Boy- It has been quite a ride ! Thanks to all who have taken the time to read through the pages over the past 18 months!

Post #953...
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I wanted to start out by letting the 10 ATV-60 fans that won a 2009 Season Pass to the VBL that they should be receiving them over the next six weeks. The list of winners has been submitted to the VBL and the lucky fans should be hearing from their home teams before too long.
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With that said I wanted to take the time to Thank each and everyone of you that have clicked over to the site and read through the work. A special Thanks to those of you that took the time to write a note or post a thought! The goal over the past 18 months has been to try and find a way to make someone smile everyday and I hope we have accomplished that more days than not.
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I encourage each of you to continue to follow the efforts of the various sites that promote Good Will in our World today.
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THANK YOU & GOD BLESS !!!
Jerry B. Carter

More NCAA Baseball @ Rebel Park on Tuesday Night - This time its ODAC in the House

Less than 48 hours from thawing out from Saturday/Sunday with James Madison University playing 3 games against Bryant University, Rebel Park was back with college baseball under the lights.

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I forgot the camera this time but it was fun just the same. First pitch was at 8:00 sharp with Bridgewater College hosting Hampden-Sydney in game 2 of a double header. The teams played game 1 back at Jopson Field on campus before loading the buses for the drive North.

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Bridgewater earned the split with an 8-2 victory over the Tigers and other than the temperature at the end of the game, fun was had by all. Andy and Steve Cox covered the broadcast next to us in the booth and that proved to be quite entertaining as well.
You can click over to http://www.bridgewater.edu/athletics for info on the game.

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HAPPY ST.PATRICK'S DAY : Pics from Lindsey Wilson @ West Virginia Tech

Ness & Andy in between games.
Mr. & Mrs. WVT Athletic Director...

Former General - Pistol Pete Vandenbout leaving the game

Safe at second base on a double.

Andy coaching first base.

Pete getting the start.

Ness explaining the ground rules of his home park.

Danny was in his uniform this time around. Danny is the student assistant on the staff.

A skipper's job is never done!

Team prayer before starting the twin bill.

The fourth NCAA Post-Season Tourney will have a distinct Virginia flavor...

One year after adding a third Men's Hoops tournament to go along with the NCAA & NIT, there has been a fourth event added. A field of 16 will compete in the College Insider.com tournament this week.
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This is of interest because of the fact that almost 1/4 of the field plays their basketball here in the Great State of Virginia. Old Dominion, James Madison and Liberty will all compete for the title.
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Liberty University (22-11) kicks off the event with a game in Lynchburg tonight versus Rider (19-12). Wednesday night will have JMU (19-14) hosting Mt. Saint Marys (19-13) and ODU (21-10) hosting the Citadel (20-12).One more chance for the students of these schools to head down to the gym and cheer on their hoops teams.
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Bruce's Week-End Adventure with The Dukes...

The opposing managers during the Sunday rain delay.

Getting to be the "Voice" of the Dukes for 48 hours makes the list of Cool things I have been fortunate enough to do in my lifetime. Thanks to Kevin Warner for letting me sit in for him.

There were a few Home Run celebrations over the 3 game set.

Kevin enjoying a room with a view. Gotta love his portable office.

A bit of the action.

The man that gets the credit for keeping the field playable (with help from his players).

Bruce wanted the Dukes to feel at home so up went the sign in CF.

More game action...

Mrs. Alger hard at work.

The players and coaches of Stonewall Jackson in between games trying to get the field back in shape.

The umpiring staff for the games on Sunday.

Mike, Bruce and Katie.

Mike was the man when he ran out and bought a portable heater.

Kevin and Coach.

The heater!

This would be Austin hard at work during the game on Saturday. You can check out his pics and such on his sight by checking the side of our blog.

The balloons were a nice touch - JMU Purple & Gold.

The Dodge's not only showed up but they brought a gift!!!

More pics of the SJHS Grounds Crew...

Kevin studying the radar on Saturday.

The radar looked scary the entire series but they managed to get 3 games in.

Sitting around Rebel Park enjoying a pitchers duel and all of the sudden : Offenses gone wild!

Just when you think it is safe - 13 runs are scored in 15 minutes!

Plenty of fun pics from the Week-End coming as soon as I get caught up on the Wash Post work for tonight. The highlights include the always rare back-to-back-to-back Home Runs!

Still going at Rebel Park - Bryant 2, JMU 0 (Top 4TH)

JMU Dukes 9, Bryant Bulldogs 4 (Final) Game 2 still to come

Some photos will come up later but for those interested in reading about the opener you should click on the link to check out the efforts of Mr. Kevin Warner. Kevin tells me the game 1 gamer will be up in about 10 minutes or so at www.jmusports.com
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Bryant University...210...001...0- 4/8/1
James Madison U. ..006...300...X- 9/13/1

Rain Delay - 2hours, 18 minutes @ start
Time of game - 2 hours, 19 minutes
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This just in...
Game #2 set to start at 4:00 P.M. and will also be a 7 inning affair.
So if you are in the neighborhood.....

During the Rain Delay : A look inside the Book End State Titles for Region B- Buffalo Gap & George Mason get it done !

There was talk about Loudon County being the home of Class AA Girls Basketball with both Freedom and Loudon County claiming the State Championships this week in Richmond. But there was another set of book end titles captured down at the Siegel Center as Region B claimed both of the Class A Girls Crowns.
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The two schools are separated by a number of issues besides the ones that you need a Garmin to figure out. 160 miles of Old Dominion countryside separate the Shenandoah District (Gap) and Bull Run District (Mason) campuses but that is just the beginning. Buffalo Gap is small town America where everyone knows everyone and a traffic jam might be ten cars on the same stretch of scenic VA-42. In fact the busiest the community gets is when those pesky Red Pride folks make their way to Swoope.
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George Mason is located in the hustle and bustle of the Greater Metropolitan Washington D.C area. Bruce Alger just found the line I was looking for - if George Mason is Espresso then Gap is decaf. Big City/Small Town at its finest but today these two schools share a very special bond in that they both earned the right to be called Class A State Champions!!!
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Region B take pride in the efforts of your Titles...

Rain, Rain - Please go away... Trying to Play 2 @ Rebel Park

11:02 A.M. - Sitting in the Press Box at Rebel Park waiting to see if the tarp will be removed today. Taking advantage of the rain delay by visiting with a special group of folks here at Rebel Park. Your typical rain delay group and there is a radar screen in the mix...
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Bryant University (Smithfield, R.I.) skipper Jamie Pinzino (4TH season) and long time James Madison University Head Coach Spanky McFarland are sharing baseball stories with Kevin Warner, Katie Getz, Mike Ritchie and myself. This is a treat for me to get to talk baseball with McFarland, having been a long time fan/supporter of his program.
The radar does not look promising but that doesn't keep New Market GM Bruce Alger from thinking positive thoughts... Always smilin' Bruce Alger!
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11:30 A. M. - The temp is setting at a balmy 43 and the radar is full of green. The Bulldogs have a nine hour bus ride back up I-95 after the game so time is of the essence. The original format called for one nine inning game and one seven inning contest but only time will tell. McFarland is in his 12TH season at the helm of the Dukes program and something tells me this isn't his first rain delay. Pretty neat to get a behind the scenes look at the two Skippers trying to devise a plan of attack in making the day work for both schools.
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The kids for Bryant are on their final day of their Spring Break trip and are due back in class tomorrow morning. They have had a productive week in the state of Virginia by taking 2 of 3 from Richmond as well as single game wins over both Radford and Virginia Tech. Next group of folks taking a look at the radar with 5:00 P.M. exit time for the Bulldogs.
Plenty of discussion going now with the Umpires and reps from both schools...
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12:12 P.M. - The tarp is off and there is hope...
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