Brief History of the Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Team

Posted on Rabu, 30 November 2011 | 0 komentar

The AA folded in 1890 and the team switched to the NL as the Brooklyn Superbas. Under Ned Hanlon, the Superbas won the NL pennants in 1899 and 1900, becoming the only franchise in MLB history to win pennants in different leagues in successive years.

From 1901 until 1916, the team saw various ups and downs. Hanlon’s desire to own the team never materialized. He put himself heavily in debt and even invested heavily for the construction of Ebbets Field, which would become the Dodgers' home in 1913.

Under Manager Wilbert Robinson, popularly known as "Uncle Robbie”, the Dodgers won pennants in 1916
and 1920 with the line-up featuring players like pitcher Jeff Pfeffer and outfielder Zack Wheat. The club lost both World Series, to Boston and Cleveland, respectively.

In the late 1920s the team became known as the "Daffiness Boys" for their distracted, error-ridden style of play, probably because of Robinson’s helplessness to focus on the field after he assumed the title of president. He returned to manage the team to improve the performance of the team.

The Dodgers rebounded from a 20-year pennant drought in 1941 under Manager Leo Durocher, a former Brooklyn shortstop. The same season, the Dodgers introduced batting helmets to Major League Baseball. The following season, Branch Rickey was hired as president and general manager of the team. Rickey made history when he integrated the team after signing Negro League superstar Jackie Robinson in 1947. Robinson had an instant impact on the team. He along with teammates Pee Wee Reese, Arky Vaughan, and Gil Hodges led the club to the 1947 pennant. Robinson, Catcher Roy Campanella and pitcher Don Newcombe became the powerhouse of the team in the late 40s and early 50s. From 1949 to 1952, the Dodgers won six NL pennants with a World Series victory in 1955 against the Yanks.

In 1958 owner Walter O’Malley moved the club to Los Angeles. Manager Walter Alston led the Dodgers to
their second World Series victory in 1959. In the 1960s and early 1970s, he guided the Dodgers to four
more pennants. Moreover, the Dodger’s pitching staff during this era was invincible. The Dodgers defeated
the Yankees in the 1963 World Series, and two years later they bested the Minnesota Twins to take home
their fourth World Series title. Under Manager Walter Alston, the Dodgers won their last pennant in 1974.

In 1976, Future Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda became the team’s new manager. He managed the club for 22 seasons, leading it to four NL pennants and two World Series championships in 1981 and 1988. In 1992 the Dodgers finished the season in last place for the first time in 87 years of their existence. The team rebounded once again in 1994, 1995, and 1996 to claim the division titles. Before the start of the 1998
regular season playoffs, Australian-born media magnate Rupert Murdoch purchased the team. The logo of the team has Dodgers written in a blue script with a streaking baseball.


Brian Urlacher

Posted on Selasa, 29 November 2011 | 0 komentar

Born in May 1978, this Pasco, Washington native is now an NFL linebacker for the Chicago Bears. As a child, Brian Urlacher moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico with his mother. Following high school, Brian went on to attend college at the University of Mexico. It was here that he shined as a strong safety for the University football team. Upon graduation, he immediately began pursuing his goal to play professional football and was drafted by the NFL’s Chicago Bears. While most of his experience was as a safety position, he was assigned the position of middle linebacker for the Bears, which gave him the opportunity to showcase his tackling abilities, intelligence, speed and aggressive approach toward winning. An instant star, Urlacher was awarded the title of NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2000. Such recognition is not an easy feat, but everything seemed to fall in place for the youngster as he quickly rose to the top defensive rookie player during his inaugural season.

Throughout his career, Urlacher has participated in the Pro Bowl on five occasions and has upheld the Bear’s tradition of impressive linebackers. As a testimonial to his skills, Brian Urlacher was once again recognized in 2006. On January 6, he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. An honor awarded by the Associated Press, Urlacher received well over 50% of the panel votes to determine him as the recipient. An impressive 34 panel votes, out of 50, were cast for Urlacher.

Among the many achievements that Brian Ulracher has accomplished include exceeding the Bear’s single season tackle record in 2002. Additionally, he served as the team’s leading tackle position for 3 consecutive years, including 2000, 2001 and 2002. Not only has Urlacher surpassed game records, but sales records as well. At times, his replica jersey has been an NFL bestseller. The collectibles and apparel industry is one of the largest revenue generators for any sport and football is no different. As fans desire to wear a replica jersey of their favorite players, it lends credence to a player’s skills and popularity as fans seek out the merchandise bearing their likeness.

The Chicago Bears have been long since known as a team that has powerful players with spirit to match. The windy city is in line to find great success with a breeze that seems to have brought Brian Urlacher all the way from New Mexico and into to the heart of Chicago and it’s NFL fans.


Brett Favre

Posted on Senin, 28 November 2011 | 0 komentar

Born October 10, 1969, Brett Lorenzo Favre now has 14 years of National Football League experience. This Mississippi native was born in Gulport and grew up in Kiln, which was a very small town with less than 100 residents. This boy who grew up in a small town had nothing but big dreams that he would someday make come true. In his early years, the youngster grew up idolizing a pair of legendary quarterbacks by the name of Archie Manning and Roger Staubach. Having played football at Hancock North Central High School in Kiln, Favre began to get a taste of the game and he loved it. After attending college at the University of Southern Mississippi, he began making his way to the professional league.

One of the best known quarterbacks in NFL history, Favre began his rookie season in 1991 with the Atlanta Falcons. The following year, in 2002, he accepted a position with the Green Bay Packers where he remains today. Still retaining an active NFL contract after 15 years, Favre leaves little doubt that he is already a legend of the game.

Among the many recognitions that Brett Favre has received include being the NFL’s only three-time MVP (Most Valuable Player), which he achieved consecutively in 1995, 1996 and 1997. Additionally, he is ranked third on the all-time quarterback wins list, holds the fourth highest winning percentage and possesses a home record. He started 205 consecutive games, which set a quarterback record. One of the most interesting facts about Favre’s earliest plays is the fact that his first NFL completion was to himself in a September 1992 game against Tampa Bay. The event unfolded as Favre caught a deflection pass that he had just thrown before being tackled for a 7 yard loss.

Today, Brett Favre contributes to the NFL and also to the community. In 1996, The Brett Favre Fourward Foundation was established in order to provide aid to disadvantaged and disabled children in Wisconsin and Mississippi. Since it’s inception, the foundation had donated more than $1.5 million to charities with the help of an annual golf tournament, celebrity softball game and fundraising dinners.

Also in 1996, Favre married longtime love Deanna Tynes and the couple now has two daughters. During his free time, Brett is an avid golfer and is a fan of televised nature programs, crossword puzzles and fishing. In recognition of his great accomplishments in the NFL, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle proclaimed November 29, 2004 as “Brett Favre Day.”


Breaking The Division Races Down On Memorial Day

Posted on Minggu, 27 November 2011 | 0 komentar

Generally speaking, being in first place on Memorial Day is a good sign of things to come. Memorial Day typically marks the one-third mark for the Major League Baseball season, and by this point you have a pretty good idea of which teams are going to be in the running and which teams are dead and buried.

For instance, it’s fairly common knowledge on May 29 that the Royals aren’t going to be challenging for the AL Central crown at 11-37, 22 1/2 games behind the 35-16 Tigers. Of course, we probably knew that the Royals wouldn’t be contenders entering the season anyway, but now we’re certain of it.

At the same time, there aren’t many people outside of the Dallas-Fort Worth region who expected the Rangers to be in first place come Memorial Day, and I’d be willing to bet that even some of the more loyal Rangers fans would have to be honest with themselves before claiming that they saw it coming.

How good of an indicator of future success is being in first place on Memorial Day? Since 1990 (excluding the strike year of 1994), the 82 division leaders on the last Monday in May have gone on to hold their leads and win their divisions 47 times. That’s a 57% rate.

In 2005, the Marlins, Cardinals, Padres, Orioles, White Sox and Rangers were leading their divisions on Memorial Day. At the end of the year, the Cards, Padres and White Sox held on. while the Braves, Red Sox and Angels rallied up to win theirs.

Three of the six teams leading on Memorial Day in 2004 ended up carrying their divisions at the end of the year as well. Only once since 1990 have all six teams ahead on Memorial Day won their division; that was in 1998, when the Braves, Astros, Padres, Yankees, Indians and Rangers pulled it off. The fewest teams to manage the feat since realignment in 1995 was two, occurring in 1995 and in 2001.

So while a Memorial Day lead is a fairly good indicator, it’s far from a guarantee. Just ask the 2005 Baltimore Orioles, the 2004 Cincinnati Reds or the 2001 Philadelphia Phillies (three teams to suffer huge dropoffs from Memorial Day through the end of their respective seasons).

As of May 29th this season, the Red Sox, Tigers, Rangers, Mets, Cardinals and Diamondbacks are leading the way. According to the trends of the past 15 full seasons, about half of those teams will end up holding on to win their divisions.

Best Bets

I expect the Tigers, Cardinals and Diamondbacks to hold on their leads.

Though the Tigers only have a two-game lead in the AL Central on the defending World Series champion White Sox, their team is built to hold onto that lead. Detroit's pitching has been superlative, and the Tigers may have a rotation that’s more solid up and down than the White Sox. The Tigers lead MLB with a 3.36 ERA, with the White Sox a distant sixth at 4.13. The Detroit rotation has compiled a 3.39 ERA thus far, led by Justin Verlander’s 2.55 ERA and 7-3 record. Nate Robertson is enjoying a breakout year with a 5-2 mark and a 3.02 ERA. Former 20-game loser Mike Maroth is faring much better in 2006 with a 5-2 record and a 3.56 ERA. Kenny Rogers is 7-3 with a 3.76 ERA. Jeremy Bonderman rounds out the young rotation (other than Rogers), going 5-4 thus far with a 4.61 ERA. In the bullpen, Todd Jones has shown he remains the solid closer he proved to be in Florida last season, saving 16 games with a 3.12 ERA. Joel Zumaya is proving to be the closer of the future, putting up a 3.22 ERA and averaging 10.88 strikeouts per nine innings. It’s safe to assume, based on track record, that the Tigers may be pitching over their heads. The league average for team ERA is hovering around 4.50, meaning that Detroit has pitched a run better than the rest of the league. That’s a historically dominating team pitching performance.

While it’s safe to assume that the pitching will drop off slightly, it’s also reasonable to assume that Detroit's hitting should pick up. The Tigers are currently 12th in baseball in runs scored, seventh in team batting average and eighth in team OPS. Not shabby by any means, but the team is getting next to nothing out of injured Dmitri Young, a .217 batting average from Brandon Inge, a .254 average from Craig Monroe and just three homers from Ivan Rodriguez. Chris Shelton has cooled off slightly, but that has coincided with the resurgence of Magglio Ordonez. Thus the potential is there for the lineup to be even better.

In the NL Central, no team is on the same level as the Cardinals (unless Houston gets Roger Clemens back). The Cards are second in baseball and tops in the NL with a 3.81 team ERA. The Reds, who trail the Cardinals by four games, are way back in 12th in team ERA at 4.44. St. Louis also is tops in the NL Central in runs scored, batting average and team OPS. Oh, and some guy named Pujols is destroying nearly every baseball thrown to him. The Reds are close, but they can’t make up that gap with the pitching being so inferior compared to the Cardinals’ rotation. Chris Carpenter is on the DL, which hurts, but the Cardinals’ rotation is one of the deepest around with Mark Mulder, Jeff Suppan, Sidney Ponson and Jason Marquis. In the bullpen, St. Louis is led by Jason Isringhausen and his 16 saves. Adam Wainwright, Josh Hancock, Brad Thompson, Randy Flores and Braden Looper round out a pen that hasn’t skipped a beat despite returning just one pitcher from 2005 (Isringhausen). The Reds may wind up holding on to second place in the NL Central, but they’re not going to unseat the Cards.

The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, are a better team than given credit for, and they have the fortune of playing in a weak NL West. The division has played better this season than in 2005, when the 82-80 Padres made the playoffs. This season, all five teams were sporting records at least at .500 entering Memorial Day. That won’t last, as Colorado will surely finish below .500, as will either San Diego or San Francisco. The team best able to give Arizona a run for its money is the Dodgers, and they’re a shaky bet with the injury risks that dot their lineup.

Arizona is a surprisingly balanced team, sitting in seventh place overall with a team ERA of 4.15 and eighth overall with 262 runs scored. The starters have posted a 4.35 ERA, led by Brandon Webb and his 8-0 record and 2.18 ERA. Webb is one of the better pitchers in baseball thus far, and his control so far has been remarkable (walking nine batters in 82.2 innings). Miguel Batista is 4-2 with a 4.60 ERA and has also been pitching well. Claudio Vargas, Juan Cruz and Russ Ortiz round out the rotation and may be question marks, but Arizona has enough minor league depth to swing a trade for a Barry Zito or a Dontrelle Willis to augment a playoff run (unfortunately for them, the Dodgers have that ability as well). The Diamondbacks' 3.79 bullpen ERA has been a pleasant surprise, though they need more consistency from appointed closer Jose Valverde. He has saved 14 games thus far, but his 5.03 ERA isn’t going to get it done down the stretch.

At the plate, the Diamondbacks aren’t going to kill you with the long ball, but they have a solid lineup. Chad Tracy is building on his superb 2005 with eight homers, a .292 average and a .849 OPS so far. Eric Byrnes may wind up the 2006 comeback player of the year and appears to have found a home in the desert. Byrnes went from Oakland to Colorado to Baltimore in 2005, but in 2006 he’s not going anywhere while hitting .322 with six homers and a .938 OPS. Top prospect Conor Jackson is proving that he can live up to the expectations as he’s hitting .297 with five homers and a .861 OPS. Shawn Green and Luis Gonzalez are having their usually solid seasons as well. Arizona also plays solid defense. However, it's not going to be easy for the Snakes to hold off the Dodgers (who are outhitting and outpitching them right now), but Arizona has the potential to get better. Keeping that in mind, as well as the fact that Nomar Garciaparra and J.D. Drew will likely spend significant time on the disabled list this season for L.A., and the Diamondbacks should continue to lead the division throughout.

Worst Bets

The Red Sox, Rangers and Mets are the three teams poised to fall out of their present frontrunning spots.

Boston's lineup was the premier one in baseball the past two seasons. This season, the Red Sox are seventh in baseball with 265 runs scored. They’re trailing AL East contenders Toronto and New York in that department. The Red Sox currently are 13th in team ERA at 4.47, five spots below the Yankees. Boston's rotation isn’t that good (4.78 ERA), and Jonathan Papelbon is about the only saving grace in the bullpen. Manny Ramirez has finally broken out of his early-season slump, but there are still significant weak spots in the lineup. Jason Varitek is only hitting .232, and Alex Gonzalez is hitting .227 (with a staggering .295 OBP). David Ortiz is hitting homers, but not for the same average or OPS as he has in seasons past (he’s at .270 and .915, respectively, in 2006). Coco Crisp was supposed to be the answer in center field, but he’s played just six games thus far. The Sox have been pleasantly surprised by Kevin Youkilis, Mike Lowell and Mark Loretta, and they should wind up closer to the top of the league in runs scored before everything’s said and done.

However, Boston's pitching figures to continue to struggle. Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling have been good thus far, with Beckett putting up a 7-1 record and a 3.80 ERA, while Schilling has managed an 8-2 record and a 3.93 ERA. The rest of the rotation has been unstable. The Red Sox have five guys in the bullpen that they have been relying on, and only two of them are sure things. The Yankees aren’t much better in the pen, but they are pitching and hitting better so far. The Yankees will likely catch up to Boston and overtake their rival.

The Rangers have a surprising three-game lead over the A’s, but they’re only 26-24, and the other three teams in their division should make up ground. The pitching in Texas isn’t very good, as the Rangers are 18th in baseball with a 4.81 ERA. Both the Mariners and A’s are pitching better than Texas. The Rangers are leading the AL West because they’re outhitting the A’s, Mariners and Angels by a significant margin.

Texas is 9th in the league in runs scored with 258. On the other hand, Seattle is 20th with 234 runs, Oakland is 23rd (223) and the Angels are 25th (221). What’s surprising is that Texas isn’t hitting home runs at its typical pace. Kevin Mench leads the team with 10. Mark Teixeira only has five and is hitting just .284. Michael Young is hitting .311, but can improve on that. Phil Nevin has nine homers, as does Brad Wilkerson. Neither of them are hitting that well (.220 and .262, respectively). The lineup is going to be better, but it’s reasonable to assume the pitching will fall off.

The Texas rotation is running basically four deep at this point. Kevin Millwood is supposed to be the ace, but he’s putting up a 4.88 ERA with a 5-3 record. Vicente Padilla, Kameron Loe and John Koronka are all posting remarkably similar numbers. Every starter is in the mid 4.00 ERA range, all are in the 1.35 WHIP range, and all have about 65 innings pitched under their belts. Akinori Otsuka has taken the closer’s job with his 2.31 ERA and eight saves from Francisco Cordero. The Texas pitching isn’t at the level of Oakland's or even Seattle's. Though the Rangers will outhit both of those teams and the Angels easily, the pitching and the bullpen will come back to bite them. The A’s will likely turn it on around midseason and blow past the Rangers en route to a division title.

The Mets are one of the more talented teams in baseball and have a four-game lead over the Braves in the NL East. They’re even outpitching the Braves by a comfortable margin. The Mets are third in baseball with a 3.89 ERA, while the Braves are 10th with a 4.36 ERA. What’s surprising that the Braves are outhitting the potent Mets, scoring 267 runs compared to the Mets’ 246. But considering how much better the pitching has been, it bodes well for the Mets. So why are they in this category? Because the Braves are the Braves. They were trailing the Marlins at Memorial Day in the previous two seasons and came back to take the division. The Mets have gotten superb production out of the middle of the lineup, but the rest of the squad leaves something to be desired. Carlos Delgado has 15 homers and a .263 average, while David Wright is hitting .333 with eight homers. Carlos Beltran is hitting .277 but has an impressive 14 homers. Even Xavier Nady has gotten into the act with nine homers while batting .270. Cliff Floyd has been a disappointment with his .219 average, as has Jose Reyes with his .322 OBP and Kazuo Matsui with his .250 OBP. The fringe guys need to pick up the production for the Mets to maintain first place.

What the Mets won’t have to worry about is the front of their rotation. Tom Glavine is having a fantastic season with his 8-2 record and his 2.59 ERA. So is Pedro Martinez, 5-1 with a 2.79 ERA and 80 Ks. Behind Glavine and Martinez, things get shaky. Steve Trachsel has compiled his usual 4.99 ERA. Victor Zambrano may never pitch again, so the Mets went out and traded for Orlando Hernandez. Jose Lima and Jeremi Gonzalez shouldn’t be in a big-league rotation, but both have made three disastrous starts. Brian Bannister pitched well in his five starts, but he’s not a guy that the Mets can depend on yet. The bullpen has been solid, with Aaron Heilman and Duaner Sanchez making names for themselves with ERAs below 2.40. Billy Wagner has saved 11 games, but has been shaky of late. He should settle down. Regardless, the Mets need to find starters and a quality leadoff hitter to hold off the Braves. If not, it seems like it will be another year that the Braves beat a more talented team for the NL East crown.


Boxing Notebook: Corrales-Castillo III Should Be Mucho Macho!

Posted on Sabtu, 26 November 2011 | 0 komentar

Code Red! Code Red!

Saturday is the final clash between Diego “Chico” Corrales (40-3, 33 KOs) and Jose Luis Castillo (54-7-1, 47 KOs) for the lightweight championship of the world. Though 70 pounds south, they’re true heavyweights. Sportsbook odds are Castillo -220, Corrales +180 - based on what?

Tale of the tape: Corrales, 28, is a lightweight freak, 5-11 with a half-inch fist, forearm and thigh advantage over the 5-8, 32-year-old Castillo – plus a one inch bigger expanded chest, reach, bicep and calf. Castillo needs a ladder to reach him (on paper).

Corrales has had great success against smaller, aggressive guys. Castillo is strong enough mentally and big enough physically (He demonstrated that last time with Chico) to mete out plenty of pain of his own.

But the physical discrepancies don’t apply here. “Chico” doesn’t fight tall. He likes to walk in and unload hooks and rights – bang on the inside, fight short. He likes it physical.

Reviewing their first bout, I was amazed at Corrales’ success when he made space. When he pushed off on Castillo and attacked from the outside, he was effective dropping right hands and short hooks. He used the jab to control the pace - Castillo had no answers. So, why doesn‘t he stick with it? He’s like the guy that threw himself on cactus and when asked why said: “It seemed like a good idea at the time."

Think back to Corrales-Casamayor II. Stick and move. Outbox the guy. Corrales' trainer, Joe Goossen, should put it in letters of fire on a ringside billboard. Also, Castillo is prone to cuts. Spear him with the jab; open the scar tissue. Double-jab – right over the top, keep moving. Do that all night, and Corrales gets the W. But, it isn’t a safe bet.

Chin Check: Corrales is no stranger to the canvas.

Floyd Mayweather dropped him five times one night. Castillo and Joel Casamayor scored five knockdowns and one knockout against him. You can develop muscles, strengthen your mind, but you can’t train a chin. Plus, Castillo has found something with that short left hook.

In a recent FHM interview, Corrales analyzed the punch:

“I got a left hook in that second fight and that was purely my mistake. I caught him with my right hand, and he was ready for it. I felt him pulling himself down and really losing some steam. I need to make sure my hand is at home and never cocked.”

You can read the full interview here: http://www.fhmus.com/articles-1267.asp?cnl_id=5&stn_id=46&idx_id=1267

These guys bristle with macho. Expect the first few rounds to be more controlled: Corrales moving and setting the pace. Once Castillo breaks through, it’s “MACHO TIME”. I’ll agree with the sportsbook odds - if Corrales’ chin holds up, he’ll land enough punches to eke out a split decision.

Jhonny Gonzalez-Fernando Montiel: Is it over yet?
Who made this fight? Was this a Barrera concoction? Maybe law school has him out of touch. Being Guatemalan, I can relate to the poor souls who were expecting a slugfest and got a snoozefest.

Look, when you match Mexicans, you don’t expect Leonard vs. Benitez. To Latinos boxing equals fighting. Hit and get hit. We don’t want a ballet. After a 12-hour shift, getting a crap paycheck, my wife yelling at me and my car breaking down … all I want to do Fridays is hang with the boys, suck down some Coronas and watch two guys trying to kill each other cause they're pissed.

How about an “I’m sorry bout?” Daniel Ponce De Leon was on the same card, and he scored another KO. Doesn’t a guy with a 90 percent KO ratio deserve to be on TV?

Joe Rein describes De Leon’s style: "He’s a clenched fist, sparring - an impatient 5-5 southpaw – he brings it! -with little give in his legs – over-wide stance - and constant I-want-to-kill-you lead lefts, making his handlers cringe. But he shrinks from no exchange - head down, squared-up, furiously winging to knock down a building. None of it by design, more a random act of violence.

Many of his free swings are blocked or parried, but when his sparmate steps back, thinking he’s out of range, Ponce brings new meaning to "reach out and touch someone" with a wingspan just shy of Marciano’s. The shudder when he lands makes it clear why he’s dangerous.

Read more about De Leon here: http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/3849/are-you-making-any-money/ . Next time a fight sucks, HBO should sneak in a bonus bout. Who cares which, as long as it’s brutal.

Last Round
Chad Dawson should look awesome against Eric Harding in his first light heavyweight go. Harding’s not lacking confidence:

“I am willing to fight for winner-takes-all,’’ he said. “Dawson has made a big mistake. This is like a man against a young kid. He better be ready. Every fight is a must-win for me.”

Harding outpointed Antonio Tarver in a WBC eliminator on June 23, 2000. He also fought ex-world champs Montell Griffin and Glen Johnson. Harding, the WBC No. 10/IBF No. 9 contender won USBA and NABF 175-pound crowns in his past two starts, 12-round decisions over David Telesco and Daniel Judah.

Dawson, the WBC No. 7/WBA No. 15 contender, said, “I am looking forward to this. It is a great fight for ‘ShoBox.’ I am a still an improving, young fighter who is stepping up in competition. Harding is a great fighter. He has a good resume, but I definitely think I am the stronger fighter. I am in great shape. The world will know my name when I walk out of the ring with a victory.”

Dawson knows how to deal with awkward fighters. I was at Dawson’s bout against Ian Gardner in New Haven, Conn. with TN promoter Jake Donovan, who commented about the fight:

“The first few rounds were typical of a Gardner fight, even if the southpaw wasn’t in complete control. Dawson carried the action, but Gardner’s awkward style caused him to miss nearly everything. Action was so dismal, that many in press row were more interested in the war of words between the two camps at ringside. By round five, Dawson took over for good. Gardner offered an occasional straight left, but seemed more concerned with a shot that caught him above the bridge of his nose. By round’s end, Gardner was slow to walk back to his corner, grabbing his head, as if something was amiss.“

Chad Dawson was “amiss.” The guy’s the goods.

You can read the full story here: http://fightbeat.com/badchadfinal.php

10 seconds
WBA welterweight champion Ricky Hatton will sit ringside in Las Vegas on Saturday for Castillo-Corrales III, intending to challenge the victor of this epic trilogy, says his dad, manager Ray Hatton.

"He'd like to fight the winner, although we have heard rumors that Castillo will jump right up to welter afterwards and possibly fight Miguel Cotto."

I’m skeptical of a Cotto-Castillo bout coming off. On June 10, Paul Malignaggi has his own plans.


Boxing Gloves – How To Choose The Right Ones

Posted on Jumat, 25 November 2011 | 0 komentar

Boxing has been a very popular sport for a very long time. But, it’s not only the athlete’s ability that is important, but also the equipment that he/she uses that matter. Boxing gloves are perhaps the most important thing a boxer needs to have before stepping into the ring. Choosing the right pair is a must to ensure the best performance possible.

If you plan to step into the boxing ring anytime soon, you know that you must first have the proper pair of boxing gloves for you. Before you buy your first pair of the familiar, red gloves, there are some things that you should know.

Leather gloves are usually the most recommended. Sure, they may cost a little more than boxing gloves made out of other materials, but they will definitely last longer as well as offer better support. If you want to use boxing gloves strictly for a fitness class, the material may not matter, but if you want to train it is definitely important.

The next thing to consider is how the gloves close. Boxing gloves of the classic style, usually seen in prize fights, are often tied onto the boxer’s hands with laces. As with your shoes, a pair of gloves with laces can ensure a very snug fit.

But, Velcro enclosures are another choice. The advantage to using boxing gloves that have Velcro straps is that they can easily be put on or removed by yourself and without the help of anyone else. In fact, for anyone who has tried to lace gloves up themselves and without anyone else’s help, it is just about impossible. If you are just an average person who wants to use the gloves for general training purposes, then Velcro straps are ok for you to use.

The size of the boxing gloves that you choose is of great importance. The come in small, medium, and large, and also for men and women. Any average man will usually need a size large, while the average size boxing glove for a woman is a medium. The size can vary with different manufacturers, but it is usually standard.

Boxing gloves can weigh anywhere from 10 to 20 ounces, but those used in a professional boxing match are usually 10 ounces. If you plan to use the gloves for training, then the standard sizes are 12 ounce, 14 ounce, and 16 ounce. If you are looking for more protection, then a heavier glove is for you. If you are a beginner, then 14 or 16 ounce gloves are usually recommended. But if you plan to use them for sparring, 16 ounce gloves are the norm.

Most people think they must buy a glove that fits their hand, but this isn’t the case. If possible, put 180’ inch wraps on your hand when trying a glove on. By doing this, you can see how the feel will change with the handwrap and if a bigger size is needed.

When shopping for boxing gloves, also look for a great feature called a thumb attachment, or a thumb-lock. Most gloves made nowadays have this feature, which helps to prevent thumb injuries or any accidental eye gouges than can occur during a match.


Bowling Tutorials Teach a Person How to Deliver a Bowling Ball

Posted on Kamis, 24 November 2011 | 0 komentar

A person must knock down the pins to score points in bowling. Some people find it difficult to roll the bowling ball and hit the pins. Many times if the balls are “railed”, they get frustrated and eventually lose a game. It is important to learn the basics of bowling from the footwork to the release of the ball.

Tutorials may help a person be more precise and exact with striking the pins. The delivery of the ball is important in this game. If a person is able to execute the ball as he did to achieve the previous strike then the following deliveries will result in similar strikes. Consistency must be practiced in this sport - that is why they call bowling a game of repetition.

There are lessons to teach intermediate bowling techniques that will help a person learn how to strike consistently and leave no pins standing. Here are steps on learning the basics:


1. A player may pick up the ball and walk straight towards the foul line. This will be his starting position; or he may turn with his back to the pins before turning to face the pins.

2. It is not advisable to position the ball in the center of the body; it is better if the ball is held at his side so that it will be easier for him to execute a straight arm swing.

3. Before he turns to face the pins and aiming before the delivery, he must relax and take a deep breath to take away the tension and pressure in the body that affects the way a player will deliver the ball.

4. If the person is right handed, he must use his right foot as his first step position and left handed bowler would use his left foot. These positions are to favor the strong side of the body so that he can deliver the ball comfortably.

5. He must hold the ball away from his body, make a consistent out, and down movement with the ball. When the ball is positioned for the back swing he may take his third step, and then swing the ball for the release as his final step.



Movements and executions are important in the delivery of the ball. The way he releases the ball and knows the basic movements will allow a player to make strikes on the pins. He must remember to keep the motion smooth and precise for a better performance when bowling.


Bowling Tournaments: Where Fun and Money Come Together

Posted on Rabu, 23 November 2011 | 0 komentar

What is so impressive about bowling?

For starters, it is a game that almost anybody can engage in. It is a relatively easier sport to play than others that involve more skills and techniques. It is also less expensive to play than many other sports and is all fun, with no trouble getting the ball to start rolling down the lane.

No wonder nearly 100 million people are now "hooked on" bowling.

Not all of them are really serious about the game but there are many who desire to join leagues and play in tournaments. In fact, in the United States, out of the 50 million people that play bowling, only 6 million belong to a league or play in tournaments.

What are bowling tournaments?

Competitive people who really want to succeed in the world of bowling are the ones that play in tournaments. The gratifications that every bowler obtains in competition are not just personal advancements as far as bowling is concerned, but also can produce monetary satisfaction.

However, it is not that easy to win in a tournament. It takes much practice and many skills to win the game. Here is a list of some tips that will make bowling tournament playing more gratifying.

1. Have enough time to randomly check all your equipments before leaving your residence or place of work. It will be very hard for you to go back once you have arrived at the tournament's venue.

2. Be professional.

Do not just arrive on time but ahead of time. This will give you enough time to condition yourself for the game and will make you more relaxed and comfortable about the place, the people around you, and the other players.

3. Take advantage of "pre-game" exercises.

Do not think that it is just a practice game so you do not have to give it your best shot. Keep in mind that this the time that you want to make a good impression. As the experts say, "pre-game" exercises can make or break your progression.

4. Keep focused.

While in the game, always make it a point to keep your head upright. Maintain a good level of concentration. If the pins are not going your way, cool it! Bad temper will only get you into more trouble.

Bowling in a tournament can really make a big difference in a bowler's career but things is still the same - you are trying to make a strike or to win the game, whether for fun or for the tournament.

In sports, what matters most is that you have played the game well.


Bob’s venting: I tried to tell you in February!

Posted on Selasa, 22 November 2011 | 0 komentar

Back in late February I was getting nauseous listening to the garbage resonating from the San Francisco Giants training camp in regards to drug user Barry Bonds. He was as usual complaining about his aching knees, when what it really was the withdrawal symptoms from all the “ROIDS” that were being flushed out of his system. I suggested at this time that Barry would not hit over 25 homeruns in 2006, and urged you to place a bet if it was available.

Today it is May 15th and it certainly could not happen to a nicer guy then Bonds as he is struggling big time with a 2.17 batting average , 5 HOMERUNS and a paltry12 RBI’s in 32 games and 88 at bats. There is a great lesson to be learned from the faltering decline of Barry Bonds the former baseball superstar. When he decided a few years ago to prolong his career with the “Clear and the Cream” courtesy of Balco, his goal was to replace Henry Aaron as the most prolific homerun hitter in MLB history.

What he is going to get is a whole lot of grief and be chased from the game, as a less then average major league hitter. The chances of Bond turning this dismal season around, is about the same percentage that the Kansas City Royals have of not losing 100 games this season.

We are all guilty of at least once in our lives of fantasying about some dream scenario, that we have little chance of obtaining. But we all like to do it. As we have seen in Bond’s case, “Be careful what you ask for”!

February article reprint:

BARRY BONDS WILL NOT HIT 25 HOME RUNS!

It would be safe to say that very few people turn me off as much as Barry Bonds does and as I said a few years ago, I wish he would just go away and climb under the rock he came out from about twenty years ago. On the other hand, this is Major League Baseball and as long as someone is lining up with $18 million a year to pay him to play, why would he go away?

What really blows me away is his whining about his bad knee and how there are days when he cannot tolerate the pain. This is Barry Bonds not Jerome Bettis who is a athlete who has been getting pounded by vicious tackles the past fifteen years and plays a game where he actually does hit the grass.

Bonds has been standing in left field the past several years, playing a sport that requires you to stand in the sun for maybe twenty minutes at a time and every once in a while move a few feet to catch a ball or toss it back to the infield. I’m sorry I neglected to mention the 40 or so times he has to trot around the bases after a homerun, or the 100 or so times he must trot to first base after an intentional walk.

In the past three years he has had a total of 13 stolen bases, so I feel sorry for that man that he had to dive on the soft clay surface that at some parks is like a beach when he stole second base. The man made decision years ago to pump himself up with steroids, that resulted in his head swelling to the size of a basketball and gave him that instant gratification that several athletes yearn for.

Now he sits at training camp in Scottsdale, Arizona sounding like a man that just spent ten years on the battlefield in Iraq. I mean give me a break, get your sorry ass to the gym and get in shape like most normal athletes do and that is with sweat and tears.

As I mention in the title at the top of the page, I seriously hope that any sportsbook offers a proposition wager on whether Barry will hit over or under 25 homeruns. Most people would think that if he suits up for 100 games, hitting that number is a foregone conclusion, I beg to differ. This guy is going to get booed right off the field and hopefully he leaves the game for good, as professional baseball in America, has enough problems as it is!

Bob Acton

Online Sports Betting


Boating Tips: Improving Your Handling

Posted on Senin, 21 November 2011 | 0 komentar

The boating season is starting and soon it will be in full swing. If you live near a large lake or the ocean then most people will likely start spending their free time on the lake. Although before you get your boat out and head for the lake you might want to go over boat handling techniques one more time. Many other boaters will judge you by how you handle your boat, so make sure you use the following boat tips to help you improve your handling techniques to impress everyone on the lake.

First make sure you know your boat. You can’t expect to complete successful docking maneuvers if you don’t know exactly how your boat will handle. The only way you can hope to learn how your boat maneuvers is through lots of practice. If you need to gain practice and don’t want to do it while everyone is watching then find a time to head out to the lake during the week when there are less people around. You need to learn how your boat handles since there are no two boats that will handle the same way as another. Even if the boat is identical in make and model to another it will still handle different. Before you can do anything else you must known exactly what your boat can and cannot do.

Next remember that operating a boat in water can be tricky and is nothing like driving a car. You boat won’t just stop when you put it in neutral, rather it will still keep moving. If you boat is heavier it will move even further. The movement of the boat will also be affected by wind and/or the current so keep all of this in mind when handling your boat on the lake.

When it comes to maneuvering remember that a boat with twin engines will perform better than a boat with only one engine. If you have a twin engine boat you can put one engine in forward while placing the other in
reverse to successfully turn your boat on its own axis. Sometimes it can even be easier to dock a large boat with two engines then a small boat with only one engine.

Consider the freeboard and wind of your boat. The freeboard is the distance from the deck to the waterline. With a high freeboard on your boat your maneuvering will be affected by wind much more than a boat that has a low freeboard. So when you try to dock your boat remember that with a high freeboard you will drift further and faster than a boat that has a small
freeboard.

Finally always remember that no matter how well you know the mechanics of handling your boat, the most important part is to plan ahead. If you have a crew make sure they know exactly what you plan on doing, before you do it. Nothing can be worse than yelling and screaming at the last minute in an attempt to get everything to run smoothly.


Football Fans Can Get To See All Of The Games This Year

Posted on Minggu, 20 November 2011 | 0 komentar

The ever-increasing season ticket prices means a lot of fans struggle to watch all of their team’s matches. With the price of even just a championship season ticket being around £400 most fans can struggle to foot the bill, even if their team isn’t in the expensive premiership. This will mean that football’s best fans wont be able to support their team, just simply because they can’t afford it.

But football fans have been offered a new solution. Barclays bank (sponsor of the premiership) has offered a great way for you to buy your season ticket this year. If you purchase any football season ticket with the new Premiership Barclaycard (http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/champion/football_credit_card.html ) and it costs more than £250, you'll benefit from 0% interest for as long as it takes to pay off.

The Premiership card also offers 10 pairs of tickets to be won each month during the football season, by just making a transaction on your football credit card each month to be entered into a prize draw.

And with more and more clubs from the premiership making it in to Europe fans can find it even more and more expensive to support their team. But, if your club does make it into Europe, don’t you want to be there to see them! The Premiership credit card also offers help when you're abroad. You can use your credit card anywhere in the world, and if you lose your card whilst abroad, Barclays offer an emergency card replacement service, and you won't be charged a cash handling fee for the service.

But with having to work all week, and enjoying the football at the weekend, who has time to go and apply for a credit card? With Barclay’s card you also have the option of ordering your credit card online (http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/champion/credit_card_online.html ), which will save you time and give you more opportunity to keep up with the football stats.

With football becoming more and more about money at least we, the devoted fans, can still afford to do what matters to us – enjoy the football and support our team.


If you want to find out more information on credit cards - http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/champion/credit_card.html.


California Sports Logo

Posted on Sabtu, 19 November 2011 | 0 komentar

In early 2003, not long after the Anaheim Angels had captured the AFL championship, their new owner, Mr. Moreno, decided to change their name. Pointing to marketing considerations, he wanted to change the name to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He did not push for a change in the team logo.

That logo had long been a red “A.” A blue halo was embroidered over the top of that “A.” Moreno did not make any move to change that logo. Yet some of the residents of Anaheim designed a special type of logo. Their logo was designed to be used as a form of protest.

In order to understand the protests of the Anaheim residents, one must learn something about the Angels. That team had first played in Los Angeles, and had once before been called the Los Angles Angels. In the 1960’s the team moved to Anaheim, CA, and it then changed its name to the California Angels. The Disney Company bought the team from Gene Autry in 1997, and it named the team the Anaheim Angels.

So for close to six years the City of Anaheim had benefited from the Angel’s new name. The City of Anaheim voiced strong objections to the proposed name change in 2003. Some of the residents of Anaheim demonstrated obvious support for their government. They designed a special logo that poked fun at the proposed name change.

Their logo contained an “L” and an “A.” The “A” was hooked onto the horizontal bar of the “L.” Their “A” had a halo, but it seemed to have broken while dangling from that “L.” The residents of Anaheim saw a broken team in the team with the words “Los Angeles” in its name.

Objects bearing this logo of protest soon began to appear at the Angel games. Some game attendees purchased those items. Spurred by the success of those sales, the creator of the protest logo even started his own website. His protest logo could be found on that website.

The creator of that protest logo obviously hoped to sway the thinking of certain legal experts. The City of Anaheim was suing for restoration of a team name that contained the City’s name. Unfortunately, the courts did not decide in favor of the local protestors. They gave a green light to the name change.

No ruling by the courts would have changed the logo for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The team had agreed to stay with the angelic “A.”


What is an Air Soft Gun?

Posted on Jumat, 18 November 2011 | 0 komentar

Air soft guns are a very popular type of gun. Compress air is the main force behind the shooting guns. The air is what moves the bullets out of the end of the gun. Air soft guns are otherwise known as a pellet gun and have amazing speed and even accuracy when you are using them at a target. The best place to practice with one is going to be the backyard and you should have a background to make the pellets stop in place.

Air soft guns are used to replace real firearms. Air soft guns can be divided into three groups because of the way that they are powered. Some are ran by electric power, and there are others that are moved by gas. It is up to the person that is going to use the gun and what they want for their game.

For safety reasons, air soft guns are low powered. The higher-powered guns will result in a better accuracy and even performance. The most popular of gun is the pellet-stroke gun. They are compact and do not have lot of dangerous recoiling to deal with. These guns are used by many different kinds of people and the most important thing to remember is that anyone who uses it should maintain the right safety precautions.

Anytime anyone uses an air soft gun, they need to use the right protective gear. Even though someone practices complete safety and are very cautious, it is still possible that someone get hurt while using the guns. These guns do leave small welts on people. It is defiantly not recommended that you point the air soft gun at anyone. You should use the proper targets and backgrounds to stop the pellets when they are shot from the gun.

Eye protection is a must for anyone that uses an air soft gun. You do not want to risk loosing an eye or causing permanent damage to your eyes by being hit with a pellet that has gone the wrong way. You may want to take the extra precautions by wearing protective facemasks to prevent any damage to the face at all. It could happen that you get hit in the face and loose a tooth or even worse.

An air soft gun is a great gift for some one that has always wanted to learn the responsibility of learning the uses of a firearm. These would make a special gift for someone also. The one thing that you should make sure before you give one is to make sure that the person is able to use the gun in a safe way. Anyone that has or receives an air soft gun should learn the proper way to use one first. It is important to understand the basics and the safety rules so that you are able to use the gun in the most fun way possible.


Visiting Major Sports Team Websites: Shopping For Products With Sports Team Logos In Cyberspace

Posted on Kamis, 17 November 2011 | 0 komentar

One of the hottest selling line of products in this day and age is the line of products that feature sports team logos. In the 21st century, an ever growing number of men and women have taken to following different sports and sporting teams. As a result, the demand for products that bear different sporting team logos has intensified in recent years. Perhaps you are a sports fan who is on the market for products -- including clothing items -- that carry with them the logos of different sports team. On the other hand, perhaps you are looking for such products to give as gifts to an ardent sports fan in your own life.

In any case, if you are in the market for products that carry sporting team logos, you should take the time to visit the websites operated by those teams whose products and logos you are seeking. In this day and age, every major sports team -- and many individual sports figures -- now maintain Internet websites. At many of these websites, a store is included through which a person can make the purchase of a wide range of different products that bear the logos of different teams.

In some instances, it is true to say that the costs associated with products being sold at these sites can be higher than what can be found at some other venues. However, with that said, these sites run by different sporting teams do conduct regular sales of their products. Thus, if you plan ahead a bit, you will be able to take advantage of these sales and price reductions.

Secondly, there is another important benefit to shopping at these websites operated by specific sporting teams. Oftentimes, these websites offer products for sale that can only be purchased from these venues. In other words, there are products with logos available for sale at these team websites that simply cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Therefore, you would be well served stopping by these sites because you will have the ability to purchase truly unique products that you simply will not be able to find anywhere else.

In the end, there are many benefits to visiting websites run by different sporting teams when you are in the market for different products that come complete with a sports team logo.


My Collection Of Sports Cards

Posted on Rabu, 16 November 2011 | 0 komentar
I have never been too keen on collecting things. I am sort of a simple guy at heart, so I love having only what I need. I have one running collection, however, that only seems to get bigger as the years go on. Sports cards. I really love gathering, trading and owning sports cards.

My love for sports cards began as a young child. My dad would reward me with sports cards when I did well at my chores or when I studied well for school. It was one of the only rewards he offered, and it quickly became the only reward that I was interested in. I remember the joy of buying my first binder to hold my sports cards in. I had saved my allowance for a couple of months and could finally buy the special sports cards holder that I had been looking at in the sports cards store.

As I got older, I phased in and out of looking for new sports cards, but I continually cherished my sports cards collections and I spent many hours of free time looking at them and memorizing everything I could about them. Some of my brothers and my friends made fun of me for loving my collection of sports cards so much, but I didn't care. I collected cards from baseball and basketball players mostly, but I've got small collections of cards from a variety of players.

When I had my own children, I could hardly wait to begin sharing my love for sports cards with my sons. I bought them sports cards within a week of their births and I continued to start small collections of cards with them. As they have gotten older, they have truly started to love sports cards like I do. Some of our best times together and our best conversations are surrounding our collections. No one else seems to understand their value quite like we do.

Once a year I take my three sons to a huge exhibition that is focused solely on sports cards. We bring our big binders and we make purchases and trades all weekend long. It is our favorite weekend of the year. We have a great time together and I love that I have something in common with my sons. They love asking my advice about particular trades and purchases, and I love giving my advice to them about sports cards.

It is never too late to start a collection of sports cards. It is a fun hobby that will keep you entertained for years to come.

Team Logos As Part Of Your Home Décor

Posted on Selasa, 15 November 2011 | 0 komentar
Many people are very committed to following and supporting a particular sporting team. Perhaps you are such a person -- a person who is a diehard fan of one team or another. If that is the case, you may constantly find yourself looking for products that carry with them the logo of your most favored team. Indeed, you may be looking for ways in which you can incorporate the logo of your favorite team within the décor of your very own home. If that is the case, this article does provide you with some suggestions as to where you can go and what you can do in order to find items that you can use as part of your home décor -- items that contain the logo of your favorite sports team.

Nearly all of the major home improvement centers doing business in the brick and mortar world today now offer a selection of home décor products and materials that feature the colors of logos of various professional and college sporting teams. Indeed, there are some home improvement centers in business today that offer specialty paint colors that match the exact colors used by various professional sports teams.

In addition to what is available at home improvement centers in the brick and mortar world, there are also some Internet websites that cater to men and women who are looking for products and materials that feature the logos and color schemes used by various sporting teams in their home décor efforts. (At the present time, most professional sports teams themselves offer only a minimal amount of such items at their own websites. However, there are other merchants on the Net that offer a much wider selection of these types of products and materials.)

If you are inclined to be a bit more subtle in the manner in which you incorporate sporting logos and colors within your overall home décor schematic, you might want to consider engaging the aid and assistance of a professional interior decorator. Such a professional can work closely with you to make certain that you do not go overboard in your own efforts to celebrate your favorite team within the confines of your own residence. These professionals are trained to help you realize your dreams and goals as far as home décor is concerned without shooting yourself in the foot in the process.

Fernando Alonso and the Canadian Grand Prix

Posted on Senin, 14 November 2011 | 0 komentar
Fernando Alonso won last Sunday his 4th consecutive race giving him the conquest of the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix. For Alonso who runs for Renault was an easy victory since he started from the pole and only had a brief challenge from the Finn Kimi Raikkonen at the beginning of the race but Alonso held off Raikkonen’s attempt to pass him in the 12th lap. Alonso's final margin of victory was only 2.1 seconds

Raikkonen had problems in the pits while changing the right rear tire during his first stop and during the installation of his McLaren on another. He was then passed by Schumacher with one lap to go.

The seven-time winner on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Michael Schumacher wasn’t really a rival to Alonso since Schumacher drove his car off the track once, brushed the wall several times and cut across the curve on the final turn several times to take him out of contention. He had failed to finish three of his previous four races at this event, including last year but this time he took advantage of Kimi Raikkonen's mistake on a hairpin turn on the next-top-last lap and took a second place.

Raikkonen's McLaren Mercedes ended third, Giancarlo Fisichella's Renault was fourth and Felipe Massa's Ferrari was fifth.

The dirty, slippery track didn't stop Fernando Alonso's persistent ride toward a second straight Formula One Championship. Apparently the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve needs a new surface. Many pilots affirmed that the track got worst as the race progressed and that going off the racing line was like driving on a skating rink.

This is Alonso’s sixth win of the season, which gives him advantage of 25 points with ten races to go in the World Championship standings on his way to next week’s U.S. Grand Prix. This is Alonso’s 15th consecutive podium finish (top three), four podiums away from Schumacher’s record.

Next week, the Formula One moves to Indianapolis, and it is expected that it will make up for last year's mess in which only six cars raced after those that use Michelin tires pulled out over safety concerns.

Paintball Accessories You Can’t Play Without

Posted on Minggu, 13 November 2011 | 0 komentar
Having the markers, tanks, guns, vests and other equipment complete the excitement when you plan to play paintball. But little do others know that it is the small and simple things that count even before the game begins. Sometimes the little accessories that are locked in a toolbox are all that are needed to complete a paintball game. A toolbox is the first aid kit of the game; if anything goes wrong that is unexpected or unavoidable, there is no reason to fret.

The gun’s manual: there are instances in the game when the gun has to undergo “intensive surgery”. Guns differ from each other regardless of the physical similarities of some. If that time comes when it needs to be disassembled, the manual can make it easier to put it all back together. Try to find manuals with problem solving ideas, they really help.

Reserve batteries: some guns require batteries to function. It would be such a waste of time if in the middle of the game the batteries died and you could not continue to play so keep new batteries available.

Allen wrench to the rescue: some players have either inherited their guns from their friends or bought second-hand guns. If you did not get a set of Allen wrenches when you bought the gun buy a set from a hardware store and be sure to keep them handy.

Oil ole’! Make sure that there is a small can of oil for the paintball gun inside the box as well. Sometimes weather dictates if the gun needs oiling; be sure to get the specific oil type recommended by the manual for the gun.

Mask lens as spare: when worse comes to worst, mask lens’ will either become blurry or scratched. Don’t hesitate to replace them if your vision is impaired as this really affects how the game is played.

Squeegee anyone? Carrying one on the field is enough during a game, so why not bring a replacement if anything goes wrong? It saves time for playing rather than looking for a squeegee.

Cupseals and reserved O-rings: some players do not know that O-rings and cup seals can be damaged easily and this will hurt the paintball gun big time so it is a must to replace the cupseal before this happens.

And for the player, always have a neck guard around to save the neck from those disturbing shots that hit your neck. There may be a team available to do first aid when something goes wrong but it would make sense to carry a personal first aid kit. Carry around spare basic safety “gadgets” like a mask, gloves, and pads and have a worry free paintball game.

Visiting Major Sports Team Websites: Shopping For Products With Sports Team Logos In Cyberspace

Posted on Sabtu, 12 November 2011 | 0 komentar
One of the hottest selling line of products in this day and age is the line of products that feature sports team logos. In the 21st century, an ever growing number of men and women have taken to following different sports and sporting teams. As a result, the demand for products that bear different sporting team logos has intensified in recent years. Perhaps you are a sports fan who is on the market for products -- including clothing items -- that carry with them the logos of different sports team. On the other hand, perhaps you are looking for such products to give as gifts to an ardent sports fan in your own life.

In any case, if you are in the market for products that carry sporting team logos, you should take the time to visit the websites operated by those teams whose products and logos you are seeking. In this day and age, every major sports team -- and many individual sports figures -- now maintain Internet websites. At many of these websites, a store is included through which a person can make the purchase of a wide range of different products that bear the logos of different teams.

In some instances, it is true to say that the costs associated with products being sold at these sites can be higher than what can be found at some other venues. However, with that said, these sites run by different sporting teams do conduct regular sales of their products. Thus, if you plan ahead a bit, you will be able to take advantage of these sales and price reductions.

Secondly, there is another important benefit to shopping at these websites operated by specific sporting teams. Oftentimes, these websites offer products for sale that can only be purchased from these venues. In other words, there are products with logos available for sale at these team websites that simply cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Therefore, you would be well served stopping by these sites because you will have the ability to purchase truly unique products that you simply will not be able to find anywhere else.

In the end, there are many benefits to visiting websites run by different sporting teams when you are in the market for different products that come complete with a sports team logo.

Top 10 Reasons For Visiting A

Posted on | 0 komentar
Over the course of a few weeks, I conducted a very brief survey, asking randomly chosen casino visitors one simple question. The question was, "Why did you visit this casino today?" Besides receiving an odd look every now and then, I managed to get a range of different reasons why people visit casinos.

Reason 1: To gamble. Not suprisingly, this was the main reason as you can probably guess by looking around the game tables and slot machines.

Reason 2: To eat and drink. While some singles and couples attended the casino to enjoy a few drinks at the bar, others were more interested in dining out at the casino restaurant.

Reason 3: Entertainment. This is another very common reason for visiting a casino. Whether it's to see a comedy, magic, singing or dancing show, entertainment is a major factor when it comes to drawing casino visitors.

Reason 4: To socialize. Catching up with friends and socializing was another very common reason for visiting a casino.

Reason 5: Employment. This is not a reason that you'd expect to come up too frequently in people's minds, but it is nevertheless true. Many people go to a casino because they work there, be it as a dealer, showgirl or a waitress.

Reason 6: Boredom. Many people decided to venture down to the casino because they were feeling bored and did not know where else to go, or what else to do on a Friday or Saturday night.

Reason 7: Someone brought me here. Someone decided to visit the casino and bring their partner, relative, friend or colleague along.

Reason 8: To learn how to play the games. A few people attended the casino to watch and learn how to play some of the casino games.

Reason 9: Romance. Be it the couple who decided to meet at the casino on a date or the single man or woman who is hoping to meet someone interesting, casinos are apparently great venues for meeting interesting new people.

Reason 10: There was no solid reason 10, but a collection of funny, strange and weird answers such as "I needed to use the bathroom" and "Someone owes me money".

So as you can see, people don't just visit casinos in order to gamble, but for a variety of interesting reasons.

I Enjoyed The Day With Cardinals

Posted on Jumat, 11 November 2011 | 0 komentar
I recently packed up some belongings and headed to a local park where I planned to spend the entire day. I did this because I was overwhelmed with the busyness of life and I knew that I needed to get away in order to have some effective hours of writing for my next book. So I packed the books I was reading, my three journals, a picnic lunch, plenty of water and tea, my camera, and my favorite blanket and I was off for a day at the park. I had no idea that my day would not be spent alone but that I would share it in the company of the cardinals.

I have never been too fond of cardinals. I don't think that they are the prettiest bird really, and so I'll admit that I was not all that excited when I saw cardinals playing right near where I was about to set up camp for the day. I thought about wandering further into the park, but I decided against it because I was certain that I would scare the cardinals and that they would quickly leave me alone. I was wrong. Not only did I not scare the cardinals away, but I almost seemed to attract them to myself. They slowly but surely moved nearer and nearer to my blanket. They were not particularly noisy, but nor were they quiet.

I ended up not getting any writing on my book accomlished that day at the park. Instead, all I walked away with was an entire roll of film of the cardinals (who amazingly enough were not even afraid of my camera) and a few pages of random jounraling and poetry that the blessed cardinals inspired. I ended up enjoying my time with the cardinals so much that I got home and spent a few hours reading up on everything about cardinals that I could find online. Because I now thought that cardinals were in fact pretty, I even ordered a couple of books containing photographs of cardinals for my coffeetable.

I was hooked that day, and I have been hooked on cardinals ever since. People who know me well know that when I commit to something, I fully commit. I have been just as loyal to my cardinals as I have been to any friend or worthy hobby in all of my life. I have made it back to that same park on several occasions just to see if my first cardinal friends would join me. They have not, but I will never forget my lovely afternoon with the cardinals for as long as I live.

Hiking Trips In Florida

Posted on | 0 komentar
When you imagine hiking trips, you think of the Smokey Mountains and the Appalachian Trail. There are many unknown destinations that give you a different and sometimes better experience than you ever imagined. Florida has many different kinds of terrain to offer to hikers of all accomplishments. It does not take a mountain trail to create a great a great trip. Florida has a tropical edge that is not recreated anywhere else in the US.

Florida has an excellent trail system that runs the whole length of the state. South Florida boasts and area called Big Cyprus that has been made famous by local photographer Clyde Butcher. The South Florida Everglades offer a complex system of lakes and marshes that offer all kinds of different experiences. Hike alongside lakes with beautiful palmetto and pine trees. You can even take an excursion on an airboat that skims along the water powered by an engine with an airplane propeller.

You can head north via trails that head on the east and west coasts of the state. The west coast features warm, lush forests and sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Along the east coast you will find huge beaches and cooler climates that are fed by the Atlantic Ocean. You will be able to see the environment change drastically as you hit the middle of the state. Pine trees start to mingle with oaks and maples. There is also the start of some elevation changes as you move inland.

Reaching Northern Florida brings you to a fork where you will need to decide if you would like to go east or west. This is a larger decision than near the beginning in South Florida because as you work North from that point the east and west trail meet a couple times. Up here, the eastern route will lead you to Jacksonville and north where there are beautiful islands to explore along the Atlantic Ocean. Hiking east will bring you along the panhandle of Florida towards Alabama along the Gulf of Mexico.

Florida also has a very diverse ecosystem where you may see alligators in South Florida and then see deer in central and North Florida. There is also nothing like camping on a desolate beach and waking up to the surf in the morning. Florida is truly a fantastically unique hiking experience.

Pool Table Review

Posted on Kamis, 10 November 2011 | 0 komentar
This pool table review is to help you when choosing a new table. I have written many articles about billiards tables. You can check them all out from the links in my blog.

I have owned several pool tables in the 25 plus years that I have been playing the game. The first table that I played on was a 4Œ x 8Œ table and it was given to my dad by someone that he worked with. I was about 10 years old at the time.

When I reached the age of 15, I would sneak off to the tavern down the road and play on their bar box. This was one of those old style bar tables with the big cue ball. (I still do not like playing with the big cue ball very much)


I moved out of my parents house at age 18 and my cousin and I purchased a 4Œ x 8Œ Brunswick table for the house that we moved in to. This table was played heavily and we went through a couple of rounds of new felt in a short period of time.

The felt or cloth is actually one of the most important things about a table because it will be a major factor as to if the table plays fast or slow. (I do not recommend a cloth with a backing. It slows the ball down big time) My favorite billiards cloth is Simonis 860.

When I turned 21 A friend an I set up a little pool hall in a building that my family owned. We purchased two 4 and 1/2Œ by 9Œ tables. One was a Circle G Gandy and the other was a Murray. Both tables played good and the Murray played extremely fast off the rails. We also purchased four 3 and 1/2Œ by 7Œ Valley bar tables.

I currently have one of the 7 foot Valley tables in my house now. I chose to keep that one because most league play and at that time the BCA National Tournament in Las Vegas were all played on a 7 Valley pool table.

The BCA and APA have now switched to the Diamond Smart Tables. These play nice and the tavern that sponsors my team has 6 of them. (Diamond Jimfs) These are the only Diamond tables in Pueblo Colorado at the time of this writing. The Diamond Table is definitely one of my favorite to play on and I am keeping my eyes peeled for my house.

I would have to say that out of all the tables that I have played in the past, my favorite would be a 9Œ Brunswick Gold Crown with tight pockets and Simonis 860 cloth. You have to be in stroke pretty good to run a rack on one of these tables.

There are several pool table articles on my pool-billiards-game dot com website. There is even a page which shows what size of a room is necessary for comfortable play on various sized billiard tables. I hope this article gives you some things to consider when choosing your table.

To Your Run Out Success,

Ted

On the Driving Range

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It doesn’t matter if it’s your first day as a golfer, or if you’re an experienced pro the driving range can be your best friend. Driving ranges vary in style from patches of dirt with bit of grass, to full blown amusement parks. Driving ranges can offer players of all skills a valuable practice filed that can vastly help improve ones skills.

A driving range is a large field, or course that offers players a chance to hit balls typically 500 yards or more towards the sky. Driving ranges typically have stalls with rubber or wood tees in place for maximum swing time. Driving ranges often offer golfers a fee schedule based upon buckets of balls. Each bucket could cost anywhere from $10 to $50 depending on the level of driving range one is playing at. Driving ranges occasionally offer players the opportunity to buy time per hour, with unlimited balls. Driving ranges also have house clubs if the golfer chooses not to bring his or her own clubs. Golfers are often seen at driving ranges for numerous reasons including stress relief, exercise, and coaching.

Driving ranges are important because of their unique design. Driving ranges offer golfers a chance to hit balls without having to retrieve them. This allows golfers to take hundreds of swings without having to pause. This repetitive motion allows for golfers of all skill levels to perfect their ability.

Driving ranges are often found in cities, or anywhere with a large population. Also golf ranges can be found in areas with large amounts of fields that make it easy and affordable for ranges to be created. Some of the better country clubs also have driving ranges on site, that allow for members to hit balls a minimum charge, or for free.

When at the driving range be sure to bring your own clubs, or use their clubs. Never ask another golfer to borrow a club, because you don’t want to be on their schedule while at the range. Also golfers want to be careful of bringing clubs to the range. If you are new to golf, and have splurged on some high end clubs, you’re asking to look foolish in front of a lot of people at the range if you bring your clubs. High end clubs are developed with pros in mind, and often don’t offer the same type of support a beginners club does. This is important when trying to connect with the ball, it maybe easier to hit with a beginners club than a high end driver.

Choose the Right Airsoft Gun

Posted on Rabu, 09 November 2011 | 0 komentar
When you go to purchase an airsoft gun you will want to have done your research on the different types of them. There are three different types of airsoft guns; spring airsoft guns, electric, and gas-powered guns.

An airsoft spring gun is a type that uses a spring to assist the firing of the BB. It is an affordable type of airsoft gun and is normally styled in the pistol or handgun form. This is a great type to choose if you are a beginner or new to airsoft guns. Spring guns in the form of rifles are not for beginners. It shoots out a more powerful force and is considered stronger than most electric or gas powered guns.

It is so cheap because it doesn’t take any external power like gas or electricity. However, you still need to cock and re-cock the slider every time you go to shoot. This is what you cannot shoot automatic or even semi automatic. Airsoft spring handguns are the least powerful form if you compare them to the other two types. Keep in mind that spring guns are only good for ten feet shooting ranges.

Gas powered guns are powered by gas that is inserted in the butt of the airsoft gun. They are also called GBB. The gas for the guns is sold in the form of tin cans and looks a lot like an aerosol can.

In most cases, CFC-free gas is used. Most of the one that use gas use HFC134a. Some do require a more powerful type of gas, so beware when you are purchasing your GBB. You will always want to use the right type of gas because it will damage the gun and could cause harm to yourself. People purchase gas airsoft guns because they are more accurate than any other type. They are also heavier and have more detail for design than the other two types of guns. Gas powered airsoft guns are not for beginners because they are more difficult to handle and care for. This is more of an automatic, machine gun.

Electric guns are powered by battery. Normally, your electric gun will take four AAA batteries. You will most likely want to get the rechargeable batteries because they don’t last long. Airsoft electric guns are also spring guns. Electric guns have to have a spring to be compressed, but with an electric gun you don’t have to manually cock the slider for every shot. Because you don’t have to cock the gun yourself, you are able to get fully automatic shots from an electric gun. Normally an electric gun can shoot up to 280 feet away with a .2g pellet BB. You can also find semi-automatic guns that have electric power.

Christmas Gift Ideas for Hikers

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Christmas gift ideas can be hard to come by. If you’re buying for a hiker, here are a few hiking gift ideas to consider.

Okay, I’ll be the first one to admit publicly that buying gifts for the holidays can be a pain in derriere. When it comes right down to it, how well do you know someone and how do you know what he or she likes? Buying for kids is great because you can always peak at the letter to Santa. Unfortunately, most adults have given up writing to Santa and you really don’t want to read through there other letters. Fortunately, this isn’t a problem if you are buying for a hiker.

Hiking Gifts

Despite the relative simplicity of hiking, there are lots of gadgets you can give as a gift. Here are a few ideas that may sound iffy to you, but will be cherished by your hiking friend.

1. Boots – The old cliché is, “these boots are made for walking.” When it comes to hiking, the boots make the man or woman. Fortunately, you don’t need to know anything about styles, sizes or brands when buying boots as a gift. Selecting hiking boots is a very personal thing, so your hiker will exchange them for their boots of choice. Don’t be offended. This is par for the course with hiking. Simply figure out the price you are willing to pay and make your choice.

2. Digital Handheld Compass – Yep, even hiking has gone digital. Who would’ve thunk it? Digital handheld compasses are a recent phenomenon and popular with hikers. They do the same thing as a non-digital compass, but have the advantage of being…well, digital. The “HighGear” brand is solid and you can expect to pay $50 to $60.

3. Hydration Waist Packs – Hikers consistently face the threat of getting dehydrated while hoofing it around God’s green earth. Hydration packs help prevent this by letting the hiker carry water comfortably. You’ll have a choice of waist, shoulder and full on backpack systems. The waist packs are the best. You can expect to spend in the $30 to $45 range and Amphipod is a good brand.

4. Nomad Hiking Journals – A little self-promotion here. Nomad Hiking Journals are compact writing journals that let hikers keep notes and diaries of their hikes. They can record whom they hiked with, the route, weather conditions and funny little events occurring during the hike. You can click the link at the bottom of this article and expect to pay between $10 and $25 depending on the size.

If you’re looking for gifts for hikers, consider yourself lucky. The equipment tends to be inexpensive and last a very long time.

Derby Winners Often Repeat in the Preakness

Posted on Selasa, 08 November 2011 | 0 komentar
Six Kentucky Derby winners in the past nine years have captured the Preakness, four by 1½ lengths or more.

That’s a good omen for Barbaro, who crushed the opposition, winning the 132nd Kentucky Derby and ending a 50-year losing streak by 3-year-olds resting five weeks or longer after their final prep.

Needles was off six weeks before his triumph at Churchill Downs in 1956. Both had won the Florida Derby. However, Needles was edged out by Fabius in the Preakness.

Barbaro is likely to face 14 fewer horses than he defeated at Louisville when he won by 6½ lengths; this was the largest margin since ’46 when Triple Crown champ Assault scored by 8 lengths at the 1¼ miles.

Only two Derby also-rans will try him in the 131st Preakness: Brother Derek, who rallied from 10th after a mile to dead-heat for fourth with Jazil, and Sweetnorthernsaint, who pressed the pace in third until the stretch when he tired and finished seventh.

The Preakness has had fewer than 10 starters just once in the last 15 years when eight ran in ’00. Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, who scared away all by seven challengers, was upset at 1-5 by Red Bullet, who skipped America’s Race.

Bernardini, Hemingway’s Key, and Like Now will try to become the second horse to win the Preakness after skipping the Derby since ’83, when Deputed Testimony performed the feat.

Bernardini won this year’s Withers. Like Now ran second in the Lexington, while Hemingway’s Key placed eighth.

Two other horses being considered for the Preakness are more likely to run in stakes on the undercard.
Trainer Bob Baffert decided against entering any of his Derby horses. Baffert said Point Determined, ninth, and Bob and John, 17th, would be pointed toward the Belmont Stakes on June 10.

Bluegrass Cat, the Derby runner-up, and Steppenwolfer, third, are also expected to run in the Belmont.
The largest winning margin in the Preakness came in ’04 when Smarty Jones cruised to an 11½-length victory, besting Funny Cide’s record of 9¾ lengths in ’03.

Most of the previous races since Silver Charm triumphed by a head in ’97 were closer. In fact, only three horses had shared the one-time record of 8 lengths: Little Current, ’74; Bold, ’51; and Buddhist, 1889.

This year’s Preakness should be tighter. I like the undefeated Barbaro despite the shorter layoff.

Sweetnorthernsaint and Brother Derek should bounce back and be tougher at 1 3/16 miles. Either could win.

Ironically, the largest margin of 10 lengths stood for 130 years after the inaugural Preakness in 1873. The aptly named Survivor set that record.

Stallone Filming New Boxing Movie

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The next biggest boxing film, a new Rocky sequel, is set to be released in December 2006 or early 2007. Written and directed by Sylvester Stallone, Rocky VI, also called Rocky Balboa, has primarily been filmed throughout Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. However, in December 2005, the production team for the new boxing movie set out to Las Vegas for a series of fight scenes, which were filmed over a four day period. A call for extras was placed on sylvesterstallone.com, as well as at beinamovie.com. Fans traveled far and near for their opportunity to spend several days with the cast and crew, obtain autographs and to have the chance to say “I was there.” The film has been closely followed by local news stations based in Philadelphia, which is noted on Stallone’s official website.

The latest boxing saga for the one-time prize fighter, Rocky Balboa, played by Stallone, is said to parallel the comeback story of boxing legend, George Foreman. According to a statement printed on BeInAMovie.com, Stallone said that he wanted to tell Foreman’s comeback story.

In the newest boxing release from the Rocky series, Balboa is now a restaurant owner grieving over the loss of his wife, Adrian. After deciding to return to the ring for local fights, Balboa is confronted with the opportunity to fight the reigning heavyweight champion. This act garners major boxing media attention, as does any major bout that Balboa has faced, and so is the story of Rocky VI.

While focusing on the story of boxing, the films from the Rocky series are geared more toward not giving up and staying in the fight, whether you win or lose. Fans who have followed the films since their inception will recall Balboa, a struggling boxer, never turned away from a challenge. It is the story of preserverance that has not only kept the boxing career of Balboa going, but also the desire to do what he loves.

Rocky VI, also called Rocky Balboa, is currently defined as being in post-production. While it’s exact release date is not yet confirmed, industry experts believe it to be in late 2006 or early 2007 as previously noted. Some believe the film is slated for a Christmas Day 2006 release, but only time will tell. After a long hiatus from filming the world of boxing, Rocky makes yet another visit to the big screen with a crowd of eager fans anxiously awaiting the next storyline in one of the most anticipated boxing sequels ever made.
Posted on Senin, 07 November 2011 | 0 komentar
Una de las principales reglas de los casinos es que el cliente siempre tiene la razón. Sin embargo, el casino tiene sus propias reglas de comportamiento y etiqueta que hay que tener en cuenta a la hora de jugar. Para ser mas profesional en los casinos y no llevarte malos momentos es importante que tengas estas reglas en cuenta.

Primero y principal, debes ser mayor de 21 años para entrar en el casino y jugar. Todos los casinos son estrictos con esa norma, así que si todavía eres menor de edad, debes esperar tu turno.

Segundo, los objetos electrónicos como teléfonos celulares, están bloqueados en el casino, así que recuerda dejarlos en casa a la hora del juego. Esto es debido a que pueden transferir información de un lado a otro, muy peligroso para los casinos. Tampoco la cámara digital o filmadora está autorizada, aunque esas son más flexibles.

A los fumadores: Asegurarse de que el casino al que vayan este permitido fumar. Aunque en la mayoría de los casinos permiten fumar, hay salas de no- fumadores o casinos de-no fumadores, una ley que empezó a popularizarse mas ahora. EN las salas de maquinas tragamonedas tampoco esta permitido fumar. Recuerda usar cenicero si fumas.

Es una costumbre darle propina al crupier luego de haber ganado una mano. Especialmente en los casinos de Estados Unidos. El monto es 1$ en general pero depende de lo que hayas ganado. En países como Inglaterra o Australia darles propina esta prohibido.

Recuerda aprender las reglas de los juegos antes de comenzar a jugar. No vaya a ser que los demás jugadores o el crupier te tengan que explicar en el momento del juego. Muestra sensación de respeto y seguridad en el casino, hay muchas guías y libros que te pueden ayudar a aumentar tu conocimiento. Observar juegos ajenos también ayuda.

Es importante no dar consejos o sugerencias a otros jugadores en el momento del juego. Aunque tengas buenas intenciones, no es aceptable para los demás jugadores que ayudes a uno y a otros no. Esto puede hacer a quejas y enojos en los jugadores, y eso es lo último que el casino quiere. Todos tienen la libertad de elegir sus jugadas y equivocarse o ganar correspondientemente. Esa es la gracia del casino.

Todas estas reglas son parte de los requisitos del casino, y esenciales para sentirte conectado a los juegos y al resto de las actividades del casino. Así, es muy probable que no te sientas perdido vagando por la sala sin saber a donde ir. Recuerda que nadie nació sabiendo y que la experiencia se gana con el tiempo.

Have Fun Trading Football Cards

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I am one of the lucky women in life who has the privilege of living with all men. Yes, that's right, I live in my house with my husband and four sons! I never would have imagined that my life would turn out this way, nor would I have imagined how much I love being surrounded by all of my men. There is so much to share on this subject, for I have learned a host of things from being removed from other women on a daily basis. One of the things that has fascinated me about raising boys is the hobbies they choose to spend time on. For example, for the past three years trading football cards has been the only thing talked about in our home.

I grew up with all sisters, so it was quite a new thing for me to be surrounded by litte boys. I was shocked by their need for adventure and by their desire to play things like 'cops and robbers.' I was also shocked that they could find such pleasure in collecting, trading, buying and selling such a thing as football cards.

Each of my four boys and my husband has a huge binder that holds their football cards. I guess my husband grew up collecting football cards and cards from other sports, so he was thrilled to have sons and get to include them in one of his favorite hobbies. They love their football card collections and they have their binders arranged just so. I cannot see a method to their madness, yet I am assured that there is one and that "I wouldn't understand because I am a girl." I agree totally.

Once a year my boys steal away and go to a convention whose sole purpose is for trading, buying and selling football cards. I love it when they go because I get the house to myself for a long weekend, but I also love it because my boys come home and are filled with excitement for weeks on end. We always make popcorn and drink soda when they return as they each take turns showing me every single (I'm not exagerating) card that they got at the convention. I have grown to love these times with my boys, and I've even learned a lot about football in the process.

So consider starting to collect and trade football cards if you don't already. From a mom's perspective, it is harmless and somewhat educational, and I think at this point that I cannot ask for much more.

Saving Money On The Net:shopping For Team Licensed Sporting Gear On The World Wide Web

Posted on Minggu, 06 November 2011 | 0 komentar
If you are like many, many sports fans, you like to make the purchase of different types of products -- clothing items and other products -- you oftentimes find yourself interested in finding and purchasing different types of items that bear the logos and licensing marks of different types of sporting gear and clothing items. What may be holding you back from time to time when it comes to the purchase of team licensed sporting gear and clothing is cost. These particular types of items can be and oftentimes are very expensive.

As with many different products and services in the 21st century, you actually have the ability to save a great deal of money on licensed sports gear when you do your shopping on the Internet and World Wide Web. In this regard, there are a number of different resources available to you when it comes to making the purchase of licensed sporting good items.

First of all, the various auction sites that are in operation on the World Wide Web oftentimes are home to people who are trying to sell a wide array of different types of licensed sporting good items. In many instances, on many occasions, you can save a great deal of money by making the purchase of these items through these types of Internet websites.

In addition to savings that can be realized at the auction sites that can be found on the Internet and World Wide Web, many times one or another of the overstock sites that are in business on the Net carry licensed sporting good items within their inventories. In such instances, you will be able to buy at bargain prices precisely those types of licensed sporting good items that you are looking for at the present time.

Beyond and auction and overstock sites in business on the Net, there are many sites that specialize specifically in the selling of licensed sporting good items. While these sites do carry some products that can be rather pricy, there are times when these sites put their inventory on sale. During these sales, you actually can save a good deal of money by making the purchase of licensed sporting good items when one or another of these specialty sites have a sale or other price reduction event -- true savings for you.

Mock Drafting - A Must For Serious Fantasy Football Owners

Posted on Sabtu, 05 November 2011 | 0 komentar
Drafting your fantasy football team is a very exciting time for all fantasy football owners. As you begin your draft, you look at the players you are selecting through the first 3-4 rounds and think you are building the best dynasty in the league. As you get into the later rounds, however, you begin to struggle through your selections and the owners who have failed to put the needed research and practice into their planning will generally stand out in a very bad way. Proper planning of your fantasy football drafts, if you want to win, consists of plenty player research and the following of a lot of NFL related news. Just as important to all of these things is practice, and the only way a fantasy football owner can practice for the upcoming season is via mock drafts.

Normally, I start participating in mock drafts in early June and continue them constantly all the way through training camp up until the time I have completed all of my real fantasy football league drafts. These drafts are done online with different people each time, which allows me to face several different scenarios. How does this help? Most importantly, it gives you a very good idea regarding where all of the players you are targeting can most likely be drafted. As you look at different websites for player rankings, as well as making your own fantasy football player rankings, you realize that these lists are much different from one site to another. All of the people you are doing these mock drafts with are studying the same material that you are studying. The mock draft is where it all comes together. It allows you to see just where those later round sleeper picks you are targeting are most likely to fall when it comes time to draft for real.

There are several places to participate in mock drafts. We host them here at SportsOutlaw.com, as do other fantasy football websites. My favorite place to participate in mock drafts currently is AntSports. AntSports has put together an amazing mock draft system. What's even better is that they take it one step further by combining the mock draft results into a database that shows the average draft position of all the fantasy football players you are targeting according to position, draft type, and other factors. If you haven’t yet participated in mock drafts, give them a try and you will find that they are very beneficial to your success in the great sport of fantasy football.

Making the Grade with Healthy Eating

Posted on Jumat, 04 November 2011 | 0 komentar
Making the Grade with Healthy Eating

College is one of the most difficult times of life to practice healthy eating. Because of your busy schedule, the amounts of stress, and pressure from friends to party, you may find that healthy eating is impossible. However, with a few tips you can make the impossible seem much more manageable. Healthy eating is possible in college as long as you are willing to work at it.

Make smart decisions when you are eating at your college’s cafeteria. Most students are provided with a variety of option every day, and although the dessert bar may be very tempting, try to limit the number of times you visit it every week. If your school has a buffet style cafeteria with many choices, try to choose one food from each of the food groups. Avoid anything that is processed, covered in cheese or dressing, and greasy.

Scheduling times to eat is also important. When you register for classes, look at the day with meals in mind. You should have enough time in the morning to get ready for the day and grab a quick meal, either in your dorm room or at the cafeteria. Around the middle of the day, make sure that you save time for lunch, and have a timeslot for dinner before 7 PM to avoid eating late at night. You should also plan times to stop for nutritious snacks, like fruit. If your professor does not mind, you can also take these snack foods with you to class. This is a good question to ask during the first day of classes.

The weekends can be very challenging for college students because of the pressure to go to parties, where the main food is usually pizza and the main beverage is usually beer. Order pizza and other foods can take an otherwise healthy diet and throw it down the tubes. If you plan to go out for the night and won’t be sure if there will be healthy food choices available, grab a light meal before you leave and avoid greasy calories. Having pizza and other such “college” foods, like wings or tacos, can be fine once in awhile, but if it becomes a weekly event, you’re looking at trouble

Of course, alcohol is also a great way to ruin a diet. Beer and mixed drinks have a lot of empty calories, and so skipping them altogether is a great idea. If you must drink, choose diet sodas for mixing your drinks, ask for red wine if it is available, or drink light beer. Again, these treat are fine once in awhile, because drinking alcohol every week will only make you pack on the pounds.

Swimming With Dolphins - A Life Changing Experience

Posted on Kamis, 03 November 2011 | 0 komentar
Dolphins are mammals, like whales and porpoises which are adapted to living in the sea. They may live in the sea but they have no gills, so they come to the surface for air to provide the oxygen that their bodies need.

Dolphins are social creatures that seem to have a particular affinity with humans. Many people have found swimming with dolphins to be a life-changing experience and this is often used as therapy for very sick children. Even seen from a boat dolphins seem so happy and carefree, their only concern, where the next meal is coming from. There are countless tales of how these aquatic mamals have helped people who would have otherwise drowned.

Dolphin groups called pods often cooperate in hunting. They encircle a large shoal of fish, force the fish into a smaller and smaller group, then take turns to charge through the mass of fish.

They can be found in most non-arctic waters and eat a varied diet that includes fish, squid and shellfish. Fish are swallowed whole, head first so that the bones do not stick in the dolphin's throat.

Dolphins are warm-blooded. This means that they must eat enough to provide enough fuel for the respiration that keeps their bodies around 37 degrees Celsius. They consume about 5% of their body weight in food each day. A nursing mother may consume up to 8%. Dolphin calves are born alive, either head first or tail first. The mother produces milk for them in the same way as all female mammals do. The calves are about 4 feet long at birth and darker in color than adult dolphins.

Dolphins have excellent hearing and can detect sound at frequencies far below human hearing as well as sounds far, far above the highest frequencies we can detect. They can localize sounds underwater, something else that humans cannot do. Dolphins' eyesight is also excellent both in water and in air. Their eyes are well adapted to dim light but they see well in bright light too. Dolphins are hunters and have binocular vision in water and in air. Dolphins have a limited sense of smell, but their skin is extremely sensitive.

Dolphins normally swim at around 5 mph but can reach speeds of 20 mph for short times.

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