Thinking Outloud

"There is a syndrome in sports called paralysis by analysis." Arthur Ashe

2010-09-16T11:11:00.003-05:00

It doesn’t matter what game or activity that is being watched, observed and/or criticized, there is always an expert that knows the best case scenario. In football terms, they would be known as armchair quarterbacks. Softball, Volleyball, Basketball and many other sports they are known as obnoxious fans, that just blurt out irrelevant rants and raves.Even though many of the rants gain attention

"To be the best, you have to beat the best. That is all there is to it." Adam Vinatieri

2010-09-16T10:53:00.002-05:00

It was not an upset, it was a great college football team, the Boise State Broncos flying across America to take on a challenger. The Virginia Tech Hokies stepped to the plate and went head-to-head with one of the hottest teams in NCAA football over the past eight years. I wouldn't have to step too far out onto the limb to guess that there was a great number of people that watched Monday nights

"Thats just the tip of the Iceberg." Dr. Matthew Cartter

2010-09-02T08:44:00.001-05:00

The countdown is over and it is full steam ahead until at least June, the high school seasons are here. The first week of High School football games has concluded with nobodies hopes of a state championship dashed yet. The softball programs are all nearly full-swing into a fast-paced season on the diamonds. This week the march towards elite status and team hardware starts for the volleyball,

"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, its much more serious than that."

2010-08-26T09:02:00.002-05:00

Can you feel it? The time has come when the pressures and stresses of practices are coming to a point where the tension is so thick, it could span a bridge and allow the teams to travel across the bridge to compete on the gridiron against an opponent that is declared the enemy for a short time on a Friday night. The emotions that are flooded out by the fans, bands, families and athlete’s are

"Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice" Woodrow T. Wilson

2010-07-21T10:29:00.003-05:00

In the National Basketball League (NBA), the days of waiting are over. July 1st has come and gone, and the hopes and dreams of many teams to land one of the three coveted free agent giants, have diminished for all but one team, the Miami Heat. The Heat have plenty of things to lure all-stars, the beach, a recent World Championship trophy, and an administration that has the formula for success. I

“Statistics are to baseball, what flaky crust is to Mom’s apple pie.” Harry Reasoner

2010-06-22T16:07:00.004-05:00

What is more American than apple pie? In sports the answer would be baseball, so it is only relevant that the two items are mentioned together. Everybody’s mother has a special recipe to cook the masterful, delicious apple pie, but there is always that, “special ingredient” that is a secret and makes each and every pie, unique. In the sport of baseball, there are numerous occurrences and feats

“Baseball is like church, many attend but few understand.” Wes Westrum

2010-06-02T10:15:00.005-05:00

I have been to my fair share of baseball and softball games and have thoroughly enjoyed the diamond action, even when I wasn’t participating. I have taken in college, professional and even novice baseball and softball action, and give my utmost respect to the athletes that are staying active and participating. The participants on the diamond, all dream of playing in front of thousands of

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Joseph P. Kennedy

2010-05-25T16:43:00.005-05:00

Throughout the spring and summer months, there are numerous instances, that the going gets tough. It can happen on the greens, on the dirt oval, on the pond and even in the deep end of a swimming pool. Somehow, we must all push through the early going, no matter what Mother Nature decides to give us, all the way to and through the ‘Dog Days’ of Summer. During the warm months, the greens and

Self Satisfaction and Achievement

2010-05-04T15:53:00.005-05:00

“You have to wonder at times what you’re doing out there. Over the years, I’ve given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement.” Steve Prefontaine Here in the very near future, the school year and spring sports season will have been completed, and there has been many personal

The Beginning of Twenty Questions

2010-04-21T08:48:00.003-05:00

I have recently been approached about many different questions involving sports on the local scene, but also the mainstream athletic spectrum's that are viewed on the television sports channels. I am going to express my opinions, which are my correct answers, I don’t need to poll the audience, go half and half or even phone a friend, my response is my final answer, and that is a no-doubter,

2010-04-08T08:56:00.002-05:00

“I need privacy. I would think that because what I do makes a lot of people happy that I might deserve a little bit of respect in return. Instead, people try to drag me off my pedestal.” Jim Carrey How many people think that they have lived a perfect life have never, ever done anything wrong? The people that thought they were undefeated and always right, just had a defeat,; at some

Winning and Losing

2010-03-25T09:19:00.002-05:00

“If you can react the same way to winning and losing, that's a big accomplishment. This quality is important because it stays with you the rest of your life. ” Chris Evert Lloyd Winning and losing, finishing first or last can all result in lessons being learned by the athletes, and spectators. Losing needs to be done with class, and a person can show some emotion, but remember act

2010-03-03T09:53:00.003-06:00

“We want the referees to be a team and they should all be able to speak and write a common language.” Urs Linsi In almost all sports there are rules and officials to enforce the rules. Whether a person likes the calls and/or justifications, is a whole different story. I have recently observed numerous instances that have involved officials or referees acting in correct and also

Good Ol' Boys Club NFL addition

2010-01-08T16:14:00.003-06:00

After the latest news out, that Bill Callahan was recognized as the best assistant coach in the NFL, it most likely made most people in the state of Nebraska throw up in their mouth a little bit. Bill was once in the NFL as an assistant coach and then got into a power struggle with his players as a head coach and was fired, but just like bad habits he came back with a vengeance and is paying

Nebraska State Volleyball Predictions

2009-11-11T16:21:00.002-06:00

Class A First round: Bellevue East over Omaha Burke; Omaha Marian over North Platte; Elkhorn over Papillion-LaVista; PLV-South over Lincoln Southwest. Second round: Omaha Marian over Bellevue East; PLV-South over Ekhorn. Third place: Elkhorn Finals: Omaha Marian over PLV-SouthClass B First round: Seward over Omaha Skutt; Northwest over Gretna; Omaha Gross over Omaha Duchesne; Lincoln Pius X

NEBRASKA FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS PREDICTION

2009-10-29T08:56:00.002-05:00

CLASS AFirst round: Millard South over Omaha Benson; Creighton Prep over Papillion LaVista; Omaha North over Grand Island; Elkhorn over Lincoln North Star; Millard West over Bellevue West; Norfolk over Omaha Central; Millard North over Lincoln Southwest; Lincoln Southeast over Lincoln Northeast. Second round: Millard South over Creighton Prep; Elkhorn over Omaha North; Norfolk over Millard West;

L Nino's Super Six Selections

2009-10-16T10:11:00.002-05:00

After yet another week of stellar selections, I have declared that six predictions will be made for the October 15th weekend of contests. It is nitty-gritty time for many of the teams that need to pick up wins to support their possible cause of making the post season. Cozad vs. Gothenburg The Swedes are getting prepped for a big run here at the end of the season. Cozad will look to grind out the

Dusting off the Crystal Ball October 9-11

2009-10-08T09:23:00.002-05:00

There is a chill in the air that has some anticipating and others dreading what is coming. No I am not speaking of the weather and thoughts of snow, but of the anticipation some of the successful teams are having in hopes of a deep playoff run, where others are dreading the last time that they take off their jersey's for the season. Gothenburg vs. Valentine After getting the short end of the

October 2-4 TRIBUNE Sports crystal ball readings.

2009-09-30T11:32:00.003-05:00

Two of the hosts schools in the TRIBUNE coverage area are enjoying the homecoming festivities this week in hopes of celebration a Friday night victory. Some people will be happy, whereas some supporters and fans on Friday nights will be disappointed. Cozad vs. Chadron Two issues that the Haymakers have working in their favor are that the Cardinals have battled sickness and have had to postpone

September 25-27 Sports Crystal Ball readings

2009-09-23T10:08:00.003-05:00

Cozad vs. Valentine Cozad has the luxury of preparing for this game for two weeks, but has to endure the dreaded long roadtrip to Valentine to play the Badgers. Valentine is recovering from the beating they received from Winner (SD) and will have to again face a bruising running game of the Haymakers. In what is a SWC battle, I see Cozad's running game getting on track just enough to stay with

“Look at that machine, he/she is on Steroids!” Critics of Hardworkers

2009-08-27T12:39:00.002-05:00

Why is that no matter what an improving athlete does in the offseason, there are always critics? Why do the critics always jump to the conclusion that the critics always jokingly, but yet seriously always quote, “Steroids”? How many people in this world, at first glance called Ben Johnson, the former Canadian world-class sprinter a, “doper” or steroid user? Johnson first came on to the world

"Walk don't Run," should stay a song and remain out of Sports.

2009-07-22T09:48:00.003-05:00

In the stick sports; mainly baseball, and softball, walking or earning a base on balls has become very prevalent in the present times. There are many components that have to fail for a walk to be considered valid in my mind. If the pitcher throws a pitch that gives the hitter no chance at all in hitting the ball, it would be considered valid. Really there are many cogs that are essential to fight

Be a Minority

2009-07-07T10:37:00.011-05:00

“The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority.” Ralph W. Sockman In every crowd, there is always one person who wants to stand out and be noticed. Rather it be in blazing their own trail or be joined by others in blazing the new trail. Always remember there are other sports throughout the country, that maybe

Superstitions and Rituals

2009-06-10T11:21:00.014-05:00

“Fear is the main source of superstition and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.” Bertrand Russell Most athletes and fans have never heard of Bertrand Russell, who was a British philosopher, that can be accredited with the above quote that explains the main motive behind superstitions and rituals. There isn’t an athlete anywhere who at some

"Greatest high school sports spectacle in Nebraska"

2009-05-26T16:34:00.019-05:00

Everybody is always looking for a sure thing, and the first thing that enters my mind is that the NSAA’s State Track competition at Omaha Burke Stadium is the greatest high school sports spectacle that culminates each and every athletic season. Where else do you find sports fans and participants competing and watching from all walks of life and from all corners of the state of Nebraska, all in

Risen from the Dead

2009-05-06T15:23:00.005-05:00

Have you ever meet one of those people that outstays their welcome? Most common people collect the hints and will vanish, but in professional sports, this is not the case. Veteran quarterback, Brett Farve instantly comes to mind. Farve has played quarterback in the NFL for 17 seasons and is possibly considering another season after retiring twice already. Brett Farve has established his name

“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”

2009-04-23T10:32:00.008-05:00

In sports it is time for each and everyone of us to find the gate in the fence and walk over to the otherside. It is now time for sports to concentrate on getting outside and participating in many of the events that need Mother Nature’s help to be held. Currently Mother Nature is keeping all of us guessing about as well as a Johan Santana pitch. Will we get a fastball or a curveball? Will it be

“A racehorse is an animal that can take several thousand people for a ride at the same time.”

2009-04-08T15:26:00.008-05:00

Anybody that has ever attended horse races anywhere, can honestly say that they have seen and heard the roar of the crowd when the thoroughbreds come down to the wire to determine the victor. Some may have pocket change on the races, whereas other individuals could be risking much more cash on a horse to win, place and/or show. Horse racing is just one of the many types of gambling that

Fighting in Sports

2009-03-18T09:22:00.005-05:00

For as long as I can remember, fighting in society was looked down upon. It didn't matter if you were at home, school or out in public. If an individual fought with a sibling or elder in the home, there were usually going to be disciplinary measures taken or privileges revoked . In a school setting, getting into a confrontation, would usually result in a detention or suspension of some sort. If

2009-03-03T16:13:00.004-06:00

Has the Star Spangled Banner lost its power? Does everybody honestly know what the Star Spangled Banner stands for? I have observed many events throughout my playing/coaching careers and even recent observed activities. I am a avid sports fan, and there are always pet peeves that are noticeable to each individual. The sports world has always had a sports etiquette to

Bigger than the Game

2009-02-14T13:41:00.004-06:00

How long is it going to take for all 104 names on the positive list of steroid users in baseball to be released?Considering there names were never to be released and it was suppose to be done totally anonymously. I honestly don't really care, if all the names are ever released. At the time of the testing, was it illegal in the sport of baseball, I don't think so, so I will never understand what

Is Loyalty still important in sports?

2009-02-05T13:17:00.005-06:00

The state of Nebraska continues to set the tone in loyalty to their sports teams especially the Husker Football and Volleyball teams. Prime examples would be the continuous sellout streaks that both teams currently have. The Colesium has been sold out since 2001, covering 107 matches. The Nebraska Cornhuskers football team has been selling out since 1962. That is just

What is so difficult about the basketball fundamentals?

2009-01-16T16:51:00.007-06:00

How important is the ability to dribble with either hand, shoot lay ups with either hand and/or have good ball control with either hand? The essentials to success are fundamentals, because remember not everybody can jump out of the gym and dunk with authority, or master the art of the 90 foot shot with consistency. Dribbling is very important to every player that plays the game. It doesn't

Time Machines in Sports

2009-01-08T10:33:00.005-06:00

Would it be great to be able to change the Past? Sports have their own version of the past, and there is a chance that the past/future can be altered due to instant replay. The officials in football, should almost feel like they are watching a peep show or something going underneath the hood, as they used to do, in the early use of instant replay. The first time that

Is the 5 day moratorium abused?

2008-12-31T09:07:00.003-06:00

Initially, the winter activity moratorium was supposed to allow families to celebrate the holiday season together. Does the moratorium apply to other high school activities? Does that mean I can't practice my tuba solo? Do you honestly think that athletes, that adore sports, can totally stop cold-turkey for five days? The state of Nebraska has banned all schools from

How much are you worth?

2008-12-17T09:34:00.004-06:00

In some sports there is a salary cap that limits each team’s spending, the league officials are able to keep control of the spending and keep control of the league. There is no bullying and each team has an equal voice in decision making. Does anybody know the annual salary paid out by the New York Yankee’s? I do know for a fact that it is way more in one day that I will

Welcome to all TRIBUNE readers

2008-12-09T19:21:00.000-06:00

Welcome to all readers of the Thinking Outloud editorial in the Tri-City TRIBUNE. Isn't technology great? Without technology and the internet, would the world be able to see how a professional Basketball player cried and walked away from a fellow teammate, the "Bad Boys" of Detroit would not withstand this attitude, and no professional team should allow the attitude to occur. He gets paid to play