Too good to play baseball? A 5'3", 115 lbs. Cougar hero.

Hey Sportsfans!

Ever heard of a little leaguer too good to play? In Connecticut, believe it or not, a 9 year was banned from pitching because he was just too good. They said he throws too hard (40 mph), but he's never hit anyone. He has very good control of his pitches. As expected, his parents are upset. However, they really aren't helping themselves. The whole thing is just a big mess. The league administrators held a disastrous press conference to make things worse. Now legal action is being threatened. Well, you know who wins then? The lawyers. Read on: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3553475





















Can't keep Emmy out of the goal!







The Eagles are tough.





Coach Colin is firing up the team.





Sid and Emmy continue practicing during the next few weeks before the games begin. Not much to say here other than it's sure hot on the soccer field. Some rain would be nice, but I'm afraid we may get more than we want this week.

Football season is upon us. You know what that means. That's right. It's time for some Cougars football in the Wiregrass. Coach Chip Harris has the Northview High School Cougars ready for another tough season of Alabama 6A high school football.

Who knew the first game hero would be the smallest guy on the team?
He's 5'3" and 115 lbs, and now a Circle City legend. At least for a week. Just who is this superman in maroon and gold? Read here about Northview's latest win over one of it's staunch rivals, the Robert E. Lee Generals from Montgomery. http://www.dothaneagle.com/dea/sports/high_school_prep/high_school_football/article/northview_beats_lee_in_the_clutch/34110/


Cougars win. Commodores win. Longhorns roll big. The Tide blows out Clemson. When was the last time all four of these teams won in the same weekend? Maybe never? What in the samhill is going on? I blame global warming.


Speaking of the weather. Let's all hope and pray that Hurricane Gustav slows down before landing in Louisiana. Have a safe and fun week everyone.

The Sports Guy

Ray Finkle, Danny Almonte, Noah Lapidus and bring on the goalie gloves!

Hey Sportsfans!

Admit it, you enjoyed Jim Carrey's movie Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Great movie. Remember who Ray Finkle was in the move? In case you have forgotten, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ace_Ventura:_Pet_Detective for the full story. Love that movie. What are your favorite fictional sports-related characters or themes in movies? How about in Back to the Future Part II when it is announced that the National League Chicago Cubs beat the American League team 'Miami Gators' based in Miami, which has an alligator logo, in the 2015 World Series? Let me hear from you.

Here's another one, but this one is unfortunately true. Does Danny Almonte jog your memory? A few weeks before 9/11, the worst scandal in Little League history erupted and Mr. Almonte went from the penthouse to the doghouse. Well, seven years later ESPN has done a great story on them. Check it out here: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=cerda&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1

Soccer season is upon us. Emmy is playing at the LJCC with her usual crew of superstars. This group of dynamos has been playing together for at least five years now. Coached by Colin Davis, these mini-Mia Hamm's annually have been handing out losses to their arch rivals in bunches. Typically, the team wins about 90% of their games and finish either first or second in the standings. Led by Emily, Stella (or her sisters depending on the year), Crawford, Emily B., Courtney, Zoe and several others, these guys are a real treat to watch.

This team of Under 10s will practice for a few weeks and play their first games in mid-September. However with Boo still in a cast, I'm not sure if they will let her play for awhile. (Who knew theatre camp could be so dangerous?) I guarantee Emmy pleads to play goalie with it on! Cool cast color though.

Sidney's team will get started this upcoming week too. Not sure who is on the team or any of the particulars. She will likely play at the LJCC. If history dictates, Sid will rotate between goalie and forward. Great hands and quick feet are a tough combination to beat.

Speaking of a tough combination, Noah "the Lapdog" Lapidus was on his A game this weekend. He pulled a flawless performance in front a packed house. Noah chanted torah like a pro and his incredibly long haftorah portion was crisp. The hazzan better watch his back! If Noah's speech is an indication of anything, he might be writing for the Late Show one day. Nice job Noah!

That's all for now. Have a great week everyone.
TSG

'FROM ANOTHER 41-YEAR-OLD MOTHER'

From left, Amy Saag, Karen Nomberg and Randi Landy working on the 2005 BJF Campaign.

The following is from Randi Landy. Randi is this year's winner of the Birmingham Jewish Federation's Joanie Plous Bayer Young Leadership award.

This is from another 41-year-old Jewish Mom.

Thanks so much for including in Monday's Update the inspirational story of Dara Torres, Olympic superstar and 41-year-old Jewish Mother! She is a true inspiration. She shows that nothing is really impossible if you focus on a goal and ignore the negatives that are bound to arise when someone "raises the bar." It is truly remarkable when a person rises above what is "expected" and what is considered "possible." It makes me want to try harder, reach farther and exceed the limitations of my own making. I thank God that I am healthy and able to pursue my own goals in this way. I can think of another Jewish Mother who inspired many people in our local community. Karen Nomberg.

Karen dazzled Birmingham, not for what she had achieved as a "veteran," but rather at a young age. Karen was able to make a huge impact, at an early age, with her community leadership and enduring spirit of generosity.

Karen died in 2007 of breast cancer. She was 38. She won the Birmingham Jewish Federation's Joanie Plous Bayer Young Leadership award the year before I did. We can only imagine what she might have accomplished had she been able to "push the limits of possibility" at 41.

PUSHING OUR LIMITS
Every year, The Race for the Cure gives us an opportunity to push our limits. Our Race for the Cure team, originally formed to support Karen in her battle with breast cancer, was named Team Kate in her honor. (Kate was Karen's nickname.)

Before Karen passed away, she requested that the name of the team be changed to Team Kate Has Hope in honor of our friend, Jewish community member Hope McInerney, who, at 37, is a breast cancer survivor.

In memory of Karen, in honor of Hope, and in support of the many, many families in our community who have been affected by breast cancer, we can make a difference and reach for the impossible -- a cure.

Last year, our Jewish community's team, Team Kate Has Hope, raised the most money in the 16-year history of the Birmingham Race for the Cure. Team Kate Has Hope was also the largest team with more than 240 members walking or running the 3.1 miles.

This year The Race for the Cure will be October 11th, 2008.

In addition, October 24-26th, nine women from the Birmingham Jewish Community will walk in another breast cancer fundraising event -- The Breast Cancer 3-Day. They will walk 60 miles over the course of three days in Atlanta. These women will be part of the Angels 4 Angels Team; one of the "Angels" they will be walking for is Karen.

Indeed, it is awesome what we can do, especially when inspired by one beloved friend's life.
***
(For more information on Team Kate Has Hope, contact Randi Landy at randirama@charter.net and on The Breast Cancer 3-Day contact Joyce Spielberger at mailto:joyces@bjf.org

(This article was oringinally posted by the Birmingham Jewish Federation Update, August 20, 2008.)

Think Michael Phelps will swim in Birmingham? Mayor Langford is optimistic.

We're baaaack! Welcome to a whole new ballgame.

Hey Sportsfans!

Welcome back to another year (8th!) of the Weekly Sports Update, Nomberg-style. After years of refusing to see the benefits of a blog, I've now joined the ranks of millions. The bright side is that now I won't clutter up your inbox each week. Yea.

After a fun-filled summer vacation, Sid and Em are ready for another school term and exciting year of sports. We hope you had a relaxing break from the daily grind between Labor Day to Memorial Day. We sure did. In pictures below here is a glimpse of Sid and Em's fun times:

Sid is gearing up for 7th grade at a new school. The Altamont School. Exiciting, nervous, ready? I think I am. Sid certainly is. In addition to preparing for her Bat Mitzvah next June, she will take tap and jazz dance classes, but will drop pointe and ballet this year. Soccer, hoops and softball are still in the mix, so she will be a busy middle schooler this year.

Emmy is a 4th grader at the Day School. She had a great experience at Camp Ramah this summer. Book reports and posters are now finished. Bring on Miss Yelder's hot lunches!! Other than a broken bone in her right foot, not much has slowed our redhead down this summer. She will be taking jazz, tap, ballet and musical theatre this fall, plus playing all the usual team sports.

This is a work in progress so please forgive the formatting and editing errors. Check back whenever you have time. We will continue reporting weekly (I hope).

The Sports Guy