Bring on the Silver Sox, Carson

BY DARRELL MOODY

Appeal Sports Writer

You might remember several weeks ago, I suggested that the Reno Silver Sox move to Carson City next season.

Earlier this week, the Nevada Appeal ran a front-page story saying that the Golden Baseball League was viewing that option.

I said it then and I'll say it now. Bring it on.

Carson High School and Western Nevada College are the logical sites and each has its own advantages.

The advantage of WNC is that it already has FieldTurf, but it's not likely that WNC will ever get lights because of the surrounding neighborhood. Parking isn't the greatest either.

CHS is better located and has much better parking. Ron McNutt Field also has lights and a use permit. What I would do is put in FieldTurf and then tear down the grandstand and start from scratch. It could be the premier baseball complex in Northern Nevada.

I believe that the Golden Baseball League would work here. Independent league baseball works well in the smaller towns, which is why the GBL also is exploring Redding, Calif. By coming to Carson, the GBL could cater to families much more than it can in Reno where there are so many different things to do.

I've had many people tell me that they would support a GBL team if it came to the Carson area. I hope that continues to be the case. This is a good baseball town and always has been. This would be a chance for Carson, Gardnerville and Minden people to put up or shut up.

I think there is a need for independent baseball league. Not only does it give talented players a second chance to play the game they love, it gives baseball fans an outlet.

Let's face it, we're screwed when it comes to professional sports. You have to drive four or five hours to see the Giants, A's, 49ers or Raiders. So having outlets like the GBL or Triple-A baseball, which starts next year in Reno, is sorely needed.

- My thoughts on the first two weeks of the high school football season?

Well, the High Desert League will be a far superior league with Hug, North Valleys and Reno moving over to join McQueen and Reed. I've seen Spanish Springs and North Valleys in back-to-back weeks against Carson and Galena, respectively, and I've been impressed. North Valleys blanked Fallon 15-0 and beat Galena 26-3. Spanish Springs topped Carson 33-14 and easily defeated Wooster. I want to see both North Valleys and Spanish Springs play better competition.

The Sierra League will be a two-team race between Douglas and Bishop Manogue. Galena has been unimpressive. Ditto for Carson. Damonte Ranch and Fallon are supposed to be better, and honestly I don't know anything about South Tahoe.

Douglas coach Mike Rippee has thrown the ball a ton in the first two weeks en route to a 1-1 record. Quarterback Tim Rudnick and wide receiver Zach McFadden make up a formidable combination, probably one of the best in the region if not the state.

- Seven days and counting until the biggest game of the college football season takes place " Ohio State at USC.

The Buckeyes, who needed a second-half rally to beat Ohio on Saturday, did the smart thing by resting Beanie Wells. The Buckeyes star should be ready for USC. I still like USC based on two things: quarterback play and homefield edge.

USC quarterback Mark Sanchez made a great recovery from his knee injury and performed well in the Trojans' season-opening win at Virginia.

- Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com or (775) 881-1281