen to podcasts. There are so many sports fans out there willing to share their knowledge with you that all it takes is a quick search to find the right medium for you.

What you will learn about the game goes so much more beyond who created it, but about the famous figures in its history and their records. The inspiring stories that generations before you followed with vigor. This can be key, especially if you are currently following the career of an up-and-coming sports start. You can measure his accomplishments with those who came before him. If you think that a consecutive number of hat tricks is exciting, imagine how thrilled you would be to learn that you were watching a new world record be made on your television? Read the rest of this entry →

Baseball Exercises for Strength and Flexibility 0

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Coraline Huard

Baseball-1For any baseball player, there are two important aspects which one should not ignore are body explosive power and body strength. The shoulder integrity is vital for baseball batters and pitchers. Therefore, baseball workout includes building muscles, adding arm strength and gaining speed. In case, if audience finds out that the pitcher is adding speed to the fastball, then they consider that the player is doing only upper body workouts. Whereas, building strength in arms needs more than just upper body workouts.

The most important aspect is mobility as well as stability in shoulders along with hips. Pitching is transferring the power from your legs to your upper body part of your arms. Therefore, to reduce the chances of injuries, one has to work hard not only on shoulders, arms and back but also on hamstrings, legs and hips.

Speed of pitching is directly proportional to arm speed not on the isolated muscle’s strength. It means focusing on pillar strength will increase the rotational power. Thus, the focus is on doing stability exercises of shoulder, strength work of lower body and propulsive exercises.

Exercises 1: Stride Stretch

This one will help the baseball athletes in giving more mobility and flexibility during playing baseball in their shoulders and rotator cuffs. In simpler terms, it is stretching of front as well as back of your hips. Never ignore the importance of mobility in hip as the mobility in hip is equally important to mobility in shoulders for pitchers. In the absence of proper mobility, then the pitchers will do only those actions which their body will allow them to move. It will decrease their leg drive, ultimately reducing the power and strength. Read the rest of this entry →

Improve Your Shoulder Strength on the Baseball Field with These 3 Baseball Workouts 0

Posted on December 08, 2017 by Coraline Huard

baseball-workoutsWithout strong shoulders, it’s tough to excel on the baseball field. Whatever your level now, there’s room for improvement! Use these three baseball workouts to strengthen your shoulders for better fielding, hitting, pitching, and throwing potential.

Understanding the Importance of Shoulder Strength for Baseball

Before we get into the exercises, let’s take a look at the mechanics of baseball. Shoulder strength, as it turns out, is essential for just about every move you make on the field. Flexibility is equally important, so don’t skimp on the stretching. Remember to warm up before every workout and game, too.

Start Every Baseball Workout with Arm and Shoulder Stretches

Before you start to stretch, spend a minute or so jogging. This warms up your entire body and increases your circulation, reducing the likelihood of injury. When you’re warmed up, you’re ready to stretch your arms and shoulders using slow, smooth motions while inhaling and exhaling deeply:

  • Lock your elbows and hold your arms straight out in front of your body. Bring your shoulder blades together as you pull your arms straight back while keeping them elevated.
  • Shrug your shoulders toward your ears, and then drop them back down into their natural position.
  • Do shoulder circles by lifting your arms away from your sides so that your body looks like a big “T.” With your elbows locked and your arms parallel to the floor, make circular motions in a forward direction, beginning with large, loose circles and gradually decreasing the size of the circles. Do this for at least 15 seconds, and then repeat the motion with backwards circles.
  • Look for chest, neck, and back stretches to complement your shoulder stretches. All of these muscles are connected, so it’s important to stretch them all, even when you’re only focusing on shoulder workouts. Read the rest of this entry →
  • Vintage Athlete of the Month

    • Louie Dampier: The First 3-Point King
      November 13, 2024 | 1:02 pm
      Louie Dampier

      Louie Dampier’s name might not resonate as widely as other basketball legends, but the Sports Then & Now Vintage Athlete of the Month’s impact on the game, particularly during the American Basketball Association (ABA) era, is undeniable. Known for his pinpoint shooting, exceptional ball handling, and relentless work ethic, Dampier enjoyed a stellar basketball career that saw him thrive in both the ABA and NBA. As one of the most consistent and prolific guards of his time, Dampier left a lasting legacy, and his role in the ABA’s history solidified his place in the annals of basketball greatness.

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