Spring Broadcast #1
United @ Monmouth-Roseville (Softball)
(3/31/10)
No, there will be no quest for 100 games this spring. That would probably be logistically impossible during a turbulent Illinois spring. Not to mention, it's not quite as easy to hammer out five or six broadcasts in one day for baseball/softball like it is during basketball season.
In yesterday's blog entry, I talked about my favoritizing the method of picking up and finding a game, over all of the preparation that goes into each and every broadcast. During the spring season, the biggest downside is the broadcast setups. All too often, the "press box" is nothing of the sort, just a space of bleachers cleared out, and the only difference between me and the person next to me is that I am talking on the radio.
Sitting in the bleachers is all fine and dandy during the spring, unlike basketball season. I will digress for a moment. For some reason, I get a claustrophobic feeling in high school gyms. My favorite games to cover are the gyms where I am well out of the crowd's way, and a place that I can walk freely to grab coaches, etc. Some gyms (Galesburg), I can easily access all of the necessary information from people and coaches without interfering with fans and their seats, unlike at (Monmouth-Roseville), where I have to squeeze through a large amount of fans to get to the gym floor from my broadcast setup.
That may be another reason why I like to just pick up and find a baseball or softball game at a moment's notice. The freedom to walk the premises, unlike a confined gym. Anyways, I was unsure of the setup at Monmouth Park for today's game.
I talked with Monmouth-Roseville athletic director Chuck Grant earlier in the week about the WRAM broadcasts this spring, for both baseball and softball and our broadcast setups. He was unsure about Monmouth Park (softball), but said we could set up in the dugout at Sunnylane Field for the baseball games.
Unsure about where I was going to be broadcasting in a few hours, I took a few minutes during the noon hour to head out to Monmouth Park to scope things out. The press box, or crow's nest, is pretty small out there, and I didn't know if there would be anyone else in there. Sometimes, we set up in dugouts, but the dugouts looked like they would have had even less room for us to set up. If all else failed, I would be having to deal with my number one spring enemy...the wind.
After making a stop for some bottled water and sunflower seeds (yeah, my backup bag since I left my other bag at home...again), I made it to the diamond around 3:30. Before unloading the equipment, I headed over to the Titans dugout to talk with Monmouth-Roseville softball coach Tom Casteel. He was unsure if I would even have access to the crow's nest, but gave me a set of keys and told me to try each one. I didn't need any of them, as there was no lock on the door, just needed to give it a slight budge to open up. With the temperatures in the mid-70s...unbelievable for an Illinois March day, it was very warm inside. I tried opening the door on the window, but there was no where (that I could find) to firmly latch it into place. As it opened, it took up nearly the whole space, so with an unstable large piece of board that could give me a concussion if it slid, I opted to brave it in the weather.
A steady wind blew out of the south around 15 mph, but it was a much lighter than I had expected. It didn't take the toll on the broadcast, like some softball or baseball broadcasts can. Once on the air, the United Red Storm would bat first.
They would bat around, and place 13 batters at the plate in the FIRST inning, scoring nine runs in the first inning. Sommer Foster was the first baserunner, reaching on a single. Following Foster was Katie Bertelsen, who walked. Those girls would score on a 2-run single by Augusta Chandler. Rachel Kenney followed with a walk, and both her and Chandler scored on a 2-run double by Ashlynn Winkler. Winkler would come around and score on a passed ball. Alex Fell reached after getting hit by a pitch. She would score on an RBI single by Katie Kaywood. The Titans then committed three consecutive errors that would plate United runs by Kaywood, Gina Long, and Foster.
The Titans would be set down in a 1-2-3 inning, all strikeouts by Bertelsen. Jalynne Young, in relief of Alexia Snell, would strike out the side in the 2nd inning. The Titans had a 1-2-3 inning in the 2nd as well. No runs would be scored from the first until the fifth inning.
Katie Bertelsen's no-hit bid was ended in the bottom of the 4th inning, when Taylor Woods had a bloop hit into rightfield. The next Titans batter, Cassie Wallace, reached base on a walk. The Titans would strand both base runners. Bertelsen would finish the game with 14 strikeouts, and faced 17 batters.
Late in the game, my broadcast partner Sam Brooks attempted to field a foul ball in our back row bleacher seats. It was not a wise move, as the spinning softball snapped one of his fingers. He told me after the game, it very well may be broken. We wish Sam a speedy recovery!
The final run was plated in the top of the 5th inning for United. Kelsey Crain reached on an error, and would come around to score the 10th run. Monmouth-Roseville went down 1-2-3, all via strikeout in the bottom of the frame to end the game on the 10-run rule.
Checking my clock, I had plenty of time to get back home to catch my fantasy baseball draft!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
United Softball & The Media Trifecta
United Red Storm vs. South Fulton Rebels (Softball)
Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg
(3/30/10)
Living life on the seat of my pants gives me the thrills in life. Bungee jumping, diving in the ocean, or cage fighting aren't up my ally, but living each day without a routine plan in mind gives me enough thrill.
There is the theory out there, that when a work-a-holic quits working, and rests, it doesn't take long and he passes away. That is very understandable. For me, if I am not working, or doing something constructive, it makes me go crazy. I have been stricken with high blood pressure, and through doctor's orders, I must keep tabs on it. During the grueling winter road months, I feast upon sodium-laden McDonalds, gallons of caffeine, and late-night salt galore gas station meals....and the blood pressure is fairly normal (for me).
Fast forward to May, June, July, when time is on my side, my blood pressure soars. In fact, last June, after suffering from a three-day headache, I checked my blood pressure. It read 158/116. I thought that could not be, so I checked again. 156/113. And again: 158/113. It was time to seriously adjust the diet (which is a fairly healthy diet during the summer). After a month, my blood pressure had lowered to normal rates.
With that said, I just feel like working is my stress reliever. Going to far out places, hitting the road, and covering a high school sporting event is what I love to do. For others, the couch, or a vacation, etc. is the escape, while for me, it's work.
I had a conversation with Hall of Fame basketball coach Tom Wierzba this past winter. The former Farmington Farmers head coach enjoyed his first year of retirement this season. He mentioned how he enjoyed being able to watch whatever teams he wanted to on a nightly basis. Personally, that's how I am feeling this spring.
Last year, I regrettably, took a sabbatical from high school sports coverage outside of my day job. From the get-go, I told myself that was not going to happen this season. At first, I wanted to broadcast three or four baseball/softball games a week. After covering a handful of spring events thus far, I have decided against that, and cover at least one game per week (for radio), and a select few games on IHSSN.
Broadcasting a game takes a lot of preparation, not just in game prep for the two teams, but equipment preparation as well. Not to mention, high school baseball and softball diamonds are not very well-equipped for radio coverage.
As I drove down Route 34 between Monmouth and Galesburg this afternoon, that Wierzba conversation popped into my memory bank. Take a day like today, I hadn't even planned on taking in a game until late in the afternoon. I just drive to the diamond, unpack the necessities (pen & paper, recorder, and video camera), and I am free to roam and cover a broad spectrum of the game, not just the play-by-play.
Today, the United Red Storm, who just moved up a spot in the Illinois Coaches Association (ICA) Softball rankings (#3 this week), hosted the South Fulton Rebels. United's field is not quite ready, so they have moved their home games to nearby Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg.
Game time temperature was in the mid-to-upper 50's with a strong breeze out of the south, which was blowing directly out from home plate. With the nice conditions, there was a pretty large crowd on hand. I would estimate, at its peak, maybe 150 fans were in attendance.
I arrived to the field right at 4:30, and the leadoff hitter for South Fulton was at the plate as I walked across the street and over to the field. The Rebels would go down 1-2-3 in the first inning. A surprise awaited me, as I walked closer. That was not Katie Bertelsen pitching for United. After taking a moment to think about it, I assumed she was just getting a day of rest, after pitching in all three games last Saturday, and a full schedule this week. Coach Gary Eyler confirmed this to me after the game. Sophomore Amy Olson was on the mound for United, and she did a very good job stepping in for Bertelsen on a few occasions last year.
United scored in the bottom of the first inning, when Sommer Foster would come around to score. She reached on a walk, then scored on a Rachel Kenney RBI double. The Rebels went down 1-2-3 (Hickle, Musson, Hulett) again in the second inning. The Red Storm scored their second run in the bottom frame. Megan Patterson reached base on a single, stole second, and would eventually plate a run off a wild pitch, to give United the 2-0 lead after two innings.
Four runs would be plated in the bottom of the third inning by United. Katie Bertelsen, Taylor Toops, Rachel Kenney, and Augusta Chandler all came across the plate. Kenney blasted a 2-RBI single, and Megan Patterson hit an RBI single to give the Red Storm a 6-0 lead.
In the fourth inning, Sommer Foster reached on a walk, then advanced to second on a double-steal attempt, in which Gina Long was thrown out at third. Foster, then advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored when Rachel Kenney reached base on an error by South Fulton pitcher Courtney Musson.
Gina Long hit a long blast into centerfield in the 5th inning. She would be rounding second before the centerfielder reached the ball, enabling Long to score after doing a Pete Rose-slide into the plate. This inside-the-park home run gave United the 8-0 lead heading into the 6th inning.
South Fulton mustered one hit in the top of the sixth, a single by Laci Porter. The Rebels only had three hits the entire game. With just one out in the 6th, the Red Storm would plate two runs to make it a game. Taylor Toops had a base hit and would come around to score on a Rachel Kenney double. Kenney finished the day, 3-3, with 4 RBI. She would score the 10th run, when Augusta Chandler reached on an error. United improved to (6-1) on the season with the 10-0 win in six innings.
After the game, the teams decided to play three more innings. There was, originally, a fresh/soph game scheduled to follow, but South Fulton was unable to bring all of the F/S team. During this extra game, coach Gary Eyler came over and talked with me, and said that the home field should be ready for their next home game, scheduled for next Wednesday.
Also during the extra three-inning "game", Carl Sandburg College women's basketball coach Mike Bailey walked by. We spoke for a few minutes, and asked if I had reached the goal of 100 games this past winter. When I replied, yes, with 112 games, he replied "phew, and I thought I watched a lot of basketball."
One thing that kept me entertained throughout the entire game was the P.A. announcer for United, George. He didn't say anything really funny, it was just the way he said it. He has the type of delivery that could make you laugh if he was reading paragraphs out of a chemistry book.
Today's trip was much more worthwhile than my Saturday excursion. This time around, I brought my laptop bag, and all the technological goodies it entails. After interviewing coach Eyler with the audio recorder, I spoke with Gina Long and Rachel Kenney, with short 90-second video interviews. Then, I uploaded those videos online while driving home. Technology is grand!
Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg
(3/30/10)
Living life on the seat of my pants gives me the thrills in life. Bungee jumping, diving in the ocean, or cage fighting aren't up my ally, but living each day without a routine plan in mind gives me enough thrill.
There is the theory out there, that when a work-a-holic quits working, and rests, it doesn't take long and he passes away. That is very understandable. For me, if I am not working, or doing something constructive, it makes me go crazy. I have been stricken with high blood pressure, and through doctor's orders, I must keep tabs on it. During the grueling winter road months, I feast upon sodium-laden McDonalds, gallons of caffeine, and late-night salt galore gas station meals....and the blood pressure is fairly normal (for me).
Fast forward to May, June, July, when time is on my side, my blood pressure soars. In fact, last June, after suffering from a three-day headache, I checked my blood pressure. It read 158/116. I thought that could not be, so I checked again. 156/113. And again: 158/113. It was time to seriously adjust the diet (which is a fairly healthy diet during the summer). After a month, my blood pressure had lowered to normal rates.
With that said, I just feel like working is my stress reliever. Going to far out places, hitting the road, and covering a high school sporting event is what I love to do. For others, the couch, or a vacation, etc. is the escape, while for me, it's work.
I had a conversation with Hall of Fame basketball coach Tom Wierzba this past winter. The former Farmington Farmers head coach enjoyed his first year of retirement this season. He mentioned how he enjoyed being able to watch whatever teams he wanted to on a nightly basis. Personally, that's how I am feeling this spring.
Last year, I regrettably, took a sabbatical from high school sports coverage outside of my day job. From the get-go, I told myself that was not going to happen this season. At first, I wanted to broadcast three or four baseball/softball games a week. After covering a handful of spring events thus far, I have decided against that, and cover at least one game per week (for radio), and a select few games on IHSSN.
Broadcasting a game takes a lot of preparation, not just in game prep for the two teams, but equipment preparation as well. Not to mention, high school baseball and softball diamonds are not very well-equipped for radio coverage.
As I drove down Route 34 between Monmouth and Galesburg this afternoon, that Wierzba conversation popped into my memory bank. Take a day like today, I hadn't even planned on taking in a game until late in the afternoon. I just drive to the diamond, unpack the necessities (pen & paper, recorder, and video camera), and I am free to roam and cover a broad spectrum of the game, not just the play-by-play.
Today, the United Red Storm, who just moved up a spot in the Illinois Coaches Association (ICA) Softball rankings (#3 this week), hosted the South Fulton Rebels. United's field is not quite ready, so they have moved their home games to nearby Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg.
Game time temperature was in the mid-to-upper 50's with a strong breeze out of the south, which was blowing directly out from home plate. With the nice conditions, there was a pretty large crowd on hand. I would estimate, at its peak, maybe 150 fans were in attendance.
I arrived to the field right at 4:30, and the leadoff hitter for South Fulton was at the plate as I walked across the street and over to the field. The Rebels would go down 1-2-3 in the first inning. A surprise awaited me, as I walked closer. That was not Katie Bertelsen pitching for United. After taking a moment to think about it, I assumed she was just getting a day of rest, after pitching in all three games last Saturday, and a full schedule this week. Coach Gary Eyler confirmed this to me after the game. Sophomore Amy Olson was on the mound for United, and she did a very good job stepping in for Bertelsen on a few occasions last year.
United scored in the bottom of the first inning, when Sommer Foster would come around to score. She reached on a walk, then scored on a Rachel Kenney RBI double. The Rebels went down 1-2-3 (Hickle, Musson, Hulett) again in the second inning. The Red Storm scored their second run in the bottom frame. Megan Patterson reached base on a single, stole second, and would eventually plate a run off a wild pitch, to give United the 2-0 lead after two innings.
Four runs would be plated in the bottom of the third inning by United. Katie Bertelsen, Taylor Toops, Rachel Kenney, and Augusta Chandler all came across the plate. Kenney blasted a 2-RBI single, and Megan Patterson hit an RBI single to give the Red Storm a 6-0 lead.
In the fourth inning, Sommer Foster reached on a walk, then advanced to second on a double-steal attempt, in which Gina Long was thrown out at third. Foster, then advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored when Rachel Kenney reached base on an error by South Fulton pitcher Courtney Musson.
Gina Long hit a long blast into centerfield in the 5th inning. She would be rounding second before the centerfielder reached the ball, enabling Long to score after doing a Pete Rose-slide into the plate. This inside-the-park home run gave United the 8-0 lead heading into the 6th inning.
South Fulton mustered one hit in the top of the sixth, a single by Laci Porter. The Rebels only had three hits the entire game. With just one out in the 6th, the Red Storm would plate two runs to make it a game. Taylor Toops had a base hit and would come around to score on a Rachel Kenney double. Kenney finished the day, 3-3, with 4 RBI. She would score the 10th run, when Augusta Chandler reached on an error. United improved to (6-1) on the season with the 10-0 win in six innings.
After the game, the teams decided to play three more innings. There was, originally, a fresh/soph game scheduled to follow, but South Fulton was unable to bring all of the F/S team. During this extra game, coach Gary Eyler came over and talked with me, and said that the home field should be ready for their next home game, scheduled for next Wednesday.
Also during the extra three-inning "game", Carl Sandburg College women's basketball coach Mike Bailey walked by. We spoke for a few minutes, and asked if I had reached the goal of 100 games this past winter. When I replied, yes, with 112 games, he replied "phew, and I thought I watched a lot of basketball."
One thing that kept me entertained throughout the entire game was the P.A. announcer for United, George. He didn't say anything really funny, it was just the way he said it. He has the type of delivery that could make you laugh if he was reading paragraphs out of a chemistry book.
Today's trip was much more worthwhile than my Saturday excursion. This time around, I brought my laptop bag, and all the technological goodies it entails. After interviewing coach Eyler with the audio recorder, I spoke with Gina Long and Rachel Kenney, with short 90-second video interviews. Then, I uploaded those videos online while driving home. Technology is grand!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunflower Seeds Season is Here!
Introducing Sunflower Seed Season
It's the changing of the seasons. With the onset of warmer weather, and more outdoors time, I formally introduce today, Monday March 29th, as the start of sunflower seeds season.
Never was I a big fan of chomping on sunflower seeds growing up. In fact, it was probably not until late in my high school career, when I was introduced to the "proper" method of "seeding". My friend, Chuck (Charlie Harker), introduced me to sunflower seeds one summer.
It took some getting used to, but the most common seeding method is what I call the Squirrel. Throw a handful of seeds in your mouth, move them to one cheek with your tongue, and carry on with the careful cracking and chomping.
Of course, first off, you must suck off the seedy goodness. Personally, I am a flavor-seed type of guy. My favorite include Barbecue and Ranch, and I rotate back-and-forth with regularity. Today, to introduce sunflower seed season, I went with the barbecue.
One thing is certain from April to August (my seeding months), is that you will find one of two things in my vehicle. Either a half-full bottle of water (empty of any H20) with seed shells, or a few shells across my floorboards from wayward spitting techniques while cruising down the roads.
It's the changing of the seasons. With the onset of warmer weather, and more outdoors time, I formally introduce today, Monday March 29th, as the start of sunflower seeds season.
Never was I a big fan of chomping on sunflower seeds growing up. In fact, it was probably not until late in my high school career, when I was introduced to the "proper" method of "seeding". My friend, Chuck (Charlie Harker), introduced me to sunflower seeds one summer.
It took some getting used to, but the most common seeding method is what I call the Squirrel. Throw a handful of seeds in your mouth, move them to one cheek with your tongue, and carry on with the careful cracking and chomping.
Of course, first off, you must suck off the seedy goodness. Personally, I am a flavor-seed type of guy. My favorite include Barbecue and Ranch, and I rotate back-and-forth with regularity. Today, to introduce sunflower seed season, I went with the barbecue.
One thing is certain from April to August (my seeding months), is that you will find one of two things in my vehicle. Either a half-full bottle of water (empty of any H20) with seed shells, or a few shells across my floorboards from wayward spitting techniques while cruising down the roads.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Andalusia And-a Brisk Breakfast of Softball
IHSSN Travels to the Rockridge Invitational
Saturday (3/27/10)
Andalusia, IL (Lion's Park)
After my 4:30 wakeup call, the first thing that was on my mind (besides my awful gas station coffee), was the planning out of my return to bed. Upon arriving to work, and getting that work mojo in my system, there was no going back to bed, for there was a bevy of baseball and softball in my itinerary.
Around 7:30, my work for the morning finished, I planned my day. First was a drive up north near the Quad Cities, to the tiny town of Andalusia (pop: 1,100). The town best known for SnowStar, the skiing resort outside of town. The Rockridge Softball Invitational was split into two locales, one being here in Andalusia at Lion's Park, the other at Rockridge High School in Edgington.
It had been nearly two decades since I had been to Andalusia. A cousin's grandmother lived along the Mississippi River in the town, and many summer days we would make the trek to go swimming (in a pool, not the river). It may have been this very Lion's Park that we would meander to on a summer afternoon. I am almost positive that the gas station I stopped at was the one we walk several blocks to for our sugar rush after a long swim.
Again, with my many Garmin misadventures, the not-so-confident GPS guided me down Andalusia Road. With 0.2 miles until the supposed Lion's Park location, I began to question that computerized lady talking back at me like I was some rogue GPS disobeyer.
Over the years, traveling to far off places that most Illinoisans have never heard of in their own state, no Garmin has had the amount of success in finding high schools, and ball diamond, than that of the friendly middle-aged woman standing behind the counter of a Casey's General Store.
Again, Mrs. Casey's Cashier came through, correctly directing me to Lion's Park in Andalusia without the annoying, "RECALCULATING" reverberating in my head. After a quick fill-up, I headed west two blocks, and another block north, just in time for the first pitch.
The matchup was small-school United, the defending Class 1A runners-up in softball the past two seasons (with EVERY single starter back this year), against large-school (3A) Rock Island. Katie Bertelsen, who I will be waxing poetic about for the next three months, is the ace pitcher of the Red Storm. Leanne Serrano, starts for the Rocks this morning.
Game time temperature is 38 degrees amid cloudy skies, in other words....frigid. Fortunately, being a road warrior, you can find just about anything in my trusty 2001 Ford Explorer, including a myriad of hooded sweatshirts. Over my long-sleeve Chicago Cubs shirt, I added another layer, choosing the B-PC/A Spartans football playoff hoody over the Loyola University hoody. I decided to rough it, and declined to wear the Monmouth College stocking hat, leaving my ears open to the brisk light breeze.
Fortunately, there was just a subtle breeze, and the peaks of the sun that teased us over the next hour, felt great. Surprisingly, as wimpy as I am in sub-60 degree weather, I was quite proud that I didn't head back to the car to head the hand warmers.
Bertelsen got off to a slow start, and in my opinion, was not very sharp in this outing against Rock Island. She allowed a leadoff base hit to leftfield on a 2-2 count. She threw many strikes, but missed the strike zone quite a bit throughout the game, but also had a pretty tight zone to work with. She struck out two of the first four batters, and finished (according to my stats) with 12 K's.
With the pitching distance being moved back to 43' over 40', it has certainly benefited the hitters statewide, even against a top pitcher like Bertelsen. Over the course of 2009, she averaged 15 strikeouts/game. Through four games, she is averaging 13.5 strikeouts/game. She has also allowed several hits this year, where last year, no-hitters for her, were commonplace.
The bottom of the 2nd inning was when the only scoring occurred. United's Rachel Kenney poked a blast over the rightfield fence (200'). There was a bit of confusion at first, as the Rock Island Rightfielder held her hands up, signifying a ground-rule double. At first, it was believed that the ball went UNDER the fence, however, upon asking the outfielder, she did clarify it was a home run, it went OVER. The next Red Storm batter was Augusta Chandler, who stroke a basehit to the edge of the infield. She advanced to third, when Katie Kaywood reached on an error to the pitcher. Chandler would score when Alex Fell popped out to leftfield, giving United the 2-0 lead, and the eventual final score.
Both the 3rd and 4th innings were 1-2-3 for both teams. Rock Island had one batter reach on a hit-by-pitch in the 5th, while United went down in three straight appearances in the bottom of the frame. Both teams sat down in order in the 6th.
In total, three softballs were lost on foul balls in the creek that flows alongside Lion's Park. Some fast-acting fans were able to save two more that stopped just shy of the waterbed. The game lasted a mere 1 hour 11 minutes, giving me a little bit of time to catch most of the first game of the season opening doubleheader for the Monmouth-Roseville Titans baseball team at Sunnylane Field back in Monmouth. More on that to come.
Saturday (3/27/10)
Andalusia, IL (Lion's Park)
After my 4:30 wakeup call, the first thing that was on my mind (besides my awful gas station coffee), was the planning out of my return to bed. Upon arriving to work, and getting that work mojo in my system, there was no going back to bed, for there was a bevy of baseball and softball in my itinerary.
Around 7:30, my work for the morning finished, I planned my day. First was a drive up north near the Quad Cities, to the tiny town of Andalusia (pop: 1,100). The town best known for SnowStar, the skiing resort outside of town. The Rockridge Softball Invitational was split into two locales, one being here in Andalusia at Lion's Park, the other at Rockridge High School in Edgington.
It had been nearly two decades since I had been to Andalusia. A cousin's grandmother lived along the Mississippi River in the town, and many summer days we would make the trek to go swimming (in a pool, not the river). It may have been this very Lion's Park that we would meander to on a summer afternoon. I am almost positive that the gas station I stopped at was the one we walk several blocks to for our sugar rush after a long swim.
Again, with my many Garmin misadventures, the not-so-confident GPS guided me down Andalusia Road. With 0.2 miles until the supposed Lion's Park location, I began to question that computerized lady talking back at me like I was some rogue GPS disobeyer.
Over the years, traveling to far off places that most Illinoisans have never heard of in their own state, no Garmin has had the amount of success in finding high schools, and ball diamond, than that of the friendly middle-aged woman standing behind the counter of a Casey's General Store.
Again, Mrs. Casey's Cashier came through, correctly directing me to Lion's Park in Andalusia without the annoying, "RECALCULATING" reverberating in my head. After a quick fill-up, I headed west two blocks, and another block north, just in time for the first pitch.
The matchup was small-school United, the defending Class 1A runners-up in softball the past two seasons (with EVERY single starter back this year), against large-school (3A) Rock Island. Katie Bertelsen, who I will be waxing poetic about for the next three months, is the ace pitcher of the Red Storm. Leanne Serrano, starts for the Rocks this morning.
Game time temperature is 38 degrees amid cloudy skies, in other words....frigid. Fortunately, being a road warrior, you can find just about anything in my trusty 2001 Ford Explorer, including a myriad of hooded sweatshirts. Over my long-sleeve Chicago Cubs shirt, I added another layer, choosing the B-PC/A Spartans football playoff hoody over the Loyola University hoody. I decided to rough it, and declined to wear the Monmouth College stocking hat, leaving my ears open to the brisk light breeze.
Fortunately, there was just a subtle breeze, and the peaks of the sun that teased us over the next hour, felt great. Surprisingly, as wimpy as I am in sub-60 degree weather, I was quite proud that I didn't head back to the car to head the hand warmers.
Bertelsen got off to a slow start, and in my opinion, was not very sharp in this outing against Rock Island. She allowed a leadoff base hit to leftfield on a 2-2 count. She threw many strikes, but missed the strike zone quite a bit throughout the game, but also had a pretty tight zone to work with. She struck out two of the first four batters, and finished (according to my stats) with 12 K's.
With the pitching distance being moved back to 43' over 40', it has certainly benefited the hitters statewide, even against a top pitcher like Bertelsen. Over the course of 2009, she averaged 15 strikeouts/game. Through four games, she is averaging 13.5 strikeouts/game. She has also allowed several hits this year, where last year, no-hitters for her, were commonplace.
The bottom of the 2nd inning was when the only scoring occurred. United's Rachel Kenney poked a blast over the rightfield fence (200'). There was a bit of confusion at first, as the Rock Island Rightfielder held her hands up, signifying a ground-rule double. At first, it was believed that the ball went UNDER the fence, however, upon asking the outfielder, she did clarify it was a home run, it went OVER. The next Red Storm batter was Augusta Chandler, who stroke a basehit to the edge of the infield. She advanced to third, when Katie Kaywood reached on an error to the pitcher. Chandler would score when Alex Fell popped out to leftfield, giving United the 2-0 lead, and the eventual final score.
Both the 3rd and 4th innings were 1-2-3 for both teams. Rock Island had one batter reach on a hit-by-pitch in the 5th, while United went down in three straight appearances in the bottom of the frame. Both teams sat down in order in the 6th.
In total, three softballs were lost on foul balls in the creek that flows alongside Lion's Park. Some fast-acting fans were able to save two more that stopped just shy of the waterbed. The game lasted a mere 1 hour 11 minutes, giving me a little bit of time to catch most of the first game of the season opening doubleheader for the Monmouth-Roseville Titans baseball team at Sunnylane Field back in Monmouth. More on that to come.
The History of 4:00 A.M, Lukewarm Coffee, & Tecmo Super Bowl
There was a time in my life that 4:00 a.m. never existed. In fact, 4:00 a.m. has had several different meanings throughout my life.
The reason behind this 4:00 a.m. talk is that was when my alarm sounded on Saturday morning. Actually, it was 4:30 a.m. but I like a nice round number. The itinerary for the day was get to the station at 5:30 to do the news, sports, etc. Following those duties, I would head north to Andalusia to catch the United/Rock Island softball game, then head down to watch the first game of the Monmouth-Roseville baseball season opener against Geneseo, then head over to Bushnell to take in a game or two of the Route 41 series.
That was the plan, anyway. When the alarm awoke me suddenly, the first item on my agenda was when I would get to go back to sleep. Alas, after a morning jolt of lukewarm coffee that tasted more like warm hot chocolate, than coffee, my mind was ready to tackle the day. Just a note, I have had terrible luck with my Saturday morning coffee, when I make my almost-daily stop to the Ayerco station in Macomb. Getting coffee from that place is like playing Russian Roulette, but for some reason I am set in my ways (and it's the closest gas station that's not too terribly out of my way).
As for the history of 4:00 a.m. it may have been in the 4th or 5th grade, when the hour was first discovered. Before then, I probably thought that time stopped at midnight. Somewhere in the basement of a friend's house for a birthday sleepover, on a sugar high of Mountain Dew and Nintendo's Tecmo Super Bowl. And now I digress.
Tecmo Super Bowl is the greatest video game of all-time. Admittedly, I am a sports video game guy, and never really touched any other genre through the Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, Playstation, Playstation 3, etc. days. I also never became a video game junkie, and haven't owned a console in almost five years.
For the kids out there, if you have never played Tecmo Super Bowl, please do so. First off, for my generation, it is much more different than the spoiled XBOX Live generation who is used to real-life graphics. Tecmo Super Bowl paved the way for the Madden dynasty in the football video game genre.
Everyone knows that the Los Angeles Raiders are the king's of the game. Bo Jackson, and kids, search Youtube for Tecmo Bo Jackson and you'll see, could run 99 yards, then go backwards, and then run 99 yards again for a touchdown. No lie, it's been done, believe me. On defense, it's crucial to have a quick Outside Linebacker. There are a few on the game, but the thunder to Bo Jackson's lightning is none other than current Fox Sunday analyst Howie Long. The key to this OLB position is where they lineup on the extra-point kicks, and the fast ones can block those one-pointers. Remember, this game predates the two-point conversion.
But kiddies, as we fought over who could be the Raiders in our Tecmo Tournaments over Christmas break in grade school, I had the insight to let my friends be the Raiders two and three times over....if they gave me a quarter for 25 sour patch kids from the penny candy store. The penny candy store closed when I was in 6th grade, and it was the saddest day ever for kids in Annawan.
That penny candy deal was because I knew that the Kansas City Chiefs were the poor man's L.A. Raiders. The second best, and fastest running back was Christian Okoye, who had the speed, and the power to burst through would-be-tacklers, and score at will. On the defensive side, Derrick Thomas, at the OLB, may be even better than Howie Long.
Of course, it didn't take long for the other kids in the neighborhood to discover this, so the penny candy-for-Raiders trade didn't last too long. Another Tecmo note, you had to feel sorry for the Chicago Bears superfans that just had to be their favorite team. The running back duo of Neal Anderson and Brad Muster just didn't get the job done.
I am sure that my introduction to 4:00 a.m. was in one of my friend's basement screaming after another Christian Okoye touchdown run, while slamming another Mountain Dew, and finishing off a bag of sour patch kids.
Later in life, the college years, 4:00 a.m. meant something completely different. Gone were the days of staying up until that hour on a sugar high, now it became the hour when you just go to bed. Whether it being staying up all night playing poker, or having a good time, it was 4:00 a.m. that became the new bedtime.
In my timeline of 4:00 a.m. I had to deal with a very difficult obstacle during these college years. One year, I was out until 4:00 a.m. and then suddenly, with my first job in radio, I had to turn right around and wake up at 4:00 a.m. to make the half hour drive to the radio station and read the news and sports in the morning.
At that time, I thought I would never, ever, ever get up that early. I would complain about having to work at 7:00 a.m. while in high school at the grocery store. Little did I know, I would be more and more accustomed to working at this stage of the morning, and frankly, I would like getting up that early.
The reason behind this 4:00 a.m. talk is that was when my alarm sounded on Saturday morning. Actually, it was 4:30 a.m. but I like a nice round number. The itinerary for the day was get to the station at 5:30 to do the news, sports, etc. Following those duties, I would head north to Andalusia to catch the United/Rock Island softball game, then head down to watch the first game of the Monmouth-Roseville baseball season opener against Geneseo, then head over to Bushnell to take in a game or two of the Route 41 series.
That was the plan, anyway. When the alarm awoke me suddenly, the first item on my agenda was when I would get to go back to sleep. Alas, after a morning jolt of lukewarm coffee that tasted more like warm hot chocolate, than coffee, my mind was ready to tackle the day. Just a note, I have had terrible luck with my Saturday morning coffee, when I make my almost-daily stop to the Ayerco station in Macomb. Getting coffee from that place is like playing Russian Roulette, but for some reason I am set in my ways (and it's the closest gas station that's not too terribly out of my way).
As for the history of 4:00 a.m. it may have been in the 4th or 5th grade, when the hour was first discovered. Before then, I probably thought that time stopped at midnight. Somewhere in the basement of a friend's house for a birthday sleepover, on a sugar high of Mountain Dew and Nintendo's Tecmo Super Bowl. And now I digress.
Tecmo Super Bowl is the greatest video game of all-time. Admittedly, I am a sports video game guy, and never really touched any other genre through the Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, Playstation, Playstation 3, etc. days. I also never became a video game junkie, and haven't owned a console in almost five years.
For the kids out there, if you have never played Tecmo Super Bowl, please do so. First off, for my generation, it is much more different than the spoiled XBOX Live generation who is used to real-life graphics. Tecmo Super Bowl paved the way for the Madden dynasty in the football video game genre.
Everyone knows that the Los Angeles Raiders are the king's of the game. Bo Jackson, and kids, search Youtube for Tecmo Bo Jackson and you'll see, could run 99 yards, then go backwards, and then run 99 yards again for a touchdown. No lie, it's been done, believe me. On defense, it's crucial to have a quick Outside Linebacker. There are a few on the game, but the thunder to Bo Jackson's lightning is none other than current Fox Sunday analyst Howie Long. The key to this OLB position is where they lineup on the extra-point kicks, and the fast ones can block those one-pointers. Remember, this game predates the two-point conversion.
But kiddies, as we fought over who could be the Raiders in our Tecmo Tournaments over Christmas break in grade school, I had the insight to let my friends be the Raiders two and three times over....if they gave me a quarter for 25 sour patch kids from the penny candy store. The penny candy store closed when I was in 6th grade, and it was the saddest day ever for kids in Annawan.
That penny candy deal was because I knew that the Kansas City Chiefs were the poor man's L.A. Raiders. The second best, and fastest running back was Christian Okoye, who had the speed, and the power to burst through would-be-tacklers, and score at will. On the defensive side, Derrick Thomas, at the OLB, may be even better than Howie Long.
Of course, it didn't take long for the other kids in the neighborhood to discover this, so the penny candy-for-Raiders trade didn't last too long. Another Tecmo note, you had to feel sorry for the Chicago Bears superfans that just had to be their favorite team. The running back duo of Neal Anderson and Brad Muster just didn't get the job done.
I am sure that my introduction to 4:00 a.m. was in one of my friend's basement screaming after another Christian Okoye touchdown run, while slamming another Mountain Dew, and finishing off a bag of sour patch kids.
Later in life, the college years, 4:00 a.m. meant something completely different. Gone were the days of staying up until that hour on a sugar high, now it became the hour when you just go to bed. Whether it being staying up all night playing poker, or having a good time, it was 4:00 a.m. that became the new bedtime.
In my timeline of 4:00 a.m. I had to deal with a very difficult obstacle during these college years. One year, I was out until 4:00 a.m. and then suddenly, with my first job in radio, I had to turn right around and wake up at 4:00 a.m. to make the half hour drive to the radio station and read the news and sports in the morning.
At that time, I thought I would never, ever, ever get up that early. I would complain about having to work at 7:00 a.m. while in high school at the grocery store. Little did I know, I would be more and more accustomed to working at this stage of the morning, and frankly, I would like getting up that early.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Beau Spencer: A Basketball Expert?
While I claim to know my fair share about the game of basketball, I would think of myself as being closer to a basketball dummy than a basketball expert. Alas, my friend Marty Touchette from the Monmouth Review-Atlas boosts my basketball spirit with this little number. Of course, the subject to which he refers my basketball knowledge, proves that I may be in fact closer to dummy status....
http://www.reviewatlas.com/sports/x1838109877/Air-Force-man-leads-Martin
http://www.reviewatlas.com/sports/x1838109877/Air-Force-man-leads-Martin
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday 3/24 Softball Recaps
Harrisburg beat Pope County 7-0
*Harrisburg is now (5-0).
United beat Canton 7-1
*United is (3-0). Katie Bertelsen had 18 K's, allowed just 1 hit. Sommer Foster hit a grand slam.
Farmer City Blue Ridge beat Armstrong-Potomac 24-4
*Devin Houser had a grand slam and 7 RBI. Jordan Wheeler had HR, 5 RBI.
Fisher beat Fithian Oakwood 10-0
*Chelsea Williamson had 3 hits for Fisher (3-0).
Alton beat Bunker Hill 10-1
O'Fallon beat Waterloo 11-0
Anna-Jonesboro beat Shawnee 15-0
Raymond Lincolnwood beat Ramsey 8-2
Pana beat Pawnee 10-7
North Fulton beat Knoxville 12-2
*Kari Kenser went 3-4 for NF.
Abingdon beat Princeville 6-1
*Kelsey Sharp was the winning pitcher.
Chillicothe IVC beat El Paso-Gridley 10-9 (9)
*Ellen Pearson and Shelby Sutherland combined for 6 hits for IVC.
Brimfield/Elmwood beat Peoria Woodruff 12-0 (5)
*Rachel Schnake went 2-4 at the plate, and struck out 10 to pitch the win.
Benet Academy beat Hinsdale South 2-0
*Kendall Duffy went 2-4 for Benet.
Evanston beat Chicago Taft 7-0
*Allie Managlia threw a no-hitter, and struck out 8.
Oak Park beat Berwyn-Cicero Morton 2-1
*Leah Bry struck out 15 for Oak Park.
*Harrisburg is now (5-0).
United beat Canton 7-1
*United is (3-0). Katie Bertelsen had 18 K's, allowed just 1 hit. Sommer Foster hit a grand slam.
Farmer City Blue Ridge beat Armstrong-Potomac 24-4
*Devin Houser had a grand slam and 7 RBI. Jordan Wheeler had HR, 5 RBI.
Fisher beat Fithian Oakwood 10-0
*Chelsea Williamson had 3 hits for Fisher (3-0).
Alton beat Bunker Hill 10-1
O'Fallon beat Waterloo 11-0
Anna-Jonesboro beat Shawnee 15-0
Raymond Lincolnwood beat Ramsey 8-2
Pana beat Pawnee 10-7
North Fulton beat Knoxville 12-2
*Kari Kenser went 3-4 for NF.
Abingdon beat Princeville 6-1
*Kelsey Sharp was the winning pitcher.
Chillicothe IVC beat El Paso-Gridley 10-9 (9)
*Ellen Pearson and Shelby Sutherland combined for 6 hits for IVC.
Brimfield/Elmwood beat Peoria Woodruff 12-0 (5)
*Rachel Schnake went 2-4 at the plate, and struck out 10 to pitch the win.
Benet Academy beat Hinsdale South 2-0
*Kendall Duffy went 2-4 for Benet.
Evanston beat Chicago Taft 7-0
*Allie Managlia threw a no-hitter, and struck out 8.
Oak Park beat Berwyn-Cicero Morton 2-1
*Leah Bry struck out 15 for Oak Park.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
IHSA Strikeout Records
source: www.ihsa.org
IHSA All-Time Strikeouts
[1.] 1,501, Kelcie Matesa, Gillespie, 2005-08
[2.] 1,467, Suzie Rzegocki, Lemont, 2003-07
[3.] 1,450, Dylan Mathis, Roxana, 2002-05
[4.] 1,402, Sarah Martz, Lanark (Eastland), 1997-2000
[5.] 1,348, Lindsey Veselsky, Carol Stream (Glenbard North), 1999-2002
[6.] 1,288, Marie Barda, Darien (Hinsdale South), 1994-97
[7.] 1,221, Megan Hinck, Lake Zurich, 2000-03
[8.] 1,192, Dana Yocum, Toledo (Cumberland), 1996-1999
[9.] 1,174, Danielle Moore, Dupo, 1999-2002 (159-301-342-372)
[10.] 1,164, Stacey Evans, Troy (Triad), 1998-2001
[11.] 1,143, Emily Alsup, Warrensburg (W.-Latham), 1999-2001
[12.] 1,137, Renee Mueller, Johnston City, 1996-99
[13.] 1,091, Nicole Bohnenstiehl, Lebanon, 1996-98
[14.] 1,068, Trish Sanders, Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin), 1997-20000
[15.] 1,067, Megan Huitink, Elk Grove Village (E.G.), 2000-03
[16.] 1,058, Lea Corcoran, Grayslake, 2001-05
[17.] 1,056, Korrie Klier, Rock Island (Alleman), 1991-94
[17.] 1,056, Ali Arnold, Normal (Community), 1999-2002
[19.] 1,036, Lynn Hohs, Skokie (Niles West), 1998-2001
[20.] 1,032, Amber Podlesny, Lockport (Twp.), 1989-92
[21.] 1,016, Alexandra (Zam) Mogill, Streator (Twp.), 1981-84
[21.] 1,016, Elissa Wisniewski, Lincolnshire (Stevenson), 1999-2002
[23.] 991, Brittany Hillebrenner, Murphysboro, 2004-07
[24.] 979, Corrie Allan, Gillespie, 1992-95 (617 inn.)
[25.] 976, Lindsey Prezell, Mundelein (H.S.), 1992-95
[26.] 940, Sinta Seiber, Chatham (Glenwood), 1990-93
[27.] 921, Shannon Nicholson, Chatham (Glenwood), 2000-03
[28.] 901, KarenMarie Pena, Rock Island (Alleman), 1997-2000
[29.] 900, Maria Doukas, Algonquin (Jacobs), 1998-2001
[30.] 890, Kate Enoch, Lisle (Benet Academy), 1989-92
[30.] 890, Erin Moulton, Quincy (Notre Dame), 1998-2001
[32.] 882, Ashley Fauser, Morton,1992-95
[33.] 869, Ashley Patten, Dwight, 1998-2001
[34.] 853, Kasi Carroll, Norris City (N.C.-Omaha-Enfield), 2000-03
[35.] 850, Sally Ervin, Griggsville, 1987-90
[36.] 836, Liz Waller, Elgin (H.S.), 1993-96
[37.] 824, Lauren Ott, Mundelein (H.S.), 2004-07 (132-218-252-222)
[38.] 815, Kelli Gallas, Cary (C.-Grove), 1998-2001
[39.] 787, Tori Hagemann, Dakota, 2004-07
[40.] 784, Kerry Hayes, Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest), 1999-2001
[41.] 782, Courtney Bailey, Qui ncy (Notre Dame), 2003-06
[42.] 777, Joy Battersby, Morris, 1991-93
[43.] 774, Kamren Ferguson, Clinton, 2002-04
[43.] 774, Niki Schulty, Woodstock, 2004-06 (203-268-303)
[45.] 770, Lauren Popov, Collinsville, 2005-08
[46.] 758, Linda Wendt, Havana, 1981-84
[47.] 757, Christine Burchill, Addison (Driscoll), 1998-2001 (649 inn.)
[48.] 746, Leigh Podlesny, Lockport (Twp.), 1985-88
[49.] 742, Chrissy Way, Harrisburg, 1994-96
[50.] 741, Kelsey Gerber, Faibury (Prairie Central), 1999-2002 (158-189-231-163)
KKKKKKatie Bertelsen of the United Red Storm Continues to Mow Down the IHSA Record Books
United (Jr.) Climbing the IHSA Record Books
Beats Canton (7-1) tonight, 18 K's
Beats Canton (7-1) tonight, 18 K's
United Red Storm ace pitcher Katie Bertelsen continues to climb the IHSA record books. The junior, just three games into the season, has totaled 42 strikeouts already. Add that total, with her 829 strikeouts she compiled in her freshman and sophomore seasons, Bertelsen is currently sitting on 871 career strikeouts (according to my numbers). That would place her in sole posession of 33rd place all-time in IHSA history.
In their win over Canton on Wednesday night, Bertelsen allowed a first inning home run, the Little Giants only hit of the game. She finished with 18 strikeouts on the night, and the Red Storm improved to (3-0).
Bertelsen struck out 34 batters in a marathon Class 1A state championship game last June against Cobden. That game lasted 19 innings, with the Appleknockers claiming a 1-0 win.
Spring Fever: Beau's Season Opener
B-PC/A vs. Ridgewood (3/23/10)With temperatures hovering in the mid-60s and the sun shining, I headed over to Bushnell to take in the Ridgewood Spartans against the B-PC/A Spartans. A nice crowd was on hand for the game, and the field was in great shape, especially since snow had blanketed the ground just days prior.
B-PC athletic director Stan Prentice played gate keeper, shooing away the dogs, that were accompanied to the ball park by their owners out for a gander at some baseball on the spring day. My count, three dogs were escorted from the grounds!
Coming off a season of few wins, I was pleasantly surprised by the B-PC/A Spartans in their season opener. It's hard to gauge these early year games, but the team was putting the bat on the ball, and more importantly, playing good defense, with limited errors.
Brandon Coates had a mean stick for the hosts, going (4-4). Devon Raleigh smacked a long RBI triple, and the pitching duo of Cedric Huffman and Matt Bartlett put over a dozen K's on the board. Bartlett won the game in relief, and struck out 8 visiting Spartans in the process. The Spartans (B-PC/A) beat the Spartans (Ridgewood), 7-6.
At the diamond, didn't see too many other members of the media. Dave Norton from the McDonough Democrat was snapping several pictures. Also got the chance to speak with Spartans assistant coach (and head football coach), John McCormick. Our main topic of discussion was the all-new B-PC/A hats, a retro feel, in the theme of the Montreal Expos caps from the 80's. Being a retro man, I love the new hats. Coach Mac did mention the cleats didn't leave much room to breathe, commenting the warmer days could be a foot burner. Also talked with first-year B-PC/A volunteer assistant coach Gerald Kirby.
A great day at the ballpark, and as much as I hated to see basketball go away, I welcome the warm spring days taking in a game with open arms. As per usual in these March/April days, once that sun went down, that slight breeze whipped right through, creating quite a chill in the air.
Coach Fired After (87-15) Record Over Past 3 Seasons
West Hancock Girl's Basketball Coach Ken Schuster Fired
photo: Concerned Citizens of Coach Schuster
It wasn't one of those memorable "where you, when" moments, but I still recall my utter shock when I read the first reports from the Quincy media that West Hancock girl's basketball coach Ken Schuster had been fired. It literally dropped my jaw, and I quickly sent text messages to friends from the area, or who were close to coach Schuster.
Coach Schuster guided the West Hancock girl's basketball team to a Class 2A state championship (2007-08), a 2nd place finish (2008-09), and a Sweet 16 appearance....all in the past three seasons! He compiled an (87-15) record in those years.
According to multiple reports, the Hamilton school board decided to "go in a different direction". Hamilton is the host for the girl's basketball co-op, which means they have the full authority to let a coach go without consulting the other schools involved.
In a situation such as this, many people may be a little leery when a coach as successful as Schuster is let go. Now, over a week has passed, and nothing, absolutely nothing, has been whispered about, or talked about behind the firing. In this media-savvy, blogging, facebooking, message board-world, you are apt to hear something, something....but nothing.
The school board can not legally discuss personnel matters, such as this, which in my estimation benefits them, though they are placed in an ugly situation. Sides have been created in this debacle, which is too bad. In working with Ken Schuster over the past few seasons, I fully back and support him 100%. I don't know the other side, and nothing much has been discussed from that side. A group has been organized, "Concerned Citizens for Coach Schuster", and a facebook group has also formed. http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=111193905557614&ref=mf.
It's truly a head-scratcher, and we may never know why this decision was made. West Hancock has made their mark over the past three seasons, with two trips to Redbird Arena. That's a pretty darn good direction to be going in my humble opinion!
IHSSN Notes, Reports, & More Debut
Welcome, everyone!
With the popularity my basketball season blog (100 Games/One Season) received throughout the winter, I decided to reunite myself in the blogosphere. This blog will updated daily with random musings, game recaps, notes, statistics, my travels, conversations, news, memories, and anything and everything in between.
Catching up since basketball season, I have pretty much closed the door on the 2009-10 basketball season. A majority of the all-state teams for girl's and boy's basketball season are posted, the final AP rankings are on the website, etc.
Basketball to spring is always a tough transition for myself, but I tried to keep my nose to the grindstone, as last year I burned myself out from too much rest. I know, that sounds like an oxymoron, but for me, I keep my momentum and energy going by continuously working. The first batch of baseball and softball previews are posted, with a few more added over the next several days.
A broadcast schedule has been posted. The Christian Sports Network is broadcasting a large amount of baseball games this spring, covering teams such as Reed-Custer, Gardner-South Wilmington, Herscher, Wilmington, etc. My station (1330 WRAM) will also pick up a game of the week that will feature Monmouth-Roseville and United (baseball and softball), and IHSSN will also be carrying some games.
That's where I am for now. Please make any comments, love to hear them, positive or negative!
With the popularity my basketball season blog (100 Games/One Season) received throughout the winter, I decided to reunite myself in the blogosphere. This blog will updated daily with random musings, game recaps, notes, statistics, my travels, conversations, news, memories, and anything and everything in between.
Catching up since basketball season, I have pretty much closed the door on the 2009-10 basketball season. A majority of the all-state teams for girl's and boy's basketball season are posted, the final AP rankings are on the website, etc.
Basketball to spring is always a tough transition for myself, but I tried to keep my nose to the grindstone, as last year I burned myself out from too much rest. I know, that sounds like an oxymoron, but for me, I keep my momentum and energy going by continuously working. The first batch of baseball and softball previews are posted, with a few more added over the next several days.
A broadcast schedule has been posted. The Christian Sports Network is broadcasting a large amount of baseball games this spring, covering teams such as Reed-Custer, Gardner-South Wilmington, Herscher, Wilmington, etc. My station (1330 WRAM) will also pick up a game of the week that will feature Monmouth-Roseville and United (baseball and softball), and IHSSN will also be carrying some games.
That's where I am for now. Please make any comments, love to hear them, positive or negative!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)