Jacksonville Major Leagues are Coming to Stay

By Josiah Gingerman

In the Daylight State, 2 cities rule the news with their hardwood heroes, Orlando and Miami. If you want to go a little bit further north, below you will find some major leagues in Jacksonville.

Jaguars are Becoming a Fierce Competitor

With a new regime taking over under Mike Mularky, the Jaguars are keen to build success behind promising newbie QB Blaine Gabbert and evergreen Pro Bowl running back Maurice Jones-Drew. In spite of winning only 2 games, the Jags have wish for the future due to a defense that finished as the 6th best overall in the NFL.

Jacksonville Sharks Dominate in this Arena

After winning 12 of their 16 games in the 2012 season, the Jacksonville Sharks ranked third in tickets sales and set a new record for being a team with most regular wins. Aaron Garcia, the Jacksonville Sharks quarterback, was the head of the team when they won the 2011 title He tossed 118 touchdown passes and led the Sharks on a 13-game fortunate streak. At the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, tou will be able to see the Sharks play when the game is in their hometown.

Jacksonville Baseball Heats Up

The Marlins ' junior league system is legendary for making some of the top talent in MLB. Names like Josh Beckett, Miguel Cabrera, Hanley Ramirez and Mike Stanton have all played baseball in Jacksonville at some specific point. The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, which opened in 2003, is a superb facility that gives fans the chance to see stars eyeball to eyeball. The open-air facility is listed as among the hottest destinations in the country for a baseball pilgrimage. Visit the site for ticket information.

Destroyers Build Love for Soccer in Jacksonville

Heading into just its 2nd year as a franchise, the FC Destroyers of Jacksonville are bringing a taste for the attractive game to the town of Jacksonville. The team is looking to build on last season under new coach Eric Dutt's leadership. The accelerating popularity of the team has inspired club official to bring another team to play soccer in Jacksonville. Shortly, the club will add a women's team to USL Women's League. For full information, visit the team's default page.

Jacksonville Rugby Expanding Its Reign

The Axeman are playoff contenders each season and won the championship in 2010. Powered by its on-field success, the team has worked to try and build the game in this country. The team has created a smaller league that behaves as a development team for their squad. The league is made of 3 groups, including one here in Jacksonville, the Hatchets.

Jacksonville Giants Gradually Grow

The city also can include an ABA pro basketball team in the Giants, a young franchise that began in 2010. In its first season, the Giants ' sort of play was worthy of their moniker as the team rolled to a 23-0 record. The team plays its home games at Jacksonville Vets Memorial Arena, known before as Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum. This new arena was built in 2003 and accomodates more than 13,000 people.

Jacksonville Hosts Pro Golfers

Often known as golf's 5th major, The Players Championship is a staple in Jacksonville. PC Sawgrass is in a suburb of Jacksonville and plays host to the best golfers in the world for one weekend each May.

Lacrosse Is About to Hit Jacksonville in 2012

This year is turning out to be a season of new beginnings in Jacksonville as another team is ready to begin its franchise there in 2012. The Northern US Lacrosse League will be adding the Bullies in late Jan. For ticket info, visit the team's Site.

About the Author:

Josiah Gingerman has been fascinated by Jacksonville sports for many years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For more details about baseball in Jacksonville come visit his site.

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Exactly How One Umpire School Lost MLB Partnership

By Tobias F. Kundinger

Recently the Jim Evans Academy for Professional Umpiring has held an annual company bowling celebration. Often the occasion goes off like you'd imagine a company bowling event would with a little fanfare. But, not this time!

Each year, teams are generally constructed and fun names are chosen. Even so, this year one team went too far by picking a team name that attracted a similarity to the Ku Klux Klan. Therefore, shockingly, team members arrived in costumes which were reminiscent of clothing the racist group is known for and apparently using well-known slurs! While this kind of behaviour will make most people uncomfortable the school's only black employee felt a good deal of unease (Which I am sure is actually a mild way of putting it). Right after, photographs were distributed and news started to get out regarding what transpired that night. It did not take long for Minor League Baseball (and also MLB by extension) to take notice.

"We carried out an investigation, made our own queries, and we uncovered behavior that people discovered to be reprehensible." explained Pat O'Conner, President of MiLB. And the reprehension? MiLB won't longer take students from the Evans Academy which last year produced 14 recruits who have been formally evaluated by Professional Baseball Umpire Corp, a subsidiary of MiLB.

The issue seems fitting. Let's face it, why would the MiLB and MLB desire to be linked to group who believes this sort of action is simply "... a bad joke that was not designed to hurt anyone" (Jim Evans). To complicate the problem somewhat is the fact that Minor League Baseball launched its own competing Umpire School this coming year, that has been fodder for Evans and others, permitting them to point to that as a hidden motive.

MiLB doesn't have any contract with the Evan's Academy or virtually any Umpire School so I don't see this decision being altered at any time even if it becomes a legitimate matter. In the meantime, take the Jim Evans Academy off the listing of possible Umpire Schools.

About the Author:

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Umpiring Strategies for Everybody

By Julius D. Zaidel

When people are usually new to something the often make what everyone calls "rookie mistakes". These types of mistakes, and the fear of making them, often stop individuals from trying something totally new and working toward life long goals. The good news is that you can keep yourself from making these kinds of mistakes by simply knowing what they are. Below, you will discover a few simple tips to help you from making "rookie mistakes".

1. Try not to say "Take your base" or point to first on a ball four call

Doing so can actually be viewed as coaching. Most players will know what direction to go when ball four is termed and when they don't, let their own coaches carry out the talking. You might not even want to say "ball four". An easy "ball" call, much like in any other count, will certainly suffice. If a person asks, you may tell them its ball four.

2. Do not say "Strike three, you're out"

Unless you're umpiring in leagues with young players, and where saying "you're out" might be construed as rubbing it in, a strike three call does not always amount to an out. When the catcher drops the ball on strike three the batter is not out until he's tagged or forced out. In the event you call him out too early, you can kill a valid play.

3 Look the part

Like any job you want to dress how you want to be perceived. If you would like be a serious, expert or amateur umpire you should ensure you look the part. You don't have to go out and purchase expensive umpire equipment or uniforms to appear professional. You may select clothes with no logos and wear neat, black colored pants.

4 Don't quit early on a play

A common "rookie mistake" by amateur umpires is to give up a play too soon. For example, if there's a play at second and a safe call is made, the umpire turns his head and so the runner steps off the base and is tagged. After creating a call, stay there watching until the ball is returned towards the pitcher or time is called.

5 Explain in words and gesture when making a "play!" call

After having a dead ball, make sure to physically signal and verbally call the pitcher to "play". It helps prevent misconceptions, particularly when there are actually runners on base, plus it demonstrates that you're in charge of the matter.

About the Author:

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