The Sport That Started It All

Most of you don't know this, but I am a thrower for the Baldwin-Wallace track and field team. This weekend we competed in our conference championships. The men and women both placed second overall, and I was inspired to write an article on the first sport ever.

Track and field was first enjoyed way back in the day by the ancient Greeks. The first Olympic games were held in 776 B.C., and the only event that was held was a stadium footrace. Track and field evolved into a myriad of different events.

Track and Field Event Types:

Sprinting
Hurdling
Jumping
Throwing
Pole Vaulting
Distance Running
Heptathlon
Decathlon

The greatest thing about track and field is that it is an individual sport. The only thing you have to rely on is your mind and body. The sport allows you to really be in tune with how you use all of the different parts of your body in sync with one another to execute an action.

It's also a great cross-training activity for athletes of other sports. You can work on your strength and conditioning while competing at the same time. Overall, It is a really fun sport to participate in, and it has also been a very important part in the development of our favorite sports today.

Some of the members of the BW Team!

Take some time this week to get to the heart of athletics and go for a run. Maybe even do a sprint workout on a local track. Whatever sports you participate in, try to practice being more in tune with your body the way that track athletes train themselves to be. What is your favorite track and field event? Let us know! And  don't forget to visit our website www.leaguehound.com!

Combat Sports

This weekend, I watched The Fighter with Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg. It inspired me to make this week's post about some of the different options out there that allow us to become fighters. Boxing isn't the only option. There are plenty of other combat sports with great health benefits that are waiting to be tried!

Karate

Karate is a form of combat using kicking, punching, knee/elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques. It can be practiced in many different ways that are beneficial. It is not only considered a sport (many times a contact sport), but it is also considered an art. Both of these aspects are practiced in different ways. The art form of karate is practiced in a less hands-on manner which is nice for those of you who would like a more mellow activity. There are also many levels from beginner to expert, so you won't be instantly thrown into a class with the pros and you can learn at a comfortable pace.

Boxing

Boxing is a combat sport where two people fight using only their fists. If you have seen The Fighter, you would know that this is the style of fighting being done in the movie. The training that they do looks like a lot of fun, too (but also pretty challenging!).

MMA

Mixed Martial Arts is a combination of many different forms of combat. It is full contact and utilizes both striking and grappling techniques. It includes the previous forms of combats and many more including wrestling and jiu-jitsu. This is by far the most challenging and intense form of combat, but it is also a lot of fun.

T'ai Chi

If you are looking for something a little more slow-paced, then you might want to sign up for T'ai Chi. You still get most of the same benefits from the other forms of combat, but it is at an easier pace.


Combat sports are a great way to lose weight and get a full body workout. They can also build your confidence, and you can have a great time doing it. Don't be afraid to try something new! Let us know what your favorite combat sport is. And don't forget to visit our website Leaguehound.com!

Let's Go Fishing!

I don't know how many of you got to take advantage of the weather outside yesterday, but it was perfect! I spent the day outside in sunshine fishing to my heart's content. I know what you might be thinking: fishing is too boring and slow-paced for me. But sometimes we need to take a break from our busy lives to enjoy some peace and quiet and to be one with nature. I always go fishing around the end of the semester to get rid of all of the stress from final exams. What's stressing you out? Maybe a little fishing trip might help relieve some of that stress!

What You Need

You can pretty much use anything to go fishing, from your bare hands to a spear. The most common methods of fishing, however, are angling and netting. Netting is more easily used for the smaller fish like blue gill and crappie. If you are looking for bigger fish, angling is the right method for you.

You'll need:

-A Fishing License

-A Fishing Pole

-Fishing Line

-Hooks

-Bait

There are three main different kinds of bait: artificial, natural, and live. Artificial is the least messy and easiest to use. It's also efficient because it is reusable. Natural bait is the middle of the road between artificial and live bait.  It is usually some type of biodegradable material that can be found with the live bait in stores. Live bait is typically some sort of worm. This is definitely the most gross but also the most effective kind of bait.

Whatever method or bait you use, set aside some time this weekend to head out to the nearest lake or stream. Relieve that stress and have fun at the same time! 

What's your favorite way to fish? Have any good stories about fishing? Let us know at leaguelife19@yahoo.com. Also, visit our website, Leaguehound.com.

Winner of the March Madness Contest!

League Life would like to use today's post to congratulate Michael Gallagher, winner of this year's League Life March Madness Contest! It was a close competition, but Michael came out on top correctly selecting Kansas and Kentucky to make it to the final. He also picked Kentucky for the win. This put him far above the competition with a score of 136 points out of 192. Congratulations, Michael, you win a free Leaguehound t-shirt!

We would also like to thank all of the other competitors for this year. Our first contest was a lot of fun, and we hope to have another one next year with even higher stakes!

Opening Day!

This Thursday is the opening day for baseball season. The forecast is projecting chilly but beautiful weather for most games. Fans everywhere will be flocking to support their favorite teams.

Who is going to be the best this year? The Red Sox and the Yankees should be successful as usual while the Rays and Angels are also looking promising.

It's been said by League Life before: there is nothing better than watching a live game and enjoying a good stadium dog and a beer. Nothing except for actually playing the game! Let's celebrate America's pastime this week by getting out there and having a ball game with friends.

If you're looking for a baseball/softball league in your area visit our site Leaguehound.com

There are leagues being featured in:

Albany, NY

Brooklyn, NY

Buffalo, NY

Rochester, NY

Cleveland, OH

And many others!

What are your thoughts on baseball? Let us know. And don't forget to have fun!