Comments on: Hard water solution is part of the problem

By: Martin

Martin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 06:49:17 +0000

Any rule change in sports can affect the way a game is played and its outcome, be it the designated hitter, the 24 second clock, or the kickoff placement. Some changes are made in the effort to create excitement, some to create parity, though few to create safety. The kickoff return is exciting and can be a game changer. A punt is part of strategy offense, a smart move on a chessboard field of play. To remove either alters the ability of the teams to treat the game as such. It reduces the game to tried and true movements that some believe render the contest as both predictable and ultimately soporific. However, some changes in rules seek to eliminate the gladiator type atmospher for one that values clean and fair competition. And thus it is important to consider and include these changes in that respect. What chmages could be affected to lessen the occuramce of crucial contacts that will not only protect players today, but prolong and offer them a better life after they take off their cleats? Possibly this kickoff rule falls under that category. Some would say let’s just play tag football then. I am just wondering and thinking about players like Darrly Stingley. Lynn Swann retired from the sport he loved, for he knew that the constant exposure to broadside hits could have been career ending. And for many years he was shunned by The Football Hall of Fame for this decision. The kickoff rules recently enacted might allow players to play the game they love and can make a career out of without exposing them to life-threatening risks. To the player out there it’s his livelihood very often. Whereas to to the spectator it’s just a thrilling moment, one to be forgotten and eclipsed by the next one.

By: rifkin sports fan

rifkin sports fan — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 03:10:45 +0000

Totally agree. And while they are at it, get rid of “bunts” as well. I see a pattern here.

By: Rich Rifkin

Rich Rifkin — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:15:16 +0000

“…they might want to consider outlawing punt returns as well, which are at least as dangerous as kickoffs …” Were it up to me, I would get rid of the punt from football, and my reasoning has nothing to do with player safety. The punt is a cop out. It makes a 4-down series of plays into just 3 for a first down. Think how much more interesting each offensive series would be if it either ended on a score, a field goal try or a turnover. Without the chance to punt, a team which starts its drive deep in its own territory would feel great pressure to make every first down. The reward to a stout defense would be so much greater without a punt. Now, if a defense holds its opponent to 4th and 5 from the other team’s 20 yard line, the offense has the chance to punt the ball 50 yards and out of bounds, so the defending team takes over on its own 30. But with no chance to punt, if the offense is stopped, the defending team would take over 20 or so yards from the other team’s end zone. That would be far more exciting.

By: Matt Williams

Matt Williams — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 14:42:52 +0000

Bob, regarding your hard question, the WAC discussed the issue of salinity (also called EC or electrical conductivity) in their July 26th meeting. A thorough evaluation of the issue is available at http://archive.cityofdavis.org/meetings/water-advisory/documents/2012-07-26-item4-attachment-surface-water-needs-wastewater.pdf The key issue with respect to water softeners in our current environment is that short of an outright across the board ban of their use, the only meaningful solution to the hardness/salinity issue is to change the EC of the source water going into our residences and businesses. Outright bans are a touchy subject here in Davis, as we have seen in the discussions of single use plastic bags.