Published: May 13, 2008 03:19 pm            

THE PERRY COMMENTARY: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE WORLD OF SPORTS

Minor League names, logos the way to go

On Saturday, I saw the Sandgnats and Mud Dogs play baseball. It wasn’t a minor league game, though.

It was simply a Little League game in Science Hill where my nephew plays in a coach-pitch league. But it was great to see those teams using names and logos from minor league teams. Instead of seeing the Reds, Braves, and Yankees each and every year, by using the minor league names, teams are given an array of uniform names and colors to choose from.

In addition to the hunter green colored Sandgnats and the red and black Mud Dogs, I also saw the Bees that wore a light blue and yellow uniform.

While it kind of bucks tradition, I thought the use of minor league names was great. Not only because they are not the run-of-the-mill names, but it also gives the younger players a chance to learn more about baseball. With these guys having access to the internet, you can bet the players already know more about the Sandgnats, Mud Dogs and Bees than most of us baseball fans ever knew at their age.

Just think about the possibilities, you could have the Lumber Kings playing the Crawdads, the Lookouts playing the Biscuits, or the Mudcats playing the Pelicans. The possibilities are endless.

Wouldn’t that be fun?

• Saturday, while doing some last minute Mother’s Day shopping, my two sons found packs of baseball cards that guaranteed at least one jersey card in each pack. After reluctantly shelling out more than I would have liked to, Gunner and Kobe tore into their packs and proudly showed me their jersey cards. Gunner landed a Roger Clemens card while Kobe got Barry Bonds.

“Are these guys any good,” Gunner asked me.

I thought about explaining the recent scandals surrounding the two players, but thought it was a delicate issue for my young boys, so I decided to handle it much like the Birds and the Bees talk.

“Ask your Mom,” I told them.

• I was wrong a couple of weeks back when I credited Dylan Strunk with the Middle School Raiders’ only two homeruns of the season. Brad Corder hit the first, it was of the in-the-park variety.

• Tuesday will see a few of us McCreary Countians headed to a Reds game in hopes of seeing Ken Griffey Jr. hit number 600, which may be his last homerun in a Reds uniform.

Prior to Monday’s game he was sitting at 597. A blast or two Monday would put us in the stadium with a chance to see history.

My family was there last year when Sammy Sosa was sitting at 499 while playing for the Texas Rangers, but the slugger failed to start the game.

We left early (at my wife’s request) and was crossing the Ohio River listening to the game on radio when Sosa came up to bat as a pinch hitter. I swore to my wife if he hit a home run, I would file for divorce.

He flew out, and we’re going on 14 years!

• Is it just me or does any one else think that Orlando Magic Coach Steve Van Guny resembles “actor” Ron Jeremy?

I thought so.

• Again, the NBA playoffs are OK to watch, and at times a bit interesting. But let’s be honest, they do not even come close to March Madness and the college basketball tournament.

• As much as I like Chris Paul and think LeBron James is wonderful, these guys are doing their best to keep me from seeing my Celtics vs. Lakers NBA Finals.

• USC’s O.J. Mayo is in the middle of a controversy concerning cash benefits that are against NCAA rules.

If the allegations are true, the Trojans’ basketball program could face potential fines and punishment, while Mayo is celebrating his rookie season in the NBA. Seems a bit unfair doesn’t it? Kind of like college coaches jumping from school to school while the players are force to sit out a year if they want to transfer.

The NCAA is going to have to revisit some of its policies someday. There are more problems with it than just the lack of a football playoff for Division I schools.

• If you haven’t taken in any of the Little League games yet, you’re missing some fun.

It’s great to see the youngsters playing the game, and even better to see that the kids are having fun while improving their skills.

Since my two boys play at the coach-pitch level, I haven’t been able to get to the Wee-Ball through 11-12-year-old divisions much this season, but am going to hit the fields this coming weeks.

From what I hear we have some good talent out there at the older levels and I am anxious to see those teams play.

• I’ve said it before and I will say it again, you have to give credit to the parents of the kids who play youth sports. It’s a chore to get them to and from games and practices, but you should give even more credit to the guys and ladies that volunteer their time as coaches.

The McCreary County Little League is filled with parents, coaches and supporters that go beyond what the public sees to make the game both fun and important for the players. When you see these people. a simple thank you would be nice.

        

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