DECEMBER 31 2007 UPDATE
Happy New Year
The "New" New Year's Eve Ball
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On October 4, 2007, the co-organizers of New Year’s Eve in Times Square (Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment) unveiled the new LED Crystal Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball at a press conference at Hudson Scenic Studio in Yonkers, New York. 2008 year marks the 100th birthday of the New Year’s Eve Ball, a universal symbol of celebration and renewal.
The new Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball is more than twice as bright as the old one, with enhanced color capabilities and state-of-the-art LED lighting effects. Waterford Crystal crafted a beautiful new design for the crystal triangles on the Ball. Philips Lighting provided new solid state lighting technology that substantially increased the brightness, energy efficiency, and color capabilities of the Ball. And Focus Lighting developed a spectacular and unique lighting design for the new Ball on its 100th birthday.
COMMITMENTS
Tulsa Elite Gold's Christa Johnson (1B/DP) has committed to NJCAA Division 1 Carl Albert State College in Poteau, OK.
Molly Medeiros 09 pitcher from San Jose Sting Gold verballed to LMU
OC Athletics (Giordano)
Stephanie Hughes, C, to Loyola Marymount
Katrina Bodewig, IF, to Loyola Marymount
Molly MacDonald, IF, to St Gregory’s, OK
Katie Terry, P, to Coast Guard Academy
Holly Travato, OF, to San Marcos
NEW HS TOURNAMENT IN CALIFORNIA
There is a new HS tournament in So Cal. The Nike Classic will be held at the Huntington Beach Sports Complex. Many of the top 26 HS teams from around the country will be in attendance. The date is March 13-15.
THE SPY CALENDAR
The Calendar has been moved over to its regular position in the left-hand column, and will be updated in that location as required. Updates were posted again today.
ULTIMATE COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Is back on line, including a new international page. Welcome, old friend.
NEWS FROM TEAM FLORIDA
We have a new Manager for our 18U Gold team- Erin Brunt (St. Leo University). Yes, Brent Hazzard has retired at the tender age of 23 to pursue a life in St. Thomas! Also, Frank Arcuri has taken over our 16U team, he has joined us from the Tampa Mustangs and has brought over some great players! We also have a 18U team developing with Coach Matt Leyshon.
WELCOME BACK, MATT
After an absence of three years, long-time JO Coach Matt Giordano has formed a Gold team under the OC Athletics banner. Has a nucleus of five committed players, but is looking for two pitchers. 714-625-4454. When I first met Matthew, his OCA’s 14-under team had Keira Goerl, Natalie Golda, Phelan Wright and other future stars.
AS WE RING OUT 2007
Pause – and remember:
n the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen serving in Iraq
n the black day in Blacksburg where 33 died on the Virginia Tech campus
n the wildfires in Southern California where so many lost homes – and lives
n the 13 who died in the bridge collapse at Mineapolis
n the shameful use of steroids and human growth hormones by baseball stars
n unrest in Pakistan
n the meltdown of the mortgage market
n the poor, the uneducated, the hungry
n the continuing environmental crisis
n more positively, the continuing technological advances in communications and health
n and, on a high note, the friends who make daily living a happy event.
POTPOURRI
Good Closing Lines. Have to fold the Washington Post so as to avoid its daily paen to a certain presidential candidate (always read the sports and comics) and make sure I see the real gems, such as Dave Barry’s annual spoof of the year just ending. Great lines this Sunday: “It was a year that strode boldly into the stall of human events and took a wide stance astride the porcelain bowl of history.” “The Anna Nicole Smith paternity dispute eventually comes to involve pretty much every adult male resident of the United States except Richard Simmons.”
Condolences to Michael Bastian. Grandmother Lillian Hayer passed away on December 30, 2007 at the age of 88.
Broken resolution. For reasons of health and finances, this was going to be a leaner year for SPY travel. Oops. Just decided there were too many young players I want to see this coming weekend at Rising Stars, and two weeks later, off to San Diego.
TIRED OLD DOG
Subject: old,
tired dog
> An old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from his
collar and well-fed belly that he had a home.
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> He followed me into the house, down the hall, and fell asleep in a corner.
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An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.
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The next day he was back, resumed his position in the hall, and slept for an
hour. This continued for several weeks.
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Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "Every afternoon your dog comes to my
house for a nap."
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The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar:
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"He lives in a home with eight children -- he's trying to catch up on his sleep.
Can I come with him tomorrow?"
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