Posts Tagged ‘Games’

AP source: Fielder and Tigers agree on 9-year deal

DETROIT –  Free agent first baseman Prince Fielder and the Detroit Tigers agreed Tuesday on a nine-year, $214 million contract that fills the AL Central champions’ need for a power hitter, a person familiar with the deal said.

CBS first reported the agreement.

The person told the associated Press that the deal was subject to a physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract was not yet complete.

Detroit boldly stepped up in the Fielder sweepstakes after the recent knee injury to star Victor Martinez. A week ago, the Tigers announced that the productive designated hitter could miss the entire season after tearing his left ACL.

The Tigers won their division by 15 games before losing in the AL championship series to Texas. Adding Fielder gives the Tigers two of the game’s premier sluggers, pairing him with Miguel Cabrera.

The move also keeps Fielder’s name in the Tigers’ family. his father, Cecil, became a big league star when he returned to the majors from Japan and hit 51 home runs with Detroit in 1990. Cecil played with the Tigers into the 1996 season.

Several teams had shown interest this winter in the 27-year-old Fielder, who had spent his entire career with Milwaukee. He visited Texas, and the Washington Nationals also got involved in the discussions.

The beefy slugger hit .299 with 38 home runs and 120 RBIs last season. He is a three-time All-Star and was the MVP of last year’s event in Phoenix.

Fielder has averaged 40 homers and 113 RBIs over the past five years. He’s also been among the most durable players in the majors, appearing in at least 157 games in each of the last six seasons.

The deal is only the fourth $200 million contract in baseball history, following Alex Rodriguez’s $275 million, 10-year contract with the New York Yankees, A-Rod’s $252 million, 10-year deal with Texas and Albert Pujols‘ $240 million, 10-year contract last month with the Los Angeles Angels.

Among current players, his $23.78 million average salary is behind only A-Rod ($27.5 million), Ryan Howard ($25 million), and Cliff Lee and Pujols ($24 million each).

Detroit general manager Dave Dombrowski said last week he felt finding a replacement for Martinez was a short-term problem, but he left himself some wriggle room, saying it depended who the player was.

Acquiring Fielder opens all sorts of possibilities, such as moving Cabrera to third base or having one of the two sluggers be the designated hitter.

AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum in new York contributed to this report.

<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/01/24/ap-source-fielder-and-tigers-agree-on-year-deal-1484695594/tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/01/24/ap-source-fielder-and-tigers-agree-on-year-deal-1484695594/Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:42:14 GMT”>AP source: Fielder and Tigers agree on 9-year deal

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Treasure Hunt And Scavenger Hunt Games Collection

A True Treasure Trove – A Bundle Of Five Best Selling Ebooks On All Aspects Of Treasure Hunts, Scavenger Hunts And General Party Games. Includes Games Or Kids, Adults And All Ages. All Games Are Ebooks For Instant Download. Bonus Includes Magic Tricks
Treasure Hunt And Scavenger Hunt Games Collection

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Fitness Games!

Now paying 75% Commission! Updated! New look, multimedia eBook! Fun Fitness Games & workouts for boot camp instructors, sports trainers, and coaches! Over 60 easy to use fitness games that will have your clients laughing, having fun & burning calories!
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US National Team in the World Cup?

After seeing the games in the Confederations Cup against Spain (US won 2-0) and the final against the Brazilians (US lost 3-2 in a Brazilian comeback from 0-2) I cannot help but wonder does the US have a chance at making its mark in the upcoming World Cup in South Africa? In 2002 the US made the Quarter FInals, do you guys think the US can do the same in 2010 or even go beyond that in the most anticipated sporting event in the world?

While confederations cup was productive, the performance there does not foreshadow success in the World Cup. There are a lot more teams, and the stakes and competition are higher. if anything, look to the Brazil lose. it showed that, at least at the moment, the US is missing key depth off the bench that many other nations have. In the end, I think a lot of it comes down to our draw in Pool Play and how well Coach Bob Bradley handles substitutions (something he was terrible at at the Confed Cup). But don't look at "making its mark" as the finals or semis. Making the Quarters again would be huge for US soccer just like, as you said, in 2002.

I do believe so because they are a very constructive team and can work well together when they don't play that demarcus beasley fellow. I think they could make it as far as the semis or finals because we showed we can beat top level teams and we have another year to prepare so I think and hope that we'll be ready.

Yes, I do believe that we will qualify because we dont have that great of a group to play against. the only problem we would have being in a weak group is playing teams in a stronger group like England, the Netherlands, or even Germany. Those are the only things i would worry about. So i think the least we could do is play some Friendly matches with prestiges teams.

Do to our growing youth development.. (I dont want to brag but i play for houston dynamo u-15 development academy) we will grow to be one of the worlds best and the display at the confeds cup proves my point.

US National Team in the World Cup?

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The Escapist : News : Research Paper Attempts to Prove Why StarCraft Is Fun to Watch

Two researchers believe that watching StarCraft matches is fun because the spectators can see stuff the players do not.

Competitive gaming and the people who like to watch such events has always been a kind of holy grail for the gaming community. the phenomenon of spectators watching experts play videogames the way that fans watch physical sports like baseball or soccer has been growing steadily over the last decade with organizations like Major League Gaming leading the way. Gifford Cheung and Jeff Huang from the University of Washington wrote a research paper that investigated why people like watching StarCraft and its sequel more than other games, citing the immense popularity in South Korea and the growing trend worldwide, if the large amount of YouTube commentaries on matches is any indication. in order for more games to enjoy the success that StarCraft has enjoyed as a spectator sport, Cheung and Huang think designers need to consider the “asymmetry of information,” allowing people to become invested by deciding how they receive information.

“Video games are primarily designed for the players. However, the players are not the only people engaged with the game. in this paper, we turn our attention to the spectators, those who watch but do not directly interact with the game,” the paper reads. “We want to know more about the context of their spectating so that game designers can better design video games as spectator activities.”

To better understand why people enjoyed watching StarCraft, Cheung and Huang pored over thousands of emails, forum posts and comments to get to the nugget of what made spectating fun. the pair came up with nine distinct of spectator personas of StarCraft fans to use as tools in the discussion.

Which one of the following are you? (I’m pretty sure I’m an Inspired.)

The Bystander – the Bystander is the least engaged of the spectators. He or she is exemplified by an outsider’s perspective.

The Curious – the Curious spectator focuses his or her attention on knowledgegaps about the game. as long as there is something that is incomprehensible and that can be discovered by spectating, the experience remains engrossing.

The Inspired – after spectating, the Inspired is eager to play the game himself/herself. sometimes it is to try the same strategies that they witnessed; sometimes the enthusiasm is more broadly directed at the game itself.

The Pupil – much like the Curious, the Pupil wants to understand the game and the techniques of the players. However, what distinguishes the Pupil is the emphasis on translating knowledge to practice. the Pupil’s question is not merely “How did he do that?” it is also, “How does this information change how I play?”

The Unsatisfied – the Unsatisfied sees the act of spectating as a weaker substitute for the activity he or she would rather do. Overall, the spectating experience is inadequate because, for example, the Unsatisfied would rather be playing the game.

The Entertained – On the opposite end of the spectrum of Playing vs. Watching are those who find satisfaction in watching, which many prefer over playing. For these, watching affords the experience of playing without the stress.

The Assistant – Spectators often have the opportunity to impact the game in-progress. Two examples of this are to act as an advisor to the player and to help the player focus on the game. the advisor acts as a second pair of eyes, giving the player reminders about what to do and alerts about key events that may have gone unnoticed.

The Commentator – the Commentator or “shoutcaster” is both spectator and a performer. He shapes the viewing experience of other spectators by providing a running commentary of the game.

The Crowd – There is a strong communal aspect to spectating and a pleasure in watching a game as a group that matches behavior for traditional sporting events.

Beyond these profiles, Cheung and Huang discuss how spectators enjoy watching games (and all sports really) because they are unsure of the outcome. “In American football, elaborate plays are developed by the coaches before the players jog on to the field, and the spectator watches them unfold.” the same is true of watching an expert StarCraft player begin his assault.

Cheung and Huang consider how the asymmetry of information can be used to design games to be more fun to watch. “Perhaps the proper question for designers to ask is not ‘how do we give more information to spectators?’, but rather, as spectators participate in and co-construct their own experience as a body of viewers, ‘where should we place control over the game information?’”

It’s all very cool stuff, and I think it’s great that students at a major institution consider games like StarCraft to be worthy of investigation. If you’re interested, the whole paper is definitely worth a read.

Source: Jeff Huang.com

<a href="http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/110088-Research-Paper-Attempts-to-Prove-Why-StarCraft-Is-Fun-to-Watchtag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/110088-Research-Paper-Attempts-to-Prove-Why-StarCraft-Is-Fun-to-WatchMon, 16 May 2011 21:35:40 GMT 00:00″>The Escapist : News : Research Paper Attempts to Prove Why StarCraft Is Fun to Watch

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Derek Boogaard: New York Rangers Forward Reportedly Found Dead in Minnesota

Tragedy has struck the National Hockey League, as it has been announced that New York Rangers forward Derek Boogaard was found dead in his Minneapolis apartment on Friday.

The news was first broken by Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune via Twitter less than an hour ago. Boogaard was found by members of his family, and his cause of death has yet to be determined. he was 28 years old.

Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather has just issued a statement regarding Boogaard’s sudden death. Courtesy of the team’s official website:

Derek was an extremely kind and caring individual. he was a very thoughtful person, who will be dearly missed by all those who knew him. we extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.

Boogaard just finished his first season with the Rangers, notching two points in 22 games. he started his career with the Minnesota Wild in 2005, several years after they drafted him in 2001. he emerged as one of the best enforcers in the NHL, and quickly became a fan favorite in Minnesota and elsewhere.

While Boogaard was a menace on the ice, racking up 589 penalty minutes during his career, Washington Capitals forward Niklas Backstrom told Russo that Boogaard was much different off the ice.

Said Backstrom, “Unreal guy. Just a really big teddy bear. Outside the rink, he didn’t want bad for anyone.”

Derek Boogaard: New York Rangers Forward Reportedly Found Dead in Minnesota

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Unique Jungle Baby Shower Games Bundle

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Unique Jungle Baby Shower Games Bundle

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Felger & Mazz: Red Sox President Larry Lucchino On The 2011 Season

President and Chief Exective Officer Larry Lucchino of the Boston Red Sox arrives at Tokyo International Airport on March 20, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. Boston Red Sox play their MLB opening games against Oakland Athletics on March 25 and 26 in Tokyo. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)

Boston Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino joined Felger & Massarotti to talk about Opening Day and the upcoming Red Sox season.

Larry opened the interview acknowledging the passing of former Red Sox general manager Lou Gorman.

What is Larry looking forward to seeing on this Opening Day? Who is Lucchino excited to see of the new players coming in this season?

Is Lucchino afraid of all the expectations that are being put on the team? How can they manage expectations?

What makes Carl Crawford a $20 million a year player? what needs may the Sox have to fill later in the season?

Felger & Mazz: Red Sox President Larry Lucchino On The 2011 Season

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Chicago CUBS!? – Yahoo! Answers

2 questions for you guys.

do you think the new cubs coach will have ANY effect on how they will play next year!

also, can someone give me as much info as they know about the cubs fan convention in Jan. I wanna go this year!

thanks!

the new coach guy is a SPAZZ.

Sweet Lou.

he is the new MANAGER!
not a coach—in baseball there is a difference.

Sweet Lou will turn that club around, and the Cubbies will finish above .500.

Maybe next year…….go STL Cardinals woooohoooo

Yes, I do believe the new manager will have a positive affect on the Cubs. Leadership and style have a rickling down effect on the whole team.

Just check out the Cubs online website. I am sure they will have information on there for the January convention.

what the cubs need is prior and wood to say health
lou will get them to play hard, run every thing, no slaking

lou is going to yell at the umps to delay games for a long time.
i know nothing about the cubs fan convention… im a ny fan.

I think Lou will help the Cubs, he's had alot of success wherever he's managed, with the exception of Tampa Bay. He has the talent with the Cubs, I think he can do well.

They will do the same they did when Dusty took over. they will be good for about a minute and then, the old paterns will emerge and a decent man (Pinella) will be run out of town like he's the antichrist.

Chicago CUBS!? – Yahoo! Answers

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2011 NFL Lockout: Will Owners Wise Up And Choose Football Over Money?

As all NFL fans, we are losing our patients with the way the NFL and it’s players are negotiating. They seem to have forgotten who is the main group  behind all of that 9 Billion dollars in revenue that they are fighting over, the fans.

Instead of looking at ways for each side to get more money out of our pockets, they should be devising a plan that will put more back in, because in the end it will be us that pays one way or another.

We need to have our voices heard also. is there anyone in the negotiations that is speaking on the fans behalf ?

I love the NFL and next to my wife and children, I love the New Orleans Saints, but there will be a line that eventually the owners and players will cross, and because of that, most fans will not come back.

Look at baseball,  and even hockey as examples, their attendance has not been the same since they went on strike. I know that the owners are the ones who have locked out the players, but essentially it is the same thing. Bottom line no games.

The fans are the main group of people that are loosing here. Fans of all NFL teams are buying their products, attending games, even though most really can not even afford to do so.

Most fans can’t afford to bring their whole families. with this economy the cost is just to much for most of us. Somehow I feel that price is about to become ever higher once the dust settles from all of the hearings and negotiations.

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2011 NFL Lockout: Will Owners Wise Up And Choose Football Over Money?

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