By MICK HOLIEN
I am not a huge fan of all sports and in fact take a bit of a break from boob-tube watching after the NCAA Championship game.
I do confess to being an impassioned Mariners fan and have spent many an early morning clinging to hope as Seattle has recently seemed to find a way to lose in the late innings.
But there are several spectacles I can’t resist.
Years ago I settled into a sports comfort zone and it might come as a surprise to you.
Is there anything more pleasurable or anticipatory than to hear Jim Nantz on CBS say “a tradition like no other.”
As I have said before I got to know Nantz, one of the best in the business, through our association with a national sports broadcasters group.
He was kind enough a few years ago to drop me an email about a blog I had written about Arnold Palmer and Furman Bisher of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
So Nantz’s presence attracted me to the Masters but years ago when I initially viewed the spectacle I got caught up in all the traditions right down to the ceremonial awarding of the Green Jacket.
And while don’t endlessly watch other tournaments, I find myself looking for tournament play on Sunday afternoons, especially if there is a horse race remaining.
Of course I cheer for the ‘old guys,” especially Phil, and I enjoy the rhetoric and analyst even though I don’t know squat what they are talking about.
But then there are other major events.
Every since Spokane’s Tom Sneva won Indy in 1983 does the 500 not prompt me out of bed and it is even tougher with Wimbleton when it’s a bit of a challenge to view the key matches at the All England Club.
I’m a Seahawk fan but hardly watch other pro games except those involving former Grizzlies and when it comes to the NBA, well I might get interested in the finale but not always.
I truly enjoy women’s softball probably because I was behind the plate for it seems half of my life and in closing there’s the PBA.
No nothing to do with bulls but instead it’s the Professional Bowling Association.
The game has taken a gigantic curve since I played so many years ago but remembering those Saturday afternoons growing up when Chris Schenkel brought the Tour to my living room.
And the friendships that you develop through bowling are amazing.
I haven’t thrown a ball for some 25 years after bowling six leagues a week then heading out of town for a tournament.
It was bowling that brought me to Missoula and for that I will be eternally grateful and there is hardly a day go by when I don’t run into somebody with whom I have a bowling connection.
Those were the days my friend..
just sayn’
