Butler County Sports Network

DeCola’s Golfing Feat

Bob — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:24:52 +0000

A Large congratulations to Butler High School Junior Marissa DeCola, who recently fired a school record 31 to help lead her team to victory. The Butler girls play their home matches at Hiland Golf Course located off Bonniebrook Road in Butler, and Marissa fired rounds of 36 on August 23rd and the school-record setter the following day. A round that impressive bodes well for an impressive future for Miss DeCola. She has been impressive in many events scholastically and junior-related, and is only getting better. And to think, this is the BEGINNING of the season! I am just happy she is still in high school. No worry yet over her leaving for the professional ranks after her junior year

Arming the Pirates

Bob — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:04:45 +0000

The Pittsburgh Pirates recently announced they were able to sign a majority of their recent draft picks, including the #1 and #2 “flame-throwers”. (just hope they haven’t been throwing curveballs since age 8 – and been abused by their little league coaches).
Time will tell whether there is a pay-off, but it is exciting to see the Pirates have been stockpiling a remarkable number of arms through their recent trades. A minor league organization that had little talent to offer, suddenly is expressing hope. A trying process, especially for weary fans who have been waiting for a season of anything near or above .500 for more than a dozen years, but an obvious necessary process. Does this mean we have to wait another five or so years while 16-18 year olds develop and avoid injury? Not particularly. Despite many casual fans throwing their own arms to the sky in disgust with the horrible season that is currently underway, take a close look at the San Diego Padres. The Padres have the best record in the National League, and it is primarily to due the impressive pitching staff they have. Some were produced by the Padres farm system, but many come from other teams. They are winning because their starters are giving “quality” starts, and their bullpen has been even more impressive in finishing wins. The current Pirate brass have proven several times over their tenure that a solid bullpen can be made yearly (even if it becomes a crap-shoot at times). Now through the recent trades and the successful draft, quality arms should begin bearing fruit over the next couple of seasons. The Pirates can be–and SHOULD be the Padres of next year. With the current front half of the batting line-up, there are several superstars in the making–and they are inked for several years to remain Pirates. Add the arms–and Pirate fans can begin to smile. Be patiently excited for those like me who have been sighing deeply for 17 years. Just don’t hold your breath, you’ll turn blue.

NASCAR measures the “have” and “have-nots”

Bob — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:40:05 +0000

NASCAR is “dyno” testing 16 engines from competitors at Michigan to determine the difference between racing teams. Imagine, Hendrick Motorsports having more horsepower than Prism Motorsports! (the team owned by Phil Parsons and Randy Humphrey that is a start-and-park car driven by Dave Blaney). You actually think that NASCAR might find that the mega-multi-million dollar operations might have an advantage over a Joe Nemechek-funded race car? I just hope they actually release the results to the general public. (Which won’t happen!), then we will know why stars like Earnhardt Jr and Kahne are doing backflips to move on to work for Sir Rick. Hey, the guy is only doing what the sport allows him. It’s just nice to see that several other “superteam” organizations have finally caught up. We will see if the quality of the field improves anytime soon. Any avid NASCAR-watcher knows, the field of 43 – only contains 30 competitive cars. Either cut the field–or find a way to keep 43 COMPETITIVE vehicles on the track.

Labonte becomes a forgotten champion

Bob — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:28:03 +0000

It was announced that Bobby Labonte has left the #71 TRG Sprint Cup team as of the race in New Hampshire. What a fall from grace for a classy past Cup champion. When Labonte agreed to leave Joe Gibbs Racing, his career has become more than forgettable. His stint in the legendary #43 for Richard Petty was at the lowest period in NASCAR for the Petty organization. Now the forgettable drive for the “taxslayer”. Word is he may drive for Robby Gordon at New Hampshire. No where to go but up, eh? Do owners and sponsors think this guy just simply forgot how to drive? It’s not that he has stuck around too long (see Dale Jarrett and Darrell Waltrip please), it just HAS to be his team selection process. What a shame of for one of NASCAR’s good-guys in the vein of Mark Martin. In fact, I still buy Interstate Batteries, and it’s not because of Kyle Busch.

Frustrated Pirate fans

Bob — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:04:48 +0000

We Pirate fans have had a range of emotions over the past 17 years, and no doubt the last couple in particular. The trading of a power hitter like Jason Bay, with next to nothing in return. The trade of a former batting champion with, yes–nothing to date. Okay, we lucked out on the McLouth for Morton trade–because at least Morton won a game for us. McLouth cost Atlanta many. In fact, they didn’t begin to win until he was OUT of their line-up. My question is this: now that the youth movement has begun–with the myriad of recent call-ups, when are the Pirate pitchers going to step up and help? Ross Ohlendorf show brilliance, then gets beat. Zach Duke acts like he can’t wait to leave, and Paul Maholm gives quality starts–but also gives quality pitches to opposing batters at the absolute wrong time–to take himself out of possible win. Brad Lincoln has been disappointing in three starts so far. Only Jeff Karstens–the back-up #5 guy has been a stop-gap guy. You call me crazy with that comment? Check it out–he has been responsible for ending TWO major losing streaks for the club this season. That is my version of “stepping up”. Maybe the next step for GM Huntington is to trade all the starters, carry 16 pitchers and just use relievers to get through games. Hey at this point, you are trying to avoid 100 losses–and anything is worth a try!

Butler Tennis PIAA Champs

Bob — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:30:32 +0000

Congratulations to the Butler Boys Tennis team who brought home a State Championship! This team has been knocking on the door in a variety of title matches all season, and finally receive their just due! From a near-perfect season, to runner-up doubles and team efforts in WPIAL tournaments, this team never quit, and their hard work paid off. Congratulations to Matt Slamecka, Evan Kowalski, Will Nesbitt, Emil and Stefan Kemp, Zac McCafferty, and Kemper May for their efforts

NASCAR and the economy

Bob — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:32:42 +0000

How many more sponsors are going to disappear from NASCAR? Big Name sponsors and Big Name drivers unable to keep them has to be concerning. Future Hall of Famer Mark Martin driving a #5 car with no sponsor, current point leader Kevin Harvick has a primary sponsor jumping ship at season’s end-the second consecutive year Richard Childress Racing is losing a big-one. Tony Stewart can’t hang on to Old Spice. It is becoming a smelly situation. Has the sport overvalued its marketability? Or is this just an “adjustment in the market?
Tracks are dramatically lowering prices to attract fans back.
It certainly is a good time to be a fan, but what will the future bring? 30-car fields? If only if it were baseball salaries, I wouldn’t be worried!

Can they REALLY be this bad?

Bob — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:11:57 +0000

We have watched the Pittsburgh Pirates look like a better-than .500 club for several games so far in 2010, but it is the “other” games we have watched that concern me. When the Pirates have won, they have done it with an exciting, never-say-die, enthusiastic style. When they have lost, it has not even been a competitive game. Blow-outs of historic proportions, and then some. The Brewers have made the Pirates look worse than the Bucs make Manatee Community College look in the spring training opener. What gives? I am not foolish enough to believe this team was going to win the division. I honestly don’t believe they are good enough to finish higher than fourth place. But, I honestly thought they would be SOMEWHAT competitive. The pitching has been the worst any Pirate team in the last 50 years has seen. Hitters that are terrible with runners in scoring postion. NO POWER. Take away what Garrett Jones did in the opening games, and we don’t have a hitter with double-digit RBI’s. The pitching staff looked like it would be the strong suit entering the season. A strengthened bullpen, and starters who showed glimpses last fall of what could be a very nice rotation. OOPS! It hurts to watch them right now. Ryan Doumit has been awful as catcher. His handling of pitchers leaves a lot to be desired, and throwing out runners is a non-existent happening. The infield has not been bad defensively, but have no power, and don’t drive in runs. The outfield is the bright spot, and should be, although Milledge and Jones have slumped. It could be the longest season yet in the 18-year losing streak, if this is really the talent this team possesses. Would the players who were traded away help? The answer is an emphatic NO! I have the stats to prove it: Nate McLouth batting .159 with one home run and three rbi. Jason Bay batting .269 with NO HOME RUNS and five rbi, Xavier Nady batting .207 with one home run and four rbi. Jack Wilson is .264 zero home runs and six rbi. Freddie Sanchez has not played (DL), John Grabow is 0-2 with an 8.10 era. Ian Snell 0-2 with a 5.14 era. We are actually getting better production from the people who replaced them. At this point, all we can do is wait. I say, bring back Ed Sprague.

Hamlin has the desire to top Johnson, but can he?

Bob — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:57:08 +0000

You hear the sound bites “I want to make sure everyone in this room wants it as badly as I do”. The sentiment echoed by NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin. He actually made the statement in 2009, but he may have the maturity to do it in 2010. Can Johnson continue to perform at the level he has? Obviously they have for the past four years, and show no sign of stopping. But watching Hamlin go from a wreckless! talent, to a focused man of great desire to be a champion, may be a strong enough force to make Johnson nervous. He is tough as nails, a statement with an exclamation point after watching him run Texas–and WIN less than a week after having surgery on his knee for an ACL tear. He showed me a lot, how about you?

Bye Bye Santonio

Bob — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:40:20 +0000

The Pittsburgh Steelers have taken their stand, and it is the right one! Santonio Holmes is now a New York Jet. Good riddance. Yes, the Steelers will miss his talent, but lose a headache that brings down the majority of a 53-man roster. It is a shame that the quarterback position is such a critical area to replace, because Ben obviously needs a wake-up as well. Not that I am saying Big Ben should be shipped out, just yet, but if the Steelers stand strong with him and impose a personal conduct suspension–fans will embrace it. Meanwhile, can’t wait to see the Plax to room with Santone.