Category Archive: Sports

On the Subject of Spelling Chicago Correctly


I have run into that issue, living in towns Microsoft Word didn’t consider real. If I accepted spell check, I currently reside in Bleeder, Illinois. I’m not sure if that’s better or worse than my previous address in Hangover Park.

Losing by the Rules


“How do you have five points?” I asked. “I thought each basket was worth just one point.” Daniel explained the shots he took while demonstrating counted because “they were educational”. I didn’t remember that rule at the outset, but let it slide.

Miniature Golf Mystery


Daniel whacked his green golf ball. It rolled into the hole and… nothing. It wouldn’t come out. We kicked the side of the course and tried banging around in the hole with our clubs to no avail. Grandpa teed up his ball and got it in one shot. Two balls came out onto the green: one green one and one red one. Neither of them were Grandpa’s. I knocked my ball into the hole and Grandpa’s came out along with a pink ball. Mine was gone.

Chicago Winters Exposed


We don’t like the cold any more than anyone else does. We watch Bears games in the snow… I don’t know why we watch Bears games in the snow. I think alcohol might be involved.

An American Take on Cricket


At the top of each hour, the very properly professional (or professionally proper) English voice will intone the headlines of the day. However, it doesn’t matter what they are: assassination, flooding, general upheaval. “It’s the end of the world, you’re listening to BBC World News, but first – the Cricket Report.”

The Vow of the Raiders


You’d think flag football is the civilized version of the sport. The kids are young, they don’t wear pads. It’s a “learning experience” where kids learn the value of teamwork. It’s run by the YMCA. They don’t even keep score. Well, don’t you believe it.

A Rose, Myanmar, and The Cell


Russia ceased being the Soviet Union around the same time. Since then, Czechoslovakia has split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Yugoslavia has been subdivided as well. Yet we don’t hear any of them still being referred to by their old names. What made Myanmar (also known as Burma) so special?

Bucs Chalk Up First Win


Belvidere and Rockford East both have long and storied athletic traditions. Both teams have enjoyed greatness and both teams – like this year – have been in a rebuilding mode. In recent memory, the E-rabs have not posed a serious threat to the Bucs. While Belvidere never trailed in last Friday’s game, the E-rabs had enough surprises up their sleeves to keep the outcome in doubt until the very end.

Shooting Flag Football for Public Consumption


Flag football kicks off the 2008 season this weekend, weather permitting. I’ve already been out to Daniel’s practices, camcorder at the ready. With a little practice and a little patience, football actually lends itself to being shot by a single camera unlike – say, basketball, where you need at least two cameras (three is better) to reasonably capture all the action. Football games also lend themselves being shot as narrative.

High School Memory – Swimming


In preparation for my 20 year reunion, I’ve been trying to remember back to high school. I had to swim in the pool at school. The chlorine had a little water mixed in, but it wasn’t diluted enough to allow me to breathe easily. On top of that, I had gym first hour. I think – in theory – the pool was heated, but they didn’t start the heat up until school started. So, it was not warm when we’d have to jump in and do laps. I ended up in the low group of swimmers: group one, otherwise known as the “rocks”.

Indians Smash Bucs in Opening Game


It’s a long drive to Rockton from Belvidere.  Not many made the trek north to see the Bucs opening game.  There were plenty of gaps in the visitor stands.  Those that braved the… Read More

The View from the Press Box


Football season kicked off once again in northern Illinois last Friday night.  I dusted off my press pass from the Boone County Journal and made the trek up to Rockton to watch the… Read More

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