The Sports Archives – Adam Dunn: Back in Action?

Posted on July 27, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Adam DunnWhen you pick Adam Dunn for your fantasy baseball team, you have to be aware that he is not your typical ballplayer. You will never get a high batting average from him – his career average is .243, and the most he has ever batted in a year is .267. He strikes out more than anybody in the league – he has led the league in strikeouts three years, and is currently leading the American League in strikeouts in 2012. He doesn’t steal bases.

Why Dunn wasn’t picked up much in early 2012 by fantasy baseball players

So what does Dunn have to offer? He hits a lot of home runs, gets a bunch of RBIs, and walks a ton. Most years, that is. Dunn did have a very disappointing 2011, when Dunn batted just .159 and hit only 11 home runs, and drove in only 42 runs in 122 games. That’s not what you would expect of a player who was in the first year of a four-season, $56 million deal with the Chicago White Sox.

This meant that not as many fantasy baseball team owners picked up Dunn this year. In 2012, Dunn did not even make the top 200 players picked in most MLB fantasy drafts, and he barely cracked the top 250.

How Dunn is doing in 2012

Fortunately for fantasy baseball team owners who did take a chance on him, Adam Dunn’s 2012 is much better than his 2011. Whether it is partly due to a better comfort level with new manager Robin Ventura rather than Ozzie Guillen, who managed the White Sox last year, Dunn’s power numbers in the first half of the season are very good – he had 28 homers and 65 RBIs at press time. He also leads the American League in walks, home runs, and strikeouts (of course, the third category isn’t anything to get excited over!) In addition, he represented the White Sox in the All-Star Game.

What should you do in your league

Chances are that Dunn, who was so unpopular in this season’s fantasy drafts, may have already been picked up in your league during the season, as Dunn started hitting home runs again. However, if there is a chance that Dunn is still available in your fantasy baseball league, snatch him up. Not only will he get you good power numbers, but he is qualified in most fantasy leagues as DH, first base, and left field, giving you some versatility.  It turns out that Dunn’s career isn’t really done, after all, even though 2011 looked so abysmal for the 32-year-old.

Lisa Swan is a blog writer for sports sites like DraftStreet.com.

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The Sports Archives – Speedway Racing – What’s It All About?

Posted on July 26, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Speedway motorbikes are unlike your conventional road bikes; for starters, they don’t have brakes! They have one gear and a 500 cc engine that runs on methanol fuel. They can accelerate at excessive speeds of up to 60 mph, which is faster than an F1 car!
The racing circuit is oval and is usually 300 metres in total. The bikes race in an counterclockwise direction and to get safely around the bends, riders have to skid.

Motorcycle Speedway StartRaces, or meetings as they are known, are usually held every other week at most tracks around the country and have 15 heats. You will find two teams racing against each other and each team consists of seven riders. Only two riders from each team will race at the same time and each win earns the team three points, second place brings two points and third one point – the loser gets no points! The more points a team has, the closer they get to moving up the league, just like in football.

Speedway Leagues

The UK has three leagues: Elite League, Premier League and the National League (for the younger riders).

The following is how the league points scoring system works:

  • Home loss –  nil points
  • Home draw – one point
  • Home win between one and six points – two points
  • Home win by seven or more points – three points
  • Away loss by seven or more points – nil points
  • Away loss by six or less points  – one point
  • Away draw – two points
  • Away win between one and six points – three points
  • Away win by seven or more points – four points

What makes a team?

Each team is made up of seven riders, each having a number. Team members one, two, three, four and five can ride in any order, as decided by the team manager. Team members six and seven are the reserves.  The reserves must be the two riders with the lowest average scores in the team.

Each team will have its own colours, but the home team will always have blue and red helmets and the away team black and yellow or yellow and white helmets. The riders will wear Kevlar racing suits to protect them against any falls. The suits are usually custom-made and incorporate sponsor logos. Riders also have special boots designed for racing. The boots have a special steel toe that the rider puts onto the track when cornering. In addition to the helmet, the riders also wear goggles to protect their faces and eyes.

Andrew Stevens takes a look at the popular sport of speedway Racing, writing here for Club Promoto.

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The Sports Archives – Treat Your Injury Like an Olympian!

Posted on July 25, 2012 by thesportsarchives

With the 2012 Summer Olympics taking place in London, millions around the world will have their eyes glued to their favorite athletes representing their country. Gold medals and praise aren’t the only things these athletes take home with them, though. Some bring home a handful of injuries from training and   performing the sport they love. The phrase “no pain, no gain” may come to mind, but another thought that may arise is how do some of these athletes recover and get back on track. Let us take a look now and see how some Olympians have overcome and bounced back into the arena.

Kerri Strug: Gold Medalist at Atlanta in 1996

With taking home the bronze in Barcelona in 1992 and the gold in Atlanta in 1996, without a doubt Kerri Strug stands as one of the most admired gymnasts in American history. The world cringed though when Kerri took to the vault and fell, resulting in a sprained ankle and ligament damage. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect bones to each other, and when torn or damaged, can result in serious pain and weakness. This, however, did not stop her from bouncing back on the vault for a second time to make a perfect landing, giving her team Olympic gold. Kerri received immediate treatment on her ankle injury, which led her to a fast recovery. Many whom experience ankle injuries ignore the problem at first, which could be the worst decision because if not treated immediately, it may cause permanent dysfunction later down the road. Today Kerri runs marathons, supports charities, and supports athletes at the Olympic Games.

Usain Bolt: Gold Medalist at Beijing 2008

Representing the island nation of Jamaica comes one of the fastest runners who walked, or shall we say “ran,” the earth, Usain Bolt. Not only did Usain race his way to three gold medals in Beijing in 2008, he has also holds many world records that will be hard to beat. While gearing up for the London games, Usain suffered lower back pain and tightness in the hamstring area. Even though he has qualified to run in the Olympic Games, this caused him to place second in the qualifying races against his running partner, Yohan Blake. Not only did Usain seek immediate treatment from back pain doctors and a specialist in Germany named Doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, who treats sports injuries, he will also undertake cryotherapy treatment. This process involves stepping into an ice chamber that uses liquid nitrogen to chill his body. Through this treatment, he will experience rapid muscle recovery, and the treatment also releases endorphins, helping ease the pain. His agent, Ricky Simms, informed the public that he is “good to go,” and will be going to London to defend his world records.

Dwight Howard: London 2012

Even though Dwight has not received an Olympic medal, he was on the road to the London Games until he learned that he must undergo back surgery. After experiencing back pain since last March, Dwight’s back doctors stated that he suffers from a herniated disc. He initially received an epidural to relieve the pain, but surgery is necessary to correct the problem. In addition to undergoing surgery, he will attend rehab and can get back into the game within a couple of months.

As you can see, treating an Olympian’s injury is not much different from others who seek medical help with their injuries and discomfort with their body. On top of their strength and motivation, they share something else in common – receiving treatment for their pain and discomfort as soon as they noticed it. So, while watching the game in London this year, remember when faced with an injury or discomfort, you should seek help and treatment as soon as it arises in order to have the best recovery possible.

Citations:

For more information on back pain doctors in NJ contact Nick Walz or connect with him on Twitter @Nick_Walz.

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The Sports Archives – 5 Great Motocross Circuits In The UK!

Posted on July 24, 2012 by thesportsarchives

The sport of Motocross is surprisingly over 100 years old. It was a sport enjoyed by owners of early auto-cycles, which also became known as scrambling. It would involve a ‘scramble’ across country to give these motorized bone shakers a decent run in the great outdoors.

Motocross

Now Motocross is immensely popular in the UK with several Motocross circuits all over the country. Here are five established British Motocross courses that are great fun to try out.

Hawkstone Park

Above Shrewsbury in the Midlands, Hawkstone Park is one of the most famous Motocross parks in the UK. Since the 1950s, Hawkstone hosts several international and British competitions, although its origins were very humble. Back in 1938 the site was a low-key hill climb for the Crewe and Nantwich Light Car Club. The competition winner was the driver who made it the highest up the hill. Since then, the course has seen thousands of spectators and hundreds of riders.

Churchill MX

Offering excellent practice circuits, Churchill MX course can be found near East Grinstead in Sussex. There’s a wide variety of features, with new jumps added from time to time. The course is great for lighter trail bikes and EVO bicycles.

Leisure Lakes

Lancashire’s Leisure Lakes offers a lot of variety as a location, which serves a lot of different interests. Not only does Leisure Lakes have a Motocross course, but also has facilities for quad biking, paintball, woodland laser tag, watersports and facilities for less energetic past times. It;s an ideal destination for a mix of interests for the whole family.

Wildmoor

While the course is situated near greenery, Worcestershire’s Wildmoor MX is not exactly lush with natural beauty. This practice track is made up of many different up and down hill features, with table tops, step ups and more to make life interesting. Be warned, it’s set on a working sand-quarry, so conditions on the track can be very changeable very quickly.

Moto Land UK

Based in Suffolk, Moto Land offers full training facilities and inductions, with good facilities for beginners. The site is popular with novices as well as more experienced competition riders, thanks to its variety of tunnel, step up and banked turns, jumps plenty more to keep even the seasoned enthusiasts entertained. This black sand course is incredibly well maintained, with rigorous safety standards and good facilities, such as a purpose-built power wash.

Citations:

You’ll find excellent Motocross accessories at VisionMX.

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The Sports Archives – UAM Boll Weevils Unveil New Uniform!

Posted on July 23, 2012 by thesportsarchives

The UAM Boll Weevils have recently announced a kit change, which will return them to their traditional green and white uniform after several years in black and green. The team is based at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and plays in the NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference, as well as the Great American Conference.

Football and athletics have been a major part of the technical and vocational college since its formation in 1909, and the side have been long-established in college football. As well as football, the college has successful basketball, golf and baseball sides, and the Cotton Blossoms, a  female athletics program.

The uniform change was prompted by new coach Hud Jackson, who wanted to bring the side back to its traditional roots as part of a larger branding scheme for the athletics department. The kit will be all green with white trim for home games, and all white with green trim.

The Weevils play their home games at the Willis ‘Convoy’ Leslie Cotton Boll stadium in Monticello, and will officially debut the uniform on their September 1st season opener against Shepherd Tech. Of the eleven games that the Weevils will play in this season’s main league, six will be held at the arena.

For the last few years the Weevils have been using a black and green Nike designed uniform, which was the preferred option under former coach Gwaine Matthews. The new uniform is designed by the Under Armour brand, and is tailored to combine athletic performance with tradition. As a result, the Weevils name and logo will be positioned on the jersey, while the cartoon Boll Weevil mascot of the college will be featured on the uniform’s helmet.

The decision was partly motivated by the desire for a tighter fitting, more versatile design, and was voted in by a college leadership council of staff, players and students. UAM’s Athletic Director Chris Ratcliff positioned the deal as a way of establishing a consistent brand and logo for the whole athletics department.

The switch to Under Armour reflects the popularity of the brand, who were formed in 1996 around an innovative approach to reducing sweat and moisture for shirt fabric. The Under Armour design promotes better absorption, and became the foundation for the brand’s international success.

The brand sponsors high-profile football stars like Tom Brady and Ray Lewis in the United States, and also produces kits for European teams. The UAM switch extends Under Armour’s extensive relationship with American colleges, with other clients including Boston College Eagles and Hawaii Warriors.

The Weevils have had a chance to test out their new look in training camps across the summer, as well as by taking part in the University of Arkansas youth football camp, which brings together children from the Southern Arkansas area for days of drills and team building exercises. UAM are hoping that the promotion of their sports brand through new uniforms will help build the reputation of a college that attracts 3,300 students a year.

Writing on behalf of Matrix Beauty Uniforms, freelance professional guest author Christina Appleworth reviews the all new University of Arkansas at Monticello Boll Weevils football uniform.

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The Sports Archives – Unnecessary Pressure Or All In The Game?

Posted on July 21, 2012 by thesportsarchives

A lot of people found it strange to hear the pre-Wimbledon men’s final comments that Andy Murray had the “pressure of a nation” on his shoulders as he went head to head with 16 time grand slam winner and, let’s face it, the best player ever to play the game – Roger Federer.

Andy Murray - Under Pressure?

Andy Murray has plenty of fans, but not everyone appreciates his demeanour, his personality and the reports that he can be melodramatic (without evening mentioning his mother whom some people can’t stand!) That said, many people warmed to him over the Wimbledon fortnight as he plays the game the right way, has nerves of steel, is totally relentless and let’s face it does not grunt his way through matches, which is as rare in tennis as a footballer without a tattoo and not strutting around a pitch earning a zillion pounds a week.

Anyway back to Andy Murray and having got to the final (first Brit since 10BC or whenever it was), all of a sudden he had insurmountable pressure on his shoulders despite playing the greatest ever player, being seeded the lower of the two and being ranked lower in the world rankings since year dot.

He played great, he fought with everything he had and cried at the end (okay some aren’t keen on public tears, but the girls liked it and the nation went crazy). But my question remains, do the press and tabloids put a weight of expectation on successful British athletes’ shoulders that is as unnecessary as it is unwelcome?

Look at the era he is in, ranked 4th in the world behind Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic and, going through the annals of Wimbledon finals, I ask just how many would he have won if up against finalists including Tomas Berdych (2010), Mark Philippoussis (2003), David Nalbandian (2002) and Cedric Pioline (1997).

So it is time for a little bit of perspective when it comes to Andy Murray. His achievements this year outstrip those of previous years and that means he’s on the up. He may have earned a bit more support along the way which is great news for coming tournaments and he went toe to toe with Federer on what has become the Swiss’ home turf.

Therefore the British press should embrace Andy Murray getting to the final in the same way I am sure they would have if England had reached the final of the Euro‘s, although that could be a dream too far.

Sarah Mills shares her interest on sports on behalf of Neill Newport

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The Sports Archives – Top 5 Horses of All Time

Posted on July 19, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Just as with football or any sport mind you, there is a lot of discussion over who is the best racehorse of all time. The millions of people who love horse racing all have their own opinions on the best horse and the addition of numerous sorts of racing makes it even harder again.

Red Rum at Castle Park Bristol 1980

Red Rum at Castle Park, Bristol 1980

Just as a boxer has to pick what the best weight is for it, a horse will have to race in a certain field and can only succeed there. This means that certain merits can be had with such a horse in a specific race, whereas another horse in a different field may not need them. So, in our humble opinion, who are the best horses of all time?

Secretariat

Secretariat was the quickest horse that ever was and certainly among the very best horses on our list of all time, for this ability alone. Secretariat has beaten a number of notable records and horses during his time and just seems to shine.

Shergar

The outstanding Shergar was a beautiful looking beast and also one of the greatest racehorses of all time. He had some of the best riders in the world in the shape of Lester Pigott and Walter Swinburn, but these don’t make a great horse by themselves nor with the aid of Pikeur clothing. Shergar was an amazing horse and one that certainly will be remembered in the annals of time.

Man O’War

With a total of 20 wins and having only started 21 races, Man O War is one of the greatest horses of all time. The horse managed to garner attention and love right across the horse racing brigade and lost only once in his two-year reign. Ironically, when he did lose, it was to a steed with the name ‘Upset’. It’s hardly the most hurtful loss of all time considering his amazing record.

Spectacular Bid

Winning 26 races from a total of 30 isn’t too poor of record either and Spectacular bid did so during the 1980s. The horse should have won more too and only failed on winning the Triple Crown when the jockey made a mess of it. He managed to compete a 157 in the 1980 Strub and is still the fastest horse over 10 furlongs in Santa Anita, which says a lot considering it is over 20 years ago since he last ran – a long time before our Pikeur Clothing.

Kelso

The Mighty Kelso won 39 races from a total of 63 starts and was something special in horse racing. He was given the accolade of horse of the year not once, but in fact five times, which is quite a notable honour. He was strongest during the period of 1960 – 1964 when he won the aforementioned merit. He wasn’t the most trust worthy horse, but was extremely durable in what he did and was a horse that took on everyone, no matter how big or fast.

Citations:

Trot2.com offer a great range of Pikeur clothing including gilet, jackets and jodhpurs for equestrian enthusiasts.

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The Sports Archives – Wimbledon Tennis’ Best Grand-Slam Champions of All Time

Posted on July 13, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Formed initially in 1877, Wimbledon tennis has evolved from a garden party into what it is today: a world-class grand-slam competition. A few decades later and the traditions of this prestigious tournament continue, the only event of its kind to be played on grass. Known to attract the royal patronage to its famous box seats, the 2012 tennis championship proved no exception with both Prince William and Kate Middleton in attendance. Could it be the strawberries and cream? Other customs include a strict court-side dress code, which they relaxed this year for the first time in Wimbledon’s extensive history.

With the 2012 Wimbledon Tennis Championship finally over, leaving Roger Federer with a new title to add to his repertoire, it’s time to recap on the top players to grace the tournament’s grass courts. Holding a league of trophies between them, these men are the trained muscle behind the rackets – the manliest of Wimbledon’s men.

The Top 3 Wimbledon Male Tennis Champions

Roger Federer:  Winning a record-tying seventh Wimbledon title, 30-year-old Federer proves that age is really nothing but a number. For many tennis players, the big 3.0 will mark a decline in their careers as pro sportsmen – apparently not for Federer. Winning a record 17 Major singles titles, Roger will surpass Pete Sampras as occupying ATP’s no. 1 position for more than 286 weeks come July 16th. A true champion, his latest win at Wimbledon will put him on the ‘Top 100 Greatest Tennis Players of all Time’ according to the Tennis Channel.

Pete Sampras:  With Federer only recently breaking his record as ATP’s longest-held no. 1 position, Pete Sampras is the legendary sportsman who was recently quoted as saying that he both hated and loved Wimbledon tennis. First discovering his passion for the sport at age seven, Sampras has held many prominent sports titles in his career, most impressively his “Sportsman of the Year” title awarded by the U.S. Olympic Committee – he was the first tennis player to ever receive this level of recognition.

Roy Emerson:  Known as the country boy from Queensland who changed the face of Australian tennis, Emerson holds 28 Major titles (an all-time record for a male player). Occupying the elite position of one of only seven men to win all four Major titles in his career, a small list that also includes Roger Federer, Emerson is definitely one of the greatest tennis players of all time. One thing is for certain, his double Grand Slams at previous Wimbledon tennis tournaments were the pinnacle of his time spent as a pro-athlete.

Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Roy Emerson are the best of the best when it comes to Wimbledon tennis. Achieving some of the most well-known grand slams to occur on the famous courts’ grassy lawns, these three players are the epitome of the male sports persona – and will definitely stand as mentors to the next generation of professional athletes.

Bella Gray is a sports blogger who has a fetish for Scruffs Boots. A maestro of tips and strategies for sustaining your wellbeing and keeping fit, Gray is the perfect go-to-gal for all your exercise queries and solutions.

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The Sports Archives – Bobby Abreu: Is He a Good Sleeper Pick?

Posted on July 12, 2012 by thesportsarchives

Bobby AbreuIt sure looked like Bobby Abreu’s career was over when he was released from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim earlier this season, in order to make room for rookie phenom Mike Trout. After all, Abreu was hitting just .208, with zero homers and 5 RBI, in just eight games with the Angels, and the 38-year-old appeared to be on his last legs.

Abreu parts ways with the Angels

Before the 2012 season, the Angels had tried to trade Abreu twice. The outfielder/designated hitter was supposed to be traded to the New York Yankees, a team he had played for in the past, for A.J. Burnett. But Burnett vetoed the trade. Abreu then reportedly told the Angels that he wanted to either play every day as the DH, or be traded. While the Angels did try to trade him, they were unable to, and ended up releasing him at the end of April.

Then a funny thing happened at what was supposed to be the end of Abreu’s career. He ended up signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Angels’ rival team, even though he had been playing much more as a designated hitter than as an outfielder of recent year. You would think that he would not serve a National League team well, due to that situation, but Abreu is back in the outfield this year with the Dodgers.

A new era

So far, Abreu has done a pretty good job for his first few months with the Dodgers, hitting in the .280s, although he recently slowed down, which put him at .255. However, what Abreu is best-known for his great on-base percentage skills.  He has a career OBP of .396, a remarkable figure, and this year, his OBP has stayed around .366. Abreu is an extremely patient hitter, who is not afraid to work the count. Abreu has 24 walks this year, to go with 2 homers and 15 RBI at press time. One of Abreu’s homers came against the Angels, his old team, during inter-league play earlier this season.

Abreu has definitely resurrected his career this season, and has been one of the reasons the Dodgers is one of the top teams in baseball. So is he worth picking up for your fantasy baseball team? If you need both hits and walks, Abreu provides a very good combination. He also occasionally steals a base. If Abreu keeps up his career resurrection in 2012, which he seems to be doing, he may be worthy as a utility fantasy baseball sleeper pick for your fantasy baseball team.

Lisa Swan writes for DraftStreet Fantasy Baseball.

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The Sports Archives – The Evolution of Skydiving Gear

Posted on July 11, 2012 by thesportsarchives

It’s interesting talking to people who learned to skydive just a few years before I did. The technology changed so quickly in just a few short years that there was a noticeable lag between countries. While I did the Accelerated Freefall course in Florida, people were still learning Static Line Progression and the Parachute Landing Fall in Vancouver, Canada, and some people still had round reserve canopies!

When skydiving first became a sport, sometime after WWII, it was mostly done by former military personnel, playing with old surplus gear. It was pretty risky, considering the canopies were round. They were difficult to steer, and landing them was a crapshoot. Statistically, jumpers stood a very good chance of injuring an ankle on landing. By the 60’s, non-military daredevils were getting involved in the sport, and during the 70’s enough people were into it that new equipment was being developed, specifically for the sport jumping enthusiasts. Round canopies went through a relatively brief, high performance phase where they were designed for more maneuverability, while they also ended up a little more likely to malfunction.

Shape Shifting

These were soon replaced by the parawing canopy that was popular through the rest of the 70’s. The parawing was designed to glide, giving the jumper the ability to control the flight of the canopy rather than just come straight down like they would under a round parachute. It was first used in the space program for astronauts and by the military for dropping cargo and personnel with much greater accuracy than the round canopies had ever afforded.

By the end of the 70’s, the parawing gave way to the parafoil which had been designed nearly a decade earlier by a kite maker. This parafoil, or ram-air canopy was designed to trap air between two multi-celled, square or rectangular membranes. They were sewn together at the trailing edge and both sides, but left open at the leading edge to fill with air and create drag and lift. They are made out of lightweight nylon and separated by fabric ribs, creating 9 or 7 inflatable cells. It is the air which enters into the cells and inflates them which gives the canopy it’s airfoil shape. The shape makes the canopy act like a wing which can be controlled in much the same way as an airplane.

Controlled Flight

These are designed to be highly controllable gliders. They have steering lines and toggles on both sides which work by lowering the back part of the wing in the direction you want to turn. Pulling the right toggle, lowers the back part of the right side of the wing, collapsing it a little, or a lot, depending on how hard you pull. You can make a gentle turn, or a deep spiraling hook turn. Pulling both toggles at once is like braking, and this is how you flare the canopy to stop and land gently. Jumpers can land with absolute precision on a target.

Over the years, canopies have gotten smaller and offer more performance and control than ever. Skydiving, what was a sport exclusive too just a few ex-military guys, has become a mainstream sport enjoyed by countless adventurous men and women.

Emma Grey is an extreme sports fanatic who currently plies her trade in the United States Army. She loves to write about a wide array of topics from skydiving and skiing to the use of robotics in the military.

Photo Credit: Sky Dive Masters Party

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