We had planned to give inning by inning updates on the SMCC and Summerfield games here, but we were not able to get internet access at the stadium in Battle Creek.
There will be regular updates on monroenews.com, however.
Archive for June, 2007
SMCC, Summerfield playing today
Thursday, June 14th, 2007Hall of Shame Announcers
Wednesday, June 13th, 2007Justin Verlander Tuesday night became the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter in Detroit in 34 years, but the Tiger radio and television announcers did a shameful job of keeping fans in the dark during the history-making performance.
TV play-by-play man Mario Impemba never mentioned the no-hitter until the game was over. Radio announcer Dan Dickerson dropped cryptic hints that something special was going on but refused to utter the words “no-hitter.” Both said later that they didn’t want to jinx Verlander’s bid and be criticized later if the no-hitter was broken up. Color men Jim Price and Rod Allen played along with their partners.
The Tiger announcers forgot or simply don’t care that they first are supposed to be reporters. Informing fans that history is about to be made is simply their duty. If they can’t report what’s happening, they all ought to find a new line of work. Some fans said Wednesday they tuned in to portions of the game but turned it off after getting the score because the announcers never told them that someting special was happening.
Ernie Harwell and the late Red Barber always reported when a no-hitter was in progress by either team. Both considered it their duty to the listeners, many of whom have not been listening since the opening pitch. Of course, Harwell and Barber are in Baseball’s Hall of Fame. The Tigers’ embarrassing foursome belong in the Hall of Shame.
Any softball fans out there?
Wednesday, June 13th, 2007I was surprised to get no responses to my earlier blog praising the success of the Monroe, SMCC and Summerfield softball teams.
I expected a few: Go Trojans! Go Kestrels! or Go Bulldogs!
Making it to the state quarterfinals is quite an accomplishment. Now, two of them have made another step with SMCC and Summerfield winning their way into Friday’s semifinals.
Are the fans getting excited yet? Come on SMCC and Summerfield fans, let’s hear what you have to say about your teams.
I’m excited to make the trip to Battle Creek Friday to see them play. It’s too bad Monroe won’t be joining them, but the Trojans had a great season. They should quickly dry those tears they shed Tuesday and smile at what they accomplished this season.
More softball success
Sunday, June 10th, 2007Saturday was another great day for Monroe County Region softball.
A year after putting three teams in the state finals, three more are headed to the state quarterfinals after Monroe, St. Mary Catholic Central and Summerfield all won Regional Tournaments.
Monroe (as usual) pulled out a pair of close games, SMCC upset the fourth-ranked team in the state in extra innings and Summerfield was dominant in its Regional final.
All three should have an excellent chance to win again Tuesday and advance to the semifinals. Who do you think can win it all?
NBA playoffs on hold
Monday, June 4th, 2007We must wait until Thursday for the NBA Finals to begin. As my colleague Ron Montri wrote in a recent column, television deals drag out the playoffs for far too long.
When the finals finally do begin, I look for the San Antonio Spurs to capture the title.
LeBron James and the Cavaliers will be happy just to get past the Pistons and get a chance to play in the finals. The will be a little overwhelmed by the big stage.
San Antonio, on the other hand, has been there many times before. They know what it takes to win a title.
Monroe pitcher makes coach nervous
Sunday, June 3rd, 2007Monroe softball coach Vince Rossi is always a nervous sort. He sweats all the details.
I was in the Trojan dugout with Rossi between games of the District Tournament Saturday when star pitcher Jessica Irwin came in and asked a teammate to look at her ribs to see if they were bruised. She had been hit by a ball during warmups.
That was Rossi’s worst nightmare. Right before a title game his pitcher gets hurt. I am sure his heart skipped a beat or two, but Irwin is tough.
She shook off the injury to toss a one-hitter with 15 strikeouts in the finals. The only hit off her was a bunt single.
If you haven’t had a chance to see Irwin pitch, you should make it a point to get to Saline for Saturday’s Regional Tournament. She is one of the greatest pitchers in Monroe County history.
LeBron phenomenal
Friday, June 1st, 2007Piston fans are a unique breed. They rarely give much credit to the opponent, saying that their team was disinterested, had a bad shooting night or was robbed by the refs.
But Thursday night the only reasonable response to the game against Cleveland was “Wow!”
LeBron James put on a phenomenal show. I thought the Pistons actually played very well, but James refused to lose this game. As I said in an earlier post, we are watching a superstar grow up in this series.