Page 6 August 7, 2014 TORRANCE TRIBUNE Dodgers Hold onto Goods By Adam Serrao Naturally, as soon as everyone began calling for Matt Kemp’s head -- myself included -- he began a streak that was composed of five doubles, two triples, two home runs (one to win the game), 12 runs scored, 12 RBIs, and a seven-game hitting streak, all in the month of June in which he batted .350. So, Major League Baseball’s trade deadline came and went and logically, Kemp wasn’t traded. There may have been a few reasons why Kemp stayed, but the Dodgers, who are arguably the best team in the National League, chose to stand pat and not bring any new faces in to join the team either. As a first place club that is currently separating itself farther and farther away from the second place Giants, not trading anyone away may have been the organization’s best course of action. Though players may still come and go in the month of August if they pass waivers, the Dodgers and GM Ned Colletti may have made the smartest play possible by simply standing pat. This year’s MLB trade deadline was the busiest deadline in the history of the league. With 38 trades involving players such as David Price, formerly of the Tampa Bay Rays, and Jon Lester, formerly of the Boston Red Sox, it was an intriguing day in the world of baseball. Well, intriguing unless you’re a fan of the Dodgers. For a team that looks like it’s ready to pull away in the National League West and wind up with the best record in the league, last Thursday’s deadline was dull, to say the least. For Colletti and the Dodgers, the trade deadline could have been used not for a regular season that it looks like the team will soon run away with, but for the playoffs that they wound up having so much trouble in (against the Cardinals) last year. With the addition of one more front of the line pitcher like Price or Lester, the Dodgers could have gone from a strong team to an utterly untouchable team. By not pulling the trigger on any of those trades, however, the Dodgers made the best possible decision they could have for the team. Sure, getting rid of certain contracts like Andre Ethier’s, Carl Crawford’s, or even Kemp’s, would be good for the Dodgers. In order to make a trade involving any one of those players, however, the Dodgers not only would have had to eat an exorbitant amount of their lengthy, lucrative contracts, but they would have also had to get rid of one, if not a couple of their top three prospects in the minor league system. Although the deadline has come and gone, players can still clear waivers and be traded. Look for both Crawford and Ethier to get much of that attention JOIN THE FUN WHILE NETWORKING YOUR BUSINESS! THIS LEAGUE WILL START AUG. 20 AT 6:30 AND THEN MEET EVERY 3RD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH Bring in a team of 4 co-workers or friends. At the end of the 10 months there will be a party with pizza and awards. DON’T MISS THIS NEW WAY TO NETWORK AND HAVE A GREAT TIME. Call to sign your team up since space is limited. (310) 326-5120 during this month. Kemp, however, is an asset who could be worth holding onto just to see if maybe he is recovering from his many injuries and might come close to producing like he once did. While the major league roster is safe the way it is currently set up, there is something to be said about the number of prospects the Dodgers have lined up and ready to play in the Major Leagues. Shortstop Corey Seager, left-handed pitcher Julio Urias, and center fielder Joc Pederson compose a farm system that, for the Dodgers, is one of the best in the league. Keeping that farm system intact, rather than trading for a rented asset, is the best thing the Dodgers could have done. “Had we done something of major consequence, it doesn’t guarantee you’re going to win,” Colletti explained. “It may give you a slightly better chance, but this is a sport, a lot of things have to go right.” The Dodgers as currently constituted are a team that is getting somewhat old. Adrian Gonzalez at first base, Hanley Ramirez at shortstop, Crawford, Ethier and Kemp in the outfield and Juan Uribe at third base will all have to replaced sooner rather than later. Keeping the kids in the system is a perfect way to maintain an elite team over a span of 10 years rather than just two. Each and every one of them will soon provide an elite backup to the aging player at their position when the time has come. The roster right now, however, is still elite and the Dodgers should have no problems competing at the highest possible level in the playoffs barring another unforeseen injury like Ramirez’s last year in the Cardinals series. As the Dodgers’ offense continues to come along and players like Gonzalez, Ramirez and Kemp find their swings, it becomes increasingly evident that the bats of the Dodgers aren’t a main concern. Right now, the back end of the rotation and the bullpen is what scares Dodgers fans and Colletti is well aware of that. Standing pat at the trade deadline and keeping young prospects in the system was the smartest thing the Dodgers could have done, especially when the team will undoubtedly continue to look to fortify their biggest needs throughout the month of August. So, you may be sad that the Dodgers weren’t major players in this year’s free-agent market. Don’t forget though, that the team did sign a free agent who is perhaps the most prized possession in the whole league -- Vin Scully will be back for his 66th season behind the microphone as the voice of the Dodgers and the voice of Major League Baseball. • Risk Worth Reward? By Adam Serrao It’s almost that time of year again. As summer winds down and fall draws nearer, it becomes increasingly evident that football is on its way. For high schools all across California and our very own here in Torrance, this football season will present a set of new challenges to both players and coaches alike. Concussions and full contact hitting during practice have been under the telescope more and more over the past few years, but this year, something is actually being done about it. With new rules limiting full-contact hitting for the 2015 “Concussions and full contact hitting during practice have been under the telescope more and more over the past few years, but this year, something is actually being done about it.” season and beyond, coaches and players will have to adapt to a different course of action in practices. Some see the new rules as beneficial toward the players while others think that they jeopardize the integrity of the game. New rules for hitting will take effect in all high schools for football programs beginning in January of 2015. Full-contact practice is something that has been happening in the state of California for almost as long as the game has been around. These new rules, however, will limit hitting in practices with player safety in mind. Coaches from around the area have taken to the rules with mixed reviews. While some believe it will help keep their players safe and concussion-free, others believe that it may even put their players at a greater risk of injury during full speed games. Governor Jerry Brown signed a law (AB 2127) about three weeks ago that will prohibit high school and middle school teams from having full-contact practices that last longer than 90 minutes in one day. The law also states that there will be no full-contact practices allowed in the off-season and only two-full contact practices allowed per week during the season. High school players are at the highest risk for concussions and limiting the amount of time they can hit each other with pads on will, in theory, limit the amount of head injuries and concussions experienced by the players. “This is about protecting kids, as well parents’ peace of mind,” said Assemblyman Ken Cooley, who is a supporter of Governor Brown’s new bill. Despite the concern for head injuries and the desire to take steps to keep the children who play the sport safe, there remains some backlash against the bill. “I think it’s a shame, to be honest,” Trevor Pruitt, coach of Los Altos High said. “I think it’s going to ruin football programs across California. I think what it tells parents is to stay away from the sport because it’s not safe. I don’t think it’s fair to the kid of California.” Pruitt and many others who oppose the bill believe that the contact isn’t the problem. While mindful of concussions, opponents believe that teaching proper hitting techniques should be at the forefront of change, not limiting hitting. Limiting the hitting, in the eyes of certain coaches, will only serve as a detriment to defenses who must practice the craft of open-field hitting on a daily basis in order to be successful in the sport. The bill might not only affect the performance of teams on the field, but in turn, it may also affect the way kids are being recruited. With less practice hitting and utilizing proper techniques on the field, there is more of chance that players in California will fall behind the pack and take a back seat to out of state players that have had the practice necessary to become skilled at the sport. Not only will coaches be concerned of how heavily their teams will be recruited, but off-season football camps may also take a hit. With no contact allowed in the off-season, those camps may even disappear entirely. For many who support the bill, though, hitting is not the answer. Players are often lost to injury at those same off-season football camps and there are ways to practice without always hitting at full speed. “There’s no need to beat each other up every day because it doesn’t make you any tougher to smash heads five days a week,” said Riordan coach John Lee. “We get enough of that in the league we play in. Teams like Serra and Bellarmine, they hit. Everyone hits.” While there is not one clear and concise correct stance to take on the issue, it is clear that no coach, parent or player wants to see a concussion on the field. While taking hitting away from practices altogether might not limit all concussions and may take away from the skill level of the players on the field, it will certainly help to keep players safe and give parents a better piece of mind. Teaching the correct way to tackle and hit in the game of football should be at the forefront of every coach’s game plan. Holding practices where children practice hitting twice a day, every day is not what creates an elite team. Teaching proper techniques, holding proper drills and instilling the proper skill level in your athletes is what makes a successful team. Only time will tell what comes out of the new rules imposed in California, but despite its opposition, if it does nothing else at all, hopefully it helps to keep our athletes safe. • HI NEIGHBOR! Come Checkout the Torrance Oroweat Bakery Outlet Store! BUY ONE Black-lined Market Return Bread and GET ONE FREE! EXPIRES 8/21/14. (LIMIT1) • Open 6 Days a Week! Closed on Sundays. NEW LOWER PRICES EVERYDAY! • 1766 West Sepulveda Blvd., Torrance, CA 90501 ph. (310) 325-4497 •
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