Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Meet the baseball player with the backward leg
Dugan Smith was any average 10 year old boy, going to school, playing baseball and pickup basketball games in the driveway, with big dreams of being a major league pitcher when he grew up.
On a class field trip to the local DQ, Dugan was being pushed in a wheelchair (impaired with a foot cast from a previous sports injury) by a classmate who, as most 10 year old kids would, test the speed of the wheelchair. An uneven sidewalk halted the wheelchair and sent Smith flying into an even bigger injury: a broken leg.
As unfortunate as Dugan's injuries piling up seemed to be, the battle back to being a healthy 10 year old had only begun. When doctors began X-Rays and MRI's to fix the damage to his leg, they discovered a malignant tumor the size of a softball near his femur. As only a fourth grader, diagnosed with bone cancer (osteosarcoma) Dugan's parents had many questions on treatments, recovery etc. Dugan had only one question: If my leg has to be amputated from above the knee, how will I be able to keep playing baseball?
Because of the proximity and severeness of the tumor, doctors at the Ohio State University Medical Center (Smith a big Buckeye fan) and parents opted for a rare, radical procedure to save Dugan's opportunity to continue playing sports. Van Nes roationplasty was established in the 1950s, but only few are performed each year in the U.S.
Rotationplasty procedures are a type of autograft, where a portion of a limb is removed, while remaining portion of limb is rotated and reattached. In Dugan's case, the upper portion of the leg doused with cancer was removed, and the lower portion was rotated and reattached. This means, the ankle joint, becomes the knee joint. This allows the patient, after rigorous therapy and rehabilitation, to have a fully functioning knee- making running and jumping possible.
Just 2 hours after the grueling 21-hour surgery, Dugan could move his toes. With follow up surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments, he missed nearly all of his 5th grade year at school. Now, 13 years old Dugan is back in school, 2-years and counting cancer-free, and rotating between time on the mound and 1st base for his junior high baseball team.
An unbelievable story, but not fiction. I grew up knowing Dugan (his father was my 8th grade history teacher). His story is nothing less than inspiring. He has come so far and leaves me with a quote to live by "Never give up, because 90% of it is in your mind."
Dugan will be featured TONIGHT on ESPN at 8pm on the program E60. Be sure to check it out!
If I can find a clip/link later I will be sure to share!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Woman runs marathon while 39 weeks pregnant?
http://espn.go.com/chicago/olympics/story/_/id/7084374/oh-baby-woman-runs-chicago-marathon-gives-birth
It is a short summary of the article I found, be sure to check it out.
This story seems to me to bring rise to a bit of controversy. Should a woman 39 weeks pregnant be running a marathon? For those of you who aren't aware, a marathon is 26.2 miles.
Amber Miller, a seasoned marathon participant claimed to start feeling contractions shortly after crossing the finish line. Nearly 39 weeks pregnant, Miller was cleared by her doctor to half run-half walk the race. She brought in a time of 6 hours and 25 minutes, baby and all. When finished she noticed contractions became regular, stopped for a sandiwch and headed to the hospital. Baby girl June, was born around 10:30 pm weighing 7pounds and 13 ounces. Amber Miller was happy but said Sunday was "the longest day of my life."
How do you feel about this situation? Should expecting mothers be "allowed" to participate in such a gruelling athletic competition so close to delivery time?
Funny as it seems, this wasn't even Baby June's first marathon. Amber competed in Wisconsin while 4 months pregnant with her, and once before with her older brother (now 19 months) while he was 4 months in the womb also. Despite the extra weight, Amber finished the race just 3 hours off of her personal best.
According to Miller, the race was the easiest part of her day.
It is a short summary of the article I found, be sure to check it out.
This story seems to me to bring rise to a bit of controversy. Should a woman 39 weeks pregnant be running a marathon? For those of you who aren't aware, a marathon is 26.2 miles.
Amber Miller, a seasoned marathon participant claimed to start feeling contractions shortly after crossing the finish line. Nearly 39 weeks pregnant, Miller was cleared by her doctor to half run-half walk the race. She brought in a time of 6 hours and 25 minutes, baby and all. When finished she noticed contractions became regular, stopped for a sandiwch and headed to the hospital. Baby girl June, was born around 10:30 pm weighing 7pounds and 13 ounces. Amber Miller was happy but said Sunday was "the longest day of my life."
How do you feel about this situation? Should expecting mothers be "allowed" to participate in such a gruelling athletic competition so close to delivery time?
According to Miller, the race was the easiest part of her day.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Dr. Spencer!
I fixed it! But my latest post got lost in translation! I will have to re-write this evening after work!
Woohooo!
Woohooo!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
BGSU Club Softball
Club Softball is an extracurricular activity here at Bowling Green State University. The club is comprised of sixteen women, and one academic advisor. The club is ran by an elected set of leaders: the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, trip leader, and safety officer.
Each year this team participates as a National Club Softball Association (NCSA) member. BG competes within the league, as well as non-league teams in both the Fall and Spring. Each game day consists of triple or double-header games. Travel is a big part of the league. Within our division teams from Grand Valley State, Central Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana-South Bend, University of Michigan, and also BG compete for a bid to Nationals. Some non-league teams are also year to year competition including Ohio State, Miami University, Eastern Kentucky University, and more. These non-league games are double-headers.
Nationals are held each Spring, around mid-March in either Florida or Georgia. National tournaments such as this are all ran by a bid process. A season win (in league comp.) denotes a point value, which stems to a ranking within the NCSA. This ranking is used to determine competition levels at national tournaments.
BGSU women's club has not been to Nationals in about 3 years. Nor a national tournament. Unfortunately, the club does not have the full backing of the University when it come to financing a season. It is very tough in this economy to make ends meet, and especially for voluntary endeavors. We are currently fund raising as much as possible. If anyone has any fundraising suggestions, or questions about BG Club Softball, feel free to leave a comment!
BG kicks off their Fall season Sunday, Sept. 18th vs. Grand Valley State.
'Home' games are held at Fostoria High School, 1001 Park Avenue, Fostoria OH.
Game time is 11am, 1 & 3pm.
Each year this team participates as a National Club Softball Association (NCSA) member. BG competes within the league, as well as non-league teams in both the Fall and Spring. Each game day consists of triple or double-header games. Travel is a big part of the league. Within our division teams from Grand Valley State, Central Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana-South Bend, University of Michigan, and also BG compete for a bid to Nationals. Some non-league teams are also year to year competition including Ohio State, Miami University, Eastern Kentucky University, and more. These non-league games are double-headers.
Nationals are held each Spring, around mid-March in either Florida or Georgia. National tournaments such as this are all ran by a bid process. A season win (in league comp.) denotes a point value, which stems to a ranking within the NCSA. This ranking is used to determine competition levels at national tournaments.
BGSU women's club has not been to Nationals in about 3 years. Nor a national tournament. Unfortunately, the club does not have the full backing of the University when it come to financing a season. It is very tough in this economy to make ends meet, and especially for voluntary endeavors. We are currently fund raising as much as possible. If anyone has any fundraising suggestions, or questions about BG Club Softball, feel free to leave a comment!
BG kicks off their Fall season Sunday, Sept. 18th vs. Grand Valley State.
'Home' games are held at Fostoria High School, 1001 Park Avenue, Fostoria OH.
Game time is 11am, 1 & 3pm.
Shawn & I, assessing the World Baseball Classic
1. In the Klein (2008) article, he talks about "growing the game." What does that mean? How effectively has the WBC enabled baseball to "grow the game?" How would you assess the effectiveness of the WBC compared to FIFA's growth of soccer?
We understand "growing the game" to be an attempt at raising awareness of the sport, gaining popularity and viewership. Also we assume it to be a concept of increasing revenue within the sport.
The WBC is still in the early stages of its venture. So compared to FIFA, who has been years into it's project, the WBC has not been effective. However, we do not speculate about it happening in the future. The WBC has only attempted (2) classics, while FIFA has held numerous competitions.
2. At the end of the article, Klein outlines a way that could you could have global competition in baseball. How well do you think that would work? What would be pros and cons of implementing international play?
We believe, that although in theory it is brilliant, this venture will not work. Travel schedules, costs of travel, etc. would be impractical and ineffective. But there are some pros vs cons to consider. Some of the positives international competition brings would be having international competition. This global market could potentially spike interest in the sport and allow baseball to play on a ''world stage." A few cons to consider are the heavy weight of travel costs, time zone differences (for both play and broadcasting), and the varying styles of play. We also don't believe in the sport, there is a uniform level of talent to make games competitive.
3. Based upon other sports' efforts at globalization, what suggestions would you make to help baseball grow in the global marketplace?
We suggest that WBC leaders should look into expanding withing the European market. Aside from the Netherlands and Italy, baseball isn't popular or even an 'open market.' This could aide the venture in expanding to a global scale, while also creating a market for the sport.
(Repectfully submitted per Stephanie Loomis & Shawn Weimer)
We understand "growing the game" to be an attempt at raising awareness of the sport, gaining popularity and viewership. Also we assume it to be a concept of increasing revenue within the sport.
The WBC is still in the early stages of its venture. So compared to FIFA, who has been years into it's project, the WBC has not been effective. However, we do not speculate about it happening in the future. The WBC has only attempted (2) classics, while FIFA has held numerous competitions.
2. At the end of the article, Klein outlines a way that could you could have global competition in baseball. How well do you think that would work? What would be pros and cons of implementing international play?
We believe, that although in theory it is brilliant, this venture will not work. Travel schedules, costs of travel, etc. would be impractical and ineffective. But there are some pros vs cons to consider. Some of the positives international competition brings would be having international competition. This global market could potentially spike interest in the sport and allow baseball to play on a ''world stage." A few cons to consider are the heavy weight of travel costs, time zone differences (for both play and broadcasting), and the varying styles of play. We also don't believe in the sport, there is a uniform level of talent to make games competitive.
3. Based upon other sports' efforts at globalization, what suggestions would you make to help baseball grow in the global marketplace?
We suggest that WBC leaders should look into expanding withing the European market. Aside from the Netherlands and Italy, baseball isn't popular or even an 'open market.' This could aide the venture in expanding to a global scale, while also creating a market for the sport.
(Repectfully submitted per Stephanie Loomis & Shawn Weimer)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.
Stephanie, a sports management major here at Bowling Green State University. This is my third year here at BGSU. I am an avid hiker, biker, photographer and I will play almost any sport. But I most enjoy softball, which I am president of the club team for BGSU. I also am the current Youth Sports coordinator for the Geary Family YMCA of Fostoria. Check us out! http://www.gearyfamilyymca.org/
As I mentioned before this is a blog kept to fulfill course requirements for SM3950. Our first meeting we also did an introduction and talked about our athletic like/dislikes and what global sporting event we would want to be involved with. So I will brief you on those.
I enjoy being involved in all types of sports from solo events like golf to team sports like basketball. My personal favorite sport to participate in is softball. I have played for about 18 years now competitively and also coached for 4. I have played in 5 USSSA World Series events from 12u-18u. I have also played basketball, soccer, golf, track, and cross-country competitively.
If I could attend any global sporting event it would be either a Super Bowl, or the Olympics. I do not have a preference on the Olympic event, since they have removed Softball. I would like to experience both a team sport and individual competition though.
I look forward to many more interesting topics and discussions in this course, and I hope you comment along the way!
As I mentioned before this is a blog kept to fulfill course requirements for SM3950. Our first meeting we also did an introduction and talked about our athletic like/dislikes and what global sporting event we would want to be involved with. So I will brief you on those.
I enjoy being involved in all types of sports from solo events like golf to team sports like basketball. My personal favorite sport to participate in is softball. I have played for about 18 years now competitively and also coached for 4. I have played in 5 USSSA World Series events from 12u-18u. I have also played basketball, soccer, golf, track, and cross-country competitively.
If I could attend any global sporting event it would be either a Super Bowl, or the Olympics. I do not have a preference on the Olympic event, since they have removed Softball. I would like to experience both a team sport and individual competition though.
I look forward to many more interesting topics and discussions in this course, and I hope you comment along the way!
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