MLB All-Star Weekend

By Dan Rodgers

I know it's been a while. This post is going to discuss the baseball all-star festivities.

Major League Baseball has a lot to offer in regards to the all-star festivities, but it is missing one huge aspect: a skills competition. Other sports have them and baseball's all-star festivities is one of the more popular ones in terms of fan interest.

I got bored and started to think of things that would be cool to see at a skill competition:

• Outfielders throw and try to land the ball in a bucket at home plate - tests arm strength and accuracy
• Pitchers try to hit a bull's-eye behind the plate - tests accuracy
• Pitchers try to throw a ball with the most break, in inches - tests nothing really, just fun
• Keep the derby, everyone loves it
• First basemen stand at first and scoop balls - tests fielding ability, scoops can be impressive

There are dozens more that could be thought up and fun to watch for the fans. Major League Baseball needs to make more of an event out of the all-star break and come up with events that will spark fan interest.

On a side note, the game shouldn't determine home field advantage for the World Series. It should be determined by record and then come up with tiebreakers. These guys are professionals and they are going to want to win regardless of whether the outcome actually means anything.

Rodgers That

All-Star weekend underway

By Dan Rodgers

I am currently sitting in my living room with the NBA skills competition going on in the background. Steve Nash just won the challenge because Deron Williams choked as hard as I've ever seen. He was on pace to break his own record of 25.5 seconds after he drained the jump shot but then couldn't seem to get the final chest pass through the tire.

A few notes:

• The Rooks beat the Sophs 140-128, first time in seven years
• MVP: Tyreke Evans - 26 points... DeJuan Blair 22 points 23 rebounds
  
• Kevin Durant won the H.O.R.S.E competition
• As said above, Nash won the skills challenge
• Paul Pierce shocks the NBA and wins his first 3 PT. Shooting Contest
  
• Nate Robinson, defended his title and won the dunk contest for the third time...even though it was weak sauce

The all-star game is tomorrow night...there will be an update then...

Rodgers That