Grey Cup Day

Grey Cup Day used to be one of the greatest celebrations among our group of friends in Pembroke. The day was a time where our gang planned to share the best part of a day at someones home. Arlyss usually had the honour of hosting the party but others shared the joy of entertaining the rowdy bunch..Great food, great drinks and just a great time shared with trusted friends.

This year in Florida with the big crowd of Theresa and I ,we planned a special party. As the game was special in as much it was the 100 year of the Grey Cup we planned to watch it on channel 61. This channel follows Canadian sporting events and have been advertising the event for sometime.

Theresa went out to bring home a large uncooked pizza. We added other ingredients and it turned out to be excellent. As the game started at 6 pm we sat in our favourite chairs and waited for the early introductions to finish.With the game being played in Toronto and their team in the game , Calgary was at a disadvantage because of the crowd noise. It seemed like hours before the game got under way and it was pretty exciting for the home crowd as they got off to a great start.

Theresa and I were now having pizza and getting in the football spirit.Time became a factor and the clock ticked off at 10 pm and the game was still being played we were beginning to get a little distracted. Toronto had a commanding lead and the officials were calling a foul on every other play it looked like we might make it to midnight. However at 10:27 the game ended and Toronto was the final winner.

As far as Grey Cup days go this was a good one with our party of two. I did go back in my memory bank a little and remembered three Grey Cups that I attended. One was the wind  bowl where kicking into the wind was impossible and another was the fog bowl where the fog rolled in off the lake and the game had to be completed the next day.Those were exciting days and memories from those games are still clear in my mind. Today with the four hour plus game I shall remember it as the 100 Th Grey Cup and a good long at that.

Minor League Baseball

With the warm weather which comes with spring baseball used to be on the minds of all the young people when I was young. There were few sports that could gather a crowd as fast as the call to play ball.Mostly we just played with our own group and the most organization we encountered was when we used to decide on who got first choice when we picked teams.

Everyone seemed to agree in general to the rules and played to that account. Picking the teams was rather traumatic for some because someone had to be picked last. We fixed that problem by having the captains pick four for each team and we just divided the rest. Mostly we played with home made baseballs which were no more than a ball of string held together with black tape. Dad could tape that string ball so well that we could get a whole game out of it before it had to be re-taped.

Today the young players are treated like a professional club with uniforms, warm up jackets, the latest and safest equipment and at least four coaches. The kids practice on a professional field and there are bleachers for the fans. My grandson plays on a travelling team for Oakville in the 15 to 16 year old players. These kids are huge and highly skilled and the coaches are very much involved and want the players to have fun but on more than one occasion I saw personal feelings getting in the way and tempers flared.

For many of the kids on elite teams it is a way to be noticed and maybe get a scholarship in the future. It takes a very great commitment on the part of the players and coaches and considerable financial outlay as well. I love to see the young play ball and become a team player. Studies have shown that young boys and girls who make the team a commitment rarely get involved with the law.

Theresa and I have watched many of our grandchildren play various sports and besides the entertainment value we saw the individual development of our children through sports.Yesterday Troy played in a tournament and although it rained they played on. I was equipped with a cushion, a umbrella and a hot chocolate but rather than sit in the rain I went and got a haircut. I will go back but the weather has to be OK. So play ball and have fun.

Commonwealth Games in India

Since the breakup or re-constructing of the British Empire over the past century we are left with a voluntary association called the British Commonwealth of Nations. Over a third of the world's population belong to this organization and it unique in as much as all the participants were once ruled by Great Britain. Regular conferences are held and all members are equal. Many still pledge allegiance to the Queen but some do not. Canada as an example still looks at the Queen as the head of our country although she appoints a Govern General to act in her place.`

Every few years a international games are held in one of the members states. Participation is limited to athletes from members of the commonwealth. These are the second largest games after the Olympics and garnish much attention. Winners of these events hold their win in high regard as many of the athletes hold world records.

This year the games are held in Delhi, India. Our athletes will mingle with others from the far flung corners of the earth. These games add a touch of class to the association and help bind the nations together. When you look at the members of this association you begin to realize the tremendous control over the seas Britain had for hundreds of years.

It is surprising as well to see that the vast majority of the commonwealth countries received their freedom without a armed conflict. In fact only a few fought for their freedom like the USA and remained friendly over the years. Today Britain and the USA are great friends but the USA is not a member of the commonwealth.

People often think these games are a waste of money but the good will gleaned through sports and culture are very strong and important. International events bring people, culture, ideas and understanding to bear for the common good.

Proud Grandfather

My grandson Troy began his high school career this September and decided that football was to be his major fall sport. He is a little fellow but has put on many pounds of muscle this year by joining a gym with his dad. He was named Troy after a famous football star who played for the Dallas Cowboys. It was only logical he would be a football player. I have a picture from my football days as a varsity player many years ago. Troy would look at this picture in my pool room and say that one day his picture would be there as well.

Today I was given a call by my daughter saying Troy's first game was today. I went to the new field at his school and the million dollar field was absolutely the most beautiful I saw at a high school in Canada. I walked the field and felt that I would have liked to have a place like this to play football when I was young.

The players came on the field in a rush as only 44 young junior kids can. I spotted number 22 and watched his every move leading up to the game. He was the backup quarterback and clearly the smallest player on the team. His enthusiasm for the game was evident and he put his heart into every phase of the warm up drills. I smiled when he stood beside the guard and he was only up to his armpits. The game got started and there was no sign of Troy but his team went ahead 21 to 3.

As a grandfather I was anxious to see him on the field and near the end of the game he ran on to the field as quarterback. He looked nervous but carried out three plays in a row with two first downs and a flawless outing. It was enough to wet his love for the game and as he came to us after the final whistle his first words were," boy was I ever nervous but it was great".

I was happy to see Troy enter another phase of his life and become excited about his team and school in general. His Mom and Brother were happy for him as well and shared the day with our youngest grandchild.Who knows, he might become another Troy Aikman or just be a good sport and play for the love of the game.

Baseball

Sunday morning and baseball was not the agenda. Grandson Troy was playing and I promised to attend and see him pitch and catch. Theresa and I bundled up and made for the game right on time. We saw Troy warming up and I had this feeling that every time I attend the team falls apart. The weather was perfect and as we unfolded our chairs down near 3rd base we settled in for a good game.

Daughter number 3 arrived and sat between us and opened a large bag of sun flower seeds. The game started and our grandson was on the home team so they took the field. Troy started on second base and the game started. A few plays and the score was 1 to 0 for the away team. Two out and a simple play at third would have ended the inning but the number 3 threw the ball to first and the rout was on.

Eleven runs later our team had a chance to get some runs. They got a few but two hours later we walked out of the ball diamond and the score was 14 to eight. As we passed Troy he gave us a hug and said he was sorry. I lied and said it was a good game and we enjoyed it. We did enjoy the game but we wanted Troy to do well. He got on base four times out of five on walks and a single. We were pleased.

I feel like a jinx as they always have a hard time when we attend. I love to watch the young lad play hockey, baseball or any other athletic endeavour as he is a superior athlete. He feels bad for us when his team loses . I feel proud every time he plays as he is such a good athlete and a good sport. Theresa and I will continue to attend and support this little fellow and maybe his team will win one of these days . If not it does not matter as he is a winner when he walks on the field.

Tuesday Golf

For the last five weeks my golf was terrible. I managed to bring my handicap down to 16. This is not the normal handicap but a special handicap whereas you get points for a boogie, a par, a birdie and an eagle if you are very special. My handicap runs around about 18. This means I am a boogie golfer.

This morning I was free from the pain of arthritis and was ready for the challenge. The weather was perfect and our gang of golfers were eager to go after seven weeks of 40 degree weather at starting time. We tee off at 7am. Today the temp was 64 and we were hot to play.

Bets were made and away we went. Since this was a personal experience and there are no challenges to their truth I can say as I wish. However every golfer has a code that dictates telling the exact score. I started off with a par, a boogie and a par. My companions looked at me and said I was in for a good game. All my golfer buddies know that I can be real good for three holes but not for nine or eighteen.

For the next six holes I had two more pars, two bogie's and two others. There is water on the course. At the end of nine I had my best game so far this year with 11 points. At the turn I managed another par, two others and another par. With five holes to go I was focusing, something I forget to do on nearly all occasions. The next five holes give me two more pars and two bogie's and another. There is still water on the course.

I end up with 21 points, my personal best. I was so happy and everyone gave me credit for a game well played. I paid $61.50 to play the game and I made $16.00 for the effort. Golf is a game of bragging rights and for one week and one week only I have them. This was the first and only day I had this honour and I was so proud.

We had a glass of wine and I returned home to tell Theresa of my success but she was telling her Mom about the bargain she received at Kohls so I was quiet, realizing that golf is for the golfers and not the shoppers. In any case I was content to play over my head for once. This will not happen many more times I am sure.

Garage Fruit Baseball.

Florida is home to many professional baseball teams spring training camps. Here in our immediate area we have the Boston Red Sox and theMinnesota Twins. They're about 18 pre-season games and we are able to see our favourites several times. The Toronto Blue Jays are further north but about 2 hours away.

Many people come for their holidays and make it to the park every day to watch their team practising. There is no charge and you can get up close and personal with the players. While here the players take time out for autographs and talk to the fans.

The players work every day and quit after the noon game. There usually is a mad rush to the golf courses and fishing holes. It is reported that there is an economic advantage to this spring training to the tune of some $30,000,000. This helps the motels, restaurants and other venues to be busy.The ball parks that they play in become home to the local triple A teams which play here for the whole season.

These parks have four to six practise fields adjacent to the main field and become magnets for university and secondary tournaments.There is rarely a vacant seat during the practise season and entry to the games are between $14 to $30. Attendance runs around the 10,000 to 15,ooo. When the Yankees come to play Boston they open the gates for hill sitting for $10. This means you can bring a chair or blanket and sit on the grass adjacent to the game and watch. It is surprising how popular this is.

All over Florida the papers are full of the reports and the forecasting as to where they will finish in the fall. It is truly America's sport and a good one it is. Play ball!

Ice Hockey Girl Style

Any person turning in to the Olympic gold medal game last evening would be hard pressed to tell if it was men or women playing that game. The give way sign would be the frocks of hair protruding from the helmets.Canada and United States were playing for the gold medal and no holds were barred.

These two teams were rivals for years and either at the world championships or the Olympics their desire to win reaches a fevered pitch. Last night these ladies showed the world how hockey should be played girl style. The game was one of the best I ever saw with super skills and coaching apparent. Canada was the better of the two on this night but given a seven game playoff it probably would have come to the last game to decide the winner.

Both teams were winners and no doubt losing caused the US captain to say,"silver sucks" in her interview. Her team was so disappointed that they acted out of the spirit of the Olympics. They were unable to get beyond the loss to partake of the Olympic Spirit and savour the moment. Both were responsible for bringing 19,000 hockey fans at the game and millions on TV and Radio to realize that equality for women in a once male stronghold was over.

When these players were lined up for their medals and you could see their face you realized they were the best of the best and it showed.Their faces told it all. There was happiness, sadness and unbridled joy on these faces mixed with the understanding that the years of training was worth it all. We now have to wait for another four years to be treated to this experience.

For a few hours nearly all Canadians forgot their troubles and had a collective, emphatic feeling of pride and happiness with the Olympic Spirit which is alive and well.

Super Bowl

Americans are passionate about sports in general but football in Particular. At the elementary school level football is almost worshipped. Soccer is becoming accepted as football and particularly the girls have embarrassed this game. All you need is a pair of sneakers, shin guards and a ball.Huge crowds come out to support the school games.

At the secondary level soccer is still well represented but football is almost worshipped. The Friday night football game grabs the attention in the press before the game and crowds numbering in the thousands attend. Pep rallies with not only the school team and cheerleaders but parents and former players add to the hype. The local newspapers devote several pages on the sports section with detailed write ups about the players, predictions and statistics going way back to remind everyone about the importance of the game.

For days after the game is analyzed and animated discussions make everyone back seat quarterbacks. I believe that the playing fields are better kept than any place in the town. These young athletes bulk up, some with body building drugs and do everything possible to catch the eye of college scouts who are recruiting for their college.

Many schools are known for the place where a professional athlete attended and the remains a great esprit de corp because of athletic programs.With the strict academic standards being upheld it is a great motivational force for good.

New Orleans won the Super Bowl and a whole city, in fact state was brought to a new level. Maybe the area will heal even more and rise to heights to meet the needs of its citizens and respect from the the country and world. Sports can do that.

Dad's Skis

There was not a great deal of interest in skiing when I was a youngster as there were no commercial ski hills. We were fortunate to have a creative father who surprised us one winter. Flour used to come in bags of various sizes but sometimes flour came in barrels. These barrels were made of thin hardwood and stood about four and a half feet tall.

Dad has a work bench in our garage and for a period of time he made it out of bounds for we children. We never questioned this as Dad had special projects before and we knew he was up to something but we never knew what. After about a week of this secret project he promised to tell us after church on Sunday. We arrived home to have our Sunday meal but were anxious to see his surprise.

After dinner he told us all to get dressed warmly and come out. Mom was included and we were laughing to see her in slacks.When we came out he walked us to the garage and there was a pair of skis for each of us. Dad cut the hardwood staves to look like skis and sanded the bottoms to a smooth texture. He cut inner tubes to make foot holders and a strap on each to hold our feet in place.

We were so surprised and tried on our skis. There was a high hill down by the big pond and we all trudged off to try our new found toys. We must have looked funny as we made a small parade with Mom, Dad and 8 kids with skis over shoulder marching through the snow.

As we neared the hill we all ran to see who would be the first to mark the new fallen snow. As we stood at the top of the hill we decided that Mom would go first. She was embarrassed but was a good sport and placed her feet on the skis. Her feet flew up in the air and she fell backwards and the skis flew down the hill without Mom. We all laughed and scrambled to try to make it down to the bottom without falling.

What a day,others came and joined in and we shared our skis and everyone had a great adventure with barrel stave skis. Dad started something as other fathers were called upon to repeat his feat and make skis for their kids. For a while we were the barrel stave ski capitol of Cape Breton. This was not the only day that Dad surprised us but it was one of the best.

At supper that evening all the talk was about Mom's skiing ability and all the fun we had. This was one time when a big family really pays dividends.

A Fatherly Surprise

In 1956, I had the good fortune to live in a small town in Quebec named Temiscaming. I was the Principal of a school operated by the International Pulp and Paper Company. It was a rather small school with an enrolment of 580 students from K-13. My responsibility was for the K-8 classes.80 % of the students spoke French and there were only 4 classes of English speaking students. My other job was playing hockey for the town team in the Northern Quebec Hockey League. It was classified as Senior and had a good following among the Northern towns.

When I tried out for the team I was a newcomer to the area and had a very difficult time making an impression on the coach until one day a regular with the team slashed me about the neck and I retaliated and did a good number on him. The coach called me aside and told me I would be assigned to the third line which was a checking line and specialty squad.

We practised often and hard and I was slowly given a chance to play a few shifts per game. With an injury to one of our regulars my chance came to play on the second line on right wing. I loved the game and the intensity of the schedule and my school director told me I could take off Friday afternoon and Monday mornings when we travelled on road trips.

We never travelled during the week as all our players worked at the mill. I seldom scored but played regularly until I was shifted to center and played between two brothers. We became quite good on offence. The coach called a meeting before this particular roadtrip and told us of the need to win both games to make the playoffs.

We travelled to Noranda and played in their new arena. It was beautiful in comparison to ours.The one attraction this team had was they had a priest playing for them. His name was Father Costello and he turned down a professional contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs to do Gods work. I was warned about him and rightly so. He was the dirtiest player I ever encountered. He was known as a stick man and carved up many a player. Small and fast as he was he could match the biggest and roughest players. Father was also a leading scorer for the league.

The first time I played against him everyone warned me about going in the corner with him and to be careful The warning meant little to me at that time but two minutes later I was led over to the bench with a large gash to the face. In those days we never wore helmets or face guards and this type of injury was ordinary. Just before he hit me he yelled ,welcome to Noranda kid. He never even got a penalty. My wing man Laurent made an effort to even the score by driving him into the boards but that was all.

I never had much respect for clergy of any stripe but I learned too late to respect this Father . After the game we met as two teams and had a few drinks. I was too young so I had to do with a Pepsi. I talked to Father that day and he examined my cut and said I was OK.

Years later when I lived in Pembroke and playing old timers hockey I played against Father Costello and after the game we shared stories and a few laughs. I showed him my scar and he blessed it for a joke. He played for and organized the Flying Fathers Hockey Team and they have raised thousands of dollars for charity. He was a different person thirty five years later but I would still watch my back when going into the corner knowing he was lurking near by.

You Are Out

I just returned home after watching an incredible minor ball game. The game started at eight in the morning and the weather was perfect. The ball diamond was prepared for the playoffs and was absolutely ready for the test. This game was between 13 year old boys. The large boys were nearly six feet tall and close to 200lbs and the wee ones were four foot seven and 85 lbs. The size difference caused some in the bleachers to call out rude remarks about the fairness as they thought that teams may have cribbed on the age of some.

The game was played in a fine manner with both teams scoring runs off of nice hits, and errors made by embarrassed players. Everyone seemed to be having fun and the coaches were friendly and cheerful in their remarks to their players. High fives and pats greeted the players from both teams as they reached their benches between innings.

These players play seven inning games in the tournament format playoffs. In three days the kids would be required to play up to six games if they went all the way to the championship game. By the sixth inning the tone of the game changed. With the score tied the coaches began to become more assertive and shouts from the respective benches began to harbour fears that the game would be lost if more effort was not forthcoming from their players.

Stomping of feet and mumblings between the coaches about changing some players because they were not playing as well as they expected, caused anxiety among the payers. Shouted advice from all on the bench as a 13 year-old got up to bat with two out and the game in the balance. What pressure.

The seventh inning only raised the tone some more and the coaches were no longer the happy care free adults helping kids enjoy baseball, but were in fact projecting their expectations into the game. The players no longer came to the bench to place their bat in the rack, but came to the bench a threw the bat after striking out. Gloves were thrown to the ground in disgust after missing a routine fly ball. The intensity was high. With two out at the top of the seventh the home team had players on first and third and the batter hit a good ball to the short left field.

The player on third rushed home and the catcher guarded the plate although he had not yet received the ball. The fielder threw a good strike from his position in the field and there was going to be a crash at home plate. However the ball was way late and the runner plowed into the catcher who still was waiting for the ball. The umpire called the runner out on a little league rule that states that a runner must not hit the catcher if he is without the ball.

The coach ran out on the field and began shouting at the umpire in an uncontrolled manner. The umpire took this treatment for a bit and the stated the rule and promptly threw the coach out of the game. The young player who was called stood up and threw his helmet on to the ground and shouted something like *&^%&^. The umpire had him removed as well. How quickly the young players emulate their coaches. Sad.

The team now without its head coach was able to regroup, and the assistant coaches managed for three overtime innings without incident - and won the game. The players, with the example of the assistant coaches, ended the game in a manner that brought back dignity to the game designed for just that -- playing the game by the rules and having fun. Some adults cannot get that through their heads. The game belongs to the kids and not the coaches.