Hopefully everyone had an enjoyable and safe weekend. Perhaps you may have over-eaten or inhaled many things you wish you hadn’t post consumption. Maybe you feel bloated, a bit sick to your stomach, and/or sluggish. If so, then it’s a good thing you’re reading this article. There’s a fruit named papaya that can assist you with these and other conditions. Keep reading to find out more.

Rich in two strong digestive enzymes, papain and chymopapain,  green papaya is extremely valuable to anyone with a weak digestive system or has a diet full of foods that are tough to digest. Papain and chymopapain break down protein making digestion that much easier and increasing absorption of essential vitamins and minerals. In addition, papaya, green and yellow, contains anti-parasitic and anti-amoebic substances which manage bowel movements while helping to prevent and rid of gastric problems, stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, heart burn, acid reflux, constipation, and indigestion. Papaya seeds have been used to kill ringworm in the belly.

The presence of antioxidants is important in burning calories and fat deposits. Papaya is loaded with vitamins A, C, and E, along with folate and potassium which are some of the essential vitamins and minerals the body needs in order to detox, balance pH levels, and allow you to lose and/or maintain weight. Along with having a high water content to help keep you hydrated on those hot, humid, summer days, did you know that a cup of papaya has almost 270 mg of potassium, 2.5 grams of fiber, and only 62 calories?

With its high potassium content, along with other essential vitamins and minerals, papaya helps to regulate cell body fluids, control blood flow, maintain blood pressure, and assisting you in preventing heart disease via regulating harmful sodium effects inside the body. Also, papaya’s contain flavonoids like beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin which are essential ingredients in preventing and curing cancer, and protecting the body from lung and oral cavity cancer, and governs the production of free radicals which cause harm to you body and overall health.

It would seem that any fruit that’s been referred to as the “fruit of the angels” by Christopher Columbus, must be pretty good for you. With it providing valuable digestive enzymes, helping to rid of numerous stomach ailments, being low in calories, high in water content and antioxidants to assist in losing and/or maintaining weight, and its ability to help regulate blood flow and shield the body from harmful cancer causing agents, papaya comes highly recommended. Want a great tasting, healthy, powerful fruit? Look no further. Papaya packs the punch you’re looking for.

~centerfield6

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This past weekend provided myself and any other observant individual who was at the ballpark with some 11 and 12 year old kids with some baseball talent. Each of the 4 teams that participated (Saturday was a double header with the same two teams) had some young talent on display during these two excellent days for a ball game.  Being one of the umpires for these events, I had an up close and personal view of these young ballplayers. Here’s one ump’s scouting report.

On Saturday, the visiting team was called the Express. They came into this game with a record right around the .650 winning percentage. The Express is  a “Club” team with members from various towns.  Their most talented players also happened to be the two biggest, tallest kids. One of them, a tall, husky kid who pitches and plays first base, and throws right-handed and bats left-handed. While pitched decently, what really made him stand out was his batting. During the two games, he hit a line drive double off the left field fence, a towering home run to right-centerfield, walked 5 times from the clean-up spot, and showed good glove work around the bag at first. With some continued polishing, he could be a dangerous hitter at the next level, high school, and beyond. His swing reminded me of a former MLB player named Darrell Evans.  The Express also had a tall, lanky kid who played first and third base, the outfield, and pitches. On this particular day, he was only seen at first base and the outfield due to the fact that he also belonged to another team that had a game later on that evening, and he was going to be the starting pitcher. While in the outfield, he made two running catches along with a diving grab of a sinking line drive, and made a nice throw to second base keep a runner from advancing. At the plate, he had two singles, a long, line drive home run to left-centerfield,  a walk, and was robbed of another hit on a diving play by the shortstop on a hard hit ball between shortstop and third base. As with his tall, husky teammate, this slightly built youngster has a chance to be a very good player.

The home team had a few good, tough players on their squad. While not a big and strong as the two aforementioned members of the Express, the host team participants were talented in their own right. Their second baseman, shortstop, and third baseman were quick, slick fielders with good range and accurate arms. Each made a couple of diving stabs and completed the play by throwing out the runner. They also were scrappy hitters who put the ball in play.  There was a pitcher, who I had dialogue with solely in Spanish, that had a nice fastball and curveball with pretty good control. He also played very well in  the outfield. The standout member on this team was the lefty centerfielder. Although he came in and performed admirably on the bump, he made several running catches in the gaps getting good jumps on the ball. He showed nice prowess at the plate by hitting the ball to all fields for base hits along with speed on the base paths stealing several bases.

On Sunday, the visiting team had one player who showed some good skills. This young, right-handed thrower had an array of pitches including a fastball with some movement, a  curveball, and a knuckleball that fluttered like former MLB pitcher Phil Niekro’s. While he gave up many runs, most were of the unearned variety due to numerous errors. Speaking of good pitching, the host squad’s mound dweller was even more impressive. Throughout the game, he displayed a rising fastball with velocity the away team batters could not catch up with, a tight curveball that he threw often for strikes, and a change-up that kept batter off balance. In fact, The home team pitcher had a no-hitter going into the next to last inning when someone hit a seeing-eye single just off of the shortstop’s glove up the middle. He finished with a one hitter. Did I mention that he struck out five of the first six batters he faced?  The player I was most intrigued by during this weekend was the host team’s leadoffman and centerfielder. This righty hitting and throwing twelve year old went 4-4 at the plate with a line drive double off the right-centerfield fence to leadoff the game, two hard hit singles, a bunt single, 5 stolen bases, and several running grabs out in centerfield. With his hitting ability, speed, and glove, he should be a very good player at the next few levels. The host squad remained without a blemish to their record.

One of the things I enjoy most about umpiring is checking out the young talent that’s coming up. All four teams that participated had at least one player whose talent stood out. Each of them played at least two positions well, and swung the bat well. Most of them will move up to the next level and the big field next year. We’ll see who’s able to make the necessary adjustments and how quickly or slowly they’re made. Quite a difference from a 50 foot/70 foot diamond to a 60 foot/90 foot field regarding home plate to mound and home plate to base distance.  Once again, it was a pleasure to be on the field and watch a few “diaper dandies” show their stuff on the diamond. Hope you enjoyed your weekend.

~centerfield6

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In my many years in and around the game of baseball as a player, coach, umpire, and spectator, as maybe you have too, I’ve seen, heard, and learned a seemingly endless amount of things about baseball, sports in general, people, and life. This past Sunday, while umpiring a morning/afternoon double-header between the visiting Dodgers and hometown Colts, added yet another element or so to these somewhat memorable experiences.  Please be careful as you read. You may just learn a lesson or three.

It was a splendid morning for a baseball game. Upper 60’s to mid 70’s as the first seven inning game began. My partner, a former American Legion Baseball teammate, as well as someone I played against and knew since we were teenagers, was the base umpire. I worked behind home plate. We talked as we walked up to the field from the parking lot about kids we knew, coached, the upcoming games, and the eventual 90 degree plus heat that was looming.  Both head coaches of these teams in the forty and over league came over, shook our hands, chatted for a few seconds, and provided the game fees. The head coach of the home team took us through the ground rules, and the game was ready to commence promptly. After the home team catcher threw down to second base, he looked over to me and said, “You’re in for a treat.” I replied, “What might that be?” “Our pitcher. He pounds the zone.” he claimed. Although I’d already seen him pitch before and was aware that there was some verity to his claim, I whispered to the catcher, “Hope so.”

The visiting team batters had a difficult time getting any good wood on the pitches of the home team’s first game hurler. Through the first 5 innings, the visitors were able to manage only 4 baserunners via walk, error, or hit by pitch. Speaking of the latter, that was a scary moment when the right fielder for the away team was hit in the cheek area with a fastball that got away. Fortunately, it did not hit him squarely and he was able to get up and jokingly ask me if he had to go and touch first base. We laughed and I said, “Are you sure you’d touch the correct base?” We laughed, and one of his team mates who heard the exchange chuckled and said, “Yea, he’ll probably touch third instead of first.” The first game ended up being an easy merci rule victory for the home team (i. e.  By more than ten runs after five innings). This game was “relatively” drama-less with the exception of maybe a couple balls and strikes disagreements and safe or out inquiries which were  handled quietly and properly. Have to mention that each of the players, who happened to be from the visiting team, who had something to say about a called strike or being called out on the bases made errors on easily playable balls hit to them the following inning they were in the field.  Both teams agreed we’d have a fifteen minute or so break between games for my partner and I to change, etc.

I’m not sure if it was because they were hungry and/or thirsty (for food/drink), they were tired, or what have you. Yet, the second game of the double-header seemed to bring out the whining, complaining, and even somewhat disrespectful behavior on the part of some of the participants on both sides toward the umpires and members of the opposing teams. It was now mid to upper 80’s and several players on each team were loudly bickering about called balls and strikes as well as safe and out calls on the bases while they were on offense and defense. For example, there were consecutive calls at second base that I made that went against the home team who was in the field at the time. Their second baseman, who was not involved in either tag play, vehemently yell toward me for everyone to hear, “That’s two you got wrong, blue! The last play and now this one! That’s two you messed up!” He then muttered a few other things, which I won’t mention, under his breath that somehow I heard which made me question whether or not he wanted me to hear it. I took a quick glance in his direction and just loudly enough so he could hear it, I said, “Ok.” The very next pitch, the batter hit  pop up 3 steps behind the aforementioned second baseman. He promptly settled under it and dropped the ball. With runners on second and third, two runs scored. Couldn’t help feeling a  bit bad for him but also thinking, ‘Would you like an opionion of  your performance to be publicly and loudly evaluated?’ With a runner on first, the pitcher attempted a pick off play at first. It was a close play, due to the runner not sliding back to the bag, that I called safe. The first baseman proceeded to whine and claim, “I can tag him anywhere. It doesn’t matter where I tag him. He’s out.”  “Yes you can.”, I said. Yet, if his foot hits the bag before you tag him, he’s safe.” The pitcher on his own team turned and laughed. The first baseman continued on about how I supposedly didn’t know the rules, etc. I ignored him. A few pitches later, the runner now on second base after a wild pitch, the batter hits a slow roller to the first baseman reminiscent of the ball Mookie Wilson hit to Bill Buckner in Game 6 except this ball was hit directly at the first baseman. He takes a couple of steps up to field the ball and kicks it into foul territory. The batter is safe, the runner on second scored after he made an errant throw to home plate, and the batter went to second on that bad throwing error.  Finally, they’re able to get the third out of the inning after the batter, who was up and had just argued a strike call with my partner, swung and missed badly on a breaking ball. He carried on as he walked to his position at shortstop. Starting to see a pattern here?

With the visiting Dodgers in the field, the next inning began with two bases on balls. The next pitch was a groundball to shortstop. Easy double play ball, right? not quite. In line with what had gone on, he booted it allowing a run to score. During this time in the field, the third baseman for the Dodgers began to debate several ball and strike calls. After a walk and passed ball, runners were on second and third with one out. A routine three hop ground ball was hit to third. Somehow, the ball gets past him into left field for an error and two runs score. The Dodgers pitcher, who was likely the eldest of all the participants, then blames things on my partner for not calling strikes. They get the next two Colt batters out to end the inning. So, who leads off the next half of the inning? You guessed it, the pitcher for the Dodgers. He proceeds to get called out on strikes, slam his bat on the plate, and direct insults at my partner. At this point, my partner has no choice but the throw him out of the game and park for continuing the argument which he does. Thankfully after this incident, the final two innings were uneventful.

After the final out, both teams shook hands as did we with members of each team. The pitcher and elder statesman of the Dodgers came back into the park, shook hands, and had some good words with us. A few players from both teams thanked us for “putting up with us”, as they said. Of course, there was one from the host team, who, by the way took an “0 for” and had three errors who was still blaming his unproductive day on the officials. Apparently, he remained totally clueless of the goings on and message of this particular Sunday double-header. Stay clear of the blue, or it’ll come back to haunt you.

~ centerfield6

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In lieu of the events from last night’s NBA Game 7 Championship, today’s regularly scheduled Monday Munch Madness had to be postponed to next week.

Could you ask for a better Game 7 – except for maybe a buzzer beating shot by Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, or Kyrie Irving? Or, as Dan LeBetard said on his radio show this morning, “A LeBron James dunk over Draymond Green…” to seal the victory and the championship? While any of those scenarios would have been fantastic, the way it turned out was quite satisfactory for this writer. No one could’ve predicted that the Cleveland Cavaliers would not only come from 3 games to 1 deficit in the series to win, but also to beat the defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors two times in a row at The Oracle, their home arena. Few, outside of northeastern Ohio, gave the Cavs and LeBron a chance once they went down 3-1 and even when the series was tied 3-3 and returning to The Bay area for game 7.

While it may be difficult to argue with those “experts” and regular fans who had the Warriors somewhat heavily favored, it seemed to me, given the prior two games, the mere fact that LeBron was playing, and Kyrie Irving was now performing up to his potential both offensively and defensively, that Cleveland had a very good chance to win the game and the championship if they could keep Golden State from going on one their 2 minute offensive drills with a lightning quick 3 point shot barrage and going up by 18 at any given moment. That never happened. The Warriors managed to take the lead by 8 or 9 points at one juncture. This was a dangerous time for the Cavs. After a 8-0 run, Cleveland found themselves down only 1 point. This was huge! If the home team’s lead had somehow reached double digits, there’s a great chance last night’s outcome would’ve been quite different.

Some will claim that Cleveland was just lucky that Thompson and Curry had off nights. Well, the Cavaliers’ defense, which played both hard and intelligently for a very high percentage of the Warriors offensive possessions, had a big hand in the Splash Brothers low percentage shooting from both 3 point and 2 point range. They appeared rushed and out of sorts and many of their shots – especially Curry. Thompson had a few shots rattle in and out much to the chagrin of the Warrior faithful. Draymond Green, after a scorching first half of 22 points, only attempted 5 second half shots. Although Harrison Barnes managed to somewhat come out of his horrendous shooting slump, he along with Andre Iguodala, Leandro Barbosa, and Shawn Livingston could not find many open shots and missed many due to the swarming, switching, highly communicative defense of the Cavs for the majority of the game. Tristan Thompson, Kevin Love, LeBron, and Richard Jefferson pretty much sealed Golden State off the backboards only allowing a couple of easy put backs, while grabbing their share of offensive rebounds themselves.

One element to this and each of the latter three games which seems to be overlooked a bit is the absence of the Warriors’ center Andrew Bogut. Bogut may not score much, mostly by design, yet he’s a more than capable rebounder, defender, and shot blocker/changer. Without near 7-foot Aussie’s presence, Cleveland drove the lane relatively worry free of having their shots blocked and increased their offensive rebounding total in droves. Festus Ezeli and Maurice Speights  were not equal replacements for Bogut on neither the offensive nor defensive side of the ball. Prior to his departure, the Warriors played the Cavaliers either evenly or had a slight advantage in the paint. Without Bogut, advantage Cleveland.

Congratulations to both teams. First to the record setting Golden State Warriors who broke the NBA record for wins in the regular season with 73. No matter what, that’s nothing to sneeze at to say the least. Steph Curry broke his own record for the most 3 point shots made in a season. And, by going 39-2, they tied a franchise record for home wins. This Warriors team is very formidable and should be back next year contending for another NBA championship.

The Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA championship in striking fashion. No other NBA team ever in the finals fell to a 3-1 deficit, won the last three games, and emerged victorious. Not the Celtics. Not the Lakers. No one. Well, except the Cleveland Cavaliers. Congratulations to the city of Cleveland and the entire northeastern Ohio area which has endured for a over a half a century, the organization for the player and coaching moves which worked out in the end, and most of all the players. Guys like J.R. Smith and Kevin Love transformed themselves into the players the team needed to be successful. Richard Jefferson’s contributions were invaluable. Tristan Thompson is somewhat of a modern day Moses Malone with his work on the boards. Add in his perimeter defense and Thompson seemingly was well worth the contract given him by the Cavs. Kyrie Irving, after missing last year’s Final with injuries, played out of his mind, and for all intents and purpose outperformed the two-time league MVP Steph Curry both offensively and defensively, and hit what may have been the biggest shot of the game, a 3 pointer, to put the cavaliers up three during the closing moments of the game. The Finals MVP and league’s best player, LeBron James merely did everything his team needed him to do to pull of the game and series upset. James led all players in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, and blocked shots. Did you know who ever do that? Not sure what more can you ask for from a 6’8″, approximately 250lbs supremely gifted with work ethic, athleticism, and basketball IQ and talent. Hate him all you want. Heck, I wasn’t a fan of “The Decision” and how it went down. Regardless, LeBron “King” James is the best in the world – bar none – with his 3rd NBA championship. “Cleveland rocks!”

`centerfield6

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During my baseball and softball officiating escapades, I’ve encountered numerous strange and enlightening situations and people. If you happen to know someone who is or has been an umpire, then it’s likely he or she has had a few good stories to share. This past Sunday morning, however, was a special one.

It was a sunny, breezy, good day for baseball. Two teams in an Over 40 league were playing against each other up in the mountains of eastern Morris County, NJ.  Both teams had 10 players, were warmed up and ready to go on time. My partner and I did the pre-game ground rules, etc. and the game was ready to commence. As with just about every game I either coach or officiate, when the leadoff man comes to bat I reminisce a bit about playing. Often, if you are the base umpire – which I was this day – you engage in conversation with the first base coach. On this day, that happened to be a man named Jose. At first, literally and figuratively, we talked about the usual things like the good weather, their season thus far, Major League Baseball, etc. After scoring several runs in the first inning, the away team finally makes three outs and takes their turn in the field.

I’m curious, as is always the case, who will be pitching. An older, gray-haired gentleman about 6’0″ tall picked up the ball and took his place on the mound to warm up. I recalled his name being  John from the pre-game discussion. John, still in good shape for a man of his years, 60, and maybe even 10-15 years younger, proceeded to pitch a scoreless first inning with the only man reaching base via error. John seemingly had pinpoint control on his fastball which would likely be clocked around 60-66mph and curveball which apparently was falling off the coffee table with the reactions and missed swings of the home team batters. He ended up pitching 5 innings, giving up 1 run on 2 hits and one walk. After walking that batter on a 3-2 count, as I made my way to the “B” position near the mound, John turned around, smiled and said, “I’m 60. I should know how to do this by now. Shouldn’t be walking anyone. ” I chuckled and said, “Sure looks like you do. Otherwise, you’ve got us all fooled.” He laughed, refocused and struck out the next guy on 3 pitches to end the inning. It was obvious, and he made it known to my partner,  the other team’s captain, and myself that although he could continue throwing,  Jose would be coming in to pitch to get some work in.

During our dialogue through innings one thru five, Jose mentioned that he’d been playing baseball and some softball all of his life. From his younger years in Puerto Rico, which explained his accent, and after arriving in the US in his late teen, baseball has remained a constant. He said that someone saw him make a few throws from third base and immediately told him he was going to be a pitcher. “Back then, I threw pellets.” Jose said proudly. “Now, it’s all about strikes and location.” Now, after all, Jose is 72 years young. Like his teammate John, and even to a higher degree,  Jose is well seasoned and in great condition at his height of about 6’4″, lean, and still somewhat muscular. I noticed he did not take his place in the coaching box during the top of the sixth. He was warming up behind their bench area to get ready for the bottom half of the inning. For the only time the entire game, the away team is retired without a runner reaching base in the top of the sixth. It’s Jose time! He paints the corners with his mid 60’s fastball and sharp breaking curveball keeping the batters off balance and baffled.  Jose proceeds to pitch two scoreless innings allowing one hit and one walk. He too could’ve easily pitched several more innings of effective baseball were it not for the mercy rule being in effect.

My partner and I hung around for the postgame handshakes, etc. I personally sought out Jose and John to not only thank and congratulate them, but to tell them that I hope to be umpiring behind the plate when they’re on the bump in the future. How about that?! Two guys up there in age at 60 and 72 respectively with Greg Maddux-like control and still with a passionate yet tempered competitiveness. Those “old dogs” could certainly teach many of these young puppies I’ve viewed on the diamond some new tricks.

~ centerfield6

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