B-PC Promenade
(4/10/10)
A few weeks back, I was asked to announce the B-PC High School Promenade. Over the last few years, I have been selected as the "celebrity" announcer at various events at Bushnell-Prairie City High School (Powder Puff, Meet the Spartans, and now Promenade). I enjoy doing these things, because it's fun to work with the kids, parents, and teachers at the school.
I always get nervous before public speaking engagements. It's one of those things, where it is really nerve wracking right beforehand, but once it is done, it is a big sigh of relief. Personally, I think that is what is the most fun about it. I hate the nerves, but I love the gratification afterwards.
Before heading to the high school, I took a detour over to my favorite chain of gas stations, Casey's, to pick up a bottle of water. I figured with reading as much as I would be, water would be a necessity.
Several people were already on hand when I pulled into the parking lot. As I arrived inside, I wandered into the gym, and found Kenny Van Tine. His wife, Rhonda, was the person who asked me to announce the promenade. After finding Rhonda, she gave me a brief tutorial on how the promenade was going to be run. Parts seemed confusing at the time, but everything went pretty smoothly.
As more and more people packed the bleachers in the high school gymnasium, the more nervous I got. My water bottle was nearly empty. As 5:15 (the start of promenade) approached, I felt more at ease, yet more uneasy.
I read over my book for the prom court. It was three pages of biographies on each member of the 10-student court. Fortunately, there weren't too many hard names to pronounce, except for Rasheim Singh, the father of Bahader Singh. By the way, it is (Rah-sheem and Buh-Hod-der).
At 5:15, after a few minutes of music played, I began announcing the couples for the 2010 B-PC Promenade. Ironically, we started with a fellow "Beau", in Beau Huffman. B-PC High School has one of the nicest gymnasiums around. I was standing in the tunnel (south side of the gym), where the couples came down from the locker rooms (which are above and behind the gym). Each couple wrote their names down on the note card, that was given to the state police officer with me inside the tunnel. She was there to make sure nothing got out of hand.
Everything went smoothly with the couples, though there were two girls without an escort. They asked me to say, "Name is 'NOT' being escorted by name", so it gave the audience a little chuckle.
The only misprounciation I had was misreading one of the cards, and calling Riley Craver, Riley Craven. I should have known, but I was able to save face and correct myself. The microphone also kept going out at times. They had given me an extra battery, but I waited.
The timing was perfect, except for the very end. The last couple was a little confused, so I had to say, "this concludes our couples, the prom court will be announced next."
Prom court was interesting, with three pages of bio's to read. There was a gap between the final couple and the court, since they were still taking pictures at the various points in the gym. Once we got underway, I started announcing the first prom court couple. A few sentences in, the mic kept cutting in and out. I paused, and changed out batteries, thinking this would be a fix. Unfortunately, this was not a fix, as the cutting out continued throughout the bio reading.
For the prom court, everything was scripted out, so it was easy to just read. However, when we got to the end, I had to wing it a little bit. The "crowners" were last year's Queen Tamra Benge, along with Kyle Hummel (who was on court, though, not King). Since I had to ad-lib a little bit, I got tongue-tied, and announced Kyle Hummer, instead of Hummel. I was quick to add Hummel in there, but several in attendance, yelled out, HUMMER, in the stands. Woops!
Our 2010 Prom King and Queen was Bahader Singh and Taylor Elder. Afterwards, I greeted some familiar faces, and headed out of town. The tie was really crampin my style. For the evening, I wore a pair of lightly pin-striped black pants, with a white shirt, and black and silver tie. I cannot tie a tie, so I opted for one that was already tied in my closet. I keep both on hand.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
The Last Minute Decision: Olympic Conference Softball
Rockridge @ Macomb (Softball)
(4/10/10)
Plans were originally to get some yard work done and do some landscaping around my house with the temperatures in the low 70s, and the sun shining. However, I jumped in the shower instead, and upon getting out, asked myself why I was taking a shower right before getting dirty in the yard. Looking at the clock, I said to myself, why waste a perfect day away from the diamond!
Across town, the Macomb Lady Bombers were set to square off against Rockridge in an Olympic Conference softball doubleheader. With the Rockets ranked (#8) in the most recent Illinois Coaches Association rankings in Class 2A, I wanted to take in the action.
I was a few minutes late for the start of game one, with Rockridge already getting a couple batters on base. The Lady Rockets would score two runs in that first inning as I was settling in on the grounds at MHS.
Plenty of familiar faces greeted me as I walked in. For the first few innings, I jotted down a few notes, but did more talking than note taking. Scott and Renee Sims, Joe Westen and a few other Macomb softball parents shared in some Macomb softball discussion, the lopsided Sherrard wins the night before over Monmouth-Roseville (31-0, 18-2), and Macomb's first softball win of the season the day before (beating Rushville-Industry).
The Rockets tacked on four more runs in the 3rd inning, giving the visitors a 6-0 advantage. Rachel Murphy had the first of three Macomb hits in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Rockridge took advantage of three walks and three base hits in the fourth inning to go up 9-0 in the 4th.
Chandler Horrell scored the only Macomb run in the bottom of the 4th, after reaching on a double. Horrell would come around to score after an error at 3rd base on a throw off an infield single.
Rockridge would make it a 10+ run game in the 5th inning. Caitlin Lingle hit a home run over the left field fence to make it a 10-1 game. The Rockets, then had two base hits, and three consecutive errors to plate the rest of their runs to win, 14-1. The game took about 63 minutes, ending a few minutes after noon.
Between games, I chatted up with the Sims family (not the computer game family). Their daughter, Lauren, is the Shortstop for the Lady Bombers. Scott Sims is an umpire during the spring season, but has worked limited games due to the Macomb schedule.
I headed over to the Macomb dugout and chatted with coach Steve Horrell. He gave me some information on a "Zebra Game" that will be held at MHS on May 3rd against Quincy. This is a benefit for one of the girls on the team. When I receive more information, I will post it on IHSSN, and we will also broadcast that game on IHSSN.net.
Chris Vogt of the McDonough Voice was also in the dugout. We talked about the website, and how things were going at the paper. He also told that he was moving back home in a few weeks (near Cincinatti, Ohio). He, and his girlfriend just had a baby girl, and they are moving back to be closer to family.
We hung out at the end of the Macomb dugout for the second game of the twinbill. Macomb statistician Dan Rouse arrived shortly after, and he talked about wanting to put something together on the 100th anniversary of Macomb Bombers basketball, which will be next season. Another project he is working on, is getting in-depth golf results, that were kept by recently retired coach Gary Saunders. He also wanted to dig up who the oldest living Macomb Bombers are.
The game two pitching matchup featured Rockridge's Taylor Seaba against Macomb's Dailea Powell. Macomb was the visitors on the scoreboard in game two, and went down 1-2-3, all via strikeout in the 1st inning.
The Rockets plated 5 runs in the bottom of the first inning, with Jennifer Krueger, Emily Woods, Caitlin Lingle, Gillian Goodwin, and Kaylee Moseley all scoring runs. Molly Wright knocked in three of those runs.
Macomb scored their only run in the 2nd inning, when Chandler Horrell came around to score on a Kelsey Carle single. Carle was called out for not touching first base. You can see the video at (http://www.youtube.com/user/IHSSNBeau).
Eight more runs were scored in the 2nd inning by the visiting Rockets. Krueger, Woods, Hailey Deem, Lingle, Medinger, Moseley, and Nikki Dixon all scored. Emily Medinger hit a 2-run single in the frame. In the 3rd inning, Lingle, Goodwin, Wright, and Dixon all scored. Lingle hit a double to lead off the inning. She would lead off the 5th inning with a solo home run. Rockridge would take game two, easily in five innings, 19-1.
For the day, Rockridge rapped out 44 hits in just nine innings of plate appearances. Macomb had 7 hits on the day. Caitlin Lingle hit 2 home runs for the Rockets, and went 3-3 in the nightcap. In game one, Jennifer Krueger and Nikki Dixon each went 4-4, while Emily Woods went 4-5 in game two. Rockridge improves to (9-2) on the season, while Macomb drops to (1-9).
Afterwards, I spoke with both head coaches, Steve Horrell and Jennifer Duyvejonck. Those video interviews can also be seen at (http://www.youtube.com/user/IHSSNBeau). Afterwards, it was back home to upload some video before heading over to Bushnell to announce the B-PC Promenade. Blog on that to follow.
(4/10/10)
Plans were originally to get some yard work done and do some landscaping around my house with the temperatures in the low 70s, and the sun shining. However, I jumped in the shower instead, and upon getting out, asked myself why I was taking a shower right before getting dirty in the yard. Looking at the clock, I said to myself, why waste a perfect day away from the diamond!
Across town, the Macomb Lady Bombers were set to square off against Rockridge in an Olympic Conference softball doubleheader. With the Rockets ranked (#8) in the most recent Illinois Coaches Association rankings in Class 2A, I wanted to take in the action.
I was a few minutes late for the start of game one, with Rockridge already getting a couple batters on base. The Lady Rockets would score two runs in that first inning as I was settling in on the grounds at MHS.
Plenty of familiar faces greeted me as I walked in. For the first few innings, I jotted down a few notes, but did more talking than note taking. Scott and Renee Sims, Joe Westen and a few other Macomb softball parents shared in some Macomb softball discussion, the lopsided Sherrard wins the night before over Monmouth-Roseville (31-0, 18-2), and Macomb's first softball win of the season the day before (beating Rushville-Industry).
The Rockets tacked on four more runs in the 3rd inning, giving the visitors a 6-0 advantage. Rachel Murphy had the first of three Macomb hits in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Rockridge took advantage of three walks and three base hits in the fourth inning to go up 9-0 in the 4th.
Chandler Horrell scored the only Macomb run in the bottom of the 4th, after reaching on a double. Horrell would come around to score after an error at 3rd base on a throw off an infield single.
Rockridge would make it a 10+ run game in the 5th inning. Caitlin Lingle hit a home run over the left field fence to make it a 10-1 game. The Rockets, then had two base hits, and three consecutive errors to plate the rest of their runs to win, 14-1. The game took about 63 minutes, ending a few minutes after noon.
Between games, I chatted up with the Sims family (not the computer game family). Their daughter, Lauren, is the Shortstop for the Lady Bombers. Scott Sims is an umpire during the spring season, but has worked limited games due to the Macomb schedule.
I headed over to the Macomb dugout and chatted with coach Steve Horrell. He gave me some information on a "Zebra Game" that will be held at MHS on May 3rd against Quincy. This is a benefit for one of the girls on the team. When I receive more information, I will post it on IHSSN, and we will also broadcast that game on IHSSN.net.
Chris Vogt of the McDonough Voice was also in the dugout. We talked about the website, and how things were going at the paper. He also told that he was moving back home in a few weeks (near Cincinatti, Ohio). He, and his girlfriend just had a baby girl, and they are moving back to be closer to family.
We hung out at the end of the Macomb dugout for the second game of the twinbill. Macomb statistician Dan Rouse arrived shortly after, and he talked about wanting to put something together on the 100th anniversary of Macomb Bombers basketball, which will be next season. Another project he is working on, is getting in-depth golf results, that were kept by recently retired coach Gary Saunders. He also wanted to dig up who the oldest living Macomb Bombers are.
The game two pitching matchup featured Rockridge's Taylor Seaba against Macomb's Dailea Powell. Macomb was the visitors on the scoreboard in game two, and went down 1-2-3, all via strikeout in the 1st inning.
The Rockets plated 5 runs in the bottom of the first inning, with Jennifer Krueger, Emily Woods, Caitlin Lingle, Gillian Goodwin, and Kaylee Moseley all scoring runs. Molly Wright knocked in three of those runs.
Macomb scored their only run in the 2nd inning, when Chandler Horrell came around to score on a Kelsey Carle single. Carle was called out for not touching first base. You can see the video at (http://www.youtube.com/user/IHSSNBeau).
Eight more runs were scored in the 2nd inning by the visiting Rockets. Krueger, Woods, Hailey Deem, Lingle, Medinger, Moseley, and Nikki Dixon all scored. Emily Medinger hit a 2-run single in the frame. In the 3rd inning, Lingle, Goodwin, Wright, and Dixon all scored. Lingle hit a double to lead off the inning. She would lead off the 5th inning with a solo home run. Rockridge would take game two, easily in five innings, 19-1.
For the day, Rockridge rapped out 44 hits in just nine innings of plate appearances. Macomb had 7 hits on the day. Caitlin Lingle hit 2 home runs for the Rockets, and went 3-3 in the nightcap. In game one, Jennifer Krueger and Nikki Dixon each went 4-4, while Emily Woods went 4-5 in game two. Rockridge improves to (9-2) on the season, while Macomb drops to (1-9).
Afterwards, I spoke with both head coaches, Steve Horrell and Jennifer Duyvejonck. Those video interviews can also be seen at (http://www.youtube.com/user/IHSSNBeau). Afterwards, it was back home to upload some video before heading over to Bushnell to announce the B-PC Promenade. Blog on that to follow.
A Difference a Day Makes: United @ B-PC/A Baseball
United @ B-PC/A (Baseball)
(4/9/10)
AM 1330 WRAM Game of the Week
The Friday WRAM game of the week takes me to Bushnell to follow the United Red Storm baseball team. This game features a team that hasn't played too many games in United (5) against the host Spartans (10).
A beautiful day at the ballpark, with only a slight breeze out of the west, temperatures about 10 degrees warmer than the day before, and not a cloud in the sky. I arrived at the ballpark about 3:45 after stopping off at Casey's in Bushnell for a bottle of water. I think I own a 1% stake in Casey's General Store with all of the money I spend while on the road.
A couple of familiar umpires were doing today's game, Chris Smith (my former K100 morning show partner) and Nick Knowles of Macomb, who lives just down the street from me.
The B-PC baseball facility is one of the nicest small school baseball diamonds in the area. The field is always top-notch, and for the media, it has a press box. The press box is a little difficult to access, even for the nimble.
A narrow staircase leads you up to the 2nd floor, above the concession stand. For some reason, the concessions were not open today. I am pretty sure they were selling hot chocolate in there the day before, which shows how much the weather changed in 24 hours.
Carrying a couple bags filled with radio equipment, I feel like Indiana Jones scaling a temple in South America, without the poison darts. After safely climbing into my position, I grabbed the digital recorder to head down and get a coaches interview. Looking through my bags, for some reason, no pens, so I made my way back to the car to get a pen.
First, I went over and talked with United head coach Rick Johnson. He is a co-head coach with Steve Cairns. Steve wasn't at the game, as he was in the Quad Cities finalizing the adoption of his first child.
Rick and I talked at length for our pregame interview. The Red Storm have some quality wins, defeating both Rockridge and Knoxville, with losses to Abingdon, North Fulton, and the third loss escapes me.
Over in the other dugout, I spoke with B-PC/A head coach Dave Arnold. His Spartans have struggled to a (2-7) start, but have been improving. B-PC/A is very inexperienced with several players out for the first time in a couple years.
The pitching matchup was United's Nick Hull (2.08 ERA, 14 K, 4 BB) against B-PC/A's Zach Anderson (0-0). This was Anderson's first start, and has four mound appearances for the Spartans.
Back up in the box, I had to get things set up, and shortly after 4:00, I made the call in to check my levels and log into the radio station on my computer. We were on the air at about 4:20, and had just enough time to get the pregame interview in and started the first inning. Sometimes, they play the National Anthem before games in Bushnell, other times not. Today, no Anthem.
It was a strange ending to the first half of the first inning. The Red Storm scored their first run, when Mikey Paschal scored on a Sheldon Welch RBI single. Then, with Jackson Brentise at the plate, he hit a lazy pop fly into centerfield for the second out, and it looked like both Nick Hull and Sheldon Welch scored, to make it 3-0. The umpires came in and said to wave off a run, actually both runs. The teams went to their dugouts. After some explanation, the runner left early, which was appealed by Spartans coach Arnold, and the Red Storm had committed their third out, and led 1-0 in the first inning.
The Spartans' leadoff hitter, Devon Raleigh hit a single to lead off the bottom of the frame, then was caught stealing. Matt Bartlett also had a basehit, and starter Nick Hull struck out two to end the inning.
Two more Red Storm runs were plated in the 2nd inning. Dalton McMullan led off with a double, and Devon Wade hit a single. Those two scored on a two-run single by Mikey Paschal. Hull and Welch ended the inning with pop flys. Hull sat down the side all via the strikeout in the second inning, and would strikeout the first two batters in the 3rd. Hull finished with 10 strikeouts in 5 innings.
United scored two more runs in the third, with Alex Gavin and Jackson Brentise crossing the plate. One more run scored in the 4th inning, after Hull reached on an error at shortstop. In the bottom of the 4th, B-PC/A made a little run, and started to get the bat on the ball, scoring three runs, and rapping out three hits.
Zach Ebbert led off the inning with a single, followed by a Matt Bartlett hit. Brandon Coates (.390 coming in), hit them in on a 2-run double. Coates would advance to third on a wild pitch, then score on a wild pitch, to make it 6-3. Hull sat down Mitch Murphy on a strikeout, walked Zach Anderson, got Cedric Huffman to line out on a dribbler, then struck out Dallas Stranger to end the inning.
United more than made up for those three runs in the 5th inning, plating six runs. Zach Cook led off with a double. Geoffrey Hahn followed with a single, Mikey Paschal reached on an error, Nick Hull hit an RBI single, Sheldon Welch followed with an RBI single, then Alex Gavin hit a double. The seventh batter of the frame, pinch hitter Evan Powell, was the first out. Dalton McMullan and Devon Wade both hit RBI singles, to give the visiting Red Storm a 12-3 edge.
Three Spartans reached base in the bottom of the 5th, but none would score. United had some troubles on defense, committing two errors. B-PC/A loaded the bases after Trevor King reached on an error, Zach Ebbert singled, and Matt Bartlett reached on an error. With the bases loaded, Brandon Coates hit into a fielders choice, in which United threw to home getting the lead runner out. Mitch Murphy worked Hull into a full count, but struck out to end the inning.
The Red Storm scored their 13th run to make it a 10-run game in the 6th inning. The Spartans had one hit against relief pitcher Mikey Paschal in the bottom of the 6th inning (Dallas Stranger). United improved to (3-3) with a 13-3 win at B-PC/A.
United's Sheldon Welch went 3-5 with an RBI and run, Mikey Paschal went 2-3 with 2 RBI and 2 runs, Geoffrey Hahn went 3-5 with a run, Nick Hull went 2-3 with 2 runs, Alex Gavin went 2-3 with 2 runs, and Jackson Brentise went 2-3, 2 runs, and 2 stolen bases.
(4/9/10)
AM 1330 WRAM Game of the Week
The Friday WRAM game of the week takes me to Bushnell to follow the United Red Storm baseball team. This game features a team that hasn't played too many games in United (5) against the host Spartans (10).
A beautiful day at the ballpark, with only a slight breeze out of the west, temperatures about 10 degrees warmer than the day before, and not a cloud in the sky. I arrived at the ballpark about 3:45 after stopping off at Casey's in Bushnell for a bottle of water. I think I own a 1% stake in Casey's General Store with all of the money I spend while on the road.
A couple of familiar umpires were doing today's game, Chris Smith (my former K100 morning show partner) and Nick Knowles of Macomb, who lives just down the street from me.
The B-PC baseball facility is one of the nicest small school baseball diamonds in the area. The field is always top-notch, and for the media, it has a press box. The press box is a little difficult to access, even for the nimble.
A narrow staircase leads you up to the 2nd floor, above the concession stand. For some reason, the concessions were not open today. I am pretty sure they were selling hot chocolate in there the day before, which shows how much the weather changed in 24 hours.
Carrying a couple bags filled with radio equipment, I feel like Indiana Jones scaling a temple in South America, without the poison darts. After safely climbing into my position, I grabbed the digital recorder to head down and get a coaches interview. Looking through my bags, for some reason, no pens, so I made my way back to the car to get a pen.
First, I went over and talked with United head coach Rick Johnson. He is a co-head coach with Steve Cairns. Steve wasn't at the game, as he was in the Quad Cities finalizing the adoption of his first child.
Rick and I talked at length for our pregame interview. The Red Storm have some quality wins, defeating both Rockridge and Knoxville, with losses to Abingdon, North Fulton, and the third loss escapes me.
Over in the other dugout, I spoke with B-PC/A head coach Dave Arnold. His Spartans have struggled to a (2-7) start, but have been improving. B-PC/A is very inexperienced with several players out for the first time in a couple years.
The pitching matchup was United's Nick Hull (2.08 ERA, 14 K, 4 BB) against B-PC/A's Zach Anderson (0-0). This was Anderson's first start, and has four mound appearances for the Spartans.
Back up in the box, I had to get things set up, and shortly after 4:00, I made the call in to check my levels and log into the radio station on my computer. We were on the air at about 4:20, and had just enough time to get the pregame interview in and started the first inning. Sometimes, they play the National Anthem before games in Bushnell, other times not. Today, no Anthem.
It was a strange ending to the first half of the first inning. The Red Storm scored their first run, when Mikey Paschal scored on a Sheldon Welch RBI single. Then, with Jackson Brentise at the plate, he hit a lazy pop fly into centerfield for the second out, and it looked like both Nick Hull and Sheldon Welch scored, to make it 3-0. The umpires came in and said to wave off a run, actually both runs. The teams went to their dugouts. After some explanation, the runner left early, which was appealed by Spartans coach Arnold, and the Red Storm had committed their third out, and led 1-0 in the first inning.
The Spartans' leadoff hitter, Devon Raleigh hit a single to lead off the bottom of the frame, then was caught stealing. Matt Bartlett also had a basehit, and starter Nick Hull struck out two to end the inning.
Two more Red Storm runs were plated in the 2nd inning. Dalton McMullan led off with a double, and Devon Wade hit a single. Those two scored on a two-run single by Mikey Paschal. Hull and Welch ended the inning with pop flys. Hull sat down the side all via the strikeout in the second inning, and would strikeout the first two batters in the 3rd. Hull finished with 10 strikeouts in 5 innings.
United scored two more runs in the third, with Alex Gavin and Jackson Brentise crossing the plate. One more run scored in the 4th inning, after Hull reached on an error at shortstop. In the bottom of the 4th, B-PC/A made a little run, and started to get the bat on the ball, scoring three runs, and rapping out three hits.
Zach Ebbert led off the inning with a single, followed by a Matt Bartlett hit. Brandon Coates (.390 coming in), hit them in on a 2-run double. Coates would advance to third on a wild pitch, then score on a wild pitch, to make it 6-3. Hull sat down Mitch Murphy on a strikeout, walked Zach Anderson, got Cedric Huffman to line out on a dribbler, then struck out Dallas Stranger to end the inning.
United more than made up for those three runs in the 5th inning, plating six runs. Zach Cook led off with a double. Geoffrey Hahn followed with a single, Mikey Paschal reached on an error, Nick Hull hit an RBI single, Sheldon Welch followed with an RBI single, then Alex Gavin hit a double. The seventh batter of the frame, pinch hitter Evan Powell, was the first out. Dalton McMullan and Devon Wade both hit RBI singles, to give the visiting Red Storm a 12-3 edge.
Three Spartans reached base in the bottom of the 5th, but none would score. United had some troubles on defense, committing two errors. B-PC/A loaded the bases after Trevor King reached on an error, Zach Ebbert singled, and Matt Bartlett reached on an error. With the bases loaded, Brandon Coates hit into a fielders choice, in which United threw to home getting the lead runner out. Mitch Murphy worked Hull into a full count, but struck out to end the inning.
The Red Storm scored their 13th run to make it a 10-run game in the 6th inning. The Spartans had one hit against relief pitcher Mikey Paschal in the bottom of the 6th inning (Dallas Stranger). United improved to (3-3) with a 13-3 win at B-PC/A.
United's Sheldon Welch went 3-5 with an RBI and run, Mikey Paschal went 2-3 with 2 RBI and 2 runs, Geoffrey Hahn went 3-5 with a run, Nick Hull went 2-3 with 2 runs, Alex Gavin went 2-3 with 2 runs, and Jackson Brentise went 2-3, 2 runs, and 2 stolen bases.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Braving the Elements: Macomb @ B-PC/A Baseball
Macomb @ B-PC/A (Baseball)
(4/8/10)
With a pair of teams I formerly covered on radio stations WKAI (Macomb) and WLMD (B-PC), and the fact that I would be on the same field the very next day covering the United Red Storm's baseball game in Bushnell, I decided to take this game in.
As I was walking up to the field, the Bombers leadoff hitter smacked a double into deep centerfield. I headed over to the B-PC/A Spartans dugout with head coach Dave Arnold and assistant coach Craig Burns. Macomb found a myriad of ways to reach base, and score. The final line of the Macomb first inning was 7 runs, 5 hits, 3 walks, 1 error, 1 wild pitch, and 1 balk.
The Bombers carried over the potent offense with some stout defense, turning a 6-4-3 double play in the bottom of the first inning. Macomb starter Ryan Kimler got the Spartans #3 hitter, Matt Bartlett to pop out for a 1-2-3 inning.
Two more Macomb runs were tacked on in the 2nd inning, to make the score 9-0. It was another 1-2-3 inning for B-PC/A in the bottom frame. The first three batters for Macomb would score in the third inning, giving the visiting Bombers a 12-0 lead.
No runs would score in the 4th, but Macomb took advantage of more Spartan errors in the 5th inning, scoring 5 more runs. The Spartans defense committed three errors in the inning. Macomb finished off B-PC/A and would win 17-0 to improve to (6-4) on the season.
During the game, I made my away around the Bushnell baseball facilities, talking with Ron Promisson, snapping some shots. Also talked with Macomb coach Danny Watson along the third base line before he the 3rd inning of his 3rd base coaching. He was asking about fellow Olympic Conference teams, Monmouth-Roseville and Rockridge.
I also had a long discussion with B-PC Athletic Director Stan Prentice. Among our topics of discussion was the future revamped Prairieland Conference, with Farmington, Rushville-Industry, and Beardstown entering the fray next school year. Apparently at the latest Prairieland Conference meeting, some talk was made about breaking up the conference into divisions, and how feasible that could be for teams, while others could suffer. We also talked briefly about the consolidation talks between B-PC, Avon, and Abingdon schools. The Committee of 10 is being formed this month. The current plans would have B-PC host all high school students, while Abingdon would host the junior high.
Ran into Chris Vogt from the McDonough Voice. Both him and I were braving the windy and chilly conditions with red faces and wind beaten, blood shot eyes. Fortunately, I was dressed a little better for the conditions than Chris was.
After the game, had a talk with Macomb High School Principal Ed Fulkerson. His son, Reid, plays for the Bombers. We revisited the basketball season, and how the attendance at the boy's basketball state finals was so down.
My first postgame video interview was on the Macomb side, taking visitors first. Danny Watson and I talked about the Bombers baseball season, and how youthful and varsity inexperienced the team was. He said his team is much different than in season's past, when the Macomb lineup featured some big boppers at the plate. After our interview, Watson told me to just email him stuff, "don't send me stuff I have to mail back." This was in reference to the baseball questionaires that I sent out via fax. Apparently, Danny doesn't know how to work the fax machine, LOL.
The next video interview was on the other side, featuring B-PC/A Spartans head coach Dave Arnold. There wasn't much to talk about following the lopsided loss, so we did a team update. The Spartans are also very inexperienced, with several players not playing the game in a couple years. There is some progress being made by the Spartans, despite this loss.
(4/8/10)
With a pair of teams I formerly covered on radio stations WKAI (Macomb) and WLMD (B-PC), and the fact that I would be on the same field the very next day covering the United Red Storm's baseball game in Bushnell, I decided to take this game in.
As I was walking up to the field, the Bombers leadoff hitter smacked a double into deep centerfield. I headed over to the B-PC/A Spartans dugout with head coach Dave Arnold and assistant coach Craig Burns. Macomb found a myriad of ways to reach base, and score. The final line of the Macomb first inning was 7 runs, 5 hits, 3 walks, 1 error, 1 wild pitch, and 1 balk.
The Bombers carried over the potent offense with some stout defense, turning a 6-4-3 double play in the bottom of the first inning. Macomb starter Ryan Kimler got the Spartans #3 hitter, Matt Bartlett to pop out for a 1-2-3 inning.
Two more Macomb runs were tacked on in the 2nd inning, to make the score 9-0. It was another 1-2-3 inning for B-PC/A in the bottom frame. The first three batters for Macomb would score in the third inning, giving the visiting Bombers a 12-0 lead.
No runs would score in the 4th, but Macomb took advantage of more Spartan errors in the 5th inning, scoring 5 more runs. The Spartans defense committed three errors in the inning. Macomb finished off B-PC/A and would win 17-0 to improve to (6-4) on the season.
During the game, I made my away around the Bushnell baseball facilities, talking with Ron Promisson, snapping some shots. Also talked with Macomb coach Danny Watson along the third base line before he the 3rd inning of his 3rd base coaching. He was asking about fellow Olympic Conference teams, Monmouth-Roseville and Rockridge.
I also had a long discussion with B-PC Athletic Director Stan Prentice. Among our topics of discussion was the future revamped Prairieland Conference, with Farmington, Rushville-Industry, and Beardstown entering the fray next school year. Apparently at the latest Prairieland Conference meeting, some talk was made about breaking up the conference into divisions, and how feasible that could be for teams, while others could suffer. We also talked briefly about the consolidation talks between B-PC, Avon, and Abingdon schools. The Committee of 10 is being formed this month. The current plans would have B-PC host all high school students, while Abingdon would host the junior high.
Ran into Chris Vogt from the McDonough Voice. Both him and I were braving the windy and chilly conditions with red faces and wind beaten, blood shot eyes. Fortunately, I was dressed a little better for the conditions than Chris was.
After the game, had a talk with Macomb High School Principal Ed Fulkerson. His son, Reid, plays for the Bombers. We revisited the basketball season, and how the attendance at the boy's basketball state finals was so down.
My first postgame video interview was on the Macomb side, taking visitors first. Danny Watson and I talked about the Bombers baseball season, and how youthful and varsity inexperienced the team was. He said his team is much different than in season's past, when the Macomb lineup featured some big boppers at the plate. After our interview, Watson told me to just email him stuff, "don't send me stuff I have to mail back." This was in reference to the baseball questionaires that I sent out via fax. Apparently, Danny doesn't know how to work the fax machine, LOL.
The next video interview was on the other side, featuring B-PC/A Spartans head coach Dave Arnold. There wasn't much to talk about following the lopsided loss, so we did a team update. The Spartans are also very inexperienced, with several players not playing the game in a couple years. There is some progress being made by the Spartans, despite this loss.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Dealing With Criticism and the "F-Word"
Working in the media, you learn early on to wear the thick skin. If you can't, move on to another career. With that being said, any one of my media brethren will tell you that certain things, or certain fans can easily get under your skin.
In the grand scheme of things, these are very trivial nuggets when looking back on it. Still, it takes just one piece of criticism to look back on your work, and make an educated decision on whether or not that criticism was warranted, or was completely off base.
Someone telling you how to do your job, or pointing out mistakes can be both beneficial and irritating. We all want to be right, do our jobs right, etc. However, at times, the mistakes we make allow us to realize what we need to do better. That's what seperates the top from the bottom, in any occupation. If you can learn from your mistakes, and weed out the idiotic cheapshots, and keep improving, you have it made. Some personalities can't deal well with criticism, and those people don't last.
Your asking yourself about now, where in the heck is he going with this, right? On to my point for the posting. Earlier this week, I checked out the General Survey that's linked on IHSSN.net. It's a quick 5 or 6 question survey, that basically asks what you would like to see on IHSSN, and what could be done differently.
Two different surveys were filled out late in March, that irritated me. Was it something that I had lacked in coverage with the website, or a mistake made? No and no. IHSSN posted baseball and softball previews. Unfortunately, I can not get to the entire state, as I was basically writing all of the previews myself (one man, one state, 700 schools....you get the picture). Also, it is extremely hard for me to keep tabs on teams from around the state, especially since I am pretty handcuffed going to baseball and softball games, since they begin at 4:30 weekdays (I have a full-time job).
Anyways, on to the point of criticism. One of the surveys filled out used the F-word. No, not that F-word, but another word beginning with that letter, that in my vocabulary in my profession is just as bad....Favortism.
The response to the question, "What would you like to see on the Illinois High School Sports Network?", was the following: "less favortism and don't sell kids short of posting the accomplishments of all rather than just a few."
I wish this responder had listed an email address, so I could respond, but none was filled out in the survey. First off, I never, ever favor any one team. Even during games I am broadcasting for my home radio stations. Do I get more excited for one team over another in those games, sure, I have to play to my main audience and to who is paying the bills, but I never favor them. This is my job, I am not a fan of any high school over another.
Not only that, I am not even sure where the city is located, in which this respondant was reading from. Therefore, how could I favor some players over others, personally? Add to the fact, that when dealing with writing these previews, nearly all of the information comes from the coaches. The more a coach can give me in their questionaires, the more in-depth I can write. Another respondent (same day, same IP address), gave me the "facts" on someone I slighted in that same preview. Again, I am not privy to this information unless a coach adds it to the questionaire.
Now, if someone came to me with a complaint about me favoring the sport of basketball over wrestling, or another winter sport....they would be absolutely correct. I apologize to other winter athletics programs, since I am fully in basketball mode. What I will strive to do next school year, is find volunteers to cover wrestling and other sports, since I do not have the time myself to cover other sports.
In the grand scheme of things, these are very trivial nuggets when looking back on it. Still, it takes just one piece of criticism to look back on your work, and make an educated decision on whether or not that criticism was warranted, or was completely off base.
Someone telling you how to do your job, or pointing out mistakes can be both beneficial and irritating. We all want to be right, do our jobs right, etc. However, at times, the mistakes we make allow us to realize what we need to do better. That's what seperates the top from the bottom, in any occupation. If you can learn from your mistakes, and weed out the idiotic cheapshots, and keep improving, you have it made. Some personalities can't deal well with criticism, and those people don't last.
Your asking yourself about now, where in the heck is he going with this, right? On to my point for the posting. Earlier this week, I checked out the General Survey that's linked on IHSSN.net. It's a quick 5 or 6 question survey, that basically asks what you would like to see on IHSSN, and what could be done differently.
Two different surveys were filled out late in March, that irritated me. Was it something that I had lacked in coverage with the website, or a mistake made? No and no. IHSSN posted baseball and softball previews. Unfortunately, I can not get to the entire state, as I was basically writing all of the previews myself (one man, one state, 700 schools....you get the picture). Also, it is extremely hard for me to keep tabs on teams from around the state, especially since I am pretty handcuffed going to baseball and softball games, since they begin at 4:30 weekdays (I have a full-time job).
Anyways, on to the point of criticism. One of the surveys filled out used the F-word. No, not that F-word, but another word beginning with that letter, that in my vocabulary in my profession is just as bad....Favortism.
The response to the question, "What would you like to see on the Illinois High School Sports Network?", was the following: "less favortism and don't sell kids short of posting the accomplishments of all rather than just a few."
I wish this responder had listed an email address, so I could respond, but none was filled out in the survey. First off, I never, ever favor any one team. Even during games I am broadcasting for my home radio stations. Do I get more excited for one team over another in those games, sure, I have to play to my main audience and to who is paying the bills, but I never favor them. This is my job, I am not a fan of any high school over another.
Not only that, I am not even sure where the city is located, in which this respondant was reading from. Therefore, how could I favor some players over others, personally? Add to the fact, that when dealing with writing these previews, nearly all of the information comes from the coaches. The more a coach can give me in their questionaires, the more in-depth I can write. Another respondent (same day, same IP address), gave me the "facts" on someone I slighted in that same preview. Again, I am not privy to this information unless a coach adds it to the questionaire.
Now, if someone came to me with a complaint about me favoring the sport of basketball over wrestling, or another winter sport....they would be absolutely correct. I apologize to other winter athletics programs, since I am fully in basketball mode. What I will strive to do next school year, is find volunteers to cover wrestling and other sports, since I do not have the time myself to cover other sports.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Road Trippin: A Two-fer Tuesday
IHSSN Heads To Galesburg & Monmouth
(4/6/10)
The idea that grew from the last blog finally came to fruition on this beautiful Tuesday afternoon. Following a late day of work on Monday, I needed to expend my energy out on the diamonds today, however it was nearly not to be.
Late in the afternoon, after another grueling day at the office, with project after project, I felt a little relaxation was in order. It was almost a "game-time" decision, with all my work done at 4:00, which was a blessing in itself. As I packed up my gear and tossed the idea of going straight home around in my head, I ultimately decided to suck it up.
That decision was made much easier as I walked out the doors and felt the warmth of the outdoors for the first time today. There would be no relaxing on a day like this, especially in early April, when the next two weeks could be miserable.
The first destination was to head up Route 34 and take in some softball. Even though, the Monmouth-Roseville/Orion baseball game was just three blocks down the road, my planning took me to cover softball as it would end much sooner, enabling me to drive back to Monmouth to pick up the final innings of the baseball game.
I arrived a tad bit late to Galesburg High School for the Silver Streaks hosting Monmouth-Roseville. It was the top of the 2nd inning as I pulled in, with the visiting Titans already leading 1-0.
As I approached, I held off taking any video, as to get comfortable with the lineups, something that makes me more at ease when filming. It's too bad, because I missed all the action! The Silver Streaks scored the essential game-winning run in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Galesburg plated 3 runs in the frame. Samantha Mason reached base on a single, then stole second base, and advanced to third on an infield hit by sophomore Jordan Marshall. Mason would score the tying run on a wild pitch by Titans starter Jalynne Young. Marshall would then come around to score after stealing second, and advancing to third on a wild pitch. Megan Young blooped a single into rightfield, and advanced to second base on a throwing error. She would score on an RBI single by Chelsey Weigand, giving Galesburg a 3-1 lead after 2 innings.
The only other run to score came by the Streaks in the 6th inning. Mason reached on a base hit, then scored on a Marshall RBI double, giving the Streaks the eventual final score of 4-1. Galesburg improved to (5-3) on the season, matching their win total for the entire 2009 season. The Titans drop to (2-4).
After the game, I ran into Zach Creglow from the Galesburg Register-Mail. Following our chat, I talked with Titans coach Tom Casteel, serving his first season as head coach at Monmouth-Roseville. He informed me that Alex Nunez, the designated player today, has gone (6-8) at the plate in her two games this season. She was behind the plate in the 10-inning win at Annawan/Wethersfield. At the plate, she went, 5-5.
Casteel also told me the scoring rundown in the first inning I had missed. Lynsey Weber reached on a walk, assessed by Galesburg pitcher Jessica Davison. She stole 2nd, and scored on a Nunez RBI single.
Following our video interview (which can be seen at www.ihssn.net), I walked over and talked with Galesburg head coach Scott Hopping (interview also online at the website).
With the clock at 5:50, even after the interviews, I made my way back to Monmouth. It was 5:52 when I left the parking lot, figuring I could catch the last couple innings of baseball.
Not only was the Olympic Conference season opener being played out at Sunnyland Field, the Titans were hosting a boy's track & field quadrangular (with United, ROWVA, & Stark County).
Walking up to the baseball diamond, it was the 6th inning, so I could catch a little action, before postgame interviews. I walked up and said hello to Shawn Temple (the football & basketball PA voice of the Titans), next to Rick and Dina Chick.
Orion had a 9-5 lead on the Titans at this juncture, and the Chargers would plate a run in the top of the 7th inning (video footage of that run scoring will be uploaded to the IHSSNBeau Youtube account later).
Between innings, I spoke with Scott Spitzer, who was snapping photos at both the baseball game and the track meet, and Sam Brooks. Brooks' finger is still a little sore after his attempt to catch a foul ball at the softball game last week, which I chided him once again.
In the bottom of the 7th, with a difficult view from any vantage point at the field, I shot some video and happened to get Cory Jensen's 2-run home run over the left field fence for Monmouth-Roseville. This is one of the most difficult things I have learned when filming the baseball and softball games, is getting an obstructed view from all angles of the field. With the FlipVideo's lack of zoom, it can make some shots very difficult.
The Titans got within 3 runs, falling 10-7 to Orion. The Chargers lifted their season record to (9-0), while the hosts lost for the first time, dropping to (4-1). I headed over to the dugout and chatted with Marty Touchette from the Monmouth Review-Atlas. We both talked with Coach Chuck Grant, as I recorded audio for the radio sportscasts on WMOI and WRAM. After our questions, Marty asked Chuck his thoughts on the National Championship game the night before, in which Duke held on to beat Butler. I razzed Grant, saying he couldn't be happier as a die-hard Duke fan (Coach Grant is a die-hard North Carolina Tar Heels fan), in which he responded it was one of the worst championship games for him, in which I quickly asked if it was better than the NIT championship (a North Carolina loss to Dayton this year), responding "that may have been worse."
Future plans are still up in the air this week. It looks like back-to-back trips to Bushnell at the end of the week, as the B-PC/A Spartans baseball team hosts Macomb on Thursday, and the United Red Storm on Friday. AM 1330 WRAM (www.1330wram.com) will be broadcasting the Friday game. Saturday is also up in the air.
(4/6/10)
The idea that grew from the last blog finally came to fruition on this beautiful Tuesday afternoon. Following a late day of work on Monday, I needed to expend my energy out on the diamonds today, however it was nearly not to be.
Late in the afternoon, after another grueling day at the office, with project after project, I felt a little relaxation was in order. It was almost a "game-time" decision, with all my work done at 4:00, which was a blessing in itself. As I packed up my gear and tossed the idea of going straight home around in my head, I ultimately decided to suck it up.
That decision was made much easier as I walked out the doors and felt the warmth of the outdoors for the first time today. There would be no relaxing on a day like this, especially in early April, when the next two weeks could be miserable.
The first destination was to head up Route 34 and take in some softball. Even though, the Monmouth-Roseville/Orion baseball game was just three blocks down the road, my planning took me to cover softball as it would end much sooner, enabling me to drive back to Monmouth to pick up the final innings of the baseball game.
I arrived a tad bit late to Galesburg High School for the Silver Streaks hosting Monmouth-Roseville. It was the top of the 2nd inning as I pulled in, with the visiting Titans already leading 1-0.
As I approached, I held off taking any video, as to get comfortable with the lineups, something that makes me more at ease when filming. It's too bad, because I missed all the action! The Silver Streaks scored the essential game-winning run in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Galesburg plated 3 runs in the frame. Samantha Mason reached base on a single, then stole second base, and advanced to third on an infield hit by sophomore Jordan Marshall. Mason would score the tying run on a wild pitch by Titans starter Jalynne Young. Marshall would then come around to score after stealing second, and advancing to third on a wild pitch. Megan Young blooped a single into rightfield, and advanced to second base on a throwing error. She would score on an RBI single by Chelsey Weigand, giving Galesburg a 3-1 lead after 2 innings.
The only other run to score came by the Streaks in the 6th inning. Mason reached on a base hit, then scored on a Marshall RBI double, giving the Streaks the eventual final score of 4-1. Galesburg improved to (5-3) on the season, matching their win total for the entire 2009 season. The Titans drop to (2-4).
After the game, I ran into Zach Creglow from the Galesburg Register-Mail. Following our chat, I talked with Titans coach Tom Casteel, serving his first season as head coach at Monmouth-Roseville. He informed me that Alex Nunez, the designated player today, has gone (6-8) at the plate in her two games this season. She was behind the plate in the 10-inning win at Annawan/Wethersfield. At the plate, she went, 5-5.
Casteel also told me the scoring rundown in the first inning I had missed. Lynsey Weber reached on a walk, assessed by Galesburg pitcher Jessica Davison. She stole 2nd, and scored on a Nunez RBI single.
Following our video interview (which can be seen at www.ihssn.net), I walked over and talked with Galesburg head coach Scott Hopping (interview also online at the website).
With the clock at 5:50, even after the interviews, I made my way back to Monmouth. It was 5:52 when I left the parking lot, figuring I could catch the last couple innings of baseball.
Not only was the Olympic Conference season opener being played out at Sunnyland Field, the Titans were hosting a boy's track & field quadrangular (with United, ROWVA, & Stark County).
Walking up to the baseball diamond, it was the 6th inning, so I could catch a little action, before postgame interviews. I walked up and said hello to Shawn Temple (the football & basketball PA voice of the Titans), next to Rick and Dina Chick.
Orion had a 9-5 lead on the Titans at this juncture, and the Chargers would plate a run in the top of the 7th inning (video footage of that run scoring will be uploaded to the IHSSNBeau Youtube account later).
Between innings, I spoke with Scott Spitzer, who was snapping photos at both the baseball game and the track meet, and Sam Brooks. Brooks' finger is still a little sore after his attempt to catch a foul ball at the softball game last week, which I chided him once again.
In the bottom of the 7th, with a difficult view from any vantage point at the field, I shot some video and happened to get Cory Jensen's 2-run home run over the left field fence for Monmouth-Roseville. This is one of the most difficult things I have learned when filming the baseball and softball games, is getting an obstructed view from all angles of the field. With the FlipVideo's lack of zoom, it can make some shots very difficult.
The Titans got within 3 runs, falling 10-7 to Orion. The Chargers lifted their season record to (9-0), while the hosts lost for the first time, dropping to (4-1). I headed over to the dugout and chatted with Marty Touchette from the Monmouth Review-Atlas. We both talked with Coach Chuck Grant, as I recorded audio for the radio sportscasts on WMOI and WRAM. After our questions, Marty asked Chuck his thoughts on the National Championship game the night before, in which Duke held on to beat Butler. I razzed Grant, saying he couldn't be happier as a die-hard Duke fan (Coach Grant is a die-hard North Carolina Tar Heels fan), in which he responded it was one of the worst championship games for him, in which I quickly asked if it was better than the NIT championship (a North Carolina loss to Dayton this year), responding "that may have been worse."
Future plans are still up in the air this week. It looks like back-to-back trips to Bushnell at the end of the week, as the B-PC/A Spartans baseball team hosts Macomb on Thursday, and the United Red Storm on Friday. AM 1330 WRAM (www.1330wram.com) will be broadcasting the Friday game. Saturday is also up in the air.
Friday, April 2, 2010
The Weekend Plan
Rain, Rain, Stay Away!
Saturday expects to be an interesting day in IHSSN coverage. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast for western Illinois on Saturday morning, which could keep teams off the field tomorrow.
Personally, I will be kept busy in the morning hours for our radio station's community Easter Egg Hunt in Monmouth. Over 20,000 eggs scattered. It takes hours and dozens of volunteers to set up, and it is all over within 5 minutes. It's like setting up dominos.
From 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. I will be handling some of those duties, but it will not keep me away from a ball diamond.
IHSSN Taking a Different Approach
As of this point, my coverage on IHSSN has limited me to one game, as I cover and track each inning for my blog. There is really no point for me to do this, and I would like to expand my daily coverage at different games, catching some action of different teams with video and notes.
Most likely throughout the season, I will only be doing the game hopping on Saturday's, and stick to one location through the week. I am hoping this will enhance IHSSN and the coverage I can bring to my region of the state (at this time).
Saturday's Itinerary
For this Saturday, weather pending, I will head across the street from Monmouth Park over to Peacock Field, home of Monmouth College baseball and softball, to cover the Monmouth-Roseville Titans softball game against Williamsfield. The first game of the doubleheader is schedule for 10:00, so I am hoping to catch the last innings of the second game, and get some game video, and a couple video interviews.
From Titans softball, IHSSN will head across town to Sunnylane Field, where the Monmouth-Roseville baseball team has a huge Olympic Conference twin bill against Sherrard. Unfortunately coach Chuck Grant's Titans had nearly the entire week of great baseball weather off. First pitch on game one is set for 11:00, so I should be able to catch the last few innings of game one, and get some quick video. From there, I will be making my way up Route 34 to catch the conclusion of the Streaks Invite in Galesburg. Four games are scheduled at Jim Sundberg Field (yes, the high school home of the Texas Rangers all-time fan favorite), and East Field, with the opening games at 9:30 a.m. with the last games at 12:30.
Saturday expects to be an interesting day in IHSSN coverage. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast for western Illinois on Saturday morning, which could keep teams off the field tomorrow.
Personally, I will be kept busy in the morning hours for our radio station's community Easter Egg Hunt in Monmouth. Over 20,000 eggs scattered. It takes hours and dozens of volunteers to set up, and it is all over within 5 minutes. It's like setting up dominos.
From 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. I will be handling some of those duties, but it will not keep me away from a ball diamond.
IHSSN Taking a Different Approach
As of this point, my coverage on IHSSN has limited me to one game, as I cover and track each inning for my blog. There is really no point for me to do this, and I would like to expand my daily coverage at different games, catching some action of different teams with video and notes.
Most likely throughout the season, I will only be doing the game hopping on Saturday's, and stick to one location through the week. I am hoping this will enhance IHSSN and the coverage I can bring to my region of the state (at this time).
Saturday's Itinerary
For this Saturday, weather pending, I will head across the street from Monmouth Park over to Peacock Field, home of Monmouth College baseball and softball, to cover the Monmouth-Roseville Titans softball game against Williamsfield. The first game of the doubleheader is schedule for 10:00, so I am hoping to catch the last innings of the second game, and get some game video, and a couple video interviews.
From Titans softball, IHSSN will head across town to Sunnylane Field, where the Monmouth-Roseville baseball team has a huge Olympic Conference twin bill against Sherrard. Unfortunately coach Chuck Grant's Titans had nearly the entire week of great baseball weather off. First pitch on game one is set for 11:00, so I should be able to catch the last few innings of game one, and get some quick video. From there, I will be making my way up Route 34 to catch the conclusion of the Streaks Invite in Galesburg. Four games are scheduled at Jim Sundberg Field (yes, the high school home of the Texas Rangers all-time fan favorite), and East Field, with the opening games at 9:30 a.m. with the last games at 12:30.
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