FanNation

Team USA Rugby Update-World Cup Kicks off!!!

The USA Rugby Team, after a summer of tough international tests, kicked off their 2007 World Cup quest with pool play v. the defending 2003 champ England. It is no surprise that Team USA lost, however the big surprise is the fact that Team USA held TOUGH and only lost 28-10. How far have these boys come? They lost to England's second team earlier this summer by 50 points.

Keep in mind team USA is basically made up of amateurs....half of the team could not get leave from their jobs and had to quit. They have mostly been living in a barn in Colorado while training. They've made quite a sacrifice to get where they are and deserve all the support we can give. Our guys are about as respectable as you can get.....all college grads (half of which went to Rugby powerhouse Cal-Berkeley) and they are doing this for the love of the game!!

You can check out 'Scrum.com' for all of the updates on Team USA and all of the Rugby matches. Also, Setanta (Sky) Sports is doing a free weekend on DirecTV so you can catch a lot of matches.Also, check your local areas for Division 1 and 2 teams for your local Rugby teams.

Scrum, Ruck and Maul!!

Chandler Little League More Important Than Curing Cancer?

A funny thing happened on the way to the Little League World Series for the Chandler, AZ team....apparently no one told their parents that it is not an all-expense paid vacation to Pennsylvania....they actually have to pay if they want to go watch!

Heaven forfend! PAGE ONE on AZCentral.com earlier today ran an article titled "Chandler Team Raises Funds." This was NOT an article on how they did what every other youth team does...work through the offseason having carwashes, bake sales, looking for business sponsors, etc. No, this article was on trying to get public donations so the 60+ FAMILY members (not the team members) could go to Williamsport. They also estimated each individual would cost $5,000 for the 9 day trip.

The Shame of Sport - I've Found Who to Blame!!!

Some blame the 'roids for overinflating the numbers. Some blame the "4-Letter Network" for celebrating individuality in what are supposedly team sports, glorifying poor judgement and making us pay for what was once free. Some blame the commissioners for not, well, 'commissioning.' Some blame the team owners for signing players no matter how long their criminal record is. Some blame the gamblers. Some blame Congress. Whatever. I've found the culprit that no one can argue....

Fantasy and Reality-Sports v. Harry Potter

With the 7th book of Jo Rowling's series out I can't help but wonder what would have followed. Since Potter is but a 17-year-old lad in the book (which I will eventually read when my wife polishes it off) I give you a dose of reality should Harry make it 'professionally' in the future.....because of this I am thankful they are ending the series when they are....good kid and we don't need this kind of corruption!

At age 21....his wizarding skills unquestioned (I mean not even LeBron has been covered more in his youth) Harry Potter is signed as first professional wizard in a pro sport. What sport? All of them. The Yankees, Lakers, Cowboys and NY Rangers all sign him to the biggest contracts ever. He also shoots an amazing 55-54-42-38 in four rounds to earn his PGA Tour Card. Nike gives him a bigger deal than Tiger, Michael and Bo Jackson combined. As insurance he hexes all sports ruling bodies to ensure they never outlaw the magic wand. MARRIED TO: Posh Spice (the former Mrs. Beckham) FAVORITE PICK UP LINE: "I'm a magical being...now take off your clothes."

The NBA May Be Fixed? Next You Will Insist Water is Wet.

Yet another reason the NBA is a huge scam....the announcement that an official may have been crooked. The proof that the league did not care is that they had him under investigation and DID NOT suspend him with pay while the investigation was going on. How much impact did he have? He assessed the most technical fouls in the league among active officials and is second in kicking players out of games. Think about how much impact this has.

The league is both crooked and drug infested. Both of which are prime candidates for infiltration by organized crime into the league. As far as game play, my favorite example is the announcers blatantly stating LeBron, Kobe and Shaq (among others) can get calls while other 'non-stars' cannot does not say much for the integrity of NBA basketball.