All Star Games: Showcase of Talent or Fans Voting in Duds?

Every professional sport has an All Star Game that serves several purposes. Often times it a chance to showcase the leagues talent, serve as a break for the athletes during the season or a chance for specific athletes to be label as the best in the business. In one case (though this was recently repealed), the All Star Game in MLB even decided who had home field advantage for the World Series. These games have become a mainstay and a tradition in each of the respective leagues.

In the more recent future fans have had the opportunity to have their say in who participates in these games. Each league is a little different, but fans can cast their votes online or via social media to see their favorite players and team represented in these showcases. The problem arises when fans decide to vote for someone because of blind loyalty or as a joke. Recently in the MLB All Star Games (where starters are selected solely off of fan vote) teams like the Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs saw their entire team dominate the votes and hold down positions that frankly all of the players didn't deserve. In the NBA players like Zaza Pachulia led other more deserving players in fan votes due to the copious amount of Warriors fans that have surfaced during their recent success. So the question that arises from all of this is, should fans be able to help decide who plays in these games?

To eliminate fan voting simply due to the fact that they are biased isn't really fair. Coaches, players and sports writers are all biased in their own right. Bias isn't the problem, the problem comes when the fans have such a large say in what happens. In my opinion I like the way that the NBA has adopted a percentage of fan vote, so that it only makes up a portion of the decision. Or as the NBA does have the fans vote in the final player on the roster so fans still have a decision and buy in for the game.

At the end of the day if the fans could get it right, then they should have all the say. However fans are passionate and love their teams which causes them to not think clearly. If there was a way to make fans' vote with their brains and their heart then I say we give the fans the reins.

Oakland to Vegas: The Impact of the Raiders in Sin City

When I was in fourth grade my best friend moved away. I was, for lack of a better term, devastated. This kid and I were partners in crime and had spent almost every recess and every spare afternoon together since we could walk. His departure left a hole in my existence that took many years to overcome.

Recently NFL fans have dealt with or are preparing to deal with similar experiences. St. Louis and San Diego are dealing with the exodus of their NFL teams to Los Angeles and recently the Raiders have filed papers to relocate to Las Vegas. These fans are losing something very dear to them and they in turn will be devastated. What are the impacts that will occur from pigskin making a home in Sin City?

Economically one community will flourish and the other will take a huge hit. Oakland, from my understanding, has never been the most financially stable area. That's why athletes who come from the area are so gritty, because they were made in Oakland. The removal of a professional sports team can and will take a hit on their economical stability, especially with talks about the Oakland A's potentially building a new stadium away from the bay city. Las Vegas on the inverse, would receive an increase in financial growth. The place known as the getaway and an area where the truth doesn't follow you home has another attraction to add to the list that includes casinos, famous shows and fancy clubs. Jobs and work opportunities will grow in Las Vegas and the money will flow once again.

On a more personal note, fans will feel betrayed. Think about it, the Oakland Raiders already had a hiatus in Los Angeles and made their way back. Recent history, minus this past season, hasn't been kind to the silver and black. They have been the definition of mediocrity in the AFC West as every other team has enjoyed playoff success while they suffered losing season after losing season since their appearance in the Super Bowl. Now the boys are back led by Derek Carr and Khalil Mack, but the return to the feared Raiders might occur in Nevada. Hailed by their new, young fans who probably don't know who Tim Brown or Jim Plunkett are.

Overall a move to Las Vegas would be one that I would welcome. I've never been to a NFL game and this would provide an opportunity to not only attend one game, but be a regular in the new black pit. I might even claim the new Las Vegas Raiders as my team. Overall I believe they should stay in Oakland. I believe that certain teams belong where they are. The NFL is better when the Cowboys are in Texas, the Packers are in Green Bay and when the Raiders are in Oakland. Their history is there. The most popular sports game was named after a coach who won the Super Bowl with the Silver and Black. The NFL will never be the biggest show in Vegas and the history of the team will be potentially lost and forgotten. Keep the legacy of the Raiders where it belongs and that is in Oakland.

Do Your Job: A Lesson Learned from High School Football

As a sophomore in high school I got inserted into the starting varsity line up as a Sam (strong side) linebacker. Injuries had taken their toll on the roster and I had the opportunity to make a name for myself. I had the game of my life, racking up 14 tackles (most on the team) and forced and recovered a fumble. Most importantly our team won the game and I had indeed put myself on the map with the coaching staff. 

The next week at school I was showered with compliments about how well I played. I was on top of the world, even the Junior and Senior girls were paying attention to me. During film session, my coaches informed my that once again I would be skipping JV practices and games this week and starting varsity. I was so excited to continue my dominance I couldn't contain myself. 

There was one slight change in my role, I would be switching from Sam linebacker, to Will (weak side) linebacker. Throughout the week of practice a lot of attention was given to me by the defensive coaching staff to ensure I understood my new responsibilities. We were facing off against a team who ran a Wing-T offense and very rarely ran the ball to the weak side. My role had switched from defensive star to containment specialist. Throughout practice I didn't think too much of it, but once game time rolled around I wasn't as excited to be in a new position.

Throughout the first half the ball hadn't been run to the weak side even once. I had no stats and in my mind I had lost the momentum I had gained the week before. Towards the end of the second quarter I started to forsake my containment assignment and started cheating down the line. By the end of the first half I had made 3 tackles. It was a far cry from the 14 tackles from the game before, but I knew that if I kept cheating down the line I could get the stats to be the star again.

During the halftime comments the coach who was in the box called me out in front of the team. "Bailey keep your containment, if you keep cheating we are going to get burned." My containment? The ball hadn't come to my side the entire half what containment was he talking about. He grabbed me again before me ran out and he pleaded with me to stay home.

As the second half kicked off I took the field in my spot on the weak side and continued to contain. The third quarter passed and the score was tight throughout the fourth quarter. The ball had made it's way to the weak side on a counter once in the second half, so my frustration with "containment" continued to grow. In the final two minutes we had a 3 point lead and the opposing team had the ball on fourth down. If we stopped them we would win and I knew that this was my time to make the play I had longed for all night. I knew they were going to run to the strong side and I was going to storm down the line and make the game winning tackle.

I timed the snap perfectly and sure enough the ball was handed off to the running back heading to the strong side. The back was slowed up by his pulling guard and I was in place to be the hero. As I charged up to make the tackle I saw the little used receiver running back towards me. The running back flipped the ball to the receiver on a reverse. Suddenly my stomach sunk. I reached out with one arm in attempt to make the stop, but it was in vain. The receiver scampered 70 yards into the end zone and my team was now losing. 

I laid on the turf not knowing what would happen next. Would my teammates hate me? Would the coaches cut me? What would my dad think? I was helped up and I ran to the sideline with my head hanging. The coach had made his way down from the box. He was waiting for me. He grabbed my face mask, pulled my head up and said, "do your job." He let me go and we cheered on the offense as they attempted to regain the lead. 

Luckily for me the team marched down the field and scored with 20 seconds left. The defense retook the field and I anticipated that I would spend the end of the game on the benched. Coach put his arm around me and repeated his advice, "do your job." The defense held serve and we won the game. I will never forget that game and the lesson that I learned. When you're part of the team don't try and be the hero. Be a part of the team and do your job.

Football: The Game of Life and Death

Football has always been a fixture in my family. I grew up in a very odd relationship with my father. We never saw eye to eye on anything, but we could always talk about football. He played in high school and was an all-state linebacker. I tried to follow in in footsteps and played linebacker at his alma mater. Football connected us, and for a good part of my life that was all we had.

A few years ago, I had a very interesting conversation with my dad. We had been chatting about football (go figure) and he made the comment that I was lucky he didn't know anything about concussions when I was in school or there was no chance I would have ever played football. I was a little floored by this comment, but after I thought about it he had a point.

During my junior and senior seasons (between football, baseball and basketball) I was diagnosed with five concussions. At the time there wasn't as much awareness of the dangers that multiple concussions could render on the brain. In the small school I attended we didn't have a medical staff or athletic trainer so often times a coach would ask me how I was and I would head back into the game. The worst experience came when I was a junior. I was playing fullback and our quarterback tossed an interception. I was able to grab the defender from behind and I was pulling him back in attempt to slow his forward progress. As I was doing this my teammate speared the pile from behind and the defender rolled over my body and bounced my head off of the turf. I was stabilized and carted off the field. After several tests I was diagnosed with a concussion. The doctor didn't give much direction on my pathway back to the football field. I sat out two games and with my father's blessing I returned to play in the playoff game. 

I learned that my dad continually feels guilt now that he knows the danger I was in by playing again. Another serious concussion could have led to lingering issues, paralysis or even death. "Had I known," he said, "you would've never laced up another pair of cleats." It brought on an interesting conversation about my future children. My answer is I don't know. I love the game, I cherish my experience and I continually refer to life lessons I learn from the gridiron. However, what was the cost of these things. I often suffer from severe migraines, irritation to light and insomnia all of which have been attributed to my history of concussions. I've even been diagnosed with three since I graduated from high school. 

In short when my future son asks me if he can play football I don't know what I would say. I would love to do "what's best" for him, but what does that mean? Will the game be as violent and risky by the time that conversation happens? Will rules be established to make things safer? Will medical treatment be available to prevent or treat brain injuries and other injuries? Will my son even want to play? I don't know what the answer would be and maybe I'll be lucky and only have daughters.

My Beat: MLB

One of my favorite pastimes is also happens to be "America's pastime" and for that reason I've decided to write my beat on MLB. I love watching and playing the game, but I'm also fascinated with the issues that happen off the field. The draft, trades, free agency, collective bargaining or anything else that occurs are all aspects of baseball I can't get enough of. I also enjoy learning about players and how they interact with their teams, community and families so I hope to incorporate some of those stories into my blog as well. So take me out to ball game and let's play ball.

James Cowser: The FCS Sack King and a Good Friend

Often times the star of fame can cause individuals to think more of themselves, than maybe they deserve. Athletes, collegiate or professional, are classic examples of how recognition can create a feeling of how athletes are "bigger than the game." As a fan, this can cause some content if you get the chance to meet someone you look up to on the court or field and their character doesn't match their athletic ability.

In a world where it's the norm for athletes to make more noise off the playing surface than on, it's always a treat to come into contact with an athlete who does live up to the expectations of the fans. I have a signed poster of James Cowser. To anyone who isn't familiar with SUU football or an Oakland Raiders fanatic, that name might not mean anything. Those who do know Cowser are associated with the all-time FCS sack and tackles for loss leader, a great student, and a great man. My autographed poster might not be the most desired sports memorabilia, but for me it represents one of my favorite players and a good friend.

For the majority of my life, sports represented something to do or something to watch. Though that is still the case, I've noticed that some of my fondest sports memories are centered around relationships. Whether it's attending a Jazz game with my dad or playing flag football with my closest friends the scores and teams don't matter in the end it's all about the people.

Cowser had no reason to associate with me. He was the best player on the football team destined to break records and play in the NFL and I was a little know sophomore. However, when the little known sophomore approached the big man on campus about joining forces to heckle the opposing team at a SUU basketball game, there was no qualms about it. We started of as a group of heckling fans (later donning the name "Dirty Birds) and overtime became friends. Now Cowser is terrorizing quarterbacks in the NFL, but he stills takes time to talk to the no name friend at SUU.