SECTION Enquirer~Democrat Have a sports story? E-mail them to B [email protected] THURSDAY JUNE 30, 2016 SPORTSenquirerdemocrat.com Sports venues have a special place in my heart place where I feel at peace with the world. We all need a little of that in Sports Extra our lives. --- Came across a sports legend I’d ERIC BECKER never heard of before. The NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and the legend of the infamous Taro Tsujimoto. Seems like Tsujimoto, out of the As long as there are professional Haven’t been to Hillsboro yet. Japan League, was the Sabers 11th sports, I will be a happy camper. Been to Vandalia, but many years round draft pick back in 1974. While I do think athletes are well ago when I was in Clinton, covering He had no chance to make the overpaid, they do perform on the a wrestling sectional. NHL because, well, quite frankly, greatest of stages in the greatest of I’ve covered events at Eastern he never existed. places. Illinois University’s O’Brien Field Seems like the Buffalo gen- If I ever inherit a ton of money, and the Assembly Hall in Cham- eral manager at the time, George and it hasn’t happened yet, obvi- paign. “Punch’ Imlach, decided to trick the ously, I would find time to tour the Been to Wrigley Field, old league because he thought the draft, This summer’s lifeguards at Carlinville City Pool include, from left, Amanda Schmidt, AJ Chapman, Lydia country and Toronto and visit all Comiskey Park, U.S. Cellular Field conducted via telephone at the time, Albertine, Max Rogers, Jordan Ballinger, Max Chapman, Erika Schmidt, Konnor Emmons and Cassidy 30 major league parks in one fell and the old Chicago Stadium for was too long and he was fed up with Downs. Not pictured are Joe Bates, Megan Passalacqua, Garrett Campbell and Barry Stewart. swoop. games in Chicago. the process. That would be my at the top of I’ve been to Busch Stadium II and So, with the help of the Sabres PR my ultimate bucket list. Will it hap- III, the Dome at America’s Center, Director Paul Wieland, they created Thirteen serving as lifeguards at city pool pen? No, I don’t see it happening. and the Scottrade Center in St. Lou- this fictional player. Each summer kids of all ages working here,” said Schmidt. group,” said Downs. “They’re I’ve heard of people who have done is. In Springfield, been to Lanphier The NHL made the pick official, flock to the Carlinville City Downs expects the lifeguards really good with the kids.” this, and am quite jealous. Park and Prairie Capital Convention and it was reported in media outlets Pool to cool off in the hot sum- to be on time, conscientious of Park District Administrator Recently, I wrote down a list of all Center for games. at the time, including The Hockey mer sun. Each summer life- the job, responsible and willing Regie Byots added, “They go the stadiums and arenas that I have I’ve either toured the stadium/are- News. He was pick number 183 of guards work hard to ensure the to work. Most of the lifeguards above and beyond.” visited (that I could recall) over the na or saw a game in 19 cities across that year’s draft. safety of swimmers. put in additional hours by pro- The city pool is open seven past three-plus decades of following the land. This came at a time when the According to pool manager viding swimming lessons to days a week from 12-6 p.m. sports. That doesn’t take into account my NHL was just beginning its search Melissa Downs, the lifeguards area children. “They’re a good Admission is $4 per person. The list is pretty lengthy, but not spring training vacations to Arizona for players outside of North Amer- are required to take a life- as lengthy as I would have liked. and Florida. Six trips, one to Florida ica. guard training class before be- Oddly, I’ve never been to a post- and five to my favorite destination, In 2011, a trading card company ing hired at the city pool. Most season sporting event in person. Phoenix, to watch spring training created a card of Tsujimoto, an un- guards take the four to five day I’d say the highest touted event I baseball. identified Asian man playing hock- class at Lake Williamson. This have been was the baseball Col- I’ve seen spring training games ey for a team wearing similar blue year there are 13 lifeguards, lege World Series in Omaha, back in 12 different towns across Arizona and gold colors that Buffalo Sabres ranging from 16-22 years of FARM • HOME • INDUSTRIAL in 2002. I believe Clemson played and Florida. Arizona has expanded players wear. age: Lydia Albertine, Jordan South Carolina, but I could be total- to a couple newer venues, so I will Just goes to show you, if you draft Ballinger, Joe Bates, Garrett • Propane Gas Delivery ly wrong. It was a highly entertain- need to get back out there again a player that doesn’t exist, it doesn’t Campbell, AJ Chapman, Max • Home Heating ing, thrilling venue to take in a game soon. I have not been back to spring mean he is totally forgotten. Chapman, Cassidy Downs, • Grill Cylinder Service at that level. training since 2007. --- Konnor Emmons, Megan Pas- I love the anticipation of visiting a I’ve seen pro baseball games in Sad to read a report over the salacqua, Max Rogers, Amanda new venue in a place I’d never been. St. Louis, Chicago, Seattle, San weekend on one of the greatest Schmidt, Erika Schmidt and Last year, it was Comerica Park in Francisco, Minneapolis, Chicago, coaches of all time. Barry Stewart. Detroit. Two years ago, Tropicana Cincinnati, Kansas City, Cleveland, Former Tennessee women’s Amanda Schmidt, who at- Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Detroit coach Pat Summitt, who coached tends Gillespie High School, is Not planning any new venues this and Tampa. Toured the ballpark in 38 years, suffered from dementia enjoying her first summer as a In stock - new 250, 500 summer. Hopefully, next year. Phoenix. Been to two different sta- for about the past five years, and lifeguard. “I just like the atmo- and 1000 gallon tanks. Locally, I’ve been to about as diums in Chicago, Cincinnati, Phil- early Tuesday morning passed away sphere and being around every- many high school gymnasiums adelphia and St. Louis. at age 64. Hate to see the legends at one,” she said. We offer locked-in pricing and schools as anyone, from as far Been to NFL games in St. Louis the end of their lives. Mohammed Missouri Valley College north as Seneca and LaMoille to as and Indianapolis, and toured the sta- Ali died a few weeks ago and it was graduate Jordan Ballinger has for 2016-2017 and far south as Metropolis, and many, dium in Seattle. a tragic few days as we remembered been a lifeguard since the pool 2017-2018 season. many places in between. Last year, Been to NBA games at the old his life. reopened seven years ago be- my first in Carlinville, I crossed stadium in Chicago; Indianapo- Summitt won 1,098 games, a cause she enjoys working with Carlinville, Roxana, Pana, Piasa, lis and Phoenix, while touring the record for men or women coaches, children. Gillespie, Staunton, Litchfield, arena in Washington, D.C. and went and eight national championships. Erika Schmidt, who attends Greenville, Bunker Hill, Mt. Olive, into the lobby of the Target Center And she helped promote women’s Southern Illinois University 511 West Main, Carlinville • 217-854-3164 North Mac, East Alton and prob- in Minneapolis. Seen NHL games athletics at the collegiate level. Edwardsville, is serving her ably many others off the list of high in Phoenix and Saint Louis. Women’s collegiate sports really second year as a lifeguard. “I Toll-Free • 800-864-9083 schools I’ve now had to chance to Just love visiting the sports ven- love kids and I like the people www.jfboentesons.com visit. ues. Lots of people, yes, but, its a See VENUES on 2B. that I’ve gotten to know through THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 Macoupin County Enquirer~Democrat 1B sports What's On Tap? Upcoming area sporting events for Carlinville Park District home games from various summer IHSA enacts new heat safety policy leagues The Illinois High School As- lines related to regular-season ath- Dill (MS, ATC, CSCS), who is a tures we saw on June 10 and 11, the is a player-safety initiative aimed at June 30 sociation (IHSA) Board of Direc- letic competition in extreme heat if member of the IHSA Sports Medi- WBGT never reached the threshold empowering student-athletes, par- Cisco Field, 6 p.m. - Stayton 10-12 girls vs. tors voted to enact new heat safety they choose to do so.” cine Advisory Committee. “The where we had to suspend or post- ents, coaches and fans to educate Litchfield guidelines for all IHSA postseason The policy is built upon Wet Bulb first step for player safety is always pone play,” said Anderson. “Much themselves on player safety issues Lions Field, 8 p.m. - Gibson 8-10 girls vs. Litchfield contests beginning with the 2016- Globe Temperature (WBGT) read- prevention and this policy aims to of this policy is really aimed at and the steps that have been taken 17 school year.