Should Pitchers Be Required to Wear Helmets?

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher J.A. Happ suffered a skull fracture during a game last week when a line drive hit him in the head. Tell us if you think Major League Baseball or any other leagues should implement helmets for pitchers.

"I don't remember seeing [the ball]. Just immediate loud ringing in my ear. Just pressure on my ear, and I was on the ground. That was kind of it.” That, according to an Associated Press report, was how Toronto Blue Jays pitcher J.A. Happ described the line drive that hit him in the head during his team’s May 7 game against Tampa Bay. The impact left him with a skull fracture and a knee that was tweaked as he fell to the ground. Happ’s injury has brought attention to other pitchers who have sustained similar injuries in the past. Major league pitcher Bryce Florie was struck in the right eye by a line drive more than a decade ago. According to Paul Newberry of the Associated Press, Florie would pitch only seven more games after that …

•  9 Comments
• Videos (1)

How to Get Your Spring Sports Team Featured on Patch

Make sure your favorite sports teams are highlighted on Marietta Patch this season!

Whether it’s on the baseball diamond, at the soccer field or during a flag football game at a local park, spring sports are underway around Marietta, and we want to help share all the great moments and highlights with the community! Patch is looking for athletes, coaches, parents, booster club members and fans who are eager to show their team spirit on Marietta Patch. News about any team—from youth T-ball to middle and high school sports, recreational teams, adult leagues and more—it’s all welcome. Here's how you can share news about your sports team this spring: 1. Start a blog about your sports team: Share stats, recaps, photos and/or videos from the game in your own sports blog. Discuss the team, coaches and players with other fans in …

• Photos (1)

Marietta Police Athletic League Youth Track Club

Registration will be open to girls and boys who are currently in grades 1st through 8th.

The Marietta Police Department’s PAL Program is announcing its registration for the spring Youth Track Club. Registration will be open to girls and boys who are currently in grades 1st through 8th.   Registration will be on Feb. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Marietta High School.  Practice will be on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 6 p.m. at the Marietta High School Track.  The Marietta Track Club (PAL) is a YOUTH track program affiliated with the Marietta School System.  For more information contact one of the coaches listed below:

• Photos (1)

How to Get Your Marietta Sports Team Featured on Patch

Here are several ways you can make sure your sports teams are highlighted on Patch.

Fall sports will soon be kicking into high gear and Patch wants to help you share every exciting moment with the community. We are looking for athletes, coaches, parents, booster club members and fans who are ready, willing and able to share their team spirit on Patch. News about any team -- high school, middle school, rec teams, ALTA, etc. -- is welcome! Here's how you can share news about your sports team: 1. Start a blog about your sports team: Share stats, recaps, photos and/or videos from the game in your own sports blog. Is your favorite team a college or pro team? That's okay too! Discuss the team, coaches and players with other fans in the community. 2. Upload pictures and video of your team to our gallery: Snap an awesome photo at…

• Photos (1)

New Marietta Soccer Park on Target for Fall Opening

Marietta's Custer Park, which once included facilities for baseball, is being converted to a soccer complex.

Custer Park, the city of Marietta's latest major project generated by the 2009 parks bond, is well underway and scheduled for completion in September.  The park, which once included facilities for baseball, is being converted to a soccer complex. The new facility will include two full-size lighted soccer fields supported by parking and a concession/restroom building. The Metro Atlanta YMCA McCleskey/N.E. Cobb Branch will manage the park, and Marietta residents will have the opportunity to participate at a reduced rate in any of the programs operated by the YMCA at the facility. The YMCA will include the facility in its soccer program and open the field for use by other soccer associations in the Marietta area. When finished, Custer Park …

• Photos (1)

Frugal Family

Frugal Family Focuses on Fitness in 2012

Take a look at these deals to a healthy lifestyle.

This week, Frugal Family scoured local sources to come up with great motivators for the whole family to get fit and stay healthy in 2012. Getting the family involved in a local YMCA is a great way to get started. Its’ mission statement lists three objectives: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For nearly 160 years, YMCAs have been strengthening communities by bringing together people of all ages, races and incomes to promote and live a healthy lifestyle. Over the years, the Y has grown to include some of the finest exercise facilities in the country, but its goals, programs and classes go beyond physical conditioning. By staying on the pulse of its particular community’s needs, the Y offers a delightful, mind-…

• Photos (1)

Life Loses in Rugby Championship

Despite a hard fought match, Running Eagles fall 20-15 to San Francisco Golden Gate in finals of 2011 U.S. Rugby Super League Championship.

For some, the finals of the 2011 U.S. Rugby Super League Championships pitted the proverbial unstoppable force against the immovable object. "This will be a very interesting game," stated Life University Athletic Director John Barrett before the kickoff.  "San Francisco Golden Gate is a high octane, high scoring team, and we're a strong defensive, field positioning team. We'll see which style wins."  In the end, the unstoppable force prevailed as the Golden Gate beat the Running Eagles 20-15. After two quick Golden Gate penalties, Life took a 6-0 lead early in the match. However, the lead was short-lived as Golden Gate scored a try and extra points with 13 minutes left in the half.  Then a Life "knock on" (rugby for fumble) helped their …

• Photos (31)