Wow – FSN to become Bally’s
https://www.startribune.com/from-play-ball-to-play-bally-s-sinclair-betting-on-legal-gambling-to-boost-viewership/573452881/
Originally published by DK on December 22, 2020 at 11:03 amhttps://www.startribune.com/from-play-ball-to-play-bally-s-sinclair-betting-on-legal-gambling-to-boost-viewership/573452881/
Originally published by DK on December 22, 2020 at 11:03 amVery happy to have this available again (even with a mask) 😷
Originally published by DK on December 21, 2020 at 10:03 pm…but they are warm, convenient, free and no one else in my building uses them for exercise.
Originally published by DK on December 15, 2020 at 10:51 pmGot my money’s worth on that one
Originally published by DK on December 6, 2020 at 7:43 pmMy latest research rabbit hole started when my friend Brad told me the Montgomery National Golf Course website said MNGC was one of architect Joel Goldstrand’s best designs. We’ve played a lot of rounds on Goldstrand courses over the years and I was curious to 1) know what he was up to now and 2) come up with a list of my personal favorite Goldstrand courses. Jim Souhan helped me out with the first part by interviewing him last year before the 3M Open.
Now in his 80s, the Plymouth resident has designed or renovated more than 100 golf courses during his career in several states (the majority in Minnesota). He also had an impressive playing career, winning a Minnesota state high school title in 1957, two NCAA titles at the University of Houston, the Minnesota State Open in 1973 and 1985, a tie for 12th at the U.S. Open at Hazeltine and an appearance at the 1971 Masters (82-77-MC). He was a pro at Minneapolis Golf Club for 16 years and won the Minnesota Section PGA Golf Professional of the Year award in 1979.
I haven’t played all of his courses, but here are my favorites (in rough order):
The Golf Advisor website has a comprehensive list of Goldstrand courses, while RJ Smiley at Tee Times Magazine has a fun story about Minnesota architects (Goldstrand ties with Don Herfort for biggest impact on Minnesota golf history). Explore Minnesota Golf also published a short video interview with Goldstrand back in 2010. I think Joe Bissen should head over to Plymouth with a note pad and tape recorder – a Goldstrand book would be awesome!
Originally published by DK on November 30, 2020 at 9:01 pmMiss the treadmill (never thought I’d say those words)
Originally published by DK on November 21, 2020 at 6:19 pmFerda, boys
Originally published by DK on September 28, 2020 at 10:28 pmMove streak hit 150 days this week
Originally published by DK on September 13, 2020 at 9:48 pmToo bad there won’t be a fourth
Originally published by DK on July 27, 2020 at 4:34 pmAll three rings
Originally published by DK on July 7, 2020 at 8:30 amFree canoe for resort guests (still)
Originally published by DK on July 3, 2020 at 6:41 pmAccess to the Rayette workout room has finally returned
Originally published by DK on June 27, 2020 at 12:08 amI’ve loved Shadow Creek since the first time I played it and I’ve played it over 100 times but can’t say I’ve mastered it…
Originally published by DK on June 4, 2020 at 10:55 pmI don’t think that is in the brochure
Originally published by DK on May 19, 2020 at 9:18 pmThe “UK DK” posted this interesting graphic a while back that I recently found while cleaning up my desktop. It amazes me how many different recommendations there are out there to get in better shape, but this one makes a lot of sense to me. My old plan was to run a gazillion miles a month and eat whatever I wanted, but that’s not in the cards these days. I am currently on a one month move streak and have greatly reduced my sugar intake, which has started a trend in the right direction weight-wise. Haven’t started in with the new kettle bell yet because of some back pain, but hope to add that to the mix soon…
Originally published by DK on May 14, 2020 at 4:37 pmhttps://www.isitcanceledyet.com/
Originally published by DK on March 11, 2020 at 5:06 pmMarketing geniuses, I tells ya
Originally published by DK on November 21, 2019 at 11:07 amBlow that horn, Steve Jordan
Originally published by DK on October 24, 2019 at 8:27 pmI’m not sure there is a better place in the entire world to reflect on life than in a boat on Lake Vermilion…
Originally published by DK on October 23, 2019 at 1:15 pmJohn Avenson bringing the heat
Originally published by DK on September 18, 2019 at 6:34 pmWay to go Saints – that was amazing!
Originally published by DK on September 11, 2019 at 12:01 amBy ice and by air
Originally published by DK on September 5, 2019 at 7:29 pmThe Saint Paul Saints have always been the masters of promotion. When they posted a link to a “Media Member for the Day” event, I grabbed the August 27th game against the Chicago Dogs and patiently waited. With only a handful of regular season games left, tonight was the night. I walked across the street from our house and picked up my pass from the box office, entered the VIP/Media entrance on Broadway and walked up to my perch behind home plate.
Working in an NFL stadium, our press box is only in use ten days a year (unless there is a Minneapolis Miracle). The Saints play fifty home games in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, plus the potential for best-of-five divisional and championship match-ups. With seven games left in the 2019 season, the Saints have a record of 59-34 and are 1.5 games back of Fargo-Moorhead, who clinched a playoff spot last night.
If they make the post-season, this will be the second year in a row. We went to all of the playoff games last year and were really surprised at how few people attended. The Saints lead the league in regular season attendance – in fact, they have double the attendance of the next closest team this year (363,109 versus 167,131 for Winnipeg). CHS Field (built in 2015 for $64.7 million by Ryan Companies) officially holds 7,210 fans, but the Saints average 8,069 people per game. My guess is that the huge corporate outing business that drives attendance during the year just isn’t there for the playoff games. If the Saints do make it to back-to-back playoffs, the dates this year would be:
The division winner gets to choose which games they will host, with one team hosting the first two games and the other team hosting Game 3, as well as the final two games if they end up being needed.
So how does this press box compare to ours? The Vikings have spaces for 175 people in the main seating area and I would say you could squeeze in about six people at CHS. We both have high-speed WiFi and wired data ports available, a friendly press box announcer that reports stats as they happen and complimentary food and beverages. The press box at CHS sits between the TV broadcast booth on one side and the event production booth on the other. Of course, this is also where the peanuts get thrown down during the seventh inning stretch (looking forward to that).
Nothing against the Saints, but they really get caught up in the overall decline of local journalism. I can understand no Star Tribune or TV representation, but where is the Pioneer Press? Aside from the occasional Shooter mention, I don’t think you can even find a box score in the hometown paper. John Shipley did write a story during the All-Star festivities, but that was likely just because Joe Mauer and a bunch of Vikings played in the charity softball game.
Aside from that issue, the Saints definitely produce a great product in the crowded Twin Cities sports market. As a guy who grew up in Saint Paul going to games at Midway Stadium, the organization will always hold a special place in the history of the city. The new City of Baseball museum along the third base line is really well done and is a great addition to the building. CHS Field truly is a beautiful facility and GM Derek Sharrer runs a great operation.
Thanks for letting me visit!
Originally published by DK on August 27, 2019 at 9:38 pmThey should all count
Originally published by DK on August 24, 2019 at 1:53 pmThat was quite a weekend, though
Originally published by DK on August 13, 2019 at 3:25 pmHopefully they do better than the Twins today
Originally published by DK on August 11, 2019 at 5:11 pmSo long, X Games
Originally published by DK on August 9, 2019 at 11:56 amSpin you right round, baby, right round
Originally published by DK on August 4, 2019 at 12:36 pmFour in a row + indoor vert
Originally published by DK on August 1, 2019 at 9:28 pmWhile I worked for a number of years in the casino business, my property never offered sports betting. As it now spreads across the United States, it is starting to make an impact with my current industry, professional sports venue management. I haven’t done a lot of research on this topic, but I feel like both sides aren’t fully prepared for all the potential side effects of a much larger pool of bettors.
Minnesota has always had a unique gaming environment among states and the various types of tribal compacts, so I don’t envision any immediate changes in the landscape. As it sweeps across the country, though, I imagine Minnesota will join at some point – too much money is involved to completely sit out. Minnesota tribes have understandably been reluctant to reopen the gaming agreements, but most of the larger ones already have ties to professional sports in one form or another.
As a technical venue manager, I’m curious as to what additional demands will be made on wireless networks, digital signage, cyber security and real-time statistical data feeds if sports betting is approved here. Not to mention physical changes to buildings if things like betting windows were ever to be added. I can easily imagine fans having sports betting apps on their phones, placing bets in their seats during a game and wanting to cash out winners immediately.
Lastly, I had another thought while watching the Twins lose their epic battle with the Yankees the other night. If human referees and umpires are still used in all leagues (which is likely), what extra security measures will be needed when they make bad calls? Will it influence how they make calls in the first place? It’s already a challenging environment with rowdy fans who have had too much to drink…
Originally published by DK on July 28, 2019 at 8:24 pmXGMN19 – now with e-sports
Originally published by DK on July 28, 2019 at 5:11 pmOriginally published by DK on July 27, 2019 at 2:22 pm
Really didn’t know that is so close to Staples Center
Originally published by DK on July 27, 2019 at 1:26 amThis market is so not like the others
Originally published by DK on July 26, 2019 at 9:12 pmTwo nights of All Stars, now two nights to start the second half
Originally published by DK on July 24, 2019 at 7:43 pmSo much CHS Field time this week
Originally published by DK on July 23, 2019 at 6:21 pmNow we just need a win over Oakland
Originally published by DK on July 21, 2019 at 1:01 pmhttps://www.tmz.com/2019/07/17/pete-alonso-home-run-minnesota-474-feet-new-york-mets-mlb/
Originally published by DK on July 17, 2019 at 7:38 pmWeirdest rain delay ever
Originally published by DK on July 17, 2019 at 12:44 pmFun night + Loons victory 1-0
Originally published by DK on July 13, 2019 at 11:26 pmThat was some good TV sportsball
Originally published by DK on July 7, 2019 at 12:42 pmFrom the handshake line to the booing of Bettman and the handoff of the trophy
Originally published by DK on June 13, 2019 at 7:36 amhttp://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/26740441/one-year-legal-us-sports-betting-learned
Originally published by DK on May 14, 2019 at 4:40 pmCongrats to Yagya and Atomic Data on some very smart work
Originally published by DK on May 10, 2019 at 1:53 pm…but got to ride the whole river path today (before the rain)
Originally published by DK on May 8, 2019 at 4:04 pmI’m so out of shape – this month should help a lot
Originally published by DK on May 6, 2019 at 12:16 pmPart I – protect the brain
Originally published by DK on April 27, 2019 at 3:12 pm…don’t come home
Originally published by DK on April 25, 2019 at 9:20 pmOf course it needs to snow again
Originally published by DK on April 11, 2019 at 8:47 amYup, I’m still here (no trains until 4:13am)
Originally published by DK on April 9, 2019 at 3:18 am…ends here.
Originally published by DK on April 8, 2019 at 3:11 pmBravo, Timberwolves
Originally published by DK on April 6, 2019 at 3:06 pmTRUTH
Originally published by DK on April 6, 2019 at 2:59 pmIT Command will be the place to be the next three days
Originally published by DK on April 4, 2019 at 9:30 pmYou never know what will happen at Target Center these days
Originally published by DK on April 1, 2019 at 8:17 pmHappy Baseball Opener everyone!
Originally published by DK on March 28, 2019 at 1:36 pmWe are all just a bunch of meat sacks…
Originally published by DK on March 27, 2019 at 8:32 pmEvery Minnesota team should do that for every game
Originally published by DK on March 19, 2019 at 7:26 pmTimberwolves vs. Golden State @ Target Center
Originally published by DK on March 19, 2019 at 7:10 pmI finally own a green hat to wear once a year
Originally published by DK on March 17, 2019 at 3:25 pmOriginally published by DK on March 10, 2019 at 11:43 am
…and the countdown is on
Originally published by DK on March 6, 2019 at 10:38 pmReturn to this game will be a while, unfortunately
Originally published by DK on February 27, 2019 at 7:47 pmIn or out?
Originally published by DK on February 26, 2019 at 7:23 amNow that Monster Jam is over, it’s full on Final Four
Originally published by DK on February 17, 2019 at 6:40 pmWhat a franchise, eh?
Originally published by DK on February 15, 2019 at 10:06 amMonster Jam returns Saturday
Originally published by DK on February 11, 2019 at 2:16 pmI thought I felt a little déjà vu
Originally published by DK on February 9, 2019 at 4:29 pmLike the surface charge space, though
Originally published by DK on January 10, 2019 at 7:48 pm