West Alabama Monday Briefing
Good morning! It is Monday Jume 17, 2024.
If you are a baseball nut like me, this is one of the best times of the year. College baseball's post season is not disappointing. Even casual observers are talking about the high quality of the performances.
The SEC Baseball Tournament was one of the best ever, the regional and super regionals were tremendous and very competitive.
The Men's College World Series got under way over the weekend and the action has been high drama with two of the first three games ending as walk off wins, something that has never happened before. The fourth game came right down to the end. Each game has been a stem-winder.
Add to all of that, Tennessee's second baseman Christian Moore hit for the cycle in the Volunteers' opening game walk off 12-11 victory against Florida State. He is only the second player to hit for the cycle in College World Series history, joining Minnesota's Jerry Kindall in 1956. Kindall did it against Ole Miss.
On top of the excitement of the MCWS, this is the biggest week for America's Favorite Pastime in Birmingham history. The Birmingham Barons and Montgomery Biscuits start out Rickwood Field Week festivities on Tuesday with a first pitch at 6:15. Then it is the Major League Baseball Showcase Thursday between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants
Organizers of the event say parking at Rickwood Field will be prohibited for security reasons. With the surrounding street closures, attendees will not be allowed to park on city streets. Fans attending the MiLB and MLB games are encouraged to utilize the free shuttle service from Legion Field. Parking at Legion Field is free of charge with proof of a purchased game ticket.
While the events are ongoing at Rickwood the action will continue in Omaha and the struggling Atlanta Braves will try to find some quality pitching and consistent hitting to get themselves back in the middle of post-season play talk.
Most importantly, it looks like the weather for Rickwood Field Week will cooperate.
The Forecast:
Topping the News"
No one was hurt Saturday night when bullets struck an occupied vehicle during a shooting in west Tuscaloosa. It happened in the 3300 block of Stillman Blvd. TPD is still investigating an no arrests have been made.
The Tuscaloosa Public Library will closed July 1 - 11 for some infrastructure work at its main facility on Jack Warner Parkway.
Last week Buddy’s Rib and Steak closed its doors forever. Beginning today through Wednesday, a piece of the legendary Northport restaurant will be available to the public. The Daniel Moore print collection, furniture and restaurant equipment are for sale on cash & carry basis. Buddy’s owner Phillip Guy says everything must go to get ready for the next business to be contrasted there. Buddy’s first opened in 1978.
ALDOT will begin installing new concrete turn islands and traffic signals at the intersection of McFarland and 69 North today. The work is part of the ongoing upgrade of U-S 82 through Northport and should be completed by July 31st.
Gas prices continue to drop a bit, down 4¢ from a week ago to a national average of $3.44 and an Alabama average of $3.06. In West Alabama Bibb County has the lowest gas price average $2.96 and Perry County the highest at $3.39. The average is $3.04 a gallon in Tuscaloosa County.
Alabama’s hands-free driving law went into effect over the weekend, and law enforcement now has the ability to give citations for the violation. ALEA Trooper Sgt. Jeremy Burkett says troopers have options depending on severity of the violation.
Topping Sports News:
The Boston Celtics can wrap up the NBA title tonight at home when they host the Dallas Mavericks.
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