Kevin Haskin: Mid-month musings for April

By KEVIN HASKIN

TopSports.news

Kevin Haskin

Musings at the mid-month:

-- Psst. Don’t look at the calendar and do the math. I already know this is a bit tardy.

-- It’s almost as if I took my mask off and became reacquainted with life again.

-- Then again, the mask never covered my eyes.

-- Love to chat about the Royals but my television provider, like many, does not provide access.

-- I do subscribe to the MLB Network.

-- Seems like that annual plunkage of dollars should be enough to lift a local blackout.

-- Or, that Fox Sports could allow for its regional channels to be accessed for a nominal fee.

-- Mildly frustrated anymore. Sadly, I’m used to living with radio coverage of the Royals while tuning in irregularly.

-- Baseball is the one sport that really takes you back to your youth … when I listened to games on the radio with my dad.

-- Cardinals games, mind you. Can’t remember if a Wichita station even aired the Kansas City A’s.

-- So guess what, KC? My loyalty can be a bit fleeting.

-- Still, it would be nice to watch our local team.

-- Would thoroughly enjoy seeing Duffy mow down opponents or Salvy go on a tear. And, when the day comes, catch this phenom named Bobby Witt Jr.

-- I need to take in a high school game or two once snow is out of the forecast.

-- While walking the dog, I’ve watched briefly as a couple of youth T-ball teams practiced.

-- If this pointer helps one youth coach, fantastic:

-- Break your team into groups so every kid isn’t standing around watching one kid attempt to hit.

-- Doesn’t it seem like the transfer portal is Recruiting 2.0?

-- The trend enables fans to gush over a different kind of recruit whose flaws have not yet been exposed to that player’s new fan base.

-- So, we can all imagine greatness from an Arkansas-Little Rock transfer.

-- Bruce Weber is still coaching at Kansas State, right? And Gene Taylor received a raise after giving a raise to Chris Kleiman?

-- Got it. Seems, however, that this has been a rather rocky sports season for K-State.

-- I know, I know, factor in COVID-19.

-- The coronavirus is a tough variable to assess because even though every athletic program in the country has dealt with its effects, the effects have varied.

-- Usually, K-State does not field teams loaded with depth.

-- My guess is the Wildcats reach the NCAA Tournament next season if only to keep the agonizing head-bob with Weber intact.

-- Football? Experience at quarterback matters, though Skylar Thompson must remain healthy to provide seasoned leadership.

-- Kansas football? Oh boy.

-- I did like the hiring of Travis Goff as athletic director, based on his background.

-- So much can be rolled into what the Jayhawks need to generate football success.

-- Any coach who senses, and promises, rapid gains is the wrong man.

-- But I know, patience is boring.

-- What comes first? Resolution of KU’s infractions case or dissolution of the NCAA?

-- Sure sounded like the Supreme Court had some issues with the governing body for the highest level of college athletics.

-- Good, though rules and the enforcement of them need modification, not elimination.

-- State legislative agenda: I understand the ban on transgender women in Kansas high school sports because of competitive concerns.

-- I do not understand the inability to come to grips with sports wagering to boost state revenue, especially in light of the NFL’s new betting partnerships.

-- Debate over mandated financial and civics exams for high school graduates also piqued my interest.

-- In particular, students need instruction about the consequences of college loans.

-- Will postponement of the 2021 Kansas Relays lead to the end of that event altogether?

-- Would be a cost-cutting measure involving a non-revenue sport, though 2023 marks the centennial meet.

 -- RIP Fred Arbanas.

-- When marveling at the evolution of the tight end position, include Arbanas in those discussions first and then blend in Tony Gonzalez and Travis Kelce.

-- Heckuva progression.