SPORTS
STORM CENTER: Warmer by the ‘stove’
The hot stove isn’t just a place to warm by during these cold late fall days, it’s also a way of life for baseball fans.
On Thursday evening while I was writing my column, the temperature in downtown Bowie was 33 degrees and the parade was heard loud and clear.
So, what better way to think of warm thoughts by venturing close to a hot stove and talking baseball, right?
Major League Baseball conducted its winter meetings this week, and there was a whole slew of activity – which we will get to at the end of this column.
First, a history on what “hot stove” means.
It refers to the sport’s offseason, which began in early November after the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians in seven games during The World Series.
Typically, especially more common in the north, baseball fans gather around a hot stove and discuss trades, free agency, new managers and salary arbitration.
Yes, I know that sounds mundane. But, I have anal-retentive friends that love discussing salary arbitration.
This time year, speculation runs rampant. Who’s going to get traded where? What are the best destinations for free agents?
James D. Hardy, the current associate dean of Louisiana State University Honors College and history professor at the Baton Rouge campus, reported in his books “hot stove” dates back to the 19th Century.
“Hot stove” depicts what happened in small-town America during the months of December, January and February – when people sat around an old-school iron pot-bellied stove at the town’s general store.
During these discussions, baseball was one of the most favored topics along with the weather, politics, police blotter and what was happening at the local church.
Because baseball was the most dominant sport in America in the early 20th century, sportswriters around the country spent most of their time talking about “the hot stove” at this time of year.
These days, Major League Baseball Network has a show called “The Hot Stove.” Read more in the Dec. 10 Bowie News.
Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.
Pot-bellied stoves were the site of many discussions about baseball during winter months, and that gave birth to the term “hot stove.” (Courtesy photo)
In its first match since last year’s state semifinal appearance, Saint Jo hosted Bryson Aug. 11 and took a 25-13, 25-12, 25-21 win over the Cowgirls.
The Lady Panthers lost some talent to graduation but have five seniors ready to have a successful season. Savannah Hil, one of the five, got Saint Jo rolling offensively with a four-point serving string, including a pair of aces. Abby Carter’s kill and Kamron Skidmore’s block helped put the Lady Panthers up 5-2 in game one.
Hadleigh Moore added a four-point string of her own to extend the lead to 10-3. Tatum Morman’s pair, helped by a Hill kill, gave Saint Jo a 14-5 lead. Bryson got within five before a Hill 3-pointer, with help by a Carter kill, put the lead back at 18-10.
After an Olivia Johnson kill broke serve, Jordyn O’Neal served up the final five points, with Johnson providing a kill to move things along.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Despite being the smallest school in the Brock varsity classic volleyball tournament, the Lady Indians finished 4th out of the eight teams there.
After losing to the host team in its first pool play match Aug. 14 18-25, 14-25 and also to Class 3A Wall 12-25, 8-25, Nocona rebounded to close out pool play with a 20-25, 25-23, 25-20 win over Christoval. Sy Parker had 16 kills and 7 blocks in the three matches. Raylea Bowles had 12 kills, 17 digs and served up three aces. Maddyn Bowles had seven kills and 14 digs while Paige Davis had seven kills and 15 digs. Baylee Thomas added 11 digs.
From the setter spot, Kasi Castro had 20 assists, served up five aces and contributed 14 digs. Leah Meekins added 18 assists and six digs during the three matches.
To open Saturday’s bracket play, the Lady Indians posted a 25-18, 18-25, 26-24, 25-19 win over Fort Worth Christian. Castro staked Nocona to a 2-0 lead in game one. Kills by Parker set up pairs of points from Raylea Bowles and Leah Meekins helped Nocona negate an early deficit and take a 10-9 lead.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
County football teams had their first scrimmage of the season Aug. 14 with mixed results.
Forestburg hosted Azle Christian and Victory Christian. Under a new system with new head coach Cori Hayes, the Longhorns looked pretty good in the coach’s eye.
“The first team looked good,” Hayes explained. “Overall we need to work on our pace and blocking assignments and blocking assignments. Overall we looked good for the new regime.”
Forestburg hits the road to scrimmage Newcastle Aug. 21.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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