Bananas On YouTube

 

     The Savannah Bananas YouTube channel currently has over 1,600 videos for fans of professional baseball.  The Savannah Bananas are an independent baseball team that plays exhibition games against teams like the Party Animals, the Firefighters, and the Visitors.  

     The Savannah Bananas play a different style of baseball called "banana ball".  Games are played under a two-hour time limit, and the team with the most points wins.  There are trick plays, mound visits are not allowed, batters cannot step out of the box, and bunting will get you ejected from the game.  The Savannah Bananas YouTube channel currently has over 1,500,000 subscribers. 

     Some of the players currently on the Savannah Bananas roster include Pitcher Dakota "Stilts" Albritton, Pitcher #24 Andy Archer, Utility Player #17 Brandon Crosby, Utility Player #7 Michael Deeb, Outfielder #5 DR Meadows, Pitcher #9 Ryan Kellogg, and Infielder #19 Dan Oberst. 

     Leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Click on the link below for more information about the Savannah Bananas.  Click on past months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.  Check out Game Notes. 

                                                                                  Game Notes 

-  Foul balls caught by fans are recorded as outs in "banana ball".

-  In 2023, Jocelyn Alo became the first woman to play for the Savannah Bananas.

-  The Savannah Bananas mascot is known as Split.

-  The Savannah Bananas play their home games at Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia.  

For more information about the Savannah Bananas click on  https://thesavannahbananas.com 

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com 

Click on the arrow next to previous months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.   

Bakich At Clemson

 

     Erik Bakich is currently in his second season as Head Coach of the Clemson University baseball team.  Bakich was the Head Coach of the University of Michigan baseball team from 2013-2022.  The Wolverines advanced to the championship game of the College World Series in 2019.  Erik Bakich was named National Coach of the Year in 2019.

     The Clemson Tigers currently have an overall record of 44-14.  The Tigers finished in 1st place in the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) regular season standings with a conference record of 20-10, but the Duke Blue Devils won the 2024 ACC Tournament.  The Clemson Tigers are currently ranked #6 in the Country according to the latest USA Today Poll.  The Clemson Tigers are headed to the NCAA Super Regional after outlasting Coastal Carolina in back-to-back games this weekend.  

     Leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Click on the links below for more information about the Clemson University athletic program, or the National Collegiate Athletic Association.  Click on past months to see all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.  Check out Game Notes.  

                                                                          Game Notes  

-  Erik Bakich is 46 years old. 

-  Erik Bakich was born in San Jose, California.

-  The Clemson Tigers finished the 2023 season with an overall record of 44-19.  The Tigers lost in the NCAA Regional.

-  LSU won the 2023 College World Series.

For more info about the Clemson University athletic program click on  https://clemsontigers.com 

For NCAA stats, and standings click on  https://www.ncaa.com 

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com 

Click on the arrow next to previous months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material. 

Dobnak In St. Paul

 

     Former Utica Unicorns Pitcher #23 Randy Dobnak is currently playing for the St. Paul Saints.  Dobnak currently has an overall record of 4-4 with a 4.67 ERA, and 54 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched this season.  The St. Paul Saints are the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. 

     Randy Dobnak played for the Utica Unicorns in 2017.  Dobnak played for the Minnesota Twins from 2019-2022.  Dobnak played college baseball at Alderson Broaddus University in West Virginia (NCAA Division II program).  Randy Dobnak grew up in South Park, Pennsylvania. 

     Leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Click on the link below for more information about the St. Paul Saints.  Click on past months to see all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.  Check out Game Notes. 

                                                                             Game Notes

-  Randy Dobnak is listed at 6'1, 230 lbs.

-  Randy Dobnak is currently 29 years old.

-  The St. Paul Saints are currently in 8th place in the International League West standings with an overall record of 25-31.

-  The Toledo Mud Hens are currently in 3rd place in the International League West standings with an overall record of 30-26.

For more information about the St. Paul Saints click on  https://www.milb.com/st-paul 

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com 

Click on the arrow next to previous months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.  

Haase In Nashville

 

     Former Detroit Tigers Catcher/Outfielder #8 Eric Haase is currently playing for the Nashville Sounds.  Haase is currently averaging .237 with 6 home runs, and 24 RBI in 114 plate appearances this season. The Nashville Sounds are the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. 

     The Cleveland Indians selected Eric Haase in the 7th round (218th overall pick) of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft.  Haase played for the Detroit Tigers from 2020-2023.  Eric Haase played high school baseball at Dearborn Divine Child.  Eric Haase grew up in Westland, Michigan. 

     Leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Click on the link below for more information about the Nashville Sounds.  Click on past months to see all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.  Check out Game Notes. 

                                                                                Game Notes 

-  Eric Haase is listed at 5'10, 198 lbs.

-  Eric Haase wore #13 for the Detroit Tigers.  

-  Eric Haase is currently 31 years old.  

-  The Mitten State Sports Report posted "Haase With Tigers" on 9/18/2020.

-  The Nashville Sounds are currently in 5th place in the International League West standings with an overall record of 29-27.  

-  The Toledo Mud Hens are currently in 4th place in the International League West standings with an overall record of 29-26.

For more information about the Nashville Sounds click on  https://www.milb.com/nashville 

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com

Click on the arrow next to previous months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.   

Northville Downs Closed

 

Northville Downs is permanently closed.

     Northville Downs hosted its last race on Saturday, February 3rd, 2024.  The property is currently being redeveloped into homes, parks, and commercial real estate.  Northville Downs was the last horse racing track remaining in Michigan.  Northville Downs opened in 1944. 

     Leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Click on the link below for more information about Northville Downs.  Click on past months to see all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.  Check out Game Notes.

The property is currently being redeveloped into homes, parks, and commercial real estate. 

Northville Downs was the last horse racing track remaining in Michigan.

Northville Downs opened in 1944.

                                                                          Game Notes  

-  Northville Downs was located at 301 S. Center Street, in Northville.

-  Northville Downs was featured several times on the Mitten State Sports Report.

-  Northville Downs was also featured on the Mitten State Sports Report's YouTube channel.

-  Northville Downs is also on Facebook, and on X (Twitter).

For more information about Northville Downs click on  https://www.northvilledowns.com 

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com 

Click on the arrow next to previous months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.

     

Flynn Drops 50

     Detroit Pistons Guard #18 Malachi Flynn scored 50 points off the bench last night in a 121-113 loss on the road against the Atlanta Hawks.  The Pistons acquired Flynn in a trade with the New York Knicks back in February.  Malachi Flynn is currently averaging 5.3 points per game in 63 games played this season. 

     Malachi Flynn played college basketball at Washington State University from 2016-2018.  Flynn also played college basketball at San Diego State University during the 2019-2020 season.  The Toronto Raptors selected Malachi Flynn in the 1st round (29th overall pick) of the 2020 NBA Draft.  Malachi Flynn was born in Tacoma, Washington. 

     The Detroit Pistons are currently in 15th place in the NBA Eastern Conference standings with an overall record of 13-63.  The Pistons have six games left on their schedule including five away games and one home game against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, April 11th at 7:00 p.m.   

     Leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Click on the link below for more information about the National Basketball Association.  Click on past months to see all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.  Check out Game Notes.  

                                                                                     Game Notes

-  Malachi Flynn is listed at 6'1, 185 lbs.  Flynn is 25 years old.

-  Malachi Flynn wore #22 at Washington State, and at San Diego State.

-  Malachi Flynn has currently played 207 games in the NBA.

-  The Detroit Pistons are currently riding a two-game losing streak.  

For NBA stats, and standings click on  https://www.nba.com 

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com 

Click on the arrow next to previous months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.   

Football: UFL News

 

     The USFL (United States Football League), and the XFL (Xtreme Football League) have merged to form the UFL (United Football League).  The 2024 UFL season features 2 conferences, and 8 teams.  The USFL Conference includes the Birmingham Stallions, the Houston Roughnecks, the Memphis Showboats, and the Michigan Panthers.  The XFL Conference includes the Arlington Renegades, the D.C. Defenders, the San Antonio Brahmas, and the St. Louis Battlehawks.  

     The Michigan Panthers currently have an overall record of 1-0 after Kicker #38 Jake Bates (Arkansas) kicked a 64-yard game winning field goal on Saturday to give the Panthers an 18-16 victory over the St. Louis Battlehawks.  The Michigan Panthers roster features 5 players that played college football in the state of Michigan including Offensive Tackle #79 Jarrett Horst (Michigan State), Quarterback #19 Brian Lewerke (Michigan State), Running Back #28 Nate McCrary (Saginaw Valley State), Tight End #84 Gunnar Oakes (Eastern Michigan), and Defensive End #48 Kenny Willekes (Michigan State). 

     The Michigan Panthers are scheduled to host the Birmingham Stallions on Sunday, April 7th, at 12:00 p.m.  The Panthers are scheduled to host the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, April 14th, at 12:00 p.m.  The Panthers are scheduled to host the Arlington Renegades on Sunday, May 5th, at 1:00 p.m.  The Panthers are scheduled to host the Memphis Showboats on Saturday, May 18th at 4:00 p.m.  The Michigan Panthers play their home games at Ford Field in downtown Detroit.

     Leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Click on the link below for more information about the United Football League.  Click on past months to see all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.  Check out Game Notes.  

                                                                                Game Notes

-  Mike Nolan is the Head Coach of the Michigan Panthers.

-  #4 E.J. Perry (Brown) is currently the starting Quarterback for the Michigan Panthers.

-  The Michigan Panthers roster also includes Safety #7 Corrion Ballard (Utah), Quarterback #8 Danny Etling (LSU), Running Back #31 Wes Hills (Slippery Rock), Safety #21 Kai Nacua (BYU), and Defensive Tackle #99 Walter Palmore (Missouri).

-  The Birmingham Stallions won the 2023 USFL Championship.

- The Arlington Renegades won the 2023 XFL Championship.

For more information about the United Football League click on  https://www.theufl.com  

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com 

Click on the arrow next to previous months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material. 

Sports On Pluto TV

 

     Pluto TV is a free streaming service that features lots of sports.  Some of the sports channels on Pluto TV include beIn SPORTS Xtra, CBS Sports Golazo Network, CBS Sports HQ, Fight Network, GolfPass, MotorTrend FAST TV, PBR RidePass, and PokerGo.  Pluto TV also has channels for Bellator MMA, Fox Sports, GLORY Kickboxing, MLB, NBC Sports, NFL, PFL, and TNA Wrestling.  Pluto TV is owned and operated by Paramount Global.

     Leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Click on the link below for more information about Pluto TV.  Click on past months to see all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.  Check out Game Notes.  

                                                                           Game Notes

-  Pluto TV was founded in 2013. 

 -  Pluto TV launched its website in 2014.

-  Other sports channels on Pluto TV include MAVTV Select, Monster Jam, PGA Tour, Pluto TV Sports, PowerNation, and WPT.

-  The Mitten State Sports Report posted "Soccer On Golazo Network" on 2/9/2024.

For more information about Pluto TV click on  https://www.pluto.tv 

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com 

Click on the arrow next to previous months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.   

Simpson In Memphis

 

     #9 Zavier Simpson is currently playing Point Guard in the NBA (National Basketball Association) for the Memphis Grizzlies.  Simpson spent most of the 2023-2024 season in the NBA G League playing with the Motor City Cruise.  Zavier Simpson signed a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, March 29th, 2024.

      Zavier Simpson averaged 19.5 points a game, and 8.3 assists for the Motor City Cruise this season.  Zavier Simpson played college basketball at the University of Michigan from 2016-2020.  Simpson went undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft.  Zavier Simpson was born in Lima, Ohio.

     The Motor City Cruise finished the 2023-2024 season in 9th place in the NBA G League Eastern Conference standings with an overall record of 16-18.  The NBA G League playoffs begin tomorrow.  The Motor City Cruise did not qualify for the postseason.

     Leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Click on the links below for more information about the NBA, the NBA G League, or the University of Michigan athletic program.  Click on past months to see all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.  Check out Game Notes. 

                                                                                     Game Notes 

-  Zavier Simpson is listed at 6'0, 190 lbs.  

-  Zavier Simpson wore #3 for the Michigan Wolverines.  Simpson wore #24 for the Motor City Cruise.

-  Zavier Simpson wore #9 for the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2021-2022 season.  Simpson wore #5 for the Oklahoma City Blue that same season.

-  The Memphis Grizzlies are currently in 13th place in the NBA Western Conference standings with an overall record of 24-50. 

-  The Detroit Pistons host the Memphis Grizzlies tonight beginning at 7:00 p.m.

-  NBA G League playoff games can be seen live on Tubi, ESPNews, and on ESPNU.

For NBA stats, and standings click on  https://www.nba.com 

For NBA G League stats, and standings click on  https://gleague.nba.com 

For more information about the University of Michigan athletic program click on  https://mgoblue.com

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com 

Click on the arrow next to previous months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material. 

Best of February 2024

 

     The month of February featured 10 posts that were viewed by people all over the World.  Posts about local hockey games received lots of views.  A post about former Detroit Pistons Forward Stanley Johnson was also viewed several times.  Scroll down to see what everyone is clicking on. 

     Leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Click on past months to see all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.  Check out Game Notes.

                                                                 Best of February + March 2024

1.  "Rockers 3-1 Black Bears"  posted 2/13/2024 

 

2.  "Stanley Johnson In Stockton"  posted 2/6/2024  

                                                                                                                                               No Photos!

3.  "USA 5-3 Youngstown"  posted 2/4/2024

                                                             

                                                                        Pic of the Month

The Pic of the Month is a photograph taken at a Motor City Rockers game.

                                                                     Link of the Month

                             For more information about Tubi click on  https://tubitv.com 

                                                   Word or Words of the Month - February

                                                   Red Wings riding 6 game winning streak.

                                                     Word or Words of the Month - March

                                                     Red Wings riding 7 game losing streak.

                                                                  YouTube of the Month 

                                         "Woodward Sports On YouTube"  posted 3/30/2024 

                                                                         Game Notes

-  The Mitten State Sports Report was founded in 2012.  

-  The Mitten State Sports Report received over 15,000 views last month.  

-  The Mitten State Sports Report received over 150,000 views in 2023.  

-  The Mitten State Sports Report has currently received 530,984 views. 

Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com 

Click on the arrow next to previous months to see the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.