The continuing shortfalls of the Big XII: As BIG XII membership dwindles, UT continues to get their way.

I am upset but not at all shocked nor impressed over UT's latest shenanigans ...finally succeeding with their bout to get their own network. A move which will be the demise of the Big XII if it continues to cave into their (UT's) childish demands. The Aggies for certain appear to be going to the SEC before too long. As with the SWC of years past, when the Razorbacks and the others jumped ship, it was the undoing of the conference led by something or the other that the UT "tea-sippers" selfishly demanded and somehow unfairly received which led the conference to disband. Similar to reasons why Nebraska and maybe even the reason Colorado also left the Big XII last year. Sadly this time around it appears that it will be Texas A&M that calls it quits with the Big XII as they go to find another more suitable home for themselves within the SEC. Who can blame them!
The tight-knit group which for years/decades consisted of Baylor, Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech since the good ole SWC days and the inception of the Big XII will soon be a memory. A&M is tired of playing second fiddle always to the good ole boy network which is UT. The traditions of each of these two universities may be quite impressive but the glory and histories not always as such. Each one cast out of the darkness often led by greed and the need for notoriety and fame regardless of how it came about or which other institutions they had to side-step or step over. More of the negative actions coming from our foes to the south in the middle of Austin ("austin"taceous-town). And who can blame them if they have the money and the power to do as they please except that this is no longer the days of old. UT is no longer a powerhouse, the days of the powerhouse seems to be dwindling as more and more sports programs are being investigated and found guilty of one thing or another. The Big XII should be more mindful to appease all remaining members and to disperse both money and power equally. Most importantly of all each respective university needs to stop allowing the likes of UT the power it has attained through-out the years by being more forceful with the conference big-wigs and the B-o-R and refusing to succumb to ideas or transactions which will benefit one school more than the other or all others.
Tradition may be rich in Austin-town for now, but as the adage goes..."every dog has its day" appears to be right around the corner if the 'Horns continue to be dismissive. The other schools UT continues to dis will have their day and one of these just may be able to play whistle-blower to the many negative (and unlawful) things we all know UT has dirtied their hands with through-out the years. Also another endearing adage for UT to remember..."the head you walk over on your way to the top may be attached to the ass you have to kiss on the way down".

Welcome back football: It is about time.

I know, I know, the NFL has returned and the games have been back on the networks for two weeks now. Trust me I know as I have been glued to the set every chance I get to watch a game and watching highlight reels on various sport's channels. I even renegotiated the contract with our cable provider for a sports package that consists of way too many sports channels. I have even resorted to watching football games from years past. I cannot get enough of it. The reason I refer to the return of football as I did in the title of this post is because college football is the actual sport that this fanatic has been awaiting since the BCS Championship game took place this past January (2011). A game that included a nice turn of events as Auburn and Oregon took the limelight; two smaller, lesser known schools finally overshadowed the usual big schools that too often are the ones vying for the championship. Who can forget that game as the Tigers edged out the Ducks 22-19.

I am so excited as we near opening day ( 09-03-11), per se; the first day when most college football games make their way back to our teles. Once again the journey begins within the BCS-eligible teams for a shot at the National Championship. Though I am not thoroughly impressed with the current AP poll which plays hosts to many of the usual contenders and pretenders, I am just glad that my team, my college, my alma mater (Texas Tech) is not yet a part of it so that it may remain under the radar and perhaps play spoiler later as the season progresses.
The Texas Tech (Sept. 3rd) tickets we purchased online have arrived today via Fed Ex and I am taken over with anticipation for the day to arrive. I do not even care that Tech is playing host to the smaller Texas State U (San Marcos). For obvious BCS-related reasons in years past it would have bothered me to no avail for Tech to play such a small school but since our Red Raiders seem to remain stuck in a transition since the unnecessary firing of "our Captain" coach Mike Leach, and the nemesis head coach known as Tommy "Tele-Tubby" Tuberville remains to lack the excitement to lead them to a Big XII conference title, I will take whatever game we can attend in person with great vigor. Thankful for the great deal on the tix we bought because last year the opportunity never came about for us to do so. I will remain steadfast as a fan and be satisfied just to be there (Jones Stadium) in person but with high hopes and slight demands that Tech come out victorious, of course.
However this I continue to promise myself as I remain a proud member of "Team Leach", I will not give Tuberville a break this season like I did not do so last year: his 'inaugural year'. Because despite his having taken over our awesome football program and all, Tuberville let down the team, the school and its respective fans and alumni because of his stubborn, ignorant will to not allow the Red Raider ("air raid") program to play the kind of football Tech is accustomed to playing and the season was not as successful as it should have been; last season was instead a slow train wreck ready to take place. Tuberville inherited a solid team and should have had more victories. This year the bar has been raised and I expect our Red Raiders to be better than last year in all aspects, similar or better than under the Leach years, and for them to wreak havoc within the Big XII and all of their non-conference games. To once again awaken the likes of the 'Horns, the Sooners, the Aggies and to serve as a reminder that Tech has not gone anywhere; the Red Raiders are still around and even though some schools still refuse to consider Texas Tech as their rivals, Tech still scares the heck out of them (both team and fans) and makes them nervous each time our teams meet on the green turf for 60 minutes of pure rough and tough college ball. Blood in and blood out...

Wreck 'EM!!!

LLWS: Congrats to the kids from CA! Well done, guys, well done!

CA wins the LLWS for the 7th time in LL history; they beat the most venerable, perhaps even the most memorable and competitive team that is Japan by a score of 2-1 today.

The young men from (Huntington Beach) California beat the young men from (Hamamatsu City) Japan via a walk off run by 12 year-old first baseman Nick Pratto who singled in the winning run with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth.
This win marks the World Series title return to the United States in the tournament which is in its 65th year of existence overall. A U.S. team has now won six out of the last seven World Series, with Japan's title last year being the exception. Both California and Japan own 7 overall LLWS titles; the most wins still belongs to Chinese Taipei with 17, though. Very impressive.
In a time when professional sports, and let's not overlook the collegiate spectrum either, seems to be even more lacking in the ethics and honesty department along comes the Little League World Series to refresh our hearts, our minds and our world. It (LLWS) rekindles our innocent love affair with the wide world of sports that they (sports) can still be regarded as a fun pastime. A nice reminder that not all sports and participants have gone sour; that sports still plays host to more honest participants than not. That more honest players and teams still abound. That more of them have managed to keep their honor and ethics intact by never having allowed themselves to go rogue by partaking in wayward monetary deals. That more players and teams have avoided the ugly world of cheating whether it does involve money, sex scandals or drugs or all the above. Indeed the Little League World Series is a nice refreshing experience full of excitement and stories of hope, glory, success and dreams come true. Some stories sad, some funny, but mostly the event is just a reminder that the world can come together to watch a bunch of young men play a sport that they love regardless of the outcome these young men are just so eager to be there and so happy. They danced and sung and kept the world entertained before, during and after the games. The world of professional (and college) sports should sit up and take notice or be reminded of what sports-involvement should really consist of:
1) Team work: teams should play together and have each others back despite being up or down. Individuals need to remember that what he/she does as a part of a team has an impact on all of his/her team-mates, the team and the entire organization. One bad decision reflects poorly on everyone associated with him.
2) Gratitude: players should be elated and humbled at the chance of doing something that few get to do in their lifetime. Playing sports at a professional (or collegiate) level is a privilege not an entitlement. The opportunity can be taken away as quickly as one earned it. The opportunity of being a part of the world of sports should never be taken for granted or allowed to be clouded or super-ceded by greed and scandal. Gratitude for being a part of it should be an unwritten rule which each team and player should carry inside of themselves embedded in their hearts and minds 24/7.
Good luck to all the participants and teams of this years Little League World Series. Thanks for reigniting our belief in sports and the innocence we all too often lose when a few bad apples try to rot the entire barrel. I won't soon forget this series and the light you all cast which was shiny and bright and so invigorating. Kudos to you all for the fun and laughter you provided and for keeping the fans on the edge of our seats, and for the entertainment you all provided during your battles both on and off the field. Indeed thanks for all the fond memories and for the reminder that sports are still good, but mostly for the reminder that people are still good.

The notorious Bronx Bombers: Making history - with gand slam hat trick!

Way to go, Bronx Bombers!!!