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June 4, 2010
Checking the Numbers
A Developmental Dilemma
Two months into the season it has now become clear that this is a truly special year with regards to rookies. Phenom Jason Heyward broke camp with the Braves. Mike Leake bypassed the minors completely to join the Reds. Jaime Garcia has been driving batters batty. Garcia's teammate with the Cardinals, David Freese, has been an offensive stalwart, and division-mate Starlin Castro is already making a big impact on the Cubs. In Detroit, both Austin Jackson and Brennan Boesch are keeping the Tigers in the thick of things, and John Jaso and Reid Brignac are helping the Rays make up for putrid performances elsewhere. This isn't even to mention the recent call-up of Buster Posey by the Giants or even the much anticipated debut of Stephen Strasburg for the Nationals next Tuesday.
Another minor leaguer will earn major-league rookie status this year, and to borrow the famous catch phrase from the broadcasters of this player's employer, HIS NAME… IS MIKE STANTON! However, the eventual call-up of Stanton poses quite the curious conundrum for the Marlins involving who gets traded or demoted. They have a few players relevant to the transaction in question whose development is tantamount to the team's future success, and handling the situation correctly is of the utmost importance to everyone involved. With that in mind, my goal today is to introduce Stanton as well as exploring the different scenarios that could conceivably play out regarding his debut.
Who is Mike Stanton?
Well, if you're like me, up until the end of last year you thought the Marlins had signed the crafty veteran left-hander to a minor-league deal. If not, you knew that Stanton was the pride of the Marlins farm system, a 6-foot-5 right-handed hitter with a mighty whopping stick who would strike out his fair share but also draw many walks. Stanton skipped college and quickly began to stand out in the Marlins organization, putting up a .293/.384/.611 line in 2008 in A-ball with 39 home runs. Numbers like that just are not common in the minors and can really turn heads.
Last season, Stanton split time between Single-A and Double-A, hitting .294/.392/.578 with 12 home runs in the former, and .231/.315/.455 with 16 bombs in the latter. All told, Stanton hit .255/.345/.503 with 28 home runs as he faced tougher pitching. His ability to hit came into question with the paltry line in Double-A, but he sure put skeptics in their place with his numbers this season at Double-A Jacksonville: .300/.429/.706 with 20 homers, and an impressive 40 walks to 51 strikeouts. The 20-year-old can flat out rake, and his numbers so far suggest that his patience is improving as well. In our most recent annual, we had this to say about the future Fish outfielder:
Though Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein does not think Stanton will be called up anytime in the next week or two, it would be very unusual if he spent the entire season in the farm system. When he does make it to The Show, whose spot on the roster does he take? As far as I can tell, there are four main options for the Marlins that we will explore in-depth: demote Chris Coghlan, demote Cameron Maybin, cut Brett Carroll, trade Cody Ross.
Scenario #1: Recall Mike Stanton and Demote Chris Coghlan
Oh, how the times have changed. Last year, Coghlan hit an impressive .321/.390/.460, combining solid contact with pop and patience en route to the National League Rookie of the Year Award. He had spent most of his minor-league tenure as a keystone cornerman but shifted to left field due to the presence in the major leagues of second baseman Dan Uggla. Though Coghlan has never been known for defensive prowess, he has hit at every level, leaving analysts to wonder about his upside and not about whether or not his skills would translate to major-league success.
PECOTA expected some regression and offered a weighted mean .285/.355/.430 with a 90thpercentile below what he produced last season. Though the forecast seemed like a potential miss, the season is now two months old and the sophomore is surely slumping, hitting .237/.284/.326 in 206 plate appearances. He missed some time earlier in the year with an injury to the left side of his body, sustained while making a fantastic catch in the outfield, but he wasn't doing much raking even before that Tax Day injury. Small sample size caveats abound, he has actually been heating up since May 25, hitting a robust .378/.425/.622 in 40 trips to the plate.
If the Marlins demote Coghlan to pave the way for Stanton's arrival, it means two things: first, that Coghlan still would not have turned his season around, which would be a very bad sign for the hoping-to-contend Marlins; and second, that they not only value the potential major-league production of their unknown commodity above lame duck Coghlan, but also that they think the latter would respond well to a demotion, not losing a ton of confidence and understanding that the move is for the benefit of his future. One other rationale behind demoting Coghlan would be to give him more time at second base, given that it is unlikely Uggla will remain in Miami for much longer and it is Coghlan's original position. This might be a reach, but then again, I don't believe demoting Coghlan is the answer anyway.
Scenario #2: Recall Mike Stanton and Demote Cameron Maybin
Maybin was the key piece in the deal that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Tigers. While it didn't take too long to realize that Andrew Miller wasn't major league-ready, many are starting to suspect that Maybin isn't ready to contribute in the big leagues either. The former 10thoverall pick has looked impressive at every level of the minors, with a career slash line of .302/.391/.473. The numbers don't pop as much as Stanton's, but tell the tale of an athletic player who could reach base by means other than his bat, but also bat some balls around the field and out of the yard. In just 382 games he stole 81 bases and managed to hit 27 triples.
At the major-league level, he hasn't been so impressive. On top of misplaying routine fly balls and not turning his athleticism into solid fielding, Maybin is hitting .239/.306/.376 in 102 games over the last two seasons, numbers that might be acceptable for a defensive replacement or pinch-runner, but not an everyday center fielder. And when he reaches base, he isn't stealing as frequently or as efficiently, either, with just six swipes in 10 attempts. Simply put, everything that made him attractive as the enticing factor of a blockbuster deal has not been on display in Florida.
Demoting Maybin would make more sense than sending down Coghlan given that Ross can at least fake an okay center field, and that Coghlan has shown more signs of breaking out of his funk, but the demotion doesn't come without its potential detriments. Having to send a player like Maybin down after doing so in 2009 following a similarly slow start might really hurt his psyche, which would be a terrible turn of events for a 23-year-old hitter. Then again, despite the young age, the Marlins cannot be happy with his production and have to be wondering if the Maybin they envisioned will ever surface.
Sending him to the minors could instill a last-chance-to-work-it-out message to the youngster, because he has been floundering in what was supposed to be a breakout year. It would also create a very productive Coghlan/Ross/Stanton outfield. Then again, maybe the Marlins need to set their sights on developing players to help them win next year or the year after instead of mortgaging success in the short term by sending down players in need of more major-league experience.
Scenario #3: Recall Mike Stanton and Cut Brett Carroll
In our 2009 Annual, we called Carroll a fringy organizational guy, and there really is not a better description of what he brings to the table. Last year, we had this to say:
Allow me to summarize: Carroll can hustle and throw, but he can't hit righties, can't reach base against lefties, and isn't that solid of a fielder. Summarizing even more, Carroll is a bad major-league player, either defining or falling short of the replacement level. That he is still given at-bats by the Marlins is beyond me given that several other Grade C prospects on the farm could produce similar results right now while simultaneously offering more upside.
The reason cutting him to make room for Stanton isn't as straightforward as it may seem is that, in this scenario, Carroll leaves and Stanton shows up, but then either Coghlan or Maybin is relegated to the bench. Technically, this move would result in the highest level of talent on the roster, but it would do nothing to aid the development of either outfielder. Both Coghlan and Maybin need consistent at-bats, either at the major-league or minor-league level, and platooning them or using them as pinch-hitters, pinch-runners or defensive replacements does not help them potentially improve into the players the team is seeking. Carroll should probably be cut no matter what, but in a mutually exclusive move.
Scenario #4: Recall Mike Stanton and Trade Cody Ross
The Marlins are to arbitration-eligible players on the cusp of free agency what MTV is to VJs approaching 30. Nobody in their right mind believes that Ross will remain a Marlin for the remainder of his career, but while he will not reach free agency until after the 2012 season, now might be the perfect time to capitalize on his skills and extract a proper return. With players like Ross, who display plenty of power but are less valuable due to shortcomings elsewhere, it is easy to suggest a trade to the offensively sapped Mariners or Giants, but the problem is that he would not represent a vast enough upgrade to merit the ponying up of valuable assets.
Even a team like the Phillies, who desperately need another powerful bench bat from the right side, would not part ways with anything valuable on the farm for a year and a half of Ross. The Marlins will eventually have to settle if they decide to trade Ross, perhaps looking for a bevy of high-upside unknowns to mitigate the risk instead of seeking a high-impact prospect. Such a move would allow the Marlins to play Stanton, Coghlan and Maybin in the same outfield, giving all three ample and consistent playing time, without having to send anyone to the minor leagues. Even better, all three figure to be key components of the next Marlins winner while Ross will be working for a different employer.
Ross might have his faults but there is certainly a market for a player with as much pop as he provides, and while it might signal the end of their hopes of contending this season, the Marlins will be able to better evaluate Maybin, continue to let Coghlan work out of his funk at the major-league level, and give Stanton an extended look.
What Will They Do?
In the opinion of this writer, I fully expect Coghlan to be up around .265/.365/.440 or better by the end of July and that Maybin will start to show signs of life as well. Unless Maybin absolutely craters and continues to look as overmatched as he currently does, I believe the team will unload Ross to a contender looking to shore up its bench or replace an ailing outfielder. I also believe this is the most appropriate move, as a team like the Marlins should be building for the future—next couple of years, I'm not talking about seven years from now—and Ross has no place on that team. Stanton, Maybin and Coghlan are building blocks until proven otherwise and one should not be given the opportunity to flourish or gain experience in the majors at the expense of another.
Eric Seidman is an author of Baseball Prospectus.
17 comments have been left for this article.
BP Comment Quick Links
Jun 04, 2010 08:04 AM
Michael - What's your sense on the timing for the decision? The writers MLB.com and Fox are indicating it may come on next week (June 8 or 11).
Jun 04, 2010 08:28 AM
Jun 04, 2010 08:40 AM
Michael, I've seen much crazier things happen in 40 games at a position, so while I appreciate the comment and perspective of a Marlins fan, I have enough trouble really believing an entire year of defensive data, let alone the equivalent of a quarter of that. A few scouts I've spoken to echoed the same sentiment I wrote in the article.
Jun 04, 2010 08:43 AM
Jun 04, 2010 10:07 AM
Perhaps I should have phrased it as, he doesn't stand out as a fielder. Plus, in a corner OF spot, being very solid doesn't always make you a great overall fielder. But the purpose of the article was clearly not to write about Brett Carroll. I think you're probably right as far as Maybin being demoted, though this piece was about what I believe is best for them, not what they will likely end up doing. I think constantly playing for it now is going to hurt the guys who are going to be around when they inevitably win their next unexpected world series.
Jun 04, 2010 15:02 PM
Jun 04, 2010 15:31 PM
My thing is that I doubt Ross is around next year -- and you aren't going to learn enough about Maybin in 100 PA. This is the mistake the Reds made with Homer Bailey. You have to let these guys play. Maybin hasn't been impressive but he hasn't exactly been handled that well. Sure, he just might be a bust, but it is too premature to treat him like that if you're the Marlins organization.
Jun 04, 2010 15:53 PM
Jun 05, 2010 11:47 AM
The worst thing for a business, either a major league baseball team or a retail industry, or a service industry, etc, is to act without proper self-evaluation or goals. The Marlins came into this year thinking they could contend, but realistically without the talent to do so. But the talent needed to win in the future will likely still be around when that time comes to pass, so the proper course of action would be to give those guys playing time to see if they belong. Right now the Marlins are an 83-79 team hoping that they can overperform their way into 88-90 wins, which just isn't very likely. To me, if you're projected as an 83-79 team, it's better to go 80-82 while giving prospects major league playing time than it is to go 85-77 in keeping everything the way it is and still missing the playoffs.
Jun 05, 2010 12:49 PM
MTV still has VJs? I didn't know they even still played videos.
Jun 04, 2010 12:32 PM
I don't know -- haven't watched it since the era of Limp Bizkit's "Nookie" so I'm just assuming nothing has changed.
Jun 04, 2010 15:00 PM
Yeah, your reference to MTV VJs just sold you out as well over 30 yourself.
Jun 04, 2010 20:47 PM
As a Marlin fan I don't feel that they should give up on winning this season. In the past they have had good success in bringing up minor leaguers to give them a shot in the arm. If they can trade Ross, or Cantu or Uggla in trades which they like I think they will do so but I don't think that they will give any of them away to open up a spot for Stanton. I think it more likely that they shall either leave Stanton in the minors for a while, or bring him up, dropping Carroll, and juggle the playing time between the four remaining outfielders with Coghlan also picking up some games at both 2nd and 3rd base, and Sanchez losing some playing time as well. Ross and Sanchez would lose the most playing time.
Jun 04, 2010 13:06 PM
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Fairfax Building For All Committee
The large population of baby boomers begins to turn 65 by year 2011, and it is projected that by 2030 there will be about 1.3 million more older Virginians than in 2000 – a 120% increase.
The expected rate of growth in Fairfax County between 2005 and 2020:
Age 0-19: 11% Increase
Age 20-49: 7% Increase
Age 50-69: 25% Increase
Age 70+: 58% Increase
Thousands of wounded veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan with newly acquired disabilities are in need of existing barrier free and integrated housing.
People with disabilities make up about 11% of the population of Fairfax County. Universal or visitable design doesn't just increase the options available for people with disabilities seeking integrated and accessible housing, but it also allows them to be more involved in the community by visiting their friends, family members and neighbors in their homes just like their peers without disabilities
Universal Design is a set of principles to provide for housing that is comfortable, safe, and convenient, and to enhance the independence of residents of all ages, sizes, and abilities.
Universal design concepts will ensure that our housing meets the needs of every age and can easily be adapted.
Much of the housing in our community is Peter Pan housing – built as though we'll never grow old. New design concepts address the reality that housing must be accessible to both visitors and occupants. Visitability design enables all people to enter a home and access the first floor gathering places and bathroom without barriers such as steps and narrow doorways.
Universal design takes accessibility further, with designs that adapt to the changing needs of current and future occupants. Visitability and universal design benefit families of all ages including older adults adjusting to mobility limitations and boomers wanting to bring aging parents to live with them. Using universal and visitability design is usually less expensive and less disruptive than retrofitting later.
The Department of Housing and Community Development has adopted
universal design for future buildings.
- Promote universal design through county sponsored community educational opportunities, events, and online resources, available in English and other languages for residents, architects and builders.
- Review housing construction requirements to identify and rectify barriers to universal design.
- Provide educational tool kits for building permit applicants and designate a county universal design information specialist to assist residents.
- Include in the Board of Supervisors' legislative agenda, a proposal to amend the Livable Homes Tax Credit to increase the per capita dollar amount for making homes more accessible.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has stated a commitment to promote housing that will benefit all citizens for years to come.
Therefore, the Fairfax County Coalition on Housing and Universal Design formed as a Public/Private Partnership with representation that will tap the talents of Contractors, Remodelers, Interior Designers, Occupational and Physical Therapists and other Health Care Professionals, Architects, Area Agency on Aging and other Advocates for Older Adults, Persons with Disabilities, Real Estate Professionals, Interested Consumers, and Representatives from Fairfax County Government Agencies.
Land Development Services in the Department of Public Works and
Environmental Services is the lead agency in response to a Board Matter
requesting a review and the formation of a study group to consider what
changes might be needed to County policies and/or regulations to advance
construction of more Universal Design housing. Staff from Land
Development Services, Planning and Zoning, Housing and Community
Development and the Planning Commission will be participating in the
study group along with representatives from the building industry.
The Fairfax County Coalition on Housing and Universal Design will
participate in cross-over meetings and activities with the DPWES UD Study
Group and plans to initiate efforts for community education and coalition
The mission of the coalition is to advocate for all homes in the county (renovations as well as new construction,) to be comfortable, safe, and convenient; and that they enhance the independence of residents of all ages, sizes and abilities.
We will accomplish this by:
- Promoting the merits of universal design features in housing
- Educating consumers about the benefits of universal design
- Leading advocacy efforts to affect public policy in support of universal design
- Increasing the building industry's knowledge of universal design,
Advocating for and promote the building of universal design
demonstration houses, apartments, and other business and related
structures as resource to assist us in accomplishing our goal of
community education.
Initial Coalition includes Fairfax County employees designated by an
asterisk (*)
Matt Barkley, Fairfax Disabiilty Services Planning & Development,
Ruth Benker, Fairfax County Citizen
Audrey Clark, Fairfax County Building Plan Review, DPWES*
Jeannie Cummins, Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board
Toni Clemons-Porter, Senior Housing, HCD*
Brent DeRobertis, Senior Abode
Bob Eiffert, Long Term Care Coordinating Council*
- Leon Harper, Universal Design Consultant
Desiree Hirsch, Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), Long &
Liz Jan, Om Casa Vaastu Architecture, CAPS
Shetal Kapoor, Customer Service Ombudsman
Jeffrey Levine, Levine Design Studio
James Mueller, Fairfax County Citizen
Amber Nightingale, AARP Virginia
- Eva Papaefthimiou, Property Management, HCD*
- Margot Squires, Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs
Leslie Wiechmann-Roddy, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging, DFS


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text: Cover by Fabiano Neves. Written by Brian Reed. Art by Walter Geovani. Covers by Fabiano Neves, Jackson Herbert and Paul Renaud! The countdown to issue #50 continues as events once again push Red Sonja towards a destiny unfilled! Continuing the quest for the Blood Dynasty, Sonja and Osin find themselves caught amongst the victims of the Dynasty and their very fate hangs in the balance! Cover price $2.99.


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Yanks knock three homers to make winner of Kuroda
Right-hander clamps down on Blue Jays after allowing early taters
NEW YORK -- Hiroki Kuroda was standing in the center of the diamond without his weapons, and the Yankees could sense there was trouble brewing, the sort that often spells an early night for a starting pitcher.
From his perch in the dugout, manager Joe Girardi suspected that Kuroda had no sinker, no slider -- not much of anything, really, to challenge hitters. But by the end of the night, Kuroda had come away with a win, as the Yankees defeated the Blue Jays, 5-3.
"This," Girardi said, "might be his best performance of the year."
Kuroda allowed three early runs but clamped the damage there, lasting for six innings. That was long enough for the cavalry to arrive, as Robinson Cano mashed a three-run homer, and the Yanks also got home run power from Vernon Wells and Francisco Cervelli.
Mariano Rivera pitched a scoreless ninth for his seventh save in as many opportunities, preserving the third victory of the year for Kuroda, who retired 13 of the last 14 batters he faced and did not permit a hit after the second inning.
"All I thought was, 'Just hang in there, pitch by pitch, and [you'll] be able to overcome,'" Kuroda said through an interpreter. "Considering how it started, I think I was able to put together a decent outing."
Kuroda said that he had to keep his focus and also put his trust in Cervelli's knowledge of the Blue Jays' scouting report, not flinching as the catcher called more and more breaking balls.
By the end of the third inning, Kuroda had discovered a slider he could work with, and that was enough to keep him off the ropes.
"We had some big hits off Kuroda early, but he settled in," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He's one of the great pitchers out there."
Edwin Encarnacion opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the first inning, and Brett Lawrie slugged a solo shot in the second to put the Jays up by three. But Kuroda held the Blue Jays to a total of six hits, walking one and striking out three.
"I think he started to take a little more time and throw pitches down," Cervelli said. "I started calling him a lot of breaking balls, too. Find a way to put him on the line, and he can throw his best pitch, the two-seam fastball. I always say he's a warrior. He tries to get more than five innings all the time."
The trio of homers came off Toronto starter Mark Buehrle, who was saddled with his first loss as a member of the Blue Jays.
Wells hit the first homer, putting one into the netting covering Monument Park in the second inning, and Cano gave New York the lead when he homered to right field with Jayson Nix and Brett Gardner aboard in the third.
The blast was Cano's seventh in his last 15 games; the sweet-swinging second baseman is batting .391 with 13 runs, six doubles and 17 RBIs over that span.
"He makes this game look so easy," Wells said. "You're getting a chance to watch somebody pretty special play this game. To me, there's some at-bats where he's not going to make an out. It doesn't matter what the pitcher throws him, it doesn't matter who's on the mound.
"It's just something where you have a feeling that he's fouling off some nasty pitches, and if he gets a pitch to hit, he's not going to miss it. Those kind of guys are the guys you pay to watch each and every night."
Cano's blast was his third off a left-hander this season, and he has homered in three of his last four games. He did not hit his seventh homer last season until May 26, his 46th game of the year.
"It doesn't surprise me," Gardner said. "I don't think it surprises anyone around here. He's a special player, a special hitter. It's a lot of fun to watch him hit."
Cervelli completed the power display by homering to left field in the fourth off Buehrle, who permitted seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. The lefty walked none and struck out three.
There were fireworks in the seventh inning, when Gibbons was ejected after the umpiring crew reversed a call on Ben Francisco, who was initially ruled out on a bunt to third base.
Francisco returned to first base when crew chief Jeff Kellogg ruled that Encarnacion had juggled the throw at first base, but the play was reduced to a footnote when Brad Lincoln retired the next two hitters to escape the inning.
"Our thought process," Kellogg said, "is [that] we're going to try to get the plays right. That's it."
Joba Chamberlain avoided a scare when he struck his pitching hand reaching for a Lawrie infield hit in the seventh. Chamberlain pitched a scoreless frame and David Robertson followed suit, getting the ball to Rivera for the ninth, and the Yankees logged their 11th victory in their last 16 games.
"We're finding a way to win," Gardner said. "Sometimes it isn't pretty, but we're taking advantage of the opportunities given to us."
Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Blue Jays activate Brett Lawrie
The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have returned infielder BRETT LAWRIE from his medical rehabilitation assignment in Dunedin of the Florida State League (A) and have activated him from the 15-day disabled list. He will fill the roster spot of STEVE TOLLESON who has been placed on the paternity list.
LAWRIE, 24, appeared in three games with Dunedin batting .400 (4-10) while rehabbing from a fractured right index finger suffered on June 22 in Cincinnati. In 69 games this season the right handed hitter is batting .244 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI.
TOLLESON, 30, is batting .246 through 73 games this season with three home runs and 13 RBI. He will be inactive for a minimum of one day and a maximum of three.


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iFact #57 - A Basic Overview of Website Templates, their Design, Uses and Other Elements
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Common Uses for Website Templates
Website templates can be used by any individual or organization to set up and design their website. Once a template has been downloaded, the user will replace all generic information included in the web template with their own personal, organizational or product information. Website templates can greatly reduce the time it takes to come up with an initial design. For those who feel unable to come up with a design of their own they can be invaluable. Some common uses for website templates and websites in general are the following:
Display personal information or daily activities as in a blog.
Sell products on-line.
Display information about a company or organization.
Display family history.
Display a gallery of photos.
Place music files such as mp3 on line for play through a web browser.
Place videos on-line for public viewing.
To setup a private login area on-line.
Effective Separation of Template Designs to Denote Website Types
A common goal among experienced web developers is to develop and deploy applications that are flexible and easily maintainable. An important consideration in reaching this goal is the separation of business logic from presentation logic. Developers use web template systems (with varying degrees of success) to maintain this separation.
One difficulty in evaluating this separation is the lack of well-defined formalisms to measure when and how well it is actually met. There are, however, fairly standard heuristics that have been borrowed from the domain of software engineering. These include 'inheritance' (based on principles of object-oriented programming) and the 'Templating and Generative programming' (consistent with the principles of MVC separation.) The precise difference between the various guidelines is subject to some debate, and some aspects of the different guidelines share a degree of similarity.
Flexible Presentation of Websites through Templates and Template Design
One major rationale behind "effective separation" is the need for maximum flexibility in the code and resources dedicated to the presentation logic. Client demands, changing customer preferences and desire to present a "fresh face" for pre-existing content often result in the need to dramatically modify the public appearance of web content while disrupting the underlying infrastructure as little as possible.
The distinction between "presentation" (front end) and "business logic" (infrastructure) is usually an important one, because: the presentation source code language may differ from other code assets; the production process for the application may require the work to be done at separate times and locations; different workers have different skill sets, and presentation skills do not always coincide with skills for coding business logic; code assets are easier to maintain and more readable when disparate components are kept separate and loosely coupled.
The Importance of Reusability in Website Templates
Not all potential users of website templates have the willingness and ability to hire developers to design a system for their needs. Additionally, some may wish to use the web but have limited or no technical proficiency. For these reasons, a number of developers and vendors have released web templates specifically for reuse by non-technical people. Although website template reusability is also important for even highly-skilled and technically experienced developers, it is especially critical to those who rely on simplicity and ready-made website templates / web solutions.
Such ready-made, pre-made or 'instant website' web templates are sometimes free, often made by an individual domestically. However, specialized web templates are sometimes sold online. Although there are numerous commercial sites that offer web templates for a licensing fee, there are also free and "open-source" sources as well. Nifter.com, for example, provides a large selection of website templates that can be downloaded and used in website designs absolutely free. For many people this is the ultimate solution.
Open Source Website Templates
The rise of the open source design movement has seen a slow but steady rise in the community of open source designers. Some sites offer open source templates in addition to other content. For the vast majority of people who do not have the time, desire or skills to create their own templates, a site offering free downloadable website templates such as Nifter.com is not only a viable, but easy and highly useful solution.
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Wi-Fi Goes Mainstream
Intel, IBM, AT&T didn't invent wireless broadband, but with Cometa Networks, they prove they get it. The high-speed rollout just got faster.
signal : 8.5
This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Contact firstname.lastname@example.com to report an issue.
The Return of John Poindexter
The Iran-Contra mastermind now runs the Orwellian Information Awareness Office. So much for our plausible deniability.
signal : 7.5
Face Transplant
A Brit doc says he's ready to go. Have Prince Charles' people call George Clooney's people.
noise : 5.5
Steve's Back
AOL chair Case goes on a charm offensive. Will he be around in a year? Ask Ted Turner.
noise : 3
Gray Goo
We already have fast-evolving, self-replicating micromonsters: bacteria. Somehow we've survived.
noise : 1.5


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Statement on wolves before the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission
Made by Mitch Friedman, executive director of Conservation Northwest
A statement on Washington's wolves by Mitch Friedman, executive director of Conservation Northwest, made before the WA Fish and Wildlife Commission, October 5, 2012.
Wolves are the new normal in Washington. They are going to be part of our state for the indefinite future. Conservation Northwest, along with three quarters of Washingtonians, celebrates this fact.
The removal of the Wedge Pack was tragic. The crisis might have been avoided if, in the early summer, the rancher had been open to adjusting his practices and the Department had been more firm and effective. Since we are all new to life with wolves, we shouldn't be surprised by mistakes. But Conservation Northwest's support of the Department's lethal removal decision in no way endorsed the efforts that led up to it. We only recognized that no better option existed to resolve a situation that had become damaging to the public support wolves need.
Conservation Northwest will never again support lethal action in the absence of both solid requirements for early action to avoid conflict, and a transparent record of good faith and timely cooperation by the rancher.
Wolf recovery must work for all concerned. Agriculture is a vital part of our region. Ranches provide food, open space and quality habitat for our wildlife. Some ranchers won't have the means to invest in the good animal husbandry techniques that are essential to reducing wolf conflicts. There is an essential role for the state and groups like mine in helping. Conservation Northwest has been and will continue to put our money where our mouth is, offering information and funding to ranchers who are ready to explore solutions that are allowing livestock and wolves to coexist in the Rockies.
The public has every right to demand that wolves – part of our lawful natural heritage – be respected. We have an even greater right expect those who graze livestock on our public lands to use the highest quality and predator-friendly stewardship. While individuals have the right to hate wolves, conservation groups and the government, they do not have the right to harm our resources. The consequences of sloppy ranching should be felt by the rancher, not the wolves.
Conservation Northwest remains committed to the wolf recovery plan. We see three keys to rapid recovery: First, retain strong protections for wolves, including high penalties for poaching. Second, double down on providing assistance to ranchers for good animal husbandry that reduces conflict. And third, let's get serious about colonization of the South Cascades, including through translocation.
Until wolves are recovered statewide, these keys must be our focus.


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Sales advisor
About Tesla
Palo Alto, California-based Tesla Motors designs and manufactures Electrical Vehicles and EV powertrain components. Tesla's goal is to produce a full range of electric cars from sports cars to mass-market vehicles and we are determined to decrease the cost of electric vehicles. We have designed, produced and delivered Tesla Roadsters to customers in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Model S, the world's first premium electric sedan is now being rolled out world-wide.
The Role
For our Sales Advisor position, we are looking for a self-starter who is a highly motivated, flexible, personable, energetic and highly organised. The Sales Advisor will report to the Senior Regional Sales Manager for their region. The successful candidate will be crucial in the launching the Model S in their market. They will be responsible for introducing the product to buyers and influencers and quickly growing the sales footprint of Model S in their market. This person will initially function independently with the use of a test drive car and mobile office. Within ~6-9 months they will be supplemented by a small showroom and service centre.
Tesla Motors is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, colour, age, sex, ancestry, marital status, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, present or past history of mental disability, genetic information or any other classification protected by state or federal law. A EU passport or work permit is required for this position.
United States
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San Carlos, CA 94070
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|Cleantech / Energy
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Matt Coffman doesn't question the intent of airport-area development guidelines included in new regulations that if approved by city and county officials could take effect next year. But as the co-owner of a business just a few hundred yards from the end of one of Smith Field's two runways, he has significant questions and concerns about some of the proposed means to that end.
Although development currently in place in the proposed "airport overlay districts" would be allowed to remain, "If I have a fire, under this proposal I would have to go through the new 'airport determination process' before I could rebuild," said Coffman, who is also chief operating officer and general manager of New process Corp., which makes industrial labels at its plant at 310 W. Cook Road.
If reconstruction is denied, will he be compensated the property he can no longer use? "Is this a land grab?" Coffman asks.
Not in the least, insists Scott Hinderman, Fort Wayne's executive director of airports.
Hinderman and officials with the county's Department of Planning Services, which is supervising revisions to development guidelines, say the proposals simply clarify what is already happening, and will help prevent incompatible land use near the city's two airports.
"The problem is that the planners ask us to review (everything). But I don't want to review a canopy for a gas station in downtown Fort Wayne. I don't care," Hinderman said.
So the proposed overlays create different zones surrounding the airports extending miles in every direction. In the closest two zones, 37 different uses – including hotels, day-care centers, country clubs, religious institutions and, yes, gas stations – will require special approval even if the land is properly zoned for those uses. In the zones farthest from the airports, only trailer parks and subdivisions require special approval. Coffman's business is located within the zone closest to Smith Field, which under the guidelines would allow planners to determine the height of his building should reconstruction be necessary.
That process is not as arbitrary as it may seem, Hinderman said. Local zoning laws already impose height guidelines, and state and federal regulations govern construction of tall structures near airports. And even if airport officials determine a project to be incompatible, the would-be developer can appeal that decision to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Fort Wayne International would itself be affected, since it owns hundreds of acres available for development.
"We'd even like to have a gas station one day," He said.
So despite vagueness of the proposed changes, it appears likely that any existing building could be rebuilt under the new guidelines. That's not a guarantee, but no such guarantee currently exists, either.
Still, as the owner of a company that employs 20 people and may one day want to expand its 24,000-square-foot plant, Coffman – a former Marion County planner who believes haven't sufficiently explained the proposal to the public — can't afford to take anything for granted. So he will wait and watch, as he should.
It's true that the "airport determination process" could be construed as an additional layer of bureaucracy at the very time city and county officials are supposedly working to promote development. But the near-demise of Smith Field is but one illustration of what can happen when development occurs in a vacuum.
In 2003, for example, airport officials expressed alarm when they learned a two-story house was under construction just 150 yeards from the end of a Smith Field runway. The following year, construction of 150 homes two miles from Fort Wayne International was threatened after airport officials expressed concerns about the Ashton Pointe neighborhood. In 2007 a 155-foot communications tower was proposed near a Smith Field runway, and in 2010 a proposed landfill southwest of Fort Wayne International also raised concerns.
For now, avoiding such real-world cases and the dangers they can create take priority over hypothetical problems that, should they materialize, can and should be corrected. People like Coffman will see to that.


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Brendon McCullum is bold by nature but the New Zealand cricket captain believes the team need to stick with the majority of the side mauled by South Africa in the recent test series when they face up to England next month.
The side will return home buoyed by their 2-1 one-day series win over South Africa but the scars inflicted on everyone (players and fans) in their heavy defeats in the two-test series will take time to heal.
They won't have much time to dwell on it as England, the No 2 test side, are due to arrive in New Zealand tomorrow night.
England take on New Zealand in three T20 and three one-day internationals before three tests in the ANZ series. The Black Caps have proved they are competitive in limited-overs cricket, despite their lowly ranking, but will come under the microscope in the test series against a side who beat India 2-1 in the test series in the sub-continent.
Former captain Ross Taylor and strike bowler Tim Southee will come back into the side but McCullum doesn't think too many other changes should be made.
Jesse Ryder has decided he is not ready for a return despite a meeting with coach Mike Hesson scheduled for tomorrow.
"I think it's important for the test guys who had the opportunity to learn from these games [against South Africa] to be given the opportunity to implement some of the things they have learned," McCullum said.
"There are obviously some of our key players to come back into the fold but it would be nice to protect the core group of that team to show we have learned from the experiences we have had.
"We will have some of the one-day guys knocking on the door but I think the test guys will be determined to increase their performances as well."
Taylor, who scored four and 52 in his comeback match for Central Districts this week, will probably replace Colin Munro and Southee is likely to come in for Neil Wagner from the side beaten by an innings and 193 runs in the second test.
Spinner Jeetan Patel is also vulnerable and, with Daniel Vettori still injured, could be replaced by Bruce Martin, who toured South Africa but collected the unflattering figures of 3-230 in his last outing for Auckland. Leg-spinner Todd Astle, who toured Sri Lanka last year, is another option but seems to have fallen out of favour.
The only other change could see McCullum drop down the batting order to No 5 in place of Daniel Flynn, who could swap with McCullum to open alongside the out-of-sorts Martin Guptill. Flynn scored 166 opening for Northern Districts against Auckland on Friday and has either been told to open in Plunket Shield cricket or taken it upon himself to shift up the order.
McCullum has had a lean time opening recently - he had a disappointing tour of South Africa all-round with only one score over 50 in 10 innings against the Proteas - and hasn't scored a test century since his 225 against India in Hyderabad in November 2011. That tour signalled his shift to opening - he's had two series since at either No3 or No4 - and he's made noises about a move back down the order.
McCullum has scored 947 runs as an opener at an average of 35.07, which is slightly inferior to his overall average of 35.12, but that number drops to 27.77 without his double ton against India. He has also averaged only 25.67 in his last 12 test innings with two half centuries.
"I want to improve my numbers, my output as a batsman as well as the captaincy and make sure I am really contributing strongly as a leader but also a batsman in this team," McCullum said on the eve of the final one-dayer.
- Michael Brown


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Please note that the vinyl is heavily scratched and may damage your turntable. Spin at your own risk!
Beautifully crafted 12" disc with crazy engravings, illustrations and a genuine autographed 500 Danish kroner bill in each copy.
Format: LPCatalogue Number: FR-86Release: 1.1.2011
mailing list contact where to buy?
Hosted by Woima


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This is one bright dude.
Since he is "turning to Jesus" to help him with the little ole dog fighing thing, maybe he can schedule a little extra time with the Lord to get sober.
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This is one bright dude.
Since he is "turning to Jesus" to help him with the little ole dog fighing thing, maybe he can schedule a little extra time with the Lord to get sober.
And yet, I remain completely unsurprised. It's just comical at this point.
Vick's attorney also represents Sen. Larry Craig....wow...he better be getting paid pretty well to represent those two scumbags.
This is the darkest timeline.
Interesting development with the Vick testing positive story...
http://100percentinjuryrate.blogspot...educe-his.htmlMike Vick might just be so stupid he's brilliant. It seems that by getting caught smoking pot, Vick may have actually reduced his future jail time.
The obvious question here is - what the hell are you talking about?
The guy who runs Derrich.com heard a guy on a San Antonio radio show say that there is an obscure federal legal loophole that Vick might be able to take advantage of by having tested positive for marijuana.
Here is how Vick can reduce his jail time according to Derrich:
By taking advantage of an obscure Federal Bureau of Prisons (B.O.P.) Rotational/Developmental Assignment Program (R.D.A.P.) loophole 18 U.S.C. 3621 Vick could possibly reduce his sentence by one year. This documented instance of substance abuse apparently qualifies Vick for this reduction upon completion of a treatment program.
And here's what the statute says:
Period of custody The period a prisoner convicted of a nonviolent offense remains in custody after successfully completing a treatment program may be reduced by the Bureau of Prisons, but such reduction may not be more than one year from the term the prisoner must otherwise serve.
According to the owner of American Prison Consultants - which is a somewhat seedy looking site, but specializes in reducing the jail time of white collar criminals - this is not BS. Here's what he said:
"If you can show you had a substance abuse issue 1 year prior to entering custody you can get UP TO A YEAR knocked off your federal sentence."
A couple of lawyers we know also vouched for this potential outcome. The APC guy also said that 6 months of prison time can be served in a half-way house - which is much, much better than being in prison.
Vick could qualify for this loophole because he failed his recent drug test. Of course now the question is did Vick actually smoke pot on purpose? I'd like to think Ron Mexico spent many a night buried in the Harvard Law library looking for this loophole, but I doubt it. Maybe he just has the greatest legal team in history, but that seems unlikely as well.
If the judge is lenient (which might be less likely now considering the positive marijuana test) and Vick is sentenced to a year and a half in jail, he might never actually set foot in prison and only spend 6 months in a half-way house.
All I know is if I ever have to plead guilty to a federal crime, I'm going to puff a huge doobie in the court room as I plead out.
Of course, Vick still has to worry about state charges, but hey, he's one step closer to his triumphant return to the NFL.
This is the darkest timeline.


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Hello everyone, within the last year or so our town has put a small 9 hole par 27 disc golf course into our local park. It has been an AMAZING thing for the town as i see many many people out playing all the time and have gotten to know quite a large ammount of people just by playing every day for hours.
But back on topic, i'v really wanted to start up some kind of "Leauge" or whatever you would call it, basicly so the community can know more about disc golf and just see how awesome it is, the only problem is i do not know where to start.
People i would like to reach out too:
-Community (just your average day person that loves to play disc golf)
-Churches/Companies (General Electric has a group of employes that already go over and have played in there own litle tournament ect. and churches have little groups that play once a week)
Basicly i just want to have a big get together like 3 times a week where we can keep track of everyones scores, (i would personally work on that via Excl)
and just give people a chance to get to know one another from our community and just get together and have a great time playing disc.
So basicly i'm just looking for some advice about this, where i should start, where i should look, who i should contact (i'm going to write a letter to discraft and see what they could do to help us out)
Thanks for reading and i hope i can get some great responces from the comunity, as i am looing forward to being apart of this Forum Community.
(excuse my bad spelling and bad grammar)


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Get excited about reading again with fun and interesting tips from our experts, including The M.D., our dietitians, and our fitness expert. In our health library, you will find all of the information you need to achieve your goals of making a healthy lifestyle change. So, start reading and start losing!
Seasonal Diet Tips
Explore our expert knowledge on topics such as healthy eating during the holidays, and how to live into a happier and healthier you in the New Year. Discover tips and tricks on how to avoid weight gain at holiday parties and while on vacation.
Bariatric Physician Dr. Caroline Cederquist, M.D. Explains That Halloween Candy Is Not the Enemy
NAPLES, Florida--October 30-- It's that time of year again. October 31st is a night of many frights. Children are scared by haunted houses and ghost stories and parents are more scared by the stash of candy their kids bring home. According to weight loss specialist and mother of four, Caroline Cederquist, M.D., Halloween candy is nothing to be afraid of. "I really do think that we need to enjoy life and enjoy the celebrations and Halloween candy is part of that."
Dr. Cederquist emphasizes the importance of eating what you want in moderation. "Make it a small serving that your child can truly enjoy and take their time eating." Making Halloween candy off limits just reinforces the idea that sweets are a magical treat worth hiding, sneaking, or stealing from friends. If you allow Halloween candy in moderation, you'll be teaching your children portion size instead of instilling in them a desire for something for coveted treats.
Many adults think of Halloween candy as the enemy in their own lives, too. Dr. Cederquist explains that a great way to limit candy for you or your child is with fun size bags. "There have been studies showing that if people have a huge pound bag of M&Ms they will eat more even if they don't finish the bag. However, if you give your child one of the fun-sized bags of M&Ms and tell them to savor and enjoy it, then they will take a lot longer time eating it and be just as satisfied. That works for adults, too."
Conversations about Halloween candy, Thanksgiving dinners, and Christmas pies should be foregone in exchange for discussions about everyday diets. What the average person consumes on a holiday is harmless compared to what many eat the rest of the year. Indulging on special days is common and completely acceptable if your regular diet is balanced and nutritious.
"We should be more concerned with what we're eating on a daily basis," says Christina Shatlock, registered dietitian for diet delivery company bistro MD. "The long term effects of one night of candy are insignificant." "Lifetimes of unhealthy habits, on the other hand, are worth making a fuss about."
Enjoy your Halloween candy and get your frights elsewhere. A few fun-sized candies are nothing to fear.
Simply answer a few questions so we can figure out your weight loss goals and provide solutions for a lighter, healthier you. Our weight loss meal plans are designed to help real people achieve real and lasting success.
Get free support to help you lose weight and be healthy with our Weekly Dish on Health.
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As played by Anthony Hopkins in the upcoming motion picture, Thor...
For a great selection of superhero action figures and collectibles, check out fine sponsors BigBadToyStore.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, ToyDorks.com, PastGenerationToys.com, Urban-Collector.com, SmallJoes.com, HobbyLinkJapan.com, and Sekaido.com.
To insure your action figure collection, get in touch with our sponsor Collectibles Insurance.
Following the launch of their Marvel Movie Masterpiece Thor, Hot Toys presents ODIN as played by Anthony Hopkins in the upcoming motion picture.
The 1/6th scale Odin Limited Edition Collectible Figurine specially features:
- Authentic and detailed fully realized likeness of Anthony Hopkins as Odin in the Thor movie
- Muscular body with over 30 points of articulations
- Two (2) styles of hair sculpture, including one (1) for normal occasion and one (1) for wearing helmet
- Movie-accurate facial expression with detailed wrinkles, skin texture and beard
- Right eye with undetachable eye mask
- Eight (8) pieces of interchangeable palms including:
- One (1) pair of fists
- One (1) pair for holding spear
- One (1) piece of left palm with pointing finger
- Three (3) pieces of relaxed palms including two (2) left palms with different gestures and one (1) right palm
- One (1) undetachable red cape
- One (1) brown upper long-sleeved outfit with stripes and leather-like details on arms
- One (1) pair of brown pants with stripes
- One (1) copper-colored upper body armor with silver-colored circle plates on the front part
- One (1) pair of copper-colored forearm armors
- One (1) pair of dark brown boots with brown- and silver-colored stripes
- One (1) champagne-colored electroplated movie-accurate Gungnir ("The Spear of Heaven")
- One (1) copper-colored movie-accurate helmet
- Figure stand with Odin nameplate and the movie logo
- Head Sculpted by GOX - Eom Jea Sung
- Head Painted by JC. Hong
- Head Art Directed by Kojun
Release Date: Q2, 2011
**Prototype shown, final product may be slightly different


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Welcome to the Muppet Central Forum!
You are viewing our forum as a guest. Join our free community to post topics and start private conversations. Please contact us if you need help with registration or your account login.
Carlo Alban's greatest fear while working on Sesame
Discussion in 'Sesame Street' started by dwmckim, Mar 16, 2011.
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Tulo sits for second straight day with groin strain
DENVER -- Troy Tulowitzki's two-day absence from the lineup with right groin tightness is not being influenced by the Rockies' recent struggles. Even if the club were in the midst of a hot streak, manager Walt Weiss said the injury is serious enough to keep the All-Star shortstop on the bench.
"What he's feeling right now is legitimate enough that he wasn't going to be able to play through it regardless," Weiss said.
Weiss added that Tulowitzki was feeling "much better" compared to Friday. "It's possible he could be in there [Sunday], but I'd say it's more 50-50," Weiss said.
Tulowitzki was originally labeled day to day after straining the groin legging out an infield single in the sixth inning of Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Dodgers. Tulowitzki pleaded his case to Weiss and remained in that game, but the manager said he would have used a pinch-runner if Tulowitzki would have reached base again.
Tulowitzki has been exceptionally healthy this season, which has allowed him to lead the Majors in batting average (.350) and on-base percentage (.441). Much of that can be credited to Weiss' commitment to a more cautious maintenance program for Tulowitzki.
"He's pretty in tune with his body and some of the history he's had," Weiss said. "I try to be in tune with it also. It's worked well as far as trying to keep him fresh and staying out in front of some of these things. But he's pretty tight and sore so he could use a couple of days."
Cody Ulm 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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Truth be told, I think there's a better chance that Lavoy Allen joins Solomon Hill in street clothes than there is of him joining the rotation.
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Truth be told, I think there's a better chance that Lavoy Allen joins Solomon Hill in street clothes than there is of him joining the rotation.
Any interest in Richard Jefferson, Caron Butler or Ben Gordon if they're bought out?
I haven't seen them play this year but Jefferson and Butler have both been money from 3. It looks like Caron Butler doesn't shut anything but 3's. And Ben Gordon's numbers are terrible but I remember that dude being able to shoot when he was on the Bulls. Maybe catch lightning in a bottle with him and use Turner at the 3?
As far as what we have now, I'm kind of hoping Turner plays some with the starters in place of Lance since Stephenson already runs the 2nd unit a lot anyways. Continue starting Stephenson so he's credited as a starter but end up running him a lot with the 2nd unit while Turner plays some with the 1st unit.
Ben Gordon and Caron Butler are intriguing to me out of that group, but I don't see how they come here and play in front of any of the current rotation. There's always healthy issues, however. I do think that maybe Miami would choose one of those folks over a bought out DG, which I'd be glad about if it worked out that way.
We don't have any open roster spots. So if we sign a buyout guy, we have to waive someone on the team currently.
Rasual Butler is gone.
But if we're not going to play him or Solomon Hill, at the 2 or 3, I don't think it would hurt to pick up another 2 or 3 that can shoot and play more than a couple minutes a night. I don't really want Copeland at the 3.
Jefferson or Caron
I always thought OJ would fill out the one of the 5 back up slots but that didn't happen. I don't think it would be a bad thing to have another shooter off the bench. Again, that's if we're not going to actually use Rasual. Jeffeson is averaging 26.8 minutes in 53 games and Caron is averaging 24.1 minutes in 31 games. I wouldn't mind having one of those guys for 10 minutes off the bench.
Playoff rotation is already nine deep and that is not counting Mahinmi or Copeland. Don't see where it makes sense to put someone else in the mix unless they are clear upgrade over Watson or Turner who would then have to sit IMO.
That's assuming everyone is healthy though. The same could be said for foul trouble. Depth is never a bad thing.
What if George, Lance or Turner get hurt? Now you're looking to Rasual, Solomon or Copeland to contribute.
Ben Gordon can no longer elevate or move well enough to get his shot off in NBA. Who knows, maybe he is still good shooter in practice... But NOT in game, not while being defended. That's why he is riding the pine in Bobcats.
Hopefully LaVoy will stick with the team and get some significant playing time going forward, but absent injury, I expect only spot minutes.
Last edited by Grimp; 02-21-2014 at 02:36 PM.
I could be wrong...........but I believe Evan was brought it to back up Lance. If he backs up PG, that means Lance will still be playing with our bench. And the whole point of the trade, was to solidify Lance with our starters as a facilitator, and playmaker. And have Evan be that for the 2nd unit. Separate responsibility, as opposed to shared.
I don't think the interesting thing is who will be in the rotation. But what interests me is replacing Danny with Turner brings another ball handler/creator into the rotation. Likely will see less of Lance with the bench - that might be on purpose.
Caron? Sure. Ben Gordon? No, and Richard Jefferson? HELL NO.
EXACTLY! Lance will take a seat when most of the other starters go out. As opposed to pulling double duty. This trade was to make us more versatile, give us an offensive punch....and keep Lance fresh for playoff time. Pulling double duty all season is gonna wear him down too much.
I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Vogel tried Cope at the 3. Or Butler. I wouldn't be surprised to see a 10 man rotation. Cope/Butler would bring that outside threat that Turner doesn't and would give someone for him to create good looks for. He attacks the basket and needs shooters out around him. I think we see a little less Lance, which is probably a good thing right now. Just a gut feeling.
I hope he plays Allen at the four or the five. Lavoy needs to be on the floor to off-set Scola's slowness and or Ian's lack of offensive game.
I'll be curious to see how many minutes Turner gets. He's still young and healthy, so if Frank wanted to he could easily divided the wing minutes 36/36/36 between Paul, Lance, and Evan. It'd be great if Evan played well enough to deserve that. Otherwise, you can fill time there with Lance at the 3 with Hill and Watson playing together, playing Butler or Solomon, or some would say play Cope but I still think he's viewed as a PF by this coaching staff, so I'd be surprised if he played there.
I really hope you're right but I seriously doubt it.Vogel should have been doing that all along. Lance with the bench makes himself the #1 option which IMO has been bad for the bench. I can't see Vogel changing that much when he couldn't see this all along.
I know the staff says they view Cope as a PF, but if he is our best shooter off the bench, and clearly can play the three, I see no reason not to play him there. Not like we are asking him to guard LeBron. Just hit threes.
Actually that is Butler not Cope, and so far this season it hasn't really been all that close.
The thing is... he's that bad defensively on the perimeter. Bigger/slower AND gets lost. Deadly combination. At the 4, less movement (less chance of getting lost), slower guys, and he's not bad at guarding on the block. That's where he needs to be.


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The sudden and tragic death of Teal Pomeroy has left this community stunned.
The loss is deeply felt because he was in the prime of his life. He was only 42 and had accomplished so much.
But what adds to the pain is that he epitomized the phrase "local boy.'
Pomeroy grew up in Chiefland, attended school here and had lifelong friends made in those 12 years of going to class. He loved the woods and waters that are so plentiful in Levy County. And he took full enjoyment in them.
Copyright © 2017
The Chiefland Citizen is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Levy County and Chiefland Florida, and the surrounding area.


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It's easy to forget Jason Pominville. He doesn't run guys over, he's polite and non-controversial in his interviews, and doesn't make waves off the ice. We can't even make fun of his haircut anymore. Before this year, how many players on the team would you go through before you got to Pominville, if a new fan asked "Who are the Sabres' best players?" Remember even Bryan Murray, asked about Pominville's magical short-handed OT series winning goal, asked about how a player got behind the D like that, answered "It's Jason Pominville". We as fans have called him overrated, overpaid, and have hoped he'd be traded for someone, anyone else. Eyebrows were raised when he was given the C, for sure.
It's pretty clear that maybe Lindy and Darcy knew more than we did about the room and Jason. 68 points in 77 games, 5 game winning goals, while facing the tough minutes each night. That strip of Ovechkin last night, and the comments after the game about the team wanting to impose their will on Washington, speak volumes to his leadership by example. He works hard every time you see him. We need to do a better job of remembering Pominville. I bet Ovechkin doesn't forget him for a while. Just like Bryan Murray.


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MARY POPPINS Celebrates 5 Years on Broadway, 11/16
MARY POPPINS continues to fly high, celebrating five magical years on Broadway on Wednesday, November 16 (previews began October 14, 2006 at the New Amsterdam Theatre). MARY POPPINS is the third Disney Theatrical Productions show (following Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King) and the fifth Cameron Mackintosh show (joining Cats, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon) to play five or more years on Broadway.
With six productions produced on three continents, MARY POPPINS is one of the biggest stage musical successes to emerge from London or New York in recent years. Worldwide to date, the show has grossed over $644 million and welcomed 9.3 million guests.
The success of the Broadway production is particularly striking; since it opened, no Broadway show has achieved its financial success or spawned nearly the global franchise as that of MARY POPPINS. With attendance of over 3 million theatergoers in five years, it has been seen by more people in that period than any Broadway show except Wicked and The Lion King. With a gross of over $246 million to date, only five mega-hits in Broadway history (The Lion King; The Producers; Mamma Mia!; Jersey Boys and Wicked) have grossed more by their fifth anniversary.
In celebration of the fifth anniversary of MARY POPPINS on Broadway, Mary Poppins will "flip the switch" and light the world-famous Empire State Building's tower lights with the signature color of the production. The landmark spire will shine blue in honor of Mary's 5th anniversary on Broadway Tuesday, November 15.
MARY POPPINS stars Steffanie Leigh in her Broadway debut as the title role, and the West End and Broadway's original Bert, Tony Award nominee Gavin Lee. The Broadway cast also features Karl Kenzler as George Banks, Megan Osterhaus as Winifred Banks, Rachel Izen as Mrs. Brill, Ruth Gottschall as Miss Andrew, Andrew Keenan-Bolger as Robertson Ay, Ann Arvia as Bird Woman and Jonathan Freeman as Admiral Boom. Alternating in the role of Jane banks are Rozi Baker, Brigid Harrington and Kara Oates; alternating in the role of Michael Banks are Lewis Grosso, David Gabriel Lerner and Anthony Scarpone-Lambert.
A co-production by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, this stage production is based on P.L. Travers' cherished stories and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film and includes the film's Academy Award®-winning music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. MARY POPPINS was created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who wrote the book; Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre; and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who composed new songs and additional music and lyrics.
MARY POPPINS received its worldwide premiere at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End in December 2004. Following its successful three-year London run, the production launched an acclaimed U.K. tour.
The Broadway production of MARY POPPINS officially opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on November 16, 2006, recouping its initial Broadway investment within 52 weeks of its premiere in 2006. MARY POPPINS is the only show from the 2006-2007 theatrical season still running.
The MARY POPPINS North American tour has also garnered continuous critical praise and achieved box office success since its launch in Chicago in March 2009, playing 33 cities and grossing $124 million to date.
The musical is the winner of 44 major theatre awards around the globe, including Tony®, Olivier, Helpmann and Evening Standard awards.
In addition to Broadway and the North American tour, MARY POPPINS can also be seen in Sydney, Australia (at the Capitol Theatre). Productions of MARY POPPINS have also been mounted in Finland, Netherlands, Denmark and the Czech Republic. Demonstrating the breadth of the show's appeal, the next production is scheduled to open in Estonia.
For tickets, show information and performance schedule, call Ticketmaster's Disney on Broadway hotline at 866-870-2717 or visit MaryPoppins.com


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Raymond Caux has been hang gliding since 1984, French team member in three world championships from 2003 to 2007 and team leader from 2007 to 2011. With some on-board experience (forgotten to hook in, broken glider while aerobatic training), he has been involved in safety concerns since 2007, member of the Hang Gliding Committee from 2009 to 2011 and CIVL Safety Officer from 2012 to 2017. Here he proposes a track to improve further our safety.
So what? After reading all these articles, what to keep for one's everyday practice? That is the aim of this text, trying to pick the essential points in safety advices to build a usable down-to-earth (or up-to-air) strategy.
Mike Meier states that external observers may be right when they think our sport is dangerous. Being complacent toward our practice, we become dangerous too.
Greg Hamerton proposes a competitor strategy: cut the situation to assess into slices, raise the level for each slice and then the overall safety is improved.
David O'Hare explains that in the long run, the human nature can not be changed and human mistakes will happen with absolute certainty.
Brian Germain says we should consider our stay in the sport from further away. Instead of focusing on medals or results, value more just a lifelong enjoyment.
Bert Willing analyses what goes wrong with our behaviour and wonders why do champions kill themselves? He shows that we deal quite poorly with stress.
Vic Napier tells us there is a hope: we can educate our risk assessment means to have them react in a better way when we need it, in extreme situations.
Bruce Schneier, Ian MacCammon and Vic Napier somehow destroy our self-confidence, showing how easily we are trapped by our own flaws.
Some points are common in these texts. At first the readers have become interested in that matter. Maybe after some close call, they start having doubts about their own strategy, and look for litterature. Since aviation and psychology are already quite old, the articles presented in this section are only a set among a huge resource of very serious articles, studies and essays.
There are also common ways of sorting safety issues among airsports. Usually one considers 90% of accidents come from human factor and 10% from equipment; in those 10%, some may still come from human factor, someone else's. Anyway it is clear the human represents a decisive part in the accidents causes. A Lufthansa study says airliner pilots make one mistake every hour. Those are professional pilots, logging more than 10000 flight hours, regularly trained with all possible simulators, both individually and as crew, and still they make mistakes.
Recreational pilots are far from reaching this experience, but still in sports like general aviation, gliding or skydiving, they practice in structures where safety information is displayed. It is different for isolated hang glider or paraglider pilots, who may fly during long periods totally alone in remote places. Therefore it is particularly important they learn to have a good framework and a good mindset.
Until now, only the human factor is referred to among safety concerns in the learning syllabus. The purpose of the articles mentioned above is to open a door toward better understanding our tools to deal with risk and safety. A typical problem anyone can feel is "accidents happen to all". We all agree it is true in principle, but without admitting it, we think at the same time they are general words, and in our own case we have our magic armor: "I'm carefull, I wouldn't make such a mistake". During mandatory safety briefings in world championships, pilots usually do not listen. These briefings are long, boring, "they" always repeat the same things, actually "they" are obliged to. Like the life jacket briefing in a plane, oh no, not again...
So we are in this mindset: airsports are dangerous, but if we are cautious and do it seriously, we will get through. Most accidents tend to enhance that, because there was a mistake, we would not have made it. Very seldom, the victim was a champion who did not make any visible mistake. Then we start having doubts. Some stop flying or change airsport. Some stop only for a while, some do not. But a new question appears: "It went wrong with this very good pilot, known to be careful, it could have been me". This is the key point. The difference is essential, because our mindset has now changed. We are now sincerely believing it can happen to us if we keep on in complacency. Then we will start looking at our strategy, equipment, movements, decisions, with new eyes, like watching ourselves from outside. We become less confident in ourselves, we check everything twice.
From another perspective, the magic armor is what it is called, magic: an illusion. Accidents happen only to others, not to us. But all those who died from an accident were thinking that too. It has even a scientific name: the optimism bias. One among many flaws in our brain, and it is important to become conscious they exist. Murphy's law for airsports could be: if it can fail, it will fail, and kill. If we do not believe in magic, we must check every step of our learning, of our procedures, every mm of our equipment, and seek how it could fail. We must change for clean behaviours and equipment, we must learn from our (not own but as a community) mistakes. Donald Berwick (USA, medicist) says: "Every system is perfectly designed to achieve exactly the results it gets". It means that accidents result from the system's operation and were predictable from the beginning. System can be translated here as organization, procedure, equipment or all that together.
The event that triggered my switching process was forgetting to hook in during a competition in 1992. I had an infallible procedure, never move my glider unhooked and watch the carabiner before launching, but that time, for very good reasons, I skipped both steps and was just lucky someone told it before I ran. Rollin Fairbanks (USA, another medicist) says: "Human component is the least reliable component of any system". When we understand we make such big mistakes too, then we can start assuming definitely what we really are, especially in panic... Any procedure will be followed by a human, precisely the least reliable part of our aircraft. We should search more foolproof strategies.
Another way to see it is to consider luck. There are many hot events each year, or in a pilot's career, some incidents, and few accidents. An accident is basically an unlucky incident, luck or unluck being more or less the only difference between the two categories. Now let us, on the contrary, consider incidents are lucky accidents. There are many incidents and even more events, meaning that we are often lucky, huh...
A new example, true story of course: in the northern French (or Basque) Pyrenees, south-north ridges coming down from the Spanish border toward the flatlands, ten pilots fly with a 40km/h west wind forecast. Eventually the wind comes in, one pilot lands hanging under his chute, the other ones land more normally. With the usual point of view, he was unlucky to tumble and break his rigid wing, but with the "lucky accidents" way of thinking, there were ten miracles in one single day. That is a lot.
In an article about choosing skydiving equipment, Bill Booth (USA, inventor of not less than the hand deploy, 3-ring release and all-on-the-back harness design) states: "So many fatalities occur because of decisions jumpers make before even getting in the airplane". In other words: fail to plan, plan to fail.
And we must remain aware that our wing loading is among the lowest of all aircraft (the birds also, but they have others tricks), leaving us very much like a cork in the swell. It can happen (and unfortunately happens) that a shear be stronger than any quick or good or strong pilot's input, just because the airmass not always respects our gliders' limits. In this type of situation, the only safe option would have been not to fly. Those cases are so rare we feel that we can overcome any weird event, but that is just wrong. A joke among paraglider pilots is: "What is the hardest in paragliding? - The ground...", by the way it is true for all aviation.
To sum up, as long as we are self-confident, we may be complacent with our equipment, analyses, decisions, and when we begin to doubt, we are probably organizing better for our safety. What Greg Hamerton says about the layers between us and the ground can be transferred to our whole practice: let us add layers between us and the accident. Let us go back to school to improve our skills (a good landing is not an achievement, it is only normal with the right moves...), choose a glider suited to our level or below, have a well serviced equipment, glider, harness, rescue parachute (right size), helmet, check the weather, and be ready to do something else and "fly another day".
Our body is fragile, only a 20km/h shock against a wall does not forgive. Our marvelous brain is fragile too, so easily fooled by false all right feelings until it is too late. Let us not only agree with "accidents can happen to us too", but accept it deeply and take it into account to change our behaviour. It is an essential step to become still safer. Flying is a miracle, but life is still a greater miracle. Even the best run out of luck sometimes. Let us leave luck in peace.
Raymond Caux


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"What we got from this is the state has had the opportunity to see where the laws have been broken,' Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller Sharon Bock said at the time, "and frankly, it is in large part thanks to the work of the defense attorneys.
We cited April Charney from the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and Peter Ticktin and many others wonderful attorneys who have taken bank officers' depositions, challenged judges rulings and fought the good fight for the Florida homeowner.
#4 — Cracked! Humpty Dumpty, Chase and GMC, the Bank Fraud Foreclosure Crisis Continues to Fall!
Somewhere along the line, the overly ambitious bankers on Wall Street had the "great idea" of slicing and dicing the interest of the Promissory Note and literally severing it from your Mortgage. Why? Convenience,expediency, and, arguably, greed. And much like Humpty Dumpty after his great fall, the banks couldn't bring the mortgages and their corresponding Notes all back together again. The banks were accused of fraud and perjury trying to do just that.
# 3 — Housing Market Poll: When Will Florida Recover?
If Americans are right, 2012 will finally be the magic year for the housing market. Over 2,000 adults were polled by Trulia and RealtyTrac , and the majority, 22 percent, said most Americans think the housing market will fully recover in the new year. A mere 10 percent thought a recovery would happen this year, while nearly a quarter of those surveyed predicted a bumpy road until 2015 and beyond.
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|Strength of Schedule Report
May 22, 2013
Fantasy Freestyle
Cool Slider, Bro
Nick Swisher is one of my favorite players in baseball to watch play the game because I appreciate how he works a count and genuinely seems to enjoy playing the game. My favorite part about his game actually comes off the field, because he is comedic gold when you get him talking on a topic he is excited about. Take his recent assessment of teammate Justin Masterson.
Swisher was asked by Bud Shaw of the Cleveland Plain Dealer to describe teammate Justin Masterson in three words, and in the most Swisher response ever, he replied, "Power sinker, bro." Swisher expanded his bro-view of the hurler by adding, "What's really impressive is the number of strikeouts he's had. Look at any great team and it starts with that number-one guy."
Not all number-one starters are created equal, but that is what Masterson has become for Cleveland in 2013. He entered the season with just 39 career wins against 53 losses, a 4.17 ERA, and a 1.39 WHIP. Anyone who has owned Masterson has been frustrated by his inability to lose the mayorship of Splitsville, because he has been extremely efficient in retiring right-handed hitters but has continually struggled to limit lefties.
Coming into 2013, right-handed hitters had a career 602 OPS against Masterson while left-handed hitters enjoyed a lofty 784 OPS, built on a .287 batting average. His career strikeout rate against right-handed hitters was just over 23 percent, but that rate fell to just 14 percent against left-handed hitters. This season, Masterson has changed his ways and has seen a change in results through his first 10 starts.
Masterson has offered some insight into what he is doing differently to beat writers this season. He disclosed the following to Stephanie Storm of the Akron Beacon Journal last month while discussing sub-par outings in 2012:
"During those starts, I noticed everything was going good and then I remembered thinking, 'Now I'm going to try to get a little more on this [pitch], do a little more,' " he said. "And all of a sudden, the ball flattened out. Instead of me just being happy with [throwing] 90, 91 [mph] and just pitching, I tried to ramp it up."
Masterson is only three starts into this season, but at 3-0 with a 0.41 ERA and riding a 19 consecutive scoreless innings streak, he's proving he's mastered the tough lesson of trying to do too much last year.
"A lot of what led to my troubles last year is when I'd get a little excited, I'd overthrow and get under a lot of pitches," he said. "So my goal coming into this season was just to kind of slow down a little bit and keep the effort level down.
"I've learned that I don't have to look up and throw 96, 97 mph. Maybe every once in a while. But for the most part, I can live with a little bit less and then find [the added velocity] when I need it. That way I'm pitching and not trying to just blow it by hitters."
Masterson's delivery does not look much different, but it is also a delivery that Doug Thorburn gave a C+ to in the Starting Pitching Guide he co-authored with Paul Sporer. Masterson's poorest grade came on his momentum and consistency, both of which were scored as 40s on a 20-80 scale. The final comment on the pitcher in the guide said, "Masterson's struggles with repeating his stride and his timing resulted in a plethora of missed targets throughout the season, as the right-hander's near-sidearm slot produces pitches that tend to miss off the edges when his timing goes astray."
In reviewing some game footage from this season and comparing it to last season, Masterson's delivery does seem to have better pace and timing, which is allowing him to repeat his delivery more consistently. Manager Terry Francona told Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that Masterson's success in 2013 comes from a few things. Francona credited Masterson's ability to throw two different fastballs and mix in a changeup, but also noted the pitcher's slider, which has improved both in terms of quality and location.
The changes in pitch outcomes from 2012 to 2013 for Masterson, to date, are rather extreme. First, his overall numbers side by side:
Now, those same outcomes separated into platoon splits:
Masterson has taken his already-strong results against right-handed hitters to a different level, striking them out at an incredible pace while throwing more strikes and creating more swings and misses. Against left-handed hitters, he has found more success striking them out than last season while walking fewer hitters and getting more empty swings.
Here, the slider that Francona was talking about comes into play:
The pitch has always been good for him, but it has been downright lethal this season in terms of outcomes. He has thrown 167 of his 290 sliders to left-handed hitters this season, and has allowed just three hits in 42 plate appearances. In terms of location, Masterson is knocking on both the front and back door with his slider with regularity this season to left-handed hitters; last season, he mainly tended to back-foot the pitch to lefties. Francona mentioned this in his interview with Hoynes:
"He can back door a left-hander with it or wrap it around his ankle. Or he can freeze a right-hander. It gives him a lot of options."
Masterson has allowed two or fewer runs in six of his 10 starts this season, only running into bad outings against Boston and Kansas City. A mixture of delivery tweaks, sequencing, and location have led to the best results of Masterson's career through to this point. While it is unreasonable to expect the league to continue to have a sub-250 OPS against his slider the rest of the season, the early returns on a cheap hurler on draft day are pretty awesome, bro.
Jason Collette is an author of Baseball Prospectus.
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