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http://www.omniture.com --> Mail Tribune Blogs --> --> « The first blog Paperless world » And we’re off … er, Play Ball! … er, Gentlemen, start your … Posted by Tim Trower OK, we’re kicking off something new for the MT sports department, so it seemed a sports-related title was appropriate. As Bob Hunter explains in the editor’s blog, we’re sticking our toe in and testing the waters of a new era. We’ve only blogged once before, Kevin Goff working the Class 4A state championship basketball game last season. But we’re eager to start on a full-time basis, aware we’re in a bit of catch-up mode. By way of introduction, there’s supposed to be a photo of the sports staff accompanying this blog. If and when it appears, the folks are, from left, page designer Carl McCutchen, Frank Silow, Kris Henry, Tim Trower, Kevin Goff and Don Hunt. All will be contributing to this blog at some point. We hope this will be a place that enlightens readers about how we do things, explains some of our decisions, elicits responses, story and coverage ideas from our readers and, generally, enhances our relationships in the community. There will be a lot of prep stuff here. That’s what our staff of close to 90 years’ experience at this paper alone does best. Maybe short, newsy items. Maybe an observation or coach’s insight that didn’t make it into print. Maybe what happened in the newsroom on a particular day. For instance, Thursday we audibled out of a story on the Oregon Lottery’s Sports Action game (it’s going away after the Super Bowl) to address the resignation of the South Medford girls basketball coach. I wish I could say we had the manpower to handle every story that comes at us, but that’s not the case. Anyway, we hope you’ll stop by from time to time and let us know what you think. This entry was posted on Thursday, February 1st, 2007 at 8:46 pm and is filed under Sports Insiders . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response , or trackback from your own site. 10 Responses to “And we’re off … er, Play Ball! … er, Gentlemen, start your …” Eldon Canby Says: February 2nd, 2007 at 9:46 am So if you are insiders I have only one question for you? Who is going to win the Superbowl straight up. And then who’s going to cover the spread? And for all the newbies can you explain the spread? Ashland Alum Says: February 2nd, 2007 at 10:32 am As Ashland alum I came away from the basketball game against Crater totally embarrassed. The Crater coach was switching his defense quite regularly to confuse Ashland. Ashland looked like they didn’t have an answer. They look like they don’t have an offense period. Maybe they do, but nothing was executed right. Maybe you have to give the credit to the defense. The game was close for a while, but when Crater started to hit a couple of shots then Ashland had no answer. Their only hope for offense is if Lipski gets an offensive rebound or Blanche hits a mid range jumper. A sign of a good team is improvement over the course of the season. My question is did Ashland peak to early? Are they going to get better throughout the season? I guess we will find out. Can you really have a coach that doesn’t know an offense coaching a 5A school? I know its not 6A, but come on!! Lets hope they make some adjustment, improve throughout the season, and I will feel better about basketball at Ashland. There is talent there right now and much more coming. I feel that they could make some noise in years to come if Mr. Miller can figure out how to use it!!!!! On another note; how about those referees? They are getting bad. I have never noticed how bad varsity games were being officiated. I heard that the South Medford game was REAL bad and seeing the Ashland game I would have to agree. I understand that it is hard to officiate, but there were kids hanging on other kids and calls not being made. It is not one sided, but both sides are horrible. Again it is a hard job, but some of those calls need to be made in a middle school gym. I feel that they could do a little better job. I don’t think these statements are out of line or just my opinion. You will see that many people are saying the same things about the refs that I am saying. Tim Trower Says: February 2nd, 2007 at 2:20 pm Regarding the Super Bowl, you could poll each of our staff members and likely get a different scenario. I’ll throw out some of my thoughts. First, the spread. Points are given to even the sides, at least in the betting public’s estimation. If the Colts are favored by 7 and you bet on them, they must win by more than 7 for you to win. Conversely, if you have the Bears, you get 7 points. So if the Colts win 27-21, Colts bettors lose and Bears bettors win. If it’s a tie, or a push, after the points are factored in, there is no bet. The spread at last check was Colts favored (or minus) 6.5 points. One thing I’m looking at for this game is that the Bears played two home playoff games in sloppy weather on a sloppy field, the kind of conditions they thrive in, both psychologically and because their strength is their defense. One was against a dome team in the Saints who played below their capabilities. I don’t think Chicago’s defense will be as effective away from home in ideal conditions against one of the best quarterbacks and offenses in the game. Missing two of their best defenders in Harris and Brown doesn’t help matters. On offense, there’s no question which team is better. I’ll take Manning and his receivers against the inconsistent Grossman and his much-less-capable stable of ball-catchers every time. It’s easier to go this way since Indy’s defense has really stepped up late in the season. Straight Up: Colts Spread: Colts Colts, 31-17 (but don’t hold me to it) Jeff Avgeris Says: February 2nd, 2007 at 4:09 pm I like the pick Tim! Only team that’s going to beat the Colts is the Colts. If each team plays their best ball, its Colts by double digits. Along the same lines, what is your take on Shawne Merriman making the Pro Bowl? Should he have made it even though he tested positive for Steroids? I know talk is next year players wont be in if they break the substance abuse policy at all. So what do you think? Cheryl Nelson Says: February 2nd, 2007 at 9:25 pm Good luck on your blog, I will be reading it regularly Tim Trower Says: February 2nd, 2007 at 10:47 pm Thanks Cheryl. Don’t have a lot of time, Jeff — basketball calls are flying in on the Friday night shift — but I would think missing a quarter of the season for violating substance abuse rules would be grounds for not getting voted in. The only thing that might change that is a remorseful attitude on the player’s part and an absolutely dominating performance on the field. Not saying it’s right or wrong, but both of these were in place I believe. Can’s say as I followed the case super closely. ryan m Says: February 3rd, 2007 at 2:08 pm great blog site /on your sports part of website there were no day 1 results of southwest district wrestling tourney posted on your mail tribune newspaper website / Tim Trower Says: February 3rd, 2007 at 7:28 pm Yes, Ryan, that was frustrating for us as well. We placed a couple of calls to each of our local coaches and the tournament director to get results and never did hear back. It was only late in the shift that someone suggested we check another Web site, and because of that we were able to at least get the semifinalists for North and South. Hopefully we’ll have more luck tonight. ryan m Says: February 3rd, 2007 at 10:59 pm will you be posting on your sports part of website day 2 final results and placers in each weight division from swc district wrestling tournament at gphs in your sunday mail tribune online /meet director was clay rounsaville and ad tom blanchard were in charge of wrestling tourney / Rick Monday Says: February 4th, 2007 at 7:50 am Thanks for the blog Guy’s. I will look forward to reading , and soaking up some of that 90 years of know how!! Hows that for sucking up! And Tim actually played pretty good Yesterday in the tourney. I believe I was the weak link! Leave a Reply Mail Tribune Blogs is proudly powered by WordPress Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS) .