The Sports Archives – Baseball Team Roles

Posted on June 1, 2016 by aemery97
baseball-positions

A graphic chart depicting the standard defensive placements in baseball.

1 batter. 9 defenders. This has been, is, and will likely continue to be the standard in baseball. Like many sports, baseball is a game where possession of the ball is critical, and on a field so large, maximum coverage and careful coordination is instrumental to the success of the defending team. What are the specific team positions in baseball, what recognition do they hold, and how do they play into the bigger picture of the game? Here is a raw breakdown of each position that exists on a modern, standard baseball team.

The Pitcher & Catcher

            The pitcher and catcher are the backbone of the defending team in baseball and, together, they make up the “battery.” Play is initiated by the pitcher, who throws the baseball to the catcher from the mound. The catcher’s job is to receive the pitch, which may be a ball or a strike, but other aspects of the player role include the defense of home plate (from runners in scoring position) and, traditionally, team captain. In a laid-back, surgical game, the pitcher and catcher will do the most work out of anyone on the defensive team. The catcher’s job throughout a game is, in many ways, the most demanding, as he is involved as heavily in progressing play as the pitcher during defense, but is also required to bat in offense, as well.

The Basemen

            Every baseball team features 3 basemen – one for each exterior point in the infield diamond. These are the primary infield defenders, tasked with retrieving the ball from the inner range of the field itself, receiving the ball from an outfielder, or getting an opponent player out at the base. While the idle position of the respective basemen is referenced by their position, they will often find themselves tasked with covering other bases and angles when the ball is in play. Interestingly enough, the 2nd baseman’s idle position actually mirrors that of the shortstop instead of being confined specifically to the North base. This is to ensure more balanced coverage in the effect of a decent bat.

The Shortstop

Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees, fielding, 8/9/10

Derek Jeter, renowned in Major-League Baseball for his career as Shortstop for the New York Yankees.

            A rather unique position on the baseball team’s defense, shortstop is among the most physically demanding placements in the infield. Specifically designed to pad coverage in the infield, the shortstop must be a spry, defensive champion. Statistically speaking, more hits are within the shortstop’s coverage and, as a result, the position attracts much more action. The position began as a “medium” between the outfielders and basemen to help ball transfer, but was moved to the infield when design improvements made baseballs more aerodynamic.

The Outfielders

            The 3 outfielders (covering Left, Middle, and Right, respectively) have to provide the most hit coverage of any player on the team, as the outfield is much more expansive than the infield. Most base hits will occur in the outfield because 3 fielders can only cover so much space and account for a finite array of angles. However, a “pop fly” (colloquially, an ‘easy out’) is not uncommon in baseball, nor is an out-of-the-park homerun.

The “D.H.”

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Though chiefly the designated hitter for the Red Sox, Ortiz has also been known to play first baseman.

            The D.H., or designated hitter, is not actually fielded by the defense during play. As the name implies, the D.H. has the responsibility of spearheading the baseball team’s offense. In American League baseball, the pitcher is generally not required to bat, allowing the designated hitter to take the spot in the offensive batting line-up. Perhaps the most renowned modern D.H. in baseball is David “Big Papi” Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox.

 

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The Sports Archives – The Headgear of Sports

Posted on May 28, 2016 by aemery97
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The batting helmet of Derek Jeter, former Shortstop of the New York Yankees.

What is the most important part of athletes’ bodies? Is it their arms? Their legs? Does it vary depending on the focus and parameter of the respective sport? No! The most important part of any athlete (and any person, for that matter) is the head! Contained within every person’s head is a massive network of nerves known collectively as the brain, an organ without which existence would be impossible! It is the brain that empowers people to think, move, live and, naturally, play sports! But with only about a quarter-inch thick skull standing between the preciously fragile brain and the outside world, and given how intense and dangerous some sports can be, sometimes more protection around the cranium is a necessary safety measure! Here are some of the various types of headgear protection that can be found in today’s popular sports, and how they provide an extra line of defense for their respective activity’s happenings.

Baseball: The Batter’s Plastic Hat and the Catcher’s Mask

            While generally among the less recognized “rough” sports of the modern world, baseball is not exactly a calm walk in the park! Every pitch has a ball comprised mainly of rubber, cork, and or cowhide – all materials not so gentle, particularly when launched from the pitcher’s mound at 80-100 miles per hour! The two players that come closest to this in a baseball game are the batter from the opposing team and the defending team’s catcher, and without the proper headgear, a missed catch or wild pitch could potentially do more than simply ruin a person’s day.

uahg2-ys Designs for protective batting headgear began early in the 20th Century. Though early renditions were crudely made of softer, less durable materials (and did little to dependably protect a player’s whole head) the plastic batting helmet evolved some time later and is still in mainstream use (some modifications and improvements are periodically made over time). As can clearly be seen by its design, the modern batting helmet functions as a shield for batter against wild or erratic pitches. Full body armor for batters is absent in mainstream baseball play, but this helmet has, at least, worked as a more fortuitous defense against head injuries in baseball.

Though somewhat different in appearance and overall structure, the role of the catcher’s mask in baseball is comparable to that of the batter’s helmet. By design, the catcher’s mask provides much more frontal protection than the batter’s helmet, usually featuring a wireframe faceguard and reinforced coverage over the ears and forehead. The catcher’s helmet even covers a significant portion of a player’s throat, something the traditional batting helmet lacks. Given the catcher’s duty to stand directly in the path of incoming pitches throughout the game, sufficient protection is predictable and necessary.

            American Football: Heavy-duty Head Protection

            iCM3HnZsj0O0American football is one of the most popular contact sports in the United States today, and with so much coarse contact between players, protection of sensitive regions is more critical than ever. The headgear employed in the National Football League features a thick shell of protection around every player’s entire head, excluding the front (which is covered by a facemask of metal bars). Football helmets must light enough that they do not bog players down too severely, but also made of a durable, protective material to be effective. The inside of typical football helmets is lined with thick padding, which absorbs kinetic pressure and impact forces, and provides the player with comfort around the skull.

            Racing: Auto-racing Helmets vs. Cycling Helmets

H71kr1GfrR1L._SL1200_elmets in sports that involve racing and vehicles can be among the most instrumental in protecting competitors. In automotive racing, drivers wear helmets for additional insurance. Vehicle collisions are not uncommon and augmented hazardously by the customary breakneck speeds at which most auto races take place. In the modern world, everything that goes into a motor racing helmet is designed for the nastiest imaginable event on the roadway. They often share similar designs with motorcycle helmets, including padded interior and eye-coverage. Other design choices are unique, like fire protection.

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With full head coverage and a protective visor screen, auto racing helmets are clearly built to provide more protection than cycling helmets.

Cycling helmets afford significantly less protection than their counterparts, but most athletes, no matter how conditioned, will not be pedaling a bicycle at 100+ miles per hour! Cycling helmets are compact, light, and specifically designed not to impair cyclists’ vision. As a result, most of the protection provided encompasses the top and upper-sides of the head. While, at a glance, not the choicest protection in an accident, bicycle helmets certainly absorb some of the damage that could be caused by a crash and this protection is always better than none at all!

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The Sports Archives – A Brief History of the Baltimore Orioles

Posted on May 25, 2016 by aemery97
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Right, a common emblem of the Baltimore Orioles. Left, the real bird from which the team’s colors and mascot came.

Orange and black has taken to the field! No, it is not the sporty mascot of Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Tony the Tiger. It is none other than Baltimore’s resident Major-League Baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles! Yet, despite its name and reputation in today’s sports, this American-league team was not actually founded in Baltimore, nor was it nationally represented via one of Maryland’s most renowned birds. Indeed, to uncover the full history of the Baltimore O’s, one has to delve slightly deeper into the history of America’s official pastime…

Before the O and B

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Before becoming the Orioles, they were known as the St. Louis Browns. Before that, the Milwaukee Brewers. This baseball team certainly has born many names in its history!

The modern Baltimore Orioles baseball team actually started in the minor Western leagues in 1894 as the “Milwaukee Brewers” (not to be confused with the modern-day baseball team of identical name). At the turn of the 20th Century, the Western League reinvented itself under the title of “American League” and became a competing league in U.S. baseball. The Brewers managed to hold on where many of its sibling teams from the old Western League could not. The “baseball civil war” between the American and other baseball leagues continued, and a short while later, the team was moved to St. Louis.

In its new Missouri hometown, the Brewers team adopted a new title and color scheme, the “St. Louis Browns.” The Browns performed quite well in the American League for decades to come, challenging many rival teams and even pressuring the New York Yankees over a pennant in 1922. During wartime in the 40s, baseball at home persisted, bearing the weight of responsibility to keep spirits up in the U.S. The Browns certainly contributed to preserving American culture on the world stage in the mid-20th Century, but in 1953, and after deliberation, the Browns were moved from St. Louis into their current home in Baltimore, Maryland. The Orioles debuted a year later, sporting orange and black on the field of play and a brand new attitude in modern baseball.

2016 – A Year to Remember?

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Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles since 1954!

Since 1954, the Baltimore Orioles have truly made a name for themselves in Major-League Baseball, achieving 3 World Championships, 6 Pennants, and 12 Playoff Appearances exclusively under the banner of the black-and-orange bird. With the team’s victories as the St. Louis Browns factored in, these numbers bolster to 7 Pennants and 13 Playoffs, respectively!

2016 in particular is shaping up to be an extraordinary baseball season for the Baltimore ‘O’s’. With a 26-16 Win/Loss ratio, the team is presently featured in 1st place for the American League East DSt. Lousiivision and also boasts most home runs in all of the American League. With 191 accumulated runs and a win rating of about 62%, the Orioles certainly have a shot at the World Series this year, at least for now. The Orioles have not played in the World Series since 1983, when they took home victory against the Philadelphia Phillies. In its history as the Baltimore Orioles, the team has claimed 3 World Series wins and numerous other matchups in the American League Championships and Division Series.

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The Sports Archives – Make Sure You’re Reaching Your Maximum Potential As An Athlete

Posted on May 20, 2016 by thesportsarchives

Athlete hurdling

Image Source

When we’re out on the field or in the arena, we all want to be performing at our best. We want to have the jump that will sink the winning shot from the halfway line. We want to be able to go all the way. We want the precision and accuracy for a birdy. We want to be the best we can be. That’s all about making sure that we reach our maximum potential. Believe it or not, this is both a physical and mental exercise. Here are some of the steps you can take to make sure that you’re pushing yourself to the max.

Break Through The Runner’s Wall

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Credit Picture

Runner’s wall is something that all athletes will face at some point in their life. It’s not exclusive to marathon runners. When you’re running a marathon, eventually you will reach a point where you think you can not continue. You might stop dead in your tracks or slow to a walk. It doesn’t matter how far you have run or jogged so far; there will be a point where you think you can’t continue. But that word, think, is important. You might think it, but that doesn’t make it so. In fact runners wall is a psychological boundary that you’ll have to push through. You’ll need to convince yourself that you can go on because your body is ready. Your mind just needs to be freed. These types of psychological boundaries could be holding you back more than physical limits. A site like www.sportsandthemind.com/four-key-steps-reach-goals/ has got some great ways to beat them.

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Link URL

Supp It Up

There are plenty of sups on the market. Some enhance performance and others just make it easier to get your body in the optimum shape. Please be careful that you are using supplements and not slipping into using performance drugs. There’s a huge difference here. There are many athletes who have used drugs as we’ve already posted on www.thesportsarchivesblog.com/2016/03/26/the-sports-archives-when-sports-stars-use-drugs/. But it almost never ends well. In fact, using performance drugs could ultimately make your body weaker and less able to perform. Instead, buy all natural supplements and take them sparingly. If you use them right, supplements will take your training to the next level.

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Link To Pic

Control Your Diet

Of course, it’s not just about the supplements you use. You need to think about your diet too. You need to understand what your body needs and what it doesn’t to stay at the best level of fitness. This might mean cutting out some of the foods that you love. But it will be worth it if you can finally slam dunk from the three-point mark like Michael. If you want that kind of power, you need to control what you’re putting into your body. A lot of athletes believe the body should be treated like a temple. There’s more information about that on www.lds.org/youth/learn/yw/plan-of-salvation/sacred?lang=eng. Look after it and you will be rewarded.

 

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The Sports Archives – A Star-Spangled Tradition

Posted on May 3, 2016 by aemery97

Few musical compositions capture the spirit and pride of the United States of America as neatly as the country’s national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Performed and listened to by millions of people in countless occasions and circumstances, “The Star-Spangled Banner” is both a resonant symbol of U.S. history, as well as an original work of musical art. Most appropriately, it is a heavily featured pre-game demonstration for a wide variety of sporting events in the United States. Although the song has existed for hundreds of years, its status as the official anthem of the U.S.A. is only about 85 years old. To make things even more interesting, the original title of the song was not even “The Star-Spangled Banner”! Though it may come as a surprise to some people, the song has an origin story as intriguing as itself.

Origin and History

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Patriotic song is among the finest ways of expressing passion and respect for one’s country!

The Star-Spangled Banner began simply; its lyrics are the words of a poem written in the early 19th Century by a man named Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer who also carried an affinity for poetry. From 1812-1815, the fledgling United States of America and Great Britain were locked in a heated conflict widely known as the War of 1812. In September of 1814, while the war was still being waged, Key and John Stuart Skinner were dispatched to negotiate a prisoner exchange. However, despite their mission’s success, both men were held captive aboard a British vessel for the duration of a siege against For McHenry. Key’s observance of the rambunctious siege, along with fortitude of the Americans’ defense through the night, inspired him to write a poem he would later title the “Defence of Fort M’Henry.” Little did Key know then that he had just written the lyrics to what would become one of the most renowned sport pre-game anthems of the modern age!

What is now known as “The Star-Spangled Banner” came later on in history. Francis Scott Key’s lyrics were eventually set to song, giving rise to a song which would demonstrate great patriotism and American spirit in the coming centuries. The tradition of performing The Star-Spangled Banner at concerts, national ceremonies, and especially American sporting events rapidly emerged through a combination of local pastimes and the celebratory advent of the country’s Independence Day.

            Trivia

Despite its popularity and recognition around the United States, particularly in sports, there are numerous bits and pieces of intriguing trivia that go largely unmentioned about America’s national anthem. Here are a few of the juiciest facts:

  • America’s national anthem is technically only half-American. You readStar-  correctly! The lyrics to the song were taken out of an American poem entitled “Defence of Fort M’Henry.” However, the tune to the song was worked into the composition later, and was actually taken from “To Anacreon in Heaven”, a song British in origin.

 

  • For a national anthem, it is quite difficult for amateur vocalists to sing. The
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    Whitney Houston’s 1991 Super Bowl performance of the national anthem is widely regarded as the best recorded performance of all time. Some other contenders include Carrie Underwood in 2006 and 10-year old Athena Creese in 2009!

    Star-Spangled Banner makes a thrilling impression on the ears, but not everyone can sing it with as much grace and flair as Whitney Houston. Because of this, it is not uncommon for “America the Beautiful” to be sung as a substitute.

 

  • The full song is actually much longer than it usually appears. It would seem that, in over 99% of the instances in which the Star-Spangled Banner is performed, only the first verse is sung. In actuality, the song consists of 3 additional verses (4, including a verse written by Oliver Wendell Holmes during the Civil War) which are left out of concert and pre-game performances.

 

  • The song has had 3 defining moments in history as the national anthem of the United States. The first, in 1889, was when the Secretary of the Navy at the time, Benjamin Tracy, issued a general order making it the “official song to be played at the raising of the flag.” The second, in 1916, was when President Woodrow Wilson expanded the occasions at which the song would be played. The third and final defining moment was when it was officially made the national anthem itself by President Herbert Hoover in 1931.
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The Sports Archives – Could this be Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals Year?

Posted on April 28, 2016 by thesportsarchives

The 2015-16 Washington Capitals have won the NHL President’s Trophy but still have a tough path to the treasured Stanley Cup.  They have never won the ultimate prize, but if Alexander Ovechkin has his way, there may be a celebration in Washington DC that will rival that of the Independence Day fireworks display.

The Caps will have to oust Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins first if they are to move on in their quest.  Let’s not forget the rivalry between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin over the years as they were both welcomed into the league as 1st round draft picks, Ovechkin in 2004 and Crosby in 2005, both captains of the same team that acquired them and both winning a myriad of awards throughout their careers.

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However, there is one difference and not so subtle: “Sid the Kid” Crosby has helped to bring a Stanley Cup to Pittsburgh in 2008-09 after more than a decade since the two back-to-back ones that Mario Lemieux helped to achieve in the 1990s.  The Washington Capitals have never won the Stanley Cup.  In fact, Washington has had only one appearance in the Stanley Cup finals, not winning a single game after having being swept by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1997-98 season.  Pittsburgh has been around for only seven more years than the Capitals, and have a 3-0 advantage in the number of Stanley Cups won.  Who can forget the New York Islanders who joined the league just two years prior to Washington and have won the Cup four times, amazingly just seven years after induction?

But this Washington Capitals team has a leader in Ovechkin.  Last year he promised the fans a victory in game 7 of the Conference Semifinals after the New York Rangers had come back from a 3-1 deficit.  The Ranger’s Derek Stepan broke that promise when he scored the game 7 winner in overtime.  Now is the time for Alex Ovechkin to redeem himself, make good on that promise and bring the Stanley Cup home to Washington.  But, Sid the Kid has other ideas!  Having the title at the moment of youngest captain to ever win the Stanley Cup, Crosby hopes to bring some his doggedness experience that is required to endure through the NHL’s second and toughest season, the playoffs!

History has shown that winning the President’s Trophy certainly has no influence on whether your team will win Stanley Cup nor is it an automatic invitation into the Stanley Cup finals.  Here is a list of former President’s Trophy winners that have went on to win the Stanley Cup in the same year, and as you can see, there were only 8 times, two by Detroit.

1. Edmonton Oilers (1986-87)

Wayne Gretzky, need I say more?

2. Calgary Flames (1988-89)

Calgary did it, maybe they knew that it was now or never!

3. New York Rangers (1993-94)

See comment under number 2 above.

4. Dallas Stars (1998-99)

Brett Hull leads the list of stars for Dallas.

5. Colorado Avalanche (2000-01)

Not just a football town!

6. Detroit Red Wings (2001-02)

Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille prove that you are never too old.

7. Detroit Red Wings (2007-08)

Henrik Zetterberg leads Detroit to its fourth cup in 11 years.

8. Chicago Blackhawks (2012-13)

The second of three since 2009-10.

 

 

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The Sports Archives – Horse Racing You Can Bet On

Posted on April 9, 2016 by thesportsarchives

Del Mar Horse Racing

The sport of Horse Racing goes back many centuries.  Soon after man learned to domesticate the horse, it was realized that horses can be used as vehicles for racing competitions.  Shortly thereafter, man would put up whatever was considered valuable at the time, as a means of compensation for choosing the losing horse.

Throughout the centuries, people have attended some form of competition that involved horses, from chariot racing to jumping tournaments; equestrian performance sports was becoming a huge market.   The worth of horse racing across the globe has grown to be estimated at over $110 billion dollars.  It is the gambling nature of horse racing that has spawned different types of racing and different methods of wagering.

There are four popular types of racing:

Maiden Races

This race is the entry point for horses that want to make the big-times.  The maiden race is for horses who have not won a race, hence the term “maiden”.  It is usually, but not necessarily the race where a horse takes home its first purse.   If a horse does not win a maiden race, the horse will most likely head for retirement.  One of the most famous maiden horses in history was Zippy Chippy which earned over $30,000 in prizes, but never won a race in 100 starts.

Claiming Races

Claiming races are not for the easy-to-be-queasy types.  Programs list the sale prices of participating horses and claims to buy are made before post time.  In other words, you commit to buy BEFORE the race and you own the horse after the race, win or lose.  One of the most successful claimed horse was Furthest Land which was claimed by Ken Ramsey for $35,000 in October of 2008.   Furthest Land went on to win 7 of 11 races and became the second horse to win a World Championship after just having been claimed.

Allowance Races

Allowance races are for those horses with similar characteristics based on objective conditions.  Some of these conditions usually include the weight of the horse, gender, age and resulted running time over a given distance.  The jockey’s experience may also be a factor.  Horses that fall short of some of these conditions are allowed to carry less weight. These horses are not for sale as in the claims races.  Thoroughbred racehorse champion, Zenyatta, won a 1-1/16 mile allowance race by 3 and 1/2 lengths at Hollywood Park on December 15, 2007.

Stakes Races

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American Pharoah after winning the 2015 Preakness Stakes

Stakes races are for the top competitors in the horse racing industry.  High purses and instant fame are usually associated with the winners of stakes races.  The term “handicap” is often referenced with stakes races and is used to define weight allowances as determined by the track’s racing secretary whose goal is to even the odds in an attempt to make for tighter competition which usually leads to higher revenue for all involved.  Some of the most famous stakes horses are horses that have won the Triple Crown which consists of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.  Among the list of these famous horses are the most recent, American Pharoah in 2015, Affirmed in 1978, Seattle Slew in 1977 and of course, Secretariat in 1973.

For more knowledge and information about horse racing, please visit www.williamhill.us, a leading source for horse racing and wagering.

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The Sports Archives – The 10 Best Indoor Sports

Posted on April 2, 2016 by thesportsarchives

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Many of the best sports on the planet take place outdoors. We gather in huge stadiums to cheer on our favourite teams in football, baseball or athletics. But, what about the indoor games? What are the very best sports that take place in a warm, dry arena instead? Let’s take a look.

  1. Bowling – 10-pin bowling is more than just a fun game to play with your friends. It’s a fiercely competitive and expert game in the professional leagues. Players compete for trophies with bitter rivalries. If you think it’s all just luck, think again. Bowling requires a sharp eye and a perfect arm.
  1. Pool or snooker – Next up, it’s the classic pub game. That’s right, snooker or pool is usually played after two or three pints in your local bar. However, the professionals take it much more seriously. Expect fine suits and a cool head if you go to watch the experts play.
  1. Squash – Squash is often considered the fastest sport on the planet. The speed of the ball reaches much higher than tennis or badminton. In just a small cube, players must outsmart each other with precision shots and pure fitness.
  1. Chess – While it’s not technically a sport, it’s still one of the most competitive games in history. It’s also one of the oldest on this list. This game of strategy and logic is centuries old, with chest grandmasters stretching back through the decades.

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  1. Table tennis – This is another high-speed racket sport. Only, this time, the rackets are small paddles. It’s great for a friendly game against your friend. Or if you can even play solo against table tennis robots.
  1. Boxing – Perhaps the most brutal and fierce sport on the planet, boxing is not for the feint-hearted. Have you got what it takes to get in the ring?
  1. Badminton – Our third and final racket sport on this list, badminton is lightning fast. It certainly keeps you on your toes, and requires expert hand-high coordination. Grab your shuttlecock, and try it for yourself.
  1. Swimming – Swimming is one of the best all-round sports out there. It requires expert fitness and endurance as well as powerful core body strength. A few laps of the pool once a week should keep you fighting fit. Although, it’s best to leave the butterfly to the experts.
  1. Volleyball – While beach volleyball is arguably more fun, we don’t all have the coast on our doorstep. Instead, take your volleyball game indoors, and get two teams together. Trust us, this one gets highly competitive.
  1. Basketball – Basketball is one of America’s favourite past times. Alongside football and baseball it forms the trifecta of American sports. In fact, being a pro basketball player would definitely be one of the coolest jobs in the world. It’s also the easiest to get into. All you need is a basketball and a hoop. Head to the indoor gym with some friends and set up an impromptu game. Or, watch an NBA game if you want to see how it’s done properly.

Phew, that’s all of them! Have we missed out any awesome indoor sports?

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The Sports Archives – Croquet: Not Just Golf with Hammers

Posted on March 31, 2016 by aemery97

Baseball, cricket, hockey…there are certainly quite a few sports that involve striking a ball or other small object with an elongated stick/club. Perhaps one of the more unique examples of these is croquet! Croquet (properly pronounced “kroh-kay”, although syllable emphasis varies) is a sporting activity that can differ in rules and game function. However, the aspect of this sport which remains a staple across all variations is also the primary game mechanic – every player must methodically move a ball across a field of sorts utilizing a specially-shaped mallet.

Mechanics and Gameplay

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While it might be more equipment-intensive as a recreational sport, croquet is a flexible lawn sport that can be played in a more natural environment.

As previously stated, croquet can be played in a variety of ways. Perhaps the most recognized form of croquet is Association Croquet or “International Rules.” The game features 4 balls paired into 2 teams. To win the game, one team must pass its pair of balls through every hoop. There are a total of 6 hoops in this version of the game – 3 on either edge of the court. Association Croquet is made noteworthy by the employment of the “croquet shot” – a special kind of mallet stroke that can potentially prolong one team’s turn. If, on their stroke, a player manages to hit the team’s other ball with the ball that is struck, it is called a “roquet” and the player may continue the turn. A continuation stroke can be earned during a turn if a player manages to pass one of the team’s ball through a hoop. This prolongs the current team’s turn and can be of great advantage if used strategically. Another type of stroke that can be accumulated during a player’s turn is the “croquet stroke.” This is earned by striking the player’s ball against another ball during a swing. The player’s subsequent shot must involve aligning and striking the balls together in a single swing. Ultimately, the strategy of Association is to accumulate swings during one’s turn to maximize progress and minimize the opposing team’s advancement.

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Though it shares some notable similarities to golf, croquet is a unique, enjoyable sport.

Another of the more common forms of croquet is Golf Croquet. Unlike Association, this game mode involves players “winning” hoops by passing their ball through them in a set layout. Additional swings cannot be earned by any player, so every shot’s effectiveness must be maximized with strategy. The game is won by the player who accumulates the most hoops. Because of its simple rules and competitive nature, Golf Croquet is rapidly becoming popular.

            History

 

The modern sport of croquet can be dated back to the mid-19th century and is believed traceable to Ireland. However, it quickly spread across multiple English-speaking countries. There is a roaming theory that croquet was brought to Britain by France and known at the time by the name of “pall-mall.” This intriguing sport bears a striking semblance to croquet and is definitively considered to be an ancestor of the game. One thing about croquet that is absolutely certain is that its popularity surged across England, quickly becoming a renowned, enjoyable lawn game.

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“Heathers”, a 1988 teen comedy film, contributed to croquet’s popularity via arts and literary culture.

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The Sports Archives – Athlete’s Foot: Stigma of the Toes!

Posted on March 29, 2016 by aemery97

Have you recently noticed an itchy or burning rash developing on the bottom of your foot or around your toes? Watch out: you may have contracted a skin infection commonly known as athlete’s foot! Though generally mild in severity, athlete’s foot is incredibly common, particularly as a condition related to sporting activities, and has the potential to worsen or create complications if not addressed. How did this disease get its name? Why is it such a common ailment? How is it contracted, diagnosed, and treated?

            What exactly is Athlete’s Foot?

San Francisco Podiatrist picture of athlete's foot in a Bay Area triathlete.Known throughout the medical community by the name tinea pedis, athlete’s foot is a pathological infection caused by the accumulation of fungi. It is known by its street name due to its prevalence among athletes; fungi that can cause this disease survive and thrive in warm, damp environments, such as communal showers, locker rooms, swimming pools, and other similar locations. Areas that are prone to such environmental conditions and frequently experience heavy foot traffic can become breeding grounds for the pathogen which, once established, can be difficult to resolve. People who periodically walk barefoot along wet, populated floors, do not keep the skin of their feet dry and healthy, and who share socks and towels with infected persons are at high risk of contracting this common affliction.

Identification and Treatment

Athlete’s foot can be identified on the feet as a scaly, rash-like irritation. Some of the side-effects of this affliction are cracked skin, swelling, roughness and blistering. It may be difficult to differentiate between athlete’s foot and another type of dermatitis (milder, more common skin irritation). However, if the condition persists and/or worsens in a few days, a visit to the dermatologist is likely the best course of action.

conditions_17Depending on the severity or likelihood of athlete’s foot being the cause of the skin irritation, a professional diagnosis could be skipped. Treatments for athlete’s foot are generally accessible either over the counter from a local pharmacy or by doctor’s prescription. These treatments typically consist of antifungal topical creams or oral tablets. Though minor cases of athlete’s foot tend to resolve without external treatment, moderate-to-severe developments may require medical attention. Complications can lead to more serious developments in the disease, so it should not be ignored.

            Future Prevention

 

 

Illustration of how you get athlete's foot and tinea pedis and tips to prevent athlete's foot

Just as with musicians’ instruments, the human body is an important component of athletics. Take care of your body!

The best way to prevent athlete’s foot from resurfacing is by keeping vulnerable body locations free of dampness. Appropriate exercise footwear is generally enough to prevent athlete’s foot from becoming a serious recurrence. Not everyone is equally vulnerable to contracting this disease, but it has the potential to throw a wrench into any athlete’s exercise regiment!

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