The Contester Blog

Baseball teams play their division far more games than they play any of the other divisions. This intensifies their hatred for one another as well as increases their familiarity with each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Combining the two makes for really great competitive games where pitchers actually have less bearing on the game as most will believe.

Because detailed scouting reports are widely available to division rivals, a teams advantage is diminished. I originally began my analysis with the belief that a pitcher’s orientation would be huge in a division rivalry game. For example, a team like the Oakland Athletics that hits incredibly well against lefties was 30-17 (+11.57 units) against lefties in 2005. Over the past 5 seasons, these Athletics were a whopping 138-89 (61%) +29 units versus lefties.

There exists a huge disparity when you analyze their performance against division rivals and not. The Athletics were a dismal 45-41 (-6 units) against Lefties in division rival games over the past 5 seasons. Compare that to their 93-48 +35 units versus lefties in non-division rival games.

What this teaches us is to bank on batting/pitching advantages during non-division rivalry games but to dismiss them in division rivalry games. This little tidbit of information will have me looking over any betting system I use to tweak them and improve them. You should do the same.

Good luck in the 2006 baseball season.

We offer Free MLB Handicapping Systems and Free Baseball Picks for you baseball fans.

During the last NLCS, I asked Brandon Backe of the Astros what the hardest thing was for him in making the conversion from outfielder to pitcher in the minors. He said it was “not playing every day.” That is why I would rather be a slugger, to answer your question. I’d want my mind and body to be in every inning of every game. I wouldn’t want to be one elbow injury away from a possible end of my career or a lost year. I listened to Nolan Ryan talk at the last All-Star FanFest in Houston about how he would have to “rebuild” his body from one start to the next, an incredibly arduous process that the great pitchers know and few fans realize. Ryan would be on the bike immediately after each start, and he said his physical strength would go down to about 50 percent a day or two after each start, and then his mission was to get it back up to 100 percent by the next start. As the slugger you mentioned, I’d love to be in that zone of hitting in the cages every day and be able to “slow down” every pitch like Manny Ramirez and Albert Pujols do so incredibly well.

There is no greater feeling on earth than hitting a ball over a fence and running around the bases at your own speed. And I would be just like Scott Rolen, who has the fastest home run trot in the game — no-nonsense, get back to the dugout and prepare for that next at-bat. I would be even-keel like a Cal Ripken and a Tony Gwynn and take satisfaction from reaching my potential every day and living in that zone and being completely in every inning.

The above article was written and given to this publication with permissions

by Mark Newman -

You can find Mark at www.mlb.com

For me hitting a ball on the sweet part of the bat is the best. As far as doing anything in sports, I cannot think of anything that pleased me more. This includes shooting a basketball, scoring a touchdown, or sinking a long put in golf. When I played, it was my fantasy to hit one squarely. This is what I dreamt about. Hit one to right center. Hit one to left center. Hit one down the line.
Always hit it hard.

Aron Wallad

Founder Baseball’s Pride and Joy

Author of inspirational baseball stories. Stories that hit a home run to your heart.

Sign up for my no cost newsletter @ http://www.baseballsprideandjoy.com

Aron Wallad
Founder Baseball’s Pride and Joy
http://baseballsprideandjoy.com

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People often shy away from Refurbished Fitness equipment, but generally this is only because they aren’t familiar with the term refurbished. In today’s world saving money is important. If you can cut costs without sacrificing value is the aim of the game. No matter if you’re a seasoned deal hunter or just out trying find a bargain, a piece of refurbished fitness equipment may be just what you’re looking for shape up your body and your bank account.

Most times when someone hears the word refurbished they think something is wrong with the item, or it’s defective. How ever nothing could be further from the actual meaning of the word. Refurbished could mean that an item has been damaged but it also holds several other meanings as well. Refurbished fitness equipment could be customer a customer return. Most equipment stores do offer some sort of return/refund policy on most items in their store. Most cases when an item is returned the store will return the unit to the manufacturer for inspection, and repackaging, however the item can no longer be deemed as new. The manufacturer would then redistribute the equipment as refurbished fitness equipment. This same situation is what would occur if an item were damaged during shipping. There’s a good chance that nothing is wrong with the unit, but the retailer or customer decides that they do not want anything damaged in shipment. Because the item is no longer brand new, it could never again be sold as such. But, if there were problems corrected by the manufacturer, the unit then becomes refurbished.

It’s possible that an item labeled as refurbished fitness equipment could have some simple cosmetic damage, possibly a dent or scratch, or possibly a more serious cosmetic defect. However cosmetic damage doesn’t mean that there is a serious problem with the functioning of the equipment, but it is no longer brand new. Hence if the manufacturer inspected it, it’s now considered refurbished.

If a piece of fitness equipment is on demo or display at a store, often it’s replaced by a new unit and the demo is removed from the sales floor. Generally these demo pieces are sent back to the manufacturer for inspection. The reason for an inspection to take place is to ensure there are no damages or defects, most often the item is repackaged and sent back to a retailer dealing in refurbished fitness equipment. In a situation like this the only thing separating a brand new item and the refurbished unit is the fact that one was on display.

Other refurbished classifications may involve a box that was simply opened by mistake, directions that are missing or overstock of a particular item. The bottom line is that, whenever a product is returned to the manufacturer for any reason, it is then inspected. If repairs are needed, the manufacturer takes care of those repairs before repackaging the item. If it’s a simple case of missing directions, they are replaced. The product is then shipped and resold as refurbished fitness equipment.

Other reasons for product being deemed refurbished could be an open box model, or a unit missing directions. When a product is returned to the manufacturer and they are required to inspect it or make some repairs before it is re-saleable the unit becomes refurbished. It could be as simple as missing directions, or a repair to a part of the item. The fact is that the original manufacturer makes the repairs, and then ships them out to be resold.

When purchasing refurbished equipment it’s important that you’re familiar with the stores refund and warranty policy. If there isn’t one it may not be the best idea to make your purchase there. When possibly ask your sales person if they know why the item is refurbished, and what the original problem may have been.

The contents of this refurbished fitness equipment article are intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered, or used as, medical advice or recommendations. Before starting any fitness routine, you should consult with your family doctor or a licensed physician to learn what risks, if any, exist.

For more information on refurbished or new equipment check out our website Fitness and Exercise equipment.

How To Get Discount Golf Fees

Once considered a game for the elite, Golf is now no more restricted to them only. With many schemes and plans floating in the market the expensive game of the past is now within the reach of the masses. With many golf fee schemes and half priced rounds played each year it can be seen as a measure of the popularity of the game. Being one of the world’s most popular games, it is the passion and purpose of life for many.

Golf courses are the ideal way of planning a long weekend. Different schemes for luring individuals, group of friends or companies are hitting the market. These are transferable memberships, many people from one card, two players playing for the price of one green fee and many more. One main arrow in the arsenal is to draw golf lovers is the golf discount fee. Many golf courses provide attractive and luring discount golf fees to draw more and more players towards them. An example is Open Fairways Golfer’s Passport, green fee discount memberships, which allows one to save up to fifty percent on green fees in UK and Ireland.

Presently many sites are loaded with information about the discount golf clubs and discount golf fee courses which help you in realizing your dream of playing at Gleneagles, The Belfry, The Dukes Course at St Andrews, St Pierre, St Mellion and the Forest of Arden at much more affordable rates than before. These sites provide information about how to play more golf and pay less.

Discounted Green Fees schemes like two for the price of one are offered at many fine golf courses throughout Great Britain. The aim is to give the golfer an opportunity to play on a variety of courses ranging from nine holes short to eighteen holes championship courses at an affordable cost.

In New Brighton at Brightwood Hills GC free rounds are held on Sundays. The offer is to buy one green ticket and play as many rounds as you wish. You don’t need to play these rounds on a stretch; you can also come back at some later part of the day and play. New customers also enjoy preference for tee time over repeat golfers. Other golf courses have options like valid anytime access for Mon-Thurs and after rush period access on Friday and Saturday. At the Quarry or the Legend Stay one could stay at select lodging and receive a $50 green fee.

Meister Golfa division of Meister Meeting Services, Incalso provides preferred and discounted tee times and greens fees at many of South Florida’s top golf courses. These golf courses can accommodate diminutive group of eight or a group as vast as around three hundred people to provide with preferred tee times and discounted green fees.

Arizona has different budget friendly golf courses ranging from under 100 dollars, between 100 – 200 dollars to over 200 dollarsthe package, which suits most could be chosen as per ones liking. The complete online course guide information helps in deciding when and where one wants to play. It has discounted golf tee times at over fifty top-rated golf courses. This includes Antelope hills -north and south, Arizona national, Arizona traditions, Boulders -north and south. Apart from these Worldgolf offers a selection of golf courses in different countries around the world. The site contains detailed information about yardages, pars, slope and rating with course photos and links to websites as well as email id’s and contact numbers.

Discount Golf Cards

Discount golf cards are very helpful in saving money for a player who loves to play on different golf courses around the country. As a holder of this golf card, you will have discounts on golf, lodging, pro shop purchases, clubhouse dining and other privileges in golf courses. Thus you quickly get to avail the money that you paid for this card. For example www.waggle.com has brought together a list of discount golf cards. These cards provide free or discounted rounds of golf at local courses.

Free or discounted rounds, pro shop savings, dollars off on lessons and more at over 170 courses and driving ranges in Maryland, D.C., Delaware and Pennsylvania is also available on 2004 Mid-Atlantic Golf Privilege Club card. Another similar money saving offer is 2004 Tee Time Golf Pass Play for 362 courses in nine states for only $50 and save thousands of dollars as fee.

Benefits on the Golf Card

Getting membership to the club entitles you to various benefits like:

* Reduced golf green and weekend fees. * Possibly two for one person’s fee
* Car rental discounts
* Savings on long distance services
* Savings on auto insurance
* Discounts on lodging
* Discounts on pro shop purchases
* Discounts on clubhouse dining
* Discounts at hotels worldwide

Golf in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle beach is also known as “Seaside Golf Capital of the World” for the panoramic location it is situated in. It stretches sixty miles along the coast from Georgetown, SC to Southport, NC. The area is one of the world’s premier golf resort and favorite vacation destination for families and friends. Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday is a conglomeration of 95 golf courses, 77 accommodations, four golf schools, and three real estate groups. All golf courses are located within the area of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

A trip to the beach is completely hassle-free. It starts by selecting your favorite golf course and asking the Golf Director to book tee times and accommodation. You are through with the procedure when you select the accommodation. One of the ways to get information about these golf vacation packages are the mails one receives after signing up for various online schemes. Arcadian Shores Golf Club, Arrowhead Country Club, Bay Tree Golf Plantation, Beachwood Golf Club are among the few golf courses on the beach.

The various discount golf fees courses have really helped in making this otherwise inaccessible game within the reach of common people with limited income and resources.

About the Author

Discount Golf Club 4u is an internet portal providing access to all the best deals in golf on the web.

Copyright 2005 Faisal Khetani

Are you searching for that “one” solution that blasts your plateau and sends your muscles into an explosive growth phase all over again?

The solution to your problem has been under your nose all along…

I’m not going to waste your time with “exercise variety” and “switching rep schemes”, because chances are, you already know these common techniques and use them in your workout routines anyway.

What I want to share with you is something fairly known in the weight lifting industry, but seldom used correctly and maximized to its full muscle-building potential.

The technique that can instantly force your muscles into growth is eccentric training, better known as “negatives”.

Chances are, you have already heard of negatives, but you probably don’t know how to use them for maximum muscle growth.

WHAT IS IT?

A concentric movement is your typical movement, in which the muscle fibers shorten to “lift” the weight.

Eccentric, or negative, movements are when you lower the weight, or bring it back to the starting position. It is the opposite of “lifting” a weight.

Negative movements unleash the power of the “other half” of your repetitions, the lowering phase. In an eccentric contraction, the muscle fibers lengthen to lower the weight.

Now, it is not enough to simply lower the weight slowly in your regular exercises. For maximum benefit, you must isolate and do negative movements alone!

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Here is a brief list of the benefits of eccentric (negative) training:

1) Increase in Training Weight: You can add a lot more weight when doing a negative movement. It is much easier to lower a heavier weight than it is to “lift” that same weight, which means that you can increase your training poundages instantly.

2) Neural Adaptations: After adapting to your regular concentric, or “lifting” movements, you can shock your muscles and nerves into adapting to a whole new negative movement. This causes confusion at the neuro-muscular level and forces you muscles into growth.

3) Muscle-Fiber Breakdown: Eccentric (negative) movements have been scientifically shown to cause greater muscle trauma and breakdown than regular concentric movements, resulting in greater muscle gains.

4) Type II Muscle-Fiber Activation: A study published last year concluded that maximum weight eccentric movements recruit more Type II Muscle fibers, those responsible for strength and speed.

5) Long Term Strength Gains: New research also shows that maximal eccentric movements cause neural adaptations that result in longer lasting strength gains.

THE BEST WAY TO DO ECCENTRIC (NEGATIVE) TRAINING

1) Choose a resistance level about 30% greater than what you would normally lift, and slowly lower that weight from the top position for a period of 3-5 seconds. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PARTNER!

2) Perform 2-3 sets for larger muscle groups such as chest, shoulders, and back. Perform only 1-2 sets for smaller muscle groups such as biceps and triceps.

3) Rest for 3-5 minutes between sets, because negative training is very intense on your muscles.

QUICK TIPS

1) It is best to dedicate one day out of the week and do a whole workout routine focused on negative movements only.

2) If you can hold, or lower a weight for longer than 5 seconds, consider increasing the weight as it may be too light. If it takes you less than 3 seconds to lower a weight, consider reducing the pounds as the weight may be too heavy.

3) Don’t overtrain! Listen to your body…Stick to less sets, and once you reach a set where it’s taking you less than 3 seconds to lower a weight, STOP!

4) If you don’t have a partner, you can train uni-laterally, using only one side of your body. This can be achieved with dumbbells, machines, and cables. Your non-active side would spot or support your active side.

CONCLUSION

As mentioned earlier, eccentric, or negative, movements have been shown to cause greater muscle-breakdown, neural adaptations, & recruitment of Type II Muscle Fibers.

This means that you can experience better muscle growth, greater strength gains, & more explosiveness.

Make sure to dedicate one day a week to do an entire workout routine focused on negative movements only.

You now have the knowledge to enter the fast-lane of muscle growth. How fast you want to go is entirely up to you…

Until next time, have an absolutely muscle-blasting workout routine!

The U.S. military needs tunneling robots, NASA needs tunneling robots, public works departments need tunneling robots, FEMA needs tunneling robots and so does law enforcement, FBI, Border Patrol, DEA, DHS and The ATF. But, how come no one has ever made a good, reliable, self-contained and state-of-the-art tunneling robot?

It seems with all the robotics competitions going on that someone would have designed and built a good tunneling robot by now. This subject recently came up in an online think tank and one member started asking questions; “Size, how large of a hole is needed? How long? What kind of maneuverability would be needed?”

What would be good tunneling robot look like? I propose it looked like a football and would have a gyro inside to keep it up right. Be cutting mechanism would be in the front and there would be spikes that came up the side which would push into the dirt and move the football foreword as it turned the dirt like the Viking ships with oars.

Of course this is a very interesting subject as there is no right answer, as long as the tunneling robot works it doesn’t matter really what it looks like. It could be in the shape of a snake it could be in the shape of one of the original Chinese firecrackers with a cone front and a cylinder side. As a matter-of-fact it doesn’t really matter what looks like, as long as it works. Consider this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Before you spend a lot of money for a new pair of ice hockey skates, first consider your level of play among two basic categories: the recreational skater and the amateur hockey player. Chances are, you’ll fall somewhere within these two groups and finding the right skate for you can save you plenty.

1.) The recreational skater, one who enjoys ice skating as an occasional pass-time, wouldn’t necessarily require a high-end hockey skate like those designed for amateur league play. On the other hand, the same skater should not compromise comfort and safety merely to save a few dollars. One could easily find a suitable pair of hockey skates from a major manufacturer without spending a lot of money and still get a good skate. The BAUER Vapor VI is a good example for those wanting a quality skate without draining their wallet. All name brand hockey skates are highly engineered and available in a wide price range to fit almost any budget.

2.) The amateur hockey player is usually involved in organized sports such as school hockey teams or private leagues. This level of play requires skating long periods of time several days per week. Typically, an amateur hockey player requires a hockey skate designed for heavy use and structured to maintain a high level of comfort and durability. A mid-level skate such as CCM Super Tacks or the CCM Vector series is a likely choice. If a more high-end skate is preferable, the BAUER XXX or GRAF 707 nears the top out the list of some of the best skates available.

The NHL is probably the most effective venue hockey skate manufacturers have to market their retail products to the general public. When kids see the skates their favorite pro players are wearing, they want a pair just like them. However, professional hockey players have their skates custom made by major skate manufacturers so don’t expect to find an exact replica of their skates on the pro shop shelf or any web site you may run across. What you will find is a retail version of the same skate. Even though they are not the exact skates, they are a quality product engineered by the same manufacturers.

Weather you are a recreational skater or an advanced league hockey player, you can easily find a pair of ice hockey skates suited for your specific needs without overspending. While shopping, keep this in mind. Even the biggest name brand manufacturers will have a line of skates to fit almost any budget. So, look closely, ask a lot of questions and save money.

Joseph Peacock is the owner of KSJ Products, LLC and HockeyPuckers.com, a family business offering quality hockey skates and equipment at reasonable prices. The business is co-owned by his wife, Shirley and his daughter, Kalie. Together, the three are dedicated to serving their customers as friends. Their rigid belief in recognizing each customer as much more than a number is the reason they started their business. So, if you are looking for ice hockey skates and equipment, you can feel good about your visit with HockeyPuckers.com.

I love to cook all the time. There really is nothing more soothing to me than slaving behind the hot stove. Providing food for family and friends that is both nutritious and delicious is something that I really pride myself on. One of my favorite things to cook is French Toast. I am not really sure where French Toast came from, it thinks that I came from Egypt or Monaco, but I am not too sure. I am just kidding, everybody knows that French toast came from Germany. When I make French toast, everybody always wants to come over for breakfast. Here is how I make it. First I like to start with a nice fresh loaf of bread. Its best if the bread of thick and soft. Start with cracking a bunch of eggs I a big bowl, add some cream or milk and mix it all up. What I like to do is add some sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Then you need to get a skillet warmed up and ready to go. I think that 350 degrees is about the right temperature. Then you need to dunk the bread in the batter mix. When you dunk the bread, be sure that it soaks up lots of that egg. Then put it on the pan, and cook until it is lightly browned on one side, then flip it. Do the same thing and you are done. Yummy. Top with butter, peanut butter, syrup and powdered sugar. What ever you like.

One of the most colorful franchises in all of professional football is without a doubt the Oakland Raiders. Based out of Oakland, CA, the Raiders are yet another original AFL member that came into the NFL during the merger in 1970. As a member of the AFC West, the Raiders have been to 5 Super Bowls, winning 3 of them. Let’s take a closer look at the history of the Oakland Raiders.

Al Davis has owned the Raiders since 1972. Originally founded in Oakland, the team played there until Davis moved them to Los Angeles in 1982. Later, the team moved back to Oakland in 1995 and remains there to this day.

The football team has had the colors of silver and black since Davis was general manager of the team in 1963. He used these colors originally because all TV’s were available in black and white only and these colors showed up better than others.

John Madden became the head coach of the Raiders in 1969. He later guided the team to its first ever Super Bowl win in 1976. Madden stayed on as coach of the football team until 1979 when he left the team and the league, to go into TV broadcasting.

In 1982, Davis moved the team to Los Angeles, due in part to the refusal of the city of Oakland to remodel the football stadium. In their first year in Los Angeles, the team went to the Super Bowl and won. That has been the last time the Raiders have won a Super Bowl. In 1995, the team moved back to the city of Oakland.

The fans of the Oakland Raiders are some of the rowdiest fans in all of professional football. They arrive early for tailgate parties dressed in silver and black paint, masks and costumes. One of the more rowdy spots in the stadium is known as the “black hole”. This part of the stadium is definitely not for the feint of heart.

Hall of Fame

The Oakland Raiders have 18 current members in the pro football Hall of Fame. They include: Marcus Allen Fred Biletnikoff George Blanda Bob Brown Willie Brown Dave Casper Al Davis Eric Dickerson Mike Haynes Ted Hendricks James Lofton Howie Long Ronnie Lott John Madden Ron Mix Jim Otto Art Shell Gene Upshaw

There have been many other notable players on the Raiders over the years including: Ray Guy Lyle Alzado Cliff Branch Bo Jackson Carl Weathers (later played Apollo Creed in “Rocky” movies) Jack Tatum Jerry Rice

The Raiders have been known as a franchise that has had more than its share of bad football drafts over the years. This, combined with the constant head coaching changes by Al Davis, has made winning sometimes difficult over the years. One of the more memorable draft day mistakes was the selection of troubled QB Todd Marinovich.

The Oakland Raiders have some of the storied rivalries among any NFL football team, with the fiercest being San Diego, Denver and Kansas City. Even when the Raiders are not as competitive, teams do not like playing them. That is one reason why the team will always remain as one of the more popular ones in the league.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Football