Chambers Bay golf pro Nyk Pike was good enough to write up a hole-by-hole description of the course for us and Tim Meikle in our production department put together some nice illustrations of the holes, which you can download from Tacoma Weekly.

Grab one of must-have maps of Chambers Bay off the website, print it out and take it out to the course with you for a great way to follow all the action of the 110 U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay this week.

We admit we don’t have an alternative solution and are not familiar with the construction contract for Cheney Stadium or why the contract was to begin while the season (or postseason)  was likely still going on, but we understand why a lot of Tacoma Rainiers fans we are hearing from are kind of peeved about seeing the PCL playoffs go up to Safeco. Here are the details from the team press release. Read the rest of this entry »

Here is an interesting piece on Kyle Stanley

Jordan Russell has decided to forgo the 2010 high-school football season and focus his athletic ability on basketball. I’ve enjoyed watching Jordan play both sports and will miss the excitement he brought to the Lincoln Abes on the football field. But the decision makes a lot of sense, since Jordan came to the conclusion recently that he was not interested in pursuing college football, but would hope to play basketball in college. See more in my story in Tacoma Weekly.

The Mariners have dismissed manager Don Wakamatsu, and Rainiers manager Daren Brown will move up to Seattle as the team’s interim manager. See story.

Here is the press release from the Mariners on Mike Sweeney’s departure to Philadelphia

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

MARINERS TRADE MIKE SWEENEY TO PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Sweeney has been on 15-day disabled list with back spasms.

SEATTLE, Wash. – Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik announced today that Mike Sweeney has been acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies in a waiver claim trade for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Prior to the transaction, Sweeney was returned from his rehab assignment at AAA Tacoma and activated from the 15-day disabled list (not to report). Sweeney has been on the disabled list since June 27 (retro to 6/26) with back spasms.

“Mike is true pro and was a contributor to our organization in many ways, both on and off the field,” said Zduriencik. “This is a great opportunity for Mike and we are pulling for him to succeed in Philadelphia.”

Sweeney, 36, played in 30 games with the Mariners this season and hit .263 (26-for-99) with 3 doubles, 6 home runs and 18 RBI. In 16 games in May, he hit .310 (18-for-58) with 2 doubles and all 6 homers. He was also on the 15-day DL June 3-17 with lower back inflammation. In 12 rehab games at AAA Tacoma, Sweeney hit .366 (15×41) with 3 doubles, 2 home runs and 9 RBI.

In two seasons with the Mariners, Sweeney combined to bat .276 (94×341) with 14 home runs and 52 RBI.

The Tacoma Cobras of the Professional Developmental Football League will end up with a bye in the first-round of the playoffs, as the Portland Thunderbolts forfeited what would have been the first-round matchup this weekend.

As a result, the Cobras will play the winner of the Boise Buccaneers vs. Bellingham Blitz in the league championship game on August 14. The Cobras finished the regular season 5-1, it’s only loss coming against Boise. See video highlights of the Cobras.

Jordan Zumach, 16-years-old, has been playing softball since she was 3. Last week, she enjoyed the rare excitement of winning the fastpitch softball state championship with her teammates from the Fife-Milton-Edgewood Little League, aka FMELL.

The team is in the senior division, which includes players ages 14-16. FMELL is one of 12 leagues that makes up District 10 of Washington State Little league, and there are 13 Districts within the state.
Oh my,” Jordan said at practice earlier this week, regarding the achievement. “It was just such a great feeling. We have worked so hard and we had a lot of ups and downs this year, but these girls really got it together when it mattered the most.”

Jordan, the daughter of coach Darrin Zumach, is referring to the two back-to-back victories on July 17 against a team from North Kitsap.

Read the rest of this entry »

Although there will be many more tributes as the season draws to a close, now is as good a time as any to pay homage to Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella, who announced his retirement from baseball Tuesday, effective in October.

Among the reactions to UW tight end Kavario Middleton being kicked off the team, here is his former coach at Lakes, Dave Miller’s reaction from Seattle Times blog.