Had one class in this building; it didn't have any A/C. It was super hot.

The time when any athlete signs their name on a college scholarship is special. It signifies the opportunity to play a given sport and get better, while at the same time, getting your education.

However, only half of the deal is being honored at Park University.

I was watching Duke play Michigan State in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament when I started thinking: what was it that made these players choose these schools to play for?

Did J.J. Redick pick Duke for the academic prowess or the incredible law program? Did Luther Head and Dee Brown choose Illinois for communications? You’d like to think the answer to those questions is “yes”, but, let’s be realistic, it most likely isn’t. Read more…

photo courtesy of www.ParkAthletics.com

Daytona Dreamin’

It starts on Wednesday Nov. 16, and it doesn’t end until the following Tuesday. Seven days. It’s just seven days. So, what’s the big deal? Well, some 200 teams are trying to get in, and only 20 are allowed.

With just two more victories, the Park University men’s soccer team can consider themselves part of one of the most exclusive soccer clubs in the country, and the National Tournament club.

With just 20 spots available, and most of those going to automatic bids earned by region winners, the Pirates have this weekend to prove they belong among the elite.

“We know we have to win to go to Nationals,” said Head Coach Efrem Shimlis. Read more…

It's a Festivus for the rest of us.

On Tuesday it was announced that the Royals had agreed to terms on a one-year contract with “shortstop” Yuniesky Betancourt to be a utility infielder for the coming 2012 season.

The news spread across Twitter just as everyone was sure the “veteran infielder” being pursued by the Royals had to be former Atlanta Brave and owner of two World Series rings, Edgar Renteria. All the pieces and arguments for Renteria seemed to fit the normal criteria Dayton Moore uses when acquiring players: Brave, World Series, reputation greater than performance.

To everyone’s shock however it wasn’t Renteria but the erstwhile shortstop Betancourt, who for his brief stint with the Royals was either supremely hated by fans or merely tolerated for “being better than the last guy”. His 2010 performance of a meager .9 WAR and negative 9.5 UZR (!) suggested that even though he may have been better than the guy before him, simply being able to write the same name next to the “6” in the lineup everyday holds little significance when that name performs at a pretty terrible level. Read more…

Scap-load swoon.

We can all now breathe a sigh of relief that we finally know the destination of Gio Gonzalez. That feels good, doesn’t it?

For the past few weeks Gonzalez has been mentioned as one of the top targets-du-jour among the available pitchers throughout the majors. Focusing mainly on his high overall strikeout rate, and being mesmerized by his odd-handedness, GMs and fans have pined for the opportunity to trade anything and everything for the right to slot the Athletic into the No.3 spot in their rotation. (heh)

Well, the Nationals and Mike Rizzo were that team.

On Thursday, Washington and Oakland agreed to a deal that would send minor leaguers Brad Peacock, A.J. Cole, Derek Norris, and Tommy Milone west in exchange for the left-hander. Jumping at the opportunity to partner Gonzalez with Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman, Rizzo and the Nats gave up a ton for a very risky pitcher. Read more…

This is not The Process you're looking for.

So, sometimes things happen that cause us to lose focus on the things that we’re trying to get done. For the past couple of weeks I’ve been working on part-2 to the Talking About Pitching post, editing and re-editing and reaching out to some old colleagues to provide their opinions, so that I can be sure to bring the readers of KoK the best possible content. For me, it’s a labor of love, and the first real opportunity I’ve had to speak (write) openly about my experience as a coach and trainer.

But alas, during the midst of offseason rumors, came some breaking, but not all that surprising news: Chris Getz is still under contract with the Royals.
On Monday of last week it was announced that the only player not offered a contract for the upcoming 2012 season was Aaron Laffey, who was just claimed off waivers a short time ago. There were 31 unsigned players offered a contract including, the immortal, Chris Getz. Read more…