A wall off which to bounce

The "No effing way games"

2007-08-14T08:24:00.000-04:00

This is a really funny rant from an ESPN Podcast. Anyone who is a fan of football video games will appreciate this.

ESPN's Bill Simmons is interviewing a long time friend and video game partner about the history of video football. When the get to the mid 90s the topic of the "No effing way games" comes up. The entire podcast is available through ESPN's podcenter, but here is my favorite excerpt.

Editor and Publisher: Barry Bonds' HR Record Tainted by Elbow 'Armor'?

2007-08-07T07:26:00.000-04:00

By Michael Witte

Published: August 06, 2007 10:45 AM
NEW YORK (Commentary) Beyond his alleged steroid use, Barry Bonds is guilty of the use of something that confers extraordinarily unfair mechanical advantage: the “armor” that he wears on his right elbow. Amid the press frenzy over Bonds’ unnatural bulk, the true role of the object on his right arm has simply gone unnoticed.

This is unfortunate, because by my estimate, Bonds’ front arm “armor” may have contributed no fewer than 75 to 100 home runs to his already steroid-questionable total.
Bonds tied Henry Aaron’s home run record of 755 on Saturday night and will go for the new standard this week back at home in San Francisco.

As a student of baseball – and currently a mechanics consultant to a major league baseball team -- I believe I have insight into the Bonds "achievement." I have studied his swing countless times on video and examined the mechanical gear closely through photographs.

For years, sportswriters remarked that his massive "protective" gear – unequaled in all of baseball -- permits Bonds to lean over the plate without fear of being hit by a pitch. Thus situated, Bonds can handle the outside pitch (where most pitchers live) unusually well. This is unfair advantage enough, but no longer controversial. However, it is only one of at least seven (largely unexplored) advantages conferred by the apparatus.

Full story

Commissioner Wants Minor League Baseball in Gwinnett

2006-12-05T08:48:00.000-05:00

Commissioner Wants Minor League Baseball in Gwinnett

(WSB Radio) Gwinnett County already has a minor league hockey team. Now a county commissioner wants minor league baseball in Gwinnett.

Bert Nasuti is arguing that, if the county builds a first class baseball facility, a minor league team will come.

Nasuti says the idea is being met with optimism from county residents, and he's already received positive feedback from potential investors. Those include some former major leaguers.

The commissoner says he has not yet figured out the cost of the ballpark, nor has he thought about where to build it. Nasuti will ask the full commission today to fund a feasibility study on his idea.

First Civil Rights Game set for March 31

2006-12-04T21:14:00.000-05:00

I wonder if this will eventually come to Birmingham? We are the town where so much (bad) stuff happened. There are several museums and such. hmmmm....

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Major League Baseball will stage its inaugural "Civil Rights Game" this coming March 31, when the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals play the Cleveland Indians in an exhibition game at AutoZone Park in Memphis, the home of the National Civil Rights Museum and the city where Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

The 5:30 p.m. ET game, expected to annually precede the opening of the regular season, will be broadcast live on ESPN, and is planned to culminate a day during which baseball will celebrate the nation's civil rights movement.

Full Story

Addictive game

2006-11-30T00:36:00.000-05:00

http://onemorelevel.com/games3/double-wires.swf

This is a highly addictive game. Essentially, you are spider man and you have to click where to shoot your web.

I made it 183 yards.

Star Wars movies ... with keyboard synbols

2006-11-29T22:01:00.000-05:00

http://www.asciimation.co.nz/index.php

This person put together the Star Wars movies with keyboard symbols. You thought ;-p was good, wait 'til you see this.

White Sox coming to B'ham in March

2006-11-15T23:06:00.001-05:00

Barons Play Host to White Sox in March

Posted on Oct 23, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, AL – The Birmingham Barons, along with their parent club the Chicago White Sox, are proud to announce that for the first time since 2003, the two clubs will meet in an exhibition game at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in 2007.

The two teams will meet at the Hoover Met on Thursday, March 29th, at 6:05pm. The Barons will open their 2007 Southern League schedule the following week when they host the Carolina Mudcats on April 5th. The White Sox, the 2005 World Series Champions, will open their own regular season schedule against the Cleveland Indians on April 2nd.

“We are very excited to kick off our 20th season at the Hoover Met with a Major League Exhibition Game featuring the Chicago White Sox and the Barons,” said Barons General Manager Jonathan Nelson. “Our partnership with the White Sox is very special and it will be great to welcome back many former Barons players who are in the midst of successful Major League careers.”

The Chicago White Sox have visited Birmingham four previous times, most recently in 2003. 2007 will mark 22nd year of affiliation between the Barons and Sox. "We always enjoy returning to Birmingham to play," said Ken Williams, White Sox General Manager. "We have a great relationship with the Barons, and for many of our players, this is a chance to return to a city that was an important stop on their way to the major leagues."

Tickets for the exhibition match-up are available now through the Barons box office. Tickets for box seats will be available for $15 to $18, while general admission seats are $10 for adults, and $9 for seniors, children under 12, and military personnel. Group ticket rates are available for groups of 20 or more.

For ticket information, please contact the Birmingham Barons by calling 205-988-3200 or visit www.barons.com .

Reggie Jackson Camaro

2006-10-30T21:53:00.000-05:00

This is the one of the more bizarre cross-promotion things I've seen.

Oh and tickets for the Cardinals game in Memphis are $30 for way back outfield.. No thanks.

Guy visits all 189 Pro ballparks - Montgomery is favorite

2006-10-30T13:50:00.000-05:00

Here is an article about a guy who went to all 189 pro-baseball stadiums. He picked Montgomery as his favorite.

During the spring and summer of the 2006 baseball season, 27-year-old filmmaker Cass Sapir visited all 189 major league and minor league ballparks, making him possibly the first human being to accomplish the feat in a single season. The trip, much of which was completed with his twin brother Tim, raised roughly $30,000 for The Jimmy Fund, a Boston-based charity.

Baseball America's Alan Schwarz interviewed Sapir following the conclusion of his trip. In response to an inquiry of the best ballpark in all of the Minor and Major Leagues, Sapir unhesitatingly named Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium, home of the Montgomery Biscuits.

Cardinals to play in Memphis

2006-10-10T23:56:00.000-04:00

This article is cool. The MLB's Cardinals will play their triple A team in Memphis. Count me in.

Catfish now belong to D-rays

2006-10-02T14:22:00.000-04:00

Columbus Catfish are now a Devil Rays affiliate according to this article.

This means the Devil Rays A team will be in Columbus and thier AA will be in Montgomery and thier AAA is in Durham, NC. (Devil Rays Affiliations)

The A affiliation is a from a Devil Rays team in either Michigan or California. I like this move. It makes sense and should get the D-rays a few more fans in the south.

Southern MiLB is going crazy

2006-09-28T19:41:00.000-04:00

So the Sand Gnats are now a Mets team.
The Bay Bears (were Padres) are now a Diamondback team.
The Diamond Jaxx are now a Mariners team. (were Cubs)
The Smokies are now a Cubs team.
The New Orleans Zephyrs are now a Mets team.
The Catfish are without any affiliation.

Man. This is kind of crazy. Kind of fun. Savannah is planning $5 million worth of rennovations.

Stoned Reporter

2006-07-14T08:35:00.000-04:00


A reporter gets stoned when a drug baron's fields are burnt. Funny stuff

I'm on MSNBC

2006-06-26T21:57:00.000-04:00

Look at me! Look at me! I'm on MSNBC here and here.

The Fair Tax

2006-06-16T01:14:00.000-04:00

I just finished the Fair Tax book by John Linder and Boortz. It is pretty good stuff.
The fair tax site has all sorts of good resources including a score card for which legislators have supported it. Here is Georgia's and Alabama's.

Another Reason not to vote for Hillary

2006-05-24T23:57:00.000-04:00

I read on Left Lane News that Hillary Clinton wants to encourage states to go for a 55 mph speed limit.

I checked and it is in the NY Post as well.
She says that it will help save gas.
There is some basic math Hillary needs to do. It takes you less time on the road if you go faster. Depending on your car, some are more effecient at 80 or 70 or 40 mph.

Your car is most effecient right after you shift into the top gear.

Yet another reason not to vote for Hillary.

Amazing what you can get done when you don't have TV

2006-05-23T01:13:00.000-04:00

Just finished reading my second book in two weeks. I guess not having internet, cable or any body to hang out with will do that.

Rick Reilly's book was hillarious: he caddied for many of the pro golfers and told the stories in a great way.
Shuerholz's book was a little too motivational. The anecdotes about the braves were great, but he had a lot of "leadership-type" stuff.
Both of them are good reads though.

Birmingham Baron's stadium

2006-05-21T01:59:00.000-04:00

Barrons vs Miss. Braves. I bought a pair of pepper shakers with the team logo. Braves won. It's a nice stadium. Kind of like 1/3 of Atlanta Fulton County Stadium.

Gender changers

2006-05-21T01:52:00.000-04:00

Look at the middle one. This is one thing you don't want to buy on sale. This is a sign at Comp USA. Interesting.

Alabama State Slogan

2006-05-20T12:35:00.000-04:00

Alabama: Where you don't have to be smart, to be above average.

&%&$( REITSMA()(@)*%@0

2006-05-20T01:07:00.000-04:00

So the Braves have blown 11 saves in 19 chances.
We are 4 games back in the division right now.
We would be running away with this thing were it not for the last three outs.
Please Sheurholz get us somebody. We can't win this way.

Anniston Star

2006-05-03T22:37:00.000-04:00

So I start work at the Anniston Star on Friday. I was excited about it before, then Dr. Carroll emailed me this NPR article. To read it click this, to listen to it click here.

It gives the Star a glowing review and predicts a bright future for the paper. I am happy to be a part of something this great.

Savannah and Chattanooga

2006-05-01T20:04:00.000-04:00

In savannah

Here are a couple of camera phone pics that I moblogged from the stadiums for the Chattanooga Lookouts (Class AA Cincinatti)and Savannah Sand Gnats (Class A Washington). Savannah's stadium was a bit disappointing. It was just old, but not charming. Chattanooga's is nice, but the game was rained out. Both stadiums are close to Sticky Finger's BBQs which were excellent.

Chatanooga lookouts stadium

I Got Hate Mail

2006-04-24T21:45:00.000-04:00

Some body loves me and they're brilliant. I got this email today. I don't know where he saw it, but he obviously likes Barry Bonds quite a bit. He doesn't go to Berry, he goes to the Western Institute of Tech. He does swear, so don't be mad at me if you are offended.

He said:
Cheating DEEZ NUTS! You and all your people are just jealous of Barry Bonds. Keep on hating on him cuz he's gonna keep doing his thang and all you little bitchez are gonna keep cryin about it. You say Barry cheated, over half the league is cheating then, and no one else is crackin home runs like Bonds. And what about before '98? You saying Bonds wasn't Hall of Fame material back then? He has been one of baseballs greats before the "steroids scandal" ever came about. And just because he doesn't like being hounded ass holes in the media like you, doesn't make him a jerk. Leave Barry alone and don't worry about the Giants. He is gonna beat the records whether you like it or not, stop fuckin cryin about that shit and shut the fuck up. It makes it all that much better for San Francisco fans when you whinny bastards hate on Barry. He's going to keep on winning and your gonna keep on Boo- hooing, all I got to say is "Wahh" Stay out of San Francisco!
MASON BLAKE
Masonmali@email.wintu.edu
Masonmali@yahoo.com

Tadahito Iguchi

2006-04-23T13:22:00.000-04:00

I saw one of the most amazing plays I have ever seen the other day. The White Sox's Tadahito Iguchi grabbed the ball and threw to first while in the air.

Here is the video. I found it on a White Sox blog.

A wall off which to bounce

The "No effing way games"

Editor and Publisher: Barry Bonds' HR Record Tainted by Elbow 'Armor'?

Commissioner Wants Minor League Baseball in Gwinnett

First Civil Rights Game set for March 31

Addictive game

Star Wars movies ... with keyboard synbols

White Sox coming to B'ham in March

Reggie Jackson Camaro

Guy visits all 189 Pro ballparks - Montgomery is favorite

Cardinals to play in Memphis

Catfish now belong to D-rays

Southern MiLB is going crazy

Stoned Reporter

I'm on MSNBC

The Fair Tax

Another Reason not to vote for Hillary

Amazing what you can get done when you don't have TV

Birmingham Baron's stadium

Gender changers

Alabama State Slogan

&*%&$( REITSMA()*(@)*%@0

Anniston Star

Savannah and Chattanooga

I Got Hate Mail

Tadahito Iguchi

&%&$( REITSMA()(@)*%@0