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)
Two major portions of Nocona’s 2023 bond issue are very close to being completed.
The new high school gym should be complete in time for the volleyball team to begin practice there Aug. 1, according to Superintendent Dr. David Waters. Ground on the 22,000 square foot facility was broken on Oct. 18, 2024.
Waters said a punch list meeting with the construction manager was scheduled for earlier this week with final touchups expected shortly afterwards. Fans should be able to enjoy the facility for the volleyball team’s season opener Aug. 11.
Fans will enjoy the new gym from entering the facility which has glass walls, enabling fans to watch the game from the foyer. Once inside the gym itself, there is stadium, chair back seating on the home side allowing for a much more comfortable experience.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Montague school 8th grader Sage Keck had a tremendous week in California at the USATF National Junior Olympics.
Keck qualified in three events there: the 800-meters, the 1,500-meters and the 3,000-meters over a five-day period. Keck opened by running in the 800-meter prelims, which she admits is her least favorite race. She admitted being “fresh and excited” for her first race and showed it by qualifying for the finals with a top 8 overall finish with a time of 2:21.76.
On July 30, she ran in the 1,500 prelims. Keck said she was seeded 12th out of the 16 competitors but wound up qualifying for the finals with a fourth- place finish in 4:48.38.
“I was just happy over that,” Keck said.”
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Bowie’s tennis team has opened the 2026 Fall season with a 2-1 record.
On July 31, the Rabbits beat host Decatur, 13-6. In girl’s singles, Bowie’s Willow Seibert won 8-2 with Peyton Goodwin falling 3-8. Jessi Mayfield won 9-8 (7-5) with Maddie Schwarz falling 8-9, (6-7)/. Angeles Alvarez won 8-5 with Avedi Deweber losing 8-5.
In girl’s doubles, Alvarez and Mayfield lost 8-6. Schwarz and Goodwin won 8-2 with Deweber and Avery Bonham losing 8-5.
In boy’s singles, Jordan Mayes won 8-4 with Nolan Bailey winning 8-2 for the Rabbits as did Xander Jones over his opponent. Casyn Fraser suffered a 5-8 loss with Jake Atteberry winning 8-3.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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