Sports Lockouts

!±8± Sports Lockouts

Unions have been in the media a lot lately, with teachers unions in Wisconsin coming under fire from the local government and sports unions getting locked out by the team owners. So which professional sports have had lockouts and what has been the short and long-term results of them?

Hockey and the NHL have never really taken off in the US and enjoyed success the way the other major sports have. That has not been helped by poor financial managing of the league, labor disputes, and lockouts. The first owner-imposed work stoppage was during the 1994-1995 season and resulted in the season being reduced from 84 to 48 games.

In the 2004-2005 "season" the NHL was completely locked out, becoming the first major sport to lose an entire season to a work stoppage. The NHL resumed operations the following year and with their new CBA have been on solid ground since, increasing attendance and revenue through better financial planning, management, and marketing.

Basketball has long been a popular sport in the US, with the NBA playing host to the greatest players in the world. They have, however, not been without their own labor issues, the first of which took place during the 1995 season. A second lockout reduced the 1998-1999 season from 82 games to 50 games and canceled the All-Star game. The San Antonio Spurs would end up the champions of the shortened season in their first of several titles.

On July 1, 2011, the NBA owners locked the players out for the third time in league history. At this time there has been no progress on a new CBA and many players are considering playing basketball in other countries if the season is lost.

Football has arguably supplanted baseball as our nation's past-time, with viewing audiences and attendance records regularly being set and then shattered year after year. This year, however, there almost wasn't a season.

In 2008 the owners opted out of the final 2 years of the CBA with the players, meaning that there was no deal in place after the 2010 season. In March of 2011, with negotiations breaking down and the NFLPA decertifying, the owners locked the players out.

The lockout lasted until July of the same year and is the longest labor dispute in NFL history, in no small part because of it taking place during the off-season. The only on-field casualty of the lockout was the Hall of Fame Game, a pre-season game between the St. Louis Rams and the Chicago Bears, being canceled.

Sports Lockouts

Nuk Sippy Buy Now Top 10 Medela Breast Pump In Style Michael Kors Id Chain Tote Buy Online

Sportcraft Titan 10 in 1 Multi Game Table

!±8± Sportcraft Titan 10 in 1 Multi Game Table

Brand : Sportcraft | Rate : | Price : $139.99
Post Date : Nov 23, 2011 23:15:38 | Usually ships in 1-2 business days

The 48” x 28” x 32” Titan 10 in 1 Multi Game from Sportcraft features a variety of games that will keep the kids entertained for hours on end. The ten great games include Basketball, Billiards, Baseball toss, Football toss, Bean Bag toss, Flipper Soccer, Hover Hockey, Chess, Checkers and Backgammon. The fast action hover puck plays just like Turbo Hockey without the air. The locking knobs make switching from game to game easy, while the superior construction will keep the Titan around for years to come. Leg levelers ensure a flat playfield on almost any surface. Comes complete with all accessories. Allen Wrench - 1 each 32mm Foosballs - 2 each Pushers - 2 each - red, Hover puck and charged box ( use 4 each "AA" size batteries) -1 set PVC Basketball - 1 each, Air pump - 1 set 1.5'' Billiard balls - 1set, 36'' wood Cues - 2 each, plastic triangle - 1 each, Chalk - 2 each same color as playfield cloth. Bean Bag Toss - 4 pcs (2 each red and 2 each green), PVC Football - 1 each - orange, PU foam Baseball - 1 each - white with red baseball stiches Chess - 1 set, Checker - 1 set, Backgammon - 1 set

• 10 great games in 1 ? Basketball ? Billiards - Baseball toss ? Football toss ? Bean Bag toss ? Flipper Soccer ? Hover Hockey ? Chess ? Checkers - Backgammon
• Fast action hover puck plays just like Turbo® Hockey
• Locking knobs make switching from game to game easy
• Superior construction for ultimate stability

Makita 3612br Order Now

Basic Ping Pong Rules

!±8± Basic Ping Pong Rules

The official rules of ping pong, also known as table tennis, are quite easy to learn, and it is a rewarding game for many people. A ping pong table has a short net across the center and white markings. The markings are only used when playing doubles ping pong, and can be disregarded for singles games. In a singles game, you may serve from anywhere on the table to anywhere on the table. In a doubles game, you must serve from your right to the opponent's right side. The table must have an even surface, and the ping pong paddles should have a rubber surface. While sandpaper surfaced paddles are seen occasionally, these are prohibited by ping pong rules.

The game begins with the flip of a coin to determine which player serves first. The serve consists of tossing the ball into the air and hitting it onto the other side of the ping pong table with your paddle. It may hit the net, as long as it bounces onto the table; however, this is called a let serve and is reserved. If the ball leaves the table, the server will lose his or her point. The first player serves two points, and then it is traded off. The game is won with eleven points or by a two point differential thereafter. At 10 points, the two players alternate serving until one wins. Several games in a row will make a match, by winning say four out of seven games.

A ball in play in ping pong is called a volley. The ball may be volleyed back and forth many times without a point being lost or scored. If the server hits the ball twice in a row, misses the ball or hits it off the table, they will lose their point. If the player opposing misses the ball, the server gets the point. Points are accumulated as the players take turns serving the ball.

You may hit the ball with the paddle using either a forehand or backhand stroke. Players can use either hand to play or both hands at once. You may not bump or touch the table. If the ball hits a wall, the floor or ceiling, it is out of play and a point will be lost.

The rules of ping pong are easy to learn, and this fun game is a great activity to do with friends or family. It does not take a lot of space, can be done year round, and perhaps a ping pong table would be a good addition to your rec room or family spaces.

Basic Ping Pong Rules

Promo Bose Companion Speakers