SportZone lineup for June 29

Here's the lineup for this week's show, airing tonight at 9 p.m., Thursday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m. on Access channel 7:

SportZone Guests for June 29/10
Co-Host: Mitch Blair

1. A preview of the annual Jon Ryan Kicking and Punting football camp in Regina. Guest: Jon Ryan (Seattle Seahawks punter).

2. A preview of the annual Canada Day regatta hosted by the Wascana Racing Canoe Club. Guest: Dave Robertson (WRCC Head Coach).

3. A preview of the annual Saskatchewan Credit Unions Queen City Marathon. Still haven’t registered? You’ve missed your chance! Guest: Doug Russell (Race Director).

4. A report on Prairie Midget Baseball League action between the Regina White Sox and the Southey Eagles. Reporter: Brendan Pawliw.

5. A profile of the sport of Sepak Takraw (kick volleyball), and a preview of a couple of upcoming Takraw events in Regina. Guest: Emily Fornwald (Summer Program Coordinator, Sepak Takraw Saskatchewan).

6. The Blair Necessities. Our weekly sports commentary by local sports raconteur Mitchell Blair.

SportZone trivia: Which team did Regina's Jon Ryan start his NFL career with? Send us your answer, and you could claim the title of SportZone trivia champ for the week!

Monday musings

This is what I think about on a morning such as this:

• All hail the champs! Defying the experts and the odds-makers, our Major A Twins are North Regina Little League champs, thanks to a thrilling 9-8 victory over the Red Sox in yesterday's final.
• The winning run was scored with two out and two on (including the J-man) in the bottom of the sixth (and final) inning. That's enough tension for this guy!
• Thanks to Curtis Pelletier for bringing me onto the coaching staff. It was challenging (some parents should be required to pass an IQ test before being permitted to breed) at times, but in the end, very rewarding.
• I learned one very important thing this season. When it comes to coaching baseball, I really do know a fair bit about football...
• Speaking of, plans are coming together very well for the 2010 edition of the RMF atom Cougars.
• The J-man starts speed training for football tonight. I imagine he'll be thrilled with that development. Yes, dad will do the training with him.
• The Riders' home opener on Thursday night still isn't sold out? Granted, it's not the ideal night for a football game, but it is a Grey Cup rematch for Piffles' sake! EDIT: It is a sellout now. Excellent!
• If you haven't had the pleasure yet, you really should get out to watch the next High Impact Wrestling extravaganza (July 16). It is. . . an experience.
• And to be inducted into Principal Richard Pound's Honour Roll is indeed an honour. One I will do my best to live up to for the remainder of my days.
• However, I suspect the organizers won't repeat their mistake of putting a microphone in my hands, as they did Friday night.
• As a result, my apologies to Rob Vanstone and Mitchell Blair for casting public aspersions on their otherwise rock-solid reputations...

Friday thoughts

An assortment of thoughts from a water-logged brain:

• The choice between Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin for top pick in the NHL draft is sort of like picking between a (Seguin) Cadillac (solid, well-built, stylish and reliable), and a used (Hall) Ferrari (exciting as hell, but you're not entirely sure what it will do a thousand miles from now).
• I think the Oilers will go for the Ferrari with the first overall pick, even though they could probably use a centre more than a winger.
• I sure hope Pats' sniper Jordan Weal hears his name called early at the draft.
• The latest rumour has Weal being selected with the last pick of the first round by Chicago.
• Chicago? Isn't that the team that "Brokeback Brouwer" kid plays for?
• It's interesting how selective some memories are about certain infamous incidents in local radio history.
• So, does this week's roster moves mean Brent Hawkins and Luc Mullinder will start at defensive end when the Riders host Montreal next Thursday night?
• If the Riders encounter injury troubles along the offensive line, will Kelly Bates come off the 9-game injury list early? Don't bet against it.
• The North Regina Little League season comes to a merciful end this weekend.
• Our Major A Twins take on the Red Sox in the league final. We only need to win one game, while the Sox have to beat us twice.
• So, do I start our best pitcher in game one and ride him to the finish line? Or save him for a potential second game?
• Is this the kind of stress Cito has to deal with?
• So, on the basis of all the rain we've received, how bad are the mosquitos going to be at this time next week? Yikes.
• Only 28 more days until a southern Ontario holiday with the J-man. Only 28 more days...

Thursday Cheers and Jeers

A weekly look at the bright lights, and the dim bulbs, in the world of customer service:

Cheers

• Press Box Sports Bar - two enjoyable lunches in the past week. With Rod Pedersen sightings each time!
• Animal Clinic of Regina - Dexter the dog must have enjoyed the visit, since he decided to mark the waiting room afterwards! Oops, sorry.
• Koko Patisserie - tasty treats!

Jeers

• Dairy Producers - bought a container of milk with an expiration date of July 1st. Opened it this morning. Already sour! Nice.
• Whiny parents of lazy kids. Yes, I'll be very glad when this baseball season ends this weekend.

C'mon people, if you've run into some lousy service lately, let the rest of us know!

Shameless plug: If you're looking for a great place for lunch, in a great setting, check out the Lakeshore Tennis Club! The club is located in Wascana Park, just behind the legislature, and offers a wide selection of tasty eats - all catered by Fresh and Sweet. And no, you don't have to be a member, or even play tennis, to eat there!

SportZone lineup for June 22

Are you ready for some. . . wrestling? We're heading into some uncharted territory on this week's show. It should be interesting! As per usual, the show airs tonight at 9 p.m., Thursday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m. on Access channel 7. Here's the lineup:

SportZone Guests for June 22/10
Co-Host: Carlo Palazzo

1. The SJHL draws a line in the sand on the issue of fighting in junior A hockey. Guest: Laury Ryan (SJHL President).

2. A preview of the 2010 season for the TRY (Touch Regina Youth) Football League. Guest: Mark Budinski (League Commissioner).

3. A report on the Regina Red Sox, who are off to a hot start to the WMBL season. Reporter: Brendan Pawliw.

4. A profile of Regina’s Hoop Factory summer basketball camps. Guest: Craig Perrault (Camp instructor).

5. A preview of the June 25th High Impact Wrestling extravaganza in Regina, to be shown on Access 7. Guests: Principal Pound & Todd “Tailormade” Myers (HIW wrestlers)