"I don't believe what I just saw!" (Photo by tree & j hensdill) What is the rabid sports fan to do, once he or she leaves the home territories -- the "Friendly Confines," if you will -- of their favorite team? When you become attached to a team, you want to -- you need to -- follow its exploits and discuss its chances with like-minded fans who are eager to praise it or damn it -- as necessary. But what to do if you're a member of Steeler Nation who moves to Seattle, or if you're a Packer Backer in Pensacola? Fear not, for the sports bar has made it possible for you to gather with your fellow fanatics and root, root, root for the home team -- even if that ballclub is a continent away. The tavern dedicated to athletic endeavors is not a new phenomenon; saloons such as Toots Shor and Jack Dempsey's in Manhattan were all the rage in the 1920s. But satellite TV, the collaborative nature of the Internet, and the leagues themselves have made it possible to watch far-away games as they happen. So while you may not be able to find a place where "everybody knows your name," you can certainly find a watering hole where everybody knows that that idiot on the sidelines needs to be fired. Suggested Sites... SportsTavern.com - find a sports bar near you. SportsBars.com - broken down by state or zip code. Soccer Bars.com - for watching the other kind of football. ESPN: Baseball's Top 10 Bars and Grills - the best of the best for the horsehide crowd. Didital City: Best Sports Bars in America - the fans have spoken!

Directory categories: Bars, Pubs, and Clubs, Fantasy Sports, Sports TV Networks, Sports News and Media, Sports Chats and Forums

Archived under: 1920s, Athletes, Baseball, Basketball, College Basketball, College Football, College Sports, Communities, Entertainment, Fanatics, Fantasy Sports, Football, Hockey, MLB, NASCAR, NBA, NFL, NHL, New York, Restaurants, Soccer, Sports, Sports Bars, TV, United States

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The women of the Capital Punishment roller derby tournament (Photo by Michelle Tribe) Remember your first pair of roller skates? As you wobbled along, you probably didn't consider the experience a precursor to a future foray into contact sports (aside from contact with the sidewalk, perhaps). For some, it's just a hop, skip, and a roll from the safe sidewalk to the raucous roller rink. The sport of roller derby is making a comeback, and women in particular are lacing up old-fashioned four-wheel skates, donning helmets, and engaging in some serious competition. The rules of roller derby aren't especially complex: "jammers" score points by passing "pivots" and "blockers." The spectacle of the sport comes mainly from the shoves and spills the skaters endure. A decades-old phenomenon, roller derby grew out of the tradition of endurance races early in the 20th century. The first "Transcontinental Roller Derby" took place on August 13, 1935 at the Chicago Coliseum. Less brutal than the endurance race that, years earlier, had killed at least one participant, this Derby went on for weeks and covered 3,000 miles, the distance from Boston to San Diego. Since then, roller derby has come in and out of fashion, and public interest in the bouts as spectator sports has waxed and waned. In recent years, more teams and leagues have formed, with an emphasis on community, sportsmanship, and fun. There’s even an upcoming feature film directed by Drew Barrymore that frames a young woman's coming-of-age story around roller derby. With the known benefits of participation in team sports, and talk of roller sports being included in the Olympics, it may not be far-fetched to see this burgeoning sport playing a role in shaping a girl's future. Suggested Sites... Women's Flat Track Derby Association - tons of resources for skaters, including events, careers, rules, and rankings. Derby News Network - current info for serious derby fans. Roller Derby Foundation - includes an online roller derby museum and hall of fame. RollerCon - start training for next year, rollergirls! How To Pick Roller Skates - eHow video in which Rat City Roller Girl Rahel Cook shows you the basics for selecting a pair of skates.

Directory categories: Roller Derby, Roller Derby Leagues and Teams, Skating Rinks, Drew Barrymore, Women's Sports

Archived under: 1930s, American History, Contests, Hobbies, Roller Skating, Society and Culture, Sports, Women, Women's Sports

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Mrs. O - The flurry of interest in her arms has waned, but a number of people are following Michelle Obama's fashion choices. This blog provides a satisfying fix for those interested in knowing what Mrs. O is up to and who she’s wearing. (In First Lady Michelle Obama) Billy the Kid Territory - This weekend you might not be able to make it to the Billy the Kid Pageant in New Mexico, but the state's tourism department has put together a great website for any American history buffs who want to follow a self-guided journey following the outlaw's travels. (In Billy the Kid) Coach Cal - Fans of the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team should check out the official site of new coach John Calipari for behind the scenes tweets and blog posts. Soon you'll be able to get weekly voice messages from him sent to your phone. (In University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball) The Many Faces of Henry Gibson - Ashton Kutcher may have a Twitter following, but hey, he's not the only actor online. Septuagenarian Henry Gibson has a new site, reminding us that he's done a lot since "Laugh-In." (In Actors) AAA Seniors - Fatality rates for drivers over 85 are much higher than for teens. The Auto Club is addressing this problem by providing tips, expert advice, and resources to help us understand how aging affects driving. (In Driving) Vertical Dance - Some pole dancers dream of making it big by running away with Cirque du Soleil. Others have Olympic ambitions. The Vertical Dance site features classes and videos, with a petition to the International Olympic Committee to get pole fitness recognized as a competitive sport. (In Gymnastics)

Directory categories: Barack Obama Administration, The Old West, Men;s College Basketball, Seniors, Cirque du Soleil

Archived under: Actors, American History, Apparel, Basketball, Blogs, Celebrities, Circus Arts, Clothing and Accessories, College Basketball, College Sports, Driving, Entertainment, Fashion, First Ladies, Gunslingers, Old West, Olympics, Safety, Seniors, Sports, Yahoo! Directory

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"What are YOU doing this weekend?" (Photo by Veronica ML) Ah, the lazy days of summer are here. Wait -- "lazy?" We Americans are lazy enough already, according to this month’s American Journal of Medicine. That means it’s time to get out, get active, and to take advantage of some summertime activities! Nothing on your calendar? No problem! Ours is packed through the season. Here are just a few ideas for just this weekend: In major metropolitan areas, of course, there’s always something going on. If you’re anywhere near Chicago, this weekend is "Taste of Chicago," with free admission and filled with food and music. Speaking of music, everyone in Dallas is likely lined up for the "American Idol" auditions. If you missed registering in Texas, get your plane tickets now for one of the upcoming auditions in Los Angeles, Orlando, or Denver. Are there events geared toward those who want to get or stay fit this summer? Certainly! Remember the "Seinfeld" episode where Kramer swims in the East River because the pool is too constricting? It turns out there's a gaggle of like-minded New Yorkers who are swimming around Liberty Island today. If you can't make it, don’t worry; they have more events scheduled. Of course, you don’t have to live in the big city to find cool things to do. Wherever you are, you can still participate in "Take Your Dog to Work Day" (provided your employer approves, of course!), Some folks in Petaluma, California, however, will be skipping work with their pooches to visit the Sonoma-Marin Fair and enter the "World’s Ugliest Dog Contest." If the thought of big crowds and rats on leashes makes you want to just stay home -- or if you’re just saving all your energy for the Fourth of July weekend -- you can still get involved by watching other people push the limits of hockey, golf, or pure speed. Just don’t say you’re bored!

Directory categories: American Idol, Recreation in Manhattan, Chicago Travel Guides, Activities for Dogs, Sports

Archived under: American Idol, Animals, Boredom, Calendars, Chicago, Cities, Contests, Dogs, Eating, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Food and Drink, Health, Outdoors, Pets, Recreation and Travel, Regional, Seinfeld, Sports, Summer, Swimming, Tourist Attractions, Travel, Vacations

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"Bit of a sticky wicket there!" (Photo by Peter Dutton) For many of us, croquet brings to mind leisurely Sunday afternoon games played in Grandma's backyard or at family picnics. But for some croquet fans, there's nothing leisurely about it -- and it's no mere game. Welcome to the fast-paced, cutthroat world of competitive croquet! Association Croquet players -- and their counterparts who play American six-wicket -- are as serious as hardcore golfers, adhere to the game's complicated rules, handicapping, mind-boggling jargon, and international tournaments. And lest we forget, croquet was even once an Olympic sport. Sure, casual players can stick to the friendlier nine-wicket version (known to the pros as "Backyard Croquet"), but even that game can have an edge. Modern Backyard Croquet players like a challenge, and have devised variations where they play on extreme terrain that borders on obstacle courses, on beaches, or on pavement. They play in snow and rain, and they play at night. They play in costumes, on bicycles, and with unconventional equipment. So, take some tips from extreme croquet players to liven up the next family picnic. We predict even Grandma will love the challenge of using a potato as a ball. Suggested Sites... Mondo Croquet - croquet played with bowling balls and sledgehammers. Smashing! Lakewood Croquet Club - extreme croquet club and organizers of the annual Champions Cup. Ads Featuring Croquet - beer ads would be better if more of them featured croquet. Oxford Croquet - more croquet information than you can shake a mallet at. Wicket World of Croquet - looking for some croquet action? Head to the tournament at the President Benjamin Harrison Home in Indianapolis.

Directory categories: Croquet, Extreme Croquet, Croquet Gear, Croquet Clubs and Organizations

Archived under: Croquet, Cultures, Fanatics, Games, Home and Garden, Outdoors, Recreation and Travel, Sports, Summer

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