Official DVD & Blu-ray chronicling New York Yankees 2009 World Series Championship
Official ’2009 World Series Film: Philadelphia Phillies(TM) vs. New York Yankees(R)’ DVD & Blu-ray(TM) Available Nationwide on DVD November 24 and on Blu-ray(TM) High-Def December 15
The 2009 Fall Classic was the searing face-off many had hoped for — the defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies against the New York Yankees. Eighty-six years after opening the original Yankee Stadium in 1923 with their first World Series title, the Yankees celebrated their inaugural season in the new Yankee Stadium with a record 27th championship.
Celebrating the excitement and captivating moments of this year’s Fall Classic, Major League Baseball Productions and Shout! Factory are offering baseball fans the ultimate insider’s look at the Yankees’ quest to win this year’s World Series title in a taut, six-game series victory over the Phillies. The official 2009 World Series Film: Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Yankees, available nationwide on DVD on November 24, 2009, and on Blu-ray in High Definition on December 15, 2009, grants fans the opportunity to relive the long-awaited record-breaking 27th World Series title in Yankees history, the team’s first such victory in nearly a decade.
The collectible 2009 World Series Film provides extensive coverage of this year’s Fall Classic and will be sold at the New York Yankees Clubhouse Shops, the official team stores of the New York Yankees; online at MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, as well as Yankees.com; and at retailers nationwide. The official DVD and Blu-ray editions are available now to preorder at MLB.com, Yankees.com, Amazon.com and various online retailers. The official DVD has a suggested retail price of $19.99, and the Blu-ray is being offered at the suggested retail price of $29.99.
The 2009 World Series Film on Blu-ray and DVD features more than 80 minutes of main program presentation and nearly 30 minutes of bonus footage, including highlights from the American League Championship Series, American League Division Series, World Series, clubhouse celebrations and championship parade. Using elements captured through the unparalleled access of Major League Baseball Productions, the official Blu-ray and DVD provide unique, adrenaline-filled game-by-game coverage of the 2009 World Series, exclusive sound via wireless microphones, as well as interviews with players, coaches and team personnel, allowing fans an exclusive passport to the clubhouse during the Yankees’ postseason run. For the seventh consecutive year, MLB Productions captured both on- and off-the-field elements of the World Series with high definition (HD) cameras, ensuring that every facet of the Fall Classic is presented on Blu-ray and DVD in pristine, digital-quality video and audio.
Both the Yankees and Phillies teams featured game-changing players, elite pitchers and a knack for late-inning comebacks. No team had won more road games than the Phillies. No team had won more home games than the Yankees. Each team cut their way through the Division Series and League Championship Series with the same goal in mind. But when the final out of the Fall Classic was recorded, it was the New York Yankees who prevailed.
The official 2009 World Series Film provides a comprehensive look at the amazing journey the Yankees made toward winning their record 40th American League pennant and their return to glory by capturing their 27th World Series title in club history — from Matsui’s heroic hitting to A-Rod’s postseason resurgence to captain Jeter’s clutchness to Mo’s incredible domination — all culminating with a ticker tape parade before a huge crowd of fans in Manhattan.
DVD and Blu-ray bonus content includes:
– ALDS GAME 2: MARK TEIXEIRA WALK-OFF HR
– ALDS GAME 2: ALEX RODRIGUEZ HR
– ALCS GAME 2: ALEX RODRIGUEZ HR
– ALCS GAME 2: YANKEES WALK-OFF WIN
– ALCS GAME 6: LAST OUT
– WS GAME 3: ALEX RODRIGUEZ HR
– WS GAME 4: JOHNNY DAMON 9TH INNING AT-BAT
– WS GAME 4: JOHNNY DAMON STEALING SECOND AND THIRD BASE
– WS GAME 4: ALEX RODRIGUEZ 9TH INNING DOUBLE
– WS GAME 6: HIDEKI MATSUI HOMERUN
– WS GAME 6: HIDEKI MATSUI 2-RUN SINGLE
– WS GAME 6: HIDEKI MATSUI 2-RUN DOUBLE
– FINAL 3 OUTS OF WORLD SERIES AND CELEBRATION
– PLAYER REACTIONS
2009 WORLD SERIES FILM : PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES VS. NEW YORK YANKEES – DVD
Suggested Retail Price: $19.99
Widescreen 16:9
Audio: 2.0 Stereo
Release Date: November 24, 2009
2009 WORLD SERIES FILM: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES VS. NEW YORK YANKEES – Blu-ray
Suggested Retail Price: $29.99
1080i High Definition
Audio: PCM 5.1 Surround
Release Date: December 15, 2009
Source: Shout! Factory; Major League Baseball Productions
Fox Sports en Espanol hits ratings Home Run with 2009 World Series coverage
Network Strikes Out Competition across All Key Demographics during MLB Post-Season
Fox Sports en Espanol, the country’s leading Spanish-language sports media platform, struck out the competition with its coverage of the recently concluded 2009 Major League Baseball World Series. The network’s number one program during the ratings bonanza was Game Six of the World Series (Yankees vs. Phillies, 11/4/09), which delivered 261,000 Hispanics in the key P18-49 demographic. Overall, Fox Sports en Espanol finished with a 3.43 (1.74 P18-49) household coverage rating, up 81% in total households vs. its World Series coverage from 2008, and 240% over 2007.
“The only thing more exciting for us than this memorable Fall Classic is the fact that our loyal fans consistently tuned in to Fox Sports en Espanol for the best live coverage of the Series,” said David Sternberg, General Manager of Fox Sports en Espanol. “This clearly validates our mission of providing the most important sporting events, with the best analysis, of any Hispanic sports network.”
The results were strong for FSE’s advertisers, as well, with the network over-delivering across all demographics and surpassing its three-year World Series average. Ratings for coverage of the entire Major League post season was up dramatically over last year, with the American League Championship Series drawing a total Hispanic household rating of .92 for P18-49 and 1.24 for men, vs. last year’s .39 and .44 respectively. Overall, Fox Sports en Espanol maintained its position as the leading Hispanic sports network in the ratings for the second week in a row, averaging 73% more Hispanic P18-49 in primetime than its next closest competitor.
This marked the ninth consecutive year that Fox Sports en Espanol has offered live, exclusive Spanish-language coverage of the MLB postseason. In addition, as part of a seven-year partnership with Fox Broadcasting Company that runs through the 2013 season, the network will continue to offer live and exclusive Spanish-language coverage of approximately 26 MLB regular-season games each year plus the annual All-Star Game.
Source: Fox Sports en Espanol
Top 10 Finalists for ARA National Sportsmanship Award announced
2009 List Includes Collegiate Football Standouts On and Off Field
With awards season officially underway, the Awards and Recognition Association (ARA) announces the top 10 finalists for its fifth annual Sportsmanship Award, which is given to one outstanding NCAA Division 1 collegiate football player who best personifies the spirit of sportsmanship.
The 2009 Sportsmanship Award recipient will be chosen from one of these 10 finalists and announced this December.
Previous winners are Northwestern University receiver Eric Peterman (2008); Washington State quarterback Alex Brink (2007); Cincinnati Bengels fullback Brian Leonard (2006); and Carolina Panthers running back, DeAngelo Williams (2005).
“As the only national award that recognizes an athlete’s character and leadership as it translates to sportsmanship, the ARA Sportsmanship Award was created five years ago to shed light on these positive traits,” said Glenn Beckworth, president of the ARA.
ARA Sportsmanship Award
To qualify for the award, an athlete must be a starting player or significant contributor on his team; be an athlete in good academic standing; demonstrate great respect for competitors, school, teammates and coaches; show an ability to accept victory and defeat graciously; convey a high degree of humility and integrity; and demonstrate commitment in the classroom and to the community.
Former Brigham Young University Head Football Coach LaVell Edwards chairs the selection committee. “We’re uncovering some of the finest players the sport has to offer. These young men have a common thread of a positive attitude, strong work ethic and sense of fair play that is translated to their conduct on and off the playing field,” notes Edwards.
The finalists were selected in a blind process.
The 2009 award recipient will be announced in December. The finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
1. Mike Anello–University of Notre Dame.
2. Andrew Brewer–Northwestern University.
3. Russel Fisher–Saint Francis University.
4. Tim Hiller–Western Michigan University.
5. Jammie Kirlew–Indiana University.
6. Jeron Mastrud–Kansas State University.
7. Matt Reagan–University of Memphis.
8. Adam Rundh–Valparaiso University.
9. Phillip Tanner–Middle Tennessee State University.
10. Reed Williams–West Virginia University.
Source: www.arasportsmanshipaward.com
Cheerleading injury risk well below that of many school sports
Study demonstrates cheerleading is comparable with other female sports but industry leaders emphasize need for proper training and supervision
Injury risks associated with cheerleading are no greater than most other sports, according to a recent study released by the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators (AACCA).
Using two existing studies, the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injuries annual study and emergency room data from the Consumer Products Safety Commission, AACCA conducted a thorough analysis of the number of injuries per participant to determine risk of injury.
Contrary to some recent media reports, the AACCA analysis found that the risk of injury from cheerleading is comparable with other female sports when participation is factored. In fact, cheerleading ranks third in female sports and eleventh in risk among injuries for all high school athletes.
“It can be readily documented that cheerleading in the U.S. is a reasonably safe and healthy activity for our youth,” says Dr. Gerald George, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Kinesiology at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, a noted sports safety expert and the editor of several sports manuals, including the AACCA Manual. “Furthermore, a critical analysis of current injury statistics readily verify that the risk of injury associated with cheer participation is well below that of many popular sport activities currently being conducted in the elementary and secondary schools.”
Dr. George adds, “Like any sport or activity, the risk of injury rises to an unreasonable level in the absence of proper training and supervision. That is why it becomes so important that cheer coaches and school administrators take advantage of the Safety Certification and Educational Programs offered by AACCA.”
Jim Lord, executive director of AACCA and author of the report cautioned that, like all sports, safety must always take top priority. “The data analyzed in this study clearly shows that the risks associated with cheerleading are very much in line with the risk of other sports. It also shows that there is room for improvement in the enforcement of safe practices at all levels of cheerleading.”
In many states, high school cheerleaders follow the guidelines of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Beginning this year, the organization is adding cheerleading to its annual injury surveillance study conducted by The Ohio State University.
Susan Loomis, spirit director for the NFHS, has endorsed the AACCA study adding, “This study by the AACCA shows that our efforts to create reasonable safety rules and to encourage coaches’ education are critical to keep cheerleading as safe as possible, in line with other high school sports at the very least.”
Lord is optimistic that the use of correct data, along with a continuing emphasis on safe practices by coaches through its Safety Certification and Education Program, will further improve safety awareness.
“The AACCA formed a partnership with the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 2006 that required that college cheerleading coaches must be safety-certified,” Lord said. “The NCAA has reported that there have been no catastrophic injury claims since that time. We see that as a success we can replicate in cheerleading at all age levels.”
To view AACCA’s full annual sports injury study, visit www.aacca.org/safetystudy
Source: American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators
U.S. Wheelchair Basketball Team wins Gold Medal in Australia
8 players, 4 coaches from Courage Center Rolling Timberwolves team
A wheelchair basketball team representing the United States is home after winning a Gold Medal at the inaugural Australian Paralympic Youth Games in Melbourne, Australia. The wheelchair basketball team included eight athletes and four coaches, past and present, who compete on Courage Center’s Rolling Timberwolves. The Paralympic competition took place October 5-11 at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre and included teams from throughout Australia plus international teams of athletes age 20 years or younger.
The U.S. team was undefeated, going 7-0 in competition against five Australian teams. In the final game, Team U.S.A. was behind by two points at halftime, but pulled ahead by 6 points at the end of the 3rd quarter, keeping the pressure on to defeat Western Australia’s Westies 68-53.
Derrick Bisnett of Bismarck, N.D., led the team with 118 points, with Minneapolis’ Ben Kenyon scoring 64. Head Coach Mike Bauler was recognized as “Head Supervisor” of the tournament.
The U.S. roster includes:
(* Courage Center representative)
Athletes
Greg Anger, 20, Milwaukee, Wis., Missouri Tigers
*Robert Doyle, 16, Eden Prairie, Courage Center Junior Rolling Timberwolves
*Ben Kenyon, 18, Minnetonka, Minn., Wisconsin-Whitewater (Courage Center alum)
Dylan Fischbach, 14, Nebraska Red Dawgs, South Dakota
*Joe Dixon, 16, Lakeville, Minn., Courage Center Junior Rolling Timberwolves
Jon Ruiz, 15, Chicago, Ill., Windy City Warriors
*Mark Braun, 15, Mounds View, Minn., Courage Center Junior Rolling Timberwolves
*Rose Hollermann, 13, Elysian, Minn., Courage Center Junior Rolling Timberwolves
*Derrick Bisnett, 16, Bismarck, N.D., Courage Center Junior Rolling Timberwolves
*Robbie Wilhelm, 18, St. Paul, Minn., Courage Center Junior Rolling Timberwolves
*Connor Downes, 18, Rosemount, Minn., Missouri Tigers (Courage Center alum)
Sam Blakley, 16, Utah, Utah Wheelin’ Jazz
Staff
*Mike Bauler, Head coach, New Hope, Courage Center Junior Rolling Timberwolves
Trent Thenhaus, assistant coach, Chicago, Ill., Windy City Warriors
*Brendan Downes, assistant coach, Rosemount, Minn., Arizona Wildcats
*Jeff Downes, team manager, Dallas, Texas, Courage Center Junior Rolling Timberwolves
*Tim Kenyon, assistant team manager, Minnetonka, Minn., Courage Center Junior Rolling Timberwolves
More Info: www.wsv.org.au/events/australian-paralympic-youth-games.html