Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Unbalanced.
Dodgeball
Dodgeball will continue to become the next up and coming sport. The athleticism, pace of game, team element and unpredictable nature makes it a potential hotspot for mass viewership, both at a national level and international level. Dodgeball is evolving from the depths of niche sports, to the focus of crafting itself into a mainstream sport. The World Dodgeball Federation (WDBF) has experienced significant growth since its establishment in 2011. Originally formed by representatives from countries including Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Romania, Singapore, Sweden, the United States, and the United Kingdom, the WDBF has seen a steady increase in member nations and global participation.
By Carina Simmsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
OMG! They Made a Deal!
The Juan Soto sweepstakes has finally concluded late Sunday night, as the right fielder signed a 15-year contract with the New York Mets for a whopping $765 million. Yes, you don't need to adjust your eyes or screen. The Yankees offered a 16-year, $760 million deal. This latest deal is the largest in MLB and sports history. At least he didn't pull a Shohei Ohtani on us. During the 2024 season, his stats included a .989 OPS, 41 home runs, and .288 batting average. I was one of many people who advocated for him to receive a contract extension, because he was the piece that kept the Yankees together. The 26-year-old will be joining a Mets team who reached the NLCS before losing to the eventual World Series Champions Los Angeles Dodgers. Not to mention, a fantastic season: one of the best seasons since 2015. You got to give credit to first-year manager Carlos Mendoza for making the Mets' season memorable.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard about a year ago in Unbalanced
On This Day, We See Clearly
After a bad loss in Raleigh, the Colorado Avalanche bounced back and took it to the Detroit Red Wings, a 2-1 win in Motown, with Alexandar Georgiev shutting down the Wings. It was back to work for the Avs the next night, as the fourth game of the five-game road trip took the team to New Jersey to face a strong and red hot Devils team who is going toe-to-toe with the Washington Capitals in the Metropolitan Division.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: Grounded
Normally, my "What Went Wrong" stories are reserved for hockey and baseball (and basketball if I wanted to), because those sports have a playoff series format. Football doesn't. The only time I could do a "What Went Wrong" about a football elimination is at some point during the regular season or after it, and even then, I can't mention all of them. 18 out of 32 teams miss the playoffs every year, and to make an eliminated NFL eam the subject of "What Went Wrong," it has to be monumental.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Georgie Owns Motown
You know, I am pretty blessed as a hockey fan. I may have been born too late to drink in the rivalry between the Quebec Nordiques and the Montreal Canadiens, but the heyday of the rivalry between the Colorado Avalanche and the Detroit Red Wings came at the perfect time for me. I was 10 when the Nordiques moved to Denver, and the rivalry pretty much began in that first year. The Avalanche/Red Wings rivalry was unique for many reasons. For one, it wasn't a divisional rivalry, yet it was more heated than most division rivalries. These two teams spent almost a decade jockeying for position in the Western Conference, and they ran into each other a lot when it counted the most.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
John Jay Takes Section One Title
Please see tip, pledge and subscribe buttons Click for all Fall Slideshows After defeating Ardsley in a five set marathon on Thursday November 7, John Jay won a berth in the finals at the Westchester County Center on Sunday, and Lakeland stood in their way. One versus six, the previous encounter betrayed the numbers. The first two sets to Lakeland, John Jay kept their heads up and swept the final three. So when John Jay pulled the reverse and won the first two, the same possibility had to creep in. But as usual, Coach Rizzotti stayed the course.
By Rich Monettiabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Somers Means Business in Comeback Win Over Harrison
Please see tip, pledge and subscribe buttons Click for all fall slideshows Click for Sideline Shots On Friday November 8, Somers suited up for the semifinals against Harrison, and an 11th straight victory seemed pretty straight forward. But a few mistakes, and Harrison playing tough on both sides of the ball, a serious curve was thrown into the Tuskers' night. Down 6-0 to start the fourth quarter and facing a 4th and 17 from the Harrison 25, the Tuskers simply stayed on point.
By Rich Monettiabout a year ago in Unbalanced
A Shaky Debut in Raleigh
The Colorado Avalanche's five game road trip started on shaky ground. Down 4-0 in Buffalo after the first period. It became 4-1 in the second period, but we entered the third period needing a miracle. That miracle did come. Four goals in the third period. The second 4-0 comeback win for the Avs in as many seasons, and unlike the one last season, we didn't need overtime... or home ice. So we are one up on the Eastern swing, and next up was a trip to Raleigh against the Carolina Hurricanes.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Clash of the NFC North Titans
From the very second after the Week 9 match ended, I had this date circled on my mental calendar. A chance to make up for that 24-14 loss at Lambeau Field. The Green Bay Packers went to Ford Field to face off against the Detroit Lions, and for us, this was a huge chance to make some noise in the NFC North race--a race that was supposed to be between these two teams, only for the Minnesota Vikings to decide to show out this season.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Top Scoring Players on Fantasy Football (Week 13)
When it comes to Fantasy Football, we are very close to the end here. Week 14 is about to start, and in some leagues, Week 14 is actually the last week of the season before playoffs, as some leagues have three playoff rounds--but no more than that. So yeah, because of that, Week 13, which came and went, was definitely crunch time for those looking to get in, or for anyone looking to hang on to a top spot in leagues that allow playoff byes.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
John Jay Thrills their Way to Finals
Please see tip, subscribe and pledge buttons Click for all fall slideshows Video Clips On Thursday November 7, top seeded John Jay faced Ardsley in the semifinal round and were on track by winning the first set. But Ardsley won the next two, so Coach Tom Rizzotti offered some simple math to inspire his girls. “I asked them how many sets does it take to win a match,” he clarified, and with Ardsley still one shy, the Wolves returned with only addition on their minds.
By Rich Monettiabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Unanswered
The Colorado Avalanche did not end the month of November on a good note. A bad loss in Dallas, and a worse loss at home against Edmonton--back-to-back losses against last year's Western Conference finalist. Our December starts out with a lot of traveling and a lot of miles. Five games on the road, all in the East. First off, a city that's familiar to one of our players: Buffalo. For Casey Mittelstadt, it's a homecoming. Mittelstadt was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2017; played his whole career there alongside the likes of Evan Rodrigues and Jack Eichel, and it was during the deadline last season that Mittelstadt was dealt to the Avs for Bowen Byram, allowing Mittelstadt to have his first taste of the playoffs.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
