Yankees' Rodriguez to Play in WBC

Yankees' Rodriguez to Play in WBC
By: F.R.Penn

-->After several months of doubtfulness, Alex Rodriguez has decided that he will participate in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), and that he will do so wearing a Team USA uniform. After struggling with his decision whether or not to represent the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez' country of origin, the American League MVP came to a somewhat surprising conclusion on Tuesday night, as Rodriguez posted on his Web site that he would represent the United States in the initial tournament.NEW YORK -- After several months of uncertainty, Alex Rodriguez has decided that he will participate in the World Baseball Classic, and that he will do so wearing a Team USA uniform.The WBC saga of the reigning American League MVP came to a somewhat surprising conclusion on Tuesday night, as Rodriguez announced on his Web site that he would represent the U.S. in the inaugural tournament. "Following discussion with my family and agent, the Commissioner, and the Major League Baseball Players Association, I have decided to participate in the World Baseball Classic," Rodriguez said in a statement on AROD.com. "In recent weeks, following dialogue with caring friends and players, both Dominican and American, I reached the conclusion that if I played in the Classic, I would play for the United States and honor my American citizenship."I appreciate the support and understanding of my fellow Dominican players and friends who aided me in making this decision," he added. "The World Baseball Classic offers baseball and its fans an exciting new forum and I look forward, if selected, to representing the United States in what will be baseball's greatest international competition." In mid-December, Rodriguez said that he was leaning toward representing the Dominican Republic, which would have been his right because of his parents' citizenship in that country. Just days later, he changed his mind, saying that he would skip the event altogether as not to offend either the Dominican Republic or the U.S. MLB and union officials lobbied the Yankees' third baseman over the past few weeks, trying to convince him to play in the event.Earlier in the day on Tuesday, it appeared that Rodriguez would stand by his plan to sit out the tournament, even though the Dominican Republic had placed him on its provisional roster on Monday. USA Baseball was prepared to leave A-Rod off its roster, as union officials informed the U.S. that Rodriguez planned to skip the WBC. But as the day went on, Rodriguez changed his mind, ultimately deciding to represent his home country along with teammates Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon and Al Leiter.Rodriguez is one of 52 players on Team USA's provisional roster, a list that includes four other third basemen: Eric Chavez, Morgan Ensberg, Chipper Jones and David Wright."He's one of the best players in the game," said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball's executive director and chief executive, of Rodriguez. "We'll be thrilled to have him on our team."Copyright F.R.Penn - www.stubhub.comHotlib.com - Huge collection of free articles and free reports at Hotlib.com

More Baseball Quotes

More Baseball Quotes
By: Aron Wallad

-->I love what prominent baseball people have to say about the great ballplayers. They seem to eloquently capture what we are thinking. "It was his solemn duty to catch a ball that wasn't in the stands." - Monte Irvin (Newark Eagles OF, May 6, 1981), on Willie Mays "Maybe they should see if his body is corked." - Howard 'Hojo' Johnson (NY Mets), on Bo Jackson, from Sports Illustrated, October 19, 1986 "When he took BP everybody would kind of stop what they were doing and watch." - Jim Kaat, former pitcher, on Mickey Mantle "I played with him for nine years and marveled at how hard he hit and how fast he ran. How can anyone ever forget the catch he made on Gil Hodges' line drive to save Don Larsen's perfect game?" - Tony Kubek, former shortstop, on Mickey Mantle "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson "Having Willie Stargell on your ball club is like having a diamond ring on your finger."Chuck Tanner "Ted Williams was the greatest hitter I ever saw, but (Joe) DiMaggio was the greatest all around player."Bob Feller"No one hit home runs the way Babe (Ruth) did. They were something special. They were like homing pigeons. The ball would leave the bat, pause briefly, suddenly gain its bearings, then take off for the stands." Lefty Gomez"When Neil Armstong first set foot on the moon, he and all the space scientists were puzzled by an unidentifiable white object. I knew immediately what it was. That was a home run ball hit off me in 1933 by Jimmie Foxx."Lefty Gomez"Every time Johnny Bench throws, everybody in baseball drools." - Harry Dalton"He (Babe Ruth) hits a ball harder and further than any man I ever saw." - Bill Dickey"He (Lou Gehrig) just went out and did his job every day."Bill Dickey"He gets better every year, that's what's remarkable about him. Some guys are good and stay good. Some guys are good and get better. He reminds me of Kareem. Hubie Brown said that Kareem worked at the beginning of every season to improve some facet of his game. It's that way with the best, whatever the profession. That's the way this kid is." Ed Bradley on 60 Minutes - Talking about Derek Jeter"I think he was one of the greatest third basemen of all time. He had one of the sweetest swings I ever saw." - Teammate Johnny Logan on Eddie Mathews"How good was Stan Musial? He was good enough to take your breath away." - (1989)"When he (Maury Wills) runs, it's all downhill." Vin ScullySeeing what these writers, ballplayers and managers has to say about these players lights up the page for me. I can visualize these players on the field hitting home runs, running with arms outstretched to catch a ball or throwing out a would be base runner trying to steal a base.This is my baseball memorabilia. About the Author: Aron Wallad has been a baseball lover for over 45 years. His passions have included; playing, watching, reading, evaluating, and coaching the game he adores. Check out his baseball ezine. Do you love inspiring quotes, unusual statistics and most of all, heartwarming baseball stories? If you love baseball you will love his baseball ezine.Go here right now http://www.baseballsprideandjoy.com/index.php?tag=isnareContact Aron at aron@baseballsprideandjoy.com Source: www.isnare.com

Start Your Own Baseball Fantasy League

Start Your Own Baseball Fantasy League
By: Jay Moncliff

-->Over the last ten years there has been an incredible increase in people participating in baseball fantasy leagues, and fantasy sports in general. There is really only one rule for those involved, and that is they must have a real and ongoing interest and appreciation of the game of baseball. Starting your own fantasy league is easy follow the simple steps below and you will quickly have a league you can enjoy throughout the season.Fantasy League Step #1 Get your teams togetherThe first step to creating a baseball fantasy league is getting your teams together. You need to find between 8 and 12 friends to participate and create their own team. Why 8-12 teams? This is the range of numbers that will give you a competitive league, which you will need for it to be as enjoyable as possible.Fantasy League Step #2 The CommishJust like Major League Baseball, someone needs to be in charge. Elect a responsible and committed Commissioner to manage the statistics weekly, and is someone who has the opportunity and resources to distribute them to every player in the fantasy league.Fantasy League Step #3 One League or Two?One of the oldest questions in baseball do we need both the American and National Leagues? Your group will need to decide whether to play with the traditional favourites, or establish a single league.Fantasy League Step #4 Player draft or auctionTeams need players, and the group will need to decide the best way to individually acquire players. Both draft and auction methods work, but whichever method you choose, stay with it throughout the season.Fantasy League Step #5 RulesYou cant escape rules, even in a fantasy league. Accumulation of points and recording statistics need to be done consistently and to a standard. Agree the rules, and ensure all teams are aware of the compliance requirements, and what happens when they dont follow them!Fantasy League #6 Enjoy yourselfAmericans in their millions play fantasy league baseball to win money, trophies or simply for the sake of it. No matter what your reason, make sure the final prize is agreed by all as this gives you every player the best chance of enjoying themselves. About the Author: Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.baseballcenter.info a website specialized on Baseball, resources and articles. This site provides updated information on Baseball. For more info on Baseball visit: http://www.baseballcenter.info Source: www.isnare.com

Lessons Learned at the Ballpark

Lessons Learned at the Ballpark
By: Carole Nicolaides

-->Lessons Learned at the BallparkTim FultonI often times receive my best training in customer service in the most unlikely situations.My 6-year-old son, Taylor, had been pressuring me for weeks to take him to a baseball game. At the time, I was still on strike as a major league baseball fan. Hence, I decided to take him to see the local team play in the College Baseball Regional Championships.The game was terrific. It had all the elements that has made baseball our national pastime: great hitting, exciting fielding, and a late-inning comeback by the home team.In fact, the home team won the game. Taylor thoroughly enjoyed the game except for one aspect. He had brought his glove to the game just in case a foul ball happened to drift in our direction. With each pitch, he leaned forward in anticipation of snagging a souvenir ball.Unfortunately, not a single ball was hit our way.After the final out, we weaved our way out of the bleachers toward our car in the parking lot. As we reached the stadium exit, we passed an elderly stadium attendant. He appeared to be either a university alumnus or maybe just a fan of the game who worked to gate to earn a free ticket. As the crowd pushed out onto the street, the old gent stood by the exit gate minding his own business. As we walked by, the attendant abruptly reached down and grabbed Taylor's glove hand as if my son was concealing contraband in his mitt."Son, have you got a baseball in that glove?" he asked suspiciously.Taylor was startled by the stranger and replied, "No," in a soft whisper.At that moment, the attendant reached into his pocket, and pulled out a baseball and dropped it into Taylor's empty glove. "Now you do", said the man, smiling broadly, "Come back and see us again."For a moment, Taylor stood like a statue staring down into his glove in disbelief at his prize. He than looked up at me with a smile that would have melted any father's heart and brought moisture to my eyes.I was numb.Taylor grabbed my arm and tugged me out of the pedestrian traffic to the car. The ball, upon closer examination was an official game ball that had probably been fouled out of the park and retrieved by the man.Now, my son knows as much about customer service as I do about the "RugRats". But he made it perfectly clear that we were going to be regular visitors to that baseball stadium for years to come.In fact, it's safe to say that he is a baseball fan for life.In retrospect, I believe that that gesture was one of the greatest examples of "knock your socks off" customer service that I've ever witnessed in my life. As a result of a rather inexpensive, but sincere gesture by a stadium attendant, baseball has a lifetime customer. This guy went into my Customer Service Hall of Fame.So what's the moral to this story?Consider your business or organization. What are your front-line people doing to create lifetime customers? Are they empowered to make marketing decisions, such as the one that stadium attendant made, on the spot?As much money as we spend on marketing our product or service, we sometimes forget that customers are won and lost on the front-line.Do you have a Hall of Famer working for you? Or are your customer service representatives shackled by company policies and procedures to the degree that they are unable to capitalize on such "moments of truth". See ya at the ballpark..
About the Author
Tim Fulton is a nationally recognized small business consultant and management trainer. He is a noted public speaker in the areas of Customer Service and Entrepreneurship. He can be reached at timfulton@hotmail.comHotlib.com - Huge collection of free articles and free reports at Hotlib.com