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MLB games on radio don’t need leg up

By Bill Contz For the Mirror As a native of southwestern Pennsylvania, I’ve developed an appreciation over the years for the rather unique wordsmithing practiced by Pittsburgh Pirate radio announcers, marveling at their ability to take the otherwise mundane and make it sound interesting. Folks my age no doubt recall legendary, gravel-voiced mikeman Bob Prince’s famous “and you can kiss it goodbye” declaration anytime a batted ball cleared a Forbes Field fence or his emphatic “Chicken on the hill with Will” whenever slugger Willie Stargell would catapult a pulverized ...

College game should use more caution

By Jim Caltagirone For the Mirror It didn’t take long for alarm bells to sound nationwide when a Stanford pitcher exceeded 150 pitches in an early June contest. The pitch count seemed to contradict the oft-cited maxim that athlete health and safety is the first of all priorities, at all levels. Granted, the stakes for Stanford were high. Starter Quinn Matthews took the mound with his team staring down elimination in game two of the NCAA Super Regional against Texas. A move to the bullpen would have seemed likely with the Cardinal leading, 5-3, after seven innings, and 8-3 ...

Even Olympians need lifeguards

By Paul Newberry The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS — You’ve probably seen the meme of the bored-looking lifeguard sitting next to a pool. “If you ever feel useless,” it goes, “just remember that someone is a lifeguard at the Olympics swimming event.” Funny stuff, but hardly a joking matter. Lifeguards are stationed around the pool at every major swimming competition — including this week’s U.S. national championships meet in Indianapolis, which features Olympic champions such as Katie Ledecky and Caeleb Dressel. Everyone competing at the IU Natatorium is sure ...

Darr left mark on Curve and its fan base

By Jim Caltagirone For the Mirror I have the Altoona Curve to thank for my introduction to George Darr. For as long as I can remember, George was an attendant in a parking area south of the plaza at Peoples Natural Gas Field. He was one of those people who always left a favorable impression. George was blessed with a quick wit, an engaging smile and an upbeat disposition. If George had cares, he never displayed them on the job. It was obvious that he was a proud ambassador of the Curve and that he enjoyed interacting with patrons. He always made me feel special and added ...

Reflections on 50 years of fly-fishing

By Walt Young For the Mirror A couple of weeks ago, I spent a few hours talking about fly-fishing with some young friends. These guys are in their mid to late twenties and are quite knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their favorite sport. Having started fly-fishing and fly tying back in 1964, I enjoy talking shop with the younger generation about their perspective on the state of the art. When I was their age, fly-fishing was as much a religion as it was recreation for me. Driven to be the best I could be with a fly rod, I began collecting and studying the best books on ...

Tip of cap to your dad and all dads

By Jim Lane sports@altoonamirror.com Editor’s note: Retired Mirror sports editor Jim Lane wrote this column after his dad, Kermit Lane, passed away in 1987. It’s reprinted every Father’s Day. Sunday is Father’s Day. It’s a chance to tell your favorite guy thanks for all he’s been and done for you over the years. It’s usually celebrated with a small gift, perhaps a shirt or tie or wallet. In many cases, few words are expressed. And that’s a shame. I wrote this Father’s Day column a couple of weeks after my dad died because I missed him. I still do. A day ...