Traverse City resident Chris Cooke is looking to put together a team to play in the 20th annual Men’s Senior Baseball League/Men’s Adult Baseball League World Series Oct. 29-Nov. 3 in Phoenix. Read the article below and contact Cooke if you are interested. For about 1/2 a minute I considered it, but then reality hit me. Ninety feet is a long way to run and I can’t remember the last time I did that!

Read TC man aims to form men’s baseball team in the Record Eagle

Jonathon Cahill will return for his second season leading the Traverse City Beach Bums as he was given a 1-year contract extension for 2008. Cahill’s first season ended with a 46-50 record, as the team showed improved play over the second half of the season. Cahill was the Beach Bums hitting coach in 2006.

The Beach Bums also announced that pitching coach John Sexton will return in 2008.

Read Manager Cahill back with the Bums in the Record Eagle*
Read Bums’ Skipper Cahill signs on for 2008 at TCBeachBums.com*

*I don’t condone calling them the “Bums”.

Opinions on five current sports topics from yours truly…

1. Eagles hammer Lions - The Lions never play great in Philly and it looks like that trend continues. I think they can rebound with a victory over the Bears (I wouldn’t of said this a few weeks ago) and try to keep pace with the Packers. Chicago is starting Brian Griese over Rex Grossman, but the biggest key could be the injuries on Chicago’s defense. I like the Lions “O” to finally back up Roy’s talking!

2. State is 4-0 - We’ve seen this before, but I think Mark Dantonio is different from some of the previous coaches. He’s building the Spartans around defense and the running game, something lacking since George Perles left. What that means is they will be able to be more physical and keep up the intensity needed for the Big Ten. I’m not predicting a win this week, but I wouldn’t be shocked.

3. Michigan is 2-2 - I’ve been telling everyone who will listen that Michigan is still going to win the Big Ten. They have a nice schedule and Henne is coming back (although some would argue that is a minus).

4. Tigers season almost over - No playoff run this year. Sure I’m a bit disappointed, but it was still a great season that still has a shot to finish with 90 wins! It’s been a great two years to be a Tiger fan and I think it’s going to continue. Watch out in ‘08!

5. Asterisk Wins - I voted to send it like it was to the Hall of Fame, but at least it’s not going to space!

If you want to let the me know what you think, you can always send me an email at leelanausportsguy@sportspig.com or post a comment!

The Detroit Red Wings arrived in town yesterday for physicals and golf, but today GM Ken Holland and the Wings get set to start another run at the Stanley Cup. You can check out the Camp Schedule here.

Read Evaluation time for Red Wings in the Record Eagle

In what would be an amazing recovery from Lisfranc surgery, Lions running back Kevin Jones is looking great in practice and might be ready for a few carries in Week 3. As always Killer Kowalski is all over it…

Read Kevin Jones expected to play next week vs. Philly at MLive

My View: Great news for the Lions and my fantasy team in the Leelanau League!

Mark Urban of the Record Eagle has compiled a report on area athletes participating in college athletics. This latest article features former Leelanau County stars…

Ben Darling (Freshman, Suttons Bay)
Men’s Soccer, Kalamazoo

Alisha Glass (Sophomore, Leland)
Women’s Volleyball, Penn State

Read College Notes: Burke comes up big for Colgate in the Record Eagle

They are calling it the The Final Countdown it’s basically a…

A recap of yesterday’s best stories, photos, fan posts, YouTube clips and other notables

Go check it out!

Read THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: A recap of yesterday’s best stories, photos, fan posts, YouTube clips and other notables in the Freep

Opinions on five current sports topics from yours truly…

I’m not including it in the five, but my overall Beach Bums record with me in attendance is now 6-1 as I attended the season finale, a 8-5 loss in 11 innings to the Windy City Thunderbolts. I thought I was going to keep my perfect record as the Beach Bums rallied for a 5-4 lead after 8 innings, but they couldn’t hold on. Congrats on another fun season in Traverse City!

1. Wolverines upset by Mountaineers - If you say it that way it doesn’t sound as bad because I could be referring to West Virginia. I am still in shock of this outcome, but I can’t say I’m disappointed, and as a State fan I loved this…

In East Lansing, after plowing for four touchdowns in Michigan State’s 55-18 beatdown of Alabama-Birmingham, Spartans running back Jeehu Caulcrick said, “It felt like we won two games today.”

Here’s a great article on the game from Michigan Football Saturdays.

2. Spartans look good in Dantonio’s debut - Mike Dantonio has some big plans for Michigan State and his Spartans got off to a good start with a 55-18 win over UAB. Lots of power football and great passing from Brian Hoyer led the way to victory. The Spartans will struggle to finish .500 this season, but Dantonio should lay the foundation for a nice turnaround in East Lansing.

3. Tigers continue to struggle - It’s looking more and more like 2007 isn’t going to be the Tigers year. They can’t seem to get a winning streak going. Inconsistent pitching, injuries, and the lack of clutch hitting have all played a big part. Rogers returns tonight and Sheffield tomorrow to hopefully give the Tigers a spark for one last run at the Indians.

4. Norsemen vs. Lakers - The Leelanau County rivals go head to head this Friday for bragging rights for the following year. Suttons Bay is off to a 2-0 start including a big win over Traverse City St. Francis. Glen Lake is 1-1 and coming off a loss. Kickoff is Friday at 7:00 in Suttons Bay.

5. Michigan In Play Magazine - Check out their latest issue featuring 2007 Roberto Clemente Award Winner Curtis Granderson on the cover. I just emailed Jack Rosenberg and told him to keep up the great work. This magazine is a great source for Detroit and Michigan sports fans!

If you want to let the me know what you think, you can always send me an email at leelanausportsguy@sportspig.com or post a comment!