Stadium rennovations provide entertainment

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 26 June 2007 15:05

After seeing a KC Royals baseball game in newly renovated Kauffman Stadium on Memorial Day, I was in a daze. Some of you are thinking, “So what else is new,” but let me explain.

This stadium has it all—flashing lights, a loud sound system, wider concourses, a variety of dining options, a Hot Dog Derby, a colossal hi-def scoreboard, a play area called the Outfield Experience and more.

Kauffman Stadium provides entertainment in every sense of the word. Obviously, baseball owners have figured out that if they are going to hold on to their share of entertainment dollars, they have to provide much more than just baseball.

In days gone by, your kid probably could have taken a nap on your lap during a game. Not so today.

My 6-year-old...

Read more: Stadium rennovations provide entertainment

SIDELINE SLANTS- Baseball has its share of all-star cheaters

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Wednesday, 13 June 2007 10:51

How is it that we wink or look the other way concerning some aspects of cheating in baseball while we act shocked and appalled on other occasions?

A story on ESPN.com about the biggest cheaters in baseball noted that “this could also be called the worst cheaters because the best cheaters are the ones we don’t know about who still haven’t been caught.”

Is there a difference between cheating, being unethical or using unorthodox methods not covered by the rulebook to gain an advantage?

Back in the early 1960s, the Los Angeles Dodgers had a base-stealing whiz named Maury Wills. Teams would have their groundskeepers keep the infield soaked, almost mud-like, in an effort to keep Wills from stealing bases.

Perhaps it was easier...

Read more: SIDELINE SLANTS- Baseball has its share of all-star cheaters

SIDELINE SLANTS- Hall of Fame has its share of scoundrels

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Wednesday, 30 May 2007 07:47

Doctored baseballs, corked bats, performance-enhancing drugs, questionable grounds­keepers tactics, stealing signs with binoculars all have a part in the inglorious history of America’s pastime: baseball.

As San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds approaches the all-time home-run record set by Hank Aaron, inquiring minds want to know what he shot into himself, when he shot it and whether he knew what he shot into himself if he indeed shot something into himself.

Is that clear?

If Bonds is indeed guilty of using illegal performance-enhancing drugs or steroids as many suspect, he is far from alone. However, thanks to the all-time home-run chase, he certainly is the best known.

The arguments about steroids are becoming old and stale. No...

Read more: SIDELINE SLANTS- Hall of Fame has its share of scoundrels

SIDELINE SLANTS-Coaching bucks stop over there

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Wednesday, 09 May 2007 05:15

The recent basketball coaching changes at Kansas State and Wichita State were interesting on several levels. At the very least it reminds us that capitalism is alive and well for NCAA Division I coaches.

It was interesting to observe the media frenzy surrounding both searches. It left me with more questions than answers, so here are some questions for you to ponder along with some observations. The K-State faithful were upset that Bob Huggins jilted them after just one year as head coach. Was it right for Huggins to leave KSU so soon after they went out on a limb to hire him last year? Or, was it simply a case of bad timing? After all, who can blame him for taking a job at his alma mater? Besides, do you really want a coach to stay who...

Read more: SIDELINE SLANTS-Coaching bucks stop over there