toolsheds Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 17 minutes ago, RickinBaltimore said: Mr. Hyde, I'm done with the Craig Kimbrel experience... i agree, but one of those walks was a borderline strike 3, and Henderson kicking that ground ball didn't help either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattie g Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 13 minutes ago, vastateofmind said: Glad to hear you all had such a successful season. The (potentially negative) other side of that coin, is exactly what you've postulated and what you're nervous about -- that your team will be a "victim" of your success, that you get moved up 1-3 divisions, and then get spanked in some or most summer competitions, thereby knocking down and/or demoralizing swimmers who are really trying hard...and then you STAY in your division, or start making your trip "back down the division ladder." I don't mean to rain on your parade...but it's inevitable, and one of the reasons I hated the NVSL, from this vantage point. On the other hand, I don't know how (or if) the system can be fixed. I've been on BOTH sides of that coin. Lately, our neighborhood pool (which we haven't been back to since our sons stopped swimming) continues their drop to the "bottom" of the NVSL divisions...after being in "the middle" of the NVSL divisions a decade or more ago. It's really NOT about being a member of the Tuckahoe or Overlee or McLean teams...and to those of you who might be part of those summer clubs, fine. I just don't want MY kids competing for blood at THAT level in NVSL Divisions 1/2. And trust me, that's not sour grapes. My youngest son competed with all NVSL swimmers, all VHSL swimmers, NCAP swimmers, and a fair amount of swimmers on a national level (and he still holds records against swimmers in most of those realms). All I EVER wanted for OUR sons...and for EVERY kid at our neighborhood pool...was to have a fighting chance to swim their best, and just maybe, make a record. My youngest was flying high right up until his senior year of swimming at VHSL states...when he was accepted at a couple D2 schools with scholarships at that point...when he came to us in tears and told us, he just couldn't swim anymore. Period. And he hasn't been in the pool since then. THAT makes me sick to my stomach. While he chose those levels of competition since he was in late elementary school...it burnt him out, and badly. What I never want to see...and what I'll do everything in my power to avoid...is ANY swimmer within my influence reaching that point. Bringing this back around to your OP...the NVSL used to be about casual summer competition, but it's become like any other level of blood sport competition in our society. And that's not good. I recall you mentioning your experiences before and I 100% understand where you're coming from. We have a family for whom swimming is *the* sport and one of their kids is one of our All Stars (the other is a coach and the other is one of the top in their age group). They're an absolutely wonderful family, but I get concerned that the kids might run into that burnout phase, which I don't want to have any responsibility for. There are a number of other year-round swimmers on the team - some of whom are quite good - but I don't have quite the same concerns about them flaming out...hard. I feel that a huge part of my job is to maintain that fun atmosphere - I dress up according to our themes, I dance (for a minute or two) after the meets or just on deck during meets, and I go out of my way to cheer each and every kid in the pool no matter their skill level. I'm a very competitive person (and was a very competitive athlete back in the day), so I feel that being competitive is a key to having fun, but winning at all costs and being competitive are two entirely separate things! Summer swim is supposed to be pure fun, so I've been doing my best to build the team so that we can actually fill lanes (we're still not quite there yet) while also making sure that the culture is built around enjoying every moment of an intense summer swim season! With all that said, I understand that teams need to go up and go down the ladder so that there's some semblance of parity in the divisions. It's not a perfect science, by any stretch (our season is testament to that), but I do think the league does its best to match up teams of similar size and ability (I won't get into what it's like in the top divisions because they're playing a completely different game than the rest of us). We might surprise some folks next year, but I also know that it's likelier we'll get knocked around a little, so I'll just set the expectations at the beginning of the season and emphasize (again) that we're all out there to have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAPE Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 39 minutes ago, RickinBaltimore said: Mr. Hyde, I'm done with the Craig Kimbrel experience... This. I said it when he blew that save before the all star break- another game the Orioles managed to get lucky and pull out the win- he simply cannot be trusted in a big spot, and that's pretty much the only requirement for a closer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronTy Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 On 7/24/2024 at 4:27 PM, Kay said: Update. Butterfly has launched. Looks like you called it @IronTy That thing eclosed pretty quickly, probably the warm weather sped up development. I've got about fifty L5 regalis caterpillars and they are devastating all my sweetgum, I'm so ready for them to pupate...next week. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vastateofmind Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 1 hour ago, mattie g said: I recall you mentioning your experiences before and I 100% understand where you're coming from. We have a family for whom swimming is *the* sport and one of their kids is one of our All Stars (the other is a coach and the other is one of the top in their age group). They're an absolutely wonderful family, but I get concerned that the kids might run into that burnout phase, which I don't want to have any responsibility for. There are a number of other year-round swimmers on the team - some of whom are quite good - but I don't have quite the same concerns about them flaming out...hard. I feel that a huge part of my job is to maintain that fun atmosphere - I dress up according to our themes, I dance (for a minute or two) after the meets or just on deck during meets, and I go out of my way to cheer each and every kid in the pool no matter their skill level. I'm a very competitive person (and was a very competitive athlete back in the day), so I feel that being competitive is a key to having fun, but winning at all costs and being competitive are two entirely separate things! Summer swim is supposed to be pure fun, so I've been doing my best to build the team so that we can actually fill lanes (we're still not quite there yet) while also making sure that the culture is built around enjoying every moment of an intense summer swim season! With all that said, I understand that teams need to go up and go down the ladder so that there's some semblance of parity in the divisions. It's not a perfect science, by any stretch (our season is testament to that), but I do think the league does its best to match up teams of similar size and ability (I won't get into what it's like in the top divisions because they're playing a completely different game than the rest of us). We might surprise some folks next year, but I also know that it's likelier we'll get knocked around a little, so I'll just set the expectations at the beginning of the season and emphasize (again) that we're all out there to have fun! You (and your wife? Can't remember!) as team reps are some of the few exceptions I've read about in NVSL in recent years, when it comes to trying to keep everything on an even keel in terms of competition, fun, fulfillment. It's not an easy balance. But those kinds of team reps are a rare thing these days in NVSL. I tip my hat to you and yours, AND to your pool team...and certainly wish you all continue to "move up the ladder"...and to remain competitive!! Bottom line, I never served as a team rep, my wife did for a few years...I was a deck official in several roles...but I never wanted a kid to feel so dejected, or left behind, that they couldn't hang with the team. And I think that's what we ALL want at the end of the day in NVSL. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay Posted July 26 Share Posted July 26 2 hours ago, IronTy said: That thing eclosed pretty quickly, probably the warm weather sped up development. I've got about fifty L5 regalis caterpillars and they are devastating all my sweetgum, I'm so ready for them to pupate...next week. Looked it up, beautiful moth and a boss caterpillar. It was faster than I expected. From my slight research I thought maybe a couple weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jebman Posted July 26 Share Posted July 26 I simply can not resist any longer. I really feel the Need to gloat. Dale City has had 27.48 inches of rain this year. Buda, has had nearly 37 inches since Jan 1 2024. Wow it is SO HARD TO BELIEVE! Grass and weeds are going nuts! I am having a HARD TIME keeping our yard clear of weeds! Some weeds along our back roads are getting eight, nine feet tall! WE are almost ten inches more than my old stomping grounds! I can hardly believe it! Here it is JULY, and we have had EIGHT INCHES of rain for the month, 5.3 inches of it just in the past three day storm cycle! Storm Cycle! It sounds like Palisades Tahoe in the '22-'23 Winter! We are getting George BM'ed by rain this year! No dangerous lightning. No high winds. No hail. Just nice heavy life giving sweet rain! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nw baltimore wx Posted July 26 Share Posted July 26 Some of you fellow weenies are slacking. No one mentioned the 540 line showing up in eastern Canada on the long range 6z gfs? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoda Posted July 26 Share Posted July 26 Trade by the Orioles https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/07/orioles-phillies-swap-austin-hays-for-seranthony-dominguez.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WxUSAF Posted July 26 Share Posted July 26 Surprising, but I’m ok with it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nw baltimore wx Posted July 26 Share Posted July 26 Shake up that clubhouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interstate Posted July 26 Share Posted July 26 19 minutes ago, WxUSAF said: Surprising, but I’m ok with it Opens up room for Norby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WxUSAF Posted July 26 Share Posted July 26 4 hours ago, Interstate said: Opens up room for Norby Norby better be a White Sock or a Tiger by this time next week 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoda Posted July 26 Share Posted July 26 3 hours ago, WxUSAF said: Norby better be a White Sock or a Tiger by this rule next week You get Eflin for now The Orioles are acquiring right-hander Zach Eflin from the Rays, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic on X. The Rays will receive three prospects in the deal, per Jeff Passan of ESPN on X. They are outfielder Matthew Etzel, right-hander Jackson Baumeister and utility player Mac Horvath. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/07/orioles-to-acquire-zach-eflin-from-rays.html#google_vignette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WxUSAF Posted July 26 Share Posted July 26 1 hour ago, yoda said: You get Eflin for now The Orioles are acquiring right-hander Zach Eflin from the Rays, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic on X. The Rays will receive three prospects in the deal, per Jeff Passan of ESPN on X. They are outfielder Matthew Etzel, right-hander Jackson Baumeister and utility player Mac Horvath. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/07/orioles-to-acquire-zach-eflin-from-rays.html#google_vignette I like this trade a lot. I still think they really need to add another starter that's at a higher tier, but the adds today are good ones. If today is it, that's not going to get it done for a team with World Series ambitions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MillvilleWx Posted July 26 Share Posted July 26 I like both trades so far today. We definitely need another bigger name at starter. Time to shake things up for this team. It’s that time of year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WxUSAF Posted July 26 Share Posted July 26 11 minutes ago, MillvilleWx said: I like both trades so far today. We definitely need another bigger name at starter. Time to shake things up for this team. It’s that time of year Given what they paid for Eflin, it's maybe not crazy to think they could get Erick Fedde from the white sox without giving up any of the big 3-4 prospects (Holliday, Basallo, Mayo, and Kjerstad). Make it so! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nw baltimore wx Posted July 26 Share Posted July 26 I think Mullins was in the lineup and then told to sit. Could be getting shipped out too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxdude64 Posted July 27 Share Posted July 27 I will say the opening ceremony for the Olympics was interesting.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoda Posted July 27 Share Posted July 27 On 7/25/2024 at 3:02 PM, RickinBaltimore said: Mr. Hyde, I'm done with the Craig Kimbrel experience... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxdude64 Posted July 27 Share Posted July 27 7 minutes ago, wxdude64 said: I will say the opening ceremony for the Olympics was interesting.... Question- wouldn't Sheldon and Amy been a better pick with all the flags for the opening ceremony?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nw baltimore wx Posted July 27 Share Posted July 27 Kimbrel better be a middle relief guy when we are down by five going forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickinBaltimore Posted July 27 Share Posted July 27 9 hours ago, yoda said: Seriously. I don't even want to see him with a 5 run lead now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAPE Posted July 27 Share Posted July 27 Staying in a cottage on a Welsh farm near Snowdonia. Internet is spotty but here are a couple photos- one of the cottage and another of a typical scene from Snowdonia. I'll post a few more in the next day or 2. Temps mostly in the low to mid 60s. Only a few days in the 70s and one that hit 80 the whole time I have been in the UK. Back to reality late next week. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormchaserchuck1 Posted July 27 Share Posted July 27 On 7/26/2024 at 4:56 PM, yoda said: You get Eflin for now The Orioles are acquiring right-hander Zach Eflin from the Rays, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic on X. The Rays will receive three prospects in the deal, per Jeff Passan of ESPN on X. They are outfielder Matthew Etzel, right-hander Jackson Baumeister and utility player Mac Horvath. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/07/orioles-to-acquire-zach-eflin-from-rays.html#google_vignette It looks like he has a losing record, and ERA 4.0+ in a time when the league batting average is .240. Do they plan on starting him in the playoffs? I don't really see a big difference between winning the division and entering as a wild card team. It looks like they gave up two 2nd round picks from last years draft for him.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WxUSAF Posted July 27 Share Posted July 27 O’s need a prayer circle, seance, ayahuasca trip, voodoo sacrifice…something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdhokie Posted July 28 Share Posted July 28 3 hours ago, WxUSAF said: O’s need a prayer circle, seance, ayahuasca trip, voodoo sacrifice…something. Was at the game, and that joke of a play on a pop up behind third with two outs that gave up two runs made me think they weren't gonna win that game. Bad defense and not much offense. Mullins had 4 RBI tho! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormchaserchuck1 Posted July 28 Share Posted July 28 Lamar Jackson is now the 7th highest paid QB after Tua and Jordan Love lol. The Ravens got real lucky signing him. But if you look at teams records vs QB after year 2001, the QB position is still underpaid vs cap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MN Transplant Posted July 28 Share Posted July 28 20 hours ago, WxUSAF said: O’s need a prayer circle, seance, ayahuasca trip, voodoo sacrifice…something. Wild stat - of the top 8 teams in the AL, exactly none of them have a winning record over the last 10 games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickinBaltimore Posted July 28 Share Posted July 28 A game so nice, the O's had to win it twice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now