Brian's view of DISGUSTING!

So the Twins and White Sox were in commercial last night, so I channel-surfed over to ESPN to see how the Yankees and Rays were doing. I noticed Joba Chamberlain had just come out of the game after pitching 8 shutout innings giving up only 3 hits....not bad, especially since he's on my fantasy team, although for some reason I hadn't updated my lineup, and I had Chamberlain, Verlander, and Halladay all on the BENCH!! Grrrrrrrrr......

Anyway, ESPN's camera crew and director, in their moment of infinite wisdom, either seemed to feel it was okay, or they were too stupid to notice, as the announcers talked about Joba's fine effort, while he prepared to take a dip (the chewing kind). For 30 seconds or so, they kept the camera on Joba as he packed his chew can with that arm motion that flops the index finger down on the top of the can, which I never could figure out myself. Now, maybe it's just me, but if a guy is about to blatantly dip into his tobacco can, shouldn't we get the camera off of him, BEFORE he actually opens it and puts a fistful of chaw into his cheek? Just how many kids are actually watching that broadcast anyway?

I know this kind of thing goes on all over baseball, but since it's an opportunity to pick on a Yankee -- great job, Joba! Keep up with the fine job of role modeling you continue to display! You deserve a big ol' pat on the back for the size of that loogie you blew out in the dugout, while still on camera, but I'll hold off on the pat, since I'd hate to see you swallow that shhhhtuff. More importantly, get a clue, ESPN production team! Come to think of it, I'm surprised now that they weren't showing Jeter - it seems like the camera's always on him anyway.

Rod's Thursday Ramblings 7/30/09

OK, Brad Childress says he is excited to see the competition unfold between Tavaris J. and Sage R. now that Brett Favre won't be a Viking. He should be excited. His job will probably depend on how one or both of those guys perform. The happiest in this Brett Favre saga story should be John David Booty, the Vikings 3rd string qb. Who do you think was the odd man out when Favre was still undecided!

The 13-14 Teeners state tournament is this weekend and I am not going to Watertown this weekend. Those of you who think my son the coach talks to me about his team can rest assured he won't be taking any advice from me, his little league coach. With that said, I know that many of you are probably thinking, "hey, we have a chance". And I say, "We'll have a chance as long as the guys use two hands to catch a fly ball"!! Oh, there I go again!!!

And the Rattlers amateur team plays their region tournament this weekend. They will play Aberdeen on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in their first game at Aberdeen. If they win, they will play again at 5 p.m. against the winner of the Brookings-Huron game at noon. The 5 p.m. game winner can then go home as they are in the state tournament. the loser will have to hang around til 1:30 p.m. or so to play another game on Sunday against the winner of the game that is played at 11 a.m. on Sunday, the two losing teams from Saturday. Top two teams from the region make the state tournament. Unless Pierre plays real bad, they should be able to win two games this weekend. But the bottom line is, you still have to play. They beat Aberdeen pretty soundly 3 times of the 4 games they played in the regular season. They did not play Huron. That was the weekend Huron cancelled cause they had a bunch of guys at the college world series, threfore we did not return the trip in late June. I think Huron finished 4th in the Pony Hills League standings behind 4 Corners, Miller and Chamberlain. And we usually play Brookings very tough. We win a few, we lose a few.

No blogging for me tomorrow or the weekend. Taking a little (ok, some more) R and R and playing some golf over at the Dunes, so poeple, fix your divits on the greens, or I will have to verbally spank you on my next blog. I also find I play better when I play by myself than when I am in a twosome, threesome or foursome and a scorecard is used. I usually don't keep score when it's just me!!!!!!! So it's always a good round!!!!!!!!!

Rod's Wednesday Ramblings

To all Vikings fans from a die hard Bears Fan. Gee that's to bad about Brett Favre. Actually, I was a bit surprised by the news, but wasn't. I really don't think he really wanted to jeapordize his Packers Legend status by joining the enemy. Athough most of the Packers still consider the Bears as "The" enemy. Kinda like World War 2 in Europe. Germany was "The" enemy. Then there was Italy. The Vikings are like Italy when it comes to the battle with Green Bay. Still, Favre must have found something he wants to be when he grows up, otherwise he would still play. We will probably see the battle now between ESPN and the NFL Network and who gets Favre's services. By the way, I don't know if you know this but the Bears have better looking fans than most. Miss America, Katie Stam, is a Bears Fan! Now I know this is just a casual observance from a married man of almost 26 years who has only one woman, my wife, but Katie is pretty dog gone cute. And Miss America is selected on Looks and Intelligence. She is a Bears fan, need I say more.

And by the way, the South Dakota all star girls basketball game last night was won by the North 59-56. Katie Lingle, 11 points and 15 rebounds. The North outrebounded the South 60 to 30. 60 rebounds. The North put up 73 shots. 73! And they only scored 59? The North was 6 of 20 from 3 point range. Steph Paluch was 1 of 8 from the field and 0 for 2 from 3 point range for 4 points. Kylee Lamb of Sully Buttes was 3 of 9 from the field for 6 points. No observations on the game since I did not see it. Only the stats and just the facts.

BUCKLE UP, ITS TIME TO VENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I must say before I begin this rant that I AM a fan of the Minnesota Vikings, I was too young to remember seeing them play in their first super bowl but saw their destruction unfold the last 3 times they were there, dont forget their last appearance was 30 years ago. Did I miss it or did they have a half time ceremony last season celebrating the 30th anniversary of a Super Bowl butt kicking that was so bad that the winning coach (John Madden) got his own video game. I remember telling my dad back in 1978 that it was going to be the year the Vikings won the super bowl because they wore their purple uniforms instead of the white ones they wore when they played the Steelers and Dolphins (lame I know but I was young). I have been there and done that as a fan of the purple, so like any fan that has a blog, (as of now) I feel I have the right to say what's on my mind. ***********Bloggers note****** for the remainder of this blog post Brett Farve will be known only as VIKING SEASON KILLER, ok? thanks. The first thing we have to figure out is what Coach Childress was thinking by trying to sign VIKING SEASON KILLER the last two seasons. Did he think that his other quarterbacks didnt read the sports pages, watch ESPN or listen to sports talk radio? Did he feel the gamble was worth it as long as VIKING SEASON KILLER did decide to play? Its like asking the prettiest girl in school to the prom, but she didnt say yes right away, she says she has to think about it. While you were waiting for her to make up her mind two other real nice looking girls ask you to the prom. You have to tell them no right? What if the prettier girl says yes? But at the last minute the girl says no and you are not going to the prom. Its kinda like that as long as the girl had shoulder surgery so she could go the prom with you only to find out she couldnt throw the ball more than 40 yards so now she isnt going to the prom. So Brad Childress isnt going to the prom if you get my meaning. Coach Childress has to get the confidence of his quarterbacks back and fast. Maybe he should charter a boat and take Tavarius Jackson and Sage Rosenfels for a ride on Lake Minnetonka. Maybe thats a bad idea......We can also take from this that Vikings owner Ziggy Wylf has limited experience dealing with employees, otherwise he would have been able to see through the waffling of VIKING SEASON KILLER and the quest the Viking coaching staff have been on to get VIKING SEASON KILLER signed. Ziggy's experience will improve after he gets to hire a new coaching staff next season. Watch Childress give the ball to Adrian Petersen 47 times a game until he gets hurt, then not have a clue what to do next. "its 3rd and 23 should we throw? no thats what they will expect us to do run a dive play instead". Michael Vick should be available about week 7 of the season as long as he doesnt sign with the UFL and Chris Kluwe should make the pro bowl, so thats encouraging I guess. In the end I think maybe VIKING SEASON KILLER knew what he was doing all along, ruining the Vikings season so the Packers would retire his jersey. Thanks for letting me vent I feel better.

Rod's Ramblings of Tuesday

The State American Legion baseball tournament begins tomorrow and I predict that Sioux Falls West will win the thing again. They seem to have the pitching depth it will take and they hit the ball pretty well. Watertown has some good pitchers and some good hitters, but not enough. Spearfish is only 2 deep in starting pitching and from the number 5 spot on down in the batting order the hitting tails off. I don't know much about Vermillion but I would say they could win a game or two, probably only one if that. And they are the Class B team. Mitchell has a fairly decent hitting team but it is inconsistent and again pitching depth will cost them. Brookings can hit with the best of them but their lack of pitching depth will cost them in the end. But they may be able to bop the ball around better than any of them. Rapid City Post 320, well, they will find a way to lose, they always do and Brandon Rainford is only allowed to pitch 5 innings or so at the most as he comes back from Tommy John surgery. Not to mention they don't hit consistently and will make some bonehead play or two along the way that will cost them. Then there is Post 22 and all of their defensive problems up the middle. They do not have the pitching depth that they have had in past years either, but they are the home team and they will benefit from close calls by the impartial umpiring crew that somewhere along the tourney will have a call that should benefit the team that Post 22 is playing but instead won't get called and thus beneift Post 22. It happens every year. We can rest assured that this tournament will be the most media freindly tournament with Pierre's own Tyler Merriam the media relations director. If he stays around in South Dakota, the American Legion baseball commissioners should find a way to make him the full time person in that capacity. By the way, whoever wins the tournament, the ole travel bills should be as low as can be. The Central Plains Region is in Excelsior, Minnesota located near the Twin Cities and the national tournament is in Fargo.

Darren's ramblings part 2 or whats in a name?

As I sit by the computer patiently waiting for the highschool sports season to start, the Jeremy Mayfield mess to end , or Brett Farve to make up his mind. It comes to mind that if Mr. Fisher is goint to call his posts Rod's Ramblings, I need to have a clever yet clean name to call my postings. Because of my farm background, I thought of "outstanding in my field". Perhaps you have a better idea, comment to this blog and give me your idea for a title to my posts. I am sure I will get some good ideas and maybe I will use one. By the way, I jsut heard Bud Selig is re considering Pete Rose for reinstatement from his lifetime ban from baseball. Anyone want to bet on how this will turn out????? Bet? Lifetime ban from baseball for betting? Good joke eh? I think this blog thing is gonna be a blast.

Rod's Ramblings of Monday

I played golf over the weekend. A couple of rounds as a matter of fact at the Dunes. I like that course because you don't have to make a tee time 2 and 3 days in advance. They don't take tee times. You come to the course, and you get to play, no long range planning needed. I was a little dismayed Saturday evening. Everytime I got to the greens, I wound up fixing two to three divits that were left on every green on the front nine. People, a little courtesy and commons sense. Repair your divits. It takes all of about 6 seconds for the most inexperienced divit fixer.

I watched the 13-14 Teeners yesterday. An interesting bunch of young men to watch play. You never know if that routine fly ball will be caught. Still alot of one handitess, but they can hit the ball fairly regularly. They play in their state tournament this weekend. Pool play against Brandon Valley at 1 on Friday and Watertown at 1 on Saturday in Watertown at the Stadium! After that, who knows when and if they will play. They are only guaranteed two games then it breaks down to an 8 team single elimination tournament Saturday night and Sunday.

Bill Gayton Jr., the director of scouting for the San Diego Padres watched the 15-16 "A" Teeners play in Aberdeen yesterday. Bill is the son of Bill Gayton, Sr. the coach of the Pierre A Teeners. Winning 14-0 and 16-2, hopefully he took a name down to put on his watch list from Pierre. I know he knows about the Pierre kids. You know how dad's (Bill Sr. in this case) can be in keeping him posted.

It is hard to believe we are in the last week of July and the Legion season will be over for all but 1 team at the end of the weekend. The Rattlers amateur team opens play this weekend in their region tournament in Aberdeen. Won't know who they will play for a day or two but they seed these tournaments out. Brookings, Pierre, Huron and Aberdeen I would think would be the seeding in that order. In either case, win twice and your in the state tournament and win twice on Saturday and you won't have to play on Sunday.

Rod's Ramblings

I think that Rod's Ramblings will be the official title of my blog instead of trying to come up with a headline. Since I am still fairly new to the blogging game coming up with a new headline everytime isn't always easy. So let's ramble. I watched my son play in a slow pitch softball game last night. The only thing slow about it was the pitch, thus the name slow pitch right? After that, I saw outfielders diving for fly balls, infielders coming up with ground balls and throwing off balance to get an out at first, which is not easy with bases only 60 feet apart. I thought to my self why did some of these guys give up on baseball after the pony league or teeners? They can play. I knew of only one, my son, still playing baseball.

Speaking of baseball, the Legion season is over but three players will still be playing thanks to a new rule this year in that wild and wacky world known as VFW Teener baseball. The same group that gave us a state tournament for 9 and 10 year olds (when do we let kids be kids and just play to play and be a kid and not have to have uniforms and dads coaching their every move, which sometimes is a wrong move). The new VFW rule allows players to be listed on both the Legion Baseball and the 15-16 Teener roster. Pierre was one of two that voted against the rule change at the VFW meeting last spring. So the rule passed, pushed by Watertown we understand, and that means that a rule that Pierre voted against could come back to sting the rest of the state come state tournament time. Pierre has 3 players who will still be playing when Pierre hosts the State VFW 15-16 AA State tournament. Ryan Yackley, Adam Deneke and Scott Cichos will go back to the Teener roster after being moved up in mid June to the Legion roster. Thus, the Teeners will get their top 3 pitchers back for the state tournament. The state tournament is a 4 day double elimination tournament this year so considering some of the injuries that the A's have had this year, getting 3 fresh arms, not to mention 3 big bats back in the lineup. So if anyone around the state complains that Pierre stocked up their lineup and are two faced because they voted against the change? Well, Pierre will only "be playing by the rules"! VFW Teener baseball, you gotta love it.

Andy's Rants

When does a slump turn into a disaster? This is the question I'm asking more and more these days as I watch The Minnesota Twins. Up by ten in one game and lose, get humiliated the next night and to cap the whole slide towards utter madness, Joe Nathan blowing a save. We have all gone through it, you know when it seems like no matter how hard you try you just can't catch a break. I heard from a fan the other day, "the difference is we aren't being paid millions of dollars to perform!". Yes it is true that when we have a bad day, a bad week or even a bad month, chances are we are going to bounce back with out too much embarrassment. Think about this the next time you want to talk about those Twins. Even the best players strike out and give up home runs, even the highest paid players don't have good games. There is a player for The New York Yankees who for some reason does not perform well in the post season and even though he get ridiculed in the New York media, he is still one of the highest paid players in the game. I like to root for The Twins because the budget they play on is not the best but year in and year out they are competitive. They don't sell out every night but if you want to take your family to a game you can actually afford it. I read somewhere that The Minnesota Twins are one of the lowest ticket prices in all of professional sports. No I won't give up on The Twins, and even though I get a little aggravated from time to time, they are my team. Next week I will make the yearly journey out to the Metrodome to take in a couple of games. I feel like a goose migrating south, but it helps me rejuvenate my status as a fan of The Minnesota Twins.

And that is the season..Rod

Impressive pitching last night ended Pierre Legion baseball season. Spearfish's Allen Hemeyer is as good a righthander as Post 8 has seen. Brandon Rainforth of Post 320 showed that he is back from his Tommy John surgery. What an uncermoniusly way to end the season, getting no hit by a pair of Post 320 pitchers. And the only reason it wasn't a perfect game is because the rightfielder dropped a fly ball. And 8 errors in two games did not help our cause. So the season is over. 25-25 is the record and rightfully so. By the way, Post 320, which always moans that they get no respect in Rapid City and around the Legion ranks in South Dakota showed again last night why. With an 11-0 lead, they are stealing bases. With a 14-0 lead they are bunting! Two unwritten laws of the game you don't do. And that is the stuff that keeps you second fiddle in your city and the state. You can talk about saving on your pitching. The way the game was going, they could of just hit the runners around anyway. But to give them credit, they eliminated us from the region tournament for a second straight year and the have been to more legion state tournaments in the last five years than we have. Perhaps, that number of theirs that those of us in Pierre think we have, we no longer have.

Region 3A Day 1 from Rod

The baseball people of Pierre are probably sitting back and saying I told you so. It's the post season and more times than not, Pierre has Rapid City Post 320's number! No argument for last night anyway. All 9 guys get a hit. Jordan Heckenlaible gets 3. Nolan Merrill and Ryan Yackley just absolutley pounded the ball in that big 6 run inning and Kyle Cichos pitched awfully well again, but again, still a question mark as to if he can make it 9 innings. He went 8 last night and the 8th inning was a huge change as to what I had seen the first 7 even though he did strike out the side in the 8th. But then again, he had a 9 run lead so there was some wiggle room. But I hope we are not patting ourselves on the back to much. Spearfish will pitch Allen Hemeier tonight. He was the kid that Pierre beat 2-1 in 10 innings in Pierre and we did not really touch him all night. He made a bone head decision and a bad throw on a pickoff in the 10th. You lose that one, then you probably have to play Post 320 again. There is alot riding on the Spearfish game and another chance for 16 year old Ryan Yackley to show his stuff. And the Pierre batting lineup to see if last night was for real or one of those games.

I also understand I will get to broadcast outside in 90 degree heat on the pavement and metal. The Deadwood Radio boys have the radio broadcast spot locked up. Last night there were 3 of us doing games in that same spot. Guess we might have to remember next time the Hyde Press Box gets to be filling up.

Brian's Advice: Don't Ever Relax!

Late in the 1984 baseball season, I remember watching the Twins jump out to a 10-0 lead on the lowly Cleveland Indians, only to see the Indians chip away and eventually come back to win that game, and basically end the Twins' chances of winning their division, not to be heard from again for another 3 years. Late Monday night, it was proven that lightning can indeed strike twice, even if it is 25 years later. Most Twins fans probably didn't even see the end of the game about 12:40 a.m., but I did. That's about the time I usually retire for the evening anyway, usually because I'm too lazy to get off the couch and go to bed earlier, but as I watched the middle innings of an improbable, eventual Oakland win, I knew I'd better keep watching, for some reason. (By the way, an "Oakland Win" is usually a good thing, as far as I'm concerned, but this "Oakland Win" didn't have me placed at a table in Deadwood, so I'll move on.....)

So anyway, the Twins hit 4 home runs, 2 from Morneau for 7 RBIs, Kubel and Cuddyer both have great games, and a usually in-control pitcher, Nick Blackburn, is on the mound - things are looking good, as the Twins led 12-2. But the A's put hits together, and before you know it, they've got 5 runs and 10 hits through 3 innings themselves, which normally will put you in pretty good shape. Daric Barton (who?) hits a 3-run homer, Matt Holliday almost matches Morneau with 2 golf shots of his own over the fences to drive in 6, and all-or-nothing Jack Cust had an "all" moment with a solo HR to put the A's in the lead, 14-13, still in the 7th inning. (By the way, that's the same Matt Holliday that everyone's been saying has been a free agent bust this year........I don't think so!)

But all of that pales in comparison to how the game ended. A 2-out double by Cuddyer, an intentional walk to Kubel (Gomez pinch-running), Delmon Young at the plate, and I'm thinking this game ain't over yet - why should it be, with everything that had happened to that point? After all, it was only 10:40 p.m. on the West Coast. So a wild pitch is thrown, it goes to the backstop, the catcher couldn't find it right away, and by the time he goes to get it, Cuddyer is rounding third and heading for home. He slides in ahead of the tag by the pitcher covering home, but on a blown call by the home plate umpire, he's called out - game over - good night everybody, and good riddance! Folks, I've done my share of umpiring in my time, and if there is one thing in sports that frustrates me to no end, it's when a game is decided by an official who is not in the proper position to make a crucial call. This guy should have been in front of home plate, with a clear view of the tag attempt, but instead, he was lined up facing the pitcher's back side, his vision most likely shielded as to where and when the tag was actually made, probably knowing dang well his call to decide the game was at best, an assumption, perhaps even a guess!

So the moral of the story is, "Don't Ever Relax!" If you have an early 12-2 lead, you may think you're safe, but there is plenty of game to go. DON'T RELAX, or you'll lose momentum, and probably the lead, which will both be difficult to regain. Also, if a guy is trying to pull a rare feat and score from second on a wild pitch, DON'T RELAX and think he's just stopping at third, or you won't be where you're supposed to be, and thus, you'll end up being remembered for a long time after the game, which is not a good thing for sports officials.

Ironically, after recounting last night's events, I think I need to go and relax now, but before I do, I have to add one more thing: if you play left field for the Chicago Cubs, and you're not very good at it to begin with, and someone hits a can-o'-corn fly ball in your general direction, DON'T RELAX, or you'll end up contributing to a 10-1 Phillies win! :o)

Darren's rambings part 1

If you were Sage Rosenfels would you rent or buy? Remember him, he was the quarterback the Minnesota Vikings had been trying to trade for as their "quarterback of the future" for the last couple of seasons. What was he thinking when he ok'ed the trade from the Texans in February? Didnt he know that Brett Farve wouldnt even consider coming out of retirement again until at least March. Now its another season of holding a clipboard. Oh well, at least he isnt Tarvius Jackson. While we are on the subject, lets give the entire credit for the Farve Saga to the one person who is responsible Brad Childress. It was his off the record persuit of old #4 last year that destroyed the confidence of Jackson, who was terrible in the first month of last season. He played much better when given the chance at the end of the season, only now to see the trade for Rosnefels happen, then Farve's shoulder surgery, now the renewed courtship for the future hall of famer. When will the madness end? Hopefully it will end with the firing of Childress, the supposed offensive "genius" who cant develop a quarterback or a wide reciever. Bring in Farve, get it over with, then the Vikings can go 8-8, Farve can retire for good, and we can have a new coach. Hopefully it will happen before Adrian Peterson's career is over.

Monday Mutterings from Rod

After watching the Kirly Memorial Tournament over the weekend I came to one conclusion. Players are more and more, LESS fundamentally prepared to play the next step of baseball. Pierre's 13-14 Teeners showed a one hand catches on batted balls all weekend long. Whatever happened to the old addage "Use Two Hands". Oh wait, they did on Saturday and won 9-1 after Friday when I saw several guys be non-chalant and literally drop fly balls that were in their glove and bounced out. Pierre can hit the ball with anyone, but defense, defense, defense and pitching wins games and ulitmatly championships. A Teeners did split in a couple of close games at Watertown yesterday. And Pierre Post 8 does have a sense of "not giving up until the final out" when they are in fairly close games. As witnessed yesterday, down 6-3 to Valley Springs in their last at bat int he 7th. They score 3 and win in 9 by a 7-6 score.

No game tonight for the Rattles amatuer baseball team. 4 Corners won't be coming to Pierre for whatever reason. Never the less, 4 Corners won the Pony Hills League title yesterday. Congratulations guys. Next game for them is Sunday at 5 down in Plankinton. (To be fair, 4 Corners didn't know if Plankinton was going to show up yesterday. They did. If they wouldn't have, then they would have played Pierre tonight. It's understandable that you want to save your pitching).

And along the high school sports front, Pierre football camp began today for 8th through 12th graders. Pierre head coach Joe Kramer is getting a first hand look at the deck he has been dealt for the coming season. I also will report that Brady Walz, who was the offensive coordinator and an assistant coach last year for the varsity football team will not be an assistant this year for the varsity. He is replaced by Quentin Cermak. Brady will continue on as condidtioning coach (he is running the summer conditioning program up at Riggs) and as freshman boys basketball coach.

What's up, Joe?

From the category of things I never thought I'd see, I give you an 0-6 hitting performance by the best pure hitter in baseball, Joe Mauer. That adds to his recent struggles that have seen him get just 1 hit in his last 22 AB's over five games, not counting the All-Star game (or the Home Run Derby). I was at the July 11 game when the Twins lost to the White Sox, 8-7. I'm one of those people who just has to keep score when I go to ball games (probably because it keeps me from drinking those $6.75 beers to quickly). Keeping my own scoresheet, I noticed right away that Mauer had grounded to second base, FOUR times in that game. How does that happen to 2-time batting champion? To me that says adjustments are not being made, and the hitter seems to be more content with just putting the ball in play. I know that's a harsh critique, and I know Joe will get things figured out, so I'm not too worried, but it's just tough to see and average drop 30 points in a matter of 5 ball games. He's still hitting some balls sharply, and I guess I read on Yahoo! that he's been battling one of those summer colds that never seems to go away. Maybe a couple of days off would help, but I would personally also like to see Mauer get moved back up that second spot in the order, where he seemed to excel a month or two ago. Oh well, as long as guys like Nick Punto keep hitting homers, I think the Twins will be just fine.......hahahaha!

Don't look now, but only two games out of the lead in the division, five straight series won on the road, 9 of the last 13 overall since the start of June, which includes one 4-game split at Oakland, where they start tonight......slowly but surely, we'll be right there when October comes around. Not to mention the fact that the starting pitchers are really starting to come around - I think things will be looking up before long for the Twins. Let's win one for the Dome!!!
-Radioooo

Andy's Rant

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Andy's Rant
Summer break is a great subject for me this time. Students count the days, hours, minutes and seconds to the last day of school. For the student athlete that wants to get a head of the rest it is a time to hit the weight room, the gym, or the one place that will give them that edge for the up-coming sports season. I remember the words of my high school football coach to this day "Big Team Little Me, means you will be in the weight room this summer for the good of the team!" I remember thinking that I have to be there to insure a winning season. I also remember the disappointment when I was one of three to show up that first day of summer lifting. Big team, no not really, more like big no show. I understood some of the reasons for my fellow teammates not making it, like having to work on the family farm, it seemed like those kids didn't need the weight room anyway they always came to the first football practice ready to go for some reason. Some kids played baseball in the summer, but I played baseball and still showed up to the weight room when I could. Some of them just didn't want to get that extra push for the up-coming season and I never understood it. Of the the three of us that showed up two went on to play college football. I know this for certain, state championship teams are not built during their season they are built in the summer with hard work and dedication. I am not saying do not enjoy your summer break, I am saying look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself if you want to participate or do you want to win. With that said have a great summer and I'll look forward to seeing you all on the fields and courts this upcoming season.

Rattlers Roll - Rod Fisher

Another convincing win for the Pierre Rattlers last night. 15-0 in 5 innings over Winner although Pierre General Manager Tom Magedanz said that Winner was short a couple of players and pulled an emergency player, rightfielder John Driscoll, into service. I was doing the PA last night and Rick LaBrie, whose son Jordan plays on the Rattlers, was running the scoreboard. Said he went to school with John who was a pretty good track athlete in his day. But rest assured, Winner was better than they showed last night. Tyson Lidekugel hit another home run, his 5th in 5 games and 10th of the season. Michael Gardner pitched 4 innings. Dalton Decker pitched the 5th and the two combined to strike out the last 6 batters they faced. So Winner's final 6 outs were all by strike outs. Tom says next Saturday, the 25th when Pierre goes to Valley Springs for a noon game against 4th ranked Brandon Valley and then a 6 p.m. game in Mitchell will be a better guage as to where the Rattlers are. As a matter of fact, their final home game is Monday against 4 Corners at 8 p.m. at Hyde Stadium. 4 Corners split with them back on Memorial Day and has put a pretty good season together so it has the makings of a pretty good game with several Post 8 Legion baseball alum facing off against each other.

And a busy Hyde Stadium this week with the Joe Kirley tournament with the 13-14 Teeners and B Teeners hosting teams from Rapid City Post 22 (the Cadets 13-14 crew and the Bullets who are coached by Pierre's own Tyler Merriam) and then the two Watertown Teener teams. 4 games each day beginning at noon today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. Sunday. You can get the schedule off the Post 8 baseball website www.post8baseball.com.

Do Chicks still dig the long ball? from Rod Fisher

If chicks still dig the long ball like they did 5 and 6 years ago, they really digged Rapid City Post 320 last night. 7, count em, 7 home runs in two games. 5 in one game alone including 2 of the longest if not theeeee longest home runs I have ever seen hit out of Hyde Stadium. And that means longer than Tyson Lindekugel and Brandon Deffenbaugh and Ben Thomas and Wade Hiller to name a few. Even Mike Fisher!!!!! I just threw that one in, although he is still the only player I have witness hitting one over the Big D sign on top of the Post 22 Fitzgerald Stadium scoreboard in Rapid City. Anyway, Pierre pitchers need to figure out how to keep the ball in the park beginning next week in Spearfish. After last night, Pierre pitching has given up 30 home runs this year while we have answered with 13 over the fence and 1 inside the park. So 14.

Baseball All Star Game MVP could of been...-Rod Fisher

Another MLB All Star game is in the books. Another American League win. Dissapointing night for Albert Puhols. Pre game was inspiring. Joe and Tim in the broadcast booth were, just like always. All Star game MVP Carl Crawford made one really nice catch and that is all it took to be MVP. There you have it. (Ok, he had a hit too.) By the way, Crawford could have been a Heisman Trophy candidate or winner if he chose college football over professional baseball. Crawford was an all everything option quarterback at his high shcool in Florida and re-wrote most of Tommy Kramer's records. You remember touchdown Tommy. Led Nebraska to back to back national championships in the mid 90's. Well, then Husker coach Frank Solich had Crawford committed to come to Nebraska earlier this decade to be the next in line after Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch to quarterback the Huskers. It's too bad he didn't. Crawford chose professional baseball and Nebraska had to go with (Drum Roll Please) Jamal Lord at quarterback. Who knows, had Crawford come to Nebraska, Solich might still have a job. Bill Callahan would still not know where Lincoln is on the map. And let's say Solich was not coaching anymore, either retired or resigned or got fired, whatever, Bo Pelini would probably have stepped right in as head coach and Kevin Cosgrove could have faded into the Big 10 sunset and would not have become a household word in Nebraska football kitchens. And not a good word either. I guess after last night at the All Star Game, Crawford knew what he was doing.

Home Run Derby not what it used to be-Rod Fisher

Is it just me as I sit here viewing the home run derby, or does it seem like the balls are not flying out like they used too (Gee, I wonder why) Last year had Josh Hamilton and all those first round home runs. This year 11 was the most in the first round. Joe Mauer is gone in the swing off. There were some outstanding catches in the stands by several of the fans. But there is the one constant to past years. Chris Berman coming up with his corny nicknames. Joe Morgan, letting everybody know he could do better than anyone out there and Steve Philips, being Steve Philips and is just kinda there. Berman makes me tired with all of his excited commentary. I get as worn out as the guys swinging the bats. And the poor guys pitching. They must have rubber arms. OK, Fielder just hit two, really really long dingers out. 503 feet on the last one. And Cruz hit a couple of impressive shots in the first round. Big Mac Land, then the upper balcony and then one out of the park. After further review, the balls are still flying out of the park and Berman still makes me tired. And Erin Andrews' interviews seem to be good tonight. She must have brought her A interview game to the park.

And the Rattlers win 4 this weekend-Rod Fisher

Tyson Lindekugel is no longer in a long ball slump. 4 home runs in 4 games this weekend. 2 today in the second game in a 15-2 win over Aberdeen. Pierre won the first game 8-0. Lindekugel had a grand slam last night in their win over Wessington Springs and he went yard on Friday in Martin in another Pierre win. WOW. Hopefully 3 days off til their next game, Thursday at home against Winner, he doesn't cool off!!!!!!!

Thats the Post 8 we've come to expect-Rod Fisher

9-3 and 8-2. Those are the kind of wins this Post 8 team is capable of most nights. Winning twice at Valley Springs yesterday was a dose of working medicine after Thursday night's fiasco against Brookings. And it's the young guys who are leading the way right now. Ryan Yackley had 5 hits in two games plus a couple of fielding gems at third base. Adam Deneke and Nolan Merrill also got on base regularly in the games, not to mention both reaching up and taking home runs away from two Valley Springs hitters. Kyle Cichos is pitching his best of the season right now. And Ryan Lauseng has now put back to back 7 inning performances together and never really has been challenged in that 14 inning span. And more importantly, just 1 error in two games. And that one error had to bring a chuckle to even coach Sullivan. Jason Livermont, fielding a ground ball, charging the ball and then after scooping it up you could tell the brain was saying, stop, set, throw. And the legs were responding, no, I want to keep going and then down to the ground went Jason losing his balance, sitting up with that look of "What the ____ was that?" Valley Springs did nothing with the error but still, it was ESPN "Not the top 10 stuff". And, since I am the self proclaimed "fashion police" of Post 8, they wore the green caps yesterday with the black vest and gray pants. Coach Sullivan says the first game starting pitcher gets to pick what cap they wear. The Green and Black or all Black. Kyle apparently isn't that fond of the black cap. Sounds like Carlos Zambrano. When he pitches at Wrigley, the Cubs wear their blue tops cause Carlos likes those. Oh wait, Coach Sullivan is a Cubs fan. See how things wear off on those of us who are fans of "Cubdom". It was my idea a couple of years ago have us to play Harry Carry's "Take me out to the ballgame" during the 5th inning (7 inning games) and 7th inning (9 inning games) stretch of our Post 8 broadcasts. And got it sponsored to boot.

Sturgis and Spearfish split for a second time in a week Saturday night. Hemeyer had a strong game for Spearfish in the second game last night and went the distance in winning. Brandon Huffman pitch Sturgis to their game 1 win. Post 320 split in Williston losing 6-3 and winning 12-11. Region tournament is only 10 days away.

And Scott Cichos was not with Post 8 yesterday. He was playing basketball with the Govs at the Southwest Minnesota State team camp. I understand they played 2 games Friday. 6 yesterday and have at least 1 maybe two more today . Alot of games for a team that will need this week and next weekend at the Northern State camp to figure things out a bit and find out who can do what.

And in case you missed it, the B Teeners were beaten twice yesterday by Groton, who usually has a good Teener baseball team year to year. The 13-14 team beat Groton but lost in 8 innings to Sioux Falls West, who might be the best in the state at that level again this year. They won the 13-14 state tournament last years and the team that beat us yesterday consisted of all 14 year olds. We were down in the top of the 6th but came back and got the lead. They tied it though and then won it in extra innings. They play SF East and Aberdeen today at 1 and 5. And I did not hear how the A's/split squad did yesterday in Rapid City

Not Just Good But How Good!!!

NOT JUST GOOD BUT HOW GOOD !!!
Temperatures near the 90's--the Stampede has come and gone and the dog days of July and
August are well nigh upon us--and the last thing the Tiger Faithful have on their minds is
Tiger Football looming on the horizon just ahead--NOT!!!
The word is out around town and an ever increasing number of those self same Tiger Faithful
are more aware by the day that the scene is set for a banner year on the gridiron for the Tigers-it'not good but how good!!!
This will be a veteran team--the best the Tigers have fielded in a long time. With the exception
of a couple of spots to be filled up front it will be experience , depth and skill at every
position. Couple this with as soft a schedule as the Tigers have faced in many moons big things are in the offing. With the possible exception of the always super tough Winner Warriors the Tigers will be a decided favorite in the remaining seven contests.
The Winner Warriors will roll into New Tiger Stadium on Friday night September 11th
and if by late that night the Tigers are a perfect 3-0 it may well be the time to start
thinking of 'run the table'. The stage will indeed be set for that perfect 8-0 regular
season log and big playoff possibilities. The Warrior-Tiger battle here might well be
the most important contest the Tigers have played in a long time.
Thusly, the long and short of it is simply this for you Tiger fans: Lets get ready to kick
a lot of butt(edited) this fall. A November date for all of the marbles in the big building
in November in Vermillion could definitely be looming on the horizon

Rod's Friday Thoughts

Don't take too much out of last night's performance by Post 8. They ended on a positive note scoring 6 runs in the last of the 7th. The first game was one of those games. Ask the Cincinatti Reds. They got beat 22-1 earlier this week and then won the next night over the Phillies. Tomorrow's a new day when they play at Valley Springs. But even then how about Ryan Yackley 4 for 4 and can Adam Deneke flat out turn the after burners on, on that inside the park home run!!!! And it doesn't matter what the cap color, but the greens still look good with the pinstripes.

First basketball team camp for the Governors is this weekend at Southwest State. Next week they go to Northern State. Good chance to see the big kid, now 7'1 Josh Monroy and how much he has improved, if any.

And don't forget that Monday is the night any one in the community can drop by Hyde Stadium and lend the Post 8 baseball board a hand in painting / staining the outfield and foul territory fences. 6:30 p.m. We host the 15-16 AA State Teener tournament next month. 4 day, double elimination tournament. And Pierre is in it, since they are hosting the 8 team tournament.

Speaking Of Baseball

With the Teener and Legion Seasons heading for the home stretch, I can't help but reflect on how far the community of Mobridge has come. It seems like just the other day that Mobridge didn't have any kind of organized baseball program. The kids at the age level of teener and legion players were playing slow pitch softball and the baseball field in Mobridge was a great place for weed growth. It is hard to believe that was only nine years ago. If someone came to Mobridge today they would see a much better picture of baseball. The town now has a very good Teener program that has been a State Tournament runner up and has qualified for The State Tournament on a consistent ration of years. This year Mobridge is featuring a very competitive Legion team with potential to be very good. The team has a long way to go before they will get a label like that of Post 22 in Rapid City but the town has the right attitude. I have always believed that if a community digs in and supports a program, then that program will grow and flourish. It seems to me that Mobridge has supported the baseball program with good support from the business community and some die hard fans. I would also say that the community could do more but they are on the right track. Fans that go to Legion Memorial Field will soon have a great place to watch baseball with the new bleachers going in right now and the field itself is in great shape. I recently heard from a Pierre Teener fan as we watched the two teams play in Mobridge, and he comented on how nice the field was. As a member of the Mobridge community I couldn't help but feel my chest swell up as I said thank you to this friendly compliment. Yes it is a source of pride to hear things like that from fans from out of town. I only hop the level of dedication to baseball in Mobridge stays high and that there will never again be a slow pitch softball league for the boys that should be playing baseball in Mobridge. The community of Mobridge has a very good tradition of baseball and an even better place to play the game. As fans of baseball the people in Mobridge should get out and cheer on their team and support the youth of this community. I guess in conclusion I should say that I am proud of where the baseball program is and I only hope that it will continue to grow.

Rattlers amatuer baseball

I was watching the Rattlers play Miller last night and had some thoughts. These guys should have bigger crowds at their games. Last night wasn't bad, but take a look at who is playing and what have meant to Pierre baseball over the last 20 years. Tyson Lindekugel played a couple of years of independent minor league ball and was part of a Pierre Post 8 team that still goes down in lore as the team that beat mighty Post 22 that August afternoon in the first championship game of the state tournament. Then there are the Decker boys, Harry and Dalton. Kyle Kurth. Brett Graves, Allen Goodman, Tony Rislov to name a few that had a pretty good run of their own during their Legion careers, part of a couple third place state tournament finishes ironically in both cases because an umpire didn't have the guts to eject the other team's top player out of the game for 1) running in from left field and becoming the third man in a third base altercation (2002 vs. Rapid City Post 320 in an elimination game) and the following year against Post 22 when Pat Moran of Post 22, the best shortstop in the state, ran over Jesse Gooselin at home plate (rule book states in legion baseball, the slide rule). Then there is Sam Koenecke, Michael Gardner, Jordan LaBrie and my kid, Mike Fisher, who wasn't there last night because he was coaching his teener team in Sturgis. Couple of years ago they had 42 or 43 wins at the Legion level. Then add Brock Swanson who played for Post 22 (and finding out how hated that team is in Pierre) and John Richter to name a few.

Why do they still play competitivly? Because they still love the game! They didn't or haven't given it up to play slow pitch softball. Some of them Also play slow pitch softball, but they still come to the baseball field and put a pretty good product together on the field. You have to had played the game of baseball and have a certain love for it to understand that the game gives you something that some of the other sports, like soccer and basketball, doesn't.

It's why amateur baseball is so much a part of South Dakota. And it's why the guys should be given a pat on the back by each of us and thank them for reminding us that playing a game kids play, it's helps us to remember what it's like to be a kid again.

I hope we see a good crowd this weekend when the Rattlers play Saturday night (Wessington Springs) at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon(Aberdeen) in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. I interviewed Tyson Lindekugel this morning and he has some nice things to say. Listen in to KGFX at 12:25 and later this afternoon at 5:25 and on River 92.7 FM at 5:45 or so. Probably on 100.1 The Eagle at 5:38 p.m. as well.

Things I learned last night / Rod Fisher

I learned several things from Pierre's doubleheader sweep of Spearfish last night in Legion Baseball. I learned that when Kyle Cichos is on, there are not going to be many teams that can beat him. Last night, he was on. I also learned that the college baseball scouts have not given up on him despite his letter of intent to attend South Dakota and play football. When he pitches, there are usually scouts in the stands or in the other team's dugout posing as coaches.

I learned that Ryan Lauseng can pitch as witnessed by his longest outing of the season. I learned that Ryan Yackley is probably the best third baseman Post 8 has put on the field in the last 15 years. I learned that Spearfish is for real and can beat you if you are not playing your best game. I learned they have 2 really good pitchers, after that, who knows. I learned that not everybody knows that a pitcher at the Legion level can throw up to 12 innings in a single day before they need to be replaced. I knew this before but it was reaffirmed last night that Jason Livermont is the offensive leader of this team. Why else would they intentionally walk him more than once!

I learned that Spearfish knows if they don't make the state tournament this year, it could be a few before they have the talent back to the level they have it now. And I know, didn't learn but know, that playing the Region tournament on their field, with Black Hills Umps (low and away strike zone) gives them an advantage come Region tournament time.

And I learned that our green caps look better with our home green pinstriped uniforms than our new all black caps look with the home uniforms. We should wear the blacks with the black vest and keep wearing the greens with the white uni's.

And that is alot of learning for me in one visit to the ball park.

Rod's Monday thoughts

A quiet 4th of July weekend leads to a busy week of sports. Pierre Post 8 plays 4 doubleheaders in the next 6 days. The Rattlers amateur team has 3 single games and a doubleheader tomorrow, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with only Friday on the road. I was visiting with some folks over the weekend and we go to talking about the Rattlers and their attempt to have beer sales at Hyde Stadium home games this month. The city commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to a big NO. Only it would appear after a letter from the Hyde Family was sent to the commission saying 'Don't" to the city. I know that beer sales were wanted back in the early 80's for the old Smith Athletics and Pierre Merchants games'. But the city turned down Karen Stien who ran the concession stand at the time. But it was also pointed out that when the Pierre Cowboys played their Basin League games here back in the day, there was beer sold at the games. I wasn't here but a good source who was says they did!!!!

And if your wondering about our Governor boys basketball team and how are they coming over the summer, they have the first of two team camps coming up. The Southwest Minnesota State camp is this weekend. Then it's the Northern camp on July 17-18. I also have it by a very good source that our "Big Kid" is getting bigger over the summer. I am told that Josh Monroy, who will be a junior this year is now up to 7 feet 1 inch. He has grown at least a 1/2 foot in the last two summers. 4 inches last summer and he is up 2 inches from last year when he was measured at 6 feet 11 inches.

Football summer camp begins July 20. 9th through 12th grade players can register at the YMCA or online at the Y's website. Great chance to get to know what coach Kramer has to offer. Deadline to register is July 15.

Brian Talks Tennis, of all things

Question to all you self-proclaimed "sports nuts": How many sports do you actually look forward to sitting and watching on TV? Question 2: Where does tennis fit in on your list?

I used to stop channel surfing if I noticed Andre Agassi was playing, but that's no longer the case. These days my answer to question 2, admittedly, has everything to do with whether the televised tennis is in the second week of a Grand Slam tournament, and usually whether an American is playing, or if it's just another Federer-Nadal clash. Well on a beautiful Sunday morning between church services, all the criteria fell into place, with the instant classic that became Federer-Roddick for the Wimbledon men's (oops -- Gentlemen's) singles title.

Five sets, 16-14 in the fifth, and from what I saw, very few games even going to deuce. I haven't watched Andy Roddick play a whole heck of lot over his career, since he does tend to slip up from time to time before that second week of those Grand Slams, but what I saw of him on Sunday was nothing short of amazing against probably the greatest tennis player of all time now, after Federer won a record-breaking 15th Grand Slam. Roddick is the hardest server in the game, but to not lose a game to serve against Federer until the one that clinched the match - I think that has to be one of the coolest things the sport of tennis has ever seen. I'm willing to bet that wasn't unprecedented, but I would imagine it hasn't happened much in a match where one player (Federer, of course) came in with an 18-2 overall advantage over the other in 20 all-time meetings.

All in all, if you're a "sports nut" like me, but you still have those sports you don't get into as much, try to take note of the times when these instant classics might be happening. Here's hoping Andy Roddick can use this experience and really springboard his career into a multiple Grand Slam tournament champion.

Friday before the 4th with Rod

Did you realize that in 20 days, we begin the Legion Baseball post season ! Hard to believe we have 31 games in the book and 15 left to go and maybe 17 before it's tournament time. I have a fear that we here in Pierre just figure we are in the state tournament. That the region tournament is just a formality. After all, we just beat Sturgis 15-0 the other night. And Spearfish, well, they are Spearfish. Not exactly a Legion baseball powerhouse. Rapid City Post 320? They are that "other" team from Rapid City. And Post 22, heck they host the state tournament so they are in as the host and don't have to play in the Region. Heck, we beat Post 22 twice this year. A piece of cake, right?

Well lets back up the "pat on the back truck" here and take a look. We are 1-2 against Sturgis this year. Yes, they did beat us. Spearfish is 20-14 and the tournament is on their field. Post 320 is 17-10 after Thursday night and has put a 9 or 10 game winning streak together. This year, Post 320 might, just might be as good as Post 22 (Don't tell Dave Ploof that or he might not ever let me into Fitzgerald Stadium ever again). Post 22 has to many defensive lapses and their pitching from top to bottom is OK at best. Post 320 has at least 3 pitchers who have thrown shutouts this year, which isn't that easy in Legion baseball and metal bats. Now granted, Sturgis looks like they have problems but Spearfish may be the wildcard in Region 3 and no one in Pierre anyway really knows what to expect. That makes Monday's doubleheader in Pierre very interesting to say the least and it might just be worth a trip to the ballpark to see for yourself.

Remember, while we here in Pierre refer to Post 22 as "the evil empire", the rest of the folks in Region 3 don't exactly have a great love affair with Pierre, unless we are playing Post 22 that is. How many times over the last 10 to 15 years has Pierre denied one of the other 3 teams, not counting Post 22, a chance at the state tournament. Last time we had the Region tournament in Spearfish, we ousted Post 320 which I still believe cost Leroy Weimer his coaching job at Post 320 just as much as his continual media war with Ploof back in the day. And Spearfish is hosting the tournament. And consistency at the plate, in the field and on the mound with Pierre shows with a 16-15 record. Hmm. I don't know if Yogi Berra ever said it, but if he didn't he should of. "You ain't in it, until your in it".

Andy's Rant

Baseball, Fourth of July and Apple pie, it doesn't get more American. From the smallest little league to Major League Baseball nothing says summer like a good game, whether you are sitting on some make shift bleachers or in the stands at a huge stadium you can't be American and not love baseball. I found myself, the other night, watching Teener Baseball and thinking back to my youth. We played baseball when we were small and every year we dreamed of playing in The World Series, game seven, bottom of the ninth, runners on first and second, two outs and a full count in a game with your team, for me it was The Houston Astros, down by two. The dream is that the pitcher stairs in and gives a grin then nods his head, he rocks back and lets loose and ninety plus mile an hour fast ball and I swing as hard as I can making contact. I take off for first base and see the ball rise over monument park at Yankee Stadium to win the first ever World Series for The Stro's. I remember thinking I was going to do everything in my power to make this dream come true. The level of dedication was great in those days, as I remember them. Baseball was not just a way to stay out of trouble and have something to do in the summer, no Baseball was as important as any organized school sporting event. We all played football and basketball we ran track and some of us swam for the school swim team, but when summer began we all played baseball. As the Teener game progressed I found myself looking to see which of these kids had the same desire to be a future hall of famer. I know it is a lot to ask for out of kids that are thirteen and fourteen years old, but I saw some good things and some not so good things. For the most part the kids were happy to be playing the game but, there were times during the game when a total melt down occurred. The desire to win was lost the dedication to team was gone and the love for the game turned into detest. I only hope that the kids will learn at this early stage of their careers, that baseball is more fun if it is played with enthusiasm and dedication to the team. All though I never got to play for the Astros and now I am a die hard Twins fan I will forever love the experience I had playing baseball in the summer. I hope that the memories these kids are making now will be as strong as the ones I have from the years playing the game I love.