The Spot's Odd's and Ends....

It's back for week #2, the Spots Odd's and End's.  News, notes, events and other potpouri from up and down the Valley in the world of sports...so, to quote one of the greatest entertainers of all time..."sit back, relax and strap on your seat belt..." (yes folks, its none other than Dr. Dre!)

Ok cycling fans, the Amgen Tour of California returns May 16th thru the 23rd with Valley stages in Sacramento (May 16th), Modesto (May 19th) and Visalia to Bakersfield (May 20th).  Among the teams competing in this year's Amgen Tour is Lance Armstrong''s Team Radio Shack.  So yes Spot fans, we will be having Lance Armstrong sightings...I'm sure the French are overjoyed...

For those of you who think competitive eating is a sport and Kobayashi deserves a bronze statute somewhere...well you'll be in heaven at the annual Stockton Asparagus Festival on April 24th as the top ranked eater in Major League Eating (yes, there is such a thing, the Spot can't make this stuff up!) Joey Chestnut, seeks to regain his title at the World Deep Fried Asparagus Eating Championship, taking place at high noon at the Weber Point Events Center.  Lucky for Mr. Chestnut and the rest of the Major League Eaters, the Spot will be pre-occupied with volunteering his time at the North Stockton Rotary booth at the Asparagus Festival, because he can most definitley put down the deep fried asparagus, just ask the folks at Dragon Palace Restaurant in Lodi!

For all you Fresno State fans out there, looks like your very own Ryan Matthews will be one of the first Running Back taken in the draft, with most Mock Drafts have him going to the Houston Texans with the 20th pick overall.


Speaking of Drafts and Fresno State, Paul George, the leading scorer for Bulldog Basketball, as announced for the NBA Draft.  He hasn't hired an agent though, meaning he can still un-declare and retain his college eligibility.

With the end of March Madness comes the end of the Spot's annual NCAA Tourney Pool...which was once again won by...the Spot's little sister (She picked both Butler and Duke to make the final four).  This is the same woman who once won the Tourney Pool by picking UCLA to win the 1995 Tourney based on the fact that Toby Bailey was cute.  Yes, the Spot will now go hang his head in shame and temporarily turn in his man card...

Ok ok, just because Duke made everyone cringe Monday night and beat Cinderella  Butler to win the National Championship, doesn't mean that all things College Basketball related go dark!  Here is  the latest scuttlebutt on what the Pacific Tigers are up to recruiting wise for next season:

With rumors of three players possibly leaving the program, Pacific is hot on the recruiting trail with three potential scholarships in hand.  They recently recieved a verbal commitment from 6-3 Shooting Guard Jose Rivera of Citrus College.  Rivera averaged 10.7 per game and 41% behind the arc for a Citrus College team that went 29-3 this past year and will be joining fall commitments Chuck Coley, a 6-7 Small Forward from Dodge City JC in Kansas and Khalil Kellley, a 6-8 Power Forward from Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucomounga.  Pacific is also said to be in play for among others 6-3 Guard Avery Johnson of Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach who also has offers from UC Riverside and Portland University and Zach Nelson, a 6-8 forward from Yuba City High School who averaged an in-n-out special this year, including a 56 point/23 rebound outing and is also looking at BYU, Utah State and Sacramento State.

The Spot had the pleasure of stopping by the Stockton Ports Fan Fest last Saturday.  Kudos to the Ports for hosting a free event for us fans, where you had a plethora of activities to keep you entertained.  From playing catch on the field, to hitting the batting cages, to just hanging out in the Comcast Club watching the final four, it was a great day to just hang out at the ball park and kick back a bit!

Looking for something to do this weekend?  Here are a few options:


Friday April 9th thru Sunday April 11th- Modesto Nuts vs. San Jose Giants, John Thurman Field, Modesto- The Modesto Nuts finish their first home series of the season vs. the San Jose Giants.  Watch for the Spot's "Game Day Experience" on Friday as he takes a trip over to John Thurman Field for the Nuts' Home Opener!


Saturday April 10th- all day, UC Merced Campus- UC Merced Club Softball PAWS Tournament:  In it's second season, the UC Merced Softball team, playing as a club sport, won the inagural PAWS Tournament.  Go out and support your local UC and see if the ladies can make it two in a row.


Saturday April 10th and Sunday April 11th- all day, Modesto Rotary 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, McHenry Village.  Still need your hoops fix? Then head on out to McHenry Village in Modesto (Corner of McHenry and Briggsmore) for the Modesto Rotary 3on3 Basketball Tournament.  The Spot would participate, but he really doesn't want to embarass the competition...no, seriously...


That's all for now Spot fans...till next time!