Sidelines
Stutz and Harris
trying to catch
an NFL rideANY footballs that go into the stands are free to take home in arenafootball2, which can only bring to my mind two words: Craig Stutzmann.
Stutz has arena written all over him. They'd love him. He is the kind of fan favorite this "up-close" game is based on. I can see him now, jumping into the stands, having fun, playing tough, smiling.
Punting.
Perfect.
Souvenirs for all!
But while the af2 Hawaiian Islanders open their history Saturday at the Blaisdell, Stutzmann and his Hawaii run-and-shoot pal Channon Harris -- another arena prototype -- are off chasing a slightly different dream.
And good for them. Ride that ride until they make you get off.
It was funny to read on ESPN.com about "party crashers" who "don't stand a chance" weaseling their way into Ashley Lelie's workout for pro scouts.
But you know those guys are smiling the whole time. And they should.
Sure, the NFL is not looking for 5-foot-8 receivers with hit-or-miss hands (or even 5-9 ones with decent punting skills).
I think it's much more likely we might someday see Stutzmann and Harris in Islanders uniforms jumping into the Blaisdell front row.
It would be a perfect fit.
And they have to know that.
But for a few more seconds, they are doing what they have always dreamed of. And they know that, too.
So smile, boys. And ride that ride until they make you get off.
>> It's a statement of how wide open the local media scene really is, once you remove Jim Leahey, but our recent Favorite Sportscaster contest shows that after you get past No. 1, there really is nobody in second place.
In this very, very non-scientific poll, there was no mandate of the people. In fact, the people can't seem to make up their minds. Almost everyone got a vote or two, but nobody claimed the title of clear favorite, which is surprising to me.
Perhaps it's surprising to you, too.
The closest we got to a winner was this three-way tie:
Jai Cunningham's backers say he is polished and prepared.
Liz Chun supporters like her enthusiasm and emphasis on Hawaii sports.
Those who appreciate a comfortable local delivery say that Russell Yamanoha is their man.
Interesting.
Hawaii sportscasters are definitely in a pack, but these three names kept coming up.
>> Speaking of Leahey, the other night on KFVE he offered up his opinion on the Rainbows' black baseball uniforms.
"I don't like them," he said.
My ears perked up. Because I don't like those black baseball uniforms either.
Of course, Leahey was quick to point out that he disliked them not because of the color, but because they don't have numbers in the front.
A valid complaint.
I don't like them because they are black, and not green and orange.
I don't like that enormous H.
I don't like them on a "Green Eggs and Ham" level.
Kalani Simpson's column runs Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
He can be reached at ksimpson@starbulletin.com