Cool, wet and windy is the forecast for this morning's Middletown at Scituate game, but that hasn't seemed to stop the teams. The game is slated to start at 10:30, and from all indications, it's still on. So dress warm.
Friday night's games were moved to Monday. Rogers will play at Portsmouth at 6, while Tiverton will play at Mount Pleasant at 5.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Better with age?
The Newport Recreation Department over-30 men's basketball league season is quickly approaching, and I couldn't be more excited. Go ahead, make fun, youngsters, but this league, as I found out last year, is really, really competitive.
After my team stunk it up last year (our only win was a forfeit to a team that only had three guys show up), I got to thinking. If I could assemble a team of NBA ringers, who also had to be older than 30, to dominate the league, who would I choose?
As far as over-30 teams go, you'd be hard-pressed to put together a better one than this:
Guard, Kobe Bryant, 31.
I'm not a Kobe fan by any stretch, but the man can play. It's hard to believe he's 31 already, but the Lakers guard can score on anyone at any time.
Guard, Steve Nash, 35.
Who better to get the ball to Kobe (and me) than the best distributor in the game? Nash is clearly on the downside of his career, but aside from Kobe, so is everyone else older than 30.
Forward, Dirk Nowitzki, 31.
The shaggy-haired German has averaged 22.8 points and 8.6 rebounds over an 11-year NBA career. He's also got some range for a 7-footer.
Forward, Kevin Garnett, 33.
Aside from his production, one must take into account KG's intimidation factor. He'd scare the crap out of everyone in a rec league.
Center, Tim Duncan, 33.
I know he prefers to play forward, but the two-time league MVP and three-time NBA finals MVP is 6-11, so I'm sure he could handle being the five.
And finally ...
Backup shooting guard, 6-foot-1 out of Wisconsin (the state, not the University of), Josh Krueger.
A man can dream, can't he?
After my team stunk it up last year (our only win was a forfeit to a team that only had three guys show up), I got to thinking. If I could assemble a team of NBA ringers, who also had to be older than 30, to dominate the league, who would I choose?
As far as over-30 teams go, you'd be hard-pressed to put together a better one than this:
Guard, Kobe Bryant, 31.
I'm not a Kobe fan by any stretch, but the man can play. It's hard to believe he's 31 already, but the Lakers guard can score on anyone at any time.
Guard, Steve Nash, 35.
Who better to get the ball to Kobe (and me) than the best distributor in the game? Nash is clearly on the downside of his career, but aside from Kobe, so is everyone else older than 30.
Forward, Dirk Nowitzki, 31.
The shaggy-haired German has averaged 22.8 points and 8.6 rebounds over an 11-year NBA career. He's also got some range for a 7-footer.
Forward, Kevin Garnett, 33.
Aside from his production, one must take into account KG's intimidation factor. He'd scare the crap out of everyone in a rec league.
Center, Tim Duncan, 33.
I know he prefers to play forward, but the two-time league MVP and three-time NBA finals MVP is 6-11, so I'm sure he could handle being the five.
And finally ...
Backup shooting guard, 6-foot-1 out of Wisconsin (the state, not the University of), Josh Krueger.
A man can dream, can't he?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Boxing hits the canvas
I asked a friend of mine yesterday what his plans were for the weekend. He said he's going to a bar to watch the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto boxing match. To be honest, I didn't know there was a big fight this weekend, and that's because, for me, boxing has been down well past the 10 count.
I can't remember the last time I had a vested interest in a boxing match. I think it was Ward-Gatti III, and that's only because I'm from the Lowell area and followed the career of Micky Ward. The point is, there hasn't been a marquee fight on tap in at least 10 years.
While I think it's brutal and a little savage, MMA and Ultimate Fighting is taking over, and it's a bit sad to see. The sweet science of boxing is now No. 2 on the list because there hasn't been that charismatic fighter in years. The Mike Tyson, the Evander Holyfield, even the Lenox Lewis. Now we have the Klitchko brothers.
And the fact that there are nine different belts, I don't know who the "world champion" is anymore. That used to be an easy question to answer.
Boxing had a good run, but those days have been KO'd.
I can't remember the last time I had a vested interest in a boxing match. I think it was Ward-Gatti III, and that's only because I'm from the Lowell area and followed the career of Micky Ward. The point is, there hasn't been a marquee fight on tap in at least 10 years.
While I think it's brutal and a little savage, MMA and Ultimate Fighting is taking over, and it's a bit sad to see. The sweet science of boxing is now No. 2 on the list because there hasn't been that charismatic fighter in years. The Mike Tyson, the Evander Holyfield, even the Lenox Lewis. Now we have the Klitchko brothers.
And the fact that there are nine different belts, I don't know who the "world champion" is anymore. That used to be an easy question to answer.
Boxing had a good run, but those days have been KO'd.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Instant replay is the correct call
The first thing I do when I get my latest issue of Sports Illustrated is read the column on the back flap. Then I go to the letters from the readers. This week, old school baseball enthusiasts fought against the use of instant replay, claiming it took the "human element" out of the game.
As a fan, if my team is on the wrong end of a game-changing call that could have been corrected via instant replay, I'm not going to be happy. And I'm just a fan. I can only imagine how players and managers feel. Technology is becoming so advanced that the game needs to change with it.
It's like watching a horror movie in the theater. You know the killer is coming to get the girl, and you scream at the screen. But she can't hear you ... and BOOM, she's dead. You can see the call is wrong on the replay, and you scream at the umpire, telling him to change the call ... but sorry, the call stands. Your team is killed.
The writers to SI claim the games are too long, and instant replay would only add to the length of games. Here's a few solutions: speed up pitchers, don't allow batters to lollygag in between pitches (that means keeping David Ortiz from spitting on his hands every 9 seconds) and shorten the time between innings. But baseball will lose out on some advertising dollars!??!
Tough. It's better than losing this fan and millions like me.
As a fan, if my team is on the wrong end of a game-changing call that could have been corrected via instant replay, I'm not going to be happy. And I'm just a fan. I can only imagine how players and managers feel. Technology is becoming so advanced that the game needs to change with it.
It's like watching a horror movie in the theater. You know the killer is coming to get the girl, and you scream at the screen. But she can't hear you ... and BOOM, she's dead. You can see the call is wrong on the replay, and you scream at the umpire, telling him to change the call ... but sorry, the call stands. Your team is killed.
The writers to SI claim the games are too long, and instant replay would only add to the length of games. Here's a few solutions: speed up pitchers, don't allow batters to lollygag in between pitches (that means keeping David Ortiz from spitting on his hands every 9 seconds) and shorten the time between innings. But baseball will lose out on some advertising dollars!??!
Tough. It's better than losing this fan and millions like me.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Fight night
To the best of my knowledge, soccer riots aren't too prevalent here in the U.S. But Rhode Island College had one on its hands Sunday night during and after the Division IV high school girls state championship game between Woonsocket and Tolman. For those who haven't seen the footage, click above.
As a semi-responsible adult, part of me feels like I should get up on my soap box and decry such behavior. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't find this fight pretty entertaining and amusing.
Now, if I'd had any ties whatsoever to the game, I might have another opinion. Say, for instance, if it had been Rogers, or another team I cover regularly, playing in that game (which nearly happened) I'd be disappointed that either, A. Rogers' state championship was marred by a silly fight, or B. Rogers players behaved in such a way when they were losing.
Unfortunately for me, I covered the game that immediately preceded Woonsocket-Tolman. Not that I didn't enjoy seeing the Tiverton girls win the D-III title, but I'd love to be able to say I saw the melee in the D-IV game.
Some might wonder how these girls could get so worked up over a Division IV girls soccer game. And I did, at first, too. But after looking in the mirror, I get it. Hell, I can get pretty psychotic on the basketball court in the Newport Recreation Department men's over-30 league. And there's pretty much nothing at stake there. In a high school championship game, no matter the level, there's a lot of emotion, and tempers can flare.
The pushing and shoving that broke out in the stands between fans of the two teams, though, is completely inexcusable, and just plain stupid.
By no means am I excusing the actions of any of the players involved, which, based on the video, looks like pretty much all of them. I'm just saying, I understand.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Week 9 R.I. high school football poll
Barrington's big victory over La Salle vaulted the Eagles to the top spot in the poll. Now, La Salle, Barrington and East Providence all have one loss. Bishop Hendricken has two losses, and Portsmouth has three, but the Patriots own the head-to-head tiebreaker. Portsmouth, which has to beat Rogers this Friday, needs East Providence to beat Hendricken.
Middletown, which rebounded from its first loss of the season, jumped up two spots to No. 15, while Tiverton is receiving votes and hoping to get back into the top 20.
Team Points Last week
1. Barrington (6) 139 3
2. La Salle 128 1
3. East Providence 125 2
4. South Kingstown 122 3
5. Hendricken (1) 113 5
6. Mount Hope 102 6
7. Woonsocket 94 8
8. Ponaganset 87 7
9. Portsmouth 84 9
10. Coventry 83 12
11. West Warwick 58 13
12. Cranston East 57 10
13. Moses Brown 52 14
14. Westerly 45 11
15. Middletown 43 17
16. Johnston 36 16
17. Lincoln 29 NR
18. Cranston West 17 15
19. Classical 13 20
20. Exeter-W.G. 11 NR
Dropped out (rank): Cumberland (18), Hope (19).
Others receiving votes: Cumberland 8, Central 2, Hope 1, Tiverton 1.
Participating publications: The Chariho Times, The Coventry Courier, The Cranston Herald, The East Greenwich Pendulum, The Narragansett Times, The Newport Daily News, The Northeast Independent, The North Kingstown Standard Times, The South County Independent, The Warwick Beacon. Note: The Westerly Sun did not vote this week.
Middletown, which rebounded from its first loss of the season, jumped up two spots to No. 15, while Tiverton is receiving votes and hoping to get back into the top 20.
Team Points Last week
1. Barrington (6) 139 3
2. La Salle 128 1
3. East Providence 125 2
4. South Kingstown 122 3
5. Hendricken (1) 113 5
6. Mount Hope 102 6
7. Woonsocket 94 8
8. Ponaganset 87 7
9. Portsmouth 84 9
10. Coventry 83 12
11. West Warwick 58 13
12. Cranston East 57 10
13. Moses Brown 52 14
14. Westerly 45 11
15. Middletown 43 17
16. Johnston 36 16
17. Lincoln 29 NR
18. Cranston West 17 15
19. Classical 13 20
20. Exeter-W.G. 11 NR
Dropped out (rank): Cumberland (18), Hope (19).
Others receiving votes: Cumberland 8, Central 2, Hope 1, Tiverton 1.
Participating publications: The Chariho Times, The Coventry Courier, The Cranston Herald, The East Greenwich Pendulum, The Narragansett Times, The Newport Daily News, The Northeast Independent, The North Kingstown Standard Times, The South County Independent, The Warwick Beacon. Note: The Westerly Sun did not vote this week.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Gostkowski adds another three
Thanks to Stephen Neal being off-side, the Pats didn't go on fourth-and-inch(es) and let Gostkowski kick a 41-yard field goal to give NE an important 10-point spread.
And Pats win 27-17 to assume even more control of AFC East.
And Pats win 27-17 to assume even more control of AFC East.
Henne's pass to Ginn on fourth-and-long with less than three minutes to go over the middle looked catchable, if difficut.
Maybe that's why he's been benched at times as a wideout.
Now New England should be able to get close enough for another field goal, which would cement Gostkowski's dominance over Ginn today.
Maybe that's why he's been benched at times as a wideout.
Now New England should be able to get close enough for another field goal, which would cement Gostkowski's dominance over Ginn today.
Looks like Tom Terrific got the D a bit too pumped up. Miami had the choice of two defensive penalties, including a roughing the passer, on third down.
Miami converts on another third down on a pass by Henne, then it's back to White and the Wildcat running for 2 yards.
Thomas ends the third quarter with a bang! He blows up a Miami reverse. Then Henne throws the ball away on third-and-long because the Pats have sniffed out a short pass to the left for wide receiver Davone Bess.
Miami converts on another third down on a pass by Henne, then it's back to White and the Wildcat running for 2 yards.
Thomas ends the third quarter with a bang! He blows up a Miami reverse. Then Henne throws the ball away on third-and-long because the Pats have sniffed out a short pass to the left for wide receiver Davone Bess.
Brady and Moss respond
The Brady-Moss connection hits twice on right-to-left routes. The first goes for 71 yards for a touchdown to make it 22-17, then comes a mini-version for the 2-point conversion.
Brady gets into the faces of Patriots defenders such as linebacker Gary Guyton on the sidelines. The poster boy is screaming.
Think they'll respond?
Brady gets into the faces of Patriots defenders such as linebacker Gary Guyton on the sidelines. The poster boy is screaming.
Think they'll respond?
Dolphins up by one
The Wildcat's still hurting New England. Ronnnie Brown, another lefty thrower, lofts a 1-yard touchdown pass to wide-open tight end Joey Haynos in the end zone for a 17-16 lead for the fish.
The Pats need Brady to respond in more conventional style than having a running back throw for a score.
The Pats need Brady to respond in more conventional style than having a running back throw for a score.
Another for Gostkowski
Stephen Gostkowski adds another trey ... with 1 second left.
I'm not sure about that second remaining. Hey, this is Gillette, home of the close shave - or home cooking?
I'm not sure about that second remaining. Hey, this is Gillette, home of the close shave - or home cooking?
White whiffs
White's in the pocket, where the Pats hope to keep this Pat, and the lefty throws way long incomplete. Then Chad Henne comes up short on a pass and New England's back in business - if you can call it that on their 14 in their two-minute drill.
Gostkowski gets greeted
Stephen Gostkowski after his 38-yard field goal kicks off to Ginn and the ball goes out of the end zone.
But New England's penalized and he has to kick again. And A-Ginn it goes out of the end zone.
He heads to the sideline and before he gets there the first of seven Pats greet him with high fives.
But New England's penalized and he has to kick again. And A-Ginn it goes out of the end zone.
He heads to the sideline and before he gets there the first of seven Pats greet him with high fives.
Wildcat Attack
Pat White, in to get the snap in the Wildcat, gets the Dolphins rolling with a 33-yard winding run.
He caps the drive with a pitchout to Ricky Williams, who goes 15 yards around the right side as Miami pulls even on a five-play, 80-yard march.
It's still a wrinkle that gives New England headaches.
He caps the drive with a pitchout to Ricky Williams, who goes 15 yards around the right side as Miami pulls even on a five-play, 80-yard march.
It's still a wrinkle that gives New England headaches.
Patriots take lead
Tom Brady looks for Randy Moss again and they connect down the right side for a 36-yarder to the 1, where Laurence Maroney goes in standing up.
Whew!
Ted Ginn, a.k.a Ted A-Ginn after his consecutive kickoff returns for TDs last week, is "held" to 37 yards on the ensuing kickoff.
Whew!
Ted Ginn, a.k.a Ted A-Ginn after his consecutive kickoff returns for TDs last week, is "held" to 37 yards on the ensuing kickoff.
New England's start against Miami
It's 65 degrees here at Gillette. This game is in New England, not south Florida, right?
Tom Brady gets piggy, trying for a quick six, deep to Moss, but gets picked off.
Wes Welker was open underneath going right to left.
Adalius Thomas has already knocked down a pass and returned a fumble for a touchdown. BUT replay shows an incomplete pass, and Dolphins go on to make a 52-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter, longest in his career.
Tom Brady gets piggy, trying for a quick six, deep to Moss, but gets picked off.
Wes Welker was open underneath going right to left.
Adalius Thomas has already knocked down a pass and returned a fumble for a touchdown. BUT replay shows an incomplete pass, and Dolphins go on to make a 52-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter, longest in his career.
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