OK, today is the final day of April and tomorrow the first day of May. It is the first of the biggest high school sports weekends of the spring. High School Track and Field team's are eyeing a place finish in the Howard Wood Dakota Relays in Sioux Falls when it begins later today. Pierre will be taking about 45 athletes or about 1/2 of the team this spring. More boys than girls. A dance recital is scheduled this weekend and that is taking some of the girls out of the mix. This will be a big weekend for Parker McKittrick, the Governor junior sprinter, Danny Mayer and the pole vault, and all of the relay teams for both the Govs and the Lady Govs.
The Governor Tennis team meanwhile plays a dual against Rapid City Central later this morning then begins play in the two day Rapid City Invitational tennis tournament. Sioux Falls O'Gorman will win the tournament. But the battle will be for second place with Rapid City Stevens having the slight edge. That is where the Governors come into the mix. A third place finish would be good but if coach Jeff Schlekeway's team can do well in the doubles later today and then tomorrow with the singles, they could battle for 2nd place in the tournament.
And the Lady Gov golfers are continuing to try to figure out things yet. The girls are golfing at the Mitchell Invitational today and then go to Sioux Falls for the Washington Invitational at Willow Run Golf Course on Monday. The dance recital this weekend is cutting into some of the girls numbers for today's tournament. Coach Knox is taking 5 girls to Mitchell today and 6 to Sioux Falls on Monday. 4 of the girls going to both tournaments are Paige Erickson, Hallie Getz, Micah and Sydned Palmer. After that, the final two spots are still up in the air.
Coach Bob Sullivan's baseball season also begins a week from tomorrow at Hyde Stadium when they Post 8 Legion opens their season hosting Aberdeen Smitty's and Rapid City Post 320 in a pair of triangulars both Saturday and Sunday. We will have coverage on River 92.7-FM of all 4 games Pierre plays next weekend. Parents meetings will be held on Sunday at the Georgis Morse Middle School lunch room on Sunday evening. 13-14 Teener parents at 6 p.m. The 15-16 Teener parents (both A and B Teeners) at 6:30 p.m. and the American Legion parents meet at 7 p.m. Each meeting should only take 20 minutes or so.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Andy Shoe's Scuttlebutts
The NFL draft is going on right now and those people that are big fans of their favorite team are in hopeful heaven. I don't get it. It has been a thing with me for a long time as I watch top draft choices that really can't play in the NFL. I think back at one of the most obvious first rounders by the name of Ryan Leaf. What a flop and on the other hand Brett Farve wasn't drafted until the second round. I think it is a complete gamble and people that think a team drafts based on scouting are in denial. If you are one of those people I am sorry if I have shed some light on the dark space you occupy. Look, the fact is that no matter how your team drafts, first or last, the young whipper snapper is still going to have to learn how to play in the NFL. I don't care what college he came from or who coached him in college, the NFL is still a big leap up from the NCAA. Congratulations to Sam Braddford as now he will get a big contract based on how he played in college. Finally college athletes are getting paid to play. They don't get a check, at least above the table, in college but they more then make up for it on a signing bonus. I heard someone talking about a fifty million dollar signing bonus for Mr. Braddford and he hasn't taken a snap in the NFL. That would like be hiring someone and promoting them to the head of your company Solly based on what someone whispered in you ear in a dream. I am a fan of football and I have hopes for my team The Chicago Bears, but I am not going to predict a Super Bowl win based on the draft picks The Bears pick up. In conclusion I don't want to sound like a hater but I have to say those of you that are holding your breath in anticipation of your teams next pick are just going to turn blue and pass out. So breath!!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Brian's Thursday Throwdown
Eleven out of fifteen! Geez, at this rate the Twins are on pace to win about 115 ball games this season - can you imagine that? The Twins are 11-4, and the Rays are 11-4, but then there are the Yankees, leading the field by a half a game, at 11-3. I thought the Yankees were always a .500 ball club through the first month or so of the season. What's up with this 11-3 crap? What's up with Phil Hughes throwing 7 no-hit innings last night? He's not THAT good, is he? What's up with that huge ball of something in A-Rod's cheek? Looked like he was about to choke as he legged out a triple last night. That had better be an all-day jawbreaker and not some Southern Fried Levi Garrett there, ol' boy! And by the way, if anyone wonders why I wanted Roy Halladay more than any other pitcher on my fantasy team, you should know by now. He may not lose a game all year! Okay, maybe a few, but 25-5 by season's end, in my opinion, is certainly not out of the question.
Back to the Twins & Yankees. As well as both teams are doing so far this season, there is one thing that is impressing me so much about the Twins so far this season that actually is reminding of the Yankees (man, it hurts to say that!). As much as it could be, it's not the pitching, or the home runs they've hit so far, or even the new stadium they have opened just one season after the Yankees did the same thing. Instead, it's all the walking the Twins are doing. In all these years that the Yankees have been so good, especially against the Twins, the one thing that I've been annoyed the most about - yet have also admired about them - is how patient they are at the plate. The Yankees drive starting pitchers insane because they make them throw so many pitches in so few innings. Not to mention the fact that they get the benefit of every call....oops, did I write that out loud? :oP
So far this season, as near as I can tell, the Twins are actually leading the Majors in taking walks, with 76, one ahead of the Yankees, who I guess have played one less game, but to me, that is such a big reason for their success so far. In a game like last night's, the Twins scored six runs on only six hits, but they were helped by six walks issued by Cleveland pitchers. Yikes, that's a lot of sixes! Funny thing is, of the five teams that the Twins have played so far this season, four of them -- the White Sox, Indians, Royals, and even the Red Sox -- are all at the top of the stat sheet in terms of numbers of free passes issued in the American League. Go figure - just a little something "Beyond the Box Score," as Chris Attebury (the Twins' radio host) would say. Incidentally, as usual, the Twins pitchers are also leading the Majors in issuing the fewest bases on balls. RE...SPECT! WALK! (If you get that reference, then ROCK ON!) Keep it going, Twins!
As for my other favorite sports franchise and their troubled 2-time Super Bowl Champion quarterback out of Miami of Ohio, I would be remiss if I didn't offer my opinion on that situation. The only problem is, I don't want to say anything I might regret, so I'll just go on hoping that everything works out for the best.
Back to the Twins & Yankees. As well as both teams are doing so far this season, there is one thing that is impressing me so much about the Twins so far this season that actually is reminding of the Yankees (man, it hurts to say that!). As much as it could be, it's not the pitching, or the home runs they've hit so far, or even the new stadium they have opened just one season after the Yankees did the same thing. Instead, it's all the walking the Twins are doing. In all these years that the Yankees have been so good, especially against the Twins, the one thing that I've been annoyed the most about - yet have also admired about them - is how patient they are at the plate. The Yankees drive starting pitchers insane because they make them throw so many pitches in so few innings. Not to mention the fact that they get the benefit of every call....oops, did I write that out loud? :oP
So far this season, as near as I can tell, the Twins are actually leading the Majors in taking walks, with 76, one ahead of the Yankees, who I guess have played one less game, but to me, that is such a big reason for their success so far. In a game like last night's, the Twins scored six runs on only six hits, but they were helped by six walks issued by Cleveland pitchers. Yikes, that's a lot of sixes! Funny thing is, of the five teams that the Twins have played so far this season, four of them -- the White Sox, Indians, Royals, and even the Red Sox -- are all at the top of the stat sheet in terms of numbers of free passes issued in the American League. Go figure - just a little something "Beyond the Box Score," as Chris Attebury (the Twins' radio host) would say. Incidentally, as usual, the Twins pitchers are also leading the Majors in issuing the fewest bases on balls. RE...SPECT! WALK! (If you get that reference, then ROCK ON!) Keep it going, Twins!
As for my other favorite sports franchise and their troubled 2-time Super Bowl Champion quarterback out of Miami of Ohio, I would be remiss if I didn't offer my opinion on that situation. The only problem is, I don't want to say anything I might regret, so I'll just go on hoping that everything works out for the best.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Rod's Tuesday Take N Things
The weather has been good for baseball. I drive by Hyde Stadium several times a day and see the guys, usually Teener players, out there scrimmaging and working. I also notice alot of parents sitting in the stands. Must not be alot going on. When my boys were playing a few years back, there were a couple of dad's usually watching but not like I have seen the last couple of weeks. Good to see the enthusiasm.
Governor tennis team split a pair of matches yesterday winning 9-0 over Brandon Valley and losing 6-3 to Sioux Falls Washington. Nathan Ellenbecker and Hans Leong went unbeaten on the day. They won both of their singles matches and both of their doubles matches. They are the number 3 doubles team.
And have not addressed the fact that Pierre now has a head volleyball coach. Kacy Kienholz was hired last week by the school board. As far as I know, all of the head coaching positions are filled for next year. That could change since the year isn't over yet though. As far as coach Kienholz is concerned, she is back actually after one year. She quit last year after taking the Lady Govs to 3 straight State AA tournaments and two consecutive trips to the State Championship match where if you will remember, Pierre finished 2nd. She replaces Kylie Mundt who officially resigned after learning that her contract would not be renewed after just 1 year on the job.
Governor tennis team split a pair of matches yesterday winning 9-0 over Brandon Valley and losing 6-3 to Sioux Falls Washington. Nathan Ellenbecker and Hans Leong went unbeaten on the day. They won both of their singles matches and both of their doubles matches. They are the number 3 doubles team.
And have not addressed the fact that Pierre now has a head volleyball coach. Kacy Kienholz was hired last week by the school board. As far as I know, all of the head coaching positions are filled for next year. That could change since the year isn't over yet though. As far as coach Kienholz is concerned, she is back actually after one year. She quit last year after taking the Lady Govs to 3 straight State AA tournaments and two consecutive trips to the State Championship match where if you will remember, Pierre finished 2nd. She replaces Kylie Mundt who officially resigned after learning that her contract would not be renewed after just 1 year on the job.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Rod's Monday Take N Things
I am back, refreshed and rarin' to go. After spending nearly 3 days in the Twin Cities last week taking in a couple of ball games at the all new Target Field I would have a couple of suggestions. Number 1, wider seats. We full figured guys had to kinda squeeze in and then when it came to stand up, we had to squeeze out. Number 2, men's bathrooms are not nearly big enough. Other than that, the place is nice. In reading Brian's blog and his visit on Wednesday, I would suggest parking somewhere other than downtown and take the light rail to the stadium. On Wednesday, my wife, the boys and I got to the stadium by 9 a.m. Gates didn't open til 10:30 a.m. but we were not the only one's there. Visited with Curtis Egan and Seth Parsons for a bit, took pictures of the Kirby Puckett statue and the Rod Carew statue. And then, by the time we got into the stadium, marveled at what it has for one and all. We backed things up about an hour on Thursday, got to the stadium by 10 a.m. Didn't get wet on Wednesday. Thursday, the sun came out about the time the game started and it was a glorius afternoon. Twins baseball, outside, and a good team. Twins fans have alot to look forward too this year.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Brian's Twinsperience
Julie Andrews (as Mary Poppins) once said, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." For me that may very well be the case with Target Field. My brother and I were able to make our first pilgrimage to the Twins' new home for their second game there, the 6-3 loss to the Red Sox. Okay, so there were some disappointments with the way the game itself turned out, but the experience of the stadium as a whole was very satisfying, and I highly recommend making the trip at some point in their inaugural season.
As a regular visitor to the Metrodome, it didn't take long to notice a few subtle things that made me smile and realize how cool it was to finally be watching the Twins play an outdoor home game. First of all, when we got to our seats in the lower level down the left field line, we went down for a close-up look during the Red Sox batting practice, and it was long before we saw a bird pecking seeds off the floor under seats not more than ten feet away from us. I have actually seen birds in the Dome before, but for some reason that never gave me the sense of actually being out in nature like the experience with this little bird did. We also had a few dragonflies flying around our section during the game, which I thought was neat. Of course later in the year when those other flying insects show up (what Minnesotans would refer to as their "other state bird") then we'll really start to feel the nature effect of outdoor baseball.
The wind became a factor in that Wednesday game, which never happened in the Dome. Actually, some visiting teams would swear that the air conditioners would blow in when they were batting, but the words "the wind's blowing in (or out)" never entered any conversation in the Dome. We saw the wind early on Wednesday when someone at a food stand must have opened a case of napkins, or wax paper wrappers, or whatever they were. Quite a few of these things escaped and were blowing around the right field corner for an inning or so. Again, just a subtle thing, but another aspect of playing outdoors that we haven't seen in these parts for a number of years.
My favorite moment in the game came in about the third inning when it started raining. After so many years of being indoors, the crowd actually cheered when they collectively realized that rain was actually falling in a Twins home game. I just thought that was funny, although an awful lot of people didn't see the humor, since they still went scattering for cover from the "light mist." I shouldn't talk, since our seats were actually far enough off the field (row 23) where we were covered by the overhang of the level above us. We debated for a few innings about heading down closer to the field and taking over some vacant seats, but we never did that until the 9th inning - yes, after it had stopped raining.
But the one thing my brother and I both agreed on as the best thing about Target Field was the smells of all the different kinds of food that were sold there. In the Dome, the food stands and the concourse were separated from the seats and the field, but in the open air of Target Field, like a lot of new ballparks, the smells of the food stands comes right out into the stands. Hot dogs, barbecued beef/pork, chili, loaded nachos, and my favorite smell of grilled onions....like one big huge outdoor barbecue, the smells of the food were as relaxing as anything I experienced in the great outdoors on that particular day. I had heard about their State Fair food stand, featuring walleye on a stick, among other things. I really wanted that to be my first meal at Target Field, but at a mere $11 each, I figured I'd save a few bucks and go with the pork chop on a stick. Hey, $4 saved is a little more than half a beer, if you know what I'm saying.
Target Field was really a great experience, and I again highly recommend it. However, if you go, especially at a time when rush hour traffic might come into play after the game, my best advice is to stay OUT of the parking ramps! It literally took us two hours to get out into free-flowing traffic after leaving the game, and again, rush hour traffic had a lot to do with that, but I have to think we could have gotten out quicker if we had been in an outside public parking lot a few blocks away. So if you drive all the way there, keep that in mind. Twins officials have publicly recommended the Light Rail Transit system, though, which will take you right up to the outside wall of the stadium in left field.
There are a lot of things about this new field that are going to be worth the trip, and let's not forget, even though the Twins lost on Wednesday, they of course came back with a shutout yesterday, and with the way they're going in their first 10 games, I think this could definitely be a season to remember for Twins fans. Take it from me - if you have the chance, go see a game in Target Field this season!
As a regular visitor to the Metrodome, it didn't take long to notice a few subtle things that made me smile and realize how cool it was to finally be watching the Twins play an outdoor home game. First of all, when we got to our seats in the lower level down the left field line, we went down for a close-up look during the Red Sox batting practice, and it was long before we saw a bird pecking seeds off the floor under seats not more than ten feet away from us. I have actually seen birds in the Dome before, but for some reason that never gave me the sense of actually being out in nature like the experience with this little bird did. We also had a few dragonflies flying around our section during the game, which I thought was neat. Of course later in the year when those other flying insects show up (what Minnesotans would refer to as their "other state bird") then we'll really start to feel the nature effect of outdoor baseball.
The wind became a factor in that Wednesday game, which never happened in the Dome. Actually, some visiting teams would swear that the air conditioners would blow in when they were batting, but the words "the wind's blowing in (or out)" never entered any conversation in the Dome. We saw the wind early on Wednesday when someone at a food stand must have opened a case of napkins, or wax paper wrappers, or whatever they were. Quite a few of these things escaped and were blowing around the right field corner for an inning or so. Again, just a subtle thing, but another aspect of playing outdoors that we haven't seen in these parts for a number of years.
My favorite moment in the game came in about the third inning when it started raining. After so many years of being indoors, the crowd actually cheered when they collectively realized that rain was actually falling in a Twins home game. I just thought that was funny, although an awful lot of people didn't see the humor, since they still went scattering for cover from the "light mist." I shouldn't talk, since our seats were actually far enough off the field (row 23) where we were covered by the overhang of the level above us. We debated for a few innings about heading down closer to the field and taking over some vacant seats, but we never did that until the 9th inning - yes, after it had stopped raining.
But the one thing my brother and I both agreed on as the best thing about Target Field was the smells of all the different kinds of food that were sold there. In the Dome, the food stands and the concourse were separated from the seats and the field, but in the open air of Target Field, like a lot of new ballparks, the smells of the food stands comes right out into the stands. Hot dogs, barbecued beef/pork, chili, loaded nachos, and my favorite smell of grilled onions....like one big huge outdoor barbecue, the smells of the food were as relaxing as anything I experienced in the great outdoors on that particular day. I had heard about their State Fair food stand, featuring walleye on a stick, among other things. I really wanted that to be my first meal at Target Field, but at a mere $11 each, I figured I'd save a few bucks and go with the pork chop on a stick. Hey, $4 saved is a little more than half a beer, if you know what I'm saying.
Target Field was really a great experience, and I again highly recommend it. However, if you go, especially at a time when rush hour traffic might come into play after the game, my best advice is to stay OUT of the parking ramps! It literally took us two hours to get out into free-flowing traffic after leaving the game, and again, rush hour traffic had a lot to do with that, but I have to think we could have gotten out quicker if we had been in an outside public parking lot a few blocks away. So if you drive all the way there, keep that in mind. Twins officials have publicly recommended the Light Rail Transit system, though, which will take you right up to the outside wall of the stadium in left field.
There are a lot of things about this new field that are going to be worth the trip, and let's not forget, even though the Twins lost on Wednesday, they of course came back with a shutout yesterday, and with the way they're going in their first 10 games, I think this could definitely be a season to remember for Twins fans. Take it from me - if you have the chance, go see a game in Target Field this season!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Darren Boyle's weekly words of wisdom.
Since my esteemed colleague Mr. Fisher is in the Twin Cities checking out the New home of the Twin I felt I should chime in with some of my latest thoughts from the world of sports. Lets start in the world of golf.......
I didnt watch a minute of the Masters, although I checked in from to time to see how Tiger was doing. It was kind of like Tuesday's big wind in the area. It was best to stay inside but you still had to keep looking out the window to see if it was still blowing. It didnt matter to me if Tiger won or not. What was really entertaining was the fallout afterward, not only was he blasted by the chairman of the Masters tournament but also by CBS's own Jim Nantz. Look, I'm not gonna get into what Tiger has done, thats his problem and he will continue to pay for it for quite awhile. But it is crazy for me to hear people like Nantz with their social commentary. if Woods didnt play last weekend there would have been 15 people watching,maybe sixteen if you count members of the Nantz family and there wouldnt have been nearly as many tickets sold. I would bet the Weather Channel wouldnt have been there live either. Why were they there? To watch the latest chapter in the Tiger Woods trainwreck. If I was Tiger I would cash in on this. Why shouldnt he get a few sponsors to fork out some big $$$ for prize money, line up some of his buddies for a weekend of golf and sell it on pay per view. Are you gonna tell me there isnt a few of the top 25 golfers in the world who would skip the US Open for a million dollar first place check? Dont get me wrong, I am not defending Woods in the least, I just think the PGA tour and CBS better figure out who draws the crowds and viewers to their tournaments. They need Tiger worse than he needs them.
By the way, Tiger's Nike ad using the voice of his father was probally the most distasteful thing I have seen on TV in awhile.
In the world of NASCAR, Hendrick Motor Sports have signed future free agent Kasey Kahne away from Richard Petty Motorsports. Kahne will drive the #5 car after Mark Martin retires after the 2011 season. The big question now is who will Kasey drive for in 2011? Chances are he will move to Stewart Haas racing for a year before the move to the 5 car. Why is this such a big deal? After all, it has been no secret that Kahne wasnt happy with RPM after their collapse in the chase last season and the switch to Ford hasnt helped things. But now I would bet that Budweiser, Kahne's sponsor will move to HMS as well. Which means now we have to buy all new Bud racing merchandise for the fourth time in five years. When will the madness end???????
Jim Caple has a good story @ ESPN.com regarding Target Field, he wrote of the struggles the Pohlad family had getting this new ballpark built. How they first threatened to sell the team to a group who planned to move the team to North Carolina. Then after that powerplay failed,and their old family friend Bud Selig became the commissioner of baseball, came the threat of contraction and finally the new stadium. After all that he said the new stadium was awesome. I was in the field on Monday listening to the game on the radio, and the TRN crew interviewed Mr. Selig. Bud was gushing about how his old friends the Pohlads have always been committed to baseball in Minnesota. Bud seems to forget that if the contraction plan would have been approved, the Pohlads would have taken their $190 million and walked away. Next time we want to talk about the Pohlads committment to putting a quality product on the field, lets talk to Torii Hunter and get his thoughts. But enough negativity from me, lets all go to the Twin Cities and see a game this year! Maybe we can travel for 8 hours to catch a rainout? Or in September we can enjoy Twins Bug Repellent Night sponsored by OFF? Maybe a playoff game that gets snowed out? You would think if you are gonna hold up a state for a new stadium you would at least ask for a retractable roof.
I didnt watch a minute of the Masters, although I checked in from to time to see how Tiger was doing. It was kind of like Tuesday's big wind in the area. It was best to stay inside but you still had to keep looking out the window to see if it was still blowing. It didnt matter to me if Tiger won or not. What was really entertaining was the fallout afterward, not only was he blasted by the chairman of the Masters tournament but also by CBS's own Jim Nantz. Look, I'm not gonna get into what Tiger has done, thats his problem and he will continue to pay for it for quite awhile. But it is crazy for me to hear people like Nantz with their social commentary. if Woods didnt play last weekend there would have been 15 people watching,maybe sixteen if you count members of the Nantz family and there wouldnt have been nearly as many tickets sold. I would bet the Weather Channel wouldnt have been there live either. Why were they there? To watch the latest chapter in the Tiger Woods trainwreck. If I was Tiger I would cash in on this. Why shouldnt he get a few sponsors to fork out some big $$$ for prize money, line up some of his buddies for a weekend of golf and sell it on pay per view. Are you gonna tell me there isnt a few of the top 25 golfers in the world who would skip the US Open for a million dollar first place check? Dont get me wrong, I am not defending Woods in the least, I just think the PGA tour and CBS better figure out who draws the crowds and viewers to their tournaments. They need Tiger worse than he needs them.
By the way, Tiger's Nike ad using the voice of his father was probally the most distasteful thing I have seen on TV in awhile.
In the world of NASCAR, Hendrick Motor Sports have signed future free agent Kasey Kahne away from Richard Petty Motorsports. Kahne will drive the #5 car after Mark Martin retires after the 2011 season. The big question now is who will Kasey drive for in 2011? Chances are he will move to Stewart Haas racing for a year before the move to the 5 car. Why is this such a big deal? After all, it has been no secret that Kahne wasnt happy with RPM after their collapse in the chase last season and the switch to Ford hasnt helped things. But now I would bet that Budweiser, Kahne's sponsor will move to HMS as well. Which means now we have to buy all new Bud racing merchandise for the fourth time in five years. When will the madness end???????
Jim Caple has a good story @ ESPN.com regarding Target Field, he wrote of the struggles the Pohlad family had getting this new ballpark built. How they first threatened to sell the team to a group who planned to move the team to North Carolina. Then after that powerplay failed,and their old family friend Bud Selig became the commissioner of baseball, came the threat of contraction and finally the new stadium. After all that he said the new stadium was awesome. I was in the field on Monday listening to the game on the radio, and the TRN crew interviewed Mr. Selig. Bud was gushing about how his old friends the Pohlads have always been committed to baseball in Minnesota. Bud seems to forget that if the contraction plan would have been approved, the Pohlads would have taken their $190 million and walked away. Next time we want to talk about the Pohlads committment to putting a quality product on the field, lets talk to Torii Hunter and get his thoughts. But enough negativity from me, lets all go to the Twin Cities and see a game this year! Maybe we can travel for 8 hours to catch a rainout? Or in September we can enjoy Twins Bug Repellent Night sponsored by OFF? Maybe a playoff game that gets snowed out? You would think if you are gonna hold up a state for a new stadium you would at least ask for a retractable roof.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Rod's Friday Take N Things
Fund Raising is an important part of sports anymore because it isn't getty any cheaper to play the game. Hockey. One of their bigger fundraisers of the year is tomorrow. Their annual Zamboni Days where the kids and usually a mom or dad or both go door to door selling Pepsi products with the funds raised going to help fund the program. So buy up a case or two since you get something pretty good in return for your money. Baseball. Go to the Post 8 baseball website and see the different funding mechanism's they have to fund 4 teams, pay coaches, umpires and things like that. They guestimate that a budget for 1 year nears $90 thousand dollars. It says on the website about 1/3 of that is for travel. I would guess that figure may be close to 1/2. That includes paying the bus company to transport the teams which one might think, you could cut cost by just getting parents to drive. Right? It isn't 1950 or 60 or 70 anymore. Players are selling raffle tickets. If they sell all of them, they basically don't have to pay to play. It's not like Sioux Falls or Rapid City where players get socked with a $750 to $1000 player registration fee, and then, in Rapid City's case, they still have to sell raffle tickets? Some of them are $1000 for a single ticket. Granted, you win a real nice prize, but my goodness. Pierre still does it pretty much the right way but you certainly ask a lot of the kids and the guys on the board that go out and do the selling. But it's for the kids. I am sure Soccer does things similarly and of course our high school teams still have their little fund raising things so the saying, there is no free lunch, still holds true. While we have a generous community when it comes to giving to these programs, one wonders when the time comes when alot of them, Hey, I only got so much to go around. And yet, if you want to be competitive, you got to do it. Because we all want to have a competitive team we put out there. And who knows maybe we are teaching our kids that they can become a salesperson when they grow up. Sounds better than panhandler.
Brian's Friday Twins Tawk
Okay, so the Twins now have one series in the books in the new season, and as much as Rod (or any Cubs fan) can't help but complain about their team, the opposite is the case for the way I feel about my team right now. The Twins have never fared too well in Anaheim since the Angels became a great team, which is about as long as the Twins have been a yearly contender. Remember 2002 when the Angels beat the Twins in the ALCS? (I still hate Adam Kennedy.) The Twins won Game 1, but the Angels ran off four straight after that to move to the World Series, where they beat the Giants in a 7-game Classic. Anyway, that's about how long it's been since the Twins have had much luck in Anaheim - it's almost like Yankee Stadium West, if you know what I mean.
So let's recap this first series. Like Rod said, it's all about pitching. Scott Baker was a little wobbly in the first game, but he'll be solid throughout the season. Nick Blackburn won game 2, pitching out of several jams, which for Blackburn is nothing new. He'll be up and down, but I like his chances of winning 14 or 15 games this year. Carl Pavano looked great on Wednesday night, and he's probably the streakiest guy on the staff - great in one start and awful the next two. But if his first start of the season is any indication, then I will start looking forward his starts a little more often. And what can you say about Kevin Slowey in his start last night? Missed the second half of the season last year, after starting 10-3, although with a high ERA. Gardy probably gave him the hook early last night to avoid any major catastrophe, but holding the Angels to one run is dang fine by me. So, three of four starts were very good for the Twins in the series with the Angels, and now the fifth starter goes at Chicago tonight - Francisco Liriano. Personally, I would have loved to see how Liriano would have done in Joe Nathan's closer role this season, but there has been so much talk about how the kid is expected to be back to his rookie form this year, so if that's the case, then let's let him get nasty! Against the Angels, I am also excited about the bullpen. Jon Rauch picked up a couple of saves, Jesse Crain has started off nicely (thank goodness), and Jose Mijares bounced back with a good outing last night as well. Pitching, pitching, pitching!!
I do like good pitching, but I like good offense even more, and like I said before the season started, I am excited about the offensive potential the Twins have this year. That potential has been quite visible in the first four games with NINE home runs already. John Gordon might actually get tired of saying "Touch 'em all" this season, and if chicks really do dig the long ball, then I am definitely going to be getting more in touch with my feminine side this season. :o) Justin Morneau seems to have shaken off his preseason slump; Delmon Young said he would be better this year, and he is, so far; and JJ Hardy is off to a good start toward 25-30 HR's this season from the shortstop position. Mauer isn't on fire yet, but he has hit safely in all four games, including one HR so far. And as they say on Baseball Tonight, "hats off to Jim Thome." He cracked his first Twins HR last night, so he is officially a contributor now. And even Brendan Harris hit one out last night, despite probably being a little disappointed that Punto will start more at third than him. Although, with Husdon maybe out tonight, Punto will probably have to move to second, and Harris can go yard again tonight.
If this is getting a little long, I apologize, but that just goes to show how giddy I am with anticipation about what this season might hold in store. On to Chicago tonight, where the White Sox are supposed to be the main opposition for the Twins in their chances to win the division. We'll see about that....
In other sports, could the first day of the Masters have had any more stories than what it did yesterday? Fred Couples, Tom Watson, Phil Mickelson.....oh, and Tiger, too. Dude missed some chances, but he clearly hasn't lost too much of a step yet. How sweet would it be to see one of those old guys, Couples or Watson, playing with Tiger in the final group on Sunday? Or maybe those two will be in the group themselves hitting into Tiger's group? For those of you that think golf on TV is boring, pay attention this weekend - you won't be disappointed.
Hey, Pierre youth bowlers are making the trip to Rapid City to compete in the State Tournament this weekend. We have had quite a few state champions in the last several years, so maybe we can bring home some more hardware this year. This will be the first of four weekends of the State Tournament, so we'll try to set the bar high for the rest of the tournament. Have a good weekend!!
- Radiooo
So let's recap this first series. Like Rod said, it's all about pitching. Scott Baker was a little wobbly in the first game, but he'll be solid throughout the season. Nick Blackburn won game 2, pitching out of several jams, which for Blackburn is nothing new. He'll be up and down, but I like his chances of winning 14 or 15 games this year. Carl Pavano looked great on Wednesday night, and he's probably the streakiest guy on the staff - great in one start and awful the next two. But if his first start of the season is any indication, then I will start looking forward his starts a little more often. And what can you say about Kevin Slowey in his start last night? Missed the second half of the season last year, after starting 10-3, although with a high ERA. Gardy probably gave him the hook early last night to avoid any major catastrophe, but holding the Angels to one run is dang fine by me. So, three of four starts were very good for the Twins in the series with the Angels, and now the fifth starter goes at Chicago tonight - Francisco Liriano. Personally, I would have loved to see how Liriano would have done in Joe Nathan's closer role this season, but there has been so much talk about how the kid is expected to be back to his rookie form this year, so if that's the case, then let's let him get nasty! Against the Angels, I am also excited about the bullpen. Jon Rauch picked up a couple of saves, Jesse Crain has started off nicely (thank goodness), and Jose Mijares bounced back with a good outing last night as well. Pitching, pitching, pitching!!
I do like good pitching, but I like good offense even more, and like I said before the season started, I am excited about the offensive potential the Twins have this year. That potential has been quite visible in the first four games with NINE home runs already. John Gordon might actually get tired of saying "Touch 'em all" this season, and if chicks really do dig the long ball, then I am definitely going to be getting more in touch with my feminine side this season. :o) Justin Morneau seems to have shaken off his preseason slump; Delmon Young said he would be better this year, and he is, so far; and JJ Hardy is off to a good start toward 25-30 HR's this season from the shortstop position. Mauer isn't on fire yet, but he has hit safely in all four games, including one HR so far. And as they say on Baseball Tonight, "hats off to Jim Thome." He cracked his first Twins HR last night, so he is officially a contributor now. And even Brendan Harris hit one out last night, despite probably being a little disappointed that Punto will start more at third than him. Although, with Husdon maybe out tonight, Punto will probably have to move to second, and Harris can go yard again tonight.
If this is getting a little long, I apologize, but that just goes to show how giddy I am with anticipation about what this season might hold in store. On to Chicago tonight, where the White Sox are supposed to be the main opposition for the Twins in their chances to win the division. We'll see about that....
In other sports, could the first day of the Masters have had any more stories than what it did yesterday? Fred Couples, Tom Watson, Phil Mickelson.....oh, and Tiger, too. Dude missed some chances, but he clearly hasn't lost too much of a step yet. How sweet would it be to see one of those old guys, Couples or Watson, playing with Tiger in the final group on Sunday? Or maybe those two will be in the group themselves hitting into Tiger's group? For those of you that think golf on TV is boring, pay attention this weekend - you won't be disappointed.
Hey, Pierre youth bowlers are making the trip to Rapid City to compete in the State Tournament this weekend. We have had quite a few state champions in the last several years, so maybe we can bring home some more hardware this year. This will be the first of four weekends of the State Tournament, so we'll try to set the bar high for the rest of the tournament. Have a good weekend!!
- Radiooo
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Rod's Thursday Take N Things
It is Thursday, the major league baseball season is only a few days old, and already my team, the Chicago Cub, have me so dog gone mad at em and it is all about pitching, pitching, pitching. On Monday, lowsy starting pitching from Carlos Zambrano, but then what else is new. He always is not good on opening day. I guess I don't get paid enough to make a decison like, start him in game 2 or 3 for goodness sakes. Last night it was relief pitching. After Ryan Dempster pitched a gem for 6 innings, his bullpen, more specifically, John Grabow gives up a two run homer to Chipper Jones no doubt and the Cubs lose. And of course, when they needed offense yesterday, it wasn't there. Guess they shot their wad on Monday scoring 5 runs so they could lose by 11!
I have been alerted to a website that has an article on it title, The 30 Hottest Women of the NCAA Tournament, and Pierre's Katie Lingle is on it. Katie of course is a freshman for South Dakota State who lost to Oklahoma in the first round. The website address is bleacherreport.com. And the correspondent's name is Alan Rubenstien. It actually is a very G rated article that features 32 players and coaches who played or coached in the NCAA tournament. The only figures used are basketball statistics. The title is the only thing that might get you wondering. Here for instance is all that it says beside Katie's picture. "Lingle played in 22 games as a freshman, averaging just over seven minutes per game. She provided some depth at center, scoring 44 points and pulled down 34 rebounds". That's it and then the picture that is posted is the same one on the SDSU website on the roster page of the SDSU women's basketball section. Donovan McNabb's niece is one of the players listed for instance. Like I say, I didn't go out web surfing and just happen to find this stuff. It was brought to my attention by a fellow co-worker here at the radio station. A female co worker at that. Katie by the way was listed 24th out of 32. 2 coaches and 30 players.
I have been alerted to a website that has an article on it title, The 30 Hottest Women of the NCAA Tournament, and Pierre's Katie Lingle is on it. Katie of course is a freshman for South Dakota State who lost to Oklahoma in the first round. The website address is bleacherreport.com. And the correspondent's name is Alan Rubenstien. It actually is a very G rated article that features 32 players and coaches who played or coached in the NCAA tournament. The only figures used are basketball statistics. The title is the only thing that might get you wondering. Here for instance is all that it says beside Katie's picture. "Lingle played in 22 games as a freshman, averaging just over seven minutes per game. She provided some depth at center, scoring 44 points and pulled down 34 rebounds". That's it and then the picture that is posted is the same one on the SDSU website on the roster page of the SDSU women's basketball section. Donovan McNabb's niece is one of the players listed for instance. Like I say, I didn't go out web surfing and just happen to find this stuff. It was brought to my attention by a fellow co-worker here at the radio station. A female co worker at that. Katie by the way was listed 24th out of 32. 2 coaches and 30 players.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Rod's Wednesday Take N Things
If you watched the NCAA Women's basketball national championship game last night you saw quite a game. One I don't think I have watched or seen for awhile, or at least at that level. The national championship on the line and both teams were not good to say the least. 12 points at halftime? Cmon man. This is a team that they are rating up there with the UCLA teams when it comes to winning streaks. 12 points at the half. And they had to have a surge to get that. But still they won. They being UConn so that is worth something cause as bad as they were in the first half, Stanford was just as bad in the second. Some of it was due to defense, but alot of it was due to ineptness. It may not have set the game of women's basketball back and step. But it sure did not move it ahead a step. And if it stayed in the same step, it was a wobbly step. But I watched it cause there was still some uncertainty right down to the end as to who would win or not. Honestly, SDSU might have given both of those teams last night a run for their money. Then again, probably not.
List of Mr. and Mrs. Basketball nominees are out. No one from central South Dakota on the list. I would say Jarred Hannigan from Aberdeen Central will win the Mr. Basketball and the Miss Basketball will come down to Shaunteva Ashley of Sioux Falls Roosevelt and Christian Janis of Pine Ridge. And I believe that Janis will get the nod.
A legendary coach in North and South Daktoa has passed. Rollie Greeno had a hand in thousands of young peoples lives over the course of his long and illustrious 52 year career in coaching football and track and field, cross country and wrestling. He died of cancer yesterday at the age of 84. He coach Milbank to a state record 44 consecutive football wins, a record that still stands here in South Dakota. He is in the Northern State Hall of Fame and North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame for sure. He coached 37 years at Jamestown College.
List of Mr. and Mrs. Basketball nominees are out. No one from central South Dakota on the list. I would say Jarred Hannigan from Aberdeen Central will win the Mr. Basketball and the Miss Basketball will come down to Shaunteva Ashley of Sioux Falls Roosevelt and Christian Janis of Pine Ridge. And I believe that Janis will get the nod.
A legendary coach in North and South Daktoa has passed. Rollie Greeno had a hand in thousands of young peoples lives over the course of his long and illustrious 52 year career in coaching football and track and field, cross country and wrestling. He died of cancer yesterday at the age of 84. He coach Milbank to a state record 44 consecutive football wins, a record that still stands here in South Dakota. He is in the Northern State Hall of Fame and North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame for sure. He coached 37 years at Jamestown College.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Rod's Tuesday Take N Things
Wow!!!!! Was that a great basketball game last night or not. I really thought that Butler was going to do it and they nearly did. Coach Mike K. looked totally drained after the game. And he should of. Everything that Duke threw at Butler, Butler answered. Everything that Butler threw at Duke, Duke answered. It was an on the edge of your seat game almost from start to finish. To bad CBS analist Clark Kellogg didn't know when to shut up. His questioning of why the two coaches were doing what they were doing was a little bit overboard. If you think you can coach better than Coach K and Brad Stevens, who by the way lost for only the 15th time in 3 years while winning 85, you should become a coach Clark. Oh wait, you are in a position where you don't have to answer to coaching mistakes. You just point them out. Tonight's womens title game I am afraid will not be as compelling.
I'd rather not talk about baseball today. If game 1 is any indication, pitching, pitching, pitching will be the downfall of the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago Cubs. I don't care about how much offensive punch you have, if you have to rely on living and dying by outscoring opponents, you are not going to have a successful season. It's all about pitching. Twins play again tonight. The Cubs have a day off to wallow in their mediocrity of opening day.
Tiger Woods took 5 stitches in the mouth during his Thanksgiving eve car crash we found out yesterday. 9 irons will do that. Good thing Elin wasn't didn't have that good of a swing. I am only going by blog reports and reported rumor. I hope Tiger does well, but does not win this weekend at the Masters. That is the same that I hoped for for Tiger before his marriage infidelity problems. I just am not a fan of his. And death threats against Erin Andrews? What did that poor girl do to deserve that kinda crap. The stalking thing is one thing, but death threats? Disturbing. I think she is one of the better sideline reporters in the business. She actually ask intelligent questions. The same can not be said about some of the others. Guy sideline reporters included. Jack Arute comes to mind.
Governor boys assistant basketball coach Tim Davis resigned and it was accepted last night at the Pierre School Board meeting. Davis has been on the Governors staff the last 3 years. Always dressed very dapper and had some cool shoes which I would point out to him from time to time. He also was an 8th grade football coach. Good luck Coach in what your future holds. Still open, the head volleyball job. Not sure what the delay is there. Actually I do, but am doing some more question asking. The tennis opener for the Governors has been cancelled today due to weather and the track and field meet will eventually fall to the same fate today as well it appears. Nothing official as of 8:50 a.m. though.
And back to golf, Hillsview Golf Course is opening for the season today. Nice day to not golf although there are some diehards who will. Just remember what happened to the priest in Caddyshack!!!!!!!!
I'd rather not talk about baseball today. If game 1 is any indication, pitching, pitching, pitching will be the downfall of the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago Cubs. I don't care about how much offensive punch you have, if you have to rely on living and dying by outscoring opponents, you are not going to have a successful season. It's all about pitching. Twins play again tonight. The Cubs have a day off to wallow in their mediocrity of opening day.
Tiger Woods took 5 stitches in the mouth during his Thanksgiving eve car crash we found out yesterday. 9 irons will do that. Good thing Elin wasn't didn't have that good of a swing. I am only going by blog reports and reported rumor. I hope Tiger does well, but does not win this weekend at the Masters. That is the same that I hoped for for Tiger before his marriage infidelity problems. I just am not a fan of his. And death threats against Erin Andrews? What did that poor girl do to deserve that kinda crap. The stalking thing is one thing, but death threats? Disturbing. I think she is one of the better sideline reporters in the business. She actually ask intelligent questions. The same can not be said about some of the others. Guy sideline reporters included. Jack Arute comes to mind.
Governor boys assistant basketball coach Tim Davis resigned and it was accepted last night at the Pierre School Board meeting. Davis has been on the Governors staff the last 3 years. Always dressed very dapper and had some cool shoes which I would point out to him from time to time. He also was an 8th grade football coach. Good luck Coach in what your future holds. Still open, the head volleyball job. Not sure what the delay is there. Actually I do, but am doing some more question asking. The tennis opener for the Governors has been cancelled today due to weather and the track and field meet will eventually fall to the same fate today as well it appears. Nothing official as of 8:50 a.m. though.
And back to golf, Hillsview Golf Course is opening for the season today. Nice day to not golf although there are some diehards who will. Just remember what happened to the priest in Caddyshack!!!!!!!!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Brian's Twins Talk
The Twins fall at Anaheim, 6-3, and there was one thing in that game that tells me we may be seeing more of the same from the Twins. The Twins twice left the bases loaded in a one-run game Monday night, and that just seems like something that has been all too common over the years. Remember two years ago when the Twins actually hit over .300 as a team with two outs and runners in scoring position? Boy, I sure hope to see those stats again this year! So okay, an opening night loss - no big deal. You know what I liked? Delmon Young - watch for him to finally put up some power numbers that we've been hoping for - maybe 30 homers, 90+ RBI's, and maybe even taking more first pitches. I also liked seeing Jim Thome in a Twins uniform, as well as the other new guys in the middle of the infield, JJ Hardy and Orlando Hudson. In fact, I just like the new road uniforms altogether, although they do kinda look like the Montreal Expos, don't they? Not a good start of the season for Jose Mijares, though, giving up back-to-back homers in the 8th - the last thing the Twins need is for Mijares to develop a confidence problem. Joe Mauer looked surprisingly out of synch, too, but obviously, one game isn't going to tell the whole story. The Twins will still win the division this year.
By the way, Twins fans, if you're like me, do you feel the same sentiment toward Hideki Matsui that Happy Gilmore feels for Bob Barker? Prediction time again...pay attention to the Padres closer this year, Heath Bell. As the Twins will battle the Tigers and White Sox all season, look for the Twins to finally get trade for a closer before the July trading deadline, and a good closer off of a bad team, like Bell is, might be the guy they end up getting. Don't forget, with a lot to look forward to, keep listening for the Twins games on KGFX all this season!
By the way, Twins fans, if you're like me, do you feel the same sentiment toward Hideki Matsui that Happy Gilmore feels for Bob Barker? Prediction time again...pay attention to the Padres closer this year, Heath Bell. As the Twins will battle the Tigers and White Sox all season, look for the Twins to finally get trade for a closer before the July trading deadline, and a good closer off of a bad team, like Bell is, might be the guy they end up getting. Don't forget, with a lot to look forward to, keep listening for the Twins games on KGFX all this season!
Brian's Monday Mayhem
It's funny how things change sometimes. All the years I spent as a fairly avid Duke fan, back in the days of Grant Hill, Johnny Dawkins, Bobby Hurley, and I guess, Christian Laettner, too, have given way to just simply rooting more for underdog teams, as well as just the teams closer to home. People can say all they want about the great run that a mid-major team put together, but if you ask Butler, they'll probably tell you they are extremely disappointed losing a game that they had every right to win, no matter who they were playing. Some say there is no such thing as a moral victory, while others will just simply say moral victories suck. Personally, I think they are only good for conversation pieces. Yeah, Butler's loss can qualify as a moral victory, but it's more of a moral victory for all the smaller schools and lesser known programs than for the Butler program itself. A couple of years from now, most people won't remember who lost this game tonight. At any rate, it was a great championship game, and I remember thinking that of all the #1 seeds in the tournament, Duke was the one that I just did not see even making the Final Four. Oh well, I may not follow Duke as closely as I used, but I do still like Coach K (a little more than others), so good for him.
Now on to the reason this Monday is my favorite day in the sports calendar - Baseball's Opening Day! Aside from the Twins loss at Anaheim, holy crap, is Albert Pujols a beast! I don't mean to sound shocked, but if I may make a prediction, (since we all know how good I am at doing that), I expect Pujols to hit at least 50 homers and drive in at least 140 runs this year, although I do wonder if people will finally start pitching to him the same way they pitched to Barry Bonds in the prime of his career. Dude is unbelievable!! Elsewhere, watching highlights, that Tim Lincecum is pretty good, too, but Roy Halladay will win the NL Cy Young this year. Also good to see Johan Santana get off to a good start. Ryan Howard will hit 50+ homers, too, but won't even touch Pujols in the MVP balloting. Zach Greinke looked pretty decent for the Royals, but oh, that ugly Royals bullpen looks like they'll be keeping all 3,000 Royals fans in a deep slouch in their seats this season. Cubs fans, are you sick of Carlos Zambrano yet? You will be! Anyone ever hear of Garrett Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates? You will! Ditto Jason Heyward of the Braves. Anyone realize Bob Marley was playing for the Dodgers this year (actually his name is Manny). And for folks who cheer for regional baseball teams, as a Twins fan, I'm extremely excited for this year, but I'm also looking forward to the Rockies living up to expectations. I have seen several analysts picking the Rockies to not only win their division, but even the National League pennant. Baseball's underway - life is good again - let's have some fun!
Now on to the reason this Monday is my favorite day in the sports calendar - Baseball's Opening Day! Aside from the Twins loss at Anaheim, holy crap, is Albert Pujols a beast! I don't mean to sound shocked, but if I may make a prediction, (since we all know how good I am at doing that), I expect Pujols to hit at least 50 homers and drive in at least 140 runs this year, although I do wonder if people will finally start pitching to him the same way they pitched to Barry Bonds in the prime of his career. Dude is unbelievable!! Elsewhere, watching highlights, that Tim Lincecum is pretty good, too, but Roy Halladay will win the NL Cy Young this year. Also good to see Johan Santana get off to a good start. Ryan Howard will hit 50+ homers, too, but won't even touch Pujols in the MVP balloting. Zach Greinke looked pretty decent for the Royals, but oh, that ugly Royals bullpen looks like they'll be keeping all 3,000 Royals fans in a deep slouch in their seats this season. Cubs fans, are you sick of Carlos Zambrano yet? You will be! Anyone ever hear of Garrett Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates? You will! Ditto Jason Heyward of the Braves. Anyone realize Bob Marley was playing for the Dodgers this year (actually his name is Manny). And for folks who cheer for regional baseball teams, as a Twins fan, I'm extremely excited for this year, but I'm also looking forward to the Rockies living up to expectations. I have seen several analysts picking the Rockies to not only win their division, but even the National League pennant. Baseball's underway - life is good again - let's have some fun!
Rod's Monday Take N Things
After an ejoyable Easter Sunday of doing hardly anything but feasting and watching TV sports, here is what I came up with yesterday. I will watch more LPGA golf. I have a new favorite player, Suzann Pettersen. A blonde, blue eyed Norwegian girl who can play a pretty good game of golf. Couldn't overcome things yesterday and finished 2nd at the LPGA Nabisco Classic, one of the LPGA's biggies, but when she nearly eagled a putt on 18 that would have really put the pressure on Yanni Tseng, that was golf drama that usually belongs to Tiger Woods. The PGA really needs Tiger back and on the course. The Houston Open went to a playoff hole, but there was no drama with really two no names playing it out. Anthony Kim and Vaughn Taylor. Not exactly household golf names. Makes me apprciate the likes of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead, Gary Player and the names that battled it out most weeks when I was younger, and golf was played on black and white TV sets. And tournaments had names. The Bing Crosby Pebble Beach Pro-AM. The Bob Hope Dessert Classic. The Dean Martin Tuscon Open. The Glen Campbell Los Angeles Open. And on Saturday afternoon's it was Shells Wonderful World of Golf. Good stuff.
I had to chuckle at the Lakers ineptness yesterday. The Celtics won despite trying to lose it. Lebron really isn't a very good free throw shooter is he? Would be nice for a guy who "could win the scoring title every year if I wanted too". Direct quote from Mr. James. The NCAA Women's tournament had some good basketball moments. Big comebacks by Oklahoma and Baylor but in the end, the two best teams all season long will be playing tomorrow night. UConn will win by double figures. If they don't, Stanford can have at least a "moral victory". And baseball has begin with another overhyped Yankees-Red Sox game last night won by Boston. And Jon and Joe and Orel in the broadcast booth this year. That will be compelling! Not really. Joe Morgan still would do things differently becasue he is as close to a perfect ball player that ever put on the uniform. You can ask him. Orel Hershiser will still be the third banana in the booth and Jon Miller will still try to get Joe and Orel into disagreements that can be rather comical at times.
Baseball closer to home, Legion and 15-16 year old Teener players need to sign up tonight 5:30 to 7 at the Legion Cabin. $25 registration is needed and community, get ready for the Legion players to come your way with raffle tickets that they need to sell to help fund the program. And the program needs all of our help when it comes to funding. It is just like everything else. It will cost more to run the program than last year despite some of the things that are being done to cut back on cost.
I had to chuckle at the Lakers ineptness yesterday. The Celtics won despite trying to lose it. Lebron really isn't a very good free throw shooter is he? Would be nice for a guy who "could win the scoring title every year if I wanted too". Direct quote from Mr. James. The NCAA Women's tournament had some good basketball moments. Big comebacks by Oklahoma and Baylor but in the end, the two best teams all season long will be playing tomorrow night. UConn will win by double figures. If they don't, Stanford can have at least a "moral victory". And baseball has begin with another overhyped Yankees-Red Sox game last night won by Boston. And Jon and Joe and Orel in the broadcast booth this year. That will be compelling! Not really. Joe Morgan still would do things differently becasue he is as close to a perfect ball player that ever put on the uniform. You can ask him. Orel Hershiser will still be the third banana in the booth and Jon Miller will still try to get Joe and Orel into disagreements that can be rather comical at times.
Baseball closer to home, Legion and 15-16 year old Teener players need to sign up tonight 5:30 to 7 at the Legion Cabin. $25 registration is needed and community, get ready for the Legion players to come your way with raffle tickets that they need to sell to help fund the program. And the program needs all of our help when it comes to funding. It is just like everything else. It will cost more to run the program than last year despite some of the things that are being done to cut back on cost.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Rod's Easter Sunday Take N Things
Happy Easter a day of new beginnings. And a quiet day on the TV sports front. We are a in between days of the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament. We do have the NCAA Women's tournament tonight and thankgoodness UConn is the late game so Stanford and Oklahoma might be at least a game where either team can win. ESPN's attempt to boost 6'8 Baylor center Brittany Griner is only expected. They are trying to put some question in peoples mind that UConn might lose. It won't happen. It will be UConn and Oklahoma in the finals Tuesday night. As much as I root against Oklahoma in any sport, I do feel for the Rothlesberger girl that plays for the Sooners. Yea, Big Ben's little sister. What must she be going though with all the off the field news of her more famous big brother and Steeler quarterback and his "sex related" legal problems. I am really hoping that Butler can pull off a modern day "Hoosiers" story although Dick Vitale quickly tells you that this Butler team isn't the little underdog that that Hickory was in the movie or Milan High was in 1954 when they beat Muncie Central in the Indiana State championship thus setting the storyline for the movie 30 years later. Yea, Butler was a top 10 rated pre season team but team's from the Horizen League don't make it to the Final Four. Just like Missouri Valley Conference team's don't usually make it past the second round, although Northern Iowa was the exception this year. And they are playing Duke. The big bad Blue Devils who play in the best conference in men's college basketball. The ACC. The Blue Devils who have a certain look of arrogance and cockiness. Don't know if they have the same dorm as the Duke men's lacrosse team, but they are a confident crew. They played that way last night. Butler did not play very well and were fortunate to win. I say that Duke will come back down to earth and Butler will play well, perhaps "out of their head" if you will. I don't know if Norman Dale will be in the building, or Joey Chitwood, or Bobby Plamp or Plump for that matter. It still should be compelling television basketball. Let's hope that CBS surprises us all and lets Dick Enberg call the game, which would be his last after 50 years of covering NCAA basketball. Oh wait, he will be busy. New voice of the San Diego Padres.
And Baseball. Only 1 exhibition game today. Oakland at San Francisco. Everyone else is off and ready to open the season tomorrow. The Twins are in L.A. or Anaheim more precisely. The Cubs in Atlanta. Oh yea, there is something on TV tonight other than the NCAA women's tournament. The Red Sox and the Yankees, really the only two teams in major league baseball, according to ESPN. At least MLB Network understands that there is baseball west of the Hudson River. Come to think of it, there might be some hockey today and golf. Oh my. TV sports lives on............any channel carrying the movie "Hoosiers"?
And Baseball. Only 1 exhibition game today. Oakland at San Francisco. Everyone else is off and ready to open the season tomorrow. The Twins are in L.A. or Anaheim more precisely. The Cubs in Atlanta. Oh yea, there is something on TV tonight other than the NCAA women's tournament. The Red Sox and the Yankees, really the only two teams in major league baseball, according to ESPN. At least MLB Network understands that there is baseball west of the Hudson River. Come to think of it, there might be some hockey today and golf. Oh my. TV sports lives on............any channel carrying the movie "Hoosiers"?
Friday, April 2, 2010
Rod's Friday Take N Things
So, how about a 96 team tournamaent? Sounds like a regular summer weekend tournament at the softball fields. The NCAA apparently isn't making enough money so they are talking about expanding the men's tournament field to 96 teams from the current 65. Now nothing is decided they say, but they have detailed plans in place. It is going to happen. Probably next year. When is enough enough? It will probably bring to an end the longstanding tradtional NIT becuase those teams will probably now be NCAA tournament teams. A question? If the men go to 96 teams, will Title IX require the women's tournament to go to 96 teams? Right now, womens college basketball has 1 team. UConn. Nobody can touch em. I would say that if the women's field has to expand, it would bode well for SDSU. They will probably make the tournament field every year. A 96 team field this year probably would have benefited Sam Willard and Pacific. They probably would played 1 maybe 2 games at the most before getting beat. I personally believe this may be a plot by ESPN to get the NCAA tournament away from CBS. What other network is set up to handle a 96 team tournament? All so Dick Vitale can do a NCAA tournament game again. 96 teams, and there are those of you here in South Dakota that think Class AA tournaments are a joke cause just under 1/2 of all the schools can make the State tournament. The NCAA soon won't have anything over Class AA.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Andy Shoes Scuttlbutts
Well it is official I have signed my Major League contract. I am sad that to leave the Dakota Radio Group, but I have to make my childhood dream of pitching in The Big League a reality. Monday I get the start against The Angels in a last minute move by Ron Gardenhire. I have always dreamed of being in The Show. I hope my thousands of adoring fans will understand. The last twelve years here have been memories made and I will always have a large section of my heart reserved for all of you. I will make my depute against one of the most potent line-up in baseball, but they won't be able to hit my one hundred six mile an hour fast ball and when they catch up to it I will feature a four foot breaking ball that will have them guessing. I know that I will be in the Cy Young race and I probably will lock up Rookie Of The Year. My only hope is that they will let me hit because not only will I win twenty plus games, but I could also hit 400 and drive in one hundred plus runs. It will be an awaking for the traditional baseball player, that not only can a player pitch with the best but I also can out hit anyone in the league. After a long career in the league I will return to the broadcast booth to continue calling games for KMLO as the sunset of my life will bring me full circle. If you would like to wish me well as I step into my next adventure, then I invite you to write your remarks in the comments column below. Once again thank you all for your support and kindness over the last years, I will always think of you all when I don't get my average twenty strike outs or when I don't go four for four. When those down points in my career come then I will be able to smile knowing that there are people in this world that still like me. Please remember that today is April First and this is and April Fools Day Joke.
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