MLB pitcher

Franklin Sports MLB Power Pitcher Pitching Machine/Baseball Batting Trainer No. 14948
$69.99
I just purchased one of these today for a gift. I read that it would be difficult to find extra balls that fit - and it was. None of the ones available have fit so far. So I tried tennis balls, and that worked just fine. The balls have to be just ever so slightly smaller than the average practice balls (you can't tell by looking side by side) and baseballs, so tennis balls fit that bill.

I also read that it eats batteries, and that the adaptor advertised is no longer available. So I came out with a pile of generic adjustable adaptors. I found that 300ma 6v was not strong enough to make the machine do anything but buzz. So I tried a 5v 1amp adaptor from an old zip drive, and that worked (after about the 3rd try. Not sure what the deal was the first 2 times). So if you have trouble finding an adaptor, try more amps. The machine doesn't say what the rating should be anywhere, it only says 6V - C + on the side.

I haven't tried it other than to shoot some balls across my living room, so we'll see how it holds up. Seems to be a good fit for a little kid.

How Could You Trade Billy Pierce? Essays and Analyses of MLB's Best Pitchers (1901 - 2005)
$20.00
The author has come up with several new formulas to help evaluate pitcher
performance. PAPA Park Adjusted Pitching Average, RPA Run Prevention Average, IPA Innings Pitched Average, ERM Earned Run Mean, MJP Most jovelike Pitcher. There are brief chapters discussing pitching for each season between 1901-2005. Good Stuff.

Oakland Athletics MLB 60 Oz. Glass Pitcher

- Show your guests your team spirit with this MLB 60 Oz. Glass Pitcher from Great American Products. This attractive heavy duty glass pitcher features a hand crafted metal team logo in full team colors.

Spaceman: A Baseball Odyssey
$14.95
This documentary is a great piece of work. Bill Lee's enthusiasm for both life and the game of baseball is evident throughout it.

It's obvious his teammates loved him (from the smiles on their faces as they tell stories) and that (some) management obviously didn't.

When I was in college, after Lee revealed he "used" a certain green herb, the headline in the local paper read: "Lee Smokes Yankees" :) .

And he took principled stands at personal cost. I always find that admirable.

The world needs more Bill Lee's.