Now another picture...

This one is many years old, but it's my very favorite.

Signs of Spring

There are many reasons to deride the experience of living in Dallas, but one of the lovelier aspects of residing here is the proliferation of Wisteria. It's simply wonderful.

Precisely What You Don't Want To Hear

I just received this message from Matt....


We lost last night to Yakima 26-7. We also lost four players during the game to injuries, the worst being to one of our linebackers, Scott Wik. In fact, he is in Critical Care in Pasco right now with some hemorrhaging on the brain. He is not in critical condition, they are just being very careful with him.

His injury occurred with 1:03 left in the 3rd and the game was called at that time.

Sports Weekend

The Cardinals are looking pretty good this spring. It's still early and the games don't count yet, but the core of the team looks solid. Bullpen and bench, that's the weakness I see right now. That and outfield depth. They have a guy named Skip Schumacher who's trying to make it up to the next level. I think he'd be a better addition than John Rodriguez, but unfortunately we are in an era that values power. "Chicks dig the long-ball." John is OK, at best, on defense and is prone to poor baserunning, streaky hitting, and lots of strikeouts. Skip is a lesser know commodity, but is definitely a first class defensive player. Otherwise he is a solid baserunner and a consistent hitter. He'll not have a high batting average, but seems disciplined enough to avoid being streaky. But what I most like about him is that, just like Willie McGee, he's a slap hitter. Those are the guys that are "pesky" and seem to poke the ball into just where they ain't right when you least expect it. Let's hope we hear Skip's name more often in the future. (I'll be in Florida later this week to get a first hand account of the teams progress. So far, my info is based on watching several games on MLB.TV. More leagues and organizations should look into this type of presentation of their product. Like, maybe, F1.)

As for the Raptors, they went to Burbank, Washington to play a pre-season game against the Yakima Mavericks last night. I don't have any details about the game, but the final score was not good for the Raptors... 27 -7 is how it reads on the RMFL website. Rats!

And now, a couple of pictures. (These are both several years old.)

Raptor Time

Today the Raptors take to the field in their first and only exhibition game of 2006. After this every game counts. Good luck to ya fellas.

Fishpockets

I'd say that 3 out of 5 days, or 4 out of 7, that's better, it matches up with a week. So, like, 4 times a week I wake up with some bit of Brak related silliness going on in my head. When I first encountered Brak's brilliance, I wanted to spread the word. Bad Idea. Most folks don't seem to enjoy Brak. Now there's competition for which is my dirtiest little secret. That Brak is the funniest cat around or that I love almost every song ever recorded by the Electric Light Orchestra. With that One-Two combo working against me, all I need to do to become a complete outcast is quote way too much Monty Python and then claim that Roy Wood is an absolute genius.

Here's a little number I recently tossed off...

Here's one I just did. Took about 10 minutes. You can tell. I have to go to bed now. Gotta get up at 5:30 and feed the elk.

I'm thinking of calling it "Madonna In Tears". Is that too pretentious?

Lilly

It's the first day of spring. Here's one I call Lilly. (I was trying for a Georgia O'Keefe type of look. Once again, I've Failed.)

Look at this!

Matt Softich is a very nice person.

This will probably be the only time the Orioles and Cardinals will ever meet in the World Series. And heck, at the time, the Orioles were the St. Louis Browns. My great-grandfather was a huge Browns fan and had the entire team sign a baseball. I now own that ball. Thanks to Matt, I've added to my collection of memorabilia affiliated with that 1944 Browns team.



p.s. - If the Orioles & Cardinals ever DO meet in the World Series, have Darrell Porter pinch-hit in the 9th and you'll win in six. (btw - do not be misled by Andy Van Slyke's low batting avg. his on-base percentage and speed will still get the job done at the top of the order.)

LOOK OUT!!!!!!!!!

While looking for a picture of Matt & Sheila (see below) I ran across this picture of Michelle. She is a swell person with a warped sense of humor. This must be the last thing a dwarf sees before being tossed through the air.

Banner

I'm testing a new blog banner for Matt. This is not Softich.com. Hi Sheila & Matt!










Update: Testing is done. I liked it so much, I decide to try it myself.

F1 is on NOW.

DORK ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




I love the spring. Baseball, F1 & well... Spring! This looks to be a very interesting F1 season. Thanks to Matt, I'll be able to watch some races this year. Sadly, we'll no longer be able to watch the Minardi drivers enjoy thier role as "movable barriers", but Super Aguri looks to be a suitable replacement.

Aaron Go Blaaagghhhhh!

Happy St. Patty's Day.