However, playing checkers has never been that simple and many people, especially African Americans, competitively compete in this famous board game with much more on the line than just bragging rights. Adjacent to the New Bethel Baptist Church in northwest Washington, D.C., since 1985, many African American men continue compete in an old brick building called the National Capitol Pool Checkers Association.

This is where Donald “Pressure Man” Cunningham hones his skills.

Not long ago, a national tournament was held at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in New Carrollton, Maryland. The four day competition in Ballroom Salon A, featured checker players from around the world, including Russia. Two players competed at each table. “Every year, we conduct the national tournament in a different city,” said Stoney Burke, public relations director for national tournaments. Depending on the category one competes in, between $160-$320 and first place trophies are awarded to the winners after each tournament.

As the competition grew near, Cunningham was eager to get started. In the first match, he challenged 70-year-old Atlanta native, George Few. Before anyone had moved a checker, Few called Cunningham, “the dangerous one.” During the contest, sweat continuously dripped from Cunningham’s forehead. He got up to get a paper towel. “My move when I come back right?” he said. Few nodded in agreement. Before the action resumed, Cunningham put his glasses on. Both men were deeply concentrating, as the onlookers stood by. Cunningham lost the first game, but had a draw in the second match. “He’s tough, he just made mental errors,” said Few of Cunningham.

The next challenger hailed from Zenia, Ohio. Avie Sharp had been playing checkers for 50 years. “The challenge is the motivation and you develop your mind,” Sharp said. With five checkers apiece on the board for both contestants, it was several minutes before either one made a move. In a game of cleverness and deep thought, playing checkers is the battle of the minds. A lack of concentration and moving too quickly in the game caused Sharp to lose and draw to Cunningham. Throughout the contest Cunningham admitted that he had a migraine headache, along with a head cold, which disrupted his concentration, while getting beat, off and on. “If I wasn’t sick, the outcome would’ve been totally different,” he assured. John Curtis, president of the Baltimore Checkers Association, has known Cunningham for 13 years. “Win, lose or draw, Cunningham is an expert in drawing a game,” Curtis told Regal Magazine. “He’s the best draw game artist in the country.”

Last year, Cunningham, 62, won a trophy for his association. The contest between Washington, D.C. and North Carolina is held every summer at Haines Point, a popular waterfront atmosphere in southwest Washington, D.C. Whoever wins the trophy retains it for a year. Cunningham played a 14 game set in one day, with one opponent. Down the road, he envisions better days, and intends to perform exceptionally well at the 2010 national tournament in Durham, North Carolina.

The motivation to compete in playing checkers started at age 12, when Cunningham observed his parents, Thomas and Evelyn, competing. He thought the game was intriguing. One day, he politely asked his mother could he play her. His mother beat him the majority of the time. When he matured, he’d defeat his mother. As a defensive end and track star at Phelps Vocational High in the mid 1960s, Cunningham wanted to outplay his oldest brother, Tyrone. The same mental approach he utilized in football, he exhibits in playing checkers. “We are tight, he always wanted to keep up with me, and in every sport, he has done well,” said Tyrone, a retired postal worker.

At 25, Cunningham became more intimate with the checker game. He competed on street corners throughout the nation’s capitol. The competition occurred on tables, the rooftop of cars, and on the knees of two players, which became a table. At times, he’d challenge the young and old in a game of checkers, with soda tops or rocks. “Checkers have come a long way,” he says. Within a 15 year span, he earned the nickname, “Pressure Man.” Charles Johnson, a fast checker mover, understands why Cunningham earned such a nickname. “He has a knack to get out of traps and drawing the game is key,” explained Johnson, a 20-year checker player. A draw is when neither player wins.

When describing the game of checkers, Cunningham responds like a philosopher of the sport. “You must know where every checker is going, one must have patience, it’s a mind game, and moving the checkers forward, cutting off the opponents’ tracks and lines is essential.” Throughout a seven day week, he plays checkers at least four days, between four to nine hours. Even in defeat, Cunningham comes back, time and time, again. He demonstrates the will to win. Employed with Pride Incorporated, under former Mayor Marion Barry, Cunningham supervised ex-offenders from 1967-1969. He introduced the game of checkers to all ex-offenders that came across his path. At the Department of Public Works in Washington, D.C., he was nominated the second best checker player in his division. Winning at national tournaments, spectators and association competitors have betted on Cunningham. “Oh yeah, we’ve bet over $25,000.00 on Cunningham to win, says,” Tal Roberts, a junior master checker champion.

Cunningham works for the Maryland National Capitol Park and Planning Commission as a part time custodian now. Humbly, he says, “If I ever receive an email or phone call requesting a workshop to teach the fundamentals of playing checkers, I would jump on the opportunity without hesitation.” Kids nowadays are not playing checkers correctly, according to Cunningham. “The correct method in playing checkers is moving forward and backwards- Spanish pool. If you touch a checker, you must move that checker.” Teaching kids properly is a burning desire for Cunningham. For the last three summers, Cunningham has participated in the annual Seat Pleasant Junior Checker Championship, held outside on the basketball courts in Holly Park, where a total of 1500 youngsters have attended. Whoever beats the most people is the winner. Cunningham, an instructor, is very instrumental in helping kids with their moves and teaching them how to add and subtract. Johnny “Cool” Coleman, the founder, can attest to that. Kevin Williams, 14, a first place winner and competitor since age 10, remembers Donald “Pressure Man” Cunningham well. Williams said, “I appreciate the mentoring and knowledge from Mr. Cunningham, and I still play today, at least six times a week with friends and family members. He would always tell us, ‘never leave a gap, keep the checkers close together, don’t get close to the board, sit back and observe the entire board.’”

That mentoring of young people has proven that playing checkers can be more than just a game. The hard work and dedication that comes from playing the best and trying to become the best can be something that transfers from the board game to the game of life.

Kevin Wilson is a writer for ; Regal Black Mens Magazine The publication focuses on ; African American Community News Politics Sports Health The magazine features a ; Local Online Classifieds & Job Classified Black Business Directory Visit to read about ; playing checkersArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/dc-man-turns-playing-checkers-into-mentoring-tool-1446862.html

When they were first introduced, the majority of blank fitted baseball caps were made to be easily customized, and in three standard sizes; small, medium and large. Players simply chose the size that most closely fit their own head. As they began to evolve, these hats often began to incorporate elastic bands around the circumference, in order to allow for a more snug fit. Later on, many baseball cap production companies began to capitalize on customized fitted caps. These are purchased via special order, and are made to perfectly fit the head of the wearer.

The widespread implementation of blank fitted baseball caps among baseball teams allowed those paying the bills to save money and time, because they did not have to special order hats - they could simply place large bulk orders in the three standard sizes, and then have them either customized with team logo’s or other graphics professional. Alternatively, they could simply buy decals and do the job themselves. Of course, those in the major and minor baseball leagues generally utilize custom fitted, professionally designed caps rather than blank fitted caps as this allows for a higher quality, and overall more uniform looking uniforms. However, as major and minor league baseball players make up a fairly small percentage of those who wear baseball caps, it is no surprise that blank fitted baseball caps are common.

Blank fitted baseball caps tend to be used for other purposes other than sports. Often, they are used for promotions due to their low cost and easy ability to be easily customized. They can often be found in promotional gift bags, are often handed out by radio stations, realtors, or virtually any other professional individual or company who happens to be trying to get their name out there.

In addition to being utilized by those who actually play the game, blank fitted baseball caps have really become a fashion accessory in their own right, partially because they fit like a glove. They are available in every color imaginable, are easy to customize with printing or custom sewn logos and other pictures and made from many materials. Additionally, a lot of novelty shops sell many different types of these hats, and often offer immediate customization with any number of slogans, phrases, icons or designs. They are popular among athletes and the non athletic alike, regardless of age or gender. Most people own at least one blank fitted baseball cap; or at the least a fitted baseball cap that was blank at one time. Regardless of your needs, these baseball caps have universal appeal.

click for more information on your favorite Caps. Click for more Blank Fitted Baseball Caps.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/getting-the-best-blank-fitted-baseball-caps-1443946.html

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A tactical vest is imperative if you are carrying a lot of different things.  Most vests nowadays not only offer physical protection from enemy fire, but a variety of pouches and holsters to carry extra magazines, extra ammo, and sidearms.  Utilizing a tactical vest is more preferable than carrying a lot of stuff around in your pockets.  Once you start regularly wearing this type of vest, you will wonder how you ever got around without it.  Of course, you need things to put in the vest, or else it is practically unnecessary.  

As mentioned above, you should get additional magazines and BBs.  BBs is the easiest to cover, because you always need more ammo, so it is good to have a stockpile of it so you do not need to continuously buy more.  There are many grades of BBs, and they can be classified based on weight, size, and special features.  For example, some BBs are biodegradable, so when you are playing with them in the forest, they naturally degrade.  This is better for the environment, so many people like to use them.

The reason you would want more magazines is because you cannot afford to refill a single magazine in the heat of gameplay.  It is much easier to just switch the magazines, and then refill them all at once after the game.  By doing this, you enable yourself to act faster in any airsoft game.

You can find a wide variety of airsoft rifles at the author’s business, which also stocks many types of airsoft pistols.

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The first thing is the scale. Scale is size of the model train with G being the largest and going down you will find O scale, S scale, HO scale, N scale and the smallest Z Scale with ratios starting at 1:8 and going down to 1:220. The most popular scales are the G, N, Z and HO model trains.

The larger the scale of the model trains the more detail you can get, however the scale that you choose to collect should take into consideration not only detail but also cost, budget and the amount of space that you have available to set up your model railroad.

When it comes to detail all the scales are well done and would make a nice collection. It really depends on your own taste. Be sure and check out a model train show in your area. There you will be able to see working models of each scale and get a feel for what will work best for you. Value really is based on your taste and your budget.

Besides considering scale you will need to take a look at gauge. I’m sure that you have heard of narrow gauge railroads. This is in reference to the size of the track. Most narrow gauge railways were through the mountains and used not only for carrying mining ore but also employees and supplies back and forth to the mines.

Gauge is the measurement of the width between the model railroad tracks in millimeters and these can generally be found in sizes of 6.5 mm all the way up to 148 mm. Depending on the size of your model train the supplier will outfit you with the appropriate gauge for your model railroad track.

Ok, now that you have decided on scale and gauge you can begin to work on the layout of your bench work. You can select different environments for the layout of your train tracks. This basically entails the creation of unique topography and cityscapes through which your model railway will plot its course.

This is the time to be creative and build realistic comprehensive environments by utilizing different materials; the scope of which will depend on the area you have available for laying out your master planned model railroad.

Be sure to use special finishes like weathering on your model trains. This will make your model train and model railway look like it has aged over time with the ravages of grease, smoke and oil which is a natural look due to emissions released from engines of the model trains. Your landscape will determine what type of look is best. If your landscape is based on a desert environment or mountainous area then the model train will want to be weathered to look like they’ve been ravaged by dust storms, etc.

Most model trains are valued for their historical background as well as technical prowess. You are getting into model train collecting because you understand and appreciates the mechanics of locomotives and the history of our railway system. When you friends look at the aesthetics of your well-planned model train and railway, they will be able to appreciate the craftsmanship and hard work you have put forth in your collection and building your model railroad.

Like any hobby you will want to establish a beginning budget and work within that budget. Collecting model trains and model railroads is not an inexpensive hobby. However, the joy of putting your plan in place, building your collection over time and running your model railroad is more than worth the expense. Hearing the sound of the horn, the model train running on the track and the light shinning as it comes out of the tunnel, smelling the smoke as the engines pulls a steep incline, what could be better than that?

Michael Weston is a model train expert. For more great information on model trains , visit http://www.modeltrainsexpert.com.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/basic-model-train-information-1436711.html

The game generally remained the preserve of the schools and universities until the early part of the 20th century, by which time it was becoming popular in the private clubs (such as the RAC in London) and with officers in the British armed forces.

The USA was the first nation to form a dedicated association and codify its game, in 1907. In the same year, the (English) Tennis and Rackets Association formed a squash rackets sub-committee to administer the game, which became progressively codified during the 1920s. Subsequently, the (English) Squash Rackets Association was formed and took over administration of the game in 1928. The game is now administered by the WSF (World Squash Federation). The men’s professional game is managed by the PSA (Professional Squash Association) and the women’s by WISPA (Women’s International Squash Players Association).

Squash continued almost exclusively as the game of the upper middle classes until around the 1950s, when commercial operators started to build public courts. The game boomed in popularity, with participation peaking around the early 1980s. Despite a downturn in player numbers, the game remains popular in many locations, including Australia, Europe, North America and parts of Asia.

At the elite level, the game was strictly divided between amateur players (usually ‘gentlemen’ and ‘ladies’) and professional players, who were often coaches employed by the exclusive clubs. This division started to break down with the growth of the commercial side of the game in the 1960s, with the women’s game becoming ‘open’ in 1973 and the men’s game following in 1980.

With a huge amount of experience Edward Smith is currently writing about garden products including the hot tub gazebo and wrought iron gazebo.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/a-short-history-of-squash-1434071.html

1. Understanding How Slot Machine Games Work
2. Mount a few Slot Machine Game Strategies
3. Money and Time Management

In this article I will help you in Understanding How Slot Machine Games Work. This is something that takes a bit of time but is the simplest of requisites to winning at online slot machine games. This is because most of the understanding comes from just doing what you like to do and that is play the slot game. Soon the game will be incorporated into your reflexes and not need your mind to do the driving. In order to get to this stage I would suggest looking for the tab on the game board that has all the game instructions. Slots designed by the same software providers have many things in common. Also there will be small groups within the same software providers menu of games that will be almost identical. Many times they will share part of their names. For example in the Mac compatible slot game software provider NetEnt flash casino you have a group of Jackpot slots called “Wonders”. This group includes Tiki Wonder, Icy Wonder and Geisha Wonder. There is also a group a nostalgic them. These are The Super Eighties, The Funky Seventies and The Groove Sixties. Within these small groups all the slots operate exactly the same. NetEnt is a no download slot game software provider

After studding the instructions and giving the slot game a spin around the block, you then would need to analyze the playtable carefully. The payable has a list of likely combination and the coins each will pay. These payables can seem complicated at first even to the most seasoned player. Make a few spins and stop the game after you hit a particular win. Compare the win amount and symbols on the active bet line to the payable. The payable shows the symbol and two sets of numbers. The smaller number from 3 to 5 is how many symbols are on the bet line and the larger number is the payout per coin placed in the line. If the symbol is an ordinary symbol then the larger number next to the 3-5 will be the payout on the bet line for each coin you have placed on the line. The more symbols showing on the bet line the higher the payout. It works a bit differently when we are talking about wilds and scatter symbols.

A wild symbol can replace any symbol on the active bet line to gain a wining combination. There will be a set of small numbers and larger numbers just like with the ordinary symbols. The larger number could stand for the payout per coin placed on the bet line or it could be a multiplier which you use to multiply the win on that bet line . So this is something you will need to test out in play. Most of the time the difference is clearly stated on the payable. Yet other times it is unclear and you will have to give her a spin, land on a win and do some checking yourself.

Scatter symbols are my favorite. With 3 scatter symbols showing anywhere on the board, you enter a free spin mode. Again you will find the two sets of numbers small and large. The larger numbers next to the 2 to 5 are always a multiplier. So this always is very clear. However, the multiplication is over the entire board bet, not just the bet on the active bet line like the wild symbols multiplier.

So you see the payable can get quite complicated. I is the one thing that you will need to study separately with almost every group of slot games in an online casino environment. It is a challenge but fun to do. It is much like a crossword puzzle that is interesting and fun to participate in. So study your payables and have a good time at gambling.

Tracey knows all about Slot Machine Gaming. Tracey checks the casinos to make sure that players get a fair and honest deal. He cranks up the online slot game and analyses her around and around. If your looking for good casinos for slots then check out his websiteArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/how-to-win-at-online-slot-machine-games-part-i-1432517.html

Softball hitting involves a series of processes that you should learn. So your coach see to it that you will undergo everyday training to make sure that you will learn everything regarding how to make a powerful and amazing hit which can give you the control of the game. There are terms which you need to understand in this skill such as stance, stride, swing and many more. You might not understand these words at first but with the help of your coach who will become very happy to explain to you and show you how these skills are done, you will eventually learn each term.

In attending your practice, you should forget to bring with you your protective gears. Why? This is because batting requires a lot of your energy and power. Since you need to become alert and alive in the whole time of your practice, you should avoid having any injury that may hinder you from joining your teammates in doing the drills prepared by your coach. By wearing protective gears, you can ensure your safety while training.

Protective gears can be bought in the different stores in your area. Just like in choosing the right bat, you also have to make sure that you have the right protective gears. Since you will wear this everytime you have your training and even when you are playing the game, you should pick something comfortable and fit to your body size. You know that playing softball in the middle of many people can make you feel pressured. But you should not let those people to affect you especially when you are to hit the ball. Wearing a protective gear which is not comfortable can cause you some distraction which can cause you to miss the ball.

Hence, you have to make sure that the protective gear you are wearing will not give you any discomfort and uneasiness. This way, you can have more chances of making a powerful hit which is an opportunity for your team to make outstanding scores. Looking for the right protective gear which will be your partner in practicing your softball hitting drills is not difficult because you can go online in your shopping.
Now you know that learning softball hitting does not only need your dedication and determination. You should also protect yourself from any injuries which can cause delay in reaching your goal.

Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS, is a softball peak performance coach that helps players and teams hit with more power, run faster, throw harder, become mentally tougher, and be more dominant on the softball field. Visit us and sign-up to get tons of great FREE softball hitting tips to boost your game!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/protect-yourself-from-injuries-while-practicing-softball-hitting-techniques-1430542.html

In this article, we’ll explore the nature of violent crime in the context of how martial arts and self-defense converge. I’ll describe the mental game and the danger of emotions. I’ll also explain the core difference between defending yourself and fighting; many people think they’re doing the former when they’re actually doing the latter. Lastly, we’ll discuss how you can respond constructively to a threat of violence while controlling your environment.

The Mental Game Of Self-Defense

Suppose an attacker is coming toward you. Your instinct is to protect yourself. If you have studied karate, kung fu, or similar styles, you might be tempted to respond physically. Unfortunately, doing so can result in injury, death, or criminal charges in the event that you overreact and cause excessive harm to your attacker. This is the reason it is critical that you are mentally prepared to respond appropriately to a confrontation.

Your mindset plays a key role in remaining safe during a potentially violent situation. In fact, the manner in which you process your circumstances and calculate a response may represent the largest potential threat to your safety. Too often, emotions get in the way and lead to disastrous consequences.

Understanding The Danger Of Emotions

Anger and fear do more to escalate a confrontation than any other response. Emotions are the antithesis of logic. They often obfuscate the reality of a given threat, concealing possible paths toward a non-violent resolution.

It’s worth noting that few crimes of aggression (i.e. robbery, vandalism, etc.) are done with the goal of fighting. When someone robs you, they seldom want to fight. Martial arts students, prompted by fear or pride, will often react physically to an aggressive crime, which escalates the threat. It prompts a violent response from the robber or would-be attacker.

The Difference Between Fighting And Self-Defense

People fight for many reasons, though most of them can be categorized according to two primary triggers: to attain something or protect something. This can extend to private property, self-esteem, pride, or a vague sense of honor. These things have nothing to do with protecting yourself from physical harm.

Self-defense represents any action you take in order to protect your person. The problem is, many martial arts schools unwittingly encourage their students to use the style they are learning to “protect themselves” from criminals. There is a fine line between defending yourself from physical harm (a level to which few crimes need to escalate) and fighting. The former is defined by a preservation of personal safety. The latter represents combat.

A Constructive Response To A Threat Of Violence

First, shed your fear and anger. A threat of violence (for example, a firearm pointed at your chest) does not represent violence. Reacting to the threat because you are fearful or angry can lead to injury or death.

Second, don’t challenge the attacker unless it is likely that you are going to be harmed. If he is demanding your wallet, give it to him. If he wants your car, provide the keys. Regardless of how accomplished you are at aikido, Taekwondo, or judo, it is a rare situation that justifies using your martial arts as self-defense.

Third, provide your attacker with an exit strategy. If he feels cornered with no way out, he will react violently, often with deadly force.

There is a time and place for using martial arts as a tool for self-defense. However, the key to remaining safe in potentially violent circumstances is to recognize that such occasions are rare.

The Dojo of Karate combines the ancient art of Wado-Ryu Karate with modern teaching methods in a convenient fitness boot camp class.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/martial-arts-and-the-fundamentals-of-selfdefense-1425976.html

Penn. That’s the make of the company who barely observed 75 years of productive business enterprise in the fishing tackle industry. It intends that Penn is a committed mention. It is indeed because at Penn Fishing Tackle Company, they do not compromise the quality, integrity, effectiveness, and utility of their Penn reels. The shapers and ground breaker of the final tackles committed for the fishing play, Penn International is Americas superior manufacturer.

The Success of Penn International

Penn reels are substantially planned and crafted for fishing fanciers both for recreation and sport. Featuring one is not a matter to be repentant about because Penn International reels are identified to draw fishing reels with potency and quality stuffs. For those who are gravely into the play of Extensive game fishing, it is popular to take a Penn International. It is the reel that unfeignedly runs out tournament form functioning. Penn International reels are not precisely obviously trolling reels but are right away unremarkably utilized by anglers in bait casting and in Exquisite game fishing. With its skeletal system and side plates in full aluminum cover, with ball bearings and preset knobs, drag creeps is hopeless for an angler who applies the Penn International. Success of a Exquisite game fisher is near with the serve of Penn International reels.

Penn International Goes Grand

Penn International reels are unremarkably applied in Big game fishing. It is besides named oversea romp fishing or oceanic game fishing. It purports to direct large fishes like tuna, marlin, billfish, tarpon, and even shark. Any of these is considered a greatest grab and shall be recorded in the overall master list. Thats incisively why a gamer postulates the science of a Penn International to hold up an continuing conflict with any of those extensive inshore fishes. In Grand game fishing, the gamers are carried into the fishing ground and back via a boat. Large game fishing roles any of these various techniques: chumming, trolling, or fighting the fish.

Tremendous and More

There are as well various Penn International reels expended in Large game fishing. The Penn International Series are drawn up of the following:

V Series. The Penn International V Series are comprehended with lightweight grade aluminum alloy and high potency solid forgings.

VSX Series. This Penn International reel is improved tough although may feel narrow. Its drag performance may be marked to high and even so maintain a quiet trend via its Dura Drag System. It has a comforted manage that induces it homely to shift.

V Series Two Speed Reels. This is an enhancement of the Penn International V Series. One of the changes is the push button shifter that is engaged for the high pull capability of this Penn reels.

900 Series. This is the supreme Penn International gained for light line fishing. It is easy and compact but with exquisite qualities for a longer enduring functioning.

For Big game fishing, only one mention should be responsible and that is Penn International. And for your fishing tackle exacts, simply Sea Isle Tackle presents.

Penn International Reels is made by Americas superior manufacturer available at http://www.seaisletackle.comArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/penn-international-the-large-identify-behind-the-celebrated-penn-reels-1424436.html