Another Long Triple Header Saturday

2 Saturdays in a row, I was assigned to a 3 way...or triple header. A baseball 3 way is when you get 3 schools meeting in one place over a Saturday Afternoon. It usually involves the home team playing in Games #1 and #2, while the 2 visiting teams take on each other in Game #2 while the home team takes a break. Last Saturday I went north to Antwerp, and did 3 Varsity contests, yesterday it was to Van Wert for a JV get together with Van Wert, Napoleon, and Elida.

My partners were George and Terry whom I have worked with on occasion....I arrived at 10:30 and George was already there, and getting the plate gear on....since he had never worked a 3 man crew, he wanted to see how the "rotation" in the field worked. I have done a half dozen or so games, but am no means an expert of the 3 man crew...but told them I would take 3rd base and we would work our way around it...with the exception of a minor pissing match with coaches during game #2 over a non balk call, which ended up being called, the games went long but uneventful...last week I was at the Park for just under 9 hours...yesterday turned out even longer, about 9 hours 10 minutes.

Trust me, that is a long day, even with the spring like(windy again) weather we had yesterday...I had the plate for the final game and took a foul tip off the top of my shoulder in the last inning, which probably bounced 20 feet into the air after hitting the bone...needless to say, I can still feel that, and the rest of my tired body this morning...not sure how many 3 ways I may want to do next season. Last year I did 4 games in the summer, 2 American Legion, and 2 ACME in the same day...but did have a 2 hour break inbetween. Even though I consider myself in pretty good shape for 61, the body takes a beating on days like yesterday.

Today it mowing day...I will take care of mom's yard, and Patricia will handle the work over at Anissa's place....I got ours done on Friday....after that I will vegetate, and sit outside and drink a beer or 2 and maybe smoke a cigar.....I would mention that my favorite NHL team the Philly Flyers host the NY Rangers today, with the winner take the final playoff spot before the Stanley Cup begins this week. However, the Flyers have stunk up the Ice of late, and with the underachieving millionaires they have...I really don't care if they make it or not. I won't be watching!

Tomorrow I'm back at Van Wert, for a Varsity Non-League Game between the Cougars and visiting Sherwood Fairview, some personal history with this, but it should be a competitive game none-the-less.

back later>>>>

The Rains of April

Last night and then again tonight my games were rained out....the rains ended, but we got drenched with over an inch in the overnight, and then cool weather moved in, giving the fields in Anna and elsewhere, no time to dry out.

That moved me to looking back at the blog from last April and the weather that occurred after an early warm spell in March...Bingo! Things are much the same this year....although it has been somewhat warmer. The next few days are predicted to see a warming trend(however,nothing like the past week) and some dry weather, but that appears it will be short lived and things will get cooler and wetter later next week....throw a dart at the weather map and see if it sticks. If the fields dry out, I travel to Allen East tomorrow, then a triple header, JV Style(one of a handful of non Varsity games, mostly on Saturdays, that I have this baseball season), at Van Wert on Saturday, and back at Van Wert again Monday...sometimes the schedule ends up giving you more games at a single location that you would like...this year with Van Wert on my schedule on 5 dates, is one of those. You don't want to be seen at one location more than a couple of time....familiarity can breed contempt, in more ways than one. Most seasons I am alert to taking a team to many times, some years you just miss what's on your schedule, and hope for a couple of rainouts.

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Brackets Won!

Not sure if I mentioned that I won a 85 player group in the MAC online NCAA Bracket, when Duke won the Semi-Final to clinch it for me...the fact the Blue Devils won the Championship was icing on the cake.

Before the playoffs had started, Patricia brought me home a couple of brackets from school....today we found out, she had won the top prize. I'm not sure if it was the one I filled out or hers...but regardless, coming in first in 2 brackets, thanks to Duke making a good run, brings a smile and a few bucks our way.....

College Hockey____

This afternoon the NCAA Frozen Four kids off in Detroit. First game it's Wisconsin's Badgers against upstart RIT(Never heard of them until this year), that being Rochester Institute of Technology out of upstate New York. The second game features Boston College against number one ranked Miami of Ohio. Miami's Redhawks have a local kid in Goal...Cody Reichart took the Redhawks to within a minute of the National Championship last year...but gave up 2 goals in the last minute to Boston University(the other Boston team) and lost the championship in a heartbreaker.

Despite sharing the goal tending duties, Reichart was named player of the year in the CCHA this season, and is the hunt for the Hobie Baker Award as college hockey's player of the year....hopefully the Ohio team can bring home the cup this time around.

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Politics_____

If you may notice I have not talked much political garbage the past week or so...by design is my response. The political doings in DC and the media have so outraged me of late....I believe it's best I take a break for a few days....no reason letting the anger and frustration get the best of me....the Son of a Bitch in the White House and his lemming like henchman, are not going to change, and all we can do is wait this Marxist Bastard out.....defeat them in 2010 and run his sorry ass out of office in 2012.

No, I'm not done talking politics, but am tired of pissing in the wind while preaching to the choir.....baseball, cigars, and quality beer drinking, is more on the agenda for the month of April and May....as the weather warms, I will get back into the swing of things.

I have mushroom hunts, fishing, time outdoors, and living my life to be concerned with...screw the politicians, since it appears that regardless of party or stripes, the bastards in DC and the various statehouses, are all out for power.

back later>>>>

photos-The April rains play havoc with the Spring baseball season in Ohio, nothing new there. The NCAA Basketball Brackets were busted just enough to hand me some bucks...and Celina Native Cody Reichart trys to help Miami's Redhawks bring home the NCAA National Championship this time around, after a runner up spot last season.

So I've got a small Strike Zone?

Although not much rain so far in the Celina area, some 30 miles north and west in Convoy, Ohio, there was a storm that ran through Van Wert County and washed out our game between Fort Jennings and Crestview this afternoon. So I'll decide tonight whether to go to the final Meeting of my southwest Association down at Indian Lake High School or stay home....right now I'm leaning towards going, but with storms brewing, I may change my mind and stick around home.

"Tight Strike Zone"??? Me?

For the dozen years or so I have been back on the umpire scene doing varsity High School Baseball, it has been common knowledge that I have a pretty big strike zone...I like players to swing the bat, I hate walks and I hate calling players out on called 3rd strikes. Some times you gotta do just that, but I believe if you establish your strike zone from the bottom of the knees up to the bottom of the letters, and a fair inside/outside zone, the batters are going to swing the bat. This moves the games along, and let's the players decide the contest, not the umpire's strike zone.

Last night Garry and I were at Van Wert, we were also supposed to work together at Convoy tonight, but the rain up that way prevented that....The hometown Cougars were taking on legaue rival Ottawa-Glandorf in the opening of both teams Western Buckeye League season. The sun was shining, the temperatures were near records, about 82 at game time, and the winds were blowing out over the center field fence at somewhere in the 30 to 40 mph range, It was a challenge for players, coaches, fans, and we umpires....The game went back and forth with Van Wert building a 9-4 lead, only to see that disappear and O-G winning by a 13-11 count in a slugfest that had it's share of errors and misplays...there were also 8 walks. That's more than I would like to see, but several of the 7 pitchers used, just were not getting the ball across the plate.

As I said, I have been told my strike zone at times is too big...but tight? Never...until last night, not by the coaches or fans, but by the reporter for the local Van Wert Rag:

http://timesbulletin.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=6&ArticleID=158452&TM=60501.19

Once our game today was cancelled Garry e-mailed me telling me that the reporter appeared not to like my strike zone....this kind of brings back old memories. I was the voice of the Van Wert Cougars for some 15 years on Cable TV back in the 1980s and 90s. I gave the officials at the various games(especially basketball) I was broadcasting the business, sometimes without mercy. Looks like the chickens are coming home to roost! But "tight"(or small) strike zone? Never, not in this life time....I will say it brought a smile to my face...but I won't change that zone, regardless of what some reporter thinks....or coaches for that matter.

Meeting, or a cigar and beer?

Decisions, Decisions....

I'll decide in the next hour or so...........back later>>>

Photo at top--Me umpire at a youth tournament last summer in Minster, Ohio.

Duke!!!

The Duke Blue Devils brought home NCAA Title #4 last night over upstart Butler(Indiana) out of the Horizon Conference, and it wasn't easy. The final 61-59 as Butler missed a half court shot to win it at the final buzzer....and it was a heart stopper:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDmW988_5Jg

As my friends and family know, I have been a Duke fan for almost 30 years, ever since I noticed the style of play and the type of players that Coach K brought to the ultra Liberal private school....yep, me, rooting for a bunch of smart kids from a school ingrained with bullshit Liberal standards...go figure?

A great defensive game by both teams....playing actual basketball, not that run, gun, and dunk garbage(UNLV, Memphis, Michigan, UCONN, etc) that we have seen over the past decades....it was a game for people that enjoy the finer points of the game, the strategy, and passion unseen in professional sports, and even in most large college games...2 private schools battling it out to the very end.

Congratulations to both schools......and their fans.

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Another warm day today...82, and it looks like Garry and I will get our game in at Van Wert tonight...tomorrow night we are scheduled to work together again, this time at Convoy Crestview...that game is in serious doubt, with an 80% chance of Thunderstorms, then a couple of cool and maybe wet days to follow. Regardless, I cannot complain about the late March and early April weather so far.

back later>>>>

Duke vs Butler in the Big One!/Opening Day~Baseball

Spent much of Easter afternoon at sister Marty's place...all 3 of our kids, 2 of 3 of hers, plus a great granddaughter and sons in law were there. The weather was breezy but near 70 and sunny, so we spent the few hours out of doors. We called mom and talked with her in Fort Myers, where her and brother Mike are staying for another 3 weeks. The women have decided that Marty will host, and Patricia will do much of the meal preparation for the future get togethers. Works out good for all...so I am guessing we will be doing that at Thanksgiving also.



Anissa went back to her place about 4 O'Clock, and the boys headed back a short while after...Hal to Dayton and Sam back to Ohio State and Columbus.
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The day was nice, especially compared to Saturday when I spent 8 1/2 hours umpiring baseball north at Antwerp, Ohio. When I arrived at Antwerp for the "Three Way" at 10:30 it was windy, but sunny and about 65 degrees...over the next 9 hours the temperatures would drop, the skies would open on occasion for some major sprinkles..then more sun, more clouds, and the wind would change direction. The only constant was the wind speed, which approached 35-40 mph through out the day. The 3 teams, Antwerp, Delphos St. Johns, and Lincolnview, each won a game and lost the same...the scores, like the wind, were high....17-7, 17-4, and 9-8, the pitchers took a beating. After doing the bases the first game, I was behind the plate for both games 2 and 3....it was a long day. But I did get to visit with my Uncle Jack DeVore, who stopped by the field for a few innings of the first contest. Jack is a hard core Phillies fan, and I'm sure is looking forward to this opening day of the season.

By the time I arrived home it was almost 9pm...I caught the Michigan State~Butler on Radio, and after a shower, I sat down with the boys and watched Duke manhandle West Virginia by 21 points to reach the final.

Hal, like me, has been a Duke Basketball fan for years....I have rooted for Duke since Coach K came on the scene and am no "fair weather" fan....I like Duke, most people don't. I will be watching tonight, and hopeful the Blue Devils will come home with Coach K's 4th National Championship....if upstart Butler wins, I will appreciate their Cinderella Story as well, but make no mistake, I am rooting for Duke. Hal, being a Wright State Graduate, has seen Butler on several occasions..The Bulldogs are the Raiders arch rivals. The schools are some 70 miles apart on I-70 and usually finish first and second in the Horizon League. WSU fans, for the most part, are not Butler fans....Hal being no exception.

Opening Day Baseball____

The MLB season kicked off last night with Boston defeating the Yankees 9-7 in come-from-behind fashion.

All real fans know that Baseball really gets underway today, with the traditional opener in Cincinnati. The Reds are the oldest franchise always had the baseball opener on the first Monday in April, until MLB sold it's soul to ESPN for a few more dollars and a chance to usually glorify the Yankees...another reason to despise Professional Sports.

The Reds kick off the season at home for the 80th or so straight season with their NL Central rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals....I expect the Reds, with good young pitching, but little defense or hitting, to finish close to .500 this season, but probably slightly below that mark for the 10 the 10th straight year.....and out of first place by at least a dozen games.

The opener kicks off with above normal temperatures and plenty of sunshine at 1:10pm Eastern Time this afternoon. I have been to many opening days, although not in recent years, and have seen temps from 80 as a high under sunny skies, down to as low as 31 with a rain/snow mix....you never know with April weather what you are going to get.

Baseball for me at St. Marys tonight against their Auglaize County rivals, New Bremen.

back later>>>>

Easter Weekend

Today is Good Friday....please remember what this weekend is about.

Spent yesterday bending the back, hauling out the trash/junk to the curb for the annual Celina Pick Up...now that I've got it out there, hopefully Saturday's now predicted rain will not materialize....for the trash haulers, sake, and my triple header baseball up in Antwerp. A long day, but a pretty good paycheck if we get those games in.

Taking out the Trash____

There are good advantages and bad for having a 25 wide by 30 foot deep detached garage...the good is they hold a lot of things...the bad is, the hold a lot of things. After my Aunt Eva went into the nursing home back in 1996, I was in charge of cleaning out the Scott, Ohio, home that had been in the family since 1933...when she passed away in 1998, there was 65 years of memories, collectibles, and "junk". Eva, her sister Cecil, and my Grandmother Wilda Houseworth, had lived in that house, either or 3 or at least 1 at a time for 65 years...and as I have mentioned before, they threw out nothing...they were the ultimate "pack rats". My cousins, Linda and Marty, worked our way though that house in 1996....and much of it ended up in my basement and the garage. My 750 floor space of garage and much of the basement didn't look so big any longer.

The past 14 years I have sold some, gave some to family, tossed some out, and stored away the rest. On the days of Spring Cleanups, I have selected some items to toss....this year I decided to take back the garage and the basement, and anything I deemed not worthy of being classified a antique or collectible, was going to get the heave-ho. Over this past week, with good and rare March weather upon us...I made a dent in the unwanted stuff, but still didn't get all taken care of. However, I did get much done, and can actually fit 2 large cars in the garage, and can walk about the basement without dodging the stuff sitting around....next year should be easier, especially with the boys and their collections moved out. Well at least moved out, they still have plenty here, but at least I have much of that packed away...and after we're gone, they can go through it and keep and toss what they wish.

Amazing what a couple collects over the years...and how quickly that collection builds.

That's it for the day....praise the Lord today and remember the real reason we celebrate the Easter Season.

back later>>>>

Photos-Easter Weekend is here. The Garage looks much larger, now that the excess junk has been dispatched to the curb...where the local scavengers have already sorter through what they deem valuable. Patricia had time in between school sessions to create and bake the Easter Bunny Cake for her friend Dawn and her Grandkids.

Happy Obama Voter Day(aka April Fools Day)!!

Sunshine and nearing 80 today in west Ohio...must be that damn Global Warming...That Fat Windbag Al Gore has to be doing his Chicken Little impression looking at the warmth in the Midwest and the flooding on the Eastern Seaboard.

Made the 60 mile drive to Benjamin Logan High School south and east of Celina in Logan Country.....windy warm day. When I arrived I met up with Richard, an umpire out of Anna, Ohio, who I last worked with in the Summer American Legion Tournament(Ottawa Run) at Columbus Grove last June. I told him it was his turn to do the plate....glad I did, the game ended up being almost 3 hours long...quite long for a Varsity Contest.

Visiting Wapakoneta fell behind 7-0 at the end of the 2nd inning...then proceeded to scratch their way back off the Raiders bullpen...cutting the lead t0 8-3 entering the 6th it still seemed like home standing Ben Logan will prevail. However the Redskins score 1 in the 6th, 4th in the 7th(3 after 2 outs) to tie it at 8-8, sending the game to extra innings...Wapak put another 4 spot on the scoreboard in the 8th and came away with a 12-8 victory...it was almost dark by the time I headed the Intrepid towards Mercer County and arrived well after dark.

Tonight I was scheduled to head for Fort Jennings for a Varsity game with Lincolnview...however, with the field at Jennings still wet from the weekend rains...the contest has been moved to the Lancers home at Lincolnview. A shorter drive by some 15 miles each way....which will give me time, when I'm done here, to haul the "Trash Pickup Day" junk to the curb.

Happy Obama Voter Day!___________

Today is indeed April Fools Day! And there are no bigger fools on this planet that those that voted for the evil that resides in the White House of Marxism and Corruption.....so with a middle finger salute, I proclaim this day as one to honor you that voted for and continue to support the Kenyan and Thief!

Speaking of trash(see above)....I best get to my morning's work....back later

Out Like a Lamb/Lions in Winter

It appears that this March will indeed go out "Like a Lamb"...70 or so with sunshine is forecast for today, and things will top out by Friday, Good Friday, at around 80 degrees...things will moderate over Easter Weekend, before the rain is scheduled to return early next week.


My game was cancelled again yesterday due to the wet grounds at New Knoxville...today I had no game scheduled until late last night when Eric, the varsity assignor, called from the southwest portion of my area, and asked me to do a game at Benjamin Logan High School. Ben Logan is just east of Bellfountaine on State Route 47, and is a good 60 miles from Celina. A long drive, but I don't mind it....meanwhile oldest son Sam will be passing me on the way to Indian Lake High School, just south and east of Bellfountaine...he will be driving 70 or so miles each way from Columbus, and passing me on the way probably on US Rt. 33.

Tomorrow I am scheduled to go north some 40 miles to Fort Jennings, for a game on the skin infield. Lots of gas to burn, but you do what you do.

Lions in Winter______

With the fog in the morning, Patricia's school and most of the rest ended up be cancelled....the sun came out shortly after those cancellations, and I headed to Coldwater to drop off the Lawn Boy mower for spring service...running late as usual, but we have backups to take care of the early season mowing chores, at home, Anissa's place, and over at Mom's.

With most, but not quite all, of the Spring cleanup work done, I fired up a cigar, drank too many Miller Lites, and got nothing else done for the day. Thinking about nothing in particular I watched the aging Airedale, Reagan, as she chased the ball for awhile, then settled down in the shade, while I smoked Torpedoes and consumed brews.

Looking at Reagan I realized that she will probably be my last Airedale, and most likely my last dog....it's been a fun and interesting time, these past 36 years or so. Patricia and I purchased our first Airedale back in 1974, a couple of years before we married...Molly Mop Rag or "Rags" as we called her, was the first and of course among the favorites...the next year we purchased House's Black Max or "Max" as we called him. Max and Rags both lived long lives as far as Airedales. Max made it to 12 years and 8 months, while Reagan passed away after living just a month short of her 12 birthday. They were our constant companions before the kids came along. Camping, fishing, swimming, and even on occasion to Wisconsin on family visits, looking back I'm sure we were nuts and probably drove those we visited nuts as well. Those were good times....over the years "Max" sired well over 150 pups..."Rags" had one litter of 9, and those sold quickly. We have shared our homes with at least 1 Airedale, usually more, and a few mutts, for the past 36 summers.

Reagan is the daughter of our last male Airedale, Jack Drambuie. "Jack" and my college roommate Mick Szabo's dog "Ivy" mated...producing 8 pups which Mick and I each kept 1 female...that one for us was Reagan. She has been a clean, well trained dog, and a good companion. Reagan's only drawbacks have been her allergies, which have cost us a small fortune, and her penchant to bark at anybody that walks by....her way of greeting them I suppose. If she makes it until July 6th, she will reach 12, and that is indeed a long life for the breed.

She will be our last....time, retirement, and the pain of losing them is more than we want to bear one more time. You never know, we could change our minds, but at this point it is not likely. We will grow old as she has, hopefully with grace.

Out to enjoy the sun and warmth....back later>>>>

Photos-Reagan and me, a couple of "Lions in Winter" enjoying the sunshine and warmth of late March yesterday. "Black Max" as a pup in 1976....and Me and "Rags" camping in Michigan back in the summer of 1975.

This Guy is 63, I'm 61 and we both are tired!

Got this little ditty via e-mail from my old College Roommate Mick, up in Northeast Ohio...it rings true about what we as a nation and people face:

http://nobullnobias.com/2010/03/07/im-63-and-tired/

The guy is Robert Hall, a Marine Vietnam Vet, who has managed to survive, despite having to reside in that Kennedy infested sheethole called Taxyer2shits...he also served 5 terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives....guess there are patriots in the Land of Teddy.

Bob Hall has a great Blog as well and that can be found here:

http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/

Busy day with continuing to clean the garage for the upcoming City of Celina Junk/Scavenger A-Thon....baseball was rained out yesterday, and the fields with this morning's fog(yep all the schools including Patricia's are delayed this morning) I'm doubtful if the game at New Knoxville this afternoon get played either...the ground remains very wet.

back later>>>>

Photo:

Representative Bob Hall in 1965

Wrapping up the Weekend

Yesterday had to be one of the most miserable days, weather wise, that I have seen of late. I could hear the rain with accompanying wind hitting the roof and windows about 4am...the rain was still coming down as I hit the sack shortly after Midnight this morning. The temperatures stayed in the 40s yesterday, this all followed a pretty nice Saturday, which was sunny and the 50 something temperatures were about normal for late March.

I spent most of the weekend staying near the radio or TV and watching the final days of Basketball unfold...some done outside with a cigar, some in the garage working on doing the Spring Cleaning for the annual Junk Pickup that the City of Celina has....and part of Saturday sitting in the leather recliner watching the NCAA and High School games.

LCC gets the Monkey off it's back______

Saturday Morning in the first of 4 State Finals in Boys Basketball....Veteran Coach Bob Seggerson, making his 6th trip to Columbus, took his Thunderbirds onto the court for a date with destiny, against Orrville in Division 3. The T-Birds built a 14 point lead in the middle of the 4th quarter, only to watch Orrville make a rousing comeback and cut the lead to 1 with a minute left, Lima Central Catholic hung on, surviving a last second 3 point attempt for a 60-57 win. Coach Seggerson got his first State Crown, after 5 heart breaking losses in previous years, by a total of 8 points. I had the job of broadcasting 3 of those losses....and now even though being an official, I don't openly root for teams that I see these days...it was good to see "Segg" come away with the Championship. After the game and 36 years at the helm, Bob Seggerson announced his retirement as coach of LCC....going out the way he coached, a winner.

The one thing I can say is that I officiated LCC's first scrimmage way back in late November, and nobody had a clue that this team, which started 4 wins and 4 loses, would win 18 in a row and become State Champs.

Duke Makes the Show______

After a March Madness of upsets, the Duke Blue Devils make their 11th appearance in the Final Four thanks to a 78-71 win over Baylor before a packed house of 53, 000 partisan Bear fans in Texas. The Finals will have two #5 seeds, Butler and Michigan State, in one game, and a 2 seed, West Virginia against a one seed Duke in the other Semi-Final.

Duke is probably the most hated team in college basketball...why you ask? I could never figure that out...a bunch of kids, mostly smart, who for the most part actually go to school and graduate, a great coach, and a line-up as diversified as you will find these days in college hoops. A team that actually produces Student Athletes, what a concept. I guess the hate comes from those that can't walk and chew gum, let along play basketball and attend classes in the same day.

I have been a hard core Duke Basketball fan for 25 or so years...so much so, I can hardly stand to watch the games that are big time important(yep, I know that is stupd but). Yesterday that was the case. I was cleaning out the garage for the annual junk pickup and listening to the game on radio, staying away from the tube...as the Blue Devils struggled with Baylor. I finally went inside to my small TV in the basement to watch the last 4 or 5 minutes, which saw Duke hit a couple of big treys and pull away for the 7 point win. West Virginia is next on Saturday....I think the Devils will pull that one out.

Taking out the Trash_____

Each year the City of Celina sponsors a trash pickup that gives the residents a chance to unload most of the unwanted junk around the house and yard....problem usually is that my section of town is the first on the list for pickup....and the weather usually looks good for the week, so I'm in the process of "Cleaning House/Garage".

I began yesterday in the garage....with the empty nest upon us...it's time to toss out the unwanted things from the past. Oh sure I've got tehe boys trophies, 5 thousand baseball cards, and a slew of collectibles and antiques, that will stay in the 25 by 22 foot detached garage....plenty of room there for the extra keepables. But a truck load of stuff is going to go....I'm not into garage sales, so the scavengers can pick and choose from the discarded stuff after I set it out on Friday. Funny it is as they say..."One man's junk, is another's treasure"...and so it is every year, we toss a few or a lot of items, and anything that remotely might have value, is picked up by the scavengers, and ends up in somebody else's garage or basement...and the world moves on.

Baseball Opening Day_____(maybe not)!

The High School Baseball Season is scheduled to kick off today....I'm slated to be at Wayne Trace for a game with Continental....the chance of that getting played is just about ZERO. The rain from yesterday has ended, but the leaded skies remain, and the fields will not be drying off anytime soon. The sun is supposed to be out...but it's not yet, and even if it does appear, it's not going to do much drying, especially with the temps in the mid 40s....Maybe tomorrow, if things improve...such is the way of early season baseball in Ohio, a game here, a game there, and 2 or 3 rain/snow./cold outs in between.

Not that it will bother me much...cold and wet games are not enjoyable at my age, and I'v got work to do in the garage....the Junk Man Commeth!

back later>>>>

Photos-Coach Bob Seggerson and his Lima Central Catholic T-Birds get their first State Championship after 6 trips to Columbus in the finals(photo from Varsity.com Sports) Kyle Singler, Coach K and the Duke Blue Devils make the Final 4. What to toss and what to keep...junk or collectibles...I've got 5 days to figure it out!

Duke Moves On/Buckeyes Stumble

Sunshine and 55 is forecast for today...Patricia is in Bowling Green at a conference...my scrimmage at Russia, Ohio, has been moved back until 2pm because of field conditions....thus giving me a chance to watch the Division 3 High School State Championship between Lima Central Catholic and Orrville. This is Coach Seggersons 6th trip to the well with the T-Birds, and hopefully this morning they bring back the crown.

NCAA_____

Last night I settled back with a few Guinness Double Stouts, and watched part of the Ohio State-Tennessee game in the Sweet 16. Ohio State lead most of the way, but failed to hold on, no inside game and turnovers cost them, The Vols move on with a 76-73 record to face another Big Ten(11) team Michigan State, a winner over upstart Northern Iowa.

Later on I had to watch Duke on the Computer, due to CBS and their "Regional" coverage, we got the MSU-NI game...so I cheery picked the Duke-Purdue game on the Internet, which isn't bad if you have a good screen and enough byte power. After an ugly first half, the Blue Devils pulled away late for a double digit win...they take on Run and Gun Baylor tomorrow for a trip to the Final 4 in Indianapolis on April 5th.

That is a wrap for this morning....back later>>>>