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Looking for feedback on this if anyone has any.
Building Consistency: Aiming With Your Body
This article is part of a series titled "Building Consistency" that is targeted at newer and developing players. Many of the tips in this series may or may not be displayed by many of the top pros, most of which have spent years developing and honing their own technique. The purpose of this article is to provide a foundation of fundamentals on which lesser-experienced players may build and hopefully help elevate their games in the long run.
Some of the most frequent questions I am asked are "How do you aim?" and "How can I throw more accurately?" The largest part of throwing accurately is being able to consistently execute the mechanics dictating the lines you wish to throw on. It sounds simple, but many players fail to put themselves into a position to consistently hit their lines due to inconsistent body positioning during throws. An easy, but often over-looked factor in throwing is to aim with your body.
Disc golf is a game of repetition (with variation), and with any repetitious sporting activity, a way to increase your consistency is to remove factors of variation that can negatively affect your performance. Aiming with your body is about dictating the process of your throw using your body placement and direction. This is relevant to all types of throws: drives, approaches, and putts.
A couple of examples of this in other activities can be drawn from basketball and billiards. In basketball, nearly every action is dynamic, and while shots are often taken off balance, on the move, or while changing direction, great shooters will nearly always get their shooting shoulder and elbow squared to the hoop. This dictates the left/right accuracy of the shot and gives them the best chance of it going in. In billiards, while there are dozens of variations on the shot, a good billiards player will nearly always have their body positioned the same way, even if they are shooting a draw, with "english," etc.
With disc, the same principles apply. When driving, I use three factors to aim with (other than my eyes) that I know will aid in success of my throw and likely cause my throw to fail if I do not adhere to them. The three factors are as follows: pointing with the shoulder, leading with the feet, and locking the head into the shot. I will describe these but I encourage you to search for your own factors that work best with your throwing style (although do keep in mind there are reasons I use these ones in particular).
Pointing with the shoulder means that at the start of my drive, my upper body is perpendicular to the target and I have my throwing shoulder pointed at the target. I consider this to be the neutral position of the throw since it bisects the range of motion of the upper body during the portions of the throw that affect aim and stills allow for an athletic run up. At the peak of the reach back your chest will be pointed away from the target and at the point of full extension leading into the follow through your chest will be pointing at the target. This position also reflects the body positioning during much of the pull.
Leading with the feet means that during my throw, the direction of my first step will dictate the path my body will follow. If your first step leans you to the left of the target, you will be more apt to push the shot to the left. If your first step leans you to the right of the target, you will be more apt to pull the shot to the right. This can be used to your advantage when trying to manipulate your shot and push/pull a specific shot type vs. attempting to throw straight at the target.
Locking the head into the shot basically means I want my head down and following the direction of the shot. If your head is leaning in the wrong direction, your body is likely to follow.
I know for myself, if these three body aim factors are in place, my throw is much more likely to succeed than if I ignore them. Putting is much less dynamic of a motion and can usually get by with fewer reference points that are usually stance and alignment oriented. Ideally, with sufficient practice, the factors you choose will become integrated into your natural throwing routine.


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The ultimate honor for a lowrider is to be recognized by one's peers. While trophies and photo shoots hold a special value, they will never replace the "street cred" that this sport was founded on. A lowrider wants to be known for his ability to build a sweet ride and this is where it all starts.
Not every reader will be able to handle every aspect of this kind of trunk build at home, but seeing how it gets done will put things in perspective nonetheless. The final product looks simple and clean, but you'll see that there are hours upon hours of blood, sweat and tears that go into this seemingly simple build. Turning an average trunk into a better than showroom-finished masterpiece is not for the weak of spirit.
The objective of this build is to create a paintable showpiece that will accentuate the chrome hydraulics setup and still allow the space needed to create a good-sounding sound system. We wanted a smooth and simple foundation that would highlight the setup without overpowering it. This is one of the reasons why a multi-angled box was built.
The intention was to optimize the space, but keep a clean, flat face on the enclosure. The beauty ring on the enclosure was created in such a way that kept to the smooth theme, but provided some depth to the sub faces. The final touch to this artwork is squirting the custom paint and wrapping some material to incorporate the touches from the inside and outside of the car. Once complete, we're sure that this car will be a giant step toward the "street cred" that we desire.

subset: commoncrawl


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February 15, 2013
Arbitration Showdown
Mock Hearing: Sergio Romo
It's salary arbitration season in Major League Baseball, and here at Baseball Prospectus we're holding mock hearings, arguing for or against the actual team/player filing figures before a three-person panel of certified arbitrators. We've selected 10 of this winter's most intriguing, highest-dollar cases to cover in depth over the first two weeks of February (regardless of whether the players' real-life cases remain unsettled). After each side's opening argument and rebuttal/summation below, we'll give you a chance to vote on what you think the result should be before seeing the panel's decision. For more on the arbitration process, read the series intro by Atlanta Braves Assistant GM John Coppolella, listen to his appearance on Episode 35 of Up and In, or check out the BP Basics introduction to arbitration.
In Part 10 of this 10-part series, we'll tackle San Francisco Giants reliever Sergio Romo, who sought $4.5 million and was offered $2.675 million. Unbeknownst to our arbitrators, Romo and the Giants reached an agreement on a two-year, $9 million contract, avoiding arbitration.
The complete procedure for salary arbitration is available in the Basic Agreement.
The Case
Sergio Romo's submission of $4,500,000 represents a request to be adequately compensated for his contributions to the 2012 World Champion San Francisco Giants. Through the two seasons leading up to his platform season, Romo performed as an elite set-up man for the organization. Early last year, after the Giants' bullpen was deprived of its incumbent closer by injury, even more was asked of Romo, and he delivered a performance that catapulted him from a piece of the pen to a face of the franchise—all while leading the Giants to a World Championship.
The Giants entered 2012 with Brian Wilson at closer. Wilson had served as the team's closer in each of the previous four seasons, notching three All-Star appearances between 2008 and 2011 and finishing second, third, first, and eighth in the National League in saves over that span. Additionally, he was a key component in the Giants' 2010 World Series run.
Brian Wilson as Giants Closer
Wilson logged just two innings in April before being lost for the season due to an elbow injury, leaving a gaping hole at the back of the bullpen. Santiago Casilla served as closer beginning in April and through ups and downs helped to keep the Giants in contention, with Romo serving as a dominant set-up man.
2012 Sergio Romo
As impressive as those numbers are, in order to fully understand the depth of Romo's dominance over those five months we need to see slightly adjusted numbers. In back-to-back appearances at the end of July, Romo logged his two worst outings of the year, totaling 1.1 innings pitched and allowing six runs, six hits, and one walk with just one strikeout. Thereafter, Romo immediately returned to form, allowing just three runs over the remainder of the season (after allowing just two runs prior to those back-to-back outings in July). If we remove that 1 1/3 innings pitched, his numbers from April through August are simply mind boggling.
2012 Sergio Romo
As the Giants pushed towards the playoffs, Romo's incredible performance, including in save situations (innings pitched in which a player was maintaining or completing a potential save opportunity), ultimately led to his winning the closer job outright at the end of August.
Romo vs. Casilla
Though Casilla was given more time than Romo in the closer role in 2012, when the calendar changed to September and the Giants geared up for the most important stretch of the season, it was Romo that they wanted finishing their games. Romo responded by going a perfect six-for-six in save opportunities to close out the season, allowing just two runs over 14 2/3 innings pitched (1.23 ERA). The Giants entered the playoffs with Romo entrenched as closer and through the playoffs Romo put up a stat line comparable to that of Brian Wilson's 2010 postseason. Like Wilson, Romo led San Francisco to a World Series title, pitching in 10 of the Giants' 11 wins while allowing just a single run.
Sergio Romo vs. Brian Wilson in Postseason
The loss of Wilson at the beginning of the season created doubt as to whether the Giants would have the stopper they needed, and in the most critical stretch, from September through their World Series win in October, Romo provided more stability and production than the organization could have hoped for.
2012 Sergio Romo
The Giants have already declared Romo the closer for 2013, and in a recent Associated Press article, both Romo's manager Bruce Bochy and his bullpen mate Jeremy Affeldt chimed in with quotes extolling Romo's fantastic finish to the season:
The stats back up Affeldt's claim, as Romo's last three years as a set-up man, and the end of last year as a closer, show consistent dominance.
2010-2012 Sergio Romo
Looking as far back as six years, there have been no true comps to Romo among players with similar service time, due to his dual role as set-up man and closer in his platform season and his extended dominance in the role of set-up man over the three-season period including his platform season. In attempting to find the closest appropriate comparable players, the closest matches to Romo in terms of set-up men demonstrating both platform season dominance and some extended success over a three-year span are Scot Shields (2006 platform season) and Santiago Casilla (2011 platform season).
Romo vs. Shields vs. Casillo
2 Note: Romo's listed salary is the player's submitted salary
Romo's platform season stands out compared to those of Shields and Casillo due to the combination of his save totals (as closer for his club), elite strikeout rates, and low walk rates, ranking first in all such categories. In fact, the players' rankings in WHIP, SO/9, BB/9, and SO/BB coincide perfectly with their respective platform season adjusted salaries.
Romo vs. Shields vs. Casillo
(Three-Year Period Including Platform Season)
2 Note: Romo's listed salary is the player's submitted salary
Again we see Romo stand out in WHIP, SO/9, BB/9, and SO/BB, showing significantly better rates than those of Shields and Casilla. Further, with performance normalized over three seasons we see Romo essentially maintaining his platform season performance over the full three year span, while both Shields and Casilla see regression in ERA, WHIP, BB/9, and SO/BB. In addition to posting the most impressive platform season, Romo has proven to be the more reliable reliever, producing at a higher and more consistent level than either of his two closest comps.
Romo's multi-season performance as a set-up man, platform season performance as a set-up man and closer, and impactful contributions as closer through the end of the 2012 season and throughout the Giants' World Series run places him in rarified air among relievers with similar service time over the past several seasons. The club has tabbed him as its closer for the upcoming season due to his near-flawless performance through the 2012 season (excluding his two-appearance hiccup in July) and throughout the postseason. Further, he played a pivotal role in bringing San Francisco its second World Series in three years.
At a time when the Giants were without their dependable closer of four years, the club turned to Romo to provide stability in the pen throughout 2012 and ultimately entrusted him with the most important role in the bullpen when the games mattered the most. Romo excelled in that role and should be compensated accordingly. The player's submission of $4,500,000 provides an appropriate increase from the adjusted salary of his closest comparable players, Scot Shields and Santiago Casilla, due to his added contributions as a closer during his platform season and his greater consistency over multiple seasons. —Nick J. Faleris
Sergio Romo had a fine 2012 season and was a key component of the Giants' championship run. The image of Romo striking out Detroit's Miguel Cabrera to clinch the World Series title will forever be a cherished piece of Giants baseball history, and deserves to be. He's been a top-notch middle reliever during his career and is deserving of a salary increase commensurate with a player of his ability. However, the $4.5 million figure filed by Romo's representatives is out line with the typical earnings of a relief pitcher at his level of service time.
The player's figure is more appropriate for a closer with an established track record of finishing games than it is for a set-up reliever. While Romo finished the season as the Giants' closer and held the role through the playoffs, he had never served in that capacity on a full-time basis during his first 3 ½ seasons in the major leagues. He had just three saves during his first three years of service time, and even after switching roles late in the 2012 season, he has just 17 career saves.
Other than Heath Bell, every comparable pitcher had accumulated at least 19 saves prior to his platform season, and all of them held the closer role for the entirety of their fourth season. Nevertheless, five pitchers earned less in their post-platform season than Romo is requesting for 2013. Those five pitchers had on the average 31.6 career saves prior to their platform season, and 71.4 through it. Again, Romo had three saves prior to 2012 and has just 17 career saves to date. Simply put, this group of closers does not constitute Romo's peer group, though the $4.5 million salary figure filed by his representatives suggests that it does.
A more appropriate group of comparable pitchers would be those who, like Romo, had established themselves as dependable middle relievers before transitioning to the closer's role during their fourth year of service time. Such pitchers are not easy to isolate, because pitchers tend to fall into roles quickly upon arriving in the major leagues.
By placing Romo in a more appropriate peer group, it becomes apparent that the figure filed by his representatives is excessive. Romo has fewer saves than relievers in or near his service class who have saved between six and 18 games, end points which serve to cut out those who were either full-time closers or full-time middle relievers. Romo's request is well beyond the average salary for this group and is without precedent. He also had fewer pre-platform year saves than the other pitchers in this group.
The midpoint between the club's request of $2.675 million and Romo's $4.5 million is $3.58 million, which is well above the established level for his appropriate peer group. The club's offer is almost exactly in line with the salaries of previous relievers that had track records comparable to Romo's. The Giants are hopeful that Romo will develop into an established closer, but in light of the fact that he lacks even a single full season in the role, the figure filed by his representatives is excessive. — Bradford Doolittle
While Romo has only recently been given the opportunity to serve as the Giants' closer, he has excelled in his time with the team. Additionally, his extended track record indisputably evidences his status as an elite set-up man, and the conclusion of his platform season (as well as the club's decision to entrust Romo with the closer job for 2013, parting ways with former All-Star closer Brian Wilson in the process via non-tender in November) provides ample evidence that the Giants view him as an elite closer moving forward. Prior to Romo's 2012, no set-up man in recent history had compiled comparable dominance for three consecutive years outside of Scot Shields, and as discussed above, even Shields falls short of Romo in terms of dependability and consistent production. Romo's compensation should surpass that of Shields' adjusted salary, and admittedly should not be on par with the likes of closers who have shown multiple years of dominance in the role.
Using Shields as the floor, the following table compares Romo against the group he joined in 2012—relievers with comparable service time and less than two full years of experience as closer.
Relievers with Comparable Service Time and <2 Years as Closer
2 Note: Romo's listed salary is the player's submitted salary
Utilizing the player's submission, Romo fits perfectly into this group of relievers with less than two years' experience as closer. In fact, we see an almost perfect correlation between production and compensation when we focus specifically on the player directly ahead and directly behind Romo in terms of compensation.
Romo vs. Putz vs. Hanrahan
Across the board, save percentage, ERA, WHIP, SO/9, BB/9 and SO/BB line up perfectly with the compensation columns, with Putz, Romo, and Hanrahan ranking first, second, and third, respectively. While there is a discrepancy in save totals, Romo should not be penalized for the club's decision not to give him ninth-inning opportunities until late in the season. Further, Romo's consistency over the past three years, when compared to his peers here, more than makes up for the few extra months Putz and Hanrahan served as closer.
Romo vs. Putz vs. Hanrahan
The only area in which Romo does not clearly outperform Putz and Hanrahan is the total tally of saves, which at its heart is an issue of opportunity, and not performance. Taking into account the previous tables, as well as the above table, the club's submission of $2,675,000 is a significant underpay—about 60 percent and 65 percent of Putz's and Hanrahan's respective compensation—despite Romo's equivalent or superior performance in ERA, WHIP, SO/9, BB/9, and SO/BB over the past three seasons, and comparable performance in each of those categories, as well as save percentage, in the players' respective platform seasons.
While Romo is in the early stages of his tenure as a top-tier closer, we have shown that there is no question as to the extended nature of his dominance over National League hitters. Just as important, Romo served as an important presence in the Giants' playoff push and postseason, ultimately leading the organization to a World Series victory. Romo stepped in for Brian Wilson, the team's closer of four years and a multiple-time All-Star, and the club did not miss a beat. Indeed, Romo's performance was so impressive that the club decided to non-tender Wilson at the end of November, severing ties with their former All-Star closer and anointing Romo the closer for the upcoming season.
The player's submission of $4,500,000 is in line with the compensation given to relievers with comparable service time and less than two years of closer experience. The team's own actions in giving Romo the closer position for the playoff push, the postseason, and now the 2013 season, as well as the club's decision to part ways with Wilson, speaks volumes about the importance of Romo to the organization. While all of these actions indicate that the club views Romo as an elite closer, the club's submission of $2,675,000 seeks to pay Romo as a set-up man. Even more shocking, the club's submission seeks to compensate Romo less than a comparable set-up man, Scot Shields, was paid despite superior production and consistency to Shields' at the same point in their respective careers. The panel should not acquiesce to the club's request to obtain closer production from Romo while compensating him as a middle reliever. —Nick J. Faleris
The Giants don't dispute that Romo has been an excellent and consistent set-up reliever over the course of his career. However, the fact of the matter is that the most highly-compensated relievers are paid on the basis of saves. Middle relievers with four years of service time do not earn $4.5 million, and with just 17 saves over his career, Romo has to be classified as a set-up reliever, at least until he's spent a full season in the closer role. Of the 36 active relievers who appeared in least 200 games over their first five seasons without reaching 20 career saves, not of them approached the level of salary requested by Romo, in either their fourth, fifth, or sixth years in the big leagues.
The case of former Giants closer Brian Wilson is telling:
By the time Wilson reached his first season of arbitration eligibility in 2010, he had already notched two seasons as the Giants' closer, and only then did he approach Romo's requested figure. After another successful season in the role, which helped the Giants win the first of their two recent World Series titles, he signed a two-year contract that placed him solidly in his peer group. Romo can become a member of the closer peer group and achieve the type of contract that goes with that distinction. But he is not a member based on 17 career saves. —Bradford Doolittle
Before scrolling down to read the three-person panel's decision, record your own decision here:
Burt Fendelman is an attorney with more than 45 years of experience, initially in corporate finance and securities laws working as inside counsel for several major securities brokerage firms. He has performed as an arbitrator for FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), the American Arbitration Association, and currently as an arbitrator and mediator for the New York County Lawyers Association in fee dispute-related matters. He is presently a self-described "work in progress", working with clients in areas related to art and antiques. He attended Washington University in St. Louis and NYU Graduate School of Tax Law, and he now lives in Manhattan.
Doris Lindbergh is a retired lawyer who is an arbitrator with FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) and its predecessor forums, the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) and the New York Stock Exchange. She also arbitrates for the National Futures Association (NFA). She attended Washington University School of Law and has a Master of Arts from Fordham University. Her employment history includes stints at Wall Street investment banks and, most recently, the MTA New York City Transit Authority, but her most challenging assignment was raising a future Editor-in-Chief of Baseball Prospectus.
David Marcus is a retired lawyer and serves as an arbitrator with the Financial Advisory Regulatory Authority (FINRA). He lives in Metuchen, New Jersey. He attended Columbia College and Yale Law School, after which he served as an enforcement attorney with the SEC. His subsequent career includes working for the New York Stock Exchange heading its regulatory division, and working for several broker-dealers as a regulatory attorney or General Counsel.
2-1 in favor of the Club
The Sabermetric Perspective/Additional Commentary
There's so much to say about Sergio Romo. You can recite the stats: no reliever with at least 200 innings pitched over the past five seasons had a FIP as low as Romo's 2.41; Only Mariano Rivera had a better strikeout-to-walk ratio than Romo's 5.8 or a lower WHIP than Romo's 0.88 over the same span. You can marvel at the stuff: the slider, which he threw as a higher percentage of his 2012 pitches (58 percent) than anyone but Luke Gregerson; more slowly than all but three of the 78 other pitchers who threw 200 sliders last season (78.3 mph); and with more horizontal movement (10.1 inches) than any other pitcher. You can unravel the mysteries: a merely league-average multi-season platoon split, despite all the sliders and the low arm angle, which generally lead to large splits. (The solution(s), most likely: limited use against left-handed hitters; a .220 BABIP against them; and a changeup he throws exclusively to southpaws.)
But I don't want to (continue to) talk about those things. Instead, I want to talk about two semi-conflicting sentences from opposite sides of today's case. First, the second sentence of a paragraph by Bradford on the Club side of the case:
And second, the beginning of this sentence from Nick's pro-Romo argument:
Those two contentions—that pitchers tend to adopt their long-term roles quickly upon arriving in the majors, and that Romo is only at the start of his closing career (which would suggest that there's much more closing to come)—are somewhat at odds.
Romo has long been a more effective pitcher than most closers, even though he was a set-up man until last season. But he doesn't pitch like the typical closer—he throws slower than any other closer, and also slower than nearly all non-closer relievers—and he doesn't look like one, either. Romo is listed at 5'10", 185, lighter than every other pitcher who recorded 10 saves last season and shorter than all but one (Greg Holland, who's also listed at 5'10" but throws 96.5 mph anyway). Given his profile, it's not that surprising that it's taken time (and injuries to other pitchers) for him to get a shot—it's telling that Santiago Casilla, another reliever with no closing experience, was tapped to replace Wilson before Romo. But now that he's excelled in the closer role, even in the highest of high-pressure situations, is it safe to include him among the closer elite? Or is he still in some danger of being busted back to set-up duty?
To get some sense of what might lie ahead, let's look at what happened to other other late-blooming closers like Romo. By "like Romo," I mean pitchers who never started a game in the majors—by the time they got to the big leagues, there was no uncertainty about whether they were ultimately bound for the bullpen or the rotation. That rules out, say, Ryan Madson or Joe Nathan, closers who didn't have their first 10-save season until around Romo's age but spent some time starting before they settled into their eventual roles.
I also mean pitchers who, like Romo, pitched at least four seasons of at least 30 innings each before their first with 10 saves. That rules out anyone who started closing quickly, as well as oft-injured arms such as Rafael Soriano, who (in addition to doing some starting) had a few early seasons in which he barely made it to the mound. We're trying to isolate pitchers whom teams viewed as relievers from the start, but didn't view as closers even after seeing them pitch out of the bullpen over a pretty long period.
Here's a list of pitchers who've satisfied those criteria, along with their ages in the seasons that they first recorded 10 saves and the number of saves they recorded in all subsequent seasons combined. It's not a very long list. (Asterisks denote active players.)
Since we restricted our sample to pitchers with zero starts, the query returned only recent pitchers; before the accelerating bullpen specialization of the 1990s, every pitcher with a decent arm was presumably pushed to start at some point. Only 11 pitchers (counting Romo) qualify for the club, with three of them joining last season alone. Among the five non-active pitchers on the list, the average number of additional saves recorded is 38, or roughly one full season of successful closing; throw in Heath Bell and Chad Qualls, whose save-recording days are probably just about over, and the average rises to 44.
If we raise the minimum to five career games started, allowing for the occasional spot start, we get a slightly larger sample:
The average additional saves count among retired members of this group is 29 (33 with Qualls and Bell included). As a kind of control group, the average number of additional saves among all pitchers who've ever had a 10-save season (including the ones above) is 56. Their average age in those first 10-save seasons was 28, a year younger than Romo's.
If closing is in the cards, pitchers who aren't considered potential starters generally get a chance to close quickly. Those who take a long time to get their first shot at saves generally don't last long in the role; the circumstances that belatedly led to their getting saves change, or they pitch poorly, or whatever bias discouraged teams from giving them opportunities earlier causes teams to take their opportunities away.
Granted, most of these pitchers weren't as effective as Romo before they became closers, and some were considerably older. This is mostly for fun. But it would be unusual—though hardly the most unusual thing about Sergio Romo—if 2012 turned out to be not a temporary departure from lower-leverage relieving, but the start of a lucrative second career. —Ben Lindbergh
Thanks to Rob McQuown, Colin Wyers, Hudson Belinsky, Jonah Birenbaum, and Andrew Koo for research assistance.
Nick J. Faleris is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @NickJFaleris
3 comments have been left for this article.
BP Comment Quick Links
Preaching to the choir but the entire Romo as closer strikes me the wrong way. Would you rather have Romo pitch in the 7th in a close game with runners on base and a couple of tough right handed hitters due up, or pitching in the 9th with nobody on base and the bottom of the order coming up?
Feb 15, 2013 08:48 AM
Ben Lindbergh
BP staff
I hear this a lot, and it would be true if set-up men were used much more flexibly than closers. In other words, if teams used their closers to start the ninth with three-run leads, but their set-up men whenever they were most needed to put out fires before the ninth, then the set-up man might be the potentially more valuable pitchers.
Feb 15, 2013 15:07 PM
Andy Cochrane
Really enjoyed all these articles. Glad to say I got the majority of the arbiters decisions correct. This one does strike me as obviously in favour of the club as Romo hasn't yet proved his ability to close long term.
Feb 17, 2013 01:23 AM
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Following is the second in a two-part series exploring the pros and cons of taking early Social Security payments.
In Part 1 of this series, I explained how Social Security (SS) works and how a breakeven analysis might be used to determine at what age to start taking benefits. Doug Lemons, a retired Social Security Administration deputy assistant regional commissioner, recently performed a fairly detailed break-even analysis with various return on investment (ROI), inflation rate and tax rate assumptions. He reached a very interesting conclusion: the ROI on the invested income must generally exceed the rate of inflation by 5 percentage points or more to justify taking benefits at age 62 rather than at Full Retirement Age (FRA), and by 3 percentage points or more to begin at FRA rather than waiting until age 70.
In today's low inflation environment, getting a consistent real return (return in excess of inflation) of 4 or 5 percent or more is extremely challenging. What's more, Lemons found that when inflation rates and/or marginal tax rates are high, the rate of return needs to be as high as 7 or 8 percentage points above inflation to justify collecting early benefits. Both those findings were for men. For women, whose life expectancies are longer, the rate of return needs to be even higher. In other words, in most situations you would be hard-pressed to start early SS and get a real rate of return on your investments high enough to come out ahead. Therefore, based on a break-even analysis, it's probably better to delay starting benefits as long as possible under almost any circumstances.
But the breakeven analysis is not the only way to think about Social Security. Consider that SS is the only annuity you can get that is guaranteed by the federal government and adjusts for inflation. As a complement to a well-diversified retirement portfolio, it can significantly improve your chances of having enough money to last the rest of your life, however long that turns out to be. With that in mind, it would make more sense to follow a strategy that maximizes your monthly payments on the assumption that you might have a very long life. In short, it's again better to delay starting SS until age 70, taking this perspective. Skeptics might argue that the government is poised to start taking away some of these features. That's certainly a possibility. But unless you currently have some diagnosis of terminal illness, do you really want to bet that you're going to die sooner rather than later? What will happen if you turn out to have been wrong?
So far we've been considering Social Security for a single individual. The decision gets more complex for a married couple. When one spouse dies, the surviving spouse may start receiving the deceased spouse's SS payments if they're higher than his or her own. This is especially valuable for couples where only one spouse worked. If you're the primary breadwinner in your family, and had chosen to start your benefits early, your reduced payments would carry over to your spouse if he or she outlives you. Do you really want to limit your spouse's SS income after you're gone? Especially if he or she ends up living for many years after you've passed away?
As I've written previously, if you are married, widowed or divorced there are many strategies you can follow to further maximize your social security benefits (visit losaltosonline.com, Parts 1 and 2, June 29 and July 27, 2011, Artie Green's articles on how to maximize Social Security benefits). But as to what age to start collecting benefits, I believe it's almost always better to delay as long as possible, unless you have a terminal illness or you absolutely need the money sooner.
Artie Green, a Los Altos resident, is a certified financial planner and professional investment adviser. For more information, call (408) 747-1222.


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CHATTERING away as she plays with her toys, Rebecca Bradley is like any happy two-year-old.
She loves giggling, going to nursery and loves spending time with her big brother Daniel.
Yet little Rebecca was born with a painful skin genetic disease called Bullous Ichthyosis — the same disease her mother Melanie has lived with all her life.
The condition — which affects about in 100,000 children — means the mother and daughter's skin thickens around their joints and breaks out into blisters.
Melanie, aged 36, says she has had to learn to accept herself "for who she is" but when Rebecca was born with the same condition, she was inspired to set up a support group called Friends of Ichthyosis.
So far, the group has attracted more than 600 people affected by the condition but Melanie wants to take the group further and fund research into a cure.
The mum-of-two, from Atherton, said: "When I was growing up, there was no support for my mum. Even people in the medical profession didn't know very much about it. She tried to set up a support group but no-one was interested at the time.
"I didn't meet anyone else with the condition until 1998 and when I did it was amazing. I didn't know there other adults and children out the same skin condition with me.
"Now I have Rebecca I want to raise as much awareness as possible and I am hoping the group will gain charitable status. It's going to take a lot of hard work but I'm determined to get to that level."
Melanie says one of the worst things about the condition is being judged by people who do not understand it.
She added: "When you have something visibly wrong with you, it's common for people assume that you haven't washed properly.
"We live in a cruel society and I have learnt that first-hand. Some of the comments people make can be really cruel. We have heard of families being accused of burning their child.
"That's why I wanted to try and get a community group together to help people living with the same condition. There are a lot of people out there who are suffering in silence.
"I think the hardest thing when you're living with a condition like this is learning to accept that you are different. I have always been lucky to have good friends from as far back as primary school.
"I just don't want anyone to feel like they're on their own. It's not just the person living with the disease; it's the whole family too.
"This is why I feel education is key. It's not just among children and adults but medical professionals as well. Obviously I don't expect a GP to know everything but I have had some bad experiences. They need to be aware of the condition and how they can help people too."
The genetic fault means Melanie and Rebecca's skin grows much faster giving it the built-up appearance and scaly texture.
They both have to follow a strict daily routine to prevent the skin getting infected. Yet the most debilitating effect is the pain caused by the blistering and cracking of the skin.
Even having a bath can be painful because their skin is not waterproof, which means it turns soft and peels off.
Melanie and her husband Vincent, aged 32, did not know Rebecca had the condition until she was born.
"I was upset at first but I have always said whatever happens you have just got to deal with things as and when they arrive," added Melanie.
"There's no point dwelling on something you cannot change."
Tiny Rebecca had to be kept in intensive care for two weeks due to the fragility of her skin.
Her condition still causes her a lot of pain but nothing stops Rebecca from being a fun-loving toddler.
Melanie said: "Rebecca does struggle from time to time she is just so lovely and bubbly. She can be a little madam too and get quite bossy. But we're so proud of her — she's such a loving little girl."
For more information about Friends of Ichthyosis go to: friends-of-ichthyosis.webs.com/


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A COUPLE are in training for the adventure of a lifetime – trekking the Great Wall of China.
Ahmed Khan, and fiance Lauren Flack, both 24, hope to raise £4,000 for children's charity the NSPCC.
They are now training every other day to build up their stamina ready for the 45k trek over five days in October, starting at Badaling, near Beijing.
This month, the couple, of London Road, Bicester, will head to the Lake District for a hill walking weekend.
Mr Khan, a store manager at Savoy Taylors Guild at Bicester Village, said: "I am very excited about the trek and think its going to be a unique life experience that doesn't come around too often. The fact that I'm going to be sharing that experience with my fiance makes it all the more special.''
- To sponsor the pair view justgiving.com/ahmedlaurengreatwalltrek
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text: Problems with uplink on an 8 port Netgear Gigabit switch 30. June 2009 Richard-Fennell Technical Tips (0) All the ports on the Netgear GS608 I think are meant to be auto speed and uplink sensing, I have found this not to be true. I had the 1Gb uplink to our central switches in Port 8 and a 100Mb Ethernet workstation in port 2 could not get an IP address via DHCP. When I moved the uplink to Port 1 it all leapt into life. Interestingly other 1Gb PCs in other ports had no problem with the uplink in either port 1 or 8. So my tip is put you uplink in port 1 on a Netgear switch to avoid problems with auto sensing.


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SIX people arrested in connection with the murder of James Attfield have been bailed.
A 25-year-old woman from Southend and 18-year-old man of no fixed address, arrested on suspicion of murder were bailed until September 15.
A 27-year-old man and woman and a 57-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder were bailed until September 24.
A 23-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice has also been bailed until September 15.
They were arrested following raids in Colchester, Ipswich and Southend yesterday and their properties were searched.
Jim Attfield, 33, of East Bay, Colchester, was found shortly before 6am on Saturday, March 29, stabbed 102 times on a path near Castle Park.
The father-of-five was in the River Lodge pub the previous evening when he left a pint more than half full shortly after 10pm.
There were no more confirmed sightings until he was found on the path between Lower Castle Park and Guildford Road.
Two 33-year-old men from Colchester, arrested in connection with the murder of Jim Attfield, had their bail extended on Wednesday.
They will also answer bail in September.
Five arrested on suspicion of murder - how we broke yesterday's news


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Find Exits on Icahn Enterprises and Delek
Apple (AAPL) was up strongly on Wednesday, and after the regular trading session closed, the renowned market-timer Tom DeMark appeared on CNBC. In after-hours trading, Apple increased about $1 billion for each minute (it moved from near $486 to near $490 a share) that DeMark talked about Apple's daily chart making a TDSeq 13.
I monitor several market-timing indicators (not Sequential often), including TDCombo. TDCombo shares many of the same characteristics of TDSequential....277 more words left in this article. To read them, just click below and try Real Money FREE for 14 days.
There's no substitute for a trading floor to get great ideas, so Jim Cramer created a better one at Real Money and blogs there exclusively. We then added legendary hedge fund manager, Doug Kass, with his exclusive Daily Diary and best investing ideas. Staffed with more than 4 dozen investing pros, money managers, journalists and analysts, Real Money Pro gives you a flood of opinions, analysis and actionable trading advice found nowhere else, and allows you to interact directly with each expert.
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Calendar Models
I thought this might interest your readers. It's the cover photo for our 18-month Sting Ray Corvette Club calendar.
We are based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and have been organized since May of 1995. Our club consists of 40 midyears, most of which are in excellent condition. Many of our cars have been entered in NCRS meets throughout the state, and we have several "Top Flight" winners.
Our club enjoys attending shows in our immediate area during the year. Every other year we plan an out-of-state trip for our "long drivers." Past trips have included the Blue Ridge Parkway, Tybee Island (Georgia), Charlotte, "the Dragon," and the west coast of Florida.
Many of our members also own and enjoy other generations of Corvettes, including C3s, C4s, C5s, and C6s. Corvette owners may contact us through our website, StingRaysCorvetteClub.com.
Elena Parent
Via email
Package Deal
I had a 1978 Indy Pace car that I sold a few years ago. I kept some of the memorabilia, including an unopened 11x14-inch envelope. When I purchased the car, I was told that this packet was handed out to all original owners. I was wondering if someone on your staff could shed a little light on its contents, as I would prefer not to open it.
Randy Willig
West Linn, OR
According to the C3 experts with whom we spoke, the envelope contains a press-release package from the GM media office. It's a relatively rare item, inasmuch as not every '78 Pace Car buyer received one, and it is indeed more valuable in unopened condition. If any of you out there in Readerland can provide more-specific insight on this mystery envelope's contents, we'd love to hear from you.
Bringing the Noise
I've got an enviable problem: I recently traded in my 2006 Z06 on a triple-black 2013 427 Convertible. I have only one complaint with the 'vert, which is the same sole gripe I had with the Z06: It's too quiet at idle. While the problem was handled with $1,500 worth of Corsa exhaust on the Z, a friend suggested holding open the factory exhaust cutouts until I scrape up the money for a replacement system.
My questions are, How can I hold the cutouts open?, and, What side effects, if any, might this bring on?
Reno, NV
Holding open the factory muffler-bypass valves has been a popular Corvette "modification" since not long after the dual-mode exhaust system was introduced on the '06 Z06. Your choices here are to either remove the fuse controlling the valves (it's helpfully labeled "Ex Mod"), which will cause them to default to the open position at all times, or to purchase a remote exhaust-valve controller from one of the Corvette parts houses. For less than $100, the latter item will allow you to open and close the valves at your convenience, likely making it the better choice for a daily driven vehicle. Note that neither of these mods will change the character of the exhaust note the way your Z06's Corsa system did; they will simply make the car louder.
What Do You Say?
Got a question, comment, or complaint? Log on to www.vetteweb.com and share your thoughts. We can also be reached by email at firstname.lastname@example.com or through our postal address at VETTE Magazine, 9036 Brittany Way, Tampa, FL 33619. All letters must be typed and are presumed to be for publication. VETTE reserves the right to edit letters.


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dealerships found
Back to region map
If you are looking for a franchised dealership in Newport, Dyfed then please see our latest listings in the table above. The Newport map located at the top of this page illustrates the Newport dealer locations.
Across the UK there are numerous changes to dealership records each month and we try hard to maintain accurate Newport dealer records. Should you notice any incorrect Newport dealer information on Askaprice.com, please contact us.
If you are looking for dealerships in other towns around Newport, Dyfed then please return to our Dyfed dealer page and select the relevant town or view all Dyfed dealerships.


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He's the big, bad BCS boogeyman. The obstructionist.
Here's something else you can call Jim Delany: the man who forced change in non-conference scheduling. He'll accept your thanks after you rip him about the failure of the new College Football Playoff.
Because we all know that's coming.
"You have to look at the health of the game, and right now, the best way to do that is more interesting games," Delany said.
MORE: Big Ten's top returning players | Rankings: SEC | ACC | Big 12 | Pac-12 | AAC
Delany's point is simple: it's a difficult challenge now to get fans to drive to a stadium, spend money for tickets and food and apparel, spend a night in a hotel (if it's a night game) and drive back home on Sunday. Now throw the Eastern Michigans of the world (no offense, Eagles) into the mix.
Delany convinced Big Ten presidents to move to a nine-game conference schedule (in 2016), and has said the Big Ten will eventually stop playing games against FCS teams. Better games, better experiences.
And why not start three years early: No conference plays more games against BCS teams this season, and no one plays fewer games against FCS schools.
A breakdown of the Big Ten non-conference schedules:
From first to worst
1. Purdue: at Cincinnati, Indiana State, Notre Dame, Northern Illinois
2. Michigan State: Western Michigan, USF, Youngstown State, at Notre Dame
3. Michigan: Central Michigan, Notre Dame, Akron, at UConn
4. Nebraska: Wyoming, Southern Miss, UCLA, San Jose State
5. Wisconsin: UMass, Tennessee Tech, at Arizona State, BYU
6. Illinois: Southern Illinois, Cincinnati, Washington, Miami (OH)
7. Northwestern: at California, Syracuse, Western Michigan, Maine
8. Penn State: Syracuse (Meadowlands), Eastern Michigan, UCF, Kent State
9. Iowa: Northern Illinois, Missouri State, at Iowa State, Western Michigan
10. Ohio State: Buffalo, San Diego State, at California, Florida A&M
11. Indiana: Indiana State, Navy, Bowling Green, Missouri
12. Minnesota: UNLV, at New Mexico State, Western Illinois, San Jose State
Games against BCS teams: 18 out of 48 (38 percent)
Games against non-BCS teams: 21 out of 48 (44 percent)
Games against FCS teams: 9 out of 48 (18 percent)
Keeping score (5 of 6 BCS conferences evaluated)
Games against BCS teams: Big Ten (38 percent); Pac-12 (30 percent); SEC (30 percent); ACC (29 percent); Big 12 (27 percent).
Games against non-BCS teams: Pac-12 (46 percent); Big 12 (46 percent); SEC (45 percent); Big Ten (44 percent); ACC (42 percent).
Games against FCS teams: ACC (29 percent); Big 12 (27 percent); SEC (25 percent); Pac-12 (24 percent); Big Ten (18 percent).
Five best games
UCLA at Nebraska, Sept. 14
Michigan State at Notre Dame, Sept. 21
Notre Dame at Michigan, Sept. 7
Wisconsin at Arizona State, Sept. 14
Syracuse at Northwestern, Sept. 7
Five worst games
Florida A&M at Ohio State, Sept. 21
Tennessee Tech at Wisconsin, Sept. 7
Western Illinois at Minnesota, Sept. 14
Indiana State at Indiana, Aug. 29
Missouri State at Iowa, Sept. 7
Quick hits
— While the Big Ten plays more BCS games than any other conference, the potential is minimal for one to impact the national title race. Michigan playing host to Notre Dame could be one; so could Michigan State traveling to Notre Dame. But the reality is Ohio State traveling to Cal is the only significant game – and a Buckeyes' loss would be a massive upset.
That leaves us with solid games and just enough intrigue: Nebraska playing host to UCLA, Wisconsin at Arizona State and Washington at Illinois. Not necessarily riveting, but enough juice to make September games worth watching.
— Kirk Ferentz has lost 12 of his past 18 games at Iowa, and you better believe he's feeling pressure to win. At some point, that big contract (and large buyout) won't matter if some of the best fans in college football stop coming to games. That means the Hawkeyes need to start September with four non-conference wins; a tall order with games Northern Illinois and at Iowa State.
The Hawkeyes barely beat Northern Illinois in last year's season opener in Chicago, and have lost two straight to rival Iowa State. A fast start is more critical because of a brutal Big Ten schedule, which includes games against the league's top six teams (Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Northwestern).
Iowa hasn't had back-to-back seasons without being bowl eligible since Ferentz's first two seasons in Iowa City (1999-2000).
— At the other end of the schedule spectrum, we give you Ohio State's cakewalk. It begins with a non-con schedule of Buffalo, San Diego State and FCS Florida A&M at home, and includes a road game at Cal. The Buckeyes could be favored by double digits in every game until the season finale at Michigan.
— Penn State began last season by losing two non-conference games (Ohio, Virginia) it should have won, and preventing Bill O'Brien from winning 10 games in his first season. He still won more games (8) than any first-year coach in the 126-year history of the program.
So what does he shoot for next? The best two-year start. Dick Harlow won 15 games from 1915-16, and O'Brien will need those four non-con games (Syracuse, Eastern Michigan, UCF, Kent State) to get to eight wins again this fall. Four wins in conference might be all this team can get.


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Oklahoma resident Richards' family OK
ANAHEIM -- As the nation learned of the tornado that struck Moore, Okla., on Monday, Angels pitcher Garrett Richards was checking on his family and friends.
"Anytime a major disaster like this happens, your first reaction is to make sure everybody's OK, so that was really my first reaction," Richards said.
All of Richards' family and friends are OK, but the 24-year-old right-hander said tornadoes are simply part of living in the Sooner state.
"It's hard, because you can't control it -- it just kind of happens," Richards said. "In 1999, the same tornado came through Moore. It's something that Oklahomans have to deal with every year, as far as storm season goes."
Richards was born in California, but his family moved to Oklahoma when he was still very young.
Richards attended Edmond Memorial High School, -- approximately a 30-minute drive away from Moore -- went to the University of Oklahoma and still lives in the state.
Although Richards has spent most of his life in Oklahoma, he has been fortunate enough to never experience a tornado firsthand.
"I've been lucky enough that I haven't had to get in a shelter or anything since I've lived there," Richards said. "You stay cautious of it and if it's coming your way, you just take cover the best you can."
William Boor is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Groene at the Legislature: Teacher absences, substitutes
Mail: Southern statues symbolize suppression
More opinion
Senate: Vote no on Graham-Cassidy health care plan
Fall: Good time to spray musk thistle in rosette stage
More Ag News
Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom is appealing to Gov. Dave Heineman to select former Lincoln State Senator Tony Fulton to become lieutenant governor.
He ran for State Treasurer in 2010, but came in second in the Republican primary to former State Attorney General Don Stenberg.
He was term limited out of the Legislature at the end of 2012.
Fulton's father is American. His mother is from the Philippines. He graduated from Auburn Senior High School in 1990 and from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1997.
He is the founder and CEO of Guardian Angels Homecare, a company that assists the elderly and disabled with their day-to-day needs. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Nebraska, and he studied philosophy at Kansas Newman University, and earned a Master of Divinity degree in Theology from Franciscan University of Stubenville.
Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom president Doug Kagan said that Fulton would be a strong advocate for comprehensive tax relief.
"Fulton always has worked tirelessly to protect the taxpayers from unfair taxes, and we can expect him to work for tax reform in some manner," Kagan said.
Kagan said Fulton has proved himself to be a strong supporter of Heineman when it comes to right to life, restriction of welfare payments to illegal aliens, gun owner rights of self-defense, and combating illegal drugs.
"Tony Fulton would be a strong partner for the governor," Kagan said.
Sheehy, once considered the leading candidate to become the state governor in 2014, abruptly resigned from office Feb. 2. He was reportedly romantically involved with more than one woman.
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Past Sprint Cup champions can use a past champion's provisional only once every six races this season instead of having unlimited access to provisionals as in the past.
Provisional starting spots are available to drivers who don't make the field on speed under NASCAR's new qualifying rules.
MORE: Danica gets owner points | Traditional qualifying returns | Daytona 500 crashes
NASCAR officials went over many of the new rules and policies for 2013 during a meeting with the media on Thursday, and the past champion's issue was among those discussed.
Any past champion who ran at least one race the previous season starts the year with one provisional starting spot. Once a driver uses it, they must make six attempts to qualify before getting another past champion's provisional — the driver would get use of the provisional at that sixth race.
Past champion's provisionals could come into play more this season, although it is still unlikely as no past champion is driving full time for a team expected to be low in owner points.
NASCAR has changed the qualifying rules for Sprint Cup in 2013. Instead of the top 35 teams being locked into a race, only seven drivers will enter a race with a guaranteed a spot.
The first 36 spots will be based on qualifying speed, then six spots go to non-qualifiers based on owner points. The final spot goes to a past champion. If there's no past champion, the final spot goes to the next driver based on owner points.
The change is only for Cup and not for the Nationwide or Camping World Truck Series. Those series have impound races and NASCAR did not want teams to feel they needed to run a qualifying setup to get into the race and then try to make race-setup adjustments on pit stops, NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said Thursday.
The Nationwide Series, which has cut its fields from 43 to 40 cars, will lock in the top 30 in owner points while the Camping World Truck Series will lock in the top 25 in owner points.
Among other new race weekend procedures for 2013:
• The qualifying order will be determined by random draw for Cup, while the qualifying order for Nationwide and truck will be the driver's best speed from all practice sessions, slowest to fastest.
• For all three series, the current year's owner points will be used starting with the fourth race of the season.
• For the Sprint Unlimited, the vote taken by fans at the track that day for the starting order will have three options. Those options have changed since the original announcement last month. The new options are career wins, 2012 driver points or pole speed that got them in the race.
• Gas men will not be able to make any adjustments to the car while fuel is going into the car. They can only make adjustments after the fuel can is disengaged from the gas intake. Several times last season, gas cans either remained attached to the cars or fell off the cars as the cars sped away.
• NASCAR will use its new laser inspection station this season. It will check parts and pieces that can be changed from race to race and does not replace the inspection of how the body rests on the chassis that is done at NASCAR's research and development center every Tuesday.
• For the Eldora Speedway truck race, only 20 instead of 25 trucks will be locked in by owner points because only 30 trucks will start the main event. The rest of the race procedure for the dirt race, including how heat races will work, is still to be determined.
• Nationwide teams will get extra practice time at Las Vegas, Richmond, Charlotte and Mid-Ohio. The Richmond weekend in April will include a Nationwide test Thursday morning. The Charlotte weekend in May will include a test day Thursday with practice Friday (Sprint Cup will still have its traditional Thursday-Saturday-Sunday schedule).
• Nationwide teams will get an extra set of tires to practice at 10 tracks this season.
• Truck teams will get an extra day of practice at Charlotte and Iowa.


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The Over-The-Line Tournament is expected to proceed as planned next month despite a lawsuit that threatened to derail the annual alcohol-fueled and adults-only sporting event on Fiesta Island.
Mayor Bob Filner signed a special-event permit Thursday, calling Over-The-Line a tradition that many San Diegans consider a vested right.
"When I learned that there was a challenge to the Over-The-Line tournament ... I said 'Well I guess anybody can sue anything, but this is a little bit ridiculous.'" Filner said. "We have to do what's necessary on the legal front certainly to make sure that there is an OTL this year and that's what we agree today to do."
FreePB.org, a nonprofit group that previously opposed the city's alcohol ban on beaches, sued the city earlier this month for approving a permit for the OTL tournament without subjecting it to an environmental review and therefore giving organizers special treatment. The lawsuit sought a judge's ruling that the permit approval process was illegal and therefore null and void until an environmental review is conducted.
OTL organizers responded by filing for a permit that exempts the event from environmental review, which was subsequently approved by city officials and signed by Filner. Thursday's action is a good sign for OTL enthusiasts, but there remains a possibility the tournament could still be called off.
A court hearing has been set for July 9 to consider an injunction requested by FreePB. org to block the event. In addition, that same day the City Council will consider an administrative appeal of the new permit although it's highly unlikely the council would object.
Filner said the lawsuit raised important questions about fairness of the permitting process that he promised to address.
"We're going to have a fair permitting process that everybody in the city will be treated fairly and equally, but we need to get on with this year's tournament and we need to have those questions discussed in the future."
Cory Briggs, the attorney representing FreePB.org, said, "When it comes to treating people equally kicking the can down the road is unacceptable and that is what the mayor did this morning."
The 60th Annual World Championship Over-The-Line Tournament, which is expected to draw 50,000 competitors and spectators to Mission Bay, is set to begin the weekend of July 13-14 and wrap up the following weekend of July 20-21. The event — in which teams compete in a softball-like bat-and-ball sport — has been a San Diego tradition for decades.
The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club has run the annual tournament for six decades and has received a special-event permit for the past 40 years.
Tom Smith, the tournament's chairman, applauded the city's decision to keep OTL going. He said participants come from 25 different states and the uncertainty raised by the lawsuits was concerning.
"OMBAC's really not a political organization so we don't get into saying this or that," he said. "We just like to run our event and enjoy it."
Asked if OTL was getting special treatment, Smith replied, "Absolutely not. We have an amazing alcohol management system for the way our permit goes. We spend a lot of money on it and we work with the city just to make sure it goes through."
Organizers say they spend roughly $100,000 on security and safety measures, including police, private security, paramedics and fencing.
At the heart of the lawsuit is the question of fairness. The city has banned alcohol at beaches and waterfront parks since 2008 when San Diego voters approved Proposition D. Now events with alcohol at those locations must receive a special-event permit from the Police Department. To get a permit, several conditions must be met such as the hiring of private security guards, an age verification process and the prohibition of glass containers, among other things.
FreePB.org's opposition to the OTL tournament appears to stem from the city's rejection of a permit for its own beach-alcohol event called the Leisure Olympics. The group sought many of the same privileges as OTL, such as the ability for individuals to bring their own alcohol and purchase alcohol from vendors. The Police Department rejected the permit request saying it was inconsistent with the city's alcohol management permit conditions.


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Prize Recipient
Larry R. Hunter
Amherst College
"For his outstanding research in atomic physics, particularly his search for the electric dipole moment of the electron, and for his enthusiastic inclusion of undergraduate students at Amherst College in his research program."
Selection Committee:
R. Frankel, Chair; T. Moore; G.A. Thomas; C. Holbrow; S.B. Crampton


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BP Comment Quick Links
|Strength of Schedule Report
April 25, 2013
On the Beat
Up, Up, Upton and Away
The Braves have the best record in the major leagues at 15-6. However, manager Fredi Gonzalez is quick to say his team could be better. Not necessarily have a better record—a .714 winning percentage is hard to beat, mind you—but playing better overall baseball.
"We've pitched extremely well, and we've done a pretty good job of catching the ball," Gonzalez said. "Offensively, we've still been spotty. We've done some good things, but we haven't clicked on all cylinders. We're not getting those little breaks you need to score some more runs, like that broken-bat hit that just goes over the infield or that pitch that goes back to the screen. We're not hitting the way I know we can."
The Braves have allowed the fewest runs in the major leagues, an average of just 2.45 a game. Meanwhile, they are 11th in the majors in runs scored with 4.55 a game. However, left fielder Justin Upton has helped cover up many offensive warts by hitting .316/.402/.797 with a major-league best 11 home runs in just 89 plate appearances. Atlanta couldn't have asked for any more in the early going from Upton, who was acquired from Arizona in late January after invoking his no-trade clause to refuse being shipped to Seattle.
"I knew he was good, but he's even better than I thought now that I've been around him every day for a couple of months," Gonzalez said. "The numbers he has put up have been fantastic, but I am really impressed with his approach, which is very simple for such a young player. There aren't a lot of moving parts to the swing; it's very simple, and his approach is to go up to the plate, look for his pitch, and hit the ball hard. His hitting mechanics don't really get out of whack, and he hasn't really gotten himself out at the plate very often. He battles and doesn't beat himself."
Despite Upton finishing fourth in the National League Most Valuable Player voting in 2011, it seemed that general manager Kevin Towers was on a mission to trade his star outfielder from the time he was hired late in the 2010 season. Upton's name was floated in trade rumors for more than two years before Towers finally pulled the trigger and sent him to the Braves for third baseman Martin Prado and four prospects.
"You know, like everyone else, I wondered why the Diamondbacks wanted to trade Justin, and I heard and I read all the speculation that maybe he was a bad kid or a bad teammate, but he has not caused one bit of problem since he got here," Gonzalez said. "Before we traded for him, I asked around a lot. I talked to some of his former managers and coaches, some of his former teammates, and even some baseball writers who had been around him. They all said the same thing, they all said he is not a problem guy and he would fit in with our team, and that's exactly the way it has turned out."
Justin Upton declined to talk about his Diamondbacks years. However, he readily admits that he likes being with a new team and especially the chance to play with his older brother, B.J., a center fielder, who signed a five-year, $75.25 million contract as a free agent in November.
"It's been fun," Justin Upton said. "I've been having a great time since the moment I got to spring training. It's as much fun as I've ever had playing the game, going back to being a little kid."
B.J. Upton sees the joy in his brother's game, too, and is having a blast himself, even though he is off to a poor start with .150/.225/.300 line in 89 plate appearances.
"I saw this on TV a lot with Justin," B.J. Upton said. "My game on the East Coast with Tampa Bay would get over and I'd get home in time to see most of his games on the West Coast. I know what he is capable of playing like this. I know what a great player he can be. It's fun to see in person and be a part of it. He's couldn't be happier, and neither could I. It's really cool."
It's meet the new closer, same as the old closer, with the Tigers. The organization saw enough of right-hander Jose Valverde during his stint at High-A Lakeland to sign him to a major-league contract Wednesday and name him the closer. Interestingly enough, the Tigers said they were bringing back their closer of the past three seasons on a day when they also recalled right-hander Bruce Rondon from Triple-A Toledo.
Rondon's presence caused the Tigers to decide not to re-sign Valverde, who had some spectacular meltdowns in the postseason. However, Rondon showed in spring training that he wasn't ready and the Tigers were left with little choice but to open the season with a closer-by-committee situation.
"This whole situation was botched from day one," said one front-office type. "How do you have legitimate hopes of going back to the World Series and not have a closer on your roster? It was obvious (manager) Jim Leyland didn't want to start the season with a kid who had never even thrown a major-league pitch as his closer. Why (general manager) Dave Dombrowski didn't pursue a closer is beyond me. Why not just sign Valverde from the get-go and let him serve as the mentor to Rondon, which is exactly what's going to happen now? You'd save yourself a whole lot of headaches."
Angels first baseman Albert Pujols has battled plantar fasciitis, the inflammation of tissue that spreads across the bottom of the foot, for a large part of his career. However, when Pujols—who never makes excuses—tells reporters that he is "dying," then the condition has become serious.
It is, indeed, a painful condition; unfortunately, I can attest from first-hand experience. It makes walking difficult, let alone playing a professional sport at the highest level. Now, it seems the plantar fasciitis may become too much for Pujols to bear.
"I think they need to do something with him, put him on the DL and let him have the surgery" said a scout who recently watched the Angels. "You can see the pain on his face. It's amazing that he's still able to help them at all right now. The guy must have an unbelievable pain threshold. I know he has played through it for a long time, but he's really hobbling now. You wonder how much better he'd be if he had the surgery, even if it means sacrificing a good portion of this season.
There was more than a little bit of irony that Rockies right-hander Jhoulys Chacin was forced to leave his start last Friday with a mid-back strain on his 100th pitch of the game and landed on the disabled list. The Rockies had gone 117 games without a pitcher reaching 100 pitches, part of that due to the "piggyback" system they used for much of last season in which starters were limited to 70 pitches then followed by a designated reliever. It was a system so reviled by some internally that pitching coach Bob Apodaca asked to be reassigned within the organization and manager Jim Tracy resigned at the end of the season despite having one year and $1.4 million left on his contract.
"That's a real indictment of an organization that we're near the end of April and their guys can't throw 100 pitches yet without getting hurt," a front-office type said. "You really wonder what goes on out there. I know playing at altitude presents different challenges than for the rest of the teams, but they've tried to reinvent the wheel so many times there now that it's become laughable. I'm just stunned that ownership there never makes a change in the front office."
John Perrotto is an author of Baseball Prospectus.
17 comments have been left for this article.
BP Comment Quick Links
Hey John, great stuff as usual. Do you think you might start adding the scouting reports to the end of the articles like last season? That was one of my favorate weekly reads on BP. Thanks.
Apr 25, 2013 03:58 AM
Yeah....where are the scouts' takes? Those were cool.
Apr 25, 2013 04:20 AM
I think I speak for everyone else in saying that we would all like some ice cream as well. Are there plans to provide us ice cream, varying flavors? Thanks, Ben.
Apr 25, 2013 13:57 PM
With regard to Valverde, the story is that he's throwing the ball better than last year (was he hiding an injury to get to pitch in the World series?).
Apr 25, 2013 05:02 AM
What surgery would Pujols potentially have? What is the recovery time? Thanks.
Apr 25, 2013 06:12 AM
Apr 25, 2013 10:01 AM
Nice timing spotlighting Upton's red-hot bat and the Tigers Closer Carousel the day before they face off in a three game series with each game nationally televised (Friday on MLB, sat. on Fox, sun on ESPN)
Apr 25, 2013 11:15 AM
The thing is everyone in the world saw this coming, except for Gibson and Towers and the "we need more grit and contact hitters" crowd. The Dbacks are fools.
Apr 25, 2013 18:20 PM
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After a season of enormous regression, Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew knows he's running out of time to get his program stable and strong.
Mayhew and coach Jim Schartz appeared to have the Lions on the right track with a appearance in 2011. But the brief rise was followed by a stunning step back to 4-12 in 2012.
"Let me just say this: When you win four games, you better have a sense of urgency about it," Mayhew told MLive.com. "Certainly, I had a great sense of urgency about this offseason, but I wouldn't categorize it as not having a great sense of urgency in the previous offseasons. I just think we came into it with a great sense of urgency about getting better."
In their four years together running the Lions, Mayhew and Jim Schwartz are 22-42, including an eight-game losing streak to finish last season. The sense of urgency has led to an active offseason, as they have addressed the chronic issue at running back by signing Reggie Bush and concerns in the secondary by signing safety Glover Quin and re-signing corner Chris Houston and safety Louis Delmas.
But they still have serious issues at defensive end and offensive tackle and need another corner. Candidates to be selected with the fifth overall pick include Central Michigan OT Eric Fisher or BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah.
Free agent end Dwight Freeney has also been linked to the Lions as a possible replacement for Cliff Avril, who signed with Seattle.


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between D.J. Augustin, Gerald Green, and Ian Mahinmi who will have the best year?
My money goes on D.J., I think he will thrive here being around more talented players.
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between D.J. Augustin, Gerald Green, and Ian Mahinmi who will have the best year?
My money goes on D.J., I think he will thrive here being around more talented players.
DJ. For the same reason. He was going to be great and then he was drafted onto that **** pile.
"What you do is so loud, I can't hear what you say" -Andrew LuckJunior at the University of Louisville
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1000th post - 4/16/12 2000th post - 6/24/12 3000th post - 3/8/13
I believe everyone is gonna have a good to excellent year this upcoming season..
I see DJ thriving to the point where he commands a good contract next season and we are gonna be faced with a very hard decision on whether or not we are able to afford him.. Then there's the question of if he will even want to stay if he is not a starter.. Vogel is gonna be faced with some very hard decisions regarding hill and DJ.. if that situation arises and DJ starts distributing the ball like Deron Williams ..
Green is gonna impress and become a fan favorite.. Between Granger and Green , we have the SF position locked up and will be in excellent shape there ..
Plumlee is gonna show everyone why Larry had the confidence in him to pick him so high in the draft, and become a very good backup big for us .. I also think he is gonna show off ALOt more offensive skill than anyone believes he possesses..
Last edited by Kemo; 09-29-2012 at 09:20 PM.
"They want to be famous. We want to be champions. They want to be rappers and backup dancers. We want to play football." - T.J. Ward, Denver Broncos
My guesses for best newcomer, in order:
DJ Augustin - I really believe that DJ was made for a team like this. I think DJ is going to be great here, and I bet that he gets a lot of floor time with the starters, one way or another. And he's definitely going to flourish with his passing abilities on a team with these level of players. I kind of want to see a lineup of DJ/GH/GG/PG/Roy on the court. It's a little stretch 4, but DJ's distribution with four perfectly willing scorers (PG pending) will look very pretty. That is, as long as our players set picks, make cuts, and be ready to catch alley-oops (GREEN!). Or go with the stretch 5 and make it DJ/GH/GG/PG/DG (or "DJ and the Five G's"), and really confuse defenses (and everyone else).
Gerald Green - Green is going to kick some *** on a regular basis. If he makes cuts to the basket as often as he did last year, he and DJ will catch defenses off guard and destroy benches (that is, until the starters get subbed back in). If he sticks to his guns, and remains confident and focused, he's going to continue taking the NBA by storm, and surprise.
Ian Mahinmi - Mahinmi is considerably better than Fez and Lou, so I think we'll be surprised at his level of contribution this season. Solid backup big man with championship experience. I think he's going to be a very valuable piece here.
Miles Plumlee - Also, I am sure Plumlee is going to show whatever facet(s) that Larry has been gaga over. I don't think he was actually sitting at summer league, watching Plumlee fail, and going, "aww man, I was totally wrong about this kid..." It's more likely he would just grin and say, "just you wait. I'm Larry ****ing Legend, I know what I'm talking about. No, Donnie, don't bring up Tyler and Lance right now." Or something similar.
Orlando Johnson - Oh, and I think OJ is going to show off some skills this season. He may not get a lot of playing time, because our wing/backcourt is a worse traffic jam than last year (not complaining). I hope OJ gets more burn than just trash minutes and blowouts. I think he deserves at least a chance or two. You never know what the kid could end up doing. Jeremy freaking Lin took NYC by the scrote for a short period of time, I don't see why Orlando Johnson couldn't get a chance to guard someone like... Shannon Brown? Or another rookie, like Dion Waiters, Jeremy Lamb, Bradley Beal, etc...
witters: @imbtyler, @postgameonline
In the summer I would have said Gerald Green. Now I'm thinking DJ Augustin just because of all the positive things everyone has to say about him. Like some others have said, the fact that he is on a team with so many options I think will cause him to flourish and really surprise people. Also, not to pick on DC, but I think Augustin will be able to embrace more of a leadership role and will mesh with our guys a lot better.
Man why can't the season start already...
Last edited by PGisthefuture; 09-30-2012 at 04:35 AM.
Agustin starts dropping dimes like Deron Williams? Did I read that right, Kemo?
Agustin has been has been more of a scoring PG the majority of his time in the league. According to what I've read, he only started taking the floor leadership/pass-first thing seriously relatively recently, particulalry during Larry Brown's short tenure there.
Anyway, I hope you're right. But, WOW...just WOW.
I'd rather die standing up than live on my knees.
-Emiliano Zapata
I say it will be ranked in this order
1. D.J. Augustin
2. Gerald Green
3. Ian Mahinmi
4. Miles Plumlee
5. Orlando Johnson
It has to be Gerald Green, IMO. For all intents and purposes, he's an uber-talented vet whose second chance in this league officially starts this season. He's (seemingly) more mature and more knowledgeable about the game. He's got everything to prove and the skills to prove it. I think he's gonna blow some folks minds.
AND with Augustin feeding him, even better.
Plus, weren't he and Sundiata Gaines on the same second unit in New Jersey?
Last edited by 5_7_Clash; 09-30-2012 at 02:05 PM.
I think it really depends on how you look at it. I believe Green can give us that consistent scoring punch of the bench we needed, but he isn't likely to seriously challenge for a starting position. DJ on the other hand is more likely to be in a position to challenge for a starting job, but I think overall he is less likely to have as big of an impact as Green.
i am hoping Plumlee can become another Foster like player. Not in that he has the same skills, but as a consistently good player who stays around for a long time and is willing to do anything to help his team win.
Hopefully OJ is the diamond in the rough we hope he is, and he can push Stephenson for the back-up SG position. It is going to be difficult for him to get minutes, but I hope he does so we can see what he is capable of. I am hoping that both these guys prove to be good back-up SGs so that we can use one of them as trade bait.
I think Green and Augustins fate could be very intertwined here in regards to performance.
DJ - Distributor
Green - Crazy good scorer, needs a distributor
They will be coming off the bench together. With other guys to do the dirty work. Its going to be their job to score.
I personally think our bench is much improved from last year
I think DJ will have the best statistical year of any newcomer, however, depth at Center was such an area of weakness for the Pacers last year, if one or both of Mahinmi/Plumlee becomes a reliable backup big it could make more of an impact.
If he makes the team, I think Sam Young could jump a few spots on the depth chart.
Yeah I think he gets overlooked because we haven't officially signed him yet. I think he should be the first sg off the bench unless he's just completely fallen off since being on the Grizzlies.
Well, that's the point of training camp and the preseason. We have, what, two spots leftover? I think it's important to add some more backup behind PG and DG, and Sam Young will hopefully prove to be a good addition. If we fill the last spot, instead of keeping it open for the season, I'm sure the spot goes to Ahearn or Gaines. Besides that, I think Sam Young will show during training camp that he hasn't fallen off yet.
witters: @imbtyler, @postgameonline


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IF Newport are to end their 10-year wait for silverware then they will have to do it the hard way.
The Black and Ambers will face holders Pontypridd at Sardis Road in round two of the Swalec Cup.
Newport must first ensure they don't come a cropper against Championship outfit Bonymaen in their rearranged tie at Rodney Parade on Tuesday.
Provided they do that they will take on Ponty, who are chasing back-to-back doubles, on the weekend of February 15.
It's a daunting task but Newport will be buoyed by a reasonable record against the men from Sardis Road.
The Black and Ambers have won four of the last 10 encounters while three of their defeats have been by less than a score.
Newbridge's reward for edging out Pontypool is a trip to the capital to take on Cardiff on their plastic pitch while there will be at least one Championship side in the quarters with Ebbw Vale hosting RGC 1404.
Cross Keys' bid to repeat their memorable Millennium Stadium success of 2012 will take them to the winners of the Bargoed versus Bedwas clash.
Swalec Cup, round two draw: Cardiff Met v Llanelli, Carmarthen Quins v Bridgend Athletic, Pontypridd v Newport/Bonymaen, Llanharan/Tondu v Llandovery, Narberth v Aberavon, Bargoed/Bedwas v Cross Keys, Cardiff v Newbridge, Ebbw Vale v RGC 1404.


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President Obama asked Congress Friday to give him authority to consolidate executive branch agencies. Margaret Warner speaks with Roll Call's Steven Dennis and Bloomberg News' Hans Nichols about what would happen if Mr. Obama is granted the reorganization power that no president has had for almost 30 years. Continue reading


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Please read through these Q & As to find helpful information about the facility and our policies.
Q: How much does it cost to attend an event?
A: Most often, nothing! Check on the particular event on the calendar for full details. Concerts, the Rockbridge Regional Fair and Farm Show, and the rodeo are among the few events that charge.
Q: What is going on this weekend?
A: Please check our schedule of events, updated weekly!
Q: Where do I park?
A: General parking can be found in front of the Anderson Coliseum by turning right after entering the complex. Trailer parking will be directed by event, and Security or the Stable Office can help you.
Q: Do you have horses I can ride or camps?
A: We do not have horses for public riding. Contact the Lexington Area Tourism bureau at 540-463-3777 for their advice.
Q: Can I have a tour of the VHCF?
A: Yes! Please call Matt Crookshanks to arrange for a time to have a guided tour of our wonderful facility at 540-464-2952.
Q: Is the VHCF handicap accessible?
A: Yes, there is handicap access into the Anderson Coliseum but not to the ground level once inside. The rest of the facility is fully accessible.
Q: Where are the restrooms?
A: There are restrooms in two places in the coliseum by the café and in the far back corner. There are also restrooms in each barn and in the East Complex. You can also find showers there if you are camping.
Q: How do I make or check on my stall reservations and entry forms?
A: First, contact the show manager. Second, you can call the Stable Office/Welcome Center at 540-464-2966.
Q: Do you sell shavings and hay on-site?
A: Yes! Please contact the Stable Office/Welcome Center at 540-464-2966 with your order.
Q: What is the closest hotel?
A: The closest hotels are the Best Western Plus and the Sleep Inn, both located on Maury River Road just a half mile from the VHCF. You can see accommodation options here.
Q: Do you make hotel reservations?
A: The VHCF does not make hotel reservations so please call the hotels directly. Show management often blocks rooms for their events to ensure rooms for exhibitors.
Q: What are the closest restaurants?
A: The closest restaurant is Pure Eats concessions located inside the Anderson Coliseum on the concourse and The Winner's Ring Restaurant, next to the Wiley Arena. On Route 11, you can find multiple restaurants like our partners Applebee's, Subway, and Crystal Chinese in the Wal-Mart Shopping Center. Downtown Lexington has many charming and local options as well. You can see more dining options here.
Q: Can you walk at the VHCF?
A: Yes! We partner with Let's Move Lexington to provide free exercise opportunities on our grounds and inside the Anderson Coliseum during inclement weather. Walking hours are 8-5pm.
Q: Are dogs allowed at the VHCF?
A: Yes, if they are on a leash. No dogs are allowed in the food service areas of Anderson Coliseum or in the Winner's Ring restaurant.
Q: Are you hiring?
A: Please check the "Work with Us" section to see if there are openings. If there are not, you may still download a general application and return it to be kept on file.
Q: Is the VHCF a non-profit?
A: YES! All donations are tax-deductible. Please consider us in your charitable giving.
Donate Contact
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Noh Seung-yul claimed his first PGA Tour win on Sunday as he held off the chasing pack to secure a two-shot victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
The South Korean came into his final round with a two-shot lead and also looking to become the first player to record a bogey-free 72 holes since Charles Howell III at the Greenbrier Classic in 2010.
That dream was extinguished with a bogey on the first but a final round of 71 was good enough to leave Noh 19 under, two shots clear of Andrew Svoboda and Robert Streb.
After the dropped shot on the first, the 22-year-old regained his composure and reeled off six pars before picking a shot back up on the eighth to turn in 36.
Another birdie at the 10th was to follow and Noh would also pick up shots back up on 13 and 16 after bogeying 12 and 15.
A poor tee-shot on the par-three 17th suggested nerves were kicking in as the finish-line approached, but an excellent up and down secured a par and Noh made no mistake on 18.
Svoboda recorded a closing 69 with birdies on five, seven, 12 and 18 and a bogey on six, while Streb recorded just six pars in a chaotic 70.
The American eagled the second before bogeys on the third and sixth were followed by birdies on the seventh and eighth. A double-bogey on nine and a bogey on 10 had Streb over par for the day but he picked up shots on 12,13 and 16 before a bogey on 17 and a closing birdie.
Jeff Overton was a further shot back after also shooting a 70, two shots clear of Erik Compton, Charley Hoffman and Robert Garrigus, who signed for a round-of-the-day 64.
US Open champion Justin Rose closed with a 68 to finish 13 under in a group with Keegan Bradley, who endured a desperately disappointing 75.
The former US PGA champion was level for his round after five holes but a triple-bogey on the sixth effectively ruined his chances of victory.
Englishman Paul Casey fired a 73 to finish 12 under, while Padraig Harrington finished one under for the tournament.