Baseball, We Missed You
America's past time has returned
Spring Training: the two words baseball fans have been waiting for since the conclusion of the World Series. Yes, baseball has finally returned. I have no interest in watching the you know what. It has been a busy and productive offseason for many MLB teams. There were some interesting acquisitions, and I was busy writing stories about them. In case you've been living under a rock, I'll share some of my thoughts about the stories I've written, as well as provide links to them for your viewing pleasure.
Let's start with the defending World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. For the last few months, I've heavily and harshly criticized them for the things that they've done. One story that made news during the offseason was them signing Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki. My anger was not towards Sasaki, but at the Dodgers for gatekeeping and selfishly pursuing Japanese talent from other teams. In previous stories, I've criticized Shohei Ohtani and the absurd contract he signed before the start of last season. While I do believe he's a fantastic player, no athlete is entitled to be paid close to a million dollars, regardless of their popularity. It screams entitlement and I dislike this kind of approach from players. His contract and the next person I'll be discussing should and needs to be heavily scrutinized.
https://shopping-feedback.today/unbalanced/my-thoughts-about-the-rangers-latest-acquisitions%3C/a%3E
https://shopping-feedback.today/unbalanced/wesley-s-2025-american-league-wild-card-picks%3C/a%3E
Other predictions for the 2025 MLB regular season
About the Creator
Mark Wesley Pritchard
You can call me Wesley. Former cosplayer, retro gaming fanatic, die-hard Texas Rangers fan, and nostalgic freak. Need I say more?
Threads: @misterwesleysworld
Instagram: @misterwesleysworld
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More stories from Mark Wesley Pritchard and writers in Unbalanced and other communities.
Nothing Surprises Me Anymore
The stage is set: The Philadelphia Eagles will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on February 9. It doesn't surprise me that the Chiefs would make it to the Big Game yet again. It's not the match-up I or many people want to see. Honestly, the more certain teams make it to the Super Bowl multiple times in a few years, the less watchable the Big Game is for me. The Chiefs are like the New England Patriots. A Commanders-Bills match-up would've been awesome to see, but it didn't end up happening. People, including myself, are suffering from so-called "Chiefs fatigue." In other words, we're tired of them making it to the Super Bowl every year. I'm convinced that the NFL is rigged. I've watched several videos on YouTube recently about many, not all, Super Bowl games favoring certain teams. One example of this was Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana featuring The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. During the second half, there was a blackout, which lasted for 34 minutes. After the lights came back on and play resumed, the 49ers scored 17 unanswered points to make it a 28-23 game. However, Justin Tucker added a pair of field goals for the Ravens and Kaepernick added a 15-yard touchdown run. Nonetheless, the Ravens held on to win the game.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 12 months ago in Unbalanced
Somers Dominates at John Jay
Scroll down for photos vs John Jay, Panas and Put Valley After beating Croton-Harmon to open the season, Somers traveled to John Jay on Saturday, December 6 with a long memory. “They beat us up pretty bad last year,” said Leo Keimig. But going up 18 half way through the third certainly seemed to alleviate old wounds. That is until John Jay cut the lead to ten. So an answer was needed, and Keimig made the grade, according to Coach Loughlan.
By Rich Monettia day ago in Unbalanced
“I Didn’t Set Out to Break Records”: Pakistan’s First Female MMA Fighter
When people talk about mixed martial arts (MMA), Pakistan is rarely part of the conversation—especially when it comes to women. Yet one young woman has quietly rewritten that narrative, not by chasing headlines, but by stepping into a cage where few Pakistani women have dared to stand. Pakistan’s first female MMA fighter did not begin her journey to shatter records or challenge tradition. She began it simply because she loved to fight—and believed she had the right to. A Dream Born in Defiance Growing up in Pakistan, combat sports were never presented as a viable path for girls. Boxing gyms, wrestling mats, and fight promotions were overwhelmingly male spaces. For a young girl interested in MMA, the obstacles came early and often—raised eyebrows, discouraging comments, and the constant reminder that “this isn’t for you.” Yet the fighter recalls that her earliest motivation had nothing to do with proving society wrong. She trained because MMA made her feel strong, focused, and free. “I didn’t set out to break records,” she has said in interviews. “I just wanted to see how far I could push myself.” Training Without a Roadmap Unlike athletes in countries where MMA is well established, Pakistan’s first female MMA fighter had no clear roadmap. There were few female coaches, no local women’s leagues, and limited facilities that welcomed women. Training often meant improvisation—borrowing gym hours, practicing with male fighters, and learning techniques from online videos. Her discipline, however, set her apart. MMA demands mastery across multiple fighting styles: striking, grappling, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Balancing these skills required relentless dedication. She trained through injuries, financial constraints, and social pressure, often without knowing whether there would be an actual fight waiting at the end. Breaking Barriers Without Breaking Herself What makes her story remarkable is not just that she entered the MMA world, but how she did it. Rather than positioning herself as a rebel against culture, she framed her journey as one of personal growth and professionalism. She emphasized fitness, discipline, and sportsmanship—values deeply respected across Pakistani society. This approach helped shift perceptions. Slowly, resistance turned into curiosity, and curiosity into support. Family members who once questioned her choices became her biggest allies. Coaches who were hesitant to train a woman began to see her commitment and skill. The First Step Into the Cage Her debut fight marked a historic moment. Stepping into the cage was not just about winning—it was about visibility. For the first time, young girls across Pakistan could see a woman representing their country in a sport often viewed as aggressive and inaccessible. The fight itself was a test of nerves as much as technique. Under bright lights and intense scrutiny, she fought with composure and confidence. Regardless of the result, the message was clear: Pakistani women belong in MMA. A Symbol, Not a Slogan While media attention labeled her a trailblazer, she resisted being boxed into symbolism alone. She insisted she was an athlete first. “If I’m treated as an exception, the door closes behind me,” she once noted. “If I’m treated as a professional, the door stays open.” That mindset has influenced a new generation. Gyms in major cities are now seeing more women sign up for combat sports. Conversations around women’s self-defense, strength training, and athletic ambition are growing louder. Redefining Strength in Pakistan Her journey challenges a narrow definition of femininity that still exists in many parts of the world. Strength, she demonstrates, does not erase grace or values. Instead, it complements them. By embracing MMA, she has expanded what is socially imaginable for Pakistani women—not just in sports, but in any male-dominated field. The Road Ahead Despite her achievements, the road ahead remains difficult. Sponsorship opportunities are limited, international exposure is costly, and institutional support for women’s MMA is still developing. Yet her presence alone has already shifted the landscape. She now speaks openly about mental resilience, discipline, and self-belief—lessons that extend far beyond the cage. For her, success is not measured by medals or records, but by impact. More Than a Fighter Pakistan’s first female MMA fighter didn’t set out to break records—but she broke a barrier far more significant. She proved that courage doesn’t always roar; sometimes it trains quietly, shows up consistently, and steps forward when the moment arrives. Her story is not just about fighting. It’s about choosing one’s own path—and daring others to imagine new ones.
By Fiaz Ahmed 3 days ago in Unbalanced
If You Love Me, You'll Do It
I met Jason when I was five years old. I could say that I loved him from the moment I saw him. He was so handsome to me and I felt in awe by his presence. When they introduced him as the new kid in school, I wanted to be his friend right away. I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember his smile and how he didn't seem shy. He appeared confident and ready to learn. I waved at him and said "hello," before anyone else could even say a word. He sat next to me, and I asked him if he wanted to be friends. He looked so happy as he said, "Yes!"
By Sidney Smith (Sid Smith)7 days ago in Fiction
Comments (1)
Nice work, loved the ending!