Raptor Advantage
Baseball players need to possess explosive power (hitting, base running, fielding), muscular endurance (pitching, hitting, running), speed (field play and base running), agility (fielding), and flexibility (fielding). They also have to play in hot and humid environments for prolonged periods of time which makes it difficult to maintain hydration and concentration. This is particularly true for baseball players playing double headers, short series (e.g., 3 games within 48 hours), and tournaments in which you may play 4 or 5 games on a weekend. The Raptor bar can help baseball players gain a competitive edge by helping them meet their nutritional needs to optimize performance and recovery.

The first goal in optimizing performance of baseball players is to prevent dehydration. Baseball players are particularly susceptible to dehydration due to the number of hours they may practice and compete in hot and humid environments. Recent research indicates that athletes may need more electrolytes than typically found in sports drinks in order to maintain hydration during exercise. The Raptor bar contains recommended levels of sodium and other electrolytes needed to promote hydration and help reduce the incidence of muscle cramping during exercise. In addition, the Raptor bar contains glycerol which has been shown to help promote fluid retention. Therefore, ingesting a Raptor bar prior to playing baseball, mid-way through a game, and between games can help baseball players retain the fluids they consume between innings.

The second nutritional goal for baseball players is to provide carbohydrate to sustain blood glucose levels. While baseball players may not expend as much energy per hour as other sports, pre-game activities and games are typically longer so the overall amount of carbohydrate depleted is significant, particularly for pitchers, catchers, and outfielders. In addition, since pre-game meals are typically 3-4 hours before the game, baseball players may go 6-8 hours in between meals. The Raptor bar contains a mixture of fast, intermediate, and slow releasing carbohydrates that can provide a sustained release of carbohydrate over time. Ingesting a Raptor bar 30-minutes prior to warm-ups and after the third inning can help maintain carbohydrate availability throughout the game.

The third goal to optimize performance of baseball players is to help them maintain mental focus throughout the game. Often times, mental focus and concentration decline throughout a game, particularly when playing in a hot and humid environment. This can lead to poor hitting and/or fielding errors. The Raptor bar contains branched chain amino acids (BCAA), taurine, and choline that can help maintain mental focus and concentration throughout the game.

The fourth nutritional goal to optimize performance of baseball players is to provide nutrients that can enhance exercise performance. The Raptor bar contains high levels of sodium and calcium phosphate as well as β-alanine content that can help baseball players maintain high intensity exercise and recover between plays and innings.

The fifth goal of optimizing performance of baseball players is to minimize the catabolic and immune-suppressive effects of intense exercise. The Raptor bar contains the right amount and type of protein and amino acids that can help minimize catabolism during exercise and promote protein synthesis after exercise. The Raptor bar also contains a rich source of antioxidants (Vitamin E, Vitamin C, selenium, Coenzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid, and taurine) that have been reported to minimize the effects of intense exercise on muscle damage. In addition, the Raptor bar contains high levels of nutrients that support the immune system (i.e., L-glutamine, Vitamin C, zinc). For baseball players, ingesting a Raptor bar 30-minutes prior to warm-ups and after the third inning can help minimize the catabolic effects of intense training, promote recovery from practice and games, and support the immune system.

The final nutritional goal for baseball players is to provide nutrients after practices and games to promote recovery. Ingesting carbohydrate, protein/amino acids, electrolytes, antioxidants, and nutrients that support the immune system can help baseball players recover from intense exercise and tolerate training to a better degree. This can help baseball players maintain performance throughout a long season.

Exercise

• 3-4 hours per week of resistance-training and conditioning drills during off-season to increase explosive power, muscle endurance, flexibility, speed, agility, and fitness
  
  
• 2-2.5 hours of intermittent, high-intensity exercise during practices
  
  
• 4-5 hours of intermittent, high-intensity exercise for pre-game and games
  
  
• 2-3 hours per week of resistance-training, stretching, and conditioning drills in-season to help maintain power, muscle endurance, and flexibility
  
  

Nutrition

• Fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration during prolonged games particularly when played in hot and humid environments and during double-headers
  
  
• Carbohydrate to sustain blood glucose levels and exercise capacity throughout the game
  
  
• Nutrients that support explosive power, muscle endurance, and recovery from high intensity intermittent exercise
  
  
• Nutrients to help maintain mental focus during games
  
  
• Protein/amino acids to prevent muscle breakdown and facilitate protein synthesis and recovery following exercise
  
  
• Antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress, muscle damage, and promote recovery
  
  
• Nutrients to support the immune system
  
  

Refueling

• Consume a high carbohydrate/low fat meal 3-4 hours prior to practice, training sessions, and/or games
  
  
• Ingest one Raptor bar 30-60 minutes prior to practice, training sessions, and/or games
  
  
• Consume 1-2 cups of water and/or sports drinks each inning with a goal of not losing more that 2% of body weight (e.g., 3-4 lbs for a 150-200 lbs athlete) as a result of dehydration during exercise. Consume more fluids as needed in hot and humid environments
  
  
• Ingest one Raptor bar after the third inning with 1-2 cups of water and/or sports drink
  
  
• Ingest one Raptor bar within 30 minutes following practice, training sessions, and/or games
  
  
• Consume a high carbohydrate/low fat meal within 2 hours following practice, training sessions, and games
  
  
• Consume enough fluids to regain weight lost from exercise (3 cups per pound lost)
  
  
• Consume Raptor bars as a nutrient dense snack between meals