If It’s To Be Gridiron Girls, How About Volleyball Guys?

Willamette soccer star Liz Heaston earned her 15 minutes of fame by converting two extra points Oct. 18 against Linfield College. In doing so, she became the first female ever to play in a college football game. Afterward, she heard from women who had wanted to play football but were turned down by their school’s coaches. Liz doesn’t see why they shouldn’t play. Says she: “If someone wants to play and they have the talent to be a player, I don’t see what’s stopping them.” Hmmm. I’d like to see that standard apply to boys who want to play a sport only offered to girls - volleyball, for example. Any high school could put together a respectable team overnight if it recruited boys for the girls’ volleyball squad. Of course, some girls wouldn’t get to play much and others wouldn’t make the team. But so what? We’re after equality of the sexes here - not fairness or common sense.

Wannabes have minds in leaf-filled gutters

So, we’re only days from the municipal election and what’s the hottest topic between the Coeur d’Alene mayor candidates? Leaf pickup? Good grief. Last week, challenger Steve Judy denounced the city’s decree that residents bag their leaves for disposal, rather than sweep them into the gutter. Mayor Al Hassell defended the cost-saving measure. And council candidate Manny Olvera began organizing volunteers to help senior citizens comply. If residents had any gumption, they’d offer their leaves to neighbors who garden. Decaying leaves are solid gold as a soil enhancer. Then, what do I know? I think issues like Sanders Beach, downtown revitalization and street repair are important.

A good guy finally won

If you’re like me, you didn’t spend much time tuned into the World Series. Cleveland and Miami, after all, aren’t local favorites. But an incident several years ago pushed my loyalties toward manager Jim Leyland and Florida. Before a game between visiting Pittsburgh and San Francisco, children and their parents were invited to walk around the field. My son and I were excited to walk where Willie Mays once walked and to see ballplayers up close and personal. But there was a problem. All the players and coaches disappeared when the riffraff took the field - all but one, Pittsburgh manager Jim Leyland. He sat in the corner of the visitor dugout waving to the kids. He’d made it to the big leagues by working for decades as a minor league manager. He never has forgotten his humble beginnings or the fans. I won’t forget the small but significant gesture. , DataTimes MEMO: D.F. Oliveria’s “Hot Potatoes” runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can comment on the items by calling (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125, or by sending e-mail to daveo@spokesman.com.