Sports ‘N Stuff: Downtime: A Month of “Honey Do”

Here is my latest column from www.iberkshires.com. Check out iberkshires for everything New England and more...

Sports ‘N Stuff: Downtime: A Month of “Honey Do”

Ugh!

This is the most unexciting time to be a sports fan. Football is over and baseball hasn’t begun yet. The NBA is on a break. By the time this column hits they will have played their All Star Game but that game is nothing more than a hyped up popularity contest. There is the NHL but, that’s hockey so who cares. Not that hockey is unwatchable but, compared to football, baseball, basketball and the Westminster Dog Show it comes in a distant fifth. Get it yet? Not a big fan of hockey.

They did run the Daytona 500 on Sunday which was entertaining. The race saw some big names like Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Casey Kane hanging around until the end. With a stellar finish, car owner Roger Penske got his first ever Daytona 500 win in Ryan Newman, driver of the AllTell number 12 car. Newman’s team mate, Kurt Busch came up from behind and literally pushed Newman into the lead (known as bump drafting). For a fan it was a great race to start the season.

College basketball is starting to kick into high gear in preparation for March Madness. Memphis barely escaped this weekend to retain their number 1 ranking. Meanwhile, number 6 Georgetown lost a key Big East match up to rival Syracuse. Since we are on college basketball I want to talk for a moment about the head coach at famed basketball powerhouse Indiana University.

Kelvin Sampson, while head coach of the University of Oklahoma, made over 550 illegal telephone calls to 17 recruits. Thus, his university was placed on three years probation and he was ultimately relieved of his duties. For some reason I will never understand Indiana hired him in 2006. Now this history rich college will have to suffer through a coaching scandal. Sampson is now accused of committing the same violations at Indiana that he did at Oklahoma. The university had launched a 7 day investigation at the beginning of the weekend and all signs point to Sampson losing his job by next weekend. When will these guys learn?

Apparently this is what we are relegated to paying attention to for awhile. So now what do we do? Pitchers and catchers are almost ready to go for Major league Baseball and their headlines are already hitting the wire so we can at least read about that I guess. There is going to be about a 30 day break in the action for us true sports nuts which spells trouble for those of who look forward to sports so we can avoid that dreaded “honey do” list.

There are locks to be changed and curtain rods to hang. There is also snow to be shoveled and ice to break away. I think my list even consists of washing dishes and helping with laundry!

Help! Hurry March Madness. Hurry baseball season. Football season can’t come back quick enough and the NBA can’t save me. She knows I don’t watch it! Thank goodness I have a column to write. At least I can use that as an excuse every other week.

Ugh!

Field Of Dreams? Maybe So...

Here is my latest news story from www.iberkshires.com. Go check out the site for all things New England and Berkshire County Massachusetts...


By Brian Flagg - January 26, 2008

NORTH ADAMS - As communities across the country look to help improve the quality of life for their young residents, sometimes progress takes a back seat to politics and personal agendas. It is difficult for officials, residents and volunteers, who all have varying ideas, to meet in the middle and put plans into action. From idea to implementation, there are many road blocks and disagreements that do nothing more than result in hard feelings and incomplete projects.

In North Adams, it looks like they got it right. The city's athletic fields and facilities are seemingly springing to life and it has been the result of hard work and dedication from everyone involved.

Important To The City

"We think it's a very important part of the community," said Mayor John Barrett III earlier this week. The mayor added that "the city has invested heavily" in the old National Guard Armory on Ashland Street and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink on South Church Street as well.

A complete renovation of the Armory floor has just been completed and is home to the North Adams Youth Basketball League. The city has taken on the enormous task of running and maintaining the rink as well to help the youth hockey, figure skating and recreational skating contingent.

Improving The Fields

On quite a larger scale, two outdoor athletic facilities have "new face-lifts" as well. At the corner of Houghton and River streets, in the back yard of the Porches inn, old residences and torn-up lots were demolished to make way for a playground, track and practice/game facility complete with lights for various leagues and local children.

Kids can be seen almost every day playing at the new playground and all summer and fall, lights could be seen shining late into the evening for soccer and football teams. Though this facility does not have a name yet, the mayor did say there have been a couple proposed.

The West End boasts a much larger, much more costlier project. At the end of Taft and New streets sat an old, oft-used but difficult to maintain "sports complex."

With one softball field that had poor drainage, no dugouts, big holes in the outfield grass and little parking, it was always a topic of conversation: How can we fix it up? How can it benefit the community?

With the collaboration of the mayor, the Parks and Recreation Commission and various volunteer groups, the task got under way to get grant money and do some fundraising to renovate the park.

"I have been involved for about 20 years and it is has been a long process," said Francis Millard, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee. "But the bottom line is we have come a long way in the last 10 years."

The fields, named for the late City Councilor Daniel Alcombright, has undergone some drastic changes in the past couple of years.

"We have about a million dollars into the field so far," said Barrett, referring to to the fact that there have been playing fields added for softball, baseball, T-ball and soccer. There have been some parking facilities constructed as well but more are needed.

Barrett recognizes that parking is an issue but said the money earmarked for the project has been held up because of the state's financial position. He foresees another three to five years working on the project but feels it will be well worth the wait.

Lighting The Park

One of the most expensive parts of any athletic complex is the lighting. Alcombright Athletic Field has money in the budget for lighting but, unfortunately, that is in Phase III. Since the third portion of the funding is on hold, some volunteer groups have tried to do their part to help raise some money.

Nancy Bullett, a former committee member, coordinated two golf tournaments and a bowling tournament in 2007 for the cause.

"Softball is my passion. I want to see lights on that softball field," she said. Everyone feels confident the lighting will eventually be in and Millard added to the conversation, "we have very patient groups."

Future Plans

More renovations are planned for the fields in the West End, like concession stands and rest room facilities, but there are other agenda items as well.

"Ideally, we would like to bring high school football back to Noel Field," Barrett said, looking into his crystal ball. In the days of John J. DelNegro, for whom the Drury High School field is named, the games were played at the complex now named for longtime coach and youth sports "fanatic" Joe Wolfe.

With college baseball, city basketball leagues and softball leagues and youth football already using the complex the next logical step would be to get the high school back down there. There are some inherent issues, however, such as the maintenance.

"We are going to a synthetic surface down there," said Barrett. The fields are used so often by so many that it "is a mess" most of the time, he said.

Longtime Dreams

There are city residents who have wanted to see this renovation project for many years.

For lifelong resident Margaret LeClair, "This was her baby," said Millard of the Alcombright fields.

Millard said LeClair lived in a house on the corner near the West End fields and "wanted to see this for a long time. Someone should mention that."

"With respect to the Alcombright name on the sign. ... The complex stands for so many of the wonderful qualities that my father had. He was very committed to youth, very committed to the community and very committed to quality of life in his home town," said City Councilor Richard Alcombright, for whose father the field complex is named.

"Our family could not think of a better tribute to his memory than a complex in the West End of the city that supports our youth, increases quality of life, and basically just makes a lot of people happy. My dad would be very proud of that complex and all those who made it happen."

An NFL Kid Grows Up

Well, as I expected the Pats have made it to The Super Bowl for the fourth in time in seven years. What I didn’t expect was to be sitting here today talking about how they would have to game plan against Eli Manning and the Giants! That’s right – the G-Men, Big Blue if you like. Wow!

I know everything has been about New England this year and rightly so. From the very first game when they “spied” on the Jets from the sidelines, hence Spy Gate, until the final gun yesterday and their quest for a perfect season. They have broken team records. They have an MVP quarterback and Coach of the Year. They have the all time season leader in touchdown receptions. There is a ton more but you know what I’m saying – it’s all been about the Pats.

Well…hang on. We need to give some props to The Giants. Not just because of Eli, which I’ll get to, but for many other reasons. Let’s start with Tiki Barber and Jeremy Shockey…who? Oh yeah forgot about those guys? Barber is gone, and his whining, distracting behavior with him. Shockey has been injured for much of the season and we haven’t to hear his big mouth and his me, me , me attitude. Barber and Shockey held this team back, not because of their play, but because of their inflexibility when it came to letting the coach and the BEST PLAYER ON THAT TEAM to take control of that team. Tom Coughlin had to concentrate so much on Barber continually berating him and the way he ran his team that he could not effectively get his team to rally around him. Shockey was and is so intent on being the center of attention at all times he cannot allow the likes of Eli Manning to be “the guy”. Well guess what? Eli is the guy. Over the last month the “Quiet Giant” has emerged as the MAN on this team. He has taken this team on his shoulders, managed the game the way is supposed and not turned the ball over. His team mates have recognized him as the leader and taking their cues from him.

Manning is not flashy and he isn’t going to take off out of the pocket on 40 yard runs. He has shown over this last month, however, that he can make proper decisions, deliver the ball and, when he needs to, take off and run for the first down. He isn’t making crazy passes into triple coverage and bailing out when the pocket closes on him. He is maintaining his composure and delivering strikes and giving his team a chance to win.

We are seeing a transformation in New York. Little Eli is growing up, and quickly. Winning 10 games in a row on the road, three in the post season, is difficult in the NFL. The Giants have done it. Eli has done it. There is a lot to this team from a swarming defense to a very solid running game and a very good coach. But it all comes back to one thing – Eli Manning. Without him…they go nowhere. Everyone swallow your pride and take back the bad things you said about him….he has arrived.

Will he and his team have enough to end the Patriots run? I don’t think so. That being said, The Giants will be a team to be reckoned with for some time in the NFC and the NFL as a whole. Not this year however. When I said it is all about New England I wasn’t blowing smoke. It is. They are too good and will find a way to win this game. It will reminiscent of the week 16 match up and be a very competitive game but the Pats will squeak it out 31-28. Great job G-Men you season is one to hang your hats on.

Two Decades: Girls' Basketball Still Going Strong

Here is an article I wrote for a local website. View www.iberkshires.com for a little local flavor from New England and Berkshire County, Massachusetts.


"With accomplishments comes confidence and with confidence comes belief. It has to be in that order." – Mike Krzyzewski, head coach, Duke Blue Devils men's basketball.


NORTH ADAMS - With one of the greatest minds in college basketball, Coach K hits the nail right on the head. Here, his sentiments are being echoed through the North Adams Girls' Basketball League. Girls from North Adams, Williamstown, Stamford, Vt., Clarksburg and surrounding communities get the opportunity to not only play basketball, but to develop themselves socially and personally."The biggest strength I see is providing the youth with a positive experience in developing friendships, team-play concepts, sportsmanship and a passion to play the game of basketball," said Peter Lamarre, who sits on the league's board of directors. Lamarre also coaches the Junior Division and the fifth- and sixth-grade travel team.

The travel team is an "all star" team of sorts that plays teams outside the league. For almost 20 years, this league, created by Myles and Margaret Whitney and Rick Bush, has been molding girls into basketball players and strong, confident young ladies. Over the years, it has seen some fluctuation in numbers, which have gone down recently. With fewer girls signing up to play each year, the league opened its membership to Williamstown, which used to have its own league. This action, combined with the league's merger into the folds of the YMCA, has helped the numbers start to come back up.

The league consists of three divisions. The Instructional Division, which also lets boys play, consists of players from Grades 1 to 3. Girls in Grades 4 and 5 play in the Junior Division; the Senior Division is for sixth-through-eighth grade. Typically, the divisions contain between six and eight teams, depending on the level of participation. Lamarre said the biggest challenge he sees is keeping the interest high and getting enough girls each year to participate.

As with many youth sports, the basketball league's success is driven by the many volunteers who help in every aspect - from coaching to keeping score to setting up before games and practices. Glenn Boyer has been involved for 13 years in many capacities. He feels the league would not have enjoyed the success it has without those important volunteers. "The league is primarily run by parents lending a helping hand as volunteers to provide their children and others an opportunity to grow physically, as well as socially, in fun and rewarding environment," Boyer said. "As with any type of recreational program, the good and bad greatly depends on the number of these dedicated volunteers. Unfortunately, oftentimes it is these same people doing all of the work. In our league, we have had some very dedicated and quality people get involved through the years, and this is what I believe helps make our league a notch above the rest." Lamarre took those sentiments a step further: "What makes the league so successful is the continued support of some of the league's original founders. Guys like Myles Whitney, Jim Cunningham, and Glenn Boyer. These men no longer have children participating in the league yet remain loyal and helpful to the youth who play in the league." Cunningham, like Boyer, has had two daughters play in the league and has undertaken many different responsibilities, from refereeing to being league coordinator and even league president. You can still find him at almost every game working in some capacity.

Traditionally, the league has served as a steppingstone for girls who move on and play at the local high schools. "I think if you look at any successful high school sports program, you have to see a dedicated youth league feeding them players," said John Franzoni, Drury High athletic director and girls' basketball coach. "Our situation is no different here at Drury. The girls' basketball program is the beneficiary of all the hard work put in at the youth league level by dedicated volunteers like yourself, Glenn Boyer, Pete Lamarre, Jim Cunningham, the Whitneys, etc." He said the reason they are so successful is "there seems to be a strong connection between the youth league and our high school." For instance, members of the Drury squad run the tryouts every year for the youth league. There is also a mid-season clinic at the high school run by Franzoni and his players that the youth players can attend. Here they get tips from and run drills with the high school players.

"We are very grateful at Drury for all the hard work put in by all the people involved with the youth league. [They] truly are the building blocks of our success here," said Franzoni in recognizing the importance of the youth program.

The Senior Division plays on Wednesday nights at Conte Middle School in North Adams while the Junior Division plays on Tuesday nights. The Instructional Division uses the gym at the Northern Berkshire YMCA. Games typically are played between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m., except for the Instructional Division, which plays on Saturday afternoons.

Full disclosure: Brian Flagg has been coaching girls' basketball for 16 years. He's the part-time sports columnist for iBerkshires and also will be offering up regular pieces on local sports.

Racial Tensions In The U.S. At Ridiculous Levels

It is always a difficult task when one approaches the subject of racism in this country. Because of the still very controversial issue, one can be seen as having a racist attitude by writing about it or talking about. Let’s put that to rest first. This article is in no way intended to cast aspersions on any race or to place one race as more important or more intelligent or more relevant. It is simply intended to inform, educate and, hopefully, change a few hearts and minds.

From the days before Abraham Lincoln to the recent “news hog” stories of the Jena Six case, racial tensions between blacks and whites have been a prevalent part of everyday America. From a woman who just wanted to sit with everyone else on the bus, Rosa Parks, to a baseball player, Jackie Robinson, who had to struggle everyday of his life just to play the game he loved, racial tensions have stayed in the mainstream. Some white students in Jena, LA hung nooses in a “white tree” at their school. This school is predominantly white with only 15% being black. The “white tree” is where, reportedly, only white students sat during lunch and other breaks. When a black student asked a teacher, apparently in a jocular way, if he could sit under the tree nooses were found hanging in the tree the next morning. Though reports are clouded it seems that three white students were found to have hung the noses. While expulsion was recommended by the school superintendent, the board overruled his recommendation and the students had to serve some detentions and attend some classes. Soon after black students targeted and attacked a white student and beat him to the point of requiring surgeries and inflicting permanent injuries. These students were put on trial and there was even a protest of about 20,000 people claiming the black students were treated more harshly than the white students. This incident is now commonly refereed to as The Jena Six case.

Keep this event in mind as you read on. While there are many examples of racist attitudes I want to talk about how it relates to the sports world. Let’s take the Michael Vick case for example. You thought it was all about dog fighting right? Well, several representatives from the African American community have come to Vick’s defense saying he has been treated too harshly because he is Black. They say that because dog fighting was part of the culture in which he was raised he should be given a break. The likes of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and even Oprah Winfrey have stepped up to defend him. They are asking us to ignore the fact that dogs were put against each other in a fight to the death. They are asking us to forget that dogs that were discovered to be weaker were killed by having their heads smashed on the ground and buried in the yard. They are asking us to forget all this because he is Black and that’s just the way things were when he was growing up. Michael Vick was treated like a God when he came out of college and into the NFL. With his ridiculous contract and almost endless number of endorsements he was one the highest paid people on the face of the planet. We revered him as special because of his athletic ability. We didn’t care what color he was. Our kids wanted to be him and no one cared that a White kid from a White neighborhood in suburban White America went to his or her White school school sporting a Michael Vick shirt and his Nike line of shoes. However, as soon as Mr. Vick was found to be guilty, of his own admission by the way, of heinous crimes, America and the world was asked to forgive him because – he is Black. Some have said this kind of thing is hypocritical. Don’t judge me or treat me poorly because I am Black but when I get in trouble forgive me because I am. That does definitely make for a good discussion.

Most recently, this week as a matter of fact, ESPN had a poll asking whether Barry Bonds is being treated unfairly because he is Black. Almost 60% of Blacks said yes, in fact, he would have been treated differently if he was White. I am a Barry Bonds fan. I always have been. However, I think what he did is atrocious and that he should not be allowed to go to the Hall of Fame. Not because he is Black but because he cheated at the very game by which he made his living. We all know he did it and we all know he lied about it. That does not mean that everyone who wants Bonds out of the Hall of Fame is racist. Pete Rose is banned for life from baseball and anything associated with baseball because he gambled on the sport. It is open to discussion whether that is as bad as steroids or dog fighting but one thing is for sure. He is White and he banned from baseball. Bonds is Black and he is not – at least not yet. Dwight Gooden, another African American ball player, was kicked out of baseball and, in fact, arrested four different times, for cocaine and other offenses. He was not however, kicked out of the game for good and was allowed back on several instances. So to say that these Black athletes are treated more harshly doesn’t seem to hold water.

It all comes down to this. We need to do more as a whole to get past this. This is not the 60’s. There is no reason for us to be separated. Who cares if someone is Black, White or Purple for that matter. We are all PEOPLE and deserve to be treated as such. But if you cross the line you should pay and your PUNISHMENT should fit your CRIME. Until we can come together and decide that a person is a person we will never climb out of this hole we have dug for ourselves. If you’re White don’t judge someone who isn’t and don’t persecute them because they aren’t. YOU will look the idiot. If you’re Black don’t play the race card just because. While racism is alive in this country not every decision is based on it. In short, we need to fix this. We need to fix it now and we need to become more intelligent as a group and treat each other with respect, love and decency.

As always let me know what you think.

Have You Seen Blogskinny.com ?

I registered my blog recently at www.blogskinny.com. This is a great site and they offer a lot to their bloggers. One thing they offer is an article submission page (click here and visit the page). All the articles that are submitted on this page are original works and are categorized alphabetically. As a member you can have your articles archived so you can go back and read them or send them to others. One thing the staff does that a lot of others do not is add a human review element. As an author you must write your article and submit it for review before it is published on their site. This is an important tool because it weeds out all of the people who try and post inappropriate comments and content.

There are many links on their page that contain everything from music and technology blogs to city specific blogs and even links to apply for credit cards. It’s free to join and it’s free to register your blog and post articles. They will promote your blog and help drive traffic so go check it and join!

And Then There Were Two...

Week 13 (Game 12) has begun. Actually, it has already come and gone for the Packers and the Cowboys. After last night’s game a few things are very evident. The ‘Boys have solidified their position and are THE team to beat in the NFC. At 11-1 and their only loss coming at the hands of the undefeated Patriots, Dallas is revisiting it’s glory days. They have never been this good. Tony Romo is poised to eclipse Cowboy QB records and is clearing a path to have his name mentioned in the same sentence with that of Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach. Romo has the ability to make things happen like those guys but he takes it a step further. He can create something from nothing on a regular basis and that is what makes the Cowboys even more dangerous. When the 4th quarter comes Romo seems to have placed a magnet in the hands of Jason Whitten. While going to his big play guys for most of the game, Romo has a keen sense of manageability and just finds ways to keep drives going and finding other guys. Dallas pretty much secured home field advantage throughout the playoffs and should meet – wait for it – the Packers in the NFC Championship game.

That’s right I said the Packers. They may have lost to the ‘Boys last night but think about what actually transpired. With Favre not in his zone and going down in the second quarter in came Aaron Rodgers. Who? You know….that guy who backs up Favre. Oh yeah that guy. Anyway, Rodgers had a very good game and at the beginning of the 4th quarter were only down by a field goal. Even without two of their biggest defensive players, Charles Woodson and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, the were in this thing the whole way. The Pack can take some positives from this game. They will most likely be the number two seed and get a week off. They have home field until they have to go to Dallas. Those defensive guys will be back and they should be able to play Dallas right to the end and have a chance to win.

So it does come down to these two in the NFC. Everyone else is kind of hanging around and hoping to make the post season. The rest of the NFC can’t play with these two teams and that will be evident when the post season gets here. Unfortunately for Green Bay, they will fall victim to the same result as last night. The Cowboys will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. After this Sunday’s games are done I will tell you who they will face…and it may not be New England.