Scoreboard Gourmet

Women's Football and Cooking; Josie Smith-Malave

Since I did not watch Top Chef when it first aired (or second aired, or third aired, and part of fourth aired) I did not know about Josie Smith-Malave. I first heard of her during Wednesday's SuperBowl episode.

She played for the New York Sharks (Indy Women's Football League). I've never written about that. But yes I am adding it to my WNBA category. I have to. I can't start a WFL category. Is that even what it's called?

Here's some news. The Sharks added a tryout date: Due to the number of calls we have received, we will be holding one additional tryout. On February 21st, the Sharks will be holding their final tryout for the season at Kane Stadium in Secaucus, New Jersey from 9am to 12pm. We are looking for athletic women who love football and have the desire to help the Sharks get to the championship. No previous football experience is necessary.

And one more thing, the 23rd Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The event will be held on February 4th.  

Stay tuned for Josie Smith-Malave updates.

National Signing Day Party

TFMJ and I once watched a show that featured the parties hosted by the parents of football kids hoping to get signed. What was that show? Anyway, really fun to see how differently people party. One family got a room in what I believe was a Comfort Inn; another family had an outdoor-indoor BBQ.

The first Wednesday in February is National Signing Day. That's next week. It's the first day high school seniors are allowed to sign Letters of Intent agreeing to attend a designated college or university for one academic year. No prospective student-athlete or parent is required to sign the National Letter of Intent, and no institution is required to join the program.

It's not just football. February 4th is also National Signing Day for Field Hockey, Soccer, Track and Field, Cross Country, Men's Water Polo. And we're talking D1, D2 NCAA schools. Do I have a NCAA category?

So the point of this post is to ask if any of you are hosting or attending a National Signing Day party? I bet Wichita (KS) East High School RB Bryce Brown is going to one

Top Chef SuperBowl

I hate all the talking but watching this episode makes me want to host a SuperBowl party. Instead, however, I'm going to a bar that has a Steelers-fan bartender. 

Anyone who watches Top Chef surprised that Carla won? Surprised she's still on the show? Surprised that I watch it? I want to know if she's giving those tickets to her husband and step-son. And I love the printed fancy tickets.
It's past my bedtime but I'm staying up to see who loses...can't believe Stephan and Jeff are up there...Jeff!

"I really thought that Fabio was going to go home." You said it. Not that I thought Jeff was making it to the final 3 (Stephan, Jamie, badboyfriend), not wth Rock Shrimp. Have I told my Rock Shrimp story yet? I'll get back to you with that.

why I want the Steelers to Win the SuperBowl

Ben Roethlisberger.
Height: 6-5   Weight: 241   Age: 26
Born: 3/2/1982 Lima , OH
College: Miami (Ohio)
Experience: 5th season
High School: Findlay HS [OH]

No it's not because I have a thing for young football players (though I am happy about the return of Friday Night Lights, even if the new season is somewhat confusing and not so fun to watch without TFMJ). It's because maybe if that boy gets himself another ring someone will tell him to retire, or at least take a break to determine whether or not his known and unknown concussions have resulted in permanent damage to his brain. His Brain.

I want the Steelers to Win the SuperBowl so Ben Roethlisberger does not become a vegetable before he is 30. And I love vegetables.

Turner Field Things to See and Do

The Braves have a list of 101 Things You Need to See and Do at Turner Field. Presumably they mean In Addition to Watching the Game. Here are some of SG's favorites:

5. Watch the game while enjoying a beverage at the Chophouse.
9. Grab a bite to eat in the 755 Club
23. Try the pasta bar on the Golden Moon Casino Level.
36. Sit in the "am/pm All You Can Eat" seats during a game. 
14. Have a pizza delivered to your seat.
52. Eat a Georgia dog.
53. Eat some Dippin' Dots.
54. Tailgate before a Braves game.
61. Eat a funnel cake.
96. Make a picnic and eat in Monument Grove.
99. Try the standing room only high counter tops on the Terrace Level behind home plate.
100. Be a designated driver and get a free soda. 

April 10th is the Braves Home Opener v the Nats. They have two games v the Tigers at Turner Field April 3rd and 4th. Wow am I ahead of myself. Spring Training starts February 26th in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Am I really ignoring the NBA and the NFL? Holy cow I must want winter to end

Wrigley Field Popcorn Tin

Why do I never write about the Cubs? They have one of baseball's most classic and least generic ballparks: Wrigley. Not saying I don't enjoy clean sightlines and being able to sit forward in my seat, but anyone who can get themselves to Wrigley Field should do so as soon as possible. And the Cubs are the NL Central Champs. It's not like I'm recommending you to a Nats game.

Anyway, about Wrigley, some popcorn people have come up with a way to clutter your home, I mean commemorate the ballpark: a tin. You can fill it with their stuff or make fifty batches at home. I vote for option two but warn you to take breaks between batches so whatever your vessel (pot, popper) doesn't overheat. Tin info here. Warning: the top stinks (the design, not the smell). No kickback to me.

Other Wrigley news: The Triple-A Iowa Cubs will play the Las Vegas 51s in the first Pacific Coast League game to be played at Wrigley Field on August 9th, 2009.

And don't forget to consult the Chicago Bar Project for detailed Chicagoland guidance. SG admits her weaknesses.

The Cubs play the Dodgers in Mesa, AZ on 2/25.

Is this my little nod to the Obamas? No. The President is a White Sox fan. But I'm sure he thinks Victory is Sweet.

Yankees Spring Training Tickets Let Down

My Spring Training tickets have started to arrive. Mets went on sale yesterday so there's a delay (a long delay for me since I didn't buy any) but the rest of Florida is in the mail (Pirates go on sale next Saturday, fyi). No Arizona for me, again. I really need to get out there and eat some burritos at the game. Actually, I cannot stand burritos. I am looking forward to some Sunshine State citrus with my 2009 Grapefruit League Adventure.

Was thinking about it yesterday while I stood around with some 30 people watching the mega crane attempt to lift the jet out of the Hudson. It was about 7-degrees but I hung around for half an hour and thought about the icy river, the divers, the cameramen and news crews, the city and state police, the fireman, the EMT people, the crane operator, the helicopters, and, of course, the passengers and crew on the flight. As my brother said, "It's amazing to know that water landings are actually possible."

It's crazy that they dragged the plane down to that part of the West Side Highway where I and many other experienced September 11th. I thought about the opposite weather - that day was glorious. My grandmother just told me it's "only about 60" in south Florida now. When I stopped feeling the fingers in my right hand I walked away, walked south where other people were watching from one or two other points not blocked by fire trucks and OEM trailers. We couldn't really see anything, but everyone felt good to be part of something relatively positive.

My ticket to Florida was on hold with American Airlines when I heard/saw/felt the USAir news. I had a moment of thinking that I might not go. I have not been a good flier since September 11th, even with sedatives. But that's ridiculous, isn't it? I cried at my desk for a second thinking about all the people on the plane. I hope everyone on board had someone to go home to at the end of that day.

When I got home my Yankees Spring Training tickets were in my mailbox. They're so crappy. They're printed in Ticketmaster Yellow. No little picture or logo. They might well be for a Hannah Montana concert. Why so generic? There were 3 levels of extra fees. Take a dime from one of those and give it to a designer and at least tack on a Blue NY. We're The Yankees, damnit.

Worse: Red Sox Spring Training tickets are a hundred times nicer, and they're not even that nice. Waiting to see what the Twins have done for themselves, and I might have to get me to a Pirates game too to check out a certain first baseman who has been invited to camp. Yes, frequent readers, I'm talking about Andy Phillips.

So I did buy my flight down. Still need to get myself back. Still need to feel calm about flying. Still need to make sense of why another first baseman gets the money that should go to fans who save their tickets in a photo album. And still need food recommendations for Fort Myers. Anyone?

Nats Cookoff Next Friday

How fun is this idea...four Nats players competing in a 30minute cookoff. I love it.

The Washington Nationals will trade in their playbooks for cookbooks and leave the ballpark for the kitchen for a cook-off at ESPN Zone on Friday, January 23rd at 8 p.m.

Scheduled to compete: pitchers Joel Hanrahan, Terrell Young, and John Lannan, and outfielder Willie Harris.

Nationals manager Manny Acta will headline a panel of judges, who will critique the players’ creations based on taste, presentation, and creativity. The cook-off, which will be emceed by broadcaster Charlie Slowes, is open to the public.

Doors open 6:30pm; first 30 fans will get authentic game-used line-up cards. Guests are invited to bring canned food to donate to DC-area food banks. Those who do will receive a free $5 game card.

ESPN Zone
555 12 St. NW
Washington , DC 20004

The Scoreboard Gourmet will not be attending this event because though she may seem to be a 10-year-old boy she also has the interests of an old woman and will be at the theatre. Also, she bought the theatre tickets before she heard about the cookoff. But you should go, DC-area readers. This has to be more enjoyable than a Nats game.

 

Yankees + Dunkin Donuts = Spam

Now that football season is officially over (kidding) we can really focus on other things. First order of business: what happens when two things you like alot get together?

well, I rec'd an email with the subject Start Your Day with Better-For-You Choices
which was from the Yankees so I thought it was something about the 2009 roster. I was wrong (though the roster was floating around the wire yesterday).

instead, I opened to find this:

Whether that means a new routine, a new promise or just a new attitude, You Kin' Do It with our DDSMART ^TM menu.

Try one of our Egg White Flatbread Sandwiches for just $1.99 when you buy a medium Hot Coffee.
Stay on-the-go with our newest flatbread sandwich in two flavors, Veggie and Turkey Sausage. Under 300 calories, it's a delicious, better-for-you choice.

That bothers me for a number of reasons, like what the heck does kin' mean? Who approved that? Dunkin Donuts you know I love you, please don't slur. I get the play on the name and all that but, really, it added insult to the spam injury. And, Yankees, are you crazy? Don't spam me. I get email from you to about eight different accounts. Guys, don't gang up on me.

And now I am going to make myself an iced coffee to soothe me while I sulk.

Going to Bat for B.A.T. Dinner, 20th Anniversary

The Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) is in the helping business and we are dedicated to being there for our family members in need. Whether they were the batting practice pitcher who tossed you a foul ball, the shortstop who autographed your program or the Most Valuable Player whose statistics you memorized, we will, and have, helped them

I'm pretty sure that means monies raised go to ex-baseball people who can't afford to take care of themselves, presumably in case of major medical problems, etc. The NFL needs to look into this.

20th Anniversary Going to Bat for BAT Dinner

Location:
New York Marriott Marquis in New York City

Schedule of Events: 5:45 PM - 7:00 PM Reception Westside Ballroom - 5th Floor 7:15 PM - 10:00 PM Dinner Broadway Ballroom - 6th Floor

Table Pricing Structure (10 seats per table): VIP Table** $14,000 Non-VIP Table** $7,000 Individual Seats $700

**All Tables will be hosted by a current or former player. VIP tables receive a complimentary ad in the dinner journal.
 
For tax purposes, the estimated value of the dinner is $172, the remainder of the ticket is a deductible charitable contribution as allowed by law. B.A.T. is a 501 (c) 3 organization and all or part may be deducted as a business expense.

Sign Up Here

Giants Gamefeed

Because I am catching up on work in an environment where phones and other noises are banned (no, not a library and if you really think that clearly you have not been in a public library in years), I am 'watching' the Giants game via the Gamefeed. Does that make me less of a fan? Well, I don't feel greatabout it but I also don't feel good about unfinished work. That said, the Gamefeed is cool. I love the player profiles and the Yards to Go and Ball On listings. That creates a little suspense for me. It's nowhere like watching live action (meaning via TV not live live) but it's a darn decent substitute when the game is in the middle of the day. The biggest disconnect is the fact that I'm drinking tea and not beer. I could remedy that but then I'd get even less work done. Come on, Giants, let's not go losing into the half.