STEROID USE - NO TOLERANCE SHOULD BE THE POLICY, PERIOD

This week, we learned that Major League Baseball ("MLB") intends to go after several players connected to a clinic known to distribute steroids to MLB players (and, likely non-MLB players).  The question to be determined is whether and to what extent players who abuse steroids should be punished by the League.

  What are steroids? Steroids, used properly, are drugs that can assist athletes and others in rejuvenating their bodies from injuries, and quicken the healing process.  Steroid use, however, has been hotly debated because, used improperly (with or without prescription), steroids have been attributed to serious injuries, deformations, irregular heartbeats, and death.  Steroids also tend to strengthen the user, often resulting in a higher ability to create strong plays - in baseball, for instance, hitting the ball farther, pitching at a quicker pace; in football, being stronger than an opponent, etc.  A major "con" of using steroids, besides health risk, is that the player can often grow larger, sweat profusely, and could potentially have a weaker sex drive.

It is clear from years of study in the MLB that steroid users have an advantage over non-steroid users - the simplest example is to look at those hitters responsible for inflating home run figures over the past 20 years.  Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds are the most prominent names out there of those that have retired.  None of the three was an indecent hitter - indeed, all three were HOF contenders even without the inflated home run figures.  However, it is clear that steroid use contributed greatly to their "heroics", especially in the early 2000's.

The problem the MLB has, however, is not in spotting steroid use, but in punishing its use.  For decades, much of the MLB punishment has been lax, at best.  Even its 50 game ban, which has been ordered on several players - Manny Ramirez is likely the most famous - is not a sufficient deterrent.  The MLB must get tougher.  It must create a "ZERO Tolerance" policy for the good of the game.  My recommendation is that any player caught having used banned steroids without a valid prescription (and even then, there should be limitations) should be suspended for the rest of the season - and, should be randomly tested for the period on suspension.  If, during suspension, any further positive test is identified, the player will be banned for life.

If, after the end of the season, the player desires to play, and of course, remains clean during the period of punishment, the player may be invited back to play.  If, however, the player is ever caught using a banned substance again, then the player will be banned for life, without the possibility of reinstatement.

That's my take ... what's yours?

Abe

KINGS' CUP HOPES - QUICK-LY DETERIORATING ...?

The Los Angeles Kings have a very good all around hockey team.  It has a very strong goaltending tandem - arguably the best in the NHL on any given night. Jonathan Quick has kept the Kings close for most games, and in these playoffs, has literally stood on his head at times making plays which Plastic Man would have had trouble with ... with two bumpy games - the first, an OT loss to the Blues in which he practically handed the game-winning goal to St. Louis with a bad handling play behind his own goal; the second, last night, allowing 4 goals before being pulled for the night.  With Bernier as the backup, the Kings are solid between the pipes for a long time to come.

Defensively, the Kings had looked sharp through much of the season, even with the noticeable absence (especially early in the shortened season) of Willie Mitchell and the early struggles of Drew Doughty to find the net.  Eventually, Doughty was able to break through, and the defensive core was helped by the addition of Muzzin and Voynov.  Scuderi and Doughty have remained solid, and the late season acquisition of Regehr really rounded out the defense.  Matt Greene, hurt for much of the regular season is back, but his consistency has been missed during these playoffs.

However, with that said, of late (ie, the playoffs), the defensive core has had difficulty moving the puck out of the defensive zone.  Time after time, the Kings get pinned down in their own zone, often with unfortunate consequences, leading to odd man rushes and opposition scoring chances.

Offensively, the Kings appear to have solidly built lines, with scorers on all four lines.  However, while the skill level seems high, and shots usually around 25/game, repeated chances on the same shift are sporadic at best.  Often, there is a sense of one and done, before the other team rushes back up and then keeps the puck hemmed into the Kings zone for long stretches.  Kopitar, Brown, Williams ... Penner, Carter, Richards ... Stoll, Toffoli, Richardson and/or Lewis ... and even Fraser, Clifford, and King.  The Kings have the skill, size, and agility to create havoc for opposing defenders ... and yet, scoring more than 1 or 2 goals per game remains a mystery.

Coaching - Darryl Sutter has been a savior, frankly.  His expertise as well as his ability to motivate his team at the right times are legendary.

I think the Kings will remain a Stanley Cup contender for years to come.  Unfortunately, I think the Blackhawks are a better all around team, with proven scoring and a stingy defense led by an even stingier goaltender.  We'll have to wait and see if the Kings can pull out of this nose dive as they did in the St Louis series.

Until next time ...

NHL - TV SCHEDULING BLUNDERS

The National Hockey League (NHL) has had three strikes/lockouts in the past two decades, two of the three being within the past eight years.  Indeed, the 2004-2005 lockout "lost" an entire season of hockey.  For a sport that has less than stellar TV ratings to begin with, such a shutdown could have been catastrophic to the league.  However, the return of hockey in 2005-2006, along with the revised CBA and structured parity in the league really assisted the NHL in not only keeping its fan base, but in growing it as well.

Unfortunately, the 2012-2013 lockout came just when hockey had reached a pinnacle in my opinion - West coast dominance with San Jose, Anaheim, and Los Angeles all participating in deep playoff runs in the past 6 years, with Anaheim and Los Angeles winning the prized Stanley Cup in 2006-2007 and 2011-2012, respectively.  Further, East coast teams such as Boston, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia regained dominance.  Many thought the ill-timed lockout would end tragically, with the loss of another season and, worse, the loss of its prized fan base.

However, the NHL appeared to actually take this to heart in the scheduling of games post lockout, and some great hockey was instilled around the league, as most teams remained in the playoff hunt well into the final weeks of the shortened season.  This led to the return of intense hockey, and the rebirth of contested rivalries between Chicago-Detroit, Toronto-Montreal, Boston-Pittsburgh, New York-New York, Los Angeles-Anaheim, etc.  Hockey games were telecast on local cable stations, practically every day from the beginning of the shortened season to the final day.  This allowed core hockey fans and those "on the fence" to enjoy the fast-paced action and get enthusiastic about the upcoming playoff rounds.

The NHL was poised to really attract and solidify its fan base.  And then, the playoffs came, and what did the NHL do ... it allowed NBC to dictate who would see what games and when, denying many "blue collar" hockey fans the ability to watch their team play hockey.  In addition, losing local stations means that local telecasters do not call the game.  Telecasting most games on NBCSN (NBC Sports Network - formerly VersusTV) requires extra costs for most cable TV subscribers or satellite TV viewers.  In addition, the scheduling of the games has been atrocious.

Let's take the current schedule for the Western Conference and Eastern Conference finals.  The Western Conference Final is between the Los Angeles Kings (the defending champs) and the Chicago Blackhawks (the best team, arguably in the NHL this season).

Game 1 is Saturday - In Chicago
Game 2 is Sunday - In Chicago
Game 3 is Tuesday - In LA
Game 4 Thursday - In LA
Game 5 Saturday (If necessary) - In Chicago
Game 6 Monday - (If necessary) - In LA
Game 7, if necessary, at 9pm EST on Wednesday, June 12th.- In Chicago

Eastern Conference between Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins:

Game 1 is Saturday - In Pittsburgh
Game 2 is Monday - In Pittsburgh
Game 3 is Wed - In Boston
Game 4 is Fri - In Boston
Game 5 is Sun - (if necessary) In Pittsburgh
Game 6 is Tue - (if necessary) In Boston
Game 7 is Wed - (if necessary) in Pittsburgh - also at 9pm EST

So, the West gets "screwed" on the initial back-to-back, and the East gets "screwed" if a game 7 is necessary, as its final game 7 would be a back-to-back game following game 6.  This means the teams have to travel with less than 24 hours between games 6 and 7, which could make game 7 that much more crucial in light of the likely jet lag (even if in the same time zone).

What's interesting to me, however, and what I believe is a "crying shame" for true hockey fans, is that both Game 7's are to be held at the same time ... which means the loss of some of the loyal NHL fan base because some will watch the Western Game 7 while others will watch the Eastern Game 7 ... why not have the games run consecutively rather than concurrently???

The NHL always seems to put its worst foot forward at inopportune times.  These playoffs have been stellar, with several overtime games, several very tight games, with one goal as the difference, and many Game 7's already.  Both West coast and East coast teams, original 6 teams, and a few expansion teams were in these playoffs.  The anticipated jump in its fan base was high ... and then the NHL trips on its own feet with scheduling.

A shame ...

Those are my thoughts ... what are yours?

Abe

SAFETY vs. "Politically Correct"

Safety is a huge concern for the sports world.  No matter which sport being discussed, safety of that sport's players as well as spectators has always been of importance.  But, how far is "too far", or does it matter? I think the answer to this question is similar to the answer of whether one should be insured, and how much insurance is necessary?

Let's look at baseball, as it is presently baseball season.

The game itself

Baseball has been around for a bit over 100 years.  The rules remain virtually unchanged in terms of the actual object of the game - score more runs than the opponent - as well as how it is played.  There are nine fielders defending both infield and outfield.  The visitors bat first.  The "home" team bats last in each inning, of which there are at least nine in a non-rain game, and no game ends in a tie, so extra innings are played until a winner is achieved.  Easy enough.  The sport is played on a "diamond" with a mound in the "middle" sixty feet from home plate.  The diamond is made up of bases at each of the corners, and the perimeter of the diamond is comprised of 90 foot intervals from base to base.  There is a pitcher who throws a hard core, leather baseball sewn with raised seams, the latter of which allows the pitcher some leeway in the type of pitch thrown - fastball, curve ball, screw ball, slider, knuckle ball, fork ball, etc.  All major league pitchers have the ability to change up the speed of the ball thrown.  Behind home plate sits the catcher, crouched down.  The catcher provides sign "language" to the pitcher explaining which pitch is to be thrown.  The batter stands in a batter's box near the plate.  An umpire stands/crouches behind the catcher, and the home umpire (there are usually 4 umpires - home, first, second, and third) is the head umpire for the game.  There is a first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop (plays between second and third, but usually further back off the infield), and a left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder.

How to Play Baseball

The objective is broken down into, for the team at bat, to get batters on base and to bring them around to score.  Each time a player goes 360 feet (from home to first, second, third, and home again) the team receives one run.  The team in the field has the objective of obtaining three outs per inning before the other team scores (or to stop the scoring threat).  The batter uses a wooden bat (a stick with a larger hitting side and which is tube-like, except that it is not hollow) to hit the ball thrown towards home plate.  A strike is called if the baseball is thrown over home plate between a batter's knees and waist, though this tends to be subjective depending on the umpire calling the game.  A pitch that is not called a strike is considered a ball.  If a batter makes contact with the ball, and it is not caught by a fielder (including the catcher), but the ball is not put into play, it is considered a foul ball.  If a batter fouls off a pitch, it will be considered a strike.  Once two strikes are called against a batter, any further foul balls not caught do not count as a strike or a ball, and the batter continues his at-bat.  If a batter obtains three strikes, the batter is recorded out.  If, however, a third strike is called, but the catcher drops the ball, the batter may try to take first base if unoccupied.  If the batter reaches first base before the ball gets to the first baseman, the batter is safe, and the strikeout is not considered an out - the fielding team must still obtain that out another way.  If a batter obtains four balls, he is entitled to first base without a throw.  Play continues until three outs are recorded.  Then the teams switch sides.  Each of the nine players take turns as batter in an order specified at the beginning of the game in a written batting order produced to the umpire by each manager.  The pitcher in the American League does not bat, so a designated hitter from the non-fielding players takes that spot on the batting order.

Safety / Equipment
Originally, the catcher wore a fat glove and the fielders wore thin small gloves with a tiny "pocket", to assist in catching the ball.  The players wore pants, short-sleeved shirt, socks, baseball shoes, and a soft cap with a bill to help shade the eyes from the sun.  Catchers quickly upgraded to using a thin padded chest protector and shin guards, as it became obvious that pitchers would not always throw the ball into the catcher's mitt.  Soon, catchers and umpires began using a metal face mask that fit snugly onto the cap and could be removed quickly while trying to catch the ball or tag a runner out.

However, even though pitchers threw very hard - sometimes, the ball traveled over 80 or even 90 miles per hour towards the batter - batters did not upgrade safety equipment for decades.  It was very common in the 1950's and 1960's for batters to be without a helmet.  Several players were injured due to balls thrown at their heads.  A few lost vision or had such severe concussions that they were forced to retire.  Eventually, MLB rules came to require that all batters wear helmet "caps" (1971).  Again, by 1983, batters were required to wear an ear flap on the side facing the pitcher, to better protect their ear from a stray ball.  However, to this day, batters are not required to wear any facial protection, such as a face shield, cage, or mouthguard.  Some have voluntarily worn elbow, shin, or ankle protection, but this also is not required.

In hockey, helmets came into the rule book in the 1980's.  Face shields are being discussed as a mandatory requirement beginning in 2014.  Goalies have modified pads and masks.

Safety changes over time have not been without hesitation, suspicion, and/or criticism.  Yet, changes are being made again and again.  Punishments are being modified to serve as stronger deterrents.  We will continue to see changes made in all sports.  But, the problem is not just pro sports: youth sports have seen a rise in injuries, yet also a delay in better protecting children from the adverse effects of sports and the injuries that result.  More to come in the upcoming weeks.

Abe

NHL - LORD STANLEY'S CUP - PLAYOFFS AT THEIR BEST

And the Stanley Cup Champions in 2012-2013 are: __________________.  There are eight teams that remain from the original 16 that earned spots in the playoffs this year.  Those 16 beat out 14 other teams that failed to make the playoffs.  Due to the shortened season (lockout by the owners/NHL), this year practically every team was in the race for a playoff spot for a majority of the season.  And, even more impressive, was the fight for playoff positioning that was not clear until the last games were completed on the final day of the season.

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs always provide excellent sports viewing.  Each series is a best of 7 games.  Each series is composed of a 2-2-1-1-1 format - that is, the higher seeded team gets two games home, two games away, then 1 home (if needed), 1 away (if needed), 1 home (if needed).  The NHL rules, even during the regular season, provide that, should the score be tied at the end of regulation play, the game moves into overtime.  In the regular season, overtime is 5 minutes, with 4 on 4 play (actually 5 on 5, but goalies are not counted).  If the game is not decided in this overtime session, then the teams participate in a shootout - best of 3; if tied after 3 rounds, then the shootout period continues until one team scores and the other misses.  I have seen shootouts go into 7 and 8 rounds or even higher.  It's fun!

In the playoffs, however, the overtime system is a bit different.  Should a playoff game be tied at the end of regulation play, the teams participate in an overtime period that lasts up to 20 minutes.  It is "up to 20 minutes" because unlike World Cup soccer overtime periods, should a team score, the game ends.  The teams play regular 5 on 5 (6 on 6 including goalies) and, in effect, the play is under the same rules as during regulation.  Should neither team score a goal during an overtime session, another "up to 20 minute" overtime session begins after a standard break. Unlike World Cup soccer, however, there is no shoot out should the 2nd overtime period lapse.  Simply, just like baseball, another overtime round occurs, and will continue in this fashion until someone scores.  I think I've seen 3 overtimes, but I cannot recall if I ever saw 4 or not.

As you can imagine, when games get into overtime, your heart is racing and you're on the edge of your seat pretty much the whole time; one mistake can end the game.  If a team is not prepared or slow to the puck, a scoring chance can end it - just ask the Ducks.  Anyway, games have gone into overtime often this playoff season, with the Detroit Anaheim series having 4 of the 7 games go to overtime.  Each time, the game ended in the first overtime.  However, there have been games in past years that have taken more than a single overtime to conclude the game.  More on this in the upcoming weeks.

Hockey is a fast-paced game, back and forth, with several different "swings" or shifts from one team's advantage to the other.  It is a game filled with hard checking (hitting), agitation that can rise into actual fighting on the ice, and is compact, an arena is at best, at capacity with 20,000 seats filled.

I recommend that, if you have never watched a game, turn on the TV and watch for 5 minutes ... if you're not hooked, I'll be surprised!

-- Here's to Lord Stanley and his Cup!

SPORTSEOLOGY - ALL THINGS SPORTY

I am pleased to initiate my new blog that will feature my opinions about a wide range of sports.  A little about myself: I am a fanatic sports nut, no offense to the nut family.  I love most types of sports.  As a kid, I played soccer, basketball, tennis, snow skiing, swimming, and baseball.  Later in high school, I lettered in soccer and track/field.  As an adult, I've played recreational slow pitch softball, learned (sort of) to play golf, and continue to swim.  I've coached soccer and have been an AYSO Regional Referee for the past 6 years. I am also presently a Director on our local Little League Board and am its Safety Officer.

I have three growing children who play/have played sports: soccer, baseball, flag football, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, and track/cross-country.

I love watching most sports: soccer (see a pattern here), hockey, baseball, football, basketball (college mostly), fast pitch softball, track/field, swimming, Olympics - summer and winter, lacrosse, golf, etc.

What types of issues will I be writing about? Anything I want ... it's my blog.  But, hopefully, my readers will provide good comments back to infuse discussions forward.

You will find I am a fanatic hockey fan!  I am a staunch Anaheim Ducks fan, though I have a soft spot for the LA Kings as well ... possibly because I rooted for the Kings for several years growing up as a kid, and then all the way until 2006, when my wife told me that she would prefer if we didn't have to drive "all the way" to the Staples Center since there was a team in our own backyard, so to speak.  So, I like to think that my changing allegiance cold turkey in 2006 assisted the Ducks capture Lord Stanley's Cup in the 2006-2007 year.  Who knows!  However, unlike many Ducks fans, I am not disheartened by the Kings having won the Cup in 2011-2012, nor do I root against the Kings (unless they are playing the Ducks).

In fact, I like watching hockey - NHL, AHL, NCAA, high school, youth, and adult leagues ... any hockey will do.

And, similar to hockey watching, I'll watch youth, college, and professional baseball, football, basketball, lacrosse, swimming, track/field, golf (yes, it's a sport), cricket, and especially S-O-C-C-E-R!

Play Hard, Cheer Loudly, and most of all Have Fun!