Moving up to the profession ranks ... sort of

Today, I got the opportunity to work a professional basketball game.

Now that I've got that out of the way, let me share with you about this professional league I was afforded the chance to participate with. A few days ago, I was called by someone from the Bluegrass Stallions of the ABA. I must admit it has been a while since I witnessed a pro basketball game in person. Last time was before my family moved from Atlanta, so it's been since 1977 but that's only a guess.

And while I was only 5- or 6-years old since my last pro hoops game, I am pretty sure it wasn't like this. Really, this seemed more like a Globetrotters game than 'professional' basketball game - minus the crazy antics like throwing a bucket of confetti into the crowd.

Another day, another newspaper cuts staff

It's becoming so common now that it's easy to overlook. However, another big city newspaper has made staffing cuts.

Today's causality is the Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., which announced the elimination of 14 positions today.

I've talked about this before in a previous blog post, so none of this is really a surprise. But yet, with each new layoff in the newspaper industry, it stings a little bit.

My 15 minutes of fame

I laugh when I think about this and share this. But being who I am, I must share it.

Yesterday, I was quoted for a story on MLB.com. Yes, the official website for Major League Baseball quoted me in a story. (Guess I can check that off my bucket list. Of course, always thought I'd 1.) be a star athlete and/or 2.) a reporter writing stories for MLB.com - which may still happen one day, who knows.)

When it truly is only a game ...

OK, I admit it. I can get wrapped up in sports. After all, my occupation of choice is SPORTS INFORMATION.

Yet, I can get caught up into the mix just like any regular fan as well. Right now, there are two things really vying for my attention as a sports aficionado: 1. All the offseason action as MLB teams gear up for Spring Training (pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 18 for most of the teams-YAY!!!); and 2. The football coaching search at the University of Tennessee (which is bizarre to say the least).

Mellowing in my old age or just going with the flow?

This has been a unique basketball season for me thus far. See, I'm still without an assistant and I also lost one of the best spotters (a person who calls out the plays/action on the court so that I can input the stats) I've ever had.

Consequently, I've had a constant rotation of spotters this season. I'm not 100 percent sure, but I think I've only had the same spotters twice. It's been a constant rotation.

Surprisingly, I've been relatively calm about all this.