50 Highest Rated
"Sports and Recreation" Articles

1	Red Sox Offense For 2007 Season Ready To Strike Written by: Patrick Hickey Jr. | Distributed: 2007-04-19 | Word Count: 720 | Page Views: 1164 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 4.13 Despite winning 86 games last season, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein knew that his team needed a bigger infusion of power and speed. As much as the fans at Fenway respected the hard-working Alex Gonzalez and loved long-time Red Sox outfielder Trot Nixon, Epstein knew that in order for his team to get to the next level, they needed more.
2	Making The Cut Written by: Robert Middleton | Distributed: 2007-06-20 | Word Count: 552 | Page Views: 1204 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 3.75 One of the hardest working groups of Independent Professionals out there are professional golfers. It may look like they have an easy job just hitting a ball around while enjoying the outdoors, but as Paul Harvey says, 'Here's the rest of the story...'
3	Castle Mountain Buffs Up: Alberta's *Jewel of the South* Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2006-12-14 | Word Count: 956 | Page Views: 1455 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 3.67 When legendary ski-film maker Warren Miller's crew came to Alberta to include Castle Mountain in his newest movie, it sought an unpolished jewel. That's Castle Mountain: on the one hand, an area remote, undeveloped and largely undiscovered; on the other, a mountain with a roots-friendly vibe, huge snow dumps and incredible skiing. It's a skier's paradise that's attracting huge interest.
4	Banff Springs Eternal Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2006-12-13 | Word Count: 590 | Page Views: 1253 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 3.56 Designed in 1928 by Canada's most revered golf course architect, Stanley Thompson, this incredibly scenic golf course was the first golf course to cost $1-million. It was money well spent, and today Sports Illustrated calls the Banff Springs (along with the Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course) one of the two greatest mountain golf courses ever built.
5	Heroes Host Camps - Grrrl Power Ascends Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2006-11-10 | Word Count: 920 | Page Views: 1272 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 3.50 You can play with the big boys when you learn how to jib your first rail or hit your first large jump or nail a cab 540 spin. Better yet, if you're a girl, you can play with the big girls and leave those boys on their own. And if you're a boy – hey, you up for the competition? There are killer camps coming to Alberta and full-on schools that will provide all ages and skill levels (and genders!) an opportunity to get better. Here's a look at what's available.
6	The Wild Wild NFC West Written by: Kurt Schumacher | Distributed: 2008-07-15 | Word Count: 1645 | Page Views: 1005 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 3.43 It will be a tight division race, coming down to St. Louis or Arizona. The value play is on St. Louis, at 6.50 to 1 odds, to win the division (the pre-season number on Arizona is 3.25 to 1 odds to win the division). The better play here is St. Louis to win OVER 6.5 games. Our scorecasting models have the 2008 Rams winning 9 games; a deviation of 2.5 games from the Vegas total - which correlates to a strong betting line play.
7	Pitching Hot Stuff Derek Lowe Written by: Lynda Belcher | Distributed: 2009-07-08 | Word Count: 568 | Page Views: 904 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 3.40 As a bonafide Atlanta Braves fan, let me just say that I don't easily excite over specific players. The whole game is so diluted with the comings and goings of various players, it's hard sometimes to keep up with who is on what team this season. I mean, you know the drill...
8	Big Ben Guides Young Bulls Written by: Patrick Hickey Jr. | Distributed: 2007-01-15 | Word Count: 717 | Page Views: 1253 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 3.33 Finishing the 2006 season with more than 40 wins for the second year in a row, the Chicago Bulls knew they were still missing that certain something to shoot themselves through the ranks of NBA mediocrity. Something along the lines of the six foot nine, 240 pounds of grit, hustle, unshakable determination and power the likes of Ben Wallace to be exact.
9	A Stingray Tale Written by: Vincent Bossley | Distributed: 2007-04-19 | Word Count: 2442 | Page Views: 1991 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 3.33 The head of Queen Charlotte Sounds are tidal. The tide range is not huge, but the water being as shallow as it is, low tide reveals a great expanse of brownness. Ringed by lush native bush to the waterline, this little corner of Marlborough is paradise to a small boy.
10	Playing Golf - Pain or Pleasure? Written by: Claus Jensen | Distributed: 2009-01-21 | Word Count: 709 | Page Views: 1080 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 3.29 I turned to golf when my knees had had enough of soccer and all its unpredictable injuries. So here I am, an amateur golfer with a handicap of 22, and stuck at that level for quite some time now. That explains the title of this article! I have learned that there are three key elements to help one perform well on the golf course. Read on as I discuss each one.
11	What Is A Ticket Broker, and Can They Really Help Me Get Playoff Tickets? Written by: Triston Nielder | Distributed: 2007-06-18 | Word Count: 799 | Page Views: 1666 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 3.25 If you've ever tried to get sports tickets, concert tickets or theatre tickets, only to find them sold out five minutes after they went on sale, then you may need to locate a ticket broker.
12	Divisional Outlook for June - AL Central Written by: Jay Nault | Distributed: 2006-09-26 | Word Count: 597 | Page Views: 1120 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 3.18 The past month has been one of change atop the division standings, and the World Champion White Sox have been issued a challenge by the surging Detroit Tigers, who enjoyed an amazing month. The rest of the division has been mostly status quo, but each team has made the news for different reasons since the beginning of May.
13	The Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Olympics Written by: Jennifer Adams | Distributed: 2008-09-02 | Word Count: 750 | Page Views: 1456 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 3.00 When I watched the Opening Ceremony, I was entranced. It began with giant footprints in the sky made of fireworks, leading the way to the stadium. The stadium was built specifically for the Olympics in the shape of a bird's nest, which is considered a lucky symbol in China. It was amazing.
14	Fish Southern Alberta: Lakes, Streams, Rivers and More Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2007-01-10 | Word Count: 987 | Page Views: 5442 | Votes: 16 | Rating: 2.94 Angling in southern Alberta involves casting for trophy fish amid a vast and spectacular landscape of lakes, streams, reservoirs and one of the world's best fly-fishing rivers.
15	Is Your Favorite Team in the AL East? Then Read This Written by: Ryan Hogan | Distributed: 2009-02-24 | Word Count: 979 | Page Views: 803 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 2.90 The American League East is arguably the toughest division in Major League Baseball today. The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox alone are enough to earn that reputation, but now you can add the pennant winning Tampa Bay Rays to the A.L. East's competitive teams.
16	The Sporting Life Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2007-03-05 | Word Count: 581 | Page Views: 1580 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 2.88 If you thought Canada's national sport was hockey, think again. While hockey is huge, the official national sport is lacrosse.
17	Chicago Cubs Pitching Staff The Key To The Success For The 2007 Season Written by: Patrick Hickey Jr. | Distributed: 2007-04-17 | Word Count: 786 | Page Views: 1395 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 2.88 Winning only 66 games last season, not many analysts and scouts were happy with what they saw from the Chicago Cubs last season. While they did have a better than average offensive team in 2006, the pitching staff was a huge question mark. However, with the recent additions of Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis on the team's starting rotation and Lou Piniella behind the bench, the boys at Wrigley may in fact be the sleeper team in the NL Central.
18	Fenway Park Stays The Same Despite Changes Written by: Patrick Hickey Jr. | Distributed: 2007-04-18 | Word Count: 646 | Page Views: 1350 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 2.80 The oldest and smallest park in the entire Major Leagues, Fenway Park has made a myriad of improvements over the past few years and with the 2007 season just underway, one thing is certain for Red Sox fans; they'll have a much easier time getting tickets.
19	Week 2 NFL Thoughts Written by: Mike Ricigliani | Distributed: 2006-09-25 | Word Count: 430 | Page Views: 1303 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 2.71 A review of the second week of the NFL season.
20	Arenas on His Own Path to Greatness Written by: Patrick Hickey Jr. | Distributed: 2007-01-16 | Word Count: 597 | Page Views: 1209 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 2.67 When someone thinks about elite players in the NBA, guys like Carmelo Anthony, Dewayne Wade and Lebron James immediate come to mind, while an individual such as Gilbert Arenas, who has similar numbers Anthony, Wade and James is totally left out of the mainstream limelight.
21	The Heart Of The Thoroughbred Horse Can Only Be Found In Competition Written by: Robb Fowler | Distributed: 2008-04-13 | Word Count: 734 | Page Views: 1159 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 2.57 If you have ever watched the Kentucky Derby or other events in racing's Triple Crown, you have had the opportunity to see Thoroughbred horses. If you're not a racing fan, but watch the news on a regular basis - particularly after the 2006 running of the Kentucky Derby and on through the rest of the year, you're likely familiar with the story of Barbaro, the 2006 Derby winner that was put down after shattering a hind leg during the 2006 Preakness Stakes: the beautiful, calm Thoroughbred Horse was beloved by many.
22	Dude Ranches, Rodeos and River City Round Ups Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2006-12-16 | Word Count: 822 | Page Views: 1492 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 2.50 It doesn't matter whether you are a true-blue rancher, or if you've booked a dude ranch vacation. You can grab onto western spirit and take a spin on the dance hall floor, roll a casino wheel or watch the top bucking bull and horse riders in the world take that famous eight-second whirlwind ride. The River City Round Up in Edmonton is a country festival that brings the farm to the city with the Canadian Finals Rodeo and Farmfair International for the week of Nov. 5 to 13.
23	Golf – That's One for the Ages Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2007-01-23 | Word Count: 722 | Page Views: 1202 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 2.50 In Alberta golf, nothing's quite as mean as the back 9 holes at Dinosaur Trail Golf and Country Club. A diabolical layout routed through the coulees and ravines of Alberta's famous Badlands, players leave the course feeling like they've gone 10 rounds with an angry Tyrannosaurus rex. Silly creatures that they are, golfers simply come back for more.
24	Cats Without Their Claws Written by: Mike Ricigliani | Distributed: 2006-09-21 | Word Count: 653 | Page Views: 1482 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 2.43 The only sure thing in football is that there are no sure things - especially where heady, self-sure prognosticators are involved.
25	Banff Hiking Trails Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2006-12-11 | Word Count: 984 | Page Views: 3280 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 2.43 From trekking into classic teahouses and charming backcountry lodges to around-town strolls, Banff's hiking trails are one of the most extensive hiking networks on earth.
26	Chicago Cubs Offense Runs Deep For The 2007 Season Written by: Patrick Hickey Jr. | Distributed: 2007-04-16 | Word Count: 876 | Page Views: 1255 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 2.40 While no one doubts that adding Alfonso Soriano and getting Derek Lee back healthy will be a huge benefit for the Cubs this season, upon closer inspection, some of the smaller pieces added to the team's offensive game plan in 2007 look like they may in fact be able to play an even bigger role in the team's success.
27	Fly Fishing 101: Learn Everything You Need to Know to Get Started on a Fly Fishing Adventure Written by: Christine Beals | Distributed: 2008-04-23 | Word Count: 1043 | Page Views: 1130 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 2.40 Fly fishing is an ancient angling method in which artificial flies are tied onto a hook to imitate naturally occurring food. These artificial flies are made out of materials such as fur and feather. Rods are generally light while the lines are heavy in weight, providing the proper weight and momentum for casting. Because of the ease of learning, fly fishing has become an enjoyable past time for many people of all ages.
28	Can the Red Sox Win Back-to-Back World Series Championships? Written by: Mark Anderson | Distributed: 2008-02-21 | Word Count: 681 | Page Views: 1082 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 2.33 Red Sox Nation is waiting in anticipation for the start 2008 MLB season with the hopes of seeing back to back championships, and their prospects look great. No one knows what the season holds, but we can consider a few important things that give the Red Sox an excellent chance of going to the post season again this year.
29	NFL Training Camp - Is It Too Long? Written by: Jay Nault | Distributed: 2006-08-10 | Word Count: 719 | Page Views: 1599 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 2.22 The demands on NFL teams have grown exponentially over the past couple of decades. It wasn't too long ago that many NFL players, even starters, felt the need to get or hold a "regular" job during the offseason, and used the time spent in training camp to get into playing shape for the regular season. It also used to be that teams played up to six preseason games as opposed to the current four or maybe five exhibitions.
30	The Resurgence of Scrabble Written by: Trevor Johnson | Distributed: 2008-01-08 | Word Count: 466 | Page Views: 1109 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 2.20 Today, Scrabble is not merely just a board game. It is an internationally competitive - mind sport - with an active competitive circuit, Scrabble Clubs, National Associations and World Championships.
31	From a Duffer's Delight to Pro's Paradise: Golf Discoveries, Summer Through Autumn Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2007-01-11 | Word Count: 1134 | Page Views: 1248 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 2.17 When it comes to golf courses that tempt, you'd have to look long and hard to discover more unique challenges than those you'll find at Alberta golf courses. Golfers can swing through Alberta's diverse regions and golf in northern boreal forests, through the Canadian Rocky Mountains, amidst hoodoos and dinosaur beds, alongside lakes, streams and rivers. Your spectators can include deer, elk and moose. Now, that's a gallery. And during the summer months, the daylight seems to go on forever, which means the vacation golfer can test his skills for up to 18 hours a day.
32	Escape To Winter: Six Easy Ways - Alberta's Resorts Offer Top Terrain Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2006-11-07 | Word Count: 863 | Page Views: 1197 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 2.13 It's high time you answered the siren call of the ultimate winter destination and took a ski vacation in the Canadian Rockies. Last year, Robin Williams, Alec Baldwin and Meg Ryan were among the Hollywood stars who visited the slopes near Banff. But the true glitter is in the white gold that's fallen in the Canadian Rockies during autumn, snow that already promises an outstanding winter.
33	Champagne Powder: Try Alberta's Tasty Snow Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2006-12-15 | Word Count: 974 | Page Views: 1778 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 2.10 With every billowing turn, Alberta's Rocky Mountains prove to skiers why the snow here is the stuff of legends. Though it's best known as champagne powder, the locals also refer to it as "blower" because the lightest puff of breath will spread a handful like so much dust. On the slopes the powder's lightness makes it easy to ski. It swirls around your boots and makes big fans with every turn.
34	Get in the Swing this Spring Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2007-01-15 | Word Count: 761 | Page Views: 1137 | Votes: 10 | Rating: 2.10 With alpine courses as challenging as the Canadian Rockies that tower over them, Alberta is a golfer's paradise. Historic Alberta golf courses, some designed by the world's most prominent golf course architects, wait to greet you in the majestic Rocky Mountains. Nowhere will you find golf courses more challenging, inspiring or spectacular.
35	How To Avoid Blisters: A Hiking Sock Guide. Written by: Marc Wiltse | Distributed: 2006-11-01 | Word Count: 593 | Page Views: 1531 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 2.00 Great hiking socks are critical for a comfortable hike. Do yours deliver in all the important areas? Learn how to pick the hiking sock that is best for your trip.
36	Canada's Top Indoor Rodeo: Cowboys Ready for Action Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2006-12-13 | Word Count: 1057 | Page Views: 1669 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 2.00 Saddle Bronc rider Jess Martin will measure his first Canadian Finals Rodeo by eight-second intervals as he struggles to stay on a bucking horse bent on giving him the ride of his life in Edmonton, Alberta. Eight seconds is all he needs on the leaping and twisting animal to score during the country's biggest indoor rodeo. Eight seconds in front of 16,000 cheering fans packing Rexall Place as this Canadian gateway city goes hog wild from Nov. 8–12.
37	Divisional Outlook - NL West Written by: Jay Nault | Distributed: 2006-08-15 | Word Count: 715 | Page Views: 1356 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 1.78 Despite being widely ripped as the worst division in baseball in 2005, one facet of the division last year on which everyone agreed was the competitiveness, as nearly every team had a chance to win the division late in the season. Once again, no one is out of it in this division in 2006, as every team sits within three games of the others as of this writing.
38	Get Best of Both Worlds: Alberta City Fishing Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2007-01-15 | Word Count: 1693 | Page Views: 1303 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 1.75 Alberta's international gateway cities of Edmonton and Calgary have rivers that run through them, and those rivers are alive with big, nasty fish that draw fishermen from around the world. It's the best of both worlds: big city living when you want it and rugged wilderness right next door.
39	Despite Changes Red Sox Offense Still Dangerous Written by: Patrick Hickey Jr. | Distributed: 2007-01-15 | Word Count: 661 | Page Views: 1276 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 1.43 Normally, if any team in the Majors lost three dependable players like Mark Loretta, Alex Gonzalez and Trot Nixon in the span of one offseason, thoughts of a dominating season would be the last thing you'd be hearing from the organization.
40	Understanding Which Horses Make The Best Barrel Racing Horses Written by: Robb Fowler | Distributed: 2008-02-26 | Word Count: 725 | Page Views: 1538 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 1.40 Contrary to what some people believe, not every horse is an ideal candidate for barrel racing. Though there are fewer particulars than there are when looking for a Thoroughbred that will be a winner on the race track, there are a number of different characteristics that will be found in great barrel horses.
41	Will the Boston Red Sox Win the World Series Again This Year? Written by: Mark Anderson | Distributed: 2008-02-21 | Word Count: 762 | Page Views: 1358 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 1.20 That is the question on everyone's mind in Red Sox Nation as the baseball season gets ready to start. This off-season was busy, especially with the steroids controversy heating up after the Mitchell report was issued. The good news is that during the off-season, the Red Sox managed to keep most of the 2007's World Series winning team intact.
42	The NBA's Western Conference at the Start of '09 Written by: Ryan Hogan | Distributed: 2009-02-26 | Word Count: 2137 | Page Views: 855 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 1.20 At the beginning of 2009, the Western Conference has it all: a very dominant team, parity and a lot of NBA Lottery contestants. As the season creeps towards the mid-way point, the Lakers hope to stay consistent and healthy, while the contenders hope to position themselves for a post All-Star-break run into the playoffs.
43	Get Hooked on an Alberta Fishing Holiday Written by: Travel Alberta | Distributed: 2007-01-15 | Word Count: 657 | Page Views: 1306 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 1.17 What's the catch? You can reward yourself with just a little effort. No matter where you go in Alberta, you're nearby some of the most sought-after fishing spots in the world. Guides offer half-day and full-day adventures. Many will provide you with everything you need, including the gear. If you bring your dream, you'll taste adventure.