Fox Tries To Use Ludacris To Attack Obama

Fox News is at it again. Sean Hannity, speaking from the far right-wing fringes of our society, tried to use lyrics of rap star Ludacris to attack Obama. Hannity obsesses every time an accusation of racism goes against pretty much anyone white from someone who is black. In his ongoing mission to use guilt-by-association politics, hannity is using some lyrics from a Ludacris rap song that take shots at people, to try and paint Obama as this radical black man who will turn the White House over to Muslim extremists minutes after he takes the oath. Hannity is ignorant and his obsession to try and paint Obama as this black radical is offensive not only to black people and Muslim people, but also to white people who know better. Ludacris is responsible for his own rap lyrics and Obama is responsible for things that he says and does. It was another weak attempt by Hannity to try and drum up fear in white people at the prospect of electing a black man president.

http://www.newshounds.us/2008/07/31/hannity_uses_ludacris_to_paint_obama_again_as_a_black_radical.php#more

Ron Artest Is Still ... Ron Artest

Ron Artest, he of the infamous basketball brawl in Auburn Hills between the Indiana Pacers and my Detroit Pistons several years back, is a very good basketball player ... of that there is little doubt. But, some of the things that go on in Ron's head and that come out of his mouth can be disturbing. It's one thing when Ron speaks for himself, but it's another thing when he says negative things that can cast black people as a whole in a negative light ... particularly in the eyes of people predisposed to buying into such stereotypes. I read a comment from Artest while I was browing exploring ESPN.com (from the Sacramento Bee) and he said the following, in response to future teammate Yao Ming's concern about Artest's fighting history, "I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto. That's not going to change. I'm never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don't think he's ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture. Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he'll understand what I'm about." OK, stay tuned.

Disclaimer: The opinions of Ron Artest are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of all black people or black culture.

So Long Pudge ... We'll Miss You ... Even Playing For The Yankees!

I have to admit, I was disappointed to see the Detroit Tigers trade Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez for relief pitcher Kyla Farnsworth of the New York Yankees. On paper, and in reality, it's good trade for both teams. The Tigers get desperately-needed help in the bullpen with Farnsworth coming back to Detroit and the Yankees get a sorely-needed catcher to fill in for veteran catcher Jorge Posada, who is now apparently out for the season. The deal makes sense on a lot of levels, particularly since the Tigers have Brandon Inge who can play catche and Pudge was likely going to be gone from Detroit next season anyway. But, I salute Pudge, who was one of the guys to sign with the Tigers when the franchise was down in the dumps. He was the beginning of the tidal wave that helped turn the Tigers around and make it cool for stars to come to Detroit. It's hard to say good luck for the Yankees ... even with Pudge there ... I wish Pudge to do well, but I am unsure about rooting for the Yankees.

Paul Pierce: The Line Between Conceit And Confidence

Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce, still basking in the glow of his team's successful run to the 2007-08 NBA Championship, is flexing his game in front of a worldwide stage. While in Spain, Pierce was asked by a Spanish reporter whether Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was the best player in basketball. Pierce ... er ... uh ... obviously didn't think so. Pierce's answer, as I first spotted on Yahoo, "I don't think Kobe is the best player. I'm the best player. There's a line that separates having confidence and being conceited. I don't cross that line but I have a lot of confidence in myself." Well, OK. Obviously, there is not a lack of confidence in Pierce's game, but that helps being backed up by Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. The Celtics won because they have a better team. They were able to run multiple players at Kobe and bottle him up enough to try and force the other Lakers to beat him. Those other Lakers couldn't and the trophy presentation and parade went on as scheduled in Boston. Paul Pierce is an excellent player, who has won a championship, but he is not a better all-around player than Kobe Bryant or LeBron James (the two guys I think are the best). Matter of fact, Paul is not even the best player on his team ... ahem ... I'd like to introduce, Kevin Garnett. And, if you want to start a championship ring count ... Kobe has him there, too (of course we know Kobe was backed up by Shaquille O'Neal, as Shaq informed us in his now-infamous diss rap). But, when you when the championship you have the right to brag and talk up your game. It will be up to someone to knock off the Celtics to simmer him down.

Followers Of The Detroit Lions: Fans or Fools?

Let me preface by saying I recent purchased a Detroit Lions football jersey. The last two I bought turned out to be duds (Joey Harrington and Charles Rogers ... sigh). The one I recently bought (through a good eBay deal) is Jon Kitna. So, am I a fan or a fool? Or, could I and legions of other fans of the Lions be something of a combination of the two? Who knows, but if nothing else we are loyal to our beloved Lions - in spite of how often they have let us down in recent centuries ... er ... decades. It was nice to see the Detroit Lions open up the team's compound in Allen Park (some would say that place is more tightly-guarded than the Pentagon or Guantanamo Bay). The Lions need to start treating their fans a little better and cease taking them so much for granted (even though we perhaps deserve it since we come back for more punishment in an almost masochistic fashion). Lions fans should enjoy this time with the undefeated Detroit Lions because as much as I would hope for the best I must prepare for what has been reality.

Miracles do happen ... and boy are the Lions past due for their miracles.

To Sag Or Not to Sag ... That Is The ... Crime?

Obviously, many people wish that young people would resist the temptation to follow in lockstep with the strange fad of wearing pants that sag to varying degrees: mid-ass or three-quarter ass and with or without boxer shorts or with or without cotton briefs ("tighty whities" as some people refer to them). Is it disappointing some of our young people choose to wear their pants in such a fashion? Yes, yes, yes. Is it a legal matter? No, no, no. Some probably partake in this practice as a fashion statement, as a show of mild rebellion, and some probably could manufacture some other reason. The real question: Why does the police department in Flint (MI) seem to feel this is a legal matter? It's one thing if a person is giving us too much skin (I thought Saginaw was called the Sag-nasty?). That I can more so understand. This is beyond that, however. Has crime in Flint become so manageable that the police now have the flexibility to pursue other smaller crimes? Uh, I think not (with no disrespect intended toward Flint or its people). As I read in some commentary, this could be used as a tool to potentially amp up racial profiling targeted most closely at young black males. This is a law that needs more than to be revisited ... it needs to be erased. I think police officers should have better things to do than to ... I don't know, pull up a young guy's shirt, take out a ruller and measure how far his pants sag from his "waist" to judge the severeity of this "crime." What's next ... male police officers pulling over young girls to check the criminality of their sagging pants and thong underwear?

Detroit Is Bringing In Kwame ... NO, NOT THAT ONE!

The Detroit Pistons have apparently come to terms with free-agent center Kwame Brown. While the name Kwame is a bit scary to some people in Detroit, and rightfully so these days, this is a low-risk move for the Pistons. Detroit needs some help on the front line and Brown, at 6 foot 11 is a reasonable signing for the Pistons to beef up the front line with a little experience. Detroit has done a good job during the years of Joe Dumars as team president of taking on some underachieving (Chauncey Billups), little known (Ben Wallace) or at-risk players (Rasheed Wallace) and converting them into productive players. Brown is worth the risk.

A Second Chance For Tiger Stadium?

It appears members of Detroit's City Council have taken an opportunity to not only reasonably maintain a treasured piece of history, but do something positive for Corktown, the city, its citizens, and baseball history. Who knows whether this is the real deal or yet another tease from a city council that reverses itself often. According to the Detroit Free Press, it appears the actual field at Tiger Stadium will be preserved in some fashion to continue the tradition of baseball at the corner and to ultimately house a baseball museum with artifacts largely from Hall of Fame legendary annoncer Ernie Harwell - one of the leaders in the mission to preserve some portion of the stadium at Michigan and Trumbull. Those of us who embrace history could never thank Ernie enough - particularly should his efforts ultimately prove successful. The war to save some part of Tiger Stadium is not over, but a major battle was one by preservationists who managed to raise somewhere in the neighborhood of $400,000. It will be up to people like U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (who is trying to secure millions of dollars in earmarks to make this possible) to see if he can secure some money to truly convert what will be left of Tiger Stadium into a crown jewel for a neighborhood where baseball was king for longer than most of us can remember.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080728/SPORTS02/80728062

Jones Was An Issue; Bullpen Woes Have Always Been A Concern

Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland had no choice but to take Todd Jones out of the closer slot in the bullpen. Jones, historically, has had more than his share of shaky saves over the years. But, Jones needs a break from his usual role as closer. Leyland knew it, Jones understands it, and obviously the fans made their feelings pretty clear after the blown opportunity against the White Sox - an important game for the Tigers who ended up losing two of three in the series (including the first one that they should have had). Whether or not Fernando Rodney is the answer is a matter of considerable opinion, but a change clearly was in order. The Tigers' bullpen woes are hardly breaking news, but the situation is what it is and the team now has to adapt as best it can (unless management is willing to make a move). Somehow, Detroit is still within striking range of the division and wild card, but no way can the Tigers let many more opportunities slip through their fingers and have that statement continue to ring true.

Kwame Kilpatrick Needs To Step Aside

It's time for beyond disgraced Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to step aside and paved the way for someone else to take his place and begin to clean up the mess that has become of the city. Kilpatrick's legal difficulties with respect to the text messaging scandal and everything. But, now we have an alleged assault of a Wayne County Sheriff deputy - apparently by Kilpatrick himself. It's time for the mayor to step down from his post and spare the city any further disgrace in the eyes of Southeast Michigan, the state of Michigan as a whole, and the nation. The city can no longer afford to pay the price(s) of its association with Kilpatrick. If Kilpatrick truly loves and cares about the city, he will do the right thing and step aside.

Assorted links on Kwame Kilpatrick's scandals:

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/METRO/80124001/0/METRO&template=theme&theme=METRO-DETROIT-MAYOR

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080726/METRO01/807260350/1361

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080728/NEWS01/80728031

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080728/NEWS01/80728004

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080726/NEWS01/807260347/0/NEWS01

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080726/OPINION04/807260319/0/NEWS01



Well, that's enough of them for now.

The demise of Tiger Stadium

I can think of many a special afternoon I spent at Tiger Stadium with my dad and mom. Baseball is such a special game. I love basketball and I love football. But, like so many people, baseball is a game that seems to have a timeless quality and a game that touches a special button in the hearts of so many people. Count me among those people. But, I can't say I am particulary sad to see the demolition of Tiger Stadium ... it is past time for the facility in its decrepit form to hit the ground. It does, however, disappoint me to see that there is apparently little chance that the actual diamond could be salvaged and converted in a historical museum/minor league-type baseball stadium that could fill a multitude of needs. Maybe Detroit could attract minor league baseball or spark more of an interest in high school baseball in the area with a diamond that would be ideal for championships. Instead, ridiculous politics will probably completely wipe away a historic jewel and create just what Detroit needs ... another vacant lot. How sad. Sad, but not totally unexpected considering the craziness taking place in the city where I was born and raised. My heart aches, but not for the demise of Tiger Stadium, but rather for the kind of foolishness that has caused so much corruption and prevents reasonable decisions to preserve such a precious jewel. Decisions we've seen in recent years in Detroit lead to serious questions about the decision-making abilities of so many of the people running the city.

New Yorker Cover Satirical and Controversial

First of all, black and Muslim people understand satire - in its many forms. People please, give the critics of the recent New Yorker magazine credit for some level of sophistication.

However, what critics of the New Yorker find unfortunate are stereotypes and growing (albeit subtle) forms of racism that this magazine cover reinforces in many people of the United States. I, once upon a time, said there was no way Sen. Barack Obama would be elected president of the United States. It was my feeling, at the early stage of the Democratic Party primary, that the country simply was not ready for a black president. Fortunately, I was wrong then. Obama, now the presumptive Democratic nominee, has a strong shot at winning the president against his chief rival, Republican Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican Party nominee. I think Obama's achievement is particularly amazing considering the ridiculous attempt by many right-wing extremists, including many of the hosts and anchors of Fox News Channel programs, to try and pain Obama as a Muslim. This, in my estimation, clearly is an attempt to capitlize on the fear many in this country have of Muslims since the horrific terrorist attacks of 9/11.

Fast forward to the New Yorker cover. As Obama has worked hard to pain himself as a decent and hard-working American, many conversvatives have been working overtime to paint him as a Muslim, confuse his name with Osama bin Laden (perhaps on purpose, but perhaps not). Some conservatives and other Obama haters have tried everything from saying he is a practicing Muslim, saying he went to a Muslim school, emphasizing his middle name (Hussein) to drum up fear and more. Some are trying to paint all or most Muslims as terrorists when nothing could be more ridiculous. Muslims are good and hard-working people who have the same goals and same life challenges as people of other races.

The New Yorker cover was an attempt at satire and to use controversy to boost sales, but the unfortunate side effect is it continues to play to the racist discomfort of many who fear Muslims and blacks in positions of power and influence in the United States. In a time when we should all be pulling together, some in our country are hard at work to drive us apart with divisive rhetoric for political purposes.

WNBA is a Joke

Detroit Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn was suspended two games for his role in the so-called "brawl" at the Palace involving the Shock and Los Angeles Sparks. Mahorn's two-game suspension was an atrocity. I'll give him a game, but how can Mahorn get two games (for accidentally knocking Leslie down; although I call it a flop) and one player who was throwing punches at him only get one? This is a case where women want to have it both ways. They want to be treated equally, but then when a situation comes up with a man they want to play the innocent woman card and punish big bad Rick Mahorn who clearly was a peacemaker. Total miscarriage of justice by the WNBA and maybe that is part of the reason they're playing in empty arenas. It irritates and disappoints me because I am a big fan of girls high school basketball, women's college basketball and once upon a time of women's professional basketball. This has done nothing to make me feel better about my love for women's pro basketball. Some individuals think they're lokoing tough by coming down so hard on Mahorn while letting Sparks star players (Leslie, Milton-Jones and Parker) off with slaps on the wrist. Seems someone has their finger pressed down on one of the scales of justice.

The Shock Call for Experience

A few days removed from the strange "brawl" at the Palace in Auburn Hills between the Detroit Shock and the Los Angeles Sparks, Detroit has decided to add a little experience. Detroit's WNBA franchise lost star power forward Cheryl Ford apparently for the season with a knee injury. To it seems fill that spot, the Associated Press has reported that the Shock have signed 50-year-old Nancy Lieberman to a contract. Now, Lieberman is a legend in basketball, but only played one season in the WNBA because of her age at the time the league started. Now, Nancy appears to be on her way back. It remains to be seen what the aged Hall of Famer can do, but if nothing else she brings expereince and toughness to the Shock roster. Hopefully she is physically capable of playing. It would be sad to see an age-related injury. I wish her the best of luck and look forward to seeing her in a Shock jersey.

O'Reilly's vendetta against the Rev. Jesse Jackson

Bill O'Reilly, as my dad used to say, "He thinks he's slick." O'Reilly doesn't have the O'Reillys to at least admit that he has a considerable bias against the Rev. Jesse Jackson. He turned a complete nonstory about some crap Jackson said about Obama into some monumental issue. People like O'Reilly continue to play up the false myth that all black people follow in blind loyalty behind Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton ... the so-called leaders of the black community. Does that make George W. Bush the leader of the white community? I don't think so. It doesn't make Bush any more the leader of the white community than the Sharptons and Jacksons of the world should be considered leaders of the so-called black community. I digress. O'Reilly plays up these controversial comments by Jackson toward Obama (I'm sure you can find them somewhere on YouTube if you really want to see them) and then takes this self-righteous position that he is not going to show the rest because what is there is more damaging and doesn't advance the so-called story and he doesn't want to humiliate Jackson (yeah right). I told someone I know that O'Reilly will pretend to be noble, the tape will mysteriously be released, he will claim he would never have brought it up, but then he will talk about it and advance the story since someone else released the tape. Slick stuff, indeed. O'Reilly then goes all over Fox News Channel talking about the stuff on the tape that supposedly didn't advance the story while claiming it wasn't him because he is a find, upstanding human being. He might have fooled the right-wing extremists who watch Fox News Channel, but not anyone who neglected to put on their cheap Fox News Channel-colored sunglasses.

Malice at the Palace: Shock v. Sparks

I have to admit I was happy I had an opportunity to watch the WNBA game between the Detroit Shock and the Los Angeles Sparks. In all honesty, I wanted to watch the game initially because: (1) I am a big fan of basketball, (2) I am a fan of women's basketball even though it is not always politically correct in the eyes of some people, (3) I am a fan of the shock and their star players Katie Smith, Deanna Nolan, and Cheryl Ford; (4) the Sparks are pretty doggone good, (5) we had two of the best teams in the WNBA playing, (6) the Bill Laimbeer-Michael Cooper rivalry fascinates me, (7) ... well on I could go.

Watching the end of the game I was impressed with the Shock comeback (stalled only by a stupid overrule on what had been a good call. The bad call by the refs allowed Lisa Leslie an opportunity to hit essentially the game-winning basket with possession stripped away from the Shock.

But, those were the preliminaries to the "brawl" that happened between the two teams after Plenette Pierson, of the Shock, and Candace Parker, the star rookie for the Sparks, got tangled up and ended up in a shoving match. From there, as they say, all hell broke loose. Players were pushing and shoving. Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn came in as a peacemaker and accidentally bumped Leslie to the ground. To make a long story short, what ticked me off is she should have been honest about it being an accident instead of trying to make it seem as though Mahorn jumped out there and purposely assaulted her. She knows that was not his intention and even her coach said so. It was ridiculous. If Mahorn had accidentally knocked down a guy no one would care one bit. It was a total accident, she lost her balance and fell down. It's not like he jumped in there and clobbered her into the floor. Come on Lisa ... tell it like it was. It was an unfortunate incident (Mahorn's intent had no malice whatsoever), but don't make it worse by implying something sinister that was just an unfortunate accident.

Fox News Is Crazy

Watching Fox News Channel is perhaps appealing to some, but quite appalling to most. Watching Bill O'Reilly and Fox News Channel pretend FNC has no anti-Obama bias is insulting and frankly dumfounding. O'Reilly is on a daily crusade to assassinate all on the left side of the political spectrum who disagree with him. He consistently bashes MSNBC, CNN, New York Times etc. He, at the same time, stunningly insists on portraying Fox News as some kind of bastion of truth, fairness, and accuracy in journalism. Fox News spends its biggest prime-time slots spewing right-wing garbage through O'Reilly's show as well as HANNITY and colmes. Ask O'Reilly how many times he has bashed right-wing haters (Limbaugh, Savage, Hannity, etc.) for their bias and sometimes politically hateful words, associations, and actions. When is Fox News Channel going to bring in some true left-wing individuals and put them in prominent positions to truly speak to the American people? Clearly, O'Reilly has never really sent his ambush producers after right wingers to call them out. Considering the way Pfleger and Moyers trashed his producer(s) he might want to pick his battles a little more carefully. How about sending those scrub producers after Limbaugh, Savage, Hagee and Parsley the way he sends them after left wingers? Fair and balanced is a nice slogan and it's all well and good to claim to be "exceedingly fair" to Obama, but proof is the hard part.

Ferris Associate Athletics Director Search Nears End

Ferris State University is preparing to make its decision about its new associate athletics director. I expect the university's decision to being a smile to the faces of a lot of people. This is a position that requires someone with energy, passion, and enthusiasm for work. This position at Ferris State also requires someone who is going to come in with fresh ideas and the motivation to put plans into action at a university trying to elevate Ferris State to an even more prominent status among the elite in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The fact that Ferris State University Athletics Director Tom Kirinovic is making this decision now is ideal for the new associate athletics director to have an opportunity to settle into the new position and begin the work necessary to be ready to hit the ground running as fall athletes begin to arrive on campus for the start of fall practices in Big Rapids.

Wade emerges after redshirt season for Bulldogs

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS – Sitting out on the sidelines, as a member of a team while not able to play, is hardly the easiest thing for a first-year college athlete.

Ferris State University redshirt sophomore outfielder Rachel Wade has had to learn to master the mental game to be effective in her first actual season of college softball. No one promised her it would be easy, but time has been an effective teacher for Wade who has been paying dividends this season for the Bulldogs. The Canton native has started 31 of 35 games and has 19 hits, three doubles, two triples, a home run and 12 runs batted in for Ferris as she has manufactured several key hits in critical situations for the Bulldogs.

“It feels nice for me to be able to come in and contribute to help the team in whatever way that I can,” said Wade, who has helped the Bulldogs to a record of 30-16 overall and a share of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular-season softball championship. “I was a little nervous in some of those earlier games of the season and as I had a chance to get out there a little bit more I started to feel a lot more relaxed and a lot more comfortable.”

The 5-foot-2 Wade and her teammates finished with a 3-2 record in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament last weekend in Midland at Emerson Park. The Bulldogs scored a 3-1 win over Mercyhurst, fell to Saginaw Valley State 10-4, bounced back for wins over Gannon (3-1) and Ashland (7-4) before their tournament run came to a close with a tough 3-2 loss to Wayne State.

“During the time I was sitting out I learned a lot about softball and I learned a lot about what it takes to be successful in softball from watching the team, the coaches, and my teammates,” said Wade, who helped lead the Bulldogs into the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament which will be played in Edwardsville, Ill. beginning on Wednesday at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville University. “It was tough to sit out, but I feel like I learned a lot and it has helped to make me a better softball player right now.”

Ferris head softball coach Keri Becker has watched and enjoyed Wade’s progress from the time she arrived in Big Rapids up until now.

“Rachel provides some sneaky power and defense-busting capabilities from the left side of the plate,” Becker said in the preseason of Wade, who was an all-state second baseman during her junior season of high school and batted .448 as a prep senior at Canton High School. “She will also shrink the Bulldog outfield with her ability to get a good jump off the bat and cover some ground in the grass.”

The Bulldogs, seeded sixth in the region, take on No. 3 Saginaw Valley State in the first round of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region Tournament on Wednesday

Ferris Hall of Fame class is star-studded

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS – It’s difficult to assemble a class for any hall of fame that does not include stars who are symbolic of excellence.

This year’s class of inductees into Ferris State University’s Bulldog Athletic Hall of Fame is no different in that respect. The 2008 inductees pays particular respect to several legendary head coaches: Tom Ludwig, who mentored the men’s basketball program from 1979 through 1995; Keith Otterbein, the current head football coach at Hillsdale College, who excelled in that capacity for the Bulldogs from 1984 to 1994; and Jill Hirschinger, the current head volleyball coach at New Hampshire who was head coach of the Bulldogs from 1984-1995.

Ludwig, who followed in the footsteps of legendary head men’s basketball coach Jim Wink, led Ferris State University to five NCAA Division II Tournament appearances (including the Elite Eight in 1987-88) and seven Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles in 14 full seasons. Hirschinger, in 12 years, is Ferris’ all-time career leader in wins. She led Ferris State to six GLIAC championships and seven NCAA Tournament appearances and the Final Four in 1987. Otterbein led the Bulldog football team to three straight NCAA Division II Playoff Quarterfinal-Round appearances, three straight Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference championships as he started the program on its way to a great run in the 1990s.

In addition to the coaches, the rest of the Ferris State University Hall of Fame class includes Clarence Carlisle, a star in men’s basketball (1969-1973); Stephanie (Chaffin) Cleland, a volleyball and softball native of Carleton from 1989-1993; and Mary (Gnatowski) Yearham of Saginaw, who starred in softball from 1982-85.

The class of six inductees makes 82 in the Ferris State University Bulldog Athletic Hall of Fame. The 2008 class will be inducted during a banquet at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Big Rapids on Sept. 26.

Five Bulldogs named to GLIAC all-conference softball teams

By Sandy Gholston

MIDLAND – Ferris State University had five of its players named to the 2008 All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball Teams and two others who were honorable mention selections.

Earning first-team All-GLIAC honors were junior first baseman Amanda Jager, and junior utility player Sarah Mueller. Named to the second-team all-league were junior pitcher Holly Bruntjens and sophomore second baseman Amanda Harrington. The honorable mention picks for Ferris were junior catcher Krystle Bailey and freshman outfielder Lynsay Weaver, who also has played at shortstop for the Bulldogs.

“You don’t have the success we’ve had without good players and the players who were recognized have played a big role in the success of our team this season,” said Ferris State head coach Keri Becker, who was named the “Michael J. Corbett” GLIAC Coach of the Year. “For me, winning an individual award, like Coach of the Year, can only happen if you have players who perform well on the field.”

Jager’s honor is well deserved with her consistency hitting the ball and, in general, getting on base for teammates to drive her in. Through Friday morning’s game against Mercyhurst, to start the GLIAC Tournament, Jager was batting .389. Mueller, with her pitching and her hitting near the top of the Bulldogs’ order, has been doubly important for the team throughout the spring. Harrington and Bruntjens bring a steady component for Ferris that avoids peaks and valleys. Bailey has been a rock of stability behind the plate and Weaver is just scratching the surface of her great potential.

In other awards news, “Player of the Year” was Saginaw Valley State’s Stacy Kraatz, “Pitcher of the Year” was Wayne State’s Molly Yetman and the “Freshman of the Year” was Ashland’s Erica Miller.

Becker named GLIAC Coach of the Year

By Sandy Gholston

MIDLAND – Ferris State University head softball coach Keri Becker has never been one to allow her emotions to get too high over individual awards.

That held true even early Friday afternoon as she was officially named the 2008 “Michael J. Corbett” GLIAC Coach of the Year during the awards ceremony at Emerson Park’s Currie Stadium. Becker, currently in her 11th season as the head coach of the Bulldogs, was humbled by the honor however she passed credit along to her players and assistant coaches (Lesa Bickley and Chad Haberland).

“Winning the coach of the year award means I had a good team this year that performed well on the field,” Becker said after her team’s 3-1 win over Mercyhurst to open the GLIAC Tournament with a victory. “When you look at an award like this, and I have never been one to really focus on individual awards, this is an award where the credit goes to the players on the team.”

Still, in a league with so many great coaches who have done a great job this spring, Becker was honored by the recognition from the conference.

“It’s a nice honor when you get this kind of recognition from your peers because (the coaches) know what it means to be doing this kind of job,” Becker said as her Bulldogs improved to 28-14 this season. “It’s definitely an honor.”

Becker previously has been named GLIAC Coach of the Year in 1997 and 2003.

Is Fox News Racist?

Fox News, if nothing else, has proven itself (repeatedly) to be anything, but fair and balanced in its political coverage. The right-wing media broadcast giant spends nearly all of its prime-time broadcasting seeking new and different ways to trash presumptive Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama. We have watched as Fox News has beaten the tired drum of controversies involving Rev. Wright and Fr. Pfleger. But, if that is fair game, then why does Fox not treat presumptive Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain in the same fashion. Why does Fox News not go out of its way to link McCain to his associations with Pastor John Hagee (who said God sent Adolph Hitler tot the Jews to help them reach the promised land) and Pastor Rod Parsley (who called Islam an inherently violent religion) ... men who have made hateful and disgraceful comments that are disgusting to dignity of human beings.
Here's some proof: http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3Lmh1ZmZpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS8yMDA4LzA1LzIyL21jY2Fpbi1yZWplY3RzLWhhZ2VlLWVuZG9fbl8xMDMxNDMuaHRtbA==
McCain has rejected these endorsements, but so too did Obama of the comments of Wright and Pfleger. However, Fox News (some refer to it as the Fix News Network) has continued to pound Obama over and over again for his associations while giving McCain a free ride and making every excuse possible for the Arizona senator. When Obama makes a controversial statement or misstatement of some kind, Fox is all over him. When McCain stumbles and says something ridiculous it gets virtually no coverage. Fox News is a Republican network. MSNBC may have a liberal lean, but Fox News is disingenuous at best and dishonest at worst in its claim to be a network that is fair and balanced. It would be laughable if it were not so real and chilling.
Fox News spends at least three hours every weekday evening with extremists like Ingraham, O'Reilly and Hannity spewing far right wing garbage under the phony "fair and balanced" banner (so much for truth in advertising). Even though I have always been a fan of Obama and would have supported him anyway, Fox News has extinguished any little bit of conservative/Republican values inside of me and should within anyone else.
Fox News: The network that makes more excuses (for Republicans) than a person in handcuffs on their way to jail.

Fox News: Promoting black on black political crime!

Fox News is going out of its way to try and pour gasoline on the supposed feud between Rev. Jesse Jackson and presumtive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama. Fox News eavesdropped on a private conversation that was engaged in (unbeknownst) over an open mic. The conversation involved Jackson. Granted, Jackson said some unflattering things about Obama that he needed to and did apologize for. Fox News, however, has jumped on the bandwagon to try and use Jackson's comments to discredit not only Jesse, but to try and drag down Barack through criticism of one of the so-called leaders of the so-called black community. Fox News, a network empty of true diversity of opinion that trumpets diehard right-wingers like Karl Rove, Oliver North and Newt Gingrich "objective" analysts, is using Jackson's comments as a weapon against Obama. The truth will be in the programming. Watch as Fox News will continue to beat the drum of Jackson's comments over and over again to try and drive a wedge into Obama's overwhelming support among black Americans. Fox News has a vendetta against Jackson, it has a right-wing bias, it is not open to diversity of black opinion (or black culture in general) and is out to support McCain at all costs. What Jackson said was bad, but Fox News' exploitation of this supid comment by Jesse is insulting and absurd. It shows how little the Republicans and extremist right wingers think of McCain ... a notoriously poor campaigner who has the charisma and appeal of a rusted picnic table.

Make Good Choices In Relationships

Good choices are important in all areas of life and at all times in life. Bad choices can be hurtful, but not always fatal. Good choices can be good, but not always perfect. I encourage all people to understand what they want out of a relationship before they get into one. Go in with your eyes wide open. Open the door to your heart, but keep the screen door shut until you know the person is truly worth letting into your heart. Let the wrong person in your heart and they can do some major damage to you and to your life. Like so many other people, I have experienced that and like so many other people I continue to learn from life's lessons.

Film review remains important for coaching staff

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS – What takes place on the practice field is not where it ends once pads come off the players back at the Ewigleben Sports Complex and players go through mostly normal treatments with the athletic training staff.

After scrimmages and practices, coaches spend time reviewing film of the sessions to evaluate performances and begin to make judgments of how the depth chart is going to shape up for the fall. There are still plenty of decisions left to be made with regard to who will be starting quarterback, who will fill in holes opened up by the graduations of Kurt Hout and Erik Schumacher on the defensive line and who will fill in the spot once occupied by Bill Bourdlais on the offensive line. Those are just a handful of decisions the coaching staff will continue to ponder through the final week of spring and then into the summer in preparation for the fall.

“We’re going to be spending time going over the film and making some evaluations as we go into this final week of practice,” said Ferris head coach Jeff Pierce, whose team enters its final week of practice gearing up for the April 25 Crimson and Gold Spring Game which begins at 6 p.m. at Top Taggart Field. “We know there are going to also be a lot of things that we’re going to have to clean up before we end spring practice and get ready for the fall.”

The coaches are using the film, particularly as they get more of their offensive and defensive packages installed, to begin to make some of their decisions a little more concrete. It’s still only the spring, but this time of the year is important for the veterans as a new crop of rookies enter the picture in the fall. Spring is to the advantage of the younger vets. As part of that, the coaches have used springtime to drill back into the players the basics of being a football player: hitting, footwork, tackling, catching, running, agility, blocking, route running and more.

“We know we’re not going to be ready for our first game of the season right now, but we’re working toward that,” said Pierce, whose staff of coaches will continue these evaluations through the balance of the spring and then look ahead to the fall when the freshmen and transfer recruits arrive in Big Rapids to spice up the competition for spots on the depth chart. “We’re not a well-oiled machine yet, but we’re working to make some more progress this week and to have the machine running better.”

Not a finished product … but it’s getting there

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State’s third week of spring football proved a productive one as the team continued to install more of its offensive and defensive packages in preparation for the final week of practice.

Among many other things, the Bulldogs spent a lot of time working on red zone offense, red zone defense and special teams (particularly execution of field goals and extra-point attempts). The offensive line at times created openings for Ferris’ trio of quarterbacks (Eric Grozenski, Tom Schneider and Kyle Foster) who continued to work on running the team’s option attack. Exploiting some of those seams, the quarterbacks at times managed to scramble into the open field. But, it wasn’t all running. Ferris did work on its passing game as it involved guys like Ron Hardy in the mix – especially in the red zone. The offensive linemen worked to try and contain their defensive counterparts led by All-American tackle Jake Visser who is likely to command double and triple teams all season from opponents.

“We got a lot of good work done (Saturday) and it was nice we were able to get a lot of people in (the scrimmage) and get a good look at a lot of players with more of our offense and defense installed to get a better idea of what we’re going to have,” Ferris head coach Jeff Pierce said as his team conducted its second and final scrimmage Saturday on the practice football fields on the south end of campus. “It was nice for a lot of our young guys to have some opportunities to show what they can do.”

Veteran defensive players such as middle linebacker Kevin Noe and cornerback Terrell Heggins got in good work during the scrimmage as they were tested by the offense. Noe and Heggins, among others, are rounding into the form they want to be in by training camp thanks to another hard-hitting scrimmage – this time on the grass with the field dried out and the weather cooperating. Both needed to be sharp as some of their defensive teammates are out for spring to preserve eligibility. Linebacker Jordan Moore, lineman Kyle Walker and corner Kyle Williams all have been sidelined (Walker due to recovery from surgery), but are expected to be back in the mix in the fall to add to the team’s quality and depth.

On the field, the picture is coming into focus and appearing sharper by the day.

“Right now, we’ve installed about all of our offensive and defensive packages,” said Pierce, whose team hosts its annual Crimson and Gold Spring Game Friday (April 25) at Top Taggart Field. “The thing that’s important for our guys right now, since we have pretty much everything installed, is for them to begin grasping what we’re trying to do a lot better as we go into this final week of practice and we want to be as sharp as possible by the time we have our spring game and we begin to look ahead to the fall.”

Weather notwithstanding, Ferris conducts first scrimmage

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS – From a weather standpoint, Saturday hardly proved to be the best day to be outdoors watching college football in northern Mecosta County.

Outside, however, was exactly where Ferris State University’s football team was as it conducted its first spring scrimmage at Top Taggart Field. Less-than-ideal weather or not, the Bulldogs went to work in front of fans – some of which braved the cold and rainy conditions outdoors in the bleachers while others remained far more comfortable inside the Wheeler Pavilion press box.

The coaching staff put its first, second and third stringers – offense, defense and special teams – through controlled scrimmage situations under the watchful eye of not only the coaches, but also officials who worked the scrimmage for training. Veteran Ferris head coach Jeff Pierce liked a lot of what he saw in the scrimmage that he and his staff will breakdown and examine over the next few days before practice resumes next week.

“We got a lot of good work done and we had a chance to get a lot of people out there who had a chance to compete and that will give us a chance to look over a little more closely what we saw out here (Saturday) as we move forward,” Pierce said. “The defense is looking pretty good right now, but we had some good things happening out there on offense. There are a lot of good things happening on both sides of the football, right now.”

Defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Duane Wilson liked what he saw from his defensive unit and, specifically, the pressure it was able to generate on the quarterbacks.

“We were trying to get some pressure on the quarterback and we were able to do that at times,” said Wilson, who has a defensive line anchored by All-American lineman Jake Visser. “At this point, we don’t have a lot of our third-and-long packages in, but I thought in all we did pretty well considering we’re missing some key players like (linebacker) Jordan Moore, (defensive end) Kyle Walker and (defensive back) Kyle Williams.”

Visser, in his final spring practice season, played less near the end of the scrimmage as Wilson wanted to get a look at some younger players like Kory Deering, Leonard Woods and others.

Offensively, the Bulldogs had some strong runs from backs like Paris Holloman and Leonard Curry against what is expected to be a strong defense. Quarterbacks Eric Grozenski, Tom Schneider and Kyle Foster all had moments running the team’s offense – as passers and as runners – during the scrimmage. An offensive line, that has been young in past seasons, is growing and maturing into what could be a strong unit this season.

Bulldogs eye stronger running game this fall

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State University would love nothing more than to be able to establish a powerful and consistent running game on the football field.

The ability to run the ball is something in the back of the mind of Ferris offensive coordinator Matt McCarthy, who has been encouraged with respect to the potential through nearly four weeks of spring practices in Big Rapids. Last season, Ferris’ running game largely came from the legs of workhorse quarterback C.J. Van Wieren, who was not only the team’s leading passer, but also the top rusher coming out of the team’s backfield.

“Running back is the group where we’ve seen the most improvement from the beginning of the spring to where we are right now getting ready for our spring game,” said McCarthy, who is taking a hard look at a stable of running backs that include Leonard Curry, Tim Hogue, Chuck Wasson, Marvel Pridgeon and Paris Holloman among others. “I think our backs are running the ball a lot better and a lot harder this spring and that’s something that has definitely been encouraging.”

McCarthy is looking for some runners who can gain the tough yards between the tackles as well as get outside and turn up the field.

“Our guys right now are running physical and that has been one of the biggest positives,” he said. “They’re not out there trying to do too much cutting or anything like that. They are going in there and running hard and they’re also getting down the field and doing some blocking and that’s something that’s going to be important to us.”

It’s a little early to talk about who is first string or second string or anything of that nature on the team’s depth chart.

“It’s still kind of early and it’s possible we will be having running back by committee out there,” McCarthy said. “There’s still a lot of time between now and the beginning of the season.”

Forming a wall of protection: the offensive line

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS – You can have all the skill-position players in the world, but without the big men on the offensive line it can make for tough times.

The graduation of imposing offensive lineman Bill Bourdlais, who was a rock of stability in that unit for years in the crimson and gold colors, has naturally created some questions marks looking ahead to the fall. This spring, however, the Bulldogs have attempted to answer that big question and maybe some of the other questions about the guys expected to provide protection up front for the offensive backs. Youth will be served, but some of that youth actually comes with some experience.

“We’ve got some young guys who have been working hard to try and fill in some of those spots, but we’re pretty young in some spots from what we’ve been in the past,” said Ferris State University offensive coordinator Matt McCarthy about the line that will provide the protection and open the holes. “We may have to move some people around a little bit to find the guys who are going to be the right fits in the right places. It’s a process that’s going to continue, but the good thing is we’re going to have some competition for spots and we’ll see who’s going to step up.”

Among the guys returning, with experience to their credit, are 6-foot and 291-pound junior-to-be center Joe Doman, who also could play at guard; 6-foot-4 and 280-pound Matt Wellman, a tackle who will be a redshirt sophomore in the fall; and Brad Bammert, a junior-to-be who also plays tackle.

“We’re going to be doing some mixing and matching to see what combinations are going to work the best and what guys will be the best fit in different positions,” said McCarthy, who will work closely with offensive line coach Ken Conlin to figure the strengths of the players and how best to maximize those strengths. “That’s one of the reasons spring is good … it gives us time to look at some different guys to see what we might want to do in the fall.”

Becker focuses on positives with her shaken Bulldogs

By Sandy Gholston

HOUSTON – The season is not over yet, and Ferris State University’s softball team is out to prove it still has a little bite behind the bark.

The Bulldogs dropped to the loser’s bracket and will face Lock Haven at 12:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The winner plays at 5:30 p.m. while the loser’s season comes to an end. Ferris head softball coach Keri Becker, seeking to take a little bit of the pressure off her Bulldogs and remind them that softball is still fun, put a smile on her face. Becker’s reminder came in spite of the 1-0 loss to 22nd-ranked St. Edward’s in round two of the 2008 NCAA Division II Women’s Softball National Championships.

“I put a smile on my face and put my head high,” Becker said. “We have to start walking with a swagger, again, as if we’re winning and we have to come out and play with that kind of a high level of confidence. I asked (the players) if they were up to the challenge and I told them that if they believe in themselves they can still do this … they can still come back.”

Becker also reminded the team that it takes a total team effort to get it done. The offense dried up for Ferris and Becker knows her team needs to rediscover its strength at the plate to keep its season alive.

“I told them this is championship time and anything can happen,” she said. “We were living on borrowed time with all of these 1-0 games and eventually that’s going to come back to get you if you don’t produce more runs. Holly (Bruntjens, a junior who allowed only three hits and the one run) pitched a great game, but we can’t keep relying so much on our pitchers. Our offense has got to come back to life and give us some production.”

Even without the Giles’ home run, the Bulldogs could not have won without a score.

Bulldog Pride: Cheering on the women’s golf team

By Sandy Gholston

HOUSTON – Ferris State University’s softball team is not the only squad representing the University’s crimson and gold colors in Texas.

The women’s golf team is competing in the 2008 NCAA Division II Women’s Golf National Championships at Memorial Park Golf Course (just across the road from the softball stadium). Ferris Athletics Director Tom Kirinovic, head softball coach Keri Becker and former women’s golf coach Brad Bedortha (now the head women’s golf coach at Northern Arizona) were among individuals cheering on the golfers in their quest to stay in contention for a national championship.

The Bulldogs, being coached on an interim basis by 2006 Ferris graduate Mike Mignano (who took over prior to the start of the season when Ferris graduate Bedortha announced his resignation) entered round three sitting in third place on the team leaderboard at Memorial Park Golf Course.

Junior Alison Meyer has been enjoying a solid national tournament through the first few rounds as she fired a 71 and a 76 in rounds one and two for the Bulldogs. Senior Becky Hoffman is hanging around in an effort to crack the top 10 on the individual leaderboard. As a team, Ferris had a tough round three at nationals as it shot a 320 to drop to fourth place.

Like the softball team, the Bulldog golfers have been battling hot and humid conditions in Texas in pursuit of a national championship. Earlier in the day, as was the case with softball, play was delayed by rain and lightning in the area.

Winning streak ends in a heartbreaker

By Sandy GholstonHOUSTON – After causing so much heartache to so many teams, during the last couple of weeks, Ferris State University finally came up on the short end of one.The Bulldogs had been the victor in a couple of nail-biting 1-0 games, but this time Ferris was pained by a hard-to-take 1-0 defeat to 22nd-ranked St. Edward’s (53-15) in the second round of the NCAA Division II Softball National Championships. The loss bumped Ferris from the winner’s bracket as Texas-based St. Edward’s took advantage of the home cooking at the neutral site. The Texas-based school enjoyed a large fan base and ultimately delighted its portion of the crowd with a big win at Memorial Park in Houston.The Bulldogs’ loss, their first of the NCAA Tournament, drops the team into a 12:30 p.m. loser’s bracket contest against Lock Haven – an elimination game – Friday afternoon. That contest will mark the first time Ferris has faced elimination in the NCAA Tournament (including regional play). But, it is potentially a new beginning for the Bulldogs (who dropped to 35-17 with the loss), who were party crashers of sort coming into nationals after being a sixth seed in the regional tournament and as one of only two teams not nationally ranked in the NCAA Division II Softball National Championships (Francis Marion was the other).In a game between two teams that appeared to be evenly matched, it was one swing of the bat that made the difference on the scoreboard as Ferris and St. Edward’s slugged it out. In the bottom of the sixth inning, SEU first baseman Stacy Giles spoiled a brilliant pitching performance from Ferris junior hurler Holly Bruntjens, who threw six strong innings, allowed only three hits, one run (earned) and struck out three. Giles drove a home-run shot –somewhere in the neighborhood of 215 feet – over the left field fence for a 1-0 lead and, ultimately, the win.

St. Edward’s pitching combination of starter Robin Becker and reliever Diana Cezeaux (who earned the win) held the Bulldogs scoreless on six hits to earn the victory. Ferris had chances to give Bruntjens a little offensive support, but could not produce. The Bulldogs stranded seven runners on base during the game – including the bases loaded in the top of the sixth.

The tournament is not over for the Bulldogs, however.

Ferris continues play in the double-elimination tournament as it faces Lock Haven at 12:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The winner moves on to a 5:30 p.m. contest later in the day against either Humboldt State or Emporia State.

McCarthy likes what he sees in QBs

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State offensive coordinator Matt McCarthy likes a lot of what he has seen in his trio of quarterbacks, this spring, now entering the final week of practice as April nears an end.

Eric Grozenski, who will be a junior in the fall; Kyle Foster, who will be a sophomore; and Tom Schneider, who also will be a sophomore, all bring unique strengths to the table. As a result of their performances this spring, McCarthy has had plenty to evaluate with regard to his three signal callers as he begins to look ahead to the fall. Grozenski, with the most actual playing experience of the three current quarterbacks (highly-touted junior-college quarterback Kyle Parrish, with his big arm and overall athleticism, joins the team in the fall), has the slight early lead, but nothing is solidified.

“I think, overall, our offense is doing well and I’ve been really happy with the way our quarterbacks have been developing at a very good rate,” said McCarthy, who was an All-American quarterback in his own right for the Bulldogs during his playing career in the late 1990s for some of the most prolific offenses in Ferris history. “When we get to the fall it’s going to be a tough choice because they’ve all made a lot of progress and they all bring different strengths to the table for us to look at and consider as we’re making that decision.”

At this point – again with nothing set in stone – McCarthy is eyeing a depth chart that currently has Grozenski as No. 1 with Foster No. 2 and Schneider No. 3. But, as the skill and potential of the quarterbacks are so close, McCarthy envisions the possibility of using multiple quarterbacks in certain situations throughout the season. Grozenski has the strong knowledge of the system and the reputation as the passer, Foster is the steady guy who makes things happen and Schneider possesses the raw big-play potential.

With one week of practice to go, plus fall training camp, the race is sure to become increasingly competitive.

Ferris answers the first challenge at nationals

Ferris answers the first challenge at nationals

By Sandy Gholston

HOUSTON – It’s only natural to feel some nerves in your first appearance in the NCAA Division II Softball National Championships.

The atmosphere, particularly with so much at stake, can be akin to overwhelming for a lot of first-time players. Ferris State University’s team, making its first appearance in the national tournament since 1999, had some players battling a powerful case of butterflies. Junior starting pitcher Sarah Mueller, who got the ball in the team’s first-round contest against Francis Marion (38-15), spoke of some nerves the team felt. But, any anxiety was quickly put to bed as game time neared.

“I think before the game there were some of us who were feeling some jitters with this being our first time playing in this kind of an atmosphere at nationals, but then once we got into our warm-ups we started to relax a little more,” said Mueller, who had a strong day at the plate with two hits in four trips with a run scored. “After that (warm-up), we were a lot more calm feeling and we were ready to just go out and play some good softball.”

The Bulldogs did indeed play some good softball against Francis Marion.

Mueller in particular had a day as she threw a complete seven innings, allowed four hits and stuck out four to lead Ferris to a 2-0 win over the Patriots at Memorial Park. The shutout means the Bulldogs, now 35-16, have held their opponent scoreless for five straight NCAA Tournament games – including the four in Edwardsville, Ill. that put the Bulldogs in the 2008 NCAA Division II National Championships.

Junior first baseman Amanda Jager had an RBI single in the third inning and junior outfielder Holly Bruntjens increased the lead to 2-0 with an RBI hit in the top of the fifth. Like Mueller, Jager had two hits in four trips and also scored a run with her RBI.

“I left the players to do warm-ups on their own to get into their own mood,” Ferris head coach Keri Becker said as her Bulldogs and Francis Marion were the only two teams that entered the national tournament unranked according to the most recent National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll. “The team had what I would call more of a calm confidence about them when they stepped on the field for the game. They weren’t overly excited, but they were ready to go. They came out relaxed and ready to play.”

Becker was pleased with the performance of Mueller.

“I went out before the game and told her that she needed to be ready to play in the first inning and not by the third inning … I told her we needed her right off the bat,” Becker said of Mueller, who credited a sharp curveball for her success against the Patriots. “I challenged her and I think she responded very well to being challenged like that. She pitched very well.”

Ferris advances to round two where it takes on No. 22 St. Edward’s (a 5-4 winner over Barry in the first round). The teams face each other at 3 p.m. on Thursday.

New recruits, old faces returning create optimism

By Sandy Gholston

HOUSTON – A veteran group is expected to return next spring to the softball diamond for Ferris State University.

Ferris’ strong junior class is led by all-region players in first baseman Amanda Jager and pitcher/outfielder Sarah Mueller. In addition to Jager and Mueller, the Bulldogs’ veteran group includes 2008 NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region Tournament Most Valuable Player Holly Bruntjens, a pitcher; and catcher Krystle Bailey, a catcher. That quartet leads an experienced group of players head coach Keri Becker is expected to lean on next spring.

In addition to the veterans, Ferris (which finished its season 35-18) boasts a solid recruiting class for 2009. Big Rapids High School star Makenzi Peterson, a talented and competitive local product who plays shortstop for the Cardinals; Rockford High School’s Stephanie Dusendang, who is a catcher and outfielder and has prepped for former Bulldog softball star Casey Munger-Dunham; Jenison’s Chelsea Morris, a talented first baseman, third baseman and outfielder from Jenison; and Frankfort’s Allison Webber, who plays third and short, comprise the four signees Becker has commitments from.

“I am very encouraged by our recruiting class,” said Becker, whose team had its 2008 spring season end at the hands of top-ranked Lock Haven by a 3-0 score in an elimination game at the 2008 NCAA Division II Softball National Championships at Memorial Park in Houston on Friday afternoon. “We already have four players who are signed and we could be adding maybe another walk-on or two depending on how some things work out. I think we’re going to have a nice mix of experienced players returning with some good new players coming in.

“The loss of (senior third baseman) Katie (Kraai) is going to mean some big shoes for us to fill,” added Becker. “But, I think we have some good players on our team and some quality players coming in who will compete to try and help us fill in those big shoes.”

Becker: A challenge has been issued

By Sandy Gholston

HOUSTON – Minutes after Ferris State University’s season came to an end at the NCAA Division II Softball National Championships, head coach Keri Becker brought her team together out beyond the left field fence at Memorial Park.

In that setting, following a 3-0 defeat to Lock Haven that ended Ferris’ season with a fifth-place showing at nationals, Becker challenged her team to build on the successes of the 2008 campaign. The Bulldogs, who finished with a record of 35-18, graduate senior third baseman Katie Kraai, but expects to return the bulk of their team intact with some new additions that will be blended in through recruiting.

“I challenged them (the players) to make it a point to work hard between now and next season to put themselves back in a position to be able to get back here,” said Becker, whose Bulldogs fell to a Lock Haven squad ranked No. 1 in the nation. “We know we have the players coming back to be able to put ourselves back in this position and our players know the things that they have to get better at between now and then to get back here and to try to move even beyond what we were able to accomplish this season.”

The 2008 spring campaign was highlighted by Ferris’ first trip to nationals since making back-to-back appearances in 1998 and 1999.

Ferris’ season comes to an end

By Sandy Gholston

HOUSTON – The ending did was hardly the way Ferris State University would have written the script, but the Bulldogs’ Cinderella season finally came to an end.

In a battle of teams facing elimination, top-ranked Lock Haven scored once in the first, fifth and sixth innings to grab a 3-0 win against Ferris to end the Bulldogs’ season at the 2008 NCAA Division II Women’s Softball National Championships at Memorial Park on Friday afternoon. For a team not ranked nationally and just a No. 6 seed in its own region, entering NCAA Tournament play, the Bulldogs fell just a few wins shy of winning the sport’s ultimate prize – a national championship.

In spite of the loss, head coach Keri Becker was upbeat as she emphasized to her team the magnitude of its accomplishment this season – finishing fifth nationally.

“I’m extremely proud of the young ladies on this team. You hate to give a pep talk after a tough loss, like this one, but I wanted them to take the time to appreciate what they have accomplished this season,” said Becker, whose Bulldogs struggled against Lock Haven’s outstanding pitcher, Kristin Erb (seven innings, one hit and two walks). “They needed to take time to appreciate what they had accomplished and look toward the future and what they need to do to be able to get back to this point and maybe beyond this point.”

Offense, expected to be the team’s strength this year, was what let the Bulldogs down during nationals. Ferris managed just one run (in a 1-0 win over Francis Marion in the opening round) in three games in Houston. Mathematically speaking, it’s challenging to win much scoring only one run in three games.

“I really feel bad for three people,” said Becker, whose Bulldogs had their season end at the hands of the nation’s No. 1-ranked NCAA Division II team. “I feel bad for Katie (Kraai, Ferris’ lone senior) because we would have liked to have been able to do something to keep her season going for a little longer than we were able to. And, I also feel for our pitchers. I think Holly (Bruntjens) and Sarah (Mueller) have pitched well for us all season and they’ve kept us close in games and that’s all you can ask for from your pitchers. We just needed to give them some more runs for some more support.”

Still, it’s hard to feel too bad at the end of such a special season.

Ferris shuts out SIUE; wins regional championship

By Sandy Gholston

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Winning has fast made true believers out of the Ferris State University softball players, coaches, families, fans and opponents.

Entering last week, the Bulldogs had a feeling all roads leading to the 2008 NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Championship passed through defending regional and national champion Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville – literally and figuratively. With that in mind, Ferris proved dog tough with its pitching and defense, pushed just enough offense across the plate and earned the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region Championship trophy with a 1-0 win over SIUE on its home turf, Cougar Field, Sunday afternoon.

To call it an emotional win would be an understatement.

“It means everything to me and it means everything to this team to be able to come here and win a regional championship against the great teams we had to beat to get this,” said junior Sarah Mueller, who was 1-for-3 with a run scored in the championship game. “This is something we wanted so badly and it feels so good to be able to do it the way we did it. … It’s truly what we wanted.”

Mueller’s statement was echoed by sophomore second baseman Amanda Harrington, “This is a big win for us and it puts us one step closer to achieving an even bigger goal.”

Ferris (34-16) got the job done sparked by junior pitcher Holly Bruntjens’ brilliant effort in the circle as she threw all seven innings, allowed just four hits, three walks and struck out six to improve her personal record to 15-8 this spring. Offensively, the Bulldogs claimed the lead right off the bat, in the first inning, as senior third baseman Katie Kraai’s sacrifice fly scored junior Sarah Mueller who reached on a single.

Facing one of the nation’s top pitchers, SIUE’s Kaitlin Colosimo, the Bulldogs figured runs would be difficult to come by and that certainly proved true. The ace of the Cougars’ staff allowed just five hits, one run (earned), three walks as she fanned five.

Unlike Colosimo, Bruntjens’ got just a little more help.

The combination of Bruntjens’ pitching and the Bulldogs’ defense shut down a potent SIUE lineup to turn back a couple of threats and preserve the team’s perfect streak of holding opponents scoreless in the regional through 36 innings. Ferris defeated Saginaw Valley State, 1-0; Lewis, 1-0 in 15 innings; Wayne State, 4-0; and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, 1-0.

“It’s almost surreal to be in this position and I’m so very proud of these players for what they’ve been able to accomplish,” said Ferris head coach Keri Becker, who has led the program to three regional championships (1998, 1999 and 2008). “These players have played well throughout the week, they’ve battled weather elements and to be able to play at this kind of level throughout this tournament against this kind of competition says a lot about these players.”
Now, it’s onward to Houston, Texas where the Bulldogs begin competition in the NCAA Division II Softball National Championships. Ferris’ quest for a championship begins as it takes on Francis Marion in the first round of action on Wednesday.

“The great thing about being in this position is where seeing where our hard work has paid off and we want to keep it going,” said junior first baseman Amanda Jager.