Getting Into The Game with Johnny "Ballpark" Franks

Johnny “Ballpark” Franks can be heard weekdays locally from 3pm-6pm on SportsRadio 730 The Ump (730 AM/103.9 FM). Email comments and questions to Johnny.Franks@cumulus.com

Published: Thursday, June 17, 2010

Johnny "Ballpark" Franks
Madison Weekly, Sports Desk
Madison, Alabama's Hometown Newspaper  

As I had been saying on my radio show for months, when the punishment finally comes down on the University of Southern California (USC), it was going to be harsh. Well, the NCAA Committee on Infractions issued its findings and ruling last week.

And, just like when you slam a finger in a door, you can feel the pain all of the way to Knoxville. USC was hit with a "lack of institutional control" in the report which wrapped up the four-year investigation. The findings were littered with penalties. A two-year bowl ban.A four-year probation period.A loss of 30 football scholarships over three years.

Vacating 14 football wins from December 2004 through the 2005 season which Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush played in. No further action was taken against the Trojans regarding its men's basketball team after the school had already banned itself from postseason play and vacated wins from former student-athlete O.J. Mayo's one season.

The impact of lost scholarships will certainly be felt. A good reference point is the Miami (FL) Hurricanes back in the 1990's. The Canes had enjoyed 10 10-win seasons in the previous twelve years when a similar loss of scholarships were implemented.

It took Miami six years to record another 10-win season in 2000 after sanctions were announced. This included a 5-6 record in 1997, which also saw the Hurricanes losing to Florida State, 47-0. Head coach Lane Kiffin and the talking heads at USC can try and paint a rosy outlook. However, college football history suggests the obstacles made up of hills have turned into mountains. Karma is a sweet reward was the sentiment echoed by many of my friends who are Tennessee Volunteer fans.

According to ESPN.com, there is an interesting note about the punishment issued by the NCAA against USC. The Trojans became only the sixth Football Bowl Series (FBS) school to receive a two-year postseason ban. The others are Southern Methodist (1987), Auburn (1993), Washington (1994), Ole Miss (1994) and Alabama (2002).

The magical journey for Alabama's baseball team in postseason play came to an end on Monday. In a Super Regional affair being played at Clemson, the series was tied 1-1 in the best two-of-three format with the winner advancing as one of eight teams to the College World Series. The Crimson Tide found itself trailing 8-1 in the bottom of the ninth (Alabama had won a coin toss prior to the third game to be the designated home team). Bama was not yet done.

The Pachyderms rallied for five runs in the final stanza to close the gap to 8-6 and had the tying runs at second and third. Jake Smith, who had homered in the previous two games for Alabama, flied out to left-center for the final out.

Still, for a team that rallied late in the regular season to even make the SEC Tournament, the 2010 squad will always be remembered as one with plenty of heart, soul, and perseverance.



Johnny "Ballpark" Franks is the afternoon host on SportsRadio 730 The Ump (730AM/103.9 FM). His show can be heard each weekday from 3p-6p. E-mail: Johnny.Franks@cumulus.com