Snapchat – take a photo, then talk about it

Might as Well Jump - I know the Van Halen song, but I don’t know why. I do know that I process a million sports photos a year and less than 10 times do I react out loud, “Whoa, what is that?” A sinking sun, Wednesday junior varsity game at Polytech, the waves of heat were visible in the digital camera.

Oh, snap! Freshman lacrosse player Julie Heffernan was captured unwinding a jump shot over the defense that ended up in the back of the net. Let’s Snapchat about that, then again I don’t know how. I do know that 46 years after Title IX legislation, women as natural athletes proliferate the sports landscape. And there’s still a place for the frozen photo and admiration of skill: “That shot is magnificent.”   

Travel talk - After the last two girls’ lacrosse away games, I gave my granddaughter Katie a ride back to Cape. Anna and I did many trips to Temple and some for Lizzie as well. I remember a detective writing that if you want to find out what’s going on in someone’s life, just go for a long drive with them. People just talk more and tend to be candidly honest.

It’s the opposite of texting, which evolved to eliminate small-talk chatter. I never remember going for a long drive with Poppy Frank in his Studebaker, which Grandma Rose called “Poppy’s Machine.” The upside of travel ball I never thought of, families spending time together to and from games, perhaps actually talking to one another.

Disappeared - I don’t like writing about athletes who leave the team during the season, but if a star who has enjoyed lots of press coverage doesn’t show up on game day, they can’t expect a waiver. Lake Forest 6-8 high jumper Isaiah Morris was not at Tuesday’s track meet I covered. Lake assistant coach Charlie Pollard told me, “Isaiah signed at Delaware State, then promptly left the team to concentrate on what he said were upcoming Nationals.” Response from Isaiah, “I have  an injury and am unable to compete for now. I took the rest of the year off to rest, and hopefully make my return at Nationals!“

Also last Tuesday in the 4-by-800-meter relay, Cape was leading coming into the final anchor leg, but Cape’s anchor was chatting up some people on the infield and missed the handoff. It happens because – it happened – two athletes disappeared for different reasons. “Jordan! Where’s Jordan?” Jordan emerged from the infield carrying a baton, then chased the uncatchable leaders – Lake had 1:58 half-miler Shane Massey on the anchor leg, so not catching him was a way gone conclusion.

Snippets - Delaware Valley University senior safety Shawn Miller’s (Laurel-Laurel HS) dream of playing in the NFL took a step forward on Sunday as he received an invitation to the Cincinnati Bengals’ rookie mini-camp. Miller will head to Ohio May 10 with camp beginning the next day. Cole Boozer, an offensive lineman from Temple University whose late father Chris played at Salisbury and was on the Rehoboth Beach Patrol, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Wesley College senior offensive lineman Matt Gono was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons following the NFL Draft on Saturday. "We are so excited for Matt, his family and the Falcons," said head coach Mike Drass. "He's going to work very hard to make the team, and we can't be more proud and happy for him."

Richard Carey (Milton-Cape Henlopen) was awarded the ECAC Division III South Region Rookie of the Week honor, announced May 1. Richard plays for Penn State Altoona. On the week, Carey hit .688 (11-for-16) for the Lions with five runs scored, five RBIs, two walks, one double, and one stolen base. He posted an on-base percentage of .684 and slugged .750. Also May 1, Richard was picked to the D3baseball.com Team of the Week.  Amazingly, some spring athletes will close out high school careers the end of this month and many to most are in retirement mode; they just don’t know it.

The Cape Gazette is coming up on its 25-year anniversary Memorial Day weekend. Just another crooked number chasing me down.

Go on now, git!