Sports
Beat
November 17, 2005
Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey
This is a week when one does not know where to start so I will start with one of the major peeves I have with the NFL and that⤁s officiating. The officials in the Redskins-Bucs games were the worse crew I have seen this season and that includes the on-field and review ones in the booth, maybe they were a tryout crew whatever they should never see the inside of an NFL stadium again. There⤁s no excuse for the NFL to use the reason that they can⤁t afford full time officials because of the cost. The NFL has so much money and they make more and more each season than the one before. Hey they could expand to two more teams and run them as league owned teams and use the revenue to fund full time officials. With the demise of the Eagles the Redskins should stay in contention for a playoff spot. Today (Sunday) the Skins host the Oakland Raiders in the 1 PM game. Did you know that Raiders owner Al Davis first head football coaching job was coaching the Fort Belvoir Engineers? He later moved to coaching The Citadel. The Raiders are ready to explode and this could be the week. Former Redskins coach Norv Turner is skating on thin ice and needs a win to survive another year. Former Maryland U. star Lamont Jordan is the Raiders stop runner with 640 yards rushing and 399 yards receiving with nine TD⤁s (7 rushing and 2 receiving). Kerry Collins to Randy Moss or Jerry Porter is an effective passing trio. But I like the Redskins in a close win. Santana Moss is having a fine season. Another NFL peeve is occurring Sunday with the Ravens at home against the Steelers, why oh why are the Skins and Ravens home on the same day and playing at the same time? This used to be a super series with every game a real test of time and this one could be a thriller in ⤦ Crime City ? whoops I mean ⤦ Charm City ? because the Steelers will probably start Tommy Maddox at quarterback. Shannon Sharpe really took a swipe at Brian Billick and Kyle Boller inferring that Boller was not an NFL capable quarterback. I guess Sharpe still has it in for ⤦Big Ego?. The Ravens gave another dismal performance in their 30-3 loss to Jacksonville even with ⤦Raghead? Ray leading the sideline cheerleaders it didn⤁t help. Its going to be a long second half of the season for you ⤦rooting Ravens fans? because your team is the pits and I don⤁t mean Steeler type. How many of you remember Frankie Filchock? He played with three NFL teams, can you name them?
Nine Field Hockey Terps Named to All-Region Teams Six voted to first team, tied for most in the country.
Six Maryland field hockey players earned a spot on the Dartfish/NFHCA Division I Mid-Atlantic All-Region first team and three more were named to the second team. The nine all-region selections are the highest for any team in the nation, while the six first-team honorees ties for the most. Among the honorees is four-time all-region selection Lauren Powley, while junior Paula Infante was selected for the third-consecutive year. Senior Lauren Powley has been named first team Mid-Atlantic Region in each of her four years at Maryland , garnering All-American honors in each of her first three seasons. She was a third-team selection as a freshman, but has made the first team in each of the last two seasons. This weekend, Powley, who has also All-ACC honors three times, scored the game-winning goal against No. 6 American to help the Terps advance to the NCAA semifinals. Junior Paula Infante earns her third-straight all-region nod. Second on the team with 12 goals, she is tied for first with five game-winning goals on the season. Infante, who is a three-time All-ACC selection, was recently named the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year. Senior co-captain Emily Beach was named to the first team for the first time in her career. Last year she was named to the second team. Senior Jackie Ciconte the Terps' leading goal scorer, was a first team selection in 2003, the same year she was named second team All-American. Earning all-region honors for the first time in their careers are junior Kristina Edmonds and sophomore Kathryn Masson. Edmonds , a starter in every game, has helped the defense earn eight shutouts on the season, limiting opponents to 1.01 goals per game which ranks in the top 10 in the nation. A goalkeeper, Mason has posted an impressive 0.90 goals against average and entered the weekend ranked second in the nation in that category. Capping her career with another solid season, senior Tiffany Marsh earned her third-straight second team Mid-Atlantic All-Region recognition. She leads the team with 15 assists and 39 points. Also earning second-team nods are freshman Susie Rowe and sophomore Janneke van Leeuwen. A defender, Rowe was named ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player after leading the Terps to their sixth conference title. Van Leeuwen, last season's ACC Rookie of the Year, is second on the team and ranked nationally with 14 assists. The six first team honorees move on to the national ballot where they become eligible for All-America honors. Top-ranked and top-seeded Maryland is making their third-straight trip to the NCAA semifinals this weekend. The winners of both semi-finals go on to play for the NCAA title today (Nov. 20) at 12:30 p.m.
Toliver's 25 Points Leads No. 14/14
Maryland Women's Hoops Past EA Sports in Exhibition
Laura Harper chips in 14 points and 16 rebounds in her first game back in
11 months.
No. 14/14 Maryland women's basketball opened the 2005-06 season with an 87-75 exhibition win over the EA Sports All-Stars on Saturday night at Comcast Center . Making her first appearance in a Terrapin uniform, freshman Kristi Toliver had a game-high 25 points, while sophomore Laura Harper, who was playing her first game in a Terrapin jersey in 11 months, had a double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds. The Terps came out hot, shooting 57.1 percent in the first half. Freshman Marissa Coleman's jumper with 14:28 left in the half gave Maryland an early 16-2 advantage. The teams traded baskets over the next couple of minutes. Rebecca Richman's layup brought the lead to 22-10 with 12:44 remaining but the Terps pushed the lead back up and were ahead by as many as 18 points with nine minutes to go in the half, 34-16. EA Sports was within 12 points, once again, on a Brittany Jackson three pointer with 4:39 to go, but Maryland 's 11-3 run to close the half, gave it a 53-33 lead at the break. Toliver netted 14 points in the first half to lead all scorers, knocking down 4-of-6 three pointers. In the second half, the Terps matched the 20-point margin on several occasions, that last coming on another Toliver trey with 15:49 left to play in the game, 61-41. The All-Stars began chipping away, eventually going on a 13-0 run over a three-minute span to get within 76-72 with just over four minutes to go. However, Maryland worked its lead back up to double digits with a 7-1 run of their own, to lead 83-73 with just under two minutes left in the game. EA Sports would not get closer than eight points the rest of the way, as Toliver scored the final four points of the game, all from the free throw line, giving the Terps the 87-75 victory. Sophomore Crystal Langhorne had eight points and eight rebounds, while freshman Coleman also contributed eight points. Toliver finished the game going 5-for-9 from beyond the arc, helping the team to a 38.9 shooting percentage from three. Yolanda Paige had 16 points for EA Sports, while Shanika Freeman (13 points, 10 rebounds) and Courtney McDaniel (12 points and 15 rebounds) both had double-doubles. The team returns to College Park for its home opener today, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m.
ABC officials certification course!
Association of Boxing Commissions will present a Judges and Referees Certification
course at the Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville , CT on December 9, 10 and
11. The courses will be taught by Duane Ford and Armando Garcia. Those who
obtain a score of 70% and higher will receive a certificate from the Association
of Boxing Commissions noting that certification has been achieved. The official's
name will also appears on www.abcboxing.com as being a certified official.
The cost of the training is $30 per person. A check or money order may be
sent to Michael Mazzulli, at the Mohegan Tribal Athletic Commission, One Mohegan
Sun Boulevard, Uncasville , CT 06382 . The check should be made payable to
the Association of Boxing Commissions. Hotel reservations can be made by calling
the Best Western Cristata Inn at 888-863-7847 or 860-848-0660 (specify the
ABC judge and referee rate). A rate of $69 for Thursday and $120 for Friday
and Saturday has been secured for this training. There will be a shuttle provided
(2 minute trip). The cut off date for hotel reservations is November 25th.
The fight between Winky Wright vs. Sam Soliman takes place that same weekend
at the Mohegan so it is imperative that interested officials register early
for this training.
NJBHOF Honors '05 Class!!!
Courtesy Mike Indri, Retired Boxers Foundation The New Jersey Boxing Hall
of Fame held it⤁s 36th annual induction dinner recently. The fifteen new
and deserved inductees, or their families (five inducted posthumously), from
all fields within the sweet science lamented during their speech⤁s about
what it took to achieve their respective greatness. Trainers, judges, commissioners,
journalists, a photographer, as well as former fighters (2 world contenders
and a champion) all embellished on the struggle, the joy, the dedication,
the love for their sport and the desire to become a champion. Click here
http://www.boxing-pics.com/nj_hof05/mulholland_hof2005.htmlfor a recap of
the evening, including the induction of fallen champion Leavander Johnson
and photos from photographer Ed Mulholland.
BIG TRAIN BASE BALL & AUCTION
The Seventh Annual Big Train Base Ball & Auction on Sunday November 13 was a big success. The event was attended by about 300 Big Train fans. We raised a record $56,000 for improving field for kids, bringing our total in the last six years to $316,000. Tim Kurkjian of ESPN's Baseball Tonightgave an overview of the recent playoffs and World Series and answered questions.Screech of the Nationals was in the house along with four members of our 2005 championship team -- MVP Greg Lemon, All-League third baseman Bryan Thomas, Most Outstanding Pitcher Adam Redd, and League Saves Leader Wyatt Stewart. There is still time for you to add to our record $56,000. Every dollar we raise will go to fix fields for kids. I have listed below some additional opportunities to bid for auction items. Event sponsorships at $1,000, $500, or $250 are still available. Sponsors at $250 and more will receive a 2006 Big Train family or corporate season pass. Family season passes -- the perfect holiday gift for the ones you love -- may be purchased for $100.Please make checks payable to: "Bethesda Community Base Ball Club" and mail to BCBBC, P.O. Box 30306 , Bethesda , MD 20824-0306 . The Bethesda Community Base Ball Club is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization. Your donation will be tax deductible. Our federal tax identification number is 52-2092719.
WE GET LETTERS
Bill, It's great to hear you are doing well. Now don't overdo it and take it easy in your recovery! I see Ned C is going to that armpit of a city Jacksonville to root on the hopeless Ravens. Why waste his time and money going to that hellhole? Tell him he needs to follow a real team -- Coach Joe's Redskins!!!! Again, great news that you are doing well and take it easy. I will see you soon. David J from Annapolis David J., Ned C. said everything was great except for the game. See you soon. Bill
Bill, Good to see you up and about from the procedure! Laura
got a wonderful notice for her portrayal of Katisha in the Washington Savoyards
production of Mikado. Thank you for the shout-out a few weeks ago in the
column. The Savoyards' 'Mikado'
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The absurdities of its plot, satiric witticisms and catchy tunes account for
the enduring popularity of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta "The Mikado, or
the Town of Titipu." The performance Thursday at the Duke Ellington Theatre
by the Washington Savoyards -- self-styled as "a unique blend of professional
and amateur artists" -- was one of fine singing and amusing stage antics.
The Savoyards fully captured the energy of Arthur Sullivan's inimitable melodiousness
and the thrust of William Schwenck Gilbert's satiric dialogue, riddled --
perhaps a little too obviously -- with updated political jabs.
The production was an engaging one, the costumes brimming in colorful elegance, the staging cleverly timed down to the finest detail. The props (pop-up "Oriental" fans of all shapes and sizes and bamboo risers of contrasting heights) allowed the singers ample mobility. Conductor N. Thomas Pedersen led the singers and an able orchestra in a performance both smooth and spirited from start to finish.
Peter Joshua Burroughs made a robust Nanki-Poo, with resonant lyricism and a humorous stage presence. Marc Bryan Lilley, as Koko, the Lord High Executioner, combined brisk singing with convincingly comical gestures. As Yum-Yum, Heather Bingham had a voice of fragrant delicacy. Laura Zuiderveen conveyed all the mock-terror of the villainous Katisha with a contralto voice of golden depth, and David Williams was an impressive Mikado. Vivacious singing in supportive roles by John Patrick Sabatos, Jonathan Powers, Victoria Jueds and Madalaine Vander-Linden was heightened by well-placed humorous patter. The show will be repeated today and tomorrow. Cecelia Porter
We took busmen's holiday on Thursday night and saw Gordon Hawkins and company in the Washington National Opera's "Porgy and Bess", where Gordon gave a strong and convincing performance as the crippled Porgy. Especially noted was the strong performance by Baltimore 's Robert Cantrell as "Jim"; Laura has performed many times with Robert, and he is a good friend of our family; we were pleased that he had a meaty role in the production. Robert just happened to be a passenger on the MARC train that was sideswiped by the lady Amtrak engineer several years ago in Baltimore Penn station (no injuries, 3 million damage to MARC equipment). I cannot seem to be able to completely cut the cords from MARC; I have been asked by Ed Williams of the B&O Museum to assist them in choosing four retired coaches from Brunswick on Wednesday for donation by the State to the B&O. Get better Bill. Steve
Steve, Thank you, I am on my way back. Good report on the opera. Bill
Gosh, Bill You're really back into the swing of things after just 1 week of surgery. You're one tough guy, and it's so good seeing you so busy again. Thank you for your prayers for the "Moose" and me, and I've got you covered, too.Look forward to your other surgery.....just think, you'll probably feel even better after that one. Thank you for "McCaffrey's World"..... especially like the "letters".... it almost puts me right back there again. Who in your long list of friends might have attended Congress Heights Ele. School? Funny, but I remember more about that than my days at Kramer Jr. I have my 6th grade graduation program with graduates' names ('49)..... such a pack rat I am. Would love to hear from someone. I'm sure some of them went to Anacostia.Who remembers Lift's corner grocery store? They still may be in business. Stay healthy, Bill. June
June, Hope someone responds to this request about Congress Heights Elementary School. Bill
Bill, Margo and I are doing well. Sounds like you are, as well. We have been traveling a bit this year. PA/DL at beginning of June. New Orleans (one of our best places). We were staying at the down town Hyatt (destroyed by the hurricane) Okla. City in summer for a couple of rounds of golf. Forgot how the humidity can tug you down. In October went to LA to visit daughter.Had a grand time. Next trip will be some what local for Thanksgivingand ending the year with Christmas week in Cabo San Lucas , Mexico . Regarding the Griffith Stadium discussion remember that the three T-Ps. were high above the field on the 50 yard line (+or-) Barnnie Breeskinand Shirley's father Jean Boardman provided the music and singing, while the "howling" was provided by the 'howling Marine"McAlister, whom Mrs. Griffith would chase out of her box seats and make him do his howling some where else. Those were the days. Best regards, Margo and Terry
Margo & Terry Good Report! That ⤦Howling Marine? was a pain if you were close by. Those days were great at Griffith Stadium. Bill
Hey Bill, Sure sounds like you're back up to speed--on your keyboard anyway. Hope everything's going good for you. You asked about local beers. Two come to mind: Senator Beer and one that got me into a brawl, National Bohemian. I was on active duty in the Coast Guard in Baltimore and feeling no pain after tossing back a few Nationals at a local bar (Balto vets may remember Cicero's, one of the strangest joints anywhere with a very strange clientele, but it was within spitting distance of our barracks). Anyway I lurched in the face of one of my shipmates and bellowed out the old phrase "National Bo will make you go." Next thing I knew I hit his fist with the side of my face, and the spit hit the fan. After an exchange of pleasantries we had a chance to cool off on the sidewalk courtesy of Sal Cicero (a Mafioso if there ever was one). The bruises were gone in a couple weeks, and we became good buddies. After that, I was very careful with National Bo. Len K Len, Others were ⤦Old Georgetown?, ⤦Gunthers? and I think it was ⤦Senate? not ⤦Senator?. Baltimore had some good looking women like Sharon Sanders, Carole Stewart, Marjorie Jones, Eleanor Bayne, Phyllis Leftwich, Joan Lindsay, Mickey McGowan and I made a few trips to he ⤦Block? with Phil Sullivan, Terry Maher, Don Saccardi and John Pavlides. The great singer Ronnie Dove was in the Coast Guard at Curtis Bay on Pennington Avenue in Baltimore . Bill Bill, Did Benny Bortnick have something to do with the Gayety Theatre and the stippers on 9th Street, NW ? Also was he involved as an emcee of wrestling matches in the DC area? Pat Duell Harford, EHS '53 Pat, He was the referee for wrestling at Turner and Uline Arenas and had a restaurant on Rhode Island Avenue. Bill
Bill, Just do not understand how these things can happen, and they do all the timeit was obvious, as the commentators were saying, the Bucs elbow did not reach the goal line and, thus, the ball did not get there the commentators made that statement after viewingso how come they got the touchdownall Coach Gibbs could do was just look disgusted and move onbut just do not understand, what is the point of a review if the review shows no touchdown and they rule a touchdownwhat did they rule on???????????????? Can't wait for your column on this onesure all Skins fans were mad as everyone else, this game was ours, no doubt about that.
We saw it tooooooo.
THERE WAS TREACHERY AND PIRACY IN TAMPA TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
REDSKINS WERE THE REAL WINNERS......
Dale Dale, Right on! Bill Bill, Thanks for the column and the memories. I am moving, the 18th of November.I want to thank you for coming into my life at a time when it was necessary to keep in touch with all of my friends in the DC area. You have become more than a friend since Easterns 2002 Meet and Greet and the Reunion . Above all the Lord has healed you and many prayers that your fans have sent up to Him have been answered. Love ya, Charlie
Charlie, Thank you. I love those ⤦Meet and Greet? events. The many folks like you and your prayers pulled me through as you are a great friend. Love ya, Bill Ed⤁s Letter to the Sun Hi Jamison, Good column tonight. I feel bad for Kyle, what Shannon Sharpe said was harsh but he is allowed to say it just like any other media member, this is America . But people have feelings and often the media forgets that in its relentless attempts to sensationalize things. Key point: Saying it though doesn't mean Shannon is right. I'll bet every cent I have that Shannon or any other member of the national media has not watched every game the Ravens have played, in its entirety, like I and many Ravens fans have, since Kyle has been drafted. AndI'm doubly surethe Ravens coaching staff have way more knowledge of what Kyle can/can't do than Shannon . Shannon is just on the air to make controversial comments and state his opinion (much like your colleague Mr. Know it All Preston- who continues to be inconsistent and clueless). But I'm glad Billick pointed out that we are talking about a 23 year old kid. Often writers and fans get so focused on the game that they forget they are hurting human beings. It is sad but that is what many in the media end up doing with their comments/columns. All Kyle is asking for is a chance but many fans and media don't want to give it to him becasue they are so bitter, frustrated, angry, etc at the team. It is a sad state of affairs that they can't get past the bad record and realize that these next 7 games are very important to the future of the Ravens and that keeping an open mind really is in their own best interests in the long run. Booing and/orjeering him isn't going to help the situation. There are many cases of guys going elsewhere and playing well with the drafting team regretting it. I would HATE to see that happen with Boller. If Kyle really can't play we will know over time. But we've seen enough good things from him in the past to know that Shannon 's statement is not reality. And Shannon doesn't have the greatest track record with his comments either: In training camp in 2001 he said Grbac was one of the best QB's he's ever seen/played with. However, he was changing his tune by the end of the season. So people should take Shannon 's comment for what it was: a national media member trying to create controversy to get ratings and listeners. That's all that was...unfortunately it was at the expense of a kid who is working and trying his butt off to be the QB of the future for the Ravens. But that doesn't get much print or comments because it is not "sensational" Whatever happened to fairness and objectivity, things that used to be a part of the American way? Ed Greetings Bill, Congratulations go out to the DCMSBL Cardinals (formerly DC Metro Cobras) for their latest National Championship. Last week they went 9 and 0 in route to the World Series title in Arizona . Bill Rector has put together National Championship ( Arizona - World Series) teams now in: 2000, 2003 and 2005. On a personal note, as a past manager of this team, these guys have a will to win and an understanding of what it takes nearly unmatched in amateur or semi~pro baseball. Congratulations on your third ring guys! Bob Schnebly Washington , D.C. Home Plate Club "Former Chairman" Sandlot, Hall of Fame Bob, They are super just like you. Bill
SPORTS NOTES
The best on air radio/TV person in the B/W area is Doc Walker who is on Comcast Sportsnet and Sports Talk 980. He also is gaining National fame on college and pro football games. Tune or view him on Tuesdays at 11 PM on Comcast and Saturdays at 11:30 PM on 980 and you will see and hear what I mean. In golf at Old South in the men⤁s and women⤁s Scotch Championships the winners were: Mens Low Gross ⤳ Hall Chaney and Fielding Yost Low Net ⤳Steve Roth and Dan McCabe Women⤁s Low Gross ⤳ Susan Bailey and Jean Chipouras Low Net ⤳ Kathy Byrnes and Nancy Budowski Our deepest sympathy goes to the family of Jerry Wachter who passed away at age 61. I have known him for many years. He was the Orioles team photographer and was a great person and a great photographer and he will be missed.
SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS!
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