We also play in a highly competitive tournament league on weekends. We are 1-4 there, but we've played better of late, losing one game in OT. These games are to get on the court against tougher competition. I have no illusions.
YSSS is playing better than ever. He's killing it in rec league, and he's making some great plays, etc. in travel now. Nice to see, proud I am.
Back to baseball. Seems the new commish is talking about "doing away with defensive shifts". Wow. That is wrong-thinking.
I've got an idea. How about the hitters that get shifted on try to use the WHOLE FIELD. or bunt up the 3rd base line. Or MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT, which is what baseball is all about.
I don't understand the problem. We are so opposed to a shift because it "hurts the offense"? Well hit the ball where nobody is and the defense will play straight up (or thereabouts) pretty quick. Simple adjsutment.
On the cusp of a blizzard. We will see what we are made of.
Here's what soulslam thinks: if you really need to shorten games, then shorten the minimum of two (2) COMMERCIAL BREAKS that occur every inning. If you just cut these by 60 seconds apiece, you end up saving about 15 minutes or so (my math isn't what it should be I guess). But that doesn't seem to be a concern. Instead, we're going to (in some cases) RUSH a pitcher to deliver a pitch. Or a batter to stand in a box. Unreal.
Reminds me of the age-old argument on how to reduce terrible fan behavior at NFL games. The answer is pretty simple - stop serving alcohol. Or allowing it in parking lot. But that isn't really realistic is it?
Disney! No
HersheyPark! No
I am talking about I-95 on Sunday 1/18 about 6:45AM around the New Hope, PA. exit. Talk about terrifying!
OSSS had a camp at UPENN to attend this weekend. That's a 90 or so mile ride from me casa. So we decide (since it's AM only) we'll cruise down on Saturday, come home (I had two hoops games to coach for YSSS) and then go down again Sunday. Easy. Saturday was ok. Sunday, forecast was for rain. Maybe some freezing rain, to paraphrase EVERY WEATHER PERSON ON THE EASTERN SEABOARD!
So drive we do. Left the homestead at 6AM. Drove south, then did a cut through the great state of NJ to Rt. 95. On the way, the rain started around 6:30. Freezing but not too bad. The folks around Rt. 31 has sanded and salted. Drive on. Then I come to the aforementioned New Hope entrance.
I could feel my Tahoe fishtail a bit; still pretty dark so hard to figure. I'm driving a bit and I see a car pulled off to the side of the road with hazards a-blinking about a half mile ahead. Right then I look to my right and across the ditch and up the embankment is a car, spun around and I don't think that was the intended parking spot. Uh oh.
Emergency preparedness kicks in:
With those things done the last thing is to keep distance between me and others. Like you. Because SoulSlam knows how to drive in that mess. You do not. So I am not taking my life in your hands.
Creeping along in right lane, I spy a hoopdy Caprice coming up hard in left lane. I estimate he was doing 50-55mph. Whoa. I say to OSSS, "we'll see that guy on the side of the road in 2 minutes!". I was wrong. 20 seconds later he had a head-on collision with two cars about 3/4 of a mile ahead of me. What a fool.
Anyway, the GPS said I had about 45 miles to go. Slow wins this race. Got there safe and sound. A little late, but in once piece. I estimate that I saw about 100 accidents. Tow Truck Christmas.
Congrats Smoltzy!
Congrats Biggio!
Congrats Big Unit!
But boo to HoF voters for leaving Piazza out. Crossing the digits for 2016 induction!
I haven't made a resolution yet. Maybe just keeping last year's going. Which means I gotta ramp up the workouts.
Did go to gym early New Year's Day, biceps and back was the deal.
We start baseball practice for our 14U (YSSS) team tonight. Looking forward to it.
