Items tagged with 'sports'
The Giants Super Bowl license plate
You'll no doubt be heartbroken to find out that "ELI4EVER" won't fit on the Giants plate.
The state Department of Motor Vehicles unveiled a Giants 2012 Super Bowl Champions custom plate today. They're $60, plus a $31.25 renewal fee, non-customized. If you want to express your love for Eli with a custom plate number, that's another $60.
Speaking of this stuff: Will the city of Albany update those "Albany / Mayor Jennings welcomes you / Summer Home of the Super Bowl XLII Champion New York Giants" signs now? Maybe it's a good time to swap the signs for something along the lines of simply, "Welcome to Albany / Capital of the Empire State."
image via NY Governor's Office
Running in the cold
Jen during one of her winter races.
We're always inspired when we read about the races Jen is running. And as self-described "winter runner," she runs all year round. So we thought we'd ask her for a few ideas about how to make running outside more comfortable and fun during the cold weather months.
Yes, winter is here! But that doesn't mean we have to stay indoors and on our couches. I like to stay active throughout the whole year, especially during the winter. Even when my couch seems more inviting, sometimes exercising outside in the cold can be invigorating! And there's nothing better than feeling the sunshine on your face! When exercising, I'll take cold weather over humidity any day. Within the past few years, I've made a habit of running outside in the winter and I really enjoy it.
Here are a few suggestions to help make your winter running experience more tolerable!
There's Derek Jeter... and everyone else
In the Siena poll out today 57 percent of New Yorkers said they would support a constitutional amendment to allow casinos not owned by Native Americans to be built in the state -- 36 percent said they oppose it. Respondents seemed to think that the casinos would bring more jobs (78 percent agree) and government revenue (71 percent) -- but also increase problems such as crime and compulsive gambling (54 percent).
A few other bits, about the state's apparently undying love for Derek Jeter, MMA, and sports betting...
A concrete vision of the future for skateparks in the Capital Region?
The Chatham Skatepark
A tiny modern cityscape is taking shape in the heart of Chatham's bucolic countryside. But you won't find buildings at the end of its sidewalks, and the only traffic will come by skateboard.
When it's finished in late October, Chatham Skatepark will join only a handful of outdoor skateparks in upstate New York including the skatepark at East Side Recreational Field in Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park Action Park, Blatnick in Niskayuna, Copake Skate Park, Oakdale in Hudson, and Saugerties skate park.
It will also be one of only two concrete skateparks between Montreal and New York City that offers bowl skating.
The $120,000 park is $20,000 from completion, and Chatham recreation director Shari Dixon Franks isn't confident they'll reach their goal.
"With the economy as bad as it is, how can you ask people for more money for a skatepark?"
Finding a high school football team to root for?
With football season coming up, @ajw93 asks:
I need to find HS football (alma mater sorta far in Dutchess) good, supportive crowd that's NOT all unruly teens?
No srsly, the Titans of Remember The [Titans] fame were previous n'hood team. Also my baby sisters'school. Now I got nothin'! Help!
Yes, i know it's not the local religion, but I do so enjoy HS games esp. I'd love a poll to see if I'm alone there.
Hmm... it might be hard to find exactly what ajw93 is looking for -- the Capital Region isn't Dillon, Texas. But maybe you can recommend a spot in the bleachers.
Got a suggestion? Please share!
image: NBC
Warrior Dash photos 2011
Fiery.
This is fun: Sebastien was at the Warrior Dash at Windham Mountain this past weekend and has a great post and photoset from the race/obstacle course/mud bath.
A few more photos after the jump. But definitely go check out the whole set.
Warriors! Jen and Silvia both braved the course this year. Jen says the obstacles were a lot harder this year. And Silvia had a blast -- and ended up inventorying her injuries
Update! Diana also ran the course this year and took her camera along.
U.S. Water Ski Show Team: Nikki Weakley
Nikki Weakly doing what makes her happiest.
Nikki Weakley would almost always rather be water skiing.
The 25-year-old corporate communications rep for GE put on her first pair of water skis at age four and joined the U.S. Water Ski Show Team at the ripe old age of seven.
Since then the Mariaville native has spent nearly every summer evening behind a boat on the Mohawk River, practicing pyramids, jumps and balletic swivel skiing moves with the other members of the team.
The show team practices behind Jumpin' Jack's in Scotia nearly every night, and performs on Tuesday nights in July and August. It took first place in a regional competition last weekend and recently they caught the attention of the New York Times.
Nikki tore herself away from practice last night to talk with us about skiing, wiping out and the one thing that might be more of a thrill than her lifelong hobby.
Something wicket this way comes
But can they take all 10 wickets in an innings?
When I was a boy, we played in the street. Stickball and street hockey, running bases, touch football. Even though there were perfectly good lawns and parks, we just sort of liked the street. Maybe it was the curbs, which were like built-in sidelines. Naturally, you had to look out for the storm sewers that swallowed countless balls, pucks, and Frisbees -- and oh yes, you had to watch for cars -- but the street was our playing field.
I don't see kids playing ball in the street much anymore, even at the dozens of basketball hoops that line our suburban neighborhoods. There are three hoops on my block alone and I've never seen a basketball being shot at any single one of them. They stand like monuments to the idea of sports. Go figure.
But things are different on my street these days. And the kids aren't playing the old reliable
standbys: they're playing cricket.
When Stubby gets angry
What's better than a guy named Stubby Clapp? A guy named Stubby Clapp going nuts. From a recent Valley Cats game:
It's too bad the bat toss wasn't captured. A baseball manager's fit doesn't really round the bases until something's thrown.
Clapp was apparently upset because over a disputed hit-by-pitch call.
Also: If Clapp keeps this up, the Canadian authorities will surely contact him about the rule regarding politeness.
[video by Fox23 via Mark McGuire]
Jimmer, the horse
Because Jimmer Mania is unstoppable, there's now a race horse named after Jimmer Fredette. It looks like "Jimmer" will make his race debut at Saratoga this season. [TU]
The backstory on the name: Pat Hammel, the wife of the basketball coach as Glens Falls HS, is on the barn staff for one of the trainers at the stable that owns the horse -- she suggested naming the colt after Fredette (sadly, they didn't go with "The Jimmer"). Hammel says the horse reminds her of Jimmer: "You look at him and you're not 100 percent sure he's an athlete, but hopefully he'll prove us all wrong like Jimmer did." [Saratogian] [Yahoo Sports]
This horse is the third thoroughbred to carry the "Jimmer" name, according to the Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database.
What obviously has to happen now: a game of H-O-R-S-E between the two Jimmers. Come on, NYRA, let's make this happen.
Jimmer tribute in Glens Falls photo by Trampoline Design
Jimmer picked at #10 in NBA draft
Jimmer with NBA commissioner David Stern on ESPN.
Jimmer Fredette was selected with the 10th pick in the NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks -- but he's headed to the Sacramento Kings via a trade.
Sacramento's roster is thin at the guard position, so Jimmer should have opportunity. The Kings have a few very talented young players -- notably guard Tyreke Evans -- who also have reputations for being... difficult. So it could all be interesting.
Sports Illustrated's Michael Rosenberg wrote before the draft about it being important for Jimmer to land in the right situation -- and he didn't see Sacramento as that spot:
The highest I have seen him in mock drafts is No. 7 to Sacramento, which would be a disaster on several levels. He would presumably take Tyreke Evans' job at point guard, which would probably tick off Evans; Evans isn't really a point guard, but neither is Fredette. Evans would move to shooting guard. If you think he and temperamental center DeMarcus Cousins would be happy with shot-happy Jimmer as their shooting guard, you're nuts. Plus the team might move, and Fredette would be saddled with two savior labels -- top-10 pick, and likable guy on an unlikable team. No. Please: No.
For a somewhat more entertaining projection, Grantland -- Bill Simmons' new site -- imagines movies Jimmer could star in with the Kings' cast.
Earlier on AOA: 28.5 facts about Jimmer Fredette
screen capture: ESPN
Stubby Clapp
Pointed out by Andrew today: the manager of the Tri-City Valley Cats is named "Stubby Clapp." A second baseman, Stubby Clapp III's playing career has included:
+ 25 at-bats with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001.
+ The 2004 and 2008 Canadian Olympic baseball teams. Said Justin Morneau of Clapp: "He's what Canadian baseball players are all about." (That would be "a-boot," we hope.)
+ Becoming a folk hero in Memphis.
+ Signing autographs in Syracuse supermarkets.
The Valley Cats' season opens at home this Friday night.
photo: Baseball Canada
A fast 5k around Albany
This video is fun. It's like running the Freihofer's -- but, you know, without the actual running.
[via Unspeakable Visions]
Video game Jimmer
Really for no reason beyond the fact that it's Friday afternoon, here's a collection of Jimmer Fredette highlights made to look and sound like a video game. You know you want to see Jimmer hit a ridiculous three accompanied by sounds from Super Mario Bros.
Oh, right, relevance: the Knicks apparently really are interested in Jimmer, maybe enough to try moving up to get him (they have the #17 pick in the draft). Of course, it's not clear exactly who's running the Knicks right now. [NY Mag] [NYT]
An NBA mock draft published today that we haphazardly pulled from the first few results in Google has Jimmer going to the Utah Jazz at #12. If that happens, the Jazz promotions and ticket sales teams could probably take the rest of the season off (distance between Provo and Salt Lake City: 44 miles). Jimmer apparently would be OK with that, too. [Bleacher Report] [Desert News]
So what is Jimmer up to these days? Working out for NBA teams and trying to improve his defense. [AP/Desert News]
The NBA draft is June 23.
Earlier on AOA:
+ 28.5 facts about Jimmer Fredette
+ You want Jimmer on that wall -- you need Jimmer on that wall!
Roller derby tickets!
The Albany All Stars have a doubleheader coming up this Saturday at the Washington Ave Armory: the All Star will be taking on the the Hudson Valley Horrors, and the Albany B-Squad will throwing down with the ZomBSquad.
AOA has four pairs of tickets for the bout and we're giving them away -- maybe even to you.
We're feeling kind of cranky today -- maybe it's the weather, maybe it's the jackhammering on the street this morning, maybe it was the person we sat behind at the green light while she talked on her mobile. So, to enter, answer this question in the comments:
Dude, what's your problem?!?
We'll pick four winners at random from the comments.
The All Stars bout starts Saturday at 6 pm (doors at 5 pm). Music by Slick Fitty. Tickets are $10 ahead / $12 at the door (kids are $4).
Important: One entry per person, please. You must submit your comment by 10 pm today (May 19). You must include a working email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. Winners will be notified by 10 am on Friday (May 20) and must respond by 5 pm that day.
Yep, AOA is a media sponsor of the All Stars.
Albany Ultimate 2011
Albany Ultimate will be starting up soon for the summer season. Emails Jeremy, the president of the club: "We are always looking for new members; from experienced players to brand new players who have never touched a disc." Quick descriptions and info of the club's leagues are after the jump.
The club plays at a handful of sites around the Capital Region. We usually spot them playing at Collins Circle on the UAlbany campus.
It's kickball season
Local kickball leagues/games are starting up again:
+ The World Adult Kickball Association league season starts April 28 (with a pickup game tonight).
+ The local Premier Kickball league starts May 3. (This league says you don't need a team, you can just show up and you'll be placed on a team.)
+ Those first two leagues have fees. There's also a free pick-up kickball game Mondays at Hoffman Park in Albany.
We get the impression these are a lot like softball leagues. You play (not necessarily too hard), and then everyone goes and has a drink.
Earlier on AOA:
+ Ask AOA: Sports leagues for adults?
+ Ask AOA: Fun softball leagues?
photo: Flickr user dinnerwithkev
No fishnets in this roller derby
CDMRD's Maul Bunyan during a scrimmage.
The first bout for the new local men's roller derby league -- CDMRD -- is this Saturday night at the Washington Ave Armory. It's a double-header -- the men play first against the Utica Quadfathers, and then the women of the Albany All-Stars take on Central NY Roller Derby. Doors open at 5 pm and it's likely the event will sell out.
One of the new men's league founders, George "Mooseknuckle" Dunckley, answers some questions about the new league, men's roller derby in general and what people should expect on Saturday...
It's race season
It was a cold Schenectady Firefighter's Run for Your Life 5k this past Saturday.
Spring's technically here which means race season is too. In the Capital Region there are lots of runs, walks, rides and triathlons to take part in.
Whether you do it for the competition, for the t-shirt, or for the charity there's likely a race around here that'll interest you...
Tour de Troy photos
Nine corners. Two wheels.
The photo above is from Neil Grabowsky's photoset of racers in last weekend's "Tour de Troy" events, coordinated by the city of Troy and the RPI Cycling Club. The Times Union called it "one of the largest collegiate bike races in the country."
You can see more photos by Neil, of Through the Lens Studios, after the jump.
You want Jimmer on that wall -- you need Jimmer on that wall!
A high-five to the people at Trampoline Design who spotted this tribute to Jimmer Fredette in an alley in Glens Falls. As they noted on Twitter: "When the Boogeyman goes to sleep, he checks the closet for Jimmer Fredette." (Incidentally, that's also the answer to the question, "What do Jimmer Fredette and Chuck Norris have in common?")
Jimmer and #3 seed BYU take on #2 seed Florida Thursday night in the NCAA tournament (you can catch the game on TBS). And did you see the great Jimmer photo on the cover of SI this week?
Earlier on AOA: 28.5 facts about Jimmer Fredette
photo: Trampoline Design
28.5 facts about Jimmer Fredette
Jimmer Fredette -- Glens Falls native, a leading candidate player of the year in college basketball, folk hero -- plays in the NCAA tournament tonight. His #3 seeded BYU team takes on #14 seed Wofford at 7:15 pm on CBS. Update: BYU won 74-66 to advance.
Here are 28.5 facts about Jimmer -- one for each of the 28.5 points per game he's averaged this year. (And we're not even counting that he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week.)
New Yorkers love the Yankees and Derek Jeter
A Siena poll out Tuesday reports the Yankees are New York State's favorite sports team. Fifty-six percent of respondents said the Bronx Bombers are their first, second, or third favorite team (30 percent overall said the Yanks are their #1 favorite).
Perhaps not surprising then that Derek Jeter topped the list for "single greatest athlete of all time that played for a New York team or that you associate with sports in New York." Fourteen percent of people named Jeter when asked that question. Babe Ruth was second at 11 percent. No other athlete registered above 5 percent. The two demographic groups with the highest number of people naming Jeter: women and Latinos, both at 17 percent.
A few more bits...
Are you a sports fan? yes: 59 percent (76 percent of men, 43 percent of women) | no: 41 percent
Favorite sport: football (23 percent -- 27 percent upstate), baseball (22 percent), basketball (19 percent). By the way: soccer is more popular in New York than NASCAR.
The Knicks: A similar Siena poll last year reported that the Knicks were basically no one's favorite team. This year? The Knicks ranked #3 among most single most favored teams. All that money for Carmello and Amar'e is paying off.
On MMA: When asked whether they supported or opposed legalizing mixed martial arts in New York State, 41 percent said they were opposed. 39 percent said they supported MMA legalization. And 19 percent said they didn't know enough about it.
Instant replay in baseball: 54 percent support | 31 percent oppose.
NFL labor situation: 58 percent of people said they supported in the players in the ongoing NFL labor negotiations. 21 percent said they side with the owners. And 100 percent said to wake them when/if the season ever starts. (OK, we made up that last bit.)
The Great Zamboni
Part ice resurfacing machine, part intermission entertainment, it's no wonder everyone loves the Zamboni.
I had the chance to talk with Kevin Appler, a Zamboni driver for the Times Union Center, this week at an Albany Devils game. And I learned quite a bit: how the Zamboni works, how someone gets a job as a driver, and the fact that Zambonis don't really have brakes...
Stevo Poulin
Badass of the week: Stevo Poulin of Schuylerville.
The 8-year-old and his mohawk have piled up a 256-26 record on the youth wrestling circuit. He's been described as "a blitzkrieg of speed, strength and know-how" who "scarifies" grown men -- or simply "a bad little man."
That highlight video above has been viewed on YouTube more than 6 million times. Behold the strut as he walks onto the mat.
When not blitzing his opponents, Stevo enjoys dominating spelling and math tests. He also has an outdoor cat who eats mice.
[via Post-Star Saratoga Snippets]
... said Jenna about The quintessential Capital Region food?