It’s my Parting Shot for a couple of Tuesday Thoughts…..

If a broadcaster should ever wonder how many people are watching or listening to his work, all you have to do is question something and say you’re going to try and research for the correct answer – while the game you’re calling is still on – to get an answer! During Game 2 of the Blades-Edmonton series Sunday, the statement was made that Friday’s triple-overtime win by Calgary over Brandon was the longest playoff game in the “Internet era” of the W-H-L – meaning from the 1996 post-season to the present. Now, I was certain Saskatoon played a slightly longer game in Medicine Hat back in 2006, which I was right on. Except, the initial statement should’ve said Calgary’s 1-0 win over Brandon in triple-overtime was the longest scoreless game in W-H-L Internet era playoff history – a point that was relayed to me via text, Twitter and through my colour commentator that day Tanner Chubey. He heard from former Blades and current Penticton defenceman Morgan Tastad who was tuned in. I always get a kick out of hearing from former players like that!!

And, the chickens have come home to roost. It’s an old English proverbial expression used to convey that bad deeds or mistakes will eventually catch up with the person making them. In this case, it’s the group of people known as Major League Baseball umpires. Arguing balls and strikes is as old as the game itself and umpires, especially those behind the plate, have been a lightning rod for some incredible, and memorable, exchanges. Sure, there are gripes about officials in other sports and there has been the introduction of video reviews in hockey, football, basketball, soccer – even tennis. But, the introduction of the Automated Ball Strike, or A-B-S, challenge this year has exposed many of the very smug and arrogant M-L-B umps as not being very good. Through the first series of games that ended on Sunday, there were 175 challenges with 54 per cent of them overturned! The legendarily bad C-B Buckner had six of eight challenges to his calls being successful during a game on Saturday. All six overturned calls involved strikes being changed to balls. I’m waiting for the A-B-S technology leading to some of the humiliated and embarrassed umps opting for early retirement – or being let go! Mark my words, it’s going to happen!!

That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!