Pink is the new Green.

This is a repost from HERE!

Cancer is bad! It is such a horrible disease that takes far to many lives in the world each day. So any cause that works to fix and treat cancer is a great thing. If you look here and other places on the net you will see there are so many places that want to help and ways to show that you helped put an end to this terrible disease.
The most recognizable and widely embraced is the Pink Ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and most major sports pay respects to this and allow the players to wear pink to honor the month. I think this is amazing and it's sad that this is only done during this special month but...it is what makes it an awareness month.

Something I've noticed so much lately is not only are more people wearing the pink to show that they care and want to help, it seems many retailers are cashing in on this as well. If you look at this from a business sense its a no brain money maker but the purpose of this is supposed to for increased donations and income for breast cancer research. Now, I'm not saying donations are not being made to the organizations that need the help but if you look at pricing at a retail stores the mark up is higher on anything pink during this time. This is not to bash anyone so I'm not going to link examples but a local NATIONAL chain sporting good store has a display as soon as you walk in showing the pink items they have. Very nice and respectfully done. If you head back to the specific isle to look at others they offer, the pink items cost about 25% more for the same type of item, the only difference, it's pink. This was across the board, something as simple as a branded T-shirt that was pink is now $3 to $5 more just for the color.

While wearing pink during this month is cool, remember that probably not all the extra profits go where they are needed and far to many people are cashing in on self profit for this to be only done for only good intentions. Here is an article I found that might give you some different thoughts as well.

Remember while wearing pink during this month does so many so much good, its also helping line pockets of others. If you really want to sure that your efforts are going to the correct place visit some of the following links:
http://www.nbcam.org/
http://www.breastcancerfund.org/
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/
http://www.cancer.org/
Check them out, see if its somewhere you think you money might go to help those in need.

I understand this is in no way a WoW blog, but it was something I wanted to get out there and say and since pally's are pink....we kind of have a relation....right?

Also a really quick footnote, I am in no way related, nor do I endorse or am I affilated with any of the links in this post, it was something I thought would help get people moving in the right direction.

The Fall Ball Doldrums.

Not exactly the best way to build a following on a blog by taking almost a month off but really, there hasn't been much to say.

Fall ball is moving along so slow and I'm missing the pro football season again. It really is OK and worth it because I get to see my kids and I'm not stuck to the couch.

In the next few weeks I plan on doing more blogging about how to break up the fall and winter season.

Thank you for checking back...

Say it isn't so...No NPF champion 2012

(Source)

NPF commissioner Cheri Kempf said the forecast for the rest of the night showed the rain would not let up; any break likely to be barely long enough to get the field ready to begin playing again. She also said there was no contingency plan in place, nothing in the bylaws, to govern playing out the remainder of the championship series on Monday. (source)

This has to be frustrating  to the women who have all agreed to give up their spots on the national teams and focus on playing in the NPF to strengthen it and make it a 'real' professional league. But as of last night the 2012 season ended not as the players had dreamed it would, but as an ugly nightmare that shows - while the players are doing everything they can to improve the league, it will be a second rate entity until the owners, commissioner, and media really get behind the women's pro-fastpitch softball league. In other words so many have dropped the ball on what could have been a real footing into creating a recognizable pro league.

Fingers are pointing from lots of locations, you can not blame mother nature here, the lack of real planning and to the fact that the Bandits were losing their ace pitcher (and five others) who are going back to Japan to continue her pro career for the rest of this season.

"I can say that the championship wasn't complete, and it wasn't complete because Chicago stated it had six players that could not finish," Kempf said. "So therefore, I don't feel like that the right thing to do is to award the championship on one game."

My thoughts are this: While the players should all be proud to make it to the championship. I can not believe a league who plays outdoors, would put such a tight schedule together for a play-off schedule being that they play outdoors, and have players who have other commitments lined up. I'm not sure the powers that be have a clue of whats going on. This could do some real damage to the ongoing and continued growth of the sport.

I wanted to see my favorite Megan Willis get her championship but good luck the rest of the year ladies and see you next season...hopefully!

Making the selection!

A quick update on whats new in OUR softball world. My daughter tried out for ONE team! Yes I said it, one team. To her it was a perfect fit. By the time we got in the car and got food, she made her choice. That is even after I set up our try-out schedule (here is the lay out). There were several teams that requested her to come to the try-outs prior to us going there. She had plenty of options. So why this team?

To her, this team just felt right. The coaching staff all knew my daughter prior to her coming due in part to an email I sent them. The try-out was fast moving but there was time to talk, and all the girls on the team were socializing with the people trying out. She said "You could tell the team was close and that they cared about each other, on top of that they were really welcoming".

Since she has picked the team, her best softball friend also got an offer and took the position on that team. We have had a team meet and greet and are two practices in.

Two very solid and learning based practices, where there was actually teaching and instruction going on. I was very shocked and impressed about how it has gone. My main goal for this year was instruction and exposure on a team that works hard, has a good person as a coach and learns week to week. After a few short weeks, I'm sure my daughter made the correct choice....

And I'm a proud dad!

Softball at the Olympics in 2020? There is hope!

As the London 2012 Olympics wind down, I can say I have really enjoyed these games. The American women have been exciting, amazing and tough as nails. Too bad all of our best don't get to enjoy these games. I'm truly missing softball at these games.

During these games we got to witness the American women, win a team gold medal in Gymnastics with brilliant performance’s. The US women also SHATTERED the WR in the 4x100 relay, running clean, fast and as loving teammates. Let’s not forget we got to witness probably the greatest women’s soccer (football) game ever played, regardless of what you think on the officiating. The game was nail biting and just fun to watch. If you ever want a person you daughter to model herself after, I'd look no further than Alex Morgan. What a solid amazing player that NEVER gives up. She puts pressure on opposing players like no other women I've ever seen play.

Again, how great would it be for our greatest US women to be playing Softball at these games? I really think it would have even made these games better.


Lets look at why they aren't there really fast, what they are doing to get back in . Why they left- an IOC vote of 52 - 52 was the vote for a game most of the IOC members thought was "women's baseball". There was one further member that didn't vote, but I'll go into that later. It needed 53 votes to keep it in.

Had the vote been taken 4 days later, many think that Softball would still be in. There was tons of thoughts that the US was too dominate. The US lost the last game of the Bejing Olympics to Japan. After that game, many of the NO votes stated they seen and knew that it was no longer only "female baseball".

Only four teams ever won a medal in the sport during its very brief time leading those no votes to see it as a 'non world' game. Which is very far from the truth.

Let’s be truthful, the IOC is about money. Host countries really complained that making TWO separate stadiums was very costly. Both China's and Greece's softball stadiums cost over $100 million and sit empty. No, this isn't proper planning on these countries part but I can understand why this could cause issues. A single sport venue that costs this much is hard to justify.

On the way back?

They are making strides, one key is that now Baseball and Softball have teamed up to show the IOC members what they can offer. They have also said they will fall under the same banner making it a single sport and shortening the cost to a host country.

ESPN reports they are going against sports for the 2020 games such as Squash, Sport climing and board sports. Aug. 1st there is a meeting that might help make this easier, they are meeting with Major League Baseball to propose them to find a way to compete. If they come about it will surely make this easier. Japan, Australia and Korea have already committed the best players for the Olympics if they get back in.

The ISF has had a strong presence and worked hard at swaying the IOC, by 2013 there should be a solid vote to see which sports will get in. More news then I guess. So until then we are stuck wondering why a generation of young ladies get their Olympic dreams smashed.

The ISF has also been masterful at doing clinics and setting up coaches to team the game of Softball in other areas of the world.

Here is a link from the ISF that shows just how much media coverage that has been going on over the course of the London games that shows there is very much a want for this sport to come back. As the report from the New Zeeland paper points out, only a handful of team sports can draw as much international representation.

I'm still saddened that Softball is gone. I wish I could do more to help get it reinstated. I wish so many didn't only realize it was gone only while the Olympic Games are going on! There is alot I wish for here, but mostly I wish the IOC members knew more or lots about the sports they decide to rip dreams away from athletes who work so hard to grow a sport on the grandest stage.

London really has been a memorable Olympic games but most memorable for me will be the fact that for the 1st time in recent memory I didn't get to see Softball.

Let’s change that for next time.

On a side note, if you go to the ISF home page there is a spot you can got to and donate to further their cause. Don't forget to like their Facebook page too.

Try out season is here!

What are your plans for tryouts?

It creeped up faster than I thought it would. The tournament season was over in what felt like a blink of an eye. But we didn't let what our plans were wait til the last minute.

Today's post is about what you can do to find the right fit if you plan on switching teams. It is never easy looking for a new team but having options and ideas of what you are looking for before roll into the tryout never hurts.

The easiest thing for what to do for next season is stay put or move up with in the same organization. That makes life easy but for many that isn't how this new season will start. There are a variety of reasons to find a new team, I won't go into them here, because if you are looking for a team you know why, you don't need me to tell you W H Y!

Due to trial and error and doing some research here is what I have come up with to help your daughter and your family find the right team:

Have an idea of what teams you want to play for. (be realistic on the level you play and where they play) Do you want a relaxed team, a state champ winner or do you want to see Nationals?

BIG TIP TIME: If you want to play college ball in your home state, do not get on a team that is doing tournaments out of state every weekend, or playing at the national level. This will not get you noticed by the very college you want to attract!

• Look for teams that you played where the coach impressed you while playing them.
• Have an idea where you want to go and don't just obtain info from a web site, we all know websites have the BEST info on a team and not the whole story.
• Find out where the try-outs are.
• You can find this info via news paper, local forums or word of mouth. I went here and here!

This is where the choice is made and the best info will be obtained -  Email the coach or contact on the try-out ad. Ask the question you need answered. IE...how often do you practice, what is the budget, how many tournaments are you playing and what kind?

This is the time to add any good solid info you have on the player. Like a recruitment video and what her plans are for the future. I'd stay away from stats or making comments about playing time.

If they do not have the time to answer you, don't answer you, or give you info totally different than what you asked for, this tells you alot about the coach or organization. I'd give them one more chance because emails always get lost or sent to junk. If you get no response...I'd start looking else where.

Communication is the key to this search, why? You get to learn a few things by the response: If the coach is going to be there again, how happy they are to be in the position they are in, how interested they are in you, and just what kind of organization you are going to be headed to or looking at.

To some extent on a much smaller scale, you are doing the steps you would take to find the correct college to attend, you are going to be with this coach and these players/parents for at the very least, the next year.

At tryouts, look at how the girls on the team interact. Are they happy, having fun and look like they like each other? Do they pout, move slow and yell at one another?
How is the coach? well organized? Do the people there react well to his direction?

This is the time to talk to them and their assistants, do they seem to be on the same page? Do you get a good feeling about them?  Do they have the time for you while there?

Let your gut reaction guide you here. This is your 1st impression of the team and the coach that will be setting an example for a team of 12+ young ladies and handling upwards of thousands of dollars.

TL; DR -
Find your team.
Ask your questions!
Communicate further?
Plan the tryout course!
Go to tryouts.
Have fun next year!

Beat the Heat! Guide to Summer Tournaments.

This has been a hot HOT summer.

Really hot.

Summer is far from over and the heat is always part of our sport. You can really never beat the heat totally until the game is done but below is my guild for getting you and your kid thru the worst times.

I'll keep it simple. Stay cool as you can. Drink water. Know the signs of heat related problems. As soon as you can, get out of the heat when done playing.

Staying cool: Shade is the key. Find some during offensive innings and between games. If you are out of the sun lots of radiate heat and the suns effects can't zap more energy, water and even cause burns.
Hopefully you have parents that have tarps, umbrella's and shade tents. Use them! Use rags and other objects with COOL water on them to bring your body temp down. Remove as much gear as you can (catchers gear, batting helm) when they aren't needed.

Drink water: Hydrate! You must. This will ruin your preformace faster than anything and will cause onset of heat problems quicker. When you sweat, you lose water and salt (electrolytes) both need to be replaced. Prehydration is key to really hot days. Drink lots of water before the weekend games. If you do this your fluid levels will be easier to maintain.

If you are thirsty, its too late! you already dehydrated. What do I mean by this? Thirst is a telltale sign that you need fluids. With the increased loss during hot days, by the time you realize you need water, its too late.  Get some water in you. Sports drinks are ok, but even better if mixed with water during game times. As silly as it sounds, don't drink ice cold water...why? Your body must cool this water taking more energy to find out where it needs to be. Leading further to zapped energy.

Signs to really bad to sever dehydration is extreme thirst, headaches and irritability. Any further than this you are ask inf or heat problems that take lots longer than a few bottles of water or gatorade to fix you up.
Under normal conditions a normal adult, needs 1 gallon of water a day. Under the conditions we have seen lately, you can need two times that.

Heat related issues: Minor to major!(CDC)
Heat exhaustion (cramps or fainting) -  the 1st sign a problem is going on. This can be obtained in not very hot temps and onset can be due to dehydration. You feel dizzy, light headed and cramp. Vomitting can happen too as it progresses. Quickly reversible but care and caution needs to be taken as it can happen very quickly again if steps are not take to be removed from heat or the player wants to play again.
1st aid- Get them out of the heat, into air conditioning and have them hydrate and place cool rags on person. Sit or lie down.

Heat Stress -  Brought on by dehydration, high temps and heavy work load. A physiological change takes place in the body too. Blood pressure rises, sweating occurs, people get dizzy and confused. They can can be pale and complain of being tired. This is pretty urgent and action must take place quickly.
1st aid- Get them to a cool spot, in the air conditioning. Drink water, or sports drink. Showers, lots of water and cold cloths work well here.

Heat stoke- a MEDICAL EMERGENCY! Hot skin and dry and red skin! No sweating will be going on. Chills, confusion and head aches will be common. Bodies core temp will be rising and can rise to permanent damage area quickly. Medical attention is needed quickly.
1st aid- CALL 911
Dampen or wetten their clothes, get in a cool place and have them sit or lie down. Make this person comfortable.
At this point the person and their body is past the point of thermoregulation. I cannot stress enough that they need medical help immediately.

After the game and in between games, get them to cool areas. Most preferred that air condition be used. Shade and a fan is also useful in this down time. Make sure they get some small snacks (such as fruit or a granola bar) and fluid is taken in. Relaxing at this time goes a long way.

When they get IT!

You have watched them all season, even in High School. Parents know when they make a mistake, even if the coach or the bench didn't catch it. Parents know their kids flaws and weakness, even if their kid is the best player to lace up some cleats. Ok, on that last one I kid a bit but really, we know.

We are their biggest fans and most knowing critics. They of course are their biggest critic. Even if you seen a mistake and ask them about it, they already know they did that wrong and beat themselves up over it many times over.

Then you see them play that game! Not the perfect game, oh no no! But the game where they battle, do all the little things right and fight thru the not so good things and shine as a star you always knew they were but others don't always see it.

Now remember I'm not talking about their perfect game. The one they will always remember thats too easy, this is the kind of game that they will probably forget but you know they did things during this game that added to them as players and people.

I watched my daughter play that game tonight. She was amazing! She scooped and shot a ball to home on a grounder to the outfield with a perfect throw. It was a close play but the catcher dropped the ball. She came over to me and didn't complain about the drop, oh no! She said, that throw was a bit high might have made that an easier tag. WHAT? I didn't say this to her, I told her hang in there, those will come.

The very next inning she it a LAZER to the short stop, one they had no business getting too, yet they did and threw the lead runner out. She didn't hang her head, nope! Not today, she played her best. In her half of the inning in the field, she had a blooper hit to her, she ran in HARD yet some how the ball got to the ground even thou she slid, she came up throwing and missed the runner by a step. Was it the perfect out come? No, but it was the correct play. She had 3 more plays like that and sold out to get them all. Her at bats weren't awesome, but they were tough and she worked the count finding her pitch.

A few innings later after an at bat she hit a shot over the pitchers head, standing at 1st base and the 5th hitter hits a soft liner down the 3rd base line, the runner from 2nd scores and she rounds and wants to go to 3rd, the cut sees this and doesn't go home but due to her heads up base running she doesn't get throw out. Sound simple, doesn't it? but in the heat of the moment all year long she'd have been thrown out. Next play she scores on a bloop single.

None of this may sound impressive but it was a proud moment today when she walked off the field saying, she could have done better but is still happy with how she played overall. I smiled to myself and knew, she is getting it. While it might not be perfect, no one is! But she gets it.

Blue Chips, Michigan style!

Everyone says there's it the best. Some tout that they have 300 coaches invited to come view your child. Others will tell you they will give you the best shot at getting to the next level if you come to their camp and use their service.

This week I was fortunate enough to allow my daughter to play with some first class talent and even more showcase her talent in front of close to 30 college coaches from all levels. She was able to learn from these professional men and women who were there from some of the biggest institutions in the country (more on that later). They were willing to give them the tips and tricks that makes players move to the next level.

My daughter is a 2014 graduate, so she still has time to grow and improve. Showing her the talent that was at that camp this week left a huge impression on her and motivated her to move past her current progression point she is currently at. The talent there was truly impressive and from what I hear there were three girls that signed D1 level letters.

My intent is not to bad mouth anyone else or say that the Michigan Blue Chip camp is the only way to go. I do want to say that of the several I've sent my daughter too, this one was by far the best. Not only did she get some first rate exposure, instruction but she was also talked to by several colleges stating they'd like her to send her schedule to them so they could take an even deeper look at her.

Thanks to Brad and Matt for having the vision to set this up and to come thru with the promises their web site makes. Colleges will see you and teach at this camp.

They have several upcoming camps for the rest of the summer and in the fall, so if you have some time, check these guys out.



Just and FYI in attendance for this camp was: (not in any real order and if I have forgotten someone I'm really sorry. Coaches seemed to be everywhere)

Alabama

Purdue

North Dakota

Central Michigan

Western Michigan

Eastern Michigan

Illinois Chicago (UIC)

Albion

Alma

Muskegon

Concordia

Siena Heights

Hillsdale

Lake Michigan

Grand Rapids

Aquinas

Cornerstone

The Skills Video

Hey everyone, I just wanted to take a few to go over something we recently did to improve my daughter exposure. You can do it too.

We call it the skills video! It is what experts or recruiting firms say is a must if you want to play at the next level. People charge good money and after doing ours, I see why. Really, if you want to save a few hundred dollars all you really need is access to a computer and a camera.

A computer is a must due to editing it.
Do I really need to say you need a camera to film something?

Reminder this is a tool to highlight your daughter or sons skills. Make sure this production does that.

• Edit out drops, errors and missed swings. Sure coaches don't expect perfection in these videos but leaving this in is a waste of time.
• Remove all downtime such as moving people around.
• Highlight - Highlight - Highlight: Use the best of what you shoot, shoot multiple angles and multiple shots of that skill.
• The majority of this video should be in a practice setting. Do not use or limit game footage.I included a very brief hit of a live game. I felt it showed everything I wanted the coach to see. Why? It mirrored the very same thing we shot in the skills video. Constant game video gets boring.
• Use a tripod and a camera you are familiar with.
• Keep it between 4 and 5 minutes. Any longer and you run the risk of having the full thing not seen.
• Keep it simple.

Here is my finished product:


Prior to starting here is what I did:

• I shot some film of my younger daughter at her softball game to get used to my camera. Make sure your setting are to a movement conducive setting. Using this filmed event, I edited it with my Windows MovieMaker to get used that too. It took me lots of time.
• Find a location you are familiar with and a time that isn't real busy there. Cutting down on the noise in the video.
• A power source is an AMAZING addition to the event.
• Set up your plan on what you want to shoot; know what positions, skills and angles you want to hit before you get there. (this will change but knowing prior till make adjustments easier to do)
• Watch some skills videos on youtube (example 1) (example 2) see what you like on each and what you would change. Take notes.
• Plan for everything that could go wrong IE...no bases, hot weather. Make this event like a tournament and take everything you need. Have a back up location in case your primary is used.
• Set up someone who can assist with catching and throwing. Two helpers is better.

Now for what to shoot:

• Brief intro: 15 seconds of who you are and what you want to coach to know. Shows communication style.
• Make sure you have coaches email address and phone in print on the video.
• Primary positon - 3 or 4 of each, edit what you don't want, use different angles.
• OF - show drop step/footwork, fly ball tracking, ground ball stopping, arm strength. Show throws to home plate and third base from about the middle of RF.
• P - pitches you throw (4 of each at minimum) show side and behind the plate view. If you can show the radar gun speed.
• C -  show how you block the ball, pop times (stop watch) and throw to all bases.
• Corner infield- Bunt coverage, cross diamond throws, foot work to base and ground balls to the forehand and backhand.
• Middle infield- Show your athleticism add movement and take ground balls that show range also show back hand and forehand. Show how you cover bases and turn double plays.
• HITTING - show several angles, behind the plate and side view. I do not recommend soft toss from the side, anyone can hit soft toss. Show bunting and slapping (if you can do it) and any other hitting skill you may have.

Now send them out!

Smooth calls...

I'm not going to use my blog to bag ump's. I understand they are human and make bad calls. Most of the time, they make the perfect call. The best kind of official is the one you didn't realize was there. Often times, they seem to forget this.

When I see a special call, I don't mean balls and strikes either but those ones that stick with you for a while I'm going to just give my two cents...

Why? well, when you complain to others who know the game or even that nice waitress at a restaurant, they don't listen. Its almost as if they are hearing a foreign language.

I'm also going to try and educate myself further, as I have no clue most of the rules these guys live by. I only know the game I've been playing or rooting for most of my life. From governing body to governing body, they have variations of rules.

This week’s gem was at Motor City Showdown in Canton, Mi. If you have never been to Canton, you aren't missing much. It is a dust bowl, expensive and

The ASA ump, called a foul ball on a one bouncer that then hit the bag. Three feet from my daughters team coach. He ruled it foul, stating it bounced foul before it hit the bag.

Here is what I could find and what I know: (source)

Just a side note from parents of our team and this is hear say and more than anything it was probably the ump trying to be friendly; he was heard telling the other team between innings "you welcome for that foul ball call".

B. Batted Ball

1) A batted ball that first hits the ground

before it reaches 1st or 3rd base is fair, if it settles in fair territory, is

touched by a player while the ball is on or over fair ground, or if the ball passes over 1st or 3rd base, regardless

of where the ball hits the ground after going over the base.

2) A batted ball that first hits the ground

beyond 1st or 3rd base is fair or foul based on where it hits the ground

that first time.

In with the new!

I gave the sports blogging thing a go! I wasn't cut out for it and didn't have the time.

My new project is my way to vent about a game that has grown to just about the main goal in our house.

SOFTBALL!

My oldest plays Travel and my other daughter is just in her first year and it is Rec. Softball but enjoys the game. My two boys are playing T-Ball and love it! So to say we are busy is an understatement. It is almost constant! And I wouldn't change a thing about it.

My oldest playing travel ball (16U) which takes up way to much of our time and money. She is playing tournaments every weekend for the next 5 weeks then try-outs start for the next whole year. Oh, joy! On top of that she plays three games in a league called WWCL on Mon and Wed.

She plays for an organization called the Thunderbirds out of Canton, Mi. We don't have one girl from Canton on the team, and never play a league game close to Canton. Why do I say this? no reason other than softball is so big right now, teams are all over and just because a team throws a city on its name, doesn't mean you'll be there at all.

My younger daughter playing Rec ball, plays for Dearborn Michigan and well, all the girls are from Dearborn. She is in a league called the DBA (downriver baseball assoc.) and is in the 12u bracket.

I think the people who run the DBA are crack heads as are the people in Dearborn who think that playing in this league is a good thing. The price is right and the girls get good facilities and uniforms but they play two games a weed. There is ZERO time limit on these games. Why is this a big deal you ask? Her games start at 6:30 PM, her coach makes them report at 5:30 PM the scores of the games are often in the high teens and the games usually don't end until dark which is past sunset. 9:45 is about our average leaving time. Her first game of the season we didn't get home and in bed until 10:30 and she had school the next day.

That was NOT fun! And the girls by the end of the game care about everything else but softball.

I emailed the league director and asked him if it is normal that games last 3 1/2 hours, seeing as my 16u daughter can play a double header 45 miles away and be home before my 12u girl. His answer was :

"It is at the discretion of the home plate umpire as to whether it is safe or not to continue at the start of the 7th inning because of darkness. "

Not sure we will be back next year...LOL

Thanks for reading and much more to come.

Who is Paul McCartney?

OMG are you really asking this question? WTF is wrong with kids/people today.

Here is a little fun fact for people that ask questions like this....YOU ARE SITTING AT A COMPUTER, GOOGLE it, don't make yourself look like a retard on Twitter.

The other is how much did their parents suck at life to not at least introduce their kids who apparently aren't sheltered to the Beatles. Even if you didn't like them, the influence they had on ALL music they are just that important. I don't get it.

I have little faith in this generation, they have the world at their fingertips and are to lazy to type that in another page to find something out on their own.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/who-is-paul-mccartney More proof!!

Dantonio flexes Muscle!

Mark Dantonio coach of the MSU Spartans, heart attack survivor, Outback Bowl Champion, public speaker, master of ceremonies and now official time keeper for MHSFCA seminar held Kalamazoo this week. Okay, maybe I'm being a bit sarcastic here with the above info, so after you read this article found in the Detroit Free Press you be the judge.

By Dantonio cutting off Michigan's Jeff Hecklinski, an assistant coach and recruiter for going over allotted time by some accounts, he came off as smug, rude and a control freak. Each person on the panel had allotted time, there really is no need at an event like this to step on another coaches toe's. By doing this to an assistant coach, it comes off as petty and smug. Maybe Coach Dantonio is so set on making MSU vs. Michigan a bigger rivalry he is willing to make himself look unprofessional. I wonder if he would have done it were Hoke been able to be there?

There is no doubt, in my mind that MSU is trying to go over and above to make this football rivalry even bigger. After the events of the last few years I think Michigan, its fans and players understand there is more to the MSU vs. Michigan game that once thought, but as my blog post in the past, it just isn't the number one rival for Michigan. Someday, maybe it will become so but right now, MSU has done things to lessen the success they have had on the field by making such an issue out of this rivalry.

It is almost bizarro world, these two schools have switched places recently. Michigan is on a 3 game winning streak in Basketball, a sport in which MSU has dominated. Somehow Michigan fans aren't allowed to bring that up. As Basketball is the sport MSU deems as a sport where history can be talked about.

MSU has dominated Michigan over the last 4 years in football, probably the worst few years in Michigan's history but the future looks much more bright than in the past. Fans of the State program won't allow history to be used in the argument.

Either side you fall on this rival; Green or Blue, Spartan or Wolverine, there is no doubt a head coach flexing his muscle is hardly looking out for the little guy, no more than the position coach who goes over minutes talking to coaches. There was an agenda here, bravado in a setting like this can back fire and make you look more weak than 'for the people'.

Detroit to Play the Mid Winter Classic!

But Not host it.

The NHL once again is going half way with the Wings. The NHL has kept in the west, made them travel more than any team in pro sports, forced them in to so - so rivalries and in somes eyes done the Wings zero favors.

The Mid Winter Classic, the outdoor game that showcases the NHL in a great light, takes the players back their youth and is a money windfall banza for the communities that host it. So finally the NHL are in positive talks to allow the Wings to, host it, in Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor, it's a great college town, the biggest non race stadium in North America. No doubt the NHL sees the glitz of putting 110,000 paying fans in the seats to get that record for attendance to a NHL game. What are there any negatives?

Of course Ann Arbor could hold the game, but where are people going to stay, how will moving around town be in winter months and is the NHL selfish in forcing this game here for only a number.

Red Wings fans have been loyal to hockey for over 15 years due to the product on the ice but they have put up with watching playoff games til 2am on work nights. The Wings is still the top ten selling jersey in pro sports and every YEAR this team draws more fans while on the road than most home teams play too.

Ilitch has been an ambassador to the game of hockey. He has championed hockey in this area and around the world. He has put his money into a product at times the rest of the world could give to craps about. He has also made sure the product is second to none.

The Ilitch family should have total say on how this game goes down and its location. They deserve that. Lets hope something gets worked out. I think its important for hockey, NHL, the City of Detroit and the Red Wings.

(sources)

Tide Turns: Rolls the Mad Hatter!

(source)

Some said 'Bama didn't belong, some said LSU was to strong. The last time they played each other it was one of the most boring games in SEC history. Two football teams matched up and put up a baseball score. Surely it wouldn't happen again? Could the final game of the college football season for 2011 end up in a kickers duel?

Well it almost happened and as boring as the first meeting between these two games this game was close.

Alabama came into the game with lots to prove, like deserving to be there. Avenging a loss from earlier in the season where they put up yards but couldn't find the endzone. 'Bama also wanted to show everyone they should be there after a vote that had them below OSU in the polls. The SEC bias pushed its ugly head thru and put TWO SEC teams in the national championship game.

LSU was trying to become the first team to beat four top 5 ranked teams since Notre Dame did that in the mid 1940's. LSU had beat most silly all season, had an amazing defense a highlight reel offense and special teams that made many hold their breath. They were no doubt the best team in the land. The only question after the SEC championship game was...who would they play.

Flash back to 2006, #1 Ohio St. hosted #2 Michigan, the game was back and forth, showed flashes of amazing offense. It also had a feat that had only happened one time in Ohio St history, the Buckeye fans took a moment of silence for Michigan's legendary coach who had passed only hours before kickoff. Bo had passed and the bitter rivals showed respect. Ohio St. won the game 41 to 39. That was the last game of the season in the Big 10, the writers spoke and what they said only held true for that year.

There would be no rematch! Michigan didn't get to play them again. But why did 'Bama get a shot at LSU again? Why not give it to Oklahoma St.? Well they lost to a lessor team on a field goal and it was clear 'Bama and LSU were the two best teams in the land.

The giants of the SEC matched up with 44 days to prepare. To put that into perspective, they will start spring ball sooner than the time it was between games from 'Bama last opponent til the BCS title game.

It started out much like the last one left off, Defense ruled the day, well mostly by 'Bama but even with LSU's defense being on the field for most of the 1st half, a Kicker was front and center of the scoring. At the half it was 9-0 'Bama. So thru 6+qtrs of football, we hadn't seen a touchdown and watched "non football players" put the only points up in these two games.

The second half led to much of the same, 'Bama moved the ball but settled for field goals and the LSU offense struggled to the tune of 91 yards in offense on 44 plays. LSU only mustered 5 1st downs and sadly ran only 4 plays on 'Bama's side of the 50.

All night, LSU struggled on offense and 'Bama dominated on defense. LSU's QB Jefferson was horrible and couldn't hit his passes all night. The vertical passing from the start was doomed and LSU never adjusted to 'Bama's defense.

So much was wrong with this game. It was the 1st BCS shutout, the 1st time a #1 team had been shutout since 1996. A kicker was the most dominate figure in the game and even thou there was an, oh by the way touchdown scored in the 4th qtr. by one of the two Heisman runner up, neither "honeybadge" or Richardson had a huge impact on the game. (Yes I know Richardson scored the TD but wasn't the game a forgone conclusion by that point?)

It was an ugly game all night long and as a football fan, I have to say it was boring. Very boring. We were within 10 minutes of seeing the last TD of the season scored by the ill placed GoDaddy.com Bowl which featured a MAC team. That game didn't have the stakes that the BCS did but was much more exciting.

Maybe it's time for a playoff system in FBS!

Oh, Roll Tide! Congratulations to a remarkable team for winning the 2011 National Championship.

Updates

Sorry I've been neglecting my blog. Life just does that sometimes.

The football season is in the playoff mode.

This has been a crazy few weeks not including the holidays. The Lions clinched the playoffs since 1997 and had a record setting QB.

MSU beat the 4th best SEC in an exciting bowl game and finished a great season and maybe had their best class ever.

Michigan oh, Michigan. What a way to turn it around, I think the game they played against VT had the football Gods smiling at them. I think that game made up for the trip on Desomond, the 12 second clock against MSU and the holding and non TD call vs. Iowa this year. They probably shouldn't have won the game but they did and BLUE is back.

In other news, people like to talk smack on twitter and that's kinda life on the interwebs. I even got hit on by a cute media member in Chicago. Love the internet.