Yes, I get a lot of e-mails, phones messages and tweets asking questions. Some of them are insightfull, some mystifying and some just off the wall.
I thought I would share a few of them with you.
On the subject of the shot clock. Do you think it would be better for the numbers to appear in red, green or yellow?
I vote for green, because green means go and while there is still time on the clock you can go ahead and shoot the ball. Maybe when the clock strikes zero, the zero should be in red.
Why do basketball officials where black and white vertically stripped shirts?
They wear stripes so that they can be easily distinguished from the players on the floor. Plus, think of it this way: can you of think of a someone in sports that is the subject of more insults? Might as well add a goofy looking shirt to the mix.
I am a grandmother and think it is ridiculous that volleyball players should be forced to wear those really short shorts and what do you plan to do about it?
Well, first of all ma’am, I don’t think there is anything I could do about it. I am pretty sure they don’t have to wear them. Plus, my wife says they look better than the shorts that aren’t shorts that the basketball players wear.
How come they don’t play baseball games at night?
No fields with lights or no funding for fields with lights. It’s hard to play baseball in the dark.
What do you think about softball pitchers wearing masks?
I think it is an excellent idea. The game has changed and the ball is coming off the bat much harder today than in previous eras. When a pitcher releases the ball, she is less than 40 feet form home plate. That’s not much reaction time.
Why are track distances measured in meters rather than yards like it should be in America?
I hate to burst anyone’s bubble, but I don’t believe it has anything to do with a political agenda. The premier track event in the world is the Olympic Games. They use meters, the Olympic movement started in Europe where meters is the standard unit of measure. America is just a little slow to come around – along of the same lines as pollution control.
How can we make basketball more exciting?
When a team is down more than 10 points let them use two balls.
You say you don’t want separate tournaments. We already have them, one for boys and one girls.
Huh?
Should skiing be a high school sport?
In some states it is, but the big concern would be injury. I have followed competitive ski racing since the mid 1970s and it is clearly a very dangerous sport. You must have quality training and that would be hard to come by in Ohio.
Finally, it scares me that a lot of these questions begin with “Mr. Swank.” Well, I just turned 49 the other day, so I guess I am Mr. Swank to most people, so I just need to get over it.
If you have a question send it to swankonsports@gmail.com.
After years of toil and sweat behind radio station microphones, longtime broadcaster, Jeff Swank joined the new generation of sports followers on the web.
Swank launched his internet radio station with nothing more than some wire, a box with some knobs and switches, and an itch to do much more than just scratch the surface of everything sports.
Richland Source is proud to introduce Jeff as a writer focused on high school sports. He will contribute a weekly column and analysis of a featured game of the week from one of our area high schools.
In addition to his work at Richland Source, Jeff provides complete high school sports coverage for over 70 Ohio schools at his web site, http://www.swankonsports.net76.net/.