What a great baseball season! It amazes me that after 161 games, the playoff picture still hasn't been figured out.. and if things fall just the right way, there could be, count them, two play-in games for the final spots. Talk about the playoffs starting a little early. I'm rooting for the Braves and Sox.
Luckily the Phillies won't have to worry about making the fall season. A win tonight over the Braves will give them their most successful season in franchise history with a record of 102-62 and the best record in the MLB for the year. The team was on track to break all kinds of records before an eight game slide the last couple of weeks. The starting pitchers finished with an ERA under 3.0 for the season and are all looking good for the playoffs. Can't wait!
On side note, be sure to catch ESPN's 30 for 30 movie, Catching Hell. It puts you in the mood for playoff baseball and gives ya some perspective on just how crazy sports fans are.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Conference Shuffle
I have been opposed to conference realignment in college football for quite some time, with the loss of rivalries and historic match-ups, but at this time it seems like it is unavoidable. So if things must change and it appears like they must, this is what I would like to see happen based on current moves and other rumors.
Most analysts believe there are going to be four power conferences with 16 teams a piece. Those conferences being the Pac-12, ACC, SEC, and Big 10.
The Pac-12 is likely to add Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma St.
The ACC has already added Syracuse and Pittsburgh. Connecticut has been rumored to want in to stay with long time rival Syracuse, leaving the ACC with 15 teams. And breaking news today is that if forced to give up independence Notre Dame would like to be the 16th in the ACC.
The most elite football conference the SEC has added Texas A&M and is now at an odd 13 teams. I see the SEC either adding West Virginia from the Big East or Missouri from the Big 12 or both! If both teams go, a 16th would most likely be added.
The Big 10 has been relatively quiet in this new wave of rumors but it is unlikely that they wouldn't make a move to pick up some pieces of the disparaged Big 12 and Big East. The four candidates I see most likely moving to the Big 10 (assuming Notre Dame goes to the ACC) would be Rutgers, Iowa St., Cincinnati, and Louisville.
So there we have it, four big 16 team conferences. Something similar to this will most likely happen. My opinion differs on what will happen, and what I hope happens to some of the remaining schools though. A fifth super conference composed of Big 12 teams and other powers under the name of the Big 12 so that the automatic BCS bid still applies. Here is my list of the those teams and where they would be coming from. From the Big 12- Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State; BYU (Independent); and from the current and future Mountain West- Boise St., TCU, Air Force, Colorado St., New Mexico, SDSU, UNLV, Wyoming, Hawaii, Fresno St. and Nevada. A 16th team would of course be added at a future time. This could definitely be a power conference with TCU, Boise St., Baylor and BYU. Hawaii, Fresno St., SDSU, and Nevada have all been known to have good seasons too.
Is this a solution to the problems in college football? Most definitely not. Believe it or not there was a 16 team conference in college football once before. The WAC from 1996-1998. Why did it fail? Elite teams felt that the super conference compromised academic and athletic integrity. Travel costs were also cited as a reason of league failure. The conference stretched from Hawaii to California to Oklahoma.
As far as the new super conferences go they probably will be around for a while, this isn't the 90's anymore. Rivalries, traditions, academics, and athletic excellence don't really matter. The only thing that matters is money and the money could be big in big conferences.
Most analysts believe there are going to be four power conferences with 16 teams a piece. Those conferences being the Pac-12, ACC, SEC, and Big 10.
The Pac-12 is likely to add Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma St.
The ACC has already added Syracuse and Pittsburgh. Connecticut has been rumored to want in to stay with long time rival Syracuse, leaving the ACC with 15 teams. And breaking news today is that if forced to give up independence Notre Dame would like to be the 16th in the ACC.
The most elite football conference the SEC has added Texas A&M and is now at an odd 13 teams. I see the SEC either adding West Virginia from the Big East or Missouri from the Big 12 or both! If both teams go, a 16th would most likely be added.
The Big 10 has been relatively quiet in this new wave of rumors but it is unlikely that they wouldn't make a move to pick up some pieces of the disparaged Big 12 and Big East. The four candidates I see most likely moving to the Big 10 (assuming Notre Dame goes to the ACC) would be Rutgers, Iowa St., Cincinnati, and Louisville.
So there we have it, four big 16 team conferences. Something similar to this will most likely happen. My opinion differs on what will happen, and what I hope happens to some of the remaining schools though. A fifth super conference composed of Big 12 teams and other powers under the name of the Big 12 so that the automatic BCS bid still applies. Here is my list of the those teams and where they would be coming from. From the Big 12- Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State; BYU (Independent); and from the current and future Mountain West- Boise St., TCU, Air Force, Colorado St., New Mexico, SDSU, UNLV, Wyoming, Hawaii, Fresno St. and Nevada. A 16th team would of course be added at a future time. This could definitely be a power conference with TCU, Boise St., Baylor and BYU. Hawaii, Fresno St., SDSU, and Nevada have all been known to have good seasons too.
Is this a solution to the problems in college football? Most definitely not. Believe it or not there was a 16 team conference in college football once before. The WAC from 1996-1998. Why did it fail? Elite teams felt that the super conference compromised academic and athletic integrity. Travel costs were also cited as a reason of league failure. The conference stretched from Hawaii to California to Oklahoma.
As far as the new super conferences go they probably will be around for a while, this isn't the 90's anymore. Rivalries, traditions, academics, and athletic excellence don't really matter. The only thing that matters is money and the money could be big in big conferences.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Safeco Field
Safeco Field
Home of the Seattle Mariners, Seattle, WA
Date Opened: July 15, 1999- San Diego Padres 3, Seattle Mariners 2
Capacity: 47,878
Games Attended: August 30, 2011 Los Angeles Angels 13, Mariners 6
Location & Accessibility (0-5): 5
A beautiful setting near downtown Seattle and the Puget Sound. An easy walk from public transportation as a train station runs right behind the stadium. Century Link Field, home of the Seahawks and former location of the Kingdome, is right next door. The 1st base side of the ballpark offers amazing views of the Seattle skyscrapers.
Historic Value (0-5): 2
Hosted the American League playoffs in each 2000 and 2001 but the team failed to make the World Series either year losing both times to the New York Yankees. Also hosted the 2001 All-Star Game, where Cal Ripken Jr. hit his final All-Star home run. Ichiro broke the single season hit record on Oct. 1, 2004 with his 258th hit of the season.
A beautiful setting near downtown Seattle and the Puget Sound. An easy walk from public transportation as a train station runs right behind the stadium. Century Link Field, home of the Seahawks and former location of the Kingdome, is right next door. The 1st base side of the ballpark offers amazing views of the Seattle skyscrapers.
Historic Value (0-5): 2
Hosted the American League playoffs in each 2000 and 2001 but the team failed to make the World Series either year losing both times to the New York Yankees. Also hosted the 2001 All-Star Game, where Cal Ripken Jr. hit his final All-Star home run. Ichiro broke the single season hit record on Oct. 1, 2004 with his 258th hit of the season.
Originality (0-5): 4
Not the first stadium to have a retractable roof but unique in the way that the roof serves as an umbrella. This gives the park an open air feel all the time while calming the worries of wet games in rainy Seattle.
Not the first stadium to have a retractable roof but unique in the way that the roof serves as an umbrella. This gives the park an open air feel all the time while calming the worries of wet games in rainy Seattle.
Fans (0-5): 2
In a down year and a blowout of a game there was still close to 16,000 at the game. It would be nice to see the atmosphere when the team was still competitive.
In a down year and a blowout of a game there was still close to 16,000 at the game. It would be nice to see the atmosphere when the team was still competitive.
Fun Factor (0-5): 3
The grounds grew did a little break dance after the 3rd inning which was quite entertaining. The bullpens were also in a great location for fans to see pitchers warm up their arms.
The grounds grew did a little break dance after the 3rd inning which was quite entertaining. The bullpens were also in a great location for fans to see pitchers warm up their arms.
Concessions & Restaurants (0-5): 4
I wish I would have had a little bigger appetite that night because there are plenty of great choices at Safeco Field, from Thai food to crepes to sushi where there is an "Ichiroll." The also have a completely gluten free concession stand.
I wish I would have had a little bigger appetite that night because there are plenty of great choices at Safeco Field, from Thai food to crepes to sushi where there is an "Ichiroll." The also have a completely gluten free concession stand.
My own Subjectivity (0-5): 3
Of course this is great place to watch a ball game! I would like to attend a game to when the team was still in contention to get a true feel for the place. I definitely recommend going early and having a beer across the street at the Pyramid and then heading in the ballpark and seeing all the views it has to offer.
Of course this is great place to watch a ball game! I would like to attend a game to when the team was still in contention to get a true feel for the place. I definitely recommend going early and having a beer across the street at the Pyramid and then heading in the ballpark and seeing all the views it has to offer.
Total Score (0-35)= 23
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