Bowling Night II: Revenge of the 10 Pin

Tuesday afternoon I got the call to sub on the bowling team again. I was ready this time. I had two things on my mind; a 200 game and taking care of the 10 pin. Both were things that eluded me the week before. I was focused and ready this time. It turns out, neither happened. I started okay, with a 178 and 183 in the first two games. The 10 pin still playing tricks with me. It's like the tee shot over 150 yards of water. Its not really a tough shot, but it screws with your brain. It makes you think about crazy things. I let the 10 pin dominate my thoughts the third game. I struggled to the finish with a 144. Ouch. Luckily I didn't lose the series for the team. Oh well, maybe Bowling Night III will be better. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Shocks End 2009 Season

Things didn't finish the way they should have. Monday night the Wichita State Shockers ended their second season on head coach Gregg Marshall with a disappointing loss to the Stanford Cardinal. The Shockers were in the second round of the 16 team CBI tournament. It was tough to watch as they got tore apart. We only shot 34% and couldn't stop a bigger, more athletic team. Johnny Dawkins is going to get that program turned around. The bright spot is that we are so young and Marshall will be entering his 3rd year with WSU next year. Another strong class coming in next year, which will add to the bright young squad. It will be exciting to watch WSU grow over the next few years. Marshall is a great recruiter and gets a lot out of his kids. Can't wait for the future.

Time for a breather

The NCAA Tournament is one of the top sporting events in any sport. No question about it. However, I am getting a little burned out. I'm not burned out on the games, the games are great. The problem is that with only 4 of 34 at large berths going to the little guys, the excitement level for me is not as high as years past. Even if the underdog loses the game, the excitement is still there. How many times in the past have you got really into a game and rooted for the underdog, even if it screws your bracket? I know I have. Cinderella is what makes this tournament special. But a high seed does not a Cinderella make. Example, Arizona this year is not a Cinderella. Don't get me wrong, when the top seeds win, it sure makes for a hell of a Sweet 16 and onward. I just enjoy the special run that we occasionally see, whether thats George Mason, Kent State, Davidson, etc. Maybe because I was always an underdog growing up, I enjoy seeing the favorite win. My big brother is 3 years older and was bigger than me until about high school, when I finally caught up. Not to mention we were not the most physically gifted, but we sure had a competitive side. I've always been known as one of the most competitive guys in the group. I think thats what makes the underdog unique. Physically they should never compete with the big boys, but they've got passion and a special drive to prove everybody wrong. Thats what I love.

It's Time for the Madness

We are about 30 minutes from the start of the Madness. The first real game of the NCAA Tournament is about to begin. I am pretty pumped about it. I am running only in a few small bracket games (like 12). I am running a few games at work. Also, I don't think my wife was too happy when I told her I bought a NCAA bracket fathead. I can't wait to put it on the wall and fill it in. I feel like a kid in a candy store. If this isn't the best time of year, I don't know what is. Well, I am going to keep this short, because I am about to go into shutdown mode for a few days. Enjoy the games and hopefully we will see a cinderella dancing or a #16 finally win a game (we can all dream).

Bowling Night

Well, every once in a while I get the itch to go bowling. Come on, who doesn't like bowling? Its just you, that 14 pound ball, those ten pens 50 feet away, and the challenge. The challenge to throw that ball with pinpoint accuracy and knock down those little white monsters. Not as easy as it sounds.

I was asked to sub on a bowling team Tuesday night. I consider myself a decent bowler. Granted, its been a while since I've bowled on a regular basis (like 8 years). I subbed a few weeks ago and mustered about a 170 average for my three games. Not bad. But i was poised to do bettter on Tuesday. My goal was at least one 200 game. Things didn't go according to plan. At least I had a better series than I did a few weeks ago. But the 200 game eluded me yet again. The best I could manage was a 193, to go along with a 182 and 161. I'm not too ashamed by those numbers, but I was hoping for more. Bowling, like golf is one of those individual sports that can just eat away at you and beg you to come back for more. It takes a lot of patience and practice to be any good at either one. Two things that don't always come easy for me. And just think, if it wasn't for that damn 10 pin, I know I would have been celebrating a 200 game. But alas, thats why we play sports, for the challenge.

The Day After

Seriously, how hard is it to concentrate on work with a stack of empty brackets next to you? It's going to be a long couple of days until basketball starts up again. I am pretty pumped about my Wichita State Shockers making a post season tournament. That's right the CBI, baby. Okay so maybe the College Basketball Invitational isn't the most glorious tournament ever, but we'll take it.

It looks like I dropped the proverbial "we'll" already. Like I have anything to do with the success of our team. I mean "the" team. When you follow your team closely, it's hard not to stake a claim to them. You feel as if you've invested about as much of your time being a fan as they have in being players, coaches, etc. Sports have a way of taking control of our lives and our emotions without us ever really noticing. I was just talking to a friend at work who was telling me about how he got in an argument with his wife about watching a game live vs. taped. Like he said, how are you going to affect the outcome of the game if you don't watch it live? Right on brother. Speaking of that, I can't wait until Thursday. This is a special day for several reasons. First, my wife and I are going to go out and celebrate our 6th anniversary. I can't believe I made it this long. Secondly, the tournament starts. At first I was not willing to give up one of the greatest days of the year for my wife, but then I had to step back and think. Is a game really worth a divorce. That's why they invented DVR anyway, right? Well, hopefully it all goes well.

1st Official Post

Welcome to the average man's sports website. This blog is my contribution to the sports world and what better day to start a sports blog than Selection Sunday. I am a huge hoops fan and for the next few weeks you will hear quite a bit about how my life revolves around college basketball. I'm watching the NIT selection show as we speak. How pathetic am I? For the 12th year in a row, I am taking off Thursday and Friday to watch the NCAA tournament. (At least I don't call in sick.)

I will be posting some of my previous sports road trip photos and stories later on. In addition to that, I have a few exciting sports adventures coming up in the near future. Stay tuned for that. You won't want to miss it. I will also, be posting plenty of stories relating to college hoops. I am going to sign off now (Hey, I've got some brackets to fill out).