The Sports Archives – Hawk Eye Technology In Sport!

Posted on June 13, 2012 by thesportsarchives

The Wimbledon Championships are fast approaching and along with Pimms and strawberries and cream, Hawk Eye Technology will be used to ensure there is no margin of error on-line calls.

No More “You Can Not Be Serious”

Gone are the days of players (no names mentioned) arguing with the umpire over whether a ball was in, on the line or out. When the position of a ball can mean the difference between winning a coveted trophy or not, tempers are sure to run high.

Although umpires do an excellent job, the human eye is not a machine and Hawk Eye ball-tracking technology has been used for over six years to officiate matches. As well as Wimbledon, it features at over 60 events in the tennis calendar and has passed the key International Tennis Federation testing.


Was That Ball In Or Out?

Wimbledon fans, whether they are lucky enough to be watching live or on television, now enjoy the accurate results of a close call.  Before the graphic representation comes up on-screen, people often debate between themselves where the ball actually was, and then wait for the Hawk Eye to confirm or deny their opinions.

A Coaching Tool

As well as avoiding on court temper tantrums from highly strung tennis players, Hawk Eye technology is also used as a key coaching tool in tennis, as well as cricket, football and other sports.

Tennis coaches and players were questioned as to what was needed in a technical coaching system and the result was the Hawk-Eye Tennis Coaching System which enables players to view a stringent analysis of their game, focusing on the way strokes are played, what happens in a rally and match and how to improve a service. Once a player has seen how they perform they can then discuss with the coach means of improving their game, seeing why shots are played a certain way and what is necessary to change.

Players have long been able to see video footage of their game to analyze their play, but Hawk-Eye Technology tracks the ball, so players can see how it moves through the air, how it reacts to different strokes, resulting in a much greater depth of game analysis.
You may not watch sport on television very often, but even so, you probably expect to see Hawk-Eye ball tracking in action when you are watching a Premier League Game, a cricket test match or of course Wimbledon.

Charlotte loves to keep up with the latest technology for Direct Sight, a leader in online eye wear.

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The Sports Archives – Vladimir Guerrero: Should You Pick Him Up?

Posted on June 12, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Vladimir GuerreroVladimir Guerrero was without a team in 2012 until the Toronto Blue Jays finally offered him a minor league contract in May. While Guerrero is no longer in his prime, where he used to hit 30+ homers a year, drive in over 100 runs, and steal bases in the double digits, he can still hit for average – last year, he batted .290 for the Baltimore Orioles. In his career, he generally has hit over or close to .300 each year.  He also hit for 13 homers last year.

Faced long time to get signed

Given that, and given his age – he is still only 37 – it was a little surprising that nobody picked up Guerrero this year until now, especially given that even Manny Ramirez, who has to serve a 50-game suspension for violating baseball’s performance-enhancing drugs policy, was signed this spring by the Oakland Athletics to a major league contract, and other aging sluggers like Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon were able to find major league jobs. In addition, Guerrero’s $1.2 million minor league contract with the Blue Jays is not guaranteed. So if he does not work out for Toronto, they can simply release him with minimal expense.

Is Vlad worth picking up?

Now Guerrero is back in Canada, where he started his major league career with the now-defunct Montreal Expos. It will take the designated hitter a few weeks to get ready for the big leagues,  but is he somebody worth picking up? After all, nobody in Major League Baseball signed him until May.  You cannot or should not pick him up now, obviously, as his debut in the majors will not be towards until the end of May at the earliest, but is Guerrero worth picking up? He could very well be, especially if you are in an AL-only league, or you need somebody in the DH/utility spot in an ML league.

Guerrero hit the second-best at designated hitter in 2011 for average after David Ortiz, so he can still hit. In addition, he is expected to get some good playing time if he is successful with Toronto.

Remember that he is not in the big leagues just yet

Should you pick up Guerrero? He may very well be worth a shot at DH, but don’t pick him up until he is ready to go. Also, keep in mind that he does not steal bases like he used to, and the free swinger never walks a lot, but you should get some potential value when it comes to batting average, hits and home runs.

Lisa Swan is a weekly contributor to fantasy sports blogs, like DraftStreet.

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The Sports Archives – Mark Teixeira: When Will He Start Hitting Again?

Posted on June 11, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Mark TeixeiraWhen the New York Yankees signed Mark Teixeira, they expected him to be a superstar for years to come. After all, he was 28, in the prime of his career, and the team was paying him a lot of money — $180 million over eight years. In 2009, his first season with the Yankees, he led the American League in home runs and RBIs and finished second in the AL Most Valuable Player award to Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins.  While he didn’t have a great postseason, with the exception of a walk off homer in the playoffs, the Yankees did win the World Series that year, and he was one of the reasons they got there.

Teixeira not as great as expected

However, after Teixeira had such a remarkable first season with the Yankees, his numbers have deteriorated each year; he no longer hits for average. Some have even derisively compared him to a better-fielding Jason Giambi, his predecessor at first base with the Yanks, whose batting average declined after becoming a Yankee.

One of the reasons Teixeira’s numbers have deteriorated is the so-called “Teixeira shift,” in which defensive players on the opposing team change their defense for him. As for the 2012 season, Teixeira, a notoriously slow starter, not only got off to a horrendous April and May, but he was battling a bronchial infection for most of the season. His not hitting well has contributed to the Yankees getting off to a slow start in 2012.

Should you dump Teixeira?

So, if you have Teixeira on your fantasy baseball team, you may be wondering whether to keep him or dump him. Don’t drop him just yet. Keep in mind that in the first half of MLB season, he has a .268 average for his career.  However, as previously noted, his overall numbers have gone down since 2009. Since 2011, he has been hitting just .240 when the ball is in play, and he is now currently ranked among the middle of the pack of first baseman instead of being among the best.

Perhaps, after taking some time off to get healthy, he may be getting his groove back. That being said, it is understandable why people who have Teixeira on their fantasy baseball team may be getting frustrated at this point, the way Yankees fans are. Unfortunately, the thing that he has been most consistent on – his Gold Glove caliber defense – is not something that matters for most fantasy leagues.

His future is unclear

Whether he will recover his career is a bit of a mystery – he is still only 32 years old, but even professional sportswriters are wondering if his career is in permanent decline. We will know better by the All-Star Break if Teixeira has turned it around. At any rate, he is one of the players you should not cut from your fantasy team, but you may want to bench him now until he improves.

Lisa Swan is a blog writer for sites like DraftStreet, a prominent fantasy sports website.

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The Sports Archives – The Best White Water Locations in the USA!

Posted on June 8, 2012 by thesportsarchives

White Water RaftingWhite water rafting is not for the faint of heart. There is something about this extreme sport that gets adrenaline rushing and provides a death defying experience. Whipping down the fierce rapids at great speeds and getting splashed with waves is the best way to spend the day. There are many locations that are known for their great water and aggressive rapids. There is a lot of selection, but some places are by far better than others. Here are the top 5 white water spots in the United States:

1. Monongahela River, West Virginia

This state is full of rivers that offer optimal spots for riding the rapids. From the Monongahela River to the Cheat and various other rivers, this state means business. Most people would not think that West Virginia would have such a fierce drawing for the rapids. Perhaps, because this state is surrounded by nature it provides the best rapids some say in the world. There are many rivers that have different degrees of rapids. It is important to check the rivers status before heading out. Some rivers should only be attempted by the expert and it could be disastrous for a beginner. Running wave classes from I to V, there is something for everyone.

2. Glenwood Springs, CO

Most people head to the Aspen are for the snow-capped mountains and skiing, but others head for a different adventure. The Glenwood springs area has been famous for white water sports for over 38 years. What could be more picturesque than while watering through the Rock Mountains? The rapids here range from III-IV in class. There are many opportunists for family trips, calm scenic rides or the aggressive heart pumping ones. Definitely a place that one should raft in just once in their lives, the background and water is unforgettable.

3. Glacier Run, AK

When mentioning the state of Alaska, snow, ice and nature come to mind. Few people realize that there are a great deal of areas that are known for the spectacular rapids they provide. Near Anchorage is a place called Glacier Run. This has been a great spot for rafters to enjoy for decades. Matanuska Glacier, is one of the most fascinating sites in the state of Alaska. Not only can rafters ride the waves, but they can also climb the glacier and see the spectacular wildlife that inhabits the area. Though it starts off as a climactic ride, it ends with a peaceful journey down to a calm part in the river. It is definitely an adventure that is a once in a lifetime experience.

4. Pigeon River, TN

Going to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area is an adventure of itself, but when added with a white water adventure; it proves to be a stimulating day. Some of the greatest white water thrills lie in the heart of the Smokey Mountains. Some have reported seeing bears and other spectacular wildlife while going down the treacherous terrain. While this area is known for being a country capitol and tourist attraction, sometimes the best adventures are the ones that are normally off the beaten path.

5. Colorado River, AZ

Probably the greatest white water adventure in American has got to be through the Grand Canyon. The Colorado River winds and turns through some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire country. This river journey is exhilarating to say the least. The Grand Canyon is beautiful just to behold, but there are parts of the canyon that are not able to be seen, except by boat. There are stunning waterfalls with rainbows cascading down the canyon and more sites to behold than one could imagine. The history is rich in this area. Some of the white water companies have journeys that span multiple days and allow for camping and horseback riding in the canyon. Being here and seeing all the natural wonders allows one to experience Mother Nature at her finest. The white water enthusiast has to make the journey to the Colorado River in Arizona at least once in their lives.

It is called American the beautiful for a reason; it certainly is. There are gorgeous mountain terrains, stunning cannons, chilling glaciers and breathtaking foliage. No wonder so many enthusiasts choose America as their white water destination. In a country that has something for everyone, it is clear to see why riding the rapids in scenic areas has become a favorite pastime. Not only is white water rafting about fighting the brutal waters, or the thrill of the escapade, but seeing all of what this country has to offer makes this sport spectacular.

Pete Wise works with Inaraft doing Link Building. Wilderness Aware is the leader in Colorado White Water Rafting and offers the most trips in the state. If you liked the article, check out Pete’s site for Denver SEO: PeteWiseSEO.com

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The Sports Archives – 2012 European Championship Infographic!

Posted on June 7, 2012 by thesportsarchives

The stage is set for the year’s most significant footballing event and Europe’s biggest football tournament: the UEFA Euro 2012! The Euro 2012 Infographic provides a selection of the most interesting data visualizations for the upcoming Euro 2012 as well as from previous tournaments in the form of statistics, facts and trivia.

Discover where in Poland and the Ukraine the 2012 European Championship stadiums are located, what their respective capacities are and how many matches each is hosting. An overview of the most significant numbers of this coming tournament is followed by info on record and cumulative stadium attendances from the history of the Euro’s as well as details on the fastest goals ever scored. Top goalscorers from the past two iterations of the tournament are compared and followed by a comprehensive series of goal scoring statistics from all Euro’s ever played. For those that fancy a bet on the beautiful game the infographic also presents a breakdown of how well 60 bookmakers managed to forecast match results with their odds during Euro 2004 & 2008 and what the degree of odds consensus was amongst them.

2012 UEFA Euro Cup Infographic

This infographic is provided by the Euro 2012 Tips portal.

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The Sports Archives – How Did Player’s Names on Football Jerseys Come About?

Posted on June 6, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Dingle and Berry Football PlayersHave you ever wondered how the idea of placing a player’s name on the back of a football jersey came about?  It is no stretch of the imagination to find out that television had something to do with it.

Evidently, in 1960 the Chicago White Sox‘s owner, Bill Veeck, was one of the first to suggest that player’s names be put on jerseys.  It allowed television fans to see the names of their favorite White Sox’s players even if people in the stadium could not. Having a player’s name on his jersey is a practice now standard by 25 of 30 clubs.

After this the American Football League picked up this idea and began putting player’s names on football jerseys.  The National Football League waited until 1970 to begin this practice.  College football trailed behind professional football leagues in placing names on the back of jerseys and some teams still don’t.

There is no NCAA regulation that requires college teams to have player’s names on the jerseys.  Some coaches believe it undermines the team’s spirit and cooperation.  Some want to keep the tradition of having no names on the jerseys alive for the sake of tradition; including Notre Dame, USC and Penn State.  There is also the financial aspect to consider if you are a small college on a tight budget.  If you are a small college that uses football uniforms year after year before replacement, you might not want to put names on the jerseys. Uniforms can be compromised after repeated adding and removing of names.

Football jerseys and team sportswear, have become a booming retail success story since the 1990s. At first people wore a jersey to show their passion for a particular NFL or college team.  Then young people, especially the Hip-Hop crowd, embraced the look.  Now people of all ages wear sport jerseys for casual and as a fashion statement.

Having favorite player’s names on football jerseys has become very popular with football fans.  Fans like to wear these jerseys to show their team pride.  Another new trend is putting your own name and number on a favorite football team jersey.  It fills that need of the individual who always dreamed of playing college or professional football.  Personalizing your football jersey with your name also gives you that one-of-a-kind, custom jersey.  There are many companies that provide personalized football jerseys for either professional or college teams.

About the author:  Jacklyn Owen is an avid writer on sports related topics.  Visit her website at http://recreationandsportsworld.com/

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The Sports Archives – The Time Of Year College Football Springs Into Action!

Posted on June 5, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Spring opening

Spring, the season which brightens the darkness of winter, gives life to hardcore college football fans who are suffering withdrawal symptoms from their passionate addiction. With the long agitating wait ended, the quarterback recruitment completed, and teams intensely drilled for battle, dilemmas and speculations are now a shadowing memory. What’s the gift deeply desired or craved? Perhaps, over 45 broadcasted contests on over 10 televised channels, which occurred during the March & April period this year. Does this information demonstrate the critical time in the college football calendar? What achievements or accolades are decided during this phase? Do the clashes in the preliminary stages lack the true tension, grit or determination of a close season, nail-biting decider?

Public support

Growing crowds continue to flock in hordes year-by-year to witness college football, statistically average attendances rose significantly since 1998, increasing by more than 32 percent. In 2011, attendances soared to create a new record with almost 4.7 million spectators filling the stadiums at each level of NCAA. These facts signify the expanding rates of support, reassuring followers that the game isn’t suffering, in fact quite the contrary; it sustains a healthy status in the public eye.

Critical times & defining moments

Switching to the live action, what’s the critical period to any sports season, the introduction or the finale? Take NFL for instance, how many viewers does the Super Bowl receive in comparison to the standard seasonal fixtures? Not only does the Super Bowl acquire global attention, it’s celebrated in a style to portray the defining moment in the 17-game campaign. 111.3 million witnessed Super Bowl XLVI staged in Indianapolis on NBC, the most watched television show in United States history. Does this suggest that interest levels rocket as the prize approaches?

Finances & ticket prices

The accumulation of any audience, in any environment, can depend on financial strategies, the rise and fall of ticket prices, discounts & promotions, which influence the less “die hard” and attract the more widespread number to the showcased event. In current economic disability, college football didn’t sympathize with the people’s constraints, instead single-match tickets ascended to a 30% increase in the last 3 years to an average of $65.

Hype & buzz

College FootballCan the hype of college football be determined by our roots or the state we originate? In the Miami Hurricanes record season in 2009 (9-4) they averaged 47,551 in a maximum capacity of 76,500, in addition they charge $19 for entry, including the closely fought, highly demanded tussle with Florida State in the “erstwhile epic.” Meanwhile, the big 12 conference maintains its helm as the most expensive section for ticket charges, the “red river shootout” involving Texas confronting Dallas requests a steep cost of $110. In 2010-2011, Texas averaged the fifth highest attendance, 100,654. This brings forth the question: What factors determine the college football buzz in a state region?

Passions & desires

Alabama, the 26th largest populated state in the United States, holds a deep-rooted desire & sheer passion for college football, with no exceptions to the date on the calendar. A clash following the season –opener in 2011 with LSU was one of the highest sold of the season, during game-week tickets could only be found at a mammoth $5,000. Spring attendances this year continued to impress at Alabama, averaging 78,526 spectators in the first three weeks. Would it be a fair assertion to suggest specific states contain the adrenaline, the drug for college football but in other states they require an injection of success or adversity?

Current health

Focusing on the current stability of the game, college football impressively averages almost 9 times the amount of college basketball support with 46,632 attending during 2010 in comparison to 5,237. No matter what date or time, college football progressively prevails as an integral event for the public. Whether it’s the curiosities & joys at the start to the jubilation & heart aches at the finish line, is timing essential? Through troubling declines & richly successful moments, teams require consistent & continual loyalty for the duration.

This is a contributed article written by sport enthusiast Tom Andrew McGowan. He is writing for AthlonSports college football section, your online resource on everything college football: college football recruiting rankings and news.

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The Sports Archives – A Career in Sports Engineering

Posted on June 4, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Oscar PistoriousIf you have a passion for both sports and science, a career in sports engineering could be perfect for you. These days, the sports industry is big business. Sports suppliers and athletes alike want to out-perform their competitors. Sport engineers can fill this need, as they spend years researching the most innovative sports technology. Whether a particular brand of golf ball needs to travel further in the air, or if a marathon runner needs better-designed shoes to minimize injury, a sports engineer has the answer. Just because sports engineers don’t build bridges or highways, doesn’t mean that their field is any less important. According to ScienceMag.org, sports engineering is science in action. Here are some reasons why it’s such a useful career choice.

It prevents injuries

A major part of sports engineering is to improve the safety of athletes and to minimize their injuries. This can range from making improvements to equipment and products to improving playing surfaces. According to ScienceMag.org, playing surfaces in particular are a big cause of injuries and sports engineers spend years developing the best materials for optimal traction, friction, durability and safety.

Improve performance

This is where the money lies! According to ScienceMag.org, sports engineers spend a great deal of time figuring out how to improve products and equipment. Some sports engineers are paid hefty sums by sporting goods companies to make a particular product the best on the market. For example, according to ScienceMag.org, sports engineers have discovered that a baseball bat’s performance will be determined by the level of sound frequency it emits when hit. A lower frequency means a greater chance of a home run! Various tweaks and changes can then be made to the design and materials of the bat, resulting in a bat that blows the competition out of the water.

Disabled athletes

A rewarding aspect of sports engineering is creating innovative products that allow disabled athletes to perform at the same level as able-bodied ones. An example of this is Oscar Pistorious, the South African record-breaking athlete who has no legs, but can compete against his able-bodied contemporaries. Thanks to sports engineers, he is able to run at lightening speed, using carbon-fibre blades (TheIndependent.co.uk). These blades have earned him the nickname “The Blade runner”, as well as some controversy. He runs so fast that his competitors feel he has an unfair advantage!

Sports engineering can be a highly useful and rewarding career, as you can help athletes improve their performance, decrease their injuries and even make amputees run! It goes without saying that a love for sport is a must, as your whole career will be centered on it. Sports engineering can even be studied online and numerous career opportunities are available, most focusing on development, innovation, and research. Enroll in a sports engineering program today, and see science in action.

Ang Lloyd writes on behalf of Now Learning, an online education portal that promotes an assortment of study opportunities Down Under, including small business management and engineering courses in Australia.

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The Sports Archives – Is Kurt Angle’s Olympic Desire Genuine or a Publicity Stunt?

Posted on June 2, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Kurt Angle won Olympic gold in 1996. Since winning that medal, he has stated that he wanted to go back to amateur competition or to compete in Mixed Martial Arts. For one reason or another, it never happens.

Kurt Angle

Angle claimed that he would try out for the 2004 Olympic Games, but he never did. Now (yet again) he’s talking about trying out for the 2012 Olympics. At 43 years old, and after sustaining a litany of debilitating injuries, including spinal trauma, the overwhelming perspective is that Angle is just posturing for publicity’s sake. In a recent poll for PWI, a vocal 15 percent believe that Angle genuinely wants to return to Olympic competition, even if he’s a long shot to make the team. Many believe that Angle has fought against the odds his entire career. After all, if George Foreman could return to boxing at 45 years old, who’s to say that Angle can’t make another Olympic run?

On the flip side of the coin, Angle has also been known to desperately seek media attention. Since arriving on the scene at TNA Wrestling, Angle has had numerous run-ins with the law including several DUI/DWI arrests as well as some responses for domestic disturbances with an ex-girlfriend. There have also been several public outbursts via his social media Twitter account, which he later claimed was hacked.

Could it be that Angle’s desire to return to a legitimate competitive stage is yet another attempt to get into the good graces of the media and his fans? Has TNA Wrestling’s lack of growth caused concern for the aging performer whose body is about to tap out after years of enduring career threatening injuries?

Fans hope that this isn’t a desperate ploy to grab publicity for his name – but what else is left for him to do in the twilight of his career to maintain relevant? The last thing fans want is for Angle to wear out his welcome and embarrass himself much like Ric Flair has been doing for the last 10 years. Angle is arguably the best pound for pound wrestler in the world, and for him to diminish his legacy for the sake of marking out for himself would be a shame and a painful reminder that there is no old timers day in a sport that chews up its athletes or pushes them to a breaking point.

The more he pushes himself, the more fans will beg him to walk away gracefully. Unfortunately, in this business it is one of the most difficult things to do.

The Wrestling Jackal has been covering the pro wrestling business for over two decades. He occasionally contributes to Online Wrestling Videos.

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The Sports Archives – Is Pro Wrestling Better or Worse Than It Was Five years Ago?

Posted on June 1, 2012 by thesportsarchives

I’m an old school purist. Well, not that old school, but I do prefer the pro wrestling product of the 80’s when the business protected the magic that made it so engaging. The first Wrestlemania took place in 1985, yet that was 29 years ago and kayfabe has been dead for well over a decade and a half. So in this new era of “sports entertainment”, an elder statesman such as myself is curious to know whether or not the business has gained in popularity or regressed in interest ever since the curtain was pulled and the almighty Oz was exposed.

Mania 29In 2007, John Cena dominated the WWE, Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle were tearing down houses for TNA and Pro Wrestling Illustrated readers named Hornswoggle the Rookie of The Year. It was definitely a mixed bag as far as the overall quality of wrestling went.

Yet there still more big names on the wrestling scene five years ago. Shawn Michaels, Batista, and Edge were still active. Now HBK and the Rated R Superstar have called it a career, while Batista walked away from the business in disgust to pursue Hollywood and MMA.

TNA on the other hand has been suffering since the addition of legendary icon Hulk Hogan to the roster. While the company continues to employ some of the brightest stars on the indy circuit, they have been over shadowed by former WWE castaways and returning old timers who have blocked the spotlight of success on their nationally televised program. During TNA’s inception, the foundation of the company was built with a focus on the stars of tomorrow, yet in 2012 they have been hindered by the stars of yesterday…and yesterday was at least 10 years ago as it follows the fatal footsteps of the plagued WCW.

However, 2007 was also the year that the wrestling world was rocked with by the Chris Benoit murder/suicide that put the industry on a high-profile watch and forced it to endure media scrutiny eventually leading to a lesser PG rated product.

Now in 2012, both the WWE and TNA have been able to finally develop some new stars which many believe have created a sense of excitement for both companies. The Rock and CM Punk have generated considerable buzz, and created potential dream match scenarios that didn’t exist five years ago. In a recent PWI poll, 65% of wrestling fans who were asked this very question voted that the overall product and industry is better than it was in 2007. I still have trouble swallowing that pill, yet I haven’t cast my official vote. What is yours?

The Wrestling Jackal has been writing about and covering the pro wrestling industry for over two decades, and has a small hobby site where he shares classic wrestling videos that takes him back to a time when the industry was at its finest. Feel free to give it a visit and relive some of your favorite pro wrestling memories.

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