2B OCTOBER 27, 2011
THE GLOBE, CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.
Never underestimate the power of the underdog
Everybody loves the underdog. Movies thrive on the concept of a seemingly inept guy turning into a hero and winning the girl of his dreams. Books pull readers into a realm of fantasy where the underdog gets everyone’s vote, and every once in a while, a real-life underdog makes headlines and takes the world by storm. Major League Baseball is no stranger to underdogs becoming top dogs. The Pirates, the Orioles and the Rays have all been called surprise teams for their ability to come out of nowhere with a better season than normal. Now, the Detroit Tigers can be added to the list of underdogs who came out on top. Who really expected the Tigers to win the division title and make it into the post-season? I don’t know anybody who expected to see them make it. With new strategies and a new outlook, the Detroit Tigers took everybody by
surprise and upset many predictions. It makes sense that nobody expected the Tigers to go as far as they did. They are not a stacked team with a world-renown coaching staff. They don’t have a history that speaks for itself. Yet, they somehow managed to break from the mold and become a successful team this year. Here’s the funny thing, by the end of the season, nobody would have been surprised to see the Tigers preparing for the World Series. It just goes to show that the underdog should never be overlooked. Yes, it’s easy to look at the best players in the league and say that their teams will have a great season because they are stacked with talented players. It’s easy to think that the best coaches are going to have the most successful teams. After all, we’re taught that great leadership is a key to success. How did the Tigers
pull off such a successful season? The key to rising above the expectations of others isn’t that much of a secret. They worked hard. That’s it. Hard work is how underdogs become top dogs. There is no secret formula to defy expectations. The only thing that is a secret is how much work it takes to come out on top. Nobody can expect to put in the average amount of work and come out at the top of the ladder unless they have natural talent. And yes, some people do have natural talent that allows them to make their hard work look easy. But, for the most part, everyone has to work a little harder to see the outcome they want. The Tigers weren’t immune to hard work this year. You could see it all over their faces at every game. Determination to hit harder, field better, pitch straighter and run faster helped them reach their goals. They may not have reached their ultimate goal of making it to the World Series, but they certainly made a name for themselves this year. What can we learn from the Tigers? It’s another simple answer. Don’t overlook the underdog. He may be the man standing beside you who shrinks quietly into the background when large groups of people are present. He
might be the guy on your left who doesn’t say much, but soaks information up like a sponge. And, just like the Tigers turning heads this year, you never know when all that information might come pouring back out, turning the tables when you least expect it. Instead of ignoring the underdog, maybe its time to challenge them. Instead of picking the same MLB teams to perform well every year, maybe we need a bit of an upset to make us sit up straight in our chairs and squint at the TV screen to make sure we’re seeing correctly. Maybe it’s time to bring back the underdogs. The same principle applies to everyday interactions. It’s time to challenge the underdogs to step up and step out. Don’t stand in the background and keep your head down. You’re not immune to doing something surprising and great. So, why aren’t you doing it? Detroit may not see another succesful year for a while, but they’re a step ahead of every other team that didn’t try to make a name for themselves. Like the Tigers, the underdog who steps out and does something nobody expects, has made a name for himself above all the rest who sit back contentedly and merely wish they could make a meangingful or worthwhile change.
Breathing life into fall fishing on dreary, no-catch days have cakes for every day of the week, week but no ic icing to put on pu With Dr. Bogus them. them Right R now, we are in a transition from spots to speckled trout. The trick is where to find Have you ever heard the speckling trout. The the old saying about answer is in all the usual unproductive fishing? places. Check the North It goes something like River, Newport River “That’s why they call it Marches, Core Creek, fishing, not catching.” Hoop Pole Creek and To an extent, it holds Swansboro marshes. some truth. For most of When it comes to anglers, I would bet just speckled trout, the most being on the beach or in successful baits usually the boat brings a sense include live shrimp, of peace and serenity. MirrOlures, soft plastics Being out in the midst of and Gulp! pearl white or natures’ most spectacular new penny shrimp baits. waters off the N.C. coast Right now, the speckled can do wonders for the trout bite is a little iffy, soul. but bites will pick up as Fishing is something the speckled trout season of a metaphor. If fishing progresses and patient is the cake, catching the anglers will reap the fish is the icing on top. rewards of their labor if I bring this up because they will wait out the dry we have had such a poor spell. season of fishing that After a rather most anglers are starting lackluster few weeks, surf to get frustrated. They
Onslow Offshore
fishing has shown some signs of life. There have been reports of red drum and bluefish showing up here and there, but the water remains murky, making it difficult to catch many fish. There is still hope for the water to clear up though, as a northeast wind and cooler water temperatures make their way toward the N.C. coast. The murky water has kept surf fishers from seeing the usual runs of mullet and flounder. Flounder fishing is still spotty and I would recommend anglers head toward the artificial reefs. Without bait running along the shore, flounder are more likely to be caught offshore than they are to be caught by surf fishers. Some small flounder have also been spotted along the Intracoastal Waterway, but very few are large enough to keep. When it comes to bottom fishing, the sea mullet have taken to sand fleas. Pier bottom fishing has produced some decent catches of red and black drum, caught using pinfish. A few blowfish are also showing up on the ends of piers, but they
are very small and not of much use. Anglers will be pleased to know that the king mackerel bite is showing life, after an unsuccessful spring and summer run. Many king mackerel have showed up around the artificial reefs and near Lookout Shoals. The anchovies and silversides have driven farther out to sea, taking the false albacore with them. Brave anglers can take boats out for a day if they are really intent on catching false albacore, but this angler thinks it’s a better use of time to enjoy the fantastic king mackerel bite. The N.C. Marine Fisheries Committee will convene Nov. 2 through 4 to discuss changes to speckled trout regulations. The meeting will be held at Fort Macon Visitors’ Center. A full agenda and briefing booklet can be found on the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries website. The Ask Dr. Bogus Fishing show can be heard every Monday morning at 7:30 on 107.1 FM and 1240 AM and accessed on the Coastal Daybreak Facebook page.
Youth sports standings Team standings as of Oct. 22 DIVISION 2 SOCCER (10-12) Fury Flames White Caps Lightning Premier Kraze Fever Spitfire Stampede
W 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 0 0
L 0 1 1 2 3 3 3 5 5
DIVISION 1 SOCCER (13-15) Crew
W 4
L 1
Kings United Elite DIVISION 2 FOOTBALL (10-12) Broncos 49ers Rams Vikings Panthers Titans
4 2 0
1 3 5
W 4 4 4 2 1 0
L 1 1 1 3 4 5
NEW RIVER INLET TIDE TABLES
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration For more information about the New River Inlet tides or other locations, visit http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov.
High tide Low tide
THURSDAY 8:15 a.m. 1:46 a.m. FRIDAY 9:06 a.m. 2:36 a.m. SATURDAY 9:59 a.m. 3:27 a.m. SUNDAY 10:54 a.m. 4:20 a.m. MONDAY 11:51 a.m. 5:17 a.m. TUESDAY 12:20 a.m. 6:19 a.m.
High tide Low tide
WEDNESDAY 1:26 a.m. 7:26 a.m.
High tide Low tide High tide Low tide High tide Low tide High tide Low tide High tide Low tide
8:36 p.m. 2:43 p.m. 9:28 p.m. 3:36 p.m. 10:22p.m. 4:31 p.m. 11:19 p.m. 5:27 p.m.
6:26 p.m. 12:52 p.m. 7:27 p.m. 1:55 p.m. 8:28 p.m.
Team Bass Tournament Nov. 5, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Two-person teams can participate in this tournament by fishing for large-mouth bass on the New River and its tributaries. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. There will be drawings for giveaways and food and soft drinks will be provided at weigh-in. The tournament is open to the public. Activeduty teams may participate through the usage of unit funds with permission from their unit’s special services officer. For more information or to register, visit http://www.mccslejeune.com/marinas/ TeamBassTournamentForm.pdf or stop by Gottschalk Marina aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Run for a Reason 5K Nov. 5, 8 a.m. The first Run For a Reason 5K fundraiser will benefit The Fisher House aboard MCB Camp Lejeune along with other local charities. The race will be held at the Jacksonville Commons Middle School gymnasium and will offer a flat course through Jacksonville Commons. Participants who register by Oct. 15 are guaranteed a free shirt and goodie bag the day of the race. To register, or for more information about this event, visit http://www.runforareason5k.com. Sgt. Maj. Tom McHugh Memorial Golf Tournament Nov. 11, 9 a.m. The Jacksonville Veterans of Foreign Wars Chapter 9133 will host their annual Sgt. Maj. Tom McHugh Memorial Golf Tournament at the Jacksonville Country Club. There will be a $50 participant fee, which will cover greens fees, carts, lunch, door prizes, course refreshments and more. Participants should arrive at 8 a.m. for check-in. The registration deadline for this tournament is Nov. 6. Camp Lejeune Ping-Pong Club Tournament Nov. 16, noon to 2 p.m. The MCB Camp Lejeune Ping-Pong Club will hold its fourth table tennis competition at the USO of Jacksonville. All levels of skill are encouraged to compete in the competition. Competitors will be grouped according to national regulations by the USA Table Tennis Association. There will be a tournament charge of $20 and all proceeds will go to the USO of Jacksonville. For more information, visit http://www.meetup.com/ Camp-Lejuene-Ping-Pong-Club. Hampstead Turkey Trot 8K Nov. 19, 9 a.m. The Kiwanis Club of Hampstead will host the fourth annual Turkey Trot 8K run at the Kiwanis Park in Hampstead. The run will begin and end at the park and will feature a two-mile kids run. This run is part of the Grand Prix Series. Runners should register by Nov. 17. For more information or to register for the Turkey Trot 8K, visit http://www.hampsteadkiwanispark.com/ turkeyTrot.html.