Sports Beat column - August 8, 2008

Sports Beat

August 8, 2008

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

MEMORIES BRING BACK MEMORIES

Last week, I had Lou Martin and Ron Lutz of the Memories on my PGCTV show and it was a great show that brought back many memories. Talking about the song "Standing on the Corner", these guys did it and 51 years later they still are in the business with the latest gigs coming on the Country Club circuit in Florida. They are in "The Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Museum" in Sharon, Pennsylvania, and a lot of their memorabilia is in the museum as well as some records from their Golden years, they have many awards including one from the Governor of Maryland. You can reach the Memories at www.thememories.org.

If you want a copy of the PGCTV show contact David Barnes at 301-773-0900 x231, believe me this is a great show.

Latest News: The filming has been completed on the Memories film, "DREAMS COME TRUE". This story about the musical journey of a group of young guys covers fifty years of musical history. This film is jam packed with many of the songs we have all grown to love. This film contains clips of The Memories in concert and at the studio recording. This DVD digital video comes with the popular 5.1 surround sound and a host of other features. Don't miss out on this piece of music - Doowop - history.

Dreams Come True is NOW available so check this space for ordering information. Order the new Memories DVD "Dreams Come True" by contacting COUNTRY ROCK, DOO-WOP, AS WELL AS 60'S AND 70'S CLASSIC ROCK AND ROLL. WHAT A STRETCH!!! WE THINK YOU WILL LOVE THIS GREAT COLLECTION OF SONGS YOU KNOW AND LOVE.

Both the Orioles and the Nationals are doing better and despite their winning spurts they still both have very low TV and radio ratings. Despite their better play folks out in TV land seem to prefer "Law and Order" shows, "Monk", "Medium", "Amazing Grace", "Smack Down", "Raw", "NASCAR", "Iron Chef", "Throw down with Bobby Flay", "§Burn Notice", and "Jerry Springer"; plus now that football is back its probably all over for the Nats and Birds. I do think the Nats are a more exciting club, but both PR and Media departments are the worse in the B-W area.

Where oh where are Rick Vaughn and Lou Corletto when you need them? Several people called and said they saw Ed "Downtown" Brown doing commercials on Baltimore TV for "Eastern Motors", I checked it out and it is not Ed, please no more calls or emails to me about Brown.

The Nats swept the slumping Reds and are showing signs of rebounding in the second half of the season.

On the other side of the B-W, the Orioles won two out of three from the worse team in the American League, Seattle. But then the Angles took two out of three clipping the Birds wings in game three 9-4. The middle game was a great one by Chris Waters who pitched one-hit shutout ball, and even though he was still strong manager Dave pulled him. Waters has been great this season and Norfolk and you have to wonder where those so-called front office genius have been. He should have been up here earlier just as Montanez, Brad Bergesen, and Matt Wieters should have been. Adam Jones is on the DL and out for four to six weeks. The Orioles could upgrade their TV and radio crews by bringing in Rick Sutcliffe, Steve Stone, Ken Singleton, Tony Roberts, and Chris Cole.

For immediate release Contact:
Brad Rumble, Executive Director
NASPAA (816) 305-6293
brumble@kc.rr.com

FOOTBALL P.A. ANNOUNCERS' CLINIC SET

The National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers (NASPAA), the professional association for sports public address announcers, will conduct a clinic for football public address announcers on Saturday, August 16 from 1:00 p.m.¡X4:00 p.m. at Kenwood High School in Baltimore. The clinic is for junior high/middle school, high school, college and youth football P.A. announcers. Substitute announcers, as well as high school and college students who would like to learn how to announce are also encouraged to register. Richard Keller, who has 12 years experience announcing for the Community College of Baltimore County and other college, high school and professional teams in the region, will be the clinician. Bill Rothe, a 27-year P.A. veteran and the P.A. announcer for Kenwood High School and Sparrows Point High School, will assist Mr. Keller. The clinic will cover a variety of topics including sportsmanship, dealing with emergency situations, announcing ¡§do¡†s and don¡†ts¡¨, scriptwriting, working with a spotter, and pre-game preparation. Attendees will also have the opportunity to announce football play situations as part of a hands on announcing activity to help them sharpen their announcing skills. ¡§With the success of the basketball P.A. announcers¡† clinic that we hosted last November, I can see a real service to the athletic community by doing something similar for football P.A. announcers,¡¨ commented Derek Maki, Kenwood High School Athletic Director. "I can't think of a better way for announcers to prepare for the upcoming season". Information about the clinic and registration may be obtained at www.naspaa.net.

BOXING NEWS

Darnell "The Ding-A-Ling Man" Wilson (23-7-3, 20 ko's) of Takoma Park fought for the WBA cruiserweight title on May 3, 2008 against champion Firat Arslan (29-3-1, 18 ko's) in Stuttgart, Germany. Darnell lost by a 12-round unanimous decision. The judges' scores were 11-117 across the board. Mike "The Persecutor" Paschall (17-1-1, 4 ko's) of Baltimore fought Andre "The Matrix" Dirrell (16-0-0, 11 ko's) of Flint, Michigan in a scheduled 10-round televised bout on August 2, 2008 in Tacoma, Washington. Paschall lost by technical knockout in the fourth round when the bout was stopped due to a deep laceration on Paschall's forehead which was caused a punch. The judges's; scores at the time of the bout stoppage were a close 28-29 across the board.

Montanez Named Player of the Month, Gets Promoted
Outfielder Added To O's 25-Man Roster

It has been an exciting and extremely productive season for Lou Montanez so far. After being named to the Eastern League All-Star Team and making the finals in the 2008 Irving Oil Home Run Derby, Lou went on an absolute tear in July and early August. After dominating the Eastern League for four months, Lou's contract has been selected by the Baltimore Orioles. Montanez was promoted when Orioles OF Adam Jones was placed on the disabled list with a fractured left foot. Lou played in 30 games for the Baysox in the month of July, hitting safely in all but four of the contests. He hit an outstanding .352 (38-for-108) with six doubles, three triples and eight homeruns. Lou also scored 25 runs in the month and collected 29 RBI. In addition to be being an All-Star and the Eastern League's Player of the Month in July, Lou was also named Bank of America Eastern League Player of the Week for the weeks ending May 26 and August 3. On August 1, Lou went 5-for-6, hitting for the cycle and tallying eight RBI against the Altoona Curve. Montanez hit safely in the last 19 games he played for the Baysox, tying the season high for the Eastern League. Even more impressive, he also scored in every one of those games. If Lou returns to Bowie this season, he has a chance to become the first player to win a triple crown in the Eastern League since Danny Thomas did it for the Berkshire Brewers in 1976. Montanez leads the Eastern League with a .335 batting average, 26 homeruns and 97 RBI. The Bowie Baysox are in their 16th season as the "AA" affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Baysox individual game tickets, season ticket plans, group outings, picnics and birthday parties are currently available for booking by calling the Baysox front office at (301) 464-4880.

Montanez hit a home run in his first AB for the Orioles.

Bergesen's The Best!

Baysox starter Brad Bergesen became the first player in franchise history to win 14 games in a season as the Baysox beat the Curve 12-2 Saturday night. Catcher Matt Wieters reached base six times in the contest as Bowie cruised to their sixth victory in the last seven games. With the win, the Baysox remain 2.5 games behind Akron in the Southern Division. Altoona took an early lead on an RBI double by Jim Negrych in the first inning and increased the lead to 2-0 on an RBI single by James Boone in the second. After Boone's single, Bergesen found a groove, retiring the next ten batters and only allowing one more base runner. Bergesen went six innings to record the win, allowing the two runs on six hits with no walks and two strikeouts. Bergesen has now won his last four starts, and seven out his last eight. It was his seventh start where he did not allow a single walk

The Baysox offense would carry Bergesen to his league-leading fourteenth victory by scoring 12 runs over the final seven innings. Over the past two games, the Baysox have scored 31 runs on 37 hits, without scoring more than four runs in an inning. Carlos Rojas got hit by a pitch with one out in the top of the third inning and moved to second on a single by Lou Montanez. Matt Wieters hit a ground rule double to left, scoring Rojas and moving Montanez up to third. Montanez would score on a groundout by Jeff Nettles to tie the game at 2-2. Bowie would take the lead with another pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Jonathan Tucker led off with a single and went to second on a bunt single by Blake Davis. Sebastien Boucher singled to drive in Tucker and Davis scored on an infield single by Carlos Rojas. Matt Wieters led off the top of the fifth with a single and scored on a double by Ryan Finan. Finan would move to third on a wild pitch and he came in to score on a single by Jonathan Tucker, giving Bowie a 6-2 lead.

In the top of the sixth, the Baysox drew four walks and added three more runs. Sebastien Boucher led off with a walk and got caught stealing second. Carlos Rojas, Lou Montanez and Matt Wieters all drew walks to load the bases. Rojas and Montanez came in to score on an error by shortstop Angel Gonzalez, and Wieters wound up on third base on the play. Finan hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Montanez, and the Baysox went up 9-2. Matt Wieters would score the Baysox tenth run of the game on a passed ball in the eighth before the Baysox scored their final two runs in the ninth. Blake Davis and Sebastien Bourcher both singled to lead off the ninth inning. Wieters hit a two-out single to right to drive in Davis and Boucher scored on a double to left by Jeff Nettles.

Seven Run Second Sweeps the Curve Away

David Hernandez pitched another great game for the Baysox and finally came away with a win. Hernandez had not won in his last seven starts, despite not allowing more than two earned runs in any of the contests. With the win, the Baysox are now 67-49 and trail the Akron Aeros by 1.5 games in the Southern Division.

After compiling 31 runs on 37 hits over the first two games, the Baysox offense continued to abuse Curve pitching Sunday. Matt Wieters hit a one-out single to center in the top of the second and scored the first run of the game on a double by Jeff Nettles. Ryan Finan followed with a single to put runners on the corners with one out before Brian Peterson struck out looking.

Now with two outs, Blake Davis singled to center, scoring Nettles, and Sebastien Boucher hit an inside-the-park homerun to left field. It was his seventh homerun of the season. Now with the bases empty and a 5-0 lead, the Baysox went back to work. Carlos Rojas drew a walk and scored when Lou Montanez doubled to left.

The double gave Montanez a new team-high 18-game hitting streak. Montanez came in to score on a single to right by Nolan Reimold and when the dust finally settled in the top of the second, the Baysox held a 7-0 lead. Altoona got a run back in the bottom of the third on a groundout by Jim Negrych, but the Baysox answered with another run in the top of the fourth.

Lou Montanez came up with the bases clear and hit his Eastern League-leading twenty-sixth homerun of the season to left-center field. Montanez would push the lead to 9-1 in the top of the eighth with a sacrifice fly, giving him 97 RBI on the season. Altoona would cap their scoring on a groundout by James Boone in the bottom of the eighth, but the Baysox came back with another run in the top of the ninth on a solo homerun by Ryan Finan. David Hernandez worked 5.0 innings in the game, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out eight.

It was his eighth start where he struck out at least eight batters, and he has now struck out 32 batters over his last 21.0 innings. Ryan Keefer, Wilfredo Perez and Julio Manon combined to hold the Curve to one run on four hits while striking out six over the final four innings.

B-Mets Bullpen Binds Baysox

Baysox starter Chris Tillman looked nearly untouchable against the Binghamton Mets Monday, but the Baysox fell 6-3 in 12 innings. Binghamton's bullpen combined to throw 6 scoreless innings, holding the Baysox to four hits and two walks over that span. With the loss, the Baysox fall to 67-50, and are now 2.5 games behind Akron in the Southern Division.

Tillman struck out a season-high eleven batters while allowing two runs on four hits and a walk. Nine of his first eleven outs were strikeouts. He was encouraged by the progress of his secondary pitches, "Everything was working for me tonight. Fastball, I had one of the better changeups I've had all year tonight, my curveball was the best it's been all year. I've been working on that in the bullpen a lot, so I'm glad it finally came through."

After striking out two in the first inning, Tillman allowed a solo homerun to Caleb Stewart to lead off the second before striking out the side. Tillman also struck out the side in the third inning and retired nine batters in a row at one point.

Mike Rodriguez got the Baysox offense going when he singled to lead off the bottom of the third inning. He moved to third on a single by Blake Davis and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jonathan Tucker to tie the game at 1-1. In the bottom of the fourth, Lou Montanez led off with a single to center, extending his hitting streak to 19 games, tying the longest streak in the Eastern League this season. Nolan Reimold followed with a double down the left field line and Montanez scored from first. With the run, Lou also scored in his nineteenth consecutive game to give the Baysox a 2-1 lead.

Binghamton got to Tillman for another run in the fourth inning. Ambiorix Concepcion led off with a single and stole second base. He went to third on a single to right by Salomon Manriquez before Josh Peterson hit a hard groundball down the first base line.

First baseman Jeff Nettles got a glove on it, but couldn't stop the ball and it rolled out into short right field. Concepcion scored easily on the play and Nettles tried to gun down Manriquez at third. Manriquez beat the throw, but Peterson took a wide turn around first base and Jonathan Tucker alertly threw behind him for the second out of the inning. Tillman would get Jonathan Malo to pop out to second base to end the inning with the score tied at 2-2. Matt Wieters put the Baysox back in front 3-2 when he crushed a ball over the wall in left in the sixth inning. It was his seventh homerun since joining the Baysox.

Felix Romero came on to relieve Tillman in the seventh inning, and he struck out the side before running into trouble in the eighth inning. Jonathan Malo led off with a single to left and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jose Coronado. Romero struck out Anderson Machado for the second out, but he walked Mike Carp with a full count to put runners on first and second. Caleb Stewart singled to left to drive in Malo for his second RBI of the game.

The Baysox mounted a threat in the bottom of the eighth but came up empty. Carlos Rojas drew a one-out walk and moved to third on a single by Sebastien Boucher to put runners on the corners. Nolan Reimold came to the plate looking to drive a ball to the outfield, be he grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Binghamton mounted a threat of their own in the top of the ninth. Shawn Bowman led off with a single to left and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Salomon Manriquez. Josh Peterson hit a fly ball to short center field. Bowman took off, trying to score on the play, but Mike Rodriguez made a spectacular diving catch and Bowman was doubled off second base to end the inning.

Gerardo Casadiego pitched three scoreless innings of relief before running into trouble in twelfth inning. Manriquez led off with a single to left field and Josh Peterson hit a slow roller to short that Blake Davis barehanded and tried to throw to first. The throw sailed wide of the bag and both runners advanced a base. With runners on second and third with nobody out, the Baysox brought the infield in and Jonathan Malo hit a ball into center field. Both runners scored on the hit, and Malo moved to second on the throw to the plate.

After Malo's two RBI single, Bowie brought Chad Thall in to pitch. Thall caught a break when Jose Coronado attempted to bunt and accidentally kicked the ball while it was in play. Coronado was ruled out and Malo had to stay at second base. Malo then stole third with Machado batting. After Machado struck out swinging, Mike Carp hit a soft chopper to the hole between third and short that Jonathan Tucker couldn't field. Tucker was charged with an error and Malo scored on the play, giving Binghamton a 6-3 advantage. Mets reliever Elvis Quezada would retire the Baysox in order in the bottom of the twelfth to earn the victory.

The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2008 Yoseloff-SABR Baseball Research Grants. They are (alphabetically) Rick Benner, Gene Carney, Ken Fenster, David Laliberte, John Lewis, and Justin Murphy. The Yoseloff-SABR Baseball Research Grants support baseball research efforts by providing reimbursement funding for worthy projects. The result of the research will be published in some from by SABR.

The grants were made possible by the generosity of the Anthony A. Yoseloff Foundation.

This year's recipients mark the fourth cycle of SABR program in which it will award no less than $4,000 in baseball research grants each year.

Benner, 50, a paralegal from Baldwin City, Kansas, received funding for his proposal on researching what colleges major league baseball players have attended. The current chair of the SABR Collegiate Committee, Benner has been a SABR member since 2001.

Carney, 62, a writer/editor from Utica, New York, received his second Yoseloff-SABR Baseball Research grant. His funding will allow him to pore through many of the documents relating to the Black Sox Scandal recently purchased by the Chicago History Museum. He has been a SABR member since 1991.

Fenster, 63, an associate professor of history at Georgia Perimeter College, received his grant to research Earl Mann. Earl Mann, known as Mr. Atlanta Baseball, operated the Atlanta Crackers of the Double-A Southern Association for the Coca-Cola Company from 1934 until 1949 when he purchased the team. He owned the team through the conclusion of the 1959 season when he returned his franchise to the League. Fenster has been a SABR member since 1993. Laliberte, 30, a graduate student from St. Cloud, Minnesota, received his grant to explore baseball at several Minnesota Native American boarding schools in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He has been a SABR member since October 2007.

Lewis, 53, of Columbus, Ohio, will use his grant to compile the complete season statistics from the 1905 Ohio-Pennsylvania League.

The league began the season as the Protective Association, but changes its name mid-season when it joined the National Association. The league president announced at season¡†s end that there were no official hitting, pitching and fielding statistics because most official scorers failed to send in the statistics. Lewis plans to reconstruct the statistics by collecting box scores from each game. Lewis joined SABR in 1993.

Murphy, 23, a linguist from Penfield, New York, received his grant to aid in his research of Jocko Flynn, especially his life and his amateur career. Murphy has been a member since February 2007. Information regarding the 2009 Yoseloff-SABR Baseball Research Grants will be posted soon.

To review the most recent guidelines, see http://www.sabr.org/sabr.cfm?a=cms,c,2057

WE GET LETTERS

Bill, I first came to DC in 1950. My brother brought me to DC for the summer. My home was about 250 miles west of DC off US 50 in WVA. My father was a coal miner. When coming into DC across the Memorial Bridge don't know the time but it was dark thirty. Seeing all those monuments lighted up was a thrill of a life time. Going east we came upon the Capitol Building, had my brother circle it three times not knowing that I would be living 6 blocks away at 610 East Capitol Street. Next few day I was introduced my neighbors at 608.The family was Ward W. Sullivan, his brother Jack, half brother Ray Newman the oldest and their mother Arnita Sullivan. Both Ward and Jack went To Eastern HS. Some of your readers know them I was sorry to hear someone report that Ward had passed on. Had not seen them or their mother since 1961.My brother Carl and Ray Newman both drove bus for Capital Transit. M y brother worked at Bob Whites on Friday and Sat night bar tending, can't remember if he worked Sundays. Had for gotten it was called the Hideaway. Do remember the sign going down stairs on the left side at top saying Rathskeller.

There was only a service bar at the back on the left and and a small dance floor. The ice machine produced nothing but shaved ice which broke down often then it was U-line to the rescue. Facing the service bar there was a dumb waiter on the left for pizza and food, also a raw bar in the same space, which my brother or any other bar tender had to handle. I would go to work with him have a pizza and had to leave before 8:00 pm. Upstairs bar had a sign over the bar that said the fish you eat here today slept in the Chesapeake Bay last night. Bob White was in his 50's had white hair his wife was buxom lady in her late 30's or early 40's the connection between Newman /Sullivan family was Ray and my brother Carl sailed together in WW2 in the merchant marine brother Carl signed on a 17.All though I was awed by the sites in DC to this day, my sister and I spent the summer or 1942 with my Grandmother in Jersey City to give my father a break. My uncle worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard building ships along with thousands of others. He took my sister and me to watch a ship being launched also saw NY City, and then also my sister & I got to spend the summer on long island in 1948, got to go to Jones Beach about 4 or 5 times. My uncle also took us to dinner at Taft hotel in NYC that summer. Vincent Lopez played the dinner music. His band was one of the better known bands at that time in history. None of these was impressive as DC. More to come later. Kancho Slick Spasoff

Slick, Good report. Bill

Bill, My opinion of NATIONALS PARK has changed. WOW! It is a truly cool sports facility. Brian took me to witness the Phillies thrash & trash the Nats tonight. His seats are 2nd row off the field in the RED PORCH section. Sweet! Hoping 2 head back on Sunday afternoon. They have $5 tix which R cheaper then them Os! CAN'T WAIT 2 C THE ROLLING STONES PERFORM THERE ON THEIR 2010 TOUR! Tim T.

Bill, What's your take on the Ravens and Redskins? Sam S.

Dear Sam, It's up in the air right now on how either team is going to do. Both are in tough divisions and have quarterback questions, we will have our predictions after we see how they do on the exhibition trail. Bill

Bill, I see where your friend Ed "Downtown" Brown is still fooling the pro and college media people and running up his record free meals on the teams. My question is he a legitimate member of the press? I see no by-lines only a simpleton show on Bowie TV which never seems to have much on sports. Harry J.

Dear Harry, That show is his only claim to fame that I know. He never had anything published on a regular basis but he's a nice old man who does a mean "downtown shuffle" other than that Herbie Blivitz is a better media member. Bill

Bill, Will Jared Gaither be able to step in for the departed Ogden? Sue Williams

Dear Sue, At 6'9 and 330 pounds Gaither should be able to do the job. Bill

Bill, It is with sadness that I inform you that Charles Martin, class of 1951, passed away on July 30, 208. Fred Plummer

Bill, Thanks for the column, for the hometown connection. Will be looking for our favorite Nascar Nationwide Series driver, Donnie Neuenberger of Maryland, to have a good run in Michigan on August 14th and also in Dover where Donnie always runs well unless some rookie kid slams into him. And congrats to Donnie and the team for acquiring a new sponsor also. GO DONNIE!!!! Another day to remember coming up for me is my amazing daughter Dr. Rhonda's birthday this Saturday, the 9th.

And, of course, Friday nite is the 2008 opening day for the Olympics in China. With the pollution, heat and earthquakes there, and the confusions with the great language barrier (few Chinese speak English of course, good for China I guess because we will not be able to understand their complaints about the injustices there) - how about the families whose homes were demolished because of not presenting a good enough image of China - and the protests expected of course. I would not go there for all the tea in China. Was interesting to see the athletes arriving inside the airports with their masks on to protect them from the pollution, it is that bad. Yuck.

Our Daytona Cubs here in Jackie Robinson ballpark are still number one in their division. My son David and I were in the crowd Saturday night cheering them on to a 13-5 victory over the team from Vero Beach. One of our Cubbies hit two homeruns with bases loaded. GO CUBBIES!!!! My computer has been down, hope it will stay up for awhile. Blessings and love to all, Dale

Dear Dale, Good report. Bill

SPORTS NOTES

Bowie (now Oriole) outfielder Luis Montanez is the winner of the Bank of America Eastern League Player of the Week Award and Trenton right-hander George Kontos is the winner of the Bank of America Eastern League Pitcher of the Week Award.

DUMBO ARTS CENTER PROUDLY PRESENTS: THE12TH ANNUAL ART UNDER THE BRIDGE FESTIVAL

September 26 - 28, 2008 this is an open call for artists of all types. Gleaso's Gym will once again become a private studio for artists to display and sell their art. Artists of all mediums can use Gleason's Gym as long as there is a boxing theme to your work. . Last year we had: Paintings, drawings, illustrations, photographs, sculptures, books and songs. Gleason's Gym has paid all the fees and you can participate at no charge. Whatever you sell is 100% yours with no commission. If you are interested, call Bruce at (718) 797-2872.

In golf at Old South in the OSWGA "Beat Bogey" Tournament in the 9-hole League:
1st place ¡V(tie) Rose LaPlaca and Pat Wayson 18-hole League: 1st place --- (tie) Jean Chipouras and Margaret Owens 3rd place ¡V Anne Pace

I understand Fred Plummer, Carolyn Keenen, and Don Saccardi are having good summers on the links. Also my sources say a young girl golfer named Dionne West is one to watch. I wonder how Jerry Slagle is doing on the links?

The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation will hold its 3 rd Annual golf tournament at Renditions on September 3 rd , for information call Joe Help at 443-829-6679 or email www.ripkenfoundation.org.

One of my favorite songs is Johnny Cash's "The Man in Black". I guess that's why I favor black clothes.

Are WMAR, the Sun and sports radio 1300 AM on the downhill slide? Did the sports babe go on the Nutri system diet and become Harpo Marx? Yes I think former Redskins Pat Fischer and Chris Hanburger belong in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. At Bretton Woods Tom and Tad Duvall won the Morocco Cup. Did the College of Southern Maryland suddenly forget John Mappas produced championship men's basketball teams? Will women's softball return to CSMC and Anne Arundel Community College next season? Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks booted quarterback Curtis Pulley off the football team. Whatever happened to Lawrence Phillips? Isn¡†t everyone in sports just a little tired of the Brett Farve? The New York Jets are a good fit for him. Well at least the new Nebraska football coach knows what is needed there¡Xaccountability, discipline, and unselfish attitude which in recent years has been lacking at Nebraska.

Can Maryland racing be saved by slots?

I wonder where they are now: Garland "Bill" Dailey, Betty Cerami, Bette Wisecarver, Ginger Foster, Don Lock, Carl Danell, Shirley Brown, Shirley Lauderdale, Linda Gerik, Phil Jackman, Midge Russell and Keith Mong.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the following families:
William Thomas "Bill" Herndon (graduated from St. Albans (DC) HS where he was a 3 year member of the wrestling team).
Ricky Dunpit (Northwestern HS grad).
Sharon Taylor Price (BCC HS grad).
Dr. Jerome Footer (Woodrow Wilson (DC) HS grad).
Eleanor Mary Carr (graduate Notre Dame (DC) Academy.

Who remembers the hay rides to Great Falls? The submarine races at Haines Point? The "DingHow" in the 1400 block of Irving St. in NW DC? The Cross-town night spot on Mount Pleasant St. in DC, Bob Whites? Also how many "Tuckers Restaurants" in the SE, PG area?

The Cullinane's have a very good friend that will be 100 years young on August 15. He is in great health, drives his car (not at night), cuts his own grass and cleans his own gutters. Joe was on the Metropolitan Police Department for 41 years and retired as a Deputy Chief. Mayor Fenty will declare the 15th as Joe Osterman's Day in DC and Joe will also be on the channel 4 Smuckers pictures during his week. We would like for anyone that would like to send a 100 year old wonderful guy a birthday greeting or can also email one to me and I will print and forward all to him.

Joseph Osterman
P.O. Box 74
Bladnesburg, MD 20710

Washington Glory & Diamond Elite are proud to announce the formation of Glory's Diamond Elite Academy Travel Softball Teams.

IMPORTANT -- IN CASE OF RAIN, TRYOUTS WILL BE MOVED TO THE DIAMOND ELITE INDOOR TRAINING FACILTY, OFFICIAL TRAINING PARTNER OF THE WASHINGTON GLORY

Diamond Elite
21598 Atlantic Blvd
Suite 120
Sterling, VA 20166
703-665-0662

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL PAUL AT 703.625.7640 OR CALL THE DIAMOND ELITE FACILITY AT 703.665.0662

ALSO -- IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN COACHING AN 18 GOLD TEAM, CALL PAUL OR EMAIL AT PAUL@DIAMONDELITE.COM

The location of all Diamond Elite Academy Travel Team tryouts has been changed to:
The Broadlands Fields on Belmont Ridge Road, adjacent to the National Parks and Recreation Association building at 22377 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn, VA 20148-4150

Also please note -- all 7pm tryouts will now end at 8:30pm “h and 18 Gold tryouts have been added Many thanks for all the positive response.

We're excited to meet all of you who have contacted us!! Blessings, Paul

Please be sure to read all the way to the bottom of the email

Tues Aug 5 @ 5pm-7pm 10U @ 7pm-8:30pm 16U & 18G Weds Aug 6 @ 5pm-7pm 12U @ 7-8:30pm 14U Sat Aug 9 @ 9am-11am 16U & 18G @ 11am-1pm 10U Sun Aug 10 @ 9am-11am 12U @ 11am-1pm 14U Tues Aug 12 @ 5pm-7pm 10U &12U & 7pm-8:30pm 14U, 16U & 18G Please RSVP by Monday, August 4 to ensure a try-out spot.

RSVP to Paul Wilson at 703.625.7640 or paul@diamondelite.com

(Please include age bracket and first two positions you want to try out for)

The mission of the Diamond Elite Academy Teams is to develop fully rounded amateur players who exhibit character, integrity and elite athletic performance. It is Diamond Elite Academy's vision to take good, dedicated athletes and help them develop to their maximum potential -- and ultimately -- to create strong Division One scholarship prospects.

To that end, the organization is seeking players who will work year-round, training both outdoors and in the Diamond Elite indoor training academy in Dulles, Virginia. Diamond Elite features state-o f-the art -equipment including the Right View Pro Video Analysis System.

Of the moment technology, coupled with training by our champion staff (including many Washington Glory players & coaches) will allow us to produce a very special organization with an elite training environment. The Washington Glory coaching staff of Head Coach Carie Dever-Boaz and Assistant Coach Erin Goettlicher, named 2007 NPF Coaches of the Year, will help direct curriculum for overall player development.

We've received some inquiries as to why we've decided to start our own travel ball teams. Three years ago I met with a group of elite softball leaders to discuss a strategy to raise the level of softball in the DC metro area so that more of our players could compete nationally with the level of play that occurs out west, and so that the trend of losing more & more kids to soccer and la c rosse decreases.

From this meeting we concluded that it was imperative to build the exposure level of softball in our area so that more girls enter and stay in the sport; to stem the tide of losing kids to other sports, or because they aren't learning and having fun.

And, at the same time provide better year round instruction and training that allow them to succeed more at the sport and therefore enjoy it more, and want to continue participating in it. Our dream was to help kids build their dream of playing at a higher level, through exposure to the players of the Washington Glory, and by providing a place for them to train year around to work at getting better at their sport.

By bringing the Washington Glory here and opening Diamond Elite, we have accomplished both of these goals.

With our travel ball program we will provide solid examples of what year around dedicat i on and elite training can do for individual players and teams, as they have with so many of the successful travel ball programs on the West Coast.

We'll continue to offer training with the Glory players and coaches to all who desire it -- it is a major component of our goal to elevate softball in our area. By teaching the coaches and organizational leaders in the house and travel ball leagues, we can continue to help raise the level of softball in our area to what it is on the West Coast.

Helping to develop softball players at all levels and raise the level of play in our area is and always will be a main goal for our operations.

Our vision is to have teams that are developmental in nature that will be led with the understanding that winning comes as a result of hard work and dedication.

Since there has been some confusion on this point, we'd like to repeat -- we will continu e to teach and train any and all coaches and players at all levels of skill, even though they aren't part of our travel ball program.

Another point of confusion that bears highlighting -- we are not recruiting coaches or players to play on our teams. We put the word out to check the level of interest, and based on the response, we are announcing our tryouts in the papers and through our email list.

Our vision for the Diamond Elite Academy Travel Teams: dedicated and hard working kids who support their teammates, work hard both on and off the field who love the game of softball well coached and instructed head coaches will be certified through the Positive Coaching Alliance as Double Goal Coaches Players and parents will understand that respect & honor for the game, its officials and each other is a high priority We expect to be competitive and win our share of games and tournaments, but, our number one focus is on the development of each player on every team. FUN!

That's why we really want to be involved with the sport in the first place -- the love of the game and having fun playing it Included in the 2008/2009 program for each player:
2 Tournament Uniforms
2 Practice Uniforms
Warm-Up Outfit
Jacket
Bat
Cleats
Helmet
Equipment Bag
Nutritional Training
Conditioning and Agility Training
Visual Edge Sports Vision Training
Right View Pro Video Movement Analysis
2- hour and a half team training sessions at Diamond Elite per week with your coaches and our personnel.
Outdoor practices as scheduled by your coaches
8+ tournament fees

Diamond Elite Open Gym - if there is availability at Diamond Elite you can come in and pitch, hit etc at no charge

*ALL ACTIVE PLAYERS WILL RECEIVE FREE ADMISSION INTO ALL GLORY HOME GAMES*

The fee structure for our teams is:
$1,500 up front non-refundable fee once your daughter has been chosen and she/you accept to play on the team.
$450 per month for 10 months starting in September, skipping December, running through July of 2009.

PLEASE NOTE -- Fundraising by players, parents and teams will come back to those that have raised the funds to lower their overall costs of the program. If you have any questions, please call Paul at 703.625.7640 or email him at paul@diamondelite.com.

Washington Glory/Diamond Elite
21598 Atlantic Blvd.
Dulles, Virginia 20166
703-625-7640

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