Locker Talk lineup for June 26 - season finale!

Here's the lineup for this week's show, which is also the last new episode until after Labour Day. The show airs tonight at 9 p.m., Friday at 8:30 p.m. and Saturday at noon and 3 p.m. Who knows, maybe we've saved the best for last?

Locker Talk Guests for June 26/12

Co-host:  Mitchell Blair

 1.   An update on the exploits of the Regina Red Sox baseball club, as they try to repeat as Western Major Baseball League champs. Guests: Justin Eiswirth (Red Sox Manager), Daniel Jones & Ryne Drummonds (Pitchers). Reporter: Pete Paczko. 

2.   A look ahead to summer events at King’s Park Speedway. Guest: Noel McAvena  (King’s Park Speedway Board).

3.   A look at the 2012 Swervin’ Mini Indy race at the Orr Centre in Regina. Guest: Merv Armstrong (Organizing Committee). Reporter: Mitch Blair.

4.   Access 7 Sports Plays of the Month.

5.   Locker Talk viewers get a chance to find out more about our dynamic correspondents. We’ll introduce you to them, find out their stories, and discuss major sports stories from the first half of 2012. Panelists: Arielle Wood & Carlo Palazzo (Locker Talk Correspondents).

6.   The Blair Necessities.  Mitch’s weekly sports commentary.

7.   The crazies from High Impact Wrestling invade the set to promote the upcoming Pile O’ Bones Rumble, and possibly to settle some old scores. Guests: Billie Bones & El Asesino (HIW Wrestlers)

Monday musings

A collection of thoughts in the aftermath of cut-down weekend in the CFL:

• It was disappointing to see the Riders send Lance Frazier packing, but I prefer that to keeping players well past their "best before" date.
• For an exhibition game, the entertainment value on Friday night's contest was pretty darn high!
• I think we can safely say that the new seats in the north end zone are somewhat less than an overwhelming success. While we're at it (complaining), that new SGI drinking and driving ad is creepy. That's the most effeminate Joker I've ever seen!
• On the bright side, the new scoreboards look great. And the south end zone seats apparently stayed in place, so that's a plus!
• Kory Sheets looks poised for a huge year at running back. And Drew Willy has a certain "it" factor at quarterback.  I'm not suggesting he should supplant Darian Durant as the starter, but he's a definite upgrade over last year's #2 quarterback.
• I'm sorry, but I think the Riders have serious issues at linebacker. Shomari Williams is not ready for prime time. The smart play would be to start Mike McCullough in the middle, at least for now. 
• It's too bad the J-man and I couldn't have taken off on our southern Ontario holiday a day earlier.  I would have loved to take him to the Rider season opener in Hamilton Friday night!
• Things are coming together very nicely for the RMF pee wee Unicorns. 'Twas a beautiful night for a coaches meeting on the deck at Chez Paczko last night.
• For the first time in the five year history of our program, we may go into the season with high expectations on our shoulders.  I'll take it!
• If you ever find yourself at the Stone's Throw coffee shop on Kramer Boulevard, I humbly suggest you don't order the iced mocha. Blech!
• Why is it a person's "to do" list seems to grow exponentially the closer you get to your holidays? If I eliminate sleep this week, I may be able to get everything done! Maybe.

Friday thoughts

It's been a while since I posted anything other than a lineup for Locker Talk. Let's see if I remember how!

• The Saskatchewan Roughriders host the Calgary Stampeders tonight in the preseason finale for both clubs.
• The Riders go into this one with lots of question marks on both sides of the ball.
• I'll be looking to see how the offensive and defensive lines perform.  If the boys in the trenches win their one-on-one battles, that's a good sign.
• I'll also be looking for someone to step up in the competition for the starting position at tailback and middle linebacker.
• And, it'll be interesting to see how the temporary facelift for Mosaic Stadium is coming along. I assume some of the new additions (scoreboard, end zone seats) can be transferred to the new stadium, if and when such a facility is built.
• It was fun talking football (and stuff) last night on CKRM's Sports Cage with Rod Pedersen and Chris Hodges.  Hopefully the listeners weren't scarred too badly by the experience!
• I cringed when Rod described me as the "star" of Locker Talk on Access 7.  I think the guests are the stars, and I look at Mitch and I more like facilitators. But I appreciate the sentiment!
• An interesting point was raised on the show last night.  If you sit on the bench seats at the stadium, and you arrive at the game to find some 250 + lb behemoth spilling over into half of your seat - what do you do? Tell them to move? Squish in?
• It's official - I'll be the head coach of the RMF pee wee Unicorns again this season.  We're hoping to improve on last year's 5-4 record, and we might just have the crew to do it!
•  Eight days and counting until the J-man and I make our annual southern Ontario pilgrimage. We're cutting our trip down to eight days because the boy refuses to miss the Riders' home opener on July 8th.  There's a diehard for ya!
• Looks like it'll be a nice weekend to go for a run. Not saying I will, of course. Stupid plantar fasciitis. However a bike ride might be an option...

Locker Talk lineup for June 19

Here's the lineup for this week's show - the second last of our broadcast season! It airs tonight at 9 p.m., Friday at 8:30 p.m. and Saturday at noon and 3 p.m. on Access channel 7 in Regina. How freakin' awesome is that?

Locker Talk Guests for June 19/12

Co-host:  Mitchell Blair

 1.   A look ahead to the 2012 season for the Regina Thunder junior football club. Guests: Brett Wade, Boyd Richardson & Drew Barss (Thunder d-linemen).

2.   The Regina Riot gets set to host a Western Women’s Canadian Football League conference semi-final. Guests: Carmen Agar (Riot RB) & Erin Banbury (Riot FB).

3.   A preview of the 2012 Sepak Takraw (kick volleyball) Canadian Open and Canada Day Challenge. Guest:  Rick Engel (Sepak Takraw Association of Canada President).

4.   A couple of former Regina Pats stars return home to take part in a charity fundraiser, and look ahead to the 2012/13 NHL season. Guests: Josh Harding (Minnesota Wild goaltender) & Jordan Eberle (Edmonton Oilers forward). Reporter: Mitch Blair.

5.   A preview of the Super Pull 2012 truck and tractor pulling show at Regina’s King’s Park Speedway. Guest: Stacey Getz (Event Organizer)

6.   High school and university athletes are hitting the gym in droves, in preparation for next season.  And, our guest has also been busy training Saskatchewan Roughrider hopefuls over the winter and spring months. Guest: Dan Farthing (Level 10 Fitness/Saskatchewan Roughrider Strength & Conditioning Coordinator).  

7.   A review of the 2012 Saskatchewan Roughrider training camp, and look ahead to the home exhibition game on the 22^nd. Guest: Murray McCormick (Leader-Post Rider Correspondent).

8.   The Blair Necessities.  Mitch’s weekly sports commentary.

Locker Talk lineup for June 12

Here's the lineup for this week's show, hitting the airwaves tonight at 9 p.m., Friday at 8:30 p.m., and Saturday at noon and 3 p.m. But alas, it's only on Access 7 in Regina. Not a subscriber? That'll learn ya!

Locker Talk Guests for June 12/12

Co-host:  Mitchell Blair

 1.   The Campbell Tartans celebrate a 5^th straight city high school track and field championship. Guests: Darren Peters (Head Coach), Juliana Mayne & Alexander Eiswerth (Campbell track athletes).

2.   A preview of the summer football camps put on by the University of Regina Rams, and a look ahead to the 2012 CIS season. Guests:  Marc Mueller (Rams Quarterback/Camp Instructor) & Brett Jones (Rams O-Lineman/Camp Instructor).

3.   A report on the annual Stix on Rose charity street hockey tournament, bringing hockey stars and other sports celebrities from near and far to Regina. Reporter: Mitch Blair.

4.   The Regina Rebels select a new head coach to lead the female midget AAA hockey club in 2012/13. Guest: Kim Perepeluk (Rebels Head Coach).

5.   Our Man Carlo. Locker Talk sports movie reviewer Carlo Palazzo reviews the cinematic classic Goon.

6.   It’s still not too late in get in shape for the summer. Would the chance to win $10,000 be enough of an enticement? Better hurry, time’s running out to enter! Guest: Trevor Folgering (Owner, Body Revolution Fitness)

7.   A preview of the annual Hoop Factory summer basketball camps. Guest: Craig Perreault (Camp Director).

8.   TheBlair Necessities.  Mitch’s weekly sports commentary.

Thursday Cheers and Jeers

Back by popular demand, our weekly look at folks who deserve praise, and others who deserve...not so much.

Cheers

• Los Angeles Kings. Poised to win the first Stanley Cup in team history, perhaps Drew Doughty and/or Jeff Carter will bring the mug to London, Ontario while the J-man and I are there this summer. That'd be cool.
• Regina Red Sox. The defending Western Major Baseball League champs have burst out of the gate, opening the season with six straight wins.
• The 80 or so Saskatchewan Roughrider hopefuls going through two-a-day practices at training camp. Anyone who wants to criticize their efforts should try duplicating them sometime. Good luck with that.
• Poulin's Pest Control. They seem to have solved the moth infestation in our sun room. It was starting to look like a scene from an Alfred Hitchcock movie when we turned the outdoor light on at night!

Jeers

• Anyone who labelled ertswhile (and now retired) NFL receiver Dwayne Jarrett as the "next big thing" for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He joins a long list of players who travelled north to revive their careers, only to end them shortly after.
• The comedy of errors that my spring landscaping project has become. Trust me, there's enough blame to go around - no point singling anyone out!
• Me, for not paying closer attention to the NBA playoffs.  Apparently I've missed some of the best basketball seen in years! I'll have to address that once the finals start.

Locker Talk lineup for June 5

Behold, the magnificent lineup for this week's show. According to the schedule on the Access Communications website, the show airs tonight at 9 p.m., Friday at 8:30 pm and Saturday at noon and 3 p.m. on Access channel 7 in Regina. Enjoy!  

Locker Talk Guests for June 5/12 
Co-host: Mitchell Blair

1. A Regina athlete celebrates his second Canadian Scottish Athletic Federation championship in the sport of heavy events. Guest: Jason Johnston (2012 Heavy Events Canadian Champ).

2. A preview of the 2012 Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Guests: Sheila Kelly (SSHFM Executive Director) & Linda Burnham (Event Co-chair, two-time inductee).

3. Hockey Regina plots a course for the 2012/13 season, with the same crew steering the ship. Guests: Blair Watson (HRI Executive Director) & Geoff Thachuk (HRI President).

4. Access 7 Sports Plays of the Month.

5. Regina’s Lonsdale Boxing Club gets set to host the 2012 provincial championships. Guest: Frank Fiacco (Lonsdale Club President). 

6. A former WWE star highlights this month’s If You Want Blood show, put on by High Impact Wrestling. Guests: Cannonball Kelly & Mike McSugar (The Bromantics). 

7. The Blair Necessities. Mitch’s weekly sports commentary.