New Batting Helmets Set To Protect

The new S100 batting helmet now offers protection in the head for pitches into the 100 MPH range. In comparison the typical batters helmet in the majors right now can only withstand a 60 MPH pitch. However, according to sources, players feel that the helmet is not as appealing as the basic helmet or that the helmet weighs too much on their heads.

The benefits are far more than just protecting the most vital part of your body. Players will now have more confidence in the equipment that protects them allowing them to stand in the box without having to worry as much. If the equipment will sustain the hardest pitches thrown in the major leagues maybe players won’t be as hot headed to charge the mound if a ball is hurled at their head – then again maybe not.

Improvement in sports are not always a good thing, however this innovation is not a performance enhancer and is great for the game.



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LeBron Won't Shake On It

The media can’t get enough of LeBron and his hand shakes. Yesterday a reporter asked if he had regretted not shaking hands and whether he has felt any effects from not doing so.

Lebron responded, “"I still haven't had a black eye, for one. Two, I don't regret anything that I do. The only thing I apologize for that night is not doing the media session”

LeBbron may have a point in that the media and his sponsors haven’t felt an out-lash from consumers for his behaviors. Although, Darren Rovell reports that Nike isn’t as pleased with the LeBron signing as they had hoped. The high-school prodigy was supposed to be the next Michael Jordan, but has yet to prove he can win championships or lose with class – not the ideal for the second coming of Jordan.


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The NFL Rules

Each year millions of people buy magazines and waste countless work hours preparing for another season of fantasy football. The game has been revolutionized in the past decade with the introduction of live scoring, new game formats, and thousands of “experts” weighing their opinions on the web. The popularity of the game has led to lawsuits over the rights to use player’s names and stats for fantasy purpose as well as questions about whether players had their own leagues (which they do). I’m hoping my star running back drafts himself to give a little extra motivation to run harder on Monday night to make a comeback.

Although the NFL has not realized it yet, fantasy football is mutually beneficial to the league. It creates more followers to the nation’s most popular sport since fans that previously had no vested interest in the Detroit vs. Houston game now care about how many points Houston’s defense can generate from shutting out Detroit. The NFL is upset with fantasy leagues simply because they want to have as much control on the sport and its operations without the interference of others. We have seen the NFL do this in other ways such as speaking out against sports betting in Delaware stating that it would ruin the integrity of the game. However valid their argument may be Las Vegas allows sports betting and the leagues integrity has still been sustained.

Whether it’s bragging rights, a cash pot, or fun you are playing for - enjoy the season that waits!

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The Prince Isn't So Sharp

Things aren’t looking so “sharp” right now for Milwaukee Brewer’s first basemen Prince Fielder. After being pitched at in the final inning of a blow-out game, Prince decided to try and force himself into the Dodgers locker room to seek revenge for the pitch. Maybe not one of the brightest ideas the big man has had. Since winning the Homerun Derby in St. Louis, Prince has been getting some positive press, however with this incident he may have set himself back again. Atleast, Carlos Zambrano didn’t hit any players when he went on his tirade.

Sharp electronics is a sponsor of the slugger, who has been endorsing the AQUOS high-definition television since 2008. If his endorsements have been working, than all the lucky fans out in Milwaukee were able to see his tantrum is amazing quality. One thing is clear for now, Sharp will stay away from using him for now.

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For The Love of Minor League Sports

Minor League Baseball has built it's reputation on doing things that simply aren't acceptable in the Major Leagues. Their attempt to draw crowds with gimmick days have been their staple since their inception. As a former Minor League worker myself, I have seen some interesting attempts to draw crowds. My favorite, of course, being William Hung's 7th inning stretch appearance. We had him in town for a couple days, he held radio interviews and even was spotted around the town by some adoring fans. Nonetheless this, in my eyes comical, promotion was extremely popular. The obvious increase in attendance need not be measured in numbers, since there was such a visual difference in the stands.

The Lake County Captains just pulled off a "Nickel Beer Night" at their stadium which has garnered a ton of media attention. However, Cleveland has got nothing on the Eastern Basketball Alliance's Elmira Buldogs upcoming promotion. The NBA's most controversial player, Dennis Rodman, will be coaching the team for two games only this February. Tickets went on sale on Monday with VIP tickets available to sit courtside and meet Dennis Rodman after the game. It's great to see other Minor League sports stepping into the promotional world. Baseball has dominated this market for far to long and we are happy to see some change.

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National Felony League

As far as we are concerned there are four major sports in the United States. Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Hockey. Yet, when we think of criminals and illegal activities the first sport we think of is Football. Yes, baseball has criminals of their own (Habitual victims of perjury and steroid users), but no sport sees as many DWI, murder, or weapon charges as the National Football League.

But why do all-star names such as Michael Vick, Plaxico Burress, Brandon Marshall, Donte' Stallworth, Adam "Pacman" Jones and the entire Cincinnati Bengals keep showing up as perennial criminals. Does the NFL employ criminals on purpose? Does the league just attract players who come from bad backgrounds? Are a lot of these false accusations? Do players end up in the wrongs crowd? All of these questions are valid, but why in the NFL more than anywhere else?

Each NFL roster is allowed to have 53 players, a substantial number more than any other league. There are always more crimes when there are more people, statistics don't lie, but does the NFL have more criminals simply because there are more players? I find this hard to believe.

Commissioner Goodell has attempted to try and cut down on the leagues DWI and driving problems by setting up a service that will provide a taxi for each player in all major NFL cities. However, players rarely use this out of fear they will be kept on record and teams will hold this against them during their next contract talks. (If you are interested in starting a private athlete transportation service email me!)

The wrong crowd? This seems to be the problem behind a lot of crimes in professional sports. The storyline is always the same, player X rises from the slums to become an all-star and is followed by his old entourage that is still into clubs, guns, and violence that is all funded by player X. Is there something about football that players seem to feel compelled to a life of violence in such a physical sport?

Players will contest that Plaxico Burress isn't guilty of a severe crime. The players seem to feel that their lives are in continuous danger and should always carry a weapon. If a player wants to carry a weapon than he should obtain the legal permits and become educated on how to operate and carry a fire-arm properly. Plaxico Burress has been indicted and may serve up to 15 years in prison on sheer stupidity.

Along with being continuous targets for robbery, they are also victims for false accusations and extortion due to there prominence in the media as well as their wealth. The proverbial jury is still out on what really transpired with Kobe Bryant.

The reason behind the NFL and it's criminal history may never come to light, but it should remain a high priority of the league to defend their players in order to maintain the integrity of the league. After all, owners would rather see their rich fans buying tickets to their brand new stadiums than going to the prison yard to catch a few all-stars for free.

UPDATE: Eagles DE Parker is caught in possession of marijuana.

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Victor Martinez Bobble Head Night

As the trade deadline looms there is very clear indication that Victor Martinez will no longer be a member of the Tribe. It appears the the Boston Red Sox will be acquiring the catcher for much less than previously anticipated, a sign of dead line leverage the Red Sox are using to persuade Cleveland.

The irony behind all of this is tomorrow night in Cleveland just so happens to be Victor Martinez Bobble head night. It would be an interesting give-away if the player isn't on the team anymore. We are very curious to see what Cleveland does to respond to this intriguing situation. They will most likely have to eat the cost of the promotion to avoid embarrassment. However, times like these are a great time for teams to respond to such situations and embrace the problem in a creative and innovated way. We'll keep you posted on what happens in Cleveland.

UPDATE: V-Mart was traded to the Red Sox. Bobble head night has not been canceled yet.

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