NOVEMBER 11 UPDATE

 

HAPPY VETERANS’ DAY

 

2008 Olympics

ISF President Don Porter spoke to the ASA Council on Saturday night, reviewing the effort to persuade the International Olympic Committee to keep softball as an Olympic sport in the 2008 Olympics ( China ).  Porter, who recently journeyed to Lausanne to address the issue with IOC officials, advised ASA that he had just been informed that ISF will have 10 minutes at the IOC meeting November 29 in Mexico to make the case for softball.  Porter reviewed the main ISF talking points: ISF is in the top half of summer federations in membership (124); softball ranked in the top 10 in attendance at Sydney (out of 28 events); and ranked 15th in television exposure.  Yet, IOC contends softball has no international television market and is not a global sport.  (Neither for that matter are wushu and 7-man rugby, two of the sports which could replace softball).  Porter noted that, when the committee met to recommend deleting softball, ISF was not only not present, but the notice of the committee’s decision was slipped under the door of Porter’s hotel room.

 

Olympic coach Mike Candrea and Junior Women’s coach Pam Newton also addressed the Council, underscoring the importance of ASA’s JO program as a feeder system.

 

There is a new web site where you can vote in favor of keeping softball Olympian:

 

http://www.sportsfeatures.com/PressPoint/index.htm 

 

You can click on this site for daily results of the poll.

 

Porter noted that the IOC, like the USOC, is a “political animal.”

 

The November issue of Olympic Beat, the official USOC publication, features four of the USA players on the cover: Lisa Fernandez, Stacey Nuveman, Jennie Finch and Natasha Watley.  The inside story reviews the committee decision on softball while also repeating the key points Porter has been making.  The story also briefly discusses the team, focusing on these four players and also on Jessica Mendoza and Lori Harrigan, while noting that former Olympic winning pitcher Michele Smith has retired.  Good article.

 

Commitments

 

Audley, Adriane.  IF, TX Lethal Mizuno Sox to University of North Carolina Greensboro

 

Jones, Jessica.  P, TX Lethal Mizuno Sox to Seton Hall University

 

Jones, Joann.  OF, TX Lethal Mizuno Sox to University of North Texas

 

Stiles, Kimberly.  C,1st, MD Heartbreakers, to St Francis University, PA

 

TIME

I thought you might enjoy and consider the wisdom of a comedian, George
Carlin.

" The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences,but less time.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but
broken homes.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We drink too much,smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired,
read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to
life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back.

 We conquered outer space but not inner space.We've conquered the atom, but
not our prejudice.

We've done larger things, but not better  things.

We have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.

We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more
experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.  We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships. It is a time when there
is much in the show room window and nothing in the stockroom.   These are
days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality,overweight
bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not  going
to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because
that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the
only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most
of all mean it.  A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from
deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will
not be there again.  Give time to love, give time to speak and give time to
share the precious thoughts in your mind.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies
than ever, but we communicate less and less. This is a time when technology
can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share
this insight, or to just hit delete."

George Carlin

 

 

Spy Softball Home Page