Hungary for hockey coverage and international sports

Posted by Steve Klein

NHL Capitals to Make News by Reporting It

It's no longer news to anyone that the Internet makes everyone a publisher. But does mainstream media fully understand the implications, and that alternative sources are becoming the news provider of choice -- especially when there is no choice?

The Washington Capitals (http://www.washingtoncaps.com/index2.html) plan to send four reporters to Moscow to offer hockey fans unprecedented coverage of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship (http://live82.ihwc.net/english/) now underway through May 13. The Capitals will partner with Clearspring Technologies (http://www.clearspring.com) to deliver audio, video and text content to their site for Caps fans, as well as to local, national and international media outlets via a specialized widget.

The Capitals have five players and two prospects participating in the tournament -- including their leading scorer and star, Alex Ovechkin (http://www.washingtoncaps.com/team/player.asp?player_id=17) , who will play for Russia. Although coverage will focus on the Capitals players and prospects, the reporters will provide coverage that will appeal to a world-wide audience.

The coverage team includes Mike Vogel and Sean Parker from the Capitals along with John Keeley and Mike Rucki of On Frozen Blog (http://www.onfrozenblog.com/) . Vogel and Parker produce the majority of the editorial content on the Capitals' site (http://www.washingtoncaps.com/index2.html) , named the NHL's best team site last year by Forbes.com. Vogel also writes the blog Dump 'n Chase (http://www.dumpnchase.blogspot.com) .

Keeley and Rucki are part of a four-person group that launched "On Frozen Blog" in October 2006 as "a haven for the hockey malnourished." And that's what this initiative by Caps majority owner and chairman Ted Leonsis is all about: Providing content and coverage in under-covered niches that mainstream media ignore for a variety of reasons.

"Our local media -- either because of lack of interest or lack of budget due to declines in circulation, ad revenue decreases and newsroom layoffs -- are not covering the World Championships of Hockey in Moscow," Leonsis wrote May 3 on his blog, Ted's Take (http://ted.aol.com/index.php?ID=873) . "The tournament is big news around the world so we have decided to invest and send four people to cover the event and then put all coverage on the Web for free. We will share the news with new and traditional media outlets and syndicate it far and wide.

"Web 2.0 makes it possible for us to get our coverage out to millions and millions of people, promoting our sport, our team and our players. Our coverage on the Web and in the blogosphere is starting to look like a well heeled major media enterprise compared to many traditional media outlets that must curtail their coverage due to lack of budget based on the fragile state of their old business model."

The Capitals have not made the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs for several years and often are treated like an afterthought in the NFL-Washington-Redskins-crazed D.C. metro area media. Leonsis is probably best known for his longtime significant relationship with AOL. But the Capitals are no plaything as far as Leonsis is concerned. He's obviously tired of waiting for the media to come to him and the Caps.

The coverage will include stories, audio and video interviews, photos and podcasts. The Capitals, through their relationship with Clearspring Technologies, will deliver the content directly to interested media and online outlets via a specialized Web-based widget. Media outlets and individuals with blogs or social networking pages can post the widget directly to their sites, where others can access the information.

I love the fact that there will be expanded coverage of international sports in the US. Generally, the US is way behind the rest of the world in all understandings of global discussions -- including sports.

Furthermore, I ask about the weirdness of the journalists that hail from the Washington Capitals. This crew to cover the games is not from the Washington Post. They are working for the NHL team.

Wonder what Mark Madden has to say about this?

The hotel rooms in Olympic Villages have never been the same since the hockey teams have come, crashed and departed. Now, perhaps, the apartment managers are going to need to watch out for the journalists too.

Newcomer challenges Onorato for Allegheny County post - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Newcomer challenges Onorato for Allegheny County post - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review And when a friend complained to him that Onorato was getting a free ride because no one -- Republican or Democrat -- wanted to take him on, Swartz, a Democrat, started his first political campaign.

No one. Well, there are some.

It is bad when the MSM (mainstream media) can't do math. And, when the math is only on one hand -- it is even worse.

One is bigger than none. Two is more than one.

Mayor's tax plan leaves out some city locations

The Luke plan is a bad plan. Luke's plan is a plan that plays favorites. Luke's plan is typical Pittsburgh. Luke's plan was hatched because Bill's plan was seeded. Both are bad.

Mayor's tax plan leaves out some city locations At a recent City Council hearing, Brightwood advocate Ed Brandt, fired by frustration, called the applications 'capricious and arbitrary. I have spent 15 years working on the North Side, and nothing tells me the logic of why Spring Garden and not Troy Hill, why Fineview and not Perry Hilltop [Perry South], why Manchester and not Brightwood?'

The way to fix this unfair plan, the Luke lie, is to give everyone a tax break.

A sift back to the land-value tax is a move in the right direction. It is fair. It is universal. It promotes freedom. It respects the marketplace. It works to insure a dense, urban landscape.

Move afoot to return marathon

Move afoot to return marathon In some incarnation, the Pittsburgh Marathon might be coming back next year.

Christchuch has a marathon. It will be held soon.

Where in the world is Grant?

From NZ train-trip

How many kids do you see?

The gang, (Catherine, Erik, Grant, and the two Pitt grad students) took a trip via train into the center of the south island to the Southern Alps. Then they had a four hour tramp. Then took a return train ride back to Christchurch. Some of the photos are now on in a Picasa album.

From NZ train-trip

Ron Paul on the debates

Part of BootCamp Pgh and our media + internet + politics session

Jennifer England from the League of Young Voters and I gave a presentation for an hour at the recent BootCamp.Pgh.org event about politics, media and internet. Here is a bit of that talk.

Pittsburgh - Swartz And All - Just don't say you didn't have a choice this May 15 - Views - Potter's Field - Pittsburgh City Paper

Pittsburgh - Swartz And All - Just don't say you didn't have a choice this May 15 - Views - Potter's Field - Pittsburgh City Paper

New Zealand has a certification level for assistant coaches

Not your typical rugby play. From last night's game

Enjoy some football!

Tickets for next week's game go on sale at 9 am on Tuesday. Let me know if you'd like to come and tailgate for the playoffs.

All aboard

From New Zealand

Saw a kiwi today

On the way to QEII swim pool today, on my bike, and passed a wetland area next to a park. There on the edge of the bike path -- none other than a small flock of kiwis. Kiwi's are birds. They are sorta rare. Nice treat.

Today I took in an aquatic class. More tomorrow.

On the way home -- I got our second flat tire on the bike. Called home and got a lift as we had some guests over for a family party. Now to fix the flats.

At the pool we got to see some canoe water polo too.

Libertarian in limelight in MSNBC poll -- by 5 %

Ron Paul steps into national spotlight

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2007

ARLINGTON, VA – Congressman Ron Paul finished first in the MSNBC poll following the GOP primary debate last night held at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California. Dr. Paul received 43 percent, beating the second-place finisher by five points, and crushing the rest of the field.

"Last night, Americans met Ron Paul and loved what they heard," said Ron Paul 2008 campaign chairman Kent Snyder. "Dr. Paul's message of freedom and limited government resonates with Republicans hungry for a return to their party’s core values."

"Ron Paul is the only true conservative in the GOP race. Americans saw that last night," continued Snyder. "The campaign looks forward to further debates and opportunities so even more Americans will discover Dr. Paul's message of freedom, peace and prosperity."

My tunes are already picked and on the CDs

Allegheny County officeholders invest in future political roles - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The continued fundraising could show how special interests are trying to peddle influence with regional leaders, say watchdog groups.

'He who pays the piper picks the tune,' said Meredith McGehee, policy director with the Washington, D.C.-based Campaign Legal Center. 'Those who can afford to play ... buy one thing for sure, and that's access.'

I love the musical element found within the quote.

Playground for hearing-impaired opens

Playground for hearing-impaired opens 'In a city that can't afford to maintain playgrounds, let alone build them, this is a great win for Shadyside,' said city Councilman William Peduto.

Got a point. Lost the game. Saw the horses. To host a semi finals next week.

Rugby!

We saw the Christchurch franchise in action tonight. Our team lost, but, they scored a touchdown at the very end of the game. Those points were needed to secure a point in the match. That point insures that the home team will play a home match next weekend -- the first round of the playoffs.

This is a league of 12 teams -- some from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

We were told that the Crusaders squad tonight has have or had 10 players who were also on the All Blacks.

At the start of the game, a lone horseman rides around the field, banishing a sword. He's a Crusader, of course. Then after one lap, he goes to the castle and calls out nine others to join him. They gallop around the field, like the USC Trojan, sorta. But, ten times better as there are ten of them. And, they exit a castle with gas fired lanterns at the draw-bridge / gate.

We took a cab to the event. Came home via bus.

Still got in our swim practices too. That ended at 6:30 pm. Home by 7, on our bikes. into a quick jacket change. Good luck with the taxi. And we, all 6 of us, got to the stadium by pre-game to see the horses. Game began at 7:30.

Tickets for next week's game go on sale at 9 am on Tuesday. Tonight's game was NOT a sell out. The stadium holds 30,000 or so. Had about 22,000 in the place.

My take on the game -- being I hardly know the rules -- ball handling. The Crusaders just didn't make great passes nor handle the ball well. Too many fumbles and turnovers.

There were some big-time hits. One was right at our corner of the field. Ouch.

Next up, playoffs. The squad better do better talking care of the ball, if you ask me.

We'll cheer against the Chiefs tonight

Our squad is the Cruisaders -- black and red. They play against the Chiefs. Tonight's game is in Christchurch. We hope to attend.

Crusaders Home - Canterbury Rugby Football Union The Chiefs pose a real threat on Friday night as Jade Stadium hosts the final round of the Rebel Sport Super 14, with semi-final positions and home seedings on the line.

Viewing our clan before we dunk ourselves in the Pacific to swim with wild dolphins at Akaroa, New Zealand

Viewing BCAK705038294543 Daily Photos

Family photo is BCAK705038294543

Or, here it is at my Picasa site.

From NZ - dolphins

The Finance Coach, LLC

Travis has opened his new web site.

The Finance Coach, LLC: "The Finance Coach LLC"

NPR : Rethinking How Title IX Is Applied

NPR : Rethinking How Title IX Is Applied Column by Frank Deford: Sweetness and Light

Rethinking How Title IX Is Applied

Listen to this story...

Morning Edition, May 2, 2007 -- As more young women go to college, funding for some men's sports will be reduced to comply with Title IX. That's the federal law requiring schools to offer athletic programs in proportion to gender population. Should the law be tweaked to address inconsistencies?

My heart has been broken by the cutting of swim programs -- and of other teams -- at my ex-univeristy, Ohio U, -- and elsewhere. This is bad news for all of America.