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Official Lehigh Valley Steelhawk News!

STEELHAWKS ADD ANOTHER ALL-PIFL PLAYER TO D-LINE

Veteran Steelhawk Larry Ford Returns to the Valley

Bethlehem, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks are excited to announce that they have signed another All-PIFL defensive lineman. Veteran Steelhawk Larry Ford (6’4, 260, West Virginia) returns to the Lehigh Valley for the 2014 season.

Last season with the Steelhawks Ford led the team with 7.5 sacks (7th in the league), breaking the team’s single season record high. He finished the season with 17 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 3 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries. Ford was voted to the All-PIFL 2nd team for his performance during the 2013 season.

At the close of the Steelhawks season, Ford signed with the Orlando Predators (AFL) to finish out their season. In just one game played, he managed to record a half a sack, and 1.5 tackles.

Ford was in camp with the Pittsburg Power earlier this year but says he is eager to rejoin a strong Steelhawk team. “I’m excited about coming back. Going to be great to play with Adam again and all the new guys we have. From what I see it looks like we have a good team that can take us to a championship this year. I came back because I couldn’t end on what happened last season. Can’t wait to get the season started and try and lead this team to a championship!” Ford is joining a fierce Steelhawks’ defensive line that looks to terrorize opposing offenses.

The first chance for fans and media to view full Steelhawks Professional Football action will be at our Annual Black vs. Gold Scrimmage, to be held on March 28th, 7:00pm at Iron Lakes Sports Club. We hope to see you at the Steelhawks’ home games this season inside Stabler Arena! The Steelhawks are constantly working to add talent to the 2014 roster. Keep checking for the latest news and events from the Steelhawks! For further information please call Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Clark at (610) 282-3100, or visit our website at http://www.LVSteelhawks.com for the latest Steelhawks news!

It’s not too late… Fans are reminded that 2014 season ticket deposits are still being accepted now to reserve your seats for the 2014 PIFL season. You can reserve your seats by calling the Steelhawks front office at 610-282-3100. Ticket packages start as low as $48! Individual game tickets for each home game are now available as well!

I don’t want to be that guy. The guy who insists on sticking to tradition over moving ahead.

I don’t want to be the one who adds extra words to a t-shirt with a magic marker to prove a point.

And it’s good enough for me!

Regardless, I still want Reading to be the R-Phils.. but that’s not what I’m looking at today.

Last year I took a trip with the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks for their away game in Richmond, VA. The folks there were wonderful and couldn’t believe we drove “All the way from Lehigh” to be at the game.

A bit before then I was at a Lehigh Valley Rollergirl bout and spoke to a member of the opposing team who told me, “Lehigh is a great place for rollerderby.”

Every now an then I encounter someone who is not from these parts and they speak highly of “Lehigh.”

I usually respond with, “The college?”

Where is the Valley going? How does the outside world not recognize the Valley?

Where’s the V?

You don’t hear Philadelphians referring to the Delaware Valley as “Delaware.”

You don’t hear folks from New York City say they live in “York.”

You don’t call Silicone Valley, “Silicone.”

I suppose Lehigh University’s basketball success a couple years ago “put the Lehigh Valley on the map” for national sports fans but the Valley part seems to be fading.

A fading Valley…

Even the IronPig’s away uniforms seem to support this sporting a large “LEHIGH” and very small Valley.

Aliens?

Now there are lingering memories of the TV series from a number of years ago that gave many nightmares of a secret alien invasion.. the show called, “V” might be giving the “V” a bad rap but really… is it so hard to acknowledge the Valley?

For your entertainment, here are some cowboys singing about a Red River…

I’ll repost this poll here–it got out of order when I pressed the wrong button.  Then I made it worse by trying to post it from my phone.  No matter.  DiPro, please one vote per PERSON, not per ISP… thx…

Way back when a high school teacher tried to teach me the difference in Greek plays I never thought it would ever come back to me. I guess I was wrong.

I am a Seahawks fan. I have been since I was a kid. (Although a friend recently provided me a photo of a young me wearing a Redskins tshirt.. it must have been on sale and mom was in charge of clothing purchases back then.)

If you tell me there is only room in my heart for one team and say either the IronPigs, Steelhawks, Rollergirls or Seahawks.. well I love them all but it’s the Seahawks all the way. Ask anyone who’s watched a Seahawks game with me. I’m THAT kind of fan.

With that said I will try to write this as un-biased as I can but first, let’s look at Comedy.

I know there is a lot of Comedy guidelines and traits, etc. I’m going for Haha, like a bowl full of jelly funny comedy. There are hundreds of movies out there that are so bad, so crude, so completely unbelievable that they end up being funny. I love those movies. Stuff like Airplane, Spaceballs, anything with Leslie Nielson. Some hate them, but I love them.

This Superbowl was deemed by the general media as Peyton Manning vs. The Seahawks. What will happen? Legacy? 12th man fans? Defense vs Offense? Offense vs. Defense? Coaches? Why Marshawn Lynch doesn’t like talking to media?

What did it turn out to be? A Comedy? Let’s look at the evidence…

1. First play of the game was a horrible snap that flew past Manning into the end zone for a safety. You could almost hear Sheldon from Big Bang Theory saying, “Bazinga!”

2. Richard Sherman tells us pregame that Peyton Manning throws ducks. (Slow wobbly passes for those who aren’t football fans) Manning proves him right floating many ducks including 2 interceptions.

3. The Broncos seemed to get a large gain on a long pass into Seahawk territory and bam, a fumble. A voice at the party I attended stated, “How could he not have fumbled.”

4. Joe Namath getting the coin in his hand and going for the flip before anyone else was ready. “Who me? Flip this coin? Alright here goes!”

5. The Broncos overall effort in the 4th quarter. Kearse went in for a touchdown after breaking 5 tackles. 5 tackles.

6. The Broncos going for a 2 point conversion knowing right and well they had no chance at a comeback. Really, they knew. Their play following their lone TD showed it.

I realize that some could see this as a tragedy, especially Bronco’s fans.

1. It’s Peyton Manning. He’s a good guy. Really. Great athlete. Coming back from a possible career ending injury. It was tragic to see him not play “his” game of electric pass attacks and scoring. Scoring plays are exciting! He didn’t give the fans excitement.

2. There is more to the Broncos than Peyton Manning. It takes a team and they have a great team. So many more faces on the guys in Orange that didn’t get their time in the spotlight because media chose Manning instead.

3. Some injuries happened. It’s part of the game but when you see some folks being helped off the field it’s sad but when you worked so hard to get to this game and you’re sidelined early with an injury… well that just stinks.

4. Boredom. There’s no thrill in a blowout game. No tension. No stress. Going for a snack or bathroom break midgame is not an issue. You’re not going to miss something huge. Some fans could feel it was a snoozer.

5. The commercials. Yeah, they weren’t up to par. Budweiser came through with a puppy and Clydesdale clip but how do you go wrong with a puppy and Clydesdale?

6. The final score. 43-8. The game was essentially decided mid 2nd quarter. The Seahawks kept it up still concerned with a Peyton Manning led comeback effort. People sat riveted to the TV waiting, hoping, expecting… and it never came. Like your prom date dropping you off at home early, we didn’t get the show we were hoping for.

For me, I was thankful for a Seahawks blowout. There was a running joke on how many heart attacks I would have on close plays, etc. I was calm cool and collected the entire game… save for a few outbursts early.

For a general, run of the mill fan.. this game seriously had comedic value. Like watching the Waterboy or the Replacements or Major League before they start winning. People kept watching because they wondered “What else will go wrong for the Broncos?”

What do you think?

I met Andre Reed when I was a kid. Kutztown University inducted him into their Hall of Fame way back when and my sister took me along to the game. I don’t remember much beyond tackling a few sorority girls for a souvenir football tossed into the stands but I did get a photo with him (not yet located) and also had the football signed. While the photo and football are still stashed somewhere at my parents, it did sustain a bit of damage from our long departed German Shepard Heidi. She was a good dog but had it out for sports equipment. I lost many shoes and ball gloves in that way.

Anyways, tonight it was announced that Reed will finally be honored by the NFL. It’s great to hear for him, for Kutztown University, for the Bills and for the fans who saw him play.

It must have been tough getting to the Superbowl 4 times in a row and not winning and even tougher that the Hall of Fame held out on his selection for so long because of it. (I know, it’s my opinion. Can’t prove it but you and I both know it’s “more likely than not”)

With the Superbowl being tomorrow I’ve already mixed up some Arancini for frying tomorrow afternoon, prepped my Russell Wilson Ribs and Bronco Brisket for smoking in the morning.

Go Seahawks!

Tuesday night was the culmination of Mikayla’s Voice – ‘tri 4 Inclusion‘ where the final results were revealed. Great job by Lindsey and Morris who raised over $2,400 for the cause.

Congrats to Jared Brown who finished with a Silver at the recent event held at Parkland High School. I was fortunate once again to catch up with Jared and his family and this time Jared’s patented smile was especially bright!

Watch the surprise results below!

That’s right the NY/NJ Comets of the National Pro Fastpitch league will be making two appearances at Coca-Cola Park tonight and tomorrow when the take on the Akron Racers!

Ivy Renfroe

If you have viewed any of the Women’s College World Series there will be some familiar names on both teams including Akron Racer’s pitcher Ivy Renfroe (22-5) who played for Tennessee in this year’s WCWS.  The home-team Comets have two-time WCWS champion pitcher,  ESPY Award winner for Best Female Athlete and Best Female College Athlete, multi-record setting, Taryne Mowatt who by the way through 40 shutouts in her college career.

How do you like all that?

Taryne Mowatt

These women are tremendous athletes and if you have had the pleasure to see a game then you know what to expect. If you haven’t then I urge you to make a trip to beautiful Coca-Cola Park on Wednesday and Thursday night.

Further information about tickets is here.

Purchase tickets here.

Of important note, tickets are accepted at any Comets home game regardless of the date and stadium printed on the ticket. Pretty cool eh?

We’ll be at Coca-Cola Park this evening and hope to see you there!

Fastpitch Dishing

From Reading’s media department:

OFFICIAL FIGHTIN PHILS PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Eric Scarcella (escarcella@fightins.com); 610-375-8469 x.218
For Immediate Release: June 3, 2013

Carlos Zambrano to Start for Reading on Friday
Twelve-year major league veteran to make stop in Baseballtown

READING, Pa.—Right-handed pitcher Carlos Zambrano has been added to the Reading Fightin Phils roster and will start for the team this Friday when the team hosts the Harrisburg Senators at 7:05 p.m.

Signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as a minor league free agent on May 15, Zambrano has been pitching throughout the organization with hopes of returning to the majors. After a stint in extended spring training, he made two starts for the advanced-A Clearwater Threshers where he held opponents scoreless in 10 1/3 innings pitched while striking out five and walking four.

Over 12 major league seasons, Zambrano is 132-91 with a 3.66 ERA. The 32-year old is best known for his 11 seasons with the Chicago Cubs from 2001 to 2011 where he posted a 125-81 record with a 3.60 ERA. With the Cubs, he was also named to the National League All-Star team three times in 2004, 2006, and 2008. The hurler was also the National League’s win leader in 2006 after going 16-7. Against the Houston Astros in 2008, Zambrano pitched the lone no-hitter of his career.

A member of Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, Zambrano last pitched in the majors with the Miami Marlins in 2012 and went 7-10 with a 4.49 ERA.

In addition to his pitching, Zambrano has made quite the name for himself at the plate. Known as one of the best hitting pitchers in baseball, he has won a Silver Slugger Award three times and holds a career .238 AVG with 24 HR and 71 RBIs. On Friday, Zambrano will get the chance to take a couple swings as the Fightins are playing the Senators, the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.

Tickets for Zambrano’s start on Friday with the Fightins are available by visiting Fightins.com, calling 610-370-BALL, or by visiting the Fightin Phils Ticket Office located at FirstEnergy Stadium.