Play Ball!: Basic Pitching

The "Play Ball! Basic Pitching" DVD with Ray Romano and Reggie Smith is an authentic Little League® baseball guide that teaches basic pitching techniques, strategies, tips, practice drills, and safety. It's hosted by Ray Romano from TV's "Everybody Loves Raymond". Run time: 40 minutes.
Customer Review: simple but helpful
This is a good training video, I recommend it for kids and parents. The pitching mechanics section is good, but he skips a couple key items(i.e. both the position of the stride foot, and tucking the elbow on the glove hand, during delivery). However, it gives simple straight forward instructions that are easy to follow. I liked the section on types of pitches and grips, very good. I also appreciated the message that Little Leaguers should not throw curve balls. To paraphrase he states, "kids are going to try to throw curve balls anyway, so lets not put our heads in the sand and pretend it doesn't exist, lets show them how to do it properly so they don't hurt their arms." I agree. He strictly talks about the overhand curve, he doesn't teach a slider for good reason. Kids shouldn't try to throw it at all. The tips from the pros were a little lame, but they're pros and I'm not. A great book to go with this is "The Little League Guide to Correcting the 25 Most Common Mistakes" by John Montelelone.

Terry Francona came to the Boston Red Sox in 2004, just one year after the Red Sox had lost a classic, heart-breaking 7th game to their hated rivals, the ever-present New York Yankees. That loss screamed for change up in Boston, where losing to the New York Yankees, especially in such a fashion, is akin to a cardinal sin of Beantown sports.

That Terry Francona was the Manager of the Boston Red Sox team that finally broke through, was no accident. There needed to be a match between Manager and personality of that Red Sox team. The team, comprised of laid-back personalities that would probably have revolted against a hard-ass Manager, took Francona into its clubhouse, creating a snug fit that helped weather storms during that 2004 season, and once again while winning the World Series in 2007.

Boston Red Sox - Francona's 2 Rings Not Enough

So Terry Francona, armed with a well-deserved contract extension, is set to once again lead the Boston Red Sox, this time with the idea of a World Series repeat in mind. No doubt the New York Yankees will be standing in their way once again, and visa versa. Should the Red Sox not repeat, it will not be for lack of a steady hand at the helm.

MLB Champion Boston Red Sox have a Manager, in Terry Francona, someone that exemplifies the attitude of the recent two-time World Series Champions. Cool, intelligent and easy under fire, it was this kind of personality at the top that helped steady a ship that had been at sea for over 80 years.