Saturday, January 2, 2010

A new Premier League Season

In the intervening period more than £350m has been spent as clubs desperate for success search for the winning formula.

But for all the money that the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham have lavished on new faces, it is United and Chelsea who start the season once again as most people's favourites for the title.

With Uefa Cup places also up for grabs and new boys Birmingham, Derby and Sunderland desperate to preserve their top-flight status it promises to be a fascinating season.

And you can keep up to date with all the action on BBC Sport, including:


Highlights on Match of the Day on Saturday evenings (repeated on Sunday mornings) and MOTD2 on Sunday evenings - this season broadcast simultaneously on the BBC Sport website (UK only).

Features, news and updates on Football Focus and Score on BBC One every Saturday.

Live match text commentary on the website and for mobiles plus all the scores and stats, news, previews, reports and reaction, as well as features, comment, photos and interaction online - including player rater.

Live commentary on Radio Five Live, with reports from the ground at every Premier League game - plus a daily podcast every Sunday-Thursday.


Live scores for every matchday on Ceefax and BBCi via your television.

Our 606 website for your views, plus Tim Lovejoy, Alan Green and Spoony on the 606 phone-ins on Radio Five Live every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated his team's success last season by buying Nani, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves.

And with the drawn-out Carlos Tevez saga finally coming to a close, Ferguson has certainly bolstered his squad as he goes in search of more silverware this season.

Chelsea, in contrast, have had a relatively thrifty summer, with Lyon's Florent Malouda the only big-money arrival.

But the arrival of Tal Ben Haim, Claudio Pizarro and Steve Sidwell on free transfers could be just as siginificant for a squad that struggled with injuries last season.

Those problems have returned, with the likes of John Terry, Didier Drogba, Andrei Shevchenko, Michael Ballack and Wayne Bridge sidelined and several others doubtful for Chelsea's opener against Birmingham.

Expectation will be high at Anfield after Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez spent the summer assembling a squad he believes is capable of challenging for the title.

The likes of Andrey Voronin, Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun, Ryan Babel and Lucas Leiva have all arrived over the summer ahead of their opening game at Aston Villa on Saturday.

Tottenham have again spent big and their fans will hope that it allows them to make the leap into the top four at the expense of an Arsenal team coming to terms with the departure of Thierry Henry.

Fulham's Lawrie Sanchez, Bolton's Sammy Lee, Sunderland's Roy Keane, Derby's Billy Davies and Manchester City's Sven-Goran Eriksson start a season as Premier League managers for the first time.

Eriksson's City remain an intriguing and unknown quantity with the former England coach having recently undertaken a spending spree in the region of £40m.

City begin the campaign at West Ham, who have also been active in the transfer market, with Scott Parker, Freddie Ljungberg, Julien Flaubert and Craig Bellamy coming in, and Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood going out.

A new era starts at Newcastle under Sam Allardyce, while Aston Villa will expect greater consistency in Martin O'Neill's second season.

Blackburn, Everton, Portsmouth and Reading all enjoyed successful seasons last time and face the difficult task of following those up with high expectations from their fans.

Middlesbrough and Wigan will have aspirations of improving on last season.

It all starts on Saturday, with Sunderland entertaining Tottenham in a 1245 BST kick-off.

A Moving Experience

I’ve found a cool apartment! Okay, okay…so it’s not perfect. Just a few bugs. I mean literally! First expense? An exterminator! Is it worth the cash? Well, I can’t afford a more expensive place, so a one-time (please!) cash outlay should be okay. Maybe just a can of “Raid?”

I need a way to move my stuff. Daddy, can I borrow your truck? You don’t have one? Why not? Do you want one? I’ll help you pick it out! Well, it was just a suggestion. No need to get all bent out of shape! I guess I’d better call the truck rental places. What do you mean…$200…PLUS mileage? AND Gas? Good grief!

While I’m on the phone I’ll call the utility and phone companies. Yes, I know I haven’t used your services before. No, I don’t have a credit card; this is my first place. You want what? A $100 deposit? For EACH? Holy cow…do you people have a license to steal?

Daddy, I need $500 for moving expenses! I used all my money for the first and last months rent AND the damage deposit. Well, how was I to know this was going to be so expensive? Sell something? Daaaaad…I NEED my TV!

Boy, this place is pretty empty. Maybe I should buy a couch and a chair. Nah…I have my bed. That’ll be good enough. I don’t need a table; I’ll just use this box.

Renters Insurance? I don’t think so! What do I have to insure?

Just got my first phone call! I’d love to come to your party! Daddy, I need a car. Because it’s too far to walk to work, that’s why. Umm, Daddy…there’s car insurance too! Thanks, Dad…you’re the best! And gas? I didn’t think so…

Time for dinner. Let’s look in these boxes. Oh, No! No dishes or pans. No FOOD!

Uhhh, Mom?

A Look at the Early History of the National Basketball Association

or one to appreciate what he sees now, he must have a glimpse from the past. Here, we have gathered some data regarding the history of the National Basketball Association which became the symbol of Basketball.

From the combined efforts of the National Basketball League and Basketball Association of America, NBA was given birth in 1949. While the American public was quite skeptic on the game, history proves that this later became the most well-loved game in history that its story is marked by hundred of events that led us here now.

After World War II, American businesses boomed, more particularly the sports businesses. By this time, the only large-scale basketball league was the National Basketball League (NBL) in the mid-west.

The various owners of the indoor sports businesses then congregated to form the Basketball Association of America. There were just 13 cities that were given franchises however, two backed-out from the national league, the Indianapolis and the Buffalo. The 11 left were the following:

• Boston Celtics
• New York Knickenbockers
• Philadelphia Warriors
• Providence Steamrollers
• Toronto Huskies
• Washington Gardens
• Chicago Stags
• Cleveland Rebels
• Detroit Falcons
• Pittsburgh Ironmen, and
• St Louis Bombers

While the new league was acknowledged in the cities, the take-off was still mediocre. Nevertheless, this debut league led to more popularity on the part of the National Basketball league as it was played in the larger cities. But everything was yet to unfold.

The first and second season of the BBA met dramatic changes which led them towards the acquisition of 4 teams from the NBL. With a decrease of 48 from 60 games from the first season and the dropping out of four teams, the BBA was forced to import Baltimore Bullets from the American Basketball League, a regional basketball circuit to meet the balance between the 7 remaining teams.

Apart from the loss of the four teams and the star George Mikan, NBL suffered a loss of public interest due to their failure to play in the cities that led them to their downfall in the 1948-1949 season. They packed up at the end of the season and dissolved.

During this time, the National Basketball Association was formed. The six remaining teams from the NBL joined the BBA. Indianapolis Olympians joined the league and both Indianapolis Jets and Providence Steamrollers backed-out. This set of seventeen teams went on to commence the NBA as we know it today.

A Look At Roller Hockey

As it’s name implies, Roller Hockey is a combination sport that links hockey and skating together into one single activity. There are two types of Roller Hockey, including Hardball and Inline Hockey. While the two games involve different equipment, rules and types of skating, they are similar in that the action is fast paced and exciting.

An Inline Hockey competition, which is one form of Roller Hockey, is held in a rectangular rink, which measures twice as long as it is wide and must be as close to 200ft. x 100ft. as possible with the minimum size being 165ft. x 65ft. The rink’s surface can be constructed of wood, asphalt, plastic or cement. The setup is similar in style to that of ice hockey and features two goals and a center red line. The puck, however, is made of plastic. Each game of Inline Hockey features two teams, which can consist of up to 12 players. However, only five players from each team are allowed on the rink at any given time, including the goalie. As for referees, there must be two on the rink during play. A goal is scored after one of the players sends the puck into the opposing team’s net and it crosses the goal line. Each game consists of four quarters, each of which lasts for 12 minutes. At the conclusion of the game, a winning team is announced.

Hardball Hockey, the other form of Roller Hockey, is played with a ball rather than a puck. In addition, the stick used in Hardball Hockey is different in it’s design as opposed to Inline Hockey. Quite often referred to as a cane, it’s shape is reminiscent of the same. During a Hardball Hockey competition, two teams of five players attempt to get the ball into their opposing team’s goal. Each team is permitted to have up to 10 players, with a minimum of 6, but only five can be on the rink while a game is in play. Competitors are permitted to stop the ball with any part of their body except the hand, but it can only resume motion with the use of the playing stick. Hardball Hockey is played in two 25 minute intervals and upon expiration, a winning team is announced based on the one that has the highest number of goals.

Of both Roller Hockey variations, Inline is the most popular form in the United States. In fact, many have never even seen a game of Hardball Hockey. Regardless, both types continue to make Roller Hockey the worldwide popular sport that it is today.

A Look At Lacrosse

Everyone has watched it, been amazed by it and thought it looked like fun. Lacrosse is a team sport that requires a fast pace and quick judgment. Each team consists of 10-12 players (10 men or 12 women) whom use netted sticks in order to control a rubber ball. The object of Lacrosse is to score by guiding the rubber ball into the opposing team’s goal.

Lacrosse is extremely popular in North America where it is the oldest known sport and still remains one of the fastest growing. Everyone from children to high school, college and professional Lacrosse athletes are at continuous play. Lacrosse is widely adored throughout the United States and it’s Northeastern region, but is perhaps most highly honored as Canada’s national summer sport. Fans in the Western United States need not worry, however, as the sport is steadily moving toward increased popularity in Colorado, California and Oregon. Even the sunshine state in the Southeastern United States is catching on, along with other southern states such as Tennessee and Texas.

Lacrosse is played on a competition field made of grass or artificial turf. Both men’s and women’s Lacrosse competitions are much the same with the main difference being the required protective gear. Women competitors are only required to wear protective eye gear whereas gentlemen athletes are required to wear protective headgear, shoulder equipment and protective hand wear.

The sport of Lacrosse was originally invented by North Americans. Originally designed as a very intense, physical sport, players used their netted sticks to make contact with their opponents and then clearing the way for them to score a goal. In their earliest days, Lacrosse games often lasted for several days. Because the sport was so physical and encouraged contact between players, some competitors were seriously injured during the early years. However, contact is no longer permitted in Lacrosse as we know it today. The object of the game is to direct and guide the rubber ball to victory without harming, or inflicting pain upon, any players on the opposing team.

Individuals who would like to learn more about Lacrosse, are interested in participating or simply wants to stay abreast of the latest news, happenings and live events may visit lacrosse.org. In addition, website visitors may be able to read additional historic facts, player profiles and information on contacting the organization. Color photos, news releases and other related stories are posted regularly.

A Look at Ivory Chess Sets

Ivory chess sets have a long and distinguished history, going back nearly to the advent of the game itself. Ivory has been used for many centuries in the construction of chess sets. Some of the earliest chess pieces still in existence are made of ivory.

The British Museum displays a few ivory chess pieces from the 7th and

8th centuries found in modern day Uzbekistan. These ancient chess pieces are in a different form than modern day chess pieces because they come from a time when chess was primarily an Islamic game. The pieces had a much different appearance because they reflected a different society. In the 19th century, Nathaniel Cook and John Jaques created the first set of Staunton chess pieces out of ivory. The Staunton style of chess pieces became the standard that is still in use today.

Ivory is not nearly as common today as it was hundreds of years ago when historical ivory chess sets were made. Now, ivory chess sets are usually only for collectors. Vintage ivory chess sets can sell for many thousands of dollars, while new ivory chess sets rarely sell for under $900. New Ivory chess sets are extremely rare because ivory is much harder to come by. Though ivory was once commonly used in the construction of many objects, it is now rarely used due to animal rights issues and the advent of plastic.

One main reason why ivory is rare now is because many people object to animals such as elephants and mammoths being killed in order to cultivate the ivory from their teeth and tusks. Imitation ivory is a good modern alternative because it is much less expensive and does not use any animal parts.

Ivory chess sets are valuable collector's items. People often pay thousands of dollars for these rare and historic chess sets.

A Look At How Boat Lifts Work And The Different Types

Boat lifts are used to lift the boat and store the boat above the water surface. Boat lifts are generally of two types. They are i) Hydro hoist model and ii) the Air-Dock model. Boat lifts are manufactured keeping in mind the different sizes of the boats.

Boat lifts work on the principle of lifts and hoists. In Hydro hoist type model there are float tanks that have a drain fitting at the bottom which is always open to the water. The boats are lifted with the help of hoists that are driven by heavy motors. The Hydro-Hoist boat lifts are of several types such as Boat Floater, Econo Lift and others. In the case of Air Dock the pressure of air is required to uplift the boat to a certain height above the water surface. With Air Dock type boat lifts there is a water tank which is filled and evacuated with the air pressure. Here the air is pumped in from the atmosphere to force the water out of the water tanks thus lifting the hoist. To lower down the hoists, one should vent the air pressure to allow water to fill the again tank.

Generally a motor with a blower is attached which is about the size of a vacuum cleaner motor. These motors blow the air out of the float tanks. Each tank has a hole at opposite ends, where the hose is attached. These holes are about 4 inches in diameter. An electric switch is used to turn on the blower and a valve. To raise the boat lift the valve is opened and the blower motor turned on. It can be left on until air bubbles are out of the 4 inch holes, this is the maximum lift that can be obtained. Once the boat is lifted to the desired height the valve is manually closed and all the air is retained in the tanks. When the boat is to be launched the valve is opened and the captured air from the tank escapes past the blower and the lift settles into the lake.

Different new technologies are adopted regularly to enhance the working principles of boat lifts. These new technologies are a floating drive-on dry lifting system which makes existing technology obsolete. Fully portable, changeable and modular boat lifts will work in shallow water or deep water, fresh, tides or salt water, currents and even waves. These boat lifts have the power to lift boats of different sizes, from small boats to large watercrafts. Drive-on floating docks even replace those traditional lifts, boat hoists, davits & trailers and provide a convenient dry-dock for stern drives, outboard boats, inboard ski boats and jet boats of all sizes and shapes.

A Look At Authentic Jerseys

During the sport season, sports jersey manufacturers have been having a hard time keeping up with the high demand of the sport fans. Your favorite team jersey may be hard to find or you may have to wait for a few months while it is on back order. It is best to try an order early before the season starts. Authentic sport jerseys can be found in many sports stores and online. There are many different sports like basketball, football, and soccer that have different jerseys, all worn by many different types of people. In the more recent years though throwback jerseys, jerseys that are replicas of past teams and players have also become quite popular.

Basketball jerseys have always been very popular especially among the college students. Basketball fans wear NBA jerseys to support their state or favorite teams. Often seen being worn by stars on television and in music videos, basketball jerseys are viewed as a fashion trend. Many people are wearing them and not just the basketball fans. Football Jerseys have also always been popular, even with their recent change in appearance. Football sports gear and football jerseys have become more fashionable in recent years. The jerseys have become more vibrant and colorful, short sleeved, and many display interesting patterns. This is why manufacturers have had a hard time keeping up with the demand for basketball and football jerseys. If you are planning to buy a jersey of this type expect to wait at least two months after placing your order.

Soccer team jerseys have become more popular in the recent years and are seen being worn by many soccer fans who want to support their favorite team. Thanks to The World Cup 1994 soccer championship, the sale of soccer sports apparel has rose to an all time high. Soccer jerseys are short sleeved, t-shirt like and are usually vibrant colors. Throwback jerseys have become very popular with the younger generations. They are jersey replicas of past sports players or teams. Many school age and college students have been wearing them to show there support for past great sport players.

Sports fans are often very dedicated to their favorite sport teams and often wear their jerseys proudly in support. Even people who don’t like sports have been seen wearing the jerseys due to the recent fashion trends. The Sports apparel business has become a multi-million dollar business due to the wide range of people who wear the clothing. Jerseys have long since been a trend worn by people of all ages and incomes, and recently the trend of wearing authentic jerseys seems to have become very popular among high school and college students. Whatever the person and at whatever age authentic jersey sales have become big business.

A Kayak, A Kayak, My Kingdom for a Kayak

Explosive growth in kayak sales has meant that the number of kayak manufacturers has soared in recent decades. With a predominant move to whitewater kayaking as the sport du jour, manufacturers are putting more effort and resources into whitewater design to further increase sales and try to keep an edge in this highly competitive market.

Competition between kayak manufacturers is fierce and with the sport maturing to reveal lucrative niche markets, kayak manufacturers have to act fast to keep up. Play boating or rodeo kayaking has largely been responsible for this growth in the market. Rather than getting down the river kayakers are heading straight to the rapids to play and with new advances in technology and technique evolving all the time, kayaks are changing fast.

As one manufacturer develops and produces a new hull shape or design, the next goes on to modify and perfect it under their own brand name. Consequently it’s difficult to recommend one manufacturer over another as the market is simply too changeable to predict.

However, manufacturers do have speciality areas and a company well known for their sea kayaks may not be so well regarded for their white water kayaks. Other kayak manufacturers focus purely on recreational markets and only produce sit on top kayaks.

For example, in the white water market the current leaders are Perception, Dagger, Pyranha, Prijon, Wavesport, Necky and LiquidLogic, but they jostle each other as new releases and trends change their popularity levels. In areas such as wood strip kayaks, a traditional choice of kayak, the market is a lot less volatile.

Choosing the ideal kayak

But really the best kayak on the market is the one that suits you and your paddling plans the best. Always try and buy the best kayak you can afford but don’t base your judgements on price alone. Get advice from experienced kayakers, join a club to try out different models, read reviews and narrow down your search that way. Go to a retailer with a short list and make sure you get to test out the kayaks before you buy. Not all kayak manufacturers sell directly to public but all link to a list of dealers from their own websites.

A Guide to Infant Wet Suits

In this category, the bulk of available choices in infant wet suits is all about buoyancy in the water. Since the occurrence of infant scuba divers or infant competitive swimmers is extremely rare, almost all designs center around the single most important factor for infant swimmers -- keeping them afloat in the water. In the rare instance where you happen to have an infant who is also a scuba diver or a competitive swimmer you’ll probably have to purchase the smallest wet suit you can possibly find in the marketplace and then have it custom-tailored to fit your special infant.

There are individuals around, although they are few and far between, who have the tools and the skills necessary to custom design a wet suit without altering its heat-loss properties or its buoyancy which can result in a beautiful, colorful and still effective infant wet suit should someone need it. But no company is going to manufacture them, with the same input and features as an adult wet suit, for such a tiny market.

There are, however, a vast array of choices for infant wet suits depending on the cartoon character your child likes or the color patterns he might look best in. In addition, there are infant wet suits with varying degrees of buoyancy built in, depending on the swimming ability of your child.

Obviously, the Barbie Princess wet suits are for that sweet little girl in your life and those Superman ones are for the little guy who thinks he’s a superhero. The most important feature to look for when purchasing an infant wet suit is maximum swimming help. Many have built-in flotation devices while some are made out of the same materials as triathlon swim suits, only more so. Since competition is not a factor, the suits can be a bit thick and clumsy, but as long as they’re keeping that little one safely afloat, that’s all they have to do.

A Guide To Gas Powered RC Cars

Gas Powered RC cars offer many realistic features and come in a variety of types and styles. To help you choose what's right for you, this article covers the main considerations you'll face.

If you’re a fan of radio-controlled vehicles, but find standard RC to be lacking in power and running time, you might want to consider looking into gas powered RC cars. These cars, which run on a nitromethane-based fuel that is often referred to as “glow fuel” or “nitro”, offer a level of realism and performance that you just won’t find on battery powered cars. Gas powered RC cars are also often highly customizable, allowing hobbyists to utilize a variety of engines and design types… there are even different types of transmitters available depending upon how you would prefer your car to work. Below are some of the options available for gas powered RC cars, giving you an idea of the level of customization that you can achieve.

Engines
Obviously, one of the more important aspects of gas powered RC cars is the engine. A variety of different engine models are available for you to choose from, but in general most cars of this type will have what are commonly referred to as “glow” engines. A “glow” engine is a 2-cycle internal combustion engine, creating the power that gas powered RC cars are known for and adding a bit of realism to the car with the exhaust that is produced. Instead of the spark plugs that a full-size automotive engine would have, these engines use a “glow plug” that is heated by what is known as a “glow starter” This heat is then held by the plug and is used to fire the engine strokes for the remainder of the running time.

Fuel
As mentioned above, the “gas” used by gas powered RC cars isn’t actually gasoline… it’s a special fuel that is nitromethane-based and formulated for the cars’ engines. Special lubricants are added to the fuel mixture to protect the engine from excessive heat and wear; the lubricants work in much the same way as gas-oil mixtures in some chainsaws and other small-engine equipment. Other fuel accessories may be needed to go with your car. A pump or special bottle may be used to get the fuel into the RC car’s fuel tank, and filters in the fuel line may need to be replaced from time to time.

Radio
The radio that you use to control your gas powered RC cars can be the same type that is used to control an electric model of RC car. A 2-channel radio system. It’s important to keep in mind that just because the car’s engine runs on a liquid fuel doesn’t mean that you have no need of batteries. In addition to the battery that powers the radio controller, you might find yourself in need of batteries to supply power to the radio receiver in the car itself. Of course, with some receivers it may be possible to have the power supplied by the motor of the car itself. The type of receiver that you use and the power supply that it needs are one consideration to keep in mind when comparing different parts or different cars.

Sport vs. Competition
A variety of different options and body styles exist for gas powered RC cars. You can choose from trucks, sedans, buggies, popular car models, and even stock cars. Once you’ve decided upon the body style and layout that’s right for you, however, you may find yourself facing one additional choice. Many of the car models available commercially come in two distinct types; a sport version, and a competition version. Sport cars tend to cost less, and offer basic options that are popular with beginners and casual hobbyists. For those who want to race their cars against other dedicated hobbyists, though, there are the competition cars which tend to have more power and higher speeds and offer advanced options such as oil shocks and ball bearings. Competition models may not be a complete car, however, since they are designed to allow for more customization… many of these kits require you to get the engine that you want to go with it separately, as well as the car body in many cases (since the kit only provides the main chassis.)

Kits vs. RTR
If you’ve decided that you want to buy gas powered RC cars, you often have to make a choice between buying a kit, so that you can build the car yourself, or buying a ready-to-race car (also known as RTR) that is ready to be fueled and go right out of the box. RTR cars are good for beginners or casual hobbyists, but aren’t highly customized. Kits, on the other hand, may require additional work but allow the builder to decide exactly how they want their car put together. Should you use a kit, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to make sure that you have the engine that you want, paint and basic tools on hand for assembly and decoration, and additional tools and parts depending upon the kit that you purchase.

Regardless of the type of car that you buy, though, you’re certain to find yourself amazed at the power and performance of these cars loved by

A Guide to Dolls

Doll guides are large books for doll collectors, used to help them tell one doll from another. They generally have large colour photos of each doll, together with price information. Thanks to the popularity of doll collecting, doll guides sell surprisingly well, even though they are often large, thick, expensive books. They are generally used mainly by professional collectors as tools for identification and valuation.

Because it would be pretty much impossible to fit every doll ever made into one book or even a series of books, each book tends to concentrate on a particular decade, or manufacturer, or even one doll (Barbie, for example).

Doll guides can be quite hard to find in shops (unless you live near a specialist doll shop), but they’re easy to find on the web, particularly on Amazon.com and eBay. If you get one used, it might not even be all that expensive, although you should expect to have to pay a lot for postage. Make sure you read reviews of any given book before you buy it, because they vary hugely in quality, and not all of them do what they say on the cover very well at all.

It is ironic that doll guides are easiest to buy on the web, however, because it is also the web that is making them slowly obsolete. Even the best doll guides can’t hope to even touch the sheer diversity of pictures and information that exists on the web in the doll collecting enthusiast community. There are websites out there that are at least as reliable as any of the books, and websites are usually more up-to-date in terms of price guidance.

The web works particularly well if you know which doll you have and just want to know which type it is. Even if you know nothing about the doll, however, and you can’t find it in a database, it’s not hard to find doll collectors’ forums (search for ‘doll forum’). Once you’re on a forum, you can post pictures and other enthusiasts will help you out – someone is bound to know the answer.

A Guide to Discount Pool Tables

Discount pool tables are commonly available. Check your local classified listings for liquidation closeout sales, auctions for seized items from bankrupted businesses, and so on. There you might be able to nab a brand new pool table for a fraction of its book value.

Discount pool tables are discounted for a number of reasons. Sometimes a model will no longer be manufactured; sometimes a table will be overstocked because it is an unpopular style, or a dealer may bee trying to make money faster by slashing prices. You can buy these discounted tables from manufacturers or from third-party detailers.

Another great place to buy discount pool tables is www.overstock.com. Go to that website and enter “pool tables” into the search field. Browse through the options. The “new” prices will appear crossed out, and below that, the offering price will appear. Sometimes this lower price will be half as much as the higher price. Shipping prices can be as little as a few dollars. For example, you can buy a solid ash 8-footer by BCA, featuring a mahogany finish, 3-piece slate bed, and ability to be taken apart and stored. The new price on this model is about five grand. The overstock price is about two grand: a $3000 savings, or 60% off the regular price. Shipping is a ridiculously low $2.95.

No matter where you buy your cheap pool table, first decide what you are looking for. What size do you need: 7, 8, or 9 feet? It depends on how much space you have. Do you want the table to come in one solid piece (sturdier), or in multiple pieces (easier storage)? What kind of look are you going for: wood, vinyl, metal?

One last thing word of advice: always ask what the warranty entails. Just because it is less expensive than full price, that doesn’t mean you should go throwing away hundreds or thousands of dollars on a cheap table.

A Football Player's Perspective - How to Make It to the Next Level of Play

It was August 2003 and my team at the time, the Pittsburgh Steelers, was holding the first live scrimmage for training camp. As a rookie in the NFL I had practiced a number of times with the team, but this was the first time I was going to suit it up for a “full contact and tackle goal line scrimmage”. The set up was easy. The first and second team offenses would go against the first and second team defenses. The offense had four downs to score a touchdown. If they scored, they won; if they failed to score the defense won.
The first team offense and defense took the field first. The offense included Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, Plaxico Burress, and Tommy Maddox who went against a defense consisting of Joey Porter, James Farrior, and Kendrell Bell. The opposing sides lined up against each other, the referee blew his whistle to start the play clock, Tommy Maddox called out the cadence, then the ball was snapped … ... from that instant, the phrase “The Next Level” was defined for me.

“The Next Level” is a phrase commonly thrown around by athletes referring to the ability to play in a professional arena such as the NFL, NBA or MLB. To me “The Next Level” is not a title you gain, e.g. Professional Football Player; it is more a state of mind, an attitude and way of thinking when competing. Therefore, I have come up with three characteristics that I believe all athletes must posses in order to achieve “The Next Level”.

1. Play, Practice and Think with 100% Effort. It is as simple as that. You should have one speed and one speed only - FAST! There is no such thing as “half speed” or “walk thru”. Regardless of what people say, that is how we practiced and prepared in the NFL. Mike Holmgren said it best one day while practicing in the middle of December while preparing for the playoffs, “We run plays at full speed during the week so when the game comes it will be second nature and all you have to do is react.”

2. Be Able to “Flip the Switch” Once the Whistle Blows. This is probably the most mental of the three characteristics. Just picture in your mind a Cheetah stalking a gazelle and how meticulous, careful and alert it is as it sets up its approach. Once that Gazelle notices it is being hunted and starts running, the Cheetah “flips the switch” and accelerates to incredible speeds. Within seconds it has the Gazelle in its grasp and the hunt is over. This is the same way you should approach every play. An average football play lasts an average of 10 seconds or less, but when that ball is snapped a literal switch should be flipped in your mind and every ounce of energy should be released at that moment.

3. Dominate. This one word sums up every quality of those who achieve “The Next Level”. To dominate simply means competing to be the BEST. Does it mean you have to be the best? NO! It just means you are working, preparing, practicing and believing YOU CAN be the BEST. You may never achieve it and if you do there will always be someone that will be better. But if you compete and approach everything with 100% effort, dedication, commitment, and hold yourself accountable, you will dominate. While I was playing with the Philadelphia Eagles during our run up to the Super Bowl in 2004, starting tight end and 3-time Pro Bowl selection Chad Lewis would always tell the team, “Time to DOMINATE!” That is literally how you should approach every conditioning drill, lift, practice, meeting and play as an athlete. You approach it no other way!!

When I witnessed the explosive power, speed and attitude that my teammates displayed that late summer day in Pittsburgh, I came to the conclusion that “The Next Level” is not a title you gain when you make it to the NFL, it is truly a state of mind and way of life for those that achieve greatness in athletics.