Al Slamer is the new head football coach at Holt High School.  He replaces Mike Smith who resigned to become an assistant at Olivet College.  Slamer, 51, was head coach the past 21 years at Battle Creek Central.  He coached running back Larry Caper, who has verballed to Michigan State and will be a senior for the Bearcats this fall and naturally Slamer is very high on his ability.  Slamer will also be a phys ed teacher at Holt and likely will keep most of the assistant coaches intact from Smith's group.  He gets a challenging opener in August-- the Rams face Lansing Sexton.

     Maybe the Tigers will win a game this season.  They're currently 0-3 after Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals who three impressive starting pitchers at them this week.  The Tigers scored five runs in three games, so let's hold the complaints about the pitching until the hitters start producing.  Much maligned Brandon Inge homered for the Tigers' only run.  Maybe the Chicago White Sox will be easier-- they begin a week end series at 1pm on Friday.

     The Lugnuts open their 13th season Thursday night at Fort Wayne and play their first game at Olds Park Monday at 6:05.  The MSU baseball team is at Northwestern for four games this week end after a 1-3 Big Ten start last week end against Illinois.  Michigan State has a 9-12 season record.  The MSU softball team is at Ohio State.

     And bring on the Final Four, both men and women.  I think Memphis can beat North Carolina next Monday night to win the men's title-- and I'm going on Memphis' performance in two games last week end in Houston.  For the women, I hope it's Tennessee vs. U Conn on Tuesday next week in Tampa because the two coaches involved might be a better show than their players.

     It's vacation time.  When I'm back the weather better be warm so the spring sports can be enjoyed outdoors.  And will we ever get to play golf.  We'll all want to play once we see the Masters get underway next Thursday.

#####