Sports Beat column - August 1, 2007

Sports Beat
August 1, 2007

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

Maryland and Navy should be bowl eligible because of the soft schedules they play and in the preseason the Terps are getting no respect. One Maryland team that is getting respect is Towson University and coach Gordy Combs, Towson is ranked second in the CAA South Division behind Delaware and 17th in Division 1AA. Calvert County - Northern High School grad Sean Schaefer who threw 19 TD passes last year begins his junior year. One of his targets will be 6â¤9 junior Tommy Breaux. Southern Maryland locals on the Tiger squad are: Brian Benjamin ( Gwynn Park ); T.J. Cole (Douglass); Paul Perry (Oxon Hill); Ollie Thomas (Potomac), and Durrell Scott ( Gwynn Park ). The Tigers play at Johnny Unitas Stadium.

Towson Schedule:
August 30                     Central Conn St .                      October 13        Hofstra (HC)
September 8                  At Morgan State                       October 20        Colgate
September 15                At Massachuetts                       November 3       At Maine
September 22                Delaware                                   November 10     Villanova
September 29                William & Mary                       November 17     James Madison
October 6                      Richmond (Family Weekend)

ANSWERS Water Buffalo â¤³ Ray Chase (Great Mills and Richmond )
Levi Shade â¤³ 40 TD's in 40 games at Salisbury State (also was blocking back for Mike Sommerville at Chopticon) Former Redskins coach Steve Spurrier now at South Carolina hopes to improve on his 2006 mark of 7-3. Key dates November 10th Florida , November 24th Clemson. Navy opens at Temple August 31st first home game September 15 Ball State . Maryland opens at home on September 1st against Villanara.

NFL TRAINING OPENS

Its finally here the opening of the NFL training season and there are high hopes in both Baltimore and Washington. I can see it in Baltimore if â¤¦Airlessâ¤? hasnâ¤t entirely deflated but over in the strange world of Danny, I donâ¤t know? The dreams in Danny World are on one Jason Campbell and he started in the second half of last season and didnâ¤t show enough to merit a plus or minus. A look at both will come on August 4th when the Ravens host the Redskins, oh yes, its only a scrimmage but it will cost you $15 to $25, what a RIPOFF, now they are charging to watch a limited scrimmage. They used to be free, oh yes you can get food at regular season prices and you know those Hogettes and Raven kooks will be more than willing to pay anything (this is the first step to charging regular season prices for scrimmages). How about the â¤¦kidsâ¤? over 12? Adult prices are in effect for a kid that may be 13, outrageous! I guess the Ravens are going to be like Danny's Redskins.

Well here's our look at our projected finishers:
NFC
EASTâ¤³ Lousy teams here
1)                   Philadelphia
2)                   NY Football Giants
3)                   Redskins
4)                   Dallas
NORTH â¤³ not much better than the East
1)                   Chicago
2)                   Detroit, surprise here
3)                   Minnesota
4)                   Green Bay Brett should have gone bye-bye
SOUTH
1)                   New Orleans
2)                   Carolina
3)                   Tampa Bay
4)                   Atlanta 0 team is as sick as their stupid QB
WEST
1)                   San Francisco, surprise
2)                   Seattle
3)                   St. Louis
4)                   Arizona

AFC
EAST
1)                   New England, class of the NFL
2)                   Miami
3)                   NY Jets
4)                   Buffalo, Raiders of the East, Bad
NORTH
1)                   Ravens, is this Big Ego's year?
2)                   Cincinnati
3)                   Cleveland
4)                   Pittsburgh, Russ Grimm should have been head coach
SOUTH
1)                   Indianapolis
2)                   Jacksonville
3)                   Tennessee
4)                   Houston
WEST
1)                   San Diego
2)                   Denver
3)                   Oakland, surprise
4)                   Kansas City

After they get through their exhibition season I could change my mind.

TWO BULLDOGS NAMED TO PRE-SEASON ALL-CIAA TEAM
BULLDOGS PICKED TO FINISH SECOND

Two Bowie State University football players were named to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Pre-season All-CIAA Football Team. The Bulldogs were picked to finish second in the CIAA Eastern Division. The pre-season team and Predicted Order of Finish were selected in voting by the conference football coaches and announced at the Football Press Conference and Luncheon. Junior offensive lineman Dwayne Frost and senior defensive lineman Sherman White gained the pre-season honors. Frost (6-6, 300 â¤³ Largo , MD) started nine of 10 games during the 2006 season while White (6-4, 330 â¤³ Upper Marlboro, MD) started eight of 10 contests. The BSU Bulldogs finished third in the CIAA Eastern Division with a 3-4 record (5-5 overall). Statistically, Bowie State wrapped up last season ranked third in the NCAA Total Defense (226.1), 4th in NCAA Rushing Yards per Game (121.2) and 9th in NCAA Total Sacks (2.9).

Bowie State opens the 2007 season on Thursday, August 23 on the road at Glenville (WV) State. Players report to training camp on August 1st.

Predicted Order of Finish

Eastern Division
Elizabeth City State University
Bowie State University
Virginia Union University
Virginia State University
St. Paul's College

Western Division
Fayetteville State University
St. Augustine's College
Johnson C. Smith University
Shaw University
Livingstone College

All-CIAA Pre-Season Team
Offense

Tight End Karvin Gwaltney ECSU SO 6'4 225 Ivor, VA LINE Dwayne Frost BSU JR 6'6 290 Largo, MD Jake Thompson ECSU SR 6'5 330 Redlands, CA Chris Lewis ECSU JR 6'4 320 Fayetteville, NC Robert Peterson JCSU SR 6'3 275 Clinton, MD Kynneth Moses VUU JR 6'3 310 Chesapeake, VA RECEIVER Billy Wiggins II ECSU SO 5'10 180 Charlotte, NC Daryle Barnett FSU SR 6'4 205 Raeford, NC QUARTER BACK Curtis Rich Jr ECSU JR 6'3 200 Ft. Lauderdale, FL RUNNING BACK Brandon Fields ECSU SR 5'9 195 Wilson, NC Elihu Smith VUU SR 5'10 205 Glassboro, NJ KICK RETURNER Michael Hampton VUU JR 5'10 180 Charlotte, NC PLACE KICKER Eric Lamoureux FSU SR 5'11 200 Roxbury, NH

Defense

Sherman White BSU SR 6'3 330 Upper Marlboro, MD Greg Moore ECSU SR 6'4 245 Wallace, NC Marcus Kennedy SAC SR 6'3 280 Georgetown, SC Jarrett Jackson VUU SR 6'4 290 Beuerdam, VA LINE BACKER Geron Harper FSU SR 6'4 250 Jacksonville, FL Jimmy Massenburg JCSU SR 6'3 220 Newark, NJ Theodore Washington VSU SR 6'2 235 New Rochelle, NY DEFENSIVE BACK Shawn Dickerson ECSU SR 6'1 195 Richmond, VA Donte Wise FSU JR 5'10 175 Fayetteville, NC Steven Williams JCSU JR 6'2 200 Washington, DC Greg Tolar SPC JR 6'1 180 Washington, DC PUNTER Richard Boone SAC SO 5'9 175 Chester, VA PUNT RETURNER Billy Wiggins ECSU SO 5'10 180 Charlotte, NC

Maryland Women's basketball Makes Largest Attendance Improvement in 2006-07
Terps rank in the top four in total attendance

Following its 2006 National Championship title win, the Maryland womenâ¤s basketball team experienced a boom in fan support, recording the largest increase in average attendance from the previous season in 2006-07, the NCAA recently announced, averaging more than 4,720 per game compared to 2005-06. The Terps also ranked sixth in the country in average home attendance (9,533) and were fourth in overall attendance (241,280). "I'm really proud of how our team has connected with the community,â¤? said head coach Brenda Frese. â¤¦There are so many options for the people in this community to do, and the way our fans continue to support us is part of the reason why I think this is the best place to play in the country." Maryland set several attendance records, posting the first and second women's basketball sellouts in Comcast Center , also the second and third in the history of the program, respectively. The games vs. Duke, which was a rematch of the 2006 National Championship game, was sold out over a month before the scheduled contest of Feb. 18. The following day, the Terps' matchup against North Carolina was sold out. When the Tar Heels visited Maryland on Jan. 28, the Terps broke the ACCâ¤s single-game womenâ¤s basketball record as 17,950 fans filled the seats of Comcast Center . The mark was tied in the game vs. the Blue Devils in the final home game of the season on Feb. 18. Maryland â¤s first-ever womenâ¤s basketball sellout was on Feb. 12, 1992, when it hosted Virginia in Cole Field House. It currently stands as the fifth-best attended womenâ¤s basketball game in the history of the league. Maryland posted four of the ACCâ¤s top womenâ¤s basketball attendances in history during the 2006-07 campaign. Over 11,100 fans were in the stands to support the team vs. long-time rival Virginia on Jan. 19. Two days later, over 10,500 fans were in attendance for the game vs. Wake Forest . Maryland also drew nearly 12,300 people for its game vs. Michigan State on Jan. 6, which would have ranked among the ACCâ¤s top 10 attendances of all-time, as well. The Terps claim the top six all-time best womenâ¤s basketball attendances in the conference and eight of the top 10. For the season, more than 150,000 supporters walked through the turnstiles of Comcast Center , with the 100,000th fan coming through for the game against UNC, the first sellout of the season. The just-under 10,000 fans per home game is, by far, a school record, nearly doubling the previous record, which was set in 2005-06 (4,813). During the 2005-06 season, 241,280 spectators watched the Terps play at home, on the road and at neutral sites, the most for any ACC team and behind only Tennessee (426,191), Connecticut (304,038) and Oklahoma (243,963). The Terps played in front of 10,000+ fans on nine different occasions during the season. Maryland also ranked in the top 10 in total attendance in 2005-06 with 211,612 spectators witnessing the Terps play. Marylandâ¤s attendances marks have been on the rise since 2000-01. The Terps cracked the top 50 in average attendance in Freseâ¤s second season in 2003-04, averaging 2,051 at home games, which ranked 45th. In 2004-05 and 2005-06, the Terps were just out of the top 20, ranking 23rd (4,149) and 21st (4,169), respectively. The Terps have outdrawn every team in the ACC, with Duke coming in second with 5,852 per game. Maryland drew more fans in one game vs. North Carolina than Georgia Tech and Miami had all season. The combined attendances of both sellouts were more than the total attendance at Boston College , Clemson and Florida State . Maryland tips off the 2007-08 season hosting the Preseason WNIT on Friday, Nov. 9 against Princeton . Season tickets, which includes tickets for the Preseason WNIT, are available for purchase at www.umterps.com or by calling the Comcast Center Ticket Office at 1-800-IM-A-TERP.

2007 Women's Basketball Attendance Leaders

Largest Increase From Previous Year
2007 2006 Change Rk. School G Avg. Avg. in Avg. 1. Maryland 16 9,533 4,813 4,720 2. Wyoming 17 4,638 1,699 2,939 3. Oklahoma 12 10,437 7,630 2,807 4. Pittsburgh 14 4,008 1,558 2,450 5. Dayton 11 3,190 1,604 1,586 6. Middle Tenn. 15 4,157 2,699 1,458 7. Cincinnati 16 1,851 459 1,392 8. Arizona State 16 3,502 2,137 1,365 9. Iowa State 16 8,906 7,667 1,239 10. South Florida 19 1,818 626 1,192

Attendance Leaders (Ave. Att.) Rk. School G Attendance Average 1. Tennessee 16 234,845 14,678 2. Connecticut 22 237,642 10,802 3. Texas Tech 14 149,351 10,668 4. Oklahoma 12 125,247 10,437 5. New Mexico 15 143,729 9,582 6. Maryland 16 152,523 9,533 7. Iowa State 16 142,498 8,906 8. Purdue 14 106,184 7,585 9. Michigan State 18 115,001 6,389 10. Notre Dame 16 101,818 6,364 11. Baylor 19 119,603 6,295 12. Minnesota 17 101,030 5,943 13. Duke 14 81,921 5,852 14. Kentucky 15 86,941 5,796 15. Penn State 13 75,102 5,777 16. Wisconsin 20 114,406 5,720 17. LSU 15 83,593 5,573 18. Missouri State 15 81,286 5,419 19. Texas 18 90,783 5,044 20. Ohio State 17 85,011 5,001 21. North Carolina 18 86,678 4,815 22. Wyoming 17 78,847 4,638 23. Vanderbilt 16 72,215 4,513 24. Georgia 13 58,311 4,485 25. Texas A&M 16 71,066 4,442

All Games (Home, Road, Neutral)
Rk. School G Attendance 1. Tennessee 37 426,191 2. Connecticut 36 304,038 3. Oklahoma 33 243,963 4. Maryland 34 241,280 5. Iowa State 35 240,296 6. Texas Tech 31 211,782 7. North Carolina 38 211,469 8. Purdue 37 207,793 9. New Mexico 33 204,999 10. Baylor 34 200,139

MARYLAND'S ALL-TIME HOME ATTENDANCE
Year Games Total Avg. Ranking 2006-07 16 152,523 9,533 6th 2005-06 16 77,010 4,183 21st 2004-05 16 62,542 4,169 23rd 2003-04 15 38,759 2,584 45th 2002-03 14 24,612 2,051 53rd 2001-02 15 25,200 1,681 70th 2000-01 17 21,870 1,286 93rd 1999-00 14 19,701 1,407 82nd 1998-99 15 19,401 1,293 81st 1997-98 13 14,873 1,144 85th 1996-97 13 20,124 1,342 1995-96 13 15,301 1,177 60th 1994-95 16 13,334 833 1993-94 13 17,541 1,349 1992-93 15 32,708 2,181 1991-92 14 35,592 2,542 1990-91 13 11,385 876 1989-90 15 14,083 939 1988-89 13 13,704 1,054 1987-88 13 9,069 698

Q & A With Shay Doron: Former Terp Returns to Area, Announces Charity Event
A member of the N.Y. Liberty , Doron is hosting an online auction beginning July 31

Former Maryland women's basketball Shay Doron returns to the Washington , D.C. , area when the WNBA's N.Y. Liberty travel to play the Washington Mystics on Friday, August 3 at the Verizon Center . Doron has also announced an online charity auction to be held eBay beginning July 31, 2007 at 10 p.m. ET. Proceeds from the auction, which coincides with the Liberty 's Breast Health Awareness game at Madison Square Garden , will benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Inspired by NC State head coach Kay Yow's fight against breast cancer, as well as all the women who have and will fight the disease, Doron is putting up one-of-a-kind memorabilia for bid, including University of Maryland practice jerseys, autographed hats and basketballs, practice camp t-shirts, as well as her shoes from the 2006 NCAA Championship game. For more information and updates on the auction, please visit http://www.ebay.com/shaydoron4bcrfcure or http://www.shaydoron.net. Below Doron gives fans an update on what it has been like during her first season in the WNBA. â¤¢ So far, how has it been playing in the WNBA? Doron: It's been quite an expereience, a true dream come true, especially playing for N.Y., a team I grew up watching and loving. â¤¢ How does it feel to go from being a veteran/senior with the Terps, to being a rookie in just a matter of months? How have you had to adjust? Doron: It's been really tough, I have a lot to learn and some great players to help me learn all I need to succeed in the WNBA. I had some great teammates at Maryland , like Vicki Brick, Anesia Smith and Crystal Washington, that helped make my transition to college smooth. In N.Y., I have some great teammates like Barbara Farris, Loree Moore and Ashley Battle that are doing the same for me now. â¤¢ What is your favorite part about playing in the WNBA? Doron: My favorite part is being able to play basketball for a living!! Not worrying about school is a great feeling, as well. :) â¤¢ What is your least favorite part about playing in the WNBA? Doron: I miss Maryland and my teammates so much, so it's been hard to leave them and the great atmosphere we had at Maryland . â¤¢ What are the Liberty fans like? Doron: They have been so great here! They have really been rooting me on, especially since I am a hometown gal. â¤¢ Did you go to the WNBA All-Star game? What was that like? Doron: Yes I went, I did a lot of socializing. I got to see so many people there it was tough to even watch the game!! â¤¢ What are you looking forward to most coming back to the Washington , D.C. to play the Mystics? Doron: Getting to see my Maryland friends and saying hello to all the fans that have supported me for so long. â¤¢ What advice would you give young basketball players and future Terps who want to get to the WNBA? Doron: I would say play for the TEAM and the rest (personal success) will follow! And enjoy it because college is a great time don't be in such a hurry to leave!

Big Train vs. Express Recap
Big Train News: Big Train Swept in Doubleheader With Express; Will Play as 3 Seed in Playoffs

Montgomery Cup News: After the last Montgomery Cup games Saturday, the Big Train and Express were tied for first place in the Montgomery Cup presented by the Gazette. Each had a in-county record of 9-5.

by Michael Groeneman and Bryan Oringher

On a steamy Saturday afternoon, the Bethesda Big Train took on the Rockville Express in a doubleheader. The Big Train were coming off two heartbreaking losses at home against Youse's Maryland Orioles Friday night and were forced to play 4 games in a span of around 20 hours. However, the Big Train continued their skid going into the playoffs, and lost the first game in heartbreaking fashion before getting shut out in the second game to fall to the third seed going into the Cal Ripken, Sr. League Playoffs. Game One Ben Tootle ( Jacksonville State ) started well for the Big Train, allowing no runs in the first five innings of the game. Unfortunately for the Big Train, Express Pitcher Joe Miller also threw five shutout innings before the Big Train were able to score in the sixth. Jon Karcich ( Santa Clara ) got the Big Train offense started in the sixth with a walk and aggressive baserunning. He advanced to second on a throwing error by the catcher and then attempted to steal third. It looked like Karcich would be thrown out by a few steps, but the third baseman dropped the ball, which rolled into foul territory. Karcich was then able to score on the error, putting the Big Train on the board first. The Express threatened in the bottom of the sixth. Eric Allen walked and then stole second, and Beau Brooks also walked to put runners on first and second with two outs. The Big Train made the first pitching change by either team, bringing in Matt Hiserman ( Santa Clara ). Both runners advanced to second and third, respectively, after one of Hiserman's pitches sailed to the screen. Glen Kiture then flied out to right, ending the inning and saving the Big Train pitching staff's shutout for the moment. The Express' Joe Miller stayed on to pitch in the seventh. In the top of the inning, 1B Evan Friedland (Michigan State) hit a towering home run that cleared the right field fence easily to give the Big Train an insurance run. In the bottom of the seventh, Paul-Michael Klingsberg came in to pinch hit for Mark Tracy, and answered Evan Friedland's home run by hitting his own bomb to right field, cutting the Big Train lead to 2-1. Steve Babin hit a ground rule double to center with two outs, and Big Train manager Sal Colangelo promptly replaced Matt Hiserman with closer Collin Cargill (Southern Mississippi). It all came down to Steve Domecus, who hit a line drive double to left field to score Babin and tie the game at 2. Eric Allen then hit a blooper that fell right in front of RF Andrew Foster ( Bowling Green ) to score Babin and give the Express the walkoff victory, 3-2. Big Train: 000.001.1 Express: 000.000.3 Game Two The Big Train tried to get back on track after their heartbreaking walk-off loss in the first game of the doubleheader. Unfortunately, they were unable to avoid losing their fourth straight, falling 7-0 to the Express. In the top of the first inning, Steven Leach ( Jacksonville State ) and Clay Whittemore ( Jacksonville State ) both hit infield singles that bounced off the pitcher. Chris Duffy then walked to load bases with two outs. Unfortunately for the Big Train, Evan Friedland ( Michigan State ) grounded to the second baseman to end the inning with three men on base. Jimmy Saris struggled with his control, allowing plenty of long fly balls in 4 innings and 80 pitches of work. In the bottom of the first inning, Bruce Alter walked and then stole second to start things off for the Express. Catcher Travis Babin also walked to put runners on first and second with nobody out. Big Train Catcher Eric Roof then dropped a pitch and was charged with a passed ball, allowing both runners to advance. After Steve Domecus struck out, Eric Allen crushed a double to right field to score both Alter and Babin. After one, the Express were on top 2-0. In the bottom of the third, Travis Babin hit a long double over the head of LF Clay Whittemore to start off the inning. Steve Domecus was then hit by a pitch, and Eric Allen walked to load the bases with nobody out. Mike Zuanich hit a long sacrifice fly to center field, which also advanced runners to second and third with the Express now leading 3-0. Beau Brooks then hit a long fly of his own for another sacrifice fly. Eventually, Paul-Michael Klingsberg was caught in a rundown after trying to steal second, ending the inning, but not before the Express had taken a 4-0 lead. The Express added to their total in the bottom of the fourth, with two doubles, a single and a sacrifice fly contributing three runs, making the score 7-0. The Big Train loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, but were unable to break Kevin Fuqua's shutout. Fuqua was lights-out for the Express, throwing a complete game shutout while allowing only five hits. Big Train: 000.000.0 Express: 202.300.0 More Information...

BIG TRAIN 2007 SEASON SPONSORS

Thanks to these organizations for their generous support of Big Train baseball for the 2007 season: Chevy Chase Bank, Carl M. Freeman Foundation, Grossberg CPAs, Hopkins & Porter, Ledo Pizza, Miller & Long Co., Ourisman Automotive, and Sandy Spring Builders.

CAL RIPKEN, SR. COLLEGIATE BASEBALL LEAGUE

2007 will be the third season of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. The Herndon Braves will join the league in 2007, bringing the total to seven teams: Bethesda Big Train, College Park Maryland Bombers, Herndon Braves, Maryland Redbirds, Rockville Express, Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts, and Youse's Maryland Orioles. The teams play a 42-game regular season that will start on Friday, June 8 with the Maryland Orioles visiting the Big Train at Shirley Povich Field in Bethesda . Playoffs will begin July 31. The Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League has a license agreement with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation for the use of the name Cal Ripken, Sr. and is not affiliated with nor sponsored by the Foundation or Ripken Baseball. For information, please log onto www.ripkensrcollegebaseball.org.

CRSL 2007 REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS

Team W/L GB Orioles 26-14 --- Express 26-15 .5 Big Train 24-18 3 Thunderbolts 19-19 6 Braves 19-22 7.5 Bombers 15-24 10.5 Redbirds 12-29 14.5

THE MONTGOMERY CUP PRESENTED BY THE GAZETTE

Bethesda Big Train 9-5 Rockville Express 9-5 Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts 4-10 Log onto http://www.ripkensrcollegebaseball.org/ for up-to-date boxscores and standings. Sign-up for CRSL email alerts here. Regards, David Ireland, General Manager Michael Groeneman, Assistant General Manager

ABC REPORT BY PATRICK PANNELLA

The Year 2007 Annual Conference of the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) was held from July 24 - 28, 2007 at the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming in Miami , Florida . Over 100 representatives of state and tribal boxing commissions from across the country participated in the meeting. The Maryland State Athletic Commission was represented by Executive Director Patrick Pannella and Counsel Bruce Spizler. Patrick led a meeting discussion pertaining to the issuance of the "Professional Boxer's Federal Identification Card" by a State Athletic Commission, and also served on an ABC Committee which made a presentation regarding the concept of "Open Scoring" in professional boxing. Bruce, as Chairman of the ABC Legal Committee, made a presentation regarding the ABC's role in conflicts of interest and violations of Federal boxing laws and also participated in a meeting discussion pertaining to compliance with Federal boxing laws and ratings criteria by boxing sanctioning organizations. At the ABC Annual Conference, Bruce Spizler also supervised the election of officers for the ABC. Tim Lueckenhoff ( Missouri ) was re-elected as ABC President. Mike Mazzulli (Mohegan Tribe) and Jim Erickson ( North Dakota ) were re-elected as ABC Vice Presidents. Buddy Embanato (Lousiana) was re-elected as ABC Treasurer. Joanna Aguilar (Pueblo of Santa Ana) was re-elected as ABC Secretary. Each officer will serve a two-year term.

NEW Alhambra fights August 24th

Dee Lee Promotions hosts Fight Night at the Alhambra on August 24th. Top Bouts pit Derek Ennis vs. Dennis Sharp Clarence â¤¦Sonny Bonoâ¤? Taylor vs. Joey Christy Andre â¤¦The Heatâ¤? Hemphill vs. Simon â¤¦One Punchâ¤? Carr Other top fighters on the card Anthony Gatti, Chuck Cavallo, Dwayne Davis, Moises Calderon, Latiff Mundy, Teon Kennedy, Jonathan â¤¦Red Dawgâ¤? Reid, Special ring announcer â¤³ Nino del Buno.

SPORTS NOTES

One of the good books for a look at Fidel (or is it Fido) Castro is â¤¦The Boys from Doloresâ¤?, by Patrick Symmes about â¤¦Fidel Castros Classmates from Revolution to Exileâ¤?. Its about Fidoâ¤s (whoops I mean Fidel) school days at Colegio de Dolores, where his nickname was â¤¦Bola de Churdeâ¤? which means â¤¦Dirtballâ¤?. Its an interesting book with an insight about a time of promise but also a betrayal of a time when it held the minds of all Americans as well as Cubans. A good read about history in the time of many. Former Notre Dame University President Father Edward â¤¦Monkâ¤? Malloy was the speaker at the St. Anthonyâ¤s School 50th reunion of the class of 1957 and the graduation of the 2007 class. Another guest was Frank Shore , also Barbara Brown Devine and Rosemary DeGiorgio Mulroe were also in attendance. Our deepest sympathy goes to the family of Godfrey E. Jeff Barber ( St. Albans ). Congratulations to Cal Ripken on being inducted to the Hall of Fame, some of you may remember I presented him with the trophy when his Aberdeen High School team won the State High School baseball championship by beating Thomas Stone High School at P.G.C.C. Does it surprise you that I-95 at I-695 wonâ¤t be ready til 2012 and will have doubled its need by that time, I wonder how much penalty will be added to the contract? Donâ¤t they average an accident a day there? Kieffer Mitchell is turning up the heat in his race for Mayor in Baltimore , Ken Harris is picking up his race for Baltimore City Council President. I hear a Sarbanes will be running for Governor in 2010, Michael or John? Fred Thompson is picking up in his quest to be the Republican Presidential nominee. Are the Orioles for sale? Is the NBA looking at Baltimore for a possible franchise? Man, oh man a lot of folks are really upset with the delay in Chesapeake Bay Bridge repairs. People all over Maryland are really upset that slots arenâ¤t here by now. They donâ¤t want an increase in any type of tax and they are really upset at higher electric company prices and higher gas prices at the pump. How many billions are the oil companies making, Exxonâ¤s profits went through the roof. Didnâ¤t someone promise â¤¦No New Taxesâ¤?? The NHL isnâ¤t even considering Baltimore for a franchise. The worse movie out is â¤¦Sickoâ¤? by American number one sicko â¤¦Michael Mooreâ¤?, save your money on this one and buy a comic book. I wonder where Jill Quade, Bette Powell, Pat Flinn, Betty Wigglesworth Hughes, Carol Wommack, Margie Imlay and Frank Carman are today, also how about Clarence â¤¦Buzzyâ¤? Reynolds? How about the new pro football league the AAFL All-American Football League? How many remember the good looking Spanish/Math teacher Beatrice Graham at McFarland Junior High School ? Donâ¤t forget Thursdays 26th Annual (Cancer Crusade) Celebration of Life Gala at Chesapeake Beach â¤s Rod and Reel. The Honorary Chairs are Jennie and Phillip Stone. For more information call 410-257-2735 or contact www.rodnreelcancergala.org. My deepest sympathy goes to Frank Rich and the family of Mabel Rich (my cousin) who passed this past Sunday in San Francisco . How many of you remember Sundays at Meirdan Hill Park , Easter egg rolling at the Fairlawn, Moonlight boat trips on the Wilson Line, Mighty Mo â¤s and Hot Fudge cakes at the Hot Shoppes?

WE GET LETTERS

Hi All - I hope you are enjoying the summer. We have some "cool" gigs in what is expected to be a hot August and we hope to see you there:

Friday, August 3, 6-10PM on the Deck at Fager's Island , O.C., 60th Street on the Bay, (888) 371-5400 www.fagers.com/restaurant

Thursday, August 9, 6-10PM - Deck Party at Mountain Branch Golf Club Grille/Pub, Joppa, in Harford County . www.mountainbranch.com

Friday, August 17, The Klassix at the Ocean City Convention Center for the Maryland Association of Counties Crab Feast

Saturday, August 18, 4:00-8:30 PM - The Klassix @ M.R. Ducks, Talbot Street on the Bay, Ocean City , MD. http://www.talbotstreetpier.com/mrducks// 800-659-7703. This is a rare opportunity to see our 6 piece band (with Viki Childs, Bill Fritz, and Greg Groff) out and about. This will certainly be a fun night.

Sunday, Sept. 2, Private Party, Ponte Vista, Ocean City , MD.

See you at the bar... Steve Ports, David Bell, Don Wimbrough and Bill Fritz

Awesome, awesome column Bill, as always. This one may be one of your very best - it has everything for every one of your loyal, appreciative fans and then some more added on top of that. So much good stuff happening in the sports world today and we need to hear more about it in mainstream media and less about the poisoning influences like Michael Vick (he had everything, now does not even have self respect), that Donaghy fellow whose supposed cheating in the NBA may have robbed thousands of sports fans, and the hated Barry Bonds. Truly each has lost so much more than they have ever gained. And then there are well respected heroes like Tiger Woods, Shaquille O'Neal, Danica Patrick, the Maryland U. women's basketball champions and their coach Brenda Friese, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, James Blake, Joe Gibbs, Bret Favre, Peyton Manning, Dale Earnhardt sr. and jr., Richard Petty, David Beckham, Michael Jordan and sooo many others who inspire and encourage their zillion fans around the world not only with their God given talents and abilities but for their contributions to society in their private lives as well. Let's hear it for all of them right now - HIP HIP HOORAY, HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!! And let's not forget our own heroes - our friends we grew up with and still admire today: Mr. William R. McCaffrey goes to the top of the list, Frank Shore, Bob Ehrlich, Colonel Chuck Suraci, Len Knott, John Linthicum, Rev. Lou Sheldon, Carole and Cully Cullinane, June Sumner, Donnie Neuenberger, Pat Disney Temple, Ti Kemp, Bob Simi, Tommy and Joan Harris, Lenny Kanthal, and sooo many more - we all have our personal nominees to this Friends Hall of Fame list. Perhaps some of your readers would like to send in their names for the Friends Hall of Fame. We will not think about a Hall of Shame, too many of us would be on that one - me included, ha ha ha. Blessings to you and yours and continued hopes and prayers for your COMPLETE RECOVERY. Dale

Dear Dale, Yes, good thoughts, Bill

Bill, Hope you are well and keeping active. It is about time for the High Schools to start practice for the upcoming football season. I still would like to set up a time for you to meet with one of our Sports Reporters here on the shore. I still think we have some outstanding players who don't get much exposure. Your program just might be the perfect avenue to help. Send me a couple of times/dates we can set up a lunch meeting down here. Charles

Bill, What better way to cool off the dog days of August than a cold drink at the Hot Stove Dinner. We'll also be discussing what happened at the SABR National Convention!

Wednesday, August 8, 2007: Monthly SABR Hot Stove Dinner

Where: The Hard Times Cafe, 3028 Wilson Blvd , Arlington , Va.

Time: 6:30 P.M. If you're definitely, probably, or possibly attending: RSVP to Dave Raglin at 703/835-1198 or dar6884@earthlink.net by Wednesday Noon, so he can reserve sufficient space at the restaurant. The Cafe is right across the street from the Orange Line's Clarendon stop. FREE parking is available nearby, so you don't have to search for that elusive metered spot. The parking lot's address is 3033 Wilson Blvd; the entrance to the underground parking lot is on Highland St. , 1/2 block north of Wilson . Cost: Only what you eat and drink. Come hungry, though, because the chili is GREAT. So are the wings, and Wednesday is cheap wings night.

Bill, You gotta be kidding about Miller for Governor! He is the one who pushed through to deregulate electricity. Hoyer doing a good job â¤³ you must not read the approval ratings for our Congress, believe it that it is worse than George Bush. Sorry about that. Fred

Dear Fred, Yes I believe Mike would make a good Governor, his chief legislative aide when the deregulation went through was Joe Bryce who is now Governor O'Malley's top legislative aide. If you read my column you should remember that I mentioned that Bush was at 29% approval Congress at 26%. So you see I do know what the ratings were. Also Hoyer has brought much home to his District and that's more than I can say for others. I didn't know that you were such a fan of O'Malley, Pelosi and Hillary. Bill

Bill, So glad to see you;re back..two reasonsâ¤† your're doing well and back with us and I missed your column and you very much. Now about Michael Vick, it doesn't look good for him but I do wish the media and everyone would quit finding him guilty so soon. He just might not be guilty and whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? I know it doesn't look good, but let's hear it all. Can't be so quick to condemn, can we? Marlene

Dear Marlene, You are right, it does look bad but let's wait until all is in. Biill

Bill, Your column, you and your readers make the weekly fix for all the news that is news of DC. Love Ya, Charlie

Bill, Dr. Arnold McKnight, the former Boxing Commissioner of Washington DC is at Saint Clare's Hospital located at 25 Pocono Road , Denville NJ 07834 , he is in bad shape. The telephone to the main desk is 973-625-6000. Thanks Henry Hascup

ADDITIONS--TREMBLEY TO MANAGE O'S THE REST OF SEASON....KEVIN GARNETT TO CELTICS FOR FIVE PLAYERS AND TWO NUMBER ONE FUTURE DRAFT PICKS........ERIC GAGNE TO RED SOX.... MATT MORRIS TO PIRATES....TEIXEIRA TO ATLANTA

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