6 F eatures Major League Baseball during Spring Training 03.18.10
The “411” on what happens during a month’s training Adriel Escalera Chronicle Staff
Spring training starts on April 5, and lasts one month, practicing brutally for the new baseball season. Spring training takes place mainly in
Arizona and Florida. “I like baseball because it’s fun to watch,” said Arthur Quinones. However, Joseph Petty is not a real fan of the game. Petty said, “I like the Giants, but I hardly watch baseball, let alone training.” When spring training begins, new players try out for positions. Pitchers and catchers arrive first for the benefit of more practice. One or two weeks later other players arrive and the team begins to practice together. “I would not want to train with them because it seems hard,” said Quinones. Quinones and Petty said their favorite team is the
Giants. During the MLB Spring training the players learn to be tough, play the sport better, and have better sportsmanship. During the game it is rare that the players fight. “It is hilarious when they fight, but it is unprofessional because they are not professional fighters. However, it is probably resolved by the umpires,” said Quinones. However, “It’s not professional when they fight, but I like watching fights,” said Petty. Spring Training lasts a month with most of the MLB teams. It is important because the players on different teams train to become better and managers evaluate. They evaluate how they are playing and who is slacking off. If the players slack off you most likely get kicked off of the team. At the end of the month the players are exhausted. Yet, they’re happy to be playing and waiting for the new season to begin.
Photo: Adriel Escalera
As spring training begins, millions of fans prepare to lead their team to victory. Many show team spirit by attending training sessions, or by wearing their latest trends.
The college basketball tournament has begun What you need to know about March Madness March Madness, one of the most popular National Collegiate Layout and Design Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournaments, is taking place from mid-March to the beginning of April at colleges and universities. All of the 65 College University teams will take part for a chance to win the championship. The opening-round games will be starting on March 16. The championship game will be held on April 5. “It is fun to watch because I enjoy watching basketball,” said Barry Brand. Other fans that don’t watch it for the excitement, would watch almost any type of basketball whether it is college basketball, professional basketball, or the NBA’s development league. “[I think] UCLA [will win because they are] my
Chanchharath Ros
Photo: Chanchharath Ros
Many people are looking forward to see UCLA win another chanpionship. Right now, UCLA holds the most championships with 11 national titles.
Caution: danger up ahead!
Cell phones causing injuries and deaths Many people have seen others talking on the phone or maybe even text while driving. According to ezinearticles.com, the most common distraction while driving are phones, pagers, Chronicle Staff and anything that sends messages to others. What most people don’t understand is how dangerous it can be, and how it can not only hurt them, but others on the road as well. When you’re out on the road and driving by a car accident, do you ever wonder what caused it? According to Dr. Mercola, 98% of the accidents involved a single distracted driver. Most people take these situations seriously and agree that “it’s dangerous,” like Christian Alcala. “It’s bad. It can kill innocent people like us,” said Alcala. According to Time Magazine, “driving with a cell phone in your hand is like driving with one eye shut.” However, there are ways to avoid driving with “one eye shut”. One way a person can learn not to use a cell phone while driving is to “get a Bluetooth,” as Jasmine Singh said. However, studies from Cell Phone Defense show that there is no difference between using a cell phone and the Bluetooth. They both bring the same impact. “It’s the conversation that distracts the driver–not the device,” according to the AAA Insurance.
Anissabel Diaz
favorite team,” said Steven Roxas. Some fans watch March Madness to cheer for their favorite team. Some of the teams are the well known UCLA, University of North Carolina, and the Florida Gators. “I think the NBA is better because the plays are better,” said Hernandez. Some people just don’t like college basketball from the NCAA leagues, but like professional basketball from the NBA league. Professional basketball supposedly has better action than college basketball. Many people are watching for UCLA which holds the record with 11 national titles, the University of Kentucky with seven titles, the University of North Carolina and Indiana University both with five titles. This year’s tournament will be the toughest of all because the records are tightly close. Some of the top teams are getting beat by some of the weaker teams.
So why do people do it if they know that it can cause death or loss of life of innocent people? Most people say that it’s because they want to act cool and do what others do. Others just think that they just know how to drive. “[They do it] to be popular, like going to parties and social events. They want to stand out,” said Alcala. Some people say that driving while using the phone can affect us. “It can affect the number of accidents and deaths around us, which is something we want to stay away from,” said Singh. In the end, is it worth driving with one hand, so you can text your friend with the other, even if it means jeopardizing your life and others? Think before using a cell phone.
Photo: Josephine Espinoza
Cell phones account for a majority of accidents while driving. Texting while driving is illegal and a distraction.