True Grit

Posted on August 17, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports Aug 17, 2020 #809 Up next… True Grit!

After further review… Our current pandemic can certainly cause a myriad of psychological as well as physical problems – sometimes called yips! The yips has often been described as a psychological problem. But what is it anyway? Professional golfer Tommy Armour III is said to have coined the expression describing yips as a “sudden and inexplicable loss of the ability to putt correctly.” If you have played golf, you know exactly what the yips can do to your game. This term has been broadened to apply to any unexplained loss of skill of athletes in any sport.

Just ask Daniel Bard, now a 35-year old pitcher with the Colorado Rockies of the National League (MLB) in the West Division who play their home games in Coors Field, when they can, in this 2020 Pandemic season. Bard can tell you, in great detail, all about the yips.

Bard was 8 and 4 with an earned run average (ERA) as a freshman pitcher for the North Carolina Tar Heels which earned him All-American Freshman honors in 2004. Along with pitcher Andrew Miller, Bard, in his junior year, led the Tar Heels to the College World Series losing to Oregon State 2 -1. He finished his year with a 9-4 record and an ERA of 3.64. In 2006 he was drafted 28th in the first round by the Boston Red Sox yet continued his education at North Carolina.

His debut in 2007 with the Greenville Drive was disastrous! His 22 starts had a 7.05 ERA as well as walking 78 batters in 75 innings. His ball control had the yips. Later it improved, but only to the point of bullpen and minor league assignments. He made his major league debut with the Red Sox at Fenway Park in 2009 pitching two scoreless innings in an 8-4 loss to the Angels.

A variety of misfortunes happened. He inexplicably lost command of his pitches. As he bounced around minor league teams and in and out of “The Dance” – a euphemism often used to describe the major leagues. As examples of his loss of command: In 2013, he had 23 walks in 6 1/3 innings; in 2014, 9 walks, 7 HBP in 2/3 inning; 2015, no appearances with the Chicago Cubs; in 2016, 13 walks, 5 HBP in 3 innings with the St. Louis Cardinals; 2017 24 walks, 4 HBP in 9 innings with the Cardinals and New York Mets.

Was Bard done in MLB? Not on your life! After taking a coaching job with the Arizona Diamondbacks, he resumed his pitching and now, with the Rockies, is throwing strikes and his fastball is as blistering as it once was. His first comeback victory was a 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers on July 25, 2020 — due to a “Never Give Up” philosophy!

Will you learn from Bard’s example to never give up no matter what conditions you face?

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To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.

Jim’s Bobblehead and books are available at Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3).

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It’s not just about football or is it?

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

empty stadiums 2020

On the TunneySide of Sports Aug 10, 2020 #808 Up next… It’s not just about football, or is it?

After further review… Many are concerned that the NFL may not have a season in 2020 or, perhaps, even Super Bowl LV in 2021. Some college/university conferences have this same concern and are canceling this season altogether. It is often overlooked that spring sports may also be voided. Sports like track and field, swimming, water polo, gymnastics, lacrosse, etc., depend on full football stadiums and television for the revenue to support them.

It is well-known that football in most colleges have for years carried the financial burden of supporting all other “minor” sports (this term is not meant to disparage those sports since they serve so many student/athletes). However, in today’s (2020) athletic environment the finances from football are not sufficient to carry all sports.

Further, in this COVID-19 Pandemic era football may not happen at all. Some major universities may have private donors to keep football alive, but they have to have opponents, which may not be available. Title IX was enacted in 1972 to provide equal opportunity for women’s sports along with men’s opportunities. While this enactment was a wonderful opportunity for women’s participation, most, if not all universities, do not charge admission to support those programs. Sporting goods companies, e.g., Nike, Dick’s more often than not have supplied uniforms with their logos embossed on them free to the schools. This is beginning to change.

Moving to the scholastic level (high schools), if football and basketball are moved to the spring semester after the COVID-19 has subsided, how does baseball, track and field, girls field hockey, swimming, volleyball, and other sports fit in the scheduling? There are simply not enough days left to do so. In addition, some high school athletes compete in more than one sport and may find that impossible. Would it be prudent not to have sports played in schools during 2020 or until a proven vaccine is plentiful enough to allow sports to be safe? Just asking.

In less than one year (July 2021) the XXXII Olympiad (32nd for those not familiar with Latin) will be held in Tokyo, Japan. Will the USA athletes have time in this pandemic year to fully prepare for their participation? The final year before any Olympics all athletes are in “crash-mode” for preparing for their event. Will the USA Olympians be in top form to adequately compete?

Will you log-in your thoughts on how to approach this novel year in sports?

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To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.

Jim’s Bobblehead and books are available at Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3).

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Let ’em play!

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

Mens sana in corpore sano,

On the TunneySide of Sports July 27, 2020 #807 Up next… Let ’em play!

After further review… High school and college football seasons are being delayed until later in the fall or some delayed until the spring of 2021 – if then. Depending on the current Covid-19 Pandemic, what can we really expect? While we work through –and it does take work (effort!)– let’s not lose sight of our ability to solve whatever problems may come our way. It also takes a belief in one’s self and plans for better times ahead. Have faith, not fear!

For at least half of my life, the month of August was a time I looked forward to going back to school either as a student or teacher/coach/administrator. I was always happy to go to school, but sorry my summer vacation was ending. Today’s students want to go to school, if for no other reason than that’s where their friends are. In this 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic year kids have been sheltered-in-place at home with limited access to the outside world.

For the balance of 2020, schools will look much different: desks 6’ apart – mask on every face – no or limited physical contact. That’s not the school you and I attended. Instead of the 2020 school year starting in August or September, some are starting later depending on their current COVID-19 conditions. Some districts will stagger the week by having students in school two days and distance learning at home for three days. A variety of that process will be explored.

While much attention is given to academics through distance learning at home, not much attention has been thought about the physical well being of each young person. I have always believed in “Mens sana in corpore sano,” a Latin phrase translated to mean “a healthy mind in a healthy body.” This expresses the theory that physical exercise is an important or essential part of mental and psychological well-being.

How about this: while distance learning is taking place, open the school grounds e.g., football and baseball fields, track and field areas, outdoor basketball courts, swimming pools and the like so that our youth can run, play or swim on their own. Of course, a playground director or physical educator and/or lifeguard must be there to oversee the facility and equipment in use. No instruction is to take place, but social distancing and face masks must be enforced.

Will you agree that this method of allowing physical exercise is valuable?

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To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.

Jim’s Bobblehead and books are available at Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3).

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