Sports out of season can build tradition and become part of the mainstream. Examples include the abbreviated National Basketball Association Summer League recently concluded, and the high school lineman competition and training, the Battle of the Big Butts.
Just the name of the latter is telling for 25 high schools held at West Aurora High School annually. The Thursday, July 14 event was the 22nd annual event and the 16th annual at West Aurora High School. See below for more information and results. Mike Power started it and Mike Runge, assistant football coach and science teacher at West Aurora, has continued the event just for linemen. It works because often linemen can seem obscure, however, are important, essential, and can make the difference.
• Often hometown products struggle at the major league level because of expectations. Nonetheless, the extra pressure often is not a factor and hometown kids may succeed. We will find out in time how it is for 6-9 lanky, hard-throwing, left-handed, pitcher, Noah Schultz, of Oswego East High School. He was drafted Sunday, July 17 by the Chicago White Sox in the three-day draft. Schultz is from Aurora, a part of the Oswego East High School District. He pitched recently for Vanderbilt University, an academically-sound school and a part of the Southeastern Conference. Schultz was drafted No. 26 overall in the first round See below for Sox and Cubs’ selections and all first round picks.
• We draw close to football practice at all levels for the Fall (and late Summer) season. The first thought is for the 2024 college football season when UCLA and USC will be part of the 16-team Big Ten Conference.
• Chicago Bears will begin practice, July 27.