The pictures and video from the game Sunday are on the web site. Just click on the link on the home page (lower right hand corner) and enjoy.As always, if you see a picture you like, feel free to as for the hi res original.
Hey, Spikes Fans, the pictures from the Lincoln Legends games can be found here.If you see a picture that you really like, let me know and I’ll send you the high res original. Go Spikes!
With the first big double header of the year upon us, it’s time to review some ideas about how you eat before a game. Proper pregame meals can mean the difference between having enough energy for ALL the innings and not being able to hustle for half the innings! Here are some guidelines:
* Allow enough time for digestion. Eat the meal at least three hours before an event.
* Choose a meal that’s high in starch. Starch is easy to digest and helps steady the levels of blood sugar.
* Consume only moderate amounts of protein. Protein foods take longer to digest than starch. And high-protein meals may lead to increased urine production, which can add to dehydration.
* Limit fats and oils. They take too long to digest.
* Restrict sugary foods. Sweets can cause rapid energy swings in blood sugar levels and result in low blood sugar and less energy.
* Avoid foods and drinks that contain caffeine. Caffeine stimulates the body to increase urine output, which can contribute to dehydration problems, and a full bladder can be very uncomfortable.
* Watch out for foods that produce gas. Certain raw vegetables, fruits, or beans may cause problems for some young athletes. Be aware of the foods that cause you problems, and avoid them just before an event.
* Within these guidelines, chose foods you like to eat.
* Remember to drink plenty of fluids with your pregame meal.
This weeks installment covers some tips on everyday diet and eating that will help you to do your best on the field and in the classroom!The article can be found here
This week, we take a look at the most frequently asked questions by young athletes about good nutrition. Read this article carefully and try to follow its advise. You will see better results both in practice and the game if you watch your nutrition. The article can be found here.
In the game of athletics, as well as with other activities, improvement does not happen overnight…or does it?
If we work hard to accomplish a given task, there are times when you will actually regress (get worse) before you get better. Have you ever played an instrument? I have. Years ago, I started playing the guitar. Believe me, I was horrible. Some say I’m still horrible. (ha!) Anyway, I took lessons and learned the chords. I tried to play them as I was taught. I’d practice and practice but got to a point where I thought, “There is NO WAY I will ever be able to play this stupid instrument.” After many weeks of practice, I actually thought I was getting worse. My fingers would not do what I wanted them to do. The dog didn’t like my playing either. Ready to quit, I picked it up one night ONLY because I had to get ready for a lesson. I expected another night of sore fingers and lyrics that couldn’t be played on the radio. After a couple minutes of warm up, it clicked. What? Did I just progress from a C (chord) to a D (chord) to a G (chord) without messing up? Did the music actually sound like a song? Wow! I looked around to see if this was for real. I then went at it with a renewed passion. Could I really be doing this? It doesn’t hurt my ears anymore. Why couldn’t I do this yesterday? All of a sudden, it seemed so easy. Did I drink from the magic bowl? NOPE.
Learning new skills can just work that way. Sometimes you will practice and practice and feel like you’re not getting anywhere. You get frustrated…maybe you’ll even give up. But ALWAYS remember, even though you feel like you’re not getting anywhere, you actually are! All of those failures are making you better. If you stick with it and continue to practice properly, you will eventually perfect the skill.
This “wow” experience can even happen in baseball. You might be struggling with your swing or throwing a change up or fielding ground balls but through continued practice, you will eventually develop your skills so that it becomes easy in the end. You might regress one day and wake up the next day and it will all click! That feeling will energize you at practice. It can take you to the next level. So, never give up.
And yes…improvement can actually happen overnight.
Coach Johnson
In the last post about nutrition we learned that good nutrition is a vital part of any athlete’s training. Good nutrition along with good practice and adequate rest is what separates the winners from the losers. This week we will see exactly what should be on the training table and how it works to help your performance. Caution: Science Alert! You may need to get your parents to help you understand this week but it’s well worth the effort.For part 2 of t Sports Nutrition click here
Even though it’s early in the season, now is the time to start thinking about how you eat and how it affects your body. Proper nutrition is key to top performance. In the coming weeks, I’ll be posting some simple articles about proper nutrition before and after the game and how to stay healthy and energized during the game.
The first article can be found by clicking here
Several of the Dads had a great idea on Saturday. Since we have several new families and players, they thought it would be neat if we could have family pictures on the website with names, etc. so we can get to know each other before the season starts. What a great idea!
So here’s what I need. Send me a digital photo (or print) of your family include your Spikes player, any siblings, etc. along with names and a couple of bits of fun information about your family. I’ll make up a gallery of all the families on the web. Don’t worry, I’ll put it behind a password so spammers can’t find you. It will be our personal roster!
So start sending in those pictures! Send them to newsletter@lincolnspikesbaseball.org
Webmaster Tom
Spikes fans! The lastest set of pictures from the January 12 practice are on the web. Just click on the link on the home page