Hey there.
The Barking Crow is back to daily-ish publication, with the child in daycare a couple days a week and college football making us want to say things on the internet. Some updates since we last spoke, both on what’s happened in the world and what will happen in our inner world over the next eight to twelve months:
The NIT Is Winning
It’s a small victory, but the College Basketball Crown is reducing its number from sixteen teams to eight, bringing it 50% closer to its optimal size. We’re disappointed it’ll be more than a one-year event, but we’re glad they’re taking the hint. Which, to be clear, is that they should stop existing (and frankly, apologize).
Joe Kelly Is Throwing
He also got punched in the face, but that’s what happens when you coach youth baseball.
The short version here is that a few weeks ago, Joe Kelly threw for the Dodgers, and he then said (on the wonderful Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast hosted by the wonderful Rob Bradford, go subscribe) that he’d have to throw for them two more times. I don’t think we’ve heard anything about those two times. If he’s going to play in October, he needs to be on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster or the 60-day IL by the end of August. I’m man enough to admit I’m getting worried.
Free Hoops!
I have no idea what’s going to happen with Free Hoops. Trying to record it against a cacophony of sound machines and one nap-averse baby turned into a bad situation. We’d like to bring it back, but it’s a lower priority than things that will pay more money more quickly. Relatedly:
This Might Be The Barking Crow’s Last Year
This has taken seven years to admit, but in a shock to me and I assume the rest of you, there isn’t a huge market for a joint NIT–Joe Kelly blog. We’re still trying to change that, but with a human mouth to feed and my 30’s stretching (looming?) before me, the financial implausibility of running this thing is setting in, as you might have guessed when I took an unannounced three-month hiatus on the back of a longer–than–intended paternity leave. As such, we’re pivoting the blog’s approach in a few areas, trying to set it up to either spin products off (the bracketology/probabilities side; essays) or transition into content that’s more of a hobby (America; observing the NIT from a medium distance). When I put on the bucket hat, I do still feel that God has called me to save the NIT, but when the hat is off, there are red flags about this operation, and because I assume most of you reading this are loyal to The Barking Crow, I wanted you to hear this explicitly and directly rather than have to glean it from intentional and accidental hints.
Other details:
We considered a retirement tour, but we aren’t 100% sure of what is ending and when and how, and we couldn’t figure out how to make all 365 college basketball teams give me a gift at center court.
We considered faking NIT Stu’s death, and we still might do that. If I die, remember this blog post. Worst case scenario, I give you a faint sense of hope (or fear!) of my return for the rest of your conscious days.
We will do our best to not leave the NIT without a companion.
Hopefully things go so well over this college sports year that we look back on this blogpost with a big sense of relief next summer. Either way, until then, thanks for being here. And as it ever was…
Bark.
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Have you considered pivoting into becoming a local newspaper? Lotta money in local newspapers, I’ve heard.
Have you considered being a Frisbee blog