WPCNR NEWS FROM BEYOND THE GAME. August 10, 2010: 

 New York Jet #44, James Ihedigbo, swung by White Plains Public Access TV's BEYOND THE GAME to chat with Host, John Vorperian about his off-season adventures, NFL training camp, and Gang Green gossip.

Ihedigbo’s foundation actively supports relief efforts in Haiti and community economic development in Africa. Earlier this year Ihedigbo along with other pro gridders went to Haiti to help earthquake victims and their families.

Ihedigbo also comments about Jets Camp being covered by HBO’s Hard Knocks and Dallas Cowboy Dez Bryant’s recent rant. BEYOND THE GAME can be seen Tuesday 10PM & Friday 9PM Channel 76 and Verizon Fios Channel 45.

WPCNR VIEW FROM THE MEZZANINE. By WPCNR’S SPORTSTALK Morty Slickman. July 11, 2010:

So I am sitting here in the old Madison Square Garden in the blue smoke of the rafters of the mezzanine in the arena of memory.

Richie Guerin in the old garden, going up against Paul Arizin of the Philadelphia Warriors, 1958. That's the Knicks Kennie Sears (12) and Mendy Rudolph is the Ref in the old garden of memory: where even in the third balcony you were on top of the court, the cigar smoke smelled like sports and the Knicks played hard.

I'm reading the sports pages Saturday and Sunday, and I am musing to myself should I ignore the upbeat spin being spun out by the hapless New York Knick management? Swallowed hook, line and sinker by the sports press? Who are already beating drums for the Knick Brains now out signing everyone in sight?

Should I ignore the urge to tell it like it is, and be a warmer, kinder gentler commentator?

Should I push my fedora back on my head, loosen my tasteless tie, puff my White Owl panatela and drink my black coffee and be positive and upbeat? And get on the Knick bandwagon to the crusade for 12 more wins? Shall I resist the urge to rap out in staccato fashion on the old Smith Corona a blistering indictment of the Knick-Knacks? Shall I show love and compassion?

Absolutely not!

WPCNR VIEW FROM THE MEZZANINE. By WPCNR SPORTSTALK's Morty Slickman. July 8, 2010:

It’s not good, like Nedicks.

The New York Knickerbockers  “Believe in us. We have a plan. Lose now. Lose a lot. So We Can Win Next Year with signing free agents” just threw up a brick.

The way it used to be in New York Hoops. George Mikan right hooking with Sweetwater Clifton defending at the Old 69th Regiment Armory.

The biggest air ball ever. They let the clock run out without taking a shot.

The Miami Heat sold their season tickets out for 2010-11 overnight.

The Knickerbockers  negotiate like they play ball. No defense. No bench. No consistency.

The hardwood wasteland in the world’s most ghastly arena for seeing anything (Madison Square “are those ants down there?” Garden)  is forever now, because the grand strategy of clearing cap room to sign (like the Yankees) two or three super free agents has failed big time.

WPCNR PRESS BOX. From Archbishop Stepinac High School. June 10, 2010. UPDATED JUNE 11, 2010: Alumni and friends of Stepinac High announced plans for construction of a $1.9 Million all-purpose synthetic turf sports facility planned to be installed on the site of the present school football field behind the school.The present natural turf field will be converted to a new articificial surface with the current spectator stands remaining in place, according to a Stepinac media respresentative. The announcement was made at the 7^th annual Stepinac Athletic Golf Outing dinner held at Brynwood Golf & County Club in Armonk.

Half the funds have already been raised through private donations.  The new field is to be installed in the summer of 2011, and ready for play in the fall of that year.

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WPCNR SPORTS. May 30, 2010: After just having watched the White Plains High School Tigers finish off New Rochelle, 4-2 Friday in the first of the sectionals in White Plains, then listening to the University of Michigan fall a run short to a very sharp University of Tennessee team, I  was brought back in time to when Rob Crews  helped my daughter develop batspeed and the ability to hit the ball where it's pitched with authority, as well as develop her as a pitcher.

Rob Crews Swing Man to the Stars. (2007)

 Now Coaching with the National Pro Fastpitch Florida Pride

Photo, WPCNR Sports

Rob who puts stories about all his students, has a story: I  would like to put in about him instead!!!  Rob really is the softball icon to this tri-state area and all the many girls he has, does and will coach for years to come.

In the last three years, Rob's "batology" teaching skills helped Yorktown's Kasey O'Connor (Notre Dame), Cassie Reilly-Boccia (Alabama), Hen Hud's  Kirby Wright (Nebraska) and Somers Tammy Wray (LSU) win four year softball scholarships.

WPCNR  VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. APRIL 5, 2010: The New York Mets return to CitiField this afternoon on Opening Day. In celebration of the best day of the year, Opening Day, WPCNR revives this original ode to the best day of the year.

CITI FIELD

Photo, WPCNR Sports

OPENING DAY

Above ramparts of inviting arches of walls, and sculpted friezes wistfully escarped.

WPCNR SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY. February 16, 2010: Kirsten Fuerst's Camp Chill winter break skating camp came back today. Olympians of the future took to the ice this morning at Ebersole Rink with 40 children of all ages breaking out onto the ice for the three-day program. At 9 A.M. they were still coming in.From beginners to seasoned little skaters Camp Chill with its teen and young adult instructors continued the process of passing the joy of skating to future generations.

Jenna Bisignano, second from left, helps a skating mom with details. Still time to register for days 2 and 3..

Beginning skaters went from falling to gliding tentatively along the ice thanks to the encouraging  instruction within minutes. 

Seasoned Ice Princesses were practicing cross-overs.

Yet another level were getting footwork together. Camp Chill continues Wednesday and Thursday.

WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY. February 6, 2010: Some 25 to 30 Softball teams gathered at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrison this morning to play ball in  25 degree weather to raise money in the annual Snowball Softball Tournament of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Societ. The action was good natured and no batting eyes have dulled.As Mel Allen used to say there's plenty of seats available come on out and watch this afternoon's games, sponsored by Modells Sporting Goods.

Here comes the pitch.

It's Drilled, It's Deep. It's Downtown!

Here's the Delivery!

Over 200 Players, with teams paying entry fees raised $$$ for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Umpires from the Hudson Valley Softball Officials volunteered their time. The Action continues all Saturday afternoon. Come on Out!

Where hamburgers sizzle on an open grill night and day!

WPCNR PRESS BOX. November 26,2009: Daryl Schuler's 8 Yard scamper around left end in the waning moments of the Third Quarter today, proved to be the winning TD as White Plains held off a two-touchdown rally by Stepinac in the final stanza to snap Stepinac's winning streak in the traditional Thanksgiving rivalry between the two teams. White Plains Doug Sewitch made a game-saving shoe-string tackle behind the line of scrimmage to stop Stepinac on 4th down deep in Tiger territory in the third quarter, to stall a touchdown drive, which at the time did not seem like a big play, but as it turned out it was a game-saver.

MR. UNSTOPPABLE, Daryl Schuler, leaves Crusaders behind him as he scores the third and deciding Tiger touchdown with two minutes to go in the Third Quarter. Unofficially, WPCNR had Schuler rushing for over 200 yards in the contest. Schuler keyed two drives in the third quarter to give the Tigers a 21-0 lead. Stepinac rallied on an onside kick to launch a  drive that cut the lead to 21-14 with seven minutes to go in the game, but White Plains held them off on two possessions in the final moments to hold on to the win before approximately 6,000 fans. Schuler also scored the first WP TD midway in the second quarter.

WPCNR PRESS BOX. From Rob Crews of "Complete Game," November 10, 2009: Over the years, the interest in competitive softball has really taken off in the Northeast. Consequently, there are many girls who’s love for the game has motivated them to make Softball a year-round commitment, taking part in rigorous off-season training and showcase tournaments around the country in order to market themselves as Major Division I softball prospects.

Every now and then a special player is born here in Westchester  –someone with special gifts combined with the focus and work ethic to hone those abilities into a polished top Division 1 prospect.  On Thursday, November 12, 2009, at 5:30pm, Tammy Wray of Somers High School, will be signing her National Letter of Intent. For Tammy, it is the school that has won her heart during the softball recruitment process.  Louisiana State University, a major force in College Softball, will be Tammy Wray’s new home in 2010, where she will continue her education in the School of Psychology.

WPCNR PRESS BOX. November 8, 2009: The Black Bear's back! The Black Bear restaurant used to have a black bear mascot, who used to stand outside the restaurant. Mysteriously the bear wandered off one day two years ago. But this week, as of Thursday, the Black Bear returned to his job as Bear Maitre d' and the friendly confines of The Black Bear Saloon on Mamaroneck Avenue.

The Black Bear, "Unofficial Headquarters  and Saturday Clubhouse" for the University of Michigan Alumni Association, where the Maize and Blue crowd gathers to watch their beloved Wolverines on the Big Ten Network, welcomed their bear back. Here the Black Bear with a Michigan hat encourages the Wolverines against Purdue.

Ryan McBride, one of the Managers of the Black Bear welcomes back the bar's mascot. McBride said he believes the bear hibernated for two years, did not have his GPS, and wandered back thanks to a good samaritan who brought the bear back home.

WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. By Bull Allen. November 6,2009: Congratulations to the Bronx Bombers on their 27^th World Championship, won Wednesday in The House The Taxpayers Built.  Today, the Bombers will be hailed with a parade in a very bad neighborhood.

A 6-ounce beer and a dog:$14 in the upper deck in the fabulous new Stadium. September 16

Those of you going to the parade really should bring personal security you will be in the worst neighborhood in New York City filled with some its most dangerous criminals at large who have not yet been indicted.

WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. By Bull Allen. September 30, 2009:  I'm sorry. I have to get this off my chest. I cannot wait for the weekend. It has to be said now.

Up here in the mythical upper deck, behind the mike, straw fedora hat perched on the back of my head,  at the WPIX mike, watching another hideous Metropolitan loss today. I can no longer sit around and listen to the excuses the  press makes for the Mets of 2009.

The New York Metropolitans lost again today, 7-4 on a grand slammer by Justin Maxwell with two-out in the ninth off Francisco Rodriguez. A 5-run ninth by the Nats whom the Mets made look like the Yankees the last three nights. It was the third straight loss the Mets have rolled over for in the Nation’s Capitol this week.

CitiField, this Spring.

This team has no heart. They are not playing for their manager. They are not playing for themselves. They are not playing for their fans. They are not being managed for the fans. This is the team that gave up in June when their General Manager Omar Minaya did not make a move with his two big hitters went on the D.L.