Friday Sports Frenzy

Friday was one of those fun days, at least for me, in working in local high school sports. 

The days are long, but I enjoy them. 

First up was a #OneTown FCIAC girls soccer quarterfinal matchup as Warde hosted Ludlowe in the fourth vs fifth seeded game at Tetreau-Davis Field. 

Personally, I wish Ludlowe and Warde didn't match up in the playoffs, because it's difficult for me working at both schools, but it's also great for the town. I feel like I say this same thing every time Ludlowe and Warde play. I was smart though, as I didn't wear anything Ludlowe or Warde. FCIAC hat with a Fairfield Babe Ruth sweatshirt and then a Fairfield Co-Op girls ice hockey jacket. I didn't feel like getting picked on from people at either school, depending on what I wore. 

I'm not a huge soccer person, but it was a terrific game played by both teams. Warde took an early 1-0 lead, Ludlowe tied it up, before Warde went ahead again before halftime. Then, Ludlowe tied it back up within the first 10 minutes of the second half. 

The game would remain tied through the rest of regulation. Thankfully, for someone like me who hates ties, there had to be a winner. 

The overtime rules for the playoffs were two ten minute periods played to their entirety (No sudden death/golden goal, whatever you want to call it). If the game is still tied, then the game would head to penalty kicks. 

Well, we game did in fact go to penalty kicks with Ludlowe coming out a winner, 4-3 in PK's. The game-winning PK was scored by sophomore Brooke Lynch. 

 

After 2-2 score, Ludlowe defeats Warde 4-3 in PK’s #ctgsoc @DaveRuden @GameTimeCT @fciac pic.twitter.com/4wFd40ide5

— Shawn Sailer (@ShawnSailer) October 28, 2022

Ludlowe advances to the FCIAC semifinals where they will take on the top seed, St. Joseph, on Tuesday at 5pm at Warde. The Mustangs now await the state tournament. 

Next up for me on Friday was Ludlowe football, who was playing at Trumbull. 

Everyone knows I like to get everywhere early, so with the soccer game going so long, It was going to be tight to get to football on time. I initially thought I was going to have time to waste between the two games. 

Nope. I walked into Trumbull's McDougall Stadium with eight minutes to play in the first quarter, with the Eagles ahead 7-0. 

Ludlowe faces New Canaan next Friday at Dunning Stadium in New Canaan. The Falcons return home for a November 11 game against Bridgeport Central, before the Thanksgiving matchup with Warde, which takes place at Ludlowe this year. 

It was a crazy day and a long day, but it's days like this that I love. Even though all I was doing was Tweeting score updates and then writing this blog post, I sort of had that reporter/journalist feel in me, which I often miss. I didn't really have other responsibilities during the games (other than the Nest, which was small for both games) and since I knew people might be looking for score updates, I figured why not. Sorry to those whose Twitter feeds I cluttered. 

It will be a crazy week ahead with Ludlowe hosting the boys soccer semifinals and the girls volleyball semis and final and Warde hosting the girls soccer semifinals. 

Then it will be on to the state tournaments and fall sports will be over before we know it. 

Yankees Season Over

I'll admit, I feel a bit guilty writing this, as I know it will be similar to what Rob Adams wrote earlier on today’s edition of #Project365 (which has become project infinity) on his blog, Exit 55.

However, as a huge Yankees and sports fan, I feel like I want to write this.

Call it the end of season recap or just some random fans thoughts on the Yankees and the end of the season. 

The Yankees fell to the Astros in game four of the American League Championship Series on Sunday night as Houston completed the sweep.

The Yankees season comes to an end while the Astros will face the Phillies in the World Series. It’s tough to do, but I think I am rooting for the Phillies in the Fall Classic.

Congrats to the Astros on advancing, they were the better team in the series, and the better team all season. 

For the Yankees and Yankee fans, we got to see a season in which Aaron Judge made American League and Yankees history, but without a World Series Championship the season is not a success.

It was still a very good season.

The Yankees have not won a World Series (or been in the World Series) since 2009. For the Yankees, that’s a long time. Yes, we as fans are a bit spoiled. (I realize this with the Packers in football – that’s a different story.)

Now the questions begin. Will Judge re-sign? Will Aaron Boone be back? Will Brian Cashman be back? What other moves will the team make?

Lot of questions to be answered. In the end, I think Judge, Boone and Cashman will all be back. The Yankees definitely have a lot of spots for improvement though.

They need pitching. They need hitters who are better situationally and don’t rely on the home run (although this could be a team philosophy thing) and they probably need better defensive players at some positions.

So yeah, I know for a team that made the league championship. This might sound crazy, but there is a lot of work to be done.

Were there decisions that Boone made that weren’t good, or at least I didn’t like? Yes. He is too “by the book” and analytical. Not that analytics are awful, but there needs to be a better blend of old school gut vs new school analytics.

The offseason begins now and once the World Series ends it will all ramp up.

We will see what happens.

It won’t be dull.

Oh, and Mets and Red Sox fans, focus on your teams. 

Controlling the Board

Taft Field at Ludlowe (Photo; Falcon Football/Facebook)

There are many people that fans at games can have a problem with. A couple of those people have jobs in the press box. Those are the PA announcer and the scoreboard operator. 

Well, I have a duty of being the scoreboard operator for the Ludlowe home football games at Taft Field this season (bring on the hate messages now). 

I've done the scoreboard for plenty of sports, most notably baseball and basketball, at many levels. I've even done it for sub-varsity football. However, doing running the scoreboard for a varsity football game is different. 

Overall through three games, I've learned that it's not too hard. Like anything, once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier. Knowing the sport definitely is important, as you know things to look for.  

Oh, I've messed up. Luckily, it hasn't been that often and I haven't gotten yelled at. 

One of the things that makes football more difficult, at least for me, as opposed to say basketball, is being able to see the field. 

Being up in the press box, it's s decent way down to the field. Plus at night, with the glare sometimes from the lights, it's somewhat tough to see. 

There are many things needed to look for. You need to look at the signals from the officials, most notably when to start and stop the clock. You also need to see the down and distance, which is on the far side of the field. 

That being said, as I've done it more, I've gotten more comfortable. 

It's been fun in the booth with Phil Simpson doing PA alongside. We've also been joined in the booth by members of the Ludlowe team who are filming. Tonight, we had some of the Darien Athletic Foundation Media crew, led by Damian Andrew, who was broadcasting the game. Thanks, guys, for some of the corrections. 

It's been three games, and we have two left at home for the season. November 11 against Bridgeport Central and Thanksgiving morning for Warde. 

After that, we will be on to winter sports, including basketball. That's more my comfort zone. 

Sports Sunday

Just like when I wrote about "National Coaches Day" recently, today is another "day."

Today is "National Sports Day."

Why is it today? What does it really mean? Couldn't every day be "National Sports Day?" 

Well it basically is for this sports-crazed person. However, I felt as such as such a sports obsessed person, I would acknowledge it. 

Sports are my life. My work. My hobbies. 

It terms of sports today, it was mixed bag for my rooting interest. 

First, the Packers lost to the Jets. I hate losses, against anyone. However, the last two weeks, with the Packers losing to the Giants and Jets, it's even worse for those of us living in the NY-Metro area. 

Just having to hear it from Giants and Jets fans and hearing the talk radio and local TV talk about the Giants and Jets winning is not fun. Listening to the game today on the Jets radio network was very interesting every time something went in the Jets favor. 

The Packers are 3-3. Aaron Rodgers doesn't look like he has in past years. Looks like he has lost arm strength. He also doesn't have a great receiving core around him. 

Luckily, the running backs, Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon have had success. If not, it could be much worse for Green Bay.

The nightcap of my sports day was much better. 

The Yankees defeated the Guardians in game four of the American League Division Series to force a winner-take-all game five on Monday night. 

Gerrit Cole pitched like the ace he is supposed to be. The Yankees bullpen got it done (unlike game three). Harrison Bader had another home run and the Yankees offense did just enough. 

There has been a lot of talk about Bob Costas, who is calling the series for TBS. Personally, I like Costas. I like broadcasters telling stories. Sure, there has been some odd things he has said, but overall I think he has been pretty good. 

Nobody is going to be happy with any broadcaster. Some will talk too much, some will scream, some will be boring, some will exaggerate everything and so many other things people won't like. 

For me, the broadcaster should tell what is happening in the game and also be entertaining. However, I want to be understand what is being said/happening. Especially on radio, but even on TV. 

I went more into broadcasting here than I wanted to. This could be a whole separate blog post. 

Anyways, to quote Jack Buck (yes, Jack said it before his son, Joe), "we will see you tomorrow night" for game five. 

National Coaches Day

 

Every day of the year now is a "National something day." Some days are recognize for more than one item. 

Some of the National days are more significant and more recognized than others. Some are more fun and made up. 

Today, October 6, is National Coaches Day. According to nationaldaycalendar.com, National Coaches Day "honors the men and women who inspire us to work harder and do our best." 

So many coaches have been impactful to me in many ways. 

From the coaches who I played youth sports for. Baseball, basketball, even soccer. 

To the coaches who I managed high school baseball and basketball for. 

To the coaches I now coach with and work with. 

There are too many, especially while playing youth sports, to name. I don't want to forget anyone. 

I hope as a coach, I have made an impact on other coaches, the way they have made an impact I me. I hope I continue to. 

I hope as a coach I have and continue to have a positive impact on the student-athletes I coach. Both on field/in the gym and more importantly in life. 

Coaching is about much more than the X's and O's for what happens on the field or in the gym. It's about building lifelong friendships and making a positive impact on someone's life. So many people have been that for me, and I hope I have done that for others. 

It's about being there for and caring about others in tough times throughout life, as well as celebrating great moments. 

Yes, winning is fun. However, it's much more rewarding to have great people around you. Both fellow coaches and athletes. Being part of a team and coaches that ONLY care about winning can be unenjoyable also. 

I thank those coaches who I have had the honor and privilege of being coached by and coaching with, for teaching me so much, not just about sports, but life, and for a lot of them, becoming friends for life. 

All Rise for 62

(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Even non-baseball fans are aware of what Aaron Judge is doing. 

Well tonight, at 8:08pm on October, 4, 2022, Judge hit home run number 62 to pass Roger Maris and set the single season Yankees and American League home run record. 

Sixty-one years after Maris hit 61, Judge hits 62. 

It was almost a week between Judge hitting number 61 and number 62. But in the end, he got it done. You could see the pressure getting to him and the frustration mounting. 

The YES Network cameras even showed Judge slamming his helmet against the bat rack in Game one of Tuesday's doubleheader. 

Classy by Boone to let Judge take the field and then take him out to get the standing ovation from the fans in Texas and his teammates that he deserves. 

There has been much debate over the Major League home run record. 62 is now the "clean" record, but the overall record is Barry Bonds with 73. 

In fact, there are six seasons in which a single player has hit more than 62 home runs. Those were by Bonds, Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa. 

Look, we all know those others were not clean, however, that is still the Major League record. 

I am not saying what any of them, and others, have done, is right. It's still what that Major League Baseball says is the record. 

What Judge has done this season is incredible. It's not just the home runs, even though those are super impressive. 

He is currently (and will likely finish) second in the American League in batting average. He also leads the AL in runs batted in and is just behind Pete Alonso of the Mets for the RBI lead in all of baseball, as of Tuesday night. 

You add in the fact that he is a solid defender and has a terrifc arm, that just adds to his accomplishments. He has also shown the ability to play both right field and center field and make the back-and forth transition with ease. That's not easy for someone 6-7. 

He has also managed to stay healthy, which has allowed him to accomplish this feat. 

For me, this is the most impressive season I have ever seen. 

Yes, I was alive for Bonds, McGuire and Sosa but I was way too young to know what was going on or pay attention. It is must watch television when Judge comes up to the plate, especially as he got closer to number 60, then 61 and now 62. 

The other debate is Judge vs Shohei Ohtani for MVP. Some people say that because Ohtani pitches and hits and is having a very impressive season, he should be the MVP. 

However, Judge is having a historic season that we may never see again. 

Plus, it depends how you define MVP. Where would the Yankees be without Judge? Probably not winning the American League East. The Angels would still be a below .500 team with or without Ohtani. 

Ohtani is very special in his own right, as a dual-threat, but Judge is the most valuable. 

This is one of the moments where you will remember where you were were and who you were watching win. Sitting on my couch with my dad to my left. When Judge hit it, I raised my left arm and pumped my fist. 

No scream. 

No "Let's Go"!

Shocking calm. 

Excited, but calm. 

The home run chase has overshadowed what the Yankees were doing as a team and everything else that was going on, on the field. 

Hopefully, now that it's over, Judge can relax and help the Yankees make a postseason run and maybe even bring home championship number 28.