Fun times from a home game of the Northern Colorado Owlz at 4Rivers Equipment Stadium for a victory against the Grand Junction Jackalopes with a final score of 13 to 6 on July 10, 2024.
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Thursday, September 28, 2023
In-Field Babe Ruth II
A long time ago, I wrote about how I hit an in-field Babe Ruth in a high school softball game. I pointed at the short stop player who taunted me and told him that I was going to hit the ball right at him; and I did just that. The player was so stunted, he dropped the ball, and I was easily safe at first base.
Well, I hit another in-field Babe Ruth. It was also a long time ago, but after I wrote about my first in-field Babe Ruth. (I'm surprised I didn't mentioned in this blog at that time.) OK, so I hit this second in-field Babe Ruth at a local softball game for a team that was sponsored by my then-employer.
 |
| Babe Ruth's "called shot" home run |
The whole affair was similar to the first time. I was at bat. The first base player was taunting me to hit the ball right at her. She pounded her glove and held it out in front of her. I pointed at her and say "OK, you asked for it". I positioned my feet to bias my swing to hit towards first base. The pitch was made. I swung and hit the ball exactly were I intended. It went straight for her glove.
The ball hit squarely in her glove and bounced to the ground. She was so stunted, she didn't even think to try to pick up the ball until I was already well on my way at full speed heading to first base. She finally scrambled to pick up the ball. It was too late. I ran across first base. Safe!
Sidenote, at that time, the team was known as the Cepheid Xperts. It appears the team now goes by the name Cepheid Sluggers.
Friday, September 11, 2020
Baseball obscure stat
Baseball obscure stat: In modern era of Major League Baseball, no game has ever had an unassisted triple play in either the 3rd or 8th innings.
_play_victims,_Kilduff,_Mitchell_%26_Miller_of_the_Brooklyn_B.B._Club_LCCN89712599.jpg)
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
A missed call in a Baseball game that didn't matter (but might've if things where different)
Some missed calls in Major League Baseball will live in infamy forever. Other missed calls are nearly forgotten. I recently ran into a video by SB Nation where a nearly forgotten missed call is discussed. Pivetta is the pitcher and Barnes is the batter.
Instead of me retyping the discussion, just watch the video here.
It's hard to judge the accuracy of the statement about the play without seeing the play. So, check out the play here.
After watching the replay, it's clear the Home Plate Umpire did call the runner out as a result of the fielding of the ball, and not due to any action by the runner himself. This means the Umpire stopped play while the ball should've technically remained in play. Does it really matter?
Though the fielding of the ball was incorrectly ruled a catch by the Home Ump, it's the pitcher who fielded the ball. The pitcher's next action would've been to throw the runner out at First, which should've been the real end of the play. Now, there's a slight chance the throw to First would've been screwed up, so that is why the play shouldn't have been stopped. However, most probably the result of letting the play continue vs ending the play with a catch call wouldn't have changed the outcome of the play in this case. The runner would still be out and the inning would still have be ended. Now, if other base runners where present, then this missed call would've been more consequential because this bad call would've stopped base running and ended the inning. At that point, maybe this bad call would've been more memorable. But even in this case, it's the last out of the inning. The batter would've still likely have been thrown out at First. The end of the inning would've still happened right then and there. Austin Barnes wasn't robbed a base hit by the bad call.
There is one chance of Barnes getting on base in this scenario if it weren't for the bad call. Had the Ump not ruled the catch and ended play, the pitcher may have thought he had a proper catch and failed to throw the ball to First, giving Barnes a chance to make it safely to First. However, it can be argued that this would've been an Error by Pivette, still not a base hit for Barnes.
Though the fielding of the ball was incorrectly ruled a catch by the Home Ump, it's the pitcher who fielded the ball. The pitcher's next action would've been to throw the runner out at First, which should've been the real end of the play. Now, there's a slight chance the throw to First would've been screwed up, so that is why the play shouldn't have been stopped. However, most probably the result of letting the play continue vs ending the play with a catch call wouldn't have changed the outcome of the play in this case. The runner would still be out and the inning would still have be ended. Now, if other base runners where present, then this missed call would've been more consequential because this bad call would've stopped base running and ended the inning. At that point, maybe this bad call would've been more memorable. But even in this case, it's the last out of the inning. The batter would've still likely have been thrown out at First. The end of the inning would've still happened right then and there. Austin Barnes wasn't robbed a base hit by the bad call.
There is one chance of Barnes getting on base in this scenario if it weren't for the bad call. Had the Ump not ruled the catch and ended play, the pitcher may have thought he had a proper catch and failed to throw the ball to First, giving Barnes a chance to make it safely to First. However, it can be argued that this would've been an Error by Pivette, still not a base hit for Barnes.
Saturday, January 18, 2020
It wasn't a rain delay, but it was delay on the ability to take our seats - June 2019
Wet start at Vermont Lake Monsters game
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
So, I watched the strangest football game yesterday. They had this diamond running tract, a small round ball being thrown at the opposing team and only one guy at a time was allowed to run around after striking the ball with some sort of stick. #athletics #oaklandathletics #oaklandas #oakland #blowoutwin #norcal #footballscoresinbaseball #mlb #baseball #majorleaguebaseball⚾️ #houston #houstonastros #americanfootball
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Thursday, August 03, 2017
Monday, June 14, 2010
49ers moving to Santa Clara
On the night of the election and before the results were finalized for the Santa Clara Measure J vote, the 49ers organization put up a sign in front of the Great America overflow parking lot. The next morning, news reporters began discovering the new sign even before the paint had dried. The sign boldly declares the new site for the San Francisco 49ers future stadium in a move that makes it known they are leaving San Francisco city limits and moving into my neighborhood in Santa Clara.
It was said that the 49ers spent $4 million on the campaign to pass Measure J. With only about 11,231 yes votes (59.6% of the total votes 18,840), they spent about $356 per vote.
With this sign, the move of the 49ers to Santa Clara is about as official as it comes.
With this sign, the move of the 49ers to Santa Clara is about as official as it comes.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
49ers Santa Clara Stadium links
My thoughts about the Santa Clara stadium for the 49er's:
-City of San Francisco have been promoting one ridiculous stadium plan after another for almost 2 decades. The 49ers finally got fed up and starting looking around other communities.
-Only 8% of session ticket holders currently at Candlestick live in San Francisco. Many more live in the Silicon Valley area. 49ers simply want to move to where the money and support is at.
-Sharing a stadium with Raiders in Oakland is nonsensical at best. Even the ridiculous Treasure Island proposal is very poorly conceived. (Yerba Buena island would have to be turned into one massive on and off ramp)
-I don't think 49er fans don't want to see their team sharing a stadium with Raiders anyway, even in Santa Clara.
Websites that have information about the proposed Santa Clara stadium for the San Francisco Bay 49ers:
Santa Clarans for Economic Progress
Santa Clara Stadium Facts
-City of San Francisco have been promoting one ridiculous stadium plan after another for almost 2 decades. The 49ers finally got fed up and starting looking around other communities.
-Only 8% of session ticket holders currently at Candlestick live in San Francisco. Many more live in the Silicon Valley area. 49ers simply want to move to where the money and support is at.
-Sharing a stadium with Raiders in Oakland is nonsensical at best. Even the ridiculous Treasure Island proposal is very poorly conceived. (Yerba Buena island would have to be turned into one massive on and off ramp)
-I don't think 49er fans don't want to see their team sharing a stadium with Raiders anyway, even in Santa Clara.
Websites that have information about the proposed Santa Clara stadium for the San Francisco Bay 49ers:
Santa Clarans for Economic Progress
Santa Clara Stadium Facts
Sunday, March 07, 2010
49ers in Santa Clara
A measure in support of a new stadium for the 49ers in Santa Clara is going on our June ballot. There are groups against this activity. It is always easier for opposition to confuse issues in the minds of people. They are trying to do that here with rather silly points. One argument I've seen used against the stadium is that it would require more police on the day of the 49er games. Umm, of course it will. This is job creation and good for the economy!
Another thing I don't understand is the statement that projects like this shouldn't use public funds. This never made sense to me. This is America, right? Investment is the American way! If we expect to have financial gain, we should be willing to put some cash up as an investment.
The proposed stadium location is within a mile of my house (walking distance). It's near 3 freeways and right next to a mass transit station. It's going to create 2650 game day jobs and bring in an estimated $249 million dollars a year once it is built. Millions of money from taxes will be available for local programs.
If the stadium is truly state of the art, it will likely be chosen by the NFL as the sight for future Super Bowls. Just one Super Bowl in Santa Clara could bring much more money and prestige.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to just getting this dang thang built by the 2014 goal.
Another thing I don't understand is the statement that projects like this shouldn't use public funds. This never made sense to me. This is America, right? Investment is the American way! If we expect to have financial gain, we should be willing to put some cash up as an investment.
The proposed stadium location is within a mile of my house (walking distance). It's near 3 freeways and right next to a mass transit station. It's going to create 2650 game day jobs and bring in an estimated $249 million dollars a year once it is built. Millions of money from taxes will be available for local programs.
If the stadium is truly state of the art, it will likely be chosen by the NFL as the sight for future Super Bowls. Just one Super Bowl in Santa Clara could bring much more money and prestige.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to just getting this dang thang built by the 2014 goal.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Ballot initiative for 49ers Santa Clara stadium
With an estimated 7060 valid signatures, the ballot measure to support the building of a 68,500 seat modern stadium in Santa Clara may likely be added to the June 2010 ballot, according to a letter from Registrar's Office to the Santa Clara Clerk's Office. With this little bit of news, the effort for the new stadium moves ever closer to being successful.
Now, it should be noted that if the ballot measure happens to be rejected by the voters of Slara Clara city, that may not necessarily end the move to build the stadium. The bureaucratic process to get approval for the stadium seems to be a mostly city hall affair. The ballot measure is just meant to reinforce efforts (assuming it is approved).
Now, it should be noted that if the ballot measure happens to be rejected by the voters of Slara Clara city, that may not necessarily end the move to build the stadium. The bureaucratic process to get approval for the stadium seems to be a mostly city hall affair. The ballot measure is just meant to reinforce efforts (assuming it is approved).
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
49er's Stadium: What does Cedar Fair really want?
Perhaps there is some legitimate concern for proper bureaucratic process over at Cedar Fair, owners of California's Great American theme park. Why else would they file a lawsuit against the City of Santa Clara complaining about how paperwork was recently handled in the process to approve the new 49ers
stadium? (Santa Clara County Superior Court Case number 109CV158836.) Well, maybe they seek to take advantage of the delicate phase in the planning of the new stadium?
Given the lack of enthusiasm for the new stadium previously expressed by Cedar Fair, I'm guessing this is more of a ploy to legally extort conditions and concessions from the City of Santa Clara. Cedar Fair may feel it needs more money from the city simply because the new stadium site is a direct neighbor to the theme park. Here's the funny part. Even though Cedar Fair does own Great American, the City of Santa Clara actually owns the land upon which Great America rests. The City of Santa Clara is the landlord to Cedar Fair. Santa Clara has already bent over backwards to make Cedar Fair feel at home. Cedar Fair now seems to be abusing their position as our guest and interfering in our business. Is there a San Francisco connection, as SF City Hall tries to buy yet even more time in their uber-pathetic effort to keep the 49er's in San Francisco? They've already had over 1.5 decades to do something.
Frankly, there could also be a Sac connection, since some big names in our state and even the Federal government are against the 49er's moving to another city in the Bay Area. Again, there is another funny part to this. If the 49er's do not find a new home in the Bay Area, they have suggested that the will leave the area completely. So, all this effort to pin the 49er's down in San Francisco could backfire by slingshotting our team to another state altogether! How embarrassing would that be?
And now a new wrinkle. Cedar Fair was just bought by a private firm that has yet to comment on their position. My hope is that they do not interfere with local economic endeavors, and instead help boost the local economy by supporting the new 49ers stadium.
stadium? (Santa Clara County Superior Court Case number 109CV158836.) Well, maybe they seek to take advantage of the delicate phase in the planning of the new stadium?Given the lack of enthusiasm for the new stadium previously expressed by Cedar Fair, I'm guessing this is more of a ploy to legally extort conditions and concessions from the City of Santa Clara. Cedar Fair may feel it needs more money from the city simply because the new stadium site is a direct neighbor to the theme park. Here's the funny part. Even though Cedar Fair does own Great American, the City of Santa Clara actually owns the land upon which Great America rests. The City of Santa Clara is the landlord to Cedar Fair. Santa Clara has already bent over backwards to make Cedar Fair feel at home. Cedar Fair now seems to be abusing their position as our guest and interfering in our business. Is there a San Francisco connection, as SF City Hall tries to buy yet even more time in their uber-pathetic effort to keep the 49er's in San Francisco? They've already had over 1.5 decades to do something.
Frankly, there could also be a Sac connection, since some big names in our state and even the Federal government are against the 49er's moving to another city in the Bay Area. Again, there is another funny part to this. If the 49er's do not find a new home in the Bay Area, they have suggested that the will leave the area completely. So, all this effort to pin the 49er's down in San Francisco could backfire by slingshotting our team to another state altogether! How embarrassing would that be?
And now a new wrinkle. Cedar Fair was just bought by a private firm that has yet to comment on their position. My hope is that they do not interfere with local economic endeavors, and instead help boost the local economy by supporting the new 49ers
stadium.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Recently back!
Well, I might be getting back into rock climbing. I’ve been wanted to for awhile now. Elvis and I hit up the climbing gym Friday night for a belay lesson. I totally forgot how to make the proper knots for the climbing rope, so it was a good refresher. It seemed to click better for me this time too, for some reason. I remember before always forgetting how to do the knots, but this time, I think I have it down.
After the gym (and me going home for a shower), we meet up with some other friends at California Billiards. It’s been forever since I’ll played pool, and it’s been forever and a day since I’ve been to California Billiards.
On Saturday, I visited Miriam for her daughters birthday. It was a pretty tame crowd. I had a good time.
After the gym (and me going home for a shower), we meet up with some other friends at California Billiards. It’s been forever since I’ll played pool, and it’s been forever and a day since I’ve been to California Billiards.
On Saturday, I visited Miriam for her daughters birthday. It was a pretty tame crowd. I had a good time.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Da Bearrrrszz
Corus "It's Da Bears!"
Robert Smigel "Bill, what is your prediction for Super Bowl 41?"
Bill Swerski "My prediction for dis Sunday's big game is Da Bears: 171.5, and da utter guys: Forfeit due to dair entire team being seriously injured on account of dair fancy team bus being accidently leaned upon by a 10 year old girl."
Todd O'Conner "Really, are da Colts so weak dat dair'll injured by a 10 year girl leaning against dair bus? Is dat possible?"
Robert "No, Todd, but it is possible if dat 10 year old girl is Coach Dikka's daughter!"
Bill "Of course"
Robert "Not Coach Dikka's eldest daughter, but his youngest daughter, because we all know what Coach Dikka's oldest daughter would do to da Colts!"
Pat Arnold "Oh, yeah, of course!
Todd "So why is the score only 171.5 and not just 172?"
Bill "Well, actually da score will be a dominating 171, but on account of Da Bears shear mightiness, the N-F-L will award dem a bonus 1/2 point."
Pat "No, I think the score will be 172, but dee N-F-L will deduct 1/2 a point because Coach Dikka is not longer coaching the team!"
Todd "Yes!"
Robert "Da Bears"
Corus "Daaa Bearssszz"
Robert Smigel "Bill, what is your prediction for Super Bowl 41?"
Bill Swerski "My prediction for dis Sunday's big game is Da Bears: 171.5, and da utter guys: Forfeit due to dair entire team being seriously injured on account of dair fancy team bus being accidently leaned upon by a 10 year old girl."
Todd O'Conner "Really, are da Colts so weak dat dair'll injured by a 10 year girl leaning against dair bus? Is dat possible?"
Robert "No, Todd, but it is possible if dat 10 year old girl is Coach Dikka's daughter!"
Bill "Of course"
Robert "Not Coach Dikka's eldest daughter, but his youngest daughter, because we all know what Coach Dikka's oldest daughter would do to da Colts!"
Pat Arnold "Oh, yeah, of course!
Todd "So why is the score only 171.5 and not just 172?"
Bill "Well, actually da score will be a dominating 171, but on account of Da Bears shear mightiness, the N-F-L will award dem a bonus 1/2 point."
Pat "No, I think the score will be 172, but dee N-F-L will deduct 1/2 a point because Coach Dikka is not longer coaching the team!"
Todd "Yes!"
Robert "Da Bears"
Corus "Daaa Bearssszz"
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Random Bonds
I ran across this message on a bulletin board on myspace at 5:00pm. The title was like "available Giants tickets for tonight" and the body was "anyone interested?" The message was left at almost 4:00pm.
Well, Barry Bonds just might've met and even broke Babe Ruth's home run tonight, so I figured that this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. At first, I tried to just send a reply message via myspace, but then figured that was not the best way. I didn't have this person's direct info, but I know who did, her cuzins. So I called up one cuzin. No answer. I called up another, yes, Kim answered. The funny thang is that Kim has just moved to San Diego and was in the middle of unpacking, so I did feel a little funny about asking a favor to contact her cuzin and find out about the tickets, but hey, I did it anyway. hehe
So after about 1/2 hr's worth of phone tag (from Silicon Valley to San Diego to San Francisco and around again a couple of times), I finally was in direct contact with Kate who had the extra tickets. Note the plural. Time was ticking. The game was set to begin at 7:15pm, and it's already like past 6pm. My first choice: I call up Allie and (with really explaining what was so important about this game) I head over to her place. Unfortunately, I made a bad request to take her car instead of mine. Well...
...she was almost out of gas. Arg. So, we had to go to the gas station. tick tick. Ok, guess what? The attendant had put someone's cash payment on our gas pump! Allie and I always use credit cards, so when the pump stopped at 10 dollars, we both got a bit confused. It took like 10 minutes for the attendant to sort out the mess!! tick tick tick ARG!!!!!
Hey, we made it to the game just at 8:00pm. The seats where about 10 rows up, in field and near 1st base. GREAT SEATS, especially for the price Kate offered!!! Allie and I did miss a couple of Bond's at bats, but no homers yet. The score was Cubs 3, Giants 1. Allie and I went to the food court. When we came back, the score was Cubs 6, Giants 1. I went to get a beer refill. When I came back, the score was Cubs 8, Giants 1. Pattern here? LOL Hmmm... I did get to watch Bonds at bat twice. Let me give Kate a big thank you for making these tickets available!
Kate her b/f headed out at the end of the 8th after Bond's popped out. Allie and I stuck around to the end of the nineth. I don't like leaving games early. We waited for traffic to die down at the nearby Borders and then at Amici's Pizzeria, then headed back to Silicon Valley. ::yawn:: I did some work online and now here I am at 2am thinking why didn't I post the story when I didn't have to get some sleep. :) It has been awhile since I've been so completely random, but I'm glad I did, even if Bonds didn't get this record when I was there.
Well, Barry Bonds just might've met and even broke Babe Ruth's home run tonight, so I figured that this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. At first, I tried to just send a reply message via myspace, but then figured that was not the best way. I didn't have this person's direct info, but I know who did, her cuzins. So I called up one cuzin. No answer. I called up another, yes, Kim answered. The funny thang is that Kim has just moved to San Diego and was in the middle of unpacking, so I did feel a little funny about asking a favor to contact her cuzin and find out about the tickets, but hey, I did it anyway. hehe
So after about 1/2 hr's worth of phone tag (from Silicon Valley to San Diego to San Francisco and around again a couple of times), I finally was in direct contact with Kate who had the extra tickets. Note the plural. Time was ticking. The game was set to begin at 7:15pm, and it's already like past 6pm. My first choice: I call up Allie and (with really explaining what was so important about this game) I head over to her place. Unfortunately, I made a bad request to take her car instead of mine. Well...
...she was almost out of gas. Arg. So, we had to go to the gas station. tick tick. Ok, guess what? The attendant had put someone's cash payment on our gas pump! Allie and I always use credit cards, so when the pump stopped at 10 dollars, we both got a bit confused. It took like 10 minutes for the attendant to sort out the mess!! tick tick tick ARG!!!!!
Hey, we made it to the game just at 8:00pm. The seats where about 10 rows up, in field and near 1st base. GREAT SEATS, especially for the price Kate offered!!! Allie and I did miss a couple of Bond's at bats, but no homers yet. The score was Cubs 3, Giants 1. Allie and I went to the food court. When we came back, the score was Cubs 6, Giants 1. I went to get a beer refill. When I came back, the score was Cubs 8, Giants 1. Pattern here? LOL Hmmm... I did get to watch Bonds at bat twice. Let me give Kate a big thank you for making these tickets available!
Kate her b/f headed out at the end of the 8th after Bond's popped out. Allie and I stuck around to the end of the nineth. I don't like leaving games early. We waited for traffic to die down at the nearby Borders and then at Amici's Pizzeria, then headed back to Silicon Valley. ::yawn:: I did some work online and now here I am at 2am thinking why didn't I post the story when I didn't have to get some sleep. :) It has been awhile since I've been so completely random, but I'm glad I did, even if Bonds didn't get this record when I was there.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Winter Olympics IMHO
So, the Winter Olympics might be better renamed to the European Olympics. No wonder the Winter Olympics lacks popularity! Most of its sports are very European centric. How much Bobsleighing or Ice Skating is possible in places like Nigeria or Costa Rica? Sure, China and South Korea have been welcomed into the mix, but these two are from regions that are winter sport friendly. At least they add snowboarding. That's actually exciting to watch, since they allow contact and there's a good chance for at least one big wipe out! The woman's Snowboarding Cross final had three wipe outs, and one of those was from the #1 contender celebrating before she crossed the finish line! lol Anyways, U.S.A.! U.S.A.! hehe
Oh, and one comment about those South Korean speedskaters! Speed Skating is not a team sport unless it's Team Pursuit! The South Koreans are pretty much just outright cheating by playing as a team instead of individuals. It's legal right now, but if they keep it up, I'm sure the rules are going to be changing to not allow that sort of team work in the future. They screwed a couple of better racers out of gold medals because they were working together. If a racer isn't going for the gold medal, they don't belong in the finals! The teamwork strategy is not in the spirit of the Olympics for non-team competitions.
Oh, and one comment about those South Korean speedskaters! Speed Skating is not a team sport unless it's Team Pursuit! The South Koreans are pretty much just outright cheating by playing as a team instead of individuals. It's legal right now, but if they keep it up, I'm sure the rules are going to be changing to not allow that sort of team work in the future. They screwed a couple of better racers out of gold medals because they were working together. If a racer isn't going for the gold medal, they don't belong in the finals! The teamwork strategy is not in the spirit of the Olympics for non-team competitions.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)