Springsteen Was Great (and football stuff)

My blog, my rules.

Springsteen was great.

Freezeout, Born to Run, Working on a Dream and Glory Days – each in a shortened version dropping a verse.

It was great having the NFL players do the traditional E Street band opening.

As for football – I thought this one was over at 10-0 and Warner’s 99 yard pick-six doesn’t help.  Pitt should take 40 seconds between plays the rest of the way out.

Not a bad game, or maybe I just have a Springsteen high.  And Star Trek looks great except for Chris Pine as Kirk, which is kind of a problem when you miscast Kirk.

That ends our non-sports content.  Back to bitching about Manny Ramirez.

www.metspolice.com

Changes to NFL Overtime Coming?

“What we’ve seen in our statistics is that historically, about 30 percent of the games in overtime are decided with a team who wins the coin flip scoring on the first possession. That number has risen to about 47 percent. That’s significant, and I think it’s something our committee needs to look at.”

That’s the commissioner, Roger Goodell, speaking about NFL overtime.

I’m fine with the way overtime is decided, but I heard ESPN’s Mike and Mike discuss an interesting twist this morning.   The idea they mentioned would change the rule so that the first team to six points would win the game.    The goal there would be to eliminate games from being decided on a 50 yard field goal.

It’s not horrible.  It would increase the chances of both teams getting the ball in a way better than the college rule.

I still think that your defense should just stop the opposition.  If you can’t prevent a big runback or keep the opponent pinned on their own twenty, why should you win the game anyway?   You had three hours to win.

Other considerations are eliminating field goal tries on the first possession (silly, that’s not football), or just placing the ball on the twenty yard line.

The NFL ain’t broken, other than a Super Bowl matchup that has many folks underwhelmed, don’t fix it.

http://www.examiner.com/x-2643-NY-Sports-Examiner~y2009m2d1-NFL-considering-change-to-overtime-rule

www.metspolice.com

Yankees warn 41-game ticket plan holders

The Yankees have posted the below on their website:
Due to overwhelming demand for 41-Game Plans, we strongly suggest that Licensees accept their initial seat assignment. The demand for 41-Game Plans will definitely exceed the available 41-Game Plan seat locations. Accordingly, any 2008 “B” Plan Licensees who have requested a 41-Game Plan seat assignment, but who do not receive one initially due to the current lack of availability, will be assigned a 41-Game Plan seat location, if any inventory remains, prior to the commencement of the 41-Game Plan pool process. 
The
I have no first-hand knowledge of this, but from what I’m seeing on the message boards, as the Yankees start contacting their partial plan seat holders, some folks might be less than thrilled with their new seats.  again, it could just be lunatic message board posters.
I can’t kill the Yankees on selling as many full season tickets as they can, and demand will be high this season, and you really can’t get mad at someone willing to buy more tickets than you.  Folks had the chance to go to the bigger packages and declined.
Some message boards on the subject:

The Yankees have posted the below:
41-Game Plan Relocation Program Assignment Letter – 1/29/2009

As you are aware, since breaking ground on our magnificent new home in August of 2006, we have been working hard to create and perfect our comprehensive Relocation Program. In furtherance of such efforts, we have just about completed assigning seats for Full Season Ticket Accounts for the 2009 Season at Yankee Stadium.

This package contains detailed information regarding specific Plan(s) and seat assignment(s), including a full-scale map of Yankee Stadium that highlights the section, row and seat number(s) that have been assigned to you. The map will provide you with a general idea of the proximity of your assigned seats to the playing field. Please note that the map is not necessarily drawn to scale. You may access a virtual view of your assigned seat location(s) at www.yankees.com by simply selecting the “New Stadium” information tab under the “Yankee Stadium” banner.

Also in this package you will find an invoice for the 2009 Season, along with payment option information. Please review the invoice carefully and take note of the deadline(s) for the payment option you intend to select. Should you have any questions or concerns please contact us immediately at (800) 913-9793 or email us at [email protected] and a Yankees Representative will assist you.

Since you have now received your seat assignment, you MUST either accept or decline the assignment in accordance with the instructions set forth below.

Overwhelming Demand for 41-Game Plans:

Due to overwhelming demand for 41-Game Plans, we strongly suggest that Licensees accept their initial seat assignment. The demand for 41-Game Plans will definitely exceed the available 41-Game Plan seat locations. Accordingly, any 2008 “B” Plan Licensees who have requested a 41-Game Plan seat assignment, but who do not receive one initially due to the current lack of availability, will be assigned a 41-Game Plan seat location, if any inventory remains, prior to the commencement of the 41-Game Plan pool process.

If You Wish to Accept:

If you wish to accept your seat assignment, please access your “My Yankees Account” via www.yankees.com and select the “View/Pay Invoice” banner. Please follow the payment instructions carefully. You may also make payments via mail by following the instructions on the enclosed invoice.Making the initial installment payment constitutes acceptance of your assigned seat location.

If You Wish to Decline:

If you wish to decline your assigned seat location, because you prefer an alternative seat location for the same type of Plan or wish to downgrade to an alternative 2009 Plan, you must decline your assignment online by accessing your “My Yankees Account” at www.yankees.com, selecting the “Account Settings” banner and clicking on “Personal Preferences.” If you decline your assignment in this manner, we will place you in a Plan pool in accordance with your preferences. Please remember that: (a) all Plan pool participants will be ranked according to seniority when and if participants are being considered for alternative seat locations; and (b) all requests are subject to the inventory that is available at the time each request is fulfilled.

If you decline your assignment, the assigned seat location set forth on the enclosed invoice will be immediately forfeited and released into available inventory. There can be no assurance that such assigned seat location or any other requested location and/or Plan will be available to you at a later date. Thus, we strongly suggest that Licensees accept their initial seat assignment because the demand for 41-Game Plans will definitely exceed the supply.

Please Note:

Should you either fail to make the initial installment payment by the due date reflected on the enclosed invoice or fail to decline your seat assignment (as described above and on page 37 of the Relocation Program Guide), your assigned seat location will be forfeited without any further contact from the Yankees.

New 41-Game Plan Seat Locations:

As an alternative to your 2009 Yankee Stadium seat assignment, we are now offering a limited number of new 41-Game Plan seat locations in select infield seating areas of Yankee Stadium.

This new opportunity is available only in the following designated seat locations: (a) Field Level sections 115 through 125; and (b) two Yankees Premium seating areas – the Legends Suite and the Main Level Outdoor Suite.

The 41-Game Plan in the two Yankees Premium seating areas also includes access to private Clubs and Lounges, preferred parking, private entrances, premium food and beverage service and other premium amenities.

Field Level 41-Game Plan Prices:

$350 per seat per Game ($14,350 total per seat)
For more information on the Field Level 41-Game Plan, please call us at (718) 293-6000 or email us at[email protected].

Yankees Premium 41-Game Plan Prices:

Starting at $350 per seat per Game
For more information on Yankees Premium 41-Game Plans, please call us at 718-508-3955 or email us at [email protected].

Accept or Decline Deadline:

As a reminder, since you have now received your seat assignment, you MUST either accept or decline the assignment by the deadline date reflected on the enclosed invoice.

Please consult the Relocation Program Guide very carefully when deciding to either accept or decline your assigned seat location. As always, you may contact us with any questions you may have.

Best Regards, New York Yankees
Yankee Stadium Ticket Office
Bronx, New York 10451
Ticket Office Telephone Number: (800) 913-9793
Ticket Office Fax Number: (718) 293-4841
[email protected]
www.yankees.com

www.metspolice.com

NY Sports Examiner: Yankees warn 41-game ticket plan holders

Save the Islanders!


I’m worried about the Islanders.


Even if you’re the most die-hard Rangers fan, you don’t want the Islanders to go away.  The Rangers without the Islanders is like the Roadrunner without the Coyote.   You need an enemy.


I worry about the Islanders heading to Kansas City, and Larry Brooks didn’t make me feel any better today in the Post, although Newsday reports the lease forbids the Islanders from playing home games anywhere else for six more years.


I ask Islander fans, what would make you feel better about the franchise?   No you can’t have a magic wand and suddenly have an All-Star at every position and a new building.   Take baby steps.  Would it take one Sydney Crosby?   The original uniforms?   One good playoff run?  


I was wondering why people don’t go, so I went to the website to see how much tickets cost.   They don’t make it easy.   When I clicked “tickets” in a Google search I was taken to a landing page trying to sell me season tickets.  I don’t want season tickets, i just want to go once.


So, maybe that’s Google’s fault.   I tried the plain old http://islanders.nhl.com/ which is really pushing Tuesday’s game against Tampa.    PURCHASE TICKETS NOW it says, so I clicked it and wound up trapped on a Ticketmaster page that is specific to the Tuesday game.

Sigh.  OK maybe I’m an idiot.  Maybe.  I think I’m pretty computer savvy, and I’m at least an “average fan.”  Why is it so hard to find tickets for a Saturday night?

Back to the main page, and I click the smaller text “EnterNewYorkIslanders.com” box.

I click tickets, then individual tickets where my choices are “Loudville” and “Ticket Exchange.”

Um….Loudville I guess?  I click it.

I’m greeted by a picture of some college students and an offer for a free burrito.   No, I just wanted two seats for me and the kid.

One more try.  I try schedule.

Saturday February 21st, Devils at Isles.  Perfect!  I click “tickets” which takes me back to Ticketmaster, and a February calendar instead of a direct click.  Sigh.  I just want to give the Islanders money but they won’t let me.

I ask for two $19 tickets, the cheapest option.  I’m cheap.  The Coliseum is quite small and there really aren’t any awful seats.

No $19’s.  I cave in and ask for $30.  They exist.  With a $5.75 fee attached to both.   Now it’s $72 bucks to go to Nassau for one night with my son.  $7 to park (I’m pleasantly surprised it’s that low in the 21st century).

$80 and we haven’t bought a soda yet.

No thanks.

When you’re not drawing and your fanbase is whittling away it’s time to cut ticket prices.  Get the kids addicted to hockey before the sport dies.  You know how many hockey games Mets Police Jr has been to, zero.   For $80 it’s going to stay that way.

(yes I know I picked the fisherman logo.)



REVENUE-SHARING RULE UNFAIR

BOSTON – When Gary Bettman sug gests the NHL is all about providing temporary help to needy franchises – not that there are any really needy franchises in the commissioner’s the-earth-is-flat…MORE >

www.metspolice.com

http://www.examiner.com/x-2643-NY-Sports-Examiner~y2009m2d1-Islanders-win–Buying-tickets-hard

Wow Willie Actually Does Have A Book!

All week I thought folks were just kidding about “The Mets Years” but sure enough …

Hilarious.


Rising Son: Mets, Yankees, and My Journey to the Big Leagues (Hardcover)

by Willie Randolph (Author), Wayne Coffey (Author)


List Price: $25.95
Price: $17.13 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $8.82 (34%)
Pre-order Price Guarantee. Learn more.
This title will be released on March 31, 2009.


That’s all I can find.  Even the Harper Entertainment website search box turns up nothing for “Willie Randolph.”

Anyone want to guess what’s in it?   The coffee hasn’t kicked in yet so my brain is coming up with A-Fraud equivalents for the Mets.

www.metspolice.com