By KEVIN HASKIN
TopSports.news
Kevin Haskin
Musings at the mid-month:
-- Psst. Don’t look at the calendar and do the math. I already know this is a bit tardy.
-- It’s almost as if I took my mask off and became reacquainted with life again.
-- Then again, the mask never covered my eyes.
-- Love to chat about the Royals but my television provider, like many, does not provide access.
-- I do subscribe to the MLB Network.
-- Seems like that annual plunkage of dollars should be enough to lift a local blackout.
-- Or, that Fox Sports could allow for its regional channels to be accessed for a nominal fee.
-- Mildly frustrated anymore. Sadly, I’m used to living with radio coverage of the Royals while tuning in irregularly.
-- Baseball is the one sport that really takes you back to your youth … when I listened to games on the radio with my dad.
-- Cardinals games, mind you. Can’t remember if a Wichita station even aired the Kansas City A’s.
-- So guess what, KC? My loyalty can be a bit fleeting.
-- Still, it would be nice to watch our local team.
-- Would thoroughly enjoy seeing Duffy mow down opponents or Salvy go on a tear. And, when the day comes, catch this phenom named Bobby Witt Jr.
-- I need to take in a high school game or two once snow is out of the forecast.
-- While walking the dog, I’ve watched briefly as a couple of youth T-ball teams practiced.
-- If this pointer helps one youth coach, fantastic:
-- Break your team into groups so every kid isn’t standing around watching one kid attempt to hit.
-- Doesn’t it seem like the transfer portal is Recruiting 2.0?
-- The trend enables fans to gush over a different kind of recruit whose flaws have not yet been exposed to that player’s new fan base.
-- So, we can all imagine greatness from an Arkansas-Little Rock transfer.
-- Bruce Weber is still coaching at Kansas State, right? And Gene Taylor received a raise after giving a raise to Chris Kleiman?
-- Got it. Seems, however, that this has been a rather rocky sports season for K-State.
-- I know, I know, factor in COVID-19.
-- The coronavirus is a tough variable to assess because even though every athletic program in the country has dealt with its effects, the effects have varied.
-- Usually, K-State does not field teams loaded with depth.
-- My guess is the Wildcats reach the NCAA Tournament next season if only to keep the agonizing head-bob with Weber intact.
-- Football? Experience at quarterback matters, though Skylar Thompson must remain healthy to provide seasoned leadership.
-- Kansas football? Oh boy.
-- I did like the hiring of Travis Goff as athletic director, based on his background.
-- So much can be rolled into what the Jayhawks need to generate football success.
-- Any coach who senses, and promises, rapid gains is the wrong man.
-- But I know, patience is boring.
-- What comes first? Resolution of KU’s infractions case or dissolution of the NCAA?
-- Sure sounded like the Supreme Court had some issues with the governing body for the highest level of college athletics.
-- Good, though rules and the enforcement of them need modification, not elimination.
-- State legislative agenda: I understand the ban on transgender women in Kansas high school sports because of competitive concerns.
-- I do not understand the inability to come to grips with sports wagering to boost state revenue, especially in light of the NFL’s new betting partnerships.
-- Debate over mandated financial and civics exams for high school graduates also piqued my interest.
-- In particular, students need instruction about the consequences of college loans.
-- Will postponement of the 2021 Kansas Relays lead to the end of that event altogether?
-- Would be a cost-cutting measure involving a non-revenue sport, though 2023 marks the centennial meet.
-- RIP Fred Arbanas.
-- When marveling at the evolution of the tight end position, include Arbanas in those discussions first and then blend in Tony Gonzalez and Travis Kelce.
-- Heckuva progression.
