May 29, 2014
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 Central HS assistant principal Nathan Corley, Central HS coaches Brian Hargroder and Zack Morris and former CHS football player Ryan Morris. The Sponsor of The Week is Johnathan Sumich with Oak Point Fresh Market.
BROADCASTING SCHEDULE:
Thursday, May 29: 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:
Saturday, May 31: 9AM—10AM: All Things Football with Scott Holtzman
Monday, June 2: 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
I said I would be amazed if LSU won the SEC Tournament, and you know what? I am not amazed they won. I AM amazed at the way they were able to win by extending their hot streak and dominate the tournament.
Half way through SEC play I wrote about some statistical categories in which LSU was at or near the bottom of the SEC. Many of those stats were a result of poor baseball fortune. Yet, LSU was still finding ways to win games. As Ibarra's "tip drill" fly ball out to Bregman demonstrates, baseball fortune is starting to turn in the Tigers favor.
On May 1, I closed my article by saying I had a good feeling about this team. That this year's team has an "it" factor. While Tiger fans, players, and coaches spent 80% of the season wondering how every returning player, outside Stevenson, could slump at the same time, the last two weeks everyone has gotten hot. Meanwhile, the pitching staff went through numerous injuries at the beginning of the year, but is healthy at the moment.
As a result, LSU is the hottest team in the country right now. Unfortunately, that is kind of like being the best NBA team for the first 46 minutes of a game. Everyone knows, that you only need to watch the last two minutes of an NBA game because that is when the game is decided.
Likewise, the teams that play the best Friday-Monday will advance to the Super Regionals. The last two weeks are meaningless right now as is the regular season before that. Nobody has the "easy" regional anymore. Very few 4 seeds are so weak that they will give the game to the one seed. Everyone has an ace or two. The bats have made the difference between winning and losing even smaller.
So is LSU going to stay hot? Will they advance to the Super Regionals? I wish I knew, but there are a few signs I really like. Paul Mainieri has a way of keeping his teams playing well once they get hot. Baseball is a mental game that requires a lot of confidence and this team has it right now. Mainieri also manages the game off "feel," and it appears he has gained a "feel" for this team. He knows which batters will match up well with certain pitchers and vice versa for his pitchers. The batters are doing the things necessary to not only get hits, but produce runs.
The best news is thanks to the streak, the road to Omaha goes through Alex Box Stadium.
HEY REF
If you’re one of those that know all there is to know about the rules under which Louisiana high schools play then you don’t need to read any further. I want to pass along some information concerning upcoming meetings that are open to the public and are FREE to those that attend being hosted by the Baton Rouge Area Football officials Association (B. R. A. F. O. A.).
On June 8th and June 22nd beginning at 6:00pm each night and located at the public library on Goodwood Blvd. in Baton Rouge members from the local officials association will be conducting a rules clinic. The main purpose of the clinics is to explain to players, parents and fans the unique set of rules used in Federation (High school) games and the differences in enforcement of penalties between what is seen on Saturdays and Sundays.
Seems many coaches are also confused between the enforcements of fouls between NCAA, NFL and high school. Seems as though many games as I try to explain why we’re either giving or taking away a first down or coming back to the line to mark of the yardage someone from the sidelines will no doubt scream at us “That ain’t how they do it on Sunday”. And of course I have to reiterate to the coaches on my side of the field “You are totally correct coach, I can’t argue with you but this is Friday night”.
The general public will be allowed to ask questions and for those wanting and/or willing to start calling local high school games applications can be filled out either night. Meetings for new officials usually begin the first week of July. I encourage as many parents and fans to attend either meeting to get themselves “up to speed” on the differences of rules governing high school football. Once you understand there are differences and you’re aware of them you’ll be enjoying the games so much more.
Who knows you might be the one that’ll truly enjoy getting on the field and being involved in high school football. I challenge those “experts” to give officiating a try. There are just a few things you must be able to do to call games on the field. First of course you must be physically fit. Then each year you must pass the rules test. Yes contrary to popular belief each and every official on the field must take and pass the standard rules test to work all varsity games in Louisiana.
The test is the easy thing as far as I’m concerned because if you’re not able to make split second decisions and stand by that ruling in the face of coaches ready to “throw you to the lions” and can stand all the verbal abuse then you might have what it takes to don the stripes. Officiating is a very tough, thankless job for many but I find it challenging.
If you’re one of those that agree with me in that the quality of those working games has diminished then “come on down”, grab a whistle and be ready for one of the most rewarding things you can be involved in, officiating football on Friday nights in the Baton Rouge area…
Till next week…
The Rotary Club of Livingston Parish
Rotary Bull
By Ivy Graham
Please visit our website at www.rotaryclublp.org.
This week’s meeting:
• This week’s meeting will be held at Big Mike’s. Fellowship begins at 11:30. The meeting is from 12:00-1:00. This week is our Service Above Self award ceremony. We encourage everyone to attend and learn of the heroic acts and dedication to service local police officers and firefighters have made in this community. Congratulations to our winners!!!
Last week’s meeting:
• Our club has a brag jar. Better bring your dollars folks!
• Supply list for animal shelter was distributed. We need a builder!!!
• Veteran’s house is done!
Upcoming Events/Projects:
• Redneck Regatta 5/30
• Currently selling raffle tickets. Sell! Sell! Sell!
• Wine Tasting 7/25
Note from the President:
• May is District 6200 month. What is District 6200? That is the district our club is organized under with Rotary International. Did you know we are in one of the top districts in the world? Yes! Yes, we really are an award winning district!
Guest Speakers and General Membership Meeting Dates:
• June 13 – Guest Speaker, Bobby Fletcher
• July 11 – Guest Speaker, Casie McMurray
• July 25 – Guest Speaker, Public Service Commissioner
• Aug 8 – Guest Speaker, Livingston Parish Arts Council
Brags:
• Beer, Bands, and BBQ will be held on June 5th from 5:30 – 8pm at the Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge. Please get your tickets today to support our fellow Rotarians and their projects!
• Keith Stark is strongly considering running for City Council. We always support our fellow Rotarians rise to power
•We were all grateful to hear Heather Pitarro’s sister-in-law pulled through her surgery. We will continue to keep her in our prayers.
• Leesha Gleber is so good at recruiting folks, she is finding visiting Rotarians from Arkansas! Excellent work Leesha!
• Jonathan Whitman reminded everyone that Memorial Day is to honor those who gave their lives for this country. Veterans day is for the rest of the service men and women. The club deeply values the sacrifice others have made for our freedom today.
Members:
• Your quarterly dues have been distributed. Please kindly and timely submit your payment to Lisa Casas.
• Shirts for sale only $7.00 for members. These things are selling like hotcakes!
JON IS PROUD TO WORK AS A MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPORTSRADIO-1310-KEZM-LAKE CHARLES, IN ESTABLISHING THE “DOLLAR A HOLLER” MARKETING PROGRAM AND HELPING SELL SULPHUR HS FOOTBALL BROADCASTS AND BARBE HS BASEBALL PLAYOFF BROADCASTS.