I'm a 23 year old dood who hasnt played baseball since 2001 back when I was on my high school team. I was an average player in HS, but I'm sure my skills have decreased over the last 5+ years. Im still athletically active and have play other sports regularly. I want to get beack into baseball for the love of the game.
205714
There are all types of divisions...both age and ability defined...open any age D division less talented teams...Under 30 you get the idea...most are fairly competitive..Not as much at lower divisions  but hey it's all good  Umpired a few years... Even have a world series in Ariz following season...
192447
Its not about how long you have played but how well. Do you play for your county (or state) at amatuer level. This were you are likely to be spotted. Top Pro's practice for around seven hours a day, when they are not actually in competition. Keep throwing and good luck.
336362
Absolutely YES. You've got Beltran - who needs another center fielder?  And Zito is under 30 and would be reunited with the pitching coach he had when he won the Cy Young.  It's a no-brainer.
44298
I absolutely LOVE softball. I have been playing since I was 7, and I am 21 now. I am in my senior year of college, so this is my last year to play on a truly competitive team in a league :( I will always play softball, but my days for having practice and games everyday is coming to an end :( I play Right Field, and I LOVE playing outfield. People tell me that I should try out for the Pro Teams as well. I don't know how old you are, but if you are younger than I, ENJOY softball as much as you can- play as much as you can stand, and definitely don't ever give up on your dreams. The days will come to a close sooner than you think! Good Luck with everything- and ALWAYS practice and look for ways to get better!!!\n\nGOOD LUCK!
58188
go to community college with a baseball team, try out. if ur any good they'll take you. then work ur way up though the ranks to the pros. two years there, then a four year college or maybe a minor team would give you a shot. talk to a local minor league team and try to get a try out, or find out when the pros are having a combine. u need to get exposure. my brother plays community college ball and the KC Royals have talked to him about minor league. give it a shot.
197387
My Dad played for the Cubs farm system back in the early 1960's in the Southwest. He told me that they had a player on the AAA team in New Mexico when he played that the Cubs thought was just too old (29) and they were just stringing him along until the end of his contract. Several years later when the Mets beat out the Cubs for the division title, guess who was one of the starters for the Mets!\n\nHe also said, whenever the Cubs found a really good player they would always trade him for two bums. Some things never change.
367951
Strangely enough, at 29 you are probably too old to start a professional baseball career. Most of the MLB players have been scouted since they were little leaguers and come up through farm clubs, etc. The chances of a random guy off the street getting to play with the Yankees is about the same as winning the lottery. I don't think that the bionic arm would be legal by MLB rules. There have been some one handed pitchers but a think I bionic arm might illegal. Depends on the nature of the prosthetic device. If you are still controlling the motion yourself then I don't see why not. However, perhaps if you follow baseball you will remember the uproar a few weeks ago about Kenny Rogers pitching with some dirt on his hand. They have some very specific rules. I think that if you played professional baseball before the injury you might have a chance but to start a career at 29 with an injured arm seems unlikely. Also, there are probably insurance factors which would be expensive.
83961
For quality of game, I agree, but for some people, 2 years ago when the redsox's broke "the curse of the bambino", for many people that would be the best ever not only because it was broken, but they came back from a 3-0 deficit against the Yankees, being one out away from losing, and coming back to win 8 games in a row to win the world series would primly be an amazing come back, not as extreme games though.
396285
Solid utility player that can plan any position except Pitcher and Catcher.  Had a great 2006.  \n\n.296 average, .357 On base, 13 HR, 74 RBI, 78 Runs and 4 SB\n\nGood sign, although I hope they give Theriot some Playing time. \n\nGo Cubbies!!!
336130
Oh yes, softball is pretty much my life!  I play catcher about 99% of the time... I can play anywhere, though.  I have been playing for 5 years now, and it is certainly addictive!  Make sure to check out the Women's College World Series... it should be coming up on ESPN U or ESPN 2.
534065
I'm a junior in high school and we've won the 6A Kansas State Softball Championship the past 3 years in a row and I'm also on a traveling team.  It depends on how old you are.  If you're below the ago of 11 a regular bat and glove should do fine.  You should practice taking grounders and go to the batting cages to get in some hitting practice.  If you're older you should get a good glove and bat.  The glove should fit you but it doesn't matter on the quality of it so long as its nto going to fall apart.  I myself had used the same glove since third grade until last summer.  For the bat, I would recommend a Louisville Catalyst or Easton Synergy.  Make sure that you get a bat that is light/heavy and long/short enough for you.  Brush up on the rules as well.  All players should have cleats, regardless of age.
157991
I started playing a little bit around fifth grade, but this year I'm taking the class in high school and I'm on the school team. It's really fun and rewarding... Ever since I started playing more this year, I've gotten a lot more excercise and made a lot more friends! I especially like how it's not a contact sport. And you can play singles or doubles. I like doubles, but only if I like my doubles partner :)
151875
Let colleges know you're interested in playing for them.  If you're not batting .600 with 17 HR and 57 RBI in 20 games, scouts may or may not make it out to your games.  The suggestion of sending schools tapes of your play is excellent.  Also, you can apply to the schools that you would like to go to after checking up on whether they're looking for someone with your baseball talents as well.\n\nIf you're a pitcher who can throw gas, you'll get attention.  If you can bat as I mentioned above, you will, too.  Also, if you're a good catcher with a decent bat, that's the fastest way up the food chain.\n\nIf you're looking to play ball as a way of getting through college, remember that most teams don't hand out many full baseball scholarships.  Last I checked, a team had 11.7 scholarships in D-I, so most of their players get half or quarter rides.\n\nGood luck with your play.  And if a pro scout takes interest in you, take interest in him.  You can go to college anytime... :)
140244
being a first baseman myself, my advice would be that the most important skill is to be able to catch balls in the dirt - mostly bad throws from 2B, SS, 3B. another is the stretch to catch the ball. tall isnt as important as long - being able to reach out and catch the ball the earliest possible. quickness isnt really an issue, you only need to move 15 feet MAX to either side.
405444
This is a tough situation for you. I have 5 daughters and my advice for them would be this.\nDo what you think is best for yourself only you know how you will feel with your decision. You want to show them everything you got. You will go for the spot on the team to be on the first team right? questions: what happens if you dont make it? How long will it take you to get the spot? How many games will you miss reaching the spot? If you make it, what next? will you get to play as much? Will you gain much more by the tournaments that you would be able to play?\n\nBut for the "parental" view,\nWhy do you want to be on the first team? Will  you have more advantages? Is it for more status? Will you play as much as on the other team? Could you maybe "shine" more on this team?\n\nThese are just some of the things you could answer yourself. Maybe by listening to yourself and your parents who only want the best for you. you can come up with a pro and con list of where you may suit your situation better. \n\nAs always when the years have passed and you look back what will you remember the most of these days. How well you played? What you did to get there? ect.\n\nHope this helps, and good luck to whatever you decide. I think you took an adult step just by asking others opinions.
200503
Do you or your coach know anyone in pro ball? If you do, a referral from a current player is the fastest and easiest way to get a tryout. It's very difficult to make a team just through a tryout and very difficult to get a tryout.\nYou can try looking here:\nhttp://www.baseball-links.com/links/Scouting-Recruiting-Tryouts/
558004
Konerko is going to have to step it up a little bit or he'll fall just short, but they are all three on pace to join some elite company.\n\nIt is rare, but it has happened before:\nWalker/Galarraga/Castilla (COL) - 1997\nGalarraga/Burks/Castilla (COL) - 1996\nJohnson/Evans/Aaron (ATL) - 1973\n\nAnd just because I was curious, here are some instances where just two teammates have hit 40 in a season, more common but still rare:\nRamirez/Ortiz (BOS) - 2004-05\nPujols/Edmonds (STL) - 2004\nPalmeiro/Rodriguez (TEX) - 2001\nBagwell/Hidalgo (HOU) and Batista/Delgado (TOR) - 2000\nDelgado/Green (TOR) - 1999\nGriffey/Rodriguez (SEA) - 1998-99\nGriffey/Buhner (SEA) - 1996-97\nBench/Perez (CIN) - 1970\nPetrocelli/Yastrzemski (BOS) - 1969\nMaris/Mantle (NYY) and Mays/Cepeda (SF) - 1961\nPost/Kluszewski (CIN) - 1955\nSnider/Hodges (BRO) - 1954\nSnider/Campanella (BRO) - 1953\nRuth/Gehrig (NYY) - 1927, 1930-31\n\nOkay, so I have the day off.......