too freakin' hot...

I played another indoor game tonight. Last weeks game was more or less a "pick up" game, because the other team was a no-show (forfeit) so it was good to kick a ball in "anger," so to speak. We won handily, 13-8 (consider the fact that with the "extra player of you're down by five or more" and they scored only their first two goals "even strangth"). I "only" scored I goal, despite tons of great chances. My shots have just been off lately, however tonight I did a lot of positive things that just don't show up on the score sheet.

Here are some sports-related "random thoughts:"

If I ran a PGA golf tournament, I would try to do something truly unique with the format. Many top courses actually have 27 holes (Salahee, where next week's NEC Invitational is taking place, is one of them) however, when the pros come to play, they only use 18 of them. Well,I Iwould use all 27. I would think of it as three separate 9-hole courses, A, B, and C. Thursday through Saturday, each nine-hole course would be played twice, with 18 holes a day. The field would be divided into thirds, with group 1, for instance, playing A and B, then B and C, then A and C, with each of the groups rotating through in a similar fashion. The groups could be decided by seeding the players, or just random draw, or both (seeding the top few, the drawing the rest, like major tennis tournaments). Most "normal" tournaments have the "cut," where about half the field is eliminated, after Friday (when the first two rounds have been completed). In the Jake Championship, the "cut" would take place after Saturday, and eliminate all but the top 30 golfers. Then, on Sunday, the 30 players left would play all 27 holes, with their score from the first three rounds being cut in half before the final round. For example, if a player came into Sunday with a -5, it would be converted to -2.5, or a +4 becomeing a +2 (even par would of course stay even). This would weight the final-round score as a larger factor in their final standings. I think it's a brilliant idea.

Here's a thought for the NFL: Only 2 preseason games, then a week off before the regular season. Teams could feel free to schedule "practice games" if they felt they need more "games." The NFL preseason is too long and pointless.

Is it just me or is it an absolute no-brainer decision for Major League Baseball to contract Montreal and Tampa Bay, if they really want to go through with contraction. Why would any other teams even be discussed????!

And on that note, Bud Selig has been unfairly villified all along as the "comissioner" of baseball. I say this because he isn't a comissioner at all. Don't get me wrong, I don't like Selig any more than anyone else, but a true sports-league "commissioner," and his office, should act semi-independently in the best interests of the game. Selig is merely an owners lackey (and an owner himself) and his actions are merely a reflection of Major Legue franchise owners as a whole. What the fuck do baseball fans Expect????!!

I'm a little surprised at how everyone seems to think, and expect, the Hawk's to sign a veteran quarterback, now that Dilfer is out for a few weeks. Okay, exactly what the hell do you do with the guy when Dilfer returns, and what about the salary cap? Think, people... is isn't as obvious as you think it is, is it!

On this note, I'm shocked with how "hindsight thinking" dominates fan's and media's opinion and coverage. Perfect example, former Mariner Derek Lowe tearing it up for Boston this year. Mariners fans LOVE to grumble about how the team is always trading away "great" players. Heres the problem, until this year, Lowe had been Mediocre at Best, and in fact last year stunk it up pretty bad. He has been a real revelation this year, and is having a "career year."