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HEARTBROKEN jockeys and trainers wept openly last night as they spoke about their good mate Daniel Baker, the young bush jockey who lost his life following a sickening weekend race fall.

Baker, 23, passed away shortly after 3pm yesterday as his exhausted girlfriend, Linda, mother, Debbie, and elder brother, Tim, sat by his side at Gold Coast Hospital.

The Coffs Harbour trio’s bedside vigil proved to no avail: their racing hero never regained consciousness after crashing to the turf at the Grafton races on Sunday.

The death just weeks before Christmas was the latest blow to an industry still reeling from the outbreak of equine flu.

Baker, the boy they knew as Spider, was the second jockey to be killed in a race fall this year. Irish hoop Damien Murphy suffered fatal head injuries at Wellington in New South Wales in January.

Two of Baker’s best mates, jockeys Raymond Spokes and Jasen Watkins, said that life would not be the same without Spider.

Baker, who lived and breathed racing, was tall enough to have been better suited on a basketball court than on the back of a racehorse, but he did not complain about having to waste seven days a week.

"If I had to waste as hard as Daniel, I don’t think I could have been a jockey," Spokes said.

"I never once saw him eat a full meal.

"We actually have a race day at Coffs Harbour on Friday, and myself, Daniel and Jasen would normally have been up the back of the jockeys room where all the laughter would come from. There won’t be much laughter on Friday.

"I guess it’s mine and Jasen’s job to now go out and ride as many winners as we can for Daniel.

"That’s what the three of us used to do. We used to drive to all the tracks and try to wave the flag for Coffs Harbour."

Spokes, who drove Baker to Grafton on Sunday, said the youngster, who wanted to be a hoop from the time he first set foot on a racetrack at age eight, was his usual bubbly self.

Watkins said that he and Spokes had each been an emotional wreck since Sunday, and they each cried their heart out as they returned from the Taree races on Monday night.

The only consolation for the pair was the fact that Baker died doing what he loved most.

Trainer Gordon Yorke visited the hoop late on Monday and said that his condition deteriorated quickly.

He said Baker was a son "any mother would be proud of" and had been set to become a leading player for his stable.

Trainer Brett Bellamy was another person severely affected by news of Baker’s death, and he could get only as far as Spokes when it came to phoning people with confirmation of his passing.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’Landys said that counselling would be offered to all jockeys, and the family would be given financial assistance in order to make the ordeal as "stress free" as possible.

Source: Baker died doing what he loved

Todd Hays

When American bobsledder Todd Hays retired after the 2006 Olympics, he said it was time for the next challenge.

Turns out, that may be the 2010 Games in Vancouver.

The 38-year-old Hays, one of the most-decorated drivers to compete for the United States, said Tuesday that he has ended a brief retirement and is eyeing one more Olympic shot.

"There’s still a little ways to go until we make the full commitment," Hays said. "But basically, I guess I’m back."

Hays drove a four-man sled to a silver medal in 2002, ending a 46-year medal drought for American men’s bobsledding. He was seventh in the two- and four-man races in Turin, and surprised many by saying his days on the track were done on a frosty night in the Italian Alps.

But administrative changes at the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation _ including the hiring of new CEO Darrin Steele, who was on two Olympic teams with Hays _ prompted him to reconsider.

"I believe Darrin will give me every chance to win a gold medal and I’m excited about that," Hays said.

His return has been warmly received by the USBSF.

"Todd is a competitor, and it’s obviously in his blood to come back out and give it another shot," U.S. bobsled coach Brian Shimer said. "Todd has a lot of experience on all of the tracks, so it won’t take him long to get back in the swing of things."

Hays is ineligible to compete on the World Cup circuit this winter, yet will likely be back in 2008-09. He’ll spend this season testing and working on his newly designed two- and four-man sleds.

Hays has a new two-man sled that he’s comfortable with, and is still tinkering with a four-man model.

"He’s looking to do it his own way using his own equipment, and it will be interesting to see how it works out for him," Shimer said.

Hays began telling some confidants months ago that he was considering a return, and made his comeback official by informing the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and the U.S. Olympic Committee in October.

Because he wasn’t drug-tested during his brief retirement, he’s facing a six-month probationary period before he can race.

"It’s a training year," Hays said. "This opens the door if I decide to make a full run at it."

Source: USA’s Hays ends retirement, eyes 2010

The Vancouver Canucks are auctioning off the privilege of dressing as a Vancouver Canuck and being a member of the team for a day.

Relax! You wouldn’t actually get to play a shift with the Sedins, or Alex Burrows. Instead, the Canucks are auctioning off a spot in their team photo.

Yes, THE team photo. The current bid is US$ 1,500, which is about how much James Mirtle makes in the average week.

Be a part of the Canucks team photo at the end of the 2007/08 season! This package includes one 8×10 copy of the team photo and a replica jersey to wear in the photograph.

Funds raised through this online Dice & Ice auction will benefit Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and BC Children’s Hospital Child & Adolescent Mental Health Building.

Years from now, I can just picture a kid and his grampa looking at the 2007/08 Canucks team photo

Kid: Grampy, who’s that ugly looking guy on the left?

Gramps: Oh, just some random schmuck who paid the team to be there.

I guess it doesn’t really matter who is in the team photo, since there are lot of guys (trainers, front office staff, etc) in the photo that I really don’t know, but it does seem kind of lame that some guy off the street can basically get himself into the picture and have nothing to do with the team. It’s supposed to be a TEAM photo, right?

I hope the winner does something to make the auction worth his while, like wearing a clown wig, making a really nasty face, or wearing a Blues cap.

(hat tip to ‘Going Five Hole’)

Labels: Canucks, off-ice silliness

Source: Buy Yourself a Spot on the Canucks!

By: Elmo Kandel

As with all sports, there are some people who are more suited to bungy jumping than others. Those who are naturally inclined toward seeking the most extremes of thrills and excitement are those who will most likely be drawn to bungy jumping. It is certainly not a sport for the timid, the nervous, the faint-hearted! One of the most basic components of this sport is the extreme nature of it– the amazing rush of adrenalin you will receive from plummeting downward at high speeds, your life and safety guarded only by elastic bungy cords and, in some cases, a body harness. It is easy to see why there is virtually no other sport which can compare to the experience of bungy jumping.

Given the daredevil, death-defying aspect of this sport, it should not be surprising that there are more men than women who go for bungy jumping. It is also not surprising that younger people choose this sport much more frequently than older people, as older people are generally less inclined to engage in activities which present unnecessary risks. Some studies have also shown that most women are not impressed with men who base their “macho” image on activities such as bungy jumping, and even consider it to be reckless behavior. For the women who do have an interest in bungy jumping, however, there is a very clear emphasis on participating in this sport rather than being a spectator.

Many people place bungy jumping in the category of things they would love to try, but lack the courage. Others simply consider the risks to be too great. Obviously those who have preexisting health conditions which would make bungy jumping more risky for them would be wise to steer clear of this sport. Children who are too young to be fully aware of the risks involved should also not participate in bungy jumping. Pregnant women should definitely avoid bungy jumping.

You can safely assume that bungy jumping companies which advertise that this sport is for anyone and everyone are not demonstrating adequate responsibility for the lives and health of their prospective customers. In addition to these obvious factors, to be basically average in height and weight is also important, as these factors contribute to the safety of the jumping itself, as well as the general body-type size that the bungy jumping equipment has been designed for.

If both your health and temperament are suited to this sport, and you have decided that it is something you definitely wish to try, it is essential to select a bungy jumping company that is both reputable and responsible. For all prospective bungy jumpers, but especially beginners, having the knowledge beforehand that the equipment is correctly designed, maintained on a regular basis, and handled properly during its use, will contribute to both your safety and your peace of mind.

If you meet these basic requirements, and have assessed the potential risks as being worth taking for the experience, you may be one of those who is well suited for the sport of bungy jumping!

Elmo Kandel is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com

Source: Who Is Best Suited For Bungy Jumping?

Of the 119 head coaches in what used to be called Division I football, five of them are black, now that Karl Dorrell has been fired.

Ole Miss hired Houston Nutt just hours after his resignation. Nebraska wasted little time in hiring LSU’s Bo Pelini. Meanwhile, UCLA is looking at Boise State’s Chris Petersen, Texas Tech’s Mike Leach and Steve Mariucci.

In other words, Imus interviewed more black candidates.

By the way, has anyone heard his new radio show?

Or is it on the NFL Network?

Remember when the Poulan Weed Eater Bowl was the standard for ridiculousness?

You’re one of five now, Sly. And with wins against Auburn, Alabama and Kentucky this year, you’re almost a lock to keep that Mississippi State job! (Doug Pensinger / Getty Images)

Now you got PapaJohns.com.

One day historians will link the fall of the republic to the rise of the chain pizzerias.

Don’t know about you, but my New Year’s Eve plans are all up in the air. Talk about a quandary: Do I go with the Bell Helicopter Armed Services Bowl? The Sun Bowl or the Humanitarian Bowl? Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, Chick-fil-A, or Insight?

How do you make sense of it all?

And why isn’t there a Hooters Bowl?

Breaking news: Kirk Herbstreit has accepted the position as Ohio State’s SID.

More breaking news: After losing to the Jets, the Miami Dolphins have just been declared bowl ineligible.

John Beck, the quarterback they coveted in the draft, had three interceptions and two fumbles. So who needs Brady Quinn?

Watch a weekend of college football and all you hear about is guys making plays in space.

Back when I was in college, you had to go to the hippie dorm and get a little something before you could do that.

Frustrated Patriots fans might want to take a deep breath and count to about 12. That’s about how much time Tom Brady had to throw the winning touchdown.

Saw that epic struggle between the Giants and the Bears. Ever get the feeling that playing for seeding in the NFC is like playing for the NIT?

Friend of mine just called on the way to his first physical therapy appointment. Guy wants to know if insurance will cover the Happy Ending.

My spy at the big NASCAR banquet said Tom Brokaw was funnier than David Spade.

Sounds like David Spade was as funny as… David Spade usually is. (Chris Trotman / Getty Images)

What did you think would happen when the writers went on strike?

Then there’s Tony Stewart, who went to the Carnegie Deli and ordered a cheeseburger.

Some people are just beyond help.

The real question is, did he ask for the Miracle Whip, too?

Harris poll voter Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star voted for LSU-Oklahoma in the BCS championship.

That’s a guy who had it right.

All you need to know about this year’s Heisman: The candidate with the greatest name recognition plays for Hawaii.

Where his toughest course is CPR.

According to the New York Times, Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon was doing his post-graduate work in billiards. No, I’m not kidding. That’s a class. His only one, in fact.

So who says the scholar-athlete ideal is dead?

Even as I write this, some enterprising producer is cooking up a pitch for one of those Curt Gowdy-type hunting shows with Bobby Knight. Special guest star: Dick Cheney.

Since returning to the Lakers, Phil Jackson’s team has gone from 45 wins to 42 wins. So management did the only thing it could: extend his contract and give him a raise from $10 to $12 million per.

You know next week’s fight has a shot to do some real business when you call DirecTV to scream at the operators, and the only voice you hear is Floyd Mayweather’s.

Source: On the Mark: The crazy college game

4 Dec 2007 VIDEO: England v Andorra Futsal

See highlights and interviews from England’s Futsal internationals in Bath in November.

Hi everyone, it’s been a rushed and odd couple of weeks, with a number of highs and lows in football, where I’m still a little numb after our games in Georgia last week.
 
England’s Euro 2008 exit has ramifications for all of the national teams but perhaps allows the focus once more to fall on what we are developing for the future and where Futsal has a part to play in that.

You can get too hung up on the here and now, but for me it’s more about tomorrow’s players, the next generations and that’s where the focus has to be.

I see a lot of Futsal and football around the world and only when you look at the games on that global stage can you really see how much work we have to do. It’s easy as coaches to look in your own back yard and think we have the best, or we have what it takes to succeed, but when the gates to the street open up you realise that there is a great deal more out there which you’ve not been paying attention to. That’s a position which has been festering for some time as the other nations are catching us up and some are accelerating away from us and this may just be the wake up call all areas of the game needs.

We arrived back from a bitterly cold Georgia on Thursday having learned a great deal, yet we were stunned by our final result.

The Tbilisi group contained a number of new players at international level, with only seven remaining from the team who faced Andorra a few weeks previously, but the entire group surprised me and I’m very pleased with how they did in an environment which asked a lot of them individually.

Part of the challenge of coaching an international team is ensuring that as well as picking the best players available, you must also select a group of people whose personalities match and merge with each other. That’s harder when, as in some cases, I might never have met the individual before. This group gelled almost from the start and made the week fly past in an enjoyable and focused manner.

I have to say though that the arena at the Sportspalace in Tbilisi was amongst the worst I have come across during my time with Futsal, a very uneven surface, poor lighting and a chill throughout the air – I’ve never been colder on a bench before, and this was indoors! However, our hosts did a great job of making us feel welcome and did all they could to ensure that we had what we needed – other than a result!

Despite all of the positives I’ve taken from the games, I’m still numbed at being 2-1 up in the second game with less than eight minutes of court time left, only to lose out 7-3.

How can that happen? What went wrong? What did we or they do that was so dramatically different in the space of minutes that saw us concede five goals almost instantaneously? 

Well they’re all questions which have been running through my head for days now and the simple answer is mental strength. It’s something my young players have to get to grips with, or they will see more games like that come and go, so we’ll be working on that in the coming days.

Futsal can be very cruel when you don’t expect it and our inexperience showed on the night, as we forced in places where we didn’t need to and capitulated when we should have been forceful. That’s all part of the discipline of the game, being able to command a game when you’re pressured.

Those games have gone now but act as another chapter in the players’ education archive, but now we have to look forward to Greece at home in December.

I named that squad yesterday, retaining some of the players who did so well last week and added back in some of the experienced ones from the Andorra squad. It was that experience which I think would have helped us and I feel the blend of the two groups will suit us well in Birmingham, but there’s still some work to be done between now and then and that will start this weekend at Lilleshall, as we meet up on Saturday night after the weekend’s games for another F30 Workshop.

It’s an opportunity to get the entire group together and whilst we will be focused on preparing for Greece a week later, it will also be an opportunity to dissect and deliver some of the lessons of the past four games.
 

I’m pleased to hear that we have now secured funding for three regional Futsal leagues which are to be based geographically north, midlands and south and more than likely in London, Birmingham and Sheffield. This replaces the original concept of a single national league and it’s a new concept which I think is much better. The message going out though is for clubs to be exactly that, potential participating clubs need to have proper club structures to be considered, rather than just groups of lads playing the game.

Elsewhere. Spain managed to retain the European Championship in Porto recently despite being pushed closer than they have in recent years. I feel for my friend Orlando Duarte (left), Head Coach of Portugal, as they had the game well under control at 2-0 in the semi-final. But it just goes to show that even the very talented teams still require experience and mental strength, whilst injuries to their key experienced players like Ivan and Andre Lima robbed them of that and cost them the final berth as Spain went into overdrive in the last four minutes.

If you can make it to Birmingham it would be good to see you.

Graeme

Source: Mental strength required

Arkansas’ Gary Ervin and Michael Washington both scored 12 points Monday night to lead the Razorbacks to a 70-51 victory over Missouri State.

Washington, a sophomore forward, had his first career double-double with a career-high 12 rebounds. Overall, the Razorbacks (7-1) scored 36 points off the bench and 28 points off Missouri State’s 23 turnovers.

Filed under Arkansas

Source: Arkansas 70, Missouri St. 51

UTILITY recruit PJ Marsh hopes his arrival at Brisbane will land him an NRL premiership and possibly resurrect his stalled State of Origin career.

"I’m pretty sure my best football is ahead of me,” said Marsh, whose career was almost prematurely derailed by a serious neck injury in 2003.

"This is where I wanted to play but to be honest, I never thought I’d get here.

"Most of the guys that come here end up staying forever so I couldn’t see myself ever getting here.”

The departure of Brisbane’s classy roustabout Shaun Berrigan to England opened the door for Marsh to finally end up at the club where he had hoped to start his NRL career.

"I don’t think I’m as versatile as Shaun, but I can play halfback, hooker and five-eighth,” he said.

"I’ve gone the long way around to get here. I think I’ve got three or fours years of my best football ahead of me.

"I was going to come back to Brisbane when I finished playing, now hopefully I can finish my career here.”

Marsh says he’s chasing what every Broncos player has - a premiership.

"I’m pretty sure we can get one in the next few years,” he said.

The 27-year-old was also optimistic that playing well for the Broncos could lead to a recall to the Queensland Origin side, having last played for the Maroons in 2003.

Gladstone-born but raised in Blackwater, Marsh was today dual registered by the Broncos with his old junior club, Central Queensland Comets.

The arrangement gives the Broncos access to Comet players similar to agreements they have with Queensland Cup sides Redcliffe, Wynnum and Easts.

The Comets were previously backed by NRL rivals North Queensland.

Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr said he understood the Comets reasons for linking with the Broncos but said he would be interested to see how many of their players turned out in their colours.

AAP

Source: Marsh says best yet to come

STUART MacGill will miss the first two Tests of the series against India after being booked in for surgery on his right hand.

Cricket Australia’s Medical Officer, Dr Trefor James, examined MacGill in Melbourne on Tuesday and confirmed an operation was necessary. 

“Stuart MacGill will undergo surgery in Sydney on Thursday for carpal tunnel syndrome in the right hand, a common problem that causes hand numbness," Dr James said of the leg-spinner.

“Although Stuart has had mild symptoms for several months it only began to affect his bowling during the second 3 mobile Test match against Sri Lanka in Hobart last month.

"The problem has been the subject of a thorough investigation and assessment since the Test match. After consultation with me in Melbourne today a decision has been taken to proceed with surgery as soon as possible.

“The surgery is expected to keep Stuart out of cricket for four-six weeks, so it is unlikely he will be available for selection for the Melbourne or the Sydney Test matches against India.”

The news opens a vacancy in Australia’s attack, with fellow spinner Brad Hog and paceman Shaun Tait thought to be at the front of the queue. South Australia’s Tait returned a career-best 10-wicket haul against Queensland last week.

"I feel like I’m bowling the best I’ve ever bowled, but it’s just one of those things, if you get the nod you get the nod,” said Hogg, who most recently donned the baggy green cap in 2003 and will have the chance to further his cause bowling against Tasmania in the Pura Cup at Bellerive Oval over the next two days.

"If I think about (Test selection), I’m going to go downhill, so basically I can only keep doing what I’m doing and not worry about it.

"I can’t be doing any better than what I am now. But it’s up to the selectors … I’ve nothing to prove to anyone, the only person I’ve got anything to is myself.”

MacGill could return for the third Test against India in Perth, but his place in the team had been uncertain after an uninspiring series against Sri Lanka last month.

Although the leg-spinner breached the 200-wicket barrier during the two-match series, he managed just five wickets in total at an average of 65.2.

MacGill was criticised for a perceived lack of fitness heading into the Test matches, but he later complained he could no properly grip the ball.

The 36-year-old will front the media on Wednesday morning (EDT) to discuss his future, but only last week he stated his intention to carry on playing cricket at international level.

James said there was no other surgery planned for MacGill, who has also been affected by a degenerative knee condition.

Australia opener Matthew Hayden offered moral support, saying it would have been tough for MacGill to serve most of his career as Shane Warne’s understudy, then be dogged by injury.

"I think we’re all very proud of the way Stuart’s performed, the way he’s hung in there,” Hayden said.

"Year in year out he’s a solid performer for NSW and that’s got to be tough, being in the cloud of such a wonderful bowler.”

- with AAP

Source: MacGill to go under the knife

Thousands Gather to Honor Sean Taylor

MIAMI — The little girl entered the big gymnasium in a stroller, asleep and oblivious to the 3,000 people on hand to pay last respects to her father, Sean Taylor.

Later, 18-month-old Jackie Taylor was wide awake and running wind sprints past the huge flower arrangements in front of the stage. Wearing a red dress, she stood and applauded with the rest of the audience following the introduction of her father’s team, the Washington Redskins. She waved a milk bottle, sucked on a pacifier and went up and down the front row hugging grieving relatives.

There were plenty of tears at Taylor’s three-hour funeral Monday, but also ripples of laughter and words of inspiration.

“Let me hear you scream!” shouted the Rev. Jesse Jackson, urging the audience to cheer Taylor’s memory. “One more time! This is a celebration!”

The 24-year-old Taylor died last Tuesday, barely 24 hours after he was shot in the bedroom of his home a few miles from where he grew up. Police say he was a victim of a botched burglary, and four young men have been charged with unpremeditated murder. A lawyer for one suspect said a fifth suspect was being sought.

“It’s times like this that all of us struggle to find meaning in life,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told mourners.

“Today my heart is broken,” said LaVar Arrington, wiping away tears as he recalled his two years as Taylor’s teammate with the Redskins. “I’ll get through it. We’ll all get through it.”

AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

The casket of Redskins safety Sean Taylor is wheeled into the Pharmed Arena at Miami’s Florida International University prior to the funeral.

The funeral sought closure through prayers, tributes and gospel music. One singer expended so much emotion she collapsed into a chair upon leaving the stage and was carried away in it as the service continued.

Eulogies by family, friends and dignitaries praised Taylor’s baby face, shy smile, kindness, warmth, faith and extraordinary athletic skills.

“Many times God must have looked down and said, ‘Man, I made a great football player,’” Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said.

Michael Outar recalled the start of his nephew’s football career as a 6-year-old with the Homestead Hurricanes. Young Sean was assigned No. 66 and a place on the defensive line.

“He asked me, ‘Uncle Michael, what do I do?’ I told him, ‘Hit the guy with the ball.’ That’s what he did, over and over,” Outar said.

Taylor grew into a hard-hitting safety. He helped the Miami Hurricanes win the 2001 national championship, became a first-round NFL draft pick in 2004 and led the NFC in interceptions this season when a knee injury sidelined him last month.

The list of celebrities in attendance was long. They included more than two dozen former Hurricanes now in the NFL, among them Edgerrin James, Devin Hester and Jeremy Shockey. Former Hurricanes coaches Larry Coker and Butch Davis sat in the front row, along with current coach Randy Shannon.

Mourners also included actor Andy Garcia, whose niece, Jackie Garcia, was Taylor’s girlfriend and the mother of their child; and O.J. Simpson, whose children attended the same high school as Taylor.

Simpson expressed sympathy for the relatives of those arrested, as well as for Taylor.

“It’s horrible, not only for him, but for those other four families,” Simpson said. “There are four other lives that are gone.”

Videotaped tributes on large screens showed a sequence of bone-crunching hits and broken-field runs by Taylor with the Redskins, Hurricanes and Gulliver Preparatory in Miami. The final tribute closed with the words “We will miss you Sean” over a photo of him leaping across the goal line after an interception.

The Redskins organization filled an entire section of seats, with even their mascot present. The team flew down in a charter one day after an emotional 17-16 loss to Buffalo, and they play again Thursday.

“Despite what happened yesterday, it doesn’t matter now,” defensive end Andre Carter said after the funeral. “We were happy to be here and be part of the service and to pay our respects.”

Gibbs’ eulogy focused on faith. He told the mourners Taylor became more spiritual as he matured after joining the team.

“His life began to change,” Gibbs said. “You saw the way he loved Jackie and Jackie.”

Others also spoke of Taylor’s transformation following the birth of his daughter. They addressed only indirectly his earlier brushes with the law, which started with a 2001 fist fight and included most recently a 2005 confrontation involving guns.

There was pointed criticism for the way the media portrayed Taylor’s past in the wake of his violent death.

“One of the things that I hope comes out of this tragedy is that the media get a small lesson in grace and humility,” said Florida City mayor Otis Wallace, a friend of the Taylor family. “For those who took the liberty of recklessly speculating that this young man’s death was caused by the way he lived, all I can say is they should be ashamed.”

The audience responded with a standing ovation.

On the other side of the state, in Fort Myers, the four young men charged in Taylor’s death sat in jail cells. Ed Griffith, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office, said they could be in court as early as Tuesday morning.

Accused are Eric Rivera, 17; Charles Wardlow, 18; Jason Mitchell, 19; and Venjah Hunte, 20, who face charges of unpremeditated murder, armed burglary and home invasion with a firearm or another deadly weapon.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

Source: Tide of tributes, tears at Taylor’s funeral