May 1, 2014
BRUCE’S BARBE BUCS BASEBALL BROADCASTS
How’s that for mellifluous alliteration (Editor to Jon: “Where was you raised… boyyyy?)
The #1 seeded Barbe Bucs are in the second round of the Louisiana Class 5A Baseball Playoffs and you can catch all of the action on Bruce Merchant’s SportsRadio-1310-KEZM-Lake Charles or on the net at KEZMOnLine.com. The first broadcast was this past Tuesday night, as Barbe defeated (New Orleans) Grace King HS 11-0 in a first round match-up. The Bucs now face Lake Area Rival Sulphur HS in a best of 3 2nd round playoff series. There will be Game 1 this Friday night (Broadcast time at 5:50pm, first pitch slated for 6pm)
Game 2 on Saturday (Broadcast time at 12:50pm, first pitch slated for 1pm )
If necessary, Game 3 has a first pitch scheduled for 4pm Saturday (with broadcast time slated for 3:50pm)
If the Bucs prevail against Sulphur, they will play the winner of the Catholic HS—Ruston HS matchup in a Best of 3 third round series. Those games would take place on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10
If Sulphur should defeat Barbe, KEZM will carry Sulphur in its third round series.
Bruce Merchant is the boss-man here. These games are not a KEZM production… although it is my privilege to serve as a marketing representative for KEZM on these broadcasts. Along these lines, we thank our terrific sponsors of Barbe HS Baseball radio broadcasts and hope you will have an opportunity to thank them for providing the funding for KEZM to broadcast these games
Thanks, too, to Barbe HS for being terrific to work with on a year-in, year-out basis
Good luck to Coach Glenn Cecchini’s Barbe Buccaneers!!
CENTRAL’S WEEKLY SPORTS SHOW
The Central Sports & Business Report airs tonight, 5:30pm—6:30pm, broadcasting live from Johnny’s Pizza House, Wax Road, in Central, on WPFC, 1550AM, Baton Rouge and on the Internet at JonFineProductions.com. Host Steve Johnson will be joined by Central HS Softball players Heather Zumo and Heidi Zumo, along with Central Private Softball and Track Coach Shelly Cothell and 2 CPA Players
Our sponsor of the week is Doug Davis with Davis Collision and Towing in Central.
BROADCASTING SCHEDULE:
Thursday, May 1: 5:30pm—6:30pm… with Steve Johnson … broadcasting live from Johnny’s Pizza House in Central
WPFC, 1550AM, BR
Internet: JonFineProductions.com
SportsRadio 1310 Radio, Lake Charles Programming of Interest (also heard on KEZMOnLine.com:
Friday, May 2: 5:50PM: Barbe HS vs Sulphur HS Baseball Playoffs
Game 1
Saturday, May 3: 9AM—10AM: All Things Football with Scott Holtzman
Saturday, May 3: 12:50PM: Barbe HS vs Sulphur HS Baseball Playoffs
Game 2
3:50PM: Barbe HS vs Sulphur HS Baseball Playoffs
Game 3 (if necessary)
Monday, May 5: 8AM—10AM: The Locker Room with John Goodman and Jim Gazzolo
WE THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR UTMOST TO PATRONIZE SPONSORS OF OUR PROGRAMMING. THIS HELPS US TREMENDOUSLY IN SUSTAINING OUR WEEKLY LINE-UP AND WILL ASSIST US IN ADDING MORE PROGRAMS IN THE FUTURE. KINDLY MAKE AN EFFORT TO LET SPONSORS KNOW YOU HEARD THEIR BUSINESS MENTIONED ON OUR BROADCAST(S).
THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High School
“Has James Dolan taken over the title from Donald Sterling as ‘Worst Owner in the NBA’?” Over spring break I had time to listen to more sports radio than usual and I heard this question proposed on more than one occasion. After this weekend, the answer is, “No!”
By the time you are reading this article, plenty has been said. I will simply add my two cents. My desire is that when things like this happen I would like to see more people doing what they can do instead of commenting on what they think others should be doing. I think most people would be amazed that if they just did what they thought was right how happy most people would be with the outcome. Many sponsors are already taking action. Basketball players will have their chance to take action in their free agency choices. Basketball coaches can make their statement with their action when they choose their teams as well.
Back to local sports, I hope LSU fans are applauding Joe Alleva. While his efforts to work toward balanced scheduling in football failed, he is using the SEC’s position regarding tradition to work for LSU. He pointed out this week that the league accommodates Mississippi State’s cowbells and cross division rivalries then LSU’s tradition of night home games should be upheld as well. Amen.
Onto the baseball diamond, I stated earlier this year that I had faith Coach Mainieri would keep fiddling with the lineup until he found something that worked. Sometimes that means trying a lineup “out of left field,” but it is amazing how those “off the wall” changes usually lead to a lineup that works.
Putting all the lefties at the top of the lineup and dropping Bregman down to 6th wasn’t the answer. But, the lineup appears to be clicking with Stephenson and Laird at the top, and McMullen in the cleanup spot. We all knew that the pitching staff would have a rough weekend at some point in the SEC, and fortunately it didn’t happen until the bats started to wake up.
As the weather heats up, it is the time of the year in baseball where the only thing that matters is how you play each day. The veterans are starting to play the way they are capable and the newcomers have gained experience. I am starting to have a good feeling about this year’s team. Don’t get me wrong, they have weaknesses and are not dominant. In addition, they may have to go on the road to return to Omaha. Still, they are showing signs of having an “it” factor.
HEY REF
Everyone that’s read this column understands full well that we here at “Hey Ref” refuse to duck the toughest issues not only facing the sporting world but those that have a direct impact on our society as well. Before I write another word for this week’s column I want it made very clear that I am not about to sugar coat or make excuses for the racist remarks being attributed to Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling. They disgust me as it should every person that calls America home.
What is troubling me though is the way this story has come to light and how many of the players in the drama are acting. First thing if there’s anybody in America that thinks racism is dead they need to invest in ocean front property in Wyoming. Racism is alive and well in 2014 and there’s no end in sight so let’s not kid anyone.
The NAACP should be embarrassed for their actions as they were about to present the 80 year old NBA owner with a second “Life Time Achievement Award” next month. The organization has known for a very long time of Mr. Sterling’s prejudice and racial hatred. But since the mega millionaire was forking over gazillions of dollars in donations to causes they support it had and was ready to turn its back on the Black community.
The NAACP was willing to sweep under the rug all of the dirt it had on the Clipper’s owner as long as “WHITEY” continued to write checks that cleared the bank. It is a disgusting thing when those that are supposed champions of righting wrongs in the minority world would in fact take what amounts to kick-backs or payoffs as long as it benefitted their own bottom lines.
And just how did Mr. Sterling’s comments come to light you might ask? Well the gossip rag of journalism, TMZ, “leaked” a recording made by his so called girlfriend. This woman who’s at least 50 years younger than Mr. Sterling and is reported as being bi-racial of all things gave a copy of the tape to TMZ after a minor disagreement or that’s what we’re being told.
Her character hasn’t yet been questioned but just looking at it from a very long distance it seems she’s nothing more than, well let’s just say for good measures; a lady of the evening. All was good in her world too as long as “WHITEY” paid for her cars, her bills, meals, hotels, dates, vacations, etc. This in no way makes what he is reported to have said any less disgusting but this messenger is tainted in the worse way possible.
The Good Book says “Those without sin may cast the first stone” and we all should head that advice before going on national T. V. to denounce what has been heard on the recording. There’s only one account of someone being perfect and he died over 2,000 years ago so where are all these saints coming from?
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has banned Sterling for life and assessed a $2.5 million fine which is mere pocket change and said “there’s no room in this league for racism and/or racist”. I hope he continues getting racist out of the NBA and I can’t wait till racist players get the boot also. Then after that is done he can start banning racist fans which I myself know are sitting in the stands. I can’t print many of the things I’ve heard LSU fans scream while watching games at both Tiger Stadium and Pete’s Palace.
Don’t anyone be naïve if you think there aren’t both players and fans that are racist because they most certainly exist. I remember when I started officiating H. S. football in 1979 and met the biggest racist I’ve ever known. To this day there hasn’t been a bigger one and I’m not talking about someone being seven foot tall, 400 pounds or even being white.
The circus going on now with Mr. Sterling pales in comparison to the real threat facing the Black community and the entire country. That award goes to the murder rate among black men aged 15-30. More young black men are gunned down in this country every day by young black men than there are racist owners of professional sports teams. We truly should be more concerned about the daily slaughter of young black men in every community and not the antiquated grumblings of an old rich white guy.
Till next week… …
JON IS PROUD TO WORK AS A MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPORTSRADIO-1310-KEZM-LAKE CHARLES, IN ESTABLSHING THE “DOLLAR A HOLLER” MARKETING PROGRAM AND HELPING SELL SULPHUR HS FOOTBALL BROADCASTS AND BARBE HS BASEBALL PLAYOFF BROADCASTS.