Category Archives: Sports

Regions Tradition makes Alabama top ten tourism list

Posted on December 28, 2010 | Leave a comment

Regions Tradition logo. Courtesy of official website.Back in August, the PGA Champions Tour announced that the Regions Charity Classic and the Jeld-Wen Tradition would be replaced with a new event at Shoal Creek on May 2-8, 2011 called the Regions Tradition.

They’ve even archived the audio from the announcement.

Last week in the midst of the last minute hustle and bustle before the holiday weekend, Alabama’s Department of Tourism included the event in a press release listing the state’s top 10 events for 2011 (it got included at No. 5 – though it looks like they’re listed in chronological order).

It’s the only event included on the list that takes place in Birmingham proper, with several events planned for Montgomery as part of the Civil War Sesquicentennial.

We’ve still got a feeling that the Year of Alabama Music is going to be a bigger deal, but that’s just us. If you don’t believe us though, maybe the web exclusives from this month’s Oxford American music issue on Alabama will change your mind…

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Joe Webb scores 1st NFL touchdown during MNF

Posted on December 21, 2010 | Leave a comment

Birmingham native and former UAB starting quarterback Joe Webb ran 13 yards for the Minnesota Vikings to record his first career NFL touchdown during Monday night’s 40-17 loss to the Chicago Bears at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.

The Wenonah High School graduate was originally scheduled to start last night for the Vikings but future NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre had other plans, starting for the 298th time in his career instead after his consecutive starts streak ended last week.

A sack knocked Favre out of the game in the 2nd quarter with a head injury, leading to Webb taking over behind center. He finished the game completing 15 of his 26 pass attempts, good for 129 yards. He had one fumble, two interceptions and three sacks to go along with that touchdown.

Saturday’s Birmingham News interview of Webb covered not just the understandable nervousness about this game, but also the unusual conditions associated with it.

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2010 Montclair Run results are in

Posted on November 29, 2010 | Leave a comment

2010 Montclair Run logoThere were apparently many who enjoyed the warm weather on Thanksgiving Day morning and ventured over to Montclair Road to take part in the 34th annual Sam Lapidus Montclair Run. It’s a safe guess since it’s been one of the most searched for terms leading folks to the site in recent days. It only makes sense then to post the link to the official results as shared over on OnlineRaceResults.

Proceeds from the race benefit the Childhood Cancer Research Fund at Children’s Hospital and the fitness program at the Levite Jewish Community Center.

We’ve also taken the liberty of creating a PDF of the results so there’s a permanent record somewhere in town. By the way, we haven’t tested it yet, but we’re assuming that you can still “Sleep in for Sam” and make a donation to the research fund.

The

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Barons announce 2011 promo schedule

Posted on November 16, 2010 | Leave a comment

New Barons primary logo - Courtesy of Birmingham BaronsNo, normally this probably wouldn’t be much of a story to share. The reason it’s even getting mentioned here today is because when their new promotional schedule was released last week, it was based on the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox playing their home games at Regions Park in 2011.

The schedule does state clearly though that dates and time are subject to change. A tentative agreement was announced recently between the city of Birmingham and the Barons to eventually play their games at an as of yet to be built ballpark in greater downtown Birmingham, leading to a less than enthusiastic response from Hoover mayor Tony Petelos.

The Birmingham Business Journal reported in October that former Barons owner Art Clarkson has offered to bring an independent league team to Regions Park if the Barons do indeed eventually move. Incidentally it was Clarkson who delivered greetings from the Chicago White Sox as part of Rickwood Field’s 100th anniversary this summer.

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Rickwood Field turns 100

Posted on August 20, 2010 | Leave a comment

America’s – and the world’s – oldest ballpark officially turned 100 years old on Wednesday afternoon and The Friends of Rickwood Field organized a celebration befitting the occasion.

Unfortunately the weather didn’t exactly want to cooperate to allow a three-inning exhibition game to be played.

Hundreds still gathered under the grandstand attempting to stay dry while they heard words from Birmingham mayor William Bell’s chief of staff Chuck Faush and A.H. “Rick” Woodward III, grandson of the park’s builder, among others. A new sign from the state tourism office was unveiled, joining the historical marker already located in front of the ballpark’s main entrance. The video up above is of former Birmingham Barons owner Art Clarkson reading a letter from the team’s current parent club, the Chicago White Sox.

Incidentally, the demolition of the Sox’s former home, Comiskey Park, back in 1991, led to Rickwood’s current designation.

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Where are you watching World Cup matches?

Posted on June 11, 2010 | 3 comments

World Cup 2010 logoThose wanting to get out of the house to enjoy soccer’s World Cup (beginning today in South Africa) will have plenty of options here in metro Birmingham.

BTW – here’s a really cool presentation of the tournament calendar.

Rojo, Crestwood Coffee Company, Cantina and Urban Standard are among the places that have confirmed that they will be showing matches during the next two weeks. Cantina will open for 9 a.m. matches, while Crestwood will open for 6:30 a.m. matches (Urban Standard will open at 7 a.m. with Rojo keeping regular operating hours).

Café Firenze and Matthew’s Bar and Grill have said that they will be showing the USA vs. England match tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon; it will start at 12:30 p.m. CDT.

The finals will be broadcast live at Sloss Furnaces on Sunday, July 11 at 1 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit  the programs of the Birmingham-Jefferson Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The fun starts today at 9 a.m. CDT when South Africa takes on Mexico in Johannesburg.

If you know of anywhere else that’s showing matches during the tournament, add them to the comments section of this post.

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Baseball downtown? Survey tries to find out if it’s possible

Posted on May 24, 2010 | Leave a comment

Baseball. theseanster93/FlickrSeveral people have received emails in recent days linking to a survey that is part of a privately financed study to “determine the feasibility of building a new ballpark in downtown Birmingham that could become the new home of the Birmingham Barons minor league baseball team.”

There has been several hints in recent years that some people would like to see the Barons return to playing within the city limits of Birmingham.

In April, the Birmingham Business Journal told readers that approximately $40,000 in private funds had been put up for the study.

Several reports last summer mentioned the Merita bakery across from the soon-to-be completed Railroad Park in Birmingham’s Southside was a possible location, though not specific site has been suggested in the 27-question survey. The story received new attention in January when Birmingham City Councilor Johnathan Austin suggested that the city providing additional financial support for a survey.

Photo: Baseball. theseanster93/Flickr

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