"Cincinnati is a cocktail of contradictions."

BUD:

Here is an interesting article about Cincinnati and its sports (mostly the Bengals). It rambles a bit and tries to roll in too many unconnected topics, but I was surprised that it ended up presenting a fairly accurate and complete picture of Cincinnati.

Softball Update: Loss to Shamrocks, 8-3

We're now 0-2 (thanks in part to the Week 1 forfeit).

Highlights and lowlights included:

- Clark, playing 1B, made a leaping stab on a liner.
- Chavez, playing 2B, made several solid defensive plays, and was error-free.
- Some guy named Mike filled in at SS and was positively ordinary.
- Moose booted two balls at 3B, one of which was with two outs and runners on 1st and 2d.
- Ewald (LF) made a nice running catch in foul territory, Tim (LC) had an over the shoulder grab, and Matt Stubbs (RC) absolutely laid-out for a brilliant catch. Hatch was involved, I think, in no defensive plays.
- Smitty (P) pitched very well, and walked no one. Huffman (C, and in khakis) had two plays at the plate, both throws were on the mark (from Tim), but a little late. Huffman grabbed both throws without incident, although he was bowled over on one.

- The offense was uninspiring. I don't think anyone had an extra base hit, and we routinely left runners on base.

Time to get what's coming to us

BUD:

If I recall correctly, lesson #1 at the 1998 Barbri review course was that lawyers are a litigious bunch. Example: the class action suit against Barbri.

You may already be aware of this, but if not, check out the website. It has the claim form that needs to be filled out and mailed in by September. According to the information, there is a $49 million pot, and we are each entitled to no more than 30% of what we paid. It looks like our greedy lawyers will take up to 25% of the settlement.

I have no idea how much I paid (wasn't it at least $1,000?), so I called the hotline and am expecting an answer in 3 weeks after my query is "researched."

Good stuff. I love sticking it to the man. Don't tell Nick Dinardo about this, he'll probably just donate his share to the National Legal Aid and Defender Association.

You Will NOT Believe What I Noticed

Bartish! In the color guard. And this...

I didn't see him there, but apparently, he's Ewald's conscience.

Painter

I don't mind J. Painter making some jokes in his opinions. The problem is that so few of his are actually timely pop references or necessarily relevant.

Opening Day.

I told Bart that I would put up a picture from Opening Day. Here is Harang's first pitch. Much better than Mallroy's.










More pictures from Beam: HERE.

MOOSE'S AAU GIRLS' HOOPS TEAM

Since I know that you're always dying for updates on the girls that I coached growing up, two of them made first-team all Cincinnati:

Maribeth Greis is a 6-2 center with a Musillo-sculpted baby hook. She's had a few NCAA D-1 offers, but hasn't accepted any of them yet.

Amanda Keehan is a 6-1 wing player with a sweet jumper (that I had NOTHING to do with) who just signed with WVU.

An Honorable mention was our point guard, Abby Ballman, from Mercy.

Softball Schedule

4/17 6.20 Airport #2 v. Power Plant
4/24 7.30 Schmidt #3 v. Shamrocks
5/1 7.30 Schmidt #4 v. Bears
5/8 6.20 Schmidt #3 v. Kohnen & Patton
5/15 6.20 Schmidt #1 v. Nky Bar Assoc.
5/22 BYE
5/29 7.30 Airport #2 v. Strauss & Troy
6/5 6.20 Schmidt #1 v. Greenbaum
6/12 7.30 Schmidt #3 v. Bears
6/19 7.30 Schmidt #3 v. Shamrocks
6/26 6.20 Schmidt #4 v. Frost Brown Todd
7/3 6.20 Airport #1 v. N Ky Bar Assoc.

RAINOUT: 651-5118 EXT 240

Baseball Movies

Opening Day brought about a heated argument between Bjorn and I about what is the best "baseball" movie. We were drunk so I can't tell you if we meant the best movie with baseball in it or the best movie that captures the essence of baseball. He says "The Natural". I say "Bull Durham". It will be interesting to see how this online competition to name the best baseball movie turns out: http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/baseball-round1.html

I'm Sorry Monty

http://www.handdrawngames.com/DesktopTD/

Best Hometown in Ohio

BUD:

I thought you all should know that the venerable Ohio Magazine recently honored Mariemont as the best hometown in Southwest Ohio.

As part of the 2-day itinerary that many of you will now be compelled to undertake, I also recommend visiting the "Boyhood Home of Lil' Bud" plaque on Hammerstone Way. Perhaps you will be able to glean a greater appreciation for why I am like I am.

Look at me, I gotta be in centerfield

What is the best non-weekend, non-holiday sports day of the year? I've got to go with today -- opening day of the baseball season and the NCAA basketball championship game.

Although, I believe a case could also be made for the first Thursday of March Madness.