From the home run hitters to the power pitchers, suspicion trails every major-leaguer. "I don't think anybody is ever 100 percent certain about anybody anymore," said broadcaster Bob Costas. "It used to be that super seasons were attributed to improved technique, maybe even luck. Not any more." What do records mean anymore? Statistical inflation is a major reasons for the uproar over the Steroids Era. To read, go to News Release

Major league players such as the Milwaukee Brewers Ryan Braun are keenly aware that the game's image needs to be repaired, following another winter of dispiriting steroid news. A number of gifted young stars are ready to lead the sport to a better day. "I'd welcome that responsibility," said shortstop Troy Tulowitzki of the Colorado Rockies. Diamondbacks center fielder Chris Young says, "The best way to help change things is to set an example. There's a safer way to go---just hard work." For the story, go to Major League Baseball

Baseball players and owners have toughened their drug rules again, in response to outside criticism, agreeing to more frequent testing and increased, but not total, authority. "It is time for the game to move forward," said Commissioner Bud Selig. Baseball, however, did not heed advice from the World Anti-Doping Agency to turn over testing to an outside agency. Contrary to one of the Mitchell Report's recommendations, the administrator will not have input in how the testing policy is designed. For the article, go to Test for Steroids

The Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres played baseball for six hours, 16 minutes. So forgive Colorado's Yorvit Torrealba and San Diego's Josh Bard if their knees are a little sore - they caught all 22 innings. Torrealba wearily pumped a fist in celebration at 1:21 a.m. Friday, April 18, after Kip Wells, pictured here with Yorvit, finally secured the Rockies' 2-1 victory. It was the longest game in the majors since August 31, 1993.
Go to Major League Baseball

The scorecards show the San Diego Padres tied 3-3 with the Los Angeles Dodgers in Beijing Saturday, March 14, then beat them 6-3 Sunday. The history books will show whether MLB games in China can convert 1.3 billion people into lovers of bangqiu. Held at the Wukesong Olympic baseball field, the China Series 2008 represents MLB's debut in the world's most populous nation.
Go to World Baseball

Robert Moses Grove, called "Lefty," is generally considered the greatest left-handed pitcher in American League history. He was an extraordinary pitcher in a hitter's era (1925-1941) and among the best the game has ever seen. Grove, like Walter Johnson, seldom threw a curve. Everyone knew what was coming, but it didn't matter - that fastball was almost unhittable. And he could throw it for 9 innings. Some of Grove's most devastating performances were against the Yankees when they were the Murderers Row. For the article, go to Newsletter

Perhaps no baseball figure represented the fan as well as Harry Caray. He brought ball games to life and spoke for the fans with his enthusiastic broadcasts. Who could not smile upon hearing Harry's famous greeting, "Hello again, everybody, this is Harry Caray. It's a beautiful day for baseball!" Those uplifting words signaled that you could set aside your cares and enjoy an afternoon or evening of baseball. Caray loved the whole atmosphere of a ball game. He probably was more loved by his fans than any other broadcaster. For this article, go to News Release

Comedian and actor Billy Crystal was in the Yankees' starting lineup on March 13 as the leadoff batter and designated hitter. New York gave Crystal, the long time Yankees fan the opportunity to play as a reward for his ambassador-like role for baseball. He had signed a one-day contract to join the Yankees, fulfilling a childhood dream just before turning 60. "It was unbelievable," Crystal said. To read, go to Newsletter

Many of baseball's most successful pitchers are using a bigger, more traditional wind-up. They have returned to a rhythmic, more deceptive, pitching delivery. In the All-Star Game, Jake Peavy and Brad Penny used a traditional wind-up. Other hurlers are Chien Ming Wang, John Smoltz, and John Lackey. Don Weiskopf's study features sequence pictures of Sandy Koufax, Juan Marichal, and Don Sutton. Go to Coaching Clinic

In their fourth World Series of the decade, the New York Yankees again faced one of their former cross-town rivals, now relocated across country. The Yankee-Dodger slugfests of the 1950s were a thing of the past, however, as pitchers dominated the 1963 Series. Sandy Koufax, the Dodgers' brilliant southpaw, had one of the greatest seasons in history. The Yankees found out quickly that no pitcher could control a game the way that Koufax could. Go to Photo Gallery

Seattle Mariners center fielder Ichiro Suzuki is on the verge of several significant achievements. Ichiro is seeking 200 hits for a record eighth consecutive season, which would tie him with Wee Willie Keeler who did it from 1894 to 1901. From the Baltimore chop to the Seattle slap, they have a common resolve: hit 'em where they ain't.
To read, go to Skills and Strategies

Joris Bert of France is one of more than 100 men in the Dodgers' minor league system, the crown jewel of the European Academy. Growing up in Louviers, Bert said he had never heard of baseball when he saw other children playing. He gave the game a try and improved so much that the coach of the French national team arranged for him to attend a college in Borges, Texas. The Dodgers chose Bert in the 19th round of the draft.
Go to World Baseball

Although Major League Baseball received its best grade for racial diversity in hiring, the percentage of Black American players dropped again last year. Just 8.2 percent were black players, the lowest level in at least two decades. "Baseball has probably lost a whole generation here," said Richard Lapchick who released the study on Jackie Robinson Day. Go to Major League Baseball

The South Atlantic League is honoring President Emeritus John Henry Moss throughout the 2008 minor league baseball season. The 87-year old Moss retired December 31, five decades after he formed what was then the Western Carolina League in 1958. With a knack for getting things done, Moss has guided the league through 43 cities and over-seen 114 ownership groups. Go to Minor League

Scott and Matt Gorgen are as close as two brothers can be, and incredibly supportive of one another. Scott, pictured left, won four consecutive complete games last year. The junior right-hander went 13-3, 2.83 with 117 strikeouts to help carry UC-Irvine to Omaha. Matt is one of the nation's most reliable closers at UC Berkeley. With a 2.50 career ERA, he struck out 109 batters in 101 innings his first two seasons. Go to High School/College/ Senior

Opening day makes former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Larry Colton think of his father, who often took him to a baseball field to practice. "My best opening day was on April 18, 1958, the first major league game at the LA Coliseum. My worst opening day has to do with my 11-year-old grandson, Cole. A year ago, Cole and my daughter, a single mom, moved to Seattle, and I will no longer be able to go to all of Cole's games." For the article, go to Feature Stories

Remember the days of calling a few friends, meeting at an area field and playing a game of sandlot baseball? No umpires, a loosely kept score, choosing sides and playing baseball until dark. Those were the days. Thanks to one special youth volunteer, sandlot ball is alive and well in South Charlotte, North Carolina. Mike Anderson, an Olde Providence Recreation Association baseball coach, shares it weekly with 18 kids. For the story, go to Youth Baseball

Children today do not play enough playground baseball. More opportunities to play baseball in parks and playgrounds need to be provided by local park and recreation departments. Programs of this kind will contribute much to the revival of sandlot ball and the pick-up game concept, helping return the national pastime to America's parks and playgrounds.
To read, go to Youth Baseball

Playground Baseball America is a proposed non-profit youth baseball program that will provide summer sandlot baseball opportunities for youth between the ages of 7 and 14 who prefer participation and fun, without a highly competitive atmosphere. Following the organizational plan for playground baseball is an article developed by Don Weiskopf on the Revival of Pick-up Games, including a description of five favorite pick-up games.
For both articles, go to Youth Baseball

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