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)
Nocona got its new press box into place this week at Jack Crane Stadium. The old press box, which was in place for more than 60 years, was taken out in early June and moved to Indian Valley Raceway. The new press box was by the Southern Bleacher Company out of Graham. Athletic Director Black Crutsinger said they looked at a lot of press boxes and decided they liked the one at Lindsay High School and went with that model. Sean Hutson operated the crane from the Hurd Crane Service that put the press box up for Nocona.
Sunset native Cason Richey (right) and his team roping partner Beldon Cox from Weatherford repeated as the International Finals Youth Rodeo champions last weekend at Shawnee, OK. Richey and Cox won the previous year and were able to complete the repeat by catching three steers in a combined time of 16.6 seconds. Richey is expected to compete attend Texas Tech University this fall and compete on the rodeo team.
The Chisholm Trail Youth Rodeo had its awards ceremony this week, giving out plaques and buckles to the top competitors throughout the summer season.
There were four age categories with five events to compete in for the young athletes.
Along with the best results in each event, at the end the overall best cowboy and cowgirl in each age division was awarded as well.
The lead line division, in which an adult helps the young competitors, saw Rylee Stewart win the first in poles, barrel racing and mystery event on her way to win top cowgirl.
Hattie Snow got the fastest time in the flags event and Lany Shupak got the fastest goat time. Riggin Bishop got named the top cowboy in the division.
In the eight-and-under division, Whitley Goins won the top cowgirl and Trell Carpenter won top cowboy. Goins got the fastest times in barrel racing, flags and mystery event. Carpenter got the fastest time in poles and goats.
In the 9-12 age division, Sage Keck won the top cowgirl while Chisum Carpenter won the top cowboy. Keck got the fastest times in four of the five divisions. Only Layna Taylor getting the fastest goat time prevented her from winning in a clean sweep.
In the 13-18 age division, Tess Egenbacher won the top overall cowgirl award.
Kiley McCracken won both the barrel racing and flags event. Emma Strahan won the poles and mystery event. Hadlee Bryan won the goats event.
There was no top overall cowboy in the age division.
To see the times for the winners of each event in all four age categories along with pictures of all of the top cowboys and cowgirls, pick up a copy of the weekend edition of the Bowie News.
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