A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Hall of Fame Baseball from Total Baseball Development
There are few absolutes in baseball, but from the little leagues to the big leagues the simple fundamentals of the game are the same. Below you will see how the best of the best do it, and showing the way for players of all ages to follow along with. From hitting to pitching to fielding you can learn from pictures.
Albert Pujols – St. Louis Cardinals
Pujols puts everything he has into every swing. Here you see him take a very powerful cut all the while implementing the basic fundamentals of a good baseball swing by rotating on his back foot while keeping his front foot closed, taking his hips right to the ball which is immediately followed by his hands, and keeping his head down on the ball the whole time.
Ken Griffey Jr. - Cincinnati Reds
Griffey's swing is considered one of the best in the game and he shows he how he gets the most out of his body for his swing by using a solid foundation where he keeps his back leg bent, his front leg straight, and gets full extension after contact with the ball. His head is down to the ball the whole time.
Ramon Ortiz - Washington Nationals
The 2006 Nationals media guide list Ortiz at 6'0" and 175 lbs., and that is probably a stretch in both categories. He uses great natural talent to throw his 90 mph plus fastball, but here in this photo as a Red he shows how proper fundamentals help make him a big leaguer. He has the ball facing centerfield and is also 'grabbing' the target and then 'pulling' it to him. His eyes are intensely on the target the whole time.
Derek Jeter - New York Yankees
Simply put Jeter here shows you how it is done. His feet are wide apart with his glove side foot slightly ahead of his other foot. His body is square to the ball. His hands are far out in front of him with his right hand protecting his face and preparing to cover the ball as it enters his glove. His head is down and his eyes are on the ball the whole way.
Alfonso Soriano
Keeping hands back and
Getting ready
Every photo here shows you the importance of seeing what you are doing by the concentration on their faces and keeping their eyes on the task at hand. Also every explanation of the fundamentals being used by the players in the photos starts with the feet or the bottom half of their bodies. When working on something or trying to fix something always start at the feet and work your way up. A good foundation in baseball is paramount to doing things correctly, and it is very hard to put your hands in the right position if your feet are not in the right place. So now do not forget your new best friend, your digital camera, when you go to the ballpark. Take a few snapshots and compare your form with the best. For more instructional photographs and tips on how to play the game please check out our web site at totalbaseballdevelopment.com
TBD Website Hits - 2006
4,238 - July 22
4,267 - July 27
4,444 - August 25
5,332 - September 22
6,592 - October 17
6,782 - October 31
6,815 - November 4
6,886 - November 15
6,944 - November 22
7,070 - December 6
7,118 - December 8
TBD Website Hits - 2007
7,617 - January 5
8,409 - February 16
8,627 - February 22
9,115 - March 11 - Jerry Klein of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn was the 9,115TH VISITOR TO OUR WEBSITE - EMAILED US ON THIS - AND WON A FREE TBD T-SHIRT.
9,436 - March 25
10,000 - April 28 - LeAnn Budrow of Milford was the 10,000TH VISITOR TO OUR WEBSITE - EMAILED US ON THIS - AND WON A FREE TBD T-SHIRT.
12,173 - August 29
TBD Website Hits - 2008
15,616 - April 12
16,933 - August 1
17,502 - August 24
18,556 - September 16
19,465 - October 16
19,687 - October 19
19,966 - November 14
20,348 - December 12
IF YOU ARE THE 10,000TH VISITOR TO OUR WEBSITE - YOU WIN A FREE TBD T-SHIRT - FIRST EMAIL TO BE RECEIVED AFTER THE COUNTER ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE HITS 10,000 GETS ONE
LeAnn Budrow of Okoboji was the 10,037TH VISITOR TO OUR WEBSITE AND REPLIED AND WINS A FREE TBD T-SHIRT.
IF YOU ARE THE 10,000TH VISITOR TO OUR WEBSITE - YOU WIN A FREE TBD T-SHIRT - FIRST EMAIL TO BE RECEIVED AT protexter.tbd@gmail.com AFTER THE COUNTER ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE HITS 10,000 GETS ONE
