For once I would like to see a San Gabriel Valley Little League team advance to the World Series. La Verne went on to defeat Hacienda Heights 3-1 in a Little League Section 3 championship-round game at Highlander Field on Tuesday. La Verne’s win forces a deciding rematch with Hacienda Heights at 6:30 tonight at Highlander Field. The winner will advance to the Southern California Divisional Tournament’s North Bracket, which starts play Saturday at Encino. I was hoping my hometown team West Covina National would advance, but they got eliminated by La Verne, so La Verne and Hacienda Heights are our last chance to reach Williamsport. Can anyone tell me the furthest an SGV team has gone?

Above: Duarte’s Carlos Fisher has traded his Falcon blue for Cincinnati Red.

By Steve Ramirez
LOS ANGELES – Carlos Fisher remembers it vividly.
For him as a child, there was nothing better than the thrill and excitement of coming to Dodger Stadium. It’s still that way for Fisher, who made his return to Chavez Ravine on Monday night. He’s back, not as a fan, but as an opposing Major League Baseball player.

Continue reading “Steve Ramirez’s summer baseball tour continues with Carlos Fisher, the former Duarte High phenom now with the Cincinnati Reds” »

I’m growing tired of checking NBA rumor boards for news on Lamar Odom. I’m guessing a decision will come sometime this afternoon or tomorrow. He either will accept Miami’s five-year 36 million deal, or resign with the Lakers, who can offer him more annually if reports are true that he was offered three years and 30 million, or four years and 36 million. It makes no sense for him to leave, other than maybe he wants a starters role instead of a back-up role with the world champions. I still believe the Lakers will be a good team without him, but championship worthy, I’m no so sure.

Yes, yes, the mixer with Inter Milan went well in Pasadena last night. I told you I would find a way to meet Alyssa Milano .. Mission Accomplished. Pictures of Inter Milan players and Olympic gymnast Nadia Comaneci are also on this thread. Chelsea plays Inter Milan tonight at the Rose Bowl at 8 p.m. Get there early for the old-timers game at 6 p.m. A crowd of more than 75,000 is expected.

Continue reading “Alyssa Milano, she’s still the boss .. Chelsea-Inter Milan square off tonight at the Rose Bowl, 8 p.m.” »

ESPN is exapanding its high school coverage to Los Angeles, which poses a big threat to hometown newspapers: Not content with being a sports colossus with broadcasts in 200 countries, ESPN is taking aim at hometown sports coverage, threatening one of the last strongholds of local newspapers and television stations.

Said Randy Harvey of the Los Angeles Times: “It would be foolish to underestimate ESPN, but it comes down to resources. I don’t see them being able to replicate what we do.”

Fred’s Thoughts: The high school coverage in ESPN Chicago is very minimal at the moment, that page is mainly a general sports page of professional and college sports in Chicago. It is more threatening to the Los Angeles Times than us. Look at the high school link, it doesn’t offer much. However, if they get going, they do have the brand name. Here is the link: ESPN Chicago

Fasten your chin straps: Here is a look at the best games in September. Things change from week-to-week, but I will list these games in order of importance (for coverage purposes). Bishop Amat leads with three No. 1’s against Dominguez, West Covina and Damien. You can tell me if I have it right. All games start at 7 p.m. unless indicated otherwise.

Friday, September 4th
1. Damien vs. Rancho Cucamonga at Los Osos
2. San Dimas at Los Altos, 7:30pm
3. Diamond Ranch at Muir
4. West Covina at El Rancho

Friday, September 11th
1. Dominguez at Bishop Amat, 7:30pm
2. Glendora at Upland
3. Northview at Los Altos, 7:30 p.m.
4. Ayala vs. South Hills at Covina District Stadium
5. Monrovia at Duarte
6. Covina at Rosemead

Thursday, September 17th
1. Anaheim Canyon vs. Glendora at Citrus College
2. South Hills at La Habra
Friday, September 18th
1. Bishop Amat at West Covina
2. Rosemead at Monrovia
3. Charter Oak at Diamond Bar
4. Northview vs. Arroyo at Covina District Stadium

Thursday, September 24th
1. South Hills vs. Tesoro at Covina District Stadium
Friday, September 25th
1. Bishop Amat at Damien
2. Glendora at West Covina
3. Rancho Cucamonga at Charter Oak
4. San Dimas at Monrovia
5. Northview at Rowland
6. Diamond Ranch at Chino Hills

The New York times posted a story a few days ago that says: The differences in height, weight and technique may make high school football tackles more risky to the head and spine than those that occur in college football, a new study shows. The report, published by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, analyzed the biomechanics of football tackles to better understand the high risk of concussions and serious cervical spine injuries faced by high school players.

But most important, the study showed that the average linear accelerations resulting from the impact of a high school football tackle exceeded those that occur at the college level. Impacts to the top of the head had the greatest speed and force. Among high school players, blows to the front of the helmet were about 10 percent more common and carried three more “Gs” of force compared to college players.