Recently in Sports Category

Much to Jason's dismay, the Ducks hoisted the Cup yesterday after beating the Senators 6-2.

A couple of weeks ago, I got two complementary tickets to a Chivas USA game at the Home Depot Center. Tom Rios, who has volunteered in AYSO for many years, is the Community Relations manager for Chivas, and gave everyone who attended the August Area 1/C Board Meeting two free tickets.

Jason and I drove down for our first visit to the Home Depot Center, arriving about 10 minutes before kick-off. Chivas draws a largely Hispanic fan base, who were very knowledgeable about soccer, and passionate about their team. The seats we had were fifth row, about mid-way between the half-line and the goal line, so we had a great view of the action. I saw a bunch of other people from the Area board at the game.

The Chivas defense broke down mid-way through the first half, forcing the keeper to come off his line in desperation, and the Crew led 1-0. The same thing happened twice more in the second half, and the Crew won 3-0. Chivas had a lot of great chances, but their finishing touch was non-existent. The left wing shanked promising shots and crosses at least four or five times.

All-in-all, a good time.

For a very short time, the BBC had a nice big BCFC logo graphic posted on their site:

Temple City's Sheehan Casey, #14, is congratulated by teammates in the 4th inning as Temple City beat Oak Park High 9-3 at Temple City on May 24th 2005.

By Fred J. Robledo , Staff Writer

Jerzy Dudek saved two penalties in the shoot-out as Liverpool were crowned European champions in dramatic fashion.

Paolo Maldini volleyed Milan ahead after just 50 seconds while Hernan Crespo scored twice to put the Italians 3-0 up at the break.

Steven Gerrard headed a reply, Vladimir Smicer fired the second and Xabi Alonso equalised after his penalty was saved.

Serginho fired his penalty over the bar and Dudek denied Andrea Pirlo and Andriy Shevchenko to secure the trophy.

The kids moan when I watch golf on TV, but they hung around to see Tiger Woods make an incredible shot from off the back of the 16th green at Augusta in the 2005 Masters. He chipped from the edge of the second cut, with enough backspin to stop it at the top of the downhill, where it took a 90° turn to the right and eased towards the cup. It slowed as it neared the hole, and paused for a full two seconds before dropping in to the huge cheers from the gallery.

The Nike swoosh on his ball was clearly visible just as the ball dropped in. We all said that the ad agency for Nike would have a commercial ready by the end of the tournament, but Joseph Jaffe beat them to it:

• 30 seconds
• 60 seconds

The 6-4-2 blog posted an MP3 of Vin Scully calling the ninth inning of Sandy Koufax's perfect game against the Cubs on September 9, 1965.

My sister Carol asked this question:

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the final inning and the score tied at 2-2, the batter hits a ball that bounces off the field in fair territory then goes over the fence for a ground rule double. What is the final score, and how many RBIs is the batter given?

My initial answer was a final score of 4-2, and the runner credited with 2 RBIs. We weren't certain, so I checked the official rules. 10.07(f) says only the winning runner scores, and only one RBI is given; the only exception is a home run. We both agreed that this may be correct, but it isn't right.

Here's the rule in question:

With a clear head and plenty of sun-screen, I hit the soccer fields on Saturday for a day of refereeing.

First up was a 1:00pm BU-12 YDP game between Temple City and Pasadena. Both teams were very skilled, but Temple City's strikers were just a little stronger, and they won 5-2.

I took a break to make pico de gallo for Jeremy and Sarah's multi-course pot luck down in Orange County. I noticed that it's been a few years since I cut myself with a knife.

Back at the park, I did a GU-14 game. The game was somewhat boring - 4:00 is just too late on a hot day for an interesting game at this level. We all muddled through.

My goal of maximum fun and minimal soreness was mostly realized. The games were fun, and I had only the expected leg soreness this morning, so I'll call it a successful day.

I felt good this morning - tired, but otherwise okay. After watching the end of the final stage of the Tour de France, I knew I had to keep my resolution of exercising on morning when I feel good, since there may be no other time to get any work in.

I pumped up the tired, cinched on the shoes, and headed out for a quick, 20 minute ride, following the old adage of starting out with short rides at a high cadence. I put it into the 52x24 and left it there for the whole ride, spinning happily away. I built up a good sweat.

Lance won the Tour for the sixth straight year, by the biggest margin yet. Pretty cool.

Should I add a ride up L'Alpe d'Huez to my list of life goals?

The Lakers lost game 5 of the finals, giving the championship to the Pistons. Sarah is really quite happy.

After waking up with a sinus headache, I didn't feel good most of the day. It was hot, my left leg ached from a muscle pull, and I was generally bummed about life anyway. What better way to deal with a day like today than car racing.

The kids and I started the day early with the European Grand Prix from Germany. Next was the Indy 500, which took all day to get in around the rain. We finished up with the Nascar race.

A relaxing, wasted day.

SOCREF-L archives -- September 2003, week 1 (#2)

Notes that Tom Stagliano uses in his pre-season dual-system referee training classes.

My sister left a voice mail from Indianapolis (not one of my favorite places), asking me to figure out the distance from Rosemead Blvd. to the Central Ave. exit in Chino on the Pomona Fwy for Dad. He's been driving out to Sheehan's tournament baseball games, and has gotten lost using surface streets - it took him 3 hours to get home after last night's game. Carol wasn't ecstatic about him taking the freeway, but what can you do?

While I was talking to Dad, he told me about Sheehan's games. Temple City is considered a smaller school in the scheme of things, and their first two games were against much bigger division I-A schools.

On Wednesday, Ray Hensley was the starting pitcher against the host team from Chino High. Ray pitched 6 scoreless innings, Ryan Tucker had a scoreless 7th, and Temple City won 1-0. This afternoon, Tucker pitched a complete game shutout for the 1-0 win over Bishop Amat on Hensley's solo home run.

Friday's game is with Rosemead High, who lost to Bishop Amat 14-1 on Wednesday. If Temple City wins, they'll play in the tournament championship game on Saturday. (I volunteered to pick up Carol and her students at LAX if the to-be-determined game time on Saturday prevents Sheehan from doing it.)

It's opening day for the Dodgers. Cory and I have had many long discussions about the team, and our consensus is that the new owners have screwed things up totally.

It's just the bottom of the first, but Vin Scully is in fine form. I can't fathom spending a spring without him.

Substitute Stern John scored on a rebound of a shot by teammate Clinto Morrison deep in injury time to lift Birmingham City to a 2-2 tie against cross-town rivals Aston Villa at Villa Park.

With the clock at 93:32 with 4 minutes of stoppage time announced, defender Darren Purse kicked a "hit-and-hope" ball to the front of the Villa penalty area. Mikael Forsell flicked a header forward, where Clinton Morrison collected the ball, and got off a hard, low shot. The Villa keeper Sorenson barely deflected the shot off to his his right, where an unmarked John buried it oh so carefully. Fantastic.

Here's the call of the last 6 minutes from Ian Crocker:

BluesVilla-2004-feb-22.mp3

Tony changed me from a Girls JV game at Ramona Convent to a Boys Varsity, Arroyo at El Monte. My leg was feeling great, my partner was first rate, and the game was fast, fun, and exciting. I gave out the only yellow to an El Monte mid-fielder, but otherwise the game was aggressive but clean.

El Monte tied it up 2-2 mid way through the second half on a weird play. With two players in offside position, a shot came screaming in from about 25 yards out. One of the offside players stuck his leg out as the ball passed him on its way into the goal. I didn't think the offside player had touched the ball, but couldn't be sure; all the Arroyo defenders were absolutely sure he had. I ran over to my partner for a quick conference, and he told me the offside player had definitely NOT touched the ball. I blew the whistle and pointed to the spot. The Arroyo coach went into a restrained but persistent fit. But, I knew we got it right, and when they went ahead 10 minutes later he calmed down - although he did ask about it after the end of the game.

I went out to Claremont this afternoon to see my niece Samantha play soccer. Her dad Cary coaches her U-14 team, and today was the first playoff game.

I had refereed a BU-14 game at Live Oak Park at 9:00 - also a playoff game. Vinnie Hughes, who broke his collarbone a few weeks back, couldn't play, and his team lost 4-1. I got some good exercise, and only the winning coach complained, so it was a good morning.

Jeremy and Sarah went out to the Getty Museum for one of his school projects, and I let them borrow my car, so I rode my motorcycle out to see Sam play.

Sam played well, finishing up as keeper in the fourth quarter, but her team lost 4-1. (The center referee made a mistake on the opponent's third goal which seemed to take the wind out Sam's team.) Sam's junior high pastor from church came too, and we had some nice chats. Jake was silly, as usual, but John kept him in check.

Justin went to Peter's for the night - he got a ride from Spencer. Jason took his car in for an oil change and some minor fixit checks, but they didn't get his car done in time, so they sprang for a rental. Jeremy had a $63 night last night, which is apparently amazing for a non-special night.

Download file