Mixing business and football

I attended the Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation's Fall Harvest Dinner on Saturday, but I have to admit, it was a little difficult to pull myself away from my truck in the parking lot and walk in to the Linn County Fair and Expo Center.

It's not that I didn't want to go in or support this great cause, but the Oregon State-University of Washington football game was still in the first half. Come to think of it, it was awfully hard to leave the house, where I had the game on the TV, to get into the truck in the first place. But I at least knew I could hear the game on the radio.

My resolve to walk into the Expo Center was strengthened by seeing so many Oregon State Beaver bumper and window stickers on the other rigs in the parking lot. I knew someone would be getting score updates.

What I didn't know, is that the best source of information would be the biggest man on the OSU campus. OSU President Ed Ray and his wife were in attendance at the event and Ray's Blackberry kept him up to date on developments in Husky Stadium.

Ray was gracious enough to let me interrupt his dinner for one update and thoughtful enough to share the final score with event organizers so it could be announced to the assembled crowd, which was heavily laced with OSU alums and fans. So while the alumni of Oregon State — sometimes known as Moo U or the Cow College and Corvallis is sometimes called Corn Valley (in spite of the dearth of corn there) — got to support a great cause in teaching young people about the importance of agriculture in classrooms around Oregon, we also got to follow our beloved Beavers too.

Karie Hoffman of Molalla, Ore., Walks through the crowd at the Oregon Ag in the Classroom Fall Harvest Dinner carrying a tricycle decked out in Oregon State colors and logos. Hoffman, a member of the Oregon State University Collegiate FFA, was assisting with an auction of items to benefit the Ag in the Classroom Foundation. Capital Press photo by Gary L. West

Oregon pitches strong examples of what baseball should be

When George Mitchell came out swinging with his 409-page report on performance-enhancing drugs used in professional baseball, he struck out on the most important point that should be made.

He did not recommend punishment for the 85 past and present players named as guilty.

If he's going to name that many players who have ties with teams from coast to coast, and so many past Cy Young and Most Valuable Player winners (15 out of 36 from between 1996 and 2004), then he needed to sternly declare they must be punished.

Instead, he leaves the choice to Commissioner Bud Selig who deserves blame himself for doing so little to clean up baseball in the last few years, even as evidence grew there was a problem.

Sadly, even if something is done it appears players will not be disciplined for their actions prior to Sept. 30, 2002. That was when baseball's management and union drug policy was introduced. Also, Human Growth Hormone wasn't banned until January 2005.

Perhaps the biggest blow to baseball will be what happens to its image among fans and more importantly, the next generation of potential players.

Mitchell's report listed Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Miguel Tejada, Andy Pettitte and so many others who have been seen as heroes for their accomplishments in batting, pitching and overall performance. Will people, especially kids, become disenchanted with baseball? Or worse, will these young players believe the only way they can compete and become stars some day is by finding ways to cheat in the future?

At a time when committees in Washington, D.C., and the baseball organizations themselves will be going through Mitchell's recommendations and attempting to deal with controversy, Oregon will stand out as a place of hope for others across the country.

Here we have some great examples of what baseball players can accomplish with hard work, solid skills, good sportsmanship, pride and most of all love of the game.

We have the Oregon State University Beavers baseball team which earned back-to-back national championships, with players from all over the state. They didn't do it for multi-million dollar contracts: Anyone watching the games could see these players love baseball and they played as a team supporting each other.

Then there's a brighter example of what Oregon can offer baseball's future: Jacoby Ellsbury of Madras.

Ellsbury, Navajo in ancestry, played with OSU's baseball team and was drafted No. 23 in 2005.

This past season, he became a World Series hero as he played for the Boston Red Sox. He fought with heart, determination and amazing skills as he became only one of three rookies in World Series history to smack four hits in a single game.

Forget Clemens, Bonds and others who have cheated their fans, shamed their teams and hurt the image of baseball forever.

We have heroes among us who will continue to show up on ball diamonds each season and demonstrate to the world why baseball deserves to be one of America's most popular sports - and earn back fans' respect and trust.


Technorati tags: Agriculture
Mitchell
baseball
Oregon
Madras
Boston Red Sox
Oregon State University
Jacoby Ellsbury
Bud+Selig
Barry Bonds
Roger Clemens
baseball drugs
Human Growth Hormone

Beavers serve up tasty win for Oregon's governor

There's some tasty North Carolina barbecue grub coming out West, thanks to the Oregon State Beavers' repeat drubbing of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels for the NCAA baseball championship.

Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski and North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley make a friendly wager on the outcome of the championship series late last week.

But, perhaps Kulongoski ought to send the package he wagered anyway. Those folks in Carolina have seen what Oregon has to offer on the baseball diamond in the College World Series for two consecutive years now. Maybe they should also get a taste of the agriculture and food products we have out West too.

Congratulations to my alma mater OSU!

Here's the press release below Gov. Kulongoski's office issued today congratulating Oregon State.

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2007


Governor Congratulates Beavers on World Series Repeat, Commends UNC and Governor Easley on a Thrilling Weekend
Governors Kulongoski and Easley had agreed to a gentlemen’s wager on the series

Salem – Today Governor Ted Kulongoski offered his hearty congratulations to the Oregon State Beavers baseball team for their repeat championship in the NCAA College World Series this weekend with a pair of impressive 11-4 and 9-3 victories over the University of North Carolina Tar Heels.

“I think I can safely say that for at least one day, all Oregonians – all Beavers, all Ducks, all Vikings, even all Pilots – stand united in saying that we couldn’t be more proud of you,” said Governor Kulongoski. “Pat Casey and every member of the team have done an amazing job, putting the rest of the nation on notice that Beaver baseball is a force to be reckoned with.”

Last week, Kulongoski made a gentleman’s bet with North Carolina Governor Mike Easley on the outcome of the series. Governor Easley wagered one pound of barbecue, one bottle of barbecue sauce and one pint of slaw from both Wilber’s Barbecue of Goldsboro and the Barbecue Center Inc. of Lexington and a case of Cheerwine if the Beavers won. Governor Kulongoski put up a basket of products made in Oregon including a sampling of Pacific seafood, Oregon artisan cheeses, Oregon Brewers Guild craft beer and hazelnuts – perfect snack foods for an afternoon of baseball.

“The beavers showed up too strong in Omaha,” said Governor Easley. “Governor Kulongoski was their strongest supporter and I congratulate him and Oregon State on a great championship. I hope we will get a chance to play again next year. Go Beavers!”

“I appreciate Governor Easley’s kind words and the tasty North Carolina barbecue – a great way to enjoy this victory,” said Governor Kulongoski. “I look forward to next year and, who knows, perhaps another great rematch next season?”

The Beavers defeated the Tar Heels in the championships of the 2006 NCAA World Series. The Beavers are the first back-to-back champions since Louisiana State University in 1996-1997.

Beavers make believers in Sun Bowl win

Sometimes it has been difficult to be a Beaver Believer. Oregon State has been the perennial underdog for, well, seemingly forever. But this year has been a year of redemption for OSU fans, who have weathered many difficult sports seasons over the years.

Not that Oregon State hasn't had some good teams over the years. When I was a student at OSU it was tough to get into a basketball game, as Coach Ralph Miller had a powerhouse program. And in recent years, Oregon State's football team has made several trips to bowl games. I was at the Fiesta Bowl game back on New Year's Day 2001 to see the big win over Notre Dame.

But this year has been special. Oregon State's baseball team won the College World Series and the NCAA national title by coming from behind and facing elimination time after time. So perhaps it is only fitting that 2006 comes to a close with OSU's football team coming from behind to win the Sun Bowl against Missouri.

It's been an underdog, comeback year for the Beavers. After struggling early in the season and heavy fan criticism heaped on head coach Mike Riley and quarterback Matt Moore, the Beavers game from 14 points behind in the Sun Bowl today to win.

Riley made a gutsy call to go for a 2-point conversion and the win with less than a minute left in the game.

I have to admit, I was puzzled by Riley's loyalty to Moore early in the season. Moore struggled with interceptions last season and was off to a rocky start this year, with a talented young QB getting some playing time early on. But Riley stuck by Moore and Moore got better.

Even today, I questioned whether Moore could keep the Beavers in the game, let alone bring them back. Moore was struggling and nursing some apparent injuries in the second half today. But Riley and Moore, with the help of Sammie Stroughter, Yvenson Bernard and the rest of the team, were able to change their offensive strategy to come back from 14 points down.

The Beavers had a chance to tie the game on an extra-point conversion. But Riley went for two and the win.

And win they did.

The Beavers have made things very exciting this year. I don't know which was more exciting, being in Corvallis to watch the Beavers upset USC or to watch them come from behind today to win the Sun Bowl.

Thanks Beavs for an exciting season. I'm a bit ashamed of my pessimism throughout the season and even today. In my defense I come by my pessimism naturally. I'm a Beaver and spent a lifetime learning to live with disappointment. This winning stuff still takes some time to get used to expecting. But I'm learning. And I like it!

Technorati tags: Oregon State Beavers, Sun Bowl, Football

Taking games seriously

It's a bit humbling sometimes to work for a newspaper. So many people work to put news and information in each edition that is as timely, relevant and informative as possible. So after doing all that work, it's quite an ego check when you get calls from people -- not calling about the front page stories or the photos or calendar listings -- who want to complain because the wrong crossword puzzle ran in the paper.

It makes you realize that people don't all want the same thing out of their newspaper.

I ran into puzzle complaints with some regularity earlier in my career as most of the jobs I've had were at so-called "mainstream" newspapers. So when I came to the Capital Press in June 2005 I had some adjusting to do. It was quite different to work for a newspaper that was all agriculture, all the time.

In fact I was surprised to see that we were running a crossword puzzle. But we do. And just like every other paper I've worked at, all you had to do was leave the puzzle out one week, or make some sort of production mistake with the puzzle, to find out that even readers of this ol' farm paper like their crossword.

Well, if you are a puzzle person, you may be interested to know that the Capital Press website
will soon be featuring several puzzles for your brain-teasing enjoyment, including a crossword and a Sudoku puzzle. Once we get the new feature launched (which could be as early as Friday but more likely to be next week) we'll bring you new puzzles every day that you can do on your computer.

Now, we have to figure out is how to erase using a mouse.

Oh, and speaking of new features on the Capital Press website, we added an image gallery today featuring some of our recent editorial cartoons.

You know what they say, it's always something. Or should I say it's always something new on the Capital Press websites. Puzzles, image galleries, podcasts, blogs.

Oh, and we report farm and ranch news too.

***

I'm off the next couple of days, spending Turkey Day with my daughter and cheering on Oregon State in Friday's Civil War fooball game against the dreaded Ducks from Eugene.

So have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone (yes, even you Ducks out there).

Technorati tags:
Agriculture, News, Newspapers, Puzzles, Crossword, Sudoku, Cartoons, Thanksgiving, Oregon State University, University of Oregon

'Tis the season of deer and quackers, beer and crackers

This time of year it’s sometimes tough for newspapers to find their usual sources.

There are some farmers still harvesting their crops; some ranchers are starting to move their livestock for winter pastures and feedlots. And yes, some may be travelling long distances to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends.

But there are two other factors really impacting the farm community: hunting season, and football season.

Let’s start with the latter.

These are the final days of the football season for college football teams. They are fighting for Bowl eligibility but also for bragging rights in some of the classic games between teams within states.

For example, the Apple Cup in Washington state was played last weekend; this Friday it’s the Civil War that allows Oregon’s Ducks and Beavers to clash.

For anyone who is not familiar with these teams, they are much meaner than their names might suggest. While the game is played in Corvallis, Ore., home to the Beavers, technically top billing should go the Ducks when it comes to comparing mascot anatomy. But the Beavers have shown they can really chew down on competition, winning some impressive games this season. For anyone who doesn’t give a dam about football, or I’m ruffling some feathers with bad puns, perhaps I should quit comparing the two teams.

The point is that a lot of farmers have been flocking to stadiums or huddling around television sets to catch these football games. Whether they are former graduates of the college, or their kids currently attend university at these places of higher learning, farmers enjoy the chance to watch the games.

As one farmer from eastern Oregon told me, when he suddenly was offered a couple tickets a week ago for the Civil War game he decided to drop everything later this week and head to Corvallis. He’s thrilled to just be there. Plus he hopes the Beavers stomp the Ducks.

Then there is hunting season. While a football game may keep farmers and other sources for our newspaper away for a day or two, hunting season is several weeks long. Pity the organization that even attempts to hold a conference or a meeting during this time period. Pity companies who are juggling their holiday schedules. There is a lot of pressure to let the hunters escape from fields and offices and put on camouflage and bright orange caps. Be the target birds or deer, there is a basic instinct for a lot of people to book time off and hunt.

Some states, such as Iowa, have asked hunters to donate their deer to food banks. This is an excellent suggestion. Hunters get a chance to do something they enjoy and feel good about being charitable. Food banks and those they serve are grateful for the extra food.

And hunting deer will ultimately help the deer population. For the last few years, the deer population has grown in various parts of the country, from a combination of reasons. There are less natural predators, less people hunting and some areas experienced milder winters than in the past. When there is too many deer, they compete more for food resources and sometimes face starvation or diseases spread too easily. They also wander more into populated areas and clash more with humans and cars.

One of the reasons there has been fewer hunters in some areas of the country is because of the concern regarding the introduction of avian flu to geese and the spread of chronic wasting disease in the wild deer population.

While hunters are encouraged in some areas to send the deer heads to laboratories for tests for CWD, there is an uneasiness as well as long delay before results come back. Farmers are encouraged to freeze the meet until they know if the meat is safe. In areas with confirmed cases of CWD in the past, it’s a lot tougher now to find people hunting deer to consume later.

For those of us that know the taste of deer sausage or jerky, hopefully the disease will be controlled better in the future and more people will again seek licenses to hunt.

On the first day of hunting season this year, my family was among those who did not hunt for the first time in decades because of the CWD concerns. There must have been some signal that went out among the deer population about this decision. That day alone we saw five mule deer and three white tailed deer.

As for birds, our skies and ponds have been filled with them. Our land lies just underneath one of the busiest migration paths for ducks, geese, sand cranes and even whooping cranes.

But these deer and quackers probably knew they were safe.

After all, many of the hunters were watching football and armed with the necessary supplies of beverages and snacks.


Agriculture
Hunting
Recreation

Deciding what's really important in life

With the bloodshed in Iraq continuing and tensions mounting over North Korea and Iran, my thoughts and prayers on this day are, naturally, with the Oregon State University football team as they do battle Saturday with the Trojans of USC. The Beavers, of course, are picked to take second place in the brawl, with USC expected to come in next to last.

The matchup reminds me of one that took place in 1967 when the top-ranked Trojans came to play the Beavers in Corvallis. I've bored my friends for years by recounting how I was at that game. Now it's your turn. Sorry.

I was sitting in the south end zone with my dad when USC ran onto the field. They were huge, every last one of them. Then the Beavers took the field. There were little ones and big ones, short ones and fat ones. They looked like a high school team standing across from the Trojans. I thought, this doesn't look good.

The Trojans had the ball first, and O.J. Simpson broke through the line and juked his way downfield right off the bat for a 60-yard gain. I thought, this doesn't look good.

Both teams battled ferociously in the mud of Parker Stadium, with OSU managing to kick a field goal for the only score of the game. The Beavers could have scored two touchdowns, but fullback Bill "Earthquake" Enyart dropped the ball while rumbling toward the end zone. OSU hung on to win 3-0. The crowd went nuts. The famous "Giant Killers" of Oregon State had done it again.

I think the attendance must have been about 500,000, given the numbers of people who've since said they were at that game. But I was there, by golly. And I'll be watching Saturday on TV. Hey, lightning could strike twice.

Go Beavers.

Agriculture
College football
Oregon State University

OSU baseball win: More inspirational than Barry Bonds

By Elaine Shein

When past president Dick Severson was interviewing possible candidates for the new executive director position of Oregon’s Agri-Business Council on June 9, he started each interview with the same question: The one that he said was the most important question of all.

“Which state’s college baseball team is in the final for the College World Series?” he asked. Obviously, this was on the top of the mind of the farmer from Springfield, Ore.

It was also obvious that everyone around the table, whether it was the hiring committee or the job candidates, knew Oregon State University Beavers were the contenders against North Carolina’s team. Even when the temperatures hit more than 100 degrees this week, the hottest topic remained the Beavers.

On June 26, showing the heart and determination they have shown throughout the playoffs since they lost their first game so harshly, OSU won the final game in the three-game series and became the best in the nation.

Considering the last time a northern team won the College World Series was 1966 – and Ohio was the northern team that won — makes this win even more remarkable. Forget Barry Bonds and his home run record this season. This is an even greater victory and means more to the players and their fans. This is what baseball should be about.

Even during one of the busiest times of the year, farmers and ranchers took time to talk about — if they didn’t have a chance to watch — baseball. Even if there was no local farm boy on the team, that didn’t stop them from cheering on what they felt was their team. Even some fans that normally cheer on their beloved Ducks were caught cheering for their rival university in the state.

What is it about baseball that draws fans? It’s not as fast as basketball, doesn’t have the hard tackles of football nor the body checks of hockey.

But baseball is considered as American as apple pie. It’s the whole experience, the memory of kids and adults perhaps playing in their first ball game themselves with an old wooden bat, a tattered ball or a stiff new glove not quite broken in.

Or perhaps they recall their first live game in some ballpark as they listened to chants of those attempting to sell them hotdogs and popcorn — and desperately yearning to see a ball land near them in the stands and maybe seek a later autograph by the player.

Baseball is more than just a sport. It’s a tradition for many whether they play themselves, watch their kids play or settle comfortably on their living room sofas with chips and beverages. It’s tradition to yell at the umpires or second-guess the pitching decisions made by coaches. It’s tradition to hear Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

Having a Corvallis-based team bring home the award for best college team in baseball makes the tradition even sweeter.

Hopefully this will inspire the next generation who eagerly try their new ball gloves and run out on dusty baseball diamonds even if today it’s a small town field somewhere in the Pacific Northwest.
Agriculture