Random Thoughts- March 22

Some random thoughts while waiting for the first...errr...second round games to end in the NCAA Tournament.

-We gave up DirecTV back in December, forfeiting access to ESPN.  It has been good, relying on things like Netflix and PlayOn to pick up the slack.   The cash savings have been very good.  However, the dearth of live sports in the Internet TV world may keep cable and satellite alive for a little while.  For example, the NCAA Tournament has channels in an app called Coolsport.tv on the Roku, but the service is iconsistent.  While you can find where the game is supposed to be, you may not get the internet stream to let you actually watch the game.  Sometimes the stream lags terribly, making for jumpy viewing.

I watched the spider cam view of the NCAA BCS Championship game on WatchESPN app, which gave an overhead view of the field.  It was great to watch it like a player, seeing the holes open.  The best part was no Brent Musberger drooling over the quarterback's girlfriend.

-The first two days of the NCAA Basketball Tournament have been memorable.  Some great upsets, some near misses, buzzer beaters, and a high entertainment value have made it one to remember.  As an old coach, I miss some good solid fundamental play.  Harvard has been the closest to old style basketball, relying on great teamwork and back cuts.  The depth of talent across the board has been the most impressive, seeing an experienced team like Mercer school Duke today.  When your starters have played over 100 games together, it shows.  Just don't see that much today in the world where you jump for the money after one great year.

-I want to call attention to a Twitter account doing some good.  Three students from Elkhart Memorial are tired of the bullying happening in the cyberworld and started an account called Elkhart Tweets.  The goal is provide encouragement and show random acts of kindness.  It is an idea worthy of  replication throughout the country.  I am pleased to provide support, as long as the heart remains the same: pure encouragement and kindness.  I pray they will maintain that delicate balance.

-Cancer is an ugly thing, and it has reared it's head in my world again.

Mike Simmons was an assistant baseball coach at Bethel College when I spent a season in the program as  a manager.  After winning an NCCAA National Championship and reaching the championship game of the NAIA District Tournament, I moved to my real life.  Coach Simmons taught the game to many young men, and even helped one land a professional contract.  He still enjoys baseball and spends a lot time around high school diamonds the the South Bend, Mishawaka, and Elkhart area.

Colon cancer has invaded his world, facing chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  He spent some more hospital time when infection threatened.  He has helped a lot of people, and he needs our prayers and support.  An Irishman seldom turns down a good punch up, and cancer may not know what hit it when he gets done.

So...am I off base?