Orioles Magic On And Off The Field: Buses For Baseball Introduces Pediatric Oncology Patients To Baltimore Ballplayers
June 28, 2008
Orioles magic was definitely in the air June 17 and it had nothing to do with the rebuilding franchise earning their major league leading 20th (and counting) come-from-behind win as they took the 6-5 victory over the Houston Astros. The magic was actually displayed before the first pitch was even thrown.
This year, the Cool Kids Campaign and Major League Baseball Players Association partnered up to give pediatric oncology patients and their families a night of fun at Camden Yards and they call it Buses for Baseball. This is how the press release reads: “Buses for Baseball gives underprivileged kids throughout the United States and Canada the chance to attend a Major League game and meet the players. The Players Trust partners with local transit authorities and Major League teams, as well as charitable organizations in all Major League cities, to share the thrill of a big league game with kids…” Continue reading Orioles Magic On And Off The Field: Buses For Baseball Introduces Pediatric Oncology Patients To Baltimore Ballplayers
IronBirds Come Back To Aberdeen For Home Opener After Historic Start To Season
June 20, 2008
The Aberdeen IronBirds are set to kick off their Opening Day of the 2008 season after coming home from Hudson Valley with two wins in their pocket. They dropped the finale Thursday night (10-5) but managed to create quite an uproar to get their season started and trek home with a 2-1 record.
History was in the air, both Tuesday and Wednesday night. Wednesday the IronBirds pitching staff platooned to throw the first ever one-hitter. Chris Salberg, Joe Esposito and Brandon Cooney made their mark in Aberdeen’s record book with this feat bringing home a 4-0 shutout win. Continue reading IronBirds Come Back To Aberdeen For Home Opener After Historic Start To Season
Basketball, Video Games And Shirley Temples With Extra Shirley - If Only All Pro Athletes Were Like Aberdeen’s Jai Lewis
June 16, 2008
I didn’t get “jobbed” by poor officiating. There was no weeping. No fainting. International professional basketball player Jai Lewis, as far as I know, didn’t contemplate a trip back into the NFL. (However, there was a time that I contemplated a new career path - more on that later.) No two-on-two with any other suckers looking on. No wheelchairs or off-the-wall antics. It was a night of straight-up fun.
There was a little nail-biting on my part. Jai didn’t get to the ESPN Zone for our big dance till late. It was about 8:45 p.m. So once 8:15 p.m. rolled around, I started clamming up and I wondered, what if he doesn’t show? Nah! By 8:30 p.m. I had called home to have Neil check my email. I texted Brian: “Jai’s not here.” By 8:31 p.m., I was contemplating my chosen career. What was I thinking? I can go back to waiting tables, I can run a snowball stand. Why’d I challenge him? Maybe my taunting went too far - after all he doesn’t really know me? Continue reading Basketball, Video Games And Shirley Temples With Extra Shirley - If Only All Pro Athletes Were Like Aberdeen’s Jai Lewis
From Australia to Havre de Grace: LPGA, Lobster and Lifelong Friends
June 11, 2008
John and Mary Thomas of Havre de Grace consider themselves weekend golfers. Actually “we’re hackers,” John said joking, or maybe he was serious. Who’s not a hacker when comparing skills to the girls of the LPGA that compete at Bulle Rock?
The Thomas’ are lifers in Harford County - prior to their move to Havre de Grace they lived in Bel Air. John is the owner of Mane Connection in Bel Air. Hackers or not, they’ve found another reason to embrace the LPGA and her name is Lindsey Wright.
Wright is an Australian golfer in the LPGA and she has stayed with the Thomas’ since the LPGA rolled into town in 2005. Continue reading From Australia to Havre de Grace: LPGA, Lobster and Lifelong Friends
Hoops Pro Jai Lewis Comes Home From Israel To Put A Dagger Writer In Her Place
June 10, 2008
He hails from Aberdeen, stands 6′7″, weighs 275 pounds, led his college basketball team to the NCAA Final Four, was signed out of college to play football in the NFL and now is a professional basketball player holding his own in Israel.
She hails from Joppatowne, stands 5′5″, won’t tell me how much she weighs, admits to occassionally “horsing around” with her neices on the basketball court, formerly covered all manner of sports for the local media and is now holding her own as sports director of The Dagger.
He is Jai Lewis. She is Molly Lauryssens. And at 8 p.m. Wednesday at ESPN Zone in downtown Baltimore’s Inner Harbor the two forces will meet in a head-to-head shoot out when Jai returns to town. Continue reading Hoops Pro Jai Lewis Comes Home From Israel To Put A Dagger Writer In Her Place
Crofton Teen Kaitlyn “Bug” Rohrback Annoys Competition As Two-Time Maryland Junior Girls Golf Champion
June 9, 2008
As a Crofton resident, 16-year old Kaitlyn Rohrback takes drivers education classes, only she has to travel to the Eastern Shore to do it. She has a hectic schedule. When she was younger, her father gave her the nickname of “Bug” because with other family names like Bud and Bub why not have a Bug? In her down-time, this Archbishop Spalding sophomore likes to chill with her friends- all of whom are athletes and play soccer, by relaxing and watching a movie. Her game is not soccer. But she shoots in the mid 70’s in golf. Unlike the pet name given to her, this Bug only intends on annoying her competitors.
This year Kaitlyn earned herself a sliver of history May 17 where the LPGA is concerned. For the second year in a row, this 2007 Maryland Junior Girls Champion, beat out a field of 11 high school females at Mountain Branch in Joppa to represent and play alongside LPGA members during the Pro-Am event at Bulle Rock. This Pro-Am spot was sponsored by The McDonald’s Family Restaurants of Greater Baltimore and WBFF/Fox 45. Continue reading Crofton Teen Kaitlyn “Bug” Rohrback Annoys Competition As Two-Time Maryland Junior Girls Golf Champion
“Get Ready For More History To Be Made” CBS’ Tafoya Predicts “Most Anticipated NBA Finals In A Decade”
June 5, 2008
The East versus the West: Celtics take on the Lakers. Two Number One seeds. Larry Bird versus Magic Johnson: old school. Kobe Bryant versus Kevin Garnett and company: new school. This will be the 11th time these franchises are set to clash on the court. The Celtics own the Lakers in championship play with an 8-2 record. However, the Lakers won the last two in 1985 and 1987. In total championships, it is much closer: Boston has an NBA-high 16 titles and the Lakers are snaking in with 14 (9 in L.A and 5 in Minneapolis).
“Sure, there is history between the Celtics and Lakers. But get ready for more history to be made. We are about to see the most anticipated NBA Finals in at least a decade,” wrote Michele Tafoya in an email.
She should know, she’s been covering the sport for some time as a sideline reporter and holds her own against the behemoths of the NBA. Tafoya has been into sports broadcasting with CBS since 1994 and joined ESPN in 2000. You may also recognize her name from Monday Night Football and her voice from co-hosting ESPN’s Mike Tirico’s radio show. Continue reading “Get Ready For More History To Be Made” CBS’ Tafoya Predicts “Most Anticipated NBA Finals In A Decade”
Rough Road To Becoming A Pro For Mountain Branch Golfer
June 4, 2008
Damon Klepczynski (DK) grew up an athlete. He was into soccer, basketball and baseball. Golf just wasn’t his thing. He worked on a golf course, never picking up a nine iron. On a family vacation to Myrtle Beach he and his father went golfing, and what did he do? Enjoyed the golf cart.
It wasn’t until his senior year in high school when he picked up a club after his buddy Jim challenged him to a game.
“He couldn’t beat me at anything,” DK said bluntly. That day Jim had his game on and he beat DK. And it’s been history ever since.
That doesn’t seem like the typical path of a PGA member and a Teaching Professional. “It’s a funny story,” DK chuckled. Continue reading Rough Road To Becoming A Pro For Mountain Branch Golfer
LPGA: These Girls Rock
June 3, 2008
The best female golfers in the world are back in Havre de Grace again. And this year there are many reasons to check out what is going on in Harford County’s backyard as the LPGA kicks off its fourth year of the McDonald’s Championship presented by Coca Cola. What’s new on the docket? Annika’s retiring. Suzann is looking to get back into her winning ways. Can Karrie break the Bulle Rock curse and break through for a win rather than second place? Wie is a no-show.
Monday and Tuesday are fan-friendly days where the professionals play with amateurs. Wednesday it gets a bit more serious as players take to the course for practice. However, these three days fans are allowed to bring in cameras and also ask for autographs. Thursday the competition heats up and the ladies duke it out to see who gets top prize. With a purse of $2 million on the line and this being one of four majors on the tour, you can expect to see some fantastic playing. Continue reading LPGA: These Girls Rock
“Friend or Foe?” - Baltimore VideoGamers Set To Battle It Out For $10,000 In Prizes
May 31, 2008
Are you a baller? A gamer? If so, Therman Arrington wants to hear from you. Amidst his full-time gig at Southwest Airlines as a ramp agent, Arrington doesn’t mind receiving nearly 30 text messages a day or taking in roughly 50 phone calls. Why? Well, its tourney time. Arrington is a gamer at heart and this Sunday he will be hosting the video game tournament “Friend or Foe, Battle to the End” at Huckas sports bar in Canton.
Arrington is a Baltimore city native and resident of Abingdon; he is founder and owner of the BB&G Club (Baltimore Ballers and Gamers Club). He used to own a small video store on Eastern Avenue where he and some friends began playing video games. Back in the day, they’d participate in the underground tournaments. Continue reading “Friend or Foe?” - Baltimore VideoGamers Set To Battle It Out For $10,000 In Prizes
