Cricket is a bat-and-ball sport contested by two teams, usually of eleven players each. A cricket match is played on a grass field, roughly oval in shape, in the centre of which is a flat strip of ground 22 yards (20.12 m) long, called a cricket pitch. A wicket, usually made of wood, is placed at each end of the pitch.
The bowler, a player from the fielding team, bowls a hard, fist-sized cricket ball from the vicinity of one wicket towards the other. The ball usually bounces once before reaching the batsman, a player from the opposing team. In defence of the wicket, the batsman plays the ball with a wooden cricket bat. Meanwhile, the other members of the bowler's team stand in various positions around the field as fielders, players who retrieve the ball in an effort to stop the batsman scoring runs, and if possible to get him or her out. The batsman — if he or she does not get out — may run between the wickets, exchanging ends with a second batsman (the "non-striker"), who has been waiting near the bowler's wicket. Each completed exchange of ends scores one run. Runs are also scored if the batsman hits the ball to the boundary of the playing area. The match is won by the team that scores more runs.
The game is divided into overs of six (legal) balls. At the end of an over another bowler from the fielding side bowls from the opposite end of the pitch. The two umpires also change positions between overs (the umpire previously at square-leg becomes the bowler's umpire at what is now the bowling end, and vice versa). The fielders also usually change positions between overs.
A team's score is reported in terms of the number of runs scored and the number of batsmen that have been dismissed. For example, if five batsmen are out and the team has scored 224 runs, they are said to have scored 224 for the loss of 5 wickets (commonly shortened to "224 for five" and written 224/5 or, in India, "five for 224" and 5/224).
The team that has scored more runs at the end of the completed match wins. Different varieties of the game have different definitions of "completion"; for instance there may be restrictions on the number of overs, the number of innings, and the number of balls in each innings.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Cricket
Snooker
The game is generally regarded to have originated in the latter half of the 19th century. Billiards had been a popular activity amongst British Army officers stationed in India, and variations on the more traditional billiard games were devised. One variation, devised in the officers' mess in Jabalpur during 1874 or 1875, was to add coloured balls in addition to the reds and black which were used for pyramid pool and life pool.
The game of snooker grew in the latter half of the 19th century and the early 20th century, and by 1927 the first World Snooker Championship had been organised by Joe Davis who, as a professional English billiards and snooker player, moved the game from a pastime activity into a more professional sphere. Joe Davis won every world championship until 1946 when he retired. The game went into a decline through the 1950s and 1960s with little interest generated outside of those who played. Things saw some improvement when in 1969, when David Attenborough who was then a top official of the BBC, commissioned the snooker tournament Pot Black to demonstrate the potential of colour television, with the green table and multi-coloured balls being ideal for showing off the advantages of colour broadcasting.
The object of the game is to score more points than the opponent by potting balls in a predefined order. At the start of a frame the balls are positioned as shown and the players take it in turns to hit a shot in a single strike from the tip of the cue, their aim being to pot one of the red balls and score a point. If they do pot at least one red, then it remains in the pocket and they are allowed another shot - this time the aim being to pot one of the colours.
If successful, then they gain the value of the colour potted. It is returned to its correct position on the table and they must try to pot another red again. This process continues until they fail to pot the desired ball, at which point their opponent comes back to the table to play the next shot. The game continues in this manner until all the reds are potted and only the 6 colours are left on the table; at that point the aim is then to pot the colours in the above order. When a colour is potted in this phase of a frame, it remains off the table. When the final ball is potted, the frame is over and the player with the most points wins it. A match where five frames would be the winner is called a "best of nine", because that would be the maximum number frames that could be played.
Golf
The first game of golf for which records survive was played at Bruntsfield Links, in Edinburgh, Scotland, in A.D. 1456, recorded in the archives of the Edinburgh Burgess Golfing Society, now The Royal Burgess Golfing Society. The modern game of golf spread from Scotland to England and has now become a worldwide game, with golf courses in the majority of countries.
The Scottish people have played golf in almost 15th century. Golf was played in the Scotland only, those days. In the early days, Golf was played in the rough lands, having the series of holes, without the proper green grass. Golf was played with a cleek and a small ball in the eastern areas of the Scotland. With the arrival of the Scottish Baron James VI, golf was introduced in the England and its neighboring countries as well. In 1744, the Edinburgh golfers, named “Honorable Company of Golfers”, formed Golf club. The Scottish parliament’s member banned early golf to play on Sunday in order to save the dying game of Archery, but Golf spread and got popularity in not only Scotland, but also in the Whole world, like a revolution.
The modern balls of this game are more authentic and durable. The different balls of the core solid material with the modern synthetics have become more famous since the 19th century. This century is known as the best mowers of the world, particularly for the best golf ball designs and greens by using the manmade materials. Many famous companies produced the wooden golf tees in the decade of 1930s. The shaft-made products of graphite composite were also invented in the era of 1980s. So the last decade of the 21st century has seen the obvious increase in the specific golf careers throughout the world.
The golf courses include all the training parts of the golf that are given to the amateur golf player. In the golf courses, all types of trainings and other professional skills are given to the beginner players of the golf. There are many obstacles on the golf course. Mainly, there are two hazards on the course, which have tough tests for the golfers. First being the sand pit, known as the “bunker”, and the second being the water hazard, which can be a pond or a lake. Special rules and regulations are applied when a shot is played. The golf ball comes to rest in a hazard.
However, the golf is played in an area of the land, designated of a golf course. The golf courses consist of a series of the holes, fairways, roughs and other hazards. The golf courses have usually 18 holes, but some has only nine holes. There is complete information about the golf courses and their details are also given on the internet, to facilitate all the amateur players of any country of the world. The English golf courses are also so much beneficial not only for the players of the England, but also for the foreign countries. These courses include Open Championship venues, like Royal St. George, recent Open venue Royal Liverpool and much-loved Ryder cup venue the Belfry.
There are many different types of the golf bags that can be found in the market very easily. Three major types of golf bags are often available in the market. These types include golf travel bags, golf cart bags, and golf stand bags. Staff golf bags are the largest and most expensive golf bags.Golf bags are very significant for a golfer. Golf bags enable the golf players to keep their golf accessories, such as the sticks, balls, clubs, etc.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Meaning of Sports
In The Meaning of Sports, Michael Mandelbaum, a sports fan who is also one of the nation's preeminent foreign policy thinkers, examines America's century-long love affair with team sports. In keeping with his reputation for writing about big ideas in an illuminating and graceful way, he shows how sports respond to deep human needs; describes the ways in which baseball, football and basketball became national institutions and how they reached their present forms; and covers the evolution of rules, the rise and fall of the most successful teams, and the historical significance of the most famous and influential figures such as Babe Ruth, Vince Lombardi, and Michael Jordan.
Why do we play sports games? Is it just a means of entertainment? Is it a way that people can workout with each other? Or is it something more than that? Well, one reason why people play sports games is so that they can learn to work together as a team. Working in a team is very important in the world that we live in. the sooner that people learn to work as a team, the better off they are. Sports is very important to our way of life, and even more so than what most people tend to think. We need sports to help teach us about team work.
Sports in the school system are a good thing. However, not all kids are willing to become involved in sports at school. If you can talk your kids into doing school sports, then that is good. This will teach them to get along with kids at school and allow them to be able to learn to work as a team. School sports are very important to the development of your child. So getting your kids involved in sports is going to be a big part of their life. Remember never to force your kids to become involved in sports. If you do, then they will not like sports and learn nothing from it.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Table Tennis
Table Tennis harnesses the true horsepower of the Xbox 360, with an advanced game engine designed specifically for the next generation console technology. Table Tennis is a visually stunning title that utilizes the full capabilities of the Xbox 360 to deliver authentic physics and intuitive gameplay that mirrors the competition and ferocity found in a live table tennis match.
Table Tennis features the kind of intensity that is synonymous with fighting games, in addition to incredible speed and fluid control, for a truly visceral experience unheard of in previous sports titles. The high definition era of interactive entertainment is upon us and Table Tennis is leading the charge.
Physical leisure activities such as table tennis provide healthy exercise and can offer a means to connect with others socially; however, players have to be in the same physical location to play. Networked computer games support players in geographically distant locations, but their communication channel is often limited to text or audio only. Furthermore.
recent input devices that encourage exertion often do not support adequate force-feedback. We have developed a networked table tennis-like game that is played with a real paddle and ball, augmented with a large-scale videoconference. Similar to networked computer games, this concept can support more than two locations, while simultaneously aiming to provide similar benefits known from traditional physical leisure activity such as exercise, enjoyment and bringing people together to socialize.
Through its network of affiliated clubs in 50 states, India Table Tennis has nearly 300 sanctioned tornaments each year in addition to league play, coaching programs, exhibitions and other promotional, recreational and educational activities. It also sanctions regional and national.
championships in several age classifications, conducts local and national player development clinics, approves and studies equipment and financially supports national team members. India Table Tennis also provides a computerized national athlete rating system.
To keep every registered member informed Tennis produces Table Tennis Today, its by monthly magazine, which contains tournament results and wraps-up athlete ratings, advice columns, feature articles and the latest in table tennis information.India Table Tennis works closely with many national organizations to promote the sport including the American Wheelchair Table Tennis Association, Amateur Athletic Union/Junior Olympics, National Senior Games, Association of College Unions, and International and State Games.
Basketball
This is really random, but I just got a new basketball today! Yay! Its a Nike 2000 and if there was ever a ball that was sexy, this would be it. Im still terrible at basketball though, anyone here play?
I play a lot in the summer in the backyard and sometimes at the school court near my house. Nothing beats a nice ball, between me/my brother someone always ends up leaving it in the yard and then the sun ruins it though, heh. Actually last year's is sitting out in the snow right now. :redface:
play a lot, I was on the team in high school and am playing in intramurals now. Haven't played in two years so now I'm pretty terrible haha. I bought one of those nike cage grip balls because they were on sale and I quite like it.
I used to play on a couple of community teams. Haven't touched a ball in about 10 years. I had a great reverse layup. I would come up under the backboard cross under the rim and put the ball up backwards behind me inches from the hoop. I could do it either side, either left or right hand, without looking. If I got to the baseline they figured I was going to do it, but it was hard to stop because if they went to where I was going to be, I would just lay it up forwards. I was okay shooting from outside the foul line, but not great.
I've never been great overall, but when I was 12 i had a great 3 point shot. When I say great, i ment compared to my other friends. I got about half of them in. Theres a friend of mine that can go 30 or so before he gets unlucky and misses one. Most of those times its a swish as well.
haven't even thought about basketball in years. I ought to see if mine will still hold air and try some shots sometime. I do enjoy it, just never really too good. I was at a point where I would be picked early in gym class when playing basketball. I was happy with that.:biggrin:
Used to play during high school, stopped after I went to college, and gained a few pounds, can't touch the ring anymore.. I guess I lost my game..
used to play on a couple of community teams. Haven't touched a ball in about 10 years. I had a great reverse layup. I would come up under the backboard cross under the rim and put the ball up backwards
I have always been an admirer of John Wooden, acclaimed teacher and coach of the UCLA Bruins. I grew up as the daughter of a basketball coach from Indiana. An autographed copy of his Pyramid of Success hung on Dad’s office wall. He shared Wooden-isms in his work as a special education teacher and director. He taught his players the proper ways to put on their socks and lace of up their shoes.
Basketball A worn out copy of Practical Modern Basketball still sits in Dad’s office, years after his retirement. Admiration for Coach Wooden has not come from his proficiency as a coach. My respect is for Coach Wooden, the man. I have just finished a book titled You Haven’t Taught Until They Have Learned by Swen Nater and Ronald Gallimore. This book takes a careful look at the teaching principles and practices of Coach Wooden, creating a direct connection with their use in the modern classroom. I had the intention of creating a series of blog posts to reflect on the whole book, but I am re-thinking that idea now. Instead, I am hung up on one thought.
Badminton
Play Badminton :is where to find all you need to know about getting involved in our great sport. Badminton is a totally inclusive activity, whether you are young or old, disabled or non-disabled, and from whatever background. It’s easy to take up, fun to play and is an extremely social sport, with a vast network of welcoming clubs.
For those who exhibit talent, there is a clear pathway through the BADMINTON England structure from local school or club to the National squad, encompassing our highly praised development strategy.
For the total beginner, there is a page detailing the basic information required to start hitting a shuttle over a net, plus links to finding local clubs and venues.
For those who have become hooked, you’ll discover how to become a member of BADMINTON England and the means by which aspiring clubs can join over 2000 organisations affiliated to the Governing Body.
Learn about how your club could be part of the Club Future network, and initiatives to assist Young People and Schools at the Grass Roots of the game.
There’s also information for volunteers – the dedicated army of individuals who keep the sport alive and kicking around the country. Competitive badminton would simply not happen without them. Why not join them? Visit our Volunteers section to find out more.
If you are a coach or want to become one, visit our coaches section, where you can find out about attending a course or joining the Coaching Register, which will allow you to access the new Coaches Website **Coming Soon**
Badminton is enjoyed by 100s of thousands of people in England each year, recognised in 2008 as the biggest participation racket sport in the country.
Football
The campaign is targeting football fanatics and sports enthusiasts and will run across TeamTalk's portfolio of major sports websites including TeamTalk.com, Sporting Life and Football365. The ads will be focused around international football news and forums discussing the game.
Eidos has previously used Intelli and words relevant to their brand to engage customers with promotions for Hitman Blood Money' and 'Urban Chaos: Riot Response. Later this year Eidos will be using Intelli Video, which delivers rich media creative within an in-text ad unit for the first time, to promote 'on Nintendo platforms.
ibrant Media is the world's leading provider of in-text advertising, giving marketers the opportunity to deliver highly targeted, user-initiated advertisements within the text of Web content. The company works closely with advertisers, agencies and Web publishers to plan, buy, deliver and optimise Intelli advertising campaigns. Utilising superior technology and international distribution, Vibrant Media manages more than four billion words per month for top advertisers such as Sony, Intel, Universal Pictures, Ford and
Rice is part of Entertainment Group Plc one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software. Following the acquisition of Plc in May 2009, the Group has a valuable combined portfolio of intellectual property including: Tomb Raider: Legend, Conflict: Global Storm, Hitman: Blood Money, Championship Manager, Just Cause, Battlestations: Midway, Urban Chaos: Riot Response and the interactive rights to Reservoir Dogs and Highlander.
We had a number of trials recently and we had a squad of about 40 players and needed to get to a situation where we wanted to get the panel down to 40 players. With no collective training allowed for intercounty teams for the months of November and December we wanted to be in a situation that we were ready to start out in earnest with a panel at the start of the new year.
Some players progress better within the development squads and some better outside of the squads. Players who were no longer needed received a text message and by this stage should also have received their letter
by Sean Wall New Louth minor football manage r dinesh has defended the practise where players who were being County' squad received the news by text message.
Baseball
A new round was added to baseball's qualifying tournament for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a system that could have given the United States a second chance to get to the Athens Games.This is a significant change in light of the U.S. loss to Mexico in the quarterfinals of the Olympic qualifier in Panama in 2005.
Qualification for the eight-team Olympic baseball competition will now take place in two phases, the International Baseball Federation said Thursday. Also, qualification will now be based on the results over an entire tournament, with single-elimination games no longer part of the format. Games will be played in Taichung at the Intercontinental stadium and in Dou Liou at the stadium. Yes, that Dou Liou in Yunlin county, south of Changhua county.
've been collecting children's picture books for over 25 years and it's been a long time since I've had a book surprise and delight me as much as this title. The creativity with which Christopher Bing has blended his own terrific etched illustrations with the memorabilia and fictional news clippings is highly imaginative and will pull you through the book. In many ways the poem/ballad of "Casey at the Bat" becomes a secondary theme yet it skillfully holds the entrie composition together. After "reading" the book for the first time, I realized I hadn't even read the poem/ballad!! There are many subtle, underlying stories hidden in the pages. The clipping which tells the history behind the racism and eventual segregation of black ballplayers lies next to an illustration where the catcher is clearly African American. This books is a real treat. If you love baseball, children's books, history or just great creative expression through art, this book will give you hours of joy and discovery.
Mr. Christopher Bing has reconceptualized "Casey at the Bat" from being a poem that appeared in the June 3, 1888 edition of the San Francisco Examiner into an imaginary news story with drawings and artifacts in "The Mudville Sunday Monitor" of the same date. In that reframing, the classic poem takes on a greater life and significance for fans of the poem.
Each page in this brief book resembles the yellowed file copies of that old newspaper, with historic artifacts strewn across its pages. You will see tickets to the game, money, confetti, articles of that time, advertisements, a baseball, a baseball card, and the Library of Congress catalog card for "Casey at the Bat." Even the acknowledgments are put into this format.
After you finish oohing and aahing over the great illustrations and reliving your pleasure in the poem, I suggest that you reflect over the famous at-bats that have occurred in real baseball games. Which one is your favorite? For me, none can match Kirk Gibson's hobbling home run to help the Dodgers top the Mets in Shea Stadium in the final game of the National League Championship Series and go onto the World Series. I still get chills thinking about that. Reggie Jackson's third home run in the same World Series game comes close as a thrill.
Since I usually make an annual Spring tradition of reading "Casey" to some classes, I can tell you that this edition by Christopher Bing works very nicely for group read-alouds. However in this setting kids miss out on the many interesting--but smaller--details that Bing has added to each page, such as