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Chad Dubin, the head of LionHeart Professional Management & Promotions, notified me that Harrisburg's Phil Davis is the subject of a new instructional wrestling video.
Dubin oversees Davis' blossoming mixed martial arts career.
Here's the details on the DVD and how to order:
http://www.lionheart-store.com/videos.html
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Many of you have told me how unhappy you are with Harrisburg's and Hershey's ranking by Sporting News in its "Best Sports City" edition. Hershey was #317 and Harrisburg was #326, respectively.
I emailed Bob Hille, Chief of Correspondents for Sporting News, who is responsible for the compiling of the list. I specifically wanted to know why Loretto, PA (home of St. Francis; which draws about 1500 people for a football game), is ranked higher than Hershey, which consistently draws 6000-9000 a night and is the most successful franchise in all of minor league hockey?
I also asked him why Richmond, Virginia, is ranked 138th (higher than Harrisburg/Hershey); but was dead last in SportsBusiness Journal's Best Minor League Sports Market poll (#238. As you may know, Richmond lost its AAA franchise prior to the 2009 season (although the city will have a Eastern League franchise in 2010).
Mr. Hille graciously (and quickly) responded to my email. You know his in-box is swamped this time of year, right?
Here's a portion of the answer I received from Mr. Hille.
We base our rankings almost completely on NBA, NHL, NFL and MLB, plus Division I-A (yes, we still call it that because no one knows what FBS/FCS means) football and D-I basketball. Cities and towns will score points for having minor league teams in various sports, but there’s no way those points will amount to enough to drive a city up our rankings. We focus more on wins and losses, postseason/playoff bids and championships won. The reason we do it that way? Because we cover the major pro sports and D-I football and basketball (not I-AA football or lower, so it doesn’t really matter what St. Francis draws in football, just as it matters less what teams in Harrisburg/Hershey draw than how those teams perform on the field, court or ice).
Are there cities like Harrisburg/Hershey that suffer because of it? Yes; I’d put cities like Des Moines, Wichita and Little Rock in virtually the same boat in many ways.
I don't agree with the ranking - and I don't even agree with the explanation; but until I come up with such a list, that's all we have to go by.
By the way, I also told Mr. Hille that the Hershey Bears have invited him to a game. He may have to find his own transportation, however.
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This is better than a casting call for American Idol. The Phillies are looking for ball girls. Here's the official word from the team:
The Phillies are looking to hire a staff of ballgirls who can represent the organization in media situations as well as perform duties on the field. Resumes are being accepted until Friday, October 16, 2009. Those qualified will be invited to the tryouts, scheduled for November at Citizens Bank Park.
Qualifications:
** Athletic ability (softball experience a plus)
** Knowledge of the game of baseball
** Strong interpersonal skills with an outgoing personality
** Flexible schedule (must be willing to work early mornings, nights, weekends and holidays)
** Must be at least 18 years of age
To Apply:
Those interested should apply at http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/help/jobs.jsp?c_id=phi. Applicants need to send a resume, photo, and two-minute video showcasing softball experience and explaining why they want to become a Phillies Ballgirl.
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Ricky Watters, who ranks among the NFL's all-time leading rushers, will be in the area this weekend to help the Big 33. Here's the details, courtesy of Big 33:
Thursday, September 10, 2009, Stop by Dockside Willie's any time on Thursday to enjoy a great meal and 10% of your meal will be donated to the Big 33 Scholarship Foundation! Big 33 and 2010 Honorary Chair, Ricky Watters will have a autograph signing that evening from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Then stick around to watch the NFL opening Game Tennesse Titans vs The "World Champion" Pittsburgh Steelers! So come join us for a night of fun!
Friday, September 11th.On the NFL's Opening Weekend, the Big 33 and York Revolution will welcome NFL great Ricky Watters to the Revolution game on September 11th at 7 p.m. The football-themed promotional night features a reception hosted by the Big 33.
The Harrisburg native Watters won a National Championship at Notre Dame and played ten seasons in the NFL with San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Seattle. He returned "home" to play for the Philadelphia Eagles and quickly established himself as an All-Pro player, helping Philadelphia reach the playoffs in 1995 and 1996. Watters is the only NFL running back to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season for three different teams.
The Big 33 Reception featuring Ricky "Running"Watters will take place in the White Rose Hall in the stadium's skybox level. The $40 reception ticket includes your skybox level game ticket, a buffet dinner and a meet/greet. The event is a fundraiser for the Big 33 which raises funds for academic scholarships and other charitable activities. Wear your favorite Football Jersey! Have the opportunity to meet Ricky Watters.
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A local website wants to know - which driver is the most popular one in the 358 division?
Pat Cannon? Nicole Bower? Brad McClelland?
The voting is underway at http://www.centralparacing.com/.
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We have some exciting news involving First Score Friday and a partnership with Subway.
Tune in at 11:15 on CBS 21 News this Friday to find out!
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The Nittany Lions' play-by-play man, Steve Jones, will be in the Harrisburg area later this month.
Here's the info - courtesy of Penn State:
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; August 7, 2009 – Steve Jones, "The Voice of the Nittany Lions," will provide insight and frontline knowledge of the 2009 Nittany Lion Football team and season at a Penn State Tailgate in the Harrisburg area on Wednesday, Aug 19.
The event will be hosted by the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Nittany Lion Club and will be held at the West Shore Country Club in Camp Hill. A cash bar will open at 5:30 p.m. with the dinner to follow at 6:15 p.m.
The event will include a tailgate style dinner and atmosphere, and attendees are encouraged to wear gameday blue and white. An award will be presented for the best Penn State dressed attendee.
Additionally, silent auction items and raffle items will be available at the event.
Jones is entering his 10th season as the play-by-play announcer for Penn State Football on the Penn State Sports Network. The long-time play-by-play announcer for the Nittany Lion Basketball team also handles radio duties for the State College Spikes.
Admission for the event is $35 per person and dress is casual (no denim).
Reservations for the event and reserved table assignments will be on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations, which can be made by calling Jim Smeltzer at 717-761-0211, must be made no later than Monday, Aug. 17.
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The Revolution is looking for 100 babies for its "Diaper Derby."
Here's the release:
Ready set crawl! Over 100 babies from the Central PA area will be needed to set the record for World's Largest Diaper Derby, scheduled for Saturday, August 15 at Sovereign Bank Stadium.
Sponsored by Memorial Hospital, SmartMamaPA.com, and the York Revolution, the event hopes to surpass the previous record of 97 set in Pittsburgh of all places. Fans filling Sovereign Bank Stadium will cheer on diaper-clad babies and toddlers 12 months and younger before the York vs. Long Island game at 7 p.m.
"As much as it's a record and a race, the event also promises to
be fun for the young families," said Matt O'Brien, General Manager.
"Memorial Hospital has been running a version of this for years.
Together we decided to super-size it."
The super-sized derby will be held pregame. Ten finalists will be
brought back for an in-game race to determine the winner.
As part of the event:
-- Prizes will be awarded to the fastest crawlers, including a $500 savings bond for first place.
-- Ten crawlers will be named finalists and will get a chance to compete during the game. All finalists will receive a prize pack courtesy of Smart Mama PA.
-- All participants in the Diaper Derby will receive a Lil Revs toddler t-shirt.
-- There will also be two random drawings to receive a $100 shopping spree courtesy of Bon-Ton.
There is no fee to enter your child in this event; however, each adult in attendance must have a ticket to the game. A special tented area has been designated to accommodate an abundance of strollers. Families may register their little ones by calling the Revolution at 801-4484 or online at YorkRevolution.com.
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A local softball team from Marysville contacted CBS 21 News about this...
The team has qualified for a National Championship tournament in Owensboro, KY on July 23-26.
The team is looking for donations to help with travel expenses.
The team is holding a bake sale and car wash Saturday at Marysville Lions Club and another one at Advanced Auto Parts on the Carlisle Pike on Sunday. Both begin at 9:00 am.
Donations (tax deductible) can be made to:
MBSA (Marysville Baseball Softball Association)
c/o The Marysville Bank
500 South State Road
Marysville PA 17053
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Sprint car driver Sean Michael, who needed knee surgery after a crash at Williams Grove in May, is recovering nicely and has sent along a nice thank-you letter to the racing community.
Thanks to Suzan French for passing this along.
Hi Everybody,
Not being able to race the past two and a half months has been really tough for me. But the support I’ve gotten from friends, family, and the entire racing community has helped me through it. I want to thank all of you for your concern, your well wishes and your encouragement.
I especially want to thank Williams Grove Speedway and the Morgan Hughes Injured Driver Fund, Port Royal Speedway and the Tuscarora 50 Foundation, Checkered Flag Fan Club and the fans for your generous donations, and the drivers’ wives and girlfriends for your collection efforts.
Thank you to my family, friends, and the racing community for your cards, emails, prayers, and phone calls; and to the media for your coverage. Thank you, too, to my brother Curt Michael and to Keith Kauffman for filling in for me while I recuperate.
The biggest thanks goes to Mike Heffner and the entire Heffner Racing team and sponsor Lelands.com for standing by me.
Sitting in the stands instead of behind the wheel of a sprint car is hard, but staying away from the track would be even harder. That's why I'm there every weekend, whether I'm racing or not. Hope to see you all soon.
Sincerely,
Sean Michael
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World B. Free is coming to the area, courtesy of the Friendship Center in Lower Paxton Twp. and the 76ers. Here's the info:
The world-famous Philadelphia 76ers staff will help young boys and girls ages 8 to 13 develop basic basketball skills at a free clinic to be held from 10 am to noon on Tues., July 21 at the Lower Paxton Township Friendship Center.
Hosted by Sixers’ Ambassador of Basketball World B Free, the clinic is a high-energy basketball camp stressing the fundamentals. The staff, along with Would B Free, will teach shooting, passing, dribbling, defense, rebounding and conditioning.
The clinic includes an appearance by 76ers Mascot Hip Hop and an emcee who will lead the clinic. Each participant will receive various Sixers’ items. The program is sponsored by the Dauphin County Commissioners and Lower Paxton Township Friendship Community Center.
The program is free. To register, call the Lower Paxton Township Friendship Center at 657-5635. Only a limited number of camp spaces are available.
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Melissa Stradnick from Hershey sent over a list of dates and places to see the Calder Cup. They're open to the public:
- Monday, June 29 (7:00 PM) – Lancaster Barnstormers Baseball Game (Bears Captain, Bryan Helmer will be signing autographs during the 2nd inning)
- Tuesday, July 14 (12:00 – 2:00 PM) Harrisburg East Mall
- Tuesday, July 14 (7:00 PM) – York Revolution Baseball Game
- Wednesday, July 15 (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM) – Cumulus Radio
- Wednesday, July 15 (3:00 – 5:00 PM) – Hersheypark (Coco will be on site)
- Thursday, July 23 (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM) – Lebanon Farmers Market
- Wednesday, August 5 (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM) – Capital City Mall
- Wednesday, August 5 (4:00 – 6:00 PM) – Steamtown Mall (Coco will be on site)
- Wednesday, August 12 (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM) – Strawberry Square
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Here's the link to those auctions for game-used pucks from the Calder Cup Finals:
http://www.theahl.com/headlines/index.html?article_id=10243
The auction ends later this week.
I'm still waiting to hear back from the AHL to see if proceeds will benefit charity.
UPDATE: 6/24
Jason Chaimovitch, AHL Vice President of Communications, emailed me back; said proceeds from the puck auctions will not go to charity.
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What a perfect place to tell you about Jeff Wadsworth's blog - on my blog. I believe Jeff may be the only blogging groundskeeper in the minor leagues. I couldn't find any others.
Here's Jeff's site:
http://jwhbgbb.blogspot.com/
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Thought I'd pass this along from the Harrisburg Senators:
On Friday, June 12th beginning at 10:30am the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau will be holding a tryout camp at Metro Bank Park. These camps are open to all players 16 years of age and older. Registration starts 30 minutes prior to the start of camp.
This is one of 12 camps being hosted by the MLB Scouting Bureau all over the country in the Month of June.
This is an opportunity for the local media to see the “inner” workings of a tryout camp and to film local undrafted players.
This camp is not being run by the Harrisburg Senators or Washington Nationals, though representatives from all 30 major league baseball teams have been invited to be at the camp.
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