Platt chooses Northern Arizona
After two years as a Wyoming Cowboy, Casper’s Eric Platt has decided to accept an opportunity to take his game to the University of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff.

Where have all the hitters gone?
You may remember the popular song from the ’60s, “Where have all the Flowers Gone?” I have been humming that melody with the change in lyrics to reflect the absence of run production by the Colorado Rockies.

Rockies need sense of urgency
It was my first visit to Coors Field since last fall’s World Series. The Colorado Rockies were in the midst of a four-game weekend series with the Florida Marlins.

Home at last
The Casper Connie Mack baseball teams finally got an opportunity to play on the home diamonds over the past weekend, and they enjoyed the experience. Both the Casper Hurricanes and their developmental team, the Storm, were involved in the first-ever Mike Devereaux Tournament.

These Ghosts are for real
Casper area baseball fans got our first look at the latest version of our minor league baseball team over the weekend, and I certainly liked what I saw of the Casper Ghosts.

What can we expect from the Cowboys?
Even though the baseball season in Wyoming is just heating up, I have been thinking football in recent days. That is in large part due to the arrival of the Wyoming Cowboys’ football prospectus for the 2008 season.

Shrine Bowl is attractive
After some tenuous moments and growing pains, the Wyoming Shrine Bowl football game has evolved into a very attractive event.

Rockies meltdown
The prolonged slide of the Colorado Rockies has continued to the extent that many here in the Rocky Mountain West are concerned more than a little bit.

Loyalty doesn’t mean much
The subject of college athletic scholarships is getting a lot of attention these days, what with the end of the high school year and the announcement of Wyoming athletes receiving scholarships from various schools across the country.

Rockies fans are denied
There is an old saying that goes something like “there is nothing worse than a lover scorned.” I would like to add to that with the phrase “except perhaps a baseball fan who is denied coverage of his favorite team.”

State track is the biggest
Casper has had the honor of playing host to the Wyoming State High School Track and Field Championships for a couple of decades, and the three-day extravaganza will be held this week, starting on Thursday.

What’s wrong with Colorado?
As we move along in the first week in May, the professional sports franchises located in Colorado are not enjoying the experience.

Wanna host a ghost?
The Casper Ghosts, formerly the Casper Rockies, are looking for host families for the upcoming baseball season. The Ghosts begin play in the Pioneer League in June, and the ball club needs Casper families willing to host a ballplayer or two.

OK, now let’s ‘play ball’
Late last week, a judge in Rawlins handed down a decision in a Casper baseball dispute that should go a long way toward a successful season for local high school-age players.

Too bad about Eric Platt
Last week’s press release from the University of Wyoming telling us that Casper’s Eric Platt would be leaving the Cowboy basketball program was received locally with a feeling of sadness.

Are these Rockies for real?
Ever since their incredible September surge last season, baseball observers have wondered whether the Colorado Rockies are the real thing.

Rocktober continues
Greetings from the desert -- from Tucson, Ariz., and the spring training camp of the Colorado Rockies.

Cowboys’ last stand
The University of Wyoming Cowboys enter what is very likely the final week of their basketball season without a huge amount of hope.

It's all about basketball
We are smack dab in the middle of the Wyoming state high school tournament schedule, and it is a wonderful time to be in Casper.

Good, but could be better
The first of three state high school tournaments scheduled for Casper is history, with the two basketball events next on the schedule.

Where are all the fans?
As we head toward the home stretch of the Wyoming basketball season, it seems like the proper time to assess where we stand.

It's a mess ...
Even the most astute of my fellow old-timers seem to be in general agreement: this has been a nasty winter thus far.

It’s tournament time again
The Wyoming high school winter sports season is moving along toward state tournament time. The high school wrestling championships are set for later this month, and the state basketball tournaments follow.

So who do you like on Sunday?
I have been hearing that question a lot this week as football fans look forward to Sunday’s Super Bowl showdown. The unbeaten New England Patriots have been installed as heavy favorites to beat the New York Giants by as much as two touchdowns.

Cowgirls up, Cowboys down
This scenario isn’t just a possibility anymore -- it has happened.

Remembering Joe Tiller
Now, don’t get me wrong; Purdue coach Joe Tiller is very much alive and well, but last week’s announcement that Tiller was giving up the Boilermakers job after one more season prompted me to reflect on his days as the Wyoming head coach.

A lost opportunity
After building a 16-point halftime lead, the Wyoming Cowboys squandered that advantage and lost their Mountain West Conference opener to New Mexico in double overtime.

Bowl games could be meaningful
It was interesting to see the front page of the Dec. 24 edition of Sports Illustrated. The cover picture displayed a joyous group of college football players celebrating in Savannah, Tenn.

Honoring ‘Harry the Horse’
Last week, I was privileged to enjoy a morning coffee break with Dick Sedar and Bill Hileman, a pair of former Wyoming Cowboy football stalwarts.

Shootouts to continue
At least that is the assurance I got when I questioned University of Wyoming Athletic Director Tom Burman on the subject of future Wyoming Shootouts at the Casper Events Center.