Sports Beat column - February 29, 2008

Sports Beat

February 29, 2008 - Happy Leap Day!

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

Once not too long ago the City of Baltimore was a good place, murders were not an everyday event, you could safely ride the MTA bus and "Charm City" had exciting and had winning teams.

The Orioles, Colts, and later the Ravens, Clippers and Skipjacks and the Blast, yes and even the Bullets were competitive but today you can't say that.

The Orioles and Ravens are losers, the Bullets and hockey teams are gone. Baltimore has become disaster city. Losing teams, departed teams and murders are common place. Gone are the Bullets, Skipjacks, Clippers and some other sports hit the wall in "Charm City". Even the Ravens made a fiasco of the firing of Brian "Big Ego" Billick and the hiring of a new coach.

Despite Owner Steve and his puppet GM Ozzie giving Billick a vote of confidence and telling him he would be back, they then gave Billick a kick out the door. Why wouldn¹t the owner give the GM the gate too? After all the GM hadn¹t done anything on the plus side since Phil Savage left for Cleveland . Is it any wonder that Cleveland has started winning there since Savage¹s arrival? Oh yes Savage just gave his quarterback a three year contract. Whoa, isn¹t that the same QB Derek Anderson who just happens to be an ex-Raven?

Despite a new coach the Ravens are still an old team and one that¹s trying to survive on their one Super Bowl victory. It¹s not going to happen this season (a winning one that is). Not that I didn¹t think Billick deserved a bus ticket out of Charm City because he did. He was suppose to be an offensive ³genius² specializing in QB¹s which turned out to be much less than that.

His sacking of Trent Dilfer after the Super Bowl win was stupid. That and then getting rid of Anderson proved he was no plus in the offensive area of pro-football. Billick will get a job in pro football and the list contains teams that are now coached by ex-Raven assistants like Atlanta , and San Francisco and other teams that recycle old coaches like Arizona , St. Louis , Detroit , and New York Jets.

The Ravens have released Mike Anderson while Jamal Lewis is in fat city in Cleveland with a new three year deal. Now let me see Anderson (D that is) and Lewis are both ex-Ravens, hmmm did Savage out maneuer the GM Ozzie? Also there are more Ex-Ravens on the Browns, what¹s the Cleveland ¹s punters name also an ex-Raven.

This past week I heard ESPN say the Orioles would be the anchor team for all of the American League just not the AL East. Folks are saying the Orioles will win between 30 to 60 games, I say 50 to 60 is more like it, the team says to be patient but hey how many years has it been since the winning days of Gillick and Johnson?

New Orioles GM Andy has made some questionable deals and another is on its way when Brian Roberts is shipped to the Chicago Cubs.

Maybe the town will have a winner if they can get Harpo Marx to move from the radio to women¹s football, she can¹t be any worse on the gridiron than she is on that 1390 station. She can also pose for the centerfold of Baltimore Magazine.

Oh well, Baltimore can still have wrestling, roller derby, and bingo for entertainment.

Langhorne Voted Academic All-American for a Second Time
Langhorne earns a spot on the second team

The Maryland women's basketball program's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, senior Crystal Langhorne earned a spot on the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America team for the second-consecutive year. Langhorne was voted to the second team after being named to the third team last year.

Crystal Langhorne is a communications major, boasts a 3.43 grade point average and is on track to graduate in May. The only player in Maryland men's or women's basketball history to collect 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, she has also been named to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District 2 three times. Langhorne was a two-time Academic All-ACC honoree and was twice named to the ACC Honor Roll.

Langhorne is the Maryland women's basketball program's only two-time All-American and, in the regular-season home finale vs. Florida State, had her Number 1 honored by the university, on of only five Terrapin women to have their jersey hanging from the rafters. She holds the school and ACC record for field goal percentage, ranking in the top five in the NCAA all-time at 65.2 percent heading into the last regular season game of the season.

Leading the Terps to a 28-2 record and 12-1 in the ACC, Langhorne is averaging 16.3 points per game and a team-high 9.2 rebounds per game. Recording 11 double-doubles this season, she has been even better in ACC games, averaging 19.5 ppg and 10.5 rpg.

Langhorne is one of two players from the ACC to have been selected Academic All-Americans. Brittany Cook of Virginia Tech was named to the third team. Langhorne is also one of just two Maryland women's basketball players to garner Academic All-America recognition. Former Terrapin Shay Doron was the first to earn the honor in 2006.

Fifth-ranked Maryland ends the regular season traveling to NC State on Sunday, March 2. The game will be televised on the ACC's Regional Sports Network (Comcast SportsNet in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area). The Terps have clinched a two seed in the ACC Tournament which will be held at the Greensboro Coliseum, March 6-9.

Field Hockey's Meharg Receives Three Commitments for 2008
Three signees hail from Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia

Maryland field hockey head coach Missy Meharg has received three commitments from top high school student-athletes. Cornelia Duffin, Michelle Lane and Brigitte Strother have each signed National Letters of Intent to play in College Park beginning the 2008 fall campaign.

Cornelia Duffin (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) hails from Moorestown , N.J. During her prep career at Moorestown High School , she scored a Burlington County-record 60 goals, including 16 in 2007. She led the Quakers to the program's 16th-consecutive Group 3 state title and was named to the Newark Star Ledger's All-Group 3 squad for the second-straight year. She was also selected to the Philadelphia Inquirer's first team South Jersey All-Star team. In 2006, Duffin was an All-South Jersey pick and an all-state selection by the Star Ledger. Inducted into the Honor and Service Society, she is the daughter of Ada Steinmetz -Duffin and Joseph Duffin.

"At 5-10, Cornelia has natural power and strong hands for creating attack and goal-scoring opportunities," said Meharg. "We are very excited about Cornelia becoming a part of our attacking unit and, with 10 siblings, we know she understands teamwork."

Michelle Lane (Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge) from Stafford , Va. , earned a place on the first team Commonwealth All-District squad, after leading Colonial Forge High School to a No. 2 seed in the district tournament as a senior. A midfield/defender, she was a first team all-district selection as a junior, as well, also earning first team all-region nods that season. A two-time second team all-area pick the last t wo years at both midfield and defense, she was the team's Most Valuable Player in 2007, also receiving the Commonwealth District All-Academic Academic Award. Lane is the daughter of Debbie and Len and has three siblings. "Michelle has natural speed and timing for intercepting and will be a defensive threat," said Meharg. "As the daughter of alumni, we are honored Michelle chose to be a Terp and we are happy to keep her home."

A local product from Annapolis, Md , Brigitte Strother ( Annapolis , Md. /Broadneck) graduates from Broadneck High School as the Bruins' all-time leading goal-scorer, leading the team to capture the county crown as a senior. In 2007, she was selected the Annapolis Capital's Player of the Year and was a first-team all-state honoree. As a senior, she was also a first team all-metro pick by the Washington Post, Baltimore Sun and Baltimore Examiner, garnering all-county nods for the second-straight year by the Capital, Post and Sun. The daughter of Tommy and Renee Strother, Michelle was a four-year Scholar Athlete and was on the Principal's Honor Roll.

"Brigitte is a feisty and dynamic goal-scoring forward and is one of the most decorated Maryland attackers out of Broadneck High School ," said Meharg. "We are so pleased that Brigitte chose to be a Terp. She is one of the state's premier student-athletes and we're happy she chose to stay home." Maryland completed another successful campaign in 2007, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the 13th-consecutive season and was ranked third in the nation in the final STX/NFHCA Coaches poll. The Terps were 18-3 overall, winning at least 17 games in each of the last nine seasons.

Ding-a-Ling-Man Returns Home

It has been confirmed that Darnell "The Ding a Ling Man" Wilson will return to the place where he has fought 15 times in his career.

In September 2006, Darnell destroyed Danial Judah (Zab's brother) in route to four consecutive devestating wins that propelled him into the high levels of the cruiserweight division. Topped off by the 2007 KNOCKOUT of the YEAR.

He recently suffered a close and disappointing lose on ESPN 2 to undefeated BJ Flores.

Not wanting to waste any time, Darnell and promoter Scott Wagner spoke shortly after the bout and agreed on terms to bring him back to THE BALLROOM. April 3rd, 2008. 410-766-7474

The most exciting and biggest puncher in boxing along side undefeated middleweight "The Persecutor" Mike Paschall (15-0-1) - both in eight round bouts.

Ballroom Boxing at Michael's Eighth Avenue is gonna explode on April 3rd. Don't miss it.

BOWIE BAYSOX TO CONDUCT OPEN AUDITIONS FOR NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMERS
FOR UPCOMING 2008 SEASON

The Bowie Baysox, Class ³AA² affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, are looking for unique and talented members of the community to perform the National Anthem before select home games during the 2007 season. Open auditions will take place Saturday, March 8th at Prince George ¹s Stadium, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The audition is open to individual singers and musicians, as well as small groups. Gates to the stadium will open at 8:30 a.m., and auditions will be conducted on a first-come, first-perform basis through registration at the stadium on the day of the event. All auditions must be in person, no cassettes, videos, or CDs will be accepted for review.

Since the team moved to Prince George ¹s Stadium in 1994, the Baysox have had a live performance of ³The Star Spangled Banner² before each Baysox home game. ³The national anthem is an integral part of baseball, and the Baysox take great pride in being able to involve local talent in an American tradition year after year,² Baysox Assistant General Manager Phil Wrye said. More information regarding the National Anthem auditions can be accessed at the Baysox official website http://www.baysox.com or by calling the Baysox at 301-805-6000.

Reservations are not accepted for audition times.

The Bowie Baysox will enter its 16th season as the Class AA Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles in 2008. The Baysox will open the 2008 Eastern League season at Prince George ¹s Stadium on Thursday April 3rd at 7:05 pm vs. the Erie SeaWolves. Baysox Ticket Packages are available now, including full and partial season ticket plans. More information is available by calling the Bowie Baysox Ticket Sales Department at (301) 464-4880 or by logging on to www.baysox.com.

All-Decade Team: The Great Pitchers' Duel!
All-Decade Pitchers!

As Bethesda Big Train rolls into its tenth season in 2008, it is fitting that we look back on the first nine years and select an honorary all-star team of our best players. You, the fans, will play the major role in selecting these players. The team will consist of from 19 to 21 players, chosen under the following three methods:

1. Those four Big Train players who went on to play in the major leagues will be selected automatically. The four are John Maine, Charlton Jimerson, Bobby Livingston, and Steve Schmoll.

2. The fans will choose the next 15 players. Each week you will receive a ballot consisting of the players nominated for each playing position. The nominating committee consisted of Sal Colangelo, Big Train manager; David Ireland, Big Train Gene ral Manager; and Bill Hickman, Big Train Historian.

3. After all the results are in, the nominating committee will meet again and may select one or two additional players.

Thanks to all who voted in last week's contest for catcher. This week, you will be voting for up to six starting and relief pitchers. A closer will be elected separately next week. The nominated players are:

Bo Acors (1999 BT) - Big Train Most Outstanding Pitcher, All-Star Game, 5-1 with 3.86 ERA in 1999. Played pro ball at Wisconsin (low A). Attended Virginia Commonwealth University.

Brian Anderson (2006-07 BT) - 2007 Big Train co-Most Outstanding Pitcher, 3-1 with 1.87 ERA in 2006. Attends University of San Francisco.

Byron Binda (2002 BT) - Big Train co-MVP, League Most Outstanding Pitcher, 6-0 with ERA of 1.16 in 2002; pro ball at Asheville (low A). Attended Coastal Carolina University.

Chris Cullen (2006 BT) - Started League All-Star Game. Pitched 3-0 and 2 saves with 0.39 ERA. Attends Michigan State University.

Matt Foster (2002 BT) - ERA of 1.43, Played pro ball at Pulaski (rookie league). Attended the United States Naval Academy.

Mark Galvin (2001 BT) - Threw no-hitter, one batter short of perfect game. Pitched 5-4 with 3.19 ERA in 2001. Attended University of Kentucky.

Kalen Gibson (2003 BT) - 1-2 with 2.66 ERA; 2002 Chicago Cubs draft pick. Attended University of Kentucky and Murray State University . Austin Hinkle (2006 BT) - 4-1 with 2.06 ERA; All-Star Game. Played pro ball at Princeton (rookie league). Attended Coastal Carolina University.

Matt Hiserman (2007 BT) - 1-1 with 2 saves and 1.39 ERA, All- S tar Game. Attended Santa Clara University . Gus Hlebovy (2002 BT) - Big Train co-MVP; 6-2 with ERA of 1.45. Co-holds Big Train record for wins (6). Played pro ball at Savannah (low A) & Independent League. Attended Kent State University.

Shay Horseman (2003 BT) - Big Train Most Outstanding Pitcher (4-1, 1.71 ERA). Attended Middle Tennessee State University.

Matt Kleweno (2000 BT) - Bi g Train Most Outstanding Pitcher (5-0, 1.04 ERA), All-Star Team. Holds Big Train season record for ERA for those with minimum 35 innings pitched. Attended Campbell University.

Steve Kline (2001 BT) - Big Train Most Outstanding Pitcher (4-3 with 1.20 ERA in 12 games). Attended Middle Tennessee State University.

Jeff Little (1999 BT) - Threw no-hitter; All-Star Game; 4-1 with 2.63 ERA in 7 games. Played pro ball at Charlotte (AAA level). Attended Vanderbilt University.

Keith Moreland (2004, 06-07 BT) - Threw no-hitter. Big Train Most Outstanding Pitcher 2004 & 2007, All-Star in 2006 & 2007. Co-holds Big Train season record for wins (6) and holds season record for winning percentage with at least 7 decisions (.857 in 2004). Big Train career winning percentage is .917 (11-1). Attended University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Brad Overton (2000 BT) - 3-0 with 1.17 ERA in 10 games. Attended University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Adam Redd (2002-06 BT) - Big Train Most Outstanding Pitcher, 2004 & 2006 All-Star Games. Had 3-1 record with 1.19 ERA in 2004. Ho ld s Big Train career record for wins (12) and pitching appearances (45). Attended Virginia Tech University.

Matt Wickswat (2006 BT) - 3-0 in 6 appearances, with 2.48 ERA. Attends Santa Clara University.

Click here to vote online now for up to six of the pitchers listed above. Voting will close next Friday, February 29th at 10 a.m.

The final selection of th e e ntire team will be announced in the Spring via the Big Train Email Newsletter. Those selected for the team will be invited to a special awards ceremony later in 2008.

Camps, Season Passes, and Sponsorships!

Camps on Sale Now
Just Announced: Dates for 2008 Big Train Baseball and Softball camps are now available. In 2008, as in years past, the Big Train will offer Basic, Advanced Development, and Softball camps. Big Train camp is directed by Big Train manager Sal Colangelo, with the help of Big Train players. Come learn from the Boys of Summer you watch at night! For more information or to register, please click here.

Season Passes
A Big Train season pass gets your loved ones a whole summer of fun at Povich Field, including special reserved seating areas just for season pass holders and a special "Express Line" entrance at the gate! Prices are as follows: 2008 Family Season Pass: $125 2008 Corporate Season Pass: $125 (for up to 4 people) 2008 Individual Season Pass: $60 To purchase your 2008 season pass, please click here to print the form and mail it, with a check or credit card number to the Bethesda Community Base Ball Club. Please specify what type of pass you'd like to purchase. The form can be sent to: Bethesda Community Base Ball Club, PO Box 30306 , Bethesda MD 20824 .

Sponsorships
In just a decade, Bethesda Big Train baseball at Shirley Povich Field has become a community treasure beloved by young and old. The Washington Post calls Big Train baseball at Povich Field "the ultimate small town fantasy." Washingtonian magazine rates it one of " Washington 's best" and Bethesda Magazine named it "One of the 67 Things We Love About Bethesda ." In addition to the 150,000 fans who have come to Big Train games, more than one thousand businesses and families have contributed funds to help make Big Train baseball at Povich Field such a special community experience. In the summer of 2008, we will be celebrating the first decade of Big Train baseball and Shirley Povich Field. We hope your business will join us in this community celebration. For more information about 2008 Season Sponsorship Opportunities, click here.

WE GET LETTERS

Bill - I'm not sure you'll remember me, but I fondly recall you and the great opportunity you gave me when I was in high school in the early 80s. I played football at Friendly High School , graduated class of 1982. I met you through your writing for the Independent, and you were kind enough to give me an internship in your office in Annapolis in the summer of 1982. I worked on victims rights legislation, specifically with Roberta Roper, whose daughter Stephanie was brutally raped and murdered in your District. I learned a lot about the legislative process and enjoyed my summer up there tremendously. Since then, I went on to the University of Virginia, where I played football for a little while and graduated in 1986. I then went to law school, again at UVA. I was a federal prosecutor in the US Attorney's Office in DC, before moving to the US Atty's office in Charlottesville, VA in 2003. I left federal service in 2003 and joined McGuireWoods as a partner, doing white collar criminal defense work. It was in that context that I've recently worked with Tim Maloney, who gave me your email address. I wanted to drop you a line and say hello after all these years. I also wanted to reiterate how much I appreciated the opportunity you gave me years ago. I wish you all the best, hope we get the chance to talk again soon. Take care, Tim Heaphy

Dear Tim, I sure do remember. I am very proud of how well you¹ve done in life. Bill

Anacostia HS With regret, Jeanne Driscoll O¹Steen, class of 1945, the wife of Bob O¹Steen, class of 43, passed away recently. Fred Plummer

Dear Fred, Thanks for the information, though sad. Bill Bill, How about Snookie Kernan and Bill Breen of Tech? June

Dear June, I said Tech as a team, so they were on that team along with Joe Caw, Frank Sullivan, Babe Marshall, Tony Sgro and several others like DeAthley, Peyton. Bill

Bill, Here is a location you will remember. Maxie¹s at Good Hope and Alabama across from Eddie Leonard¹s. John

Dear John, I sure do. Bill

Bill, How about Lew Luce, Wilson ; Roger Kingsbury, St. Albans; Ralph Hawkins, St. Johns; Bob Reese, St. Johns; Bill Edmondson, GW; Harold Weintraub, Western; Lou Snouffer, Western; Gino D¹Ambrosio, Eastern, and Ardie Baker, Coolidge. Dan

Dear Dan, Good ones. Bill

Bill, Did you forget Adrian Dantly and Austin Carr? Ed Frankovic

Dear Ed, Yes I did. Bill

SPORTS NOTES

Hey Friends; Here is the Steve Ports Trio schedule for March:

Saturday, March 1 - 8-12, rare appearance at Piv's Pub in Cockeysville , 410-666-3175 http://pivspub.com/aboutus.php.

Friday, March 7, 8:30 - Midnight - Backroom at the Woodfire Restaurant in Severna Park , 410-315-8100, http://www.woodfirebackroom.com/backroom.html

Monday, March 17 - 3 - 11PM - ST. PATRICK'S DAY - Kilarney House, Davidsonville, 410-798-8700 http://www.galway2006.com/locations.html

Friday, March 21, 9-1:30 - The Stil in Timonium, 410-560-7900, http://www.thestill.net/

Thursday, March 27 - For our friends in the State Senate, The Klassix will be playing the Senate Committee party!!!

Friday, April 4, 8:30 - Midnight - Backroom at the Woodfire Restaurant in Severna Park , 410-315-8100, http://www.woodfirebackroom.com/backroom.html

See you at the Bar; Steve Ports, David Bell, Don Wimbrough and Bill Fritz Guys, Hope to see you soon, maybe Mike Miller will invite me to the Senate party on March 27th. Bill Cookie Kiser and Derek Fink cordially invite their friends to the NOW OPEN ³Cookie¹s Baymeadow Café² located at 6711 Baymeadow Drive , Glen Burnie , MD.

Happy Birthday to the world traveling Knott Brothers! I believe its 73 for them.

The Maryland men are keeping their ³Dance² hopes alive beating Wake Forest 74-70, it looks like the only real hope for them is winning the ACC Tournament for an automatic invite. The Ravens are really turning into a classless franchise, their bungling of the ³Big Ego² firing, the hiring of Harbaugh and now the release of Mike Flynn. Hey owner Steve isn¹t it about time you show GM Ozzie the door?

I agree that axing ³Big Ego² was a way to go and an article by Bill Wagner in the Feb. 28th edition of the Annapolis Capital says it all, good one Bill and you are right on all counts including owner Steve.

Getting the gate from their teams were David Carr and Kelly Holcomb both one time promising quarterbacks. Remember Brian Murray? He is GM of the Ottawa Senators of the NHL and now has added coach to his title as he has fired John Paddock and his assistant ex-Cap Ron Lowe and replaced them with himself (also an ex-Cap). Todd Collins re-ups with the Redskins for three years.

Christian Siriano of Annapolis won $10,000 as the fans favorite on Bravo¹s Project Runway and this Wednesday is a finalist in Fashion Week¹s playoff. Good luck Christian, we¹ll be watching. I hear a State gasoline tax is on its way to Maryland also the tax will remain on computers, look for a lot of companies to join the thousands of Marylanders fleeing or getting ready to flee the State. Guess where those folks will be playing slots? Try Delaware , West Virginia , Pennsylvania , and New Jersey that¹s where. Again Maryland is late.

I like the Caps trades but it looks like Ollie ³The Goalie² Kolzig may soon be seen at DC¹s Union Station. These trades give the Virginia Capitals a chance at the cup. Was Indiana ever penalized under Bobby Knight? NO! The sacking of Kelvin Sampson shows just how bad a decision Bland made when he was IU President, of he isn¹t the guy now running the NCAA? Gus Ferott is free again being cut by the Rams along with Isaac Bruce.

I am reading a great book by Michael Richman ³The Redskins Encyclopedia² (Temple University Press) when I finish it in a week or so I will give you a review. I urge any true Redskin fan to get it because it is a great history of the Redskins (the most complete one I have ever seen). Who¹s the greatest three sport high school athlete in DC history? Jack George, St. Johns; Billy Smith, Roosevelt; Snookie Kennan, Tech; Gary Mays, Armstrong, or Tommy Brown, Blair? Jim Wexler has already let me know his pick and I have mine. Let me know yours.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the following families:
Aubrey Willis Williams, Jr. (W-L HS grad)
Gladys Smallwood Tulloch (BCC HS grad)
William F. Buckley, Jr. (voice of the conservative movement in the USA)
Larry W. Yenzer (Northwood HS grad)
Robert L. Hayes (former coach and AD at Bullis Prep)
George Grau III (Gonzaga grad)
Harold Bushnell LeRoy (Eastern, DC, HS grad)
John P. Martin ( St. Johns College HS grad and teacher at Fairmont Hgts. HS)
Henry J. ³Hank² Bartelloni (GWU football star who caught a TD pass to help GWU score their first football win ever over Georgetown in 1948. He also played baseball and won the ³Tuffy² Leemans award for GWU best senior athlete in 1949)
Paul Edwin ³Paco² Martin (Hyattsville HS grad)
Theresa Mae ³Teri² Valentine (Parkdale HS grad)
Thomas Edward Berry (Central, DC, HS grad)
Margaret O¹Merra MacGill (Theo. Roosevelt, DC, HS grad)

In high school basketball Old Mill won the Anne Arundel County Boy¹s crown with a 74-70 victory over Arundel but Arundel won the girls County title with a 74-51 rout of Old Mill.

Is Robert Irvine in or out on the Food Networks ³Dinner Impossible²? Seems some of his bio was fudged. If he is out put Bobby Flay in, both are great. By the way, I am still waiting to hear if Bobby is going to accept the challenge from Angie (Bingo World) and Bernard Brooks (Henry¹s Soul Café) on a sweet potato pie throw down. Come on Bobby we are waiting.

High School Basketball Scores
Boys
McDonough             69
Northern                  47
Laurel                       57
Gwynn Park            50
Theo. Roosevelt 50
Dunbar                     41
McDonough             66
LaPlata                     44
Gonzaga                   71
O'Connell                 63

Girls
HD Woodson           84
Theo. Roosevelt
Dunbar                     61
Anacostia                 53
Westlake                  59
Patuxent                   13
McDonough             45
North Point              41
Huntingtown            56
Northern                   36
McNamara                52
Good Counsel           38

Vladimir Klitschko won a 12 round decision over Sultan Ibragimou to capture the IBO and WBO heavyweight titles. By the way where is ³Has been² Rahman? The Chesapeake Tide open their Continental Indoor Football League season against the Rochester Raiders on Friday, March 21st at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro.

Here¹s the 2008 Navy Football schedule:
Aug. 30, Towson
Sept. 6, at Ball State
Sept. 13, at Duke
Sept. 20, Rutgers
Sept. 27, at Wake Forest
Oct. 4, at Air Force
Oct. 18, Pitt
Oct. 25, SMU
Nov. 1, Temple
Nov. 15, Notre Dame (Balti)
Nov. 22, Northern Illinois
Dec. 6, Army ( Philadelphia )
Looks like an easy six win season and a bowl visit.

MARYLAND
Aug. 30, Delaware
Sept. 6, Middle Tennessee
Sept. 13, California
Sept. 20, Eastern Michigan
Sept. 27, at Clemson
Oct. 4, at Virginia
Oct. 18, Wake Forest
Oct. 25, NC State
Nov. 6, at Virginia Tech
Nov. 15, North Carolina
Nov. 22, Florida State
Nov. 29, BC
A little tougher but the Terps will win six and go to a bowl.

VIRGINIA TECH
Aug. 30, East Carolina
Sept. 6, Furman
Sept. 13, Georgia Tech
Sept. 20, at North Carolina
Sept. 27, at Nebraska
Oct. 4, Western Kentucky
Oct. 25, at Florida State
Nov. 6, Maryland
Nov. 13, at Miami
Nov. 22, Duke
Nov. 29, Virginia
A little tougher schedule, probably a 7 or 8 game win season and a better bowl than the other two.

I think ESPN made a mistake in canning Sean Salisbury. Where is Col. Phil these days? Good article on hockey (NHL, Russia and USA ) by Michael Schwirty in the New York Times in Friday¹s (Feb.29th) edition. Brenda Frese was on for Senior Day and the Maryland women gave her a win to celebrate the birth of her twins 92-84 over Florida State in OT.

Look-a-Likes: George Clooney and George Owings, Sam Triandos and Sarah Larson.

What's this I hear about a tag team match in the newly revived Legislative Follies with a tag team match pitting Mike Miller and Ed DeGrange against Len Foxwell and Peter Franchott with the special referee being Michael Vaughn and the special timekeeper Bobby Zirkin. Better get your tickets early for this one!

My sixth grade class at Wm. E. Powell in DC had some real beauties like Patricia McDonald, Joan Albert, Filameno Cheriaco, Jean Beitzel and Evelyn Peake. I know where Joan and Evelyn are but I wonder where the others are. Also wonder where Judy Hurst, Jean Deboar, Kathleen Hawkins, and Mary Schmetzer are today. Also how about that good looking Anacostia HS cheerleader Pat Kessler and Teresa Watts are today.

You know since I had the stroke I hear from Don Saccardi, Mike Bassett, Col. Bud Suraci, Leon Albin, Barbie, Skip Bullen, Debbie, Slick Spasoff, Patrick Pannella, David Carroll, George Owings, ³Bevo² Shore, Jim Wexler, John Lithicum, Denny Donaldson, Frank Bubusic, Bruce Bereano and my motivator Phil Kapneck, but I wonder why I never hear from Ned Carey, Chris Falkenhagen, Dave Rudolph, and a few others who used to call all the time, I guess I am just a throw away to them.

BASEBALL NOTES

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs owner Brooks Robinson has his manager Butch Hobson and bench coach ex-Oriole Andy Etchebarren in place. The Blue Crabs home opener will be May 2nd at Regency Furnitise stadium. For information on the Blue Crabs call 301-638-9788.

It's no truth that David J., Tim T., Pencil Patrick, and Ironhead tried out for the Blue Crabs mascot but someone said the ³Rugman² was in the area.

Adam Loewen did not look good in his Spring training debut.

Add sloppy base running to his sloppy fielding and you are starting to see Adam Jones resume and who did he hit that homerun off Fredy Deza (who¹s lucky to be in camp).

It looks like the Orioles got damaged goods from Houston in the form of Troy Patton.

The Colorado Rockies give Neifi Perez a minor league deal.

Look for BJ Upton to have a big year. Tony Gwynn, Jr. gets a one year deal from the Brewers.

The Phillies claim Ray Olmedo off waiver wire from the Pirates.

The Nationals look to be a much better team than the Orioles. But the Nationals stadium is in a bad location with no parking and fans have to take Metro or a shuttle bus to the stadium. Just another screw up by city government.

Ex-Oriole John Maine (Mets) was touched up for 3 ER in 1 2/3 innings by the Cards in a 7-0 loss.

Bartolo Colon is a good pick up by the RedSox.

Closer Manny Corpas gets a four year, 8 million dollar contract from the Rockies.

Indians sign Josh Barfield, Fausto Carmona, and Andy Marte.

Jack Cust will be back with Oakland.

Jason Tymer gets a minor league deal from the Indians.

Josh Fogg gets a one year deal from the Reds. Blue Jays gave Shannon Stewart a one year contract.

Reds released Craig Wilson.

The first game in the new Nationals stadium won¹t include the Nats. The game on March 22nd pits GWU against St. Joe¹s. The 29th the Nats will host the Orioles and the Nats NL opener on March 30th will have the Nats hosting Atlanta.

SUPPORT SOUTHERN MD SPORTS!!