Saturday, February 22, 2014

It's That Time Again

February means baseball/softball sign ups.  It means paying the fees, providing the documentation.  The board continues begging for volunteers.

All three are our choice for being part of the game.  From my time on a Little League board, volunteerism become a huge problem.

We have reasonably small requirements: One shift in the concession stand per family per season.  In general, we have enough families where this doesn't even come up for some families.

The last year I was involved on the board, we had a 40% rate of compliant for the one requirement.  Most families wouldn't even find a replacement.  It hurt the league: concession profits were down.  Some people wouldn't wait the extra time because of the lack of workers.

Your kids are playing ball because you put them there.  Coaches are volunteers.  Maintenance is done by volunteers.  Umpires are volunteers.  If you have the ability and the knowledge, work where the league needs help.

Most leagues need the help because the price you paid up front doesn't cover what it costs to put players on the field.  The gap is approximately $35-$40 per player.  If it doesn't get covered by work, it needs to be covered with cash.  If you're not willing to pay, one way or another, you are threatening the future of the league.

Aren't the kids worth the time and effort?  Not just your children, but the children yet to play the great game, regardless of what the game.

So...am I off base?


Sunday, February 16, 2014

Vroom Vroom

Since my daughter had her 13th birthday party meant six teen and preteen girls were at our house on Saturday.  Good time to go to the Chicago Auto Show with my 15 year old son.  We did this last year with a group, and went on our own this time.  Naturally, I have a few thoughts.

Next time, I will try to take a day off to go to the show.  During the afternoon, it was crowded enough that we had a hard time getting closer to the cars.  Sit in them?   Yeah, right.  It's actually why we turned down the opportunity to sit in a Maserati: 20 minute waits aren't us.

My points follow:

1. The sedans are popular if you are actually looking for something most of us will drive.  Mini vans and SUV are worth looking at for family use.  Sports cars are definitely the sizzle, and a lot of the 2014 models had the pointed, aerodynamic nose that would grace the sports cars, even on family sedans.

2. While the Corvette Z06 drew a lot of attention, I liked the SRT better.  It had great lines, wonderful door style, and looked more like a traditional sports car.  Made me think of the Ferraris and McLarens  that were in the SuperCar area.    I'm probably just an old stick in the mud.

3.  Cars seem to be getting boxier, except for the small SUV.  Every manufacturer seemed to have a small SUV with a sportscar body.  Maybe no one wants to be associated with a "Hamster Car"

4. Two questions:
 Honda- What was that concept car that looks like a dart?
 Toyota- What was that single occupant, motorcycle looking thing that has four wheels?

While the cars are great, the marketing and test drive opportunities wonderful, it is the best to spend an entire day with my son where I don't have to coach him.  As he has moved on to High School baseball, my coaching days with him are done.  I need the time to stay connected.  While coaching is a great calling, parenting is even more important.  It's why I walked away from my career as a golfer.

So...am I off base?

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Previewing Features

I have been writing about the upcoming baseball season a fair amount, lending credence to the old saying, "There are two seasons: Winter and Baseball."

I have been following the College Softball teams that have started their seasons last weekend.  College Baseball opened last night.

Spring Training is coming together for all major league teams, the Diamondbacks and Dodgers starting a week early because of their season opening trip to Australia.  Let the Florida/Arizona stories begin.

So I'll be writing about...The Chicago Auto Show.

As I am writing this, my son and I are preparing to go to McCormick Place for this annual event.

We went for the first time last year.  Like Disc Golf, it quickly became common ground that we could enjoy without being Coach/Player or Disciplinarian/Disciplinee.

I'll report back on how it went and if this will happen again.

We'll see how far off base we end up on this one...

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Random Thoughts-February 12

Some random thoughts over the last 10 days...

-I have always loved the Olympics.  As a kid, it meant sports was on ABC every night, instead of just weekends.  As someone that predates ESPN, some of the greatest sports memories I have revolve around the Olympics.  The Winter Games bring to mind Franz Klammer's incredible run at Innsburck in 1976.  The Miracle on Ice in 1980 have made me a lifetime hockey fan.  Watching (now Dr.) Eric Heiden and Dan Jansen skate to Gold Medals was a treat.  Can't forget the feeling surrounding Salt Lake City games in 2002, not to mention my wife seeing the Olympic Torch in South Bend.  I am looking forward to some of the memories that will be created during the fortnight from Sochi.

-Pitchers and catchers are reporting to Major League teams, leading to today's expected announcement from Derek Jeter.  For being a Yankee, he has been a class act.  A singular heads-up play against the A's, making the relay to home plate to cut down a run and win a series, is the smartest play I have ever witnessed.  I hope he stays healthy throughout the season and has a grand farewell tour, like Mariano Rivera did last season.

-Interesting how the free agent market disappeared after the Yankees gave a lot of money to a MLB unproved Tanaka.  Erv Santana is still out there, among other good pitchers.  A.J. Burnett's agent earned his money, getting him as much money as he did this late in the signing process.  Pitchers still have the better of the situation because of the lack of pitching depth.  Look for Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez to still land somewhere competitive: still a lot more people can hit it than throw it for strikes.

-I have been disappointed, but not surprised, at the Cubs lack of movement in the offseason.  It fits Theo Epstein's M.O., building from within the organization.  I am not sold the organization will stand by this for the amount of time it is going to take to build.  They have a plan, but will the Ricketts end of the organization stay the course?  Will financials overcome winning?  Stay tuned.  Meanwhile, I'll be watching the Reds closer.  I did as a little kid, listening to every game of the Big Red Machine after listening to Wrigley day games.

-Our weather in Northern Indiana has been frightful and frigid.  Robby got to start baseball this morning with Open Gym time.  He said it felt okay to be playing again.  I am looking forward to the season, even though he will be the only Freshman on the roster.  Won't see a lot of the field, but will get the opportunity to practice and learn at the high school level before actually having to do it.  Hope he hangs in and does it.  On a separate note, my daughter turned 13 today, which means we two teenagers in the house.  Glad to have received noise canceling headphones for Christmas.

-One final note- Elkhart Christian Academy's boys basketball team is ranked fifth in the state, and is poised for a long run during the state Class A basketball tournament.  Remember the name Ryan Kupferschmidt.  If he was 6'4", he would be Top End Division I material.  He is still D-1 material at his 5'11" height.  He is also a better young man than a player, a pretty tall order.  He deserves more attention than he's getting.

So...am I off base?

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Beat Down Means Changes?

As a Seahawks fan from their first day, I am extremely pleased to have a World Champion.  Being a long time Cub fan, I'm not familiar with the feeling.

It is a great feeling for my brother in Christ, Russell Wilson, who has quietly and humbly lead this football to the Lombardi Trophy.  Granted he had a huge assist from the Seattle defense and a Denver meltdown that matched several others from Broncos past.

Russell Wilson may become the new face of the NFL.  The read option quarterback that can throw the ball accurately is the future of the NFL.  The added dimension of the quarterback running the ball gives offenses another option, and defenses something else to stop.  Defensively, assignment football can keep it in check without a solid passing game.  Great passing gives the defense too much to handle, at least for the moment.

The traditional drop back passer may be fading into the background.  Epic meltdowns aside, Tim Tebow wouldn't have turned this game around, but his type of quarterback may be the long term answer in Denver and elsewhere.  It takes a special athlete who can make the decisions quickly through preparation, run like a tailback, throw accurately, and do it through the rigors of an NFL season.

A final note, I have always liked and respected Peyton Manning.  He is a great player, and had some huge accomplishments this season.  He deserves a better ending to this season than tonight.  I hope he can safely return to write a better ending.  If not, he is still one of the best to play, and above all, prepare.

So...am I off base?

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Super Bowl 48- My Take

I had said several weeks ago that I was drinking the Seahawks Kool-Aid.  If nothing else, I'm gonna stand by that point.

The match up of Seattle's defense against Peyton Manning has garnered a lot of focus.  It should.  It will be very entertaining to watch Manning vs. the Seattle Cornerbacks.  Seattle has a great defense, the kind that can carry a team to a Championship.

The team that run blocks better win the game.

Seattle needs it a little more than Denver.  One dimensional Russell Wilson will not beat a one dimensional Peyton Manning.  Marshawn Lynch will need to have a BeastMode game to allow Russell Wilson the opportunity to throw as neede and use his legs to create more opportunities.  Russell Wilson's legs may have to carry the Seahawks to a victory.

Denver needs the running game to make Seattle's secondary make a few tackles.  Splitting their focus will make Peyton Manning even more dangerous.  He has been masterful all season working defenses and mixing different receivers into the game.  It will be a necessity, even with a good running game.

The biggest sign that either team is in trouble?  Under four yards per carry.  Second and long makes the big plays end up in first downs, not points.

I still see Seattle winning.  The whole is greater than the parts.  Denver may just have one too many eggs in the same basket...and it's wearing #18.   However, that's not a bad basket to use...

So...am I off base?
 

Resistance Bands is a Free Blogger Template