INSTIGATING LOGIC
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

High stakes tee-ball

In Pittsburgh a tee-ball coach has been ordered to stand trial after allegedly paying a $25 bribe to an 8-year-old boy so that he would hit another boy with the ball.

Oh but wait, it gets worse.

The coach allegedly did not want to have to play the boy in the playoff game because he is autistic and mildly mentally handicapped and not as good as his teammates. League regulations stipulate that each player must play at least 3 innings.

Here's my question. If you're this guy, how in the world do you ever do worse than allegedly bribing one kid to injure a mentally handicapped kid, just so you have a better chance to win a tee-ball game? What would you have to do to top that? Push an elderly lady into traffic? Maybe drown some kittens? Luckily the man's attorney approached the situation with tact and grace, explaining that the young autistic

boy only got hit because he is a terrible player and can't catch. Classy.

Agreat week of sports

The past week was a great week to be a sports fan, at least, here in Union County.

The Lady Panthers softball team had an unforgettable finish to their matchup against Dawson (the first subregion game of the season) and the varsity football team appeared to be firing on all cylinders in the season opener.

On the college scene Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson continues to prove that he is the most formidable wide receiver not yet wearing an NFLuniform. I wouldn't be surprised if the team that drafts him ends up with another Terrell Owens. That is, in terms of ability, not attitude.

Then there is Matthew Stafford, the next big thing at UGA, who has been thrust into the role of starting quarterback. Football analyst Mel Kiper is

already predicting that Stafford is a future number one pick in the NFL. Not just a first round pick mind you, THE number one pick overall. Whether that turns out to be the case or not remains to be seen, but Georgia fans wouldn't mind seeing a national championship or two along the way.

Finally, we have the Atlanta Falcons, who have to be breathing a sigh of relief after getting more out of the John Abraham trade in the first game of the season than they did from the Peerless Price trade in his entire time in Atlanta.

The Falcons looked good in all areas, two of the most important being the upgraded defense, and a turnover free performance from Michael Vick. I'll let slide the one that he put right in the hands of Julius Peppers...since Peppers dropped it. Is it too early to starting thinking Superbowl?

Yes, it was a good week to be a sports fan.