Check this out. Anyone who is that big a Brett Favre fan is fine by me. Among recent active NFL stars, you won’t find a better role model than Brett Favre.
I was saddened by his retirement, but appreciative off all the years of great football that came out of Green Bay.
Weather permitting:
There is nothing like waking to the sound of thunder at 7 a.m. as I did this morning. Over my years (few by some people’s standards), I have seen my fair share of hail stones, twisters (a couple on videotape), and ear-blowing thundercracks. While I have always been a huge fan of the weather, I’ll admit it has its down side, like wreaking havoc on the spring sports seasons.
Currently, Mother Nature seems as though it will contend with the Hays High Indian baseball team, as it did with Friday’s surprise showing of wintery weather, forcing a postponement to an almost tropical Saturday (Go Figure). But, weather across the state this week could put a damper on the Indians’ hopes of hosting a Class 5A sub-state at Indian Field. The Indians will need all four games this week (Tuesday’s home doubleheader against Dodge City and Friday’s makeup doubleheader at Liberal), to keep their hopes for a host alive. Hays High will likely need McPherson, another four-loss team, to trip against Wichita-Campus, traditionally a contender in Class 5A.
If nothing more, the Indians just need to get back on track after “tripping” against Salina Central on Saturday at home, thus ending their run of four straight Western Plains Diamond Classic titles. Against Dodge City (weather permitting) on Tuesday, winning a pair of games shouldn’t be a problem. Liberal, however, has been playing good baseball and will probably give Hays High everything it can handle.
The Redkins are 10-6 and are fighting for a sub-state host themselves with Valley Center. Liberal has a doubleheader Tuesday with Colby before hosting the Indians at the end of the week. While the Indians aren’t overlooking Dodge City, a pair of wins at Liberal will certainly take a better defensive effort than they had against Salina Central, a team that pushed its record to .500 with Saturday’s win.
Kelton Rule had a solid game going, but the Indians were just not that sharp defensively (4 errors, three of which came with two outs). On two of the errors, runs ended up scoring, probably not a good feeling on the mound. On the plus side, a newcomer in sophomore Dan Moritz provided a great spark.
Here’s what would be nice, though, for the Indians — play these four games, get it together, and host McPherson for the sub-state championship next week — Logan Downing picks up win No. 7 or 8 (depending on his need this week) — the Indians get Taylor Pfannenstiel back and put up solid numbers heading into the state tournament. The lineup missed Pfannenstiels’ bat against Salina Central, but the way the defense was playing — it might not have made a difference.
Ellis adds some flair:
Kudos to Ellis for the start of a varsity baseball program. Not only did the Railers bring a competitive team to this year’s Diamond Classic, but it added to a very competitive atmosphere. Though the game ended in a run-rule Indian victory, the Railers’ spirit and will to win couldn’t be denied. Having Ellis make the short trip was a nice addition to an already-great baseball tournament.
Speaking of Ellis:
HDN sports reporter Conor Nicholl conorscorner.hdnews.net and I had the opportunity to partake in an afternoon golf outing at Ellis Country Club, and the course is an immaculate condition — even though my game wasn’t. My only hope is that the club can get its money situation worked out, and the course will eventually turn into an 18-hole. Though its not quite clear who is in charge, the result of the past work is a great-looking and well-groomed 9-hole. Now, if only my game was up to par.
Whenever I walk into Wal-Mart, I always try to check out the things that are sitting up front, see if I can get some special deals.
What I saw Wednesday night was certainly special, and maybe a little bit more. Matt Malott, you know you’ve come along way with your picture on a cake at the local wal-mart. Congrats buddy.
Dare I say — local celebrity? Of course.
There’s no doubt the Hays High Indian senior baseball player has earned the status, at least in the eyes of baseball fans from all three local facets, Hays High, Jr. Legion and Legion. Malott has come a long way through the system and has made the most of his hard work over the years with a great run so far in his senior campaign with Frank Leo’s Indians.
Batting in the leadoff spot for the 7-3 Indians (entering today’s doubleheader with Garden City), Malott is hitting .343 with a team-high 13 runs scored and four driven in. He is also a team-best 12-for-12 on stolen base attempts with a .465 on-base percentage.
When he’s not doing that, Malott is working on the mound as one of four starters for the club, earning a 1-0 mark so far with a 3.87 E.R.A. in five appearances and two starts. Keep working hard this season, Mr. Hays baseball. I have never watched a more deserving player of every accolade he can get. Keep up the good work.
For those of you that know me, you’ve probably already heard the shark story from Cocoa Beach, Spring Break 2001. For those of you that haven’t, here is a brief, and of course, edited roundup.
I am the kind of person that once I get something in my head, nothing will stop me from getting it done. So, here’s the jist behind my nickname.
While I was in college, an organization I was deeply involved in took a spring break trip to Cocoa Beach, Florida. While there, we took in many sights and visited with several area businesses, but night time was all about fun.
After a night out on the beach, our trek back to the Wakulla Motel brought my friends and I across the foulest smelling fish ever, as though it had been rotting in the sun the entire day.
All it took was one mention of the fact that this 6-foot, 100-pound dead fish would make a great gag to wake up to on your doorstep, and I was all about getting it back to the hotel.
So, with little help (about 50 feet) from a good friend, we got started. It wasn’t long before I hoisted the giant fish on my shoulder and started my journey. With fish juice dripping down my backside and a huge weight on my shoulders, I nearly made it all the way back, dropping it about three blocks short after over 3 long miles.
Four showers later, a thrown away pair of shoes, the stinch still stuck with me, and even looking at the pictures remind me of the smell. The look on their faces along with the gags upon my arrival, and a new nickname, are memoires that will certainly last a lifetime.
So, as a preview for this new feature on hdnews.net, remember that I am a person that believes in going all out. More often than not, there is not much that I won’t say, and obviously, few things I won’t do.
Thanks for reading.
Welcome to my blog. I am your host, Nick McQueen (a.k.a Sharky). Check back for what will hopefully be daily updates as well as a story explaining how I became known to many as Sharky. This blog will not only explore the experiences I have covering prep and collegiate athletics in the Hays area, but I will often share my views on just about anything else that comes to mind.
Be sure to check this blog as often as possible, along with my fellow sportswriter and good friend’s blog “Conor’s Corner.”