Pete Rose is one of baseball’s greatest legends, an all time Major league hitter in hits, games played, at bats and outs. He has won a most valuable player award, three World Series Rings, and made 17 all star appearances . After the end of Roses’ career he managed the same team he played for, the Reds. Rose would be a Hall Of Fame inductee, if not for his betting on the game he loves so dearly.

In August of 1989, Rose was banned from the Hall of Fame eligibility list, after having gambled on the outcome of Reds baseball games. The said argument is that as manager, Rose could have affected the outcomes of his games to compliment the favor of his bets.

This is where I disagree. I do not believe that he should be treated based upon this idea, because no such evidence of these allegations have been found. Pete Rose was an amazing baseball player, and the bets he made, and moral rightness of his actions have anything to do with the skill and the effort he put forth into his baseball career.

 Having said that, Rose made some bad decisions, and he’ll always be haunted by them. But banning him from the Hall of Fame is very drastic considering his history with MLB and what he contributed to it.

Contact sports have been played for thousands of years, often leading to physical injuries for the players. While technology has attempted to decrease athletes’ susceptibility to injury through protective innovation, serious injuries, such as those to the brain, have continued to increase. 

Despite the higher, more potentially dangerous environment of collegiate and professional sports, high school student-athletes also find themselves suffering from concussions. 

Middletown High School sophomore Zeke Windon, a first-year wrestler for the MHS squad, experienced his first concussion in a mid-January match. 

“I dove to take (his opponent) down, and his knee came up and hit me square in the forehead,” said Windon, “everything went black; the next thing I remember, I was almost being pinned as I watched the clock turn to 0:00.”

A “confused” Windon shuffled his way to the judges’ table, heard his bout’s decision, and, with the assistance of a teammate, sat down. 

Concussions have long proved to be an evasive diagnosis for those in the medical field. Defined as a brain injury that results from a violent blow to the head, concussions are characterized by a large range of symptoms, some more visible than others. Finding these symptoms, and subsequently attributing them to the brain’s injury, is hard enough, let alone connecting the dots between separate, seemingly unrelated symptoms. 

Following protocol, the team’s trainer approached Windon and asked him a series of memory-testing questions.

“First, she checked my eyes, then she asked if I could remember who I was, where I was, and who my parents were.”

Windon’s ability to correctly answer each of the proposed questions, along with his awareness and lack of nausea, made it so no further action was required on the scene for the treatment of the concussion.

As with most medical prognoses, a concussion’s severity affects the number and type of symptoms conveyed by the concussed patient. The most common type of concussion, referred to as Grade I by the Cantu guidelines, are often characterized by dizziness, lightheadedness, and slight nausea, and rarely result in serious injury. 

Grade II and Grade III concussions carryover many of the symptoms of Grade I concussions, while adding in loss of consciousness and memory loss. What distinguishes Grade II from Grade III is the brevity of the aforementioned symptoms, with the loss of consciousness and memory loss being much more short-term in Grade II than in III.

The road back from a concussion is often a long and arduous one, filled with many of the same symptoms that mark the immediate aftermath of a cranial injury. Some, like Windon, have a much easier time getting back into “game shape.”

“I was feeling pretty bad for a solid week; but, it wasn’t much longer until I was wrestling again,” said a now symptom-free Windon.

While technological innovation has proved to be a great start in combating long-term brain injury in high school sports, increasing awareness of concussion symptoms and treatments is the best way to keep student-athletes healthy.

Tiger Woods has been accused of having affairs with at least nine women, all of which are making at least a six figure sum selling their stories to the tabloids. The legitimacy of all these women and their claims are questionable as well as suspicious, and shouldn’t be treated like truth.

But the fact that so many people care about his personal life is quite ridiculous.

Newspapers, websites and magazines provide regular updates on Woods’ personal life—for what? Entertainment? People care too much about other people they will never meet, know, or have anything to do with.

Magazines and the press make these peoples’ lives a big deal when in reality they are the same as ours, with the same mistakes and the same kinds of judgment. Whatever Woods’ wants to do regarding his family and sexual relationships is his choice to use as freely as he wants, and he doesn’t need the morale opinions of nobodies that feel they must voice their opinion in some misplaced sense of self-righteousness.

Your personal relationships are no one else’s business, which is exactly why it’s none of yours when it comes to Woods and his family.

Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the United States at the youth, high school, and collegiate level. It is a unique sport in that it combines elements from a lot of other sports because it has the physicality of football, the speed and use of sticks like ice hockey, and the coordination skills of basketball.
 
What set lacrosse apart from other sports are the players. It’s not just a sport but also a culture. Lacrosse players are visual creatures; a major part of their demeanor is based on their field appearance. This is why “flow” is so significant in the game today.
 
Flow is the essence of the lacrosse player—it’s his hair, equipment coordination and overall swagger on the turf.

The lacrosse player’s hair is the first part of flow critiqued during the game. Every man has different hair, but usually one with legit flow has long locks that come out the back of the helmet. The hair can be shaggy, wavy or straight. Some players even rock gnarly curls.
 
Equipment coordination is key to reach full flowocity. Helmet tilt is an absolute requirement to play at the higher echelon of lacrosse. This is when the helmet is fixed on the head so the visor comes almost below the eyes and the eyes are above the top bar on the facemask. If the eyes are below that bar, players are diagnosed with ‘second bar syndrome’ and lack good looks on the field.

Another important aspect is the socks and cleats. The cleats, preferably Nike, must be white to be respected in the world of lacrosse. Socks are the same way. The socks also have to be mid-calves. Kids with low-cuts are labeled to have “cold ankles”.

Small shoulder pads and elbows with fresh gloves are also recommended to compete with the best.
 
First team all-area junior attacker Zack Hansell of Middletown High School is known for his impeccable flow and encourages his teammates to get at his level by flowing hard.

“You got to win with swagger,” said Hansell, “My flow is always on point, never less than a 10 out of 10; I keep it ripe.”

When asked if flow helps lacrosse players attract girls he said, “We are very affluent.”

It turns out that a large amount of girls at MHS do appreciate a lacrosse player with some sweet flow.

“I love lacrosse players, they have nice hair,” said senior Christine Lopez.

It seems flow helps a player’s game on and off the field.

Brackets are made all over the country. Online leagues become the talk of the town over the three week period. Students, young adults, and parents alike show their competitive sides while they frantically root for their chosen winners and ‘Cinderella’ stories. However, this NCAA College Basketball Tournament is different for our hometown basketball fans—Middletown High School has become involved.

For the first time ever, the administration at MHS has allowed and supported a bracket contest for the students and staff during the 2010 March Madness season. Because of a somewhat apparent connection to gambling, a school bracket challenge was never before allowed at MHS. As expected, the approval of such a widely popular contest brought the students and staff together in a cloud of excitement.

“I’m glad they put in the bracket tournament this year for Middletown students,” said MHS senior Ryan Harshman, “Even though online leagues are always thrilling, the school contest gives it more of a central location and a more competitive feel. Hearing the leaders from the morning announcements keeps us involved and it’s always interesting to see who’s winning between both the students and staff.”

Heading into the Final Four weekend, Judd Ziegler and Emily James hold the lead in the student challenge, while independent living teacher Alisa Gibson and sports guru Bob Sheffler hold the lead in the staff contest. The winner receives a $20 Sports Authority gift card.

Most others, however, have been greatly disappointed. With countless upsets and only one #1 seed advancing to the Final Four, almost every bracket has been busted. Kansas and Kentucky, the most popular winners picked by the nation in bracket challenges, have been eliminated and newcomers such as #5 seed Butler have surprised wannabe ‘bracketologists’ everywhere.

These crazy circumstances in March Madness 2010 have admittedly made some students lose hope and ultimately lose focus when it comes to their brackets.

“Ever since Kentucky lost, I gave up,” said MHS junior Josh Henry, “[and] honestly the only thing I care about now is Duke losing.”

 The tournament challenge will come to an end following the April 5^th National Championship. Who will win the final, the top seed in Duke? The local favorite in West Virginia? Or the underdog in Butler or Michigan State? Regardless, one thing is for sure: The MHS 2010 bracket challenge has been a success.

Middletown High School baseball slides into a new season as tryouts end, and players are picked for their positions.
 
Tryouts lasted a couple weeks, and players have been lining up at Extra Innings in the off season to prepare themselves for the season.

With Coach Andy Baker and Assistant Coach Mike Desimone leading the team, they hope to regain their composure and take a shot at the State Championship.

More than 60 players tried out this year, and the team looks as promising as ever.

 “The success of this year’s team in the wins and losses category will be dependent upon our pitching.  We are relying on a “committee of pitchers”, at various age levels, including freshman.  We have plenty of experience and a nice mix of sophomores, juniors, and seniors, on the varsity team.  If we continue to focus on throwing the ball, catching the ball, and putting the ball in play, we will be competitive in a lot of ballgames,” said Baker.

Starting positions include seniors Koby Cavanagh at first base, Chase Main on second, Justin Boyer at short, and sophomore Chase Lebedda at third.

Starting on the mound will be senior Colin Maye who looks very promising, as well as secondary starter, senior Cody Strawsburg.

“In the pitching department, we expect good outings from our senior duo of Colin Maye and Cody Strawsburg,” said Baker.
 
Junior Robby Tucker will be looked to as the main relief pitcher, and senior Kyle Watkins will be catcher for the Knights this season.
 
“I think were going to have a pretty good season,” said senior Evan Moser.

Moser tore his ACL earlier this year and hopes to recover from his injury to aid the team for the season ahead.

In fact, Moser’s injury hasn’t been the only unfortunate case this year. Senior Taylor Drake is suffering from a broken arm and hopes to rejoin his teammates later on this season as well.
 
The season looks promising, with a strong offensive lineup starting with Boyer, Main, and Cavanagh to start off every game strong. Great things are expected of the Knights this year.

Come show your support and cheer them onto the State Championship.

The Middletown High School softball squad is full of young potential and is poised to improve on a lackluster season from last year.

Last years record was disappointing for a hardworking group of girls but with a new coach and almost entirely new roster, everyone is expecting big changes in success. Senior Jordyn Russo is the only returning varsity player from last season and will help lead along with seniors Lauren Anderson, Courtney Heck, and Meaghan Gallagher.

The new coach this season is Hood College graduate Sarah Wastler.

“I like the new coach,” said Russo.

Other major contributors this season are Sarah Barnhard and Olivia Lagos. The team has put in a lot more preparation to be successful this season.

“Were doing a lot more drills with fielding and sprint drills,” said Russo.

As the snow finally melts and the turf is revealed, the Middletown Knights boy’s lacrosse team is ready to begin their season once again. With high expectations for the upcoming year, the promising squad is looking forward to a season of tough competition and hopeful success.

After finishing last season with a winning 8-6 record, the team only lost two senior starters. The squad was celebrated last year for their underclassman talent, most notably first team all-area players Johnny Gallaway and Conor Duckett. Last year’s junior class also shows promise, including second team all-area players Simon Kinderknecht, Thomas Pitsenbarger, and Matt Wein. Another first teamer, Zack Hansell, transferred this year to Middletown, adding another player to the already talented roster.

Junior midfielder Conor Duckett believes the team will be better than last year and able to replace the talent lost from the last senior class. “Since we have a lot of potential as a team to succeed, all the boys are willing to give what they’ve got,” said Duckett.

With another year of practice and experience under their belt, the team of athletes feels confident about the competition to be faced this season.

“I feel like our preparation in the offseason is going to help us tremendously this year,” said sophomore attack Johnny Gallaway.

Because of the February snow storms, conditioning and preparation has been somewhat interrupted for the lacrosse squads. However the players are not worried; a few days of rest has never hurt anybody.

“During the two weeks of school we missed, we didn’t have any workouts,” said senior goalkeeper Simon Kinderknecht. “But as soon as we were back, we hit the weights and conditioned, so it only had a small affect. Now that we’ve gotten back into it, I think we have the ability to do really well, but like any team there’s still a lot of work to do.”

Since half of this year’s roster is made up of seniors, the Knights boy’s lacrosse team hopes this is the season for a successful run into the playoffs. Both Duckett and Gallaway agree that if all players “keep practicing like a team and get all the fundamentals down,” there is a chance at bringing home the state championship.

The fans can expect a season full of hard work and exciting games. Come help support the team led by senior captains Evan Clough and Simon Kinderknecht in their first game on March 23 as they challenge South Carroll at home at 6:30.

The Middletown High School girls’ lacrosse team looks to improve on last year’s solid 10-4 record with a boost in conditioning and working
on solidifying the defense.

“I feel pretty good about the season, we will be pretty competitive in Frederick County,” said junior midfielder Brittain Altomare.

Coach Dawn Rothenhoefer is making sure her team is well prepared with increased training which includes a lot of running. She is also making sure the holes on defense are filled and the transition game improves. These will be the keys to their success and compliment their already dangerous offense from last season.

A major attribute of the team is the bond they all share and their teamwork as a whole.

“We all work together to help each other become better,” said Altomare.

“We have a strong team, we mesh well, and we should be pretty successful this season,” said junior goalie Emily Boyce.

A couple of their biggest matchups this year is their opening game against South Carrol, Walkersville at the end of the season and if they play Winters Mill in the playoffs. Winters Mill beat them in the regular season and knocked them out of the playoffs last year.

Some other key players on the team include seniors Erin Kilonsky, Erin David, Madison Murphy, and Hannah Linthicum. Juniors Kati Rothenhoefer, Kelly Murphy, and sophomores Erin Wein, Julia Karcewski, Sam Barbeito will contribute on the field this season.