by: Andrew Caxton
At one time you could only buy cycling equipment at your local cycle shop, if they had what you wanted or you had to hope they could order it and then you would have to wait for it to come and hope it was the right size, colour or price. Then cycling magazines started to have adverts for the bigger stores and you could post off a cheque and wait for your prized article to arrive. Now things could not be easier, your at home watching the Tour de France on television, you see you hero attack on the mountainous slopes of Alpe-d’Huez, what are those sexy carbon cranks he’s using? They look like FSA or are they Campagnolo, they could be Stella Azurra, which are they? How much will they cost? Where can I get them? Well, get on the Web, put the name of that most wanted item into your search engine and see what it comes up with. The next move can be nearly as exciting as riding your bike up the mountains, that’s making comparisons of all the equipment, something you probably wont be able to do at your local cycle shop and then ordering it online, the worst bit is waiting for it to arrive.All the top cycle components, clothing, frames and cycle manufacturers have their own web-sites, once you’ve found what you really want for your bike, most sites can link you to a retail out let, from there, with the use of your credit card you can order the goods on-line, or check out a store near to where you live and if they stock what you are looking for. This is best for items of clothing, shorts and jersey sizes vary from one maker to another and there is nothing worse than receiving your new professional look a like kit and it is too big or small, so get down to your local cycle shop or sports store, try on your choice for size and if all is OK, you can buy it there and then or if you don’t mind waiting and it’s at a better price, order and pay for it online and wait for it to arrive in the post to your house.How To Buy Cycling Shoes On Line…There are many cycling shoes on the market, and finding the right ones for you can be hard. Look them up on the web, go through the search engine or if you have a particular make in mind, find them online and if you can’t try some in a shop, this is best, because size can be a problem, one manufacturer size 9 could be a half size bigger or smaller than another company, and most of the best cycling shoes are Italian, so remember that European sizes are very different from American or English sizes, and German shoes are wider and Italian shoes are narrower and you may be looking for a size 44 or 45, so try as many different shoes you can and then make your decision. Very importantly with shoes is which pedal system you are using, Look, Shimano, Campagnolo, Time and all the other systems have different fittings on the sole of the shoe, check up which they have on the shoe manufacturers web-site and then it should then be safe to order them online.….And HelmetsAn other good and very important item you could look for online is a cycle helmet, as with most cycling goods there are many different helmets on the market, some times the helmets you see on the heads of the professionals are difficult to find, but anything is possible on the net, just type it in and away you go, it may be that just the helmet you are looking for is available in Holland, get it ordered, it may take some time to come but if its what you want it’ll be worth it. Sizes of helmets, like shoes can vary, so if it is possible to try before you buy, then make sure it’s a comfortable fit, the big difference between cycle shoes and helmets is that helmets come with different pads to go inside so you can make the helmet fit exactly, which could help if you’ve ordered the wrong size, this is not something you can do with cycling shoes.The net is a great way to find the frame size you want for your new bike, with the new sloping frame designs it can be tricky to know which size to order, all frame designers have their own ideas for what is best, so if you know the top tube length of your present bike then you can compare online with the design dimensions on the manufacturers web-site and then you will know what size to order either at you local bike shop or from your internet supplier. As this is probably the most important and expensive thing you’ll buy for your cycling, and so with online shopping you can make sure you make the right decision.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Offensive Decline of the 2005 MLB Baseball Season
by: Proloy Bhattacharyya As of today, total runs scored per game are down 0.52 runs a game. Most people attribute this considerable drop in offensive production to the new steroids policies. We are entering a new era where pitching dominates and this will have a serious impact on baseball betting for the next couple of years. Relying too much on past trends and systems of even a year ago will hurt even the astute bettor unless they take into account some of the new trends and angles that we have seen this season.The most striking statistic is that a larger number of games are resulting in shutouts. 11.1% of the games played to date have resulted in a shutout as opposed to an average of 9.68% over the past several years. This means that pitchers are more dominant than ever before. We can no longer “expect” those miraculous 3 run HRs to help our game easily sail over the total. In fact, we would expect a larger number of unders now. Historically, over/unders rarely dip below 7. They would be 6.5 only when two potential National League CY Young award winners are facing off. If two great pitchers were facing off in an American League stadium then the over/under would rarely dip below 7.5. Therefore, any bet on the over deserves a second look.Another item to note is a team’s performance after a shutout loss. These teams are 128-104 +24 units this season. We have all heard the saying “save some offense for tomorrow”, well, going against teams off an outing where they scored greater than 10 runs is 117-95 +27 units this season.Going for teams off a bad hitting performance or against a team off a good hitting performance has proven to be extremely profitable this season!Although these could be aberrations, it is important to note current trends in the MLB when analyzing a game that one wants to bet on.
Golf Nutrition Is Not An Oxymoron…Listen Up
by: Mike Pedersen
Golf nutrition is still a relatively new concept. However, everybody knows that leading athletes in the NBA and NFL quite often have special diets and specific nutrition programs to help them perform at their peak. The reasons who golf nutrition is still in it’s’ infancy in the golf game is easy to see. To start with nutrition in sports goes hand in hand with the training and physical exercise program for the particular sport. In golf, exercises are still a very new concept although many professionals have already embraced it as an important part of their golf game. For years golf has had the image of being a leisure sport to be played by the rich and the sort of people who do not just carelessly break into a sweat. Then came golfers of the likes of the legendary Tiger Woods. For the first time in the sport, leading golfers were very young and extremely physically fit. Since then, the game has never been the same again and as exercise continues to take center stage golf nutrition has to grow alongside it. Golf nutrition is usually part and parcel of a golf exercise program and is really designed to enhance energy and strength even as the exercise program works to build up the golfer. The sort of golf nutrition that will become common will not be very different from what we see in other sports. The idea will be to have a diet of energy foods and foods that will help in building up strength and endurance for a better golf game. So the typical nutrition recommendations that go with weight training for strength will be found in the special golf nutrition that leading experts are recommending to golfers. This is the direction that the wonderful game of golf has taken and it seems that there is no turning back for any golfer who wants to improve their game. You just have to consider golf nutrition alongside your current golf exercise program.
Golf nutrition is still a relatively new concept. However, everybody knows that leading athletes in the NBA and NFL quite often have special diets and specific nutrition programs to help them perform at their peak. The reasons who golf nutrition is still in it’s’ infancy in the golf game is easy to see. To start with nutrition in sports goes hand in hand with the training and physical exercise program for the particular sport. In golf, exercises are still a very new concept although many professionals have already embraced it as an important part of their golf game. For years golf has had the image of being a leisure sport to be played by the rich and the sort of people who do not just carelessly break into a sweat. Then came golfers of the likes of the legendary Tiger Woods. For the first time in the sport, leading golfers were very young and extremely physically fit. Since then, the game has never been the same again and as exercise continues to take center stage golf nutrition has to grow alongside it. Golf nutrition is usually part and parcel of a golf exercise program and is really designed to enhance energy and strength even as the exercise program works to build up the golfer. The sort of golf nutrition that will become common will not be very different from what we see in other sports. The idea will be to have a diet of energy foods and foods that will help in building up strength and endurance for a better golf game. So the typical nutrition recommendations that go with weight training for strength will be found in the special golf nutrition that leading experts are recommending to golfers. This is the direction that the wonderful game of golf has taken and it seems that there is no turning back for any golfer who wants to improve their game. You just have to consider golf nutrition alongside your current golf exercise program.
White Water Rafting - A Very Sociable Adrenaline
by: Blair Thorne
One of the main reasons that White Water Rafting is such a popular adventure sport is because it is a highly exhilarating experience that can be shared with friends and colleagues alike.Up to eight people can be crammed like sardines into a single raft, making it an ideal way to for groups of friends to share an adventure together. The social aspect of White Water Rafting lends itself perfectly well to stag and hen parties that flock to locations all over the UK, with the rugged landscapes of Scotland and Wales providing particularly hair-raising rides.This gregarious nature of the sport also makes it a big draw for companies seeking to get their staff working together as a cohesive team unit. Indeed providers such as www.adrenalinepass.com state that around half their entire white water rafting clientele are corporate organisations seeking effective team building activities.Scotland offers the full spectrum of white water rafting experiences ranging from the tame to the extremely dangerous! Depending on the time a year, the same stretch of river can be classed anywhere within six categories from Grade I smooth flowing water, to Grade VI - impassable with likelihood of injury or death!The River Tummel for example is dam-release, guaranteeing water levels every weekend from June to September. It is a narrow, technical and exciting river, offering almost continuous rapids to Grade IV, culminating in the descent of a double-drop waterfall!So what are you waiting for, organise a group of friends or colleagues and experience a thrilling ride together - one you'll all be talking about for a very long time to come.
Cold Nights and Hot Games: Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney
by: Ron Richards
Each year, colleges and universities from all over the nation send their men's basketball teams to the "Last Frontier State" to the Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney. The competition heats up the cold winter days and nights, as teams meet head on to battle for buckets. Colleges and universities get the opportunity to play against their top rivals and powerhouses of the game. These games draw in record crowds each year, as any basketball fan should not miss the chance to attend this fast paced pre season classic.The main question on any sports fan's mind is, why Alaska? The reason is simple, former University of Alaska Anchorage head coach, Bob Rachal found a loophole in the NCAA rules determining pre season play. In an effort to draw more attention to the state, the University of Alaska Anchorage, and the Seawolves athletic program, Rachal became the mastermind of what began as the Sea Wolf Classic. The NCAA rules stated any games played outside the contagious 48 states did not count towards a program's pre determined allotment. For this reason, participants of the Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney can get an early gauge of their teams prowess against national talent. The first Sea Wolf Classic was held in 1978 for the '78-'79 basketball season and saw the Wolfpack of North Carolina State University crush the University of Louisville's Cardinals. The tournament ended in 1978, leaving many wondering if it would become an annual event. Much to everyone's relief, the Sea Wolf Classic became a Thanksgiving tradition in 1979, but under a new name.Broadcaster Billy Packer is credited with changing the name from the Sea Wolf Classic to the Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney back in 1979. In this stunning tournament, the title game came down to the University of Kentucky Wildcats and the Iona College Gaels. The Wildcats proved too powerful for the tiny New York school, and emerged victorious as the second champion of this fantastic new basketball challenge. A list of past champions reads like a who's who of College basketball, including NC State, Louisville, Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, and UCLA to name a few.The attendance may have been meager in the early days, but soon the action caught on, and now college basketball fans of all ages flock to the state for the Thanksgiving weekend Great Alaska Shootout Basketball Tourney. What better way to celebrate our national day of thanks than by cheering on teams from all across the country? Many hotels, cruises, and lodges have special packages designed with the college basketball fan in mind.If you find you cannot wait until December to enjoy hot hoops action, head to Anchorage and watch the action melt away the snow! Plan a trip for the family and bring budding sports fans to experience the thrilling display of skill and sportsmanship, or make it a raucous occasion for celebration with your best hoops loving buds. Whoever you bring, just make sure you bring yourself to this annual college basketball showdown!
2005 NFC East Football preview
by: James Campbell
OVERVIEW: NFC EASTThe Eagles once again appear to be the top team in the NFC for 2005, however, I wouldn’t look for them to win 13 games this season due to the fact that each of the other teams in the NFC East should improve this year. A look at the Eagles schedule for 2005 reveals the fact that Philly will face the league’s third easiest schedule when considering the Eagles 2005 opponents combined for a 118-146 straight up record last season.One would expect that with the Eagles posting a straight up record of 54-20 over the past four seasons that they would eventually have a bad draft due to having to choose from the draft leftovers, however, that has not been the case as the Eagles once again had a pretty good draft which is a testament to just how good HC Andy Reid is with regard to being able to wheel and deal in the draft as well as his ability to pick talent.The Eagles weren’t all that active in the free agent market but were able to snag a quality backup QB in Mike McMahon from Detroit who became expendable when the Lions picked up QB Jeff Garcia. It should be no surprise that the Lions picked up Garcia when considering that Garcia was Detroit HC Steve Mariucci’s QB when both were in San Francisco.Cowboy HC Bill Parcells used free agency to bring in RB Anthony Thomas to backup Julius Jones and also snagged QB Drew Bledsoe to run his offense for 2005, however, Parcells main focus during the off season was to fix what ailed his defense which allowed 406 points in 2004. Parcells appears to have been successful with a quality draft head lined by picking up DE Demarcus Ware, DE Marcus Spears and LB Kevin Burnett with his top three selections in the draft.Overall Parcells had an excellent draft and used six of his eight draft selections on defensive players which should serve to shore up a shaky pass rush which allowed opposing QB’s time to toss 31 TD’s last year. The Giants threw last season away by using QB Eli Manning under center earlier than they probably should have, however, the playing experience gained in 2004 should serve Manning well this season and especially since QB Kurt Warner is now in Arizona which means that Manning will not be looking over this shoulder.The Giants only had four draft choices which was the fewest amount in franchise history, however, they were able to pick up CB Corey Webster out of LSU in the second round, Webster should have been a top 10 or top 15 pick but fell to the Giants with the overall 43rd pick in the draft due to injuries sustained in College, the G-Men used free agency to bring in QB Tim Hasselbeck to back up Manning and signed a go-to WR in former Steeler Plaxico Burress for Manning to play catch with.By not addressing glaring needs on offense Washington appears set to bring up the rear in the NFC East for 2005, last year Skin HC Joe Gibbs brought in former Jag QB Mark Brunell to run his offense, however in the nine games Brunell started last year he only completed 49.79% of his passes and at seasons end finished with a QB rating of 63.90.In contrast QB Patrick Ramsey started seven games in 2004 and completed 62.13% of his tosses which was good enough to post a QB rating of 74.8, the Skins used their second draft selection on QB Jason Campbell out of Auburn which was probably a bit of a reach as Campbell will need lots of work, however, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Patrick Ramsey will be the starting QB for 2005.Regardless of whether the Skins decide to go with either Mark Brunell or Patrick Ramsey at QB for 2005, Washington still needs to fix their offensive line play which was atrocious to say the least and was the main reason for the Skins averaging a meager 15 points scored per contest last year.The Skin defense appeared set to be the bright spot for this team once again in 2005, however, the arrest of safety Sean Taylor on gun charges, the free agent loss of CB Fred Smoot and the off season ankle injury/stress fracture to top draft choice CB Carlos Rogers leaves that open to debate.In closing the Eagles posted an overall mark of 15-4 straight up and 12-7 ATS last year, I fully expect to see the public back these Eagles in most outings in 2005, however, a check of last season shows that 3 of the Eagles 4 straight up losses occurred against AFC teams and 4 of the Eagles 7 spread losses came against the AFC.A check of the past three seasons reveals the fact that Philly has only lost a total of 14 games in this time frame, however, 7 of those 14 losses came at the hands of AFC teams, and to think that in the past three years these Eagles only played AFC teams a total of 13 times!!This of course leads me to believe that 2005 road games at Kansas City and at Denver might very well be prime spots to go against Philly and especially if the Eagles are installed as road favorites when considering that the Eagles have gone 4-9 ATS overall against AFC teams over the past three seasons, in road games (not counting the SB) against AFC teams during this same time span Philly posted a mark of 2-4 ATS.I would be careful in picking my spots with regard to Dallas, New York, and Washington this season until after the fourth game of the year because of the QB situation at each location, with that being said keep an eye on the Cowboys who could very well end up being the surprise team in this division as well as in the NFC this year if QB Drew Bledsoe can remain healthy and the Dallas defense shapes up like I think they will.Jim Campbell is one of the nations most respected Sports Handicappers, he specializes in College and Pro Football, you can visit Jim at his website located at footballforecastor.com for all of your handicapping needs including free play selections, College and NFL stats, trends and award winning analysis on upcoming games.With over 30 plus years experience in the handicapping profession Jim has built a solid reputation, his web based handicapping service at footballforecastor.com as been in existence since 1997 and year after year proves to be one of the very best handicapping services in America.
Latest Extreme Sport, Kitesurfing
by: Ispas Marin
Looked at many extreme sports but just can't find the right thrills? It's time to take a look at the ocean, you might just find some inspiration.The latest craze in extreme sports is kitesurfing, it only started out in 1990 but there are tens of thousands of enthusiasts around the world. You can go to any ocean side on a Sunday and you'll see that kitesurfing has a strong following and has expanded quickly.The kitesurfing board is a surfboard but shorter and the kitesurfer is attached to it with foot straps or bindings. You have the board attached to a kite, that looks more like a parachute, by a series of lines of various lengths. The board is propelled by the kite across the water at quite great speeds.The challenge in kitesurfing is that your body is the only connection between the kite and the board and mastering the control of both the kite in the air and the board on the water is a key point.If you're asking yourself how it's possible for a kite to stay in the air while holding the weight of the board and your weight at the same time the explanation is this: while flying, a kite is creating it's own wind and the wind it creates is faster than the wind powering it producing more power than the actual wind.The Kitesurfing GearYou might think that kitesurfing is not an expensive sport but that's not entirely true, the board and kite aren't the only equipment you need. Other equipment components are a kite pump(inflatable kite), bar, lines, board harness, life jacket and helmet. If you'll add the starting lessons you'll get a good amount that you'll have to spend.Taking Kitesurfing LessonsThe theory behind kitesurfing is simple enough, the practice is another story. Because of that you need a little while to master. Kitesurfing enthusiasts should take lessons from an experienced kitesurfing instructor before practicing this sport, no matter how much experience you have with surfing or windsurfing.
Kayaking Gifts for Christmas
by: Richard Chapo
Finding good Christmas gifts ideas is easy if you think about a persons hobbies. If you are buying for person who enjoys kayaking, here are a few ideas for kayaking gifts.Kayaking GiftsKayaking is a sport that appears to require relatively small amounts of equipment. In truth, it is much more than a paddle and a kayak, which provides you with a lot of potential gift ideas. 1. Drip Rings – Drip rings are placed on each end of a paddle and keep water from running back up the paddle to your hands. While this may sound odd given that you’re sitting in water, it is incredibly annoying to have water running over your hands all of the times. Drip rings stop this, which makes them very useful. They are also incredibly cheap, costing no more than a few bucks. Aqua-Bound is as good a brand as any. 2. Alaska Sea Kayaking Adventures – If you’re looking for a big ticket item, why not give an Alaska Sea Kayaking trip as a gift? A number of companies in Alaska provide sea kayaking tours in Prince William Sound and other locations. There is nothing more impressive than paddling up to one of the glaciers overhanging the sea. The pure beauty will leave you astonished. The cost of trips varies, but most of the expense is getting to Alaska. Do an Internet search for “alaska kayaking” and you’ll find the providers. 3. Back Bands – Sitting in a kayak for a few hours is not easy on the lower back. Back bands are devices that fit into the seat area and provide lower back support similar to those you find for car seats. Back bands are a must for long crossings. A back band of good quality will set you back between $30 and $40. SealLine and Ocean Kayak are good brands. 4. Underdeck Bags – Underdeck bags act like a little glove compartment for kayaks. Watertight, they attach to the roof of the interior space on kayaks and act like a glove compartment in a car. Makes storing valuable such as car keys, maps and journals a breeze. North Water makes excellent underdeck bags and you can expect to pay roughly $40 for one. 5. Nomad Paddle Sports Journals – A bit of self-promotion here. Nomad Paddle Sports Journals are waterproof writing journals that let kayakers keep notes during and after their trips. Really great for writing down impressions, routes taken, things seen, people met, alternative routes to be tried in the future and so on. You can click the link at the bottom of this article to see the paddle sports journals which cost $8.99. Whether shooting the rapids of a river or cruising scenic bays, kayaking is a great sport. If you’re buying gifts for a kayaking enthusiast, the above list is a good place to start.
Oakland NJ - A Great Town For Kids
by: Aron Wallad
Oakland NJ - A Great Town for Kids My children, my wife and I have been fortunate to have lived in the town of Oakland NJ, for the past 18 years. The commitment to kids sports programs, especially girls softball, I think would be hard to surpass by any other town this size. ( 14,000 - 15,000). I have seen many girls flourish in the Softball program, playing on traveling teams, and at the varsity level at our High School. Part of the success the girls have is due to the efforts of a handful of men and women who are the commissioners, coaches and administrators of these programs I would hate to think what my daughter’s life would be like if she was not playing softball. She loves that softball. In the spirit of keeping the game going; I have seen them organize teams, balance schedules, and choose coaches. I have watched them scramble to find an umpire so the game could be played. I have seen them on the golf cart riding around - trying to locate the key that opens the shed, so the lights could be turned on for a night game. They are always around to make sure that things worked. I wonder how they are able to calm parents, satisfy their critics, and keep a cool head in so many volatile situations. I guess the answer is they love the game more than it’s headaches.My thanks to the tireless people that run the sports programs in the town of Oakland.Neil Malmud, from Oakland NJ, was an inspiration in the writing of this story. For his efforts as an administrator, commissioner and especially as a coach, I am extremely grateful..
Oakland NJ - A Great Town for Kids My children, my wife and I have been fortunate to have lived in the town of Oakland NJ, for the past 18 years. The commitment to kids sports programs, especially girls softball, I think would be hard to surpass by any other town this size. ( 14,000 - 15,000). I have seen many girls flourish in the Softball program, playing on traveling teams, and at the varsity level at our High School. Part of the success the girls have is due to the efforts of a handful of men and women who are the commissioners, coaches and administrators of these programs I would hate to think what my daughter’s life would be like if she was not playing softball. She loves that softball. In the spirit of keeping the game going; I have seen them organize teams, balance schedules, and choose coaches. I have watched them scramble to find an umpire so the game could be played. I have seen them on the golf cart riding around - trying to locate the key that opens the shed, so the lights could be turned on for a night game. They are always around to make sure that things worked. I wonder how they are able to calm parents, satisfy their critics, and keep a cool head in so many volatile situations. I guess the answer is they love the game more than it’s headaches.My thanks to the tireless people that run the sports programs in the town of Oakland.Neil Malmud, from Oakland NJ, was an inspiration in the writing of this story. For his efforts as an administrator, commissioner and especially as a coach, I am extremely grateful..
Don't Let High Ticket Prices Keep You From Seeing The "Big" Game
by: Jeff Howard
Don't Let High Ticket Prices Keep You From Seeing The "Big" Games By Jeff Howard Have you ever dreamed about seeing a big sports event like the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, or Daytona 500 in person? If so, what kept you from realizing your dream? Before you answer that one, let me demonstrate how the typical fan tries to buy tickets. I'll use the Indianapolis 500 as an example. As I write this the "Greatest Spectacle In Racing" is a few weeks away. Since many fans don't start thinking about tickets until weeks, or months, before the event, it's very possible some are just now deciding they want to see this race. Even at this late date, there are still a few tickets available directly from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but rest assured the choice seats are long gone. There's good news, however. A quick Internet search shows there are are plenty of good seats available. At one popular ticket broker site, they range in price from $65 to $645 each depending on track location. According to the official Indianapolis 500 website, these same tickets have a face value of $40 to $90 each. So, if you buy your tickets from a broker, you'll end up paying 2, 3, or 4 times face value. Not so good news. Before I get back to my original question, let me say this. If you're independently wealthy, go ahead and buy your tickets from a broker since money isn't an issue. However, if you're like the rest of us, it was probably the high cost of tickets that kept you from seeing a game or event in person. So how do you avoid overpaying for tickets? Well it's really quite simple. Plan in advance. See, I said it was simple. Since every major sports event occurs at approximately the same time each year, there's no reason why you shouldn't be planning for next year right now. Let's get back to our typical race fan. Once he discovers how much Indy 500 tickets will set him back, he'll decide that's too much and forget about the race. A year rolls by, and the approaching race starts making news. By this time maybe he's forgotten about the ticket prices, or maybe he thinks this year he'll find bargain tickets somewhere. Nope. This year the prices are even higher, so he gives up yet again all the while thinking to himself that "one of these days" he's actually going to plunk down the money for tickets. Good luck. Sadly, while savvy fans will be experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of the race in person, he'll be watching from home on the small screen. Now if he would have just planned in advance for his race-day experience, the outcome could be very different. Many of those same tickets selling for well above face value in the weeks leading up to the race could have been had for face value a year earlier. The window of opportunity for many sports tickets opens shortly after the preceding year's event has ended. This is even the case for some of the biggies like the Super Bowl or the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The tickets are out there. You just have to know when and where to look. Here are some suggestions. 1) Check the official website of the sponsoring organization. Many times this will have all the information you need, including ticket procedures, deadlines, and special requirements. Do this as soon as possible after the event has taken place and keep checking periodically until updated information has been posted. 2) If you're more impatient, call the organization directly. You can usually find a phone number on the website, but if it's not there call 800 directory assistance. Ask how you can purchase tickets to next year's game, or at least get your name on a waiting list so you'll be notified when tickets are available. Make sure you know all the pertinent dates, addresses and prices so you'll be ready when they go on sale. 3) Check the official website of the host venue. Often the arena or stadium handles ticket sales, as is the case for the first/ second and regional rounds of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. In this case, the early bird definitely gets the worm. Again, a polite phone call may provide additional information or get your name on the proper list. 4) Consider joining a team's fan club or booster club. Many times these memberships come with special advance notice of tickets sales or access to in-demand tickets. For example Boston Red Sox fans should join the Red Sox Nation to get ticket preferences for some of the hottest seats in Fenway Park. Membership will only set you back $9.95, a small price if you score some premium tickets. 5) Finally, search the Internet for information about the specific event or venue. You may find a little-known piece of information that allows you to apply for highly-coveted tickets. Be creative and try different word combinations as your search terms. Read everything you can find about the upcoming game or previous games. It's all about your willingness to put in a little "leg work" that may pay off in face-value Super Bowl or Final Four tickets. In fact I just applied for 2006 Final Four tickets last week, but I'm sure many hoops fans didn't even know that was possible. So, regardless of the event or game, if you want to see it in person without taking out a second mortgage for tickets, try a little advance planning. With persistence and patience, you may just be watching it next year from the front row.
The Best of the Warriors in 11 Years
by: Cathy Jones
There is a new feeling in Oakland, a fanatical town crazy for NBA. The Warriors have been on a winning streak since last February, when they finished last season with 18 wins in 28 games. If they keep up the strong play behind their 12-6 start to this season, Baron Davis and his new teammates just might us something to celebrate in April.Even after dropping three of their last four games, the Warriors began a five-game road trip this weekend with their best 22-game start since 1991. They briefly reached first place in the Pacific Division for the first time since 1992.The Warriors haven't been a team worth watching this last few years but Coach Mike Montgomery has turned the declining Warriors into a team that you want to see in action. The team has produced a lot of great moments in every game with no-look passes and impossibly tough lay-ups, while two-time dunk contest champion Richardson is polishing his skills.Sometimes it doesn't work: Though the Warriors set season highs with 15 3-pointers on 37 attempts in Wednesday's game against Houston, they lost in overtime when they couldn't protect an 11-point lead in the final 4 minutes of regulation. Clearly, this transformation won't happen overnight -- but in Oakland, patience is part of the game.
Basketball: Becoming More and More Popular Worldwide
by: Dylan Miles
On any given day, all around the world, people are playing basketball. Today, basketball rates as one of the all-time most popular sports worldwide. Basketball tournaments are played out between players of all age groups from little five and six year olds to adults of all ages and levels. Sports networks around the world, on any given day, will report on professional basketball tournaments around the world and broadcast local and international games. Basketball continues to grow in popularity, because it is a relatively cheap game to get into, can be played indoors and outdoors, in summer and winter, by girls or boys, men and women, anywhere in the world. When one thinks of basketball one normally associates it with the United States and the legendary Harlem Globetrotters. Americans have been playing basketball professionally since 1896, but today, there are up to 300 million people playing basketball all around the entire globe. In fact, these days, American basketball teams even recruit foreign players into their teams. According to Wikipedia.com, basketball didn't evolve from older more primitive versions of the game, but was invented by a man called Dr. James Naismith, in 1891, so that his college students could keep fit in the winter. In fact, that's how college basketball began! The game was initially played with a soccer ball. Then a brown ball was designed. The characteristic orange ball that we know today was designed in the late 1950s. From American college basketball to professional league, basketball first evolved into an international sport in 1932 and became an Olympic sport in 1936. Since then, its popularity worldwide has grown exponentially.
Gift Ideas for Canoeing Enthusiasts
by: Richard Chapo
Finding good Christmas gifts ideas is easy if you think about a person’s hobbies. If you are buying for person who enjoys canoeing, here are a few ideas for canoeing gifts.Canoeing GiftsCanoeing is a sport that appears to require relatively small amounts of equipment. In truth, it is much more than a paddle and a canoe, which provides you with a lot of potential gift ideas. 1. Yokes – This yoke has nothing to do with eggs. A yoke is a device that hooks onto a canoe to make it easy to lug it around. Typically made of wood, the yoke sites perpendicular to the length of the canoe and is padded. Easily connected to the canoe, the boat is typically flipped over to be carried by putting the padded yoke on your shoulders. A godsend for getting to and from the water as well as bypassing low water areas on rivers. A yoke will set you back in the $20 to $60 range. The Voyageur brand is a good place to start. 2. Handmade Wood Canvas Canoe – If you’re looking for a big ticket item, why not consider giving a handmade wood canvas canoe as a gift? Unlike modern canoes, these wood canvas canoes are made with painstaking care and incredible craftsmanship. With beautiful lines and an air of grace, this is the ultimate canoe for traditionalists. Since each one is handmade, you can expect to pay a pretty premium of $2,000 or more. If this sounds like the perfect gift, take a look at Spencer Canoe Company in Canada. 3. Back Supports – Sitting in a canoe for a few hours is not easy on the lower back. Back support are curved devices that create or support existing seating in the canoe. Back supports are a must for weekend warriors who only canoe once every month or so. It is hard to enjoy canoeing if your back is killing you! Look for the Crazy Creek brand and expect to pay between $20 and $30. 4. Nomad Paddle Sports Journals – A bit of self-promotion here. Nomad Paddle Sports Journals are waterproof writing journals that let canoers keep notes during and after their trips. Really great for writing down impressions, routes taken, things seen, people met, alternative routes to be tried in the future and so on. You can click the link at the bottom of this article to see the paddle sports journals which cost $8.99.
Wrapping Up Week 13 Who To Keep And Who To Let Go
by: Cathy Jones
As we are beginning week 14, let’s go over some teams that I think might not make the 2006 playoffs and should be thinking of getting rid of the elements that got them the bottom spots before the 2006 NFL Draft.Miami Dolphins: Ricky Williams is not helping, looks like his career is over, this sends a clear message to management of who to be letting go. Baltimore Ravens: The team is a disaster. Quarterback Kyle Boller, should be the first one to be fired. Houston Texans: This is the worst franchise in the NFL and they have to draft someone like Reggie Bush and rebuild their offensive line. On the positive end the Indianapolis Colts will be 12-0. Are they becoming the first NFL team to finish a regular season 16-0? That's another matter overall. I can’t seem to think of many reasons why that can’t happen. I do believe that Indianapolis is the best team on the NFL. If forced to wager my estate house and plantation on who will take the trophy home I would not hesitate to say the Colts.
Satellite Radio: XM Radio or Sirius?
by: Ron King
Satellite radio is the hottest trend in radio entertainment for your car, home, and office. The freedom from commercials and static is an exhilarating experience. No longer do you have listen to obnoxious jingles and hot air. No longer are you condemned to choose between dead air and Country & Western when traveling in rural areas. Commercial-Free, Digital-Quality Sound All of these problems are solved with satellite radio. And there is nothing else in the radio world that can compete with its digital quality sound. Satellite can provide uninterrupted listening pleasure anywhere in the world. The only problem is deciding upon which satellite radio provider to choose. The top 2 contenders are Sirius and XM Radio. If you want satellite radio, you are immediately faced with the issue of how to choose between them. XM Radio, First In The Sky XM Radio established its presence first, and has a market share of 2 million listeners. XM has had the time to establish an excellent system of 68 commercial-free music channels with an incredible array of music. It also adds 33 channels of news, sports, talk shows, and entertainment to its programming mix. To top it off, XM has revolutionized the satellite radio world by providing 21 channels of up-to-date weather and traffic for most of the major metropolitan areas in the United States. Sirius, Radio Innovator On Satellite TV Sirius may be the comparative upstart, but it offers some advantages of its own. New contacts with DISH Network satellite television have given Sirius access to more than 10 million subscribers. It provides more than 120 channels if you add up all of the music, sports, information and entertainment. For sports, Sirius is hard to beat. It broadcasts live games for professional football and hockey leagues, as well as many other sporting events. Sirius will also be the home of Howard Stern in 2006. New Technology, New Listening Experience So, whether you choose XM Radio for experience and staying power, or cast your vote for the innovations of Sirius, there's no reason to wait. Satellite radio is to broadcast radio as the VCR was to television. You can have it all -- without commercials! So what are you waiting for -- pick one.
Satellite radio is the hottest trend in radio entertainment for your car, home, and office. The freedom from commercials and static is an exhilarating experience. No longer do you have listen to obnoxious jingles and hot air. No longer are you condemned to choose between dead air and Country & Western when traveling in rural areas. Commercial-Free, Digital-Quality Sound All of these problems are solved with satellite radio. And there is nothing else in the radio world that can compete with its digital quality sound. Satellite can provide uninterrupted listening pleasure anywhere in the world. The only problem is deciding upon which satellite radio provider to choose. The top 2 contenders are Sirius and XM Radio. If you want satellite radio, you are immediately faced with the issue of how to choose between them. XM Radio, First In The Sky XM Radio established its presence first, and has a market share of 2 million listeners. XM has had the time to establish an excellent system of 68 commercial-free music channels with an incredible array of music. It also adds 33 channels of news, sports, talk shows, and entertainment to its programming mix. To top it off, XM has revolutionized the satellite radio world by providing 21 channels of up-to-date weather and traffic for most of the major metropolitan areas in the United States. Sirius, Radio Innovator On Satellite TV Sirius may be the comparative upstart, but it offers some advantages of its own. New contacts with DISH Network satellite television have given Sirius access to more than 10 million subscribers. It provides more than 120 channels if you add up all of the music, sports, information and entertainment. For sports, Sirius is hard to beat. It broadcasts live games for professional football and hockey leagues, as well as many other sporting events. Sirius will also be the home of Howard Stern in 2006. New Technology, New Listening Experience So, whether you choose XM Radio for experience and staying power, or cast your vote for the innovations of Sirius, there's no reason to wait. Satellite radio is to broadcast radio as the VCR was to television. You can have it all -- without commercials! So what are you waiting for -- pick one.
Sunglasses 101
by: Nathan Sauer
Sunglasses are not as simple as many people think. As such, it’s important that you get “briefed” before you buy.The different parts to sunglasses will have a great impact on the look and feel of the pair. Different parts can also affect UV protection, glare resistance, and what sports the sunglasses would best be used for. With this in mind, it is important to consider each of the different options available for sunglasses.Different sunglass lenses, tints, and coatings will be beneficial depending on the intended use. Lens materials also serve different purposes. The best lenses to use are glass lenses, because they are of the highest quality and most scratch resistant. Unfortunately, the glass lenses are also the most expensive. Acrylic plastic lenses are the least expensive and weigh less. As a result, they are not of the highest quality and therefore scratch extremely easily. For casual ware, less expensive glasses may be preferred. For sports, higher-quality lenses should probably be considered. Sunglass tints also serve different purposes. The common tints are amber and orange, brown, gray, green, rose, vermilion, and yellow. Amber and orange tints reduce blue light, which is a chief component of glare. This tint is ideal for high glare sports like fishing, boating, skiing, and flying. Brown tints are good for variable light conditions. The dark tint reduces eyestrain, making it an ideal tint for driving, cycling, and running. Gray and green tints are good tints for many purposes. Rose, vermillion, and yellow are all solid daytime tints. Certain tints work best for certain needs, but the best way to find out is to try different tints. If the tint fits your needs, than it is a good option. There are also several different coatings for lenses. Some coatings are anti-reflective, while others have mirrors.The frame of the glasses is very important. There are several materials for frames. Plastic frames are the cheapest and therefore not of as high quality. Plastic frames also crack easily. Nylon and metal frames are both good choices. However, nylon is flexible and stronger than metal. The hinge can also have metal and nylon. Again, in this instance, nylon is stronger and therefore probably the better choice. Whichever pair you choose, I’d like to leave you with a bit of advice: remember you’re your lenses should be cleaned often. For cleaning sunglass lenses, mild soap and warm water should be used. Cleaning lenses removes dirt and oil and helps avoid buildup of debris, which can cloud vision or scratch lenses. After washing lenses, one should dry them with a lens cloth or non-abrasive cotton in order to prevent scratching. You can also buff the lens by holding the frame firmly and moving in a gentle, circular motion.
Sunglasses are not as simple as many people think. As such, it’s important that you get “briefed” before you buy.The different parts to sunglasses will have a great impact on the look and feel of the pair. Different parts can also affect UV protection, glare resistance, and what sports the sunglasses would best be used for. With this in mind, it is important to consider each of the different options available for sunglasses.Different sunglass lenses, tints, and coatings will be beneficial depending on the intended use. Lens materials also serve different purposes. The best lenses to use are glass lenses, because they are of the highest quality and most scratch resistant. Unfortunately, the glass lenses are also the most expensive. Acrylic plastic lenses are the least expensive and weigh less. As a result, they are not of the highest quality and therefore scratch extremely easily. For casual ware, less expensive glasses may be preferred. For sports, higher-quality lenses should probably be considered. Sunglass tints also serve different purposes. The common tints are amber and orange, brown, gray, green, rose, vermilion, and yellow. Amber and orange tints reduce blue light, which is a chief component of glare. This tint is ideal for high glare sports like fishing, boating, skiing, and flying. Brown tints are good for variable light conditions. The dark tint reduces eyestrain, making it an ideal tint for driving, cycling, and running. Gray and green tints are good tints for many purposes. Rose, vermillion, and yellow are all solid daytime tints. Certain tints work best for certain needs, but the best way to find out is to try different tints. If the tint fits your needs, than it is a good option. There are also several different coatings for lenses. Some coatings are anti-reflective, while others have mirrors.The frame of the glasses is very important. There are several materials for frames. Plastic frames are the cheapest and therefore not of as high quality. Plastic frames also crack easily. Nylon and metal frames are both good choices. However, nylon is flexible and stronger than metal. The hinge can also have metal and nylon. Again, in this instance, nylon is stronger and therefore probably the better choice. Whichever pair you choose, I’d like to leave you with a bit of advice: remember you’re your lenses should be cleaned often. For cleaning sunglass lenses, mild soap and warm water should be used. Cleaning lenses removes dirt and oil and helps avoid buildup of debris, which can cloud vision or scratch lenses. After washing lenses, one should dry them with a lens cloth or non-abrasive cotton in order to prevent scratching. You can also buff the lens by holding the frame firmly and moving in a gentle, circular motion.
What Do Gladiators and the Weekend Warrior Have In Common?
by: Louise Roach
Strip off the tie and grab your running shoes, golf clubs or baseball mitt! The weekend has arrived. You look forward to extra time on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy your favorite sport. And you probably cram in as much activity as possible before Monday morning rolls around. You're a weekend warrior! If you find yourself nursing a painful knee or strained muscle at the office, you are in the company of gladiators. Favored gladiators were considered the sports heroes of their day. If a gladiator survived serious injury, they were attended to by sports physicians for common problems such as sprains, torn ligaments and muscle strains. The first doctor to gain notoriety for treating gladiators was Galen, acclaimed as the father of sports medicine. Living from 129 to 199 BC, Galen traveled throughout Rome bandaging- up gladiators. Although Galen used a form of traction to set bones and was considered way ahead of his time, he was not aware of the simple principle of R.I.C.E. (rest-ice-compression-elevation) to treat sports-related injuries. Today, it's easy for weekend warriors to take care of minor sprains and strains using the recommended technique of R.I.C.E. According to the Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, "more than 10 million sports injuries are treated each year in the USA. Athletes and non- athletes share many similar injuries…Immediate treatment for almost all acute athletic injuries is R.I.C.E." Here is the four-part method for using R.I.C.E.:Rest: Stop the activity causing pain and allow the injured area to rest for 2 to 3 days.Ice: To decrease swelling and numb pain, apply ice in the form of ice packs or ice massage as soon as possible. Treat for a period of 48 to 72 hours after an injury happens. Ice applications should last for 10 to 30 minutes until the point of numbness. Longer icing periods should be avoided as this could result in tissue damage. Allow the skin to return to normal temperature before reapplying an ice pack.Compression: To decrease swelling and bruising, compression should be applied immediately using a compression or elastic wrap, or athletic tape. Do not apply compression to the point of cutting off circulation (a feeling of numbness or tingling). Compression can also be used at the same time an ice pack is being applied.Elevation: Raise the injured area to above heart level to minimize internal bleeding and swelling.Unlike yesterday's gladiators, today's weekend warriors who survive the trials of running too hard, pitching a no-hitter or shooting too many hoops, are better prepared. With a reusable ice pack in hand and knowledge of R.I.C.E., every warrior can triumph over pain.Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical treatment or consultation. Always consult with your physician in the event of a serious injury.
Two great NFL systems
by: James Campbell
FOOTBALL FORECASTORHello my friend...It is never a good idea to place a wager based strictly on a system or on a trend or because of an injury or just because of a weather concern, the reason why of course is because you can bet your bottom dollar that the odds maker also knows of these factors as well and has already made the adjustments.Why would the odds maker make adjustments you ask? Simply put my friend, the reason why is because the odds maker already knows what today's “Joe Public” bettor will do and that is to pounce on the system or trend play or in the case of bad weather jump on the “UNDER” and when hearing about an injury jump on the opposing team like there is no tomorrow. Personally, when hearing of a team suffering an injury to virtually any player with the exception of the QB, I have found it very profitable to play the ole “wait and see” game, meaning that later in the week once Joe Public has influenced the line that value will probably be found on the side of the team with the injury!Below you will find a couple of NFL system plays dated since 1990 that have been quite profitable because of the fact that they are very uncommon in frequency and secondly because they combine solid handicapping theory, meaning that there is rhyme and reason as to why they occur!1) Play against teams playing their 3rd consecutive road game if they lost the 1st game and won the 2nd game. 15-4-1 ATS 79% What makes this system so useful is the fact that it is based on straight up wins and losses in a teams previous two games which allows a handicapper to see a prevailing pattern, in this pattern the team in question falls into two different handicapping situations that cannot be overlooked as the team in question will not only be in “Road Weary” mode, but they will also be in a prime spot for a “Letdown”.2) Play against a team playing their 3rd consecutive home game if they are a dog of more than 3 points and they lost their 2 previous games in straight up fashion. 10-4 ATS 72% Like the above system, is a very uncommon but very effective situation indeed when considering that six different teams played three straight home games during the 2003 season but none ended up classifying for the system.The last time this system came into play happened at the end of the 2001 season when the Panthers of Carolina played host to the Patriots after coming off consecutive home losses to St. Louis and Arizona.Those of us that were fortunate enough to have wagered on New England in that contest were rewarded with a 38-6 Patriot win and cover!take care and good luck this season!
Home Field Advantage in the MLB (Part 2): Tale of Two Halves
by: Proloy Bhattacharyya Home teams perform completely differently during the first half of the baseball season and the last half. I analyze baseball games differently based on which half of the season it is and I will demonstrate one such disparity.Baseball is a long drawn out season with so many games that the best effort from teams generally do not surface until the latter half of the season. As a result, the home field advantage is stronger during the first half of the season.Over the past 6 seasons, baseball’s home teams have won 54.6% of their games during the first 81 games of the season ( including 55.8% this season ). During the second half of the season, baseball’s home teams have only won an average of 53.0% of their games. Although a 1.6% difference may not seem major, it still represents a 3.2% drop to a home team’s advantage. Also, first half home records have not been below 53% in any of the past 6 seasons. If we only take into account division rivals, the home field advantage drops by exactly 4% from the first half of the season to the second. This indicates that one ought to first try to find profitable road teams during the second half of the season. So far this season, road teams in the second half of the season are 179-153, +54.3 units. Last season they were 319-353, +16 units. Decreasing the sample size to a smaller number of games can really yield huge profits for any bettor.
Morris’ Suspension Reduced to 14 Games
by: Julie Smith
By Julie SmithKentucky University Randolph Morris’ suspension was reduced to 14 games this Thursday after he tried to enter the NBA draft.According to the NCAA some of the new information that helped to soften Morris’ punishment was the fact that he clearly intended to retain his collegiate eligibility while he was declaring for the draft.Morris declared he had made some bad decisions, like accepting bad advice and putting distance between him and his coaches and teammates.The NCAA Basketball player won’t be able to play on Kentucky's nonconference schedule until the Southeastern Conference opener on January 10th 2006 against Vanderbilt.The basketball team have been struggling with their inside game without Morris, who started 33 of 34 games last season with an average of 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
Cleveland Indians: 2005 Title Contenders or Pretenders?
by: Proloy Bhattacharyya.I lived in Cleveland for two summers not too long ago. My second year there was when they had their fire sale. Jim Thome was one of the last to go. Their argument to him was that it would take a long time before they start to contend again so that it was best to part ways.Well, the Indians are contending in a hurry and are atop the Wild Card by 1.5 games. There is no question in my mind that these Indians are title contenders. With the questionable starting pitching of the Boston Red Sox, inconsistent hitting of the Angels and White Sox, the Indians prove to be the only team with a great balance of hitting and pitching. What’s better news is that these Indians are lethal on the road. Their road record of 45-29 is the third best in baseball. The Indians can play small ball and they can also play long ball which makes them great in any ballpark on the road. They can run the bases and move people over in pitching friendly ballparks. They can also hit home runs in hitting friendly ballparks.Their pitching staff is headed by lefty C.C. Sabathia and is supported by one of the best bullpens in baseball. There is no doubt these Indians are playing the best baseball. The Indians are on a 70% run spanning more than 40 games and are hitting both lefties and righties extremely well.The one glitch to the Indians season is that they are a combined 8-18 against AL playoff teams Red Sox, Angels, White Sox. If they are going to advance to the World Series, these are the teams they are going to have to beat.
Coach Tom Craft got fired!
by: alfred johnson
The NCAA Football former quarterback for the Aztecs in the mid-1970s Tom Craft was fired Monday after failing to post a winning record in four seasons.The NCAA Football athletic director Jeff Schemmel promised to hire a replacement, “Give Tom a lot of credit. I think the program's better than it was before," Schemmel said.Schemmel hopes to hire a replacement by Christmas, promised to hire a replacement "who can excite the community."Possible candidates: The former Washington and Colorado NCAA Football coachRick Neuheisel, Bobby Hauck, coach at Division I-AA Montana its another option.Schemmel saids San Diego State can become a top 10 program.
Monday, September 6, 2010
ESPN the Cheap Magazine, Literally
by: david chase
Back in the day ESPN was merely space fodder for people with cable subscriptions; back when only the "real" sports fan (me) could sit in front of the tube and bear with the constant rambling of numbers and statistics. Oh it was great. Back before they offered a cheap magazine subscription that was nothing more then an extension to their online subscription service they offered through their website. These were the good old days.No over-sized clowns spraying the screen with saliva as they scream a point that has already been beat to death by every other major sports media outlet. No silly Ebonics from Stuart Scott and his lowly attempts at integrating hip-hop lingo and culture with sports commentating. Back in the day Berman's sound effects, wit and satirical humor were actually pretty clever; they were fun, and stimulated conversation amongst the boys who played ball out front. Now your left with mainstream content, the "edge" is gone, the only thing that spews out of these writer's pens, and analysts mouths is sponsor-friendly garbage. Can anybody take ESPN's content seriously anymore? Sportscenter was a morning ritual. ESPN the Magazine would have been a no-brain annual subscription; Peter Gammons and his sports monologues--to a diehard--were simply un-passable. Could you imagine how great their magazine's content would be without ESPN having to be handcuffed by their endless affiliates, and licensing partners? It would be nice to sit back and get the real opinions out of these analysts and writers. Honestly, its probably the only thing I miss about the 80's. I don’t want dummied down content from their discount magazine and their trashy over-sized recycled paper they call pages. I want opinions on how they really feel about a controversy in sports. As a long time ESPN fan it has become disheartening watching the network dive head first into homeplate only to have their nose busted by the Catchers shin-plates.
Back in the day ESPN was merely space fodder for people with cable subscriptions; back when only the "real" sports fan (me) could sit in front of the tube and bear with the constant rambling of numbers and statistics. Oh it was great. Back before they offered a cheap magazine subscription that was nothing more then an extension to their online subscription service they offered through their website. These were the good old days.No over-sized clowns spraying the screen with saliva as they scream a point that has already been beat to death by every other major sports media outlet. No silly Ebonics from Stuart Scott and his lowly attempts at integrating hip-hop lingo and culture with sports commentating. Back in the day Berman's sound effects, wit and satirical humor were actually pretty clever; they were fun, and stimulated conversation amongst the boys who played ball out front. Now your left with mainstream content, the "edge" is gone, the only thing that spews out of these writer's pens, and analysts mouths is sponsor-friendly garbage. Can anybody take ESPN's content seriously anymore? Sportscenter was a morning ritual. ESPN the Magazine would have been a no-brain annual subscription; Peter Gammons and his sports monologues--to a diehard--were simply un-passable. Could you imagine how great their magazine's content would be without ESPN having to be handcuffed by their endless affiliates, and licensing partners? It would be nice to sit back and get the real opinions out of these analysts and writers. Honestly, its probably the only thing I miss about the 80's. I don’t want dummied down content from their discount magazine and their trashy over-sized recycled paper they call pages. I want opinions on how they really feel about a controversy in sports. As a long time ESPN fan it has become disheartening watching the network dive head first into homeplate only to have their nose busted by the Catchers shin-plates.
Why use an internet sports book to make wagers?
by: James Campbell
Although I started using online sportsbooks almost ten years ago, I still maintained contact with a couple of local books for the express purpose of getting better lines with regard to the local or favorite teams of choice in my neck of the woods, the reasoning of course was so that if I saw "Value" in going against the the local or favorite teams of choice then what better place to get the best line when going against them then in their home area?However, a not so funny thing happened when one of the locals that I was using got crushed one week three years ago and skipped town and in doing so stiffed me for $1200, since that point in time I have wagered strictly online!I have always held the believe that if you want the beat deal available then it would be foolhardy to purchase the first car that you see at the first dealership that you visit, that very same line of logical thinking should be applied to "Sports investment" and of course is the very reason why I personally use four different "outs" as a means of gaining as much of an edge as possible with regard to finding the best line on games that I am wagering on, sometimes a half of a point here or a half of a point there can make all the difference in a winning week versus a break even or losing week.It never ceases to amaze me for example how some people will be totally misers with regard to insisting that any light on in a room with no one in it is a capital crime, these same individuals always seem to be the ones not willing to take the wife and kids to a movie or out to a restaurant for lunch or dinner because they may have to fork over a few dollars on something they consider unwarranted and wasteful.However, these same individuals find nothing wrong with shacking up in a tavern all Saturday or Sunday afternoon with the boys watching the games and betting with the local bookies, don't get me wrong as I like to stop for a beer or two myself now and then, but why do I make this comparison you ask?Simple my friend, if someone as I described above was truly cost conscious and on a quest of sorts for savings and "Value", why then would anyone in their right mind make sports wagers strictly with local bookies? Aren't these local guys the ones who make you wait until the morning of the game to get their lines? Aren't these the same guys that you have to track down and fight busy signals to reach on the ole telly phone?What real "Value" can be had from a local book that basically shoves his/her line in your face and figuratively speaking says "take it or leave it pal"?Hometown gamblers using strictly local bookies are missing out on more than just the convenience of being able to place a wager on an upcoming NFL or College football game days in advance, these hometown gamblers using strictly local books are also missing out on their fair share of "Moola"----"Black gold"----"Texas Tea"....No I am not going to start singing about Jed Clampett here but instead about the sign up bonus's offered by online sportsbooks.Think about it a second, let's say that you have a $5000 starting bankroll that is dedicated to nothing but sports investing, you could deposit the whole $5000 with one sportsbook and get as much as a 20% sign up bonus for doing so, which means that you would now have a starting bankroll of $6000...that's your $5000 plus the $1000 sign up bonus, right?WRONG!! Most sportsbooks in fact have limits on the total sign up bonus for an individual that ranges anywhere from $200 to $500, if that is the case then why not divide up your initial $5000 starting bankroll four ways between four different sportsbooks and possibly get a 20% sign up bonus from each sportsbook?$5000 divided four ways would mean that if you were to deposit $1250 at each sportsbook and got a 20% signup bonus with each one, your starting bankroll with each of your four sportsbooks would then be $1250 plus a $250 sign up bonus for a total of $1500.Thus $1500 X 4 means that you now have a $6000 starting bankroll, ( that's your $5000 plus the $1000 in total sign up bonus's ), and your money is now evenly spread out over four different sportsbooks which now allows you to "Line shop".As you now see, by depositing your entire bankroll with one sportsbook you could actually cost yourself some dinero in lost sign up bonus money, an added benefit of spreading your starting bankroll over three or four different sportsbooks is derived from the fact that sportbooks require you to "Roll over" the amount in your account so many times prior to being able to withdrawl funds.For example, if the sportsbook that you are using has a five (5) time rollover rule in effect and your initial deposit was $1000.00, you would have received $200 with your initial deposit for a total of $1200 if the sign up bonus was 20%.You would now need to wager a total of $6000 or ( $1000 + $200 ) X 5 in total bets placed before you are entitled to keep the initial sign up bonus and make a withdrawl of your funds, I would however advise you to be careful and to do your homework before depositing any funds anywhere as there are probably just as many "Fly by night" operations out there as there are legitimate and reputable ones.Ask questions of others that you know who may have used the different sportsbooks and hear what they have to say, troll thru the various forums and posting boards and post messages that ask the opinions and experiences of others.The main over riding factor to the equation is that you want to have the ability to "Line shop" for the best possible odds with as many reputable sources as possible.Football Forecastor is home to the nations most prolific sports handicapper, we specialize in NFL and College Football handicapping, we take sports betting to a whole new level by treating sports wagering as an investment.Over the past 30 plus yrs, I have been on both sides of the Sports Investment Business, as a entrepreneur that ran his own business, to building and maintaining a Private Clientele base that Greatly Benefits from my Superior Handicapping expertise in the sporting arena.Football Forecastor has been an internet based sports handicapping service since 1997, we specialize in NFL and College Football handicapping and over the past eight years have maintained one of the very best winning percentages of any sports handicapping service.If you are looking for a Proven winner that churns out Consistent NFL and College football winning selections, visit up at footballforecastor.com today!
Football Forecastor is home to the nations most prolific sports handicapper, we specialize in NFL and College Football handicapping and take sports betting to a whole new level by treating sports wagering as an investment.Over the past 30 yrs plus, I have been on both sides of the Sports Investment Business, as a entrepreneur that ran his own business, to building and maintaining a Private Clientele base that Greatly Benefits from my Superior Handicapping expertise in the sporting arena. Football Forecastor has been an internet based sports handicapping service since 1997, we specialize in NFL and College football handicapping and over the past eight years have maintained one of the very best winning percentages of any sports handicapping service.If you are looking for a Proven winner that churns out Consistent NFL and College football winning selections visit us at footballforecastor.com today!!
Sports Massage - An Introduction
by: Richard Lane
Sports Massage - An Introduction Copyright 2005 Richard Lane Many therapists offer Sports Massage on their “Massage Menu” yet few understand what Sports Massage is about. When a client comes in requesting a Sports Massage, some therapists merely react by going in deep. Sports Massage is so much more. Whilst Sports Massage does have some aims in common with other forms of massage therapy, the usual experience in conventional massage is to aim to restore the normal function when someone is injured. But in sport there is no ‘normal’ and athletes are always looking to improve and gain a competitive edge. Most athletes aim to reach a level of performance they can never achieve. A Sports Massage therapist has great potential to assist the athlete to become better, rather than merely normal. In striving to be better, the athlete attempts to systematically increase the level of training and thereby subjecting the body to gradual and controlled overuse. This overuse can often create imbalances and problems in the soft tissues, which if ignored may become chronic. Clearly this may hinder the athlete’s performance and/or rate of improvement. Sports Massage can become a key ingredient in an athlete’s success and this is why top competitors incorporate it as an integral part of their training regime. So what is Sports Massage? McGillicuddy(1) defines Sports Massage as “the specific application of massage techniques, hydrotherapy protocols, range of motion/flexibility protocol and strength-training principles utilized to achieve a specific goal when treating athletes”. He considers that there are three principles that are vital to understanding what type of Sports Massage to apply to an athlete at any given time. These principles are: Timing Technique and Intent The timing of Sports Massage is related to when the massage is applied, is it pre-event or post-event, during a maintenance period or possibly post-injury when rehabilitation is required. The technique refers to what massage/stretching/strengthening methods the therapists employs to attempt to achieve the intent, the desired outcome. The intent of pre-event massage is to warm up the muscles and to get blood flowing through the muscles. The massage techniques generally used are petrissage, vibration, percussion, compression, muscle broadening strokes, etc. With post-event massage, the intent is assist in the recovery process by increasing venous and lymphatic circulation to assist with removal of metabolic by-products and thereby decreasing muscle soreness so that the athlete can return to full training faster. The massage techniques would include effleurage, compression, petrissage, passive movements and light stretching. The intent of maintenance massage is to keep the athletes muscles and tissue in optimum condition and is generally scheduled at a regular frequency (be it weekly or fortnightly), closely married to the athlete’s training program. Thus Sports Massage is not about going deep nor it is learning one technique. The requirement for the therapist is to apply the appropriate treatment at the appropriate time, which takes education, skill and experience.
Collectible Sports Memorabilia
by: Kevin Fairbanks
Summary:Modern sports has become astonishingly popular. This popularity has propelled the collectible sports memorabilia industry to new heights, also. Physical connection to a sporting event or personality with a collectible sports memorabilia item creates a special bond between fan and sport.Article:COLLECTING sports collectibles or sports memorabilia, antique or modern, is limited by two factors: the money available and the space to be filled. Having determined these basic essentials, it is then a personal matter. The taste of the collector may lead to Baseball Memorabilia, Basketball Memorabilia, Football Memorabilia, Golf Memorabilia, NASCAR memorabilia, Diecast Collectibles, Bobble Heads, Hero Posters, or innumerable other things. The lucky acquisition of an admired piece may lead to a determination to get more of the same, or at least to find out what the admiration is all about.An encyclopedia definition of Sports Collecting would go something like this: "The hobby of sports collecting consists of acquiring specific sports items based on a particular sporting interest of the sports collector. These sports collections of sporting things are often highly organized, carefully cataloged, and attractively displayed." A sports collectible (or collectable) is defined as a manufactured item designed for people interested in sports to collect. The term sports memorabilia usually refers to items related to sporting that can be directly connected to a recent or historical sporting event or sports personality. There are many people that collect these sports memorabilia and collectibles.Since collecting depends on the interests of the individual collector, it may deal with almost any subject including sports collectible & sports memorabilia. The depth and breadth of the collection may also vary. Some collectors choose to focus on a specific subtopic within their area of general interest, for example Baseball memorabilia of the New York Yankees, Basketball memorabilia of the Los Angeles Lakers, Football memorabilia of the Dallas Cowboys, Golf memorabilia of Tiger Woods, NASCAR memorabilia of Tony Stewart, Diecast collectibles of fire trucks, Bobble Heads for any sport, & posters of heroes such as Lance Armstrong. Others prefer to keep a more general collection, accumulating any or all Baseball memorabilia, Basketball memorabilia, Football memorabilia, Golf memorabilia, NASCAR memorabilia, Diecast collectibles, Bobble Heads, or Hero Posters.When the NBA, MLB, and NFL began selling their basketball, baseball, and football jerseys in stores during the 1980s, game used jerseys also became a hot item among sports memorabilia collectors. Former NBA player Dennis Rodman was famous for taking off his jerseys and throwing them to the stands after his games were over. Michael Jordan is probably the basketball player whose memorabilia is most sought after by collectors. Today’s stars include Ben Roethlisberger, Shaquille O'Neil, Nomar Garciaparra, etc. These players seem to be pushing the already popular area of sports collectibles and memorabilia to a new level of acceptance to the public.Collections can take the form of a single item such as a signed baseball, football, or basketball. Collections can also take the form of a series of items, such as jerseys from each member of a particular baseball, basketball, or football team. A NASCAR collection of hats from different drivers is very popular. Golf balls with different logos are especially popular. The cost of any sports collectible memorabilia item is directly proportional to the popularity of the sports figure with which the item correlates. The more popular the sports figure, the more money the sports collectible memorabilia item will demand. The whole sports collectible memorabilia industry is driven by supply and demand. The more demand the higher the price and vice versa. Also, the more supply of an item, the lower the price. Sports cards would be a good example. Only so many of certain cards were ever made. Those carry a higher price than those that were made in bulk. Quality is a very big determining factor in the price of any sports collectible memorabilia item. In general, the better the quality, the higher the price.Kevin is the husband of Becky and the father of 2, Nicholas and Kirsten. He is an avid sports fan and over-all good guy. He has taken his love of sports and developed web sites that offer that love of sports to others.
CollectibleSport.com offers a great selection of collectible sports memorabilia and gift ideas.
by: Kevin Fairbanks
COLLECTING anything, antique or modern, is limited by two factors: the money available and the space to be filled. Having determined these basic essentials, it is then a personal matter. The taste of the collector may lead to sports watches or cards, jerseys, or innumerable other things. The lucky acquisition of an admired piece may lead to a determination to get more of the same, or at least to find out what the admiration is all about.Sports Memorabilia Collectors are flocking by the droves to buy Collectible Sports Memorabilia from CollectibleSport. They are taking advantage of the great selection and value found for most popular sports, including baseball, basketball, football, golf, NASCAR, die cast cars, sports bobble heads, and sports hero posters. This is the perfect marriage of the popularity of Collectible Sports Memorabilia and the upcoming holiday gift giving season.Visitors to CollectibleSport.com have commented on the excellent layout of the site, the ease of use, the great selection, and fantastic deals to be found there. Updated items are being continually added for the sports currently in season.Collectible Sports Memorabilia that can be found at CollectibleSport.com allows the connection to a time that we love to remember regarding a special sporting event. Those experiences are brought back from our memory with the Collectible Sports Memorabilia collected for a particular event.As those special sporting events happen, make sure you capture that exhilarating feeling. Make sure you do not miss out on those Collectible Sports Memorabilia items that capture those special moments. Now is the time to visit CollectibleSport.com and check the special prices and selection.The holiday gift giving season is fast approaching. A Collectible Sports Memorabilia item from CollectibleSport.com would make the perfect gift!Kevin is the husband of Becky and the father of 2, Nicholas and Kirsten. He is an avid sports fan and over-all good guy. He has taken his love of sports and developed web sites that offer that love of sports to others.
COLLECTING anything, antique or modern, is limited by two factors: the money available and the space to be filled. Having determined these basic essentials, it is then a personal matter. The taste of the collector may lead to sports watches or cards, jerseys, or innumerable other things. The lucky acquisition of an admired piece may lead to a determination to get more of the same, or at least to find out what the admiration is all about.Sports Memorabilia Collectors are flocking by the droves to buy Collectible Sports Memorabilia from CollectibleSport. They are taking advantage of the great selection and value found for most popular sports, including baseball, basketball, football, golf, NASCAR, die cast cars, sports bobble heads, and sports hero posters. This is the perfect marriage of the popularity of Collectible Sports Memorabilia and the upcoming holiday gift giving season.Visitors to CollectibleSport.com have commented on the excellent layout of the site, the ease of use, the great selection, and fantastic deals to be found there. Updated items are being continually added for the sports currently in season.Collectible Sports Memorabilia that can be found at CollectibleSport.com allows the connection to a time that we love to remember regarding a special sporting event. Those experiences are brought back from our memory with the Collectible Sports Memorabilia collected for a particular event.As those special sporting events happen, make sure you capture that exhilarating feeling. Make sure you do not miss out on those Collectible Sports Memorabilia items that capture those special moments. Now is the time to visit CollectibleSport.com and check the special prices and selection.The holiday gift giving season is fast approaching. A Collectible Sports Memorabilia item from CollectibleSport.com would make the perfect gift!Kevin is the husband of Becky and the father of 2, Nicholas and Kirsten. He is an avid sports fan and over-all good guy. He has taken his love of sports and developed web sites that offer that love of sports to others.
Skateboarding - One of the Most Exciting and Skilled Board Sports
by: Ben Ruhland
If you’re looking to get into a board sport why not try out skateboarding? Let me guess you and your friends go out on weekends looking for something to do but you’re bored stiff. Well I can guarantee you skateboarding is a sport you’ll never be able to give up on once you get into it. It’s a board sport that can have a steep learning curve depending on the person but most people can pretty much master the basics within a couple of months.
Skateboarding has developed quite a bit in recent years. For decades when skateboarding was in its infancy, it was seen as an activity performed by youngsters, mainly rebel kids. In these earlier years skateboarders were perceived as outcasts who went around vandalizing other people’s property by skating on it. It is becoming more understood these days but it still has a long way to go before people will fully understand the skill and dedication that goes into this sport.
The basics of skateboarding like pushing yourself along the street are easy to learn but once you get into the tricks and manoeuvres such as the most basic trick, the ollie, it takes quite a bit more practice to master. You need to learn the ollie as it’s a fundamental move that is combined into the majority of tricks where the board leaves the ground. The ollie is what could be considered a “jump” where the skateboard and the rider leave the ground with the board under their feet. To really master this basic move it can take a natural skater up to a year to really get it down.
When learning to skateboard some protective gear can go a long way to ensuring your safety as you can expect to take many falls when first starting out. A decent helmet, some elbow pads and knee pads will give you the safety you’re looking for and a little extra confidence knowing you won’t get too hurt when you fall. You can buy this protective gear fairly cheap from most skate shops and even some general purpose stores.
It’s easy to get nervous when first starting out on a skateboard because your balance will most likely be very out of tune. But don’t worry, every single skater you see out there on the skate park doing all those big moves, grinding rails, doing big grabs on the half pipe, they were all just like you when they started out. It’s a sport that takes a lot of dedication, and it relies on practice. If you put in the hours you’ll be popping kick flips in a matter of months. So go out there and get practicing, it’ll keep you busy for many years to come.
If you’re looking to get into a board sport why not try out skateboarding? Let me guess you and your friends go out on weekends looking for something to do but you’re bored stiff. Well I can guarantee you skateboarding is a sport you’ll never be able to give up on once you get into it. It’s a board sport that can have a steep learning curve depending on the person but most people can pretty much master the basics within a couple of months.
Skateboarding has developed quite a bit in recent years. For decades when skateboarding was in its infancy, it was seen as an activity performed by youngsters, mainly rebel kids. In these earlier years skateboarders were perceived as outcasts who went around vandalizing other people’s property by skating on it. It is becoming more understood these days but it still has a long way to go before people will fully understand the skill and dedication that goes into this sport.
The basics of skateboarding like pushing yourself along the street are easy to learn but once you get into the tricks and manoeuvres such as the most basic trick, the ollie, it takes quite a bit more practice to master. You need to learn the ollie as it’s a fundamental move that is combined into the majority of tricks where the board leaves the ground. The ollie is what could be considered a “jump” where the skateboard and the rider leave the ground with the board under their feet. To really master this basic move it can take a natural skater up to a year to really get it down.
When learning to skateboard some protective gear can go a long way to ensuring your safety as you can expect to take many falls when first starting out. A decent helmet, some elbow pads and knee pads will give you the safety you’re looking for and a little extra confidence knowing you won’t get too hurt when you fall. You can buy this protective gear fairly cheap from most skate shops and even some general purpose stores.
It’s easy to get nervous when first starting out on a skateboard because your balance will most likely be very out of tune. But don’t worry, every single skater you see out there on the skate park doing all those big moves, grinding rails, doing big grabs on the half pipe, they were all just like you when they started out. It’s a sport that takes a lot of dedication, and it relies on practice. If you put in the hours you’ll be popping kick flips in a matter of months. So go out there and get practicing, it’ll keep you busy for many years to come.
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