Weekend Observations

Hi There. Thank heavens for the Yankees and Mets playing each other, because everything else sports wise really sucked the gas pipe this past weekend. The folks over at Bristol Tech/ABC were either pushing the WNBA or worse: soccer with David "I married a Spice Girl" Beckham followed by the Euro 2008 final. Now for those of you who think I don't get soccer, I played from the time I was 8 years old up until my freshmen year in high school. I loved the New York Cosmos. I saw Pele play at Giants Stadium and my favorite player will always be Franz Beckenbauer. He played midfield, I played midfield. The game became boring. One more thing about soccer, the offside rule makes as much sense as the balk rule in baseball. When Peter Gammons is telling us what rock band did the best version of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," it must be a slow news day. (Thanks Dan for that one) It's official. Barry Melrose is head coach of the Lightning and the NHL will never see the light of day ever again on Bristol Tech. It's buried now with AWA wrestling, the CFL, and Australian Rules Football. Speaking of Coach Melrose and the Lightning, tomorrow is Christmas Day in the NHL. The start of the free agent signing period. Number One on Barry's wish list should be a goaltender and a few guys who can block shots and play some defense. As a Rangers' fan, I've stopped trying to figure out what moves Glen Sather will make. He is still the GM, right? Pro hoops is on life support in the New York Metropolitan area and it's close to flat lining. I looked up Danilo Gallinari in the dictionary and it means "Frederic Weis" in Italian. I'm believing the New Jersey Nets miss being known as the LA Clippers of the Eastern Conference. First they trade Jason Kidd, then Richard Jefferson goes to Milwaukee. I have to know Rod Thorn, did you at least get a Sidney Moncrief throw back jersey or Paul Mokeski's autograph in the deal?
Now that the school year is officially over, its time to give my Best Of awards known as the "Opie's" when it comes to high football, basketball and hockey.
Best Big School HS Football Field: HG Moran Field in Hudson Falls.
Best Small School HS Football Field: Schuylerville. One of the many places we visited for the first time in 2007. Having an apple orchard that sells cider and donuts next door is an added benefit
Best High School Football Atmosphere: Friday night at East Field. The old girl on the corner of Dix and Haskell Avenues would come alive when the lights were on. Best Home Unis: Glens Falls. Black Jerseys with Red Numbers and the White Pants
Best Road Unis: Warrensburg. Las Vegas Gold Jerseys with Navy Blue Shoulder and Numbers and Navy Pants
Best Big School Gym: Queensbury High. It will always be the Big Blue gym even though the floor is now wood.
Best Small School Gym: North Warren. Perfect size for a small school. I just wish more fans would show up to watch the Cougars play
Best Place to Broadcast HS Basketball: The balcony at GF High. Great view of the court from upstairs.
Best HS Basketball Atmosphere: Lake George. When the drum corp plays you can barely hear yourself think and watching girls coach Rob Teftt do his pre-game dance to "Low Rider" is a trip. Maybe that's the reason the Warrior girls team haven't lost a regular season home game in five years.
HS Hockey: Glens Falls Civic Center. Need I say anything more?
One last thing. Two nice guys in coaching have retired this year. Scott Snyder at Lake George and Tom Heinzelman at Hudson Falls. Thank you gentlemen for all the help...Leccese out.