Baseball Gloves

A baseball glove is a glove made of leather that baseball players wear to help them catch the ball while out on the field. During the late 1800s, players began using the gloves while playing baseball. At first glove usage was not accepted by some players. They slowly gained popularity as more and more players began using gloves.

By mid 1890s the majority of baseball players were using baseball gloves. During the early days baseball gloves were nothing more than a leather glove with a little extra padding. Since then, the functionality of baseball gloves has grown significantly. Not only have they grown in size, but they have become more specialized, depending on the position played by the person wearing the glove.

Babe

Catcher's mitts are wider than fielder's gloves, and are shaped more like a claw. They also have extra padding, allowing them to catch a 90+ mile per hour fastball. The width of these gloves also serves as a better target for pitchers.

Pitcher's gloves have closed webbing. This is to allow them to grip the baseball without letting the batter see what pitch he plans to throw.

First basemen's mitts are very long, and the fingers are not separated. These gloves are also wider than the rest of the other gloves. This is functional because the position requires them to be able to scoop up badly thrown balls.

Outfielder's gloves are usually long. This will help them catch fly balls on the run. This is in contrast to the infielder's gloves, which tend to be smaller. The smaller size allows players to be able to easily field ground balls and quickly throw them to first base.

The gloves used today have changed from their original beginnings. Players today now enjoy the luxury of using equipment that will enhance their ability to compete at a higher level in this sport.

Baseball Gloves

Gloves provides detailed information on Gloves, Baseball Gloves, Boxing Gloves, Gardening Gloves and more. Gloves is affiliated with Eye Glasses [http://www.z-Glasses.com].

Infant Obesity

When one is incredibly overweight according to charts of normal height and weight growth, one is said to be obese. The problem is essentially a nutritional one, and it effects millions of people in the United States alone. Young infants and children can be obese. They are a lot more likely to develop the problem if their parents are obese.

When an infant takes in more calories than his or her body actually needs, then he or she might become obese. It is a simple enough rule - the calories going in (that is, being consumed) must be equal or less to the calories going out (being expended). Otherwise you will put on weight - and so will your child in the same scenario. Convenience foods contain a lot of calories (more going in) and our sedentary lifestyle makes us exercise less (less going out).

Infant

Obesity can also be linked to hormonal disorders, but this is very rare. Obesity is typically caused from poor dieting and lifestyle choices. When an infant is overfed or given high calorie beverages, then they are launching bad habits that can remain with them for life. Other food related causes include using food as a stress reliever or reward, the use of food as a problem solving mechanism, and the lack of physical activity. Research has established that very young children who struggle with food related issues at an early age often carry these patterns with them in to adulthood. Some other causes of infant obesity include the usage of corticosterioid drugs, family histories of overweight and obesity, as well as abnormal eating patterns (i.e. binge eating.)

Infant Obesity

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Public Speaking - Types of Speeches

Have you ever tried to create a speech, but the ideas just didn't seem to gel? You know: they seem good enough, they support your message, but they just don't go together.

When preparing your speech, it helps if you know what type of speech you want to create. There are four types:

Stephen King

• Informational: this is the most prevalent type of speech. Your goal is to provide information to your audience. It is often presented with a series of numbers, statistics, and many PowerPoint slides... which tend to make it overdrawn and boring.
• Inspiring: in this type of speech, you seek to inspire your audience to change something in their lives. This is often called a "motivational speech". In fact, that is a misnomer. Motivation comes from within, nobody can give it to you. Inspiration seeks to draw that motivation from audience members in order to get them to act.
• Entertaining: the main goal of this speech is to make the audience laugh and to enjoy themselves. These ais the format of most after-dinner speeches. Notice that an entertaining speech is not the same as a standup routine. It is much smoother and logical in its flow. In an entertaining speech, the message comes second to the enjoyment of the audience.
• Persuasive: it aims to convince an audience of your point of view.Typically, this is a sales presentation. Your goal is to convince an audience of the benefits of your product or service, and your speech is constructed accordingly.

Although your speech focuses on one of these types, it helps if you can include aspects of each type in your final delivery. A sales speech will be much more effective if it contains information, is entertaining, and inspiring.

If you have trouble figuring out which ideas to keep and which ones to chuck, first decide on a type of speech and keep only the ideas which fit that type. Once you've got the core elements in place, add elements that will enhance it without taking away from the core message.

Public Speaking - Types of Speeches

Laurent Duperval consults and trains on communication issues. He publishes the "Communicate To Motivate" electronic newsletter, which aims to help leaders improve their communication, public speaking, and presentation skills to dramatically improve their results.

You can reach him at http://www.duperval.com

Baby Shower Thank You Note - Tips And Wording Ideas For Your Shower Thank You Cards

It's time to write each baby shower thank you note, but with so much on your mind the words may be harder to come by. Here are some ideas to make writing your shower thank you cards a snap.

A Few Quick Etiquette and Wording Tips

Baby

o Hand write your thank you notes. Avoid writing more than four thank you notes at a time to keep your handwriting neat.

o Always mention the specific gift in your thank yous.

o Use the word "you" more than the word "I" to emphasize your gratitude for your friends and loved ones.

o The host of the baby shower often receives a thank you gift such as candy, a picture frame, or an engraved bracelet or locket.

o Send your baby shower thank you notes within two weeks of the shower in the actual mail. If you're running late, remember, a late thank you card is better than no thank you at all.

Use a poem.

Write your own original poem or use a famous poem from literature to express your thanks. Some people like to write a poem from the baby's point of view or just a short, poem to say thank you. Here a baby shower thank you poem that I wrote. You can use it as a guide or copy into your card: (for your personal non-commercial use only)

I wanted to say thank you.

Daddy says thank you, too.

Baby will say thanks I'm sure

right around when she turns two.

Try a famous quote.

Look up thank you quotes online or in a book of quotations, and add a line of your own. Here is an example:

The quote: "Every gift from a friend is a wish for your happiness." ~ Richard Bach

Then you add: Thank you for the lovely insert gift, and your wishes of happiness for our growing family.

Use this fill-in-the-blank baby shower thank you note:

Thank you for the choose one: adorable, beautiful, thoughtful insert gift.

Choose one of these for the second sentence:

The baby will love it.

It will definitely come in handy.

Choose one of these lines for the third sentence:

You always pick the cutest gifts.

You are a dear and thoughtful friend.

Then close the letter with, "Thanks again." Sign your letter, "Love" "Sincerely," "Warm Regards," and your signature.

Now you have a variety of ways to share your gratitude with your generous friends. Don't forget. If you're fingers are swollen, you can always have Daddy help you. Congratulations on your growing family!

Baby Shower Thank You Note - Tips And Wording Ideas For Your Shower Thank You Cards

Visit Baby Shower Thank You Notes for free, ready to copy, gift-specific thank you notes, quotes, sayings and free printable thank you cards. Christy Murphy is the creator of My-Thank-You-Site.com. She has appeared on numerous radio and television shows including CNN's Showbiz Today, CBS News, and Australia's Seven News.

The Best Five Historical Novels Ever Written

What are the best five historical novels ever written? It's incredibly difficult to pick just five, and every reader will have their own opinion. For readers who are new to historical fiction then it's perhaps difficult to know where to start, but for sheer excitement combined with rich historical settings the five novels below are a good starting point, and in my view represent the best five works of historical fiction ever written. I have left out alternate history and historical fantasy on purpose, as I think it's difficult to compare books between genres.

1. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

Stephen King

The classic medieval mystery. A series of murders in an Italian monastery set against a background of political intrigue. Eco does a remarkable job of showing off his knowledge of the period without being boring and creating a clever mystery as well.

2. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

One of my favourite adventure stories, this is told at a rattling pace and features some excellent historical characters such as the Cardinal and the King, as well as memorable fictional ones as well. All for one, and one for all!

3. Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian

Patrick O'Brian's series of novels about the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars has an ardent following. Like Eco, O'Brian does not shy away from a wealth of detail in his setting, which I think really enhances the story he has to tell, yet doesn't slow down the pace of the narrative.

4. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

One of my all time favourite novels. Written about 60 years after the events it describes, it's perhaps easy to not think of this as historical fiction in some ways - one might imagine that Tolstoy is relating a story that is nearly contemporary. However, the events of 1812 in particular, were symbolically essential to the idea of Russian nationality, and Tolstoy writing on the nature of history and great men is essential reading. But the heart of War and Peace is a very human story.

5. The Last English King by Julian Rathbone

This tells the story of 1066 from the viewpoint of the English, with King Harold as the last truly English King. This is an excellent interpretation of the events of the Norman invasion and makes you wonder how history might have worked out differently if the Normans hadn't been successful.

Historical Fiction is a genre with something for everyone, and this is just a glimpse of some of the fine novels available to read in the genre.

The Best Five Historical Novels Ever Written

Mark Lord is Editor of Alt Hist: The Magazine of Historical Fiction and Alternate History, which publishes new short stories by aspiring writers within the genres of historical fiction, alternate history and historical fantasy.

You can find out more about Alt Hist at http://althistfiction.com/

The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People

Stephen Covey in, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People", lays out a road map for excellence. In concert with Aristotle's declaration, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." Covey emphasizes a flourishing, worthwhile existence is a matter of routine. Success and failure, distinction and mediocrity are outcomes of habit. Selecting, developing and nurturing the right habits makes all the difference.

Achieving and maintaining a balance between a human being's growth and his or her productivity is the essence of effectiveness. Covey refers to this as the P / PC balance, where P represents production and PC stands for production capability. To excel an individual or an organization must strike the optimum balance between actually producing, and improving or sustaining the capacity to produce.

Stephen King

Covey's quintessential habits:

1. Be Proactive. You are the creator. You are in charge and totally responsible. To solve problems and advance in life seize the initiative. Recognize problems fall into three categories: direct control, indirect control, no control - respond appropriately in accordance with circumstances. Subordinate feelings to values. Make love a verb. As all "problems" are internal, a primary task is to work on self.

2. Begin With the End in Mind. All things are created twice: first mentally, then physically; so choose wisely. Real success is to master, not things, but self. Write out a personal mission statement. Shift from centering on people and things to centering on principles. Peak performers visualize and experience the objective before executing. Identify roles and goals. If you are not involved, you are not committed. Share your vision to generate power.

3. Put First Things First. This section is Covey's practical advice for bridging the gap between desire and fulfillment: how to take deliberate action.

Goethe asserted, "Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least." Action is king. Avoid acting on the unimportant or urgent, instead stay focused on the important but not urgent activities - these tasks shape the course of lives.

Exercise independent will to become principle centered. Envision and focus on your unique contribution. Make and keep commitments. Discipline derives from discipline. Externally imposed disciplines (and schedules), however, allow people to absolve themselves of responsibility for results.

Trust is the highest form of human motivation. Building and repairing relationships are long-term investments. Unconditional love encourages others to live the laws of life: cooperation, contribution, self-discipline and integrity.

Successful people make a habit of doing things failures don't like to do (strength of purpose wins). Effective people are opportunity minded, not problem minded.

Organize and execute around priorities. Eighty percent of results flow from twenty percent of activities. Concentrate on "twenty percent" activities. Time management is a misnomer: don't manage time, manage yourself. The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. Maintain a primary focus on relationships and results and a secondary focus on time.

4. Think Win / Win. Covey presents six paradigms of human interaction: win/win; win/lose; lose/win; lose/lose; win; and win/win or no deal. The best, most mature, and ultimately most advantageous choice is always: win/win or no deal. Resources and opportunities are plentiful. There is enough for everyone. It's not "your way or my way"; it's "a better way", a higher way.

5. Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood. Communication is the most important skill in life. Listen with an intent to understand, rather than, as most people do, an intent to reply. If you know your perspective differs from the individual you are to engage, construct the opposing case first. Demonstrate you understand by rephrasing and reflecting. Listening is a fine art, one that requires energy and effort.

6. Synergize. Synergy is the essence of principle centered leadership. Concentrating the ambition and talents of many people produces a sum that is greater than its parts. At the heart of this habit is to value differences, build on strengths and compensate for weaknesses. Diversity is a key ingredient of every important endeavor. Synergy is the way of nature. 'When you observe only two alternatives - your way and the wrong way - look for a synergistic third alternative.'

7. Sharpen the Saw. Returning to the P / PC balance, a healthy individual must make time for renewal. This requires achieving balance in: perspective (spiritual); autonomy (mental); connectedness (social); and tone (physical). Advance in an upward spiral from inside out.

Life is a marathon not a sprint. Completing the course successfully requires deliberate focus and persistent, routine action. The gap between stimulus and response in an ever changing world is choice. Choose to develop the seven habits and become an effective person.

The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People

About this Author

Scott F. Paradis, author of "Promise and Potential: A Life of Wisdom, Courage, Strength and Will" publishes "Insights" available for free at http://www.c-achieve.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Paradis

What Do Turtles Eat?

What do turtles eat? Well, that really depends on the type of turtle you are asking about. Most turtles are carnivorous when they are young, but grow in to omnivores when they mature. Some feed mostly on plants while others, like the snapping turtle, actively hunt small creatures for their food. A turtle's diet depends on what kind of turtle it is, where it lives and what it has access to.

If you have an adult turtle as a pet, here are some of the foods you can feed it to keep it healthy:

Stephen King

Protein: There are many sources of protein that are safe to feed turtles: small amounts of cooked fish, turkey or chicken are okay; boiled eggs are okay; mealworms, waxworms, earthworms and silkworms are okay; slugs are fine, as are shrimp, snails and crickets. Don't give them raw meat, though because it can contain a lot of fat and could become contaminated by the time the turtle decides to eat it.

Vegetables: leafy vegetables are best: grape and fig leaves, red clover, carrot tops, dandelions, lettuce (red and green are okay), turnip greens, water lettuce, duckweed, collards, endive and plantain weed are all okay. Regular vegetables like corn, green beans, beets, carrots, okra, green peas and some squash varieties are also okay.

Flowers: some turtles love flowers! Roses, pansies, petunias, lilies, carnations, hibiscus, hyssop, borage, nasturtium and geraniums are all okay as turtle food.

Fruit: some turtles also like fruit: kiwi, apple, mango, strawberry, cantaloupe, blackberries, bananas, grapes, tomatoes, blueberries and some citrus fruits are all a fine to feed a turtle.

Of course, there are some foods that should never be given to a turtle:

Turtles cannot digest milk or dairy products because their stomachs do not carry the enzymes needed for the breaking down of lactose. Feeding dairy products to your turtle is a good way to make sure it gets very sick.

It is also a bad idea to feed any sort of canned or processed food to your turtle. These usually have large amounts of salt and preservatives and people don't yet know what these ingredients will do to the digestive system of a turtle.

What do turtles eat from their natural habitats? Some turtles have been known to eat poisonous plants that are a part of their natural habitat-they do this as a way to make themselves inedible by predators. Unfortunately, especially in the case of pet turtles, you won't know exactly what kind of plants are a part of its native habitat, so it is best to keep poisonous plants (like poison ivy, rhubarb plants and avocado plants) out of their reach and out of their tanks.

What do turtles eat? The turtle's diet depends on what kind of a turtle it is and how old it is. While they are babies, turtles are almost completely carnivorous, though they change into omnivores or even herbivores when they get older (depending on the turtle species). If you are buying a pet turtle from a store, the pet store will likely have food you can feed it.

Copyright (c) 2008 Steven Magill

What Do Turtles Eat?

About this Author

For great turtle care advice, turtle food recommendation or turtle health issues visit us at ..... http://www.petturtlecare.net/

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Perfect Baby Shower Idea List For Necessity Type Baby Gifts

Perfect Baby shower idea lists for necessity type baby gifts. By necessity type baby gifts, I mean items which every expecting mother needs. These items are usually reasonably priced, and easy to find. These are necessities parents can never have enough of. But then again, they may have many of these other items already.

So you might want to ask the mother to be if she has the item/s you are going to bring. Or just ask for a list of items she needs. I am sure she will be happy to provide you with such a list. Also remember the guests will probably need a list such as this. It would be a nice gesture to include this list in the shower invitations. This will give them what they need for a baby shower idea gift item.

Baby

To help you decide about a shower idea, you are provided a list of items below. These would all be considered necessity gifts. Glance through the list for a baby shower idea or two. You should be able to find something that would translate into a suitable gift.

Perfect Baby Shower Idea List For Basic Necessity Gifts:

• booties
• baby bottles
• caps
• clothes
• hangers
• hats
• mittens
• nail clippers
• baby outfits
• baby powder
• baby powder (cornstarch)
• quilt
• shampoo
• scissors
• sleepers
• soap
• socks
• thermometer
• towels
• toys
• undershirts
• bibs
• bottle cozy
• cloth diaper
• Crib blankets
• crib bumpers
• crib sheets
• crib toys
• decorative switchplate cover
• diapers
• diaper bag
• diaper pail
• diaper pail disinfectant
• diaper pail liners
• diaper pins
• diaper rash cream
• disposable diapers
• doorknob covers
• drawer locks
• fancy diaper pins
• feeding spoon/bent spoon
• first aid kit
• hair jewelry
• hooded towel
• humidifier
• infant and baby care book
• infant seat
• insulated bottle carrier
• lap pad
• medicine dropper
• medicine spoon
• nasal aspirator
• outlet plugs
• plastic pants
• rattles
• receiving blankets
• scooper bowl
• shock-guards
• stroller bag
• tights
• tipper cup
• toothbrush
• tweezers
• vaporizer

Perfect Baby Shower Idea List For Necessity Type Baby Gifts

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy currently has websites dealing with Baby Furniture Reviews [http://www.baby-furniture-and-bedding.com/index.html] and Shaving & Hair Removal.

Interesting Baby Boy Names and Baby Girl Names

Not long ago, one of the top trends for baby names here in the States was to give Irish names, both for boys and girls. Irish names were a big development in the US,particularly for boys. It's only been since the 90s that names such as Aidan and Declan have been common amongst American children. One of the reasons might be that the name Sean became mainstream in the 1980's. Parents are now reaching even farther to find Irish names that are unique in the United States.

But beyond Irish influence, American names come from a whole slew of cultural sources. Among these are: English, Egyptian, Czechoslovakian, Gaelic, French, Italian, and Hebrew. America has always been a melting pot of people of different ethnic backgrounds. As such a person's name here doesn't necessarily tie to a particular ethnicity; Indians give their children English names, Italian children are given Irish names like "Sean". And of course popular names are strongly influenced by the popular media- by celebrities and businessmen. Dylan rose as a popular name in the 70s, almost assuredly because of the influence of Bob Dylan the decade before. Here are a few popular or emerging baby names, their meaning or definition, and their ethnic origin:

Baby

Baby Boy Names

CHUMA- wealthy; egyptian

CHURCHILL- lives at the church hill; english

CHVAL- flattery; czechoslovakian

CIAN- ancient; gaelic

CIARDUBHAN- little black one; gaelic

CINGESWIELLA- lives at the king's spring; english

Baby Girl Names

CLAIRE- clear; french

CLARA- bright; romanian

CLARESTA- brilliant; english

CLARICE- famous; french

CLARICE- clear; italian

Green Names?

What if you want to give your boy or girl an environmentally-sound name? Perhaps there's some inspiration you can draw from some famous historical figures for this. For baby boys, think Henry David Thoreau. In this case, Henry David would be all that's needed to make the name recognizable. There's also Aldo Leopold, the author of the ecological classic, A Sand County Almanac. Aldo was an American ecologistand is considered a pioneer in environmental ethics and wilderness preservation. Another name that comes to mind is David Brower, an environmentalist activist who founded Friends of the Earth, the League of Conservation Voters, and other environmental organizations. For baby girls, one of the most famous environmentalists of all time was Rachel Carson. An American biologist, conservationist, and nature writer, Carson is helped increase environmental awareness around the world with her book, Silent Spring. The work spurred the banning of the pesticide DDT in the United States and helped spark the modern environmental movement. Also Carson makes a beautiful middle name. Another idea is Jane Goodall, a famous primatologist.

Here are a few more baby boy and baby girl names to consider (along with their meanings)

Baby Boy Names

RAHMAN- compassionate; arabic

RAI- king; chamoru

RAI- trust; japanese

RAIBEART- Gaelic form of Robert; gaelic

RAIDON- thunder god; japanese

RAINART- strong judgment; german

RAINER- counsel; german

Baby Girl Names

RANA- royal; indian

RAND- to gaze; arabic

RANIT- lovely tune; hebrew

RANIYAH- gazing; arabic

RAONAID- ewe; gaelic

RAPHAELLA- healer; hebrew

RAQUEL- innocent; hebrew

Interesting Baby Boy Names and Baby Girl Names

Zander Smith

Site Rep, BabyNames-Info

Baby Girl Names [http://babygirl-names.info] and Baby Boy Names [http://babyboy-names.info/]

How to Improve English Speaking

You will not necessarily learn how to improve English speaking purely from observation. You can watch a lot of newscasters and sitcoms, but there is much to be gained from a professionally created accent reduction program.

There are English speaking programs set up that are run in a group setting with an instructor that you can work with directly, and this type of program can be effective in reducing your accent. Tutors are also available to work with on a one-on-one basis. This is a very efficient way to improve English-speaking, however, these classes and tutoring programs tend to be pretty expensive.

Stephen King

If you have an urgent need, and the funds necessary, the above options are best. For most people, however, a professionally made home study version will show them how to improve English speaking much more affordably and conveniently. It is possible to find a professionally made accent reduction program that is available on MP3 audio format. This will allow you to work on improving your English speaking skills while driving to work or to the gym, or while riding a bike, etc. This type of MP3 program will also be much less costly.

Improving your English-speaking skills will pay off in many areas of life. Being bilingual in these modern times can be a huge advantage, but only if your English-speaking skills are of a fairly high level. If you are constantly having to repeat yourself, or are having trouble with English idioms and grammar, your confidence will suffer and you will not be able to succeed in business at the rate you are capable of based on your abilities and intelligence. Many doors will open as your English speaking skills improve. With the available of a professional MP3 audio accent reduction program, you will be able to affordably improve your English while you drive and your confidence will soar!

How to Improve English Speaking

Find out how to improve English speaking rapidly and affordably with a program in MP3 audio format that you can use while you drive to work, ride a bike, etc. Within a couple of weeks, you will notice changes in the way you speak American English. Get the job, promotion, social confidence you are looking for. Go to http://www.AccentWorkshop.net