Sports Nuts and Bolts

Not Cool

You may have read Chris Morit's column the other day, giving his take on Phil Taylor's Sports Illustrated column regarding things that are cool in sports.

Unfortunately, there are more than a few things that are more than a bit annoying in sports, too.

I'll start with Ohio State fans who come up with every reason other than lousy play to rationalize their football team's losses.

Then there's ESPN's never-ending glamorization of anything and everything Yankees or Red Sox.

How about Steelers fans living in Browns territory?

Whatcha think about football players who celebrate routine tackles in relatively unimportant situations as though they'd just saved the game?

I'm irked by seeing the totally worthless Kid Rock getting comped -- and worse yet, getting his mug on TV -- at important sporting events.

OK, I've vented, and the floor is open for both sides. What things do you think are cool and uncool in sports?

--Scott

H-L BOE approve new wrestling coach amid controversy

In a 3-2 vote, the Hopewell-Loudon board of education approved the assignment of Joe Hoelzle to the position of head wrestling coach for the high school team.

Approximately a dozen members of the public, including former students and wrestlers and parents of current wrestlers, were present at the meeting to speak on why they did not agree with the decision.

Hoelzle was approved, however, and Geoff Palmer, superintendent, said the policies and procedures of hiring athletic personnel were followed.

Sandra Reinhart and Doug Ranker voted not to approve Hoelzle while Rob Bodart, Linda Depinet and Greg Siebenaller voted to place Hoelzle in the position.

Hoelzle is currently the assistant football coach and boys' track coach for the district.

Review Times reporter Chandra Niklewski will have more details Friday.

Baseball Wish List

The second half of the baseball season has arrived with me being left with my love of the game.

The Indians are toast -- burned at that. I'd love to jump on the Cubs' bandwagon, but it just wouldn't feel right. When I lived in the Chicago area, I followed the Cubs nearly as close as I did the Indians. But now, after being back in Ohio for so long, going all in on the Cubs would, I imagine, feel like trying to reconnect with an old girlfriend. Why would you want to?

There are some things, however, that I would like to see before the regular season ends in October:

I'd like for Cliff Lee to continue to pitch so well that, regardless of low lousy the Indians turn out to be, the left-hander would be a shoo-in for both the Cy Young and Comeback Player of the Year awards.

I'd like for the Cubs to win the NL Central, but only if the network folks swear that they'll control themselves in regard to the Billy Goat Curse, the 100-year drought, Leon Durham's 1984 error and everything else in regard to North Side futility. In other words, I'd best root for the Brewers and prepare for the return of Harvey's Wallbangers.

I'd like for the Tampa Bay Rays to beat out the Red Sox and Yankees for the AL East title, go on to win the AL championship and set fire to their American League pennant in front of the ESPN compound, aka Yankees Fan Club headquarters.

I'd like to see Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner and Fausto Carmona come back strong for the Indians late in the season and whet Indians' fans appetites for next year. Contrary to popular belief, this team does not necessarily have to rebuild. Cleveland fans could be happy again in the 2009.

Finally, I'd like to see Alex Rodriguez either settle in happily with Madonna or move on to have a solid relationship with Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand or Linda Ronstadt.

Peace.

--Scott

So Farr, so good

Sorry in advance if I don't answer the phone in the office this week. That duty will be up to Jim Woessner. I'm hitting the golf course.

Don't get the idea that I'm crazy enough to play that game. I have enough things to stress about on a daily basis. But I do enjoy watching those who golf well, and there's no better place to do so in northwest Ohio than at the annual Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic presented by Kroger.

With the biggest of local events on hold until school is back in session, it's always fun to go cover what has to qualify as the biggest sporting event in northwest Ohio.

What's nice is those in attendance treat the tournament as a huge event. The LPGA players always speak well of the size and enthusiasm of the crowds and the way the tournament is run by Judd Silverman and Co.

From a reporter's standout, I give the players high grades for their cooperation and genuine friendliness, and the tournament organizers do indeed work hard to get things right. Some, actually, work a little too hard; a few marshals have been known to take their authority a little too seriously.

The days leading up to the beginning of the tournament are the most fun for me. That's when the golfers practice on the range, putting green and course at Highland Meadows Golf Club, and it's rare to have any of them turn down an interview.

So I'm looking forward to renewing acquaintances with such players as the intense-yet-pleasant Morgan Pressel; Paula Creamer, the "Pink Panther" whose nickname matches the tournament's mascot; and Stacy Lewis, the native Toledoan who recently tied for third in the U.S. Open just weeks after completing a four-time All-America stint at the University of Arkansas.

My job at the tournament will be to lead up to and supplement the coverage provided by the Associated Press. I have ideas of what I want to write about, but that can change at any time.

I highly recommend making the trip to Sylvania if you appreciate good golf. The ticket prices are reasonable, the sightlines are good and the players are accessible to those who want autographs.

And if you have any story ideas for me for the coming week, leave a comment here to let me know.

--Scott