We've been watching the Olympics now for a week, and I find myself viewing things that I would normally pass by on the dial. Stuff I never gave a thought to. Badmitton, Dressage, Field Hockey, Rowing, Beach Volleyball....some of which I still can't figure out how they became Olympic sports.
Take field hockey for example.....it's a sport, as the name implies, where a bunch of guys are out there with what looks like large, inverted, flat candy canes whacking a canteloupe sized ball in an attempt to put it into a goal. In other words, hockey without skates, on grass. Only they play on a soccer-sized field. It involves a lot of running.
Ok, I can sort of, kind of see where that might fit into the Olympic parameters, but c'mon.......badmitten? Volleyball? And if you really want to make a case for it neither are baseball, softball or basketball real Olympic sports. Nor is tennis.
It's come down to so many different things at so many venues, on such a grand scale, that the Olympics have become so bloated as to becoming unwatchable. Yet, I find myself watching anyway. I can only take so much beach volleyball or badmitten though. I have enjoyed the swimming, gymnastics, and what little track & field has been run so far. Heck, even the marathons are somewhat interesting. I'm mildy entertained at rowing and dressage, but I draw the line at badmitten.
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Some overdue baseball notes----several ex-Michigan Battle Cats and Battle Creek Yankees have been on the move recently. Steven White (2004 BC Yankees) was released by the parent club last week. Brooks Conrad (2002 Michigan Battle Cats) was DFA'd by the Oakland A's. The Yankees sent Melky Cabrera (2004 BC Yankees) to AAA, and Matt DeSalvo (2003 BC Yankees) was recalled to the majors by Atlanta.
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