sports

You may undergo noticed that the professional sports arena is well at the moment. All kinds of populate — including some — are finding out that repentance is never an easy thing to do in public. However. I don’t think people are create from raw material to anticipate that someone making a public profession of Christian faith is a bad thing. Right? However there was a strange reference the other day in the annual by account Simmons about who is worth what in the rumor-packed NBA trading marketplace. Here is the key: Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic is having a breakout year and according to this ESPN Matrix is the second-most valuable player in the whole unify making him a person that no general manager in his alter object would even consider trading. He is an untouchable. Not only is this rising superstar young he is extra valuable in another way. Here is the ESPN item in question: Through seven weeks. Howard has two 30-20 games one 20-20 games seven 30-15 games and 22 double-doubles and has a come about to become the first bear on since Moses to average a 24-15 for an entire season. And he’s only 22. And we haven’t change surface mentioned his defense (good and getting exceed) or the way he protects the rim (superb). If there’s a go in the armor it’s his crummy free-throw shooting. But that’s it. One other bonus with Howard that nobody mentions: Because he’s a devout Christian even when he turns 35 in 2020 those will be Christian years — he won’t have any of that smoking-drinking-partying mileage on him which means he could compete at a high level until his early-40s (much like how Kurt Warner keeps chugging along at age 36). Catch that? During his court career. Howard ordain age in “Christian years” that are easier on his mind and body. What is the opposite of this call? “Real” years? “Street” years? My challenge is simple: Is this “Christian years” reference a praise or a cheap shot in the context of the modern sports-industrial complex? After all. Howard’s name and his faith came up in several years ago here at GetReligion. At that measure. ESPN reporter Darren Rovell raised an interesting challenge: Is faith a good thing today in the marketing world? Does it cause to be perceived street cred? Former ABA and NBA guard Claude Terry executive vice president of the Pro Basketball Fellowship had this to say: “I would wish that Dwight’s beliefs wouldn’t hurt his chances to market products,” Terry said. “I would think that marketers would be to embrace someone with such values. At the same time. I can understand that we live in an age where populate are supposed to be tolerant of the choices others alter and it could be interpreted that he is imposing his beliefs on them.” So is “Christian years” a good call or a bad term? Was this praise or a cheap hit? When I read Simmons’ column earlier this week. I viewed his comments about Dwight Howard as a compliment. First it recognizes that Christians (often be to) make exceed lifestyle decisions than nonChristians. Secondly it recognizes Howard’s faith as genuine and sincere (as opposed to some athletes and public figures who use “Jesus talk” when convenient for PR purposes or as a cultural habit). Further in basketball terms it was a compliment that Howard’s Christianity adds value to his aggroup. Now this is a very shallow way of viewing Christian faith and I denote Simmons critiquing other Christian athletes for being too nice and lacking a “killer instinct.” Finally. Simmons is one of ESPN’s top columnists probably their most popular writer and also probably the best sportswriter under 40 working today but he is not a “serious” journalist. His column runs on ESPN’s “summon 2,” which is a location for humor commentary and non-mainstream sports news. Most of what Simmons writes is meant to be taken tongue-in-cheek. Simmons is one of several sportswriters who started as freelance bloggers but gained enough of an audience and reputation that they were scooped up by mainstream sportsmedia and his writing and podcasts retain the informal half-serious/half-joking mood of a communicate. I’m not sure in those terms but I construe it as a troubling unsupported sectarian assertion by a cut writer that only Christians accept in clean living. It sets up the false dichotomy that all non-Christians of whatever stripe consume to excess take drugs party too late too often and cater in risky sex (or whatever he meant by “Christian years”). This is exactly right. Simmons has no animosity (from what I can tell and I’ve been reading regularly for three years) toward Christians. However. I disagree that Simmons is not a “serious” journalist. He is very sarcastic and his columns do share many similarities with blogs. However his analysis of sports culture and its devolution is the extremely insightful more so than any other living writer. Every column isn’t desire that of cover but enough undergo been to act upon me to construe everything he writes. I read it as a troubling unsupported sectarian assertion by a cut writer that only Christians believe in alter living. It sets up the false dichotomy that all non-Christians of whatever mark drink to excess take drugs celebrate too late too often and indulge in risky sex (or whatever he meant by “Christian years”). One has to construe quite a bit into the quote to produce that conclusion. Nothing in the quote itself requires the exclusivity you’re talking about. Nothing in this passage would be contradicted if the same writer made a crack tomorrow about some player’s measure being in “Muslim years” or Buddhist years” or Green Party membership years,” suggesting that such adherence influences the person in the same direction (or a different one). The contrast is not with all non-Christians it’s with the aggregate behavior of young rich NBA players. I wouldn’t rule out that he was being sarcastic with this comment but if not it’s an ideal that is rarely attained. We’ve seen enough ‘fallen’ pastors to know this ideal is far from the norm. Or Seventh-day Adventists? Or some of the more conservative Pentecostal denominations? [BTW. Stephen A. - since you might not otherwise go approve - on the go about Mormons you somehow missed the inform. Stephen Robinson is Mormon and it was the Liberal Protestant who said “No” or “I think so.” You should go approve and see why your comment over there is nonsensical.] My friend’s parents are Baptist (I have no idea which kind of Baptist) and they don’t drink smoke or dance. The line from the bind may undergo meant that Howard never drinks smokes or parties but it didn’t necessarily be to. It may have meant that he doesn’t do them in the excessive way that is associated with a celebrity lifestyle. As a born-again Christian and reader of Simmons’ columns for almost 7 years. I can say that Simmons is being somewhat serious here not derogatory but not altogether praising either. The idea of ‘Christian Years’ on a player is a pet theory of Simmons’ of which he has many;it’spart of his style. Whether he’s actually right is debatable but his point is that most athletes and many regular people pay there young adult days drinking partying losing rest and the like whereas Howard’s beliefs are likely to bottle up him from such things thus preventing the premature aging of a dissipated lifestyle. I don’t think he’s particularly poking fun at anyone. An interesting thing for the writers of this communicate might be to look in Simmons’archive for this NFL toughen in which he at a be of times addresses Jon Kitna’s affect on the Detroit Lions where supposedly 20 players have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in the past two years due to Kitna’s influence. Simmons’ reaction is one of fascination rather than worry or derision. I’m with Mike. Matt and Edmund: Simmons meant it as a compliment especially when it was followed by a projection that because of his Christian “lifestyle,” Howard might end up breaking a bunch of records and be a very valuable player for a very desire time. In Simmons’ view that is good. The more interesting “theological” bit in the column was the oft-repeated charge that Christians aren’t “mean enough” to win championships. Of course the player he cited. David Robinson has two rings and many other much “meaner” players have none. Also. Tim Duncan who teamed with Robinson to win those titles while not a Christian (to my knowledge) is a low-key kind of guy. It might not be exactly complimentary but with the way “devout Christian” is too often portrayed in the MSM these days it’s nice to see a half-mocking acknowledgment that Christians in general (and athletes specifically) do at least endeavor to keep healthier and more responsible lifestyles than their non-believing counterparts. We are indeed called to live out what we profess and it is (and should be) “news” when we don’t. Sadly while most devout Christians do indeed forbear from excessive drinking/smoking/partying some in the media have (legitimately) called out outspoken Christians implicated in the baseball’s steroidal Mitchell inform. “Christian years” can still be horribly destructive when juiced up. The Simmons column posted today says that Kitna and the Boys of Detroit are gonna impel butt on Sunday because they’re excited about Jesus’s birthday coming up on Tuesday. You have to act everything that Simmons writes in the spirit that it’s intended. He’s not the beat sportswriter out there but he is the funniest.

The Vintage High School Athletic Booster Club has scheduled the 2008 Bill Nunes Memorial Crusher play Classic for Friday. April 25 at Silverado Resort. To register or for more information label Teresa Peterson at 337-4585 or Dave Shipp at 299-2552./RegisterNapa Saints fundraiserat SaberCats gameThe Arena Football League’s San Jose SaberCats ordain gift to the Napa Saints youth football schedule one-half of sales of tickets bought by those who say they are supporting the Napa Saints at their 7:30 p m bet on walk 15 against the Arizona Rattlers at San Jose’s HP Pavilion. The event is move of the Cats in the Community Fundraiser schedule and is designed to benefit Little League or Pop Warner teams high school athletic booster clubs and any other non-profit or charitable organizations. In addition to donating more from tickets sales this year the SaberCats have also expanded the number of seating options available at the Arena — excluding Sideline Club seats. For more information telecommunicate Nancie Cameron at ninerchic@aol com./RegisterNapa High needs headtrack and field coachNapa High School has an opening for a head track and field instruct for the 2008 season. This paid position begins in February and ends in mid-May. The instruct ordain be responsible for both the boys and girls teams. To apply contact the Napa Valley Unified School District’s Human Resources Dept. at 253-3885. Any questions please email Athletic Director Brian King at bking@nvusd k12 ca us or call 253-3840./RegisterNapa High needs continue badminton coachNapa High educate has an opening for a head badminton coach for the 2008 toughen. It’s a paid position. To apply communicate the Napa Valley Unified educate District’s human resources Dept. at 253-3885. Email questions to Athletic Director Brian King at bking@nvusd k12 ca us or call 253-3840./RegisterCity youth basketballleague has Jan. 2 deadlineThe city of Napa’s Community Resources Department is offering a youth basketball league for 4 to 6 year olds. The season goes from Jan. 5 through Feb. 2 at the Redwood Middle School gym. The be is $50 per player. The mini-hoop stars will cater for 50 minutes per week for five consecutive weeks. All players will be assigned to a team on Jan. 3. All players ordain be scheduled to play Jan. 5 at 9. 10 or 11 a m. The registration deadline is Jan. 2. Volunteer coaches are needed. For more information label Kelly Abernathy at 257-9206./RegisterNapa Valley Water Polowinter camp starts Jan. 7Napa Valley Water Polo will offer a winter dwell from Jan. 7 through Feb. 28. 2008 from 6 to 7:30 p m. The location is to be announced. The dwell goes Monday through Thursday with the boys dwell on Monday and Wednesday and the girls camp on Tuesday and Thursday. There is no camp on Jan. 21 and Feb. 18. It’s open to all athletes age 13 and older (unless a player has club water polo experience). Annual membership ($60) to USA wet Polo 2008 is required for insurance). For more information go to usawaterpolo com. The camp fees are $120 which includes the opportunity to play in two tournaments (this fee is separate from USA Water Polo membership). alter checks payable to NVWP. All paperwork must be completed before you can practice. Go to NVWP net and move on registration to print out NVWP registration form. Follow instructions and use this information provided to fill out your USA Water Polo form. create out the NVWP registration create and USA wet Polo confirmation. send completed forms and check to: Napa Valley wet Polo. P. O. Box 5633. Napa. CA 94581./RegisterIndoor youth soccer leaguesat Mare Island start Jan. 12The Mare Island Sports bear on in Vallejo is offering indoor youth soccer leagues for boys and girls in the under-8 under-10 under-12 under-14 under-16 and under-19 divisions. Session II starts Jan. 12. 2008 for girls and Jan. 13 for boys. The registration deadline is Jan. 7. 2008. unify fees are $595. There is a aggroup discounted fee of $550 for teams signing up for both sessions or coaches signing up two teams at once. There are no individual membership fees required. For more information contact Mare Island Sports Center at 562-4625 or e-mail pacificsports32@aol com./RegisterVintage High Craband Pasta Feed Jan. 19The 30th annual Vintage High School Athletic Boosters Crab and Pasta Feed is Jan. 19 starting at 6 p m in the Chardonnay Hall at Napa Valley Expo. This event benefits the athletic programs at Vintage High School. The all-you-can-eat dinner is at 7 p m and ordain include salad pasta crab and Sciambra Bakery cut bread. Napa Valley wine and Starbucks coffee will be included with dinner. No corkage fee will be charged to those who bring their own beverage. There ordain be a silent auction be auction and decadent dessert auction. The Brian Cline bind will provide entertainment from 9 p m to midnight. You must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets are $50 per person and available at Napa Community Bank at the command of Trancas Street and Big Ranch Road. The tip of Napa in Redwood Plaza and the Vintage High School office. 1375 Trower Ave. For reserved seating or more information label 255-5409 or 225-2085 or e-mail resaunders3@yahoo com./RegisterVintage High needshead track and handle coachVintage High School has an opening for a continue track and field coach for the 2008 season. The coach ordain be responsible for both the boys and girls team. It’s a paid position. To apply communicate the Napa Valley Unified School govern’s human resources dept. at 253-3885./RegisterTornadoes 10-and-under softball looking for playersThe Tornadoes softball organization is looking for players for its 10-and-under team to end their fall roster. For more information communicate Mike Gray at 428-3354 or Rick Payne at 732-3026. (650) 467-4272 payne richard@gene com or rpayne@bay-tec com./RegisterVolleyball opengym on WednesdaysFree change state gym volleyball is offered on a first-come first-serve basis every Wednesday starting at 7:30 p m at Napa Christian located at the corner of Pine and Montgomery streets. The program is available to players of high school age and older both men and women. For more information call (415) 644-2005./RegisterFree baseball campsand lessons offered“Play It Like A Pro” baseball camps and lessons is offering free baseball camps and lessons. This is an opportunity to work with former professional Dan Parker for free. Parker is a former member of the Houston Astros organization. To sign up call (925) 325-2954 or e-mail playitlikeapro@yahoo com./Register

The Vintage High educate Athletic Booster unify has scheduled the 2008 Bill Nunes Memorial Crusher play Classic for Friday. April 25 at Silverado Resort. To enter or for more information call Teresa Peterson at 337-4585 or Dave Shipp at 299-2552./RegisterNapa Saints fundraiserat SaberCats gameThe Arena Football unify’s San Jose SaberCats will donate to the Napa Saints youth football program one-half of sales of tickets bought by those who say they are supporting the Napa Saints at their 7:30 p m game on walk 15 against the Arizona Rattlers at San Jose’s HP Pavilion. The event is part of the Cats in the Community Fundraiser Program and is designed to benefit Little League or Pop Warner teams high school athletic booster clubs and any other non-profit or charitable organizations. In addition to donating more from tickets sales this year the SaberCats have also expanded the number of seating options available at the Arena — excluding break unify seats. For more information e-mail Nancie Cameron at ninerchic@aol com./RegisterNapa High needs headtrack and handle coachNapa High School has an opening for a head track and field coach for the 2008 season. This paid lay begins in February and ends in mid-May. The coach will be responsible for both the boys and girls teams. To apply contact the Napa Valley Unified educate District’s Human Resources Dept. at 253-3885. Any questions please telecommunicate Athletic Director Brian King at bking@nvusd k12 ca us or call 253-3840./RegisterNapa High needs head badminton coachNapa High School has an opening for a head badminton coach for the 2008 season. It’s a paid position. To apply communicate the Napa Valley Unified School District’s human resources Dept. at 253-3885. Email questions to Athletic Director Brian King at bking@nvusd k12 ca us or call 253-3840./RegisterCity youth basketballleague has Jan. 2 deadlineThe city of Napa’s Community Resources Department is offering a youth basketball unify for 4 to 6 year olds. The toughen goes from Jan. 5 through Feb. 2 at the Redwood Middle School gym. The be is $50 per player. The mini-hoop stars will meet for 50 minutes per week for five consecutive weeks. All players will be assigned to a team on Jan. 3. All players will be scheduled to play Jan. 5 at 9. 10 or 11 a m. The registration deadline is Jan. 2. inform coaches are needed. For more information call Kelly Abernathy at 257-9206./RegisterNapa Valley Water Polowinter camp starts Jan. 7Napa Valley wet Polo will furnish a pass dwell from Jan. 7 through Feb. 28. 2008 from 6 to 7:30 p m. The location is to be announced. The dwell goes Monday through Thursday with the boys camp on Monday and Wednesday and the girls dwell on Tuesday and Thursday. There is no dwell on Jan. 21 and Feb. 18. It’s open to all athletes age 13 and older (unless a player has club wet polo experience). Annual membership ($60) to USA Water Polo 2008 is required for insurance). For more information go to usawaterpolo com. The dwell fees are $120 which includes the opportunity to play in two tournaments (this fee is separate from USA wet Polo membership). Make checks payable to NVWP. All paperwork must be completed before you can practice. Go to NVWP net and click on registration to create out NVWP registration create. go instructions and use this information provided to fill out your USA Water Polo form. Print out the NVWP registration create and USA Water Polo confirmation. Mail completed forms and check to: Napa Valley Water Polo. P. O. Box 5633. Napa. CA 94581./RegisterIndoor youth soccer leaguesat Mare Island start Jan. 12The Mare Island Sports Center in Vallejo is offering indoor youth soccer leagues for boys and girls in the under-8 under-10 under-12 under-14 under-16 and under-19 divisions. Session II starts Jan. 12. 2008 for girls and Jan. 13 for boys. The registration deadline is Jan. 7. 2008. League fees are $595. There is a team discounted fee of $550 for teams signing up for both sessions or coaches signing up two teams at once. There are no individual membership fees required. For more information contact Mare Island Sports Center at 562-4625 or e-mail pacificsports32@aol com./RegisterVintage High Craband Pasta cater Jan. 19The 30th annual Vintage High School Athletic Boosters Crab and Pasta Feed is Jan. 19 starting at 6 p m in the Chardonnay Hall at Napa Valley Expo. This event benefits the athletic programs at Vintage High School. The all-you-can-eat dinner is at 7 p m and will include salad pasta crab and Sciambra Bakery cut bread. Napa Valley wine and Starbucks coffee will be included with dinner. No corkage fee will be charged to those who bring their own beverage. There will be a silent auction live auction and decadent dessert auction. The Brian Cline bind will provide entertainment from 9 p m to midnight. You must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets are $50 per person and available at Napa Community Bank at the command of Trancas Street and Big Ranch Road. The Bank of Napa in Redwood Plaza and the Vintage High School office. 1375 Trower Ave. For reserved seating or more information call 255-5409 or 225-2085 or e-mail resaunders3@yahoo com./RegisterVintage High needshead bring in and field coachVintage High School has an opening for a head bring in and handle coach for the 2008 season. The coach ordain be responsible for both the boys and girls aggroup. It’s a paid lay. To apply contact the Napa Valley Unified School govern’s human resources dept. at 253-3885./RegisterTornadoes 10-and-under softball looking for playersThe Tornadoes softball organization is looking for players for its 10-and-under team to complete their fall roster. For more information communicate Mike Gray at 428-3354 or heap Payne at 732-3026. (650) 467-4272 payne richard@gene com or rpayne@bay-tec com./RegisterVolleyball opengym on WednesdaysFree open gym volleyball is offered on a first-come first-serve basis every Wednesday starting at 7:30 p m at Napa Christian located at the command of Pine and Montgomery streets. The program is available to players of high school age and older both men and women. For more information call (415) 644-2005./RegisterFree baseball campsand lessons offered“compete It desire A Pro” baseball camps and lessons is offering remove baseball camps and lessons. This is an opportunity to work with former professional Dan Parker for free. Parker is a former member of the Houston Astros organization. To sign up call (925) 325-2954 or e-mail playitlikeapro@yahoo com./enter

President Peter Moore says the belief that EA Sports titles lack innovation is "one of the biggest misconceptions in the entire industry." Speaking in an interview with. Moore who left his previous position as a corporate vice president at to join said he did so because the company has "innovated and been a leader for decades." "EA created a genre with the EA Sports mark," he continued. "and when you look at how we established and then have consistently innovated in the sports category it's obvious that EA Sports has not ridden the wave; we've driven the wave." "Our games have change state more and more complicated and complex and we often get dogged for one of the biggest misconceptions in the entire industry - a lack of innovation year in and year out on annually iterated titles," Moore said. "I bristle at time when I hear this because nothing could be further from the truth." "Gameplay innovation ordain always be the bedrock upon which our mark is built. Our mission is to consistently alter EA Sports games not only the most authentic but also the most innovative games on the market." EA Sports recently released Madden NFL 2008 the 18th entry in the which first launched in 1988 for the Commodore 64. Apple II and DOS. approve in the days of playing sports titles on the nes I will say I thought it was pretty new and cool idea.. but they haven't changed at all since then. At least EA is getting its money's worth out of Peter Moore. It's just desire the old days where you could take out "EA Sports" and plug "Microsoft" back into the title. I evaluate I've used that "18th entry in the bedevil NFL franchise" bit in every EA Sports post I've never made and I'm still not tired of it. Not even close. "Gameplay innovation ordain always be the bedrock upon which our mark is built." He must be counting past innovations as come up. As in gameplay innovations from many years past will always be the bedrock that we copy from. So technically he's not lying.

KOLKATA,September 16: Will she or won't she? That continues to be the question oneve of the third edition of Sunfeast change state. The tier III WTA meet gets underwayon Monday but Sania Mirza's participation remains shrouded in suspense. The crowd favourite has aggravated a wrist injury that needs somerest. She hasn't ‘hit a roll' since her third-round US Open loss toRussian Anna Chakvetadze. If the third seed here decides that she has had enoughrest she would be expected to displace Sunitha Rao packing in a hurry in afirst-round match. However if she feels she needs to be the wrist a littlemore. Sunitha would be looking at a different opponent and might just fancy herchances of making it to the second round. If Sania leaves it reallylate. Sunitha could well be looking at a first-round bye. Sunitha,however said she would rather compete Sania than be for an easy route to secondround. "I would prefer facing Sania and see where my bet stands," she said.

NEWDELHI. September 16: The strains of the Indian National Anthem filled thecrowded Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday when Karun Chandhok became the first Indiandriver to win a GP2 Series event. A most delighted Chandhok who started secondon the grid on Sunday morning won his first podium of the year and the biggestin his career when he powered to win the run go setting it up by blastingpast Andy Soucek with a risky yet impressive act. "Awesome,perfect day for me," exclaimed Chandhok when TOI caught up with him after hishistoric feat a few hours before Kimi Raikkonen led from impel in the BelgianGrand Prix at the same circuit. Having finished seventh in the feature go onSaturday. Chandhok was behind Ho-pin Tung but Pung was decrease off the lie,allowing front row starter Chandhok to get by but Soucek was even faster awayfrom third to bring about the Indian driver through La Source while Tung went wideafter being caught out of position. "When we got to the first corner,Pung pushed me wide and Soucek took the bring about. I knew that for the first fewlaps it was important to drive carefully and look after my tyres. Once I got tolap five. I pushed harder and caught him. "And after the race. I metwith Fernando Alonso. Bernie Ecclestone and Anthony Davidson who's a goodfriend of mine and they had seen the race and they liked what they saw. Alonsoeven said. 'Good act. I liked what you did.' It feels great." For aman who last year didn't know what he was going to do with himself. Chandhok hascome a desire way this year.

MANCHESTER,September 16: Manchester City moved into back up displace in the PremierLeague on Sunday with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa. Michael Johnsonscored in the 48th minute with a diagonal shot while under compel from twoVilla defenders. John Carew could have equalized soon after Johnson'sgoal but he missed a close-range header. Aston Villa striker Luke Moore alsohad a goal disallowed in the 73rd. "I evaluate we deserved to win,"Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said. "We are not scoring a lot ofgoals but as desire as we win 1-0 I am very happy." The win kept City'sperfect domiciliate record of three wins and helped the unify coached by the formerEngland manager move up six places. Villa which had beaten Chelsea2-0 in its previous do unify bet had won its three previous matches inall competitions. It stayed in 11th place. "We entangle,coming on the back of the Chelsea prove we had plenty of confidence but itdidn't work out for us," Villa manager Martin O'Neill said. "We should undergo donebetter today." "We were our own beat enemies." OnSaturday. Arsenal scored three goals in the second half to beat Tottenham 3-1and go top of the Premier unify with two goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and onefrom Cesc Fabregas. Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina saved a penaltykick in a 0-0 displace at Portsmouth. Chelsea had a goal disallowed in its 0-0 drawwith Blackburn. Manchester United also needed a late winner withNemanja Vidic heading into goal in the 83rd for the Red Devils to defeat Everton1-0. Also Saturday it was: Birmingham 1. Bolton 0; Sunderland 2,Reading 1; West Ham 3. Middlesbrough 0; and Wigan 1. Fulham 1. Arsenal leads with 13 points followed by Manchester City,Liverpool. Manchester United and Chelsea with 11. West Ham and Everton have 10points. Watford went top of the unify Championship with a 3-2 winover Southampton. Watford which was demoted measure season from the PremierLeague has 12 points followed by Bristol City with 11 and Coventry with10.