BREAKING NEWS: Jaw injury could sideline Kobayashi

According to a story from www.yahoo.com (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070625/lf_afp/lifestylejapanushealthfoodpeople_07062513004), hot dog eating champion Kobayashi has been diagnosed with jaw athritis and may not be able to compete in Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4th.
Kobyashi set a world record by eating 53 3/4 hot dogs in 12 minutes last year. He is also a word title holder in other eating categories like calf brains and rice balls.
I thought leading with this was mroe interesting than just saying that I'm back from vacation and had a good time. BTW, the Maverick is now my favorite ride at Cedar Point.

Taking a few days off/Luxury Tax discussion

Well folks after a long high school sports season, I'm going to be taking the next few days off. But much like the last two vacations I've had (a family trip to Florida last summer with my side of the family and a four-day WrestleMania/Opening Day adventure with Diddy), there probably won't be much resting involved.
We're heading down to Cedar Point with my in-laws and Jill's brother and his family. Much like last year's trek to the Sunshine State, I think they'll be a lot of fodder for a column, but that one might be a blog exclusive, because my in-laws get the newspaper and I don't want that knowledge to force me to hold back on an honest look at the trip.

So until I get back Sunday night here is a topic to discuss... I read on www.detroittigers.com that the legislature is proposing a 6% luxury tax on sporting event, concert and movie tickets. They believe that will bring in $100 million dollars to the State. What are your thoughts?

Finals Photo Gallery

Catcher Carly Treiber chases after a bunt.
Marissa Lemere at the plate

Brennan Pitcher cheers for and points to his girlfriend Katie Rayl after her long first inning HR.

Minda Martinez

Mercy Martinez's 1st HR of the season

Marissa Lemere

Katie Rayl lets teammates know they are one out away from a championship.

Lemere on the mound

Lemere and Treiber

Rayl and Dani Gremel

The champs!

BREAKING NEWS: Back-to-Back champs...again

Who would have thought that after never having an area team win back-to-back State Titles in my lifetime, I would witness two in the same sports season (actually two within two weeks time).

The USA softball team made that impossible dream come true with an 8-0 bashing of Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central. USA smashed three home runs in the game including one of the longest round trippers I've ever seen in a softball game by Katie Rayl, to give the Patriots a 2-0 edge at the time.

Gremel went yard in the fourth, while Mercy Martinez homered to start a rally in the bottom of the sixth. It was Mercy's first HR of the year, a fact that she said her teammates teased her about.

Not only did Mercy hit a round tripped to lead off the sixth, she nearly hit another in her second at-bat of the inning. Had it not been for a high leap by the centerfielder on what would be considered the warning track on most fields (there was technically no warning track here, because it was a baseball field converted to a softball field)to snag the ball.

The win was coach Larry Houthoofd's 75th win in just his second season as Pats coach (he is 75-5 for a .938 winning percentage).

For a complete story on USA's championship win, check out your local publication this Wednesday.

USA semi-final photo gallery

Marissa Lemere

Mercy Martinez

Nicole Dewald

Jillian Williamson

Minda Martinez

Carly Treiber

Overthrow at home

Minda Martinez

Nicole Dewald

Play at the plate Coach Larry Houthoofd

BREAKING NEWS:USA heading to the finals

Could the Thumb have a another team win a State Title for the second straight year?

They will if the USA softball squad has anything to say about it. They adavnced to the championship game with a 4-3 win over Mason County Central.

The game was not a typical Patriot performance by any means.

Why you ask? Well for a team that has been heralded for their defense in recent weeks, they maanaged to commit at least five official errors (I say official because I thought the score keeper was generous on a play or two). Not the performance you would expect from USA, but I should add that most of the mistakes came on overthrows, which coach Larry Houthoofd attributed to nerves.

Hopefully the Patriots got that out of their system as they head into today's game (yes it is after midnight as I'm posting this) with Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central at 1 p.m.

I'll be posting a photo gallery of the event in a few minutes, but to get the whole story on the semis and championship game, check out your local publication this Wednesday.

I should be back on Sunday (yes I'll be working for at least a few hours on Father's Day) with my thoughts on the game and maybe some pictures.

I've got a wedding Saturday night after the game and after a 3 1/2 hour ride back... let's just say a Saturday night post isn't realistic.

Laker photo gallery

BREAKING NEWS: Greenhills downs Lakers in Semifinals

The Laker soccer team put in a galiant effort and actually dominated much of the first half, but allowed a late goal with around 2:59 left in the first half to Ann Arbor Greenhill's Carly Topper, which proved to be the difference at this Semifinal match-up at Troy Athens.

It was a very even game throughout and until that late score by AAH, I thought this one looked like a possible 0-0 tie that would be decided by a shootout.

EPBP coach Mark Weidman is confident this taste of playoff sucess will only serve to motivate his players to work harder. He mentoned that he knows the girls need to have some fun this summer, but joked that he just hopes they bring their soccer balls with them when they go to the beach.

Congratulations to the Lakers on an amazing season. The Thumb is proud of the effort you put in this season and how far you got.

For the complete story on the game, check out your local publication this Wednesday.

Caseville looking for coaches

Got a phone call from Caseville Athletic Director Ken Ewald this morning and he wanted me to let everyone in the area know he is looking for coaches for boys' and girls' basketball.
Those interested in applying for the position can get more information by calling Ewald at the school at (989) 856-2311 or via e-mail at kewald@caseville.k12.mi.us.

USA photo gallery