Classic Baseball

I rediscovered this legendary game a couple of days ago while at home. From the looks of it, there's not a lot there and isn't really special, as far as looks go. However, I love it because of the simple nuances of it.

• First of all, it's a big, boxy, brown game that has to be played with the sound on. It has the useless option to turn the sound off but because baserunning is predicated on the beeps, the shrill sounds must be kept on.
• Those beeps can be experienced in this video. It feels like you're playing the very first game created, regardless of the subject matter. 
• For as little fun as that might have looked, it is somewhat realistic. I'm a huge fan of the fact that the runners are not the same for every batter. You rip a triple and then it turns out you have Chubbs McGee at the plate and you'll have to stop at second. Or you can try to stretch it to third and get thrown out. 
• It's not terribly difficult to hit on the game but it's still an enjoyable action, mainly because balls break a little bit as they come to the plate. I like when the pitch comes over the plate and it is called a ball, because it dropped out of the zone.
• You don't play defense, meaning you hit for both teams, allowing you to purposely throw the game for one side or the other. It makes me feel like a modern-day Chick Gandil. 
• I'll admit that I own a modern remake of the game, but it makes me feel like I lived during the 1970s.

The only way I can sum up my thoughts about this game is that it is classic-kind of awesome. Thanks for reading.

Looking Ahead to Playing Up

I've finished my collection of 2011 football schedules in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, after waiting a couple of months on Western Illinois and Northern Iowa. Thus, I can begin my examination of their games five months out. (Logical, right?)

We'll start today with a look at conference teams who are playing a guarantee game in 2011. In other words, FCS (I-AA) teams playing FBS (I-A) teams on the road, primarily so they pick up the big paycheck for playing a powerhouse. Sometimes you get a win in these games, like Appalachian State over Michigan, James Madison over Virginia Tech or North Dakota State and South Dakota over Minnesota. (Thanks a lot, Brewster.)

So looking ahead to 2011, here's a list of MVFC teams that are playing FBS schools next year:

Illinois State - None
Indiana State - Sept. 3 at Penn State, Sept. 17 at Western Kentucky
Missouri State - Sept. 3 at Arkansas, Sept. 17 at Oregon
North Dakota St. - Sept. 24 at Minnesota
Northern Iowa - Sept. 3 at Iowa State
South Dakota St. - Sept. 10 at Illinois
Southern Illinois - Sept. 10 at Ole Miss
Western Illinois - Sept. 17 at Missouri
Youngstown St. - Sept 3 at Michigan State
South Dakota (MVFC in 2012) - Sept. 3 at Air Force, Sept. 24 at Wisconsin

Looking at this, I would have to classify Missouri State as fools. At Arkansas and At Oregon? Show up, take the money, and hope nobody gets hurt. Illinois State will play all 11 games against FCS opponents, but has six home games in 2011. In the end, the MVFC will play four Big Ten teams this season, two from the SEC, and one each from the Big XII, Pac-12, and Sun Belt.

I made a schedule grid of this 2011 season but have no idea how to link it on here, so I guess I'm out of luck from that standpoint. Thanks for reading.

UPDATE: I found out how to post that schedule

Yep, Marcus is venting again

Time for another blog post and without any further adieu, I'll get going.

Let me take a minute to voice my frustrations with the NHL.

What is the matter with you? The showcase of your sport, the Stanley Cup Playoffs (not the Winter Classic, sorry) is on a channel that you couldn't find with a searchlight. In fact, your whole season is on that network. Those playoff runs that are made every year go unseen to most. Not to mention you have a half-hearted partner in NBC, who will show one game on Saturday and Sunday this weekend because of Champions Tour golf.

Why put yourself in obscurity like that? The answer is pretty simple, actually. Money.

In 2004, when the TV contract was up, ESPN and Versus both offered contracts for the rights. Versus offered a two-year contract that was around $60 million a year, where as ESPN wanted a deal that would share revenue between the NHL and the "Worldwide Leader." I think I would take the $60 million a year, too.

I understand that in a sense that this is old news, but if Versus is a network that wants to be taken seriously, then they have to put themselves out there. After near-extinction, the league has superstar players, but putting them on Versus doesn't showcase them. I don't think the NHL anticipated getting the cold shoulder from ESPN like they did, but it happened. Rarely, does ESPN emphasize hockey to any degree.

ESPN and the NHL had a rough ending, but they might end up needing each other. The NHL, regardless of if they admit or not, needs the publicity that ESPN brings. Otherwise, the best they can do is 4th place, among America's four major sports. ESPN doesn't need hockey now, but could if when the NBA is locked out next year. The NBA will not be a great product when it comes back and NHL could look better simply by sitting on its hands.

The contract ends at the end of this season, so we shall see.

Jottings (That's what Sid Hartman would call this part)

• Come on David Stern. If you can suspend Ron Artest for the season for going into the stands and going nuts on beer-toting fans, then you can suspend Kobe Bryant for the last game of the season for degrading a referee.
• Joe Mauer has tired legs. Apparently, that was something that couldn't be seen during spring training after off-season knee surgery. I think it is becoming clear that you can't take the $23 million man at his word, when it comes to his health.
• Did I mention the Twins aren't very good right now. At some point, the Twins aren't going to turn it on in the second half of the season and win the division. At some point. 
• SDSU spring football game is tomorrow. What a terrible day for that. Nevertheless, 1 p.m. Saturday at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium.
• I hate having to press to use all of my meals by the end of the semester. 

Special shout-out to my colleagues at the Collegian this week. Great reporting on the budget cuts and job losses and our website, sdsucollegian.com is having a banner week, with four straight (and counting) days of 2,000 page views. Please trust me when I say that is a lot.

Spring Football Practice Extras

I was able to attend spring football practice earlier this week for the Jacks. (My story on the matter is here.) Count me as one who was impressed with the level of physicality. One wonders about how players respond to beating on each other for three weeks, with only a intra-squad scrimmage in sight but the players seemed to be getting after it.

Just some thoughts that I had ...

• The offensive line will be huge. I like the holes they were able to open up at this point, when the defense is usually ahead of the offense. 
• Tyrel Kool will fit in nicely. I was skeptical of his move from wide receiver to running back but he looked good and brings foot speed that the Jacks haven't had.
• I also thought Zach Zenner looked really good. He had a long touchdown run and a player on the sidelines commented that they thought he looked a lot like Kyle Minett. A good, tough runner, although I'm not sure where he will settle on the depth chart.
• Mike Lien and Dirk Kool will be the leaders of the defense. They aren't as vocal as the defensive backs, but those guys will be quietly leading the charge. 
• I have my thoughts on the quarterback position (which in my opinion, will be a cut and dried decision) but I will hold those ideas for now, or at least another blog post.

FYI: The Jackrabbits spring game is April 16 at 1 p.m. at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium.

That's all for now, with likely another blog post to follow soon.