Softball

     I was reading an article by George Vescey in the New York Times yesterday. Mens baseball and women's softball are no longer going to be included in the Olympics.  I think that it is sad and unfair that women's softball will not compete in the Olympic games after the summer games in Beijing. The International Olympic Committee voted 52 to 52 back in 2005. The sport needed a majority vote to stay in the Olympics.This is a big loss for the United States. We have won each of the three Olympics competitions since softballs induction in 1996. 

 

     Vescey makes an interesting point; "Their biggest crime? Being perceived as regional sports that eat up a lot of space in the Olympic movement that is trying to slim down. Both sports also suffer because they are dominated by the United States, not exactly the most popular nation on the globe at this moment."

    For women it seems a greater loss than mens baseball. For other countries the chance to compete in baseball may be exciting but I get the feeling the US viewers would rather watch an MLB game. Even the players are perceived as not caring very much. Right now US baseball players have a bad image and it doesn't help that the MLB will not send players during the season to compete. Baseball not only has the World Series but the World Baseball Classic. For women it is the ultimate showcase of talent and skill. The Olympic games are the biggest competition these women have and it is very sad that we will not get to watch as other nations develop competitive teams and challenge our women. Unfortunately we may not get to see softball develop. 

The I.O.C defends its decision because they are trying to cut the numbers of competitors in the Olympic games. They have denied several sports entry. The numbers have grown at each Olympic games. 

Perhaps it is hard to understand why softball did not get a majority vote for those my age because softball is so incredibly popular among young women today.  There are people lobbying to have both baseball and softball reinstated at the next I.O.C vote in 2009. 

 

Check out www.USAsoftball.com to track their progress in "Bound 4 Beijing"

Beckham

Soccer in the United States is like the stepchild of sports. It is the most popular sport in the world and people here just don't appreciate it as they should. David Beckham has brought a lot of celebrity attention with his move from England to Los Angeles. He is best known for being an amazing soccer player with Real Madrid and being one half of the beautiful couple known as David and Victoria Beckham. With fame surrounding him it is easy to see why he's caught the attention of so many Americans.
As for his new teammates on the Los Angeles Galaxy it might be hard to deal with the huge difference some face in pay but ultimately they all benefit from his presence and skill.

Head coach Ruud Gullit has moved Beckham to right midfield. He played center midfield following his injuries when he arrived in L.A. The right side is where Beckham has a history of powerful crosses and assists. We will soon see how the team dynamic changes with him out of the center. Those who couldn't care less about the sport will at least watch for him.

Click the link below to see an excellent example of his cross from the right side and why this is a great move for the team.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nypxues8MY

Indiana

Hoosiers men's basketball coach Kelvin Sampson is in the middle of a controversy. He was met with mixed feelings after being hired in 2006 to lead Indiana. He had been accused of violating rules at Oklahoma. He made hundreds of phone calls which violated recruiting practices. Now at Indiana he is being accused of the same things. Indiana is a good school with a good reputation. What appears to be most troubling to Indiana is the fact that the school has not been given a major NCAA infraction since 1960. The schools officials said that Sampson wasn't keeping up with its high standards which may be why they aren't coming to his defense.

It makes one consider what goes on behind the scenes. I don't have many friends who were recruited to colleges on athletic scholarships. The few that I do know had very comfortable lives while away at school. Are student athletes at Hofstra required to maintain a certain grade point average? What is the average amount of scholarship they recieve? Another great question this story raises is what kinds of recruiting practices are there and has a Hofstra employee ever been accused of anything like this?

I don't fully understand one part of the controversy regarding Sampson and a zero graduation rate for his players.... can anyone explain this to me?

Reaction

I have been an athlete for most of my life. The sports I didn't play such as football and baseball I still always had an appreciation for. I should add that I am from Pittsburgh. In Pittsburgh we have two things... ketchup and sports. Pitt has great teams that get the people of Pittsburgh energized and excited about their city but the Steelers are the true heart of Pittsburgh. Every man woman and child I know at home loves the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Valentine's Day is quickly approaching... I'll never forget the gift I got two years ago, I recieved an autographed, framed, enormous photo of Ben himself after throwing his first touchdown pass with the Steelers. When I was 10 all I wanted for Christmas was a Steelers Starter jacket. I loved that thing so much I actually slept in the first night. Anyway... where am I going with this Steelers stuff?
On Superbowl Sunday this year I was more concerned with the parties on my block in Long Beach than what was happening with the game since my beloved Steelers were not playing. The first half of the game was just ok, so was the place I was at. I moved on down the street at half time to a party where me and seven other girls seperated ourselves from the party to "watch the game." The game got so intense that all Cosmopolitan magazines and nail polish were tossed aside. Girls who have absolutely no interest in football could not take their eyes off the game. It was really a cool experience to watch them get their first taste of "Wow, did that really just happen?."