Commentary: NIFL daily buzz

by Jerry Hewitt
Published on April 29, 2006 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)

Nervous

Tonight I get the privilege of attending one of the biggest games of the year, Tri-Cities at Billings. Last year I was at this game and it was apparent who I was cheering for. If my actions didn't tell the world, the Fever shirt I was wearing might have been a hint.

What a difference a year makes. No, I'm not switching over to be an Outlaws fan, still a die hard Fever one, but I've come to know the Billings owners and the community here this year and can't cheer against the Outlaws as a result. Going to be tough for me tonight to try to sit on my hands and not cheer more for one team or the other, but that's my intent. No matter which team loses, I'll be sad, but at the same time be happy for the winner. But no matter who comes out on top tonight I know I'll be treated to one heck of a hard fought, exciting game.

Last night

A bit of a surprise in the Rage game, I expected a bit more out of the RiverCity defense, but even though Arkansas found the end zone more than I expected, it wasn't enough as the Rage improved to 5-1 with the 76-46 final. Next up for the Rage are the Beaumont Drillers in St. Louis. With the loss the Stars drop to 2-4 and entertain Katy at home next week.

No surprises in the nights other two games. Both Wyoming and Osceola won easily. Wyoming trashed the St. Joseph Cyclones 77-26 leaving the team that replaced Lincoln at 0-6. It's obvious the Cavs eased up on the visitors after leading 42-6 at the half and by scoring only seven in the 3rd. The Cavalry improved to 4-3. Wyoming gets next week off while St. Joseph returns home to lose to Rapid City.

Osceola had no trouble with the replacements from Montgomery downing them 72-12. Guess they didn't want to win either Ms. LaMunyon. Osceola improves to 5-3 while the Maulers drop to 1-5. Next loss for the Maulers is at home against Greensboro, while Osceola takes a trip to Ohio to play Dayton.

Better selection

On the menu tonight we have a much better line up of games, including two don't miss ones, Fayetteville at Lakeland, in the battle of the undefeated and Tri-Cities at Billing for the best in the Pacific West rematch.

We already previewed the Fayetteville/Lakeland and Tri-Cities/Billings games earlier in the week, so not going to take another look. One update though, Billings will have the services of quarterback Chris Dixon, who had left the team for a try out with the CFL. This does change the outlook of the game dramatically. If Dixon is under center tonight, the edge definitely goes to Billings.

Palm Beach at Cincinnati is an interesting match up. Palm Beach hasn't played the last two weeks due to losing their venue. The 0-2 team has had plenty of rest, but that may work against them. Cincinnati at 2-3 has been up and down this season. Tonight look for them to even their record and pad the stats with an easy win over the visiting Phantoms.

The last time Beaumont and Twin City played, the Drillers took a 52-39 win in Beaumont. This time around we're in Monroe, home of the Gators. The Twin City Gators are 0-5 on the season and will be 0-6 after tonight. The Drillers will improve to 4-2 and hold on to first place in the Pacific South. Look for the DRK to be in attendance to rock the house in support of the Drillers. Their act may be better than the game.

1-3 Dayton takes a trip south to Tennessee to visit the River Sharks, although they may find the owner has fired her team when they get there. The River Sharks are 2-3 on the season. Dayton will have anew coach and maybe some new players with several key starters leaving the team after their coach was released earlier this week. This isn't that hard to call. If the River Sharks are the real deal and not a group of replacement players, they should win this one.

That's the NIFL line up for today. Tomorrow we have Big Sky at Katy and on Monday, Charleston at Florida.

Scorched earth policy

I was asked to put together a list of markets burnt by the NIFL. Markets where money was left being owed to players, sponsors and others. I've compiled this list from memory and it may or may not be accurate. The list is not as long as some might speculate. Other teams have left the NIFL landscape of course, but didn't leave a trail of money owed behind.

River City Locomotives 2001
Southern Oregon Heat 2001
Austin Knights 2002
Austin Rockers 2003
Bismarck Roughriders 2003
Colorado Venom, 2004
Greenville Riverhawks 2004
Wichita Falls Thunder 2004
Waco Marshals 2004
Daytona Beach Hawgs 2005
Kissimmee Kreatures 2005
New Jersey Xtreme 2005

Winston/Salem, Myrtle Beach and Florence may be in this group, but I don't remember for sure.

NIFL policy

The NIFL has a policy that acts defined as detrimental to the league are punishable by a fine. These acts include speaking out in public in a manner that reflects bad on the league. The president of the NIFL, Carolyn Shiver, in my opinion, was well with in her rights to warn the Montgomery players not to speak to the press on their problems with the Mauler management. In this case I'm sure they weren't fined, but in my opinion Jamie LaMunyon should be for her comments and actions as they definitely reflected bad on the league. Actually I feel she should be removed as owner of both the teams she owns, but that's just my opinion.

I realize that team members do risk a fine if they speak out on negative acts by other teams or the league, but with the situation as it currently is in the NIFL and the apparent dissatisfaction with leadership, I'd like to see more owners and team members take a public stand. What is going on this season in the NIFL and other leagues is not good for indoor football. Those who agree I'd applaud for taking a stand as long as they did it in a positive manner and didn't try to start a mud slinging contest.

The year preceding the teams breaking of from the NIFL to form the UIF, several teams spoke out on the NIFL situation. One of those teams, Lacrosse, closed their doors in frustration or so they claimed although I feel they were going to fold no matter what and were looking to blame others for their own lack of success. Some that spoke out did it in a professional manner, while others did nothing but attack and downgrade the NIFL leadership. Those that handled things in a professional manner I had no problem with, the others, well lets just say I think they should have kept their comments to themselves.

I am a believer that if you have a problem, you work through the system to fix it and if you find yourself in the minority with your thinking, then deal with it. I don't believe NIFL owners should try to change things in the media, but in league meetings behind closed doors. Even though I have not seen change using this process in the past, I still believe it is the correct way.

There is good and bad in the NIFL. That is no different than any other league, but the old adage, your only as strong as your weakest link certainly applies. The bad in the NIFL, weakest link, has placed the six year old league near or at the bottom of the indoor football ladder in my opinion.

The NIFL president was with in her rights to warn players not to speak out, but in my opinion, if business was conducted differently with in the league, there would have been nothing for her to warn players about.

Rapid City fan speaks out

I received this email yesterday and am posting it. I agree 100% with what the author says. I was asked not to print the authors name.

"I am sickened by the treatment of the Aces ownership to our community, sponsors, players, coaching staff, and office staff. I spent several months working closely with the Aces and the community to help repair and rebuild a rapport between the two. The task was accomplished with the tireless efforts of Coach "Majic" and the office staff. And, as in many companies, the "Indians" did all the work and the "chiefs" took all the credit. It took many months to build the empire and 1 month to tear it to shreds. I agree with your assessment of out-of-town vs. local ownership. This group of owners came in with an attitude of superiority and allot of promises. They talked a line of BS a mile long, but in the end couldn't produce the goods. This of course took place after everything was set in motion part way thru the season. It seems the owners were unhappy with the attendance and the sponsor dollars. Many times it was explained to them that this is a community of good ol' boys and their trust has to be earned.

So after reading your "Buzz" today I wanted to end this letter on a positive note.

Many, many thanks to the efforts of Coach Dan "Majic" Maciejczak and his Flying Aces for a superior job done! They beat adversity both on and off the field. Coach Majic, his coaching staff and players are a stellar group of individuals. Big kudos to the Aces staff for their tenacity to hang in there when the going was rough, paychecks were absent or bouncing, creditors were calling and the working environment was less than pleasant. And last but not least, Rapid City, you rock! What a community to open their doors, pocketbooks and extend trust to yet another team. I truly hope this is not the end and just the beginning of something bigger and better."

NIFL Defensive Player of the Week

When did the Billings Outlaws trade Travis Salter to the Fayetteville Guard? At least that's who the NIFL official website has him playing for in their Defensive Player of the Week area on the home page. Just to be sure I hadn't missed anything, I checked the Guard stats, no Travis Salter. Oh well, I guess it really doesn't matter, I'm sure he knows who he plays for and it would stand to reason that the NIFL doesn't since they don't even know the name of the Billings team, it's Outlaws folks and they have a website at www,billingsoutlaws.com if you'd like to check it out to see if I'm right.

Join the fun

If you can't make a game tonight, join other fans in the indoorbowl.com chat room and talk up your favorite team and catch up on the latest scores of games around the NIFL and other leagues. No registration is required and access is easy, just visit www.indoorbowl.com or our fan forum at www.indoorbowl.com/phpBB2/

Fire watch

No changes in the fire watch. We have downgraded Greensboro and Dayton. In Dayton we are saying they have the fire fully contained. In Greensboro, 90% contained. Palm Beach is a wait and see type situation. We have had problems getting updates from that area. In all other areas, fire crews report no idea of containment time. That leaves Montgomery, Arkansas and Rapid City still raging out of control.

Weather forecast

Official NIFL weather report and fire control updates. NIFL fire crews are hard at work trying to contain some of the fires, while they are just letting some burn themselves out. In some areas, local fire crews have been left on their own to battle the blazes. Reports from our watch towers are no new sightings, but the weather forecast includes a 90% chance of thunderstorms over the next eleven weeks. Additional fire crews have been put on alert that their services could be needed at a moments notice and should be prepared to go anywhere in the NIFL forest. As always, we have our own spotters that will be on the front lines covering the disasters as they happen.

National Indoor Football League Stories from April 29, 2006

• Stars fall to Rage - Arkansas Stars
• Copperheads Start Read & Learn Program - Texas Copperheads
• Commentary: NIFL daily buzz - OSC Original by Jerry Hewitt

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.