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People In Sports

Sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy

Do tryouts for sports teams enjoy a right to privacy?
April 16, 2013

Sunshine laws - I led high school classroom discussions on current events and contemporary issues for 30 years. I’ve taken courses in First Amendment cases and find all that freedom of information and equal access stuff fascinating. I’ve been a working journalist all my adult life and mostly when someone says, ”It’s none of your business and why don’t you get out of here and take that stupid camera with you,” that’s what I do. Last Sunday at Cape there was a four-hour serious business tryout for high school-aged lacrosse girls - not including seniors - for some Mid Atlantic All Solar System Intergalactic competitive team that will play a few games in June. I assigned photographer Dan Cook to strafe the scene for a few colorful shots so that if someone were to ask, “What were all those people doing at the high school?” we could respond with a few photos and information. But The Cookster was told “no photos - no stories” which would make a good reggae song. Long lenses and tall ladders make all things possible, and I think people in public have little right to privacy, but courtesy is in play as well. But where do the rights of the working press begin and end? When it comes to covering tryouts for travel teams or all-star practices or perhaps a scrimmage, I really have no idea. Secrecy in sports is mostly not good, but I’m saying it’s never necessary. I just don’t know.

Two-stroke joke - I’m thinking Briggs and Stratton and leaf blower and 50 to 1 mixture.  I’m not thinking Tiger Woods and where he plopped his drop after hitting a flagstick and ricocheting into a pond. (I guarantee you some frogman went into that pond under cover of darkness and snagged that ball.) Tiger dropped the ball in front of a billion people; the entire weird scenario cost him three strokes, maybe four and a real chance at being in the playoff and winning the Masters. Tiger made about $300K for his weekend round of golf, not too shabby.

Forever young - Last Sunday morning Big Loser Boy layered in black looking like a manhole cover on a city side street was taking photos at the Seashore Classic 5K and Half Marathon.  Running the 5K, Andrew Brooks, 7,  from Gainesville, Va., crossed the finish line in 24:19 with Allan Quillen, 58, of Seaford right behind him.  Allen said, ”Oh, to be young again,” because you have to say something when a 7-year-old is giving you a taste of the “what’s up?” There is always the discussion of how far and how often should a little person run and whether it’s good for him.  The same issues exist in youth wrestling, tee ball and scoopers’ lacrosse. A healthy perspective, a dial-it-down approach is best, but right now the world of youth sports is more out of balance than ever.

Say a little prayer - Sussex Tech teammates Sam Hete and Victor Rueda knelt and said a little prayer before running the 3,200 meters at last Saturday’s Keith S. Burgess Invitational. Victor won the race in 10:06 while Sam was fourth in 10:44. Austin MacElrevey, in lane one, respected the moment and placed second in the race, running 10:11.

Snippets - Saturday, April 20, the Cape boys’ lacrosse team will host Salesianum at Legends Stadium with JV action begin ning at 4 p.m. followed by the varsity game at 5:30. The event is also a Brian Tappan fundraiser. Brian, a former Cape player who graduated in 2010, was partially paralyzed in an ATV accident three years ago. Brian is a great kid and forever member of the Cape lacrosse family. The Cape girls’ soccer team lost at home to Smyrna 1-0 April 12.  The team is now 1-2 on the season. The Vikings will play at Indian River at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 16.  Checking comparative scores throughout the Henlopen Conference, teams appear close and Cape could certainly get into the mix. Cape softball, 0-3, will host Dover Tuesday, April 16. The Senators are 2-37 in their last 39 games, including 0-4 this season but don’t pencil them in - or out - because they are getting closer and are ready to bite somebody. Kobe Bryant ruptured his left Achilles tendon April 12 in the final minute of a two-point win over the Warriors, and after 17 years in the NBA his stellar career is most likely over forever; it’s not like he’s hanging around first base like Ryan Howard. Bryant is a high flier who has been grounded. Go on now, git!

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