Shots from Charlo's Midnight practice

The Charlo football team laced up their cleats last Thursday/Friday at midnight to usher in the new season. Here are some photos from that night...

Morning coffee... August 13, 2010

It's football time, ladies and gentlemen. The high school football teams in the state of Montana can now officially practice. As NFL teams are kicking off their preseason games and college teams are now deep into their late summer camps, it's now time for the boys to get high school gridiron action started.

I went to Charlo's midnight practice last night (or this morning, however you look at it. Probably the latter since that's the legal one of the two) and boy was that something special. I don't know how Charlo football head coach Mike Krahn was able to pull it off, but the town allowed him to leave the lights on at the football stadium for the midnight practice. That meant you could see the lights from miles around in the medium downpour of rain. Pretty cool sight, but the sounds of football players and whistles probably kept up all the neighbors.

Went to Ronan practice this morning, and again, early morning clouds peaking over the Mission Mountains served as a backdrop. Pretty freakin' cool.

Can't wait for games to start.

College News

University of Montana-Western hitting the field for preseason football
Is it cliche to say, who let the dogs out?

Montana Tech welcomes 135 football players to camp
Does anyone else think that is an insane number of players?

Montana Tech forming ice hockey team
And it looks like I'll be traveling down to Butte to get my hockey fill

National News

Big Ben expects cheers in opener
And roughly 45,000 dads of college age daughters at Henz Field will then promptly kick his butt.

Jonathan Papelbon sucks
Believe me, I know.

Untamed New England Adventure Race Journal

Co-worker Ali Bronsdon is currently doing the Untamed New England Adventure Race and sending updates via email. It's a three-day race through New Hampshire and Maine and from the sound of it... it's pretty freaking crazy. Without further delay, here's the first update from Ali...

After three fun, including one red-eye, flights last night, I've already been up for 24 hours. A little sleep tonight and race start tomorrow around noon. You can follow online at untamedne.com. Our team is #14 GOALS ARA 2. We're packed with enough food and spare clothes for 40 miles of paddling/portaging, an orienteering relay (unknown length), 3 small conservation projects, a 30 mile bike, 35 mile trek, including a ropes course. 

So, we're carrying A TON OF CRAP! It's the most, by far that I've ever had to carry, so we'll see how the heavy load will affect energy. Also, the orienteering relay could be at night, which means COLD and wet, coming off the water. We won't see our gear/food bins until after that 35 mile trek, so we're thinking Friday night or Saturday morning. Then it's a 12 mile trek/swim, and 65 mile bike with a waterfall rappel and more conservation projects mixed in. The end of the bike marks the end of the official course, but there is an optional bonus rogaine section at the end, where we will try to nab as many points as we can before the race time ends. This will be where strategy and race planning will come into play. 

Teams that are in better mental shape should be able to plan the better attack and get more points on the rogaine. We are planning to sleep in one of the transition areas, maybe Friday night for an hour or two, depending on where we are. We haven't seen any maps yet, so things may change, but this is as much as I can tell you and the last time I can update before Sunday. I'm sure I'll have some good stories by then... hopefully we'll make it to the finish!
Thanks for all the support!

Oh and meanwhile, I'll be sitting on the couch eating Cheetos tracking the race. I'm that cool.

Big Sky Womens' Soccer preseason poll has NAU on top

With fall sports just around the corner, the Big Sky Conference coaches poll has been released and the winner is... Northern Arizona. Now all they have to do is play the games.

Of the eight head coaches in the league, six gave their first-place vote to the Lumberjacks, for a total of 48 points. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

Northern Arizona won its second straight conference title last season, beating tournament host Portland State on penalty kicks and then Idaho State in the championship match.

2010 Big Sky Soccer
Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Team (First-Place Votes)Points
1. Northern Arizona (6) 48
2. Sacramento State (1) 38
3. Portland State (1) 36
4. Weber State 30
5. Idaho State 27
6. Eastern Washington 16
7. Montana 15
8. Northern Colorado 14

Midnight Hoopz Results

Here are results from last Thursday's Midnight Hoopz, which was held at Two Eagle River High School in Pablo.

Click on the "read more" to see the full list of results.

Morning coffee... August 12, 2010

Former MSU Bobcats Mike Kramer settled his lawsuit with the university after a pretty messy ordeal that lasted three years. I'll be one to back Kramer, his firing was ridiculous. It stemmed from players involved in a drug ring, but Kramer dismissed all those players. What else did the university want him to do?

It essentially ruined Kramer's career, as he couldn't get a head coaching job after the fact. READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

College News

University of Montana and Portland State top Big Sky Conference preseason poll.

National News

K-Rod charged with assaulting Father-in-Law
That's what playing for the Mets will do to you.

Randy Johnson now a rock n' roll photographer
Umm...

Local News

Charlo Football will open its season tonight with a special midnight practice. Check it out!

Southwest Youth Rodeo Results

Here are the results from this week's Southwest Youth Rodeo, held Sunday in Ronan.

Click on the "read more" to see the results.

SKC to play Eastern Washington University

I just heard this news and couldn't be more excited. Big news that involved Lake County and my favorite school, Eastern Washington University.

SKC's men's basketball team will be playing Eastern Washington University on Nov. 19 in Cheney, Wash. It will be the first Div. I opponent in school history for SKC.

Great news for the Bison, I think this is a big step for them and will open up a lot of doors for other Div. I schools (cough, cough, Montana right down the road) to play them.

Get this week's issue of the Lake County Leader for more info.

Morning coffee... August 9, 2010

Veterans on the Denver Broncos gave Tim Tebow this haircut during training camp. READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

College News

Montana State opens camp with big hopes
They went 7-5 last year and return a lot of starters.

University of Montana, Montana Tech make top colleges list
Strangely enough, Eastern Washington is nowhere to be found.

National News

Jeter passes Babe Ruth on the career hits list
... as the Yankees crushed the Red Sox.

Seahawks applaud ref who admits Super Bowl guffaw
I don't think this makes Seattle fans feel any better though.

Former Seattle pitcher nearly throws no-hitter, strikes out 17
Aren't they glad they got rid of Brandon Morrow?

2010 Pioneer Days Rodeo Results

Here are the results from the 2010 Pioneer Days Rodeo that took place last weekend. See your name? (Click on the "read more" to see the results)

Morning coffee... August 6, 2010

Here come the Orioles! Since hiring Buck Showalter as their manager, they've gone 3-0. Problem is, baseball is a 162-game season and they were well under .500 before they started. They're actually 38 games under the even mark, so a late season comeback is highly unlikely. Oh well, you can always enjoy the little things right?

College News

Eastern Washington installs red turf in preperation for first home game against Grizzlies
Look out Montana! Here comes the Lava Pit!

MSU men's basketball schedule arrives
Isn't it a little early to be talking about college basketball?

National News

Youkilis out for season, Red Sox will now apparently play fans in the field
And I think now the entire team has been on the DL for some part of the season

Alabama No. 1 in pre-season polls
And Boise State is No. 5, which is just plain annoying.

Morning coffee... August 5, 2010

A-Rod hit his 600th home run last night and everyone went ritually bananas. Not so much in the "wow! what an accomplishment!" but rather the "this would have been better if A-Rod didn't use performance enhancing drugs."

Spare me. Sportswriters keep holding this above our heads like some guillotine. I've talked to a lot of baseball fans and have concluded that most people don't give a rats behind about PEDs unless (1) suspected steroid user hits a home run against their favorite team or (2) John Stamos is somehow involved.

As a Red Sox fan, I know how PEDs can reportedly tarnish a legacy, remember when it came out that Ortiz and Manny juiced and probably a lot more people on the 2004 World Series team? Do you think that changes my memory of that moment? No! What sportswriters can't get in their donut-eating heads is that PED-use was widespread. Hitters were using them, pitchers were using them. Sure A-Rod is a cheater, but so were players in the 1970s using illegal drugs as performance enhancers that nobody seems to care about. Bernie Carbo said it felt like the sky was falling when he was in the outfield because he was on so many drugs and yet his numbers are somehow more legit? How about the inferior competition before Jackie Robinson because African-Americans weren't allowed to play in the majors when it was painfully obvious that some of the Negro League teams were far better than major league teams at the time (Look up the exhibition game record between MLB and NL teams and it's shocking, it's not even close).

So A-Rod, I hate you, but I'm not going to get on a high horse about steroids. Can't wait for the SportsCentury 20 years from now talking about how misunderstood the Yankees player was.

College News

University of Montana starts fall camp of football next Tuesday
And so college football begins...

MSU gives three coaches contract extensions
Ladies and gentlemen, job security! As long as you win.

National News

Celtics sign Shaq
This worked out so well for Cleveland and I mean Boston does need another aging veteran pass his prime.

Insert Favre headline here
Good god, here we go again.

Morning coffee... August 4, 2010

Happy August everyone! It's a new month and school should be starting here very soon with plenty of sports to follow. However, lets get down to more important things...

Charlie Weis is using a scooter during mini-camp and Tom Brady is... well... hmm we'll just let that one pass.

College News

University of Montana women's soccer season preview

Volleyball player transfers from Montana Western to Montana Tech

National News

The San Diego Chargers aren't being the bigger man in the split with LT
He was only your best player for years, might as well throw him under the bus.

North Korea keeps on being super lame

Showing why they're still the strict, totalitarian country that everyone loves to hate, North Korea put its soccer team from the World Cup on stage for a six-hour shaming.

The entire squad was forced onto a stage at the People's Palace of Culture and subjected to criticism from Pak Myong-chol, the sports minister, as 400 government officials, students and journalists watched.

The players were subjected to a "grand debate" on July 2 because they failed in their "ideological struggle" to succeed in South Africa, Radio Free Asia and South Korean media reported.

The team's coach, Kim Jong-hun, was reportedly forced to become a builder and has been expelled from the Workers' Party of Korea.

The coach was punished for "betraying" Kim Jong-un - one of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il's sons and heir apparent.

The country, in its first World Cup since 1966, lost all three group games – including a 7-0 defeat to Portugal.

North Korea! Where we love doing things that everybody expects us to do! Now lets going shoot some people who were talking about free speech around the corner.

Osprey finish first half of season

The Missoula Osprey finished the first half of their season not in the best of ways. They lost to the Billings Mustangs 6-3 at home in Ogren Park Allegiance Field in front of 2,502 fans.

They finished the first half of the season with a 13-24 record, which was nine games out of first place. However, the great thing about the rookie league is that you get fresh half season to try and make the postseason. 

Basketball camp help in Mission

The Crockett Rocket's camp was held three weeks ago at the Doghouse in Mission, and had over 80 grade school participants. The campers were taught fundamental skills under the guidance of 15 Bulldog and Lady Bulldog coaches, along with Coach Phillips and Coach Rice. This was the 14th year of the camp and had participants from throughout the valley.

Coach Phillips would like to thank all of the sponsors, his coaches, campers, parents, and everyone who helped make the camp a tremendous success.

Morning coffee... July 30, 2010

Are the Boston Red Sox and baseball in general... boring? Bill Simmons thinks so.


National News

Albert Haynesworth fails physical conditioning test
And just happens to be the highest paid Redskins player. Hooray!

Oswalt to the Phillies
Or they could have just kept Cliff Lee, but whatev.

Local News

Mission Valley Mariners win state tournament opener.
In convincing fashion, they knocked around the Outlaws 18-6

Dolphins extend contract with former Grizzly

The Miami Dolphins just extended the contract of former University of Montana kicker Dan Carpenter. The new three-year deal will be worth $6 million.

It comes on the heels of Carpenter's first Pro Bowl selection in just his second year in the league. The 24-year-old made 25-of-28 field goals and all but one of his 38 extra point attempts in 2009.

Carpenter has been Miami's full-time kicker the past two seasons.

Morning coffee... July 29, 2010

The Mission Valley Mariners had their bus break down on their way to the district tournament in Hamilton. The bus broke down again this week on their way to the state tournament. Good omen? The Mariners won districts. Read the full story here.

College News

MSU steer wrestler looking to be tops in at the Last Chance Stampede PRCA Rodeo
I was unaware that the Big Sky Conference had rodeo as a sport, but it's true.

National News

Orioles hire Buck Showalter as manager
Making ESPN the best farm system for prospective managers.

Strasburg on 15-day DL
What happened to that awesome shoulder that wasn't supposed to break down?

Terrell Owens already screws up
Owens misses plan to Bengals camp. Awesome.

Jack Hanna is pretty awesome

So I spent roughly half an hour last night surfing the internet looking for a way to survive a bear attack. None of them were very helpful.

You’d think the people writing the articles would try to be helpful and somewhat optimistic. Things like “By doing these actions, you too can survive a bear attack” would be nice. However, their tone was more like a goth kid trying to explain the meaning of life to you. “You probably made the bear angry and unless there’s a hill you can run up too with a Sherman tank waiting for you, you’re pretty much screwed.”

Thanks, Internet.

However, zookeeper and all around nature stud Jack Hanna has given us all new hope. Remember when he would bring snakes on the Late Night show to eat Jay Leno. Along with hoping the snakes would actually eat Leno, I always marveled at how calm Hanna was when handling the animals.

“This snake it the most poisonous in North America… and I’m going to put it in my armpit.”

He was just as calm two weeks ago hiking in Glacier Park with his wife Suzi and three other hikers. Walking on the Grinnell Glacier Trail, he encountered a Grizzly Bear and her two cubs.

Hanna had the group back track and get about 30 feet above the trail to let the Grizzlies walk by. One of the snotty cubs decided to stop and get fussy.

“The one youngster stops… and the hair starts going on its back and I said, ‘Oh shoot’,” Hanna told the Daily Interlake.

At this point, I would have done two things.

1. Wet my pants.
2. Pushed my fellow hikers down on the trail and make a run for it.

Hanna is not that kind of guy though, which makes sense. He’s the Chuck Norris of outdoor people and I’m the Kevin Federline of journalists.

He busted out the bear spray and laid down a cloud of smack down to ward of the bear. It came within ten feet before getting a wiff of the stuff, shook its head and bugged out.

Say hello to Jack Hanna, professional zoo person and grizzly bear enforcer. How many famous people can say they’ve came face-to-face with a large furry bear and survived?

Except for perhaps any guest stars on “Care Bears” nobody can really make that claim except for Hanna. I mean we can only imagine if the likes of Danny Bonaduce and Snooki were on that Glacier Park trail.

Morning coffee... July 28, 2010

Montana will play the University of Tennessee next season and play potentially in front of the biggest crowd in school history. They'll also receive a nice big fat paycheck for their time.

While the Griz probably wont win this game and it shows you just how college athletics works (read: money), I applaud Montana for actually scheduling somebody tough in their non-conference schedule.

Coming from Eastern, I watched my Eagles play plenty of play-up (FCS to FBS) games because we're a poor school and we need the money. It's honestly nothing to be proud of since it would usually hurt our record and we'd always start Big Sky play with two losses on our record right out of the gate. However, I'd always use that as ammo when talking to Montana fans since it seemed they'd schedule the "North Dakota school for the kids that are really talented" and "North South East West Canada University" for their pre-conf. schedule.

I can't say anything bad about Tennessee though. Read the full story here.

College News

MSU Women's Basketball Team to take on Baylor
I know it's a ways off but Baylor was a Final Four participant last year.

EWU's red turf ahead of schedule
As much as Montana fans hate it... it's coming!

National News

The Pope rocking a baseball cap
And thank god he's not a Yankees fan.

NASCAR owner Jack Roush injured in plane crash
Which begs the question, why wasn't his butler flying the airplane?

Bosh slammed by Raptors
... and everyone is shocked there is still a basketball team in Toronto.

Morning coffee... July 26, 2010

The St. Louis Rams are reportedly interested in Terrell Owens since they have no one on the depth chart at wide receiver except for a bag of Skittles. Read the full story here.

National News

Hornets not taking offers for Chris Paul
Which would defeat the whole purpose of him asking for a raise.

Soccer player thought to be dead is alive
Mistaken identity case... really weird.

Local News

The Mission Valley Mariners won the Legion district tournament this weekend, they'll get the west's No. 1 seed in the state tournament starting next Thursday.

Morning coffee... July 23, 2010

Ty Wiggington wasn't happy last night. You can click here to see why.

College News

Montana Tech women's basketball signs JC transfer
Quanessa Batiste of Mansura, La., has signed a letter of intent to join the Lady Orediggers.

Eastern edges Montana for Big Sky Conference President's Cup
For the first time in that school's history, they're the most successful school in the conference on the field and in the classroom.

National News

Stephen Jackson gets robbed
The Charlotte Bobcats player lives in a gated community in a two-million dollar house and got robbed. Kind of scary stuff for pro athletes. Look for his stuff to pop up on Ebay.

Chris Paul has asked to be traded
Uh-oh New Orleans is in trouble. And... let the rumors of him going to Miami begin!

Local News

Your Mission Valley Mariners won their opening game during the Legion Baseball District Tournament, defeating Glacier 13-9

MSU QB will play for BC Lions

Former Montana State QB Travis Lulay will be suiting up for the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League

VANCOVUER, British Columbia — Former Montana State quarterback Travis Lulay will make his first start of the season for the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League when they visit the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night.

Lulay replaces Casey Printers, who suffered a knee injury two weeks ago, as the Lions (1-2) try to end a two-game losing streak.

“It’s unfortunate for Casey that he is dinged up. That’s the nature of the business sometimes,” Lulay told the Canadian Press. “I have been preparing myself mentally to be ready whenever I got the call. It’s this week and it’s time to go.”

Lulay’s last professional start was June 3, 2007, when he played for the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe. The Thunder lost and Lulay was injured during the game and didn’t play for the rest of the season.

I remember Lulay playing against Eastern and us hating him a lot. But hey, sounds like he's doing pretty good for himself. I will say that it kind of sucks for these FCS players now that NFL Europe is no longer in business. At least there you were one step away from the NFL, the CFL and AFL are considerable more isolated and separated from the big time.

He's a good QB though, I expect him to do well.

Rafting is scary

Since today is Thursday, all our articles get published online. Here's my experience rafting down the Flathead River and through the Wild Buffalo Rapids. Here's a little snippet...

"I love 15,000, I love 15,000!" he sang.

Matt Bishop, a rafting guide for the Flathead Rafting Co. located in Polson, was crafting a melody during the bus ride to the launching point about the current cubic pounds per second that the Lower Flathead River was flowing.

I'm not the most adventurous of people. I don't wear socks two days in a row, I drive five miles below the speed limit and have nightmares about spiders. I'd much rather have heard "I love slow flowing water with nary a bump," or "We're going to the laundromat instead."

You can read the full story here.

Updates from High School Rodeo Nationals

Tara Sheridan has been sending me updates from the National High School Rodeo Finals. Here's what we've received so far...

June 21 -

Emily Schall had a 18.137 in barrels on Tuesday night. Cody Sheridan and Colt Nagy got a no time this morning in the performance but are up tonight. The kids are having a great time with all the events going on other then rodeo... such as the volleyball tournament, Montana beat Texas in the first round but lost to Illinois on the second. They also are enjoying NRA shooting competition on a college fair.

June 22 -

Cody Sheridan caught the steer right put of the box... steer fell down... Colt Nagy missed no time. Emily Schall is up this morning.

Morning coffee... July 22, 2010

What the heck Pete Rose? What the heck?

College News

Bobcats have five players named to preseason All-Big Sky
I'm just saying... Montana State will be a force to be reckoned with this year.
 
National News

Baseball player's wife pleads guilty to kidnapping
She stole a baby and told the player that he was the father... parent of the year!

Contador set for title
I have no idea how the Tour de France works but they say he's got it in hand.

Local News

The Missoula Osprey fell to the Orem Owlz last night 2-0 on the road.

Missoula Osprey update

The Missoula Osprey have won four of their last six games, including an 8-4 victory on Monday over the Orem Owlz. They lost last night though, 12-10. They're still in last place of the division, sitting at 12-17, just five games out from first.

If you want more information, you can head to their website here.

Preseason Big Sky Conference football polls out

College football is coming! College football is coming! WOOOOOO! And the Big Sky Conference just released their latest coaches and media polls. The Montana Grizzlies were picked (big suprise) to repeat as conference champions. The No. 2 team?

The Eastern Washington University. You'd better watch out Montana! My Eagles are on your coattails! Although, I have to say that I'm approaching this season with guarded optimism as the Eagles are starting a new quarterback this year. Remember the last time that happened? Chris Peerboom... bleech.

Montana loses a lot of starters too, so even though the coaches and media seem convinced (I mean, what do they know anyways) that they're a shoe-in this year. I'm going to again be guarded with that selection because Montana State and the rest of the Big Sky look pretty competitive this year.

Coaches Poll
1. Montana

2. Eastern Washington <---- GO EAGS!

3. Montana State
4. Weber State
5. Northern Arizona
6. Sacramento State
7. Northern Colorado
8. Portland State
9. Idaho State

Media Poll
1. Montana

2. Eastern Washington <-- We'll get you some year, Montana!

3. Montana State
4. Weber State
5. Northern Arizona
6. Sacramento State
7. Northern Colorado
8. Portland State
9. Idaho State

In the Media Poll, Eastern Washington got one first-place vote, so did Northern Arizona. Montana got the other 40. I'm guessing the Spokane and Flagstaff beat writers decided to stick their tongues at the Griz.

In the Coaches Poll, Montana got eight first-place votes and Northern Arizona got one. Beau Baldwin is probably the one, that's my hunch.

Eric Groff is kind of awesome

Yesterday, Missoula's Eric Groff became the first Osprey play to hit three home runs in one game as his team defeated the Orem Owlz 8-6.

MISSOULA, MT - Eric Groff made Missoula Osprey history and drove in the game-winning runs all in one swing on Friday at Ogren Park Allegiance Field, in front of 2,551 witnesses.

Groff hit his third home run of the game with a man on and two out in the bottom of the seventh inning, snapping a 6-all tie and giving the Osprey an 8-6 win over the Orem Owlz. It gives the Osprey (10-15) its first series win against the Owlz since 2006, and it's only the fourth time they have beaten the Orem franchise since they started in Provo in 2001.

Four series wins against a team in nine years? Yikes, talk about getting a monkey off your back.

Morning coffee... July 18, 2010

Just shortly after USC got slammed with massive NCAA sanctions, new Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has been plugging his new book on being the coach of the Trojans. Is that right? Read the full story here.

National News

Big Ten hold championship game at Lambeau Field?
Wouldn't that be interesting? Lets see you top that SEC.

Charles Woodson saves man from house fire
More awesome Green Bay Packers news.

"Major League" dies at age 70
Best on screen manager ever. May he rest in peace.

Missoula Osprey rally past Owlz

Alright let's start covering the one minor league baseball team in the area. I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff and I love the free giveaways.

The Missoula Osprey got their rally caps on and scored five runs in the eighth to beat the Orem Owlz 8-7 on Thursday night.

Roberto Rodriguez beat out an infield hit with two out that scored both Fidel Pena and Raul Navarro in the bottom of the eighth inning to snap a 6-6 tie and cap the rally.

Adam Eaton and Eric Groff led off the inning with singles, and Bobby Stone - who had three of Missoula's 14 hits - followed that with a bloop single to center that brought home Eaton. Richie Rowland then delivered a sacrifice fly, and Jae Yun Kim singled down the left-field line, scoring Stone and tying the game at 6-all.

Following a Fidel Pena walk, Raul Navarro singled to center. Kim tried to score on the hit, but was thrown out at the plate. Chris Jarrett then walked to load the bases for Rodriguez, who hustled down the line on a chopper to second and beat the throw to first. Pena scored on the hit, and Navarro raced all the way around from second and beat the throw home to give the Osprey their first lead of the game.

The rally was enough to give Justin Albert (2-0) the win, after he scattered four hits and struck out a pair of batters. Victor Lara hung on after allowing a run to get two strikeouts, including a called strike three on catcher Hampton Tignor to end the game and pick up his first save.

That improved their record to 9-15, four games back for the Pioneer League North Standings.

Rafting on the Flathead

Make sure you catch the outdoors section in the Lake County Leader in a few weeks as I'll have a white water rafting story thanks to the generosity of the Flathead Rafting Co.

See the guy screaming in the back? Yeah that's me.

Morning coffee... July 16, 2010

Russell Branyon will be out for two days for the Seattle Mariners after stubbing his toe opening curtains in his hotel room. READ THE STORY HERE.

College News

MSU adds junior transfer to football team.
Is anyone pumped for football season?

National News

US Olympians get their gold medals back
From the 2000 Olympics... wow OIC, way to move so quickly.

NCAA Football for EA Sports is released
WOO!!! Remember when I asked if anyone is pumped for football season?

Penny Hardaway to join the Miami Heat
I really wasn't expecting them to go to NBA Jam for their players.

Local News

Don't forget that it's the last home game of the year for the Mission Valley Mariners. They'll take on the Bitterroot Bucs today at 4 p.m. in Polson. Be there at Legion Field for sure!

Jon Miller thinks the Rockies have been cheating

The smooth voice of "Sunday Night Baseball" on ESPN thinks those dastardly Colorado Rockies are up to no good. He thinks they've been smuggling in baseballs not put in a humidor that negate the thin air of Coors Field. Scandal! I say. No word yet on if Joe Morgan has taken credit for inventing the humidor yet.

Thank you Jon Miller for keeping the integrity of the game intact. How dare they mess around with baseballs. Really in the 100+ years of baseball, when has anyone messed with the balls? Nope never. NEVER! They never scuffed those things up or added some sort of abrasive to them...

Mike Tyson is a soccer fan

Mike Tyson is apparently now a soccer fan, which makes the sport about ten times more interesting. I would, however, be worried for big-eared english fans on the opposing team that Tyson is rooting for.

Tyson's been poking around Europe doing some speaking engagements, but for some reason this took him to the town of Peterborough. After surprising diners at a curry house by showing up and ordering six custom vegan dishes (he's a vegan now, apparently), he took in a soccer game.

Wearing a Peterborough uniform, he gave a rousing halftime speech. Just see if you're not inspired:

I've never heard of Peterborough before but as soon as I heard it was West Ham I thought, we've got to really give it to them."

It didn't work; Peterborough lost 2-1. But all was not lost. Tyson happily posed for photos with players after the game. And, as unconfirmed rumors have it, he only charged them £30.

Oh he's vegan? Nevermind about the ear comments then.

Morning coffee... July 15, 2010

John Daly tees off during the British Open. Really, there's no explanation needed here.

College News

Wilson to play for Montana after getting aquitted for murder charges
He was one of the best corner's in Montana history, but he'll need to return to old form after a long, long layoff.

Montana adds four transfers to the roster
Two kids from junior college and two kids from Pac-10 schools.

National News

Iroquois lacrosse team defaults on world championships game
If you've been following this, it's utterly ridiculous. The games are being held in the UK and the British wont recognize the Iroquois passports. Dumb, Dumb, Dumb.

Titans' Chris Johnson wouldn't mind a short-term deal
I'm not dogging on Johnson but he's got to realize that running backs are less important these days. 

Local News

The Mission Valley Mariners will take on the Bitterroot Bucs tomorrow at 4 p.m. in Polson

NBA Lockout looking more and more real

This is not the information you want to hear about one of your favorite sports leagues.


NEW YORK -- Insisting that the NBA's financial projections "don't hold water," players' association executive director Billy Hunter says he's seen nothing to change his belief that a lockout is possible.


Hunter disputes commissioner David Stern's forecast of nearly $400 million in losses this season, countering that the league's basketball-related revenues increased to their highest point ever in 2009-10.


The league's collective bargaining agreement expires next summer, and the sides remain far apart on talks for a new one, creating fears of the first work stoppage since 1998-99.

I remember 1998-99 and it sucked. SUCKED, not to have basketball. This is not good news.

I'm John Daly, I wear what I want!

Here's a photo of John Daly from the British Open. Apparently, he was thinking it was being held in the Bahamas.

a little note on the blog

I'd like to point out that the reason the blog goes quiet on Mondays and Tuesdays is that it's our production days for the newspaper. It's a pretty labor intensive process and sometimes limbs are loss. I'd like to apologize for that, but if you do get on here on Mondays and Tuesdays and there's nothing new, I haven't fallen off the planet, I'm just actually working.

Other than that, read on! I'll have more posts for you later today.

UCLA Wide Reciever tranfers to Montana

And the rest of the Big Sky Conference thinks to themselves "oh crap."

MISSOULA — UCLA wide receiver Antwan Moutra is transferring to Montana.

First-year Grizzlies coach Robin Pflugrad offered Moutra a scholarship when Pflugrad was an assistant at Oregon.

Moutra’s high school coach, Greg Goodyear, said Pflugrad told Moutra he had a chance to play the slot position on the right and could catch 50 to 80 passes.

Goodyear said Moutra liked the college-town atmosphere of Missoula and how the fans embrace the team.

I'm not one to freak out over the chances of my Eagles, but EWU gets transfers from places like SMU. Montana? Freakin' UCLA. When is Lebron James going to become a Griz and announce it on TV?

Worst Dad Ever

I'm not sure this guy will be getting a card for Father's Day...

Meet Ray Boudreau, of the Harrisburg, Pa. area. He's a youth-baseball coach and father. It seems that Mr. Boudreau (pronounced: Billy Martin) was unhappy his lad got ejected for throwing his helmet after he got thrown out at third. So what did good ole Boudreau do? He punched his nine-year-old in the face. Twice. Allegedly.

Another wonderful story that shows you that some sports parents are insane.

Rockies defeat Clark Fork Cougars

The Mission Valley Rockies won their second game of the Senior Babe Ruth state tournament down in Missoula, defeating the Clark Fork Cougars 10-9 in extra innings this afternoon. Devin Kamarainen drove in Nick Grogan in the bottom of the ninth and Jame Peterson pitched three hitless relief innings for the Rockies.

That moves the Rockies up in the bracket with a record of 1-1. They'll play the winner of the Missoula Pioneers and Helena All-Stars game at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning.

For the full story see this week's Lake County Leader.

Mission Valley Rockies lose first game of state tournament

The Mission Valley Rockies played it close, but couldn't find the offensive firepower against the Helena All-Stars and fell 6-4 in their first contest of the Senior Babe Ruth state tournament. The Rockies led 4-3 in the fourth inning but gave up two runs in the fifth and another in the sixth.

Nick Grogan went 2-for-3 with two runs scored in the game. For the full game story see next week's Lake County Leader.

They'll play again today at 3 p.m. in the double elimination tournament. Stay logged on for updates!

Lebron will wear No. 6 in Miami

Good luck burning No. 23 jerseys, Cleveland fans, because Lebron is changing his number to no. 6. I'm trying to figure out why but other than merchandising reasons, the no. 6 makes absolutely no sense. Although one could take it like Lebron is no longer trying to live in the shadow of Jordan? Or is that too poetic?

As we all know, LeBron James(notes) filed papers to change his number from 23 to 6 back when he was still in Cleveland. But now that he's switched teams, that's irrelevant. However, judging by what the NBA's online store is offering, James will be wearing 6 when he joins the Heat this fall. 

Well my no. 23 Heat jersey is totally worthless now.

Firecracker Tournament Photo Gallery

You can see a large gallery of photos from last weekends Firecracker Tournament. There are photos of the Mission Valley Mariners A team, B team and the Mission Valley Rockies.

Click here to see the gallery.

How Cleveland is taking the news...

7 years, no rings in Cleveland. Ouch.

Legion Field has the best cup of coffee in town

Since moving to Montana, I've been aghast at the lack of Starbucks.

Coming from Washington where there was a Starbucks under my kitchen sink, the lack of the corporate coffee giant bent on ruling the world was slightly disconcerting. Where was I going to get my cup of joe and complain about the rain and the terrible play of the Seattle Mariners?

Well I found the perfect cup of joe, and the perfect place to get ballpark food for that manner. Having been to numerous minor-league baseball games, I'm use to a teenager with braces, desperate for a summer job, serving me a hot dog that's been sitting in lukewarm water for about six hours.

Not at Legion Field. Manned by the parents and families of the team, they put on a major league assortment of food. This stuff just isn't good, there's lots of it and it's cooked to order.This Saturday when some games were pushed backed because of rain, I found myself driving to the Legion Field specifically to get lunch and go home. No joke. And judging from the people hawking hot dogs back to their cars, I wasn't the only one.

People from Conrad who were attending the games over the weekend told the parents manning the stand that it was the best concessions they'd ever had.

A few weeks ago, I rolled out of bed bleary-eyed and stumbling over to Legion Field for an early game during the Babe Ruth Tournament. I was absolutely shocked when one of moms freshly brewed a cup of coffee for me. Special order.

I mean who does this? Even the most fancy pants restaurant gets their coffee from a pot. I was more perplexed and amazed than the Missoula Pioneers trying to hit Kyle Bagnell's curveball.

The variety of food is also shocking. They seriously offer more choices at their ballparks than most minor-league teams. By a long shot. I'm pretty sure they could be the only baseball park in America that has a breakfast menu. They're probably just weeks away from implementing the Mission Valley Mariners Happy Meal.

Operating the concession stand at Legion Field, families worked rotating three and a half hour shifts. One can only imagine the mayhem when entire teams mobbed the stand after a game looking for food. Limbs were undoubtedly lost.

Two parents, Daniel and Katrina Rausch, spent their 26th wedding anniversary this week at Legion Field. Katrina was instrumental in helping concessions run smoothly and Dan was behind the plate umpping and also is responsible for field maintenance.

I know they gave out a hustle award for the tournament, but wow, is there like a parent MVP award we can give to all of them or something?

Proceeds from the sales obviously go back to the team. Some of those funds help players that cant pay the fees to play ball. Leftovers from the proceeds can also go back into helping improve the field itself. While the prices there are extremely reasonable, I'd imagine I've spent enough in concessions to get third base named after me.

Or perhaps a urinal. That's more fitting for a journalist right?

This first thing Mission Valley Mariners head coach Jami Hanson said after winning the tournament was thanking everyone that helped. A few rain delays mixed things up a bit, but all the helping hands certainly made this weekend a good one.

And I found a great replacement for Starbucks. Now there just needs to be more morning games going on a Legion Field.

Morning coffee... July 9, 2010

Like the giant statue of Saddam Hussein pulled down in Baghdad, fans gravitated towards the giant LeBron James billboard downtown, only to find it guarded by police. Angry Clevelanders will just have to destroy their city the old-fashioned way: a long slow economic decline marked by the departure of industry and a sustained flight to the suburbs. - DEADSPIN

College News

Mike Kramer lawsuit will go on
Former football coach has lawsuit against Montana State University.

National News

Octopus picks Spain to win World Cup
Like any other sports analysts, the octopus has no backbone, unlike other sports analysts it's been right every time during the World Cup.

Cavs owner rips Lebron
Best. Letter. Ever. And its in Comic Sans.

Local News

Mariners B team ends season with split against Libby Loggers
The future is looking bright for the Mission Valley Mariners.

Mariners B team split with Libby to end season

Lebron's headed to Miami! But lets stick with baseball... the Mission Valley Mariners B team finished their season tonight with a split in a double header against the Libby Loggers tonight on the road. You can read the full game story here.

LIBBY - The Mission Valley Mariners B team finished their season on a positive note, splitting a double header with the Libby Loggers Thursday night in Libby. Kellen Hoyt pitched six innings and gave up one hit and one run, but the Mariners lost to the Loggers 1-0 in the first game. The bats came alive for Mission Valley in the second game as they slugged their way to a 12-8 victory to end the season.

"I can't say how much the coaches, Eric [Locke] and me, are proud of them," Second-year head coach Chris Brown said. "It's been a blast coaching these guys."

The Mission Valley Mariners will be on the road at the John Hart Memorial Tournament this weekend.

28th Arlee Rodeo Results

Here are the results from last weekend's Fourth of July Open Rodeo.

Click on the "read more" to get results.

Lebron Day!

So I'm trying to wrap my brain around what is going to happen to the NBA tomorrow. Lebron will single handedly change the landscape of the league or leave it the same if he stays in Cleveland. Here's the teams that I think he should go to:

Tune Squad - Lebron, Michael Jordan, Bill Murray and Tweety Bird. Unstoppable!
WCW Wolfpack - Nothing would be better than Lebron descending from the rafters and hitting Clay Bennett with a steel chair. I want this to happen so bad.
Duke - I know this violates the NCAA rules, but like USC, they wouldn't do anything until five years after the fact.
Cleveland Browns - Wait... the Browns would have an actual athlete on their roster?
Jersey Shore - Lets compare him and Snooki.
Washington State Football - Please god, let this happen. PLEASE GOD MAKE THE BLEEDING STOP.

Heading to Rodeo Nationals Journal

Wyatt Lytton was kind enough again to text me about the Lake County rodeo stars down at the Junior Rodeo Nationals in Gallup, N.M. Here's his last entry as they wrapped up on July 3.

The finals have ended. It is a sad time in a way just because you work so hard throughout the year to earn your way here and then you are excited to get here and the finals went by so fast. The final results for Montana are:

Team Standings
Montana was 18th
Montana Boys were 15th
Montana Girls were 18th

Will Powell placed second in the All-Around Rookie Cowboy. We did fantastic and Montana as well as the Mission Valley can be proud of the representation from Will, Abby and Wyatt. This finals was a huge honor for me and I know for my teammates as well. Soon we will be back at it in August starting our new rodeo year. I hope you all enjoyed our view from the finals
-Wyatt, Abby and Will

Here is the whole Montana team. A great group of people and many years we plan in our future of sharing together rodeoing...

Morning coffee... July 7, 2010

And we'll all be witnesses tomorrow night as Lebron James will announce his free agent plans on ESPN. Wowza! Talk about a ratings windfall!

National News

Michael Vick is not the shooter
Why is this stunning news that Michael Vick is clean-nosed?

Chief Kickingstallionsims is a real name, of a real player
And he's coming to a Div. I program near you!

Morning coffee... July 5, 2010

The biggest free agent ever in Lebron James has been getting pitches from NBA teams to join their squad. This was Chicago's strategy, do you think it will work?

College News

Montana State volleyball player leaves MSU for Gonzaga
Lets hope she likes listening to zombie nation

National News

Are the Eagles about to cut Michael Vick
How bad is your rep when you're a suspect at a shooting in a location you left ten minutes before it happened? Well, pretty bad.

Famous hot dog eater in jail
Say it aint so, Kobayashi!

Roger Federer is now third in the world tennis rankings
pssshhh! Amateur!

Local News

The Mission Valley Mariners won the Firecracker Tournament last night in Polson. They defeated the Missoula Pioneers in the championship game 1-0 to win the trophy. Kyle Bagnell struck out 15 and didn't allow a hit in the contest.

Heading to Rodeo Nationals Journal

Wyatt Lytton sent me an update from the Junior Rodeo Nationals last night with plenty of photos. Click on the "read more" to see more.

Morning coffee... July 2, 2010

After being declared a unrestricted free agent, Paul Pierce has signed again with the Boston Celtics. What does that mean? They'll keep at least a very important chunk of their team that got them to the NBA Finals this year. READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

College News
I'd have more college news but I think everyone is on summer break. Any colleges in the area that you feel I'm missing?

National News

Netherlands shock Brazil 2-1 in World Cup
And the Dutch play with wooden soccer cleats...

Mentalist says he can make the Pittsburgh Pirates win
And strangely enough I believe him. I mean he can probably do a better job with magic than what the front office has been doing to that team.

Lebron meets with Miami Heat, then the Clippers
Lebron to the Clippers would cause the world to implode.

Heading to Rodeo Nationals Journal

Will getting ready to breakaway.

Wyatt Lytton was nice enough to send me an update last night via text while I was at the Mission Valley Mariners game. Here is what he had to say...

(Click the "read more" to see the full entry)

Morning coffee... July 1, 2010

Should phenom Stephen Strasburg start the All-Star game? Leave comments below!

College News

Montana State's running backs coach leaves for non-coaching position at University of Cincinnati
That seems like a good move for the coach, except that he had been in the position for three months. Way to be loyal, dude.

Cody Kempt hopes to lead MSU to greatness
The senior QB had microfracture surgery late in the 2009 football season

National News

Nets make pitch to Lebron
So how much of Russia would you like to own, Mr. James?

The Tea Party supports the Cardinals and Tony La Russa
However, they don't like those dirty liberal Cubbies

Local News

Remember, the Firecracker Tournament is still going on. Your Mission Valley Mariners will take on the Deer Lodge Wranglers tonight at 6 p.m.

Heading to Rodeo Nationals Journal

Talented local rodeo athletes have been competing in the Junior Rodeo Nationals down in Gallup, New Mexico. One of those athletes, Wyatt Lytton has been nice enough to send up updates from the event via text. Here's texts he sent me on Monday...

(Click on "read more" to see the full journal entry)

Morning coffee... June 28, 2010

(Photo by Nate Chute/Daily Inter Lake) Montana native and 11-time NBA Championship Coach Phil Jackson delivers the keynote speech at the start of the Western Governors’ Association annual meeting at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center at Whitefish Middle School Sunday afternoon. READ FULL STORY HERE.

National News

FIFA Cracks down on in-stadium games being shown on jumbotrons
To make up for all the bad call soccer refs have been making during the World Cup.

Nets talk with Wade, Bosh
The NBA free agent apocalypse is near...

Local News

The Mission Valley Mariners B Team will take on the Salmon Savages tonight at 4 p.m. in Polson.

Morning Coffee for June 27, 2010

(Photo by Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake) Emily von Jentzen at Flathead Lake near Somers on Friday morning. Jentzen is training to become the third person to swim the length of Flathead Lake, and the first woman to do so. The 30 mile swim is scheduled for July 17th. Jentzen said they would begin the swim at 4 a.m. starting from Somers. READ THE FULL STORY FROM THE INTERLAKE

Mark this down as something I'll never do, swim over 25 miles in the water. Now if somebody pops up on the beach somewhere in Polson with a wetsuit and completely out of breath, it's probably Emily. Buy her a drink because she deserves it.

College News

Bobcats, Eagles to be spoilers in the Big Sky Conference this year?
That's right, your EAAASSSTERRRNNN EEEEAAAAGGGGLLLLEEEES!

University of Montana Western signs 13 players
Two of those players are from Montana.

National News

Germany knocks England out of the World Cup
Another bad exit in the World Cup for the Brits. Perhaps they should take up basketball instead?

World Cup is doping free for fourth consecutive tournament
I don't know if this means that the testing sucks, but I mean really, soccer players doping? Really? That's like horse jockey's doping.

Local News

Mission Valley Mariners in Libby Tournament Finals
Alright boys! Lets get some work done!