Your 2009 Little League World Series Schedule

The Little League World Series really is a double-edged sword for me. I love it because the baseball that you see is pure, exciting to watch, and is a great change-up to watching the majors, but on the other hand, now that I'm a college student, it's bad because I don't have the time to watch all the games that I used to between packing up and attending some mandatory pre-class activities that are a part of my job. Believe it or not, I missed watching the LLWS last year almost as much as I missed home. Odd, I know. Anyway, with special thanks to Scotty05 of the506 and Little League Online, here are your participants and this year's 2009 Little League World Series schedule (announcers included)! (I know that JP is cracking down on people who use information on his site without express permission, I have re-typed everything and formatted it to my own style, I hope that this is good enough, if not, I'm too afraid to ask his permission mainly because I don't think he knows that I exist, and I would like to keep it that way if at all possible ;-)) (all times eastern)

Pool A
Mid-Atlantic - Staten Island, New York
Northwest - Mercer Island, Washington
Southeast - Warner Robins, Georgia
Midwest - Urbandale, Iowa

Pool B
New England - Peabody, Massachusetts
West - Chula Vista, California
Southwest - San Antonio, Texas
Great Lakes - Russellville, Kentucky

Pool C
Caribbean - Willemstad, Curacao
Japan - Chiba City, Japan
MEA (Middle East-Africa) - Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Latin America - Maracaibo, Venezuela

Pool D
Europe - Ramstein AFB, Germany
Mexico - Reynosa, Mexico
Canada - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Asia-Pacific - Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei

August 21
Staten Island, NY vs. Mercer Island, WA 1:00 (Volunteer Stadium - ESPN - Sean McDonough and Orestes Destrade
Chinese Taipei vs. Germany 3:00 (Lamade Stadium - ESPN - Gary Thorne and Orel Hershiser_
Urbandale, IA vs. Warner Robins, GA 5:00 (Volunteer Stadium - ESPN - Sean McDonough and Orestes Destrade)
Peabody, MA vs. San Antonio, TX 8:00 (Lamade Stadium - ESPN - Gary Thorne and Orel Hershiser)

August 22
Canada vs. Mexico 11:00 (Lamade Stadium - ESPN - Gary Thorne and Orel Hershiser)
Curacao vs. Venezuela 1:00 (Volunteer Stadium - ESPN - Sean McDonough and Orestes Destrade)
Warner Robins, GA vs. Staten Island, NY 3:00 (Lamade Stadium - ABC - Gary Thorne and Orel Hershiser)
Saudi Arabia vs. Japan 6:00 (Volunteer Stadium - ESPN2 - Sean McDonough and Orestes Destrade)
Russellville, KY vs. Chula Vista, CA 8:00 (Lamade Stadium - ESPN2 - Gary Thorne and Orel Hershiser)

August 23
Urbandale, IA vs. Mercer Island, WA 12:00 (Volunteer Stadium - ESPN - Sean McDonough and Orestes Destrade)
Russellville, KY vs. San Antonio, TX 2:00 (Lamade Stadium - ABC - Gary Thorne and Orel Hershiser)
Chinese Taipei vs. Canada 3:00 (Volunteer Stadium - ESPN - Sean McDonough and Orestes Destrade)
Chula Vista, CA vs. Peabody, MA 6:00 (Volunteer Stadium - ESPN2 - Sean McDonough and Orestes Destrade)
Curacao vs. Japan 8:00 (Lamade Stadium - ESPN2 - Gary Thorne and Orel Hershiser)

August 24
Germany vs. Mexico 12:00 (Lamade Stadium - ESPN2 - Gary Thorne and Orel Hershiser)
Venezuela vs. Japan 2:00 (Volunteer Stadium - ESPN2 - Sean McDonough and Orestes Destrade)
Warner Robins, GA vs. Mercer Island, WA 4:00 (Lamade Stadium - ESPN - Gary Thorne and Orel Hershiser)
Curacao vs. Saudi Arabia 6:00 (Volunteer Stadium - ESPN2 - Sean McDonough and Orestes Destrade)
Staten Island, NY vs. Urbandale, IA 8:00 (Lamade Stadium - ESPN - Gary Thorne and Orel Hershiser)

August 25
Saudi Arabia vs. Venezuela 12:00 (Lamade Stadium - ESPN2 - Gary Thorne and Orel Hershiser)
Germany vs. Canada 2:00 (Volunteer Stadium - ESPN2 - Sean McDonough and Orestes Destrade)
Russellville, KY vs. Peabody, MA 4:00 (Lamade Stadium - ESPN - Gary Thorne and Orel Hershiser)
Mexico vs. Chinese Taipei 6:00 (Volunteer Stadium - ESPN2 - Sean McDonough and Orestes Destrade)
San Antonio, TX vs. Chula Vista, CA 8:00 (Lamade Stadium - ESPN2 - Brent Musburger and Orel Hershiser)

August 26
Mexico vs. Japan 4:00 (Lamade Stadium - ESPN - Gary Thorne and Orestes Destrade)
San Antonio, TX vs. Staten Island, NY 8:00 (Lamade Stadium - ESPN - Brent Musburger and Orel Hershiser)

August 27
Curacao vs. Chinese Taipei 4:00 (Lamade Stadium - ESPN - Gary Thorne and Orestes Destrade)
Warner Robins, GA vs. Chula Vista, CA 8:00 (Lamade Stadium - ESPN - Brent Musburger and Orel Hershiser)

August 29
International Championship: Mexico vs. Chinese Taipei 12:00 (Lamade Stadium - ABC - Brent Musburger and Orel Hershiser)
U.S. Championship: San Antonio, TX vs. Chula Vista, CA 3:00 (Lamade Stadium - ABC - Brent Musburger and Orel Hershiser)

August 30
Consolation Game: Mexico vs. San Antonio, TX 12:00 (Volunteer Stadium - ESPN - Karl Ravech and Orestes Destrade)
World Series Championship: International Champion vs. United States Champion 3:30 (Lamade Stadium - ABC - Brent Musburger and Orel Hershiser)

Ah, Sean McDonough is now working with the Little League World Series! That's way, way, way, way, way better than Karl Ravech and Dave Ryan, who served as Destrade's partner last year (Ryan did the weekend games) and while admittedly I used to like Dave Ryan, now it seems like he is trying too hard to get a memorable Gus Johnson-esque call at every possible moment, something he did not do a few years ago. Sean McDonough is the man as is Gary Thorne who I think works really well at the LLWS (and hockey). As far as analysts go, I generally enjoy Destrade although I could do without Hershiser (I miss Harold Reynolds!!!!!!). Oh, and why does ESPN/ABC constantly insist on shoving Brent Musburger down our throats at the very end of the event? He's pointless at the LLWS. Pointless. At least Thorne and McDonough call some other baseball (Orioles TV and CWS, respectively). But Musburger does not and it often shows during the broadcasts. And sadly, these are the championship boradcasts.

Here We Go Again: McNabb And Plaxico Burress Edition

The Eagles made every headline around the world last week when they signed Michael Vick. Earlier in the off-season, McNabb made a few headlines around the nation and many in the local area when he said he wanted some more play-makers at wide receiver. Well, combine a controversial player and the want of a playmaker and what do you get: an innocuous allusion that McNabb might want to bring in Plaxico Burress. Via The New York Post

Donovan McNabb lobbied for the Eagles to sign Michael Vick. Could Plaxico Burress be next?

It's highly unlikely, but McNabb joked yesterday about urging the team to sign Burress the same way he did with Vick.

"I don't think he would hurt," McNabb said when asked about Burress. "We have some great guys here at our receiver position. But, whatever you can do to enhance the team, you would look into it."

Earlier in his press conference, McNabb caused some confusion when asked if he would campaign for Burress the way he had for Vick.

"I did," McNabb said with a big smile. "I brought T.O. here. I have a relationship with Plaxico as well. When you have been in this league for a while you build relationships and you want to see guys get an opportunity to continue on."

Shortly after the press conference, members of the Eagles' public relations clarified McNabb's statement to reporters, saying the quarterback was indicating he has lobbied for people in the past, like Terrell Owens, but has not pushed for Burress.

Burress, who shot himself in the leg accidentally last November in a club, is currently awaiting the legal process to run its course. The NFL is expected to suspend the former Giants receiver after his court case is through.

The fun in Philly is unending this year! And I get that this is an incredibly unlikely scenario by almost everyone and that the allusion was even more innocuous than the Post makes it out to be (would not be the first time that the NY Post overexaggerated something of relative unimportance). But you have to wonder, what on earth would happen if Burress did join the Eagles? This town would go even more bonkers than it did with the Vick signing, if for the only reason being

But one thing is for sure: the owner of the Eagles, Jeffrey Lurie, really is only that in name as for better or for worse (and it really might be for better), he has all but lost any control he had over Banner, Reid, and McNabb (remember, McNabb said he lobbied for Vick to come here, which completely contradicted Florio of PFT who must have had a Mort moment when he reported that McNabb was unhappy with the signing). Good times are certainly here and more will be a'coming in the next few months!

Please Excuse Me While I Go Shoot Myself (Your Week 1 Fox Announcing Line-Up)

First of all, big time thanks to James Craven and 49er16 for filling in for me on such a short notice.

And yes, I am aware of the Brett Favre story and if we have a contract signing and/or an offiical announcement tonight, I will get it on here ASAP. But now, on to the business at hand. I'd say thanks to Mookie and Fang's Bites, but if you're an Eagles or a Panthers fan, this is not good news. At all. As in, get ready to shoot yourself, as I have had the not so great privilege of viewing Fox's press release of their Week 1 announcing assignments, and while I could sugarcoat it and copy and paste the actual PR, I'll make this as quick and as painless as possible by just stating the games and the announcers for Week 1 of the NFL on Fox. And for all you Eagles and Panthers fans, there's been a HORRIBLE CHANGE!!!!! (all times eastern)

Philadelphia @ Carolina 1:00 (Dick Stockton and Charles Davis)
Minnesota @ Cleveland 1:00 (TBD)
Detroit @ New Orleans 1:00 (Chirs Myers and Trent Green)
Dallas @ Tampa Bay 1:00 (Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa)
San Francisco @ Arizona 4:15 (TBD)
Washington @ New York Giants 4:15 (Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, SR: Pam Oliver)
St. Louis @ Seattle 4:15 (Ron Pitts and John Lynch)

If your game is a TBD game, that means you are either getting Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan or Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick. Either way, I do pity you, although I think you all need to pity me a whole lot more. Trust me, I need it.

And for the depth chart junkies, here is your Fox depth chart this year starting from the top, to the You Know Your Team Sucks If This Is Your Announce Team team.

Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Pam Oliver
Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa
Dick Stockton and Charles Davis
Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick
Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan
Ron Pitts and John Lynch
Crhis Myers and Trent Green

And for all those representing the suicide hotline out there or what not, the title of that post is SARCASTIC!!!!!! Barely sarcastic, but nonetheless, I am not really about to blow my brains out. Although my toes may only have a few more minutes of attachment........

Here We Go Again

(Guest posted by 49ers16 from Keith's Sports Journal)

Oh crap, here we go again. Brett Favre is on an airplane headed to Minnesota. He's expected to sign a contract with the Vikings and begin practice by this afternoon. Of course this is Brett Favre and he could do a million things from now till the end of the day. Good luck Minnesota. We've seen this guy's act before. And good luck Brett, your going to need it for that Monday Night game in Green Bay.

Report: Favre is expected to sign with Vikings today (PFT)

Boom Outta Here

The wife beating, reporter hating Brett Myers is at it again and this time he's making up stories.

Myers was suppose to make a rehab start for the Phillies Class A team, but was a late scratch. He said that he had hurt his eye while playing catch with his son. So basically he got a black eye while playing catch with his son. I think we can say that has happened before. Your playing catch with the old man, he throws one up in the sun you can't see it and the ball hits in the eye. But this is Brett Myers we are talking about, so that I can't be the complete story. And it wasn't.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro reported that Myers had misinformed the team about the cause of the injury. Amaro said that Myers hurt his eye when he slipped getting out of his car, hit his eye, and suffered significant swelling around his eye. So Myers lied originally then back-tracked. I guess he really hasn't changed.

I just hope this incident doesn't involve his wife.

Oh yeah, back to the title of this post. When Brett Myers cursed out that reporter a couple of years ago, he said to the guy, "Boom outta here." And here's the audio from that incident.



Myers Hit In the Eye(Philled In)

2009 NFL Preview: Green Bay Packers

(Typed on Saturday night)

By JFein

The Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay started last year and suffice to say, it was not as successful as the Favre era was. However, much of the blame cannot be placed on Aaron Rodgers as a lack of a running game put too much pressure on Rodgers and that would be too much for him to overcome last year. This year, Rodgers is another year older and another season smarter and things could be looking on the up and up for the Green Bay Packers. Or are they?

Is Favre Still a Distraction?: I do not blame you if you skip over this section, I'm as sick of Favre stories as the next guy is, but with all of the talk that he might come back to the Vikings, perhaps in large part to spite the Packers management for their poor dealings of him a year ago, has got to be in their minds. And besides, it does not help that people NEVER STOP TALKING ABOUT HIM! Every day there is some new Favre story out there. In fact, I'm pretty sure that it is a headline that Favre went to bed at 10:00 last night. And now I will do what everyone in the mainstream media has failed to do for the entire decade: stop talking about Brett Favre for 10 minutes.

Aaron Rodgers: I said it above, but I'll say it again, I did not think that Aaron Rodgers had that bad of a year last year. There is hope for the Pack at the QB positon. It was not a great year, but he did not have the support that he needed on offense. There is no playmaker on the Packers that can break the game open at any time with any touch of the ball. More on that down below.

Running Back: Oy ve. Where do we start? The lack of a credible back-up or the fact that Ryan Grant was a complete 1-year wonder? The Packers are certainly hoping that the 1-year wonder was the off-year last year and the real Ryan Grant was the Ryan Grant that we saw in 2007, but somehow I'm not buying that. But hey, I've been wrong before. All I know is after what we saw last year, at the very least, I would have someone else in the backfield other than Tyrell Sutton, John Kuhn, and Brandon Jackson. I almost hate to say it, but going after and signing Corell Buckhalter may just have been stupid enough idea to actually work in Green Bay.

Wide Receivers: More Packer woes. For starters, Donald Driver, while a decent veteran, is not getting any older and is more than likely past his prime. The only other productive receiver that they have that is in his prime is Greg Jennings. Now I don't have a problem with Jennings or anything, but you need more than that to be a successful offense, especially with a noticeable lack of running game. If you want to play a Colts style offense that consists of constant passes, there should at least be several decent wide receivers that can make plays. I do not see that in Green Bay, though.

Packers defense: Sorry for the lack of creative titles. It is currently 11:02 on a Saturday night and my eyes are literally half shut. Anyways, the Packers defense also struggled a bit as well last year, not helping the young Aaron Rodgers at all. If the Packers want to have any shot at the playoffs this year, they are going to have to step it up big time on defense. There are certain teams such as Indianapolis and New England where the strength of the offense is so much that they do not need a really strong defense to carry them all the way, sadly for them, the Packers are not one of those teams.

Video: Number 4's last throw as a Packer. (see, I kept my word by never mentioning his name ;-))



Prediction: 6-10, 3rd place NFC North. Sorry Packers fans, I just don't see your team doing anything special yet. The offense is not where it needs to be and while Rodgers is not a bad QB, he needs much more than what he has. And while the Packer defense does have some bright spots, to me it seems like not enough is there to make a legit run at things.

In Tribute to the New Premier League Season...

(Guest posted by JamesCraven from The O Files)

So the 2009-10 Premier League season has begun (we know what you're thinking, Mookie), so in honor of the new campaign, here's a bunch of bloopers from last season.