The sweet smell of suntan lotion, hotddogs ,beer and of course sweat. COMBINED!
I was appalled of the lack of catching ability by fans. At the Braves-Mets game, no one caught a foul ball, not one fan catch. How do we expect your team to catch, when you can't catch an easy foul ball with a beer in one hand and a half a hotdog hanging out of your mouth. Pitifully, back to minors all of you.
Baseball God's are Good
Throw back beers- $2 ol'milwaukees, PBr's and such.
It's like the beer gods were making up for charging us $8 for a beer over the past 20 years.
Baseball God's are Bad
My seat, second row behind dugout... No players acknowledge me.. weird huh?
2 hot chicks, park themselves in 1st row in the top of eighth innning. within in 15 seconds, I swear to god in 15 seconds a ball tossed their way, within 5 minutes a player gives them a bat (probably with a phone # on it.)
If you talk with the ushers politely for a while they'll let you sit anywhere you want.
Thanks again Robert, Carl and Jordan for the choice seats.
I'm not really sure, but the foul lines on the field are sort of feeling more and more like a boundary/minefield the players are afraid to cross. Not many this year ventured off the field to greet the fans.
My baseball spirit died a little bit each game.
NY Mets Adam Loewen signed for an hour after the game, not missing anyone.
Keeping my baseball spirit alive.
Best parking deal ever.
Pulled into the church near the Joker Marchant Stadium.
For a donation to their youth baseball league you got a bottle of water, hot dog, prime parking space for the game and to boot they washed your car for you. Best $20 ever spent.
Praise the Lord!
I never know if scalping tickets is legal or not.
But I would hate to get busted buying spring training tickets.
No pepper? Some of us like pepper. Where is the PEPPER????
Love that the stadium has a slip and slide area in the outfield.
Some teen monitoring the "slippery when wet" area said I was to old to participate.
"No love" for this kid at heart.
Girls in bikini tops, polishing toes during the game. Kinda HOT!
Dudes picking their toes during the game. Kinda NOT!
The crack of a bat instantly silences a crowd for a split second.
Listen next time.
An impressive defensive play is always appreciated by both the home and visiting fans.
When a play is good, a play is good.
No Exceptions
PLAY BALL sportsfreaks
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Skateboard Race
There nothing like a song to get the creative juices flowing, am I right sportsfreaks?
So I took that flow and Queen's "Bicycle Race" and created my own version.
Consider yourselves lucky that I am not singing it to you.
I like to ride my skateboard
I like to ride my board
I like to ride my skateboard, I like to ride it side to side
Skateboard skateboard skateboard
I want to ride my skateboard skateboard skateboard
I want to ride my skateboard
I want to skate my pool
I want to ride my skateboard
I want to ride it cause that be cool
You say Shawn, I say White
You say nose, I say grind
You say Hawk, I say THE MAN
Del Mar was never my scene
And I never been to Santa Cruz
You say Zephyr , I say Alva
You say God, just give me Peralta
You say Lord, I say Christ(ian) Hosoi
I don't believe in haters man
sketchy punks or dudes who bail
All I wanna do is
Skateboarding, skateboarding, skateboarding
I want to ride my skateboard, skateboard, skateboard
I want to ride my skateboard
I'd kill to have rode with Jay Adams
I want to ride my skateboard
I want to ride my board
Skateboarding from here to LA
Forget all your buddies oh yeah
Fat bottomed girls they'll be riding today
So look out for those beauties hell yeah
On your marks, get set, ollie !
Skateboarding Skateboarding Skateboarding
Skateboarding, skateboarding, skateboarding
I like to ride long after midnight
skateboarding, skateboarding,skateboarding
A Skateboarding Race
You say tail, I say whip
You rocket , I say airs
Hot dog, I say cool it man
I don't wanna be the President of Epic Fails
You say Bones I Say Brigade
Sheckler, I say gay
A Bad Ass, I say Natas
I'm just gonna skate the SpoT or just long board it over the Golden Gate
Cause all I want to do is
Skateboard, skateboard, skateboard
I want to ride my skateboard , skateboard, skateboard
I want to ride my skateboard
I want to ride my board
I want to ride my skateboard
I'm gonna ride until I am ninety four
Keep on rocking and rolling sports freaks !
So I took that flow and Queen's "Bicycle Race" and created my own version.
Consider yourselves lucky that I am not singing it to you.
I like to ride my skateboard
I like to ride my board
I like to ride my skateboard, I like to ride it side to side
Skateboard skateboard skateboard
I want to ride my skateboard skateboard skateboard
I want to ride my skateboard
I want to skate my pool
I want to ride my skateboard
I want to ride it cause that be cool
You say Shawn, I say White
You say nose, I say grind
You say Hawk, I say THE MAN
Del Mar was never my scene
And I never been to Santa Cruz
You say Zephyr , I say Alva
You say God, just give me Peralta
You say Lord, I say Christ(ian) Hosoi
I don't believe in haters man
sketchy punks or dudes who bail
All I wanna do is
Skateboarding, skateboarding, skateboarding
I want to ride my skateboard, skateboard, skateboard
I want to ride my skateboard
I'd kill to have rode with Jay Adams
I want to ride my skateboard
I want to ride my board
Skateboarding from here to LA
Forget all your buddies oh yeah
Fat bottomed girls they'll be riding today
So look out for those beauties hell yeah
On your marks, get set, ollie !
Skateboarding Skateboarding Skateboarding
Skateboarding, skateboarding, skateboarding
I like to ride long after midnight
skateboarding, skateboarding,skateboarding
A Skateboarding Race
You say tail, I say whip
You rocket , I say airs
Hot dog, I say cool it man
I don't wanna be the President of Epic Fails
You say Bones I Say Brigade
Sheckler, I say gay
A Bad Ass, I say Natas
I'm just gonna skate the SpoT or just long board it over the Golden Gate
Cause all I want to do is
Skateboard, skateboard, skateboard
I want to ride my skateboard , skateboard, skateboard
I want to ride my skateboard
I want to ride my board
I want to ride my skateboard
I'm gonna ride until I am ninety four
Keep on rocking and rolling sports freaks !
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Rain Delay
Due to inclement weather, my tennis sessions this summer were cancelled five weeks in a row. Hey Mother Nature...you are making it tough to keep in shape. (I'm not fooling with ya.)
So what do I do? Some other form of excercise? Naaaah.
To me it was like a get out of jail free card. It was now quality time for Ray.
A time to grab a pizza and catch a game I tivo'd.
Score update: laziness 1 exercise 0
Weather plays havoc on all sports. But what the players, fans and sportscasters do during those delays always seemed more interesting.
Baseball-
During a rain delay, we the fans at home are usually privied to the networks switching the broadcast to a movie from the 1980's... because watching "On Golden Pond" is exactly what I wanted to watch instead of the Yanks/RedSox game.
Just show Field of Dreams. "If you show it, we will watch it"
I've always loved the grounds crew pulling out the tarp to cover the field when it rains. It brings fond memories of 2nd grade gym class when we as a class had to lift a giant parachute up and down as fast as we could to create a huge air pocket under it and then all 30 of us would sit underneath it. OOH... AAH...where's my drink box?
The tarp as much as it is to protect the field it also becomes a stage for some players. My favorite tarp show was performed by Rick Dempsey, of the Baltimore Orioles, his antics recreating a home run trot while sloshing and sliding around the field was truly hilarious. Searching high and outside for video on the world wide web has come up empty. Sorry Sport, youtube does not have everything.
I've included a pic for those who've never seen it before.
For those of who did see it.. We were blessed.
Football-
Lighting schnightling, you NFL (never fuck w/ lightning) guys play in weather the postman won't deliver in and you wimp out when a little 1,000,000 volt bolt comes at you. For once just think of the fans, it would be awesome for us to be cheering for you as you scamper through the ankle deep water on your way to the end zone and BOOOOMMM!!! you are struck down at the one. Think of our needs once in a while
Troy Tice a high schooler did it. Why not you?
This dude and his uni were toasted like a pop tart!
Cleats popped right off his feet!
Bowling-
Does water dripping from the ceiling count as a rain delay?
It's bowling! Sure it does.
Wait, isn't it (a rain delay) part of the sport already. Allow me if you will, You've got three seconds of action. Then a delay for 90 seconds to rest, powder your sweaty hands, towel off the soles of your shoes, tape your fingers, tie your shoes, adjust your stick-on sponsors patches and wink at your pretty 300 lb wife in the stands. Then three more seconds of action. Then another delay of 90 seconds to drink some Gatorade, do a few sqauts thrusts, adjust your wrist guard, comb your hair with your hand and apologize quickly to your wife for your three seconds of action last night.
Soccer
Whether it's raining or pouring out, I'm sure those guys are still going to fake falling down. It least now we can grade them with points on their dives.
Ex:
A 10 for a clean entry into the water soaked field
A 5 for too big a splash
A 2 for over rotation/acting.
But in ways we don't normally see in the US, the crowd will react harshly if players are graded unjustly. Police (score keepers)paid the price in this clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3LVgeOTjqg
Badminton-
OK.. OK.. so Bad-M players, never have to go through a rain delay.
The best we can can come up with is an air-conditoning delay.
Bad-M players will throw a really big temper tantrum if even a small AC breeze is felt. We are delicate creatures.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ2k-tsX5KE
Can you imagine if the AC went on in the middle of this???
The forecast calls for 100% chance of more sportsfreak.
So what do I do? Some other form of excercise? Naaaah.
To me it was like a get out of jail free card. It was now quality time for Ray.
A time to grab a pizza and catch a game I tivo'd.
Score update: laziness 1 exercise 0
Weather plays havoc on all sports. But what the players, fans and sportscasters do during those delays always seemed more interesting.
Baseball-
During a rain delay, we the fans at home are usually privied to the networks switching the broadcast to a movie from the 1980's... because watching "On Golden Pond" is exactly what I wanted to watch instead of the Yanks/RedSox game.
Just show Field of Dreams. "If you show it, we will watch it"
I've always loved the grounds crew pulling out the tarp to cover the field when it rains. It brings fond memories of 2nd grade gym class when we as a class had to lift a giant parachute up and down as fast as we could to create a huge air pocket under it and then all 30 of us would sit underneath it. OOH... AAH...where's my drink box?
The tarp as much as it is to protect the field it also becomes a stage for some players. My favorite tarp show was performed by Rick Dempsey, of the Baltimore Orioles, his antics recreating a home run trot while sloshing and sliding around the field was truly hilarious. Searching high and outside for video on the world wide web has come up empty. Sorry Sport, youtube does not have everything.
I've included a pic for those who've never seen it before.
For those of who did see it.. We were blessed.
Football-
Lighting schnightling, you NFL (never fuck w/ lightning) guys play in weather the postman won't deliver in and you wimp out when a little 1,000,000 volt bolt comes at you. For once just think of the fans, it would be awesome for us to be cheering for you as you scamper through the ankle deep water on your way to the end zone and BOOOOMMM!!! you are struck down at the one. Think of our needs once in a while
Troy Tice a high schooler did it. Why not you?
This dude and his uni were toasted like a pop tart!
Cleats popped right off his feet!
Bowling-
Does water dripping from the ceiling count as a rain delay?
It's bowling! Sure it does.
Wait, isn't it (a rain delay) part of the sport already. Allow me if you will, You've got three seconds of action. Then a delay for 90 seconds to rest, powder your sweaty hands, towel off the soles of your shoes, tape your fingers, tie your shoes, adjust your stick-on sponsors patches and wink at your pretty 300 lb wife in the stands. Then three more seconds of action. Then another delay of 90 seconds to drink some Gatorade, do a few sqauts thrusts, adjust your wrist guard, comb your hair with your hand and apologize quickly to your wife for your three seconds of action last night.
Soccer
Whether it's raining or pouring out, I'm sure those guys are still going to fake falling down. It least now we can grade them with points on their dives.
Ex:
A 10 for a clean entry into the water soaked field
A 5 for too big a splash
A 2 for over rotation/acting.
But in ways we don't normally see in the US, the crowd will react harshly if players are graded unjustly. Police (score keepers)paid the price in this clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3LVgeOTjqg
Badminton-
OK.. OK.. so Bad-M players, never have to go through a rain delay.
The best we can can come up with is an air-conditoning delay.
Bad-M players will throw a really big temper tantrum if even a small AC breeze is felt. We are delicate creatures.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ2k-tsX5KE
Can you imagine if the AC went on in the middle of this???
The forecast calls for 100% chance of more sportsfreak.
Friday, August 19, 2011
And1 and a 2
Scanning the tube makes this post possible for all freaks.
What ever happen to the AND 1 basket ball tour, you know the basketball tour where the ballers could showcase their talents as the tour came into their hometown. Maybe even have a chance to play in the exhibition game or be offered (the holy grail) a chance to play on the tour. Unfortunately, what I came across on the box was the watered down version: The Ball Up Street Ball Tour.
What I gathered from this was that all the present and former great AND1 players have been demoted to the Ball Up street Ball Tour or we ought to just rename it to the Street "D-evelopment" League.
Quick question! Are they now riding around in a van instead of a bus?
How weird were the introductions? This weird: male stompers cheering and welcoming the players. Not your scantily clad cheerleaders my friends. Stompers!
Dude Wanna Be Stompers! Like they were hired from the GAP!
Then the players high-fiving those dudes as well... awkward? Nah...that just made me feel bad for them.
I loved the fact that Dennis Rodman was one of the coaches. Loved it more when they intro'd him and he had the look of "AAh YEAH! I am getting 10G's for leaving the bar early and raising my hand up to wave to the crowd two times".
Things got a little worse during the National anthem:
Sin #1: it was sung by Stefano Lagone of American Idol Fame (finished 7th, Season 10) Who says that AI can not take you places!
Sin #2: shame on half the crowd for disrespecting Stefano in the beginning. That Span-Italian boy brought the anthem home!
Sin #3- pro Baron Davis didn't take his hat off. Big contract = little respect.
Go play overseas!
Sin #4- saluting the flag with your hands in your pocket?
(THIS ISN'T HOW WE DO IT!)
(could help but sing that part)
Commentator Roger Lodge: you were better hosting Blind Date.
Can't understand it, the inner city kids seems so drawn to you(says the sarcastic SF)
We all know who Globetrotters played: the Washington Generals
Here we got Team Ball UP, ok its their league name. I can live with that butthey played against "Dennis Rodman's Team". That's a "D minus" League name in my book.
Was it too hard to name them "The Worms" or " Men who wear dresses".
That's my contribution.
I end this rant with one thing left to say "The Worm has left the building".
Coach Worm left this game with 7.5 minutes left. Can't miss last call y'know.
The sportsfreak will keep hoisting them up them for you.
What ever happen to the AND 1 basket ball tour, you know the basketball tour where the ballers could showcase their talents as the tour came into their hometown. Maybe even have a chance to play in the exhibition game or be offered (the holy grail) a chance to play on the tour. Unfortunately, what I came across on the box was the watered down version: The Ball Up Street Ball Tour.
What I gathered from this was that all the present and former great AND1 players have been demoted to the Ball Up street Ball Tour or we ought to just rename it to the Street "D-evelopment" League.
Quick question! Are they now riding around in a van instead of a bus?
How weird were the introductions? This weird: male stompers cheering and welcoming the players. Not your scantily clad cheerleaders my friends. Stompers!
Dude Wanna Be Stompers! Like they were hired from the GAP!
Then the players high-fiving those dudes as well... awkward? Nah...that just made me feel bad for them.
I loved the fact that Dennis Rodman was one of the coaches. Loved it more when they intro'd him and he had the look of "AAh YEAH! I am getting 10G's for leaving the bar early and raising my hand up to wave to the crowd two times".
Things got a little worse during the National anthem:
Sin #1: it was sung by Stefano Lagone of American Idol Fame (finished 7th, Season 10) Who says that AI can not take you places!
Sin #2: shame on half the crowd for disrespecting Stefano in the beginning. That Span-Italian boy brought the anthem home!
Sin #3- pro Baron Davis didn't take his hat off. Big contract = little respect.
Go play overseas!
Sin #4- saluting the flag with your hands in your pocket?
(THIS ISN'T HOW WE DO IT!)
(could help but sing that part)
Commentator Roger Lodge: you were better hosting Blind Date.
Can't understand it, the inner city kids seems so drawn to you(says the sarcastic SF)
We all know who Globetrotters played: the Washington Generals
Here we got Team Ball UP, ok its their league name. I can live with that butthey played against "Dennis Rodman's Team". That's a "D minus" League name in my book.
Was it too hard to name them "The Worms" or " Men who wear dresses".
That's my contribution.
I end this rant with one thing left to say "The Worm has left the building".
Coach Worm left this game with 7.5 minutes left. Can't miss last call y'know.
The sportsfreak will keep hoisting them up them for you.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
I think I'm getting a cramp
My friend Rob asked me to go jogging with him last week. Being the bestest friend ever, I agreed to a running date. What? Never mind. I would suggest to anyone who has been asked to run, find out, I mean really find out if that other person can run. I thought I knew how to read peoples athletic abilities, you know like having super hero powers. but those powers absolutely failed me on this one.
I was doomed from the beginning when he came out dressed like he was ready to run a marathon. I am talking the Addidas sweatsuit (with rip away pants) $1500 running shoes, head band , water bottle attached to a belt (what moron invented that damn thing), meanwhile I styled the basketball shorts, high tops and tshirt I woke up with on. I was gonna win ugly.
Now in my hey day, I could squeeze out five or six miles. That's where the Ray- ometer stopped. Rob said he was fine with that. Now let me tell y'all that I was not fully truthful to Rob when he asked if I ran. I did run..well..ranned...ran.
Many years ago, I got the bug to run. At first it was easy peasy lemo...fuck me...it sucked from the beginning. Lasted about two years and then I smartened up or got lazy. Smartened up sounds better right?
I had no stamina the first few weeks. Then ....Stamina became my new friend. It was like a drug man. I couldn't get enough of that dude. What they say is true. Running does give you a high. NOOO you Stoners, not munchies high. Christ..focus.
The bad thing about stamina is that one minute he is your friend, the next he is your stomach holding, side splitting, I am going to die friend.
I remember that bastard as I was running the final leg of the 6th grade 600 yard dash. I went from cruising to crawling in 50 measly yards. Pathetic.
Have you ever watched the Hawaiian Iron Man Race? There are like what? 7 million people who run that damn thing. Me not being one of them. Every year I watch this and am amazed at the different types of people who run the race. The mom with two jobs and six kids, the son running in memory of his grandpa, the ultra marathon freaks, the dad pushing his son in a wheel chair and pedaling his bike because his son has lost both his legs in the war. Most inspiring thing I ever saw.
I'll let you know I a tried my very best to keep up with Rob. He even did the pant thing and tucked them swiftly in a jogging bag he brought with him. Dude was channeling a metro sexual version of Rain Murphy. Two miles in I gave up while waving him to continue while wondering to myself "why are there pliers pinching my side?"
Sadly Rob and I broke up after one running date.
If you think you can't do something, just look round folks. Other people are doing it. That should be motivation enough.
The sportsfreak says On your mark..Get set...Read !!
I was doomed from the beginning when he came out dressed like he was ready to run a marathon. I am talking the Addidas sweatsuit (with rip away pants) $1500 running shoes, head band , water bottle attached to a belt (what moron invented that damn thing), meanwhile I styled the basketball shorts, high tops and tshirt I woke up with on. I was gonna win ugly.
Now in my hey day, I could squeeze out five or six miles. That's where the Ray- ometer stopped. Rob said he was fine with that. Now let me tell y'all that I was not fully truthful to Rob when he asked if I ran. I did run..well..ranned...ran.
Many years ago, I got the bug to run. At first it was easy peasy lemo...fuck me...it sucked from the beginning. Lasted about two years and then I smartened up or got lazy. Smartened up sounds better right?
I had no stamina the first few weeks. Then ....Stamina became my new friend. It was like a drug man. I couldn't get enough of that dude. What they say is true. Running does give you a high. NOOO you Stoners, not munchies high. Christ..focus.
The bad thing about stamina is that one minute he is your friend, the next he is your stomach holding, side splitting, I am going to die friend.
I remember that bastard as I was running the final leg of the 6th grade 600 yard dash. I went from cruising to crawling in 50 measly yards. Pathetic.
Have you ever watched the Hawaiian Iron Man Race? There are like what? 7 million people who run that damn thing. Me not being one of them. Every year I watch this and am amazed at the different types of people who run the race. The mom with two jobs and six kids, the son running in memory of his grandpa, the ultra marathon freaks, the dad pushing his son in a wheel chair and pedaling his bike because his son has lost both his legs in the war. Most inspiring thing I ever saw.
I'll let you know I a tried my very best to keep up with Rob. He even did the pant thing and tucked them swiftly in a jogging bag he brought with him. Dude was channeling a metro sexual version of Rain Murphy. Two miles in I gave up while waving him to continue while wondering to myself "why are there pliers pinching my side?"
Sadly Rob and I broke up after one running date.
If you think you can't do something, just look round folks. Other people are doing it. That should be motivation enough.
The sportsfreak says On your mark..Get set...Read !!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
When all else fails, PUNT !
As a young lad, I was never enamored by the great football position players of the era. To me Joe Montana was an ok quarterback, Lawrence Taylor was an average defensive guy, Franco Harris was a fine running back but for me the most interesting position players were the kickers. Seems weird since I can't kick a lick. My soccer skills are worse than a 6 year olds. My kickball kicks (even to this day) usually burn the ground and never go where I intend them to go. I remember kicking off the ball in some pick up football games in the park, if one in ten made it into the air, we had success. I am sure it wasn't normal to have bruises on your feet after attempting to punt a few down the field. What the matter with me feet? I can kick a tennis ball real good after a bad shot and I can keep a balloon afloat with my feet for minutes on end. It boggles my mind.
Back to the kickers of the NFL.
Garo Yepremian of the Dolphins was a favorite of mine. Until he decided to throw the ball.
I loved Jack Dempsey, dude had half a foot and still holds the record for longest field goal (40 something years by now)
The all-time favorite player of mine will always be Dave Jennings of the New York Giants. As a twelve year old, I sent him some letters. OK, about 20. I asked him tons of questions about punting, to describe his practices and most importantly for some tips on how to become a good punter or did he ever get scared of on coming lineman? To my surprise, boy was I every time I went to the mail box to find letter from the the NY Giants addressed to me. He was thoughtful enough to answer this punk kids questions with great detail and care. I think by my third letter he may have thought that I was out of for his job. He always included signed photos and some sort of Giants stickers or some of his cards. He was like my pen pal for a whole season. Thinking back on it, knowing that the kickers in the game today still don't get the respect from their peers (Ray Guy , still not in the hall.)I may have been the only kid writing to a punter. Ever.
FYI- I still have the letters and give them a read through every so often.
That my friends, takes me back.
So for all those watching the game this weekend. I ask you to give some time to observing the under-appreciated kicking game. When your punter rips one for 59 yeards with no return. You will have witnessed something special.
the sportsfreaks code:
its an Uncle right to kick his nephews in the pants an unlimited amount of times.
I know its not always funny.. nah.. its always funny.
I had hours of fun throwing the baseball off the cement base of the house to practice fielding grounders. To be as good as Willie Randolph you had to practice, practice, practice you know. Unfortunately my aim was not very good as I proceeded to break most of bottom shingles off the house with my throws. I'm sure my Pop was thrilled.
Us neighborhood kids had some epic wiffle ball games there. It was no holds barred when we played. You would think that playing with a wiffle ball and bat you we safe from breaking things and each other. Think again. Getting hit with a WF bat hurts like the dickens and did you ever get your finger caught in the ball. Everything STOPS! to surgically remove your pinched finger. But you did run around with the ball dangling from your finger to show it joyfully to everyone playing how you caught it.The yard definitely took it hard during those games. Fences were ran into, precious flower blooms were ripped from their stems in order to stay on base and moms new mulching jobs provided some tough footing during those sky high pop ups.
Hey Dad, muchas gracias for mowing the field (lawn), we were sliding an extra two or three feet just because of that.
I can't remember how this game came to be in the yard but it was fantastic.It's tough to describe, I'm sure may have been a tennis device for practice. The tennis ball was attached to a cord and it spun up and down along the metal screw top. Anyone? Help with a name? I told you it was tough to describe.Boy oh boy did we practice, we practiced so hard on that thing we broke the wire the ball was attached to. Lots of frustration was taken out on that poor thing. I'm sure it was probably happy to die.
Our parents must have really thought us kids were nuts. We would have relay races between the neighbors four yards. We'd have to navigate six fences, four gates one or two dogs, cars in driveways, Damn.. we'd be running across lawns, flower beds (good short cuts), clothes lines, sprinklers and sunbathers. That is when I got most use of my "stop watch" option on my watch (that was a quick shout out to my Facebook friends). I even used my pops old hand held stop watch at the time. Gotta get me one of those again. I got some nephews and nieces who are just like we used to be and would do anything to get timed.
there's Mom's whistle, the sportsfreaks got to go.
Back to the kickers of the NFL.
Garo Yepremian of the Dolphins was a favorite of mine. Until he decided to throw the ball.
I loved Jack Dempsey, dude had half a foot and still holds the record for longest field goal (40 something years by now)
The all-time favorite player of mine will always be Dave Jennings of the New York Giants. As a twelve year old, I sent him some letters. OK, about 20. I asked him tons of questions about punting, to describe his practices and most importantly for some tips on how to become a good punter or did he ever get scared of on coming lineman? To my surprise, boy was I every time I went to the mail box to find letter from the the NY Giants addressed to me. He was thoughtful enough to answer this punk kids questions with great detail and care. I think by my third letter he may have thought that I was out of for his job. He always included signed photos and some sort of Giants stickers or some of his cards. He was like my pen pal for a whole season. Thinking back on it, knowing that the kickers in the game today still don't get the respect from their peers (Ray Guy , still not in the hall.)I may have been the only kid writing to a punter. Ever.
FYI- I still have the letters and give them a read through every so often.
That my friends, takes me back.
So for all those watching the game this weekend. I ask you to give some time to observing the under-appreciated kicking game. When your punter rips one for 59 yeards with no return. You will have witnessed something special.
the sportsfreaks code:
its an Uncle right to kick his nephews in the pants an unlimited amount of times.
I know its not always funny.. nah.. its always funny.
I had hours of fun throwing the baseball off the cement base of the house to practice fielding grounders. To be as good as Willie Randolph you had to practice, practice, practice you know. Unfortunately my aim was not very good as I proceeded to break most of bottom shingles off the house with my throws. I'm sure my Pop was thrilled.
Us neighborhood kids had some epic wiffle ball games there. It was no holds barred when we played. You would think that playing with a wiffle ball and bat you we safe from breaking things and each other. Think again. Getting hit with a WF bat hurts like the dickens and did you ever get your finger caught in the ball. Everything STOPS! to surgically remove your pinched finger. But you did run around with the ball dangling from your finger to show it joyfully to everyone playing how you caught it.The yard definitely took it hard during those games. Fences were ran into, precious flower blooms were ripped from their stems in order to stay on base and moms new mulching jobs provided some tough footing during those sky high pop ups.
Hey Dad, muchas gracias for mowing the field (lawn), we were sliding an extra two or three feet just because of that.
I can't remember how this game came to be in the yard but it was fantastic.It's tough to describe, I'm sure may have been a tennis device for practice. The tennis ball was attached to a cord and it spun up and down along the metal screw top. Anyone? Help with a name? I told you it was tough to describe.Boy oh boy did we practice, we practiced so hard on that thing we broke the wire the ball was attached to. Lots of frustration was taken out on that poor thing. I'm sure it was probably happy to die.
Our parents must have really thought us kids were nuts. We would have relay races between the neighbors four yards. We'd have to navigate six fences, four gates one or two dogs, cars in driveways, Damn.. we'd be running across lawns, flower beds (good short cuts), clothes lines, sprinklers and sunbathers. That is when I got most use of my "stop watch" option on my watch (that was a quick shout out to my Facebook friends). I even used my pops old hand held stop watch at the time. Gotta get me one of those again. I got some nephews and nieces who are just like we used to be and would do anything to get timed.
there's Mom's whistle, the sportsfreaks got to go.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Four-ty ! (Degrees)
Last week I was prompted to play a round of golf by a few of the guys at the office. We took off from work for a day of golf that we soon would never forget. We heard about this golf course is South Lake County, FL that was offering free "winter" golf to all golfers. For real, dude. The only criteria for golfers was, they had to dress in their finest Florida summer clothes. This seemed like the best deal ever until you realize it was forecast to be only 41 degrees that day with a windchill factor in the low 30's. Certainly not the balmy Florida weather us sports are used to.
So donned with my flip flops, white shorts (did someone say white out?), polo shirt , shades and Gator Cap I set forth to meet up with the guys at 6:45am. Wouldn't you know it we had one guy, faking sick, who would not be joining us (FYI Andrew, we know where you live.)
To all you Northerner's, 30 something degrees down here is not a good thing. We got thin blood . Really we do. So to say it was cold was an understatement. If I could've stayed in my car with heater on while driving the the cart path I would have. But nooooo..the golf course had a few tricks up their sleeves for all those who ventured out for this special deal. We had a use a golf cart. An open air golf cart! The mere thought of driving faster to finish the round quicker quickly went away when hit with the extra cold wind it created. The crazy cart girls (those beeotches, in their thermals) were of no help. They were only serving frosty beverages (beer me!). You were not able to leave the course for any reason. But they did have Icee machines on holes 5 and 14 for those trying to keep cool. I ventured for cherry. Delicious. aaahhh Brain Freeze!
During the turn was our only reprieve from the elements. You had 15 minutes. (can you believe the bastards timed us) to warm up in the clubhouse. I'll be honest, it was the most glorious 15 minutes of my life. Then it was back out into the frozen tundra. Of all the days for the sun to be shy. This was getting worse by the minute.
To say I shot bad was an understatement. How does one stay relaxed and focused while shivering to death? My stupid chicken skin had goose bumps.
My favorite vision for the day was a foursome we passed that had painted the letters G-O-L-F on their bare chests. All you football fans think you so bad ass. HA!
In the end, with rosy cheeks and runny noses we said our good byes.
The sportsfreak enjoyed his day just being one of the guys.
So donned with my flip flops, white shorts (did someone say white out?), polo shirt , shades and Gator Cap I set forth to meet up with the guys at 6:45am. Wouldn't you know it we had one guy, faking sick, who would not be joining us (FYI Andrew, we know where you live.)
To all you Northerner's, 30 something degrees down here is not a good thing. We got thin blood . Really we do. So to say it was cold was an understatement. If I could've stayed in my car with heater on while driving the the cart path I would have. But nooooo..the golf course had a few tricks up their sleeves for all those who ventured out for this special deal. We had a use a golf cart. An open air golf cart! The mere thought of driving faster to finish the round quicker quickly went away when hit with the extra cold wind it created. The crazy cart girls (those beeotches, in their thermals) were of no help. They were only serving frosty beverages (beer me!). You were not able to leave the course for any reason. But they did have Icee machines on holes 5 and 14 for those trying to keep cool. I ventured for cherry. Delicious. aaahhh Brain Freeze!
During the turn was our only reprieve from the elements. You had 15 minutes. (can you believe the bastards timed us) to warm up in the clubhouse. I'll be honest, it was the most glorious 15 minutes of my life. Then it was back out into the frozen tundra. Of all the days for the sun to be shy. This was getting worse by the minute.
To say I shot bad was an understatement. How does one stay relaxed and focused while shivering to death? My stupid chicken skin had goose bumps.
My favorite vision for the day was a foursome we passed that had painted the letters G-O-L-F on their bare chests. All you football fans think you so bad ass. HA!
In the end, with rosy cheeks and runny noses we said our good byes.
The sportsfreak enjoyed his day just being one of the guys.
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Young Ones
Who says that you can never start playing sports too early?
The past few weeks I have been lucky enough to have been a witness to, as well as a participant in a few sporting events that I will tell you about in this and future blogs.
As I walked to my assigned court I could feel my stomach getting tighter and tighter as I got closer to the gate leading to the court. I never felt like this ever in all my years of playing tennis. But today was a different day, today was the first day that I would be teaching tennis to a court full of 5 year olds. The Tot-Tennis Training Program as they call it, surely could not be that hard right? When I signed up to teach the class I was sure that I could do this with my eyes closed. I love to play tennis. I love the whole playing with anyone who wants to enjoy the sport as much as I do. This was a no brainer. But when I opened the the gate and ten little sets of wide eyes turned my way. It was, I'll admit, a little scary.
After introducing myself (FYI- Mr.Ray is much easier for the kiddos than Mr. Kubicsko) to the kids and their parents, we got down to business of having some fun. For some of the kids this was the first time on the court, much less knowing anything about how to play tennis. So our goal this day was just to introduce themselves to their racquets, the tennis balls and the court. Pink racquets for the girls and blue ones for the boys. Even kids know that! The dumping of 200 tennis balls on the court was a hit. Lots of giggles and laughing as they scrambled to pick them all up. One little girl said they felt soft like her bunny rabbit. I'll remember that one to ease the tension the next time I'm serving for a match. For some cardio, I started them marching around the lines of the court single file, then a little faster and then to an all out sprint. At that point I had to slow it down because of some kids were stumbling, bumbling, berman style. We then visited the "net". Why is it so high? Was one of the questions I got. Won't the ball go through the holes in the net? was another winner.
At the end of the first class I had 10 happy students and one even happier Coach.
Coach Sportsfreaks methods are mysterious.
The past few weeks I have been lucky enough to have been a witness to, as well as a participant in a few sporting events that I will tell you about in this and future blogs.
As I walked to my assigned court I could feel my stomach getting tighter and tighter as I got closer to the gate leading to the court. I never felt like this ever in all my years of playing tennis. But today was a different day, today was the first day that I would be teaching tennis to a court full of 5 year olds. The Tot-Tennis Training Program as they call it, surely could not be that hard right? When I signed up to teach the class I was sure that I could do this with my eyes closed. I love to play tennis. I love the whole playing with anyone who wants to enjoy the sport as much as I do. This was a no brainer. But when I opened the the gate and ten little sets of wide eyes turned my way. It was, I'll admit, a little scary.
After introducing myself (FYI- Mr.Ray is much easier for the kiddos than Mr. Kubicsko) to the kids and their parents, we got down to business of having some fun. For some of the kids this was the first time on the court, much less knowing anything about how to play tennis. So our goal this day was just to introduce themselves to their racquets, the tennis balls and the court. Pink racquets for the girls and blue ones for the boys. Even kids know that! The dumping of 200 tennis balls on the court was a hit. Lots of giggles and laughing as they scrambled to pick them all up. One little girl said they felt soft like her bunny rabbit. I'll remember that one to ease the tension the next time I'm serving for a match. For some cardio, I started them marching around the lines of the court single file, then a little faster and then to an all out sprint. At that point I had to slow it down because of some kids were stumbling, bumbling, berman style. We then visited the "net". Why is it so high? Was one of the questions I got. Won't the ball go through the holes in the net? was another winner.
At the end of the first class I had 10 happy students and one even happier Coach.
Coach Sportsfreaks methods are mysterious.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Pick Me ! Pick Me !
Last week I signed up for friendly tennis tournament, signing up about 1.5 hours before the event. Warmed up relaxed and feeling loose for my match, time comes to play. Ray is not listed to participate. What?!! 64 players signed up. I know I signed up. But to no avail, I was the 65th. The Tennis Nazi announces "NO TENNIS FOR YOU!". Not sure how this could have happened, but it did. So as respectful as I could be leaving the court, I hit a ball over the fence, took my racket and went home. I think Johnny Mac would have asked me for a bit more.
I haven't felt that slighted since finding raisins in my Trick or Treat bag.
A close 2nd was last month when a guy at the Y decided he didn't want me as his 5th for a game. (Me? I'm channeling Kiki Vandeweghe, his loss.). Got him back when he asked me this week to play so he could get a run in and I told him I was not interested. Loving every minute of him sitting on the bleachers as I drained a few more practice shots. Karma!
Ultimate slights:
Being the last pick in dodge ball- if you wore glasses it was an automatic.
Having a girl being picked before you (a boy!). Boy o boy , have you got problems.
66th best college basketball team. So the teams record is 14-17. It still hurts.
Having your High-Five attempt go un-recognized. There is no smooth way to bring your arm back down and hope that no one saw you get dissed.
Even the elite of sports have their own ways of telling players about their shortcoming but try to say it in the nicest ways possible.
He is a "grinder" or "scrappy" player= fields his position...can't hit worth a damn.
That player has "intangibles" = very smart...not very talented.
A fine "complimentary" player =
you want to be a.. your never going to be a...you never were a... STAR.
A "Serviceable" big man = you take up space nicely.
A "Smart" base runner = if you run any slower, you will go backwards.
A "Utility" man = 10 more years of playing for 10 more teams around the league.
A "Middle Relief Man"= pitchers purgatory.
Can't go more than 3 1/3 in a start.. can't close a close one.
the sportsfreak WANTS YOU to keep reading!
I haven't felt that slighted since finding raisins in my Trick or Treat bag.
A close 2nd was last month when a guy at the Y decided he didn't want me as his 5th for a game. (Me? I'm channeling Kiki Vandeweghe, his loss.). Got him back when he asked me this week to play so he could get a run in and I told him I was not interested. Loving every minute of him sitting on the bleachers as I drained a few more practice shots. Karma!
Ultimate slights:
Being the last pick in dodge ball- if you wore glasses it was an automatic.
Having a girl being picked before you (a boy!). Boy o boy , have you got problems.
66th best college basketball team. So the teams record is 14-17. It still hurts.
Having your High-Five attempt go un-recognized. There is no smooth way to bring your arm back down and hope that no one saw you get dissed.
Even the elite of sports have their own ways of telling players about their shortcoming but try to say it in the nicest ways possible.
He is a "grinder" or "scrappy" player= fields his position...can't hit worth a damn.
That player has "intangibles" = very smart...not very talented.
A fine "complimentary" player =
you want to be a.. your never going to be a...you never were a... STAR.
A "Serviceable" big man = you take up space nicely.
A "Smart" base runner = if you run any slower, you will go backwards.
A "Utility" man = 10 more years of playing for 10 more teams around the league.
A "Middle Relief Man"= pitchers purgatory.
Can't go more than 3 1/3 in a start.. can't close a close one.
the sportsfreak WANTS YOU to keep reading!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sing-A-Long
It's time for the sportsfreak sing-a-long.
This weeks title: The Adams Family theme song
Snap Snap
Snap Snap
There's Yogi and there's Mickey,
Mattingly and Reggie,
And don't forget about Joe D,
The Yankees Family.
Their house is a museum
Where people come to see 'em
4 million like to scre'am
The Yankees Family.
Clete
Sweet(Lou)
Pettite
Now we have twenty seven
Sending our prayers to heaven
Champions in twenty eleven
The Yankees Family
Snap Snap
Snap Snap
This weeks title: The Adams Family theme song
Snap Snap
Snap Snap
There's Yogi and there's Mickey,
Mattingly and Reggie,
And don't forget about Joe D,
The Yankees Family.
Their house is a museum
Where people come to see 'em
4 million like to scre'am
The Yankees Family.
Clete
Sweet(Lou)
Pettite
Now we have twenty seven
Sending our prayers to heaven
Champions in twenty eleven
The Yankees Family
Snap Snap
Snap Snap
Friday, October 22, 2010
Get a Grip Already
We've all been there right? The first time that you accidentally lose the handle of the bat during a swing and the bat is on its own into the wild blue yonder.
Some emotions/questions are sure to go through your mind when it happens, my first reaction was fear (is it going to hit someone/something, amazement (look at that trajectory), excited (its spun around 18 freaking times), calmness (how long has it been up there), global (thinking about Australia for some reason), pain (as it hits the ground), sadness (I'm sorry bat, I let you slip out of my hands)
I love it when a bat goes into the stands, now I don't want people to get hurt, but for me, it's one of the most exciting "all for yourselves" scenarios. As soon as the bats is in the air... some fans are getting into the fetal position, some diving behind loved ones (Sorry honey), a few are running up the stairs to get away or those who were on their phones, are bracing for the pain.
There's always one moron, who stands amongst the rest of us cowards and has to try and catch the damn thing. For some reason, he never catches it as cool as we thought he might catch it, right? It's not like he'll snare it blindfolded while holding a baby. He usually makes it with the awkward two handed body catch while saving it with his leg before it hits the ground. Then he'll thrust it in the air, so all of us can applaud. Not so smooth my friend.
Did you ever use pine tar?
I tried it once. No help with my hitting and it took a jar of Lava to get the crap off my hands.
Wearing gloves to the plate? You're a Momma's Boy!!
I swear to god I am shrinking. (As a man , does that sound bad?)
When I started playing tennis the racket grip was a 4 as I grew to an adult, a 4 1/2,then as time went by, a 4 1/4, now at the ripe age of 43 it's a 4.
Badminton- do I have lady hands? I am likin' the 3 3/4 grip.
The racket is like a whip!
To bowl or not to bowl with a glove is the question?
If you bowl with a glove.. Your a dick!
To bring you non-bowlers up to speed on bowling accessories,
Bowling has fingerless gloves... My guess is its for those going to play handball after.
They have fancy white gloves. Hey idiot, you're bowling, not playing golf.
The black half glove where it cut off at the knuckles.
Never sure what that was supposed to help you with.
Bowling has cyborg appendages for your hand and wrist that promised life-like ball control (hey Kirschenbaum !, that didn't work for you dude, but your #1)
I tried them all. Still feel like a jerk thinking they'd help my game.
Do as the others do and stick with the sportsfreak.
Some emotions/questions are sure to go through your mind when it happens, my first reaction was fear (is it going to hit someone/something, amazement (look at that trajectory), excited (its spun around 18 freaking times), calmness (how long has it been up there), global (thinking about Australia for some reason), pain (as it hits the ground), sadness (I'm sorry bat, I let you slip out of my hands)
I love it when a bat goes into the stands, now I don't want people to get hurt, but for me, it's one of the most exciting "all for yourselves" scenarios. As soon as the bats is in the air... some fans are getting into the fetal position, some diving behind loved ones (Sorry honey), a few are running up the stairs to get away or those who were on their phones, are bracing for the pain.
There's always one moron, who stands amongst the rest of us cowards and has to try and catch the damn thing. For some reason, he never catches it as cool as we thought he might catch it, right? It's not like he'll snare it blindfolded while holding a baby. He usually makes it with the awkward two handed body catch while saving it with his leg before it hits the ground. Then he'll thrust it in the air, so all of us can applaud. Not so smooth my friend.
Did you ever use pine tar?
I tried it once. No help with my hitting and it took a jar of Lava to get the crap off my hands.
Wearing gloves to the plate? You're a Momma's Boy!!
I swear to god I am shrinking. (As a man , does that sound bad?)
When I started playing tennis the racket grip was a 4 as I grew to an adult, a 4 1/2,then as time went by, a 4 1/4, now at the ripe age of 43 it's a 4.
Badminton- do I have lady hands? I am likin' the 3 3/4 grip.
The racket is like a whip!
To bowl or not to bowl with a glove is the question?
If you bowl with a glove.. Your a dick!
To bring you non-bowlers up to speed on bowling accessories,
Bowling has fingerless gloves... My guess is its for those going to play handball after.
They have fancy white gloves. Hey idiot, you're bowling, not playing golf.
The black half glove where it cut off at the knuckles.
Never sure what that was supposed to help you with.
Bowling has cyborg appendages for your hand and wrist that promised life-like ball control (hey Kirschenbaum !, that didn't work for you dude, but your #1)
I tried them all. Still feel like a jerk thinking they'd help my game.
Do as the others do and stick with the sportsfreak.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Remember to Use Protection
An NBA owner being fined talking about players reminds me of how the NFL has been protecting its Quarterbacks. It has gotten out of hand. The NBA is really saying " Shut Up and Play" to all their players/coaches/owners. We, the fans, and the media clamour for personalities in all sports. We love our TO's, our 85's(no habla espanol), our AI's, and our Manny's being Manny. I couldn't imagine how boring our leagues would be without them. We have enough company men playing our sports.
I say let the players be themselves. Loosen the leash guys. (Marc Cuban agrees with me)
I picked up an old catchers mask at the flea market last month. Had to hide it from another buyer (forgot da moolah in da car). Leather wrapped around a metal frame. Not much to it. I now have more respect for the catchers of those days. They had to be tough. Now you just have to be related to a Molina to play catcher.
When I first started playing baseball , I was excited to get my first full uniform. I finally made it from the T shirts to the real uniform. New to me, but not everyone else is that I had to now go out and get myself a athletic cup/supporter. "Can't play with the big boys if you don't protect your boys" is what the coach told us.
Going to the store and buying was a different story. I died of embarrassment because my mom was with me and, like I'm sure, everyone in the store knew I was buying this damn thing. I could hear the in store annoucement coming " We need a price check on a Jr size (ahem..make that large) athletic supporter at register 2".
Truth be damned...I never wore the stupid thing. I, as do my nuggets, thank the lucky stars that I never even had a close call.
Quote that should be on all athletic supporter boxes.
"with your cup, comes great responsibility."
I love Nascar's fire "retardant' uniforms. Shouldn't these guys wear these things everywhere they go? Who knows when a hot cup of McDonald's coffee may fall in their lap. Another reason is because it's the only way the people will recognize some of these faceless drivers. Living up North we got a paragraph a week about the race.Down South its a different story. People got driver pics in their wallets. The truth is now I can recognize 15 to 20 of theses guys. Hey, living in the south changes a man. Jeff Gordon rules!!! Did you know he is like 4'11' a tiny, tiny, tiny man.
The sportsfreak's gotta go work on his tan.
My secret...SPF 50
I say let the players be themselves. Loosen the leash guys. (Marc Cuban agrees with me)
I picked up an old catchers mask at the flea market last month. Had to hide it from another buyer (forgot da moolah in da car). Leather wrapped around a metal frame. Not much to it. I now have more respect for the catchers of those days. They had to be tough. Now you just have to be related to a Molina to play catcher.
When I first started playing baseball , I was excited to get my first full uniform. I finally made it from the T shirts to the real uniform. New to me, but not everyone else is that I had to now go out and get myself a athletic cup/supporter. "Can't play with the big boys if you don't protect your boys" is what the coach told us.
Going to the store and buying was a different story. I died of embarrassment because my mom was with me and, like I'm sure, everyone in the store knew I was buying this damn thing. I could hear the in store annoucement coming " We need a price check on a Jr size (ahem..make that large) athletic supporter at register 2".
Truth be damned...I never wore the stupid thing. I, as do my nuggets, thank the lucky stars that I never even had a close call.
Quote that should be on all athletic supporter boxes.
"with your cup, comes great responsibility."
I love Nascar's fire "retardant' uniforms. Shouldn't these guys wear these things everywhere they go? Who knows when a hot cup of McDonald's coffee may fall in their lap. Another reason is because it's the only way the people will recognize some of these faceless drivers. Living up North we got a paragraph a week about the race.Down South its a different story. People got driver pics in their wallets. The truth is now I can recognize 15 to 20 of theses guys. Hey, living in the south changes a man. Jeff Gordon rules!!! Did you know he is like 4'11' a tiny, tiny, tiny man.
The sportsfreak's gotta go work on his tan.
My secret...SPF 50
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Want to go halfsies ?
As I watch my upteenth football game this weekend I have noticed that I am seeing less and less of a sports tradition that will ultimately be seen only one day a year fi it continues at its currentpace. I am talking about "the Half Time Show". After shoveling as much sports info into my head as humanly possible, the last thing I want to see during Half Time are highlights and breakdown of the game I was just watching.
I tend to lean toward the side of traditionalist when it comes to my sports. It was traditionally the Half Time show where I could sit back and see the home school marching band perform, as well as proudly show to a nation their school spirit.
I was always amazed by the band spelling out their schools name while playing.
Still am. Go FAMU Rattlers!
I wish to reclaim "Half Time" for all fans. Sure the fans at the game get some of this authentic "Half Time" but us suckers at home get a "Network Half Time Show"
How many gecko commercials can one person stand?
Sure we get an occasional look at the fans at the game when the teams score, but in comparison, we get far too many views of players spitting or coaches just standing.
Would it kill the TV guys to show more of the games fanaticals for more than 2 seconds. Some of us go through hours and hours of preparation to create our look for the game.What better time to showcase some of them than at Half Time? Seems like a no brainer to me.
Some newcomers to the NCAA Football and season have a lot to learn about school traditions that are dear to the schools faithful. Where better to learn about hook'em horns and how to rock them correctly. Or why a wild buffalo tears across the field during a score or why cannons are fired after a team scores or why we see cheerleaders doing push ups after the home team scores. The die-hards and alumni may know everything about their schools trads but a newby needs info and lots of it.
The networks need to think about keeping traditions alive a bit longer. If you could hear the Tennessee faithful, all 100,000 of them, singing Rocky Top you might be so overwhelmed with emotions you never knew you had, you might ditch your team to be a Vol for life.
Another area for TV to look to enlighten the nation is the Student Sections. The kids there are insane, not matter what school, plain insane. They love there school and boy do they have the spirit in them (yes some of those spirits too, you know what I mean).The students have their own traditions that we the public rarely see. Unusual, pregame rituals (Paterno-Ville), in game trad (ND's waving keys or Maryland's newspaper reading) and post game salutes.(WV singing Country Roads).
Before going to a game, be prepared, know them, be one with the students.
So if you feel as though the traditions of your school are somehow slowly being forgotten by the TV networks, so be sure to tell ,show, re-enact them to someone, anyone, everyone new to the fabulously insane world of college football.
the sportsfreak will see you "the Half"
I tend to lean toward the side of traditionalist when it comes to my sports. It was traditionally the Half Time show where I could sit back and see the home school marching band perform, as well as proudly show to a nation their school spirit.
I was always amazed by the band spelling out their schools name while playing.
Still am. Go FAMU Rattlers!
I wish to reclaim "Half Time" for all fans. Sure the fans at the game get some of this authentic "Half Time" but us suckers at home get a "Network Half Time Show"
How many gecko commercials can one person stand?
Sure we get an occasional look at the fans at the game when the teams score, but in comparison, we get far too many views of players spitting or coaches just standing.
Would it kill the TV guys to show more of the games fanaticals for more than 2 seconds. Some of us go through hours and hours of preparation to create our look for the game.What better time to showcase some of them than at Half Time? Seems like a no brainer to me.
Some newcomers to the NCAA Football and season have a lot to learn about school traditions that are dear to the schools faithful. Where better to learn about hook'em horns and how to rock them correctly. Or why a wild buffalo tears across the field during a score or why cannons are fired after a team scores or why we see cheerleaders doing push ups after the home team scores. The die-hards and alumni may know everything about their schools trads but a newby needs info and lots of it.
The networks need to think about keeping traditions alive a bit longer. If you could hear the Tennessee faithful, all 100,000 of them, singing Rocky Top you might be so overwhelmed with emotions you never knew you had, you might ditch your team to be a Vol for life.
Another area for TV to look to enlighten the nation is the Student Sections. The kids there are insane, not matter what school, plain insane. They love there school and boy do they have the spirit in them (yes some of those spirits too, you know what I mean).The students have their own traditions that we the public rarely see. Unusual, pregame rituals (Paterno-Ville), in game trad (ND's waving keys or Maryland's newspaper reading) and post game salutes.(WV singing Country Roads).
Before going to a game, be prepared, know them, be one with the students.
So if you feel as though the traditions of your school are somehow slowly being forgotten by the TV networks, so be sure to tell ,show, re-enact them to someone, anyone, everyone new to the fabulously insane world of college football.
the sportsfreak will see you "the Half"
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Working On Working Out
I want to work out. Honestly I do. I just can't bring myself to do it the traditional way... by going to the gym. I never bought into the whole of idea of it. I did try for a solid 16 1/2 months. I lived the gym rats dream, going after work 3-4 times a week religiously. In the beginning, I had the mandatory trainer guide me through the workouts. That basically sucked! FYI-A grown man should not have to cry in front of his trainer. But things happen. After probation I had full run of the place. So I did as many as 50 people did every time they visited with me to this glorious place. I planted myself on a treadmill and watched a movie. Yes they had a movie theatre in the gym! Working out Schworking Out! Pass the Popcorn!
I first walked, then jogged, then ran to my hearts content while watching the Rocky Five-ology or the Bourne Identity Three-ology. Please let it be known that even though I only visited the theatre during my workouts, they had treadmills, bikes, elliptical machine, stair master etc, so I was a master of all by the time my sentence was up. I don't think I ever saw Gold Gym rep in that theatre, maybe we were in solitary confinement and we really didn't know it. So to all my fellow gym(nasts)who were pumping iron or working on the lat machine or the demonic ab crunching machine, I enjoyed our time together(albiet segregated).
So now I use the old fashion method of working out by just playing sports I like. Its a simple theory really, instead of riding the a bike inside, I ride it outside. Instead of a stair master, I do a hundred layups. Playing Tennis for a few hours, a couple days a week instead of an aerobics class.
I stumbled upon a revolutionary way to keep in shape this past month.
And for just 3 easy payments of $19.95 I will let you in on my secret.
But since you are friends of the sportsfreak, I will let you slide.
I call it "The Free For All, Away from it All" 7 day workout
This workout was inspired by my family from LI visiting me this past summer.
New Workout Equipment: Emily 8, Eric 10 and Joey 10
Slightly Used Equipment: Fran (45), Moms (70) and Pops (70)
Exercise #1: Swimming
I was told I would be having to swim 21 total hours, well not really swimming, it was just throwing the kids around in the pool. It sorta went like this:
Em 50 pounds lift and throw. Eric 80 pounds lift and throw. Joey 100 pounds lift and throw. Sort of like the clean and jerk lifts minus the clean.
Three sets of ten and I was done.
Got a new training method for Michael Phelps, that would be to have some kids sit on his back while swimming, it ain't easy Mikey.
Exercise #2: Water Park
Ok, my Pops are I were thinking this is going to be day of fun and sun, a little relaxing lazy river riding with a tube ride or two. Not happening says the kiddos. The stupid lazy river was not lazy and not relaxing, how can you relax with 3 kids all riding the 5 mile an hour current in three different tunnels and spray areas. God, I was so happy to see the end of the ride. Yet the kids convinced me to go two more rounds.
Hey Pops, thanks for bringing up the rear (100 yards behind!)
You were a huge help.(these are the sarcastic italics)
Exercise #3: Climbing the Human Jungle Gym
Uncle Ray was the Human Jungle Gym.
Monkey Joe, Monkey Emily and Monkey Eric took turns trying to break the jungle gym. Understand people, that the Jungle Gym is 43 years old, the jungle gym looks brand new, but is still 43 years old. All in all, The Jungle Gym would not trade his time with the monkeys for anything.
Exercise #4: The Mount Dora Death March
This is an exercise I wouldn't wish on my Mother. Wait..this exercise was led by my Mother. All I can say folks is... Mt.Dora ...August... Hot...Wet... A little boring says the kids. Did I mention it was hot and wet? If you can complete one set a year there, you got me beat.
P.S. Mommy, your favorite loves Mt.Dora, don't tell the others.
The worst part of the workout was coming at the end of the week.
I would not have my equipment(family) there to continue my workouts.
They always say you should workout with a workout buddy.
I was lucky enough to have six of them.
All the sportsfreaks love
Miss you guys
I first walked, then jogged, then ran to my hearts content while watching the Rocky Five-ology or the Bourne Identity Three-ology. Please let it be known that even though I only visited the theatre during my workouts, they had treadmills, bikes, elliptical machine, stair master etc, so I was a master of all by the time my sentence was up. I don't think I ever saw Gold Gym rep in that theatre, maybe we were in solitary confinement and we really didn't know it. So to all my fellow gym(nasts)who were pumping iron or working on the lat machine or the demonic ab crunching machine, I enjoyed our time together(albiet segregated).
So now I use the old fashion method of working out by just playing sports I like. Its a simple theory really, instead of riding the a bike inside, I ride it outside. Instead of a stair master, I do a hundred layups. Playing Tennis for a few hours, a couple days a week instead of an aerobics class.
I stumbled upon a revolutionary way to keep in shape this past month.
And for just 3 easy payments of $19.95 I will let you in on my secret.
But since you are friends of the sportsfreak, I will let you slide.
I call it "The Free For All, Away from it All" 7 day workout
This workout was inspired by my family from LI visiting me this past summer.
New Workout Equipment: Emily 8, Eric 10 and Joey 10
Slightly Used Equipment: Fran (45), Moms (70) and Pops (70)
Exercise #1: Swimming
I was told I would be having to swim 21 total hours, well not really swimming, it was just throwing the kids around in the pool. It sorta went like this:
Em 50 pounds lift and throw. Eric 80 pounds lift and throw. Joey 100 pounds lift and throw. Sort of like the clean and jerk lifts minus the clean.
Three sets of ten and I was done.
Got a new training method for Michael Phelps, that would be to have some kids sit on his back while swimming, it ain't easy Mikey.
Exercise #2: Water Park
Ok, my Pops are I were thinking this is going to be day of fun and sun, a little relaxing lazy river riding with a tube ride or two. Not happening says the kiddos. The stupid lazy river was not lazy and not relaxing, how can you relax with 3 kids all riding the 5 mile an hour current in three different tunnels and spray areas. God, I was so happy to see the end of the ride. Yet the kids convinced me to go two more rounds.
Hey Pops, thanks for bringing up the rear (100 yards behind!)
You were a huge help.(these are the sarcastic italics)
Exercise #3: Climbing the Human Jungle Gym
Uncle Ray was the Human Jungle Gym.
Monkey Joe, Monkey Emily and Monkey Eric took turns trying to break the jungle gym. Understand people, that the Jungle Gym is 43 years old, the jungle gym looks brand new, but is still 43 years old. All in all, The Jungle Gym would not trade his time with the monkeys for anything.
Exercise #4: The Mount Dora Death March
This is an exercise I wouldn't wish on my Mother. Wait..this exercise was led by my Mother. All I can say folks is... Mt.Dora ...August... Hot...Wet... A little boring says the kids. Did I mention it was hot and wet? If you can complete one set a year there, you got me beat.
P.S. Mommy, your favorite loves Mt.Dora, don't tell the others.
The worst part of the workout was coming at the end of the week.
I would not have my equipment(family) there to continue my workouts.
They always say you should workout with a workout buddy.
I was lucky enough to have six of them.
All the sportsfreaks love
Miss you guys
Thursday, August 26, 2010
We can only dream
Ok freaks, we are heading to the land of make believe and searching for some dream pitching match ups/ battery mates/ teammates that we would have like to seen on the field together. When I watch a game, its a small thing like a play on the players names that make a lasting memory of that game, not the guys who grounded out to second. So its with a little tongue in cheek I give you some of my favorites I've seen or dreamt of.
phil COKE vs john SMILEY
You'll have the whole world smiling with you during this game.
colter BEAN(s) vs jim RICE
"Everybody sing now!"
Red beans and rice, red beans and rice, red beans and rice, make everything nice.
Red beans and rice, red beans and rice, red beans and rice, I could eat a plate twice.
So nice, nice, nice.
bud BLACK vs vida BLUE
The 330 wins between them surely bruised some opposing players egos.
dan QUISENBERRY vs darryl STRAWBERRY
You can order a Quisenberry Quench or a Strawberry Beach smoothie from Tropical Smoothie. Refreshing and good for you too! Enjoy !
jim LYTTLE relay throw to roy SMALLEY
It's a "little" bit of a stretch, sue me.
bill SHORT vs terrance LONG .
Talk about a Short career 5-11 era 4.73 Long came up short on promise.
Josh BOOTY vs ralph GARR
It's a shame neither played for the Pirates.
tim RAINES vs curt FLOOD
Tim was a natural at stealing bases. Curt opened the 'gates' of Free Agency
ernie BANKS vs don MONEY
It was money in the bank that when opening a pack of Topps cards in 1978 and always getting Two Don Money cards and no Reggie Jacksons. I was not a happy 11 year old.
PABLO torrealba vs jose ESCOBAR
You'd have to be on drugs to know anything about these players careers.
Pablos 1979 Topps card looks like he's been arrested.
purnal GOLDY vs don LOCKS
If you were alive in the 60's you were lucky enough to see these guys play.
Purnal was not beary good, he played only one year.
the sportsfreak wishes you sweet baseball dreams.
G'nite Freaks.
phil COKE vs john SMILEY
You'll have the whole world smiling with you during this game.
colter BEAN(s) vs jim RICE
"Everybody sing now!"
Red beans and rice, red beans and rice, red beans and rice, make everything nice.
Red beans and rice, red beans and rice, red beans and rice, I could eat a plate twice.
So nice, nice, nice.
bud BLACK vs vida BLUE
The 330 wins between them surely bruised some opposing players egos.
dan QUISENBERRY vs darryl STRAWBERRY
You can order a Quisenberry Quench or a Strawberry Beach smoothie from Tropical Smoothie. Refreshing and good for you too! Enjoy !
jim LYTTLE relay throw to roy SMALLEY
It's a "little" bit of a stretch, sue me.
bill SHORT vs terrance LONG .
Talk about a Short career 5-11 era 4.73 Long came up short on promise.
Josh BOOTY vs ralph GARR
It's a shame neither played for the Pirates.
tim RAINES vs curt FLOOD
Tim was a natural at stealing bases. Curt opened the 'gates' of Free Agency
ernie BANKS vs don MONEY
It was money in the bank that when opening a pack of Topps cards in 1978 and always getting Two Don Money cards and no Reggie Jacksons. I was not a happy 11 year old.
PABLO torrealba vs jose ESCOBAR
You'd have to be on drugs to know anything about these players careers.
Pablos 1979 Topps card looks like he's been arrested.
purnal GOLDY vs don LOCKS
If you were alive in the 60's you were lucky enough to see these guys play.
Purnal was not beary good, he played only one year.
the sportsfreak wishes you sweet baseball dreams.
G'nite Freaks.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Random Moments to Reflect on
Walker Cooper, outfielder in 43' World Series, held a ticket in his uniform pocket that he had left for his dad for him to attend the game. Sadly his Dad passed away before the previous game. He instructed the ushers not to have any one sit in that seat, Walker felt his Dad would still want to watch from his seat.
After striking out in a softball game, I was told this by a teammates 6 year old son "its ok.. you swung as hard as you could."
Laying on center court, waiting for the last run of the night.
1:30 AM 07/05/10 Clermont,FL
Not being able to dunk anymore...sigghh.
Seeing a childs face light up the instant a balloon is handed to him/her.
How lonely a baseball mitt looks without a ball.
Never..ever.. pick up a sports page left in a bathroom stall.
Shooting free throws into the sunset.
Hitting the sweet spot is truly sweet.
Having no one to high five is truly depressing.
Crying everytime the National Anthem is played. American to the core.
To all you sportsfreakaholics, thank you for all the support.
After striking out in a softball game, I was told this by a teammates 6 year old son "its ok.. you swung as hard as you could."
Laying on center court, waiting for the last run of the night.
1:30 AM 07/05/10 Clermont,FL
Not being able to dunk anymore...sigghh.
Seeing a childs face light up the instant a balloon is handed to him/her.
How lonely a baseball mitt looks without a ball.
Never..ever.. pick up a sports page left in a bathroom stall.
Shooting free throws into the sunset.
Hitting the sweet spot is truly sweet.
Having no one to high five is truly depressing.
Crying everytime the National Anthem is played. American to the core.
To all you sportsfreakaholics, thank you for all the support.
A Hairy Time at the Game
As I watched with crazy happiness as Chris Chambliss rounded the bases after hitting a home run to get the Yankees into the 76 World Series, strangely instead of looking at the him running through the hundreds of fans on the field, I was fixated on Chambliss' helmetless balding head. Being nine years old and having a flowing mane of red hair, I never thought a player to be bald under his helmet. In my mind the helmet just covered their hair and of course they all had hair. Now every time I see the replay of this historic home run I can only think of Chris Chambliss' stupid head.
So now I would like you to take seat, sit up straight and stop fidgeting as I take a look back at some of my most memorable sport stars who've cropped to some serious do's and dont's of the "do" world.
Do be - Oscar Gamble: his hair on his 1974 baseball card is unbelievable.
I'm still not sure how his cap stayed on.
Don't be- Rory McElroy:
an pasty white Irish dude with Mr. Kot-TER's hair.
(That one was from way back freaks, hope you got it.)
Do be - Bronson Arroyo- He's the Goldielocks of the MLB.
He's got the stuff to back up his do.
Don't be- Brian Bozworth- if all you wanted to be remembered for in the sports world is how stupid your hair looked.
Mission accomplished.
Curley Culp- how did I wind up with some many of his football cards?
Shouldn't the NHL be given a major penalty because of the 30 years of mullets.
Do be - Ron Duguay new York Rangers 197O's heartthrob.
Never wore a helmet, as to not mess up his hair.
How many posters of him wound up in girls bedrooms?
The real question is how many girls bedrooms did he wind up in?
Here are a few quick snips before the stylist can see you.
Brutus "the Barber' Beefcake- gave the worst haircuts to the finest of wrestlers.
Jerry Hairston Jr.- he's got his Dad's hair.
Earl Combs- weaved his way through the Yankees outfield to the HOF.
Kyle Bush- dude is bush league. Wreck him in corners 1,2,3 and 4
Tim Crews- he of the classic cut.
Red Schoendeist- all red heads should be Hall of Famers.
The Predator- mad props to the alien who can pull off the dreads.
Fuzzy Zeoller- his brain got a little fuzzy in 1997.
Tom Brady- nice Beiber cut! New England sucks!!
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang- they had a car that flies!
Harry Carey- Ah-one! Ah-two! Ah-Three
the sportsfreaks blog will now fade to black.
So now I would like you to take seat, sit up straight and stop fidgeting as I take a look back at some of my most memorable sport stars who've cropped to some serious do's and dont's of the "do" world.
Do be - Oscar Gamble: his hair on his 1974 baseball card is unbelievable.
I'm still not sure how his cap stayed on.
Don't be- Rory McElroy:
an pasty white Irish dude with Mr. Kot-TER's hair.
(That one was from way back freaks, hope you got it.)
Do be - Bronson Arroyo- He's the Goldielocks of the MLB.
He's got the stuff to back up his do.
Don't be- Brian Bozworth- if all you wanted to be remembered for in the sports world is how stupid your hair looked.
Mission accomplished.
Curley Culp- how did I wind up with some many of his football cards?
Shouldn't the NHL be given a major penalty because of the 30 years of mullets.
Do be - Ron Duguay new York Rangers 197O's heartthrob.
Never wore a helmet, as to not mess up his hair.
How many posters of him wound up in girls bedrooms?
The real question is how many girls bedrooms did he wind up in?
Here are a few quick snips before the stylist can see you.
Brutus "the Barber' Beefcake- gave the worst haircuts to the finest of wrestlers.
Jerry Hairston Jr.- he's got his Dad's hair.
Earl Combs- weaved his way through the Yankees outfield to the HOF.
Kyle Bush- dude is bush league. Wreck him in corners 1,2,3 and 4
Tim Crews- he of the classic cut.
Red Schoendeist- all red heads should be Hall of Famers.
The Predator- mad props to the alien who can pull off the dreads.
Fuzzy Zeoller- his brain got a little fuzzy in 1997.
Tom Brady- nice Beiber cut! New England sucks!!
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang- they had a car that flies!
Harry Carey- Ah-one! Ah-two! Ah-Three
the sportsfreaks blog will now fade to black.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Smile for the Press
Is it just me or have sports Press Conferences gone completely overboard.
Message to all media, when your calling a press conference to announce a press conference, it's time to check yourselves.
We have seen the whole spectrum of PC's, from the down right boring to the completely insane. I would not be surprised to hear ESPN is arranging a PC today to announce Billy Fourfingers from Accounts Receivable has been traded to Account Payable.
So here is my take on the medias beloved PC's.
Now we all know how the Yankees of the 70's were hiring and firing managers like crazy with an occasional fight breaking out during these PC's. Did the Yankees have a PC everyday just for the hell of it?
The first real press conference that I fondly remember was of the Dave Winfield signing by the Yankees in 1980. With the enormity of his contract ($23 mill over 10 years) and with his sheer size and charismatic smile, it was a memorable introduction to a city.
To me it was the last great PC.
Why must older players have press conferences when they are joining their new team?
Is it really "breaking news" that David Eckstein is now a member of the Washington Nationals or whatever team his is on right now.
Did the Boston Celtics really need to have a big PC with the signing of Shaq? He is or was a big name in the NBA. But really people, when you are trying to think of a fancy nickname for your newest player you just signed instead of telling us how he will play in your system. You might as well call it day.
Do you think Mike Maddux mailed in his 8th,9th and 10th PC's when he signed with Seattle, Montreal and Houston. They should have just put a cardboard cutout of him with a cartoon cloud that said " I am just happy to be here in..."
My recomendation for the crap listed above:
The MLB/NBA/NHL/NFL should step up and rule that a tweet would be sufficient.
I think the multi-player PC is the unltimate humiliation for at least one of the players. All I can think of is that I don't want to be that guy on the end of the podium wanting to scream to everyone there " Hey I'm gonna play here too!".
No offense AJ Burnett or Chris Bosh, you guys were like the little annoying younger brothers. Just shut up before Lebron /Wade or Texeira/Sabathia beat the crap out of you.
I love the players contract extension signing PC's. It's where the player who thinks he has outperformed his contract and refuses to play until he gets paid because he felt he was underpaid and when he finally get paid tells us, the honest hard working fans, that he did it just for them and the love of the game.
Thanks to 90% of all athletes for being insincere.
When will this joke of the High School Athlete's PC finally end? Do I really need to know that Dirk Youwannabeme in the 10th grade at Windy City Prep thinks he might be willing to play football at Ohio State, but won't sign (It's a full scholarship moron!Just sign the paper!) at this time because he stills want to visit other schools (score with more chicks) but will definitely give his word that he is 87% sure he will commit, that is until his best friend decides to go to another school and he now wants to play with his buddy at Michigan.
Couldn't we place a time restriction on a PC?
How about allowing two minutes max for a Press Conference.
My PC Example:
"I'd like to introduce Bjorn Kickemfar.
He will be the new punter of the NY Jets.
We'll see y'all in training camp. "
How many media freaks will be setting up an all night vigil for that?
Thank you everyone for coming.
The sportsfreak is proud to announce that this PC is OVER!
Message to all media, when your calling a press conference to announce a press conference, it's time to check yourselves.
We have seen the whole spectrum of PC's, from the down right boring to the completely insane. I would not be surprised to hear ESPN is arranging a PC today to announce Billy Fourfingers from Accounts Receivable has been traded to Account Payable.
So here is my take on the medias beloved PC's.
Now we all know how the Yankees of the 70's were hiring and firing managers like crazy with an occasional fight breaking out during these PC's. Did the Yankees have a PC everyday just for the hell of it?
The first real press conference that I fondly remember was of the Dave Winfield signing by the Yankees in 1980. With the enormity of his contract ($23 mill over 10 years) and with his sheer size and charismatic smile, it was a memorable introduction to a city.
To me it was the last great PC.
Why must older players have press conferences when they are joining their new team?
Is it really "breaking news" that David Eckstein is now a member of the Washington Nationals or whatever team his is on right now.
Did the Boston Celtics really need to have a big PC with the signing of Shaq? He is or was a big name in the NBA. But really people, when you are trying to think of a fancy nickname for your newest player you just signed instead of telling us how he will play in your system. You might as well call it day.
Do you think Mike Maddux mailed in his 8th,9th and 10th PC's when he signed with Seattle, Montreal and Houston. They should have just put a cardboard cutout of him with a cartoon cloud that said " I am just happy to be here in..."
My recomendation for the crap listed above:
The MLB/NBA/NHL/NFL should step up and rule that a tweet would be sufficient.
I think the multi-player PC is the unltimate humiliation for at least one of the players. All I can think of is that I don't want to be that guy on the end of the podium wanting to scream to everyone there " Hey I'm gonna play here too!".
No offense AJ Burnett or Chris Bosh, you guys were like the little annoying younger brothers. Just shut up before Lebron /Wade or Texeira/Sabathia beat the crap out of you.
I love the players contract extension signing PC's. It's where the player who thinks he has outperformed his contract and refuses to play until he gets paid because he felt he was underpaid and when he finally get paid tells us, the honest hard working fans, that he did it just for them and the love of the game.
Thanks to 90% of all athletes for being insincere.
When will this joke of the High School Athlete's PC finally end? Do I really need to know that Dirk Youwannabeme in the 10th grade at Windy City Prep thinks he might be willing to play football at Ohio State, but won't sign (It's a full scholarship moron!Just sign the paper!) at this time because he stills want to visit other schools (score with more chicks) but will definitely give his word that he is 87% sure he will commit, that is until his best friend decides to go to another school and he now wants to play with his buddy at Michigan.
Couldn't we place a time restriction on a PC?
How about allowing two minutes max for a Press Conference.
My PC Example:
"I'd like to introduce Bjorn Kickemfar.
He will be the new punter of the NY Jets.
We'll see y'all in training camp. "
How many media freaks will be setting up an all night vigil for that?
Thank you everyone for coming.
The sportsfreak is proud to announce that this PC is OVER!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Come to Your Senses
Touch
I love a dry glove.
I despise a sweaty one, for that I have no love.
A dry baseball, just feel those seams, its gotta good grip.
A wet baseball feels gross, its bound to slip.
A dry basketball means a swish.
A wet basketball feel like a slimy fish.
A dry football produces a perfect spiral.
A wet football touched by everyone is just viral.
Why does touch football always turn into a game of who can touch the hardest?
It's great to hear someone say you have great touch on the tennis court.
Chasing down a drop shot from the baseline, never gonna get there abort! abort!
Hate the touch foul. It goes by the another name "ticky tack".
Overly sweaty dudes on the hoops court.(needing to towel off after every hack)
Fielding Rule #79. Never, ever touch a rolling bunt down the line.
Swing and have the ball hit on the label of the bat.
Pain like you never felt.
Using a wood bat feels like baseball.
Using aluminum bat feels like cheatin y'all.
Taste
Sports stuff I have licked/tasted over 42 years. Mom,please turn away at this time.
My baseball glove (I swallowed bits of it too).
Wooden bat (for luck).
Baseballs (too many to count)
Wiffleball & bat.
Football. Tennis Ball. Volleyball. Ping pong ball (covered in beer).
Bowling ball(turned tongue black).
Handball wall (hiding from Port Jeff Police).
Horseshoe. Ping pong paddle. Tennis racket (wood,metal,graphite).
Fishing pole (salty). A few baseball fences.
High School track (face plant-ouchy).
High jump mat (never could land right).
Bingo card at the swim club(sue me,I was 8).
My little red sled (slowest sled ever made).
OK...time for my annual tetanus shot.
Hearing
"you ain't hearing, if you ain't listening."
He no batta he no batta, swing batta.
I'm open !
Swish!
Brick!
Your the rock, I'm the stick, at the mailbox go deep and I'll hit you.
Keep your head down, hands up, head up, step into it,
Bend your knees.
Just put your face in the water.
Keep your eye on the ball.
Put it between the arrows,
Dig!
Good dig!
It's in the pocket.
Man Up!
Shirts or skins?
Smell
Freshly cut baseball field grass.
Stinky socks after playing all day.
New can of tennis balls.
My glove.
Those overly sweat dude from above.
Sight
"You see what you want to see."
Coach Richie hitting thee highest fly balls ever.
A true single to center.
Dragging baseball bats behind us on the way home.
Sliding your mitt to the fat end of the bat.
Sideline bomb to Wesley Walker.
Shooting the rock while the sun blinds you (please go in)
Athletes smiling- that's when they are just boys playing a game.
Getting a final run in just before sunset.
"I think we are done here" the sportsfreak feels it.
I love a dry glove.
I despise a sweaty one, for that I have no love.
A dry baseball, just feel those seams, its gotta good grip.
A wet baseball feels gross, its bound to slip.
A dry basketball means a swish.
A wet basketball feel like a slimy fish.
A dry football produces a perfect spiral.
A wet football touched by everyone is just viral.
Why does touch football always turn into a game of who can touch the hardest?
It's great to hear someone say you have great touch on the tennis court.
Chasing down a drop shot from the baseline, never gonna get there abort! abort!
Hate the touch foul. It goes by the another name "ticky tack".
Overly sweaty dudes on the hoops court.(needing to towel off after every hack)
Fielding Rule #79. Never, ever touch a rolling bunt down the line.
Swing and have the ball hit on the label of the bat.
Pain like you never felt.
Using a wood bat feels like baseball.
Using aluminum bat feels like cheatin y'all.
Taste
Sports stuff I have licked/tasted over 42 years. Mom,please turn away at this time.
My baseball glove (I swallowed bits of it too).
Wooden bat (for luck).
Baseballs (too many to count)
Wiffleball & bat.
Football. Tennis Ball. Volleyball. Ping pong ball (covered in beer).
Bowling ball(turned tongue black).
Handball wall (hiding from Port Jeff Police).
Horseshoe. Ping pong paddle. Tennis racket (wood,metal,graphite).
Fishing pole (salty). A few baseball fences.
High School track (face plant-ouchy).
High jump mat (never could land right).
Bingo card at the swim club(sue me,I was 8).
My little red sled (slowest sled ever made).
OK...time for my annual tetanus shot.
Hearing
"you ain't hearing, if you ain't listening."
He no batta he no batta, swing batta.
I'm open !
Swish!
Brick!
Your the rock, I'm the stick, at the mailbox go deep and I'll hit you.
Keep your head down, hands up, head up, step into it,
Bend your knees.
Just put your face in the water.
Keep your eye on the ball.
Put it between the arrows,
Dig!
Good dig!
It's in the pocket.
Man Up!
Shirts or skins?
Smell
Freshly cut baseball field grass.
Stinky socks after playing all day.
New can of tennis balls.
My glove.
Those overly sweat dude from above.
Sight
"You see what you want to see."
Coach Richie hitting thee highest fly balls ever.
A true single to center.
Dragging baseball bats behind us on the way home.
Sliding your mitt to the fat end of the bat.
Sideline bomb to Wesley Walker.
Shooting the rock while the sun blinds you (please go in)
Athletes smiling- that's when they are just boys playing a game.
Getting a final run in just before sunset.
"I think we are done here" the sportsfreak feels it.
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