Redlegs

Growing up in a baseball family in Ohio, I automatically became a Reds fan. As far back as I can remember, I would go to the games with my family and aunt at Riverfront and Cinergy Field. I was what you might call obsessed with the Reds throughout the 1990s. Everyone knew this, and would ask me the most random questions about the team and players. I made up a game about the numbers and stats on the roster and forced my sister to play it with me on a routine basis. We would spend endless nights watching the team on tv or sitting on the back deck listening to Marty and Joe. My summers revolved around the Reds, and seemingly still do. Annually, I start a countdown until pitchers and catchers report (which is Febuary 14th this season, in case you care).
Although a lot of things have changed, my favorite players have been traded, the stadium is new and improved, the coaches have been fired, and their standings have plummeted, some things have stayed the same. The traditions and atmosphere will continue to be an incredible stress relievers and one of my most favorite things to do. Let the countdown begin to Spring Training!

Weekend Wars

This weekend was consumed by coaching volleyball, and I will probably have to go on blood pressure medication after this season is finished. St. Lawrence was there an hour in advance to attempt to beat the first place team, our St. Al's Lightning Storm. They looked tough, but I guess looks aren't everything, because we dominated in the end. The beginning was very rocky and were down by 10 after the second server went to the endline. I called a time out, and we caught back up, only to be brought back down again. They still haven't figured out how to come out strong and win the first game, because that only happens next to never, and came back to win a tight match with the next two games. The season is ending near and I will miss these girls more than I thought was possible.

Comeback Kids

So the younger girls' season is officially over, and it ended with a big win against Victory. Finally, it clicked in their tiny minds how much easier it is to win when they make their serves, something they have struggled with all season long. We always seemed to have to play comeback kids, digging ourselves a hole in the first game, which we surprisingly came back to win. The second game wasn't any better, even with our best six on the court, the team managed to lose. I think one of these times I may have a heart attack at the age of 21 if one of their parents doesn't first because they enjoy making the score as close as possible. The third and final game was a nail biter, as they came back to win 30-28 in a game to 25. It was never an easy time with them, whether it was practice or a match. There were about six 5th graders and and four 6th graders, and most of them have not had a very good coach to teach them the basics of the sport. We did what we could with them, but they just had no desire to win. At first, I thought this age would be the easiest to coach, but I was definitely wrong about that. They were more rebellious than any of the older girls, constantly talking back and unwilling to cooperate. I think this had much to do with their success, because the less they cared, the more we had given up on them. Overall, they grew together as a team and learned their lessons the hard way, but nonetheless, learned their lesson, and it showed in their fight last night.

Coaching Chaos

Tonight was our last 5th/6th volleyball practice, which is most definitely a relief. I really didn't know what I was getting myself into when I said I would help out, and this is much more than I imagined my role as. I've had a decent amount of volleyball experience in the past, so I after an email was sent out by the volleyball coordinator desperately trying to find coaches, I said I would do what I could with what I know... what better do I have to do? It can't be that hard, right? I eventually made the call to the coordinator back in October to find out they had one coach for the three teams they were forming, and that one coach was me. The coordinator, Anne, has coached various teams in the past, but never volleyball. So then we decided between the two of us, she can play the part of the motivator and contact person and I would be the skill and disciplinarian. From that point on, together, we have had our highs and lows among the three different teams, but has definitely changed me. Coaching these girls has made me take on more responsibility, as I have become a leader in different aspects of life and proven to myself and others that I am capable of taking on such a big role.

Olivia, Rich, and Martin

This weekend went by way too fast and was more chaotic than ever. Friday afternoon my niece, Olivia was born at 4:27, weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces. I went to the hospital after I got out of class at 3 to find out she was on the way, almost two weeks early. In the middle of all the excitement, I had to leave to coach my 7th and 8th grade girls at the St. Catherine tournament, which was too brutal to even talk about, not to mention my head being somewhere else.

Saturday morning the 5th and 6th grade had a league game, which, once again, is not even worth discussing. That night, my sister and brother in law were ordering the fight on pay-per-view, so I went over to watch. I have never been too much into UFC, or really sat down to watch it, but it turned out to be something that was different from what I am used to and kept my attention. The opening fights were nothing compared to the main event, which was Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson. The blood was everywhere after an accidental headbutt, and with 30 seconds left in the 3rd round, Rich was poked in the eye. Since it wasn't a championship fight, they only had three 5 minute rounds instead of five 5 minute rounds. With a split decision loss, it was an overall rough night for Cincinnati's own Franklin.

No matter where we're from or what we consume our lives with, we are all connected in some way. Through this blog, you can see we may or may not have some things in common, but I am who I am, take it or leave it, either way it makes no difference to me. As we celebrate the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the beginning of Obama's reign as President, I leave you with the words of Dr. King:
"We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now."

Me and the River Rats

To those of you that may not know me, I am a junior at the Mount where I attempt to play golf. I am a Sport Management major and am publishing this blog as part of our New Media class. I was born and raised here in Delhi and hope to pursue a career at the high school level in town, if not with a major sports team. I have been playing sports throughout my life, and I will go into more detail about those as the semester progresses.

Currently, I coach two volleyball teams (5th/6th, and 7th/8th) with my sister and my best friend at a small grade school. I did attempt to take on the 3rd and 4th graders in November, but their season only lasts about a month and is very, very basic. These girls have not had much volleyball experience and because of the size of the school, there are few outstanding players. We have fun and love the game..for the most part.... and its pretty cool to have such an impact on a group of girls and watch them grow personally and athletically. The older girls are first in the league with only a few weeks left in the season, so hopefully we can bring the very first volleyball trophy to them in their last season of gradeschool.