Stormer’s start it up at home

By Sam Valentin- 

This time the Barnstormer’s did not have to wait until the ninth inning to produce runs.

Lancaster came out swinging last night in their home opener scoring four runs in the first inning. While in their previous two wins against the Blue Crabs they had to rally in the final frame.

John Halama picked up his first win in the home opener for the Barnstormers Tuesday night. Photo by Gabbi Bauman.

In front of a sellout crowd of 7,088, the stormers started off a very strong offensive night. In the first inning, Somerset pitcher, Doug Arguello had a tough outing not even retiring a batter before his night was ended. The Stormers bats came alive early to get four runs to make the score four to one.

They never looked back.

“I like when we can get off early like that,” ‘Stormers skipper Butch Hobson said.

Although Stormer’s starter, John Halama did give up an early run in the first, he only gave up another run. Only one was earned. Halama (1-1) earned the win for the Barnstormers, allowing six hits and two runs (one earned) in a six-inning quality start. The bullpen combination of Beau Vaughan and Ching-Lung Lo pitched a no-no for the rest of the outing.

“The big thing is getting stretched out,” said Halama, who threw 84 pitches. “Hopefully, next outing I can get close to that 100-pitch count.”

The Barnstormers scored their final three runs in the fourth inning off of Somerset’s, Mike Solbach. Kody Kirkland blasted a solo shot to lead off the fourth. It was his second of the season. Adam Goodwin scored off a passed third strike to Terry Tiffee. Jesus Merchan who went two for five on the night doubled down the third base line to end the offensive storm.

The Pat’s scored another in the sixth off of a laser double by slugger Jesse Hoorelbeke. This ended the scoring for the night.

Lancaster will send J.D. Durbin (0-0) to the hill on Wednesday evening against right-hander Mike McDonald (0-0) for game two of the three game series with the Patriot’s. The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.

In note: Leasean McCoy threw out the ceremonial first pitch to start off anpother baseball season in Lancaster. He was there promoting his foundation, the Lesean McCoy Foundation. His appearance was to raise money and awareness for ALS. McCoy’s grandmother recently succumbed to ALS and the LeSean McCoy Foundation is set up to help battle the disease. He will also be having a football camp at Penn Manor this summer through his foundation.

The Barnstormer’s recently signed outfielder, Brandon Haverman who has spent some time in the Mariner’s system after graduating from Purdue.

Also last years Freedom division MVP, Tommy Everidge recorded his first hit last night in the win.

Barnstormers live blog

By Sam Valentin-

I am at Clipper Magazine Stadium waiting for the start of the finale against the Somerset Patriots at 7pm. Already the fans are starting to trickle in, the smell of hotdogs, and cotton candy fill the air, while the green grass glimmers in the afternoon sunlight. Its a great night for baseball folks. And I will bring it to you live tonight from the press box.

The Barnstormers lost in shocking fashion last night to the Pat’s in the middle game of the three game series which concludes tonight. The Patriots scored seven… yes seven runs with their final four outs to stun the Stormer’s by a score of 7-6. Although Durbin pitched a no- no through six and two thirds innings.

Lineups-

Somerset

2B Freddie Bynum

LF Deangelo Mack

1B Freddy Sandoval

DH Jesse hoorelbeke

RF Aaron Mathews

3B Jeff Nettles

C Yusuf Carter

CF Johnny Drenned

SS Rex Rundgren

RHP Justin Cassel (0-1)

Barnstormers

CF Adam Godwin

LF Blake Gailen

1B Tommy Everidge

3B Terry Tiffee

RF Ryan Harvey

2B Brad Boyer

DH Fehlandt Lentini

SS Jaime Pedroza

C Emerson Frostad

LHP Rich Rundles (0-0)

7 pm – National Anthem

Now play ball

Freddie Bynum up. He grounds out to short. Now Mack up. He lines out to short.

Two down and Sandoval grounds out to short. The Stormer’s are now up in the bottom of the first

Godwin cant do anything. now Gailen who has been on a tear. Well he grounds out and now slugger Tommy Everidge struts to the dish to take his cuts with two down.He grounds out to short.

Three up three down for both teams.

Now the second inning and slugger Hororelbeke strolls to the plate for the Pats.He grounds out to Tiffee for one out. Two down after Rundles strikes out Mathews. Nettles grounds out to Rundles to end the top of the second inning.

Now up Tiffee for LB. He strikes out swinging. Cassel’s first of the night. Harvey up next who also strikes out. Cassel now has two. Boyer up. Brad Boyer grounds out to first to end the inning.

The Pats have Carter up. He records the first hit of the game with a grounder of the middle. Drennen up. He strikes out while Carter takes second. Rundgren singles to left but an error on Gailen lets carter score. Rundles gets out of inning strikes out Bynum and then gets Mack to line out to  short.

Now Pat’s up one.

Lentini up. Crushes a foul ball down the left field line.He gets on with a strong liner and now Pedroza up. He strikes out. Cassel’s third of the night. Frostad takes his turn with one down and Lentini on first. Frostad grounds into a double play to end the inning.

So know the fourth inning and Sandovl flies out to shallow center. This brings up Hoorelbeke who lines to left for a single. One on first and one out for mathews who hits a double into the right center gap. Both men in scoring position for Nettles who just barely grounds out.

Now the stormers side of the fourth.

Godwin leads off.He grounds out to first for the first out. Another great play by somerset on Gailen’s grounder to first. And everidge ends the inning with a strikeout.

Now the top of the fifth. Score is still Pats up one.

Carter up and he doubles. Drenned sac bunt to move Carter to third. One out and Rundgren sac fly to center scores Carter. two to nothing Somerset. Bynum up. He has a very lengthy at bat and gets on with a grounder up the first base side. Bynum easily takes second. While Mack is up to bat who strikes out with lightening in the background. That could effect the game.

2 nothing stormers and Tiffee flied out to right.Harvey grounded out. And Boyer struck out to end the inning.

Now the sixth inning.

Sandoval is now up for the Pat’s. He strikes out . Now DH, Jesse Hoorelbeke who lines into left for another base hit. Mathews up at the plate. He looks out at first but called safe. Riundle around 85 pitches after he strikes out Nettles to end the inning.

Lentini leads it off and reaches on an error by the shortstop. This brings up Pedroza who is having a long at bat and does strikeout while Lentini is thrown out trying to take second. Two away for Frostad who

Ching Lung Lo now pitching for the Stormers. He gets Carter to fly out to shallow left for out number one. Drennen up next who flies out for number two. Rundgren grounds out to led us to the seventh inning stretch.

Home half of the seventh and its the top of the line up with Godwin leading off. He gets on with a line to center. Gailen steps in and grounds out to first but does move Godwin into scoring position. Everidge then comes up and moves Godwin to third with two outs with Tiffee coming up in a much needed RBI situation. Tiffee smacks one to the left fielder to end the inning.

With the start of the eighth inning fan favorite, Ross peebles comes into pitch for the Stormers. The top of the line up due up for the Pat’s. Bynum flied out to left for the first out. Mack walks which leads to Sandoval who gets rung out. And another pitching change by Hobson who decides to go with Pollok who gets Hoorelbeke to fly out to shallow left to ed the inning.

Now pitching for Somerset Anthony Claggett who will first face Ryan Harvey who get rung up. This brings up Boyer who take Claggett deep to left for a homer. This makes the stormers still down one but no shut out tonight. Lentini up now and gets on witha grounder that should have been an out but is ruled a single. Anyway this spurs a pitching change. They bring in David Quinowski to face Pedroza with one out and one one first. He sees a myriad of pitches before working the count and then strikes out. Lentini moves to second which he has been trying to do all night. Frostad walks to bring up Godwin with two out and two on. Another pitching change by the Pat’s.Josh Rupe into face Godwin. Godwin hits a chopper to load the bases for Gailen. Big opportunity for him here lets see what he does. Wow passed ball advances all runners so tied up at two. And the eighth is over when Gaillen pops out to short.

Mathews leading off the ninth. He strikes out. And now Nettles up who flies out to center. Could be some extra baseball here tonight. Carter strikes out and this sets up the Stormers for a chance to win it.

Everidge and Tiffe both miss there chance as hero and groundout. Lets see if Harvey can do something. Devils take the lead btw. Harvey fights a blooper to center to stay alive and bring up Boyer but he cant do anything.

And now we have extra baseball.

Lancaster calls on its bullpen Mike Johnston now pitching. He will face off against Drennen. Drennen completely gets ahold of one and puts the Patriots up by one. He could be the hero. And one out in the tenth when Rundgren flies out. Butch Hobson another talking to the pitcher. But it seemed to work as Bynum grounds out for the second out. Now up Mack who grounds out to bring up the Barnstormers who really need to find there offense here.

Lentini leading off. He grounds out to short. One out for Pedroza who hits one sharply done the first baseline which is gobbled up for out number two. Frostad last chance. Stormers down to there last out. Not so fast. Frostad finds a whole and gets a single. This brings up Godwin who grounds into a fields choice. this ends the game. Somerset wins the game and the series.

Comets’ McCoy twins make verbal commitment to Boston College

By Sam Valentin and Jeff Reinhart-

MILLERSVILLE – While everyone’s eyes were on the seniors in the days leading up to National Signing Day in early February, two junior field hockey players at Penn Manor shared some of the spotlight when they decided to verbally commit to the college of their choice.

The twin sisters have been together from birth. They even have the same schedule at Penn Manor. And they play the same sports.

Now, they will eventually attend the same college together.

Eryn and Emily, Comets’ field hockey standouts, multiple All-Star selections and U.S. National Team members, have verbally committed to Boston College as juniors.

“We have been together all of our lives,” Emily said. “We are basically always together.”

But they will be seeing less of each other once at college. The twins decided not to room together during their time at Boston College because, Emily joked, they would constantly fight.

Eryn and Emily play for the Under-17 National Field Hockey squad, and they’ll have one more season together for Penn Manor in the fall before heading off to Boston College.

“They both have different skills,” Penn Manor coach Matt Soto said. “And they both have remarkable gifts to bring to the game. I hope they’re great. I know they’ve worked hard and have profound changes in their game.”

Asked if he thought Eryn and Emily could make the U.S. Olympic team, Soto said: “I mean, they made the U-17 National Team. Yes, sure they have a chance. I would love to say yes, but it’s hard. But I know the competition will make them better.”

Eryn and Emily will compete for the U.S. National U-17 Team against the Canadian National Team in a series of exhibition games in Canada in early April.

Penn Manor advanced to the L-L League championship game and to the District 3 “AAA” championship game this past season, but the Comets fell to Warwick in overtime in the league title game and to Lower Dauphin in the district title game.

The Comets were eliminated in the second round of the PIAA playoffs by Emmaus.

Eryn and Emily both earned several All-Star awards after the season:

Eryn was a First-Team L-L League Section 1 All-Star forward. She was also named a Harrow Sports/National Field Hockey Coaches Association First-Team All-Regional All-Star, was a Pennsylvania High School Field Hockey Coaches Association First-Team All-State selection, and was a Harrow Sports/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Second-Team All-American pick.

Emily was also a First-Team L-L League Section 1 All-Star midfielder. And she was Harrow Sports/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Second-Team All-Regional pick and a Pennsylvania High School Field Hockey Coaches Association Second-Team All-State selection.

After one more season together with the Comets, the McCoy twins will be off to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts to play for the Eagles.

In Note: This again was written for Jeff Reinhart. I encourage you to take a look at his site called Lancaster- Lebanon League Sports to find more coverage on this story and many other articles about the happenings around the league.

Comets’ Sloss commits

By Sam Valentin-

Another Lady Comet to add to the list.

Penn Manor field hockey standout, multiple all star selections, and U.S future team member, Shannon Sloss will continue her field hockey career at Louisville. She verbally committed to Louisville in the weeks leading up to National Signing Day. She shared the spotlight with two seniors and also the Mccoy twins who will continue there field hockey career at Boston College together.

She will have one more year playing at Penn Manor  before she becomes a Cardinal. She felt very comfortable and at home  when she visited compared to other schools.

“I felt that after looking at many schools that I had not felt as comfortable and happier on a visit then at Louisville, so I decided to call up the coach to take her offer,” said Sloss who obviously also based her decision off of field hockey matters.

“I decided to commit to Louisville because I felt at home on the campus. The coaches and the girls were very nice and the facilities and support groups for the sport teams were the best I had ever seen. I felt that this college would help me improve my game and continue to make me a better player for the next levels,” said Sloss who ais part of futures which is training for USA field hockey.

In this program she has made the National Futures Championship 3 times and the Junior Olympics in 2011.

At Penn Manor she started Varsity for the past three years. She has won many titles with Penn Manor Field hockey including league and section championships. While at Penn Manor Sloss has been named All American third team 2011, All Region first team in 2011, All State first team in 2011, All league team in 2011, All section first team in 2011, and All State second team in 2010.

Along with Penn Manor she also participates in a club team, PennLanco which has won gold in the National club championship 2011, and National Festival 2010-2011.

She has been playing since seventh grade and will look to continue after one final year with the Comets. Then she will trade her blue and gold for cardinal red, black, and white to become a cardinal at the University of  Louisville.

In note: I wrote this for Jeff Reinhart’s site, http://llleaguesports.com/, which you can find more coverage on this and other LL league happenings.

Just a few irking things

By Sam Valentin- 

When it comes to sports I can take a lot before something upsets me unless it is of course something about my team because I am really passionate about my teams but especially my Orioles but I know the line of when to shut up and what not to say and do. Oh man I make it sound like I am in heated arguments all the time which could be farther from the truth. Well others do not know that line. So here are just a handful of things that agitate me in the sports world:

1. Fans who wear a teams gear who is not even playing.

This makes me so frustrated. All I think about is hey are you an idiot they are not even on the field. I want to go up to them and be like hey stupid these two teams are actually playing not yours. So if you are going to a game that you dont care about wear something neutral not your other sports teams gear.

I see it all the time since I am an O’s fan. Yess an O’s fan. Now that the laughing has subsided let me continue. The yankees come to town and all you see is Navy Blue and then a tad of orange and oh what red. Why is there red when its and Orioles vs Yanks game. Stupid Red Sox and Yankees fans.

2. When the opposing team has more fans

This again happens all the time since yess I am an Orioles fan. Whenever the Red Sox and Yankees come to Baltimore its either a sea of Red or Navy. Both teams fans bring in terrible accents too by the way. So look Boston and New York fans actually do have something in common.

This especially sucks when its the Yankees and Red Sox because there fans are complete jerks and some are complete drunks. Only coming to Baltimore to get cheaper beer.

3. When the home team gives it to an away team fan the entire game

Okay I will be the first to admit this is fun depending what side of the bantering you are on or it could be the worst baseball game of your life. Phillies fans are the worst with this one. I have seen them yell at kids younger then 15 for wearing a Braves shirt. Oh an FYI this is when they were sober so imagine what they did and said when they werent which I imagine happened before the third inning.

4. when opposing fans touch you

This is the worst I can take someone yelling obscenities for 4 hours but as soon ad you touch me and invade my privacy that is just wrong. Never make another fan feel uncomfortable especially to the point where he thinks his safety is in danger.

Well I wanted to do five but I can not think of another so I will leave it at four. I hope not to offend anyone in this post. It is mainly meant to by comical. Although Yankee and Red Sox fans I am only kidding about somethings. Sorry but you are just stupid.

So please leave me a comment. And check back later.

The start of a new season

By Sam Valentin-

Its officially spring and its warming up. You know what that means right??

Baseball Season.

I can imagine the warm summer breeze, the smell of peanuts and hot dogs and the sweet sound the ball makes coming off the bat.My team, the Baltimore Orioles, do not open up for a week exactly. Which I have tickets for but I will cover that a little later. But two teams already started their 2012 journey.

It has officially opened up in Japan this week with the Seattle Mariners facing the Oakland Athletics. But why did an American sport open up in Japan?

Okay I understand Ichiro is the biggest Japan breed MLB player but come on it is called America’s pastime for a reason. It is America’s sport and should be opened here in the United States not in Japan. I am all for baseball taking some road trips during the season to play a game oversees which could be anywhere from Europe to Africa to Puerto Rico for all I care but to start the season there just seems a tad demeaning to the game I love most.

I like how the NFL has traveled to play games in London and various places around the globe to broaden the fan base of American Football but Baseball went a little far with that. I can not remember an opening day that had a game where no one on the western hemisphere even noticed.

Opening Day is something special for sports, America, and obviously baseball its self. It is something that is celebrated, cherished, memorable, and even counted down upon. I personally keep track of roughly how many weeks it is until the season opener once Spring Training starts. So nothing absurd but once it gets down to under a week then I may count down.

Its a week until I attend my fourth opening day game, my third at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. I am so excited to just be back to the baseball atmosphere and know that almost every night after April 7th to October there will be something for me to watch on TV. Whether it is the Orioles or not there is always a game on. Just one of the many things about and reasons I love Baseball.

Also it is funny because people are jealous that I am going to an Opening Day game. I am just like um yeaa its my fourth time attending an Opening Day game like no big deal.  Even if it is just the O’s vs the Twins. It is still Opening Day 2012 for these teams.These people are not even huge baseball fans and they see the importance and meaning of Opening Day. Why can’t all of Major League Baseball?

We should open in America and that is that. If you want to go overseas to play a spring training game or a regular season game so be it but Opening Day should be done how it always has been… in America.

I hope to have more posts about Baseball in the near future but we will see it is just a hard sport to cover since it is always occurring.

 

 

Just a few reasons why our eyes are glued to the TV

Like you need reasons to watch March Madness. But I am still going to mention some here. Also this is for the people who do not understand why some of us obsess over this tournament and can not wait until April 8th. And yes, I am guilty of obsessing over this time about the Madness.

So here we go…

1. Well what else are you doing on a Thursday night…

Its a Thursday night and what else is on TV? That is right nothing but  March Madness so watch it. Also who is free on at 9 pm on a school night like come on just stay home and watch it.

2. The adizero uniform’s

Three schools unveiled new, lightweight unis by Adidas. And I am sure these unis have caught your eye especially Baylor’s. Cincy, Louisville, and Baylor are all sporting the colorful stylish jersey’s. The ladies might like the fashion statement made by these teams. Also these jerseys seem to lead to success with all three teams going to the sweet sixteen and two of them advancing to the elite eight. Lets see if these magical unis can lead L-Ville and Baylor to the sweet sixteen.

3. Brackets

Well this is a huge part of NCAA basketball especially the NCAA tournament. Everyone fills one out even the people who have no idea about the game of basketball. I know a couple of people that pick by colors of the teams jerseys or by the mascots. I have even heard people who pick off guys on the team. Now there are also those who fill out numerous brackets with all different teams winning and upsets. which leads into number four…

4. Upsets

Tell you girlfriend or significant other that you have to see every game because you just never know whats going to happen. Normally I do not tune into the number one vs number sixteen seed but now I always will after Syracuse almost coughed up their first round game against who? Exactly no one even remembers. But they only got my UNC- Asheville by 7. Not a very dominant performance by a one.

Also the number two’s first round games I will watch for a little if there is not another game on but this year Norfolk State over Mizzou and Lehigh over Duke was ridiculous and ruined brackets and made the mouthes move.

5. Everyone talks about it

The talks start before selection Sunday and continue till a couple days after Monday April 7th.

The talk at school/workplace before the ball gets thrown up for the opening tip of the play in games is the match ups and brackets. This is why ladies you may not get much attention during march and the first week of April, you do not know basketball. oh and not to you ladies who do not know sports please do not act like you do it is frustrating.

Then the talk turns to upsets, Cinderella’s, and previews.

Well this is just a few of the reasons why we watch the tourney that almost becomes part of us in March, the Madness is what its called.

My Sports Brain is Confused

By Samuel Valentin-

My brain well I guess just the sports section of my brain is very confused right now. I know blame it on the madness or maybe the training. Hmm… thats tough.

Obviously selection Sunday is upon us. And we already know what team we are picking to win and all the possible scenarios that could happen to make that team lose. Like what if Fab Melo or Scoop Jardine go down? What happens to Orange and their stifling zone? So many questions. And if you were wondering yes I am picking the Syracuse Orange to win the National Championship. But they are also my favorite team. Well back to what I was saying. As soon as I am done here I am going to fill out my first of maybe 5-7 brackets on ESPN. So my mind, ears, and eyes are telling me it is finally time for March Madness.

But then there is this thing called Spring Training happening as well. It gets a tad overshadowed by sometimes golf, maybe hockey, at times basketball and definitely college basketball. The thought of baseball coming back in less than four months is better then a relationship. Also knowing I recently received my opening day tickets and partial season plan makes it so much better. And with baseball comes spring then summer, the best months of the year. Obviously not just because of baseball but there are some other reasons such as no school, weather, vacations and you know the list goes on. So my heart is telling me it is baseball season which is the best season of all.

Now to better understand this whole thing of me being confused with seasons, you have to know a few things about me. So here we go.

I am one of a few avid Orioles fans who are willing to admit it. Hey if you put us out of the league that whoever has the most money normally wins, we would actually be okay. The Rays never got that memo by the way. And I am willing to argue these statements with just about anybody especially Phillies fans.

Also Baseball is by far my favorite sport to watch.Not that I do not like watching college basketball.Especially when its for like what four weeks straight. But come on everyone knows only the time leading up to selection sunday, filling out your bracket, and then the first two rounds are the most fun and interesting time. Then at the end you get a let down because your teams out and your bracket already busted. Plus you are getting a a watered down championship. Then while watching that you realize you spent 5 dollars on the bracket that ended your march madness in the third round.

I just do not know if I should follow Roxette’s advice and listen to my heart or go with what my mind is saying. Like nothing against march madness I love it dearly but I just think it may receive to much hype for what it really is while spring training and baseball may not receive enough.

Well one thing I am sure of is that I have to go fill out my first bracket because its March Madness Baby!!!! And baseball season can wait at least another week and a half when my bracket is busted by Cinderella.

I will try to keep you posted on some of my other thoughts during March Madness and Spring Training leading up to the final dance and baseball season. But I would love to hear from you guys so please drop a comment. Thanks for reading.

Kobe Masked?

Sam Valentin-

A guard inside the Staples Center last night looked Richard Hamilton-esque.

That guard wears the number 24 on the back of his yellow jersey. Yes of course I am talking about Kobe, who had his nose broken by fellow USA Olympian, Dwayne Wade. Oh and that is Kobe Bryant just in case there was some confusion there. But I doubt there was everyone in the NBA know Kobe as just plain old Kobe. It is like the soccer world everyone knows Christiano Ronaldo as just Ronaldo.

Just one word as your name shows greatness in your respective sport. Well enough with his name. Lets talk about his nose,head, and his stroke.

Even though his nose was broken and he got his first concussion of his athletic career, his stroke was not hurt at all. With pain and all he still dropped 31 points on the Timberwolves last night. He also collected seven rebounds and eight assists while sporting a very comfortable looking protective mask…. right….no I meant uncomfortable but Kobe wears one I want to too. Its might turn into Tebowing.

He will keep wearing that mask until his nose does not feel tender anymore. So he will be wearing one when Dwayne Wade and Co. visit the Lakers this weekend. Dwayne Wade is the reason that Kobe is injured and wearing a mask. Wade fouled Kobe hard hitting him in the face in the third quarter of Sunday night’s All Star game in Orlando. Which is interesting in its self that Wade would foul Kobe hard in an all star game. Or even why would there be any hard foul in an all star game?? It defiantly raises some questions.

Its an All Star game for goodness sakes hardly anyone plays defense. That is why the score was 152 to 149 in favor of the west. So Kobe’s side still picked up the win in a seemingly meaningless game. The All Star game just showcases offense. Look at Kevin Durant finished with 36 points and took home the MVP award. James also scored 36 points for the East but everyone just remembers his costly turnover at the end of the game. wait did the iconic Laker, Kobe Bryant break his nose in that same game? Did not Dwayne Wade make a physical foul in a fun game or did he just record a triple-double?

It really does not make sense to me that Lebron James gets more publicity in articles about his turnover late in the game and if he should have been handling the ball at that time of the game and if he should be trusted as clutch. You know what who cares who wins its not like the MLB All Star game where it is still fun but the winner gets home field advantage in the World series. Now that actually means something to the players who are still going out to have fun and play the game they love. The Pro Bowl is even worse they mine as well be playing touch football or flag football.

The NBA really needs to make the All Star game more interesting for the fans. The whole weekend festivities are great but the one event I do not want to watch is the main event, the All Star game.

So more basketball coming in the very near future. Please leave me comment of whatever is on your mind. Thanks check back later for more posts.

My February Madness

By Samuel Valentin-

It is still February. And yes selection Sunday is exactly two weeks away but I can feel the madness already. You ask if I am counting down?

Of coarse I am. I might even reply with a who is not? Then I would remember most people do not care until the bracket comes out or until Selection Sunday is right upon us. So call me weird but I am preparing for a crazy March.

Days of sitting on the couch with chips right next to me, my thumb hurting from clicking the previous button on my remote and my phone well who cares where it is because I am busy with four games. Also some sleepless nights in there depending on the schedules and even the length of the games.

This week whenever I had a laptop or computer I could be seen on ESPN.com. Which is very normal. But for some odd reason my clicker just kept taking me to the NCAA tourney home page. Now you have to understand that this week I found myself on computers more often than usual. Then I checked out Joe Lunardi’s projected bracket.

Man was that a mistake.

I got hooked before the conference tournaments. I started trying to figure out match-ups and how certain teams would fare against that team. All these scenarios and situations were just flowing through my mind like my mind was a running facet. Then my best friend gets hooked and all of a sudden it like a drug. I just can not stop thinking about it. We were talking about it all week.

Well more arguing because duhh this years field is stronger then last year’s. And totally a team that sports orange is better then the team that rocks green and there best player is green. Oh sorry I kind of got off topic there.

Well Saturday rolls around. Some how it has not even crossed my mind until… I go over to my girlfriends house. They are watching the Purdue vs Michigan game. Yea I know they are Michigan fans like that is really gross. You have to go Nittany Lions where I am from or you just do not like a team in the Big 10. But anyway I get a relapse as soon as I walk in and see the maze colored jerseys playing horrible ball. Which was funny by the way.

And I find myself checking all the stats and scores on my phone. Then I realize wow its still 15 days thats too long.

But I am still running all the possible situations I could run into with my bracket. But then I am laying in bed last night and silently say to myself the conference tournaments have not even occurred yet.

Needless to say this made me excited. I almost jumped out of bed. Conference tournaments especially the good ones such as the Big East, ACC, Big Ten, and SEC is like my salad before my other courses. The regular season being like meeting your waiter and getting your drinks. And then my appetizer being Selection Sunday and filling out my 10 brackets. My first bite of my entree is the play in game of the tournament which means it finally started. Even though I will admit I don’t normally watch much of that game. And of course the rest of the tournament is your main dish. Now the dessert is hit and miss. It all depends what the championship game is like.

Well that is me being way too excited for a tournament that is over two weeks away. Please leave me a comment about really anything you want. But I love hearing what you think or like reading about. I think my next blog sometime this week will be more on how alike a meal is to the NCAA tournament. Stay tuned for that one folks. I do not think you will want to miss it.