Unabashed

In the world of women’s sports, for me, softball is the best to watch. I do like soccer (football to you Euros), but I’m not into women’s basketball at all, nor golf. The thing that makes it fun for me is primarily that it’s just a little bit different from baseball. And if you’ve ever seen one of those girls pitch and you weren’t impressed, you and I clearly are of different minds. They don’t wear hats, like the men do, they usually have long hair pulled back in a pony tail, often with little ribbons or bows (cute). And the fact is that these girls have skill.

In soccer, the game is just a carbon copy of the men’s, ditto for basketball (Okay, in basketball the 3-point line is closer to the goal. But that’s about it). But softball is just different from baseball. The pitcher is closer to the batter (43′ compared to 60′6″ in baseball) and the outfield fence is a lot closer in, the ball is bigger, the pitchers pitch differently (and it is frickin cool the way they pitch), and I don’t care how big the ball is, when it’s coming from just 43′ away at 67 MPH, it’s dang hard to turn on it… it’s just a different kind of game, and it seems like a game tailored better to fit the athleticism of ladies.

I would support a professional softball league before any other women’s sport. Soccer, maybe, but I just can’t get into the WNBA. I’ve tried. I hate it. It just doesn’t seem like a sport that’s made for women. But give me a local pro softball team and I’ll buy a hat (so long as it isn’t pink, aye?) and maybe a jersey as well. And with athletes like Taryne Mowatt (pictured) who’s a phenomenal, record-setting pitcher, it seems a shame they have no opportunity to become professional players.

I want a pro girls softball league.

Give it.

I also like to watch women’s tennis. More than the men’s. There aren’t many sports like that; the athleticism of the men is just too phenomenal not to watch. But men can be gross, too, I agree, so… at least girls aren’t gross, eh? :-)

Um, just a final note that Alabama just knocked off Taryne and the Wildcats to advance in the CSWS. Roll Tide!

written by Matt Mitchell \\ tags: Alabama, Arizona, crimson, football, girls, ladies, league, mowatt, pro, roll tide, soccer, softball, sport, taryne, tide, wildcats, women

FIFA: David Beckam his done. Send him out to pasture. Now that the U.S.A. is out, GO Great Brittain, or England, or United Kingdom or whatever they call themselves. I find myself a fan of Wayne Rooney. Nasty little mutant of a man. I’m ready to see what he will do in the next round, now that he’s returned from injury. It’s possible we could see Germany vs England in the final. If that happens the Hooligans will be out in force… see picture at right.

TV: I just saw a commercial for “So You Think You Can Dance” in which the show was introduced as a “smash hit.” I honestly have never even heard of the show. What kind of numbers does it take to have a “smash hit” nowadays? Or is that something that is unregulated and networks can say just to see if they can drive their numbers up? This brought to you by the Utterly Invincible Greatest Blog on Teh Internets: Unabashed.

Baseball notes: As a sports fan, I hate Pat Burrell of the Phillies. I cannot explain it; it is inexplicable but absolute. I don’t hate the Phillies, just Pat. I have always hated him. Last year was the only year he ever really did anything, but I even hated him for his mediocrity. It’s nothing personal, I’m sure he’s a really great guy, I just hate him. So it was with particular relish that I just saw him strike out on three straight pitches of 96, 97, and 96 mph with the bases loaded and two out in the ninth inning. Also: He’s hitting .056 with RISP on the year. Additionally: Barry Bonds is hitting .242 with 10 HR this year. He is currently 9th on the All-Star ballot for outfielders. Pathetic. Welcome to the post-juice portion of BB’s career. I hope he and Pat Burrell get into a slap fight the next time the Giants and Phillies play. Also: I hate Scott Rolen, too.

I do like some players: Jim Thome is one of my favorites. I also like Todd Helton. I wish the Braves would unload some of their current slackers (i.e.: Marcus Giles and Adam LaRoche) and pull in either one of these guys. I’m sick of watching Marcus Giles, who recently was full of energy and looked like someone who was really happy to be playing, trot down the first base line when he doesn’t drive the ball to the outfield. It makes me want to see him get into a slap fight with Pat Burrell.

written by Matt Mitchell \\ tags: barry bonds, baseball, football, hooligans, pat burrell, soccer