Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Peer Reviews
1. Is there a clear point of view? (position)
Yes, Tiger may be coming back too soon
2. Does the Op-Ed state the problem and solution simply?
Yes, obviously talking about Tiger Wood's comeback
3. Does the piece address the counter arguments?
Tough to address counter arguments in a drawing
4. Is the Op-Ed interesting?
Yes. good drawing and humorous
5. Are the paragraphs organized logically?
It's a cartoon
6. Does each paragraph develop an idea to support the thesis?
Drawing proves its point
7. Is the writing clear?
The cartoon is clear
1. Is there a clear point of view? (position)
Yes, sign Joe Mauer
2. Does the Op-Ed state the problem and solution simply?
Yes, need to give him a big contract
3. Does the piece address the counter arguments?
Yes, the Twins may do fine without him, but he's a hometown star that we wouldn't want to lose
4. Is the Op-Ed interesting?
Yes, lots of good lines
5. Are the paragraphs organized logically?
Yes
6. Does each paragraph develop an idea to support the thesis?
Yes
7. Is the writing clear?
Yes, easy to follow
Yes, Tiger may be coming back too soon
2. Does the Op-Ed state the problem and solution simply?
Yes, obviously talking about Tiger Wood's comeback
3. Does the piece address the counter arguments?
Tough to address counter arguments in a drawing
4. Is the Op-Ed interesting?
Yes. good drawing and humorous
5. Are the paragraphs organized logically?
It's a cartoon
6. Does each paragraph develop an idea to support the thesis?
Drawing proves its point
7. Is the writing clear?
The cartoon is clear
1. Is there a clear point of view? (position)
Yes, sign Joe Mauer
2. Does the Op-Ed state the problem and solution simply?
Yes, need to give him a big contract
3. Does the piece address the counter arguments?
Yes, the Twins may do fine without him, but he's a hometown star that we wouldn't want to lose
4. Is the Op-Ed interesting?
Yes, lots of good lines
5. Are the paragraphs organized logically?
Yes
6. Does each paragraph develop an idea to support the thesis?
Yes
7. Is the writing clear?
Yes, easy to follow
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Editorial
College football should adopt a playoff system
This past college football season the Alabama Crimson Tide took home the National Championship. They were undoubtedly deserving of the title. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Some years teams finish the season feeling cheated out of the opportunity to play for the National Championship.
The current post-season system is the Bowl Championship Series which features five different games, the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and the National Championship game along with a plethora of other bowl games. The five different Bowl Championship games feature the top ten teams according to the BCS standing, which is somehow decided upon by a computer and a bunch of long mathematical formulas. For the most part the top teams are picked to play in these games. But what if there are four undefeated teams in College Football at the end of the year? They should all get a chance to play for the National Title. But, with the current system only two lucky teams have the opportunity to hoist the BCS championship trophy. This is not a fair way to crown a champion. College football needs to adopt a playoff system of some sort.
Imagine the NCAA basketball tournament that is currently happening this March. Now think of the same thing except football. It would be quite exciting and would give each team a legitimate shot at the National title. The NCAA can keep there BCS rankings, except at the end of the year they should take the top eight teams, rather than ten, and play a tournament/playoff very similar to the NFL. Doing this would not lengthen the season, because teams could play their games during December when they are normally resting and preparing for bowl games. Also, this could offer more revenue for the NCAA. The playoff system would consist of seven games, two more than the five game Bowl Championship series we have now. Most importantly it would give every team a shot. Teams like Boise State and Utah, both not typical BCS teams would get a chance to play major conference powerhouses like Florida and Texas in the playoff system. And who knows what could happen. It would by far be the most exciting college football games of the year and without the controversy the BCS brings with its system.
This past college football season the Alabama Crimson Tide took home the National Championship. They were undoubtedly deserving of the title. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Some years teams finish the season feeling cheated out of the opportunity to play for the National Championship.
The current post-season system is the Bowl Championship Series which features five different games, the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and the National Championship game along with a plethora of other bowl games. The five different Bowl Championship games feature the top ten teams according to the BCS standing, which is somehow decided upon by a computer and a bunch of long mathematical formulas. For the most part the top teams are picked to play in these games. But what if there are four undefeated teams in College Football at the end of the year? They should all get a chance to play for the National Title. But, with the current system only two lucky teams have the opportunity to hoist the BCS championship trophy. This is not a fair way to crown a champion. College football needs to adopt a playoff system of some sort.
Imagine the NCAA basketball tournament that is currently happening this March. Now think of the same thing except football. It would be quite exciting and would give each team a legitimate shot at the National title. The NCAA can keep there BCS rankings, except at the end of the year they should take the top eight teams, rather than ten, and play a tournament/playoff very similar to the NFL. Doing this would not lengthen the season, because teams could play their games during December when they are normally resting and preparing for bowl games. Also, this could offer more revenue for the NCAA. The playoff system would consist of seven games, two more than the five game Bowl Championship series we have now. Most importantly it would give every team a shot. Teams like Boise State and Utah, both not typical BCS teams would get a chance to play major conference powerhouses like Florida and Texas in the playoff system. And who knows what could happen. It would by far be the most exciting college football games of the year and without the controversy the BCS brings with its system.
Unlike the current system a playoff system would give us a real National Champion who truly earned its way to the top.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Editorial pre-writing
1. What is a problem/issue that our entire student body (our school, community, country, etc.) faces today?
Leaving the school parking lot at the end of the day
2. What is your view/position on the problem or situation?
Some people need to drive more safely when leaving the school parking lot
3. What would you like to achieve with your editorial? (What is the desired result?)
To get people to drive more safely when leaving school at the end of the day
4. How will you persuade your audience to adopt your viewpoint as theirs? List at least 4 persuasive points.
Challenge them to drive more safely in the school parking lots
6. How will your editorial serve a public purpose?
It will make the school parking lots a much safer place to be after school
Leaving the school parking lot at the end of the day
2. What is your view/position on the problem or situation?
Some people need to drive more safely when leaving the school parking lot
3. What would you like to achieve with your editorial? (What is the desired result?)
To get people to drive more safely when leaving school at the end of the day
4. How will you persuade your audience to adopt your viewpoint as theirs? List at least 4 persuasive points.
- Risk of accidents
- No need to rush to get home/to work
- Safe driving could make it easier to leave the parking lot
- Not worth the risk of an accident to speed through the parking lot
Challenge them to drive more safely in the school parking lots
6. How will your editorial serve a public purpose?
It will make the school parking lots a much safer place to be after school
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Feature Story
Home sweet Dome no more, Minnesota is ready for Target Field
The 2009 season was all about saying farewell to the obsolete Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome for the Minnesota Twins, and what a goodbye it was. The Twins chased division rival Detroit until the final day of the season and eventually beat them for the division title in game 163. The Metrodome left us the way it will always be remembered: unbearably loud and full of miraculous moments. Even though the Dome may not have been the most ideal place for baseball it will be missed. Sort of.
“The Dome just had horrible seating,” said avid Twins fan Matt Decovich, “most of the time you would have to twist your whole body just to see home plate, and the seats were not the most comfortable.” Ryan Nysteun, another Twins fan who endured the imperfections of the Dome added, “there was just no leg room and the concourse was always packed.” The Dome was a nightmare for anyone with the slightest case of claustrophobia.
The playing field was also trapped inside the small space. One experience I will never forget about the Metrodome is when an opposing player hit a pop fly into foul territory. The ball drifted toward the stands and was obviously going be a souvenir for some lucky fan. That is until it caromed of a large speaker, and the Twins closer, at the time, everyday Eddie Guardado, sprinted towards the first baseline, slid and caught the ball. The batter looked back at the umpire, who was signaling the ball was caught, like he just witnessed mob of pigs taking flight. Fly balls should not hit a ceiling. When the inventors of baseball wrote its rules they never added a section about indoor baseball.The game just belongs outdoors, under the sun, and in the fresh air of a cool summer breeze.
Despite the Dome's many flaws, it will remain in the memories of baseball and Twins fans alike. When both Decovich and Nysteun were asked what they would miss the most about the Metrodome they both answered “The Dome Dog.” Quite a legacy the Dome is leaving, huh?
Enough poking fun at the Dome. Now it is time for Minnesota baseball fans to move on. The anticipation of Target Field has been mounting ever since the groundbreaking ceremony in August of 2007. “Just the fact that the new stadium is outdoors is exciting,” said Decovich. Twins fans have not been able to watch a game under the summer sun, or in a mid April snow storm, since the 1981 season.
We survived the unpredictable Minnesota weather at Metropolitan Stadium so we should be able to handle it now, right? “A nice spring day would be the ideal conditions to go to a game, but I would be willing to attend a game in poor weather,” said Decovich.
But one striking question facing the Twins and their decision to build an outdoor park, without a retractable roof, is how many games will need to be postponed? This could be a problem and really mess with the Twins schedule, but also could keep fans from attending games. “I would be so excited to go to the game that I wouldn’t worry about it being cancelled, I don’t know if too many baseball fans would,” said Decovich, “but then again it isn’t to far of a drive from Apple Valley to Minneapolis.” Many of the Twins loyal fans live outside of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and its suburbs. So will the Twins fan from St. Cloud or Rochester be willing to head to Target Field on a rainy day, and take the chance of the game being cancelled? Chances are the excitement surrounding the new field will be too strong to ignore and they will make the trip.
Already Target Field has been on the minds of Twins fans even through the sub-zero months of the Minnesota winter. All season ticket holders at the Metrodome had the opportunity to transfer their ticket over to Target Field. And as a testament to the Twins loyal fan base most of them did. But still some single game tickets were available. In fact just last week all single game tickets went on sale at the new Target Field. Unsurprisingly, the tickets were snatched up like leftovers at Thanksgiving dinner. “In the past I would attend about a couple games a year,” said Nysteun, “and I would really like to attend some outdoor games at Target Field. That is if I can get Tickets.”
Compared to ticket prices at the Dome, prices at Target Field have gone up by no surprise. Obviously, anyone with common sense saw this coming. The demand for tickets this year is at an all-time high and Target Field which seats 39,504 giddy Twins fans, while the Dome could hold 55,300 people. Tickets may be as scarce as an error by the Twins solid defense. “I know tickets are going to be really hard to come by,” added Nysteun.
Target Field isn’t simply another Metrodome without a roof. It is going to be one of the premier sporting facilities in the country. It will be featuring some of the closest seats to the playing field in the league, a concourse offering a full view of the field at all times, and heated bathrooms, concessions and restaurants for those early season games and hopefully late October nail biters. And unlike the Dome, fans can sit in comfort during the game with wider seats offering more legroom. Not to mention every seat in the stadium faces home plate, so no more neck aches the morning after a game.
“I think the coolest part about Target Field will be the atmosphere. From the Minnesota limestone around the outside of the ballpark to the concession stands that will feature Minnesota foods. It doesn’t get much better than that,” said longtime Twins fan Joey Voss.
Not only will the fans be spoiled by the stellar features of Target Field, but also the players will be able to play on one of the nicest field in the game today. The field features heated coils under the playing surface to help keep the field unfrozen and keep the players comfortable. And surely the Twins players are looking forward to getting grass stains rather than rug burns.
Now that the Twins have hit the field in Fort Meyers for spring training the regular season is just around the corner. And 2010 should be a special one indeed. The Twins will play for the first time at Target Field in an exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 2 and the home opener is scheduled for April 12 against the Boston Red Sox. Hopefully, when Target Field has aged and it is time for a new state of the art ballpark, it will be remembered by more than its hot dogs.
The 2009 season was all about saying farewell to the obsolete Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome for the Minnesota Twins, and what a goodbye it was. The Twins chased division rival Detroit until the final day of the season and eventually beat them for the division title in game 163. The Metrodome left us the way it will always be remembered: unbearably loud and full of miraculous moments. Even though the Dome may not have been the most ideal place for baseball it will be missed. Sort of.
“The Dome just had horrible seating,” said avid Twins fan Matt Decovich, “most of the time you would have to twist your whole body just to see home plate, and the seats were not the most comfortable.” Ryan Nysteun, another Twins fan who endured the imperfections of the Dome added, “there was just no leg room and the concourse was always packed.” The Dome was a nightmare for anyone with the slightest case of claustrophobia.
The playing field was also trapped inside the small space. One experience I will never forget about the Metrodome is when an opposing player hit a pop fly into foul territory. The ball drifted toward the stands and was obviously going be a souvenir for some lucky fan. That is until it caromed of a large speaker, and the Twins closer, at the time, everyday Eddie Guardado, sprinted towards the first baseline, slid and caught the ball. The batter looked back at the umpire, who was signaling the ball was caught, like he just witnessed mob of pigs taking flight. Fly balls should not hit a ceiling. When the inventors of baseball wrote its rules they never added a section about indoor baseball.The game just belongs outdoors, under the sun, and in the fresh air of a cool summer breeze.
Despite the Dome's many flaws, it will remain in the memories of baseball and Twins fans alike. When both Decovich and Nysteun were asked what they would miss the most about the Metrodome they both answered “The Dome Dog.” Quite a legacy the Dome is leaving, huh?
Enough poking fun at the Dome. Now it is time for Minnesota baseball fans to move on. The anticipation of Target Field has been mounting ever since the groundbreaking ceremony in August of 2007. “Just the fact that the new stadium is outdoors is exciting,” said Decovich. Twins fans have not been able to watch a game under the summer sun, or in a mid April snow storm, since the 1981 season.
We survived the unpredictable Minnesota weather at Metropolitan Stadium so we should be able to handle it now, right? “A nice spring day would be the ideal conditions to go to a game, but I would be willing to attend a game in poor weather,” said Decovich.
But one striking question facing the Twins and their decision to build an outdoor park, without a retractable roof, is how many games will need to be postponed? This could be a problem and really mess with the Twins schedule, but also could keep fans from attending games. “I would be so excited to go to the game that I wouldn’t worry about it being cancelled, I don’t know if too many baseball fans would,” said Decovich, “but then again it isn’t to far of a drive from Apple Valley to Minneapolis.” Many of the Twins loyal fans live outside of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and its suburbs. So will the Twins fan from St. Cloud or Rochester be willing to head to Target Field on a rainy day, and take the chance of the game being cancelled? Chances are the excitement surrounding the new field will be too strong to ignore and they will make the trip.
Already Target Field has been on the minds of Twins fans even through the sub-zero months of the Minnesota winter. All season ticket holders at the Metrodome had the opportunity to transfer their ticket over to Target Field. And as a testament to the Twins loyal fan base most of them did. But still some single game tickets were available. In fact just last week all single game tickets went on sale at the new Target Field. Unsurprisingly, the tickets were snatched up like leftovers at Thanksgiving dinner. “In the past I would attend about a couple games a year,” said Nysteun, “and I would really like to attend some outdoor games at Target Field. That is if I can get Tickets.”
Compared to ticket prices at the Dome, prices at Target Field have gone up by no surprise. Obviously, anyone with common sense saw this coming. The demand for tickets this year is at an all-time high and Target Field which seats 39,504 giddy Twins fans, while the Dome could hold 55,300 people. Tickets may be as scarce as an error by the Twins solid defense. “I know tickets are going to be really hard to come by,” added Nysteun.
Target Field isn’t simply another Metrodome without a roof. It is going to be one of the premier sporting facilities in the country. It will be featuring some of the closest seats to the playing field in the league, a concourse offering a full view of the field at all times, and heated bathrooms, concessions and restaurants for those early season games and hopefully late October nail biters. And unlike the Dome, fans can sit in comfort during the game with wider seats offering more legroom. Not to mention every seat in the stadium faces home plate, so no more neck aches the morning after a game.
“I think the coolest part about Target Field will be the atmosphere. From the Minnesota limestone around the outside of the ballpark to the concession stands that will feature Minnesota foods. It doesn’t get much better than that,” said longtime Twins fan Joey Voss.
Not only will the fans be spoiled by the stellar features of Target Field, but also the players will be able to play on one of the nicest field in the game today. The field features heated coils under the playing surface to help keep the field unfrozen and keep the players comfortable. And surely the Twins players are looking forward to getting grass stains rather than rug burns.
Now that the Twins have hit the field in Fort Meyers for spring training the regular season is just around the corner. And 2010 should be a special one indeed. The Twins will play for the first time at Target Field in an exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 2 and the home opener is scheduled for April 12 against the Boston Red Sox. Hopefully, when Target Field has aged and it is time for a new state of the art ballpark, it will be remembered by more than its hot dogs.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Feature Story: Target Field
Interview Questions
What did you think of the Metrodome?
What will you miss about the Dome?
What are you most looking forward to this season as a Twins Fan?
What features of Target Field are you most excited about?
Do you think the weather be a major problem at the new stadium?
How do you think the stadium is going to benefit the Twins organization?
When was the last time you saw an outdoor baseball game?
Are you more excited about the Twins new ballpark or the Twins revamped lineup?
How many more games do you plan on attending this year because of the new ballpark?
What do you think is in store for the Twins inaugural season at Target Field?
In your opinion what are the ideal weather conditions for an outdoor baseball game? Would you be willing to go to a game with bad weather?
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Minnesota weather offers many challenges for spring sports teams
Freezing temperatures and snow on the ground are not the ideal conditions for spring sports athletes and teams as they prepare to kick off their seasons. With the opening day for sports such as Track and Field, Baseball, softball, boys Tennis, and Lacrosse right around the corner many athletes are forced to find alternative ways to begin preparing for the season.
“We do everything we can to be prepared and sometimes have to be creative,” says senior baseball player Jack McDevitt. “We hit in garages or unfinished basements, and often go to other indoor hitting facilities and hit in batting cages.” Obviously this is not the same as taking cuts on the field, but it is what all teams around the state have to deal with.
But once the season actually starts not all teams are lucky enough to have large indoor facilities to practice in. Instead they are forced to practice in small gyms and other areas. “We are crammed in a small gym, and are very limited to what we can do. We have two batting cages which help, but being outdoors is the ideal way to go.” Not much can be accomplished when the playing field includes cement walls along the first baseline.
The Lacrosse team is more fortunate when it comes to preseason practicing. The team has been having captain’s practices inside the Rosemount Dome for the past couple of weeks. This gives the team a head start on the season as they get to actually play on a normal sized field. Unfortunately, once opening day arrives most of the practices take place in the Eastview High School gym. “Playing in a gym just really isn’t the same. It can be very frustrating because practice is always the same and we don’t get to go through our normal practice routine,” commented Brandon Hoshaw, a junior on the Lacrosse team.
As teams hit the wood floor rather than the green grass practices have to be altered in a variety of ways due to the lack of space. The gym in no way, shape or form can resemble any playing field. Simply put there are no ceilings on a baseball diamond or any three point lines on a Lacrosse field. “We basically can only work on our passing. The gym isn’t large enough to simulate the playing field," Hoshaw added.
Not only does the matchbox sized gym offer little space, it also has to be shared by all of the spring sports teams here at Eastview. “When the weather is bad, and we have to practice indoors, we have limited space, and limited time to practice. We (the baseball team) have to compete with boys and girls track, boys and girls lacrosse, softball, and lower level baseball teams as well,” said McDevitt.
The baseball team is lucky enough to escape from the gym over spring break as they will travel to Florida. In Florida they will have the opportunity to both practice outdoors and also compete against other teams around the country. “Since many spring sports are hindered because of the poor weather, it's a great opportunity for the baseball team to be able to travel to Florida over spring break. It's always nice to be able to play on an actual field and outdoors,” stated senior baseball player Cody Groskreutz.
Soon the gyms will be crawling with spring sports teams and athletes eagerly getting ready for their upcoming seasons, and all of them will be praying for better weather, and dreaming of the green grass and the warm sunlight.
Freezing temperatures and snow on the ground are not the ideal conditions for spring sports athletes and teams as they prepare to kick off their seasons. With the opening day for sports such as Track and Field, Baseball, softball, boys Tennis, and Lacrosse right around the corner many athletes are forced to find alternative ways to begin preparing for the season.
“We do everything we can to be prepared and sometimes have to be creative,” says senior baseball player Jack McDevitt. “We hit in garages or unfinished basements, and often go to other indoor hitting facilities and hit in batting cages.” Obviously this is not the same as taking cuts on the field, but it is what all teams around the state have to deal with.
But once the season actually starts not all teams are lucky enough to have large indoor facilities to practice in. Instead they are forced to practice in small gyms and other areas. “We are crammed in a small gym, and are very limited to what we can do. We have two batting cages which help, but being outdoors is the ideal way to go.” Not much can be accomplished when the playing field includes cement walls along the first baseline.
The Lacrosse team is more fortunate when it comes to preseason practicing. The team has been having captain’s practices inside the Rosemount Dome for the past couple of weeks. This gives the team a head start on the season as they get to actually play on a normal sized field. Unfortunately, once opening day arrives most of the practices take place in the Eastview High School gym. “Playing in a gym just really isn’t the same. It can be very frustrating because practice is always the same and we don’t get to go through our normal practice routine,” commented Brandon Hoshaw, a junior on the Lacrosse team.
As teams hit the wood floor rather than the green grass practices have to be altered in a variety of ways due to the lack of space. The gym in no way, shape or form can resemble any playing field. Simply put there are no ceilings on a baseball diamond or any three point lines on a Lacrosse field. “We basically can only work on our passing. The gym isn’t large enough to simulate the playing field," Hoshaw added.
Not only does the matchbox sized gym offer little space, it also has to be shared by all of the spring sports teams here at Eastview. “When the weather is bad, and we have to practice indoors, we have limited space, and limited time to practice. We (the baseball team) have to compete with boys and girls track, boys and girls lacrosse, softball, and lower level baseball teams as well,” said McDevitt.
The baseball team is lucky enough to escape from the gym over spring break as they will travel to Florida. In Florida they will have the opportunity to both practice outdoors and also compete against other teams around the country. “Since many spring sports are hindered because of the poor weather, it's a great opportunity for the baseball team to be able to travel to Florida over spring break. It's always nice to be able to play on an actual field and outdoors,” stated senior baseball player Cody Groskreutz.
Soon the gyms will be crawling with spring sports teams and athletes eagerly getting ready for their upcoming seasons, and all of them will be praying for better weather, and dreaming of the green grass and the warm sunlight.
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