Sports Beat column - May 10, 2007

Sports Beat
May 10, 2007

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

Two major sports events were held this week in Baltimore, the first on Monday was the Leslie Moore Foundation Dinner at Martin's West hosted by NFL Hall of Famer the great Lenny Moore, the second was the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame induction banquet held at Michael's 8th Avenue.

Celebrating the theme, "Heroes In the Trenches", the Leslie Moore Scholarship Foundation held its sixth annual dinner and silent auction at Martin's West. Lenny Moore, Baltimore Colts halfback and NFL Hall of Famer, named the organization in honor of his son, Leslie, who passed away in January of 2001 at the age of 43 after a long and brave battle against scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease. A crowd of over 1,200 people joined 11 members of the NFL Hall of Fame and other guest athletes for a night which rekindled many fond sports memories while supporting the good work of a non-profit organization dedicated to rasining funds to distribute scholarships for disadvantaged youth in the Greater Baltimore area to attend college. The NFL Hall of Fame members in attendance included: Deacon Jones; Bobby Bell; Yale Lary; Raymond Berry; Elvin Bethea; John Mackey; Mel Renfro; Bobby Mitchell; Joe DeLamiellure; Lem Barney; and Lenny Moore.

Members of other Hall of Fames who attended included:
Meadowlark Lemon, the "Clown Prince of Basketball" and member, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; Brooks Robinson, member, National Baseball Hall of Fame; and Lou Duva, member, International Boxing Hall of Fame.

"The guys being honored at this year's dinner represent the heart and soul of the NFL and sports," said Lenny Moore. "They played their respective sport with great passion and always for the good of the team." The dinner was also attended by: Jim Marshall of the Minnesota Vikings, the NFL's version of the â¤¦Iron Manâ¤?, who still holds the NFL consecutive games record for non-kickers. Three quarterbacks personifying the â¤¦Heroes In The Trenchesâ¤? theme who were honored included: Earl Morrall (1968 MVP) of the Baltimore Colts; Steve Grogan of the New England Patriots; and George Taliaferro of the Baltimore Colts. In addition, numerous Baltimore Colts alumni (including out-of-town guests Roger Carr and Fred Cook), as well as other NFL alumni, Baltimore Ravens players and Baltimore Orioles alumni (including Al Bumbry) attended the dinner. Also Mike Bassett, Dave Norman, Delegate Ted Sophocleus, Patrick Pannella and State Senator Ed DeGrange.

Monetary contributions to the Leslie Moore Schoalrship Foundation can be mailed to: The Leslie Moore Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 4144 , Crofton , Maryland 21114. Jack Scarbath stepped down as President of the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame at their dinner that honored Tubby Smith for his outstanding service to basketball. The coach of the Minnesota had his mother and many relatives in attendance and friends in the crowd of 250 that also included Ed Cole and Patrick Pannella. Among others honored was Navyâ¤s Dave Smalley. Tubby is a graduate of Great Mills High School and High point (NC) College. He previously was head coach of the men's basketball teams at Kentucky , Tulsa and Georgia . When Tubby was at High Point they beat St. Mary's College 77-75 because of a clerical error and I refuse to tell you the name of that person.

Frese Adds Richardson to Women's Basketball Staff
Richardson named assistant coach

Maryland women's basketball head coach Brenda Frese has announced that Diane Richardson has been hired as an assistant coach. Richardson brings with her an extensive background, which included success at the high school and collegiate level. Richardson takes over the position for Joanna Bernabei, who was a member of the coaching staff for four years under Frese. Richardson will assist with on-court player development, game management, opponent scouting and recruiting. "Were ecstatic to add someone of Diane's caliber to our basketball family. She is held in very high regard in the area and her reputation extends across the country after having built a national contender at Riverdale Baptist and coaching at American," said Frese. "She is going to be an incredible addition to our program."

"I am very excited and thankful to Brenda to be given the opportunity to coach at Maryland . As a life-long resident of this area, it has been a dream and a goal of mine for a long time," said Richardson . "I have had the privilege of working with many talented players at the high school and collegiate levels, I am looking forward to coaching some of the best college players in the country at Maryland."

A native of the Washington, D.C., metro area, Richardson has logged 15 years of coaching experience, including one year at the collegiate level. In her only season as an assistant coach at American University last year, she helped the Eagles reach the finals of the Patriot League Championship.

Prior to joining the Eagles' staff, she had been head coach at Riverdale Baptist in Riverdale, Md., for five seasons, amassing a 142-20 record during her tenure. She was named the Black Coaches Association National Coach of the Year in 2005 after leading the Crusaders to a No. 2 national ranking by the USA Today. In 2006, she guided Riverdale to the National Association of Christian Athletes national title, en route to garnering Regional Coach of the Year honors by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). Her 2003 and 2004 teams won the Association of Christian Schools International national crown and were runners up in 2002.

Several of Richardson 's players at Riverdale have been named All-Americans by Parade and McDonald's, while over 20 have earned Division I scholarships. She has been involved with numerous AAU teams and tournaments, and served as head coach of the adidas All-American Camp and adidas All-American All-Star game.

Richardson was the Executive Director and coach of the Beltway Lady Cougars AAU team in Lanham, Md., from 1991-2000. The Lady Cougars were voted the No. 1 girls basketball program in the nation and reached the AAU National Elite Eight four times.

Earning her Master's Degree in management from Central Michigan University in 1984, Richardson has an extensive background in management, which dates back to that year. She was named the National Marketing Director of the Year honors three-straight years from 1990-1992 and founded RCI Financial in Lanham, Md., in 1984 serving as president and C.E.O of the company.

Richardson is a 1980 graduate of Frostburg State University where she lettered in basketball and track and field. In basketball, she was the NCAA's regional leader in field goal percentage and was an NCAA Regional Champion in the 400 meter. Richardson currently resides in Howard County with her husband, Larry. The couple has three children - Dana, Larry II and Michael.

Incoming Terps Invited to U19 USA Women's Basketball Trials
Marah Strickland and Drey Mingo among invitees

Incoming freshman Drey Mingo and Marah Strickland were among the 37 women's basketball players invited to the USA Basketball Under-19 Team trials. The 37 players will be competing for a spot on the U-19 World Championship squad, May 17-20 in Colorado Springs , Colo.

USA Basketball officials will be looking for 12 players to make up the junior squad. The US Junior National team will be competing at the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship in Bratislava , Slovakia , July 26-Aug. 5. In 2005, current Terrapins Crystal Langhorne (Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro) and Marissa Coleman (Cheltenham, Md./St. John's College [D.C.]) led the USA U-19 squad to a perfect record in the championship (8-0) and a gold medal. Langhorne was also named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Drey Mingo (Atlanta, Ga. /Marist) and Marah Strickland ( Mt. Airy , Md. /Towson Catholic) have recently received a number of postseason honors, including playing in the McDonald's and WBCA All-American games. Both will be completing their senior year in high school this spring. Both were also among the four incoming Terps recently named to the Parade All-America team, while Strickland was selected Gatorade's Maryland Player of the Year.

Mingo enters the trials with previous USA Basketball experience. She had been invited to the team trials for the USA U-18 team last summer. This will be Strickland's first participation with the USA program.

The 37 invitees include 10 gold medal winners from the 2006 USA U18 National team. Twenty of the 37 players recently completed their final year in high school eligiblity, 17 collegiate student-athletes from 15 schools, and eight different conferences. Also, 20 of the players who completed their high school careers in 2006-07, 12 were recognized by USA Today All-USA Team (including Strickland), while 17 members of the Parade All-America team were also invited.

A final roster will be announced prior to the competition of the U19 squad in July. For more information, log onto www.usabasketball.com.

Boxing missed a "Golden" opportunity.
Floyd-Oscar fails to deliver to targeted mainstream audience.
By Mike Indri Retired Boxers Foundation

When all the HBO Pay-Per-View numbers are officially announced, this past Saturday night's fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather will further confirm the fact that boxing is not dead; or at least not the business of boxing. It's the sport of boxing which has been squeezed off practically all the sports pages of daily circulated newspapers, very rarely gets any mainstream sports news or magazine coverage (Sports Illustrated, ESPN Magazine, etcâ¤†) and currently is getting put into a sleeper hold by WWE Wrestling and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Golden Boy Promotions claims to have spent close to 50 million dollars promoting this mega-bout, and HBO did it's job with producing "De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7", a four part series shown repeatedly on the cable network, building up the crescendo to mass hysteria right before the big event. The fight was even billed by many as "the fight to save boxing"! Any fight would have had virtually no chance of living up to all the hype that this event had drummed up.

From a boxing standpoint it was not a bad fight. It was a strategic clash between two highly skilled and brilliantly prepared ultimate professional fighters. Floyd Mayweather solidified his claim as boxing's premier fighter. A defensive master and blessed with unequalled hand speed, it was quickly apparent that De La Hoya was over matched. No discredit to De La Hoya, it's just that Mayweather is that special fighter that only comes along every generation or soâ¤†Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather. Defending his World Boxing Council 154-pound title, De La Hoya showed his championship heart and tried to make a battle of it, which would have been to the bigger and stronger Mexican fighter's advantage. Mayweather was content to sting De La Hoya, 34, with counterpunches or simply block and slip most punches; thwarting any chance of an offensive attack.

According to Compu Box numbers De La Hoya was the busier fighter, throwing 587 punches, to Mayweather's 481. The problem was that De La Hoya was only able to connect with 122 shots against the slick and elusive, Mayweather, who in turn landed 207 of his pinpoint shots. Mayweather also landed more power punches than De La Hoya, 138-82. De La Hoya was able to make it a competitive fight for the early going, quite similar to Zab Judah 's effort in the beginning of his unanimous decision loss to Mayweather last year. Once Mayweather followed his fight plan to simply box, and out box, his opponent, it was a rather mundane performance from that point on, especially after De La Hoya all but abandoned his jab from the eighth round on. Not an exciting fight, but a very compelling match up. This was known from the fight's inception.

Boo's rang throughout the sold out MGM Grand Arena, 16 thousand plus fans, most rooting for De La Hoya, as the judges announced Mayweather the winner by split decision. New Jersey 's own Tom Kaczmarek, well respected and revered, apparently was listening to Jim Lampley rather than watching the action and scored the bout 115-113 for De La Hoya, while Jerry Roth 115-113 and Chuck Giampa 116-112 saw it for Mayweather. Still a bit closer than the fight appeared. While De La Hoya slipped to 38-5 (30 KO's) with the defeat, Mayweather proved he was more "Pretty Boy", rather than "Flamboyant Floyd", as he managed to come away unscathed with the win, still perfect at 38-0 (24 KO's), yet could not provide that command performance on boxing's biggest stage.

The problem with "the fight to save boxing" wasn't De La Hoya, or Mayweather; they came and did what they had to do. Both made tons of money, as did Golden Boy Promotions. The problem is that there never was any attempt to "save" boxing. The business of boxing needs to be saved from itself - multi-millions of dollars, billions of dollars are made in the boxing business, yet no one seems compelled to do any thing about the "sport". Here was the supreme opportunity to showcase boxing to hundreds of thousands of casual boxing fans, or non-boxing fans, who were sold on the promotion and were tuning in to see the guaranteed "boxing event of the decade".

Even if for whatever reason you feel you must increase the PPV price, why not introduce some young, hungry talent to the mainstream audience and allow growth within boxing, at $54.95 a pop. Some action packed undercard fights would have served boxing well. The Rey Bautista-Sergio Medina WBO Super Bantamweight title eliminator bout was hard fought, and both fighters did have their moments and send each other to the canvas with knockdowns, but Bautista ran away with the "no doubt" unanimous decision victory. Rocky Juarez 's win over a game Jose Hernandez was a listless effort, which lulled the capacity crowd prior to the main event. A very disappointing televised undercard portion, which Golden Boy Promotions should have been ashamed of putting their name on.

Boxing has me; I'm addicted to it.

I have the utmost respect for the sacrifice the fighters make, physically and mentally, to survive and thrive in the toughest, cruelest and most demanding profession. For the fighters, boxing is not a sport; it's a dangerous and uncaring business. For the majority of the people within boxing, the drive is the love of the sport - because there is no money. 5% of the people in boxing are making 95% of the money. Yet, the Don Kings and Bob Arums also need to be commended and admired for their business wisdom and savvy, which allows them to retain control and prosper in the infested waters.

While boxing does have me, and many like me, Boxing does not have the casual fan, the mainstream sports fan. In today's era of the ESPN highlights and the SportsCenter "play of the day", fans want the up to the minute score, the walk off home run and the fight-ending knockout. There's no time to appreciate the beauty of the skilled boxer slipping and jabbing his way to victory and there's no time to admire a masterful pitching duel - that's the reason for the skyrocketing popularity of MMA and UFC. Total non-stop action and no leaving it to the interpretation of judges. The people that profited the most from it could have better served boxing Saturday night, and now the talk is about a Mayweather-De La Hoya rematch. While it was not even the most exciting fight this year, let alone the decade, I will be watching it - that's for sure. The real question is how many that paid Saturday night will watch it?

Our deepest sympathy goes to the family of Gordon Scott who passed at Johns Hopkins last week at age 80. He played Tarzan in the movies from 1953 to 1960. He had lived in Baltimore's Brooklyn area for the past five years. Maryland's new men's basketball team is close to losing two scholarships if they donâ¤t bring up their academic standing â¤³Does that surprise us? Other state schools that are close to walking the plank are Coppin State, Morgan State, UMES, and Towson. Is it true that â¤¦Downtownâ¤? Ed brown is thinking about adding former State Senator Frank Shore as co-host on his TV show? Also is â¤¦Downtownâ¤? starting a new publication called â¤¦Bugle Blastâ¤??

One of my favorite movies is â¤¦ Casablanca â¤? I saw it way back when and my father whipped me real good and punished me to the back yard for two weeks because I snuck into the Tivoli Theather with Donnie Herman and Phil Kapneck. We got caught when Phil's sister Selma saw us in the Tivoli. I was nine, Phil 13 and Donnie 17 at the time. Later I met a man whose father worked on the filming of Casablanca and he had some interesting stories that his dad had told him about the making of the movie. Where are they now Grayce Willett, Ron Perkins, Joan O'Rourke, Paul Willett, Bill â¤¦The Bumâ¤? Livingston, Joan Wilson, Anne O'Keefe, Pat McDuffie, Bill â¤¦Scarecrowâ¤? Espey, Marie Ritz, Elaine Goodman, Nancy Culbertson, Billy Gaskins, Hank â¤¦Jumping Abeâ¤? Abraham and Linda Curry.

Rumor has the Orioles may be close to making a manager changeâ¤† Vice President of Finance for the Orioles Joe Foss has left the team. Steve Tracshel is pitching well and eating up innings but like the other Birds hurlers is getting no run support. It would be a big mistake if the Orioles traded Tejada, a real big mistake! He's the only offensive major league star on the roster. The Birds are basement bound this season.

Sugar Ray Robinson is the best pound for pound boxer I have ever seen close is Bernard Hopkins, then Sugar Ray Leonard, Rocky Marciano, Bobby Foster and Ali.

One of my favorite restaurants is still Henry's Soul CafÃ©, home of the sweet potato pie (I also like the soul fries and macaroni & cheese). In Ocean City its â¤¦Seacretsâ¤? Leighton Moore's outstanding Bar & Grill (49th and Bay) where the elite meet and greet. For me it's the complete place to go in OC. Both places are simply outstanding! One of the real movers in the Maryland House of Delegates is Jim Malone, Vice Chairman of the Environmental Matters Committee. He was an outstanding athlete in Arbutus, Maryland.

I understand that DC is gong to turn the DC Armory into a real site for ice hockey, basketball, and boxing, really sprucing it up. I remember seeing Larry Faust and LaSalle play Georgetown there and inter-high basketball games there in the 1940's and 50's.

Who remembers â¤¦Aceâ¤? Adler?

The rich get richerâ¤²Roger Clemens signs with the New York Yankees for 28 million for this season.

Amber Theoharis and Anita Marx are rumored to be hooking up to do a new â¤¦Sports Sisters Showâ¤? that will also include Jamal Lewis, Marcus Ogden, Tom (Blimp Brother #1) Davis, and Steve Stuffedberger in the cast. Late night viewing suggested. Don't invite Marx to any party John Riggins will be at, seems Marx is very upset at Riggo cutting into her TV time on MASN. How many of you ladies remember â¤¦Hop Scotchâ¤?? Hey who do you think is DC area high school player of the decade in each of the following: 1930â¤sâ¤²Hymie Perlo, Dubby Shore ? 1940's â¤²Jack George, Jimmy Pantos, Maury Wills? 1950's Billy smith, Elgin Baylor, Jim Wexler, Sonny Wise, Gary Mays, Lew Luce, Mike Sommers, Billy Nolan, or Bill Dailey? Let me know who you think was in each decade. I wonder where Dixie Lee, Eleanor Runge, Shirley Lash, Richard Holmes, Donnie Herman, Charlie O'Neil, Frank Carman, Fred Shenman, Dolores DelRay (Dolores Pastor), and Pat Kessler are today?

Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the following:
Tom Poston, (Steve Allen Show, â¤¦Newhartâ¤? show and â¤¦Mork & Mindyâ¤?) William D. Perry (St. Alban's grad) George Tievsky (Western (DC) high school grad) Milt Grant (TV dance host and founder of Channel 20 in DC) Charles Curtis (Anacostia HS grad, former President Curtis Brothers Furniture and designer of the 191/2 foot chair that stood on the Curtis Furniture Property in Anacostia) Carl Smith II (Wilson (DC) HS grad) Justin Malloy ( St. Pauls (DC) HS later Mackin grad) Thomas M Watlington III (Montgomery Blaid HS grad) Barry Nelson (Movie actor) Bertha Babinski Mindel (Tech (DC) HS grad) Jeffrey Robert Newhall (Western HS grad) Ray Spencer (Boxing)

Mark July 21st that's when Bernard â¤¦The Executionerâ¤? Hopkins fights Winky Wright for the WBC light heavyweight championship at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. It was too much -- $55 for the pay-for-view of the Floyd Mayweather, Jr.'s split decision over Oscar DeLaHoya for the WBC super welterweight title. The ACC has four new head football coaches â¤³ NC State, Tom O'Brien, UNC, Butch Davis, Miami , Randy Shannon, and Boston College , Jeff Jagodzinski. He's young but he has the potential to be a standout in football at LaPlata High School and that's Stefan Bautista, remember that name! Also someone e-mailed me and said he saw that man around Maryland and DC David J. recently at the Redneck Bar on Rout 301 in the White Plains area.

Remember buy NO GAS on May 15th.

Who goes by the name of â¤¦Grand Poobahâ¤??

Look-a-Likes:
Robert Pond and Bo Diddlely
Mike Holgren and Peter Deahl
Simple Simon the Pie Man and George â¤¦The Animalâ¤? Steele
Howdy Doody and Bill Espey
John White and Slim Whitman

There's no truth to the rumor that Vince McMahon has signed NBA official Joey Crawford and Tim Duncan to a WWE ladder match. Who ever came up with that? I talked to Denny Donaldson and he's slowly getting better and said to say hello to his many friends. I had lunch with Donnie Neuenberger and his very charming mother in Annapolis. He told me he is running a very limited NASCAR Busch season and will wind up at Dover in September. He has a TV show on Comcast and a radio show on ESPN radio 1300 AM Wednesdays on radio and TV on Thursdays. He and his mother are great folks.

Also had a great breakfast with former Governor William Donald Schaefer, Joan Cadden, Ray Huff, and Earl Schafer at Cookies City Line Diner.

SPORTS NOTES

Parish Carnival
May 11, 12, & 13

Our Lady of Hope 1727 Lynch Avenue Dundalk, MD

Father Jack Ward is the Friendly Sons chaplain and has worked with us for many years and is looking for our support. Please make a note on your calendars to attend and to show our gratitude to Father Ward. For more information call 410-284-6600

Please join the Bob Davids chapter for the first meeting of the 2007 baseball season for a game between:
The Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals

Our time together will include
* "Speakers--including a member of the highest level of management from the Nationals' front office and a member of the Orioles' coaching staff. Other speakers will be announced as soon as their attendance is confirmed. " Baseball research presentations.

* "Baseball trivia (Monday- as well as Saturday-level questions).

* "A catered meal at the Stadium.

* "A chance to experience RFK in its final season as a major-league baseball stadium. (A group ticket to the game is included in the price of the event.)

Act quickly to secure your attendance at the meeting. Our meeting at RFK during the 2005 season was a big success and we expect no less this time.

When: 2:00 P.M., Saturday, May 19, 2007 until the end of the game

Where: RFK Stadium 2400 East Capitol Street NE Washington , DC 20003-1700 http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/was/ballpark/directions.jsp

Why: Come join us. You'll see.

Dress: You be the judge!

Cost: $45 per person

Bob Davids Chapter POSTAGE = 39¢
C/O John Munns
(41¢ if you wait till the last day)
PO Box 111282 Palm Bay , FL 32911-1282

Please send check or money order payable to: # of Tickets X $45 = SABR - Bob Davids Chapter c/o John Munns PO Box 111282 Palm Bay, Florida 32911-1282 Ticket requests should be postmarked before midnight May 14, 2007.

Admittance thereafter, including at the door, is $50. No guarantee of game tickets or meals with the group can be made after that date. After midnight May 14, please do not mail registration forms and checks; rather, please bring the registration form and $50 per person to the meeting and send an e-mail message to jmunns@fred1.org with your intent to attend. Thank you.

For receipt of application confirmation, please either include a SASE, or email jmunns@fred1.org.

Name:
Address:
City: State Zip
E-mail address: Telephone #
Guest's name City State
Guest's name City State

Event is open to non-members and guests as well as members. Questions?
Please contact Bruce Brown, at bbrown8870@aol.com or (443) 259-0123.

WE GET LETTERS!!

Hey Everyone, A quick note and special thanks to the Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office .... they are the official sponsor of the "Rex Snider Show". The Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office is a tremendous agency with phenomenal leadership. It's a great place to work ..... for a CAREER. We'll have all their information posted on the WNST website in the coming days. We'll also be plugging them this weekend and getting their commercial ready to air. If you know ANYONE interested in a law enforcement career, direct them to the WNST site - where the Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office information can be found. They are currently recruiting and offering a fantastic package for candidates. Thanks for the support. Rex

Dear Mr. McCaffrey, Thank you for hosting the Chesapeake Tide on Inside Sports this past Friday, March 4th! Isaac â¤¦Chopsâ¤? Warren and Mike Kelley had a great time and were excited to be a part of the show. We defeated the Lehigh Valley Outlaws this past Saturday 57-56 in overtime! I have attached a flyer for our upcoming Saturday game so please let me know if you would like to come and we will get you into our VIP section. Thanks again and look forward to talking soon. Jessica Frost
The Chesapeake Tide
www.chesapeaketide.com

Folks, He is HERE!!!!! Isaac Christopher arrived at 5:37pm on Monday, May 7th! He weights 7 pounds 3 ounces and is 20.8 inches long. I guess he's built just like me (tall and thin). Both he and Kelly are both doing marvelously well. No word on when they are coming home from PRMC yet, but Abigail is super excited to meet baby brother Isaac tomorrow morning. She's already telling people, "I hears my baby brother cry." She's a super proud big sister and I'm one proud Dad too!
Chris Clarke
Recreation Supervisor
Ocean City Recreation & Parks
200 125th Street
Ocean City , MD 21842
410-250-0125 x5184
410-250-540 9 (fax)
cclarke@ococean.com

Chris, Congratulations! Bill

Bill, "Oh my gracious, Wilson beat Bell 21-0 in Interhigh (DC) baseball." Hey that's an improvement ..the WW opener this year vs Bell was 30-0 Wilson is now 6-0 in the DCIAA interhigh this season and the score so far in the 6 games is Wilson 130 DCIAA Opponents 2 Wilson is playing this season seeking their 15th Interhigh/DCIAA Championship in a row.

"Who remembers Roger Kingsberry?" 6'4 Roger Kingsbury ST ALBANS 47-48-49-50 Kingsbury h ad a stellar 4yr Basketball career at St Albans making All-Prep the last 3 seasons- 1st team on the Daily News 49 & 50 teams....Scored 1270 career points. 2 sport star who was named 1st team on the 1950 Daily News All-Prep Baseball team...batting .485 in his senior season. Dan

Folks, The regular meeting of "Talkin' Baseball" will be held Saturday, May 12 at 9:00 A.M. at a new location: the East Columbia Library, 6600 Cradelrock Way , Columbia , MD. Library phone: 410) 313-7700.

This is our new venue. Click here: Yahoo! Maps, Driving Directions, and Traffic

Our speaker will be David Vincent, author of "Home Run--The Definitive History of Baseball's Ultimate Weapon." Everyone come with a friend. Any questions, call me after May 8 at (301) 854-2244. Dave Paulson <d2244p@yahoo.com>

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

The Chesapeake Arts Center and the Arts in Anne Arundel County need your help. County Executive John Leopold has just released his budget for the fiscal year 2008, which runs from July 1st 2007 until June 30th 2008. He has slashed grant money to all Arts Organizations. Last year CAC received $70,000.00 to help run the center. This year we are slated to receive $10,000.00! In addition The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County (from whom we also receive grant money), had their grant cut from $350,000.00 to $50,000.00 If these figures hold, some art organizations will have to close their doors, and CAC will experience a loss of over $100,000.00 in grant money and will definitely have to review its position and services offered. We need your support.

There are different ways you can help:
1. Please plan to attend the two public hearings to discuss this situation. Anyone can sign up to speak!

First meeting is 7:00 pm Wednesday May 9th at Old Mill High School.

Second meeting is 7:00 pm Monday May 14th at the Arundel Center in Annapolis.

2. Write a letter direct to County Executive John Leopold, asking him to reinstate the grant to the Chesapeake Arts Center

The Honorable John R. Leopold
County Executive
Anne Arundel County
Arundel Center
44 Calvert Street
Annapolis, MD 21404

3. Write to your local Anne Arundel County Council person, asking them to reinstate the Chesapeake Arts Center county grant. Thank you for your help!
David J Jones Executive Director
Chesapeake Arts Center
410 636 6597 - voice
410 636 9653 - fax
www.chesapeakearts.org

BOWIE STATE MAKES FIRST EVER NCAA SOFTBALL APPEARANCE
Lady Bulldogs Face PSAC Champion Lock Haven

The NCAA Division II Softball Committee has selected the 64 teams that will participate in the 2007 NCAA Division II Softball Regional Championships. The CIAA Champion Lady Bulldogs of Bowie State University are seeded 8th in the Mid-Atlantic Region and will face the regions top seed, the Lady Eagles of Lock Haven (PA) University. Bowie State will enter the regional with a record of 27-7 while Lock Haven, the 2007 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Champion and defending national champion, come into the game with a record of 45-3. Bowie State and Lock Haven will be game two when play begins Thursday (5/10) at Kutztown (PA) Universityâ¤s North Campus Field at a time to be determined. In other regional games, East Stroudsburg (#4) will take on Shippensburg (#5) in Thursdayâ¤s opening game, followed by BSU and LU. Bloomsburg (#3) will battle with North Carolina Central (#6) in the third game of the afternoon and host Kutztown (#2) will face Edinboro (#7) in the nightcap. Eight teams will participate at each of eight regional sites in double-elimination tournaments to determine the final eight championship participants. Regional competition will be held May 10-14. Winners will advance to the finals hosted by Ashland University May 17-21, at Firestone Stadium in Akron , Ohio . For additional information about Bowie State womenâ¤s softball, contact log on to www.bsubulldogs.com.

Mid-Atlantic Regional at Kutztown, Pennsylvania

1. Lock Haven 44-3
2. * Kutztown 40-16
3. Bloomsburg 34-13
4. East Stroudsburg 26-25
5. Shippensburg 26-22
6. North Carolina Central 26-6
7. Edinboro 19-18
8. Bowie State 27-7

The Bowie State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics concluded its 2006 - 2007 athletic year this evening with its 7th Annual Awards Banquet at Florian Hall. Athletic as well as academic awards were presented to members of each of Bowie State â¤s athletic teams. The evening began with a positive and uplifting message from former Bowie State student-athlete and assistant men's basketball coach Kevin Broadus. Broadus was recently named the head men's basketball coach at Binghamton University (Vestal, NY). Prior to his current position, the Washington , DC native was an assistant men's basketball coach at Georgetown University . Highlights of the evening included the presentation of sixty-seven student-athletes with a 3.0 or better grade point average for the 2006 Fall Semester, the 2006-2007 Female and Male Student-Athletes of the Year (Tiffany Toney and Gil Goodrich) and Department of Athletics Volunteer of the Year (Robert Batton).

Following is a full list of awards presented at the event:

STUDENT-ATHLETE HONOR ROLL (3.0 or Better â¤³ Fall 2006)

(Football) Biniam Abebe, Julius Askins, Cheston Boyd, Jason Braithwaite, Devin Burton, Dwayne Frost, Anthony Howe, Jerrick Jeffreys, Peter Mensah, Joshua Miller, Demarcus Reeves, Seth Rhoades, Terrence Stafford, Sherman White, Jamaal Wright and Durrell York â¤† (Men's Track & Field) Melvin Johnson, Jason Linnear, Damien Montgomery, Walter Morton, Kenneth Roach, Ramon Valentine and Eric Wright â¤† (Men's Basketball) Aaron Hutchinson and Corey Scott â¤† (Softball) Tricia Corbin, Heather Enders, Virginia Hockey, Christina Rzepecki, Tiffany Toney, Stephanie Warejko, Jillian Willey and Randi Willeyâ¤† (Womenâ¤s Volleyball) Kendra Harris, and Renee Woodhead â¤† (Womenâ¤s Basketball) Krystle Earle, Tyra Lusby and Bethany Sloat â¤† (Women's Track & Field) Marthe Amon (4.0), Phylicia Buie, Jennifer Geter, Rhea Godsey, Vanesha Jackson, Yolande Nix, DaMara Parrish, Elise Perkins, Brittany Smith and Trudi-Ann Thompson â¤† (Women's Bowling) Janine Canlas (4.0), Victoria Hosgood, Jessica Sites, Brittany Stewart, Kellye Underwood and Cassie Williams â¤† (Women's Tennis) Angelica Barrett, Janelle Brown-Niles, Danielle Davis (4.0), Annette Johnson, Erica Smith and Samantha Greene and (Cheerleaders) Nashira Betton, Brittney Brooks, Courtney Halsey, David Hooker, Abrelle Jenkins, Jhatia McKnight and Kendra Simmons.

CHEERLEADERS
Most Improved â¤³ Brittany Brooks
Most Valuable â¤³ Abrelle Jenkins
Most Spirited â¤³ Candice Burgess

FOOTBALL
Offensive Player of the Year â¤³ Lamar Manigo
Defensive Player of the Year â¤³ Durrell York
Most Valuable Player â¤³ Nathaniel Queen

VOLLEYBALL
Offensive Threat â¤³ Tiffany Toney
Most Improved â¤³ Breaun Garner Defensive Threat â¤³ Alicia Williams-Chase

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Best All-Around Player â¤³ Sherika Thomas
Most Valuable Player â¤³ Markeya Watson

MEN'S BASKETBALL
Most Dedicated Player â¤³ Tyronne Beale
Most Improved â¤³ Joshua Johnson
Most Valuable Player â¤³ Gil Goodrich
Daktronics Division II All-American (First Team) â¤³ Gil Goodrich

CROSS COUNTRY
Women's Most Improved â¤³ Sarah Clay
Men's Most Improved â¤³ Walter Morton
Women's Charles â¤¦Popâ¤? Williams Award â¤³ Jamese Cobb
Men's Charles â¤¦Popâ¤? Williams Award â¤³ Damien Montgomery
Women's Most Valuable Runner â¤³ Phylicia Buie
Men's Most Valuable Runner â¤³ Damone Bowman

INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Women's Most Improved â¤³ Phylicia Buie
Women's Charles â¤¦Popâ¤? Williams Award â¤³ Timberly Bolden
Women's Most Valuable Runner â¤³ Jennifer Geter
Men's Most Improved â¤³ Sean Johnson
Men's Charles â¤¦Popâ¤? Williams Award â¤³ Bryon Lewis
Most Valuable - Aaron Johnson

OUTDOOR TRACK & FILED
Women's Most Improved â¤³ Elise Perkins
Women's Charles â¤¦Popâ¤? Williams Award â¤³ Brittany Brady
Women's Most Valuable Runner â¤³ DaMara Parrish
Men's Most Improved â¤³ Melvin Johnson
Men's Charles â¤¦Popâ¤? Williams Award â¤³ Kenneth Roach
Men's Most Valuable â¤³ Joel Lavela

WOMEN'S TENNIS
Leadership Award â¤³ Jessica Bond
Most Improved Player â¤³ Angelica Barrett
Most Valuable Player â¤³ Danielle Davis

WOMEN'S BOWLING
Most Valuable Player â¤³ Cassie Williams
Most Valuable Player â¤³ Janine Canlas
Most Valuable Player â¤³ Kellye Underwood

SOFTBALL
Offensive Player of the Year â¤³ Erin Gray
Defensive Player of the Year â¤³ Heather Enders
Most Valuable Player â¤³ Tiffany Toney

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Women's Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year â¤³ DaMara Parrish
Men's Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year â¤³ Brandon Clarke

Each student-athlete, including those listed above, received a certificate of participation for the 2006 - 2007 athletic year.

DYSTONIA ON DATELINE

Laura Herbert has DYT1 dystonia and was the first dystonia patient to undergo Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) after it was granted FDA approval in 2003, for â¤¦humanitarian reliefâ¤? in the treatment of dystonia.

The outcome of her procedure was nothing short of a miracleâ¤²and hopefully you'll get to share in her joy (and anxiety, anticipation and marvel), when DATELINE NBC airs the segment they filmed on Laura, chronicling her progress both before and after her surgery. Laura is a remarkable woman who has been given her life back. She is now able to actively pursue her many and diverse interests free of physical limitations.

We have been advised the segment will air the evening of Tuesday, May 15th. Please check the listings in your area for the exact station and time.

Note it is always possible that sports or breaking news may preempt broadcast of the segment. The piece on Laura is also scheduled to repeat on May 25th at 10:00pm ET, in an expanded segment on ION Media, an NBC digital cable channel.

Please check the ION Media website: http://www.ionline.tv/schedule.php for the exact time in your area.

Feel free to share this message with your family, friends, and colleagues who may be interested.

Diva Nation:
The last two weeks has been a tale of two teams. One team, versus the NE Intensity, was poised and confident. The other team, versus the NY Sharks, was over-confident and unfocused. The coaching staff, especially myself, will bare the brunt for the teams lack of focus â¤³ as well we should. Overall there are positives and negatives from both games to draw on. I feel confident we will convey both in a manner that is constructive and continue to prepare for the Cape Fear Thunder. I looked forward to the NE Intensity game with great anticipation. The Intensity coaching staff knew our team, as well as our offensive and defensive schemes from previous contests. We were expecting a battle. The Divas for the first year since I can remember didn't start slow. We hit the ground running and looked in mid-season form. The coaching staff cautioned against "the let down" for the NY Shark game. Inevitably one did occur. No one knew it would last an entire half.

During the NY Shark game, I had the distinct feeling we were in the twilight zone. The defense couldn't stop the Sharks â¤³ on the ground! And the offense couldn't muster a first down â¤³ not one! As the staff scrambled to make adjustments to personnel and schemes, I studied our team closely. I listened to our leaders. I watched our backups. And after the second quarter whistle sounded I knew it was going to take more than a speech to climb out of this one. The halftime speech was moving and touching and all of that Coach go get'em, ra-ra-ra stuff. But the turning point for me came right before the second half kickoff. I turned to Kathryn Hemlock, grabbed her helmet in both hands, looked her in the eyes and said one word, "Poise". How many times I said it I can't remember, but the look I got in response was priceless. From that point on Hemlock lead her team (on the field and off the field) to 20 unanswered points and eventually the win.

To say I am proud of our team and coaching staff is an understatement. To say that we have a lot to work on would be incredibly accurate. But if we learned anything in NY we learned that a team together is hard to beat â¤³ even if they are playing poorly. And that sometimes it takes more than pride, or talent, or grit to win a football game. Our team found and kept its poise through the good and bad. Any coach, at any level, of any sport couldn't ask for much more. Sincerely, Ezra M. Cooper Jr., Head Coach

BIG WIN IN THE BIG APPLE:
D.C. DIVAS REPEL SHARK ATTACK TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED

Brooklyn, New York --- When an irresistible force meets an immovable object something has to give. The D.C. Divas had not lost a regular season game since 2003, while the New York Sharks, had never lost a non-playoff game in team history. On Saturday, May 5th, 2007 the two IWFL heavyweights went toe-to-toe, in an old-fashioned, rough-hewn, grudge match of a football game. On the road, in front of a loud, partisan crowd, the Divas erased a two touchdown second half deficit, en route to an inspired, 20-14 win. The come from behind victory improves D.C. to 2-0 on the young season.

"Now that was a football game," relieved Head Coach Ezra Cooper remarked afterward. "It was a little too close for comfort, but it's a good experience for our team to build from."

An exceptional effort from defensive MVP Kathryn Hemlock led the comeback. Beaten for a score and subsequently benched during the first half, the veteran cornerback decided to take matters into her own hands, literally. "I got mad," said Hemlock. "I looked around to see if everyone else was mad, too." Hemlock intercepted two passes in the second half, part of four forced Shark turnovers. She also helped turn the game around with an electrifying 55-yard punt return for a touchdown, her second special teams score in as many weeks. The scintillating third quarter run was the centerpiece of twenty unanswered points scored by the Divas.

The game MVP on offense was awarded to first year running back Okiima Pinkett, who finished off the comeback with a ten-yard touchdown run. Pinkett and backfield mate Rachelle Peckovsky-Bentley combined for 138 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on the day.

The Divas are attempting to accomplish an unparalleled feat in 2007: back-to-back championships, in two completely different leagues. Following a bye week the quest continues May 19th, 2007, on the road against the Cape Fear Thunder. The next home date is scheduled for June 2nd, 2007, versus the Detroit Demolition. Tickets are available on-line through the team website,http://www.dcdivas.com.

The Divas are comprised of women of varied professional and athletic backgrounds from all over the Washington metropolitan area. Together, these brave pioneers continue to shatter traditional sports stereotypes, while advancing athletic opportunities for women everywhere.

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