By Andy Loigu

The athletes who made us all celebrate when they repeated as the FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer champions were welcomed as heroes by the City of New York last week. Fortunately, since I’m “semi retired” and just doing freelance work, I had the time to watch the pride-filled parade and hear the spirited speeches and music live on daytime television on a weekday.

It was almost as good as being there. Actually, better, since I didn’t have to struggle with all the city traffic.

If you attended the parade, I’d love to hear from you and share your experiences with our readers.

The players have not all taken their final ride into the sunset, by the way. We’ll have chances to see them play the rest of the summer, when they visit Sky Blue FC in National Women’s Soccer League action. We can head “Thataway to Piscataway” for a nice New Jersey day-trip, since Sky Blue plays its home games on the Rutgers University campus at Yurcak Field.
South Jersey native (from Delran) Carly Lloyd plays for Sky Blue and she’ll be visited by several of her teammates in upcoming home games.

USA stars Mallory Pugh (forward) and Rose Lavelle (midfielder) play for the Washington Spirit, who visit Sky Blue on July 24 for a 7:30 p.m. start.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who made the clutch penalty save in that nail-biter win over England, will be at Rutgers on Aug. 14, at 7 p.m., with the Chicago Red Stars, who also bring USA midfielders Julie Ertz and Morgan Brian, plus the super squad’s youngest player, 20-year old defender Tierna Davidson, to their game with Sky Blue.

Megan Rapinoe, the outspoken and flamboyant Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner, plays for Reign FC, who visit Sky Blue on Aug. 18 (1 p.m. starting time). Joining her from the USA team is Allie Long.

A trio of USA stars play for the North Carolina Courage, who visit on Sept. 7 for a 3 p.m. start. Midfielder Samantha Mewis, defender Abby Dahlkemper and forward Crystal Dunn all play for the Carolina crew.

Popular tea-drinking forward Alex Morgan and defender Ali Krieger are sure to bring a big crowd when the Orlando Pride visit Sky Blue on Sept. 29 for a 1 p.m. start.

ROBOT UMPIRES?
Meanwhile, if you are one of the many baseball fans in the area who attend the Somerset Patriots’ home games in Bridgewater, you may see robot umpires calling balls and strikes soon. No longer will we hear leather-lunged fans yelling, “hey, blue, get some glasses.”

At its All-Star Game in York, Pa.,The Atlantic League became the first professional baseball outfit to let a computer call the balls and strikes last week. They still had a traditionally equipped home plate umpire standing behind the plate. He received the calls with a device connected to a computer system that uses Doppler radar.

Just in case a pitch hits the dirt in front of home plate and bounces through the strike zone, the umpire can still overrule the computer’s call. The human umpire also still makes the call on whether or not the batter checked his swing. Games also produce a dramatic play at the plate once in a while requiring a safe or out call. Also, you never know when a computer may “crash,” so we still need “old fashioned” backup.

Atlantic League President Rick White said the robot umps will be implemented league-wide over the next few weeks.

HACKETTSTOWN SUMMER BASEBALL
The Hackettstown senior division team in the Pyramid Legion summer baseball program stands at 5-8 with the end of its regular season nearing. Legion baseball, at the highest level, plays on to state and national championships in the later part of the summer.

The Tigers enjoyed a three-game win streak earlier this summer which included a 10-0 shutout of Hillsborough and an 8-3 win over Belvidere, but also struggled through a pair of three-game losing streaks. Nevertheless, the players who took part will be better varsity performers next spring through the experience they have gained and the lessons learned.

The Hackettstown team includes Nicholas Curcio, Michael D’Aconti, David D’Olivio, Michael Danza, Tyler Dauchert, Patrick Engels, Devin Feenay, Tyler Kirkpatrick, Kane Kruse, Sean Magnota, Patrick McDonogh, Ethan Prymak, Robert Ritchie, Jared Salazar, Matthew Schlegel, and Kyle Stroessenreuther.

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Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.