Who's In First Blog

Everyday Athletes: Jason on Tennis

2009-04-27T12:45:00.002-06:00

Welcome to the fifth edition of the "Everyday Athlete" series where we will interview rec athletes about their favorite sports. The athletes interviewed participate in a variety of sports, across a wide spectrum of skill levels and are located all over the country. None of the athletes interviewed are professionals and mainly compete in their sports or events at nights or on the weekends. It is the purpose of this series to show that anyone can get out, play sports and keep sporting, regardless of age, athletic ability, or life activities.

If you would like to be the subject of an upcoming "Everyday Athlete" segment, please feel free to Contact Us.

1. NAME: Jason

2. LOCATION: Miami, FL

3. SPORT YOU PARTICIPATE IN: Tennis

4. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING TENNIS? 20 years

5. IF YOU HAVE BEEN PLAYING SINCE YOU WERE A YOUTH, DO YOU HAVE MORE FUN NOW OR BACK THEN? WHY? I have much more fun now because as a teenager I took tennis way too seriously. I was really hard on myself when I played poorly. Now that my free time is limited, I truly appreciate every opportunity I get to play.

6. ON A SCALE OF 1-10, RATE YOUR ABILITIES. 8

7. HOW MANY TIMES A WEEK (OR MONTH) DO YOU PLAY? 3-4 times a month

8. WHAT GOT YOU STARTED PLAYING TENNIS? My parents enrolled me in pee-wee tennis and I loved it.

9. WHAT KEEPS YOU PLAYING? The pure love of the game and the health benefits.

10. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT ON THE COURT? As a teenager-going undefeated in league play with my doubles partner (1993). As an adult-staying injury-free, relatively.

11. HAVE YOU PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST ANYONE FAMOUS? WHO? AND WHO WON THE GAME? I played (NBA Player) Michael Redd twice in high school. I beat him in doubles play my soph. year, and lost a heartbreaker to him in singles 2 years later.

12. ANY GOOD INJURY STORIES? None, knock-on-wood…

13. DO YOU PLAY IN AN ORGANIZED LEAGUE OR GENERALLY PLAY PICK UP? I play with friends and my fiancé.

14. APPROXIMATELY HOW MUCH DOES IT COST YOU PER YEAR TO PLAY TENNIS? Less than $100. The courts are free, the balls are cheap, and I buy a new racket once every 5-7 years.

15. DO YOU PLAY YEAR ROUND? INDOOR AND OUTDOOR? Year round, outdoor.

16. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND PLAYING TENNIS TO YOUTH LOOKING TO PICK UP A SPORT? WHY? It's fun, inexpensive.

17. WHAT ABOUT ADULTS LOOKING FOR A NEW SPORT? WHY? It's great for adults because the basics are somewhat easy to grasp I addition to the health benefits.

18. ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE JUST STARTING TO PLAY? Be patient. Don't worry about hitting with power and accuracy until you have learned good form and proper hitting techniques.

19. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD? No matter what sport you choose, have fun!!!

Thanks for the interview jason! And remember, if you would like to be a feature of an "Everyday Athlete" segment, Contact Us.

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Friday Detour: Vegas, Baby, VEGAS

2009-04-24T09:29:00.004-06:00

In a few hours I will hop on a plane, fly over the Rockies and land in a converted desert known to all as Sin City.

The purpose of the trip is to send a friend off into fatherhood in style. Kinda like a bachelor party, this weekend will be filled with jabs at the father-to-be and making him rethink his decision to bring a child into this world.

We will try and keep him up till the wee hours of the night and wake him up early…. all practice for the impending life change.

But the trip won't just be just about the baby bachelor. No. It will also be about 15-20 guys having fun as well. And when you think of fun and Vegas, you think of gambling.

Having been in Vegas less than a month ago to watch and bet on the first weekend of the college basketball tournament, I am pretty fresh on the idea of all games of chance. I am, however, not that big of a table game gambler. Sure I will sit down and pray for an Ace followed by a Jack. I will also roll the bones when with a group (although I am not sure how to win at that game, even though everyone says it gives me the best odds.)

But for my money (literally), sports gambling gives me the biggest thrill. It changes up everything. Instead of winning and losing, which can sometimes be decided in the first 5 minutes of a game (ahem, NCAA basketball championship game), you get the "pleasure" of having to sweat out an entire game, grunting or cheering based on every free throw made or missed. Every pop fly that finds a glove or the other side of the fence. Every pass either caught by the offense or by the defense.

To me sports gambling provides that thrill, and for an extended period of time.

Say you have $50. If you sat down at a Black Jack table at 10pm on the Strip on a Saturday, you would be hard pressed to find a table for under $15/hand. If luck doesn't go your way, your $50 is gone in three hands, or roughly 5 minutes.

Take that same $50 and bet it on a game. You now have 2+ hours to enjoy seeing your money either double or dwindle.

So for the same $50 you get 115 more minutes of exposure on sports than you do at a table game.

Now there are drawbacks to this. First off, you can only win what you put in (minus the "Juice"). If you win your sports bet, you come out with a profit of $45, so your initial $50 brings you up to $95.

At a table game, your $50 can net you all sorts of money. If you hit black jack on all three of those $15 hands you played for those initial 5 minutes, your $50 is now worth $117.50. If you are playing craps or any other of the odds games, you can double, triple or more each of your bets.

The other drawback is that sports betting ends for the night the moment of the final tip-off, kickoff or first pitch of the night… which is generally around 7 p.m. Vegas time. That leaves you a long evening as a wall flower if you decide that table games aren't your thing.

So if you feel like gambling into the wee hours of the night, you will have to find yourself sitting at a black jack table, or throwing dice down the felt, and may come out profitably because of it. But if you are looking for me, just ask a casino worker where the sports book is and you will find me with pencil and betting sheet in hand, crunching numbers and trying to out think the Vegas brains.

What are your favorite games in Vegas? Post a comment below.

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Note: Who's In First does not condone gambling and would recommend that anyone with a gambling problem should seek professional help. If you are going to gamble, make sure you stay within what your budget will allow. This post was written for fun with the intent of discussing various casino-style games and should not be taken as a recommendation or as advice on how, what or when to gamble. Any projected wins or losses were hypothetical and used for the sole purpose of conveying a point. Thanks.

Brushes With Fame

2009-04-23T08:35:00.004-06:00

This past weekend I had the pleasure to help clean up George Washington High School in Denver as part of a community clean up day (organized by my wife). Cleaning up this historic public high school came with the obvious benefits and satisfaction, but, to me, the greatest thrill I received wasn't in helping to re-paint the counselor's offices, speaking to the students or in seeing all 18 bathrooms get a complete make-over.

Nope. Instead my personal highlight was peering into the gym where Chauncey Billups used to play high school hoops, seeing his back-to-back state championship trophies and gazing upon his retired jersey dangling from the trophy case between the state championship trophies.

Coming from a smaller high school in Ohio, the rundown of notable alumni on my former high school's Wikipedia page boasts a proud list of the richest man in Ohio, the 1972 Miss America pageant winner, a current actor in a popular television sitcom and a TV weatherman broadcasting out of Honolulu ("It will be a high of 82 with a slight chance of rain". Repeat.).

To the best of my knowledge the biggest athletic accomplishment from an alumnus of my alma mater was Brent Johnson who suited up for the hometown Ohio State Buckeyes in the early 90's. We never had an NBA, MLB or NFL player, much less a former NBA Finals MVP, wear Royal Blue and white with Lions embroidered across the front.

I have also never played in an organized game, that I know of, with a future or past professional athlete. Sure in college I would watch the basketball team take over the rec center floor during their offseason, and a few of those guys are now getting paid to play, but I haven't ever been in an actual league with someone like that.

The closest I have ever gotten to seeing an NBA player well before their prime was when the neighboring high school came into our gym when I was in 10th grade and were guided by future NBA player Samaki Walker. It wasn't a fun game to watch from our perspective, but had I not had a rooting interest in one of the two teams I would have been able to comprehend the talent I was witnessing.

So that is it in terms of my brushes with future NBA players: a blow out suffered by my high school and a 10-year old jersey hanging in a trophy case.

Have you ever had a brush with a future professional athlete? If so, post a comment below.

Keep sorting!
- Who's In First

Everyday Athlete: Erika on Triathlons

2009-04-22T09:35:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the fourth edition of the "Everyday Athlete" series where we will interview rec athletes about their favorite sports. The athletes interviewed participate in a variety of sports, across a wide spectrum of skill levels and are located all over the country. None of the athletes interviewed are professionals and mainly compete in their sports or events at nights or on the weekends. It is the purpose of this series to show that anyone can get out, play sports and keep sporting, regardless of age, athletic ability, or life activities.

If you would like to be the subject of an upcoming "Everyday Athlete" segment, please feel free to Contact Us.

1. NAME: Erika

2. LOCATION: Chicago

3. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PARTICIPATING IN TRIATHLONS? 2 years

4. HOW MANY TRIATHLONS HAVE YOU COMPLETED? 3

5. WHAT MADE YOU START DOING TRIATHLONS? I used to be a competitive swimmer in college and wanted to get back into competitions. There weren't a lot of options for swim races but there's a ton of triathlons here in the Chicago area.

6. WHY DO PARTICIPATE IN TRIATHLONS? I feel it's a new challenge I hadn't done before and I like to see how I can push my body. There are a few things I feel I need to do before I die and an Iron Man is one of them, I am slowly working towards it.

7. TO GET A SENSE OF TRIATHLON TRIANING, HOW DO YOU SPLIT UP YOUR TRAINING BETWEEN THE BIKE, SWIM AND RUN? Since I am a really strong swimmer I focus mostly on my biking and my run. I usually hop in the pool once a week and try and get in 2-3 miles. I try to run two days a week and bike two days a week. Right now I am running about 4 miles a week but in spring summer I up my run and bike and by high point I am running a total of 10 miles, 5 miles every other day and biking 15-20 miles at least two days a week for a total of 30 – 40 miles a week.

8. WHAT IS YOUR STRONGEST LEG OF A TRIATHLON? Swimming by far.

9. WHAT IS THE BEST EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD IN A TRIATHLON? Crossing the finish line on my first one.

10. WHAT IS THE WORST EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD IN A TRIATHLON? I was in a bad car accident and I pushed myself to get into a race too soon. I didn't know I had torn my lungs in the accident and the whole race hurt terribly. I almost couldn't finish the leg of the race and had to walk a bunch.

11. ANY GOOD INJURIES? Not from a triathlon.

12. BESIDES TRIATHLONS, DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN ANY ORGANIZED RUNNING EVENTS (5Ks, "Fun Runs", Marathons, etc)? IF SO, WHICH WERE YOUR FAVORITES? WHY? Yes, I do the Shamrock Shuffle and the Wrigley Run, they are both 5k's and are fun events I participate in with friends.

13. BESIDES TRIATHLONS, DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN ANY ORGANIZED CYCLING EVENTS? IF SO, WHICH WERE YOUR FAVORITES? WHY? No, I haven't participated in any cycling events.

14. BESIDES TRIATHLONS, DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN ANY ORGANIZED SWIMMING EVENTS? IF SO, WHICH WERE YOUR FAVORITES? WHY? No, since college I have not participated in pure swimming event, there are just not a lot of options here in Chicago to race.

15. DO YOU LISTEN TO AN IPOD OR MP3 PLAYER WHILE YOU RUN OR BIKE? WHAT DO YOU GENERALLY LISTEN TO (books, talk radio, music radio, melodic music, "pump me up" music, other)? If I am biking outside I am on Lakeshore Drive and do not listen to an iPod because it's too crowded and you need to hear people coming up behind you. Biking indoors and always running I do listen to an iPod, depending on my mood it's either heavy metal like Metallica, Anthrax, and AC/DC or Hip Hop Rap like 2PAC, Biggie, Outcast and Eazy E.

16. IN THE WINTER HOW DO YOU TRAIN FOR A TRIATHLON? I belong to a large gym here in Chicago where I work out. I run on the treadmill and swim in the pool at the club and take Spin Classes. In the winter I feel this is enough for me but once it gets warm out is when I really put the time into training.

17. WHAT DO YOU DO TO PREPARE MENTALY FOR A TRIATHLON? Not much really, I do exactly what I did when I swam in college. Eat a lot of pasta the day before and then a few hours before the race start stretching and getting myself pumped up, almost to the point of anger and listen to AC/DC Back in Black and Thunderstruck as loud as possible.

18. WHAT TYPE OF DIET DO YOU REGIMENT YOURSELF TO WHILE TRAINING? None really, I just stay away from fast food and drink a ton of water.

19. DO YOU WORKOUT ALONGSIDE TRAINING, OR DO YOU JUST RUN, BIKE AND SWIM? WHY/WHY NOT? I do workout along side training the winter time. I typically take a bunch of different classes at the gym that do interval training.

20. ANY ADVICE TO SOMEONE LOOKING TO GET INTO TRIATHLONS? You should just try it; there are all types of people who do them from the experienced athlete to the mom of 4 who just wants to try one. I have seen all shapes, sizes and ages compete so as long as you have the dedication you can complete one.

Thanks for the interview Erika! And remember, if you would like to be a feature of an "Everyday Athlete" segment, Contact Us.

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Rain Rain Go Away

2009-04-20T09:12:00.001-06:00

We have previously discussed the difficulty most managers have in getting people to attend their optional practices. So what should you do when you have a scheduled practice that most people can attend, that suddenly has to be canceled because of inclement weather?

I had such a situation arise this past weekend, and learned more about what NOT to do, than what to do, so hopefully my learning curve can benefit the other managers out there trying to plan a practice.

About a month ago I sent an email to the team telling them to mark their calendars for Sunday, April 19. On that date we would all get together, hit a few balls from in the batting cages and then go out to the diamond to field some grounders and shag some fly balls. I used the techniques from my April 7 blog posting (What are we talking about? Practice?) and got a good number of people to commit. Because the practice was scheduled so far in advance, it gave everyone time to readjust their schedules and to set expectations for their wives, girlfriends and friends that they would be unavailable during mid-afternoon that day. Those that already had plans had notified me in advance, and so I knew to expect approximately half the squad. Not a great showing, but not horrible. Actually it was about what I thought would show as I first tried to figure out when to practice.

We also decided to head to our bar sponsor after practice to hang out and see if the bar was interested in sponsoring us for another year. It was all set in stone. Everyone was amped… softball and some drinks in the nice spring sunshine.

Then Denver got hit by a freak late spring storm. Some of the outlying areas got up to 4 feet of some and many communities were without power for some time. Knowing that the storm was coming, I sent out an email to the team telling them that the practice portion was cancelled but that we should still meet up at the bar to try and secure that valuable sponsorship. Another call to action from the team, and this one had a financial impact on them, since the sponsorship would negate any need to pay for the league by the team.

Besides anything else, we are a tight knit group and I figure most of us almost enjoy hanging out more than the actual softball portion. Routinely we will show up early to chat and more often than not you will find us out long after the last out has been recorded on the field. So having the team meet-up for a drink sounded perfect.

And as is par for the course in Denver, although we got 4 feet of snow on Thursday-Saturday, it was in the mid 60s on Sunday and beautiful outside. Our sponsor has a patio outside and was perfect for seeing some of the guys I had seen only once or twice since last season.

So I get to the bar at the set time and look around, but don’t see anyone I know. I sit down and start watching the local MLB team throw the opening pitch of the third game in their series in LA and wait on the guys to show. Being obnoxious early to everything, I have become accustomed to having to wait for people to show up for things, or for things to begin, so I sat down, ordered a drink and waited.

By the time the second inning was over, having seen the local team surrender 3 runs in just over an hour, but not having seen any of my teammates I decided to give up hope, so I paid for my drink and headed out the door.

On the drive home I contemplated what I did wrong, and why nobody showed up. The first thought that crossed my mind was that softball was the great equalizer. Wives, girlfriends and plans can mold around softball but a day at a bar, not close to anyone’s home, is tough to fit into a schedule.

Secondly, there wasn’t a big enough draw to bring the guys out. In a previous email I had noted that if the bar didn’t sponsor us then we had a back up plan in place to cover our entry fees. So not showing up didn’t cost the guys anything, as their bases were already covered.

Lastly, it is possible that maybe I was wrong, and people really do come out for the softball aspect more than the social aspect. Maybe I was the only one who weigh them equally, or maybe the team figures that we will be able to hang out 25 times this summer, over two seasons, and that one more may tip the scales.

So what will I do next time a practice is threatened because of practice?

First off, I will look for a more athletic alternative. Whether it is securing some time in an indoor batting cage or finding an open gym where we can scoop grounders, moving the practice inside will be my first option.

If that doesn’t work out, or if it is a last minute cancellation, I will need to follow up with the confirmed Yay’s to make sure they are still on board with the alternative plan. This is something I didn’t do yesterday and ended up sulking on a bar stool by myself because of it.

Lastly, I could just cancel the practice. Sometimes it is more work trying to figure out last minute alternatives and to get a hold of everyone in time to notate the change, that canceling, either via a quick email or text message to the entire team, might be the best option.

Have you ever been in this situation? Place a comment below with what have you done?

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Friday Detour: NBA Awards and Predictions

2009-04-17T09:13:00.001-06:00

I didn’t grow up as an ardent follower of the NBA, since college sports were what was in my backyard. But when I moved to my first NBA city 8+ years ago, I realized why everyone thought it was FANtastic.

During those lean Nugget years, a group of 10 of us went in on season tickets, sat 10 rows off the court and each spent less than $75 TOTAL for the right to 4 pairs of tickets. In an age where there are seats at the new Yankee Stadium that run Wall Street broker $2500/seat, we would EACH receive 8 tickets, 10 rows off the court, for $75.

That was the year before Melo came to Denver and the Nuggs won 17 games that season. That June they drafted Melo and jacked the season price up to $1000 for the same seats. So our cost increased to $100 for the same 8 seats. Still we were glad to pay.

Denver won 43 games that year and made the playoffs, with us having the right to purchase playoff tix, which we gladly did.

Well, they wised up and when our account rep called us before the 2004-05 season he informed us that the price for our season tickets would be $4500, an increase of 450% over what we paid the previous year and a 600% increase over our first year.

So needless to say we disbanded our troupe of season ticket holders and have more recently picked single games to go to.

Even though I’m not sitting courtside anymore, I have still been following the NBA, and below are my 2008-09 NBA post season awards and predictions on the upcoming NBA playoffs.

MVP: DeWayne Wade, Miami Heat (second place). Instead of boring you with why LeBron should be the MVP, I will state my case for why DeWayne wade should come in second over Kobe or CP3. Wade led the league in scoring with a 30.2 average. He also averaged 7.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds. In any other year, those stats result in unanimous MVP voting.

Rookie: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls. In a stellar showing by first year players, Derrick Rose narrowly edges out NJ Net big man Brook Lopez for the Rookie of the Year award. Averaging 16.8/3.9/6.2, Rose led the Bulls to an 8 game improvement and playoff birth against the Boston Celtics.

Coach: George Karl, Denver Nuggets. One may argue this is a homer pick, but the Nuggets were predicted to finish below .500 by most pundits and finish out of the playoffs for the first time in Melo’s career. What Karl was able to do instead was instill a winning (and defensive) attitude to the squad and propel them to the second best record in the league.

Now for the playoff predictions:

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Cleveland over Detroit in 5 – Reason: League MVP
Miami over Atlanta in 6 – Reason: Who’s In First (2nd place) MVP
Orlando over Philly in 4 – Reason: Next year’s MVP
Boston over Chicago in 7 – Reason: Without KG, this actually may end up as an upset

Cleveland over Miami in 6 – Reason: Home court rules
Orlando over Boston in 5 – Reason: Superman

Cleveland over Orlando in 7 – Reason: Howard can win a few games, but not in Cleveland

WESTERN CONFERENCE
LA over Utah in 5 – Reason: Good series, in the end LA has too much depth
Portland over Houston in 6 – Reason: Houston’s D is stifling, but who scores for them?
Dallas over San Antonio in 7 – Reason: No Manu. No Texas toast
Denver over NO in 5 – Reason: JR Smith

LA over Portland in 5 – Reason: Kobe is prime
Denver over Dallas in 6 – Reason: Shut down Dirk. Shut down the Mavs

LA over Denver in 6 – Reason: Better team wins

NBA CHAMPIONSHIP
LA over Cavs in 7 – Reason: Kobe won’t let the Lakers lose

So there you have it! I will post a follow up after the champion has been crowned to see how I did.

How do you think I did? Post a comment below.

Keep sporting!
-Who’s In First

Recreational Athletes Blog Carnival - April 16, 2009

2009-04-16T07:53:00.002-06:00

Who's In First is proud to be a part to be hosting a Blog Carnival for recreational athletes. Every other Thursday you will find link to some of the best blog postings by and for recreational athletes.
If you want to be a part of the next carnival, please make sure to submit your blog posting in the recreational athletes category over at Blog Carnival . If approved, you will see it here in two Thursdays. All submissions must be made by Noon on Monday of that week for inclusion into that week's carnival. If you submit after the deadline, your posting will be eligible for the following carnival. So keep those submissions coming to get publicity for your blog.

John presents Welcome to Sports Fan #4! posted at Sports Fan Four , saying, "The debut of a new sports blog from a former high school & college football player and current sports fan and recreational athlete!"

Gal Josefsberg presents Is Improvement Necessary? posted at 60 IN 3 , saying, "I have multiple hobbies, from running and weights to soccer and hiking. The one thing I keep struggling with is, should I try and improve? I have no desire to become a pro, I'm just having fun. So is improvement a goal worth striving for?"

James Cress presents Odds and Ends posted at Braves Bawl , saying, "Come check out Braves Bawl. The Braves Bawl is the site for great Braves news and the latest thoughts and opinions. I also have links for fantasy sports and other sports news as well. Take a look!!!"

Brian Gray presents Sports on Every Level: Final Four Possibilities posted at Sports on Every Level .

jim presents Boules Family of Sports: Pétanque and Boule Lyonnaise posted at Bocce Ball King .

Peter Jones presents Colorado Backcountry Days: Telemark Video on Classic Colorado Backcountry posted at Rocky Mountain Raider: Telemark Skiing, Bouldering, and Trail Running in Colorado .

Edmond Barre presents Beer Pong Equipment | Tennis and Tennis Equipment posted at Beer Pong Equipment , saying, "When many athletes are done with their exercise, they like a bit of group fun. Beer pong will test your athletic skills, especially after things get a bit jolly!"

Peter OBrien presents Golf Swing Help - The Address posted at Golf Swing Help , saying, "As we move through the address position section I want you to wrap your head around the idea that we are going to construct a building. The building is four to six feet tall and not very wide. Of course I am referring to the human body. The first place you would start is the foundation, so let"

Peter OBrien presents Golf Swing Help - The Down Swing posted at Golf Swing Help , saying, "As the right arm begins to unfold and the left hip moves one or two inches towards the target before it begins to turn out of the way, the downswing is in full swing mode. In other words the game is on. No holding back, no stopping and no bailing out. There is no turning back."

Peter OBrien presents Golf Swing Help - The First Move posted at Golf Swing Help , saying, "The Secret of the Golf Swing is the First Move DownNow you are ready to start the downswing. You have arrived safely at the top and now you need to return to the bottom in one piece. When you are ready to start the downswing, the very first move is for the right arm to begin to"

Peter OBrien presents Golf Swing Help - From Impact To Finish posted at Golf Swing Help , saying, "The one thing you have to keep in mind is from the top of the backswing to the finish is a non-stop fluid motion. When the golf club starts down there is no slowing down or stopping of the club head. Many things take place during the downswing and they all have to be in sync with one another to make for solid impact."

Peter OBrien presents Golf Swing Help - The Top of The Backswing posted at Golf Swing Help , saying, "As the golf club leaves the 9:00 position, it has to continue on the arc until you reach the top of the backswing. There are a number of moving parts that must be in place during this journey. First and foremost the right shoulder must continue to turn."

Peter OBrien presents Golf Swing Help - The Take Away posted at Golf Swing Help , saying, "The Take AwayStanding to the HandleAs you address the golf ball there are some critical parts of the setup that must be in place before you start the backswing."

FitJerk presents Powerful Plyometrics Training That Will Knock Your Socks Off! posted at FlawlessFitness , saying, "An effective Plyometrics routine will increase jump power, boost you aerobic performance and provide an excellent fat-burning workout"

Erika Collin presents 100 Best Twitter Feeds for College Sports Fanatics posted at Rated Colleges .

NAOMI presents OXFORD & CAMBRIDGE BOAT RACE posted at Diary From England .

Steve Faber presents Belly Fat Loser » Adjustable Dumbbells – A Breakthrough in Building Muscle and Losing Fat posted at Belly Fat Loser .

Tristan presents Bodybuilding Nutrition Guide For Beginners posted at Body And Fitness Blog , saying, "A beginners guide to nutrition for those looking to start weight training."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of recreational athletes using our carnival submission form . Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page .

David vs Goliath

2009-04-15T08:27:00.000-06:00

Our double digit lead had evaporated to a mere point with 2-minutes remaining on the clock. They were the number one seeded team. Undefeated and cruising through the league. We were tied for last, having only one win which came against the other 1-win team (who beat us earlier in the season.) Needless to say the odds were stacked against us.

A crucial three we hit 15 minutes earlier tied the game at 28 going into half, but we had been there before.

Despite our awful 1-8 record we were never down by more than 3 at any intermission. We had held the lead several times at break and on a few other occasions had matched our opponent’s score after the first 20 minutes. So being in the game at this stage wasn’t new to us.

In our previous 9 games we simply got outplayed down the stretch. Once we were within 3 at the 2-minute mark, only to find ourselves on the wrong end of a 14 point blowout. We had held leads both early and late in the second half, but ultimately our fatigue got the best of us and we found a way to lose.

This night felt different though. We had our full squad of 7 guys show up, so there were subs available to give us breathers when we got winded. Also our shots were falling at a staggering pace. Three after three kept swishing the net. And when we tried to go inside, we had a man in the middle who was irritating the opposition with make after make.

So everything seemed to be heading our way… until the ghosts of our previous games started to come out.

We missed a few easy, uncontested baskets on offense. Defensively we were allowing them to drive the lane and get good looks at the basket. It all seemed to fall apart and it would have been easy for us to call it a day; to tell ourselves that we gave it our all, and that we held close to the undefeated Goliaths of our league. We could have looked across the court and seen an impenetrable force. But instead we looked across the court, like the NY Giants looked across the Super Bowl field two years ago, and saw a team with a weakness instead of an unbeatable juggernaut.

The team we were playing must have seen our more diminutive size and our outwardly unathletic look and decided to scrap the outside shot for a more interior style of play. Their game plan was evident from the start that they would pass once or twice, look for a gap and try and drive the lane.

It worked well for them at the outset of the game, as they jumped to an early 9-point lead. Our three point shooting kept us in the game and when we called our first timeout we were down by a score of 21-12, with all of our points coming from long distance.

Inside our huddle we discussed a need to compact the middle, challenge every drive and fundamentally box out and grab all misses. And while the other team was good at taking it to the hole, they did have some troubles getting their layups to fall through the net when we were in their face.

We, on the other hand, we red hot from the perimeter. One of our guys couldn’t miss and was able to get enough good looks that we had that one point lead with two minutes left.

It was apparent in those waning moments what we needed to do. Our man in the middle was going to become The Man. The next several times down the court our only goal was to find an opening and get the ball inside.

Our big guy got triple teamed and hacked and probably bruised and scratched, but he persisted to take the ball up strong and make the layup or get fouled trying. The free throw line became his second home.

Meanwhile, as the clock was ticking down second by second, the other team was getting more and more frustrated. They thought they should be beating us, by a lot, and the fact that they weren’t was causing them major frustration. All of which played into our hands.

A few errant shots and a charge later we had the ball, up one with 2-minutes left. Scrambling around we kept finding an open guy who would inevitably make a clutch shot. The two teams traded baskets for a few possessions until the tides turned to our favor and we successfully had a defensive stop and finally got up by more than one possession.

This again made them rush and again they missed a crucial shot.

Finally with 15 seconds left, down 6 they missed a three point attempt that we secured and then they called off the horses and allowed the clock tick down to 0:00.

So did we win the championship? Did we come in first or even second?

Not quite, but what we did do is finish the season with a good taste in our mouth, making us amped for the next season.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Everyday Athlete: Brian on Ultimate Frisbee

2009-04-14T09:53:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the third edition of the "Everyday Athlete" series where we will interview rec athletes about their favorite sports. The athletes interviewed participate in a variety of sports, across a wide spectrum of skill levels and are located all over the country. None of the athletes interviewed are professionals and mainly compete in their sports or events at nights or on the weekends. It is the purpose of this series to show that anyone can get out, play sports and keep sporting, regardless of age, athletic ability, or life activities.

If you would like to be the subject of an upcoming "Everyday Athlete" segment, please feel free to Contact Us.

1. NAME: Brian

2. LOCATION: Washington DC (Arlington, VA)

3. SPORT YOU PARTICIPATE IN: Ultimate Frisbee

4. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING ULTIMATE? 15 years

5. IF YOU HAVE BEEN PLAYING SINCE YOU WERE A YOUTH, DO YOU HAVE MORE FUN NOW OR BACK THEN? WHY? More fun now because of playing at a higher skill and competition level.

6. ON A SCALE OF 1-10, RATE YOUR ABILITIES. 7 or 8

7. HOW MANY TIMES A WEEK (OR MONTH) DO YOU PLAY? Once or twice a week.

8. WHAT GOT YOU STARTED PLAYING ULTIMATE? Friends

9. WHAT KEEPS YOU PLAYING? I love the challenge of the game and competition. Plus, it keeps me in great shape.

10. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT ON THE FIELD? Threw the winning score in a league game last summer.

11. HAVE YOU PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST ANYONE FAMOUS? WHO? WHAT WERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES? No.

12. ANY GOOD INJURY STORIES? No.

13. DO YOU PLAY WITH AN ORGANIZED TEAM OR GENERALLY PLAY PICK UP? Both.

14. IF YOU PLAY WITH AN ORGANIZED TEAM, HOW DID YOU FIND THE TEAM YOU ARE ON? DID YOU KNOW OTHERS ON THE TEAM WHEN YOU STARTED? Play on team with co-workers. Found out about team through players at pick-up.

15. APPROXIMATELY HOW MUCH DOES IT COST YOU PER YEAR TO PLAY ULTIMATE? $45

16. DO YOU PLAY YEAR ROUND OR JUST IN THE SUMMER? Year round

17. ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE JUST STARTING TO PLAY? The more you play the better you get so play often and year round if possible. Play pickup first and ask lots of questions from experienced players to learn strategy and skill.

Thanks for the interview Brian! And remember, if you would like to be a feature of an "Everyday Athlete" segment, Contact Us.

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Setting Goals: Softball Edition

2009-04-13T08:05:00.002-06:00

Setting goals has long been considered one of the best ways to push yourself and have some accountability for your work. Whether it is personal finance goals, familial goals or professional goals, goal setting is great way to work your way towards what you desire to achieve or accomplish.

So why stop with just those buckets? Why not set athletic goals for yourself or your team?

And since your softball season is probably just about to get underway, now is a perfect time to set these goals. As with any set of goals, it isn’t enough to just create the goals, but you have to review them as well to ensure you are sticking to them. To that point, after creating your goals, print them out and put them in your bat bag, if you have one, or in another spot where you will be reminded of them before each game.

Also, set realistic and attainable goals, but make sure they will push you. If you led your team in home runs last season, you won’t want to set a goal to just lead your team in home runs again, but rather you will want to hit 5 more home runs than you did last year. Likewise, if your team won the championship for the past several years, setting a goal of first place may not be enough, how about an undefeated season, or a season in which you win every game by 6 or more runs.

To get you started, I have included some goals that you may want to jot down or try to reach. But since each goal should be meaningful to each individual, feel free to customize or modify the list to your particular situation.

As with the list below, it is a good idea to have three buckets of goals: Team Goals, Individual Batting Goals and Individual Fielding Goals.

TEAM GOALS

STANDINGS. Since each team is different, for some this goal may be to win the championship, while for others it may be to not finish in last place. Maybe you want to strive to finish in the upper half of your division.
WIN STREAKS. If winning three games in a row would be considered an accomplishment, set a goal to do that. If going undefeated is a goal, write it down. Maybe you just don’t want to LOSE two games in a row.

BATTING GOALS

PERFECT GAME. What if you hit safely each at bat in a particular game? Would you consider that an accomplishment? The mark it down. Maybe you wan to hit safely in two straight games?
CYCLE. Every hit for the cycle? Can you? Of course you can if you set a goal to do so.
PERSONAL BESTS. How many home runs did you hit last year? How many doubles? How may triples? If you know, or can roughly guess, set a goal to eclipse that stat this year.
JOE DIMAGGIO. Set a goal to hit safely in every game this season. Too easy? How about two hits in every game. How about an RBI in each game?

FIELDING GOALS

DOUBLE PLAY. Are you an infielder? Can you turn two? Set a goal to do so. If that is too easy, try and turn one every other game, or every game.
ASSIST. If you are an outfielder, what about setting a goal to record an outfield assist?
FUNDAMENTALS. If you have been criticized about your fundamentals (throwing to the wrong base from the outfield, not knowing how many are on and throwing to first when you could have gotten the lead runner) try and become more of a thinking on defense. Set a goal to always know where to go, and given the chance, go there.
ERRORS. Are you known for your five-hole? Try and set a goal not to commit an error in two consecutive games, or maybe for an entire season.

So those are just some of the goals you can set for yourself for this season. Modify them as you see fit, but remember that if you do create a list to review it before every game in order to keep yourself honest.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Friday Detour: Saving Brain Cells

2009-04-10T08:13:00.001-06:00

Like most kids, and probably most of you, I could name every player on every team in every sport as I was growing up. You name it, I knew it. A lot of my knowledge came from collecting sports cards for the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, but a lot also had to do with my reading of the sports section of the Columbus Dispatch every morning before school.

When I got home from school I went straight to the local baseball card store and would talk about the players and read Beckett price guides until my stomach told me it was time to go home for dinner.

That was double digit years ago. Since then I have realized that, while sports are still my priority, I need to curtail my knowledge to things that really, really interest me and allow my brain to consume information that can help me in facets of my life, other than winning a bar bet centered around a random sports fact.

So, I have recently (within the past 5 or so years) began to parse some sports out of my life, or at least parse some information about sports out of my life.

It used to be that I could name a good majority of players on the PGA Tour. And if not a good majority, I could have probably been able to name at least 50 or so names of guys on tour. Now when I am listening to ESPN Radio, or reading blog postings, covering the Masters, I really only can follow when words like “Tiger,” “Phil,” or Vijay” are used. I would now be hard pressed to come up with 10 guys on tour, much less 50 that I used to be able to rattle off.

Likewise, I decided that I needn’t spend any more energy on the NHL and was given a golden opportunity to sever my ties when they took the 2004-2005 season off. Again, I used to be a HUGE hockey fan, beginning with the Hull and Oates line the St Louis Blues would trot out in the late 80s. For years I pay attention, and follow the NHL, knowing past Conn Smythe winners and could name the previous 10 years Stanley Cup winners. Now, I have no idea who won the Stanley Cup last year, and was only recently told that the local hockey team here in Denver not only isn’t still in the hunt for the Cup every year, but this year’s team is in dead last in the conference. Where have you gone Sakic, Forsberg and Foote?

This is not to say that I have stopped following, watching and reading about sports. It is simply to say that I am more selective now with my knowledge intake than I was in the past. I can still rattle off the hometowns, and for the most part, high schools of everyone on the Mizzou basketball team, but I would be hard pressed to name you the middle reliever, much less the closer, for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

So maybe it is maturity (although my wife would contend that claim) or maybe I just so many other things going on in my life, but for some reason I am completely fine not knowing some of the trivial things I have known in the past. It no longer bothers me that I may not win that bar trivia contest and will lose out on the free beer I would have easily chugged in my younger days.

And you know what? I am fine with that.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Mizzou: National Rec League Basketball Champions!

2009-04-09T13:04:00.001-06:00

A quick props out to my alma mater, the University of Missouri, for winning the 2009 rec basketball championship with a 54-48 victory of the University of Georgia in the championship game: http://nirsa.imtrackonline.com/im/client/home/bracket/1

(h/t to Mizzou Rah! for the find)

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Comparing Teams Across Different Leagues

2009-04-09T08:21:00.002-06:00

I was listening to Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN yesterday and they were discussing the legacy of North Carolina Tar Heel Tyler Hansborough.

Te topic raged on whether or not Psycho T deserved to be listed among the all time greatest Tar Heels.

Despite being the ACC, and consequently UNC, all time leader in points and rebounds, Golic was arguing that he doesn’t deserve to be listed in the same breath as Jordan an some of the others who have donned on Carolina blue. His whole argument is that stats do not make the player and there are more important things that contribute to the greatness of someone’s legacy than just what is listed in a box score.

He brought up the fact that Emmitt Smith holds the record for most rushing yards in the history of the NFL, but nobody would consider him the greatest RB of all time. He also spoke about Brett Favre and how he has thrown for more yards and touchdowns than any NFL QB, but Golic would consider Joe Montana to be the greatest QB the NFL has ever seen.

This is a great argument for rec athletes. Generally during rec games stats, such as yards and points are not kept. Sometimes they are kept individually, sometimes a team will compound stats over a season or the life of the team, and sometime a league will keep stats. I will bet though, that you cannot find anywhere, be it on the web or someplace else, a place where re stats are debated across different leagues, and even less so across different leagues in different cities, states or regions.

So then, how can a rec athlete be compared to their peers? The answer would be in wins, losses and championships.

If you talk to your friend who plays in a softball leagues 3 states over, you will probably ask one of two questions:
1) Who are you playing?
2) What is your record?

The guy can throw out all the stats in the world about how many HRs he has hit, or what his batting average is, but in reality, it is impossible to compare your league to his based on those numbers. For starters, his home run fence may be 50 feet closer than yours. His league may not use flight restricted balls. His league may not have a cap on the number of home runs a player or team can hit. All those factors contribute to stats that cannot be compared to each other.

What can be compared, though, is wins, losses and championship. It may be true that his home run fence is closer than yours, and balls that are brought in by outfielders in your league would go yard in his league. But it isn’t true that his fence is 50 feet closer than that of the team he is playing against. Within a league, all the rules are the same. So these disproportions can be mitigated by looking at how your friend has contributed to his team’s success vs how you have done.

So when you guys are talking and he is bragging about how he hits home runs whenever he feels the urge, yet his team is 1-10, you can feel good that while you haven’t actually hit one over the fence, your contributions have helped your team to vault into first place in your league.

So to answer Mike and Mike’s debate, from a rec athlete point of view, you need to look past the stats you can read about in box scores, and look at what contributions you, or whomever you are debating about, has made to the team.

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Guest Post: Projecting the Masters by Sliv

2009-04-08T10:09:00.001-06:00

My calling was to become a golf beat writer for ESPN or Sports Illustrated or the Associated Press. How I wound up in public relations for the insurance industry, I'll never know. Anyway, you all benefit from the twists of fate that brought me to where I am, because IT'S MASTERS WEEK and here's my annual set of predictions.

1. The Impact of ESPN - ESPN has the first two rounds of the tournament this year and I'm not sure what to make of it. This is The Masters, not a college football Saturday in Ann Arbor, Gainesville or South Bend. Note to ESPN - for the sake of all of us, please give Chris Berman the week off. Just because they let you play in the Pebble Beach pro-am and you can finally make a full turn because you lost 100 pounds on the Jenny Craig program doesn't mean you know what you're talking about. Let Mike Tirico and Andy North take the lead and keep out of the way. Thank you.

2. The Shark Returns - By virtue of his top 5 finish in last year's British Open, Greg Norman returns to Augusta for the first time in nearly a decade. It's a nice story, and it's been reported that he's been practicing a ton to get his game in order. I say there is no way he makes the cut. I also say that we'll be subjected to a thousand replays of his epic 1996 collapse (and Nick Faldo will reference it from the broadcast booth, to which, Norman will respond, "Sure, 1996 hurt, but at least I didn't blow the Ryder Cup last year, Nicky boy!" Well, maybe not, but that would be fun to see).

It's cool that he had a nice week at the Open last year, but the Open is known for random players making an impact (hello Ben Curtis & Todd Hamilton!). Now, Norman isn't random, but since he's more executive than player these days, it was surely a random surprise that he did well at Birkdale. And here's the "not a surprise" element of that week last August: he built a lead going into Sunday and blew it. So the more things change (age, a huge divorce settlement, Chris Evert) the more things stay the same (also see his great performance through 3 rounds in Houston and his 81 on Sunday). Sorry Greg, no green jacket (or weekend rounds) for you.

3. Speaking of the Shark - His daughter is dating Sergio Garcia. Not sure if the Norman choke karma runs across generations to impact a daughter's boyfriend, but we'll see. I have some thoughts on this that will be disclosed in the last piece of this e-mail, when I give my prediction on the winner.

4. Padraig Slamington - If Padraig Harrington wins this week, it'll be his 3rd major in a row, with the US Open at Bethpage being the last step in his version of the Tiger Slam (four in a row, across two seasons). Personally, I love to watch Paddy play, but I don't think he's the guy this week (and he won't win the US Open either). Not a high ball / soft landing player, which is a must at Augusta. Don't get me wrong - his short game is amazing, but bump & runs don't win The Masters (unless, of course, your name is Larry Mize and you're about to hit the most famous chip in Masters history to beat - you guessed it - Greg Norman in a playoff. But that's another story).

5. Favorites - Every year there are a handful of players people lump into the "favorites" category. Taking the top 5 players out of it (Tiger, Phil, Sergio, Vijay, Ogilvy), here are a few of the "other" favorites: Paul Casey, Justin Rose, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, Camilo Villegas, Anthony Kim. Note that last year I picked Paul Casey as one of my top 5 favorites and he shot 78 on Sunday (from the lead) to blow it. So, I'm watching the Shell Houston Open yesterday and Casey wins it, which essentially disqualifies him from winning this week (I think Mickelson won the Masters after winning the previous tourney a few years ago, but for the most part, you win the week before and you might contend, but you won't win the one that counts).

Chances for the other "favorites" - none. Rose has game and maybe he grabs an early lead, but he won't win. Furyk & Els - their time has come and gone. Sure, they can win on any given week, but they haven't won the jacket by now, and I just don't see any major changes to their games that would mean they have something "new" to bring to the table.

Villegas & Kim - too young, not enough experience at Augusta. It'll be a learning experience for them, not a trip to Butler Cabin for the green jacket ceremony. I'll say one of them makes the cut (Villegas) and one of them misses (Kim).

6. Sleepers - Luke Donald, Fred Couples, Tim Clark. I wrote that list of sleepers before Freddie contended in Houston. After watching him play, I'm tempted to take him off this list. He rarely has back-to-back good tournaments these days, and I just don't see him holding up over a long grind. I'll keep him on here for sentimentality's sake, but I don't expect him to be within sniffing distance on Sunday.

For some reason, I see Luke Donald making a big run. He's coming back from injuries (like Tiger) and has started to put some solid rounds together (like Tiger).

As for Tim Clark, he did beat Tiger in the Match Play, and he always seems to be in the mix at Augusta. I'll take him as my #1 sleeper. Won't win, but he'll be right there all week long.

7. The Kid - Watch Rory McIlroy play, if he makes the telecast. The kid is 19 years old and has mega-game. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if he's oblivious to the Masters pressure and waltzes through the week to finish in the top 10. Or, he could shoot 88 on those greens and miss the cut. My money's on the former.

8. Tiger Woods - Oh boy, Tiger. I'm sure there wasn't anyone happier than the group of CBS Sports executives when Tiger won at Bay Hill two weeks ago. Tiger will be in the mix big-time. He'll be there from the start, but something will be slightly off, which means he'll finish 2 shots back on Sunday.

Tiger has never gone 4 consecutive years without winning at Augusta, and I'm really tempted to pick him this year, but something tells me it's another player's time (more on that in a moment). What scares me, though, is that Tiger's clutch performance on the back 9 at Bay Hill means he's once again doing the things that make him Tiger Woods. The guy is the best clutch putter in the history of the game, no questions asked. But it's his driving that that's the issue. It's still too inconsistent, and at the "new Augusta," you have to put the ball in the right places off the tee. I see too many errant drives in his future, and that will ultimately be the difference this year. But guess what - Tiger will shake it off and win the US Open at Bethpage this summer by 5 shots.

9. Phil "I Have Man Boobs" Mickelson - Phil, you're fun to watch, but I just can't pick you this year. Maybe some other time, but after watching you play horribly in Houston, I can't see how you rebound to all-world status in less than a week's time. Yes, it was that bad. And what makes it worse is that you've won twice this year, and you're supposed to be peaking as you head to Georgia. Instead, you played your worst two rounds of the year. Tune up or no tune up, you can't be happy with that, and it's clear that you're still struggling with approach. Conservative wins majors. Go for broke might pan out every once and a while (and make you insanely popular) but it won't win you the jacket this year. No worries, Phil. You have a zillion dollars, 10 houses, endorsement deals out the wazoo and a really good looking family to go home to. It could be worse, right?

10. Predictions - So, it's time for my official prediction. This is the year a huge talent finally wins his first jacket, and his first major. It's also a year in which his mentor and idol - Seve Ballesteros - is fighting cancer, and seems to be on the mend. Seve's fight will serve as inspiration, and Sergio Garcia will win the Masters (stop laughing, it's going to happen). Sergio learned a lot last year - most importantly he finally figured out how to be patient, and how to win or lose with grace and professionalism.

It's his time, and when he wins, he will give a very emotional speech on Sunday, citing Seve as the reason he won this year.

Winning score -10, 278.

So that's it, my friends. Enjoy the greatest golf tournament in the world!

Andy

Andy Silver is a Director of Public Relations and 6-handicap golfer based in Denver, CO. This is his first contribution to the Who's In First Blog. If you would like to get in touch with Andy, feel free to Contact Us and we will pass along the information. Also, you can read more about Andy and his golf passion in one of our Everyday Athlete segments.

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

What are we talking about? Practice?

2009-04-07T08:54:00.001-06:00

It’s funny, isn’t it? You can get 95% turnout for every game of your regular season and 100% turnout for your post-season tournament, but how many people show when you try and schedule a pre-season practice?

That’s what I thought!

People will inevitably drop everything on their calendars to make a game or match, but when you try and schedule a practice, even in the same time slot as your games, all of a sudden people have dinner plans, have to work late or have a special date that cannot be moved.

It isn’t cliché to say that practice makes perfect. It may be that your basketball team wants to get together to practice a few plays that they will run during the season. Or maybe your softball team hasn’t fielded a grounder or caught a fly ball in months. Maybe you just want the team to mesh, take some swings or make some shots.

Whatever your reasoning behind calling practice, it is aggravating when you get less than 50% attendance.

So here are some techniques you can use to get better participation for your obligatory (i.e. optional) practices.

Use your power as a manager to get them to come.
1. Threaten to drop people who don’t show in the line-up, or bench them for the first game. Maybe they won’t start or won’t play in the first game. Maybe they will have to buy the first round after the game, or bring beverages or oranges to the game. Whatever the threat you think will have the most impact, use it.

2. Conversely, reward those who show. Whether you buy the first round at the batting cages or allow those who show up to choose their position, you can also take a positive stance to get your players to show.

Since you probably know your players well, you might know which technique will be better received by your teammates. So in your communication, either via a e-mail or over the phone, select the tone you think will have the greatest impact and use it.

But in the end, remember that sometimes things do come up. And since we are playing rec sports, and aren’t doing this for a living, don’t hold a grudge on anyone who doesn’t show. You can enforce rules and those that miss can suffer, but limit any “punishment” to one or two games and then let it pass.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Recreational Athletes Blog Carnival - April 2, 2009

2009-04-02T18:47:00.001-06:00

Wayne Cross presents My First Scuba Diving Vacation posted at First Scuba Diving Vacation , saying, "Everybody who dives has to have a first diving experience. Mine was about twenty years ago of the Big Island of Hawaii with a group of my friends. None of us were certified. How could we be, since it was our first time? If we had been certified, at least we could have said we had previously dived to the bottom of some community pool back on the mainland."

Talk Prom Dresses presents Celebrity Dresses - Fashion Forecast 2009 posted at Prom Dresses , saying, "As we have all seen, the fashion trends this year are all over the place."

The Understudy Fashionista presents Alexander McQueen posted at The Understudy Fashionista - fashion from the wings , saying, "The Understudy Fashionista - fashion from the wings. Picks from Paris Fashion Week. Vive la diff�rence!"

Caterina Christakos presents Bodybuilders Self Hypnosis posted at Trance You Out .

jim presents Do I Need A Beach Bocce Ball Set? posted at Bocce Ball King .

Jay Green presents Remote Computer Maintenance: RCM posted at Remote Computer Maintenance , saying, "Save Money"

jim presents Bocce Ball Sizes - 80mm to 115mm posted at Bocce Ball King .

NAOMI presents OXFORD & CAMBRIDGE BOAT RACE posted at Diary From England .

Ozone presents Online Poker Computer Security posted at Online Poker Strategy , saying, "Learn how to keep your online poker account secure from hackers."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of recreational athletes using our carnival submission form . Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page .

Recreational Athletes Blog Carnival - March 24, 2009

2009-03-24T19:59:00.002-06:00

Erika Collin presents 50 Awesome iPhone Apps for Runners posted at RN Central.

Kakie presents Until it Hurts, America’s Obsession with Youth Sports and How It Harms Our Kids posted at Bur Bur & Friends: Community Park, saying, "An interview with Mark Hyman, sports journalist and author of the book being released in April called “Until it hurts, America’s Obsession with Youth Sports and how it Harms our Kids.” In this book he examines the power of youth sports in our culture today and how it has reached a problematic state. We discuss his inspiration for the book and some important things he has learned along the way."

Peter OBrien presents Golf Swing Help - The Grip posted at Golf Swing Help, saying, "When you pick up a golf club your hands are the only part of your body that touch the club. For many years the hands (grip) have often been referred to as the steering wheel of the golf swing. I don"

Sigrid Landau presents Try Maltese Scuba Diving For Interesting Landscapes Amongst Other Benefits posted at A1 How To, saying, "Have you ever considered going scuba diving in Malta? Loads of people have and I’m sure more people will try it. Here’s what you might discover."

Tristan presents How Much Creatine Should I Take posted at Body And Fitness Blog, saying, "A guide to creatine monohydrate supplementation for body builders. This explains how much someone should load with, for how long and how much to continue taking for maintenance."

Peter OBrien presents Basketball Workouts: Free Throw Shooting posted at Basketball Workouts, saying, "Free throw shooting is a very important part of playing winning basketball. If you disagree then look at all the close games that are lost and then look at the losing teams free throw percentage. If they could have have only made 2 or 3 more free throws then they could have won. You hear the phrase "You have to learn how to win." Well one part of learning how to win is making your free throws. So lets talk about basketball shooting drills to improve your free throw shooting."

Steve Patterson presents Several NFL QBs are in the frying pan. posted at FryingPan Sports.

Steve Patterson presents Ohio State Basketball, Ugly Wins Count posted at BrutusReport.

run4change presents Endurance athlete fueling, hydration, and electolyte « My angle on weight loss posted at My Angle, saying, "Be the best athlete you can be with proper fueling and hydration during your long running events."

John Kezer presents First Fantasy - Ford F-150? Hell Yea! posted at First Fantasy Online.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Recreational Athletes using our carnival submission form . Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page .

Everyday Athlete: Andy on Golf

2009-03-18T09:10:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the second edition of the "Everyday Athlete" series where we will interview rec athletes about their favorite sports. The athletes interviewed participate in a variety of sports, across a wide spectrum of skill levels and are located all over the country. None of the athletes interviewed are professionals and mainly compete in their sports or events at nights or on the weekends. It is the purpose of this series to show that anyone can get out, play sports and keep sporting, regardless of age, athletic ability, or life activities.

If you would like to be the subject of an upcoming "Everyday Athlete" segment, please feel free to Contact Us

1. NAME: Andy

2. LOCATION: Denver, Colorado

3. SPORT YOU PARTICIPATE IN: Golf

4. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING GOLF? Since I was 8 years old. So that’s almost 30 years now.

5. IF YOU HAVE BEEN PLAYING SINCE YOU WERE A YOUTH, DO YOU HAVE MORE FUN NOW OR BACK THEN? WHY? I had a lot of fun playing when I was growing up. Playing with my family, trying to impress them with my game. A lot of “firsts” happen when you’re young and learning the game and that’s always fun (first par, first birdie, first time breaking 100 / 90 / etc.). I will say, though, that as I got older, I found more “friends” who play the game, and that’s also a lot of fun for me. Giving each other a hard time when we miss a shot, playing a match for a few bucks, getting away from everyday pressures by playing a round of golf. All that stuff makes golf really fun now. So I’d have to say it’s a tie. I had a lot of fun when I was young for certain reasons, and I have a lot of fun now for other reasons.

6. ON A SCALE OF 1-10, RATE YOUR ABILITIES. I’m a 6 handicap, and golfers always want to improve. So I’d rate myself a 7, with plenty of room for improvement.

7. HOW MANY TIMES A WEEK (OR MONTH) DO YOU PLAY? During the season, I play 9 holes once a week after work and at least one full round each weekend. So, let’s say I’m on a golf course in some capacity at least 8 times a month, not counting practice sessions.

8. WHAT GOT YOU STARTED PLAYING GOLF? My aunt won the NJ state ladies amateur championship in 1980 when I was 8. I thought that was the coolest thing in the world. Plus, other kids played basketball or baseball or some other sport. I wanted to do something different. (Remember, 1980 was way before Tiger Woods, so playing golf wasn’t as cool as it is now)

9. WHAT KEEPS YOU PLAYING? The desire to get better. There’s a great quote on golf that sums it up pretty well – You can never “beat” golf, you can never “win” against golf. You can only play the game. Plus, to me, there is no better feeling than being in the zone on the golf course. Walk up to your ball, picture the shot in your mind, execute the shot. When you pull that off consistently, it feels pretty amazing.

10. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT ON THE LINKS? First time I broke 80 was a pretty big deal. First time I broke par for 9 holes was pretty amazing as well. Now I want to break par for 18 holes. That would be pretty cool.

11. HAVE YOU PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST ANYONE FAMOUS? WHO? AND WHO SHOT A BETTER SCORE? Nope, but I was a caddy for years when I lived in New Jersey and caddied for a number of celebrities including Neil Young & Joe Pesci.

12. ANY GOOD INJURY STORIES? I got pissed one time after four putting a green and slammed the head of the putter against my ankle. Hurt so bad and I fell to the ground like I’d been shot. The walk (or should I say limp) of shame back to the clubhouse was something I’ll never forget.

13. ANY CRAZY SHOTS? Lots. My favorite is actually 2 shots. On back-to-back rounds, from the same place on the 13th fairway on my home course in NJ, I holed out for eagle (a 2 on a par 4). Another favorite was an amazing shot I hit to the 8th green at Pebble Beach. Go look up the hole on Google because the simple act of hitting that green in 2 is worth a story in and of itself. What a great golf hole. Maybe my favorite hole I’ve ever played.

14. DO YOU PLAY IN AN ORGANIZED LEAGUE? WHY? I play in a league organized by my office once a week for 9 holes. I do it to keep the rust off during the golf season, and to get out and about with some work people.

15. IF YOU PLAY IN AN ORGANIZED LEAGUE, HOW DID YOU FIND THE TEAM/LEAGUE YOU ARE ON? DID YOU KNOW OTHERS IN THE LEAGUE WHEN YOU STARTED? My office has a league. Didn’t know anyone but decided to play because I was new to Denver and figured it would be a good way to meet people.

16. APPROXIMATELY HOW MUCH DOES IT COST YOU PER YEAR TO PLAY GOLF? No clue. Don’t want to think about it, to be honest. Whatever I spend, it’s definitely worth it, in my opinion. I will say that Denver has plenty of great golf options, at very affordable prices compared to other cities across the country.

17. DO YOU PLAY YEAR ROUND? IF YES, HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO PLAY IN THE WINTER MONTHS? Yes. Colorado has some mild days in the winter and Denver is warmer than many people think. So the courses are open almost year round.

18. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND PLAYING GOLF TO YOUTH LOOKING TO PICK UP A SPORT? WHY? Absolutely. Teaches discipline, manners and focus. Kids learn a lot of life lessons from the game of golf…particularly how to deal with adversity.

19. WHAT ABOUT ADULTS LOOKING FOR A NEW SPORT? WHY? Absolutely, for the same reasons as #18. Also, there’s a great line about golf and golfers – “You can learn more about someone from playing one round of golf with them than you can in 20 years of doing business together.”

20. ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE JUST STARTING TO PLAY? Pace of play is important. If you’re about to hit your 10th shot on a hole, PLEASE pick up and move along to the next tee. And if you’re just starting out, spend more time on the practice green than the driving range. Learning the short game is the best way to improve your scores fast, regardless of how you hit it from tee to green.

21. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD? Best sport in the world. I would trade my involvement in every other sport I play for golf in a heartbeat. I don’t know what I’d do if I was told I could never play golf again.

Thanks for the interview Andy! And remember, if you would like to be a feature of an "Everyday Athlete" segment, Contact Us

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

V I C T O R Y ! ! ! ! !

2009-03-17T16:14:00.000-06:00

Well…. We did it!

My rec basketball team finally won our first game of the season.

How did we do it?

Well, we had played our opponents once before this season and knew their strengths and how to defend them… or so we thought.

When we first played, our opponents couldn’t miss from the outside, so we decided to defend against the perimeter and start out in a 3-2 zone. For those new to the game, a 3-2 Zone is a zone defense where you have 3 defenders up top and two down low. We figured this would take away the wide open looks they got on us the last time we played. Well, we were right about that, but since we hadn’t ever played that particular defense before, we were exposed and they ended up passing through our D and scoring some easy lay-ups.

Around the 10 minute mark of the first half we were down by 10 and called a timeout to regroup. In our team huddle we decided that the outside shooting wasn’t what was killing us this go round, but it was their inside presence that we needed to stop. Ultimately we decided to go back to our regular 2-3 Zone, the defense we were most accustomed to playing.

It worked like a charm. We were active down low, and protected the three point arc like our lives were dependent upon it.

We also were hitting all of our shots…. We just couldn’t miss. Reminiscent of how they show against us the meeting prior.

We went into halftime all knotted at 27.

But we had been there before. In almost all of our other 7 games we were either tied, leading by a small margin or losing by a small margin, so being in the game at half didn’t mean diddley to us, as we had too many times seen it disappear at the onset of the second half.

This time was different. Despite only suiting up 5 guys, with our only sub unable to go because of a walking cast due to a busted Achilles 10 weeks ago, we played an energized second half. We distributed the ball around. We hit our shots. We had an inside presence. We boxed out. We played a complete game.

The most impressive thing about our game last night, though, was the way we played as a team. Defensively we helped out when others needed help. Offensively it wasn’t one pass and a shot, but rather we found the open man, by swinging the ball around until we found an opening in the other team’s D.

So to the victors go the spoils, and in our case the spoils was that first notch on our online standings bedpost.

Ultimately, the thing we should be most proud of is that despite having the minimum 5 and despite not having won a game, we didn’t go into the game with a negative attitude. Had we walked onto the court thinking we had no shot, we would have had no shot. But we walked out proud and confident and it showed on the court.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Friday Detour: My Major League Theme Song

2009-03-13T08:17:00.009-06:00

I was at the gym yesterday and a song came on my iPod that just had me rocking out. At one point I looked into the mirror and caught myself just rocking it… and I looked as dumb as Brad Pitt’s character in “Burn After Reading.”

But it got me thinking…. This song had me going, but would I want to hear it 4 times a day for 81 days every summer? In other words, would I want it to be my musical intro every time I stepped up to the plate as a Major League hitter?

When I think of the All Time best theme songs, I can’t help but to only think of one guy, Larry Walker. When I first moved to Colorado, through my fourth season rooting on the Rockies, whenever Walker walked up to the plate, “Crazy Train” by Black Sabbath would echo throughout Lodo and get the fans off their seats. I can remember times when I was running a little behind and would hear Ozzy yell “ALL ABOARD” then laugh his devilish laugh, knowing full well where the Rocks were in their lineup.

No other walk up music I have heard even compares to that. Not only was the song great, but it was perfect, coupled with one of the most fearsome hitters in the league approaching the batter’s box, to put feareven in the best pitchers in the game.

So what would I choose to be my walk up music? Some players seem to pick their favorite songs, some are playful and some melodic, but if I were a Major League batter, I would take the Walkerian approach and try and gain an advantage with my song.

Quickly scanning through my iPod, I see lots of great songs… looking just at Sabbath, I could easily go with War Pigs or Iron Man, but I wouldn’t want to copy Larry Walker’s choice. It’d also be easy to go with something that I would want to listen to like Bob Marley, Frank Sinatra, G. Love or Ben Harper, but again, most of those wouldn’t give me the edge that Walker got by choosing Crazy Train.

I think that hip-hop or heavy metal would be the route I would go with, but with both of those genres you would have to be careful to make sure that your clip had kid friendly lyrics.

Assuming I would be able to start the track at any point in the song, as opposed to the just the beginning of the song, I then would need a bridge that had the impact lyrically and musically that I am looking for.

The chorus to “Rise” by the Denver-based Flobots is good in that there is some anger in the chorus, but the lyrics might not strike the kind of fear I am trying to place into the opposing pitcher’s minds.

I also wouldn’t want a song so popular I would hear it in my car on the way to the park each day. I am guessing that by the end of the season, I will be sick of the song, so I would want something that was not the latest hit from the hottest artist.
“In The Evening” by Led Zeppelin starts out with Robert Plant’s hypnotic voice, followed up by a pretty deep Jimmy Page guitar riff and John Bonham’s drums… Excellent song, but not what I am looking for.

Zeppelin does kinda do it with their “Immigrant Song.” I can envision myself walking up to the melodic guitar/bass riff. And “Kashmir” has the sound of imposing doom at the onset. The lyrics also can be likened to the rise of a ball player through the ranks:

Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream
I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been
To sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has seldom seen
They talk of days for which they sit and wait and all will be revealed

I can read this as the sun beating down on the face meaning I am out on the ball field, my dreams are to be in the big leagues. Being a traveler through the levels from rookie ball to A up to AAA and then the Majors. The elders are the ball players who played before me and my skill set would be what they are waiting for to be revealed.

It is also entirely possible (and 100% accurate) that the opposing pitchers would probably not be dissecting the lyrics to my walk up music, so maybe we can scrap that altogether. Some lyrics would be heard, but for the opposing pitcher to realize that I was the one the elders were waiting on is probably a stretch.

If I wanted to be blunt with the lyrics, I could always go with “#1” from Nelly. After all, he graduated from the same high school as my mom.

“Tweezer Reprise” by Phish is another one that starts out with a strong, amazing guitar riff. Trey Anastasio simply lays it down on this track and I would get college kid cred, but again not perfect for my walk up music.

Rage Against The Machine has a 1996 album that contained “Bulls On Parade.” This song would strike fear in the pitchers FOR SURE, but I am not sure I would want to hear it 300 times in a summer.

So what would I walk up to? What a difficult decision indeed. Now it makes sense why some players walk up to lame songs… they don’t have a week and a half to devote to choosing a song.

So, if I were to decide today, I would lean towards “Rush” by Talib Kweli off 2002’s Quality. It has the upbeat tempo I am looking for and the beginning is just “Feel the rush.” I would obviously need to get a censored version of the song and cut it off before the bridge. If I can, and I am somehow called to the Majors, and you are walking up to a stadium and hear it thumping, make sure you have your glove out because the ball is sure to land outside the stadium.

What song would you use to walk up?

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

To Storm or Not To Storm?

2009-03-12T09:32:00.002-06:00

While watching SportsCenter this morning I caught the tail end of the Robert Morris - Mount Saint Mary's highlights.

In the game, Robert Morris' Dallas Green hit a game winner with 2.5 seconds remaining. Once the final second had ticked off, the Robert Morris students rushed the floor to celebrate a conference championship (and trip to the NCAA tournament) with their classmates. It was pure energy, joy and excitement. These students know that their brethren will have a tough match-up in next week's big dance, but for the time being they are on the top of the world.

Now, bringing it back to rec sports… is it ever OK to rush the floor in a recreational league game?

Instinctively I would say no. But there is a case to celebration.

First off, I don't know what your fan base is like, but at our games the gym is so empty you can hear crickets chirp. We occasionally have a fan or two, but nothing at all that would constitute a rooting section. So that means that those rushing the floor would be your teammates…. which is a different story.

Say you were in a tight match-up and one of your guys hit a shot with a second left to win the game. I don't think that your emotions would be able to be contained enough to causally stroll onto the court. I think in that case it is just fine to run out and celebrate with your teammate. Especially if that shot won you your first game of the season.

Keep in mind that you wouldn't want to be on the other end of an all out celebration, so keep it a little contained, but heading onto the floor, or if you are out there, hugging your teammate is perfectly acceptable. Again, contain it a bit, walk through the line to shake hands with your opponents, then continue the celebration on the sidelines, away from the other squad.

So while you might not have fans rushing the court and carrying you off on their shoulders, you do have permission to let your emotions get the best of you.

What are your thoughts on celebrating? Comment below.

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Guest Post: Continuing the Steroid Debate by Russ

2009-03-11T09:44:00.002-06:00

This guest post is in response to the February 27, 2009 "Friday Detour: The Other Side of the Steroid Issue"

While it warms my heart to find someone out there who feels a twinge of sympathy for "steroid era" pitchers I can't help but think that it's misdirected empathy. When MLB first started testing for PEDs most of the players who were caught were pitchers, relief pitchers specifically. In fact, half of the MLB players who have been suspended have been pitchers. Steroids and other PEDs seem to be the perfect drug for relief pitchers because they all faster recuperation. Relief pitchers need to be able to throw hard in back-to-back games and if they can't it's back down to the minors. It wouldn't surprise me if A-Rod, Bonds, and Palmiero were simply following the lead of the pitchers on their teams. There are reports of pitchers trying steroids back in the 1960's and 1970's from ex-pitching coach and former MLB Pitcher Tom House who claimed, "We were doing steroids they wouldn't give to horses. That was the '60s, when nobody knew."

When 104 players tested positive for PEDs in 2003 you can bet that the majority of them weren't superstars. The majority of those players were most likely marginally talented guys who would hover between the majors and minors for a few years before moving on to their next career as used car salesmen. Most of the players caught needed steroids to stay in the Bigs. When they were caught they disappeared which is why no one remembers the names of Juan Salas and Ryan Franklin. I don't think anyone doubts that without steroids A-Rod and Bonds are Major League talents. Hell, they might be Major League talents without 3 toes, they are that good. But these other guys aren't. They are minor league nobodies who cheated and in doing so stole jobs from guys who were clean.

And those are the people I feel sorry for. The guys who rode around on buses for years sleeping in crappy hotels and making next to nothing because they had the integrity to attempt making the Majors without the benefit of PEDs. There are probably a couple of hundred minor leaguers who didn't make it to The Show because they stayed clean. These are players you will never hear of and know nothing about. Hard-working players who might have become hustling fan favorites are instead stuck in anonymity. When a juiced up Jay Gibbons is hitting 20+ homers and stays on the roster it takes the spot of some AAA player who stayed clean. Not to mention that Mr. Gibbons earned over $15 million during his career. These nameless, faceless players are the one's I feel bad for. The one's who were screwed over in this whole mess and who will never ever get anything resembling justice. And so, when we start to feel bad for millionaires because their career stats don't measure up to their historical peers we need to reevaluate our own empathy.

Do you have other opinions on the steroid topic? Feel free to comment below.

Dan Russell is a freelance writer and sports enthusiast based in Chicago, IL. This is his second contribution to the Who's In First Blog. If you would like to get in touch with Russ, feel free to Contact Us and we will pass along the information.

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

HELP! My Team is Getting Worse

2009-03-10T10:04:00.001-06:00

We are 70% into my rec basketball league season, and it appears my team is getting progressively worse…. and I am not sure why.

The league I play in is comprised of 6 teams, and plays 3 games each Monday. The schedule is set up so that each team plays each other twice. No tournament or anything at the end, just 10 games and the best record takes home the trophy.

With that knowledge it didn’t alarm us much when we started the season 0-5. Sure we hadn’t won a game, but 4 of those games were decided by a grand total of 12 points. TWELVE POINTS separated us from 0-5 and 4-1. Had four measly three points fallen for us (plus a free throw here and there) throughout the first half of the season and we would be sitting atop the standings and not looking up at it from the bottom of the well.

So as you can imagine, the team had lots of encouragement coming into the second half of the season. “Sure we are 0-5, but there really isn’t a team out there we should lose to.”

Well, that was what everyone was saying two games ago. Now we are tooting a different horn.

After rematches with the first two teams we lost to by a three-pointer apiece, we have fallen to 0-7, with humiliating losses by 19 and 17.

In both games we were in it or leading at half, then VOILA, we stopped scoring in the second half.

I think there are two things at play in our recent losses. First is that at the beginning of the season, when we were barely losing, we were playing relaxed and moving the ball around well. Same with the first half in our two most recent games. However now that we haven’t won and the pressure to win is mounting (if nothing else, but to save face), we are getting antsy with the ball. We go from passing the ball around the parameter in the first half of games to dribble drives or one-pass and launch. We aren’t distributing in the second halves like we are in the first, or like we were at the beginning of the season.

Secondly, we didn’t have the un-needed pressure of knowing we were trolling the bottom of the league standings.

So what now? What can we do to get that W on our league standings page?

Well, first off I think we can play more relaxed. We need to realize that, while we wish it weren’t the case, this isn’t the NBA and nobody but ourselves, our girlfriends/wives, and maybe a friend or two are seeing the scores or hearing about our mountain losses. Effectively, like every rec athlete out there, we are playing for the love of the game, to sweat a little and for the social aspect of seeing our friends regularly. So if we can remove the pressure of winning, we should play more casually, have more fun and win more games (or rather, ‘a game.’)

Secondly, we get into the habit of changing our style at half time. I count tell you how many times we have all congregated at the bench during halftime and decide to change our fundamental philosophies. We either move from zone defense to man. Or we change up how we are playing offensively from a slow, methodical style to a run and gun type of game.

None of the losses can, or should, be pinpointed on any individual. We have all had great games, but it seems like we haven’t placed two or three great individual games together on any given night. But I don’t think that is the issue. We are good enough as a team that we should be winning these games without someone having the game of their life, but for one reason or another, the ball isn’t bouncing our way.

So next week, if you are our opponent, WATCH OUT! We are going to play calm, poised and under control. We are going to go out and play the same way in the first half as we play in the second and we are not going to change our philosophies. I know for a fact, because I, for one, won’t let it happen.

Any suggestions for my squad? Leave a comment below.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Everyday Athlete: Seth on Ice Hockey

2009-03-09T09:01:00.004-06:00

Welcome to the first edition of the "Everyday Athlete" series where we will interview rec athletes about their favorite sports. The athletes interviewed participate in a variety of sports, across a wide spectrum of skill levels and are located all over the country. None of the athletes interviewed are professionals and mainly compete in their sports or events at nights or on the weekends. It is the purpose of this series to show that anyone can get out, play sports and keep sporting, regardless of age, athletic ability, or life activities.

If you would like to be the subject of an upcoming "Everyday Athlete" segment, please feel free to Contact Us

1. NAME: Seth

2. LOCATION: Chicago, IL

3. SPORT YOU PARTICIPATE IN: Ice Hockey

4. WHAT POSITION DO YOU PLAY? Defense

5. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING HOCKEY? 29 Years.

6. IF YOU HAVE BEEN PLAYING SINCE YOU WERE A YOUTH, DO YOU HAVE MORE FUN NOW OR BACK THEN? WHY? It is different. Back then it was about (in a Canadian accent) learning how to skate and how to play the game. It was also more competitive, especially in High School. Now it is more about the exercise and social aspect.

7. ON A SCALE OF 1-10, RATE YOUR ABILITIES: 7

8. HOW MANY TIMES A WEEK (OR MONTH) DO YOU PLAY? About once a week.

9. WHAT GOT YOU STARTED PLAYING HOCKEY? I signed myself up in Kindergarten because I was proud that I knew my name, address and phone number.

10. WHAT KEEPS YOU PLAYING? It is the only sport I am good at and it has been such a big part of my life that I would hate to see go away.

11. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT ON THE ICE? Winning the State Championship in High School.

12. HAVE YOU PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST ANYONE FAMOUS? WHO? AND WHO WON THE GAME? I have played against some ex-Blackhawks in my league – nobody famous. I have also played in a couple charity games with some more famous ex-Blackhawks.

13. ANY GOOD INJURY STORIES? I have broken both wrists. I have injured more people than have injured me. At the age of 13, when kids are allowed to ‘check', I was one to grow quicker than others and subsequently sent a few people to the hospital without any intent to injure. I once had the parents of kids on an opposing team threaten me as I walked off the ice. My dad quickly took care of that situation.

14. DO YOU PLAY WITH AN ORGANIZED TEAM OR GENERALLY PLAY PICK UP? I play on an organized team. From time to time I will play in rat time or pick up games.

15. IF YOU PLAY WITH AN ORGANIZED TEAM, HOW DID YOU FIND THE TEAM YOU ARE ON? DID YOU KNOW OTHERS ON THE TEAM WHEN YOU STARTED? I joined both of my teams through people I played with or against in High School.

16. APPROXIMATELY HOW MUCH DOES IT COST YOU PER YEAR TO PLAY HOCKEY? Wow. Including equipment, sticks, tape and league fees, about $1,000.

17. DO YOU PLAY YEAR ROUND OR JUST IN THE WINTER? Year-round with a one-month break in between seasons.

18. WOULD YOU LET YOUR KIDS PLAY HOCKEY WHEN THEY ARE OLD ENOUGH? Yes. Even my daughter.

19. ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE JUST STARTING TO PLAY? The younger you start the better you will be.

Thanks for the interview Seth! And remember, if you would like to be a feature of an "Everyday Athlete" segment, Contact Us

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Special Saturday Edition: Best Big 12 Coaching Jobs

2009-03-07T13:21:00.002-07:00

Yesterday I had the unfortunate “privilege” to be listening to the senile, old men that broadcast locally on ESPN Radio midday’s during the work week. Their topic of conversation, for one reason or another, was the rank, nationally, of the Arizona Wildcats basketball coaching position. They ranked it in the 10-15 range of college coaching jobs and then proceeded to go through different big name coaches around the country and pondered whether they would leave their jobs for the UofA position.

It did get me thinking of how I would rank the different coaching vacancies around the country. My specifications are to take the program as it is now, and what it can be into account. In order to make it fair, I will take into account that all openings are vacant and use a general “coach” as the basis. This coach has no regional or University bias, and will only look at the viability of the position.

I will start in the Big 12, since I live in Big 12 country (Denver) and graduated from a Big 12 school (Mizzou). Here is how the Big 12 hoops jobs rank in order

1. Kansas – If you can win the national championship, lose your five starters and come back to win your fifth straight conference championship, you have a winning program. KU has the most wins in Big 12 history and is a perennial national powerhouse. No question about this one.

2. Oklahoma – OU is another perennial powerhouse out of the Big 12. They aren’t as prominent as KU, but they have a long history of fielding greats teams, competing for the league title and making a run deep into March.

3. Missouri – Biased selection? Maybe. But Mizzou is certainly one of the best jobs in the Big 12. When Norm Stewart retired in 1999, Mizzou had some of the top names in the country applying for their vacancy. They had quite a downturn under the next regime, but have supplanted themselves again amongst the top jobs in the conference.

4. Texas – The biggest school in the biggest state draws more than just a few eyes its way. Even if they only recruit within their borders, UT can put a formidable squad on the floor year in and year out.

5. Oklahoma State – Eddie Sutton and Henry Iba are both legendary coaches who established a good reputation in Stillwater. That continues today.

6. Iowa State – The past decade has showed that the Cyclones can both be on top of the conference and also feed on the bottom. It is so hit-or-miss in Ames that ISU barely cracks the top half of this list.

7. Texas A&M – The Aggies have the benefit of their Texas roots, but the disadvantage of having their rival in Austin take center stage in the state.

8. Kansas State – K-State’s biggest issue is in their inability to recruit anyone of substance from what should be their recruiting area. The problem? Their in-state rivals in Lawrence. During Bob Huggins’ brief tenure in the Little Apple he was able to bring some of the best athletes in the country to Manhattan, but consider that an anomaly.

9. Texas Tech – See Texas A&M.

10. Baylor – The fact that Baylor isn’t last on this list says something about what the current administration has done to re-coup their image. Like the other Texas schools, Baylor’s advantage is a deep recruiting bed but also the ability to sell parents on Baylor’s academic reputation.

11. Colorado – Since my grandfather-in-law played basketball for CU in the early 40s, CU has had one relevant team, and that was due to the signing of Denver-born, future NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups. There just isn’t enough talent in the Rocky Mountain region to bring kids to Boulder.

12. Nebraska – I hate the argument that you cannot field a good basketball team at a football school, because there are multiple examples of that not being true, but if you surveyed a group of 100 random Nebraskans, 99 wouldn’t know that the ‘Huskers had a basketball team.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Friday Detour: American League Predictions

2009-03-06T10:14:00.003-07:00

Welcome again to the Friday Detour. The weekly entry that diverts away from recreational sports to discuss happenings in other areas of the sporting world. Several Fridays ago, I posted my 2009 National League predictions, and now am following up with my 2009 American League predictions. Lots has happened in the AL this off-season, and most of it has revolved around the New York Yankees. From the $500M signings, to the A-Rod circus, this off-season has been anything but dull.

With that said, below are my preseason predictions for the American League.
Disagree with any of my selections? Post a comment below!

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

Generally thought of as a two team division, the Tampa Bays Rays took the baseball world by surprise last year by winning this pennant. With loads of talent, and bottomless pocketbooks, I don't foresee the Rays hanging another banner from the rafters this year.

Boston Red Sox – Boston has the pitching, fielding and hitting to again be a World Series contender.

Tampa Bay Rays – The young nucleus returns in Tampa, but will lose a few more games this year and narrowly miss the Wild Card.

New York Yankees – Until a month ago, the biggest question for the Yanks was whether their half-billion dollar acquisitions could vault them above the Rays and Sox. Now the biggest question is A-Rod's hip. An injured A-Rod gives the Yanks no shot at the division.

Baltimore Orioles – Baltimore is another solid team, but you need to be more than just solid to win the AL East.

Toronto Blue Jays – See Baltimore.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

Cleveland was supposed to run away with the division last year, but ended up .500. This year they will make a play for the pennant.

Cleveland Indians– The Indians disappointed fans last year after a 97 win 2008. In a hard fought battle, they will bring the fans what they were hoping for last year.

Detroit Tigers – The odds on favorite to win the AL Central in 2008, the Tigers finished 14 games under .500. This year will be different.

Chicago White Sox – Obama's team narrowly won the pennant last year, but this year it is back to .500 ball.

Minnesota Twins – The Twins are always contenders, and this year will be no different, as they will be come in fourth in the division yet only be 8 games out of first.

Kansas City Royals – The Royals need help everywhere.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

The Angles won the division by 21 games last year. They will have a more difficult run of it this year, but still capture the division.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim– The Angles were and are the class of the division.

Oakland Athletics – Jason Giambi and Matt Holiday will ad more punch to the A's line-up but not quite enough to win the division.

Texas Rangers – The Rsngers need help and might get it next year.

Seattle Mariners – Ken Griffey Jr will ensure that Seattle will not match their 101 losses of 2008. They will end up with 91 losses.

AL MVP: Magglio Ordonez – Put up great numbers last year, and with Detroit competitive again, he will garner more press.

AL Cy Young: Roy Halladay – The native Coloradoan is just un-hittable.

Wild Card – Detroit Tigers

Playoffs Predictions
ALDS: BoSox over Tigers
ALDS: Indians over Angels

ALCS: Indians over BoSox

Have your own thoughts on the standings or award winners, post them below?

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Recreational Athletes Blog Carnival - March 5, 2009

2009-03-05T08:35:00.003-07:00

Who's In First is proud to be a part to be hosting a Blog Carnival for recreational athletes. Every other Thursday you will find link to some of the best blog postings by and for recreational athletes.

If you want to be a part of the next carnival, please make sure to submit your blog posting in the recreational athletes category over at Blog Carnival . If approved, you will see it here in two Thursdays. All submissions must be made by Noon on Monday of that week for inclusion into that week's carnival. If you submit after the deadline, your posting will be eligible for the following carnival. So keep those submissions coming to get publicity for your blog.

The Fairway Golf Slicer presents How to Swing a Golf Club and Other Favorite Golf Pictures posted at How to Swing a Golf Club , saying, "We wanted to start you off with a golf swing animation that is worth watching for a few moments. It shows good professional swing technique, and you do not have to buy a golf swing training video to appreciate this good technique."

Chris presents Read This Before You Invent a New Martial Arts Style posted at Martial Development , saying, "Creating your own MMA style: is it harmless creative expression, or dangerous folly?"

Pocabella presents Core Conditioning: The Enemy of the Walrus posted at Walrus to Warrior .

Cyndi presents Anxiety/Stress Relief techniques posted at Evolution Ezine?Evolution Ezine - Collect your free mind power and self growth gifts , saying, "Stress relief techniques that anyone can implement in the moment to counteract the physical response to stress and anxiety. These techniques are simple and work quickly with amazing results."

Gary R. presents RV versus Tent Camping posted at Camping Tips , saying, "Drive through any campground and you'll quickly see that camping equipment runs the gamut from $20 pup tents to $400,000 motor homes, complete with satellite TVs and Astroturf."

Jimson Lee presents NIKEPLUS - Why Nike is Winning the Shoe War posted at Speedendurance.com , saying, "A close look at Nike and their dominance."

Margaret Garcia presents MVP Franchises: 5 Informative Lists of the Most Valuable Sports Teams & Deals posted at Bankling .

Steve Faber presents Belly Fat Loser » The Ab Diet – the Lucky 13 Foods posted at Belly Fat Loser , saying, "These power packed foods will rip up your abs and boost your on-field performance."

Peter Jones presents Dinosaur Mountain Mega-Traverse: The Avs Wall Problem posted at Rocky Mountain Raider: Telemark Skiing, Bouldering, and Trail Running in Colorado .

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Recreational Athletes using our carnival submission form . Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page .

Will Your Plaque Hang In The Rec Sports Hall Of Fame?

2009-03-04T09:55:00.001-07:00

Wednesdays are usually devoted to Webday Lists, but as I was driving this morning an interesting topic rushed through my head as I was listening to Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN Radio.

Mike and Mike were rehashing a conversation they had during their first year of broadcasting together where Golic said he would rather visit the Toy Hall of Fame than read Catcher In The Rye. Greeney took the other side of the coin.

Toy Hall of Fame… interesting. If there can be a Toy Hall of Fame, why can’t there be a Rec Sports Hall of Fame. And if there were a Rec Sports Hall of Fame, would you be enshrined?

That is certainly a weighted question and makes you think about your amateur sports “career.” Did you do enough in any sport, or in a combination of sports, to warrant a plaque in the most sacred sanctuary of Rec Athletes?

In most sports acceptance into the respective Hall is a lot easier to quantify. How many home runs or wins did the player have? How many goals, touchdowns or baskets did they score? Did they steal enough bases or balls? Did they throw enough touchdowns, make enough free throws or throw enough strikes?

In rec sports, the answer isn’t so apparent. Generally in rec sports you know how many points you may have scored on a given day or how many balls you hit over the fence in that double-header, but usually those stats aren’t kept anywhere permanently, and are mostly forgotten by the time the next season rolls around.

So in order to figure out if you are Hall worthy, you must qualify your body of work. Did you manage a team of miscreants and uncoordinated buffoons to the league championship? Did you hit the game winning shot to seal the championship? (People remember those types of things.) Did you harass some of your lazier friends to get off the couch and play outdoors, prompting them to lose weight?

If you were to poll your teammates as to who the best player on your team is, or the most influential, would they unanimously say that it was you?

So while pro sports have their statistics to help the sportswriters and “experts” select their very best, rec athletes don’t have that luxury or need.

What rec athletes have is the ability to look outside the stats to pick their ultra elite.

Are you Hall worthy?

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Qualifications: Softball Manager

2009-03-02T14:07:00.001-07:00

You have probably heard that times are tough these days and a result is that people are getting laid off left and right. Most large corporations are on hiring freezes and those that are hiring are seeing increased numbers of applicants.

So if you are one of the unlucky few, what can you do to make yourself stand out form the crowd? What if you are just trying for an internal promotion from a “worker bee” to someone in management?

What on your resume demonstrates your ability to manage others? What if you are the manager of your beer-league softball team? Should you include that?

Anyone who has ever managed a group of friends knows that there is more involved than simply signing the team up and showing up for games.

General responsibilities include conveying messages from the league office, making sure you have a full squad on game days, finding subs if not, collecting money for league fees and so on.

Essentially these are the same responsibilities that a manager at an office or retail store would have. Managers at retail stores usually, at a minimum, have to make sure the corporate message is conveyed to their subordinates, making sure they are fully staffed at the appropriate times, finding replacements for those that are on vacation or sick, and negotiating salaries.

Softball managers also have to occasionally diffuse arguments that happen between players. They have to make difficult decisions on where to place people in the batting order, and also in the field. But, even more difficult than a supervisor-employee relationship, softball managers generally have to do it with their friends.

Ask any softball manager out there how they feel when they have to tell their good friend that they are batting last, or that they have been replaced in the field for the new guy. Not an easy task, and in this relationship, their friends will feel a lot more slighted and will more likely argue, than a subordinate who had their hours cut, or moved to a less desirable shift.

So is it so far out of line to list your managerial skills on the field as a qualification on your resume? Yes and no.

It is probably too much to actually put it in print on your CV; however it might not be too far out of line to mention it when on the actual interview. A recommendation is to test out the interviewer at some point during the interview in order to see what their level of knowledge on rec sports is. Maybe if they ask how your day is, you can say something like, “it is great that I have this opportunity to speak with you about this fabulous position and then later tonight play for the championship in my softball league.” If they reply in a way that you get a sense they will understand your responsibilities, then tell them about your team. If it seems like it would be a deterrent more than a benefit to mention, you might want to keep it bottled up until after you have secured the position.

If it is an internal promotion and you have a good working relationship with the interviewer, maybe they even know about your exploits on the field, you can mention it in passing (“I am excited because after this interview the team I manage plays the first place team in our league, and the sub I found is a real ringer”).

So while it is not recommended to put your rec sports managerial position on your resume, it can, in the right setting, help your cause to show that you do have the wherewithal to organize a team, be it on the field or in the office.

Have you had this experience? How did you handle it? Post any comments in the Comments section below.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Friday Detour: The Other Side of the Steroid Issue

2009-02-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

People all over the baseball world are called the 90s and 2000s the “Steroid Era,” and with good reason.

With 89 players mentioned in the 2007 Mitchell Report and a reported 103 others who failed the 2003 test that lead to Alex Rodriguez’s name being leaked out, it makes sense that this will go down in history as a black mark on baseball.

Historians are calling for records to be erased from those whose names are listed on the Mitchell report, and fathers all over the country are trying to explain to their young children why some players shouldn’t be looked upon as heroes after all.

But there are other victims in the Steroid Scandal, victims that should be recognized… pitchers.

Now, while 13 pitchers did appear in the Mitchell Report, most notably Roger Clemens, pitchers generally stayed away from steroids for a few reasons.

First, pitchers don’t need to bulk up the way that hitters do. Think of the transformation of such batters as Barry Bonds or Jason Giambi, both listed in the Mitchell Report. Their bodies went from lean, mean athletic machines, to rock solid, enormous creatures. That bulk would hamper a pitcher’s ability to throw with a fluid motion and get the ball over the plate.

Secondly, steroids helped players recoup faster, in order to play back-to-back games, or 5 games in a given week. Pitchers have the luxury of built in recuperation as part of their routine. Starting pitchers only pitch once every five games and relief men, normally only pitch an inning or two and for the most part don’t really even pitch back-to-back nights. If they do, you can usually see them resting the following few games.

So, if we established, based on the Mitchell report, that only a small minority of pitchers juiced, then the question begs to be answered…. If we are going to take away some historic records, shouldn’t pitchers have the luxury of getting more realistic, lower ERAs?

If it is a forgone conclusion that hitters such as Bonds and Raffy Palmero used steroids, then at least some of their combined 1345 homeruns were tainted. One could argue that without the benefit of steroids, at least a good handful of these homeruns would have fallen short of the fence, and consequently the pitcher of record wouldn’t have been credited with giving up the runs. You could then go further to say that had they not given up those tainted homeruns, they might have stayed in the game longer, thus increasing their Ks.

So, not only are the offensive statistics stained because of the steroid era, but unbeknownst to some of the pitchers, their records should be better than advertised.

If I were a pitcher in the major leagues during that time, and had an outside shot of getting into the Hall, I would call up the reporters who vote and make sure they understand that, even though I had a, say, 4.00 ERA, I pitched when guys were juiced and survived virtually unscathed.

Hopefully they will understand.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Webday Lists: Inexpensive Home Exercise Equipment

2009-02-25T08:36:00.001-07:00

Last week we looked at some Home Exercise Equipment that you can purchase to get a gym-like workout from the comfort of your home. Several people commented that the items listed were fairly expensive, so today we will look at inexpensive home exercise equipment you can purchase.

• Jump Rope – For less than $10 you can get an amazing piece of technology… a rope. Kidding aside, jumping rope gives you a great cardio workout, and also help tone your legs and helps with core, stability and eye hand coordination. Throw in a few tricky crosses and you can have fun while burning off the calories.

• Stability Ball – For under $30 you can tone strengthen your core, and not even know it. To do so, get yourself a stability ball and exchange out your desk chair for it. Now when you are on the computer, or hard at work, maintaining your balance on the stability ball will help to keep your core tight. You can also replace the couch and sit on the stability ball as you watch TV.

• Dumbbells – For roughly $1 a pound you can purchase your own set of dumbbells. Most people who get their own set generally get lighter weights to accompany home workout routines or to challenge themselves on their morning walks.

• DVDs – Nowadays you can purchase DVDs that will help you through a variety of workouts. From pilates to yoga to ab strengthening and on, DVDs can give you the know-how to get in shape, and stay in shape. Depending on the popularity of the title, most exercise DVDs run in the $20 range.

• Ab Rollers – Depending on the ab roller you purchase, you can either get out of the store spending around $25 or upwards into several hundreds of dollars. The less expensive of the options doesn't make it any less effective, and generally is easier to store.

So there are 5 inexpensive items you can purchase that will help you get your body in shape, without having to leave your home or handing over lots of cash in the process.

Have ideas on other inexpensive equipment? Leave a comment.

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Should You Drink and Energy Drink Before you Compete in a Sporting Activity?

2009-02-24T10:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a tiring day. I worked out fairly hard in the morning and then had a rec basketball game that started at 9. The game was a close one that came down to the final seconds. Because of the closeness of the game, there were lots of fouls at the end, that stopped the clock, and subsequently, I didn’t get home to close to 10:30.

A friend of my wife was over kibitzing and left close to midnight, so after a shower and winding down, I was in bed sometime in the early hours of the following day.

Although my body told me that I shouldn’t go, I had an appointment with my trainer early this morning. Because I was trying to rest my body as much as possible, I didn’t roll out of bed until there were only a few minutes to spare before I needed to be out of the house.

Consequently, I didn’t have an opportunity to eat anything. Knowing how much my trainer pushed me, I felt like I needed an energy boost to make it through the workout.

When I got to the gym, I glanced over to the glass vending machine that is located behind the check-in station. Quickly, I decided that an energy drink was just the thing the doctor ordered…. Or was it?

I purchased a drink called Turbo Tea (lemon flavor) and quickly downed the 18 oz. I immediately felt like a rock star. The 90 mg of caffeine, ginseng and guarana gave me the boost I was looking for, and also helped me sustain the energy through the entire workout.

Now normally, my trainer kicks my rear end to no end. But today I blazed through the workout and beat it, rather than it beating me. I attribute that completely to the energy drink.

So the question now is are energy drinks a good energy supplement or are they detrimental to your health.

Well, like anything else, excess is not good, but if you occasionally need the boost, then there is nothing really wrong with this, or any approved energy drink.

Generally these energy drinks are nothing more than caffeine, sugar and sometimes taurine. The caffeine in most are right around 80 mg, which is equivalent to the caffeine in a cup of coffee.

Because of the ingredients, many people experience a serious crash when the effects of the caffeine, sugar and taurine wear off. But depending on the amounts you ingested, this shouldn’t happen for an hour or two.

So, if you are looking for a sudden burst to get through a workout, then the occasional ingestion of energy drinks do not cause your body any harm.

Issues with energy drinks arise when they are taken regularly or with alcohol.

Since the ingredients cause dehydration, it is recommended that you do not drink more than one per session, and that you follow it up with plenty of water. Doing so will alleviate the potential for dehydration, and also give your muscles the water they need to expand during your workout.

As for alcohol, it has become popular to mix energy drinks with alcohol in order to offset the downing effect of alcohol with the upper of the energy drink. This is analogous to putting your foot on the gas and brake of your car. Like your car not knowing what to do, your body has difficulty knowing how to act. And because of the high of the caffeine, many people do not realize how intoxicated they are and put themselves, and others, in danger by hopping behind the wheel of a car.

In summary energy drinks can provide a good service to your body, namely giving you the alertness you may be lacking, but only when used in moderation. Like anything else, you should not relay on these types of stimulants to get you through a workout or game. Instead, make sure you are eating healthy and getting sufficient sleep.

That, above all else, will give you the energy you need to compete at the highest level.

Keep Sporting!
- Who’s In First

Fun Things To Do On A Treadmill

2009-02-23T07:34:00.001-07:00

Have you ever got onto a treadmill, only to jump off a minute or two later? Why? Boredom.

Until you hit the point where you get the “runners high,” treadmill running s often times boring and cumbersome.

Below, though, is a list of five activities you can do to pass the time while you are on a treadmill.

1) Television – If you can plan your workout around your favorite TV shows, you will be able to sustain yourself for longer periods of time on a treadmill. Keeping your attention focused on the tube, and not on your training will help to pass the time. If you are watching a particularly intense or interesting show, and do not wan the pounding of your feet to interfere with the sound, try and speed things up during commercials, and then bring it down to a more reasonable pace during tha actual show.

2) Books On Tape – Books on tape are a great way to get your mind off your workout. Go online and find your favorite book on tape, download it to your MP3 player or iPod, then get magically swept away in the action and adventure of audible literature. To make sure you don’t quit on yourself early, make it a goal not to stop in the middle of a chapter.

3) Music – The treadmill is a great place to sample out a new album. Your attention is squarely focused on the new sounds and you can get a good feel if you like it or not. Always have a back-up though, in case the album wasn’t exactly what you were hoping it to be.

4) Poetry – Use your time on the treadmill to memorize your favorite poem. The rhythmatic pounding of your feet can help you keep time and memorize the poem more easily.

5) Read –Lots of people have trouble reading while running, so I put this one last, but if you are using the treadmill for a casual stroll, you might be able to read a book or magazine while you walk.

Hopefully these techniques will to ward off boredom and keep you on the treadmill for a good workout.

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Friday Detour: National League Predictions

2009-02-20T14:08:00.006-07:00

Welcome again to the Friday Detour. The weekly entry that diverts away from recreational sports to discuss happenings in other areas of the sporting world.

With pitchers and catchers having already reported, it is not too early to start thinking about the Major League Baseball season. And while there are a handful of marketable players still left unsigned, below are my preseason predictions for the National League.
Disagree with any of my selections? Post a comment below!

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

The National League East will look eerily similar in 2009 as it did in 2008.

Philadelphia Phillies – With three MVP candidates in your infield, an unhittable closer and a potential Cy Young award winner, you are going to find yourself atop the standings come October.

New York Mets – A new ball park and the additional of a darn god 8 th inning guy will give the Mets the push they need to secure a Wild Card Spot.

Atlanta Braves – The Braves took 2008 off, but will be back around .500 in 2009.

Florida Marlins – Hanley Ramirez is one of the best players in the league, but one man cannot win a pennant.

Washington Nationals – The additional of Adam Dunn will increase their HR total, but also their strikeout tally.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL

The Cubs ran away with the division in 2008 but 2009 will prove to be more competitive.

Chicago Cubs – This year is not next year, but the Cubs will win the division.

St Louis Cardinals – A healthy Albert Pujols makes the Cards more competitive than last year. A shaky starting rotation prohibits them from taking the pennant.

Milwaukee Brewers – The 2008 Wild Card winner wont have the post-all star break magic they experienced last year.

Houston Astros – Houston will find themselves closer to .500 than they have in a few years.

Cincinnati Reds – The Reds need help everywhere.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Hey, at least the Steelers won the Super Bowl.

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

It seemed like last year nobody wanted to win the Wild West. This year it should be a lot clearer.

LA Dodgers – Just give them the pennant title when they sign Manny Ramirez.

Arizona D-Backs – Behind Brandon Webb's arm, the D-Backs will have the honor of placing second.

San Diego Padres – After an off year, the Padres will be back playing above .500 ball

Colorado Rockies – No Matt Holliday. No Jeff Francis. No repeat of 2007.

San Francisco Giants – The Giants had the opportunity to improve their squad and sign Manny Ramirez, but when they didn't they showed to the baseball world that they were destined to clean the basement of the NL West.

NL MVP: Albert Pujols – How can you really not think he will win it?

NL Cy Young: Cole Hamels – The spotlight is shining brighter now that he won a World Series and people will see how good this kid is.

Wild Card – NY Mets

Playoffs Predictions
NLDS: Mets over Cubs
NLDS: Phillies over Dodgers

NLCS: Mets over Phillies

Have your own thoughts on the standings or award winners, post them below?

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Recreational Athletes Blog Carnival - February, 19, 2009

2009-02-19T07:22:00.008-07:00

Who's In First is proud to be a part to be hosting a Blog Carnival for recreational athletes. Every other Thursday you will find link to some of the best blog postings by and for recreational athletes.

If you want to be a part of the next carnival, please make sure to submit your blog posting in the recreational athletes category over at Blog Carnival . If approved, you will see it here in two Thursdays. All submissions must be made by Noon on Monday of that week for inclusion into that week's carnival. If you submit after the deadline, your posting will be eligible for the following carnival. So keep those submissions coming to get publicity for your blog.

FitBuff presents Man up, do some Ballet Exercises posted at FitBuff.com's Total Mind and Body Fitness Blog , saying, "I can already hear the groans just from reading the title. I mean, even this guy thinks ballet exercises are for girly men (yes, look closer)…"

Matthew Paulson presents 5 Tips for Commuting by Bicycle posted at American Consumer News .

Dianne M. Buxton presents Ballet and Sports Fitness - Magnesium For Your Muscle Tone posted at Ballet Shoes and Pointe Shoes , saying, "ballet/sports/fitness interest - magnesium and muscle tone"

OCGolfCourse presents 10 Tips for Playing Golf in the Rain posted at OC Golf Course , saying, "Raining can be your friend in golf. Practice and know what to do when it happens and you could learn to love it!"

OCGolfCourse presents What's in the Bag - Camilo Villegas posted at What's in the Golf Bag , saying, "This amazing athlete can really crush the ball off the tee. Know what he plays in his golf bag!"

Myscha Theriault presents Frugal Fitness - Twenty-Five and a Half Ways to Make it Happen | Wise Bread posted at Wise Bread , saying, "Thanks for hosting a great carnival!"

Evan Pfaff presents Who Is Your Coach? posted at Who's In First Blog , saying, "Sometimes it is difficult to discern who your coach is when a group of friends play together. But finding a decision maker is imperative to success in rec sports."

Tristan presents Cable push downs posted at Body And Fitness Blog , saying, "A guide to doing the ultimate tricep isolation exercise for building big triceps."

Peter Jones presents Why We Love Upslopes: Colorado Telemark Video posted at Rocky Mountain Raider: Telemark Skiing, Bouldering, and Trail Running in Colorado .

David Ridarelli presents Sweet Snowboarding Moves For The Slopes posted at The Intelligent Workout .

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of recreational athletes using our carnival submission form . Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page .

Webday Lists: Home Exercise Equipment

2009-02-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

Wednesday's here at the Who's In First Blog we like to create lists on some popular topics, items or websites. Today we are going to look at home exercise equipment.

During economic downturns, gym memberships often times are one of the first things to suffer, but that doesn’t mean your health should suffer as well. Whether you are looking to cut back on your monthly expenses, or if you occasionally would like to work out without the hassle of driving anywhere, look at the list below that outlines the best exercise equipment you can purchase for your home.

Some of these items carry a sizeable price tag if purchased new from your favorite sporting goods retailer, so if you are in the market, check out Craigslist or your local pawnshop. You are bound to find better deals. Remember, though, that when purchasing used exercise equipment to make sure all parts are working and that it appears that the machine still has a good life ahead of itself.

1. Rowing Machines
Rowing is one of the best total body exercises you can do. It combines upper body strength with lower body strength to work most muscles in your body. Arms, pecs, back, legs. You name it and a rowing machine will work it.

2. Treadmills
Treadmills sometimes get a bad rap for the wear and tear people claim your knees absorb on them, but good treadmills often times are built to counter the impact. A good treadmill has a kind of bounce to it when you are running and this will sustain your knees much more than running on concrete would. Treadmills, in general, provide a great cardio workout, and the differing speeds allow you to do anything from a nice stroll to an intense sprint.

3. Exercise Bicycles
Exercise bicycles also provide a great cardio workout and, like a treadmill, can help you keep in shape during inclement weather. Bicycles are a great way to get out and see the landscape you live in, but only if you have good weather. When Mother Nature isn’t good to you, an exercise bike is the best solution. Use the tension on it to simulate climbing hills or just go out for a smooth ride and leg your legs pumping.

4. Elliptical Trainers
Elliptical trainers are essentially treadmills without the pounding on your knees. Elliptical machines also have the built in feature of adding arm movement to your run, to give you a better overall workout. For some the motion is awkward at first, but spending enough time on them will make you feel like you have been using them forever.

5. Step Machines
Want to simulate climbing to the top of the tallest building in your hometown, in the country or in the world, without leaving your house? Get on a step machine! Step machines are like treadmills, in that they have a moving belt, except in the case of step machines, the moving belt is fashioned in to steps to simulate climbing. Most modern step machines will count the number of stairs and flights you have climbed, so before hopping onto one, find out how many flights of stairs a certain building is and then challenge yourself to climb that many flights.

6. Cross Country Ski Machines
Another total body workout, cross country ski machines can simulate winter trekking. Like rowing machines, ski machines will give you a full body workout and will help you stay fit in the summer time, so that you can go exploring your favorite hiking trail in the winter months.

Hopefully this list gives you a good sense of the types of exercise machines that are out there. Most gyms should have these onsite which can allow you to test out which you like before you buy.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

President’s Day Edition: What Can you Gain From Playing Rec Sports?

2009-02-16T09:39:00.000-07:00

How about a job?
In Washington D.C.?
Working for the President of the United States?

Imagine that you love playing basketball, and are fairly good at it. After school as a child, you go to your mom’s work and play pick up games with other children in the neighborhood. You go to college and are good enough to play on the varsity team. Your senior year your teammates name you co-captain and in the highest profile game of your collegiate career you score 20 points against a nationally ranked team.

You end up playing professionally in Australia for a couple of years, but are not a standout Down Under.

When your basketball career is over you return to your home town and get a “real job,” but your passion for the game doesn’t wane.

Because of your love, you continue to play pick-up games with some of the guys you have met through your job. These games aren’t scheduled regularly, but when they are played, there are more than a few players whose names grace the pages of the newspapers.

Some run major corporations, some are successful in the non-profit world, some have household names like Michael Jordan, and some have strange names like Barack Obama.

In case you are unaware, I am describing what may have contributed to Arne Duncan being appointed Secretary of Education by President Obama.

Duncan has always been a big fan of basketball. Growing up, Duncan would accompany his mother to her children’s center that catered to African-American youth on the South side of Chicago. He would play pick-up games with the other kids and got good enough to make the basketball team when he enrolled at Harvard.

After graduating magna cum laude, Duncan spent 4 years playing professionally before returning to Chicago to pursue a career in education.

Because of his high profile jobs, he ultimately met many of Chicago’s most famous people and started playing hoops with them whenever there was free time amongst all the busy schedules.

One of the guys he regularly played against was President Obama, then a state senator from Illinois. As Obama rose in the political spectrum, Duncan rose in the world of education, and in 2001 he was appointed CEO of Chicago Public Schools.

But even as their schedules got busier and busier, Obama, Duncan and several others still found time to get in a few games of roundball each year.
Playing basketball became an Election Day tradition for Obama, Duncan and the others. Every time Obama was up for office, the group would vote and then convene at a local gym to get their minds off the day’s goings-ons.

This continued even through Obama’s recent election in November, when Duncan joined other players to help Obama sweat out some nerves.

After the election results came in and Obama had the tough choice of selecting a cabinet, his mind didn’t stray far from the hardwood; and on January 20, 2009, once Obama was sworn into office, his good friend on and off the court, assumed the position of Secretary of Education.

Now it is not everyone who knows people of such power, or who desire to be in a life of politics, but there is a lesson we can all learn from Duncan’s story: there are more than just health benefits to participating in rec sports. In some cases you can meet someone who will help you attain something you might not have been able to attain otherwise. Likewise, there may be someone you play with or against that you might be able to help down the road.

So next time you throw on your jersey or lace up your shoes, think about Arne Duncan and the possibilities the position he is in because of rec sports.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Friday Detour: Go Get You Some!

2009-02-13T10:56:00.001-07:00

My wife and I were at a financial planner last night and the planner was discussing that we wouldn't be his only "younger" clients. He mentioned in passing that one of his clients was an NFL player in his late 20s or early 30s, who was "not going to be playing football anymore." (He never revealed who it was.)

It got me thinking that this football player was retiring, or not going to be re-signed, and everything he worked for his entire life was going to end at such an early age.

Figuring that that this player, whomever it may have been, probably spent 4 years in college, thus entering the NFL in his mid-20s, I estimated that he probably has been in the league for 5 or so years. Now depending on where he was drafted odds are that he didn't receive one of the outrageous signing bonuses or first year lucrative contracts out of college.

For arguments sake, I will figure that this guy was a late draft pick and had a career mainly played on special teams.

So to figure out how much he probably made during his tenure in the NFL, let's look only at the minimum salaries for players.

As of 2007, the minimum salary for rookies and first year players was $285,000/year. Second year players are entitled to a minimum of $360,000, third year players can receive as "low" as $435,000, fourth year players $510,000 and finally the minimum for 5-year vets is $595,000.

So assuming this player received "only" the minimum throughout his career, he walked away from his job earning a grand total of $2,110,000. His agent took out between 2% and 5% (I think 3% is pretty average) and then the federal government taxed him at approx 30%.

Assuming that the agent received approx $63,000 and the government took an additional $633,000, this player walked away with $1,414,000 for his 5 years in the league. Not too shabby at all.

The problem is that now the player is out of the league and his ability to earn that much money is pretty much out of the question.

If the player never worked another day in his life, his $1,414,000 is the equivalent of him making just over $40,000/year for the 35 years most people are employed. That is not a whole heck of a lot of cash.

Now, I understand that given a bull market and the right investments, he can surely take that large sum of money and live happily ever after. Even in this economy, if he invested into munis or other bonds and returned 5% he could have $70,000 a year for the rest of his life without ever touching the principle. (See, I was listening when the financial planner was speaking yesterday.)

That is not my point. My point is that people all over the sports world complain every time they hear about another big contract. They cringe and cry afoul when they hear that the Yankees tied up approx half a billion dollars this off-season and that people like A-Rod are making $25M a year.

But to them I say "Go Get You Some!"

Since the average NFL career is only 3.5 years that means at minimum these players are earning less than $1M before taxes and agent fees. Again, that is a lot of dough, but think what would happen if you trained your entire life for a job and then were told you could no longer be at that job after only 3.5 years.

Per the 2005 US Census Bureau, the average American makes $32,140. Take into consideration what would happen if you could earn your $30k and change for only 3 years. Essentially that is what is happening to these players.

Sure they can go out and get other jobs and maybe even use their name recognition to their advantage, but ultimately for probably 99% of players, they are "forced" to enter the same world we all live in. Namely desk jobs, manual labor or entrepreneurship. They come back into society, a hell of a lot richer than us, but scrounging for the same jobs we are scrounging for. And this is not what they worked an entire lifetime to achieve.

Now, I don't feel sorry for the ones who mismanage their money. Not a tear is shed for the ones who Jay-Z "See the rollers roll up wit ribbons/I seen them repoed, re-sold then re-driven." (From Kanye West's "Never Let Me Down" off College Dropout.)

But to think that you spend your entire life with one goal; you work hard, outperform your peers and then 3.5 years later are told you aren't good enough and essentially fired. This must be excruciating.

So next time you hear of a professional athlete signing an insanely lucrative contract, think about what is behind the contract and all the other ones that didn't get on SportsCenter for signing a contract and won't have a televised press conference when they hang it up.

For every Brett Favre, who played for 18 remarkable years, there is always a Larry Stegent, a RB for the 1970 StL football Cardinals who had 1 career reception in only one season in the NFL.

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Got an opinion on this topic? Post a comment below.

All Those T-Shirts!

2009-02-12T08:54:00.001-07:00

As rec athletes we all have the same dilemma…. what to do with all those t-shirts we have accumulated throughout the years.

Rec athletes obtain t-shirts in one of four ways. We participate in events that earn us t-shirts, we play sports that use t-shirts as jerseys, we buy t-shirts to workout in or we attend sporting events with t-shirt giveaways. Regardless of the way the t-shirt was acquired the question is what to do with them.

While I was looking through my dresser the other day trying to find a shirt to play hoops in, I realized the enormity of my t-shirt collection. I had t-shirts from fun runs, I had t-shirts from cycling events, I had sleeveless workout t-shirts, I had old softball uniform t-shits and so on.

So it got me thinking, which of these t-shirts should I keep and which should be donated or made into wash rags?

So I diligently scoured through what seemed like 1 million t-shirts and used the following criteria to trim my stash of shirts.

Are there duplicates?
Often times, and unbeknownst to me, I will end up with multiple shirts of the same event. This is generally do to one of two reasons. Either my wife and I both participated in the event and consequently we received two shirts, or I drove with friends to the event and one or more of them left their shirt behind.

The latter reason is a slam dunk, give that extra one away, without question. No need to find the friend who left it behind, because if the duplicate made it to your dresser then your friend has long forgotten about it.

If your spouse/significant other is the owner of the other shirt, you should put it aside (along with any others that may fall into this category) and bring them to her/him for review. Let them decide what to do with the shirt and forget about it. If they want to keep it, so be it, but it should go in their dresser.
Do you NEED the shirt again?
If your shirt doubled as a softball or basketball jersey, and there is a possibility that your team will use the same one again next year, then you must keep the shirt. If your shirt will get you a free breakfast at the sponsor's restaurant, or a free beer, then by all means keep the sucker and wear it out until the offer no longer stands. If not, then it may be a candidate for adoption.
Does the shirt have significant nostalgia?
Does the shirt remind you of your first completed marathon, your first century bicycle race, your first 10k? If so, keep it. If not and the race was a "fun run" that really didn't have much significance to you, then feel free to set it aside. Every summer, most people are wrangled into doing one or more fun runs or walk to help a friend or a cause a friend is passionate about, if this is the case then it is ok to get rid of the shirt.
Is the player/team/group still your favorite?
Sometime when attending a sporting event you will get a t-shirt as a memento. Often times these are player "jersey t-shirts." And often time shortly thereafter that player is traded. If the player still has an important role in your fandom, then keep the shirt. If they were a role player whose shirt you had just because it was free, and then he got traded, give the guy away.

Likewise, if you happen to attend a game outside of your hometown and receive a shirt as a souvenir, try to figure out if you really want the shirt. If you got a Derek Jeter shirt when you took in a game at Yankee Stadium, but can't stand the Yanks or Jeter, then why do you want to keep the shirt. It may go back to the nostalgia factor ("This is from my first visit to New York"), but if not then you should think about donating the shirt to your favorite charity.
Are you still working out in the shirt?
We often times buy a t-shirt to work out or play sports in. Either it is sleeveless and gives us better range of motion, or it has a graphic of our Alma matter or favorite team. Whatever the case, we have all purchased shits for recreational purposes. The question now is what to do with them. If the shirt can be replaced by one of the aforementioned criteria then put it in the give-away pile. If the shirt still has nostalgia and/or a conditioned response then keep the guy and be proud to wear it out.
Does the shirt have holes?
Plain and simple, if the shirt has holes or rips, get rid of it. These shirts make the best rags. And for this you can discount the nostalgia factor, because wearing this shirt is more embarrassing to you than the pride you think it conveys. The best thing you can do to this type of shirt is to cut it into a rag, and if the placement of the rips allow, you can make it so the graphic on the front or back is preserved, giving you the warm feeling inside when you use it.

With spring right around the corner, Spring Cleaning isn't far behind. Hopefully these tips and tricks will help you find more room in your dresser for your next round of shirt hoarding.

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Webday Lists: Individual Events You Should Attempt

2009-02-11T08:52:00.004-07:00

Wednesday's here at the Who's In First Blog we like to create lists on some popular topics, items or websites.

Since summer is just around the corner and you might be thinking of participating in some big individual events to test your will or to just get out and have fun. So what will you do to test your might this summer? Below is a list of some of the more popular activities people train and attempt during the summer months.

If you are interested in participating in any of these events you can also do a Google search on the event and location you are hoping to compete. Local newspapers and Craigslist.org are two additional resources we recommend.

Also keep in mind that while it is recommended that you participate in an organized event (since the impending date will keep your training focused), it is not necessary to participate in an organized event. For example, you can opt to run 13.1 miles on your own one weekend instead of participating in an organized half-marathon. Also remember that only a small majority of the people participating are doing so as a competition, so don't feel overwhelmed if you don't feel like you are the fastest or the best. Having fun is the most important aspect of these events.

10k Road Race
5k Road Race
Adventure Races
Day Hikes
Half Marathon
Ironman Triathlon
Kayaking
Marathon
Mountain Biking
Mountain Climbing
Mountaineering
Overnight Hikes
Paddle Sports
Rafting
Road Cycling
Rock Climbing
Sailing
Skiing
Snowshoeing
Sprint Triathlon
Surfing
Swimming
Triathlon
Walking
Weight Lifting

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Who Is Your Coach?

2009-02-10T11:43:00.000-07:00

Scenario: A group of friends are sitting around a table one night over dinner and they all talk about how much they miss playing basketball (or softball or football or any team sport) and decide to get a team together.

One of the guys volunteers to call around to different places to find the league that is best for them, and sign them up. He collects the money and sends in the correct forms to the commissioner of the league.

This same guy goes to the manager’s meeting to hear the rules.

He gets an email from the commish and sends everyone on the team a link to their online schedule, so that everyone has the information.

Fast forward to the first game. This team, made up of a group of friends, is down by a few points with a few minutes left.

Seeing that the aforementioned guy made all the plans, did all the leg work, and fronted all the money, does that make him the manager?

Does he have play/sit authority over the rest of the team?
Can he select which D to play?

In organized team sports there is a clear cut voice of direction. For example, at the University of Missouri, Mike Anderson is the coach and instructs his players on what plays to run, what Ds to set up in and when players can go in and when they sit. Likewise, at The Ohio State University, Jim Tressel is the man and all players listen to what comes out of his mouth.

Rec leagues are a little different. Since there is nobody who has the full time responsibility to lead the squad, and for the most part all players will have the same basic knowledge of the sport as anyone else, a decision should be made prior to the start of the season on who will make the tough calls.

Maybe it is the guy who set the league up.
Maybe it is the best player.
Maybe someone on the team has coaching experience.
Or maybe you choose the most outspoken member of the team to lead.

Whatever your decision, every team needs a leader to take charge. There will be times that this person is commended, but there may also be times he is chastised. So whoever you choose, make sure they can not only be objective in their decisions, but also strong enough to bench best friends, if the setting isn’t right. They should also have a strong working knowledge of the sport, so that they can make the educated choice that is best for the team.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

How Many Teammates Should Be On Your Team?

2009-02-09T08:41:00.000-07:00

The question always arises just before the start of any season, “How many guys should we have on the team?” and to this question, everyone has a different answer.

To get the right answer for your team, you should ask yourself and your team a three questions.

1) Do we want subs?
Sometimes the answer to this is a resounding YES and sometimes it is a definitive NO. This all depends on the sport you are playing.

In a slower paced sport such as softball or baseball, people may not want to sit out an inning or wait an additional person to bat. I have been on teams where we want to field exactly the 10 softball players that can play the field, as nobody likes sitting, and to me that is the right answer.

Same with volleyball. Not enough energy is expanded in a match to warrant subbing, although, since it is almost built into the flow of the game, sitting out in volleyball isn’t as much of a drag.

Sports that use a lot of energy have the exact opposite answer. You would never want to field a basketball that had only 5 guys, as one guy may get into foul trouble, or most likely someone will need a breather.

2) Will everyone show up each week?
If you have a softball team of 11 but one of the players travels a lot for work, or is unreliable, your options are to either field the 10 or scramble for a sub each week. The downside to bringing 11 into this mix is that if everyone does show up then someone will have to sub and you are back to square one. Also keep in mind that with 10 people, there will undoubtedly be a family emergency, last second business trip, or illness to fall upon someone most of the weeks. If this is the case, a guy on retainer may be a good bet. And as long as you can know far enough in advance that someone will be absent, you shouldn’t have too much difficulty finding a fill in.

In hoops, you want to be weary about having 6 guys for the same reason. If you try and go with just one sub and you have the unexpected absences, then you are stuck running only with your 5 guys. This is why you may want to sign 7 or 8 guys to a hoops squad.

3) How easy is it to find last minute subs?
As discussed above, you may want to have a player on retainer in case you need a sub quickly. New fathers may be the perfect bet in this case. They will probably not be able to commit to an entire season, but can probably get out of the house once every few weeks to sweat with you or to swing a bat.

The easier it is for you to find a sub, the easier it will be for you to pick your perfect number.

So with a little planning you should be able to discern how many players you will want to sign up the next time a new season rolls around.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Friday Detour: Football "Made For TV"

2009-02-06T08:56:00.001-07:00

Pitchers and catchers report in a week meaning the baseball season is officially upon us.

To some, baseball is an antiquated game whose games are too long, too boring and too plentiful to be considered tolerable. And while baseball attendance numbers continue to rise, a look around an average stadium shows that a good majority of the folk there are at the game to have a good time and not necessarily to keep manual score on the $1 scorecard with the $0.25 pencil.

How did it get this way? How did baseball fall from “The National Pastime” to a sport of lesser significance?

Well the answer is in the way we now follow sports.

When baseball was in its heyday, and was earning the reputation of being the National Pastime, radio was king. Every night families would gather around the radio to listen to their favorite shows or to take in a baseball game. And baseball was perfect for radio.

Its slower play, pitch-by-pitch account and simplistic nature, lent itself perfectly to a radio broadcast. And you had announcers out there who were so descriptive that you could almost smell the peanuts and popcorn wafting through your radio. Essentially this game was made for radio.

Because the placement of the players and batters never changed, one could close their eyes, listen to the announcer’s call and visualize themselves at the ball park.

Then TV was invented. And while baseball was still king at the beginning of the TV era, a new sports was starting to take hold of America’s attention, football.

Similar to how baseball was the perfect sport to be broadcast of the radio, football was prime for television.

The fact that it went East to West, the same as your television, and contained colossal hits, made it a must watch sports spectacle.

And while baseball announcers could depict with almost uncanny clarity the actions on a baseball diamond, football radio announcers had a more difficult time describing the action on the field. “Split right.” “Two tight end set.” “Man in motion.” These phrases just weren’t descriptive enough for a radio listening audience to visualize the action, but when accompanied by a moving picture on a TV screen, it all comes together to create the perfect storm.

So next time you have an opportunity to listen to a football game and baseball game on the radio, pay attention to which you feel more involved in. Which you feel you are a part of. The do the same with while watching it on TV. You will notice that the orientation of the football game, along with the hard hits and amazing catches lend itself better to being “Made For TV”

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Who's In First Blog Carnival - February 5, 2009

2009-02-05T08:16:00.004-07:00

Who’s In First is proud to be a part to be hosting a Blog Carnival for recreational athletes. Every other Thursday, you will find link to some of the best blog postings by and for recreational athletes.

If you want to be a part of the next carnival, please make sure to submit your blog posting in the recreational athletes category over at Blog Carnival. If approved, you will see it here in two Thursdays. All submissions must be made by Noon on Monday of that week for inclusion into that week’s carnival. If you submit after the deadline, your posting will be eligible for the following carnival. So keep those submissions coming to get publicity for your blog.

Sarah Scrafford presents 100 Best Health and Nutrition Blogs for Athletes posted at NursingDegree.net.

Mike Krueger presents Fishing Boats posted at Fishing Boats, saying, "This article is about fishing boats and how important they are to the success of the modern fisherman."

Tristan presents Training Journal: Wednesday 28th January 2009 posted at Body And Fitness Blog, saying, "A day in the life of an aspiring body builder who is getting back into shape after going through a rough patch in his life."

Travel Advocate presents Top Snow Tubing Travel Destinations Revealed posted at The Travel Advocate.

Steve Faber presents Belly Fat Loser » Some Great Portable Exercise Equipment – Not Home? No Excuse! posted at Belly Fat Loser.

Tristan presents Weight Training Exercises posted at Body And Fitness Blog, saying, "A look at the benefits of weights training and the various types of training that can be undertaken."

Who's In First Blog presents When a Teammate Gets Injured posted at Who's In First Blog, saying "What should you do if a teammate of yours get injured during a rec league game?"

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of recreational athletes using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page. using our

Webday Lists: Top Online Sporting Goods Retailers

2009-02-04T08:09:00.003-07:00

Wednesday's here at the Who's In First Blog we like to create lists on some popular topics, items or websites.

Today we are going to take a look at some of the top sporting goods online retailers. Some of these have both brick and mortar stores to go along with their websties, and you can purchase their goods in either place. As always, if you have any other suggestions that we may have overlooked, feel free to post them in the comments section.

All descriptions of the merchants were taken from the About Us sections of their websites.

Academy
Academy Sports + Outdoors is one of the nation's largest sporting goods retailers, operating over 100 stores across the southeastern United States. Our stores offer the sports and outdoors enthusiast a broad selection of equipment, apparel, and footwear at everyday low prices. Our formula of low prices and a large selection has allowed the company to become a leader in the sporting goods industry.
www.Academy.com

Dick's Sporting Goods
Now with over 300 stores, Dick's family continues to offer the finest quality products at competitive prices, backed by the best service anywhere. Like you, we have a real passion for sports and are excited to bring the enthusiasm and experience to the online community.
www.DicksSportingGoods.com

Eastbay
Eastbay is a leading world supplier of athletic footwear, apparel and sports equipment. It was established to meet the performance needs of local high school and college athletes within Central Wisconsin. Originally viewed as a grassroots project, this venture grew into a worldwide direct mail catalog and internet sales conglomerate featuring top athletic brands such as adidas, ASICS, Reebok, Converse, New Balance, Saucony and Nike.
www.Eastbay.com

Modell's Sporting Goods
Modell's Sporting Goods is the nation's oldest, family-owned and operated, retailer of sporting goods, sporting apparel, menswear and brand name athletic footwear. Modells.com currently offers a large collection of products from top name brands in the sporting goods and apparel business.
www.Modells.com

Paragon Sports
For sports enthusiasts around the world, Paragon Sports is considered the benchmark of quality for all types of sports equipment and clothing. Since 1908, we have taken pride in showcasing products from the brands you know and love as well as unique and exceptional brands that you may not be familiar with yet.
www.ParagonSports.com

Play It Again Sports
Play It Again Sports ® stores are individually owned and operated by moms and dads just like you who understand that money doesn't grow on trees. But because kids grow, their sports equipment needs change every year, which is why used sporting goods makes great sense. And today we also offer a wide variety of new sporting goods that provides ultra high value when it's time to upgrade. In fact, new inventory arrives daily at each and every one of our convenient locations nationwide.
www.playitagainsports.com

The Sports Authority
The Sports Authority, Inc. ("Sports Authority") is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado. It operates over 450 stores in 45 U.S. states under The Sports Authority. The Company's e-tailing website, located at sportsauthority.com is operated by GSI Commerce, Inc. under license and e-commerce agreements. Sports Authority has a rich history, dating back almost a century, of being an industry leader in providing a wide assortment of quality brand name products.
www.TheSportsAuthority.com

Sport Chalet
Now, a typical Sport Chalet boasts 45,000 square feet of premium sporting goods equipment, apparel, and footwear. Each of the 55 stores features a collection of specialty shops offering brand name apparel and equipment for beginners to experts. These shops include traditional sporting goods like golf, tennis, biking, fitness, in-line skates, baseball, and athletic footwear along with specialty sporting goods merchandise such as mountaineering, scuba, skiing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, and ocean kayaking.
www.SportChalet.com

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

Man vs Zone Defenses

2009-02-03T12:35:00.000-07:00

I played in a rec league basketball game last night, one which we lost by double digits. We weren’t outplayed or worse than our opposition, but we were out shot. On paper and from the start of the game it didn’t look like we would have an issue in winning, but every time the other team shot the ball from deep, the sucker would go in.

So at halftime we decided to forgo playing the 2-3 zone, that had been working in our other games, in favor of a man-to-man defense.

We thought that going man would help to get out on the plethora of shooters the other team had and stop their scoring onslaught. We are not a huge team, but in this game we definitely had the edge inside and we thought that going man would force them into our stronghold and catapult us to the W.

The problem with this thought was our shallow bench. We only have 6 guys on the squad and we are not necessarily the most fit team in the league. Our opponents last night, on the other hand, had as many on the bench as they had on the floor, meaning they had endless supplies of subs.

So what got us in trouble was our stamina. We held our own to start the second half, but the other team was good at pushing the ball up the court on misses, turnovers and makes alike. They basically wore us down.

With 6 minutes left in the game we were down 3. Less than a minute later we were down 4 with the ball, where we could have cut the lead to 2 or 1 with a three-ball.

Problem is that this is about the same time our legs gave out on us. The other team made a run around the 5 minute mark where we went from a possession down to down double digits. They then kept pressing and harassing us. Because of our sea legs we were too exhausted on the offensive end to aggressively create shots and, more importantly, on the defensive end we were sagging off the guys we were guarding, giving them unobstructed looks at the rim.

At the end of the game, this turned out to be our downfall, and to the victors go the spoils.

So the question is when a team should go to man, and when zone is the best bet. In our situation, we went to man to stop their outside shooting and consequently ended up giving them free looks at the hoop.

Had we thought it through, we may have been better off going from a 2-3 zone to a 3-2 or 1-2-2. Reason being is that they weren’t scoring many points inside on our interior D when we were in a zone in the first half. They did do a good job of passing the ball around the perimeter and finding good looks, but they were relatively quiet inside. Had we switched to an odd man front, over playing the perimeter, we could have done a better job on their outside shooting and forced them to come inside.

Now, our situation should have been black and white. We only had 6 guys dressed and most of us had eaten too many buffalo wings at Super Bowl parties the night before, so switching to man, seeing that we would tire easily, should have raised a red flag.

If you have a full squad, can match up athletically against your opposition, and are not fearful of tiring, then you shouldn’t have any reservations about playing man. If, like us, you have only one sub, and are not in the best of shape, then try adjusting your zone to meet your needs. If they are pounding the ball inside, try and 2-3, or if they are draining threes, try an odd manned front, 3-2 or 1-2-2.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

What Could Rec Athletes Learn From Watching The Super Bowl?

2009-02-02T09:56:00.002-07:00

Yesterday’s Super Bowl was unbelievable. Even if you didn’t have a rooting interest in the game, I bet at the end you were pulling for one side or the other. Maybe you wanted the underdog to win, or maybe you were/became a fan of the traditional powerhouses. Either way, what was played out in Tampa was one for the ages.

So as a rec athlete, what did you learn from watching the Super Bowl?

The major thing you learned was to not to give up. At the start of the 4th quarter the Arizona Cardinals were down 20-7 and could have easily thrown in the towel. No team in the history of the Super Bowl had ever come back from a deficit that large. Had they given up, people all over the NFL stratosphere would have commended them on just making the big game. They would have been patted on the back, told that they had a great run and been given praise all throughout Arizona.

But because of their resiliency they didn’t see the large hole as an obstacle, but rather as motivation. The D stopped Pitts’ first drive of the Fourth Quarter on a 3 and out and then the O responded with a Warner to Fitzgerald TD to gain the momentum that carried them through the game.

But the “don’t give up” mantra wasn’t heard just on the Arizona side of the ball, Pitts preached it also.

After Arizona’s score late in the fourth, the Pitts O could have given up, or tried to settle for a game-tying field goal. Instead they replicated Arizona’s drive and marched on down the field.

Heading into the final drive, Big Ben was having anything but a stellar game. Having thrown for less than 175 yards to this point, with no touchdowns and one pick, he was probably not the most confident man in the stadium at that moment, but his lack of confidence (if he actually really did have) didn’t show at all on the final drive.

Going 5-7 in the final two minutes of the game displayed Big Ben’s ability to not give up or wilt in pressure situations. And the payoff was huge.

So for all rec athletes out there who think your game is out of reach or that you are playing so poorly that you aren't a help to your team, remember the "don't give up" ideology and play hard until the final buzzer sounds. You may just surprise yourself and everyone else.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Friday Detour: Super Bowl Weekend

2009-01-30T08:47:00.002-07:00

In two days fans and non-fans alike will converge in someone’s living room to watch the greatest American spectacle. Everyone will be quiet and anxious energy will fill the room.

Kick off? Game winning field goal attempt? Fourth quarter drive?

No. Super Bowl Ads.

Under no other circumstances will you find people, even die hard sports fans, sitting through the commercials and getting beer and nachos during the game. Under no other circumstances will you find non-sports fans intently watching a sporting event than you will when the Super Bowl Ads start running.

And why not? Advertisers relish this moment. They know the world is watching and they know that there won’t be anybody Fast Forwarding their TiVO or DVR through these commercials. This is their, well, Super Bowl.

Monday morning it won’t be difficult to find ratings on all the Super Bowl Ads. They will be prevalent on YouTube and throughout the Blogosphere. You will not be able to attend a meeting without someone asking you about the commercials.

The game? You may have some conversations with some big football fans about what they thought of certain plays or the game as a whole. But if you are trying to find an in to talk to some of your superiors, the ads may be the way to go.

At $3M per 30-second commercial, you can expect some of the best commercials of the year to debut. A quick review of some of the all time best Super Bowl commercials will show you just how impactful they may be (in no particular order and with links to see them again).

Budweiser- Frogs “Bud… Weis… Errr”
McDonald’s - Showdown between Bird and Jordan. “Nothing but net”
Reebok – Terry Tate, office linebacker
Any E*Trade monkey ad
Coke - Mean Joe Greene
GoDaddy – Courtroom bikini models

So on Sunday, it is perfectly fine to find yourself sitting through the ads and grabbing a second helping of wings as the ball is being snapped.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Off Season Softball Workout Routine

2009-01-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

It is late January and many parts of America are covered with snow, but today is the perfect day to begin your off season softball training routine.

By starting now, you will be in prime shape when your team takes the field for the first time and you will find yourself hitting the ball farther and harder and your reflexes will be quicker, allowing you to make plays you may not have been able to make last season.

The most important muscles you need to hone for hitting are your legs and abdominal area. To get these muscles softball-ready, short powerful reps are recommended.

You will want to break these sets up, and not do them all in one day, or your muscles will be overworked and you will get less of a workout towards the end of your routine. You will probably want to lift every other day, and do cardio on your off days. It is also a good idea to rest your muscles, so your week may consist of Monday, Wednesday, Friday lifting and then cardio on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays while taking Sunday off. You can mix up these days to meet your schedule, but make sure you are working out regularly if you want to impress your teammates come game time.

As with any routine, the weight you lift is 100% based on your body. Do try and increase your weight every few weeks, so that you are getting stronger and working your muscles out to their max.

The sets you will want to focus on are:

Squats
Deadlift
Rows
Bench Press
Incline Bench Press
Wrist Curls (really good for hitting)
Hammer Curls
Shoulder Presses

Don’t wait for your manager or commish to contact you about playing next season. Prepare today, so that when the ump yells “PLAY BALL!” you will already be at the top of your game.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Webday Lists: Top Rated Nike Basketball Shoes

2009-01-28T11:48:00.004-07:00

Your rec basketball league has probably already started up. If you are in the market for new shoes, take a look below of the top 5 rated Nike brand basketball shoes, according to Nike.com

1. Kobe IV Men's Basketball Shoe - Seize the day, if not the moment, in the special edition Kobe IV Men's Basketball Shoe, inspired by the champion's carpe diem style of play with the best in cushioning and support.

Flywire upper for ultra-lightweight support and comfort
Synthetic leather with injected TPU external heel counter for optimal support
Phylon midsole for lightweight cushioning
Nike Zoom unit in heel for low-profile, super-responsive cushioning
Lunar Foam puddled in forefoot for lightweight cushioning
Flex grooves throughout outsole for high volume traction and flexibility

2. Nike Air Team Trust II Men's Basketball Shoe - A true team player, the Nike Air Team Trust II Men's Basketball Shoe has optimal traction and maximum support to make the most out of your footwork.

Leather and synthetic combination upper for overall support with breathable mesh
Phylon midsole with Nike-flex technology for maximum flexibility
Nike Air unit at heel for a comfortable ride
Herringbone outsole for superior traction

3. Nike Zoom MVP Men's Basketball Shoe - Go beyond the ordinary in the Nike Zoom MVP Men's Basketball Shoe, with a design inspired by one of the greats, Steve Nash, creating a supportive shoe that falls in between a low-top and high-top.

Synthetic and leather upper with reinforced stitching
Mid-foot saddle houses molded forefoot eyestay inspired by Air Max 95
Dual-density optimal motion midsole with lightweight injected Phylon
Nike Zoom forefoot unit for low-profile, super-responsive cushioning
Rubber outsole with herringbone pattern for traction and durability
Engineered surfacing for higher force deflection
Free-inspired forefoot

4. Dwyane Wade Team Signature United We Rise Men's Basketball Shoe - This product is limited to one pair per customer and is excluded from all promotional discounts.

Rise up for your own medal-winning turn on the hardwoods in the Dwyane Wade Team Signature (USAB) Men's Basketball Shoe, sporting a red, white and blue color scheme with Beijing-inspired tattoo print.
Full-grain leather upper with micro-perforations for breathability
Synthetic overlays with United We Rise tattoo print
United We Rise emblem on the tongue top
Double-lasted internal midsole and second lightweight EVA external midsole for stability and shock absorption
Multi-directional tread pattern for optimal traction on the hardwoods

5. Nike Air Flight Skool Men's Quickstrike Basketball Shoe - Have your game take off like Kevin Durant's in the Nike Air Flight Skool Men's Basketball Shoe, a high performance shoe with a lightweight profile for soaring loft and maximum Air-Sole cushioning for a soft landing.

Breathable, perforated leather upper with toe covering for added durability
Lightweight Phylon midsole with maximum volume Air-Sole unit in the heel for enhanced comfort
Rubber outsole is engineered to provide ultimate traction with cored out areas for lighter weight

When An Opposing Player Gets Injured

2009-01-27T10:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we discussed what to do when one of your teammates gets injured, so naturally today we will discuss what to do if an opposing player gets injured.

Many of the tips are the same, but since you probably don’t have a familial relationship with the guy or gal who is injured, you should take precaution in giving advice or assistance.

To start off with, as with anyone, stranger or friend, when it comes to a life or limb-threatening emergency you should act as if a family member is the one in trouble. Immediately call 911! Since you don’t know this person as well as someone who may be on their team, it might be best to let their teammate comfort them and hand the phone over to talk to the 911 operators to receive instructions. Having a familiar voice giving them directions and motivation may help them to calm down and lessen the chances of shock. If you are a trained medical professional and feel comfortable with the situation, go ahead and assert your knowledge and help in any way you can. Another way to help would be to calm down anyone on your team or the opposing team, if they start to get crazy or wild or disruptive. Simply pull them aside and calm them down. What the situation doesn’t need is any more stress placed upon it.

If the injury is serious, but not life or limb threatening (aka broken bone or torn ACL) the best advice is similar to what is above. First surmise the situation and make decisions based on what is best for the individual. Generally these injuries do not need an ambulance, but if you happen to have stuff in your car or truck that could be useful in the situation, run out and retrieve what can be used. Maybe you have cardboard and duct tape to immobilize the broken bone. If not, your best course of action may be to act as a bystander. Again, help in calming down anyone who may need calmed down, but in these situations, you may be best served as a spectator.

With minor injuries, you really should try and stay out of the way. If there is a cut, no matter how bad, you should first notify the ref or ump and let them know of the situation. Generally they will then stop the game and let the injured player get off the playing field or court. Even if your team is on a great run and hot, give the other team enough time to get their player situated with an ice pack or rag or whatever is needed. Injuries of this nature generally heal in a matter of minutes and you may see the injured player back playing in no time. One way you can be of help is, again, if you have the necessary first aid tools at your disposal and the league doesn’t have access to them, you might volunteer to retrieve what you have. Band aids, gauze pads, wrap, athletic tape. Whatever the situation calls for, if you have it handy and nobody else seems to have access it, you should volunteer your services.

Essentially the difference between your involvement in helping a teammate and an opposing player is that with an opposing player your service is needed only when the opposing team cannot provide it. As with any situation, familiarity of people around will help the injured party.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

When a Teammate Gets Injured

2009-01-26T13:02:00.001-07:00

Hopefully it doesn’t happen often, but we have all been playing in a game where a teammate gets injured. What should you do when this situation arises?

The first thing to do is surmise how serious the injury is. If it is life or limb threatening you should stop what you are doing immediately and help in any way you can. This may be by calling 911, getting ice or a rag, or by simply comforting your teammate while paramedics arrive. If you are trained in first aid or medicine then you can use your skills to help the injured player, but if not, you can probably be better served in an auxiliary role.

If your teammate is not in a life or limb threatening position, but is severely injured (broken bone, torn ACL etc) then you should estimate the severity and talk to your friend to see what they want to do. If it is an injury that the person needs medical attention, but maybe not immediate medical attention, then your role may be to drive him/her to the ER. If they are screaming for an ambulance, remind them of the cost to have one come and try and get them to calm down so that you can drive them to the nearest hospital. It may be that the injured player thinks the injury is worse than it is. But being calm headed you can help “talk them off the ledge,” and give them an outsider’s perspective.

If the injury is minor, say cuts and bruises, make sure the ref or ump knows what is happening and have them halt the game. Get your player off the field or court and, if possible, get them a rag, water or ice, basically whatever they need. Once they are out of play and nicely situated, it is OK for the game to continue.

Whatever the injury, making sure the right conditions are taken care of will help your teammate and also the flow of the game.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Friday Detour: Hall Of Fame

2009-01-23T08:57:00.001-07:00

There were two significant retirements in the world of sports this week and with each a debate raged on TV and the radio as to whether each should be in their respective hall of fames.

And while both Jeff Kent and Alonzo Morning had great careers, neither deserves to be enshrined amongst their sport’s elite.

Without going into specifics about those two players, I would like to discuss the Hall of Fame balloting as a whole.

Listening to the radio yesterday Colin Cowherd, of ESPN Radio, said it best when he said that when a player retires, baseball writers tend to fantasize their careers. The highlights become stuff of legends and their imperfections are cast aside.

What I would argue is that in order to get into your sport’s Hall, you should be able to be mentioned in the same breath as the all time greats. If you can’t then you may have been a good players, but not one of your sport’s elite.

Rickey Henderson, for example, was nominated in to the baseball HoF this year. Can you say his name along side other greats like Mickey, Babe and Willie? I would say that based on his body of work that you most certainly can.

Greg Maddux also retired this year and in 5 years he will be up for the HoF. Is he worthy? Without a doubt.

Now say the name Jeff Kent. Can you put him on the same pedestal as they other greats? Even compared just against his fellow 2B? In my mind you cannot.

There is always the argument out there for a player who has the most (insert stat) of someone not in the Hall. Be it hits, HRs, blocked shots or touchdown passes, there is always that debate. Well, I will let you in on a little secret… there will always be that guy. And when, or if, that guy gets in there will be a next guy with the most hits who isn’t in.

I believe there are certain things you can look at that should automatically qualify a guy for the Hall. In baseball I believe it is 300 wins, 3000 hits or 500 HRs. Even in a live ball era, those stats stand the test of time.

This is not to say that someone who doesn’t have those particular stats doesn’t deserve to be in, but those are the first ballot clinchers.

I think the major fault of the writers is that they feel there needs to be a Hall of Fame induction every year. Now, I understand why that is good for the individual sport, but the Hall get watered down because of this need.

A good friend of mine, Dan Russell, came up with a clever acronym for people who are generally enter the Hall discussion, but aren’t Hall worthy: HOAGie.

HOAGie stands for Hall Of Almost Great. This semi-elite category would be bestowed upon players whose career warrants some recognition, but not a bust in Cooperstown, Canton or Springfield.

Voting for HOAGies would be done on a personal basis. Did YOU feel that this person was good, but not the greatest? Great, but not the greatest? Then affix a HOAGie to them.

This would eliminate all debate for the Hall. If the Hall was only the ultra-elite, the type of player that comes around once every 5 or so years, then the hall fraternity would be made up of players that were undebateable.

Who is your favorite HOAGie? Leave a name in the comments section.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Yes We Can! (Relieve Stress)

2009-01-20T09:48:00.000-07:00

Today is one of the more memorable days in American history. With the inauguration of Barack Obama, America’s cultural and political tides are changing and citizens throughout the land can feel the effect of the new administration.

As we all now know, the 44th president is an avid sports fan and an outspoken proponent of a playoff in college football. And for as much as he enjoys pigskin, President Obama is an even bigger fan of roundball.

As the story goes, on the day of every big election, President Obama heads to a local gym with some of his friends and plays a big game of basketball in order to relieve the stress that goes along with any campaign.

We can all learn a few things from this tradition. Basketball, or any sporting event, can take your mind away from the realities of life or work.

If you have had a long and stressful day at your job, try hitting up the gym for a pick-up game of basketball, or if the weather is nice enough go out for a run or a long bike ride. Lifting weights, swimming laps, or hitting the batting cages are also great ways to decompress.

Throughout his presidency there are a lot of things we will learn from President Obama. One thing we have learned from his presidential campaign and from his campaigns of the past are that in any stressful situation, the best way to blow off steam or settle down from a pressure packed day is to work up a sweat in a competitive endeavor.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Running Set Plays in Your Rec Basketball League

2009-01-14T15:41:00.001-07:00

There is a paradoxical nature to most recreational basketball leagues. Everyone wants to win and wants to do everything they can to win…. except for practicing to win.

Most recreational basketball teams don’t have any set offensive plays, and those that do generally played together in high school and are just running through the plays they know. The latter folks are fine, it is the former that should probably get together outside of a game day to run through some plays.

Now, I am not saying that your team needs to go out and practice 4 hours a day, but one good practice running a simple play against both a man and a zone D will really help your team succeed. So instead of guys just running around and hoping to get open, they will be able to find seams in the D or create openings for their teammates and the results will be exponential.

If there is someone on your team who played any organized ball, have them teach you one easy man offensive scheme and one easy zone offensive scheme. If there is nobody on your team who played organized ball, or if no one can remember plays, then You Tube is a great source for finding short demonstration of plays. If you type in “Youth Basketball Offense” or some iteration of that into the You Tube search engine you will be able to find many easy-to-learn offenses. (I suggest ‘youth’ since the plays are generally easier to run and remember).

When looking at plays, remember that you are probably only going to be playing one hour a week with the plays, so don’t try and find the most complicated. Any offense with motion in it should do just find, so find one you like that looks easy to remember and fun to run and get going.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

My Aching Quads

2009-01-12T13:47:00.001-07:00

Last post I discussed what not to do before skiing, and I could not have been more right.

The setting was gorgeous. The scenery was breathtaking. The snow was like manna from heaven. Everything was set up to be that perfect day on the mountain.

Before I closed my eyes the night before I took a look out the window to see if I would awake to fresh snow on the mountain. To my distain I didn’t see a snow cloud in the sky and the winds weren’t blowing, like you sometimes see before impending storms. But I awoke to quite the opposite…. fresh snow!

We hurriedly ate breakfast and got dressed and headed on down to the ski lifts. As our rear ends hit the lift at 9am everything seemed perfect.

I casually got off the lift and headed to the drop in point for our first run. Everything was perfect and pristine. Seeing that it was still a workday, and the Friday after the New Year’s weekend, the mountain was predictably quiet and wide open.

The first run we took was a green that dumped into a steeper and narrower blue run, and since it was the first run of the season for me, I thought this was the perfect start to the day.

I easily cruised down the green, toes pointed straight, not making many turns. When I caught up to my ski-mate to head on down the blue, I felt a little something in the quads, but disregarded it as just an awkward move in ski boots. But the blue, with its 6 inches of fresh powder was more difficult to maneuver than the green I had just been on, and I was required to make more turns. With each turn my legs, quads particularly, reminded me of the heavy lifting I had done to them just 36 hours previously…. and they were getting back at me tenfold.

I ended up skiing most of the day, but there were times when I had to come to a complete stop in the middle of the mountain to regain the strength in my legs. It was not fun.

So here I was in this gorgeous setting, this breathtaking scenery, floating on snow that seemed to be made of clouds, and all I could think about was how I wanted off and to be back in our condo with a hot cup of cocoa and elevated legs.

So next time I know I am embarking on an adventure I will make sure my workout routine will not hinder my ability to participate the event fully and enjoy it to its fullest.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

What NOT To Do Before You Go Skiing

2009-01-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was one of the most active days my body has seen in quite some time. And I couldn’t have selected a worse day to abuse my body.

I started the day with a session with my personal trainer, one in which we focused on legs. Every time we do a leg routine I ache for a week, and yesterday was no different. Squats and leg presses were the worst of it, and it didn’t help that we did leg lifts as well. Keep in mind that prior to the workout, I had cycled 10 or so miles on a stationary bike to get my blood flowing.

I was wrecked.

Fast forward to the evening. I had a 7:30 PM hoops game in my recreational basketball league that I was pretty amped for. Looking over the other team’s schedule and results on the Who’s In First online league management system, this seemed like a game we could win. Initially we were in the game and kept it close by using our height to our advantage. But, alas, in the end to the victors go the spoils and the other team played spoiler.

As I was leaving the court, a buddy from another team flagged me down and asked to help sub in for their game, as they were short a few guys. I agreed and off I went into another 40 minutes of basketball. Luckily, this game turned out to be in our favor, even after an early 14-4 deficit. As the final buzzer sounded, I was wiped out and heading down to the locker room to change when I got roped into a pick-up game. Up and down the court we flew, all with weary sea legs. I again, lost, and this time not only the game but also all feeling in my legs.

So tonight I am heading up to Vail to ski tomorrow and my legs are SHOT. It will be interesting to see how they hold up as I slosh through the snow.

This whole experience has taught me a valuable lesson. Working out is fine. Playing 3 hours of hoops is fine. The combination of the two may waste an otherwise perfectly good ski day.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Specialized Training

2009-01-06T10:19:00.001-07:00

I was at the mega-gym yesterday and saw a guy with an unusual routine. I hadn’t ever seen any of the exercises he was doing, and kinda thought he was making the stuff up as he goes. They all seemed unconventional and awkward and I had no idea what he was thinking. Then I started to pay attention to his routine. He kept repeating the same motion. It almost looked like he was practicing a tennis ground stroke from the ready position. It wasn’t until 20 or 30 minutes of trying to decipher his regimen that I realized what he was doing.

After solving the puzzle in my head I approached him to see if I had, in fact, put 2 and 2 together. It turns out he was a relief pitcher for the Colorado Rockies and was strengthening the muscles he will need to pitch out of the stretch this season. All of his routines were carefully scrutinized and approved by the trainers for the Rockies. To me he looked unconventional, but they were all necessary components to his job.

It got me thinking about targeted versus general training. For most of us a general routine will work best. If done properly, a general routine will help us tone and strengthen our muscles in a uniform manner. If, however, you are a professional athlete or training for a specific challenge, you should look into a more targeted routine.

For example, if you are going to train for a 100-mile bike race, and that is your only intent, you should probably focus more on endurance and legs, than you would on say, your pecs. Sure, you will probably still work your pecs out from time to time, but putting your rear end on the saddle will better help you train for your specific task.

Likewise, this Major League Baseball pitcher needed to strengthen his core and all the muscles he will be called upon to use at his job. This is not to say he doesn’t do a general routine also, but his goal for that day was to strengthen a specific muscle group, even if it garnered some attention from the other gym members.

So the take-away I had was to keep my same general workout routine, until the time comes that I need to hone my training for a specific activity.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

WORKOUT! Keep Your New Year's Resolution

2009-01-05T09:02:00.001-07:00

We here at Who’s In First hope everyone had a great holiday season.

And if you are like any of us, you probably attended a few parties and ate a few too many finger foods. You may be regretting helping yourself to that extra eggnog or going back for thirds and forths of those delicious buffalo wings. But if you are also like many of us, you made a New Year’s Resolution to get rid of the holiday weight and stay in shape all year long.

If any of this rings true, here are some tips to help you keep on your goal of not only dropping that weight, but also visiting the gym more often.

1) Don’t try and burn all your weight off in the first week. As most gym employees can attest, the two weeks after new years are the busiest times for a gym. Everyone makes the same New Year’s Resolution to lose weight and heads immediately to the gym. This enthusiasm is great, but generally wears off pretty quickly. One thing to keep in mind is that weight control, or toning up, is not an overnight process. You need to really work at it to get the results you are working for. Many people head to the gym, run a mile on the treadmill and think they can drop 20 pounds that day. Not the case. If you truly want to get the results you are looking for, remember the old adage that slow and steady wins the race. Don’t burn yourself out. Don’t get frustrated when the results aren’t pouring in the first week. Give it some time and you will achieve your goal.

2) Set Goals. What I have found to work the best is set a goal in the future and work towards that goal. There are two types of goals you can set. You can either set personal goals (I will lose X pounds or be able to do 10 reps of X pounds) or you can sign up for an event and train towards that. I generally find the latter to work best for me. If I sign up for a bike race with some friends, I know a hard deadline that I need to be in shape by… and work towards that. This gives me a goal to reach, say bike 50 miles, and a timeframe to be able to work towards. After the completion of the event, I look for a new event to sign up for and work towards.

3) Set regular workout times. If you know your spouse has a meeting every Monday, use that free time to work out. If you don’t have to be at work until late one day a week, use that to work out. Essentially, set up a regular schedule and try to get to the gym regularly. I have noticed that if I haphazardly try and make it to the gym, there is always an important game on TV or an event I need to attend. But if I know that Monday at 5pm is one of my workout times, I will schedule things around it, instead of the other way around. This consistency allows me to know when I will be working out and have the right mindset to do so.

These simple tips will help you beat the average American in keeping a New Year’s Resolution. If today is a good day, go to the gym and notice the number of people there. Using these tips you will still be there well into the spring when everyone else has forgotten about their commitment to themselves.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Dragged His Weary Carcass Up The Mountain

2008-12-30T09:45:00.001-07:00

"Crazy!"
"Idiotic!"
"Dumb!"

Some of the words people are saying about my New Years Eve snowshoe trip into the mountains. Eight of us will be traveling over ice and snow, above where trees can grow, to stay 2 nights in a yurt.

The forecasts call for temperatures in the high 20’s, but luckily for us, the yurts we are laying our heads down in have wood burning stoves that keep the place nice and toasty.

To prepare for this multi-mile hike, with all our food and supplies strapped to our back, I had to do some pretty extensive training.

During my workout I focused mainly on legs, core and upper body.

To get my legs in shape I tried to work on all the muscles groups in the lower region. Because the hike is very steep, leg work will come in especially handy. Squats, leg presses and lunges took up the majority of my time, but I also workout out my abductor and hip adductor muscle groups.

As we have already talked about, your core is essential in any activity. For this trip a solid core will help to withstand the weight of the pack as I sledge up the mountain. Having that stability will allow the other parts of my body to do their jobs, and won’t be relied upon more than necessary.

My upper body strength will be useful for some of the activities needed once we settle into the yurt. Carrying firewood from the shed to the yurt. Shoveling a path between the two yurts and the outhouse. Carving a path on the hillside for us to sled down. All these activities will require upper body strength and having a fitter upper torso will allow me to carry more, shovel faster and carve longer runs.

All in all this should be a very memorable trip, but since I have taken the necessary workout precautions, it will hopefully not be memorable for the wrong reasons.

Have a happy and safe new years! See you in 2009 and remember to keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

How Many Calories Will Santa Burn Tonight?

2008-12-24T09:17:00.003-07:00

Happy holidays to all!

Santa is always portrayed as a rather plumb, jolly figure, but you always see him just before Christmas, and seldom after. It is possible then that Santa builds weight before his sleigh ride around the world so that he can endure his Christmas Eve voyage. Kinda like a bear gaining weight before hibernation, Santa needs a lot of weight to not only keep him warm as he travels around the globe, but also because he will be burning so much energy delivering presents.

Why do I think post-Christmas Eve Santa is a lot trimmer than pre-Christmas Eve Santa?

In a previous article we discussed the number of calories burned by walking up and down stairs. If you remember you burn approximately 0.11 calories going up stairs and 0.05 calories heading down.

Now according to Wikipedia there are 1.9 billion (1,900,000,000) Christians in the world. If you take the average of 4 people per household, that would equate to 475 million (475,000,000) Christian households worldwide. For argument’s sake let’s say that 1/4 of those households are 2 story and the other 3/4 are one story tall. That means that there are 118,750,000 two-story homes and 356,250,000 one-story tall homes.

The average flight of stairs is 16 per story and considering that Santa needs to go up to the roof and not just the top story, all two-story homes have the equivalent of 32 stairs and all one-story homes have the equivalent of 16 stairs.

Once inside, to get back out of the 118,750,000 two-story homes Santa would need to climb 3.8 billion (3,800,000,000) stairs. To get out of the one-story homes, Santa would also need to climb 5,700,000,000 (5.7 billion) stairs. Assuming he drops down the chimney, and doesn’t climb down, we will not need to factor in the trip into the house.

Therefore Santa is climbing up the equivalent of 9.5 billion (9,500,000,000) stairs. At 0.11 calories per stair, Santa is burning 1.045 billion (1,045,000,000) calories. This does not include any calories burned while flying his sled, getting in and out of the sleigh or carrying Tickle-Me-Elmos.

Since the average suggested consumption is 2000 calories per day, Santa burns enough calories for 522,500 days in one evening (and you thought your workout was strenuous!)

From this one can only assume that post-Christams Eve Santa is considerably skinnier than the Santa you see in shopping malls and photography stores.

Have any other ideas on Santa? Leave a comment below.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

What To Eat On Gamedays

2008-12-22T09:42:00.001-07:00

I was at the mega gym by my house on Saturday and had just gotten done doing bench press when two friends showed up. They were there to shoot hoops, so I decided to join them. Well anyone who has ever tried to shoot baskets after working out can attest that you are not at your best. The weights negatively affect your shot. You will have no arch on the ball. Your arms will not raise up and you won’t have a solid follow through on your shot. Basically, you will not be able to really play hoops after working out. Given a few hours for your muscles to recoup, you will be fine, but don’t plan on working out immediately prior to a game of basketball.

There are things you can do before your game, though, that will help you reach prime potential, especially eating.

Most experts recommend eating about 4 hours before your big game. This will give your body enough time to digest the food as to not give you cramps and not to make you feel stuffed. You should still watch the amount you eat, but given enough time you can generally take in what you want.

Professional athletes generally have a chef on hand to make them pre-game meals. The team usually gets together 4-5 hours before their game to fill up. So what do they eat?

Usually pro athletes stack up on carbs, vegetables and protein on game day. These foods are easy to digest and give the body lots of energy. Baked chicken, steamed veggies and pasta seem to be the athlete’s favorites. Not only good for you, but the right combination of essential nutrients to keep your body in motion for your game.

Athletes also take in lots of water, as they know they will be sweating buckets while playing. If you have an evening game, try taking in a glass of water every hour or two. This will prevent dehydration and the liquids will lube up your muscles to avoid cramping. You can drink until you feel full, but stop that practice an hour or two before the start of the game.

Now if you have a day job and an evening basketball game, you cannot always time your meals perfectly. In this case, eat the healthy lunch described above and try sampling on some toast or a bagel 3 or so hours before your game begins. This, again, will allow your body time to digest while at the same time giving you the strength you will need to play the whole game.

Try this for a game or two and see if you can notice an increase in your energy level, especially towards the end of the game.

What do you eat on game days? Leave a comment below.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Friday Detour: Bailouts for Pro Teams

2008-12-19T09:09:00.003-07:00

Welcome again to the Friday Detour. The weekly entry that diverts away from recreational sports to discuss happenings in other areas of the sporting world.

Big news recently has been the bailouts of the Big Three automakers. It got me thinking about bailouts for professional teams. In each league what three teams are in the most need of a bailout of some sort?

NFL
Detroit Lions – Where have you gone Barry Sanders? Barry never won a Super Bowl, but he at least made watching the Lions game palpable. Not so much any more. The Detroit Lions are probably the biggest mockery in professional sports these days and are on the fast track to NFL immortality, a perfect 0-16 defeated season. Matt Millen may be the scapegoat in all this, and very well could be the reason for their ineptitude, but it takes an entire team effort to accomplish this feat. Just think, we go from 16-0 Patriots last year to a potential 0-16 Lions squad this year. We are witnessing history all over the board. And, yes, it is a coincidence that the automakers and Lions are all based out of Detroit.

Cincinnati Bengals - Where have you gone 2005? The Bengals were one of the hottest teams in 2005. They had a young, stud QB, talented receivers, a solid running game… but 3 years is a lifetime in the NFL. Their stud QB tore his ACL, their talented receivers like court rooms and name changes more than end zones, their running game is gone. The one-year blip that was 2005 is the Bengals sole winning season since 1990. 1 winning season in 18 seasons. Multiple #1 overall draft picks. 1 playoff appearance (2005). There is a reason they are affectionately referred to as the Bungals.

Oakland Raiders – Where have you gone Silver and Black? The once proud Raider nation, once famed for wearing silver and black face paint and shoulder pads with spikes, is now known for wearing brown bags over their heads to keep their identities a secret. The most intimidating team in the history of the NFL is now a shell of their former self. They used to march into stadiums with confidence and create fear in opposing fans. They now shuffle into stadium with heads hung low and create cheap tickets prices from scalpers. Part of the problem is Al Davis’ quick trigger finger. Since 2000, the Raiders have seen 6 head coaches roam the sidelines, and average of less than 2 years per head coach. The transition from one scheme to another and the rebuilding that needs to be done to perfect the new coaches ideas just cannot get done in two years or less.

MLB
Washington Nationals - Where have you gone farm system? The franchise, which resided in Montreal prior to its move to the Beltway in 2005, was a hot bed for up and coming prospects, but never capitalized on their talents. Pedro Martinez, Larry Walker, Randy Johnson, Vlad Guerrero, Andres Galarage, Andre Dawson… all of these All-Stars began their careers north of the border, but all made names for themselves in other uniforms. The Nationals/Expos franchise hasn’t tasted the playoffs since the 1981 season (although, to their credit they were leading the NL East in 1994 when the season was called due to a strike). With their move to a bigger market, and therefore more revenue to spend on players, you hear their names a lot in free agent talks, but big name players just don’t want to play for this franchise and opt to go to contenders instead.

Kansas City Royals – Where have you gone Dirk Denkinger? The year was 1985. The setting was Game 6 of the World Series. The teams were cross-state rivals. The call was horrible. The Royals won the 1985 World Series, thanks in large part to a terrible call by umpire Dirk Denkinger in Game 6 of the series, which the Royals won in 7. That was the last time the Royals tasted the postseason. The last time the Royals smelled the other side of .500 was the strike shortened 1994 season. Like many small market teams, the Royals may not be completely to blame, pure economics are, but that is why the Royals need the bailout.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Where have you gone Killer B’s? In the early 90’s the Pirates had one of the most dangerous line-ups in the NL. Bobbie Bonilla, Andy Van Slyke, some guy named Barry Bonds. This team was stacked from head to toe. But 1992 was a long time ago. Since the 1992 season the Pirates haven’t finished north of .500 and have 9 times been over 20 games out of the division lead. For a franchise that dates back to 1882 and has suited up names like Stargell, Clemente, Wagner, these guys need to bring th epride back to the Steel City.

NBA
New York Knicks – Where have you gone Walt Frazier? The largest TV market in the country, and the least desirable team to watch. Not fun for Knick fans. The New York Knicks, haven’t won a playoff series since the 1999-2000 season and haven’t been above .500 since the following year. In a sports were half of the teams make the playoffs, the Knicks haven’t even qualified since the 2003-2004 season. (In your best Stephen A. Smith voice, please scream) The New York Knickerbockers are a disgrace to the NBA.

Washington Wizards – Where have you gone Bernard King? Another Washington DC based team to make the list, the Washington franchise has but one playoff series win sine the 1981-1982 season. Their .461 lifetime winning percentage and .401 lifetime playoff winning percentage makes them eligible for a bailout. Their owner should mosey on down the street to the Capital and beg and plead with the Senators for extra players to help right this wrong.

Memphis Grizzlies – Since joining the league as the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 1995-1996 season, the Grizzlies have made the playoffs only 3 times, never even winning a game, much less a series. Their lifetime .329 winning percentage ranks them as one of the all time worst franchises in pro sports history.

There are others who need a bailout? Who is on the top of your list? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Sage Advice

2008-12-18T14:23:00.001-07:00

Never one to be late, I arrived to the gym last night before my basketball game early to run on the treadmill and watch the final moments of the early games.

As I was standing in the gym by the door an elderly gentleman approached and asked if I knew who was playing in the games going on at the time. I told him who was on the court and he looked relieved, “Good, I can see my grandson play.”

I offered him a chair to sit on and he watched intently as the last few minutes of the game winded down. His grandson’s team was literally up by 50, so we had a chance to introduce ourselves and pass a few pleasantries back and forth.

As the final buzzer sounded, the old man hopped to his feet and motioned me closer. I hunched over a little to hear what he was going to say and he said to me:

“Let me give you a little life lesson. In sports and life there are two main things to remember: hustle and have fun. If you do both of those in sports and in life you will have succeeded.”

With that he shuffled out the door.

Sage advice from someone who has gained a life full of knowledge.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Which Type of Rec Athlete Are You?

2008-12-17T15:30:00.004-07:00

There is a reason we all play rec sports and those reason vary greatly, even amongst teammates. Which category do you fall under?

Al Bundy Athlete – Fans of Married With Children… will undoubtedly know that Al Bundy once scored 4 touchdowns in the 1966 city championship game for Polk High… and never let anyone forget the moment. The Al Bundy Athlete is the type that was the great high school athlete, but never did much, athletically, after graduation, however he will not let you forget his shinning times on the field or court.

Characteristics: You will know you are playing with or against the Al Bundy Athlete if they come to the first lower level softball game with eye black and baseball pants. Another warning sign is if you see a high school championship or team t-shirt on a guy past age 25.

Rudy Athlete – Most everyone should have seen the movie Rudy at least once in their life. It is about a kid who didn’t have the size or skills to play football, but through perseverance and tenacity he makes the Notre Dame football team as a walk-on and eventually gets into a game. The Rudy Athlete is similar in that they never had the skills or size to play on their high school team, but the Rudy Athlete comes out to play once a week and think they are the greatest athlete to ever grace the face of the earth.

Characteristics: If you see a guy trying to make Magic Johnson-esq passes, only to have them intercepted each time, you have yourself a Rudy Athlete.

Wooderson Athlete - Wooderson (played by a virtual unknown Matthew McConaughey) famously said in Dazed and Confused, “That's what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age.” The Wooderson Athlete is similar in that they feel that playing rec sports keeps them younger. They may be getting older, but the competition stays the same age.

Characteristics: Grey hair coming out from their ball cap. Knee braces and orthopedic shoes. Using teenage slang.

Bo Jackson Athlete – Bo Jackson was an amazing athlete. Maybe one of the best of all time. Had it not been for a hip injury sustained on the football field, Bo would have gone down as one of the greatest of all times… in both baseball and football. While Bo was certainly better at football, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1985, Bo played baseball because he was too good not to. The Bo Jackson Athlete plays rec sports because he is too good not to be out there playing.

Characteristics: You can spot a Bo Jackson Athlete by the sheer power and skill they display. You will notice that they don’t look like they are hustling and may not leg out a routine single, but when they get a hold of the ball it will go a country mile.

Cyndi Lauper Athlete – The Cyndi Lauper Athlete is out there because they “just want to have fun.” They either like competing or like camaraderie of their teammates. Whatever the case, their athletic skills lie somewhere in the middle of the team, but their enthusiasm is unparalleled.

Characteristics: The Cyndi Lauper Athlete is always the loudest on the court, because they are having the most fun. They are also the guy who gets there first and leaves last. They are always meeting their teammates at each timeout or between innings.

Todd Marinovich Athlete – Sports Illustrated once ran a cover story on Marinovich entitled “Bred to Be A Superstar,” that discussed Todd’s fathers involvement in his sons football playing. From birth the elder Marinovich made sure Todd ate the right foods, worked out with the right trainers and practiced the right way. Essentially Todd was groomed to be the perfect QB. The Todd Marinovich Athlete is similar in that there is heavy parental involvement in their playing. Even as an adult, they are encouraged to play sports by their parents who feel that it is a good way for them to intermingle with others.

Characteristics: The Todd Marinovich Athlete is a little socially and athletically inept. They will usually be seen playing the worst positions and relied on the least during a game. In between innings or during timeouts you may see them chasing butterflies or picking up lady bugs… their interest just isn’t there. If you run into a Todd Marinovich Athlete, have a handkerchief handy, as y0u may encounter drool.

Eagles Athlete – The band The Eagles broke up and said they wouldn’t get back together until hell froze over… then miraculously they realized the monetary benefit of playing together and “got the band back together.” The Eagles Athlete is similar in that they are playing so that they can spend time with the buddies they grew up with. It may be that they are now married and/or have kids, and their weekly game is the one chance to hang out with their friends.

Characteristics: Wedding rings. Conversations revolving around onesies. Calling each other crude, vulgar and disrespectful nicknames they have been calling each other for eons.

Therein lies the real back story on why people play rec sports. When you first encounter a rec athlete, find out which category they fall into and proceed accordingly.

Is there another reason you play rec sports? Leave a comment below.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Basketball Training Tips

2008-12-15T11:39:00.004-07:00

For most recreational athletes game day is generally the only time they get to play their sport during the week. Unlike organized school or pro sports, usually other commitments take precedence and practicing is not in the cards.

Athletes may shoot around or may play a pick up game here and there, but generally there isn’t time to practice with their team or even to hone their sports.

So for the buy basketball player, here are some easy drills you can do during basketball season to keep you in shape and ready for the next game. Mostly these are conditioning and strengthening routines, so they won’t necessarily help with that outside shot, but will make it so you are in better shape at the end of the game to steal that pass and take it coast to coast for an easy lay-up.

Shuffle Runs

The shuffle run is also called a “Suicide Run” in some parts of the country. Essentially what this will do is get your legs in shape for the constant starting and stopping and redirection of basketball.

Starting on the baseline of a basketball court, sprint to the free throw line, bend down to touch it and sprint back to the baseline. Bend down to touch the baseline and sprint to the half court line. Bend down to touch it and sprint back to the baseline, touching it. Sprint to the opposite free throw line, touch, sprint back. Finally sprint to the other baseline, touch, and sprint back. Rest for 2 to 3 minutes and repeat.

Keep in mind that you should not be stopping anytime during this drill.

Four Corner Drill

This one will help your defensive stamina. Starting on the corner of the baseline, sprint to the other baseline. Upon reaching the opposite corner, shuffle along the baseline to the other corner as you would do defensively. When you reach the corner, sprint to the opposite end and shuffle to the other corner. Rest for one minute and repeat. Try timing yourself and improve your time each round.

Jump Rope

Jumping rope is one of the best conditioning drills you can do to help your hoops game. After jumping rope for some time you will notice that you are jumping quicker off the ground and can grab more rebounds with your quickness.

Wall Passing

Wall passing will help your eye hand coordination and your passing ability. With a ball in your hand, stand facing a wall. As hard as you can throw the ball against the wall using a 2-hand chest pass. You will need to catch the ball on its rebound. As you get better at this drill, reduce the distance from the wall, making sure you throw the ball equally as hard each time.

Bench Jumping

Stand beside a bench sturdy enough to hold you weight that is about a foot off the ground. From a standing position jump onto the bench and then back down. Do this 10-15 before resting.

If practiced regularly, these tips will help you bounce higher and run faster at the end of your games, and could be the determining factor between winning and losing.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Friday Detour: They Walk on Water

2008-12-12T13:23:00.003-07:00

Starting today every Friday we will take a little detour off the regular course of this blog to talk still talk about sports, but with a different twist. Instead of helping to get you to the top of the standings we will take a look at the world of sports, either what has happened in the last week, what is the big headline of the day or other lists, stats and information.

I was driving behind a car in Denver yesterday and it had a John Elway Autos decal on the back. Obviously the person had purchased the car from the dealership baring the Hall of Fame QBs name. It got me thinking that John Elway is easily the biggest sports personality in Denver’s history. Then I wondered who the biggest sports personalities in each of the 15 largest US cities were. Some cities have such an illustrious background that it was difficult to select just one, so in that case I chose a few. Below is a list of who I believe are the biggest former and current athletes in each of the top US cities (population numbers from Wikipedia):

New York City population 8,274,527

Current BMOC: Derek Jeter
Past BMOCs: Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio

Los Angeles population 3,834,340

Current BMOC: Kobe Bryant
Past BMOCs: Magic Johnson, Sandy Koufax, Tommy Lasorda, Jerry West

Chicago population 2,836,658

Current BMOC: Brian Urlacher
Past BMOCs: Michael Jordan, Ernie Banks, Bobby Hull, Walter Payton

Houston population 2,208,180

Current BMOC: Yao Ming
Past BMOCs: Hakeem Olajuwon, Nolan Ryan, Earl Campbell

Bay Area (San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland) combined population 2,106,364

Current BMOC: Tim Lincecum
Past BMOCs: Jeff Garcia, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Bo Jackson, Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Bash Brothers, Howie Long

Phoenix population 1,552,259

Current BMOC: Shaquille O’Neal
Past BMOCs: Randy Johnson

Philadelphia population 1,449,634

Current BMOC: Ryan Howard
Past BMOCs: Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton

San Antonio population 1,328,984

Current BMOC: Tim Duncan
Past BMOCs: David Robinson

San Diego population 1,266,731

Current BMOC: LaDainian Tomlinson
Past BMOCs: Tony Gwynn

Dallas population 1,240,499

Current BMOC: Tony Romo
Past BMOCs: Troy Aikman, Emmit Smith, Dirk Nowtizki

Detroit population 916,952

Current BMOC: Nikolas Lindstrom
Past BMOCs: Isiah Thomas, Barry Sanders, Hank Greenberg, Steve Yzerman, Joe Louis

Jacksonville population 805,605

Current BMOC: Fred Taylor
Past BMOCs: Mark Brunell, Tony Boselli

Indianapolis population 1,328,984

Current BMOC: Peyton Manning
Past BMOCs: Reggie Miller

Columbus, OH population 747,755

Current BMOC: Jim Tressell
Past BMOCs: Eddie George, Archie Griffin

Austin population 743,074

Current BMOC: Colt McCoy
Past BMOCs: Vince Young, Rickey Williams

I know there are plenty I have missed, so please feel free to chime in in the comments section.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

The Most Important Meal of the Day

2008-12-11T13:20:00.001-07:00

We have all heard the old adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It is true that breakfast help to get sugar in your bloodstream and perks you up. Nutritionalists also say that eating 5 meals a day help to keep your body in shape, so eating a good breakfast not only gets you going, but also helps with your eating patterns.

A healthy breakfast can also help you when competing later in the day. Eating breakfast, a light mid-morning snack, a sensible lunch followed by a mid-afternoon snack can keep you energized for your athletic game later that night. It will especially help if won’t have an opportunity to much down dinner before the start of your game.

I hear you yelling now, “But it take a lot to make breakfast every morning, and I just don’t have the time!”

Well, here are a few simple breakfast ideas for those on the run:

1. Fruit smoothies – Easy, quick and nutritious. The simplest way to make a fruit smoothie is to put frozen fruit, yogurt and milk into a blender and whip it up. Prepare, mix and put it in your favorite to go cup and you have yourself a healthy breakfast in a matter of minutes. Fresh berries can be substituted for frozen, but I have found frozen berries to make a better, and cheaper, smoothie. Try different ingredients and amounts until you find the perfect mixture for you.

2. Yogurt – nothing is quicker than peeling a lid off a yogurt and running out the door. Buying in bulk saves money but the individual serving sizes are more convenient.

3. Cereal – … and fruity, sugary, marshmallowy kinds don’t count. Find a raisin bran or other high fiber cereal of your liking and pour your favorite milk over it and you are good to go. Not as portable as the others, but if you have a fridge accessible to you at work, you can buy milk and cereal and eat at your desk first thing in the morning. Try putting fresh fruit on top for more flavor and health benefits.

4. Toast or English muffin – Top your favorite starch with peanut butter, hummus or your favorite spread and hit the road running. Pair it with a handheld fruit (apple, orange, pear) and you have yourself a quick and easy start to the day.

5. Breakfast sandwich – If you have leftovers from the night before put it between two slices of bread and you have yourself a nice breakfast. Turkey, chicken and meat add protein to your sandwich.

6. “Diner Breakfast” – If time isn’t one fo your concerns then make yourself a full breakfast with eggs, toast and some protein. Try staying away from greasy or fattening foods like bacon and sausage everyday, but every once and a while allow yourself to indulge.

Regardless of how much time you have each morning to prepare and eat breakfast, make sure you allot those extra few minutes to having this essential meal. Even if it means hitting the snooze button one fewer times, your body will thank you, and so will your teammates when they see your improved performance.

Do you have a favorite quick breakfast idea? Tell us about it in the comments section.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Leg Up on the Competition

2008-12-10T14:25:00.002-07:00

Second workout with the trainer and I am so sore I can barely type this out, but as the trainer says, there is no gain from not finishing the set.

Last time I worked out with him we did a lot of measurements and weigh-ins that took away from the actual working out, so we really only had enough time to stretch. I thought today would be the same, so I actually got to the gym early and started doing my normal workout routine. Some chest, some arms, some legs and some cardio.

Well let me tell you, I won’t be doing any “pre-workout” prior to my next session, as today almost killed me.

What we did, though, is essential to every recreational athlete, namely we worked on the legs.

Legs are essential in almost every sport. In baseball/softball they let you drive through the strike zone and put more power on the ball. In basketball and volleyball strengthened legs allow you to jump higher and quicker, leading to rebound, spikes and blocks. In football powerful legs allow you to take down your opponent or, if on offense, to not be dragged down as easily. Regardless of your sport, a solid leg drive will make you better.

So what did we do?

1. Squats – Today we did front squats. These differ from the squats you are used to seeing since the barbell is in front of the body instead of behind the neck. The important part about this exercise is to make sure to keep your elbows up. Slouching elbows will make this drill less effective. We did 4 sets of 10, adding weight each time. Squats help your hamstrings, quads, gluteus maximums and calves.

2. Leg presses – Next were leg presses. Some call this a poor man’s squat, but its easy has its advantages. Because of its nature, this exercise wasn’t as difficult for me, and I seemed to have a lot more power in my legs than I thought after doing the squats. Like the squats, leg presses help to tone the hamstrings, quads, gluteus maximums and calves.

3. Calf raises – Still seated on the leg press machine, I moved my feet down so that only my toes and the ball of my feet were on the machine. I then proceeded to point my toes in order to work out the calves. This type of exercise is designed for more repetition and we did between 25 and 50 raises each set.

Since I only had a 30 minute session, we ended the leg portion of the workout right there, but if you are going to do a full leg workout, I would also recommend that you add in the following:
1. Leg curls
2. Leg extensions
3. Lunges

Keep Sporting!
- Who’s In First

Cutting a Friend, Co-Worker or Family Member From Your Team

2008-12-09T11:52:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we discussed how to gain an advantage over a friend in the field of play. Today we will look at friendship a little differently.

Do you have a player on your team who just doesn't cut it that you want to get rid of? What if this person is a friend of yours? What if it is a boss? What if it is a family member?

How do you go about cutting someone, who you will see outside of the field or court, off a recreational sports team that you manage?

Maybe this person doesn't have the skill set to compete at the level of the rest of the team. Maybe their attitude toward competition negatively affects your team chemistry. Whatever the reasoning is, trying to get a friend, co-worker or family member off a team is not an easy task.

There are many ways you can go about letting the person know he/she should look for other leagues to join, but this article will only focus on the positive ways.

Before dumping anyone, give them an opportunity to improve. If the player knows that there is heat for them to step it up, go to the batting cages with them and work on their swing, or go to a gym and practice their shooting for extra practice. Whatever the sport is, allow them to improve in the area they are lagging behind. This will not only make them feel better about themselves, if they do improve, but will take the heat off of you to tell them you have gone in another direction.

Granted, this process may take a long time and may keep them on the team an extra season, while the rest of the team breathes down your neck, but in the end they may understand that they aren't competing at the level they need to be competing at and quit on their own accord.

If practice isn't the route you wish to take, or if it didn't work the way you had hoped, then an honest heart to heart talk would be the next option. Whether it is over a beer after a game, or on the phone during the off-season, a good talk will allow everything to be aired. They will know where you stand and you won't feel the guilt over having to cut athletic ties with them in the near future. If there is someone on the team who is closer to the player in question, and feels more comfortable discussing this with them, then deferring responsibility may be the best bet.

If nothing has changed and you still need to get them off the team, you will need to be blunt with them, all the while keeping in mind that this is only recreational athletic sports and those friendships, work relationships and family ties will be there long past your prime athletic ability. Be nice and civil and make sure everyone leaves on a good note.

Remember professional coaches and managers get paid millions of dollars to make sure they have the right team on the field. Their livelihood revolves around whom they keep and whom they cut. Yours does not. Keep what is most important in mind when making any of these decisions, and maybe losing a game or two, but retaining a friendship is the best option.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

With A Little Help From My Friends

2008-12-08T15:43:00.008-07:00

I have been battling a lingering cold/flu for the past week. It isn’t debilitating enough to take me out for the count, but is bad enough to make me not want to do anything.

The unfortunate part about the entire thing is that I had to skip my recreational basketball game last week, and I was playing against a team made up of friends of mine.

It is always fun to play against your friends, I even thinks it makes me play harder, in my attempt to one-up the guys I know.

According to the stats on Who’s In First, www.whosinfirst.com, my friend’s team should have destroyed us, and as it turns out they did. I kinda figured that might happen, but that didn’t keep me from wanting to drive on them and talk a little trash on the way back down the court.

As we all know, playing against friends is a lot different than playing against strangers. Whether it is in a recreational league, or in the backyard, playing against friends always seems to elevate your game just a little bit more, all while deflating you just a touch more when you lose.

So to give you an advantage against your friends, take the following pieces of advice:

You know these guys – If you have played against, or with, your friends in the past you have an advantage of having a scouting report on them already. Do you know one of your friends can only drive with his right or cannot make a free throw on the basketball court? In softball do you know one of your friends couldn’t field a grounder if his life depended on it? Well, if you know these nuances about your friends, use them. Make him go to the left, or alter your batting stance to make sure the grounder goes right to him (and therefore between his legs).

Talk trash – I am not endorsing trash talking, but with friends you can get away with more than you would be able to get away with people you just met. Casually slip in their girlfriends/wives names as they are shooting free throws. Remind them that they got caught doing something wrong when they were a kid. Anything to get under their skin, but without being TOO harsh. You want to obtain a competitive advantage, but don’t want to lose a friendship.

Don’t let them forget – The other side of trash talking is talking yourself up. If you hit a 3 in their face or take them yard, don’t let them forget it. When you come up to bat the next time, kindly remind them where their last pitch went and step into the box like you mean it. They may not be intimidated, but you might get into their head just enough to gain an advantage.

Remember, at the end of your match you are still going to be their friend, win or lose, so don’t do anything to ruin that, but use your friendship as an advantage. A good way to ensure that it is all left on the court is to plan on going out for a burger or beer after the game. Planning this in advance will make it so that you will both be tied to the plans, regardless of the outcome.

If you have any other tips on using friendship to your advantage on the court or field tell us about it in the comments section.

Keep sporting!
- Who's In First

S T R E T C H

2008-12-05T16:27:00.003-07:00

I have a new trainer at the mega-gym I go to and today was my first session with him. I have never used a trainer before, so this was something new to me. My ultimate goal is to tone up and slim down a little.

I was relieved that my body fat wasn’t in the dreaded “Unacceptable” range, but it could use some trimming.

Anyway, I was kind of nervous about keeping the appointment when I read my trainer’s credentials. He is a world champion martial artist, specializing in ju-jitsu. I was hesitant that if I couldn’t complete a routine that he would give me a roundhouse kick to my noggin. Luckily, he seems pretty peaceful, but I still wouldn’t want to meet him in a ring or dark alley.

So in this “get to know you” session we didn’t work out to the max. The first half of the session was used to get my measurements, weight and body fat.

We then headed out to do some core strengthening, which was definitely difficult.

For the last 10 minutes though he helped stretch me out, like you would see athlete doing before a game. Mainly it was stretching my legs out, and lemme tell you I feel like $1 million right now.

Stretching is great for the muscles and helps them to remain as flexible as they were intended to be. As you grow older, your muscles tighten and without stretching on a regular basis, they get used to the tightened position and you become less flexible.

Stretching helps you in many ways, and it is recommended that you stretch once a day. You can do so while sitting in front of your computer or TV. Anywhere you have enough room to completely stretch your legs and arms out is as good of a spot as you will find.

You can stretch in any order, but as you are stretching remember that the key is to stretch out the muscles, so don’t bob around, simply grab a hold of the body part you are stretching and hold for 5 to 10 seconds.

The following is what the trainer and I did, and is a good basis for any stretching routine.

· Neck – Grab a hold of your head and tilt it to one side until you feel resistance and hold for a 10 count then grab the other side and repeat. Remember, since the neck is an injure prone body part, don’t jerk or tug on the neck, simply grab your head and hold in place.

· Arms – Grab your elbow with your opposite arm and pull across your body. Again, hold for a 10 count, release and repeat on the other side. You can also grab your elbow above your head with the other arm and pull across the body. Again, hold, release, repeat on the other side.

· Legs – There are many muscles in the legs that need stretching, from the quads to the hamstrings to the calves. Stretch each one for a 10 count, and switch to the other side.

· Back – You can stretch your back by leaning backwards over your chair.

These are the basics of stretching, as always if something hurts then stop what you are doing right away. If the pain persists, see a doctor.

It is common knowledge to stretch before you participate in any sporting activity, but try and stretch before you leave the house in the morning and see how good you feel all day.

If you have any other stretching tips, leave a comment in the comments section.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Pack Your Bag BEFORE You Need It

2008-12-04T10:00:00.003-07:00

We’ve all been there… your alarm goes off and you hit snooze, only you think you have hit snooze when in reality you have turned the buzzer off for the day.

Slowly you open your eyes to check the clock and realize you have overslept. Frantically, you get out of bed and get yourself ready for work in record time.

But what about your rec basketball game tonight, right after work. You don’t have time to scramble around looking for all your gear, but luckily you had prepared the night before.

For reasons like these it is always a good idea to have all your sports gear in a general area and ready to go. For basketball you will probably want to know where the following are located, so in case your alarm doesn’t go off, or you snooze one too many times, you know where all your stuff is.

Shoes. Obviously an important part of you basketball game are your shoes. If you have ever tried to play hoops in running or other shoes, you know how easy it is to sprain an ankle. Always have your shoes handy. If you are looking for the latest pair of shoes check out the sales at Footlocker.com where you can receive up 35% off basketball shoes
Shorts. This may seem like another obvious, but the right pair of shorts are essential when playing hoops. When I was playing middle school basketball I came to practice one day wearing athletic shorts, and got pulled aside and told to wear a different pair the following practice. The issue? Pockets. Since the competitors of a basketball game are so close, there is a potential to get your hands caught in the pockets of someone’s shorts. So since that 7^th grade practice I have always made sure that I have a durable, good pair of pocketless shorts for any type of sport where someone’s hands can get caught and wrist can get broken. If you need a new pair of shorts, check out the Champs Sports Nike Sale.
Socks. With all the jumping in basketball, your feet take a lot of abuse, so you should protect them as well as you can. I always wear cushioned socks specially designed for basketball when playing to give my feet that extra layer of comfort. The socks are pricier than standard tube socks, but the relief on your feet is worth every penny.
Ball. Even if your gym provides balls to shoot around with, they may not be in the best shape, so I always bring a ball with me when I go. If nothing else, it gives me the opportunity to shoot against the wall or warm up dribbling if the courts are taken and/or the balls are locked away. One important piece of advice is to clearly write your name on the ball in a permanent marker (Sharpies work the best). I played at a gym recently that only supplied the exact same type of ball I brought. Had my name not been imprinted on the ball, I would have lost it in the chaos. Another tip is to make sure that if you have an indoor ball, to only play with it inside and not scuff it up dribbling on concrete or gravel.
Basketball pump. Speaking of basketballs, if you are carrying a basketball you might also want to bring a basketball pump. The basketball pump would always go wherever the basketball goes. If you have one handy then if your ball has deflated, or one of your teammates balls has, you can easily inflate it and get back to practicing your jumpers.
Water. Whether you buy bottled water, or just bring a Nalgene, it has always been my experience that bringing your own is much easier than hitting up the water fountain. Think about when the halftime buzzer sounds and everyone rushes to the water fountain, you don’t really want to stand in that line, do you? Waiting for a drink while the other players slurp it up is never fun… plus the smell of the other guys. WHEW. Instead, if you have your own water handy, you will be just fine and hydrated. And if you keep if next to or behind the bench, you will have easy access as you sub out.
Towel. When you leave the game, either as a sub or during a timeout, it is always nice to dry your face and arms. I always bring a towel with me to get the sweat out of my eyes and to generally dry off. You can decide on the size of the towel, but I have found that a hand towel is better and more convenient than a bath towel.
Change of clothes. There is nothing I hate worse than putting on a sweatshirt over my sweaty t-shirt and hopping into the car to drive home. Your back feels icky pressed between your body and the seat…. That is why I always bring a dry t-shirt and an extra pair of socks with me to every game. Changing out of the sweaty ones and into dry ones feels like heaven some days, especially when the wind chill outside would freeze your sweaty shirt to your back.
Ankle brace. A few years ago I landed on top of someone’s foot as I was coming down with a rebound. Not a fun time. It took my ankle a month or two to get better, but since that time I have laced up an ankle brace inside my shoe for that extra stability. Until you have a really bad ankle twist, this may not seem like an important item to have, but once you have felt that pain, and have not been able to walk for a week, you will understand.
A bag. You would look like a wondering homeless person if you showed up to the gym holding all the above items in your hands. You need a good reliable bag to transport all this with you. Besides the convenience of the carrying all your stuff, the bag gives you a area to place your keys, wallet and cell phone.

This may seem like a long list, but most of these items are small enough that you won’t be hindered by their presence. And only a few of these things ever need washed, so essentially you can just leave your bag in your sports closet or by your back door when you get back from a game, and it will be ready in no time the next time your alarm fails to wake you.

If there are other articles you cannot play hoops without having tell us about it in the comments section.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Working Out at Home

2008-12-03T16:32:00.003-07:00

Here comes the winter…. and with it generally means winter pounds. Now it makes sense for outdoor creatures to gain pounds in the winter to keep warm, but there is no need for humans to do the same. Therefore, the winter time is the best time to work out in the comfort of your home.

During the summer months there are so many outdoor activities we undertake that help us keep our slender figures that generally go away in the winter. There are no more outdoor BBQs, which means less outdoor volleyball. Generally we are trying to run from one indoor setting, or our car, to cozy up next to a fire place. No more random meandering around malls or parks. Usually there are less hiking trips, unless you strap on some snowshoes.

So in order to combat the doldrums of winter, we need to make sure we stay in shape during the long, cold winter months.

The following are tips on what you can do during the winter months to keep those unwanted pounds off:

Hit the treadmill. It is not everyone’s favorite apparatus, but a treadmill is an easy alternative to your daily jogs. If you have one in the basement, dust it off, power it up and go for a jog or walk. If you don’t own one, either look online to find a cheap one (CraigsList.org is a great place to find used treadmills) or go to a local retailer to find a new one.
Get on your bike. If you own a bike trainer, plop your bike down on it and start peddling. This will get your heart rate moving and help you ward off those unwanted pounds. If your house allows for it, try and set it up near the TV, and peddle your way through your favorite one-hour TV show. As the credits roll you will have burned calories without even knowing it. If you are up for the challenge, try and peddle through an entire movie.
Crunch your abs. As you are watching TV, lay on the floor or your couch and do simple ab crunches. You don’t need to go all the way up, like sit-ups your 5^th grade gym teacher required you to do, just go up until your shoulder blades are off the ground, then come back down and repeat. In order to get the best results alternate between having your legs facing forward, off to the left and off to the right. Again, doing this while watching TV is a great way to get your The Office fix and tone your body at the same time. You can also purchase an Ab Wheel for under $10 from eSportsonline that will help to ensure you are not straining your neck or back.
Climb your stairs. If you live in a house or apartment with stairs, use them… often. Climbing stairs is a great way to burn calories and tone your legs. According to an April 2002 article published in “Medicine & Scinece in Sports & Exercise”, you burn 0.11 calories per stair going up and 0.05 calories per stair going down. Multiply this by the number of stairs you are climbing and *poof* no more winter blubber. Adding to this, if you work in an office building try not taking the elevator up, but rather the stairs. Maybe you start off with going a few floors and work your way up to ascending the entire building. Whatever it takes, the rewards will pay off.
Walk in warmth. If the treadmill isn’t for you, and you are looking to either power walk or just walk for fitness, then there might not be a better place o do so in the winter time than the mall. The spacious buildings are designed for pedestrian traffic and allow for extended walks in warmth. If you are walking the mall, and it has two or more stories, make sure to use the stairs to go up and down the flights of stairs. As discussed above you will only help yourself. Also, an added benefit of walking the mall is the chance to not only people watch but to see everything that the stores have to offer. But bare in mind, if you are going to stop in to look at that new shirt, do so after you are satisfied with your walk, not in the middle of your program.

These are simple things you can do at home or the office to help you get through the blahs of winter. Try them for a week and see how you feel.

If you have any other home work-out tips tell us about them in the comments section.

Keep sporting!

- Who’s In First

To the Core

2008-12-02T11:46:00.002-07:00

Trying to work off the Thanksgiving weight, I headed to the local mega gym yesterday to participate in one of their mid-day group exercise programs.

Not surprisingly I found myself to be the only male in the room. 30 females and me. I would have loved those odds during my single day, but now it was just intimidating. Not because of the 30:1 ratio, but because these women knew what they were doing…. and this was my first time in this class.

We started off pretty slowly and I had a relived feeling that I wouldn’t get shown up by these workout pros.

But 10 minutes into it, the instructor picked up the pace and from then on I was toast. Lagging behind, not looking fluid, not knowing what I was doing. Had I been single, I would have struck out 30 times that day… I looked that bad and awkward.

I chose this workout not because of my yearning to look like an uncoordinated doofus, but because it was designed to strengthen my core and abs, and I figured that would be the best way to tighten the stomach after all that turkey and stuffing.

If you don’t know, the core is basically the chest and stomach areas, running the length of the torso and trunk, and a stable core provides a solid foundation for your everyday activities.

A solid core is essential for optimal performance in most sports. In football, you need a solid core to take the brunt of the physical toll. In baseball/softball, a solid core helps you drive the bat through the strike zone giving you more power. In other sports, a hardened core helps your agility and maneuverability.

Basically the core is the core of your being. Most people like working out their “show off” muscles, arms and chests, but a solid core will not only trim your waist line and make you look good, but will also help you outperform your opponents on the field of play.

If you have a stationary job, like sitting in front of a computer or at a desk all day, a great way to strengthen your core is to replace your chair with a stability ball. You can purchase a Body Ball Workout System from eSportsonline for next to nothing. Stability balls exercise several muscle groups at once and allow you to strengthen your core without having to leave your desk. I cannot think of any other exercises you can do while sitting at your desk without your work suffering.

As for my class, I ended up finishing the workout with my humility in check. While the ladies were doing the final set of push-ups, and I was curled up on the floor in a fetal position, I realized that while my core is essential peak performance, it may be easier to work it out on my own, build it up and then come back next month better prepared to represent an entire sex.

If you have any other workout tips tell us about them in the comments section.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Las Vegas... A Healthy (Walking) City

2008-12-01T15:23:00.003-07:00

Here’s to hoping everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend!

I was in Las Vegas to celebrate a big birthday in our family and went a little overboard on the buffets (let’s just say the management at the Paris buffet hopes I never come back). Luckily enough though, for as much as Sin City is thought of as an unhealthy city full of all you can eat buffets, bars that never close and smoke filled casino halls, Vegas does offer a lot of health benefits.

One of the biggest health benefits is the enormity of the hotels. There are two reason’s I make this statement and both have to do with the amount of walking that goes on in the city.

The obvious one is that the casinos have strategically placed the elevators to the rooms and shops on the far side of the casino floor. They do this, obviously, to make you stop and throw a dollar or two into the slots, or to put a Benjamin Franklin on the roll of the dice. But there are benefits of this placement to you as well.

Because the hotel elevators and shops are not directly next to the door, you are forced to walk further in order to get to them. Likewise, on your way out, you must walk equally as far to get out of the hotel. The fact that these resources are not close forces you to walk further, thus getting more exercise.

If you are staying in the hotel, odds are that your room is not next to the elevator once you get off, which means more walking. So if you combine the walk to the elevators with the walk to your room, you are burning off a lot of calories.

The second benefit of the size of hotels is that you are probably not going to spend your entire vacation in a single hotel. If you are on the strip you will probably want to go sight-seeing. Maybe you want to see the shark tank at Mandalay Bay or the art exhibit at the Bellagio, or maybe you are going to catch a show at the Venetian. Whatever your reasoning, you will probably be heading outside.

Depending on which hotel you start from, and what your destination is, there is a good chance you may be taking a stroll on the strip to get from place to place. The fact that these hotels are enormous also gives you health benefits. Even if you are going next door, say from Ceasar’s Palace its neighbor to the North, The Mirage, you are probably going to walk ½ mile each way. Add in the return trip and all the walking while inside the casino and you are well over 1 mile.

Now… how many calories can you actually burn from all this walking?

Burned calories are based on two factors: your weight and your pace. The heavier you are and the faster your pace, the more calories you will burn while walking. Below is a chart with averages, based on a pace of 3 mph.

130 to 140 pounds - 3.5 calories burned per minute
145 to 155 pounds - 4.0 calories burned per minute
160 to 170 pounds - 4.5 calories burned per minute
175 to 185 pounds - 5.0 calories burned per minute
190 to 200 pounds - 5.5 calories burned per minute

If you don’t fall within this chart you can add about .5 calories/minute for roughly every 10 pounds more or less than the chart above.

So, if you walk from Ceasar’s Palace to the Mirage and back, while stopping into the Forum Shops to see what the latest sales are, a 170 person can expect to burn in the neighbor hood of 270 calories. Plus, if you bet all your money on red, and it hits, you will burn more calories jumping.

So, while Vegas has a reputation for overindulgence, there are some built in benefits to taking a trip to the city. Just keep in mind, as you should wherever you are, that your best bet, health-wise, is to always choose the heal-toe express over driving or taking the bus. You may not know it, but shuffling along does your body good.

If you have any other ideas on how to use your surroundings to your advantage tell us about them in the comments section.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Sit On Your Couch, Improve Your Hoops Game - NBA Edition

2008-11-26T08:08:00.004-07:00

Yesterday we took a look at what you can learn by watching the disciplined college kids play basketball. Today we will look at what you can learn from watching the pros slug up and down the court.

There are many difference between the NBA and NCAA basketball games, and the most apparent is the apparent selfish nature of most NBA players. These guys make big money and need to keep their stats up to ensue the dough keeps coming in. There are, however, examples from some of the greatest to play the game that you can learn from to improve your game.

1. The Larry Bird Lesson –"A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals."

Bird is probably one of the best examples of someone who looked honestly in the mirror, saw what talent he had and perfected it. Not blessed with the quickest feet or highest vertical, Bird honed the skills he was given to make himself one of the NBA’s all time greats. Bird realized early how to get open and nail a jumper, even though he often times had the other team’s best defender guarding him. The lesson you can learn is that if you cannot dunk, don’t try to, instead learn to get open and practice your jumpers. Your teammates will notice your skills and call on you at opportune times. To paraphrase this lesson, Bird also said, "First master the fundamentals."

2. The Dennis Rodman Lesson – “I want to do for rebounds what Michael Jordan did for dunks.”

Rodman wasn’t ever the tallest guy on the floor, measuring out at 6 ft 8 in, but what Rodman lacked in size he made up for in his ability to be in perfect position for every rebound. Although he was most noted for his outrageous hairstyles and multiple tattoos, Rodman NBA for a record 7 consecutive seasons. He perfected defensive positioning and had a knack for knowing exactly where a carom would come off. The take away from Rodman is that basketball isn’t just a game of who can jump the highest or shoot the furthest, but rather if you learn the intricacies of where to position your body for rebounds or to steal a pass or take a charge, then you will help your team in as big of a way as hitting the game winning 3 pointer.

3. The LeBron James Lesson - "Sometimes the coaches tell me to be selfish, but my game won’t let me be selfish."

Everyone in the world knows that LeBron can score every time he touches the ball. LeBron knows it, his coaches know it, the opposition knows it. What makes LeBron the payer he is, is that since everyone in the arena is expecting him to drive or pull up for the J, he has his eyes on the court surveying the D and his teammates to see where he can dish the ball when the opposition collapses. What makes LeBron the best player in the game isn’t his nearly 30 ppg average, but it is his 30 ppg average combines with his nearly 7 assists-per-game. Taking a chapter out of LeBron’s book, you can learn that being a team makes you the best on the floor, more so than just averaging the most points. Look for your teammates, not only will they appreciate it, but it will help you get past a defender who thinks you are going to dish the ball.

4. The Shaquille O’Neal Lesson - "Me shooting 40% at the foul line is just God's way to say nobody's perfect."

How would you feel to be the best player on your team, maybe your league and not be in there for the final few minutes of the game? This is what Shaq has suffered through the majority of his career. The best lesson you can learn from Shaq is to practice your free throws. If you cannot hit clutch free throws late in the game you probably won’t see the floor time as the game winds down. The opposition can spot quickly if you can hit free throws and will take advantage of deficiencies. If they know you cannot hit free throws and you have the ball as the game is coming to a close, they probably will try and get you on the line. If you can nail the free throws, you can seal the game with your shooting.

Some of the NBA greats above are long since retired, but you can still learn lessons derived from their playing days. You can also form your own lessons while watching some of the current crop of NBA superstars. Players like Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard also qualities about them that you can learn from to improve your game.

If you pay attention to other things while watching an NBA game, tell us about them in the comments section.

Keep sporting!
- Who’s In First

Sit On Your Couch, Improve Your Hoops Game

2008-11-25T08:56:00.004-07:00

As your basketball season ramps up, you have a chance to get better by…. Sitting on your couch!

Not conventional advice, but if you happen to take in an NCAA basketball game, there is lots you can learn by watching college kids that can translate into your game.

Odds are that you don’t have the inside game of North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough nor the shooting ability of Davidson’s Stephen Curry (if you do, you may want to call up the local coach), but there is lots to learn from watching their games.

More so in college than the pros, you can see pure basketball fundamentals. College hoopsters aren’t yet millionaire athletes who do their own thing and think they are bigger than the game. They are generally a bunch of grounded, attentive young men and women who will be benched for under performance, or not following the rules their coach laid out.

So next time you watch your local or favorite (Go Mizzou!) college hoops program pay attention to the following fundamentals.

1. Box out – Get back to basics and box the guy you are guarding out. If he cannot get to the ball, and you can, you win. Don’t be afraid of contact, contrary to popular belief, basketball is a contact sports, so make sure your opponent cannot get to the ball.

2. Make the extra pass – Always be on the look out for your teammates. You might be have a slight opening to take a 3, but quickly look inside for your big man, who may be wide open for an easy lay up. Likewise, if you have been hitting shots all night, other defenders may collapse on you, leaving a guy open at the top of the key for a wide open J.

3. Pump fake – A simple pump fake will get your defender off the balls of his feet and will give you an opportunity to skate around him and either drive the lane or punch the ball out to an open teammate whose defender had to collapse to help on you.

4. Play tight D – In college you will see tight D the entire game (as opposed to only the final 3 minutes of a pro game). Lots of recreational basketball games are decided by 10 points or less, if you have stopped your opponents on multiple occasions with your stringent D then you have a better chance of winning than losing.

5. Look inside – There is a reason that big men lead the country in field-goal percentage each year, and that is because a 2 foot shot is easier to make than an 18 footer. If you can get the ball inside, either to one of your bigs, or a cutting guard, then you will have a better chance of making your shot.

6. Free throws – Games are won and lost at the free throw line. If you can hit 75% of your shots (not a terribly difficult task, unless you are Shaq) then you are in a good boat to win your game. If you hit the gym to shoot around, make sure to leave enough time to practice free throw shooting at the end of your shoot-around.

Basketball is not always just about who can jump the highest or run the fastest. If you go back to the fundamentals that you see each night in the college game, you will put your team in a position to win.

If you pay attention to other things while watching an college game, tell us about them in the comments section.

Keep sporting!

- Who’s In First

Advice For Youth Trying to Make a Team

2008-11-21T09:03:00.003-07:00

Until a certain age, for most it is probably 6^th or 7^th grade, kids make any team they register for. Generally the parents create the teams to ensure parity or that siblings are on the same team, but for the most part there are no cuts to kids until they reach middle school.

So, tryouts can be a stressful time for many youth. They may not think they can make the team and consequently won’t try out. What if John Elway was too timid to try out for his middle school football team?

Below are some tips to help kids to be confident during their first tryouts. Pass the information along to anyone you know who is trying out for a team for the first time. The advice can also be used for adults interviewing for jobs, out on a first date or playing with a new recreational team.

1) Make a good first impression. The old adage “You never have a second chance to make a first impression” holds very true to trying out for a team. If the coach or manager sees you goofing off or not trying your hardest, that impression will stick with them for the rest of the season. The first practice is always a good time to go the extra mile and stay a little later, helping the coach clean up, or round up stray balls. If the coach sees your intangibles on the first day, then he will remember that when it comes time to selecting his team.

2) Come to practice prepared. Make sure you have the right equipment and the right apparel on when you get to practice, or at least before practice begins. Coaches will not like it if you arrive at the gym right as practice is set to begin and you still have on your jeans. Likewise, if you are trying out for a baseball or softball team, make sure you have a glove, or if you don’t own one, that you have arranged for the use of one by another teammate.

3) Give it your all. Don’t slack. Coaches can spot slackers a million miles away. Give it your all every practice, even if you are tired. Stay late or arrive early and talk to the coach about what you can do to be the best player you can be.

4) Be a team player. Unfortunately not everyone can start for every team. In basketball, only 5 people can play at a time. If you are not one of the five on the floor at a particular time, help out your teammates by cheering them on or giving them pointers. Make sure that they have a seat to sit on if they come out of the game. In practice, do the extra things that will benefit the team, even if it isn’t using your skill on the court.

5) Listen to your coaches. When your coach speaks, listen. If they are talking, don’t dribble a basketball or play toss with a baseball. Make sure you are paying attention to them at all times. And if they ask you to do something, do it. They have good reasons, and while it might not be apparent at the time, your hard work will pay off either with more playing time, or getting the opportunity to take the last shot.

6) Have Fun. This is the most important aspect. In whatever you do, make sure you have fun doing it. It is fun to win, but the camaraderie you build with teammates can last a lifetime. I would argue that everyone who reads this blog will not ever be paid to play a professional sport, so when it all comes down to it, you are playing to have fun, so always keep that in mind.

Hopefully these tips will give you a leg up on the competition and help you make the team. Remember, a positive attitude is the most important skill you can have.

If you have any other advice for youth trying out for a team, tell us in the comments section.

Keep sporting!

- Who’s In First

Welcome!

2008-11-20T15:38:00.003-07:00

The goal of the Who’s In First blog is to give the recreational athlete tips and tricks to help them perform at the peak of their athletic ability.

The blog will be updated daily with information that will help all recreational athletes perform better on the field, court, or rink. Posts will include information on nutrition, workout regimens and other tidbits to help you maximize your potential.

The blog will also tackle difficult decision making regarding joining or quitting a team and making difficult roster moves. We will give you advice on the latest trends, best equipment and must have apparel. Basically, we will help give you a leg up on the competition.

And since this blog is written by the fine folks at Who’s In First, www.whosinfirst.com, the ultimate goal of the blog is to help your team get to the top of the standings.

So, enjoy, and if you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to use the comment section of the blog.

Happy sporting!

- Who’s In First