Hitter

Sammy Perez has to make it to the big leagues. After his teammate's career-ending injury, the Roadrunners decided to play in a wood bat tournament to protect their pitchers. And while Sammy used to be a hotheaded, hard-hitting, home-run machine, he's now stuck in the slump of his life. Sammy thinks the wood bats are causing the problem, but his dad suggests that maybe he's not strong enough. Is Sammy willing to break the law and sacrifice his health to get an edge by taking performance-enhancing drugs? Can Sammy break out of his slump in time to get noticed by major-league scouts?

Newly independent readers will love this classic baseball story, now illustrated in full color! Mike has a special relationship with his dog, Harry. They can read each other's minds! Harry is able to help Mike out with tips about the opposing players on the baseball field, but Mike's having trouble with his pitches--and the buddies need to work together to save the game! Passport to Reading Level 3

From the USA Today bestselling author of Rookie Move comes the second novel in the series that’s hot enough to melt the ice. He’s a fighter in the rink, but he’s about to learn that playing nice can help you score... As team captain and enforcer, Patrick O'Doul puts the bruise in the Brooklyn Bruisers. But after years of hard hits, O'Doul is feeling the burn, both physically and mentally. He conceals his pain from his coach and trainers, but when his chronic hip injury becomes too obvious to ignore, they send him for sessions with the team’s massage therapist. After breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, Ari Bettini is in need of peace of mind. For now, she’s decided to focus on her work: rehabilitating the Bruisers’ MVP. O'Doul is easy on the eyes, but his reaction to her touch is ice cold. Ari is determined to help O'Doul heal, but as the tension between them turns red hot, they both learn that a little TLC does the body good...

It takes a 90 mph fastball 400 milliseconds to travel from the pitcher’s hand to the catcher’s glove. It takes the human brain 80-100 milliseconds to process the image of the ball. And the average swing time requires 150 milliseconds. Snap your fingers. That’s more than the amount of time the batter has to assess the pitch and decide whether to swing. Hitting a baseball may be the most difficult thing in all of sports. Yet, instructor and author Ronnie Ortegon has helped hundreds upon thousands of players reach their diamond dreams with his simplistic, yet sound strategy that he calls “The Hitter’s Discipline.” “Ronnie is the best hitting instructor I’ve ever worked with,” says former MLB outfielder Drew Stubbs. Ortegon is, indeed, among the best teachers in the game, and this book contains all the philosophies and techniques he has helped others master over the course of his lifetime.

The #1 Bestseller! Twelve-year-old Danny Walker may be the smallest kid on the basketball court -- but don't tell him that. Because no one plays with more heart or court sense. But none of that matters when he is cut from his local travel team, the very same team his father led to national prominence as a boy. Danny's father, still smarting from his own troubles, knows Danny isn't the only kid who was cut for the wrong reason, and together, this washed-up former player and a bunch of never-say-die kids prove that the heart simply cannot be measured. For fans of The Bad News Bears, Hoosiers, the Mighty Ducks, and Mike Lupica's other New York Times bestselling novels Heat, The Underdogs, and Million-Dollar Throw, here is a book that proves that when the game knocks you down, champions stand tall.

Inspiration for the film "THE MENTAL MASTERY OF HITTING IN BASBALL", Mind of a Superior Hitter: The Art, Science, and Philosophy takes an in-depth look into the key aspects of becoming a great hitter from a psychological, emotional and strategic perspective. The book is designed to enhance the intelligence of hitters in both baseball and softball on a level that is unprecedented. It includes quotes and advice from some of the top hitting coaches in the world, former professional players and prominent minds that have contributed to today's leading hitting ideologies. Throughout, players and coaches are provided valuable information on what it takes to become a better all-around hitter. Hitters of all ages will learn how to: - MENTALLY DEAL WITH SLUMPS - DEVELOP IMPROVED FOCUSED IN THEIR TRAINING- BECOME A BETTER SITUATIONAL HITTER- CUSTOMIZE THEIR SWING TO FIT THEIR STRENGTHS- BE MORE CONFIDENT AND POSITIVE IN THEIR APPROACH Input from master teacher's of hitting such as: · Steve Springer, former professional player and hitting coach· C.J. Stewart, former professional player and private hitting coach for pro players· Laura Berg, 4-time All-American softball player, 4-time Olympian and Olympic Hall of Famer· Jacob Cruz, former MLB player and professional hitting instructor

Paul Petricca draws on his experience as a coach, player, blogger, and student of baseball and softball to share what hes learned about hitting in this essential guide for players seeking dramatic results at the plate. The author presents easy to understand hitting mechanics highlighting how the engineering concept of torque can be applied to hitting and is often the difference between a weak groundball or a long home run. Topics covered include understanding where hitting power really comes from and the importance of increasing bat speed through the fundamentals of a repeatable and powerful rotational swing. Hitters of all ages who adopt his eight hitting keys will enjoy a dramatic increase in bat speed and power almost immediately. Hitting with Torque is more than a set of hitting mechanics---its a mindset. Readers will be challenged to look past the worn-out hitting theories and myths that have been holding back hitters from reaching their full potential. With an open mind and practice, all hitters can unlock the power and consistency that is Hitting with Torque.

What separates ordinary salespeople from Heavy Hitters? The best salespeople are those "Heavy Hitters" who are able to use human nature, language, and intuition to build trusting relationships with customers and persuade them to buy. Based on his proven and effective sales program, author Steve Martin's Heavy Hitter Selling explains how you too can achieve and maintain that high level of sales success. Using real-world case studies, examples, and exercises, Martin provides the psychological, physical, and language-based tactics you need to turn yourself into a Heavy Hitter. Inside, you'll find proven guidance and expert tips on: Understanding how people think and communicate Finding the right words at the right time Predicting a customer's behavior and influencing his thoughts Building customer rapport and understanding their motivations Persuading both the customer's rational mind and his emotional subconscious side "Like other sales books published recently, this one stresses the importance of human behavior. But unlike the others, it puts an emphasis on language. Salespeople could well benefit by exploring scientific models of language. Practical exercises make the book useful for everyone." —Harvard Business School Review "This well-written, insightful book will give you ideas and strategies you can use to influence and persuade customers in any market." —Brian Tracy, author, Million Dollar Habits "Traditional selling focuses on product, price, and competition and misses the most important reason people buy-people and emotion. Heavy Hitter Selling offers a different perspective that is valuable in understanding how to win." —Jay Fulcher, President and COO, Agile Software "Heavy Hitter Selling is different-[a book that] will help you make lots of money." —Gerald D. Cohen, CEO, Information Builders, Inc.

Linn, who saw Ted Williams play in his rookie year, probably knows more about the baseball great than anyone else alive. In this entertaining tribute to the fantastic hitter, Linn covers Williams' electrifying career, from his early days to his justly celebrated final time at bat in 1960. Photos.

In the ninth book in the New York Times bestselling middle grade series inspired by the life of iconic New York Yankee Derek Jeter, Derek must learn how to be a team player from the dugout and the importance of taking care of his body. Seventh grade is off to a rocky start for Derek Jeter. But he’s soon distracted by all that’s going on in his own life…which includes basketball and baseball team responsibilities. He’s talked about it with his parents, and he’s certain he can play both sports while also doing well in school. Quickly, though, the two sports begin to take their toll, and Derek finds himself on the bench with an injury. How can Derek show his commitment to his teammates, his coaches, and the sports he loves when he can’t actively participate? Inspired by Derek Jeter’s childhood, Switch-Hitter is the ninth book in Jeter Publishing’s New York Times bestselling middle grade baseball series that focuses on key life lessons from Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation.