There are few sports issues that evoke stronger sentiment than this week’s topic. Granted, a lot of you are finding this a yearly theme. In a nutshell, it’s time to schedule baseball World Series games when the kids are awake and can watch them. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
Last year, things didn’t turn out so well. The year before that, the deer seemed particularly intelligent and wary. And the year before that? Don’t even ask. This morning, all those missed opportunities are history, and a new season awaits. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
Trout Unlimited has awarded its top chapter honor to the Kennebec Valley Chapter, based in central Maine. TU vice president Steve Moyer presented the award at the organization’s annual meeting in Boise, Idaho, in September. The Gold Trout chapter award is granted annually to the… Read More
There are several notable rites of passage for Maine youngsters growing up in a hunting family. When that long, narrow gift on a birthday or at Christmas is opened to reveal your first gun, usually a .22 or perhaps a .410 or 20 gauge shotgun, it is forever… Read More
As I walked along the waterfront, I kept glimpsing at a small bird as it flew ahead of me. It appeared to be searching among the rocks and driftwood for food, and at first I assumed it was a European house sparrow, of which there are many in… Read More
The Boston Red Sox have enough money in their budget so they can make an occasional mistake – Edgar Renteria, J.D. Drew and Matt Clement come to mind – and still be on course to win a second World Series in four years. Most Maine… Read More
Just three weeks after Evans Boston signed off for the final time as Bangor television station WVII’s sports director, the Bangor ABC affiliate has hired his replacement. Say hello to Sean Cryan of North Attleboro, Mass. The Bay State native has worked the last six… Read More
Fans of UMaine’s basketball teams can see the squads in action Sunday during the annual Blue-White intrasquad scrimmages at Alfond Arena in Orono. Coach Ted Woodward’s UMaine men open the doubleheader at 2 p.m. with a modified scrimmage. The Bears return five lettermen, led by… Read More
With deer season looming and the Red Sox in the World Series, things have been a bit hectic recently. Forgive, if you will, a soon-to-be sleep-deprived writer a short diatribe as we all eagerly await the next Jonathan Papelbon river-dancing exhibition. This morning, let’s talk… Read More
The Maine Baseball Hall of Fame is soliciting nominations for its 2008 inductions. The organization honors players, coaches, umpires, organizers and benefactors from across the state who have achieved prominence in, or made valuable contributions to, baseball in Maine. Nominations, including a resume, may be… Read More
PORTLAND – The front office and grounds crew of the Portland Sea Dogs will make a young fan’s dream come true through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Sea Dogs will build a mini baseball field complete with a Green Monster fence for 8-year-old Ben of Portland,… Read More
The University of Maine-Farmington has locked down the top seed for both women’s soccer and field hockey as the North Atlantic Conference gears up for its fall sports championships beginning with Saturday’s quarterfinals. The Beavers earned the No. 1 seed in women’s soccer by virtue… Read More
Touching upon a variety of topics…. Don’t get overconfident, Red Sox fans. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0]… Read More
Coach Jack Cosgrove has spent the last several years stressing to his University of Maine football teams the importance of playing a full 60 minutes as a key ingredient in being successful in the Colonial Athletic Association. On Saturday, another solid performance ended in another… Read More
The University of Maine men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams were selected to finish fifth in the America East Preseason Poll, voted on by the conference coaches. Maryland-Baltimore County earned the top slot on the men’s side with 16 points and four first-place votes. Read More
Think back to yesteryear and all of the athletic standouts to come out of your high school. Orono High School is taking that nostalgic view of its athletic program one step further with the development of the Orono High School Athletic Hall of Fame. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
Shortly before 11 a.m. on Saturday morning, Sean Tocci’s deer season was over … a week before most of us will head out the door for the first time. According to Maine law, the state’s 10- to 15-year-olds are allowed a special session – Youth… Read More
ORONO – University of Maine sports fans may know Nolan Boike from his pitching performances for the Black Bear baseball team. But Boike was wearing a different uniform this past weekend. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
Our 7-year old son, Nate, recently wrapped up his soccer season, and what a time he and his teammates had. Under the auspices of the Bangor Parks and Recreation Department, coaches and players had the opportunity to participate at the fine facilities of the Union Street soccer complex. Read More
ELLSWORTH – Stanley Subaru’s eight-member team won the third annual EdGE Open Tennis Tournament title at the Ellsworth Tennis Center Saturday and Sunday. Stanley defeated the Downeast Office Products and Machias Savings Bank team 17-15 in Sunday’s final. Team members are Mark Politte, Ben Rowell,… Read More
CARIBOU – The Maine Winter Sports Center has hired Melissa York, a 2002 Colby College graduate, as a community development coach. The position involves serving as a resource to communities looking to start new outdoor recreation programs, including skiing programs, and providing support to communities… Read More
BANGOR – Rod Haney of Brewer recorded his eighth career perfect game when he rolled a 300 during the Pine Tree Men’s League at Family Fun Bowling Center Thursday night. Haney, 40, rolled the 300 in the second game of a series. He posted a… Read More
ORONO – The 11th annual Lobster Pot Fencing Tournament hosted by the Downeast School of Fencing is at Orono Middle School with the first event starting at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Sunday opens with mixed veteran events starting at 10 a.m. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
A year ago, Bangor television station WABI (Channel 5) scheduled a record number of University of Maine men’s hockey game broadcasts. Another year, another record. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var… Read More
This is now a series about momentum: And the Red Sox have it. There is no way the Indians would trade places and be down in the series. However, the fact Cleveland needs only one win in the next two at Fenway does not take… Read More
Christmas did not come early for deer hunters, no matter what some of you were thinking a couple of weeks back. Yes, it may have seemed so. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
Hunting season’s nearly upon us – or directly upon us, if you’re between the ages of 10 and 15 – and it’s time to make one of the biggest decisions you’ll make all year. Where to eat? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Seven ducks materialized over the tree line at the far end of the remote pond, winging down the far shoreline, inspecting our decoy spread. When they swung around for a closer pass, the sunlight gleamed off the green heads of mature male mallards and I lifted my call… Read More
Upset was the word of the day at Scarborough Downs Sunday as all the big-money races were won by less heralded entries in the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes 3-year-old division championships. Leading off the string was Waldo, who won the 3-year-old colt trotting title in… Read More
To have a true rivalry, the saying goes, both participants must achieve a reasonably equal level of success – and as often as possible at each other’s expense. It’s a saying that surely roils citizens of Red Sox Nation when thrown in their faces by… Read More
The Maine Soccer Coaches regional all-star teams will be posted Sunday on the group’s Web site, www.mainesoccercoaches.com. The all-stars will be recognized at the 34th Maine Soccer Coaches All-Star Banquet on Dec. 2 at the Spectacular Events Center in Bangor. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
The undulating black ribbon of pavement that locals call “The Airline” stretched on in front of me, accented on each side by a border of yellow and orange and red. Occasionally, a particularly strong gust of wind snapped a couple dozen colorful leaves from their… Read More
Boasting a lineup that features a mixture of veterans and underclassmen, the Husson College field hockey team is having one of the best seasons in the program’s history. Coming off Tuesday’s 3-0 North Atlantic Conference home victory over Thomas College of Waterville, sixth-year coach Sharon… Read More
Genevieve Turgeon began skating at age 7 and said there was “no doubt in my mind” she wanted to be a goalie. But she first had to convince her dad to let her play hockey. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
Mattanawcook Academy quarterback and safety Derek Libbey, currently recovering from an injured right knee that has sidelined him for the last two games, hopes to return to action in time for the LTC playoffs that begin in early November. “That’s what we’re shooting for,” said… Read More
Corey Graham has known for some time that he’d end up with another hunting buddy soon enough. His daughter, Hannah, showed an early interest in the outdoors, after all. “She’s not the typical Barbie Doll type of girl,” said Graham. “She’s always been a tomboy,… Read More
Each week, the losses get harder to swallow for the University of Maine football team. Coach Jack Cosgrove’s 1-5 Black Bears have now dropped five straight games for the first time since losing the last five contests during the 1993 season. googletag.cmd.push(function () { //… Read More
As the fifth-seeded Bangor girls soccer team awaits Saturday’s Eastern Maine Class A quarterfinal matchup against No. 4 Hampden, one Ram player continues to watch from the sidelines. Would-be starting midfielder Jennie Lucy would love to be on the field, but the senior is in… Read More
It is probably an understatement, but I’ll go ahead and say it anyway. No one is more delighted or satisfied that the Boston Red Sox have moved on in the postseason than I am. No, I’m not one to take satisfaction from the recent demise… Read More
Hunters are an ingenious lot. We endlessly study the habitat and habits of various critters with the hopes our knowledge base will pay off when hunting season arrives. Of course, there are some out there who are willing to push the envelope a bit, and… Read More
BANGOR – After six years as an off-course stand-alone golf business in the Bangor area, Golf Country at the Airport Mall on Union Street is closing. “It was not meant to be, I guess,” said Mike Clendenning, one of four owners of the business that… Read More
While Bangor Raceway readies itself to open its second season of fall racing this weekend, Scarborough Downs is priming itself for the richest day of the season with the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stakes 3-year-old finals. Bangor opens its 11-day fall racing schedule with an 11-race… Read More
Adages have a reason for being: They are borne out by history. The postseason in baseball is about pitching and defense. That doesn’t mean the bats don’t dominate some games, but not many. The Red Sox and Cleveland are close in overall defense. Kevin Youkilis… Read More
Page through an outdoor catalog of fall hunting supplies or wander the aisles of the local rod and gun shop and the vast array of gear and clothing will boggle the mind. Many items are new or improved, and although I might already own a similar product, soon… Read More
The Maine Department of Conservation reported on Friday that attendance at state parks and historic sites had increased by a record 9 percent through September. “In July we helped Gov. [John] Baldacci launch our ‘Take it Outside’ initiative, encouraging Maine families to reconnect with the… Read More
I’ve never been a big fan of gulls. I’m interested to see unusual or uncommon gulls, of course, but the garden-variety gulls, such as the herring gull, are everywhere. I note their presence, but often don’t give them more than a passing glance or thought. Read More
So Cleveland Indians fans are thinking this is the year, huh? Yeah, right. It was a nice run for you members of Chief Wahoo Nation, but come on, you haven’t suffered nearly enough yet. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
It may have come as a minor shock to many Boston Red Sox fans to learn that their opponent in the American League Championship Series that begins tonight at Fenway Park would be the Cleveland Indians instead of the thoroughly detested New York Yankees they had expected to… Read More
The University of Maine men’s and women’s basketball teams will get the 2007-08 season going with two free campus events tonight and Saturday night as part of the homecoming celebration. Tonight, the Black Bears will conduct a “Hardwood Hoopla” workout for UMaine students in Memorial… Read More
The University of Maine will play the University of Vermont in a football game for the first time in 33 years as the UM Football Club faces the UVM Catamounts Club at 8:20 p.m. Saturday at Morse Field. The UM Club team’s second annual homecoming… Read More
A year ago, Douglas Michael Kane II rode into Stobie Hangar in Greenville triumphantly, wasting little time before climbing atop his father’s moose and posing for photos as it was tagged. On Monday morning, Kane and his dad, also named Doug Kane, were back in… Read More
With temperatures finally starting to drop to where they should be this time of year, the state’s high school cross country runners are gearing up for postseason meets, which kick off this weekend with conference championship action. The Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference and Penobscot Valley… Read More
It took the pressure and speed of a two-minute drill to help Adam Farkes get into a passing groove Saturday. The redshirt freshman, who struggled a bit in his first start Sept. 22 against Massachusetts, demonstrated some of his potential in Saturday’s 38-13 loss at… Read More
The performance-enhancing drug matter, including steroid use, the cloud over all sports, is not dissipating. It should not be. The latest to join the list of users is Marion Jones, the track and field star who won three gold and five total medals in the… Read More
Three names familiar to people in Maine’s harness racing community will receive some regional recognition as well this week. Bangor Raceway race secretary Fred Nichols, horse trainer and owner Don G. Marean and Diann Perkins, president of the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, will… Read More
Laurie Hayden and her husband, Mitch, headed into the woods on Monday morning looking to bag a Maine moose. The Cornville couple didn’t waste any time and were the first to bring a moose to the Greenville Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife facility that… Read More
It’s not as if Dan Kane’s presence alone has made a difference for the George Stevens Academy boys soccer team. Kane, a former Eagles coach who is back with the team this fall, feels he walked into the team he has today. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
PORTLAND – Running his first marathon, Dan Vassallo easily beat two former champs in setting a course record in the Maine Marathon. Vassallo, 22, of Wilmington, Mass., beat the old record held by six-time winner Byrne Decker of Yarmouth, by more than 3 minutes. He… Read More
I’ve been thinking a lot about soccer these days. I know a little bit about soccer moms – heck, I’m married to one – and I know a little more about coaches’ wives. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes… Read More
Congratulations for Festival of Champions I would like to congratulate the organizers, administrators, volunteers, coaches, athletes, parents and spectators for the recent cross country Festival of Champions in Belfast. I am sure there were bumps in the road but as a spectator they were not visible. Read More
October has always been a special month for Jay Robinson. Put a blaze-orange hat on his head, a 20-gauge shotgun in his hands and an eager bird dog in front of him and life was nearly perfect. Even after the Millinocket paper mill went belly-up… Read More
Sometime back around 1975 four of us friends ventured deep into the woods north of Millinocket, I think it was into Coffeelos Lake, in pursuit of brook trout. I remember the long, bumpy, muddy dirt road made the trip an adventure. We were testing the limits of two… Read More
It’s a routine midweek afternoon on Victory Field. Old Town’s varsity football team is divided into two groups, both working diligently in preparation for Friday night’s Pine Tree Conference Class B game at Mount Desert Island. It’s been a challenging year for the Coyotes, a… Read More
It wasn’t much fun last season, but playing most of their non-conference games on the road will pay off this winter for the University of Maine Black Bears. The men’s basketball team is still waiting for its entire 2007-08 scheduled to be finalized, but the… Read More
WINTERPORT – Winterport Dragway will hold its sixth annual Car Show and Drag Race on Saturday. Gates will open at 8 a.m. and registration will conclude at 11 a.m. followed by the show. There is a $5 fee to enter a car in the show. Read More
Twenty-one months after coming back to his home state, Evans Boston is going home. The sports director for Bangor television station WVII (Channel 7) will host ABC-7’s Friday Night Sports Blitz for the final time tonight and drive two hours south for his first day… Read More
It’s a great time to be a hunter here in Maine. Grouse and woodcock and ducks and geese are all in season now, and archery buffs are already sitting in their tree stands, waiting for deer. The woods will only get busier in the coming… Read More
After their spring track season wraps up, most runners will lay low for the first month of the summer before resuming their training regimen. That wasn’t the case with Bangor senior Riley Masters, who kept himself in tip-top shape over the summer by running in,… Read More
The University of Maine-Fort Kent men’s soccer team is off to an impressive 10-0 start this season. And people are beginning to take notice. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i… Read More
As the auto racing season in the state winds down, 2007 will have to be remembered as a year of positive change. It could well be viewed as a breakthrough year. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = [];… Read More
The lot of the football lineman is less than glamorous on most nights, but for the Bangor High School football team, that task was particularly without tangible rewards during its most recent game against Skowhegan. That’s because in the Indians’ offensive front the Rams were… Read More
A recent stay at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor – yes, another one – produced the following gifts: a bucket of homemade ice cream, a bushel of MacIntosh apples, and a bevy of basketball stories from a group of participating nurses. In 1989, I… Read More
No matter how many fishing flies you tie during a winter, by the time autumn rolls around, even the most avid tier has likely depleted the supply of the most popular options. Of course, we don’t realize it until it’s too late. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
Festival delivers positive message My dad sent me the Bangor Daily News article “Mother critical of safety plans for Belfast race (BDN, Sept. 28).” He knows how much my kids and I love cross country and how much we have enjoyed participating in and attending… Read More
All 10 freshmen will play for the University of Maine men’s hockey team on Saturday night in the exhibition opener against the United States National Team Development Program’s Under-18 squad at Alfond Arena. Game time is 7. “We have a small window to evaluate our… Read More
Tickets for the University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame banquet scheduled for Oct. 14 are now on sale at the athletic ticket office. The event starts at noon at the Black Bear Inn in Orono. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis through… Read More
Several weeks back, when training his Plott hounds to track black bears, guide Paul Laney got a good look at a bruin that caught his attention. The bear – which the Grand Lake Stream guide estimated at 500 pounds – was so big he started… Read More
As the Red Sox and the Yankees head into the postseason, both do so with the directors of operations sitting behind the plate. For the Sox, it is Jason Varitek. The captain is that in far more than name, as both Sox fans and players have come to… Read More
My dysfunctional ankle has made some progress in the past five or so weeks, enough so that I can think about getting back in my kayak. Think is all I can do at the moment, but I’m planning on doing in the not-to-distant future. (Not being able to… Read More
The Maine Wildlife Park in Gray is planning a special event to clear the shelves at its nature store before the park closes on Nov. 11. The store is holding a Super Sale on Oct. 6-8 during which all store items will be marked down… Read More
Recently, as I jogged along my favorite path parallel to the shoreline, I heard a great commotion coming from the water below. Dozens of gulls were floating just offshore, among the rocks, and dozens more were flying in from all directions. At intervals, something would excite the birds… Read More
From time to time I wonder whether the University of Maine really needs to be a Division I program in every sport in which it fields a team. But a trip to Orono to check out this year’s men’s basketball team reinforced why in most… Read More
Former Boston Red Sox outfielder Bernie Carbo will conduct two youth baseball clinics Saturday at Central High School in Corinth. The first clinic, for boys and girls ages 7-9, will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by a session for kids ages 10-12 from noon… Read More
Greg Veinote hoped to eventually have the car counts and attendance figures he attained at Caribou’s Spud Speedway this summer. He just didn’t expect them this soon. “I had all the confidence in the world people would come back and support this thing. But I… Read More
With October rapidly approaching – regardless of the contrary evidence your backyard thermometer may be providing – it’s high time to take care of some housekeeping chores. Chores, for the record, that I’ve been remiss in not pointing out earlier. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
If you’re a cross country fan, then this weekend is perfect for you, with two big invitationals set for Saturday. The University of Maine will host the Murray Keatinge Invitational, which draws some of the nation’s top collegiate programs, while Brewer and Belfast high schools… Read More
Clara Swan and Jack Scott will have their jersey numbers retired, while five others will be inducted into the Husson College Sports Hall of Fame on Friday as part of the school’s homecoming activities. Eagles women’s basketball coach Mary “Kissy” Walker, along with former Husson… Read More
It is a critical week for the Boston Red Sox. But not in the way you might think. Yes, it would be nice to win the American League East ahead of the surging Yankees. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
Go to a Bangor High School boys soccer game, and signs of the team’s recent success are minimal. Sure, coach Adam Leach may be wearing his state championship jacket, as was the case last Saturday when Bangor remained undefeated with a 3-0 victory at Messalonskee… Read More
While the college baseball season is more than five months away, the University of Maine has been hard at work during its fall workouts. The Black Bears earned victories over a Canadian team last weekend at Mahaney Diamond in Orono. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
The University of Maine softball team’s doubleheader with Thomas College of Waterville has been moved up to Thursday. The twinbill, originally scheduled for Saturday, will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Kessock Field in Orono. Admission is free. Read More
The obligation of the sports press is not to protect the teams or the players – not the Boston Red Sox or anyone else. There seems to be a growing pressure by both sports teams and players at every level to expect the press to… Read More
The Belfast Lions may be down nine starters from last season’s Class B state field hockey title team, and their consecutive wins streak ended early this fall, but the three-time defending state champs are more than holding their own. Although it started the season 0-1-1,… Read More
My wife Shelly is quite a golfer. Fact is, if she had more time to play, she could be an extremely good golfer. Thoughts today turn to a recent outing she had with one of her buddies, Marcia, who frequents the Penobscot Valley Country Club… Read More
Clarification needed for comments on Mount View I feel a need to set the record straight regarding my comments about Mount View High School in Friday’s (BDN, Sept. 21) article. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
Before sunrise on Monday morning, men and women will rise, shake the sleep from their eyes and prepare for a day they’ll never forget. For some, it will be a repeat performance. For others, it will be the culmination of years of waiting and wishing. Read More
If there’s one way to get Appalachian Trail through-hikers to leave the trail, just offer them food, especially free food. In Monson last weekend hikers came off the trail by the dozens to take part in just such an event. The feed was provided by Rick Towle, the… Read More
During the 1950s, Dad and several friends would spend a full week in a remote deer camp each November. Whitetails were plentiful, hunting pressure was light and success rates were high, but since each veteran woodsman sought to bag a big, bragging-size buck, that achievement came at a… Read More
Fall is rapidly approaching and a major bird migration is under way. The big push of shorebirds has passed, starting early as it did at the end of July. Neotropical songbirds now stream overhead on calm nights and during the day, raptors ride the northwest winds that help… Read More
The year was 2004, but it might as well have been 1904 given how long ago it was in the development of the modern Husson College football program. The guest at the Winkin Complex was Hartwick College of Oneonta, N.Y., a member of the Empire… Read More