Chicago Blackhawks Hockey

Yes we can get the NHL over here but I choose not to pay the extra for the one channel showing it, if there was something else on that channel worth watching I may consider it. I do pay for the NFL as I got addicted to the Raiders around the 1980's, then switched to the Patriots (via the Giants when a certain #56 was playing) but the Raiders remain my first love so to speak.

I still watch the NFL, but no longer have the passion for it. Too many thugs in the game that don't know how to behave... and whether they want to be or not, they are role models for the kids.... In some respects this is the fault of the media and the NFL (teams, coaching/management and commissioner).

For the most part, Hockey players are regular guys. Sure, there are always exceptions, but the NFL and NBA (while we are on the subject) have more of the people that I don't want my kids trying to be like. Just my opinion.

With you 100% Sith. I can't stomach NBA basketball and players.
as well as your NFL. Baseball is another one. There seems to be a lot of egos and players who can't handle being up on the pedestal they are put on by the public and the media. I can tell you in our Aussie Rules and Rugby League it's the same but I'd like to think on a lot lesser scale.
They get to a stage where they think they are above the game, the law and everyone else.
I have rely on you for the NHL updates. Greatly appreciated I might add.

I'm good with baseball... lived and breathed it as a kid (and coach my oldest daughter in softball now). I'm a Chicago White Sox fan. And I'll add, they are in first place in their division! Just before the All Star break they went 25 - 5. That's amazing.

Back to my daughter... A couple weeks back she made her third consecutive all star game and in it, made her pitching debut. She gave up one-run in three innings of work. She listens to her dad who was once great at the game and uses the leather well.

Damn shame I did not get one picture this year. Over involved as a coach and did some umpire duties... they won't let us have cameras on the field and my wife can't work the dSLR.

By the way, How are those Cats doing? Do hope you are feeling better Alby!

Heaps better thanks Sith.
Have to get off my bum every 15 to 20 minutes..(walk and exercise).
That's faantastic to hear about your daughter. Good listener or natural talent ? Do you get any bad parents to the games... hurling abuse and chastising their kids ?
I wouldn't know much about the game except for the movies (Long Gone is my fav. Can't get on DVD) Well... now I've got a baseball team to support. Good One !!

The daughters only liked badminton. Not into sports like their dad (sob!) LOL!! The twins wrote a play (for school) and are producing it. Mum is busy helping with costume. (Loosely based on Alice In W'land) titled 'The Hatters Madhouse' All 3 girls are creative. Not from my side that's for sure.
Now... the Catters. Still on top of the ladder. Had a hard fought game against our nemisis The Hawthorn Hawks. We always have tough games with them. We won by only 2 points !! Nailbiter. We had a few players out. Tonight we play the Adelaide Crows over in Sth Aus. It's a should win game but they play well against us. I'll let you know how we went tomorrow. I'm rostered on to work in the morning. At this stage there's only 4 teams that could make it to the 'big one' Us, The Saints, Collingwood, Bulldogs and the Hawks as outsiders. My take on it. Sanshoe might think otherwise. his Sydney Swans are having a poor year by their standards.
See you in the morning (here that is).
OO ROO

7am here guys and AL Pal is sad.
Geelong lost last night. In our footy tip comp. I tipped the Crows to win as a roughy. I went on the fact that the Cats had a hard physical game last week and had to travel to the city of ferals. I've heard of oppositon supporters being spat on and threatened after games (even after winning).
Enough of that... Sith, we have a freeview channel that only shows sports. Your football, Baseball etc. I was watching a baseball game this morning before leaving for work. Just thinking.. this is a young mans game... at the highest level. Question for you is... are there local leagues like ... within a town ie... in Geelong we have the Geelong Cricket Association, I play for Leopold and we play against other suburbs around Geelong. And have up to 7 grades per Club.
I'm done with playing the higher grades. I'm 47 and playing with and against guys my age, some even older. and play at a pretty good standard.
Do smaller towns have Baseball comps down to that level ? I'd be dissappointed if not. What level did you play?

I played in leagues as a kid, but mostly pickup games in the streets or wherever we could play. As far as baseball... nope, no leagues for us old folks... Unless you play softball in tavern leagues. There are major league sport farm systems, but those are usually in areas major league sports are not... and it's for the young talent to develop into pro players.

Being the father of two girls, tavern leagues are not the place for me anymore... and nagging injuries keep me from playing anything on a consistent basis (knees, shoulder, hip, elbows, wrist, ankle - getting old sucks). I used to play as a filler role on occasion, but the team I filled for disbanded a couple of years back... they were getting too old and getting beat by the younger guys.

See,
That's what I like about our game and it's with respect to baseball. It's like... If you're not good enough for the minor leagues where do you go for sport ? Sorry mate , just a bee in my bonnet.
I think the main sports (same over here) can be very selfish.
Cricket... unless you play at state level and above you can't make any money from it. That's here in Aus. It's probably different in England.

The main paying form of the game is the County scene. There are some leagues that allow payed players such as the Lancashire league but the majority of leagues are amateur.

I see.
In our local leagues. The club will pay the coach (up to $5000)and possibly one good player (up to $2000, more under the counter). Some clubs will pay players to stay or come to their club illegally. It's a good way to bankrupt a club. Mercifully we don't.
The rest of us pay to play. Our membership is around $250 per season. that gives us a training uniform and the ball fees for the games, insurance etc. I still enjoy playing, training, having a couple of beers after the game. Good ole male bonding mate !!

Good luck with that Savage!!

Vampire Girl wrote:Good luck with that Savage!!

Thanks for the luck wishes! I know that my beloved Wings are hated by many round here, but after 10 years in Michigan, I just can't stop rooting for them. I really just love hockey. I could watch any team. I don't know if I have told this story or not before. If I have, my apologies.

Couple of years ago. My then 6 and 8 year olds were playing pee-wee hockey. Both my kids were already pretty good skaters at the time and were on the same team. They were in a no check league and most of the kids were pretty good. I was an assistant coach, so I was in skates on the ice with them. We started a scrimmage and out of the blue my 6 year old does a full speed check on another boy on the boards. Took him right out. They boys were going at it on the ice when me and the coach separated them. When I pulled off my son (wearing a Wing's jersey), he just looked at me puzzled as to why I would be upset. He then says to me: "but dad, he is wearing a Stars jersey!" We made them both do some drills to cool off as apparently they were both taunting each other all practice. The coach and I were talking later (he is a Wings fan) and he said it was all he could not to high 5 my son for the excellent check and reasoning behind it. I was so embarrased and proud at the same time.

Good story Savage... would have been better if your son was in a hawks jersey and the other kid was in a wings jersey! LOL... j/k.

SithTracy wrote:Good story Savage... would have been better if your son was in a hawks jersey and the other kid was in a wings jersey! LOL... j/k.

you sir, are not funny

I thought it was pretty good. heh heh !!

PS: Go Hawks !!

Alby wrote:I thought it was pretty good. heh heh !!

PS: Go Hawks !!

Lighten up, Savage.... The Hawks cleaned house after this one and something tells me they still got more cap room to clear. Heard a rumor Niemi may end up on the "Things"