Under Armor

Under Armor is considered to be a life changing project in sports. It used in every sport now thanks to Under Armor. The technology was used to change swimming breaking all the records. Its also used to make people warm when they play sports by tripping the heat.

Under Armor has also changed the way basketball is play by adding padding that weighs hardly anything but protects your body from injury.

Todays Nascar Cars

Todays Nascar cars run on less gas and have more horse power. The reason they run on less gas because of the environment. The cars are now more powerful then ever. They able to go over 200 miles per hour a now.

Todays cars now have more safety features. They now have air bags on all the sides. They also have 2 set seat belt. Nascars are considered to be the safest cars to get in a crash with/

Today’s Tennis Balls

CoolStuffBeingMade.com: How Tennis Balls Are Made
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oICVzJj8EUM

Have you ever wondered how a Wilson tennis ball is made? Above is a video that explains how a Wilson tennis ball is made. Tennis balls start out as small pieces of rubber which are called slugs. Slugs are then molded into the shape of half a ball. The center of tennis balls consist of two molded rubber slugs. Glue is then applied to two slugs to form a round piece of rubber. Two pieces of felt are then used to cover the rubber ball. Logos are then printed on the balls. After that, they are packed up to be sold.

Today’s March Madness

March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for basketball fans. College basketball teams from all over the country compete against each other during the winter to try and get invited to the March Madness tournament. The tournament begins in early March with sixty-four teams evenly split into four groups. Each group consists of sixteen teams which are ranked from one to sixteen. The first round has thirty-two games and the second has sixteen games. These first two rounds take place in four days. The third round has eight games and the fourth round has four games. These two rounds also only take four days. The fifth round has two games and the last two remaining teams verse each other for the National Championship. Basketball fans all across the United Sates fill out brackets trying to predict the winners of each round and game. It is very difficult and some websites offer a cash prize for a perfect bracket. March Madness gets better every year.

http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-baskbl/ncaa-m-baskbl-body.html

Today’s Golf Clubs

Golf Club Assembly Tour at Diamond Tour Golf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2FFwfIj4iI

Golf clubs usually start out as three separate pieces. When a golf company receives an order, they get the three parts and assemble them together. The first part is the shaft which is the long metal pole of the golf club. The head is then selected which is the part of the golf club the makes contact with the ball. The last part is the grip. Once all the parts have been selected, they are glued together. Above is a video that explains the steps that Diamond Tour Golf takes in assembling golf clubs.

Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant is considered to be the best basketball in the world or the 2nd best depending on who you ask. Each year Kobe has his team has a favorite to win the championship and has won 4 rings. Kobe is considered to be the must clutch player in basketball. He has won more games then anyone in the league right now and is always taking over in the 4th quarter when his team needs him. He uses his large size at guard to control the game and amazing shooting form.

Kobe Bryant will finish the season around a little bitter then average in scoring. assists, rebounds.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3118

Current Hockey sticks

Hockey sticks have change over the past couple of years. Hockey sticks in the younger years used to be just made of wood. Now hockey sticks are made of SHOX technology which uses a special molding process that changes the feel and quality of the stick. They also use carbonfiber now instead of wood.

Hockey sticks are now more advanced then ever before. Hockeys sticks now have different size blades and every hockey stick can now be personalized. Hockey sticks are no longer all the same.

Todays basketball shoe

The Hyper Dunk shoe is lastest new basketball shoe. The shoe is lightest basketball shoe on the market weighing bought 10 ounces. The shoe is so light because of flywire that makes up the outside but still makes durable. The shoe also has excellent ankle support making the shoe top of line for preventing ankle injuries.

This shoe is changing the way basketball shoes are being made. A lot of shoes are now copying this look with the Kobes and James new shoes.

Nba Review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irZQo861Wtc

Nba is now able to watch plays over again and review them to see if shots were shot before the buzzer. If shots were shot before the buzzer then they count if they make it. In the video it shows how officials are now able to watch it and determine who really is the winner. Just think of all the games were won and lost without technology in the Nba.

Today’s Wooden Baseball Bats

Many Major League Baseball players use wooden bats that are made of white ash or maple. The wood used to make the white ash bats comes from Pennsylvania and New York. These bats are light and durable. Out of all the white ash trees that are harvested, only the best ten percent are used to make bats. These trees are usually around fifty years old when they are harvested. Maple bats are just starting to be used in the MLB. The advancement of technology has allowed this. Previously, maple bats were too heavy. Now, they can be made with less moisture making them weigh less. Recently there has been a controversy in MLB because maple bats were breaking and hitting people in the stands or base coaches. MLB has turned to science to try and make maple bats more durable. In the past, hickory bats were used, but they are very heavy. Some baseball bat manufacturers are experimenting with bamboo. These bats are made of bamboo strips put together and are very strong. MLB baseball players are very picky about their bats.

http://www.baseball-bats.net/baseball-bats/baseball-bat-materials/index.html

Today’s Tour de France

The Tour de France has come along way since its beginning. Technology has played a big role in the development of the bikes that are used today. They are a lot lighter and aerodynamic. Today’s Tour de France also has many more riders. There are a number of teams. These teams all wear the same colors while racing. The overall leader of the race wears a yellow jersey. The 2010 Tour de France is the ninety-seventh and will start on July 3 and end on July 25. It consists of twenty stages which include mountain stages. Today’s Tour de France is very difficult and takes a lot of endurance.

http://www.letour.fr/indexus.html

Today’s Soccer Ball

Soccer balls that are made today consist of three layers. The outer layer that can be seen is the surface or cover. This is usually made of a synthetic leather. The next layer is the internal lining. The internal lining has a few different layers of polyester or cotton. The last layer of the soccer ball is the bladder which holds air. This is made of latex or butyl. Once the layers are put together, thirty-two panels are cut into the ball. These panels consist of twenty hexagons and twelve pentagons. The best soccer balls are made in Pakistan. They are hand stitched and professional soccer players use them. Today’s soccer ball has come a long way from its origin.

http://www.bestsoccerbuys.com/soccer-ball-manufacturing.html

DeSean Jackson

DeSean Jackson Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2mjLebZ294

One of today’s most explosive football players in the National Football League is Desean Jackson. He is a five foot ten inch, 175 pound wide receiver on the Philadelphia Eagles. He may not be very big, but his speed makes up for his size. He is one of the fastest players in the NFL. The Eagles drafted DeSean Jackson in the second round in 2008. He has had an immediate impact to the team. DeSean Jackson has caught 125 passes for 2079 yards and eleven touchdown receptions in his first two years. He also returns punts and has scored three touchdowns while doing this. DeSean Jackson is a dangerous weapon for the Eagles. He will continue to help the eagles win football games. Watch some of DeSean Jackson’s highlights in the video posted above.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8826

Ryan Howard

Ryan Howard Home Run 3/28
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vO7zDLkzsk&feature=related

One of the best home run hitters in Major League Baseball today is Ryan Howard. He is a six foot four inch, 255 pound first baseman on the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies found a diamond in the rough when they drafted Ryan Howard in 2001’s fifth round. He made his major league debut in the 2004 season. He has 222 home runs and 750 hits in his career. Ryan Howard was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2005 and National League MVP in 2006. He also won the home run derby in 2006. In 2008, he helped the Phillies win the World Series. Ryan Howard is also active outside of baseball. He has endorsements with Subway, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Fathead. Ryan Howard has a bright future playing baseball in Philadelphia. Check out the Ryan Howard highlight in the video posted above.

http://www.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=429667

Alexander Ovechkin

Alexander Ovechkin highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLKvG1uWLk4

The most energetic and fearless hockey player in the National Hockey League today is Alexander Ovechkin. He is a six foot two inch, 220 pound left winger on the Washington Capitals. He was born in Moscow, Russia. The Capitals selected Alexander Ovechkin first overall in the 2004 draft. He has forty-five goals and fifty-two assists this season. He has a total of 264 goals and 253 assists in his career. These numbers are very impressive. Alexander Ovechkin always skates his hardest and is not afraid of hitting other players. His physical style of play has made him very popular and has also helped his team. Alexander Ovechkin’s popularity has allowed him to sign endorsements with Hair Cuttery, Upper Deck, and Hype energy drinks. He will most likely get more endorsements in the future. Alexander Ovechkin will continue to dominate the NHL with his physical style of play. Watch the above YouTube video to see some highlights of Alexander Ovechkin.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3637/career;_ylt=AueK9ClMKwKQBiwOE0nQhSBivLYF

LeBron James

LeBron James Highlights-insane clips.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysgY46W4Dao

The most electrifying player in the National Basketball League today is LeBron James. He is a six foot eight inch, 250 pound forward on the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James was drafted first overall in 2003 straight out of high school. He is currently averaging just under 30 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds per game this season. He is in the final year of his contract. NBA teams all across America have a chance to sign LeBron James in the offseason. He will most likely stay in Cleveland or go to the New York Knicks. Outside of basketball, LeBron James has many endorsements. Some of the endorsements are McDonalds, Coca-Cola, and Nike. He also has his own shoe line. LeBron James is today’s most popular player in the NBA. Watch the YouTube video, which is posted above, to see some of LeBron James’ highlights.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/lebron_james/bio.html

Today’s Skateboards

How Skateboards are Made
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO0z97UIswM

The design and shape of skateboards have changed from their origins. Here is a video that shows the process of making a skateboard. It shows the different layers of the board and how they are put together. It also shows how art is put on the board. Watch the video. It is interesting.

Today’s Surfboards

Surfboards have changed a lot over the years. Today’s surfboards are smaller than they use to be. Most are usually made between five and eight feet long. Surfboards are usually eighteen to twenty-five inches wide. The shorter boards that are used today allow riders to have more control. Making a turn on a shorter board is a lot easier than making a turn on a long board. Today’s surfboards are usually made with three materials. Foam is covered with fiberglass and resin. The fiberglass gives the surfboard strength and the resin acts as a protective cover. Once a surfboard is made, it can be painted. The design on the board is picked out by the person buying the board or the company that made the board. Today’s surfboards allow riders to maneuver better while in the water.

http://surfing.about.com/od/thesurfboard/a/031808surfboard.htm

Today’s Snowboards

Over the years, snowboarding has become a very popular winter sport. The Olympics and X-games have made snowboarding popular all over the world. Today’s snowboards start out with a wooden core. Fiberglass is attached to the wooden core for flexibility. The bottom of the board is a polyethylene material which allows the board to glide over snow at high speeds. Some snowboarders put wax on the polyethylene to go even faster. Steel and rubber are placed on the edges of the board around the fiberglass. This allows the snowboarder to turn and stop. A topsheet, usually consisting of a plastic material, is then placed on the board. The art is placed on the topsheet. The development of snowboards has improved because of advances in technology.

http://www.ehow.com/about_4605102_what-snowboards-made.html

Today’s Goalie Masks

Goalie masks are an important piece of equipment for goaltenders in hockey. Professional goaltenders have their masks custom made. The masks are made out of a strong plastic material or fiberglass. Some are even made out of a composite material. A wire cage is on the front of the masks so that the goaltender can see. The wire cage is made out of steel or a composite material. Most goalie masks are different sizes depending on the individual goalie. Goalies in the National Hockey League have their masks custom made. They have their own design painted on their masks. Today’s goalie masks are essential for the safety of hockey goalies.

http://www.prohockeystuff.com/goalie-equipment/masks.aspx

Today’s Baseball Gloves

Baseball players use gloves that are made out of leather. Most of the leather comes from cow hide. Some gloves are made from buffalo skin, kangaroo skin, or pig skin. There are many different manufacturers of baseball gloves. Rawlings, Wilson, Easton, Louisville Slugger, Mizuno, and Nike are a few different manufacturers today. Different baseball gloves are needed for different baseball positions. Outfielders use a larger glove because they have to make a lot of catches. The second basemen, third basemen, and shortstop use small gloves because they have to get the ball out of their glove quickly. First basemen use a larger glove to catch the ball with ease. Pitchers usually wear a glove that is comfortable to the individual. Catchers wear a glove that has extra padding because they will be catching every pitch of the game. Some pitches can reach a speed of 100 miles per hour. Today’s baseball gloves are designed to help baseball players at certain positions.

http://www.baseballcorner.com/gloveguide.asp

Today’s Football Helmets

Football players must were helmets, to protect their heads from injury, in the National Football League. If a player takes their helmet off on the field, they will receive a penalty unless there is a time out. Today’s helmets are made out of polycarbonate. This material is strong and flexible. Padding is put inside helmets to cushion player’s heads. Also, today’s football helmets have face masks and chin straps. These help protect the faces of the players. There are many different styles of face masks in football. Quarterbacks, wide receivers, cornerbacks, kickers, and punters wear small face masks because they must have a good view of the field. Offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, tight ends, and running backs wear larger face masks because they get hit around a lot more than the other positions. Football helmets also have team logos on them. There are different logos for all football leagues. Today’s football helmets are designed to protect football players against head injuries.

http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Football-Helmet.html

History of Polo

Polo is considered to be oldest team sport. The origin of when it started is unknown. It was first started to train the horses and riders and courts can be found all over the world from early history. The first match on record of the sport happen in 600 bc between Persians and Turkomans. The sport has been played all over the world throughout history. Polo has been considered more a rich man's sport since earlier on and that hasn't change much throughout history.

http://www.sportpolo.com/History/default.htm

Water Polo

Water polo was a sport created in the mid 1800's in Britain. The game was mostly played for fun at festivals around Britain. In the late 1880's Britain created a water polo league and people around Europe starting to play the sport. Water Polo was one of the first Olympic team sports games allowed in the Olympics and that happen in 1900's. Water polo is now a beloved game for anyone that loves pool.

http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Water_Polo

History of Skiing

Skiing is one of the active oldest sports. Its been around since the pyramids were created and we know this by drawings we have found. It started in Siberian back then and is now in the olympics. Skiing has change since then with development of ski boots and the ability to click your feet in and out of the skis. Around 1860 was the first race that was held in America and became a sensation amongst everyone watching it. Skiing is a part of America culture during the winter with a lot of people going to mountains just to experience the thrill of going down a hill 25 miles per hour.

http://www.skiingthebackcountry.com/Early_Skiing_History.php

The Origin of the First Modern Soccer Ball

Soccer balls, as we know them today, were made by a man named Charles Goodyear. He patented vulcanized rubber in 1836 and made the first modern soccer ball in 1855. Goodyear used the vulcanized rubber as the material for the ball. The rubber was then glued at the seams to create a round ball. This soccer ball was used in a game that was played at Boston Commons. Oneida Football Club took on a team that was merged together consisting of Boston Latin and Boston English players. The team that won the game would receive the ball as the trophy. Oneida Football Club won the game. Later, the ball was donated to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1925.

http://www.soccerballworld.com/Oldestball.htm

The First Tour de France - 1903

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9izp9WUoKjA

Above is a link to a video that shows the early years of the Tour de France. The first Tour de France occurred in 1903. Geo Lefevre was a journalist for the L’Auto newspaper. He came up with the idea of a bike race to increase the circulation of the L’Auto newspaper. He decided to name the race Tour de France. The race started on the first of July with 60 riders. There were no teams in the race like there is today. Each rider was on their own without any sponsors too. If the rider’s bike broke, they had to fix it themselves. The conditions that the riders rode in were not very good as well. Dirt roads were used and riders had to ride during the night sometimes. The bikes weighed a lot and were not built very well. The first Tour de France did not have any mountain stages. Only 26 riders, out of the 60 who entered, were able to finish the six stages of the race. Maurice Garin ended up winning the first Tour de France. The race was a success for the newspaper company as their sales increased.

http://www.francethisway.com/tour-de-france-1903.php

NBA’s Three-Point Line

The first time that a three-point line was used in the NBA was in the 1979-1980 season. It was only an experiment. The original length at the top of the key was 23 feet, 9 inches, while the corners were 22 feet. The line was put in the game in order to spread the players out. Before there was a three-point line, most of the players crowded around the basket. The first player to score a three-pointer was Chris Ford. It also made scoring increase and created more excitement. The three-point line became permanent in the 1980-1981 season. In the 1994-1995 season, the line was shortened to 22 feet all the way around the basket. This change didn’t last long and was eventually changed back to its original length in the 1997-1998 season. The three-point line brought a new dimension to a game that was already very exciting.

http://hoopedia.nba.com/index.php?title=Three-Point_History

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson had a tough life growing up in Cairo, Georgia. He was born in the year 1919 and raised by his mother. He was very good at sports. He played baseball, basketball, football, and track at UCLA. Unfortunately he could not afford to pay for college and he had to dropout. He joined the army but received an honorable discharge because he was a victim of racial discrimination. He then joined the Negro Baseball League and played for the Kansas City Monarchs in 1945. Two years later, Robinson was asked if he would like to join the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Brooklyn Dodgers were in the major leagues. The year 1889 was the last time an African-American played in the major leagues. Robinson decided to join the Brooklyn Dodgers and ended up being the rookie of the year in his first year. Throughout his career, he was named the most value player in the national league and he hit 137 home runs. In 1962, Robinson made it into Baseball’s Hall of Fame.

http://www.jackierobinson.com/about/bio.html

The Origin of Skateboards

The first skateboards were made in the 1950’s but they didn’t start as skateboards. A two by four and roller skate wheels were put together along with a handle to make a scooter. The skateboard was invented when the handle of the scooter broke off. This all took place in California where surfing was popular. People began to believe that skateboarding could be like surfing except on land. The first skateboards began to sell in 1959 and were called Roller Derby Skateboards. When the 1960’s came around, many companies began selling skateboards. In just three years, over fifty million skateboards were bought by people across America. The first skateboard competition took place in 1963 at Hermosa Beach, California. Skateboard sales declined two years later because experts were saying that they were unsafe. In the 1970’s skateboards were upgraded and made bigger. The kicktail allowed new tricks to be performed. Also, skateparks were created for a place to do tricks on ramps. Since the 1980’s, skateboarding has been very similar as to what it is now. New tricks have been done and new skateboarders have become famous. Who would have ever thought that a broken scooter could become something so popular?

http://www.skatelog.com/skateboarding/skateboarding-history.htm

The First Televised Sporting Event

NBC broadcasted the first ever televised sporting event on May 17, 1939. It took place at Andy Coakley Field where Columbia University’s baseball team took on Princeton’s baseball team. One camera was used to film the game. The camera man stood on a wooden platform looking over the field. This game was used as an experiment to see if a live game could be aired on live television. There were not many viewers because only about 400 televisions were owned at the time. The televisions only had a black and white picture. The experiment worked and Princeton won the game by a score of 2-1. Later in the year, a MLB game and college football game were aired live on television by NBC. This was the beginning of live sporting events on television.

http://www.gocolumbialions.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9600&ATCLID=3738874