May 2026 -- 24-Team College Football Playoff, MLB Franchise Values & Strikes
Release Date: 05/29/2026
July 2026 -- World Cup Review & Evaluating American Youth Sports
Ballfields & Blackboards
This month, we look back at the big off-the-field impacts of the FIFA World Cup as well as critique the on-the-field action. We also discuss the success of the young 800-meter phenom from the U.S., Cooper Lutkenhaus, and his interview with David Epstein on the pros and cons of hyper-specialization and hyper-competitiveness of youth sports in the U.S.
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June 2026 -- MLB First Half, Broncos Salary Cap Relief, and More
Ballfields & Blackboards
This month we look back at the first half of the MLB season to highlight the underachievers and overachievers as well as proposed changes to the draft that would restrict entry to those 20 or over. In addition, we talk about how the Broncos managed their salary cap purgatory and how other teams are or are not following that path, Dusty May's move from Michigan to the Dallas Mavs, and the restructuring of the PGA Tour.
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May 2026 -- 24-Team College Football Playoff, MLB Franchise Values & Strikes
Ballfields & Blackboards
We dig into the 24-team college football playoff idea, the connection between MLB franchise values and the likelihood of a strike, the renewed interest in the Indianapolis 500, and more.
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April 2026 -- NFL Draft, MLB First Month, and More
Ballfields & Blackboards
We dive into the NFL draft and ask whether it makes sense to draft a running back as high as Jeremiyah Love, and why Ty Simpson went so high. We also look back on the first month of MLB, trends in MLS popularity, the standoff between the BIG 10 and SEC on composition of the football playoff, and the "Vrabel Affair."
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March 2026 -- Ending the College Sports Turmoil & MLB Automated Strike Zone Strategies
Ballfields & Blackboards
We dive into a proposal from Senator Tommy Tubberville for ending the turmoil in college athletics along with a conversation about best strategies for the automated strike zone in MLB and other stuff.
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February 2026 -- Super Bowl, CFB Finances, MLB Salary Caps
Ballfields & Blackboards
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January 2026 -- College Football Playoff, Cignetti Success, and More
Ballfields & Blackboards
This month we discuss the topsy turvey world of the College Football Playoff and why a coach like Curt Cignetti succeeds while others fail.
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December 2025 -- College Football Playoffs, Kiffin, NASCAR Lawsuit
Ballfields & Blackboards
This month, we dive into the college football playoff setup, the Lane Kiffin drama, disappointment for NCAA with no Congressional intervention, the Big Ten's private investment strategy, and the trial for the lawsuit against NASCAR by Michael Jordan's 23XI.
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November 2025 -- Sports & Gambling Problems, Football Coach Firings, & More
Ballfields & Blackboards
This month we discuss the influences on the criminal indictments and investigations of athletes regarding sports gambling. We also examine why so many college football coaches are losing their jobs in October and November along with the YoutubeTV and Disney Settlement, and on-the-field action in pro and college football.
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October 2025 -- James Franklin Firing & Lots More
Ballfields & Blackboards
This month we engage in a lively debate about the firing of James Franklin by Penn State along with other college coaching ups and downs and a boost to MLB viewership.
info_outlineWe dig into the 24-team college football playoff idea, the connection between MLB franchise values and the likelihood of a strike, the renewed interest in the Indianapolis 500, and more.