Samurai Bucky

This is a great idea. However, this would cause more disparity between the teams with a lot of cash vs. teams without a lot of cash. Perhaps expanding the roster in the next CBA would be dependent upon addressing the clear disparity in dollars amongst the teams. This would require concessions by the big market teams and also by the union. See existing forum discussion: https://brewerfanatic.com/forums/topic/44163-labor-discussion-salary-cap-local-tv-sharing/

I'm wondering if Dallas will surprise some people at the end now that they are eliminated. Now they can play for themselves instead of for Jerry Jones.

You know, this is something I simply can't relate to. Todd Frazier made the statement that he knows the owners have the money -- they just refuse to spend it. This is because he played in Pittsburgh and has experience not getting paid. What was one of the funny comments made after Soto was signed? He is worth more than the primary owner of the Brewers. The fact that there isn't a salary cap (hard, soft, or otherwise), doesn't mean that there isn't disparity. From a economics standpoint, I don't see how it is possible for Milwaukee to have a 300M or 400M combined salary among the MLB players. They will be in the red every year. My understanding is the players are saying, "Too bad! You can pay, so pay up!" Would Milwaukee be able to survive on a 150M floor? I think it would be tough. I also thought it was interesting that, according to Evan Drellich, the players union already has a lot of transparency with the Owners' books. As an owner, would I want my labor force to see every bit of information about my company? Of course not. Also, what difference does it make if I build some hotels next to the stadium (which was probably paid for by the local taxpayers)? The players simply want a bigger part of the pot... > 50%. Oh, and how about profit sharing for the taxpayers. Hey Todd and Erik Kratz -- wouldn't it be cool if the tax payers, who paid for the facilities where you could work and make millions of dollars, would get some kickback? That won't happen because it will take a portion out of their pie. Sorry for the rant. If a player wants to get paid more, then be better. Get yourself to the point where a bigger market team will pay 760M for you instead of complaining about making "only $750,000" a year (Source).

Middleton took over Thanasis' spot on the bench.

This is a double-edged sword. Most coaches don't have time to be going to hundreds of tournaments a year. In the case of softball or baseball, the coach is going to go to a "showcase" type of a tournament. The goal is to see the top talent at these showcases. That makes sense, in theory. From the players' standpoint, he/she needs to make sure they are in the correct club / academy. Pony up the money. Sure, the club might have a marketing group, but it ends up being the player's and player's parents responsibility ultimately. My daughter who hit almost .600 one year was interested in playing softball at La Crosse. There was an independent state showcase that she was invited to mostly because of how well she played in club and because of the recognition in the press / all-conference. She wanted to major in something specific and that is why she chose that school (she didn't have a lot of offers because her parents... me and Mrs. Samurai... didn't fully know what to do). The coach texted her or called her saying that he would be at the showcase. At the showcase, my daughter tracked him down and when she introduced herself, the coach said, "I'm sorry... who are you?" There was a huge disconnect and my daughter decided at that moment she wasn't going to play the game -- she didn't play softball in college. Contrast that with my son who ended up playing a little at a D3 college, but had gotten a random hand written note from a Wisconsin football coach (Taylor Mehlhaff) inviting him to a kicking camp at Camp Randall. When we got there, the coach remembered my son and had a nice conversation. That didn't go as far because my son was only money from 40 yards -- leg wasn't big enough... 😉 I think good players will work their way to the top, will be noticed, and will get a chance to play. If my kids were good enough, they would have been noticed more.

Um, beer? Anyone? That will be $30… 😂

I had similar things happen with my three daughters in their high school softball team, but not to the national degree of your niece. Their high school coach never submitted any names for recognition. From what I was told, the coach needs to be a member of some coaches group to which she never joined. In any event, one of my daughters hit just under .600, switch hit, had somewhere around 4-5 home runs, etc. She also excelled against top competition outside of the conference. She was all conference and even recognized in a local paper for an all suburban team. No votes for all region, or even all state. The girls were frustrated at first, but by the time my third daughter came along, she didn't expect much of anything outside of all conference. My oldest daughter went to play softball in college. The other two decided to focus on school. All three earned multiple unanimous all-conference honors. I hope things turn out well for your niece. It sounds like she will be in good standing.

Saw the Pentatonix show at Fiserv last night. It was a good show.

Ashcraft could be better, but his presnap penalties were a staple for the Badger offense this year. Many times, I was calling for Seagreaves to step in because Ashcraft's head wasn't in the game. I tried to find a site that showed how many times each player was flagged. I couldn't find one. What I do know is Mrs. Samurai and I would often say, "Yup -- there is Ashcraft with another penalty."

I'm understanding you to say the reason the sales taxes were increased on January 1, 2024 in the City and Count of Milwaukee was directly attributed to AmFam Field and Fiserv Forum. Is that what you are claiming?

Pauling and Williams enter the Portal. Pauling was hit and miss. Williams was a disappointment for me.

Nevada is a no-income-tax state. That might help.

The thing that is a sore sport for me is K%. According to statmuse.com, the average K% in 2024 was 20.2. More than half of the team is well above that number. You aren't going to be getting on base to steal bases, nor moving runners over if you are walking to the dugout 1/4 of the time after your at bat. There really isn't a better option than Jake Bauers? Not sure he will hit above the Mendoza line. Do they need more pop in their bats? I would like to see somebody who could drive the ball. You know, like Rhys Hoskins had done before last year. Put together a good package and trade for Bichette... 🤔

You are correct. https://www.nba.com/news/nba-cup-101

Scholarships? With NIL, I didn't know they existed anymore. 😉

I guess it is crazy. 🤔

My 2013 Ram pops a P1004 message for a few days then it turns off. I had it checked out the first time it happened a few years ago, and I guess it could be a lot of things. It is running fine now. No sense ripping the engine apart now... 😉

Broadcomm for the win 👍

I see... the intended pun. Noice!

If they lose 3-2 in overtime tonight, that would be crazy. First time I saw them all year. Good defense and great net minding. There were a lot of times where the passes were not as crisp, but they were able to hustle their way out of it. The hit by Michigan at the end was trash. I guess the net result was a double minor, but there was a game misconduct for Bucky. Oh well.

I'm waiting for the NBA to install LED floors.

There seems to be more tweets being moved to more of a series of tweets -- more like a "thread." I think it is because the maximum size of a tweet is 280 characters(?). The (cont'd) part is:

I do find it amusing Alabama didn't make it. Apologists such as Paul Finebaum believe that the cache of the Crimson Tide and SEC name should be enough to pull this blue blood into the CFP. Don't get owned by Oklahoma and there is no controversy. IIRC, Wisconsin was the first team out years ago because Alabama had the better historical cache. I hope SMU represents somewhat. I am not a fan of the "everybody gets a trophy" type of vibe that has come from this year's selections. I want it to be competitive. If teams like SMU and Boise get destroyed, then there will certainly be a lot of discussion. Oh, put Notre Dame in that discussion, too.

Hopefully the fan base that doesn't follow the super teams doesn't abandon the game before then.

A narrative I have heard is that Wisconsin needs to get back to the "Ground and Pound." Would Ryan Day come in and institute that? I wouldn't think so. I feel Fickell is trying to get Wisconsin to the same type of style as an Ohio State -- able to run AND pass. The Badgers simply don't have the talent (yet). Perhaps Ryan Day would be able to bring in the recruits on day one (no pun intended). How far of a leash would we give a Ryan Day if we aren't in the College Football Playoff in year one? I'm not saying that Fickell is as good as Day by any means. That said, Fickell's seems like a deer in headlights right now. At least Day only looked that way when the flag was being planted on the 50 at his team's stadium. 😉