Football Time

At dinner last Saturday night, the big screen tv featured an NFL preseason game. The local news broadcast updated fans about Tennessee Vols practice. TN high school teams played their first game of the season this past weekend.

That's right, folks. Despite the late summer heatwave, it's football time in Tennessee.

Lisa is not a big football follower. But, like everyone in East Tennessee, she pays attention. That's why she was very polite as I told her in great detail why football–specifically the NFL--mirrors the seasons of our lives. 

The preseason game I mentioned also promo'd the 61st Super Bowl. Super Bowl LXI will be televised by ESPN/ABC next February.

In case you are counting, that's not a misprint. There have been 60 previous Super Bowls. Lisa and I have been alive for all of them, though just barely. And full disclosure, I don't remember the first three. But, as I told her at dinner (probably for the 61st time), I do remember Super Bowl IV. 

I really remember Super Bowl V. I associate it with this life milestone: that was the day I successfully learned how to tie my shoes. I was seven years old.

So you understand when I say, we grew up with the Super Bowl. Or did the Super Bowl grow up with us?

As noted earlier, I associate Super Bowl groupings with phases of our lives. Past ones included:

The young kid everything is riding on this for tomorrow's school bus ride phase.
The young couple getting to know each other's interests phase.
The young married couple with young adult friends phase.
The young family phase. 

These days,  it is the older couple struggles to stay awake until the final whistle blows phase.

But back to the early days, those school bus rides could get tedious if your favorite team just lost.

To wit, one of the reasons I still have such as strong dislike for the Pittsburgh Steelers all these years later is they crushed the soul of a young pre-teen Oakland Raiders fan with The Immaculate Reception and other dastardly deeds. You can imagine what those bus rides were like.

And when I wasn't vehemently rooting for the Raiders in that era, I pulled for the Dallas Cowboys as my other childhood team because that seemed to be the team of choice among my Memphis uncles and grandfather. But if you didn't like them, you hated them. So: lots of "Ha ha, You lost!"

As for me, I liked both teams. It must've been something about the silver.  Here I am sporting my Kenny Stabler #12 jersey as a young adult. 

Fortunately, the Raiders got a measure of revenge by beating Pittsburgh in route to their title in Super Bowl XI. Maybe that is why I bought the jersey.

The games, by the way, were played in the afternoon and during the month of January back then. Did I read this year's big game will actually be played on Valentine's Night?

Anyway, as I grew from child to teen to young adult, Super Bowls also evolved. And later, they did move to night time and they did slide into February. Halftime shows shifted from featuring marching bands to becoming entertainment showcases.

Likewise, my viewing habits also morphed. I no longer threw childhood tantrums or pouted if my team lost for one. And, these days, I've been known to skip a halftime or two. Truthfully, I prolly skipped the old ones, too.

Back in those days, when the Raiders won Super Bowl XV, I remember I was watching from the back area at my first part time job so I missed parts of all of it. A year later, I missed the entire game: the 49ers' first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XVI. Why did I miss, you might ask? I was on a date.

The romance didn't last long. A few weeks or so. Should've watched the game, instead, and skipped the date.

Three years later, when the Niners won their second Super Bowl, I missed that one too. I was snowed in without a tv set. Remember when East Tennessee hit -24°F? Yep. That was me without a tv.

Lisa saw her first Super Bowl a year later--when the Super Bowl Shuffle Bears won Super Bowl XX over New England.

That ushered in the next phase of our Super Bowl experiences. Young marrieds/Super Bowl parties. Over the course of the next two decades, we hosted or were hosted for Super Bowl parties by various friends. 

As our kids were born, grew, and became aware of the big game, they lobbied for various big day treats along with watch parties

In recent times, we've settled into a more low-key orientation to the big game. Since our Tennessee Titans are now 27 years removed from their one and only Super Bowl appearance, it has been hard to generate tons of excitement with the likes of New England, Philly, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Denver leading the way.

Maybe someday the Titans will be back on top. Or the Raiders will finally "Just Win Baby." Either way, something's gotta give. You'd think.

Meanwhile,  Lisa says she has to take note of the tv spots because of her mass communications teaching duties. I'll be sure to point out some of my favorites.

Anyway, all that to say, it's again football time in Tennessee. Starting last weekend, there will be meaningful football games played at various levels for nearly six months. 

And as a new season dawns, #CoachJeff enjoyed spending just a little time reflecting on the many ones leading up to this one.

JG

Been Meaning to Call You (Re-post)

Editor's Note - I received notice there were some technical issues with this blog, which I initially posted earlier this week. In an effort to "open it up" to everyone, I am re-posting. Enjoy!

My friend Ed and I recently had one of our "state of the state" conversations that usually results in one or both of us bemoaning the current status of something.

Or as Gen Z might say about us, "Old Man Shakes Fist at Sky."

The recent email thread focused on modern stage parents in sports (similar to this earlier blog post of mine from spring: Let the Kids Have Fun). His suggestion was that he bet there would be a lot of jockeying for prime spots on uber youth sports teams in the modern era; that parents would jump ship or trade up in that process. 

And whereas I wouldn't be surprised if his position is correct, I told him a story about how the very situation happened once before the Choppers even left the field.

The story in question began one winter when I was doing my pre-season check-in with families. I would always call each parent just after the holidays to touch base with them and give an outline of our upcoming schedule (and just to make sure everyone was still on-board). 

Usually, the parents and players were all in. But during one such call, that wasn't the case. When he got me on the line, the dad replied "Oh yeah. I've been meaning to call you."

What usually follows that sentence, in the youth baseball coaching world, is somewhat akin to the "I like you as a friend" conversation in the high school dating world.  In other words, it doesn't end happily ever after for one party.

This particular player was talented enough but, I always thought, the parents' ambition far out-paced his. And, so the dad began, to help Little Johnny pursue his (their) dream of playing high school baseball, they (parents) felt it was best to position him on a more serious travel team than the Choppers. 

In other words, we didn't play enough games. We didn't play the elite tournaments. And, thus, we didn't get Little Johnny in front of the people who would get him onto a high school baseball roster.

I was gracious, of course, and said all the right things. Wished him (them) well.

Fast forward a few months. The Choppers were at practice mid-season and, as usual, the guys were working hard and having fun. 

The dad was coaching the player's younger brother at our ballpark on an adjacent field and big brother (Little Johnny, in our story) was just sort of hanging around. Bored. Sad. Missing his buds.

I wondered why the uber team wasn't off practicing somewhere?

In any case, Little Johnny wandered over to our field and saw us practicing. He leaned up against the fence, watching his former teammates play and have fun, and you've never seen such a long face at a place where folks are usually having the time of their lives. 

The whole thing made me a little sad, but, what could I do? Wasn't my call (wasn't his call).

Some years later, I heard that the boy eventually achieved his (parents) dream of making a high school baseball roster. And later still, I ran into him as a young adult. He seemed very happy to see me and we caught up about what he was doing, what I had been doing, what Paul was doing and so forth.

But when Ed and I were chatting about the current state of affairs in sports, my mind flashed back to those days. 

I hope it turned out well for everyone involved.

JG

Rocky and the Red Pepper Paste

Filed under the category of things you never thought you'd hear yourself say:

"Stop eating my house!"

Thus, the battle is joined.

One Rockefeller Emerson Squirrel (aka Rocky) needs to take his dietary wishes to the woods. 

I fully understand small rodents need to gnaw on things to grind down their teeth. Wood is a perfect choice. But, it's a little hard to validate the bias toward a flat board of cedar siding. It is especially perplexing when our house is ringed by a wooded area.

I haven't counted recently, but I would say there are at least 1,000 trees of various shapes and sizes within a short hop and a jump for Rocky. And wouldn't a round branch fit more nicely in one's mouth? I would think it would be easier (and tastier for gnawing). But it sure doesn't seem to be the case - at least with our local critter.

And when Rocky begins gnawing, my tabby twins are instantly fascinated and run to the window. But, alas, they can't do anything to prevent him from taking another free trip to the board buffet.

I've tried going outside and shaking my fist. Squirrel runs off and then looks back at me with a taunting "Oh yeah, whaddya gonna do about it?"

Until last weekend, we were flummoxed.  And my answer would have been an agitated shrug. Then, a quick internet search turned up a great, low-cost (and safe) solution. Hot pepper. 

Apparently, as much as squirrels might love my cedar, they do not appreciate a dash of hot sauce. on top

Thus: over the weekend, I prepared a red-pepper paste. I coated the edges of the boards. So, Rocky? Meet Mr. Red Pepper. It might irritate their palate but it doesn't harm them otherwise. 

A win-win.

On Tuesday, I heard a quick bit of gnawing but it stopped abruptly (and without my encouragement). After another visit, I applied another round of paste.

And now, a day later, there hasn't been another squirrel sighting. 

I'm not ready to declare ultimate victory yet. After all the rain, I might need to prepare and apply yet another coat.

Update: Just after I hit the "publish" button, I found that he has moved to another part of the house and set up gnawing operations. It just may be time to bring in the professionals. More to come.

JG

Been Meaning to Call You

My friend Ed and I recently had one of our "state of the state" conversations that usually results in one or both of us bemoaning the current status of something.

Or as Gen Z might say about us, "Old Man Shakes Fist at Sky."

The recent email thread focused on modern stage parents in sports (similar to this earlier blog post of mine from spring: Let the Kids Have Fun). His suggestion was that he bet there would be a lot of jockeying for prime spots on uber youth sports teams in the modern era; that parents would jump ship or trade up in that process. 

And whereas I wouldn't be surprised if his position is correct, I told him a story about how the very situation happened once before the Choppers even left the field.

The story in question began one winter when I was doing my pre-season check-in with families. I would always call each parent just after the holidays to touch base with them and give an outline of our upcoming schedule (and just to make sure everyone was still on-board). 

Usually, the parents and players were all in. But during one such call, that wasn't the case. When he got me on the line, the dad replied "Oh yeah. I've been meaning to call you."

What usually follows that sentence, in the youth baseball coaching world, is somewhat akin to the "I like you as a friend" conversation in the high school dating world.  In other words, it doesn't end happily ever after for one party.

This particular player was talented enough but, I always thought, the parents' ambition far out-paced his. And, so the dad began, to help Little Johnny pursue his (their) dream of playing high school baseball, they (parents) felt it was best to position him on a more serious travel team than the Choppers. 

In other words, we didn't play enough games. We didn't play the elite tournaments. And, thus, we didn't get Little Johnny in front of the people who would get him onto a high school baseball roster.

I was gracious, of course, and said all the right things. Wished him (them) well.

Fast forward a few months. The Choppers were at practice mid-season and, as usual, the guys were working hard and having fun. 

The dad was coaching the player's younger brother at our ballpark on an adjacent field and big brother (Little Johnny, in our story) was just sort of hanging around. Bored. Sad. Missing his buds.

I wondered why the uber team wasn't off practicing somewhere?

In any case, Little Johnny wandered over to our field and saw us practicing. He leaned up against the fence, watching his former teammates play and have fun, and you've never seen such a long face at a place where folks are usually having the time of their lives. 

The whole thing made me a little sad, but, what could I do? Wasn't my call (wasn't his call).

Some years later, I heard that the boy eventually achieved his (parents) dream of making a high school baseball roster. And later still, I ran into him as a young adult. He seemed very happy to see me and we caught up about what he was doing, what I had been doing, what Paul was doing and so forth.

But when Ed and I were chatting about the current state of affairs in sports, my mind flashed back to those days. 

I hope it turned out well for everyone involved.

JG

Canadian Straight Key Month

Ham Radio and Canada? Two of my favorite topics, as you know, if you've been a long-time reader of the blog.

How about combining both for one post? Now, that's a real winner.

September is observed as Canadian Straight Key Month (CSKM) by the Straight Key Century Club (SKCC). The CSKM team is actively seeking members to join its team of operators for the month-long special event that begins in less than two weeks.

A comprehensive, bilingual, webpage has all the key information about CSKM.

The goal of the celebration is to encourage on-air contacts (QSO) using the straight key or other popular mechanical keys such as the bug or sideswiper (known colloquially as a cootie key). In a similar fashion, the greater SKCC celebrates Straight Key Month (SKM) each January. I've been fortunate to be a part of the team of SKM operators the past few years.

What I've done–and I suspect many of the CSKM ops will also do–is to post the frequency where I am planning to operate once I have followed proper etiquette to make sure that frequency is open and available for use. Your frequency posting lets other operators know where they can find you on-air.

You can list your frequency, within SKCC, on the SKCC sked page. You can also post it to operators around the world on one of the spotting pages such as DXWatch or DXSummit, among others. 

Then, the operator sets up and begins sending "CQ" (meaning I would like to talk to you) and the name of the special event (in this case CSKM). And, likely, several operators will find the station and make contacts.

It's a fun and enriching experience. And if you get a pile-up (ham lingo for several operators calling you at once), it's exciting and rewarding to successfully manage the pile-up and work each operator in succession. 

There are several approaches to doing this. I might right about pile-ups in future Tuesday ham radio editions.

Meanwhile, I predict the Canadian stations will experience many of those fun moments. Personally, I plan to try to work as many stations as I can during the month and I know others will do the same.

If you're an SKCC member in Canada and interested in participating, I recommend you check out the page I mentioned above. You can reach out to the event coordinators at the following email address: CSKM@SKCCGROUP.COM.

If you're interested in getting involved in SKCC, there are numerous resources on its page. Or you can private message me and I can get you in touch with the right people. I've been very happy to be involved in this group and really appreciate my friend, Jerry, recruiting me to join four years ago.

It takes me back to my roots. As I told you in previous editions, my dad was a radio operator in the U.S. Army and when he taught me morse code some 20 years later, he did so using his straight key - or la cle' droite.

Many of them, as well as bugs and cooties, are used by club members each day and will be in action on the airwaves throughout the month of September.

JG

Float Forever

The #CoachJeff post retirement reunion tour took me to the campus of Maryville College this morning. 

I had a morning meeting in Maryville and, rather than doing my morning walk on the street or at the track, I did it around the perimeter of the Maryville College campus after the meeting. It was, quite literally, a stroll down memory lane.

I spent six glorious years working for MC and, even after all these years, it is a special place to me. 

First: some background. 

As I was wrapping up my Master's program, I was really hoping for a return to health care public relations. I focused much of my M.S. studies on beefing up my credentials to work in that industry. 

Funny how life doesn't always conform to your best laid plans.

My major advisor received a phone call from a contact at MC. The College was searching for a person to teach a little, advise student publications and maybe even work part-time in the communications office. She told my advisor to send his best guy.

So, he phoned me, told me about the opportunity and, when I seemed a bit lukewarm about the possibility, coached me up.  I interviewed in the professor's office inside the venerable Anderson Hall. And,  after UI was hired for the job, my office was also inside Anderson for several years.

Turns out, the experience was rewarding and the result of one of the best decisions of my life and the six years at MC were one of the happiest segments of my career. 

While on staff, I did all of the tasks mentioned above. My position became full-time in the Communications office. But I also served as student publications advisor and, also, adjunct faculty.

I also became a Presbyterian while working at MC. In fact, we were Baptised on campus in the Samuel Tyndale Wilson Center for Campus Ministry on a sultry August Sunday. That day felt much like the air this morning as I revisited the campus.

I got to know various students over the years and, hopefully, helped them along in their life journey. Even served as a groomsman in one wedding of two MC students. I also made many friends and, in fact, joined a group of college administrators for a regular poker night that still makes me smile as I look back.

Later this week, I hope to meet up with a couple other friends -- fellow former MC staff members -- as the reunion tour continues.

Lots of great memories from those years.  While I did my morning walk, I strolled past:

• The Cooper Athletic Center (Where my kids and I did parent-tot swim classes when they were little)
• Willard House (Where my boss' office was located)
• The aforementioned Samuel Tyndale Wilson Center for Campus Ministry

I got to experience many interesting times during my MC years. 

For instance, I was tapped to be part of the team coordinating the logistics for a 1996 campaign stop by vice presidential candidate Jack Kemp. I was frequently part of the planning committee for events such as homecoming or convocation. And, once, I was even drafted to teach the college's new orientation seminar.

There was nothing in the manual–nor anything in my Master's curriculum--that prepared me for coaching students about roommate relations, boyfriend breakups or study skills. And yet, there I was leading those discussions. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Many thanks to my advisor/coach for suggesting me as a candidate and then selling me on the opportunity. Six very special years that, then, led to another very strong step–to Roane State--on my own life journey.

Over the many years I worked at MC, I learned the College's alma mater song. Some of those lyrics echoed in my head as I visited campus this morning. 

Orange, garnet, float forever.

Indeed, I hope they do.

JG

Kiss on my List

It was about this time during my senior year in high school that I met my old buddy Ben.

Ben (not his real name) was a transfer into my high school. He billed himself as the "New Kid in Town."

But it's not the venerable Eagles tune that reminds me of ol' Ben. 

The other day, I heard the 1981 Hall and Oates song "Kiss on my List" on my Sirius/XM. When I hear that melody, it brings a smile to my face. In those days, it was one of Ben's faves. 

One of the things I remember about Ben and the recording is that, as much as he liked it, he definitely did NOT know the words. When he would come on the radio, he'd get this impish grin on his face and start dancing around, pointing and mumbling sounds that would remind you of syllables. And, occasionally, he would actually remember a word or two.

I'll demonstrate. Here are a couple lines of lyrics as they appear in the song

When they insist on knowing my bliss
I tell them this
When they wanna know what the reason is
I only smile when I lie, then I tell them why

For Ben, it would go something like this. 

Mmmm ay sss on mmm my ssss
I tell mmm sss
Um ay umm o the reason is
Um smile um um I, um um why

As I typed that whole routine, it brought a smile to my face again. Taking a moment to think about an old friend and those fun, carefree days.

Unfortunately, things weren't always so merry. 

Ben started having some personal issues and, whenever he was around, I noted he was sometimes acting erratically. By the late 90s, he dropped out of my life completely. 

I often wonder where he is. And how he is doing. Sometimes, I've done internet searches for him. I pray for the best. I sure hope Ben got his life back on track. 

When I hear the song as I did the other day, it reminds me of simpler times - like those ballplayin' days I told you about a few weeks ago. 

You might think of friends from the days of your youth. You might remember one or two that drifted from you. Now and then, something reminds you of the fun times you experienced.

That's what happens to me when I hear that tune. Whenever I hear it, you might say, I have Ben on my list.

JG

Gamesmanship

Monday night's game between the Braves and Mets got off to a strange start.

If you weren't watching, Mets leadoff batter AJ Ewing lined a ball to the right field wall at Truist Park. The ball went under the bottom of the fence and, as he should have done, Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. didn't try to dig it out. Instead, he held up his hands and the play was blown dead by umpires. The play was ruled a ground rule double.

Even though Ewing stopped at second base, Met interim manager Andy Green challenged the play.  So, in essence, there was nothing to challenge. Was it a ground rule double or regulation double? In both outcomes, the runner was at second base. It didn't matter.

Except it did.

For some inexplicable reason, it took reviewers an awkward eight minutes to determine the outcome of the challenge. Meanwhile, Braves starting pitcher Bryce Elder stood around, threw a few additional warm-up pitches and totally got out of his rhythm.

Maybe that was the goal?

The Mets wound up sending eight batters to the plate and scored five runs. The Bravos couldn't dig out of the hole and, eventually, lost the game 8-5.

To my (somewhat) trained eye, Green might've benn engaging in some sort of gamesmanship. And, as it turned out, the effort was worthwhile.

The incident took my mind back to my baseball coaching days. Surely youth baseball coaches wouldn't practice gamesmanship. Would they?

You'd be surprised.

Here some examples from the days the Choppers roamed the field. 

Recruitment Trip -
During the middle of one of our games, I found the assistant coach of one of our rival teams talking to one of our players (from behind our bench). We found out later, he was trying to get our player to come play with them.

Our league later passed a rule against the practice of player poaching -- that is to say, by-passing the coach and trying to recruit a player without his knowledge. The rule said, if you were caught doing it, you were subject to discipline (up to and possibly including a suspension). The workaround was "just be honest. Approach the coach and say 'We'd like to ask Little Johnny and his parents if he would consider switching teams.'"

Honorable guys would do that; the guys who were just out for themselves scoffed.

Thus, the poaching rule didn't stop another coach from trying a similar trick. He did it in front of the kid's dad in between games one tournament weekend. 

The dad reported the incident to me and I called the coach on it. His response was righteous indignation. He neither confirmed nor denied it happening. He just showed anger that I lowered myself to ask him about it.

Uh-huh.

Take My Ball and Go Home -
Two coaches played gamesmanship by leaving before the end of a game. 

In one example, there was a fairly serious travel team that came to play in one of our fall leagues. The coach didn't like some of the league policies and he showed up, that night, with the goal of making a statement. He coached his team to really pour it on our team. He'd show us.

For the longest time, they were rolling and, essentially, running up the score.  And having fun doing it. We just shrugged.

Then, we scored a run. 

Angrily, he took his team off the field and they left. "We're done." I guess a 18-0 score seemed a lot better to him than 18-1.

A similar thing happened on another night, but the coach left with his team for a different reason. 

Our ball club wasn't playing well that night. The other team got out to a lead and, then, we started chipping away. Eventually, we tied the game up.

Before we could play that next inning to decide the outcome, coach declared "time to go home." 

Rather than see his team lose the game, he was content to go home early and leave with a tie. The ump let him do it. My long-time assistant coach was livid. And our players were also not pleased. They started chanting "the Choppers don't quit."

The other coach was not amused. But he still went home early with his tie game.

Defenders of the Game -
The coaches of one of ourt rival teams liked to preach against the practice of gamesmanship. They were defenders of the game. They did everything the right way. 

Turns out, they were some of the biggest operators. 

One of their favorite tactics was to coach their smallest kids to crouch (thus making for a smaller strike zone) and never swing the bat. Do everything you can to work the walk. Even poor mouth to the umps. (rolls eyes).

I loved the night one of our ace pitchers threw bbs and struck out a bunch of their players just standing there looking!

Another night, when my son was warming up before the game, I found their head coach over "chatting him up" while Paul went through his pre-game routine. (Trying to mess with him, no doubt).

Hope the ump doesn't have a tight strike zone. Gee, that mound looks like of slippery. 

You get the idea.

Needless to say, I interrupted that conversation. As I broke it up, he just grinned and walked away. "Who, me?"

Uh-huh.

I won't say I ran into examples of gamesmanship frequently in my coaching days but, as you see, it did happen. Sorry to say.

For the most part, most of my fellow coaches all had the right approach. They were good teachers and role models. There were just a few who took it all way too seriously.

One protracted challenge from the Mets' manager on Monday brought back some of the most vivid memories of that smaller, second group.

JG

Dog Days

Here in the South, we are truly experiencing the Dog Days right now. As my grandfather would famously say, "It is strictly hot!"

But on the ham radio airwaves, the dog days have a hint of cool to them. 

K0DOG is a special event station operating the entire month leading up to International Dog Day on August 26. A team of operators has lent their talents with lots of bark (and no painful bite).

I had the privilege of making contact with one of the K0DOG operators over the weekend. 

As stated on the QRZ.com page for K0DOG:

Members of the Dog Day Radio Amateur Radio Club, K0DOG, are joining their friends around the world to carry the message of kindness and to encourage animal rescue and responsible care. 

My radio friend Caryn is one of the top dogs wrangling this pack of operators. I heard her on the air over the weekend as well and recognized her "steady fist" (ham radio lingo for one's ability to send morse code smoothly) so I dropped her a line to let her know I had "worked" another member of the team.

After the event is over, operators can obtain this nifty QSL card by sending an SASE to the address listed on the event's QRZ.com page. 

                                                    Image courtesy of K0DOG

The event dates to 2022 and was the idea of Dutch amateur radio operator, Hanz, who now lives in Latvia. There is more information about him and, also some great information about dogs and dog care, on the aforementioned page.

If you're a ham radio operator, it's a great opportunity to "work" a fellow op for a good cause. As a part of your QSO, you might tell stories about your preferred pooch. Or, if you are so inclined, your kute kitty. Seems like I have heard about a number of ham shack cats during my time back on the air. 

My friend Jerry, for instance, has a kitty who famously would help him send an extra dot or dash by tapping the key while it was in action. And, indeed, I've noticed our own, Scotty, will occasionally try to do the same if he is hanging out with me in my shack.

His predecessor, Roger, was content to sprawl in front of the space heater during winter months and soak up the warmth.  And by the way, isn't that a great ham shack name? Roger? We can't claim it. It came with him when we adopted him from the local shelter in 2004. Alas, he became a silent meow three years ago.

And later that year, the brother/sister duo of Scotty and Kells came home to the K4KYN QTH.

So, if you hear K0DOG on the air, give them a call. And remember, a dog days contact can focus on feline as well as canine. The more pets, the better. And great stories make the contact all the richer. 

Caryn has put together a great team and, as I mentioned above, an informative webpage. if you are interested in learning about the event, check out: https://www.qrz.com/db/K0DOG.

Woof woof.

73

JG

Welcome Back

In our home county, this morning, teachers and administrators will say "welcome back" to all their students. 

Today is the first day of school. Or, in #CoachJeff's speak, "Opening Day."

It's the first time in many years when my family didn't have a pupil in the school system. So, in that way, it's a bit of a different welcome back.

This time of year, I often remember first days of school. For instance, I can still remember that first first day at Denver Elementary School in Memphis. Everything was exciting and fresh and new. My aunt knitted a personalized book bag just for me. 

I loved the fact we had "milk break." It was a mid-morning time for rest and refreshment. Everyone should have milk break. Let's see if we can get that going again! Milk break for the W!

Later, when my family moved to East Tennessee, that created another new beginning. 

I know one of my former elementary school teachers is a fan of the blog. So, if she is reading along (I won't call her out because I won't embarrass her, but she knows I'm thinking of her), a shout out to her for making those first days of school so special.

I remember going to high school for the first time. We topped the big hill and there was the brand new Farragut High School sprawling and glistening in the morning sun. What a special place to spend high school.

And, many years later, what a special place for my kids to enjoy their high school years. Those were "first days" of a different sort.

We often say that education is the family business among my wife's kin. Her father was a teacher. So was her aunt. Her brother in law and sister were also educators. So, here's a shout out to all of them (especially as her sister begins another year of making a difference in the lives of young ones). 

My hope–indeed my prayer–is for a fantastic "Opening Day" and a wonderful school year to come. May it be rewarding for administrators, faculty and staff. May it be filled with opportunities for exploration and sparks of curiosity for young learners. For this school year, may it be filled with joy and excitement. 

And safety for all.

Welcome Back!

JG

Breaking Baseball

Members of Dodger Nation sneer at the rest of the baseball world when they repeat the line "The Dodgers are breaking baseball."

And yet, while many teams sat idly by at the trade deadline, the Dodgers scooped up ace starting pitcher Tarik Skubal. Once he donned the Dodger Blue, Skubal also scoffed at the notion the ballclub is doing anything wrong. 

What else is he going to say, right?

I hinted that this was going to be my blog for yesterday before I watched in disbelief at the modest moves my own favorite team made. But it didn't take me long to return to the heartburn that comes whenever I hear another free agent star has signed with L.A.

Truly, there have been super teams in all sports throughout history. It used to be said, for instance, that the old Kansas City Athletics club was the feeder team for the New York Yankees of the late '50s and early 60's 

The NBA has long favored the Lakers and Celtics. But, in recent years, other glamor markets have amassed their own super teams.  In 2010, LeBron left his hometown Cleveland team and famously took his talents to South Beach to team up with D-Wade and Chris Bosh. 

Still, there is something a little different about this situation. What is it?

I think, in some measure, it is this. No matter who wins the game, fans want to believe there is a fair contest going on; that the game isn't somehow tilted in one team's favor.

For my entire life, the Dodgers have always been one of the prominent national teams. No problem there. But what is different about this particular incarnation.

I dug into the deets a bit over the last couple of days. Why is it they have such an advantage over the other 29 teams?

People love a winner. I get that. And there are plenty of fans on the current Dodger bandwagon. Last year, they had more than 4 million fans at their home games and more than 50,000 fans in the stands for many of them. 

Think of the parking revenue, the Otani merch and all the Dodger dogs they sell. 

I saw that first-hand when I was at Dodger Stadium on a beautiful sun-splashed summer night last year.

But it's more - a big data point from the Commissioner's office as MLB pushes for a salary cap in the next labor deal.

As reported by Sportico this week, the Dodgers currently have $1.1 billion in deferred contracts. While it is possible other teams may defer a contract, but L.A. has transformed it into a new art form. 

Think if you could buy whatever souped up luxury car, pay a little on it now, but delay paying it off for 25 years. In my case, I'm not sure I'd been worrying much about the final payoff! 

In my example, your current household budget isn't stretched thin. And you mitigate impact on taxes. Now imagine not just one luxury car but a whole fleet. Meanwhile, #CoachJeff drives his gently used Jeep Grand Cherokee alongside all his neighbors with their regular late model vehicles.

In the Dodgers' case, despite the fact they have signed all these big name free agent starts, they don't have the highest payroll. Not by a long shot. And thus, they have a lower luxury tax penalty.

But wait, there's more.

When the Dodgers were sold out of bankruptcy in 2012, they got a sweetheart tv deal from the court. In essence, a chunk of Dodgers tv revenue was exempted from revenue sharing. Sportico estimates $100 million is exempted for a huge savings. According to the website Awful Announcing, that figure is up to $55 million. 

For sure, small market teams benefit from the Dodgers' spending but not to the degree they might without the unique tv deal. 

So, the whole thing falls a little flat when there is all the straight-faced indignation coming out of Chavez Ravine. Of course, they aren't violating any fine print. We all agree to that. But the fine print is written to benefit them. And when I read phrases like "hell bent on being the first N.L. team to three-peat" I roll my eyes. And when I hear Dodger brass dismiss the notion they are ruining baseball, I sigh a little louder.

But I can also put my sighs and eye rolls into action even as I hope MLB is able to rein this in.

My friend Dave once said his favorite team is "the Rangers and whomever is playing the Yankees." I'll amend his phrase and say "the Braves and whomever is playing the Dodgers." I'll root for all 29 with everything I've got and enjoy doing it along the way.

Yes, even for the Yankees.

JG

Trade Dudline

I had all but finished my MLB Trade Deadline column in my head. Basic disgust and disbelief that the league rolled over and let the Dodgers walk away with the big prize for a modest return.

But in my mind, and in order to proceed with that blog post, my favorite team would surely have made a trade to obtain the playoff-caliber starting pitcher that has the stated goal for some time. It never occurred to me they would make some good, modest pick-ups but not trade for an ace.

Then, 6 p.m. Monday came and went and the Braves' early moves stood as the only ones they'd make. Braves brass basically blew off any suggestion they had done anything less than what was intended.

And thus, the focus of #CoachJeff's Blog, today, did a major pivot. (Don't worry. I'll get back to the original concept in a future post.).

Don't try to sell the pundits on the company line. As Braves Country groaned in agony via social media, MLB experts from coast to coast proclaimed the Braves' efforts as dismal. Here are but just a few of the links:

AJC

The Athletic

ESPN

Yahoo

Yahoo 2

In none of these articles, or in others I read, did you come across anything like: "That's ok, Braves front office. We know you tried hard and gave it your best. Go get'm next time."

In other words, the trade deadline turned into a trade dudline.

Don't get me wrong, I like the role players they acquired. And no doubt they will make the club better in some areas. However, when you spend the last couple of years talking about how much money you have to spend, how you have the ability to "shop in any aisle" and you talk over and over again about the need and desire to acquire a "playoff caliber starter," then this end result comes up a little short.

I keep thinking of all the fans in the ballpark, all the high-priced beverages they drank and premium merch they bought, and it is hard to reconcile. 

After all, isn't the ultimate goal to bring another championship trophy home as they did in 2021?

It's hard to forecast how the rest of the season might play out. The Braves have some talented starting pitchers. For sure, they could take their game up a level as Grant Holmes did in last night's 4-2 win over the Marlins. They also have a couple injured and rehabbing starters who could play a factor. 

But that's a lot of ifs. 

At the end of the day, here's what this fan thinks:

If you don't want to spend the money, fine. It's your company. Run it as you wish. And if you want want to trade any of the prospects because one might make it big elsewhere, it seems like a fearful approach, but ok. That's also your choice.

I mean. I get it. I remember Adam Wainwright going to the Cardinals and becoming a star. But for every Waino, there is a handful of guys who top out as AAAA players. They can't all make it. 

And if you have a talent surplus, and a team full of veterans in first place–and a real chance to make some postseason noise–doesn't it make sense to go for it?

The throng I saw in The Battery a few weeks ago bringing all that energy and spending all that cash would surely say so.

JG

North American QSO Party

(Editor''s Note: I cover ham radio topics for a non ham radio audience every week in Tuesday's edition of #CoachJeff).

In previous amateur radio posts, I've told you about the notion of a "QSO Party."

Well, last weekend, we had one of the biggies. On Saturday, hams participated in the North American QSO Party. And as thew would suggest, it was open to any operator on the continent and in the Caribbean.

As I've mentioned before, a QSO Party is, essentially, an on-air scavenger hunt. So, the goal is to scoop up as many contacts as possible in a finite period of time. 

If QSOs were like a game show, think of this as "the lightning round." The exchange is quick.

First op calls CQ (meaning, I want to talk to someone)

Second op replies with callsign. (Here I am.)

First op confirms they hear you. Then, the person sends name and section (state, province, territory, etc). 

Second op acknowledges receipt of info and sends their info. I'll demonstrate. Here's what it would look like if I spelled it out.

K4KYN: CQ NAQP (North American QSO Party) de (this is) K4KYN (me)

WA4ZJW: K4KYN de WA4ZJW (former me)

K4KYN: WA4ZJW de K4KYN. Jeff TN

WA4ZJW: RRR (roger) Jeff TN.

K4KYN: TU. GL es 73 (Thank you. Good luck and so long).

WA4ZJW: 73

Easy enough.

I did that 250 times over the course of eight hours (I was actually on air for six factoring in a dinner break and other shorter breaks). 

As I mentioned, it was like a scavenger hunt. And as I also mentioned previously. I like to track my progress on a map of the U.S. (or in this case North America). Right away, you can see what areas I didn't log during my on-air time.

A few notes:

• States yellow. Provinces green.
• I never heard a station from Mexico.
• I did "work" stations from Barbados, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico and U. S. Virgin Islands (not pictured on the map).
• If it seems strange I didn't work Kentucky, it really is a difficult proposition for me. Odd signal propagation from my station to the Bluegrass State. Always is.
• Of course, TN signified by UT Vols Orange. 

Also, I like to keep stats. So, in terms of areas I talked to the most, here's what I charted. We'll call it #CoachJeff's Top 10 (the top 10 states I worked most frequently in the contest).

CA 15; TN 14; AZ 13; MN 11; PA 11; FL 10: TX 9; CO 8; NY 8; GA 7; NJ 7.

Most frequent provinces, not surprisingly, were ON and BC with 7 each.

In terms of states with lower totals, I was a little surprised by these numbers: IL 3; MI; IN 1; OH 1.  But, you can't work 'em all.

Well, technically, I guess you could, but it just so happened that, on this day, I didn't.

An added fun element of this competition was the fact the Tennessee Contest Group was incredibly active. And per the rules of this event, you could designate teams participating in the NAQP. So, within the TCG, we had five teams. I was on the TCG 33 Mandolins.

And, indeed, I hope my key was making sweet music by adding my points to our team score. 

73 de K4KYN  

JG

Accentuate the Positive

I'll admit it: I've not been the most agreeable person when it comes to our (new) current month.

But as the calendar flipped from July to August over the weekend, I decided to accentuate the positive this year. 

I mean, it is easy enough to talk about the dawg days, fret about the heat and humidity or grumble about the end of the slow pace of summer.  But how about we look at the bright side, instead?

Rather than chirping about the end of summer vacation, how about let's chat about new beginnings. Clean slate. Fresh start. A blank canvass to fill during the 2026-27 school year. I'm going to go on record today: there's lots to like about August.

Rather than sweating the heat, how about this instead: We're now just 50 days away from the official start of fall! And football season kicks off in just a few short weeks. 

For me personally, there are some new volunteer opportunities coming my way in the new year. The next four months will provide plenty of training time for me as I get ready.

There will be radio contacts to make and contests to fill the airwaves. And in the baseball world,  the August 3 trade deadline at 6 p.m. today ushers in the final push in the 2026 pennant race. 

Just this past weekend, Lisa and I had the opportunity to meet up with out of town friends visiting for the weekend.  We spent time enjoying a brief bit of reminiscing and focusing on the future as well.

It was a good time.

Speaking of the future, my good friend Ed has two grandsons. The youngest? His name is August. How about that for positive?

In this corner of the blogosphere, #CoachJeff has you covered with content 17 times this month. I'll do my best to keep it upbeat. And, by the way, have I mentioned, recently, that 17 is our family's lucky number? 

So, you see....lots for me and my family to feel good about in this August of 2026. I hope you can grasp some of that positive vibe in your world, too. 

No need to mess around with Mister In-between.

JG