Active.com Team Sports

Playing Through Injuries: Who's Call Is It?

RyanActive — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:55:15 GMT

San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman visited four different doctors to get opinions on his damaged left knee recently.

Specifically, Merriman wanted to know if he could play football with a torn PCL and a torn LCL.

Four doctors said he needed surgery. Merriman plans to suit up for the Chargers this season anyway.

"My knee still looks pretty good," he said in a press conference. "The decision was left up to me to play. If you give a football player a decision to play, you know, I'm going to play."

Elite athletes become elite through relentless hard work and a ton of passion for the sport they're playing. But when should someone step in and say no to an athlete who doesn't have it in them to say no themselves?

Merriman isn't the first example of an athlete playing through a potentially catastrophic injury. Not even close. Remember:

-Terrell Owens, who played in Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005 despite a broken leg. Doctors wouldn't clear him to play but he did anyway, catching nine balls for 122 yards in a loss.

-Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon was the Heisman Trophy favorite in 2007 before hurting his knee against Arizona State halfway through the season. He returned two weeks later against Arizona but left again when his knee buckled. It was then made public that he tried to play with a torn ACL.

-St. Louis Cardinals superstar Albert Pujols has played the 2008 season with a "high-grade tear" in his elbow, which is liable to blow any day. It's his call to delay surgery as long as he can. The way he can hit a baseball (even with the bad wing), nobody's going to get in his way.

-Even in the Beijing Olympics, China track star Liu Xiang tried to compete in front of his home country with a serious Achilles injury. He had barely broken out of the blocks on a false start when he finally gave up, knowing it wasn't going to work.

It seems coaches don't intervene in the professional ranks, which is up for debate. College coaches have much greater authority over their players (football coaches, in particular, take advantage of that). But in the case of Dixon, Oregon's coach allowed him to play until there was another sign of trouble.

Here's the debate: At what age does it stop being the player's call and starts being someone else's? Should Chargers coach Norv Turner step in and tell Merriman no? Would the NFL Players' Association raise a fuss if Turner didn't play Merriman? We know San Diego fans would.

If Merriman wanted to play through this injury while at the University of Maryland, does that change things? What about during his high school days in the Washington, D.C. area?

It's a gray area worth visiting. Merriman wasn't the first player to ignore a doctor's orders. You can bet he won't be the last.

The Passing of an NFL Legend/Leader

Michael Husted — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:48:38 GMT

Gene Upshaw passed away yesterday at the age of 63. Coincidently, that was the number on his uniform during an incredible NFL career that included two Super Bowl wins and seven Pro Bowl appearances.

However, it will be for his leadership of NFL Players and the Union that he will be most remembered. For over 20 years, he served as head of the Union and was instrumental in positioning the NFLPA where it is today. From Free Agency for players to increased salaries and benefits, he battled a Machine, the NFL, that for years, had benefited from athletes on the field without giving much back to them.

Playing nine years in the NFL and having served as union representative for most of those years, I was able to experience first hand the results he had produced. People always had an issue here or there with what he was doing, but overall, no one could argue with his leadership. In any type of leadership position, it is difficult to please everyone all of the time. Being a retired player, there are benefits that I feel could have been addressed more for us. However, the retirement benefits that I now have are largely due to his ability to surround himself with strong leadership and get results. For that I am thankful.

His ability to relate to players and stand his ground when dealing with the NFL owners was an attribute to his strength, courage, integrity and most of all his tenacity. The next Executive Director will have some big shoes to fill, but I am confident that Gene set enough examples to follow.

That things that I love about sports/athletics are discipline, teamwork and leadership qualities. These are necessary to be successful on the field, court, in the water, on the bike, etc.

There are so many benefits to an Active life style whether competing against others or yourself, whether you are hoisting the championship trophy or handling defeat with dignity.

Thank you, Gene, for being an example to all athletes by realizing that our potential doesn't end when the last whistle blows and we walk off the field for the last time. Whether that is in high school, college, the Olympics or professional, we have the foundation to be successful in life.

Rest in Peace.

Recruiting Tip #2: Finding the Right College

Michael Husted — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:07:11 GMT

Michael Husted played professional football for nine years as a placekicker in the NFL. He is also the co-creator of ActiveRecruiting.com an innovative online video recruiting tool that connects student
athletes with coaches through the use of interactive video profiles.

Choosing the right college to attend is something that will take some
time. You will want to find a school that fits you both academically
and athletically.

The first step is to make a list of 12-15 schools
that you, initially, would like to attend.

I would categorize them in this way:

Dream schools
Realistic schools
Fall back schools

Of course, there could be some overlap between the Dream and Realistic
schools. Having simple categories will help to organize your choices as
you start this process.

Your Dream schools could be a big time college athletic program, like
UCLA, Notre Dame, Texas or Florida. Maybe you have grown up watching
that program, members of your family have attended that school or you
simply like their mascot and colors. There are many colleges that offer
both big time athletics as well as incredible academics, Virginia, Cal
Berkley, Boston College, etc. Therefore, attending one of these
programs would appear to be ideal.

However, you need to be "realistic" with your athletic abilities and
decide if you would get significant playing time by attending one of
these programs. If so, great. If not, then you will need to decide if
just being on the roster is good enough for you. Otherwise, finding a
program, athletically, that will allow you to get a lot of playing time
might be at a "Realistic" School.

Being a "Big fish in a small pond," is something that will provide for
a great college experience. There are dozens of incredible academic
institutions that play at smaller divisions, Amherst, William and Mary
and all of the Ivy league schools.

You have heard or you will hear that "College is one of the best times
of your life." The great thing is that you can do many things to ensure
that you have an incredible experience.

Finally, have your "Fall Back" Schools. These are schools that you
would still enjoy attending, but they are not necessarily the first ones
that pop up in your head. They still combine the academics and
athletics and offer the expected experience.

Do your initial research on these schools, their location (Do you want to stay close to home or leave the state?), student
size, academic offering, players at your postition (How many? When are
they graduating?),etc. Your list and rankings may move around after
your research. Some schools may drop out and some new ones may be added.

Two sites where you can begin your research are:

CollegeBoard.com

NCAA.com

You have to work just as hard off the field, to find the right school, as you do on
the field.* *

One of the most important questions that you should ask
yourself when trying to select the right college is "If something were
to happen that prevented me from playing my sport in college, would
I still want to be at that school?"

Leveraging your sport to go to college is a great way to be a starter, get an education and have an incredible experience that will set the foundation for the rest of your life.

Once you have narrowed down your school options, the next step is letting them know that you are out there. The most efficient way is to create an online video profile with www.activerecruiting.com

Good luck!

Little League Instant Replay: Progress or Problem?

mikeyactive — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:30:31 GMT

From NBC Sports:
“Little League Baseball will use instant replay at this year’s World Series to review questionable home runs and other close plays at the outfield fence, beating the major leagues in instituting a system to review some disputed calls.”

So for someone who has been to two World Series tournaments in Williamsport I’m not sure this is a great development. Doesn't instant replay detract from the youth sport element of the games? Isn't one of the tenants of Little League dealing with bad calls/adversity in a healthy way--not make sure we get the call "right." Or has the Little League World Series already become a worldwide media event that has more in common with the Super Bowl than the sandlot game down the street?

Join the discussion. Would love to hear what you other youth baseball folks think?

The rest of the NBC story.

College Recruiting Tip #1: NCAA Eligibility

Michael Husted — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:29:43 GMT

So you want to play sports in college? Whether you’re an All-American, All-State, All-District or just a starter because you were left off those lists by mistake, in order to play at the next level there are mandatory procedures.

The NCAA considers a Prospective Student-Athlete as “someone who is looking to participate in intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I or Division II institution in the future.” To play in college ALL Prospective Student-Athletes must sign up with the NCAA Eligibility Center.

As of August 1, 2008, NCAA Division I will require 16 core courses. Division II requires 14 core courses, but will increase to 16 core courses beginning August 1, 2013. View the NCAA Freshman Eligibility Standards Quick Reference Sheet for more information on these requirements.

This important step allows for college coaches to verify that you are eligible and provides them academic information on the student-athlete. You are encouraged to submit transcripts and test scores (SAT/ACT) for their review. You will be assigned a pin number that they can use to confirm this information.

Just like there are rules to follow in games, the NCAA is all about rules and guidelines to better serve student-athletes and their parents.

Once you have registered, it is time to let them know that you are out there. The internet is a great way to create exposure. Creating an online interactive video profile is a solid way to make that all important introduction to college coaches.

If you haven’t registered with the eligibility center, do so ASAP.

July 2008 Snapshotz Winner

Trish18 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:01:02 GMT

Bobby's Blast
Bobby Kelly of the U-11 Ukrainian Nationals Dynamo blasts a shot on goal at the Rob Schaefer Memorial Classic.

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A Playbook for the Rest of Your Life

Michael Husted — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:49:33 GMT

Through my experience playing in the NFL and being a union
representative for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I saw first-hand what
happens to athletes when their playing days come to an end and they
haven't prepared for their second career. A very small percentage of
athletes make it to the pros. Of those who do, a smaller percentage
play long enough to retire comfortably for the rest of their lives.

In the NFL alone, the average career is only 3.5 years. You don't qualify
to become an unrestricted free agent (where the big contracts are
usually signed) until you have played four years.

There are a lot of sad stories about pro athletes who didn't prepare themselves
enough for life after their sports career is over. Don't let that
happen to you. It is a long shot to play professional sports. However,
going to college, playing the sport you love and getting a great
education will provide you with an incredible experience that will carry
you through the rest of your life.

No matter what sport you play, your coach develops plays that you use to help the team win. Most
teams have a playbook. Being a student-athlete and trying to have a
game plan for college requires its own "playbook." The NCAA has done a
great job trying to take the burden off of athletes and parents by
creating a game plan to follow. The process to get into college can be
overwhelming. However, using the Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete is a very smart thing to do.

Have you gone to NCAAStudent.org site? It is a really cool interactive site.
It is essentially a playbook with information about being an NCAA
student-athlete.

The site itself was designed to look like a playbook. It is a three-ring binder that "is dedicated to helping you
understand the balance between academics and sports required of every student-athlete for a successful life in school, and out. Here you can learn about the NCAA, download the Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete, and discover how you can go pro in something other than sports."

When you go to the site, the first words that you read are: There are over
380,000 student-athletes, and just about every one of them will go pro
in something other than sports.

I really enjoy the emphasis that the NCAA has put on "going pro" in something other than sports. The
inside folder pocket has an envelope with pictures that open to the
television commercials they have played.

I certainly was not aware of the Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete
when I was in high school and there wasn't an interactive website for
me to review. The site and its design effectively simplify the
information.

This playbook discusses:

Amateurism-Eligibility Requirements
Academic-Eligibility Requirements
Core Course, GPA, Tests, Special Conditions
NCAA Eligibility Center
Questions to Ask as You Consider Colleges
Information for Parents and Guardians
Details for High School Counselors and Athletic Administrators
Recruiting Regulations

The media gives a lot of emphasis to professional athletes and thus every
kid wants to grow up to be one. I can tell you personally that although
it is a great experience, it sometimes is not all that it is cracked up
to be.

So check out the site, read it, download the playbook
and follow it. I am confident that if you follow the plays in this
playbook you will be successful.

June 2008 Snapshotz Winner

Trish18 — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:48:03 GMT

Miniature Barry Sanders
Josh gets the ball handed off and runs down the field and does his best Barry Sanders impersonation and uses a very effective stiff arm for a 50lb kid.

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Pro Soccer Player Kristine Lilly on Summer Camps

mvalenti — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:55:20 GMT

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Summer means different things to different people but for me, summer signifies the beginning of the camp season. Being outside and playing games with a large group of friends has always appealed to me--in fact, I'm still involved with summer camps to this day.

Whether it's soccer camps, day camp or sleep away camp, the experience can be a bit scary and nerve-racking but those are very natural feelings. I can remember going to my first sleep away soccer camp--saying goodbye to my parents was really hard. To make it easier, I had a specific time that I would call my parents every night so I knew I would talk to them every day. I also made sure that I was surrounded by people because being around others always helped those lonely, "I miss home" feelings. Usually, after the first few days, the homesickness subsides and you find yourself immersed in your practices and enjoying your new friends.

Getting ready for camp was always fun for me too. I had to make sure I had all my gear: In addition to shin guards, cleats and several pairs of soccer socks, I brought shampoo, conditioner, some books, and when I was at camp, a walkman--yesteryear's iPod. One thing that you shouldn't forget is sunscreen, especially if you will be spending a lot of time outdoors. Don't worry about thinking of every bare necessity though, your camp will most likely provide a list of items you'll need to bring with you.

Once you arrive at camp, get settled in and meet your roommate. After all the campers check-in, the camp counselors usually hold an opening ceremony that covers what will take place throughout the week. They will go over everyday activities, emergency situations and all the fun you will have.

Sometimes it's hard juggling the fun and what you are really at camp for: becoming a better soccer player. What I've learned is that when you work hard during practice time, you'll smile wider during fun time. After a day of good practice and hard work, the subsequent swimming, eating and socializing will be extra special. So when you think about camp and wonder if you are going to have a good time, remember that the first day is the toughest but if you work hard, the fun will follow.

Overall, camp is a learning experience that's an absolute blast! Each year, when I think about putting my camps together I make sure I'm well prepared with great learning experiences, fun, competitive activities, rest, and an opportunity to let individuals show their personalities on and off the field. I usually wrap up my camps with games and a closing ceremony that celebrates all the hard work campers put in during the week. Closing ceremonies can be quite enjoyable, especially if they feature awards presentations and cold popsicles!

Camps give kids the opportunity to learn while enjoying having fun. They can hone their skills at camp and grow not only as an athlete, but as a person as well. The camp experience introduces kids to valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline and camaraderie. All these great things, tied in with a lot of fun, will build lasting memories and help to make this year's rookie campers next year's returning campers.

I hope everyone has a great summer! Happy Camping!

Always Believe,

Kristine Lilly

Big Ten Conference Tournament Preview

Trish18 — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:08:24 GMT

A couple of weekends ago I went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to visit one of my best friends and watch the University of Michigan softball team take on Michigan State and Northwestern. I saw four games and quickly fell in love with the Michigan softball program.

They play amazing softball. They have one of the most legendary coaching staffs in the game. The Wolverines have a rich tradition that they revere and make a point to celebrate. This season they opened and dedicated one of the nicest softball stadiums in the nation. They have a loyal, fun fan base of which I am glad to now be a part.

The Wolverines crushed Michigan State in the two games I watched. Two grand slams, several home runs and a mercy-rule ending. It was one of the most potent offensive displays I have ever seen.

The two games against Northwestern were quite the opposite. Low scoring, decided by one run and the teams split. Not only hard-fought duels between top-20 teams and conference rivals, but the outcome was to decide who took the Big Ten conference lead and, therefore, who would host the conference tournament. I took this video below of Michigan coming back in the bottom of the seventh inning to win the second game and maintain their share of the lead conference standings-it was intense:

Since the standings were still tied at the end of regular season and their respective run differentials were also equal, a coin toss would decide which co-conference champ would host the Big Ten tournament. Northwestern won the toss and is hosting the tournament that opens today.

I have a lot of respect for Northwestern's program having competed against them several times in the cross-town rivalry at Loyola Chicago. But this weekend I'll be pulling for No. 2 Michigan to pull out the win over top-seeded Northwestern. Go Blue!

College Softball Players Carry Opponent Around Bases

Trish18 — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:35:41 GMT

An injured Kirk Gibson hitting a pinch-hit walk-off home run off in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. Joe Carter crushing a walk-off home run to win the 1993 World Series. Becky Marx sending one over while trailing UCLA to tie the game and get University of Michigan back in the title hunt at the Women's College World Series. These home runs are seared into my memory. They repeatedly make highlight reels and are iconic in the world of sports. But a home run in the recent Western Oregon and Central Washington softball contest perhaps should be celebrated above all.

A post-season appearance hinged on the outcome of the game. Western Oregon senior Sara Tucholsky had never hit a home run in her career. Tucholsky came to the plate in the top of the second inning of the second game with two runners on base and a 0-0 score. She had just three hits in 34 at-bats this season, but she drove a pitch over the centerfield fence.

In her excitement, she missed first base on her home run trot and reversed direction to tag the bag. She tore a ligament in her knee in doing so and crumbled to the ground. While she crawled back to first base, her two teammates crossed the plate, leaving her the only offensive player on the field.

The umpires confirmed that the only option available under the rules was to replace Tucholsky at first base with a pinch runner and have the hit recorded as a two-run single instead of a three-run home run. Any assistance from coaches or trainers while she was an active runner would result in an out.

And then an opposing player, Mallory Holtman, asked if it would it be OK if she helped carry her around and touch each bag.

"Honestly, it's one of those things that I hope anyone would do it for me," Holtman explained. "She hit the ball over her fence. She's a senior; it's her last year...I think anyone who knew that we could touch her would have offered to do it, just because it's the right thing to do."

Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace lifted Tucholsky off the ground and supported her weight between them as they began perhaps the longest and most crowded home run trot in the game's history.
Accompanied by a standing ovation from the fans, they finally reached home plate and passed the home run hitter into the arms of her own teammates. Then Holtman and Wallace returned to their positions and tried to win the game.

Central Washington did rally for two runs in the bottom of the second, but Western Oregon held on for a 4-2 win-the winning run a result of one of the most astounding acts of sportsmanship I have ever seen.
Check it out, and add this home run to the list of most memorable ones you have ever seen:

One Last Chance

mikeyactive — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:56:43 GMT

An 18-year-old kid dying of cancer in Pennsylvania has one last wish, a chance to swing a bat (maybe) one last time in a real baseball game. An absolutely amazing story from the Pittsburgh post-Gazette about courage and dreams coming true.

May 2008 Snapshotz Winner

Trish18 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:44:40 GMT

We are a TEAM!
This was taken before the first pitch on opening day. The boys were so excited to be together for their first game.

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Bringing Baseball Back to New Orleans

mikeyactive — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:58:51 GMT

Pitch In For Baseball™, the youth baseball charity that has partnered with Little League International since 2005, is taking on its biggest project to date.

Even though Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans more than two years ago, many schools in that region have yet to see baseball return to their community. As a result, Pitch In For Baseball is partnering with the Recovery School District to help restart youth baseball and softball at 25 middle school and high school programs in the city.

Allen Woods, Athletic Director for the Recovery School District in New Orleans, shared his perspective on the project. “I am constantly looking for opportunities for our students to participate in wholesome athletic programs. When Pitch In For Baseball contacted me about their plan to help the children of New Orleans I was elated. The help being provided by Pitch In For Baseball will allow our students to train, learn and play one of Americas favorite past times again. In New Orleans we will be saying ‘Batter's Up!’ this spring.”

“This is a very important project and a huge challenge for our organization,” said Pitch In For Baseball Executive Director, David Rhode. “We have a strong desire to see the kids of New Orleans get all of the opportunities they so richly deserve. Having a chance to play baseball is just one small piece of that equation.”

The effort to provide equipment and uniforms to the public schools is just part of a broader program to help the kids of New Orleans. Pitch In For Baseball is helping to arrange coaching clinics and is also working closely with local politicians and Little League’s Urban Initiative to expand Little League’s impact on the storm-ravaged community.

Pitch In For Baseball, a 501(c) 3 charity, will need the continued donations of equipment and financial support to make this project happen. “We have a January 19th deadline to collect and ship this equipment. We will need a lot of assistance from a lot of generous donors to help make this project a reality,” said Rhode.

To find out more about how to get involved in this project, contact David Rhode at 215-371-2841 or drhode@pitchinforbaseball.org

Recruiting Realities

Michael Husted — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:22:19 GMT

There were some good articles in the New York Times recently about college recruiting and scholarship money. The series of articles definitely highlighted the somber tails that some
student-athletes experience. Like anything else, we usually only get to hear or
read about the top 1% who have success.

I believe that there needs to be a shift of thinking in the college recruiting
process, both by parents and student-athletes. As athletes we have pride. Sometimes
that pride serves us well and other times it can hurt us. Most of us expect or
hope for scholarships to play in college. Parents definitely hope for it and
think that we are the next best player since Tom Brady (Coincidently, he was a
6th round draft pick.)

Yes, college tuition is getting more expensive every year. Therefore, we feel that it is important to
get a scholarship. I know that I was looking to get one to help my parents. (I
was also hoping that if I got a scholarship out of high school, they would buy
me a Suzuki Samurai with wood paneling on the side.)

Neither happened. I ended up "walking on" at the University of Virginia and driving a beat up Ford
Pinto with no A/C. The summer after I graduated high school, I received a call
from Liberty University with an offer for a “full
ride.” I respectfully declined.

It should not be about “show(ing) me the money.” I understand
that there are some people that cannot go to college for financial reasons
unless they get an athletic scholarship.

However, for this discussion, the shift in mind set should be focused on the benefits of playing
college sports. Athletics offer more
long term benefits then tuition alone.
Pursuing sports in college can increases acceptance opportunities. Once there, just a few of the traits you
learn are:

Time management
Discipline
Team work
Self-Motivation
How to deal well with pressure

Those skills and a college
degree will ultimately land you with a great job when you graduate.
Many employers look first to student-athletes for the above mentioned
traits when hiring.
If fact there is even a website geared towards hiring student-athletes
out of high school: http://www.athletes4hire.com.

Read the series of articles in the NY Times.

Good luck!