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Most recently published stories in Unbalanced.
Bill Trikos Shares 5 Powerful Tips to Improve Your Football Game
Improving your football performance requires consistent effort, awareness of technique, and smart training strategies. Whether you play casually or compete in a league, understanding the fundamentals and applying practical methods can make a measurable difference on the field. Here, Bill Trikos outlines five tips that focus on physical skills, mental preparation, and game awareness.
By Bill Trikos8 months ago in Unbalanced
John Jay Falls to Mahopac On 25 Consecutive Second Half Points
Please see tip, pledge and subscribe buttons below or my venmo is : @Rich-Monetti Mahopac Photos On Friday May 9. John Jay and Mahopac faced each other and the rain on a dreary day. Nonetheless, both teams moved the ball and made some very exciting plays in the first half at Mahopac High School. But neither team scored, and leaving the second half to settle matters, it was a series of big plays that made the difference.
By Rich Monetti8 months ago in Unbalanced
The Cockpit as a Community: Social Bonds Built Through Sabong
More Than Just a Fight In the Philippines, sabong (cockfighting) in sabungan (cockpit) is often discussed in the context of sport, culture, and controversy. But what’s frequently overlooked is its power as a community builder — a unique social institution where relationships are forged, stories are shared, and traditions are passed down.
By John Wick8 months ago in Unbalanced
When Baseball Fans Take Things Too Far...
Greetings, Vocal readers and baseball fans. As someone who loves baseball, it disgusts me when many baseball fans take their level of entitlement to new levels. Currently, there's a troubling trend that's happening in baseball: players receiving threats from disgruntled fans. Recently, Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers had been the target of numerous threats that were so disturbing that he had to secure 24-hour protection for him and his family. One of the main reasons behind those threats was fans losing huge bets, leading them to hurl obscenities and other offensive insults online. I participate in daily fantasy contests: the kind of contests where you have a chance of winning some money. I've been doing this for well over a year during the MLB and also the NFL season. That includes the World Series and Super Bowl respectively. Some of these fans and sports bettors take this way too seriously when it should be enjoyable, whether you win or lose a bet or bets. I know that many people bet on games for a living or as a side hustle. However, it's not that serious. I'll never cosign with baseball fans sending others, including players, threats towards them or their families. That's crossing the line. Whether or not you're a fan of a team or player, this kind of behavior is unacceptable and uncalled for. Us baseball fans trash talk about each other's teams and favorite players online. Harmless trash talk is fine, just as long as it doesn't go too far. I partake in this, too. Sending players threats because they didn't perform the way you expected them to and you losing bets is unacceptable. Free speech doesn't mean free from the consequences. This also applies to the situation regarding Steve Bartman, a devoted Cubs fan, who was vilified during one game of the 2003 NLCS that became infamous when the Cubs were playing against the then Florida Marlins for catching a ball. The Marlins would later head to the World Series and win it all. He had to be escorted out and when the Cubs won the World Series in 2016, he was rewarded with a World Series ring and an apology from the organization. He received numerous threats back in 2003 and since then, still receives them to this day. Bartman didn't deserve those threats and I felt bad for him. He was a Cubs fan who got caught up in a situation that wasn't his fault.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 8 months ago in Unbalanced
A Look Ahead to Year Four of Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime
As I mentioned before in my piece about this year's Sunday Night Football matchups, I am writing about the 2025 schedule in bits and pieces. The SNF piece was first, and for this installment, it's Thursday Night Football that is the focus. I've watched football since I was seven, and back then, I had been used to NFL games airing on Sundays, Mondays, and some Saturdays. The only Thursday football back then was, of course, Thanksgiving, and it was always two games: a Lions game and a Cowboys game.
By Clyde E. Dawkins8 months ago in Unbalanced
The Evolution of the PBA: Then and Now
A League Steeped in History The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) holds the distinction of being the first professional basketball league in Asia, and one of the oldest in the world after the NBA. Since its founding in 1975, the PBA has gone through decades of transformation — mirroring shifts in Filipino sports culture, media, and society itself.
By John Wick8 months ago in Unbalanced
John Jay Moves to Semis with Win Over Clarkstown South
Please see tip, pledge and subscribe buttons below or my venmo is : @Rich-Monetti John Jay Crowd and Sideline Photos On Wednesday May 22, 6th seeded John Jay traveled the bridge to face 3rd seeded Clarkstown South, and the Wolves were obviously hoping to break the bracket. Quarterfinals in the afternoon, sundown had both teams facing the darkness in the bottom of the seventh. Bases loaded with one out and a 3-1 lead to preserve, Eliot Arbogast got the call after six and a third innings of Jacob Storch mastery. A hefty ask, the reliever didn’t waiver and had answers John Jay needed.
By Rich Monetti8 months ago in Unbalanced
Pinoy Power: The Legacy of Filipino World Champions
PINOY POWER: Champions Born from Grit and Glory The Philippines has long been a breeding ground for warriors, not just in spirit, but in sport. Across boxing rings, billiards halls, weightlifting platforms, and even esports arenas, Filipino world champions have consistently punched above their weight. This isn’t just about medals and titles — it’s about national pride, resilience, and global recognition.
By John Wick8 months ago in Unbalanced
How Spanish Colonization Helped Formalize Filipino Cockfighting Traditions
From Ancient Ritual to Regulated Sport Filipino Cockfighting, or sabong, is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the Philippines. While this blood sport has pre-colonial roots, it was during Spanish colonization that cockfighting evolved from a local pastime into a formalized, institutionalized tradition. This article explores how Spanish rule shaped the rules, venues, and cultural legitimacy of sabong, and why this legacy remains deeply influential in modern Filipino society.
By John Wick8 months ago in Unbalanced
Hammer is Back with 4-1 Win Over Somers
Please see tip, pledge and subscribe buttons or my venmo is : @Rich-Monetti Video Clips On Monday April 21, John Jay hosted Somers, and the teams were more than familiar with each other. “We’ve been playing them since we were eight years old,” said Mitch Hammer. So rivalry was an understatement, and a quick 1-0 first inning lead put John Jay in position to respond or succumb to the drama.
By Rich Monetti8 months ago in Unbalanced
John Jay Takes League Title with Win Over Panas
Steve DelMoro Speech Before Brooke D'Aleo Memorial Game. And Video Clips. On Saturday May 17, John Jay traveled to Walter Panas High School and had a league title on their collective minds. The girls didn’t take long to make their feelings known either.
By Rich Monetti8 months ago in Unbalanced
Sequel: 2025 Stanley Cup Final Preview
Second verse, same as first. After a wild NHL season where 32 teams played for the same hopes and the same goal, it all comes down to just two teams. And after all of the dust settled, it's the same two teams as last year. For the first time since 2009, we have a repeat Stanley Cup Final, as the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers will again battle it out in the ultimate series for the right to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup. I have a feeling that this will top last year; sequels usually surpass the originals.
By Clyde E. Dawkins8 months ago in Unbalanced
