Outside Sources

For my outside source on cheating in baseball I reached out to well known sports writers Woody Paige and Darren Rovell. I did not receive a response from either of them but I wanted to know some things about cheating. How is it handled in the MLB, how does their punishment compare to cheating in other leagues. Like for using pine tar to get a grip you get a suspension and people usually forget about it, but as compared to the deflated New England Patriots a whole scandal ensued and humiliated the NFL front office. I just wanted to find out the different ways to cheat or the cheating that occurs most often, I know a pretty good bit about baseball but cheating is one thing id like to know more about.

Cheating in Baseball

Cheating in baseball is sneaky and is rarely seen other then a few incidents every year. But I want to dive into this topic, how prevalent is cheating in baseball? From corked bats to pine tar under the pitchers hat how often do players cheat?  “There is a culture of deception in this game. It’s been in this game for 100 years. I do not look at this in terms of ethics. It’s the culture of the game.” Andy MacPhail former Cubs president and now part of the Phillies organization explains. On every given day of the MLB season there is cheating, it could be as simple as stealing signs, looking at the catchers call, or it could come from too much pine tar like George Brett back in the day to even using Vaseline, pine tar or sandpaper to get a grip on the ball. This topic interests me because as a baseball fan I'd like to find out more and dive deeper into what is cheating and what is "just part of the game".

Sports Affect Academics

High school sports are a great way to play the sport you love and be with your friends but comes the question with all the time on the field when is there time for school? Most student athletes at one point or another have had the challenge of a big project or a research paper due during their sports season. As if it was an off season they would have all the time to do it and now with the sport we have no time. We struggle after practice til the late hours in the night trying to do this project because there is just no time with a full day of school and a 3 hour practice. I believe high school sports should have a break day, a day in the week where you can be off and do work or hang with friends because every day going to practice is draining and sometimes counterproductive if everyone doesn't want to be there. A once a week thing to do homework, clear your mind and just relax I believe would help.

High School Sports Mission Statement

Our sports programs are centered around great competition while also focusing on learning. Learning to deal with high pressure situations for the future while still having fun with friends. Everyone is given a fair chance to make every team from baseball and basketball to football and soccer, after the selection process is finished it is up to the coaches to decide playing time. If a person does get cut from a team that person is then encouraged to try other sports that they may find interesting or the coach may suggest ways to become a better player in that sport. Above all we have a sport for everyone and we try to make it a competitive but fun atmosphere for all. 

Oak Lawn Community High School Mission Statement

Wilcox High School Mission Statement

Salary of NCAA Coaches

Nick Saban lead man of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team makes more money a year then any of us will probably ever see. $6.9 million as of 2014, but of course these players are here to get an education first. Their professors get paid just a small fraction of that all and the NCAA tries to display these kids as students first. He makes more then most NFL coaches only 7 of them make more then him. It's crazy to think that a college coach is getting paid all that while his players get nothing. But he is one of the best ever and he consistently gets his players to the next level. I just don't think the coach should be driving home in a Mercedes while his players take the bus home it's not right.

Education Rules for Athletes

The NCAA and other schools have been receiving heat for the lack of classwork these "student-athletes" have to complete. But here are the regulations, In Division I, student-athletes must complete 40 percent of the coursework required for a degree by the end of their second year. They must complete 60 percent by the end of their third year and 80 percent by the end of their fourth year. Student-athletes are allowed five years to graduate while receiving athletically related financial aid. All Division I student-athletes must earn at least six credit hours each term to be eligible for the following term and must meet minimum grade-point average requirements that are related to an institution’s own GPA standards for graduation. Some of these don't seem obtainable with all the traveling say a football player on Alabama or another SEC school does. Many high profile players are enrolled in African Studies or Psychology which statistically have less of a work load.  

Nutrition in College Sports

NCAA council approves meal plans for students including unlimited meals and snacks. The goal is to provide enough nutritional value for the student athletes as they compete in their sports. Prior to this change athletes had meal plans that could very much limit what they could eat in a day but this changes things. Oregon is one of the first schools to offer a state of the art nutrition facility for their football players. We've learned from athlete testimony that some go hungry at night and now these dining halls are being used as another recruiting tool.

Biggest Headline in Sports 2015: The NFL

The NFL had a rough 2015 to say the least, which started with deflate gate. The New England Patriots went on and supposedly deflated footballs so they could be better handled in the cold weather. This was their shot to regain the public's trust and suspend Tom Brady one of the biggest NFL stars. But in a shocking report the judge didn't find enough evidence to convict Brady. The next is the concussion problem facing football and their mistreatment of players that have suffered these injuries. They tried their best to fund programs and give money for what they did but as long as there's football there will be concussions. In light of the problem a new movie called "Concussion" the NFL was not happy as this puts a bad name on them. The public is finally learning about all the dangers in the game today. Not a great 2015 for the NFL.

Sports affect High School Culture

High school sports are a way to display your skills to impress a college coach, a way to connect with new people and make new friends or even just follow your passion for the game. It would be a shame if high school sports went out the window. Some of my best memories of my years at school were on the field or at practice. It is part of the culture to play sports in high school getting called out on twitter or hearing your name on the morning announcements can be all worth it to some kids. They help us solve problems that we may face down the road, or tough situations where you need to come in clutch. Without sports high school would be bland, most kids go to school so they can perform after school activities and a majority of them playing sports.