From the Cheap Seats: Moans and Groans (Episode 51)

Sorry, but I don't agree with you on the grunting issue. I don't think it's a matter of being 'ladylike' or not, but about cheating against your opponent. Of course I understand that it could help to produce sound when you're putting a lot of power into your shots, but in the case of Michelle Larcher de Brito (the one you were referring to), the grunt/scream/shriek sometimes lasted as long as until the moment her opponent would hit the ball. You could hardly say that still has anything to do with the force you're producing and more with disrupting your opponent's concentration.

And, as Martina Navratilova said quite well: 'I don't hear Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal making a lot of noise, while I'm sure they hit the ball quite hard'. So I think they should reinforce the rules better, because excessive grunting can break the concentration of the opponents and can be considered a form of cheating.

and her DUI, oh well. She didn't hurt anyone or herself on the bright side. Still a fan, and since she got suspended for 2 games for the whole ref issue.......b/c it's her she might get a harsher sentece than usual. I hope she gets to play tom. against LA especially with CP back in action it will be a good game.

As for grunting in tennis, I think it's ok as long as it's in the act of hitting the ball. Like the person above mentioned when your making that noise well after you have hit the ball then it's like enough.

I'm also suprised that C. Wiggins only has one player of the week award, b/c she is a good play and former sixth woman of the year. I still believe that playing above the rim would increase attendance at WNBA games. Washington really needs to have Coleman playing again ASAP if she could heal a bit faster.

"Come On Then Get These Good Done Debbies"

-JAKE

OK, you asked for it!

If you are going to comment about the grunting in women's tennis issue, please do a little research (glancing at a newspaper, looking on the net) first, otherwise you are wasting everybody's time. 

The rule in tennis is the 'hindrance' rule and basically states that is illegal for a player to do anything that hinders (or distracts) the other player while a point is underway. Grunting can fall under that definition but umpires have been loath to enforce it since grunting became so trendy. 

It's annoying and unnecessary (and under the rules, illegal). I don't care if it's ladylike or unladylike. Nobody 'needs' to scream their head off every time they touch the ball. 

They are hitting a rubber ball with a very light piece of equipment.  Not breaking bricks or lifting weights. 

I just learned (late I know) that the Dream re-signed Ivory Latta?

Any ideas why? I was surprised when they cut her for Teasley.

Thanks!

There was an interesting article in the NY Times today about women's professional soccer. If you are fortunate enough to live near a team in the Women's Professional Soccer League, please support them!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/sports/soccer/08league.html?th&emc=th 

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman

http://depts.washington.edu/aspuw 

This season has been very exciting for the western conference.  It's a battle royale between Phoenix, Seattle, and Minnesota for the number one spot.  It's total awesome!  This is what makes competitive sports so much fun to watch.

Go Mercury!