All players must register ONLINE at http://sbpony.clubspaces.com/default_css.aspx on or before the deadline.

Pinto and Mustang players must attend a skills assessment on January 22 at McGaugh School in order to  be placed on a team.

For more league information go to http://sbpony.com

Tryouts will be on Saturday, January 22.

This is a player skill assessment for Pinto (8U) and Mustang (10U) players to be placed on a team.

Shetland and T-Ball Players (6 and under) are not required to attend the skill assessment!

Players need to bring their bat, batting helmet, and glove as they will hit, throw, and catch during the assessment.

Players will perform all skills at one time then be free to leave.?The player evaluations will be at McGaugh Elementary school.

Players are to report to McGaugh based on their division and the first letter of their last name. Times are as follows:

Pinto:

A – F – 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM

G – M – 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM

N – S – 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM

T – Z – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Mustang:

A – M – 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM

N – Z – 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM

If you do not have a child this age PLEASE tell one of your friends who does!

HOUSTON Oakland + 9 ½

Tenn JACKSONVILLE +3

NEW ENGLAND Baltimore +2

Cincy CLEVELAND +5 ½

NY Giants KANSAS CITY + 9   (give the points)

WASH Tampa Bay +7

INDY Seattle +10 ½

NEW ORLEANS NY JETS 6 ½

Buffalo MIAMI +2

SAN FRAN Rams +9 ½

Dallas DENVER +3

PITTSBURGH San Diego +6 ½

Monday Night

MINN Green Bay + 3 ½

* Home Teams all capital letters

** Best Bet  - In Bold Print (Go to archives to see previous ‘best bets’)

HOUSTON                Jacksonville + 4

PHILLY                      Kansas City +9

BALTIMORE            Cleveland +13 1/2

NY  Giants                 TAMPA BAY + 6 1/2

Wash                          DETROIT + 6 1/2

Green Bay                  ST. LOUIS +6 1/2

MINN                         San Francisco + 7

NEW ENGLAND     Atlanta  + 4

Chicago                       SEATTLE + 2   (give the points)

New Orleans             BUFFALO +6

SAN DIEGO              Miami  +6

Pittsburgh                  CINCY + 4

Denver                         OAKLAND +1  1/2

MONDAY NIGHT

Dallas                          CAROLINA +9

* Home Teams all capital letters

** Best Bet  - In Bold Print (Go to archives to see previous ‘best bets’)

KANSAS CITY  -  Oakland +3                                      38

TENNESSEE    - Houston   +6 1/2                               40 1/2 

New England  - NY JETS   +5  (Take the pts!)  45 1/2 

GREEN BAY  -  Cincinnati  +9                                      42

Minnesota      -  DETROIT +9 1/2                                46 1/2 

PHILLY          -  New Orleans     P                                 46

ATLANTA     –  Carolina    +6                                         43

WASH           –  St. Louis      + 9 1/2                                36 1/2

JACKSONVILLE – Arizona   +3                                    42 1/2

SAN FRANCISCO – Seattle   + 1 1/2                              39 1/2

BUFFALO           –  Tampa Bay +5                                   42    

DENVER             –  Cleveland + 3                                     37 1/2

SAN DIEGO       – Baltimore +3                                       40 1/2 

Pittsburgh           – Chicago  +3                                         37 1/2 

DALLAS              - NY Giants + 3                                     44  1/2

Monday Night

Indianapolis   –  MIAMI+3                                               42

A friend who knows how much I admire Tiger Woods recently sent me photos of his home in Isleworth, Florida near Orlando. See Photos at: http://officespam.chattablogs.com/archives/2006/06/pictures-of-tiger-woods-house.html

It is, quite naturally, an exceptionally beautiful home. An entry with a phenomenal staircase,  a living room with a custom 30 foot couch, 6 bathrooms, 5 marble bathrooms, 2 ½ baths AND 22 TVs! 

This  9,000 foot estate overlooks one quarter of a mile of  a crystal white sand beach and has a 90 foot infinity pool.  Its within walking distance of 3 world renowned golf courses.

The lighting system is so spectacular that if you were allowed to rent  it for a weekend you could create your own ambience.

Nevertheless, while I  would grant Tiger Woods anything he wants in life because he’s done so much good for those less fortunate and is generally a very class act among celebrities, I questioned if this was really Tiger’s camping grounds.  What do you think?  Go to:  http://www.snopes.com/photos/architecture/tigerwoods.asp

Beth Daniel, Capt of U.S. Team circles the 18^th green with the Stars and Stripes after the U.S. girls staged an amazing come from behind victory in the 2009 Solheim Cup.

In the most exciting golf of the weekend the U.S. LPGA Team came from behind to score a decisive 16 -12 victory over the European Women on Sunday at Rich Harvest Farms, outside of Chicago.  This was very exciting golf and they drew a gallery of over 100,000 for the three days of the Cup.

Going into Sunday’s final the U.S. and the European’s were tied with 8 points each but the Europeans were leading in most matches on the front 9 holes.  But then the Yanks buckled down and some absolutely amazing putting  as well as some great recoveries saved the day.

It would be  hard to pick one player as more outstanding than another, and that includes the European women. This was some real high excitement golf.

Christina Kim had to be the most excited golfer on the course and he enthusiasm transferred to the crowd. She was the head cheerleader. 41 year old Julie Inkster was down by 3 holes on the back 9 and then started a string of birdies and one amazing recovery from deep in the bulrushes to cinch a tie with Gladys Nocera. Inkster said being selected to play with these talented kids was a great vote of confidence in her by Beth Daniel, however, this will be her last Solheim. “Its time to move on and make room for all the young talent that is in the LPGA.”

Michelle Wie and Kim were a successful team earlier in the week and on Sunday Wie defeated Helen Alfredsson  1 up. Angela Stanford had the most lopsided victory defeating Beck Brewerton 5 & 4. Brittany Lang halved with Laura Davies after Davies struggled on the last two holes and Natalie Gulbis and Christie Kerr halved in their contests.  

Morgan Pressel, however, gets the honors for being the player who actually clinched the title when she  defeated Anna Nordqvist 3 & 2.  Pressel had been putting like a genie all days and earlier  sunk a sand-shot to add to her birdie run..  Another birdie on 16 left her three points up with only two holes to go and that did it.

For more info go to: http://www.lpga.com/solheimcup.aspx

What you have to understand is that a fantasy draft is not rocket science!  This is a game for crying out loud so have some fun and don’t overestimate draft “knowledge.”  Its 50% luck and the other 50% is in the list at the bottom of this page!

A couple of guys in your league are going to draft 2 or 3 of the very best players in the NFL ….. and get nothing out of their pick. (Like the guys who drafted Tom Brady land Thomlison last year and Reggie Bush the year before) A couple of gals are going to draft some guy you never heard of cause they think he’s cute…and he’ll probably score 20 TD’s.

HERE’S HOW YOUR LEAGUE WILL WORK.
Let’s assume your league is 10 players.
Let’s assume you draft 3 QBs, 4 RBs, 4WR’s, 2 TEs, and 2 Ks. That’s 15 players total.
Let’s assume each week you are going to have to play: 1 QB, 2RBs, 2 WRs. 1TE and 1K.

HOW TO PICK

1-Most important thing to remember is each players  “bye” week. Not too important on  your first few picks but MAKE SURE you consider the Bye week by the time you have made  your first             5 picks.  Doesn’t make much difference until then.

The picks in the list below favor RB’s as early picks. So if your league doesn’t give points for yardage adjust your “Cheat Sheet” as follows:
2-move  the top five QBs up to the top 5 spots.
3-then leave the top 10 RBs in the next 10 spots
4-then move in another 4 QBs and 4 top WRs to spots 16 thru 24.
The list below also gives too much emphasis to WRs.  We can’t imagine taking a WR before taking the guy throwing the ball to him?
That’s a total of 23 top players.  No matter what number you had in the draft you now have at least two great players  1 great QB and 1 great RB (maybe a very good WR but I’d wait another turn for a WR unless somebody super is still available.) On the next round if you can get another top RB – but pick one on another team than your first RB is on. For your 4th pick – If you haven’t yet drafted a WR… there will be some great ones still available. If there is a REALLY good one that goes w/your QB take him  – - although it is doubtful that will happen because when someone drafts…say Tom Brady, somebody else is going to take Randy Moss before that guy gets to pick again.

5- Once you gotten a QB and 2 RBs…and the best WR out there you’ve gotten most of
your team on just four picks! Don’t worry about Ks or TEs until after you’ve  gotten
2QBs, 3RBs and 3WR’s.  Most kickers have pretty similar totals and when one kicker
is 20 pts behind another guy at the end of the season ..its not because he  couldn’t
kick…its because his QB couldn’t get him close enough.

6-OK you now have the guts of your “1st” team; a top QB,
2 good RBs and a great receiver. Your probably going to play
those 4 players every week you can.  Now look thru the rest
of the list while your waiting for your next chance and pick the
best player available. Hopefully another RB and WR.

REMEMBER THIS….YOU  ARE GOING TO WIN OR LOSE BASED ON FOUR GUYS ON YOUR TEAM!

IF A KEY PLAYER GETS HURT…GET RID OF HIM QUICKLY AND GET A REPLACEMENT.  IN FANTASY YOU WANT TO WIN GAMES AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.  DON’T WAIT AROUND FOR THE PLAYOFFS!

Remember to carry a copy of your cheat sheet with you in the days leading up to your draft.  When you hear that Beanie Wells hurt his ankle and got carried off the field…make a note next to his name..maybe an arrow pointing down so you know to downgrade him on draft night.  Is Plaxico Burress going to go to jail or is he going to be able to play this year?

The picks you see on our list are where they are based on how we expect them to do THIS year  but you can also look at how they did last year and see if that reminds you of anything.

1-Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings. Bye: 9.
2-Matt Forte, RB, Bears. Bye: 5.
3-Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars. Bye: 7.
4-LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers. Bye: 5.
5-Chris Johnson, RB, Titans. Bye: 7.
6-Steve Slaton, RB, Texans. Bye: 10.
7-Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins. Bye: 8.
8-Michael Turner, RB, Falcons. Bye: 4.
9-Steven Jackson, RB, Rams. Bye: 9.
10-Randy Moss, WR, Patriots. Bye: 8.
11-Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals. Bye: 4.
12-DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers. Bye: 4.
13-Andre Johnson, WR, Texans. Bye: 10.
14-Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos. Bye: 7.
15-Kevin Smith, RB, Lions. Bye: 7.
16-Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints. Bye: 5.
17-Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions. Bye: 7.
18-Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants. Bye: 10.
19-Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles. Bye: 4.
20-Frank Gore, RB, 49ers. Bye: 6.
21-Marques Colston, WR, Saints. Bye: 5.
22-Tom Brady, QB, Patriots. Bye: 8.
23-Peyton Manning, QB, Colts. Bye: 6.
24-Chris Wells, RB, Cardinals. Bye: 4.
25-Roddy White, WR, Falcons. Bye: 4.
26-Marion Barber, RB, Cowboys. Bye: 6.
27-Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts. Bye: 6.
28-Drew Brees, QB, Saints. Bye: 5.
29-Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers. Bye: 5.
30-Greg Jennings, WR, Packers. Bye: 5.
31-Steve Smith, WR, Panthers. Bye: 4.
32-Chad Ochocinco, WR, Bengals. Bye: 8.
33-Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys. Bye: 6.
34-Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers. Bye: 5.
35-Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs. Bye: 8.
36-Derrick Ward, RB, Buccaneers. Bye: 8.
37-Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers. Bye: 4.
38-Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins. Bye: 6.
39-Antonio Bryant, WR, Buccaneers. Bye: 8.
40-Terrell Owens, WR, Bills. Bye: 9.
41-Anquan Boldin, WR, Cardinals. Bye: 4.
42-Braylon Edwards, WR, Browns. Bye: 9.
43-T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Seahawks. Bye: 7.
44-Roy Williams, WR, Cowboys. Bye: 6.
45-Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers. Bye: 5.
46-Vincent Jackson, WR, Chargers. Bye: 5.
47-Ryan Grant, RB, Packers. Bye: 5.
48-Donald Brown, RB, Colts. Bye: 6.
49-Ray Rice, RB, Ravens. Bye: 7.
50-Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles. Bye: 4.
51-Lee Evans, WR, Bills. Bye: 9.
52-Wes Welker, WR, Patriots. Bye: 8.
53-Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders. Bye: 9.
54-Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Colts. Bye: 6.
55-Santonio Holmes, WR, Steelers. Bye: 8.
56-Santana Moss, WR, Redskins. Bye: 8.
57-Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys. Bye: 6.
58-Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons. Bye: 4.
59-Dallas Clark, TE, Colts. Bye: 6.
60.Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings. Bye: 9.
61-Thomas Jones, RB, Jets. Bye: 9.
62-DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles. Bye: 4.
63-Marshawn Lynch, RB, Bills. Bye: 9.
64-Reggie Bush, RB, Saints. Bye: 5.
65-Derrick Mason, WR, Ravens. Bye: 7.
66-Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons. Bye: 4.
67-Jay Cutler, QB, Bears. Bye: 5.
68-Matt Schaub, QB, Texans. Bye: 10.
69-Eddie Royal, WR, Broncos. Bye: 7.
70-Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals. Bye: 8.
71-Joseph Addai, RB, Colts. Bye: 6.
72-Chris Cooley, TE, Redskins. Bye: 8.
73-Greg Olsen, TE, Bears. Bye: 5.
74-Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals. Bye: 4.
75-Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals. Bye: 8.
76-Kevin Walter, WR, Texans. Bye: 10.
77-Hines Ward, WR, Steelers. Bye: 8.
78-Kellen Winslow Jr., TE, Buccaneers. Bye: 8.
79-Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos. Bye: 7.
80-Devin Hester, WR, Bears. Bye: 5.
81-Fred Jackson, RB, Bills. Bye: 9.
82-Jamal Lewis, RB, Browns. Bye: 9.
83-Laveranues Coles, WR, Bengals. Bye: 8.
84-Torry Holt, WR, Jaguars. Bye: 7.
85-Donald Driver, WR, Packers. Bye: 5.
86-David Garrard, QB, Jaguars. Bye: 7.
87-Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs. Bye: 8.
88-Jerious Norwood, RB, Falcons. Bye: 4.
89-Josh Morgan, WR, 49ers. Bye: 6.
90-Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants. Bye: 10.
91-Jerricho Cotchery, WR, Jets. Bye: 9.
92-Lance Moore, WR, Saints. Bye: 5.
93-Brian Robiskie, WR, Browns. Bye: 9.
94-Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks. Bye: 7.
95-Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers. Bye: 8.
96-Earnest Graham, RB, Buccaneers. Bye: 8.
97-Zach Miller, TE, Raiders. Bye: 9.
98-Owen Daniels, TE, Texans. Bye: 10.
99-LenDale White, RB, Titans. Bye: 7.
100-Darren Sproles, RB, Chargers. Bye: 5.
101-Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys. Bye: 6.
102-LeRon McClain, RB, Ravens. Bye: 7.
103-LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles. Bye: 4.
104-Michael Bush, RB, Raiders. Bye: 9.
105-Shonn Greene, RB, Jets. Bye: 9.
106-Donnie Avery, WR, Rams. Bye: 9.
107-Nate Washington, WR, Titans. Bye: 7.
108-Steve Breaston, WR, Cardinals. Bye: 4.
109-Jeremy Shockey, TE, Saints. Bye: 5.
110-John Carlson, TE, Seahawks. Bye: 7.
111-Willie Parker, RB, Steelers. Bye: 8.
112-Chris Chambers, WR, Chargers. Bye: 5.
113-Mark Sanchez QB NY Jets  Bye: 9.
114-Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys. Bye: 6.
115-Chester Taylor, RB, Vikings. Bye: 9.
116-Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs. Bye: 8.
117-Heath Miller, TE, Steelers. Bye: 8.
118-Justin Gage, WR, Titans. Bye: 7.
119-Mark Clayton, WR, Ravens. Bye: 7.
120-Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings. Bye: 9.
121-Devin Thomas, WR, Redskins. Bye: 8.
122-Ricky Williams, RB, Dolphins. Bye: 6.
123-Brent Celek, TE, Eagles. Bye: 4.
124-Matt Cassel, QB, Chiefs. Bye: 8.
125-Jason Campbell, QB, Redskins. Bye: 8.
126-Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Dolphins. Bye: 6.
127-Deion Branch, WR, Seahawks. Bye: 7.
128-Dustin Keller, TE, Jets. Bye: 9.
129-Willis McGahee, RB, Ravens. Bye: 7.
130-Leon Washington, RB, Jets. Bye: 9.
131-Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks. Bye: 7.
132-Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots. Bye: 8.
133-Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants. Bye: 10.
134-Kevin Curtis, WR, Eagles. Bye: 4.
135-Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Panthers. Bye: 4.
136-Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers. Bye: 8.
137-Tashard Choice, RB, Cowboys. Bye: 6.
138-Sammy Morris, RB, Patriots. Bye: 8.
139-James Davis, RB, Browns. Bye: 9.
140-Mark Bradley, WR, Chiefs. Bye: 8.
141-Domenik Hixon, WR, Giants. Bye: 10.
142-Patrick Crayton, WR, Cowboys. Bye: 6.
143-Chris Henry, WR, Bengals. Bye: 8.
144-Matt Stafford, QB, Lions. Bye  7.

And here’s an alphabetical list of kickers.  Most important thing for you is to MAKE SURE you don’t have the same bye week for your kickers!  Very Important. Gostkowski is probably
the best kicker on the list…but if Brady is hot he won’t be kicking so many field goals. Succop (at K.C.) and Feely (at Jets) may be bailing out their team of the new QBs fail to click.

Akers, David K, Philadelphia Eagles
Andrus, Shane K, Indianapolis Colts
Bironas, Rob K, Tennessee Titans
Brown, Josh K, St. Louis Rams
Brown, Kris K, Houston Texans
Bryant, Matt K, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buehler, David K, Dallas Cowboys
Carpenter, Dan K, Miami Dolphins
Coutu, Brandon K, Seattle Seahawks
Crosby, Mason K, Green Bay Packers
Czech, Piotr K, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dawson, Phil K, Cleveland Browns
Elam, Jason K, Atlanta Falcons
Feely, Jay K, New York Jets
Folk, Nick K, Dallas Cowboys
Gano, Graham K, Baltimore Ravens
Gostkowski, Stephen K, New England Patriots
Gould, Robbie K, Chicago Bears
Graham, Shayne K, Cincinnati Bengals
Hanson, Jason K, Detroit Lions
Hartley, Garrett K, New Orleans Saints
Hauschka, Steven K, Baltimore Ravens
Janikowski, Sebastian K, Oakland Raiders
Kaeding, Nate K, San Diego Chargers
Kasay, John K, Carolina Panthers
Lindell, Rian K, Buffalo Bills
Lloyd, Rhys K, Carolina Panthers
Longwell, Ryan K, Minnesota Vikings
Mare, Olindo K, Seattle Seahawks
Mehlhaff, Taylor K, Minnesota Vikings
Nedney, Joe K, San Francisco 49ers
Nugent, Mike K, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Prater, Matt K, Denver Broncos
Rackers, Neil K, Arizona Cardinals
Rayner, Dave K, Washington Redskins
Reed, Jeff K, Pittsburgh Steelers
Romero, Alex K, San Francisco 49ers
Scobee, Josh K, Jacksonville Jaguars
Succop, Ryan K, Kansas City Chiefs
Suisham, Shaun K, Washington Redskins
Tynes, Lawrence K, New York Giants
Vinatieri, Adam K, Indianapolis Colts

Long Beach is one of the main “communities” that make up the great L.A. Basin and the home of more star athletes than ANY OTHER city in the country.

To find out more about its future as an Olympic site AGAIN read the entire report in the Long Beach Press Telegram at    http://www.presstelegram.com/sports/ci_12971807

A great story by Bob Keisser

Status of the boats still racing: positions –  as of  9 a.m. Saturday.

Next likely boat to finish is Division 3′s  45′ Criminal Mischief who was only 200 miles out.

Followed by the tiny  (by comparison to Alfa Romeo) Division 6 - 35′ Relentless 368 miles from shore.

Then Division 4′s Tachyon at 465 miles.

Next was Charisma 500 miles away and Horizon 514 miles from the finish.     Pegasus,  a Divison 1 boat but a two-handed entry was 62 miles in front of  OEX who was 663 miles from the finish.

Since I will not be able to give you the finish tomorrow (out of town, folks) here is my best guess at the winners of each division.

Div 1 – Alfa Romeo (already in port.)

Div 2- OEX

Div 3- Criminal Mischief – In the bag for this great boat and crew.

Div 4- Tachyon III - – Reinrag 2 is a close second but Tachyon is a little south and probably will have better wind the rest of the way.

Div 5 - Horizon raced brilliantly and has a fair lead, however, is only making 6 1/2 knots right now and those behind her are making 10.

Div 6 - Relentless.  This little 35′ was overall leader for much of the race. That crew has been brilliant and along with Pegasus deserve to be              seated at the head table at the Trans Pac banquet.

Div 7 - Charisma.  500 miles out but with a substantial lead. It would be very surprising if any in her class caught her before she got into                     the channel.

Special Mention to Pegasus.  A Division one boat, as we said earlier, racing two-handed. Those guys may sleep through the banquet but they’ll set a two handed record that will stand for a long time.

Great Race who you all enjoyed following it on <whatupinsealbeach.com>  

Seal Beach 10:18 a.m. July 9 - Trans Pac standings  Thursday morning.

Alfa Romeo, Div 1, is “flying” along just north of the 26 line of latitude.  Its now the got the number one spot overall having taken it away from the 65 foot smaller Relentless during the night.  Relentless still leads Division 6  and is in  third place overall.

Alfa Romeo is registering 17.9 knots right now… its fourth day above 17 knots.  Got a great chance of setting a Trans Pac record.  Should get to Oahu on Friday.

Criminal Mischief , Div 3, also passed Relentless last night and took over second place overall and still leads Div 3.  She should win her division handily.

Division 2 leader is OEX

Division 7 is Charisma..but Bengal 7 in on her stern and mighty close.

Hula and Bad Pak follow in Division 4 and Horizon has pulled away from the others in her division…for the time being.

The two manned Pegasus is doing remarkably well and seems destined to also set a record for a double-hand entry.

This will be one of the most remarkable Transpacific Yacht races in years.   

 Overall positions by Division

#1-Div 1/ #2 – Div 3/  #3 – Div 6/ #4 – Div 7/  #5 – Div 4/ #6 - Div 5/  #7 - Div 2