Today was our son Michael's 35th birthday. . . I feel ANCIENT!
I think that is the Japanese spelling of Mike
Pacifica H.S.
Home of the Tritons
On Friday, it was time to see if Mike's Hueneme Frosh team could finally find a way to win in their second game of the week against the Pacifica Tritons.
The area behind home plate was spacious
Batter Up!
He walked and eventually scored the first run of the game.
Out at Third!
This Triton was both HUGE and clueless on sliding techniques.
It is good to be athletic
The Vikings could not hold on to their early lead but continue to show improvement. Up next is two games against the Rio Mesa Spartans this week, should be fun.
Baldwin Park H.S.
Home of the Braves
On Saturday we headed about 70 minutes south of Camarillo to the city of Baldwin Park for Mike's last Ventura County Hogs football game against the Southern California Strike Force.
As you may recall, Mike broke his nose in the last game two weeks ago vs. the Orange County Lawmen. He was a bit concerned about it breaking again in this game.
Hogs in Pursuit
Cracked it again in the First Series
Lots of blood flowing this time out of both nostrils before stuffing his nose. He sat out the rest of the first half.
#99 "STREAKING" to catch their QB
Strike Force Offense = BOMBS AWAY!!!
Hogs Fan Base
Mike's wife Vanessa sporting the umbrella, my mother Chuny and wife Laurie just behind her on the right.
Hitting the open receiver
Trench Warfare
At half-time it was a 0-0 defensive battle unlike anything ever seen in the Italian Football League.
Mike returned for the second half. . .
. . . but only if they cut off his nose it appeared.
Mike throwing a block
The game ended a 0-0 tie, so for the second straight game it called for overtime.
The Strike Force scored a TD on their possesion but were denied on their two point PAT attempt. The Hogs lost a fumble on their first play of overtime.
Final Score: Strike Force 6 - Hogs 0
For the season the Hogs finished 2-3 with two overtime losses. Mike had a great time playing for the Hogs and was already talking about playing again next year.
Updates from EuroBall
The Catania Elephants Win Home Opener
The Elephants (1-1) tried to get back on track after losing to the Ancona Dolphins last week with their first home game of the 2011 campaign against the Bologna Doves (0-1).
Playing great defense, by Italian standards, they had an easy time of it in pleasing the Fundo Bianco crowd by posting a 53-15 victory. Now they get to enjoy a BYE week before playing the Reggio Emilia Hogs, a team they nipped last year 75-70.
Italian Football League Standings
Bologna Warriors 2-0
Catania Elephants 2-1
Parma Panthers 2-1
Ancona Dolphins 1-1
Bolzano Giants 1-1
Milan Seamen 1-1
Milan Rhinos 1-1
Reggio Emilia Hogs 1-1
Bologna Doves 0-2
Lazio Marines 0-2
Week 3 Results
Catania Elephants 53 - Bologna Doves 15
Parma Panthers 62 - Ancona Dolphins 35
Milan Seamen 33 - Milan Rhinos 31
Bolgna Warriors 64 - Bolzano Giants 35
Reggio Emilia Hogs - 57 - Lazio Marines 37
Week 4 Games
Saturday, April 9th
Bolzano Giants (1-1) at Milan Seamen (1-1)
Milan Rhinos (1-1) at Lazio Marines (0-2)
Ancona Dolphins (1-1) at Bologna Doves (0-2)
Sunday, April 10th
Bologna Warriors (2-0) at Reggio Emilia Hogs (1-1)
BYES: Catania Elephants (2-1) and Parma Panthers (2-1)
Former C4 Lions now playing for Hässleholm
I posted earlier that the defending SAFF Division I Södra Champion Kristianstad C4 Lions, 8-0 in the regular season in 2010, shockingly folded due to a lack of players. The positive fall out from this revelation was that many of the former C4 players were thinking about playing for your Hässleholm Hurricanes in 2011.
Now, I was sworn to secrecy about this possibility but since the article below, translated into some form of English, has appeared in the NorreSkåne newspaper I feel free to discuss the news on the blog.
These are HUGE additions to the Hurricanes which will pay dividends with the season opener at Kristianstad against the Predators in only three more weeks.
The Hurricanes had a scrimmage in Denmark over the weekend with the Kronborg Knights who compete in the Danish League's top division. Although outscored by the Knights, everyone I've heard from said that it was a very positive learning experience for the 'Canes. Really, isn't that all you want out of a scrimmage?
The EuroBall seasons are heating up all over the continent, I wish I was there!
