This was a temporary break, not a death.
The Jevne Sports Journal, which one day will have an improved name, is still on the list of things to update. I thank anyone who's ever read one word on this site.
Over the last month I've been able to secure and start a position as sports editor at The Spencer Daily Reporter. I started March 22 and things have been progressing nicely. The staff I'm working with has been helpful as I get accustomed to the daily ins-and-outs of the job. The Daily Reporter is released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The gig will consist of local coverage of Spencer, Sioux Central and Clay Central-Everly school districts. There will some fringe coverage of Spirit Lake, Okoboji and Storm Lake events. Iowa Lakes Community College is also in the area, as well as Buena Vista University. Iowa Lakes receives more coverage from us than BV, as Storm Lake has its own paper.
There is also Associated Press material included in the paper. This allows me to include important regional or national stories that may be of interest. The AP is a wonderful source of information.
But as you can expect from a community paper, local coverage is the focal point. Spencer is a 3A school for most sports. The Tigers suffered a 0-9 football season this past fall, which jumps out at you. Football is obviously a major sport for any high school and community so hopefully they improve next year.
As I hit the ground running with on-the-job training, I'll be deep into spring sports - soccer, track and field, tennis, golf. Spencer was runner-up in boys soccer two years ago and have started 3-0. There's a strong soccer program in town and the coach knows the sport very well. Spencer boys golf have been runner-up two consecutive years and have a senior who is one of the top golfers in the state. Clay Central-Everly has a kid who's already high-jumped 6-06 this year. There will also be some strong track performances from Spencer.
I'll be working with a professional photographer, Michael Fischer, who's background includes taking photos for Dolphin Digest, a Miami Dolphins publication, and the Associated Press. I've worked with him a few times and I know I'll be able to learn a lot about photography, headlines and general tricks of the trade from him.
My writing duties will include game coverage, feature stories, columns and blogs. This content will be available in the print newspaper, which is the flagship product, the website and a free quarterly magazine called Sports Source, which focuses on local athletes and teams.
The paper's online presence is a work-in-progress. I hope to add new ideas and improve the online product as I continue to become more involved in the company. Right now, I have two columns posted online. The first one simply introduced myself to the reading community. The second featured some criticisms of the NCAA. I haven't gotten a blog up and running but I'm looking forward to getting that activated. I'll be directing you there from here with any new posts. I hope you begin to make spencerdailyreporter.com a frequent stop in your online browsing.
I will continue to post here because I like the outlet, I need a place to continue working on the craft of writing and editing, and I enjoy the occasional comments from readers. (You know who you are.) Of course I'm always able to write whatever I want here and I've gotten the impression that's encouraged for my columns and blogs for the paper and website. I'm excited about that.
As always, thanks for the support and I'll see you back here soon. And I know I'll see you over at spencerdailyreporter.com.
Showing posts with label Zach Jevne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zach Jevne. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Early Injuries for Cards
The Cardinals may want to change its off-season conditioning and throwing program. Both aces for the Cardinals have been sidelined within first two weeks of spring training, one for the season.
Last week, Cy Young runner-up Adam Wainwright needed Tommy John surgery after a bullpen session. Yesterday, Chris Carpenter left the game with a hamstring injury after 2 2/3 innings. He felt a "twinge." The following inning reliever Mitchell Boggs left the game after straining his back.
Injuries happen. At times they're unavoidable. But these injuries have me a bit confused.
"It was kind-of head scratching," Tony La Russa said.
I'll say. I don't want to question a major leaguers workouts or preparation for the season but I'm just wondering how someone blows out an elbow ligament in a spring training bullpen session. An injury requiring Tommy John surgery typically doesn't happen on one pitch, especially during a bullpen.
Wainwright has been one of the best in the game over the past two years. Perhaps the innings logged over the past few years caught up with him. It just seems like this type of injury shouldn't sneak up on you after one bullpen session.
Carpenter, a Tommy John patient himself, tweaked his hamstring, which happens, but I can't help but wonder about his off-season training.
Nothing is longer than a Major League baseball season. Pitchers report mid-February and can possibly play into November. Spring training is a time to get ready for the season, I get that, I've done that. Why not use the six weeks of training to prepare? Use the three-month off-season to relax from the grind that is baseball.
In my experiences, going from inactivity to practice is the leading cause of soreness and injuries. During one spring training I had to battle through what may have been a strained/pulled groin muscle because I wasn't going to acknowledge I'd "tweaked" a muscle during the first few weeks of practice. To me, that's admitting you haven't properly prepared yourself for spring training. I got through it and was fine. That's why I've raised an eyebrow at some of these injuries. But as I've said before, injuries can happen to the most in-shape, best-trained athletes in the world. Both Cardinals injuries could have been coincidental.
However, the facts remain. If you barely throw for a couple months, then try to hit spots in a bullpen, you're arm is going to get sore. If you've barely ran in two months, then start doing conditioning drills, you're legs and muscles will be sore and more susceptible to injury. If you get injured during spring training, you've cost your team time and money. You have to be in shape enough to allow yourself to get ready.
Other Injuries:
Padres closer Heath Bell appears to be a prime example of the inactivity theory. He strained a calf muscle during the FIRST DRILL on the first day. That's impressive. As a closer, no one expects Bell to be in tip-top shape but that's taking it to a new level.
He was on Jim Rome is Burning a couple weeks ago and even said about the injury, "It gives me an excuse not to do any running and just hop on the exercise bike." That's what got you in this position, Heath. But Bell, like many pitchers, isn't concerned with being ready for spring training, especially when you've reached the level of high-performing closer. If he goes down with a minor injury like the calf strain, or Carpenter's hamstring, it's just less work and travel during spring training. In a sense, he played it perfectly. Do little-to-nothing during spring training. Checkmate.
BP Injury: The Red Sox should be in the market for a new coach to hit fly-ball fungos during batting practice after Josh Beckett got drilled in the back of the head by a Boston assistant coach, causing a mild concussion and at least one missed start. That's bad luck. Shagging balls in the outfield is how a pitcher spends most of his time during spring training. Rule one is pay attention. Nothing is more embarrassing or painful than getting hit, unexpectedly, by a batted ball. It's just you're usually paying attention to the batter, not the coach. Beckett will keep an eye on him from now on, I guarantee it.
(Photo credit: Dave Einsell, USA Today)
 |
| STL Aces: Early injuries, one lost for season |
Injuries happen. At times they're unavoidable. But these injuries have me a bit confused.
"It was kind-of head scratching," Tony La Russa said.
I'll say. I don't want to question a major leaguers workouts or preparation for the season but I'm just wondering how someone blows out an elbow ligament in a spring training bullpen session. An injury requiring Tommy John surgery typically doesn't happen on one pitch, especially during a bullpen.
Wainwright has been one of the best in the game over the past two years. Perhaps the innings logged over the past few years caught up with him. It just seems like this type of injury shouldn't sneak up on you after one bullpen session.
Carpenter, a Tommy John patient himself, tweaked his hamstring, which happens, but I can't help but wonder about his off-season training.
Nothing is longer than a Major League baseball season. Pitchers report mid-February and can possibly play into November. Spring training is a time to get ready for the season, I get that, I've done that. Why not use the six weeks of training to prepare? Use the three-month off-season to relax from the grind that is baseball.
In my experiences, going from inactivity to practice is the leading cause of soreness and injuries. During one spring training I had to battle through what may have been a strained/pulled groin muscle because I wasn't going to acknowledge I'd "tweaked" a muscle during the first few weeks of practice. To me, that's admitting you haven't properly prepared yourself for spring training. I got through it and was fine. That's why I've raised an eyebrow at some of these injuries. But as I've said before, injuries can happen to the most in-shape, best-trained athletes in the world. Both Cardinals injuries could have been coincidental.
However, the facts remain. If you barely throw for a couple months, then try to hit spots in a bullpen, you're arm is going to get sore. If you've barely ran in two months, then start doing conditioning drills, you're legs and muscles will be sore and more susceptible to injury. If you get injured during spring training, you've cost your team time and money. You have to be in shape enough to allow yourself to get ready.
Other Injuries:
Padres closer Heath Bell appears to be a prime example of the inactivity theory. He strained a calf muscle during the FIRST DRILL on the first day. That's impressive. As a closer, no one expects Bell to be in tip-top shape but that's taking it to a new level.
He was on Jim Rome is Burning a couple weeks ago and even said about the injury, "It gives me an excuse not to do any running and just hop on the exercise bike." That's what got you in this position, Heath. But Bell, like many pitchers, isn't concerned with being ready for spring training, especially when you've reached the level of high-performing closer. If he goes down with a minor injury like the calf strain, or Carpenter's hamstring, it's just less work and travel during spring training. In a sense, he played it perfectly. Do little-to-nothing during spring training. Checkmate.
BP Injury: The Red Sox should be in the market for a new coach to hit fly-ball fungos during batting practice after Josh Beckett got drilled in the back of the head by a Boston assistant coach, causing a mild concussion and at least one missed start. That's bad luck. Shagging balls in the outfield is how a pitcher spends most of his time during spring training. Rule one is pay attention. Nothing is more embarrassing or painful than getting hit, unexpectedly, by a batted ball. It's just you're usually paying attention to the batter, not the coach. Beckett will keep an eye on him from now on, I guarantee it.
(Photo credit: Dave Einsell, USA Today)
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Boston Shakeup
Danny Ainge made a very bold move at the NBA trade deadline last week. The Celtics GM decided to trade the team's starting center, Kendrick Perkins, an integral piece of Boston's chemistry and defense, to Oklahoma City for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic. Boston also moved back-up Nate Robinson in the trade.
Teams across the league were very active at the deadline this year, including 20 of the 30 teams being involved in some kind of trade or acquisition. Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks was the biggest name to move but the Celtics' was the most surprising.
Doc Rivers and Boston fans were quick to point out over the past three seasons, which featured a title in 2008 and another Finals appearance last year, that its "original starting five" (Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett and Perkins) had never lost a playoff series. That's what is so puzzling about the move. That starting five will remain undefeated.
Perkins is recovering from a torn ACL, suffered in game six of the Finals last June, and played in 12 games this season. He recently strained an MCL prior to the trade and will miss the next week or so. Maybe Ainge and the Celtics know more about his knee than the rest of us. Maybe that's what caused the move. Maybe it Perkins' upcoming extension that Boston knew it wasn't going to pay. Regardless, it brings up whether or not Boston can now beat some of the league's bigger front courts, like the Lakers. The Thunder aren't concerned with his knee; they quickly inked Perkins to a four-year, $34 million extension.
Perkins' interior defense, widely regarded as the league's best one-on-one post defender, was critical to the success of the Celtics versus the Lakers and its trio of 7-footers. If Perkins hadn't gone down last year the Celtics may have been able to hand the Lakers its second Finals loss in three years. That didn't happen and now they must relay on a very limited and aging Shaquille O'Neal to supply the minutes, defense and rebounding during this year's playoff run.
Shaq hasn't played since Feb. 1 and is averaging 9.3 points and 4.9 rebounds in about 20 minutes per game. Right now he's "rehabbing" and his return is uncertain. He'll, no doubt, be giving plenty of time to heal up and recharge for an important role in the playoffs. Glen Davis will be counted on in crunch-time, much as he was in 2009 when KG went down. The Celtics were unable to get by Orlando that year.
Krstic will provide a big body but won't produce much in the middle. Green is a nice player but plays the 3 or 4 position, doesn't provide much in interior defense and can be inconsistent. Picking up Green is a good move for the future of the Celtics but will it help this year? Boston's other off-season acquisition, Jermaine O'Neal, is even more uncertain than Shaq. He hasn't played since Jan. 10 and is recovering from a knee injury "in hopes" of returning for the playoff run.
Prior to the Perkins deal, Boston was the front-runner for the title again this year. With the new look, I'm not so sure. They face two much improved teams that weren't a factor last year, Miami and Chicago, and Orlando will provide plenty of problems for them as well in the Eastern Conference. We can no longer assume Boston is the favorite in the East. If they are able to get past those three teams and make the Finals, how will they be able to match up with a team like the Lakers? They always had the edge on LA due to its physical-style of defense provided by Perkins. Now it's a whole new ball game.
The move Ainge made was aggressive and questionable. The veteran staff and roster will provide the backbone they need to once again hoist the O'Brien Trophy but can they do it without Perkins in the middle?
Teams across the league were very active at the deadline this year, including 20 of the 30 teams being involved in some kind of trade or acquisition. Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks was the biggest name to move but the Celtics' was the most surprising.
 |
| Perkins provided the force in the paint |
Perkins is recovering from a torn ACL, suffered in game six of the Finals last June, and played in 12 games this season. He recently strained an MCL prior to the trade and will miss the next week or so. Maybe Ainge and the Celtics know more about his knee than the rest of us. Maybe that's what caused the move. Maybe it Perkins' upcoming extension that Boston knew it wasn't going to pay. Regardless, it brings up whether or not Boston can now beat some of the league's bigger front courts, like the Lakers. The Thunder aren't concerned with his knee; they quickly inked Perkins to a four-year, $34 million extension.
Perkins' interior defense, widely regarded as the league's best one-on-one post defender, was critical to the success of the Celtics versus the Lakers and its trio of 7-footers. If Perkins hadn't gone down last year the Celtics may have been able to hand the Lakers its second Finals loss in three years. That didn't happen and now they must relay on a very limited and aging Shaquille O'Neal to supply the minutes, defense and rebounding during this year's playoff run.
Shaq hasn't played since Feb. 1 and is averaging 9.3 points and 4.9 rebounds in about 20 minutes per game. Right now he's "rehabbing" and his return is uncertain. He'll, no doubt, be giving plenty of time to heal up and recharge for an important role in the playoffs. Glen Davis will be counted on in crunch-time, much as he was in 2009 when KG went down. The Celtics were unable to get by Orlando that year.
Krstic will provide a big body but won't produce much in the middle. Green is a nice player but plays the 3 or 4 position, doesn't provide much in interior defense and can be inconsistent. Picking up Green is a good move for the future of the Celtics but will it help this year? Boston's other off-season acquisition, Jermaine O'Neal, is even more uncertain than Shaq. He hasn't played since Jan. 10 and is recovering from a knee injury "in hopes" of returning for the playoff run.
Prior to the Perkins deal, Boston was the front-runner for the title again this year. With the new look, I'm not so sure. They face two much improved teams that weren't a factor last year, Miami and Chicago, and Orlando will provide plenty of problems for them as well in the Eastern Conference. We can no longer assume Boston is the favorite in the East. If they are able to get past those three teams and make the Finals, how will they be able to match up with a team like the Lakers? They always had the edge on LA due to its physical-style of defense provided by Perkins. Now it's a whole new ball game.
The move Ainge made was aggressive and questionable. The veteran staff and roster will provide the backbone they need to once again hoist the O'Brien Trophy but can they do it without Perkins in the middle?
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