PALM SPRINGS, CA – It’s been a few years since I’ve covered a men’s fastpitch tournament. It was good to be back. Good to run into some old friends at Demuth Park in Palm Springs last weekend.
But one thing I don’t like. Those garish yellow-neon balls. I’ve covered plenty of high school girl’s games and of course that’s what they use. But those yellow balls seem out of place in the men’s game. Click to continue »
Kyle Beane,left, pictured with his father, Clint. Kyle is the Co-chairperson of the 2010 ISC World Tournament and plays for the Midland Explorers, which is managed by his dad.
Photo By Maddy Flanagan
www.maddysphotos.com
Story By BOB OTTO
botto3@verizon.net
YUCAIPA, CA – I don’t know what Kyle Beane does for a living. But I suspect it has something to do with sales or marketing.
Beane along with Dave Lach are the Co-chairmen of the 2010 International Softball Congress World Tournament to be held in Midland, Michigan, Aug. 14-21. And I am learning fast that it would be hard to find two finer promoters for the tournament – and the sport of men’s fastpitch softball.
Recently Beane sent an email to several people including myself. He asked for help in promoting the world tournament by writing a series of stories about the 48 teams playing in the tournament.
“…Throughout the course of the ISC, and leading up to it, we’re hoping to do some things that other hosts haven’t done,” Bean said in his email. “One thing is to provide a unique team profile, article, and feature on our website of all 48 teams…. probably starting around May 1st, and adding three to four per week leading up to the beginning of the tournament.”
What a great idea. And one long overdue. Click to continue »
Story By BOB OTTO
botto3@verizon.net
YUCAIPA, CA – I’ve signed up to be cryogenically frozen. This sudden inspiration for preservation came about after I read, “Discovery of habitable world seen,” by Seth Borenstein of The Associated Press.
We are close – very close astronomers and scientists say – to discovering Earth-like planets where life exists, or could exist. Click to continue »
Where my new business enterprise starts.
YUCAIPA, CA – I’m starting a new business and I think it’ll be successful for two reasons: My product is in great demand and I’ve got an unending, free supply.
I volunteer at a horse rescue ranch. And all 25 of our horses are fed the finest hay and grain. And of course, what goes in the front end of a horse must come out the back end. And that’s where my business starts.
Yup, I’m going into the horse manure business. Hey, why not? I’ve developed a great rapport with all the horses. And I’m confident they’ll work round-the-clock supplying me with all the horse pooh I can possibly sell.
And to all my customers, I make this promise: My “product” will be the freshest around. In fact, it won’t even touch the ground until it reaches your garden or flowerbed.
All I need is a wheelbarrow and my quick feet. When I see a horse raise its tail, signaling me that the product is about to flow, I’ll race over with my wheelbarrow and push it right under the horse’s tail.
And I’ll hear the sweet sound of “plop, plop.” That’ll be money to my ears. Click to continue »
YUCAIPA, CA – Take that Cowboys. How sweet the taste of victory. And even sweeter the taste of revenge.
Minnesota Vikings fans are celebrating – no we’re actually ecstatic about the 34-3 thrashing the Vikings dealt the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in the NFC playoffs.
It’s been a long time coming. Remember the “Hail Mary,” pass? Click to continue »
By BOB OTTO
botto3@verizon.net
YUCAIPA, CA – My wife came home from work yesterday saying that the women of the Garcia Insurance Company have resolved to get in shape. Some have signed up and joined fitness clubs. With unflinching determination they’re committed to dieting, exercising, and losing weight in 2010.
To this I say: “Not very likely.” Click to continue »
YUCAIPA, CA – Fifty-four hours and counting. That’s how close shoppers are to the most crazed shopping day of the year: Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that kicks off the traditional Christmas shopping season.
Recently, the Yucaipa Valley Chamber of Commerce and city officials started a campaign to encourage – no actually they’re imploring – Click to continue »
By BOB OTTO / Writer & Photographer
YUCAIPA, CA – I didn’t see it, but I heard it. That hard-hitting whack when body crashes into body, shoulder pad slams into shoulder pad, and helmet cracks helmet.
Friday night I covered a high school football game. It’s what I’ve been doing for the past 16 years.
And this game between the Fontana A.B. Miller Rebels and Redlands East Valley Wildcats had a lot at stake: The championship of the Citrus Belt League.
So kids were flying at each other. The intensity was at fever pitch. The hitting reached a ferocious level.
Quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers were hunted down by 220-pound linebackers and defensive backs with Gazelle-like speed. And when they caught them, they hurled them to the ground like Siberian Tigers stalking and ripping into wild boar. Click to continue »