EA Sports
I am a sports nerd. I love sports. I can barely skate but I love the game of hockey. I am afraid of a baseball, but still played on a softball team for years so I could umpire games. I definitely love to ride my bike and ski, but I would rather check out the results of comps and races than enter them. Some of my friends like to cook, bake, sew, garden, actually play hockey... I like to watch, analyze and talk about sports. Some of my friends laugh at my sports rants and some actually listen and participate. I thought I would take this opportunity to give the readers their monthly sports fix. Pro, amateur, international and local sports all are of interest to me and hopefully I can generate some new Fernie sports fans out there.
October is my favourite month. It has been noted that fall is a favourite Fernie local time of year and October is the perfect fall month. In September we still yearn for the last days of summer but by October we are ready to embrace fall. The changing of the leaves, needle laden bike trails, wood gathering, crock pot dinners, wood stoves, Halloween, my birthday... but the best thing about fall? Pro sports!
Most Fernie-ites are busy being world class athletes rather than watching them. There is however something to be said about October hibernation and some entertainment on the TV while you eat your crock pot dinner in front of the wood stove. Here is a quick outline of the four major pro sports which all can be checked out in the month of October.
Even avid sports fans can be bored by the 160+ game baseball season. You can't however beat Mr. October himself Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees hurtling his body (a hot one at that) in front of a line drive and snatching it out of mid air. Only eight teams make the Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs known as the fall classic. It is the cream of the crop out there and it makes for some real quality entertainment. If you still do not become a baseball fan grab a bag of peanuts and drink enough beer to enjoy singing "take me out to the ball game" in the seventh inning, even non-baseball fans know the words to that one.
The National Football League (NFL) is in full swing and with a short 16 game season every game counts. Many of my girlfriends used to complain about complete negligence from their boyfriends on Sundays. 12 hours of football can take its toll on a relationship. Some found that some light betting helped them endure super Sundays. One friend won $2000 by picking the teams she thought would win the week’s games. Her picks were made on which city she liked better. Doesn't say much for the odds being stacked in my favour by pouring over the stats each week. Create an office football pool or grab a group of friends and do one over wine (or beer) each week. Here's how:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4488101_do-weekly-football-pool.html
The NBA or National Basketball Association gets underway in October and even though it is one of my lesser favourite sports you can't help but root for Steve Nash. What other basketball player can play in the playoffs with his eye swollen shut and still dominate? Steve Nash is a two time MVP and is Canadian, need I say more? Even if you are not a sports fan it would have been hard to not hear about "The Decision." A one hour interview special on a player’s decision as to where he would play this season. Lebron James is also a two time MVP but I have to question the toughness of someone who has to do a televised special to announce where he will play. Did I mention the best thing about the NBA is Steve Nash? He plays for the Phoenix Suns and is probably in his last year so check him out, he is a true sports hero. www.Stevenash.org
Last but not least HOCKEY! The Sidney Crosby goal in overtime that won Canada Olympic gold is still a vivid image in my brain and one that will live in the mind of all Canadians for a long time to come. I can't say that watching the National Hockey League (NHL) will have the same effect as the Olympics did for the non sports fan but it is our national pastime. I am pretty sure that everyone out there at least knows a few hockey players names and maybe even the teams they play for. Hockey is a great base for friendly jabs and ribbing. You often hear heated discussions on the battle of Alberta or even more prevalent in Fernie the Flames/Canucks rivalry. I personally will be with a couple rival Flames fans October 7 for the Flames/Oilers season opener, and although my team finished last in the 09/10 season and my goalie is facing jail time for a DUI, I will be cheering for my Oilers proud and (as my friends know) loud!
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