Volume 238

Let me introduce myself; my name is Roger Norman, I used to write a weekly column named the Insider. The last time one appeared on our website was June 8. A number of people have asked if I had completely quit writing the column or if I had some serious medical problem.

First, my health is fine and I have no physical issues that will prevent me from continuing in my role as a Tri-C Board Member. Secondly, I am not completely retiring from the column. As a matter of fact, I had begun writing a new column, at least four times, during the absence, but each time, the information became dated and another subject seemed to be more important at the moment. I do, however, normally take a break in August each year and plan on doing so again this year.

Many important events have occurred since I last shared some thoughts with you. The world of sports has been a hotbed of activity, as have other important issues being decided in Washington and Springfield. During this column’s absence, there have been at least eleven incidents or news worthy items that would have merited a lead article. It was felt, in being consistent with columns of the past that I provide a top ten list of articles that I should have written.

As you noted, I mentioned eleven and the dropping of one was easy. I decided to drop the Carlos Zambrano rant and subsequent suspension. Not much can be added about this self-destructive and more importantly team-destructive individual. Besides, the Cubs’ fans have already had a bad enough season without my reminder. They should have traded this nut case two years ago, as I stated then, when he had real value.

R. Norman’s Ton Ten Columns That Should Have Been Written in the Past Month:

10. The Lakers win the NBA championship over the Celtics. I must confess that as much as I love basketball, I am not a great fan of the NBA. It is even less appealing when the two most successful franchises in league history are vying for the crown.

9. Spain wins the World Cup. Even though I do not care for the NBA, at least I love the general game they play. Soccer or European Football, if you will, takes a lot of skill and athleticism to play. Not as much as pro basketball players, but still a lot of athletic ability is required. The game, though, is not very cerebral and the championship game being won by a score of 1-0, in overtime, did not leave me in an excited state. My brother, however, did get into it. He called me a few weeks back and asked, “who won England or Germany?” I really thought he was talking about World War II at first. Sorry head butters and pony tail pullers, I prefer American games.

8. I saw a piece on Channel 3 and talked to a couple major backers of SIU basketball a few weeks back. They are very enthusiastic about the future of our team. They, as do I, believe that they have recruited a terrific bunch of athletes and should win 20 games next year. Not putting the blame on anyone player or issue for the teams disappointing record the last two years, but Kevin Dillard was probably the most selfish player since Troy Hudson. Come to think of it Kevin even surpassed Troy. It is a team game! I hope this next year’s group realizes this fact.

7. George Steinbrenner died at the age of 80. The baseball world paid great tribute to one of the most highly recognized owners of all time, during the past two weeks. Many gave great accolades to the person referred to as “the Boss”. Many claimed that he made the game better, because of the way he paid for the greatest athletes. Much ignored was his felony conviction and there was a tendency to laugh at his constant firing of people. On the plus side, he was a person dedicated to winning, he was loyal to one team, and according to some he could be very kind to people. On the other side of the coin, to my knowledge, he never made an apology for his conviction, he priced out the smaller markets, and aided in making the game as much about money as anyone. History, I believe, will paint him in a favorable light. Whereas I do believe that all people have value, I most likely will not share that high opinion.

6. The Southern Illinois Miners have had an outstanding first half of the season. In their short existence the Miners have won the hearts of many and developed a strong following throughout the region. This year in particular, they have proven themselves to be the class of the Frontier League. Best wishes for continued success.

5. The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup Playoffs. For the first time since 1961 the Cup was taken back to Chicago. The Blackhawks were one of the six original members of the NHL. This writer remembers well the play of Hall of Famers Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Pierre Pilote, and goalie, Glen Hall, in the late 1950’s and early 60’s. Even though I do not follow hockey that closely, winning the championship brought back some great memories of those earlier days.

4. Last month was the 50 year celebration of Harper Lee’s great novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” This is probably the best book I ever read and was, also, made into one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. It is still powerful, even if it is written about a bygone era. If you or your teen-aged child has not read it, DO SO! If you don’t do that, at least rent the movie. As far as the movie goes it was ranked second in the American Film Institute’s 100 years—100 cheers. Atticus Finch was named the greatest film hero by the AFI of the past century. Harper Lee never wrote another novel. I guess she felt she could not improve on her near perfect story.

3. No All Star game compares with the MLB Classic. Even though the game itself has some image issues that need work, the All Star game brings out not only the best players, but it revives a great number of positive past memories that we all have. I still think it is nonsense to have the game for the home field advance in the World Series. In a past era the game was played for pride. What a novel idea if more games were played with that in mind. Even though I am an American League fan, I can take solace in the fact that the Yankees will not have the home field advantage in October.

2. A friend of mine announced, on facebook, that he was taking his children to see the movie “Despicable Me”. He went on to explain that this was not the autobiography of Lebron James or Rush Limbaugh. For the present, I will leave my thoughts on Mr. Limbaugh to myself, but Mr. James wins the award for being about as despicable as anyone in the world of sports. Personally, I do not care where Lebron James plays basketball, but the big show of his announcing he was going to the Heat should have been an embarrassment to him and ESPN. There is so little loyalty in sports anymore, why flaunt it? After people became critical of his “special” feature on ESPN, he announced he would donate his earnings from the show to charity. I hate to be cynical, but this just gave him a tax break. It would make me happier to see a good portion of his millions go to helping pay off the national debt.

1. The Orioles maintain the worst record in baseball. This has not been a great summer for me as a baseball fan. In all honesty, it has been the worst. I had no delusions at the start of the season, but felt the O’s were definitely improved and could play .500. In 1997 they were, in the opinion of many, the best team in baseball. The past 13 years have been increasingly painful to at least one person. This year’s model has lost 18 games when they have had a lead in the ninth inning. It is a wonder that I have not been admitted to the hospital this summer.  Best wishes to those of you who still have teams in the hunt for a play-off position.  It sure makes for a more enjoyable summer.

If anyone believes I left something out or wishes to take issue, with me, on my list, please contact me at brm48@hotmail.com.

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The weather was more than cooperative the last week of the season and we were able to end our in-town play, as we had hoped, on July 2. All four of our tournaments were spirited affairs and most games were competitive. Even though the first place team in the regular season was also the tournament champion in all four, the leagues showed a great deal of balance.

In the Mustang Boys League, Tim Crosby’s team took the honors. Many of his players are participated on the travel team coached by Aaron Sizemore. 

The Mustang Girls are foregoing the tournament this season and instead doing a two nights a week practice and a double header on Tuesdays. In the league tournament Dave Draper’s team defeated that of Suzette Wiggs in the championship game.

The Pinto Boys, which may be one of the finer groups we have ever had at this level, hosted their own tournament this year. Burk Watt’s team defeated Jim Wallace’s team in the league tournament. Rob Hunter coached the league's All Star team.

The Pinto Girls All Stars finished second in the sectional tournament. That team was coached by Rich Campbell. In the league tournament the team coached by Kyle Herrin defeated Rich Campbell’s team.

Our two Princess teams and two of our four Boys C teams competed in the SIJBL tournament. Even though they were unsuccessful in their attempt to play in the championship game, most of them made a respectable showing.

Our Pony Girls team played a superior brand of softball. This is one of the best group of girls ever to come through our program.

Not to be left out, our Shetland Leagues  played a couple of “All Star” games last Friday and Saturday. This was felt to be a lot of fun and a good learning experience for the participants. Jason Jordan and Becky Vaughn headed the girls’ teams and Rick Stanley and John Vaughn were the coaches for the boys.

This has been a very good year at James Street Park. In a number of respects, it may have been the best. We want to thank all the coaches, umpires, concession stand workers, field workers, board members, parents, fans, and most importantly the participants, who working together makes this a great program.

REMEMBER: WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR YOUR OPINIONS ABOUT THE RULES OR ANY OTHER ASPECTS OF OUR BASEBALL/SOFTBALL PROGRAM. PLEASE SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO brm48@hotmail.com.

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Meet the Board

Next week we will introduce you to all the board members not selected in previous columns.

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ODDS and ENDS:

Our Junior High Football Team has been working out in preparation for the up-coming season. The players will begin full contact in the next couple of weeks. Our tackle program is for youth in the fifth through eighth grades.

Our flag football registration for grades Kindergarten through sixth will be held on August 21. More information on both our football programs will follow next week.

The Center for Disease Control is sponsoring a clinic entitled “Heads Up” which is a program designed to help coaches and others to recognize concussions and the proper way of handling this when the situation arises. This program will be mandated for all tackle coaches and is recommended for board members. Another program is planned for late August or early September for our flag coaches.

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The winner of our last trivia question is Dave Draper. Dave, among others, knew that the only two people other than John Wooden to be inducted tin the Basketball Hall of Fame, as a player and a coach, were Bill Sharman and Lenny Wilkins. Congratulations Dave and thanks to all who entered.

Let’s give away two Blizzards this week. The MLB All Star Game was played in Anaheim and was the third time that the Angels have hosted an All Star Game. First question, how many times has the Chicago Cubs hosted an All Star Game? The second question is how many times has the St. Louis Cardinals hosted an All Star Game?

If you know the answer, please email me at brm48@hotmail.com to be included in the drawing for a large Blizzard.

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Until next time,

Pay attention,

Hustle, and always

Use your “noodle.”