Cubs Fanatic Purse

Your favorite MLB team license plate forms the body of this unique purse. The purse is felt-lined.

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Not only have they just launched their new MLB line, they also have a sale going on now!

ME & BASEBALL

For as long as I can remember, baseball has been a very big part of my life. Those of you who know the game, let me give you a clue to which team is my favorite.
"Maybe next year." Yes that's right, I am a CHICAGO CUBS fan, and may I add, proud of it!



Every year, we would go to Wrigley Field and cheer on our Cubbies. I had the biggest crush on Carmen Fanzone number 23. See, I have given you a very good reason to like baseball. The guys are HOT! Well I sure thought Carmen was. Give me a break I was 15.

My Dad loved the Cubs, and I love my Dad. I will carry on the tradition.

Again, if your man has a favorite team. Find out more about his team. Here is a site that will keep you up to date, HIS TEAM Love him! Love baseball! At least try to like it.



LETS PLAY BALL!

Ladies, you may already have something in common with the game. Are you wearing a diamond? That's your first clue. The game is played on a diamond.

Remember the number 9, very important. 9 innings, 9 players. Players as followed, 1. Pitcher, 2. Catcher, 3. First Baseman, 4. Second Baseman, 5. Third Baseman, 6. Short Stop, 7. Left Fielder, 8. Center Fielder, 9. Right Fielder

Each team is allowed 3 outs per inning. Each player takes their turn batting at home plate. 3 strikes, their outta there, 4 balls, they walk. Example: announcer says, the count is 3 and 2 (also known as a full count), translation, the batter has 3 balls, 2 strikes.

1. Hit: the batter hits the ball with a bat and makes it safely to base. The types of hits are:
a. Single:The batter makes it safely to first base
b. Double: The batter makes it safely to second base without stopping
c. Triple: The batter makes it safely to third base without stopping
d. Homerun: The batter makes it safely around all bases, back to home without stopping.
e. Grand Slam: When the batter hits a homerun with all the bases occupied by runners (or "loaded"), he has hit a grand slam.
Hit by a pitch: the pitcher hits the batter with the ball, the batter may proceed to first base. If the batter intentionally moves into the path of the pitch, it is considered a strike.
Error: If a fielder fails to make a play that they should have been able to make (e.g. dropping a routine fly) and the batter makes it safely to base, it is considered an error as opposed to a hit.

If you are getting a little overwhelmed, mark this site in your favorites, to refer back to it. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Okay, I knew you were tough, I knew you weren't a Sally, (translation, cry baby). Let's continue on.

There are many different ways for a fielder to make an out. The most common are:
Tag: The base runner is tagged with the ball on his way to base but is not on the base.
Force: A force out occurs when the runner has a runner on the base behind him. There is always a force out at first for the batter, as that is the batter's only base choice. A runner at second with no one on first does not face a force out since the batter will have the choice of proceeding to third or staying on second. A fielder causes the force by tagging the base that runner needed to advance to.
Fly : A fly out occurs on a fly ball that is caught.

Grab a cup of coffee and check out the "You Tube," clip. Then on to part two.

That was a great clip wasn't it. Okay, back to becoming an expert, on baseball. So I exaggerated a bit.

Strikeout: The batter is out with any three of the following: thrown strikes, swung at and missed strikes, or foul balls for strikes one and two.
Double Play: Any two outs that occur during the same at bat.

To start the game, the visiting team will be up at bat first while the home team takes the field. The at bat team will bat in an order determined prior to the start of the game by the team's manager. The manager will attempt to put good lead off batters at the top of the batting order and power, or homerun, hitters in the clean -up positions of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th batters. Generally, the catcher and the pitcher will end the batting order.
Don't be to worried about batting order. You will learn more about that as you watch the game.

A quick look at "Pitching."

They have a variety of pitching techniques, some excell perhaps in one of the many mentioned. Fastball, curveball, sinking curveball, slider, breaking ball, change-up, forkball, and split-finger fastball. Do you need to know this, No, but it sure would be impressive if you do.

Basically, here it is in a nutshell,
The ultimate goal of the game is, the team with the most runs, WINS!
If you learn nothing else, remember that.
I could have told you that in the beginning. But Coach Chloe, wants you to be well informed.

Another quote from one of baseball's greatest,



"Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and I have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans.
Lou Gehrig

Find more, BASEBALL ALMANAC

This dashing Chicago Cub, pictured here, is my dear friend, Don Schulze.

He played with several major league teams, but the most important one, of course, the CUBS.

Donald Arthur Schulze

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 225 lb. Debut September 13, 1983
vs. MON 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO, 1 BB, 0 ER
Final Game September 29, 1989
Born September 27, 1962 in Roselle, IL

He is currently the pitching coach for the Kane County Cougars - Class A Midwest League



I met Don, and his family through our church. What a blessing they are. And what a grip he has. When everyone is shaking hands, I try to avoid him. Luv ya, Don!

Now, more about pitching:

This section may be a bit more advanced. If you're up for it, by all means, read on.
Knowing what the pitcher is about to throw, can be hard even for those who have followed baseball. Watching his stance, fingers, etc. Will that help us to know?
Will it be a breaking pitch? A four seam fastball? A cutter?
As your coach, It is my duty to keep you well informed. So if you want to know more, I am providing a couple of links on PITCHING and MORE PITCHING to give you, a better understanding.

Here are a few tid bits you can mention at the next get together.

Who has the most career home runs without ever being in a World Series? Mr. Cub Ernie Banks (Had his autograph, lost it)

Only two players have lifetime stats of over 500 home runs, over 3,000 hits and over a .300 batting average. Hank Aaron, Willie Mays

Who had his number retired on three different teams? Nolan Ryan. Angels, Astros,and the Rangers.

Who was the first National Leaguer to hit 50 home runs in two consecutive seasons? Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, they both had over 60 home runs. 1998-99

Who had the most hits in the 1990's? Mark Grace Cubs

Okay, so I'm partial to the Cubs. If you would like to find more amazing facts. Check out, BASEBALL TRIVIA

I knew that would get your attention!

Here it is, you have just learned a great deal of information that will surely cause you to be a big hit. But now, I want you to relax a bit, and do something you enjoy. Shopping!

Maybe you're thinking of an awesome jersey of his favorite team, for yourself or him? Or a very special gift, that all his friends will envy?

Below is a list of the most popular places to shop.

Get your MLB fan gear at ESPNshop.com!

Did someone say, "sale?" Check out Dick's, for an awesome line of baseball apparel, and more. They carry many of the latest from Alyssa Milano's Touch collection. Or, simply click on her picture above to view more.

DicksSportingGoods.com

FansEdge online catalog features officially licensed NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, and Collegiate products and authentic autographed memorabilia. They carry products in a wide range of categories, including: apparel, auto, watches and jewelry, office, and video/DVDs.

FansEdge.com

The Largest Selection of Sports Licensed Products on the Planet


Has he mentioned a game he's been dying to get tickets for?
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