Baseball and Pseudo-baseball

It has been a long time since I have posted about baseball. But the weekend brings the thing I hate most about baseball, interleague play. I get it, they want to generate interest in a rivalry between two teams that don't play in the same league. Makes sense for the Yankees and the Mets, Giants and A's. So what great rival are the Phillies playing, Toronto Blue Jays. Whoop de frickin do.

The Phightins don't really have a close to home rival in the American league. So, they simply rotate around against the American league East. Toronto, Baltimore and Tampa Bay. Sure there is some history there, Joe Carter 1993, Rays last year, Baltimore ??. How about we play our cross town rival instead. Right, they are in Oakland now playing the NY Giants.

At least the Muts are playing the Yankees and hopefully get a beat down. Because the games count in the standings! Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Don't even get me started on the designated hitter.

Later,
JH

Early Ice

Well, the Phils are still winning and the Mutts won't lose. At least they are playing good right now. Big series coming up this week against the Mutts.

The title?, Nutmeg got approved by the USCA for early ice. Compressor goes on next weekend and we start the process on Labor Day. Should have ice by the 6th or 7th. Getting all our ducks in a row. Mrs. JHcurl is handling the schedule and already has a bunch of time set aside for various folks including the US wheelchair team (Bronze medalists from the Worlds).

Early ice means early GNCC news. The rocket scientist has a new men's team lined up and they will be in town for some practice. One of the Canadian transplants is lining up women for a "tryout" type event and hopes to form a team for the playdowns. That should be interesting. The wheelchair team is coming in for three days I think. I get the job of lining up some games for them.

Also having an ice tech clinic in September. Lots of fellow ice men coming in. Have to stock up the ice shed with some supplies (beer) to keep them happy as they help us scrape and pebble and shovel snow.

Info on the early ice can be found on the Nutmeg site if you are interested.

Later,
JH

Yankees time

As loyal readers will know, Mrs. JHcurl entertains clients at Yankee games in a suite as part of her job. We start with a couple of games next Sunday and the following Wednesday. Along with this there is usually a couple of curlers that show up to these games. So, on May 7th the skip of the Olympic bronze medal team will be in town and will be attending the game. Guess I need to start paying attention to the Yankees and if they are playing well. I don't think they are right now.

Yep, Pete and his dad are coming to NY. Don't think either has been to a game so should be a lot of fun. Of course, all the games are crazy this year since it is the last year of the stadium. The atmosphere should be rocking (hee).

Later,
JH

Spring has sprung

So, no more curling for a while. At least not until the Cape and possibly the Crush. Of course there is also the annual meeting of the LBI curling club held on location down the shore.

Now is the time for baseball and the annual turmoil that is rooting for the Fightin' Phils. I grew up in Southern New Jersey (or more correctly South Jersey, an entry for a later date) and became a Phils fan at 8. Listening to Harry Calas and Rich Ashburn on the radio and watching Schmidt hit all those dingers ("It's outta here"). Still catch a game on TV whenever they are playing the Mets (boo) or the Braves (double boo). The last few years have been making a bet in Vegas on them to win it all. Got one for this year as well.

As part of Mrs. JHcurl's job she entertains clients at Yankee Stadium as loyal readers will know. Get to go there for about 15 games a year. Not bad but have never been an AL fan. Still hate the DH, always will. Takes away too much of the strategy of the game.

At least the Phils are not 10 games out of first yet like a couple of years ago. And there can always be another collapse by Mets which was the greatest thing to happen in sports for quite a while. Now there is the 2007 Mets instead of the '64 Phils that people will use as the "greatest choke in baseball".

Anyway, off-season posting has begun and will touch on who knows what.

Later,
JH