I hope that all you faithful readers don’t open this edition of the Wild Bill column to only find a blur.
It’s not that we use runny ink here at The Star, but the unfortunate possibility that any more rain will wash everything away here at the Wild Bill sports desk.
My trips to last week’s Greenbrier Classic in White Sulphur Springs left only one firm conclusion. The Chief needs to budget me with an extra-large golf umbrella tout de suite. For you out-of-state readers that means in a hurry.
I had hoped to sidestep the local deluges altogether, but I never heard from The Chief on the possibility of me covering this week’s running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. Probably just as good. A couple guys got trampled and my AAA street guide to Pamplona got washed away last Wednesday night.
The running of the bulls began in the 14th century as an organized melee for hurrying the bulls from outside the town to the bullring. See, you always learn something when you read this column.
A dozen or so angry bulls chasing people down the street in total chaos. Sounds somewhat like driving on Rt. 419 on a Friday afternoon.
So much for all this bull in Spain. Let’s take a look at what’s going on in our neck of the woods.
The Roanoke Valley Sports Club will have its own version of the kickoff to the college football season, as the club hosts a pair of meetings later this month. On Monday, July 22nd, University of Virginia offensive line coach Scott Wachenheim will be the guest speaker to talk about the upcoming Wahoo season and answer questions from the audience. One week later, on July 29th, Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Scott Loeffler addresses the club on what to expect from the Hokies in 2013.
Both dinner meetings begin at 5:45 p.m. at the Salem Civic Center. Non-member guests and prospective new members are invited to attend. For more information and to make reservations contact Tom Marchi at 540-588-0919.
The Salem Red Sox are firmly in the hunt for the second-half title in the Carolina League Southern Division. The Sox are in the midst of an eight game homestand this week, including a matchup Thursday July 11th with division leader Myrtle Beach, followed by a four game set Friday through Monday against Potomac, Class A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Games times are 7:05 Monday through Friday, 6:05 Saturday, 4:05 Sunday.
Luke Hancock, the former Hidden Valley High School grad, current captain of the Louisville Cardinals national championship team and NCAA Final-4 Most Outstanding Player, keeps lighting it up in Kazan, Russia after making the World University Games US team last month in Colorado. Hancock was a starter in the first two U.S. games Sunday and Monday, scoring 9 and 15 points respectfully against the United Arab Emirates and the Czech Republic. The U.S. dominated, winning by 43 points over the Czechs and a whopping 94 points over UAE.
Finally, mark your calendar for the Subway Commonwealth Games of Virginia opening weekend July 19th-21st. Tailgate party and traditional opening ceremonies Friday night, July 19th. Sixty sports and 10,000 athletes headline the 24th Olympic experience.
Now, to the mailbag, where a reader last month takes issue with my weather concerns for the next P/2010 asteroid tail flyby photoshoot.
Dear Wild Bill: Pretty sarcastic, if not totally ridiculous, that you’re worried about it being cloudy when the P/2010 asteroid tail flies by the next time. Then you tell us it won’t be for another million years. Why didn’t you address something more important like what type of camera lens I should use?
(Bob/Roanoke County)
Ahhhhh, ok, Bob. I’ll get you the info in time to order for Christmas. In the meantime, get your tripod balanced.
Until next time, try to stay on this planet and send your comments to: [email protected]