baseball

While watching the Giants' baseball game last night, I searched for an alternative during a commercial break.

Tuning into the local public access station, I saw the Carson City Library Board meeting in progress. Perhaps what would be said could help clarify the debate about building a new library.

A batted ball comebacker to a pitcher is the single most dangerous situation in baseball that results more often than not in serious injury.

Can enough steps be taken to protect the pitcher in baseball from a batted ball comebacker that they cannot react fast enough to? Most pitchers throw a pitch with their follow through momentum turning their body to one side, on one foot, leaving them completely vulnerable and mostly defenseless to a screaming batted ball coming right at them.

Major League Baseball revealed a new playoff format this year by adding an additional team to the wild card mix. It has some potential in my mind after being extremely skeptical about it.

Before this year, only one team won a wild card spot in both the American and National Leagues and they went straight into the Division Series. This year the playoff format allowed one additional team in each league to play for the wild card spot in the division series.

I agree with the message different authorities are trying to send with sports, but some are doing it in the wrong way. You cannot erase accomplishments no matter how they were obtained. You cannot erase what actually happened. I do not agree with erasing the books, in any sport, at any level.

It will never go away. Until the MLB really DOES something about it. A little venting here on the case of steroids/PED's in baseball.

I know this would never pass with the Player's Association in a CBA agreement but if you want to completely get rid of steroids/PED's, the MLB and the MLBPA need to have a 'one and done' approach about it starting in the minor leagues.

Hello All:

Today is short and sweet. I have posted an interview that I did with WNC Baseball Head Coach DJ Whittemore. It is about 40 minutes long. A great conversation to get to know DJ. I would like to thank Keith Barnett of "We Shoot Video" for his time and hard work on this. If you should need any video work done, give Keith a call: 775-297-4125 or email: info@weshootvideo.net

Best Regards,

Chris J Graham

WNC Baseball Play-by-Play Broadcaster

It is time that Carson City gets behind their college’s athletic programs. Western Nevada College has had athletics since 2005. They have had rodeo, women’s soccer, women’s softball, and perhaps the cornerstone of the entire athletics, the men’s baseball. All of these teams have amped up the enrollment of Western Nevada College and yet, the athletics continue to struggle financially because of the lack of local support.

The argument to expand baseball instant replay continues to get stronger and stronger as the seasons pass.

The San Francisco Giants had the option of bringing back Melky Cabrera who led their team and Major League Baseball in batting average with a .346. Yet, the Giants continue to stand their ground by saying “Cabrera’s status regarding the postseason remains unchanged.” That’s according to the Giants VP of Baseball Operations Bobby Evans. The Giants’ General Manager Brian Sabean also chimed in on the matter by saying: "In our minds, it's not the right thing to do," and "They're too good, as a group."

There is a problem with some American sports fans. We all need to realize that there will be a loser in every game no matter what sport you watch. The loser of course takes more of the spotlight when the games mean a lot more than just a regular season game.

Yesterday, the Saint Louis Cardinals made one of the greatest comebacks in sports' history by beating the Washington Nationals in a decisive, winner-take-all, Game 5. The Nationals got off to a fantastic start by jumping out to a 6-0 lead. The Cardinals never gave in, and slowly chipped away at the Nationals’ lead.

Hello All: I will be starting a sports blog right here on Carson Now. This will be my opinions on sports news that is happening today and in the future. I will cover both local and national stories. I would love to make this a public forum as well. I always love to hear other's opinions on the same stories. I only ask that each and every one who reads and lets their opinions be heard respect each other as well as my views as well. I will always respect another's view. This should be extremely fun for all, and I cannot wait to get started.
Best Regards,
Chris J Graham

Two commercial burglaries early Monday morning in Douglas County have authorities asking the public for help in identifying the suspects with photos provided by surveillance cameras.
The first burglary occurred at the Verizon Wireless Outlet Store on Waterloo Ln sometime around 5 am, said Douglas County Sheriff's Sgt. Jim Halsey. Entry was made by the suspect smashing the glass of the exterior window of the store. Two cellular telephones, phone chargers and miscellaneous currency were stolen from inside. Click on images to enlarge.

A little venting here on the case of steroids/PED's in baseball. I know this would never pass with the Player's Association in a CBA agreement but if you want to completely get rid of steroids/PED's, the MLB and the MLBPA need to have a 'one and done' approach about it. You eventually send an overwhelmingly strong message to players and players-to-be that it truly is a zero tolerance policy. If there was a 'one and done' rule.....no LAW, the players would get the message. If you expect me to believe players 'didn't know?' Give me a break.

**Press Release available for download below**

The Carson City Sheriff's Office has issued a press release cautioning citizens to be aware of their surroundings due to a recent string of burglaries. The suspect (a hispanic female) is described as approximately 5 feet 2 inches to 5 feet 4 inches tall, thin, with medium length black or brown hair with possible blonde highlights. She is described as wearing a black backpack. She targets cash and small items such as jewelry, coin, and baseball cards during the daytime when the homeowners are at work.

Western Nevada College pitcher Dylan Baker made history for his Wildcats team Tuesday while his own dream of becoming a professional baseball player came true. The Cleveland Indians selected Baker in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball draft, making him the highest-ever selection out of WNC.

The unbeaten hurler from Juneau, Alaska, was the 173rd pick of the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Tony Romo, the star quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys and renowned amateur golfer, is the top choice of Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Sportsbook to win the 23nd annual American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament.
The now married 32 year-old, a new father, is listed at 5-2, ahead of perennial favorite Rick Rhoden (4-1), the former Major League Baseball pitcher who has won the American Century Championship eight times and started 33 tournaments on the PGA Champions Tour.

Services for legendary radio commentator Travus T. Hipp will be held this Saturday, May 26, in Silver City. Hipp died early Friday morning, May 18, at his Silver City home. He was 75, as old as the Golden Gate Bridge in his beloved San Francisco.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 26, in Silver City. Gathering, gnoshing and remembering will begin at the Silver City Community Center, 385 High Street, at 10:00 a.m. Food and refreshments will be provided. Those who wish may bring more.

Western Nevada College Wildcats’ play-by-play announcer Chris Graham will be making a trip to West Jordan, Utah, for the third week in a row to broadcast each of Western Nevada College's NJCAA Western District baseball tournament games later this week.

Follow the Wildcats online at online at www.ustream.tv/channel/western-nevada-baseball and through a live stat tracker provided by Salt Lake Community College here.

I want to take a break from the news to talk a little inside baseball about Carson Now and what's happening here.

On Monday I was notified that I had been selected for a John S. Knight Journalism Fellowship at Stanford University for the 2012-13 school year. It's an amazing opportunity to further the work I have done with Carson Now, at the top school in the world for Internet innovation. Situated in Silicon Valley, it's where Google, Yahoo! and more than 5,000 other companies were born.

*** JR / SR BIG LEAGUE SIGN UPS
Ages 13-18 come out and play for Carson City Little League in the Junior/Senior/Big League Program. Sign-ups will be March 21 from 6-8 pm with tryouts on March 24 from 9-2. All sign ups and try-outs will be at Governors Field. For more information contact Coach Craig "Bear" Stevens at 315-6984 or Coach Bob Stevens at 690-3298. Come out and play even if you have never played before!!!

Carson City Little League has expaned our age groups this year to include 13-18 year olds who want to come play competative baseball.

*** JR / SR BIG LEAGUE SIGN UPS
Ages 13-18 come out and play for Carson City Little League in the Junior/Senior/Big League Program. Sign-ups will be March 21 from 6-8 pm with tryouts on March 24 from 9-2. All sign ups and try-outs will be at Governors Field. For more information contact Coach Craig "Bear" Stevens at 315-6984 or Coach Bob Stevens at 690-3298. Come out and play even if you have never played before!!!

CARSON CITY – There are a few withdrawals in vacation destinations like New Orleans and Hawaii. There are a few from such tourist locations as Angel Stadium in Anaheim, SeaWorld San Diego and Pier 39 in San Francisco.

There are about 1,600 withdrawals in more than 35 states and the territory of Guam. And there are about 100 withdrawals at liquor stores and quite a few at Nevada casinos or slot parlors.

Today is Feb. 29, also a very special day on the calendar as it is a leap year day that only happens once every four years.
According to www.Wikipedia.org, here’s why:

2012WNC Broadcast Schedule

01/27/12 South Mountain @UNLV 4pm

01/28/12 South Mountain @ Sierra Vista 11am*

01/29/12 South Mountain @ Sierra Vista 11am*

02/03/12 Central Arizona @UNLV 4pm

02/04/12 Central Arizona @SierraVista 11am*

02/05/12 Central Arizona @SierraVista 11am*

02/10/12 Pima CC @UNLV 3pm

02/11/12 Pima CC @Sierra Vista 11am*

Today marks the opening of filling for this year's election for Carson City Justice of the Peace, and the current holder of that office John Tatro was the first to file.

He also issued the following press release:

Carson City Little League will be accepting registrations for the 2012 season on Saturday, January 28th from 8 am to noon and Saturday, February 4th from 8 am to noon. We will be at the indoor facility located in the Northeast corner of Governors field (500 East Evalyn Drive).

The league is for boys and girls ages 4 1/2 (By April 30th) to 16.

We are extending our ages from last year to allow 13-16 year olds to play in our leage. We have also added our new 50/70 program to allow for a transition from the smaller little league fields to the larger Senior league fields.

With Wednesday being Nov. 30, and with all of the crazy “Black Friday” shopping madness now safely behind us, we can begin, once again, to think rationally about ideas for Christmas gifts for that special person(s) in our lives.
So, if you were not part of that frenzied mob scene on the day after Thanksgiving, or if you are still scratching your head about what to get for that person, here are some “Don Q” suggestions for Christmas gifts:
Any one or more of these could create a very enjoyable Christmas.

Four Western Nevada College baseball student athletes are signing with Division I programs during the early signing period that began this week. Players include:

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Behind the batting cage at Benedetti Diamond, Scott Cousins is at ease. Wearing a green University of San Francisco baseball hoodie, shades and sporting a beard, he has no trou...

LifePoint Church welcomes World Series pitcher and San Francisco Giants legend Dave Dravecky to speak at all three services on the weekend of October 22nd/23rd.