Hoops are upon us. Railroad Park rocks.

Coach Keith, meet Emmy J. Emmy J, meet Coach Keith. Em's Altamont hoops career began this week under the watchful eye of Coach Keith on the 7th-8th grade team. Em will act as the team's manager for this season. EJ will practice each day with the team and travel to the games. As a 6th grader, she is not eligible to play in the games, but she will be very much a part of the team.






Only a few on Sid's crew did a bunch of conditioning drills and running this past week. Not too much to report yet. Next week or so the rest of the team will finish their other sports seasons (cross country, volleyball, etc.). The team's first game is November 9th.

On Saturday, we visited Birmingham's Railroad Park in downtown. What a great place to visit. With 19 acres of green space in the middle of downtown Birmingham, including nine acres of open lawn, Railroad Park is the ideal place to have a little lunch, throw a little Frisbee, take a little jog. Many of the walls and seating areas are constructed from bricks and objects unearthed on the site when Railroad Park construction began. Re-used and recycled objects including hand cast bricks and original cobblestone can be found throughout the park. Railroad Park is 30% water, with a beautiful lake, a stunning rain curtain, a bio-filtration wetlands area and ponds & streams everywhere.





Having a great week: Cam Newton and his Auburn Tigers look very strong. The Texas Rangers bullpen looked better in game two against the Yanks. Cody Ross and the SF Giants look like anything but underdogs against the powerful Phillies. Ross keeps hitting dingers in the post season and the noname Giants are getting it done so far. Looking more and more like the 2010 Iron Bowl tickets will go for record amounts. I've seen 40-50 yard line tickets for prices ranging from $750-2500 each.

Not such a great week: Favre, on and off the field. The Gators, Razorbacks and Dores are not impressing anyone these days. What was Steve Spurrier thinking at the end of the Kentucky/South Carolina game? I wonder how long before the Braves cut Brooks Conrad and put him out of his misery? The NCAA for not allowing transfer guard Seth Curry to receive a national championship ring with his team, the Duke Blue Devils. Curry was a transfer last year who was required to sit out the season. Despite practicing all year with the team, the NCAA ruled he could not receive a ring because he was not eligible to play in the games. Sheesh.

Happy 35th to UD! (Really, he's 35???)
Good sports read: Badasses. The story of the Oakland Raiders during the 1970s.
Heading to AJ's BM next weekend.
Having a nice fall.
The Sports Guy

2010 Komen Race for the Cure, Birmingham

On Saturday, the 2010 Komen Race for the Cure took place in downtown Birmingham. What a day! 16,000+ racers. $1.5 mil money raised. Perfect weather. Great day.

Team Kate has Hope had a big day. The team was awarded the Race Chair and Friends/Family awards with most money raised ($18k+). The Team had more than 110 official members and dozens of unofficial members. Big props to Sid and Em. They were awarded the Ignite Passion award for their fundraising and inspiration of young people. Very proud of them.










The girls begin hoops practice this week.
Thankful to be home and in one piece.
Have a great week everyone!
The Sports Guy.