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By Sports Addict, July 27, 2010 10:28 am

At first glance, it may appear to be wanna-be croquet or bowling gone wrong. However, upon further investigation the game breathes of a history rich in Italian flair and austere. On the plains of Italy, old men stood around surveying the field, speculating. They have a knack for the throw, a feel for the weight of the ball, and an eye for placement. Today the game of bocce ball has crossed oceans and borders and is gaining popularity in backyards next to sandboxes and grilles. And to join in, you don’t have to be Italian.
Bocce ball is played with anywhere from 2 to 8 players. Each team or individual chooses a different color bocce ball. The game begins by one team throwing the jack, a white golf-ball sized ball, toward the end of the playing zone. A team is then given the opportunity to throw their bocce ball as close as they can to the jack. Throws are normally more like under-handed lobs or rolls, but you can get creative. The teams then alternate trying to throw their bocce balls as close to the jack as possible, with the team that does not have the closest bocce ball to the jack having their turn until they throw all of their bocce balls or get one closer to the jack then the opposing team(s). Once all of the bocce balls have been played, points are awarded for each bocce ball closer then the opposing teams bocce balls.
If you haven’t played its time you stop judging and get off your high-horse to try it. You may find you are a baller after all.

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By Sports Addict, July 26, 2010 10:56 am

Peyton Manning is already supposed to have a signed contract that makes him the highest paid player in the NFL .  At least that’s what we heard from Jim Irsay back in March.  But it’s July, we’re less than a week away from training camp, and the best player in the NFL doesn’t even have a contract.

The scene seems familiar:  Manning didn’t have his $98 million contract finalized in 2004 until the season was well underway; but that was coming off his rookie contract .  This time it’s different, now all of the NFL is waiting for and expecting a record breaking new contract from the Colts .

Sam Bradford’s new contract with the Rams guarantees $50 million, a record for a rookie, who has yet to even prove he can deliver on the field.  Now Manning ‘s agent, who also represents Bradford, has to convince the Colts  that their star quarterback is worth more than double that; because lets face it: he is.

Manning is the league’s only four-time MVP, he has taken the Colts to two Super-Bowls, and he is breaking every record in the books.  On top of his greatness on the field, Manning shows he is just as committed off-field.  He attends every team function, , pre-season work-out, meeting, and practice–whether it’s mandatory or not.  And unlike his peers–Ben Roethlisberger and Michael Vick– Manning stays out of trouble.

Manning is constantly referred to as the guy who will be know as the “Greatest of All Time,” and Jim Irsay needs to make sure he’s paid like the greatest.

Even though most players don’t–and probably never will– match Manning‘s credentials, his salary will set the bar for every other player out there, and you can bet every one of them is praying that Manning gets a ridiculous amount so they can negotiate higher when their contracts are up for review.

But in the worst-case scenario that Manning doesn’t get his contract finalized in the next couple weeks, every fan and player will fear it means only one thing: lock-out.  And with that we can all kiss the 2011 season good-bye since the NFL labor negotiations between owners and players is still uncertain.

The bottom-line is that everything football is riding on Manning ‘s contract: the season, the salaries, the players, and the fans.

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By Sports Addict, July 9, 2010 1:21 pm

This summer following the 2009-2010 basketball season have had a lot of big name free agents. Along with Ray Allen and Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James’ contracts have expired and they are now free to trade to any other team. Last night, ESPN had a one hour special with Lebron James to announce which team he was going to sign with. He is leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat. Obviously Cleveland fans are not very happy about this news  since he has been their star since recruiting him back in 2003. In fact, the Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is harboring some very bitter feelings toward the previous “King” and has told everyone how he feels about this betrayal. Read about it here.