Rain drops are falling on our (well covered) heads

LUCAS OLENIUK/TORONTO STAR

Friendly reminder at the ballpark. Hands off!

There’s a story in today’s paper (Thursday, I believe) about the zaniness at the ballpark, where fans are discouraged from catching foul balls because, you know, they might hurt themselves catching them. Guess it’s better to sit there with your hands at your sides and get drilled in the head by one.

Well, softball’s just as entertaining.

Was at a game today (Canada-US that was suspended due to rain) and the PA announcer might be the best at the games. In high-pitched and rather halting English, he used one break between innings to announce:

“The object of softball is to obtain one of the bases by hit or other means and then continue around to all the bases until home plate where you will score a run for your team.”

And the majority of the crowd applauded.

There was also his female counterpart, who added a little biographical information gleaned from media guides to each at-bat. Like:

“Now batting for Canada, Jane Doe. She says she parents are her greatest influence.”

"Now batting for the United States, Joan Doe. She enjoys reading and long walks in the park.”

Classic stuff.

-

Here’s Jose Calderon yesterday morning here on the Spain photo controversy, courtesy of the flash quote system here because I was at a rainy softball park instead of watching Spain-Germany.

"I think we are talking about things that don’t matter. We feel bad, but there is too much talk about it. We are a very multicultural country in Spain. We are for sure going to apologize.”

I figure a formal apology can’t be too long in coming.

And I keep getting asked what the Raptors should do.

I don’t know what they can do. I know they don’t approve, who could? But if Jose and the Spanish federation apologize to those who took offence – which I think is practically everyone – there’s not much else to be said.

It was in bad taste, intentional or not, if they say they’re sorry that’s got to end it.;

And, quite frankly, it’s a non-issue over here. No one I’ve spoken to has seen a single outward show of anger from anyone around the basketball venue, or anywhere else.

It’s certainly hasn’t created a huge buzz in the media. It’s a story, it got written and now there are other stories to work on.

-

Speaking of rain delays, when it started pouring in the first inning of the Canada-US games, the open air press seating right behind home plate was hardly the most comfortable place to be. But then one of the million or so volunteers started running p and down the aisles passing out these flimsy plastic ponchos to all the members of the media. Nifty colours, too. Some mauve, some a light green, some red.

You haven’t seen anything ‘til you’ve seen a collective of large and extra large writers standing around wearing mauve ponchos about two sizes too small.

-

A dip in the mail bag:

Q: I have an Olympic question:

When athletes are done their events, do they have to leave the Athletes Village right away or can they stay there until after the closing ceremonies?

As a side note, did you find an all night roof top bar this time?

Brent, Burlington

A: They can stay, and many do. But some like to get out and back home as quickly as possible. Daniel Nestor, for instance, was eliminated here Monday night and was looking for a flight out the next morning. But a lot of them like to hang around and just chill.

And, on a side answer:

Yes, we have found a roof top bar at the main press centre but, alas, it is not open “all of the hours” like the one in Athens. It closes at midnight, with is far, far, far too early.

One thing we haven’t found is a local close to the press centre that’s open until daylight.

-

A day without the Chickens is a day without sunshine.

So I guess it’s rather fitting that it’s been cloudy and gloomy and full of thunderstorms around here today (it’s about 7 p.m. as write this and I’ve been up about 14 cloudy hours) ‘cause I haven’t seen a little mascot all day.

I miss the red one.

-

They’ve got bats at the softball park.

Okay, stop snickering.

Real bats. Big freaking bats. And cicadas big as your forearm.

Saw ‘em Wednesday night here when your plucky Canucks were beating Netherlands.

Figure the bats just live in the dark recesses of the standstand. And the cicadas or whatever they are must be food for the humongous scorpion-like monsters that inhabit this country and its train stations.

-

Remember how they’ve been papering the house here with waves of volunteers wearing orange t-shirts and cheering for everyone? Made for an odd sight at the softball park when Canada played Netherlands, whose fans all wearing orange.

In one section, you’d have rows and rows and rows of rabidly cheering legitimate fans and a section over there were a couple of hundred seat-holders not exactly yelling their lungs out.

-

Okay, United States-Greece goes in an hour and it could be quite the scene. Got a softball story for the newspaper to knock off before so I better run.

Comments

[John MacDonald]

Hey Doug,

No comment on the 3 team trade involving Mo Williams? I was expecting at least a comment on how it might affect the play for the Cavs and Bucks, seeing as they are both in the east. I myself think this was a good move on the part of the Cavs, they get a decent starting pg and someone who can help out LBJ on the offensive end. I'd love to hear what you think of this trade.

Blogger's note: TOmorrow in the blog, maybe; tonight I'm trying to get all my newspaper stuff done, there was a big softball game here today. Did speak with Michael Redd about it a bit, you'll have to wait 'til the morning, though, 'cause I'm knee deep in other sports stories at the moment.

[Jim Phillips]

The whole spain thing wouldn't be taken so bad, if they did not have a history of racism in sports, from the lewis hamilton f1 fiasco, to eto'o, to the spanish coach making a racial slur at henry, this is why I take what their saying as a grain of salt.

[bballer]

surprise, surprise - the us leading greece by 20+. spain struggled against germany and china. we may still see spain vs. the us in the finals, but like i've been saying for a while, the game won't even be close - the us will win by 30. the surprise team of the tournament so far is lithuania. they may just clinch another bronze medal. the greeks continuously say that they play a more intelligent style of basketball than the us. sorry, it didn't happen today.

the problem in 2004 was not the players, it was larry brown and his oversized ego. if he was just a little more humble, he would have won the gold that year and many more nba titles in his career. when the us picks up the gold, would everyone stop with the us and anti-nba bashing. the nba is the best league and the us has the greatest depth of great players. the world is catching up, but the future threat to the us will come from china and russia, not anywhere else.

[jk]

Of course you won't post this, so I'll just let YOU know that your lazy, unintuitive, unintelligent and flat out INCORRECT "reporting" is the cause of much derision and ridicule for the few that still bother to read it...
You have an odd snarky tone to your posts which would imply you know something your readers might not know, but in fact you are as ignorant as the clods that post the cretinous questions you choose to publish here, no doubt to make you appear knowledgeable.
You are a perfect reflection for the competitive level of Canada at the Olympics this year. An irrelevant ZERO.

Blogger's note: And yet you continue to read and post and apparently expend a lot of energy on this. Not bad for an irrelevant zero, is it?
Of course, it is all I can do to avoid the urge to reply by saying that you seem to be the most unhappy and unkind person who has ever graced this piece of cyberspace.
So all I will say is that your unique brand of cheer makes me smile each time you post.
Thanks, as always, for brightening my day.
And keep reading, please. We need more people with your brilliant insight around these parts.

[Jim K]

Hey Doug; Can you pleeeeeeeeease tell Paul Romanuk to stop calling him Paul Gasol?

And while you're at it, tell him to quit the "...as they say" references. As who says? Gangster street children who watch basketball?

Honestly, that guy should stick to calling Spengler Cup hockey games so I don't have to listen to him.

[DougG]

For their next team picture perhaps the Spanish team could paint their faces black to show their affection for African-Americans, or wear long noses to demonstrate how much they love Israel. Given their reaction to the repulsive picture, which is still running in Spain, I think the members of that team need to get out of the gym more, or maybe read a book.

[Andrew]

Doug, I saw the first half of the USA/Greece Basketball game before heading to work this morning. Bosh was unbelievable. I know he's playing a different position and a much different role, but has his game improved as much as it looks? Every time he's been on the floor (in the other 2 games as well) he's doing something good. I see him being the help defender on double teams and he seems to be initiating the full court press, trying to trap the ball behind half. For a Center, he seems to spend a lot of time around the arc on the defensive end, which has to punish the 3 point shooters.

Can we expect a big change in Bosh this season, other than the obvious confidence boost?

[andrew james]

"For their next team picture perhaps the Spanish team could paint their faces black to show their affection for African-Americans, or wear long noses to demonstrate how much they love Israel. Given their reaction to the repulsive picture, which is still running in Spain, I think the members of that team need to get out of the gym more, or maybe read a book."

I suggest to all those who are "horrified, shocked, etc." by the picture: why don't you dress up like bullfighters, or flamenco dancers, and send that picture to Spain. You'll see that nobody will care over there, because there are other things which are more important in life. Come on, didn't you see how the American players received their bronze medal in Japan 06? Can't remember? Well, look up that picture. Do you think the Japanese like their military salute?

[steve]

JK...you are hilarious dude ! The effort it takes you to hate is unbelievable. You make out as if Doug and every other journo is stupid. Well, if you don't like what Doug writes so much then a)don't read and certainly don't contribute or b)write something better.
You buffoon !

[Shawn]

Who pissed in JK's corn flakes?

[jr]

is toronto really get an NFL team and if they do, wont the argos lose business

[kyle]

Wow jk,
Who peed in your cheerios this morning?
Did you have a bad dream that the blog police, led by big bad meanie Doug, came and stole your teddy bear?

Your post is quite funny though, in all your furry, you seem to have forgotten to mention the reason behind the rant.

Speaking of the blog police, it certainly is nice having the comments coming up within the same day now, instead of the silly 1-2 day delay we have been having (and I won´t blame Doug for being overworked for that, although I could hint at it if he needed me to - like if the bosses are reading).

[tezster]

jk, you're comments are about as relevant as a food critic with no taste buds. Spouting off criticisms is fine if you can back it up with some rational thought, cite examples, present a few crumbs of evidence to support your assertions, etc... but I guess that's too much to ask from you.

[yertu damkule]

oh JK, you're so silly. when i read your stuff, i think of this:

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/local_idiot_to_post_comment_on

[JM]

I found JK's post quite hilarious, especially since it was clearly designed to draw commentary and irritate the resident beat grunt.

You have to admit though, Doug, the whole "giant spider" episode wasn't one of your best.

Blogger's note: It wasn't a spider, it was a monster. Really. Honest. A freaking monster. I think it will probably grow up to be big enough to eat a cat. Or a dog. Or maybe -- gasp! -- a beat grunt.

This type of open display of racist is commonplace in spain. People forget it was the national (soccer) coach of spain that made those comments towards Henri. To all those people who deny it, here's spain's real face...

Lewis Hamilton
http://machochip.com/2008/02/mclaren-racing-car-driver-lewi.php

Samuel E'eto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go_z3GTmUQI
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/06/13/etoo.interview/index.html

There's more links online. Just google racism and spain.