the 4th star

The Canadian Football League issued the following statement regarding the Hamilton Tiger-Cats evicting Winnipeg Blue Bombers scout Ron Trentini from Ivor Wynne Stadium after finding notes and diagrams of some of their plays on him:

“The Commissioner (Mark Cohon) has fully reviewed the incident that was brought to his attention yesterday. The Commissioner has informed the Winnipeg Football Club, and all Member Clubs, that this type of practice is unacceptable and similar incidents in the future may result in disciplinary action. Yesterday’s incident involving Winnipeg is being managed internally.”

Case closed, right?

Maybe not. Great line from Global’s Jeff Keel (I think it’s him) at Mike Kelly’s press conference: The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are accusing you of cheating. That’s not an issue, coach?

Seems to me like that would be an issue. If someone called me a cheater, I would take issue with that. It would be an issue with me. At issue is the subject of being called a cheater by another team. In the latest issue of Cheater magazine is a story about me. I would take issue with that.

Here’s some free advice to Coach Kelly. If you get caught by the league or its members doing something that is unethical or questionable, just cop to it. The league has let you off the hook by issuing the statement — all you have to do is come clean and give a reasonable explanation. Read from a statement. Do something. Instead of extinguishing a “non-issue” right away with some actual answers, all you’re doing by playing this stubborn game is throwing another gasoline-soaked log on the fire. Now there’s another off-field issue. Every reporter (well, at least the ones who were doing the heavy lifting today) left that press conference with even more desire to find a link between you and “Scoutgate.”

After ignoring a 25 year layoff, with three of those spent begging to play, I have decided to make a triumphant return to the beautiful game. In a stunning act of charity, the Crescentwood Saturday Soccer Club has done the unthinkable and allowed me to play with them in the Winnipeg Soccer Division this summer. If I can score one goal this year, I’d be pretty happy. Judging from my inconsistent play, my teammates would be equally ecstatic, too. Here’s the weekly update:

Rain. Rain. And more rain. The monsoon that had people making their way to higher ground postponed the CSSC game with Inter-Milan last night, leaving things static in the Winnipeg Soccer Division. Rather than tell you where everyone is and who is doing what, here’s a snapshot of the standings. As you can see, the mighty Reds have a game in hand and are lurking in the weeds…

On a personal note, I did have a dream the other night that I scored a goal. Yes. A real goal. The game winner, to boot. A nice blast from the top of the box into the top right corner with minutes remaining. Is it a sign of things to come, or am I literally dreaming that I can find the back of the net before the summer is out? Stay positive, people.

Three and a half days. That’s how long it took the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to step in it once again. To erase the good feelings from a home opening win. To show that the sideshow off the field will be just as much (or even better) a story as the action on it.

Poof! Gone. Just like that.

A Blue Bombers scout caught at a Hamilton Tiger-Cats practice. No problem if he’s there just observing. Can I get you a water? Weekly workouts are open to the public. Come back again real soon. However, not fine if he’s taking pages of notes, drawing up “plays Hamilton was running during practice” and is working for the Blue Bombers.

A snippet:

(Ron) Trentini isn’t well-known in CFL circles, but a Ticats employee said Hamilton assistant coach Danny McManus sat next to him in the press box at Rogers Centre during last Saturday’s game in Toronto between the Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders. Trentini was reportedly scouting the game while wearing Blue Bombers apparel.

In addition, a member of the Bombers media-relations staff this week sent a credential request to Hamilton under Trentini’s name for Saturday’s game at Hamilton between the Bombers and Tiger-Cats. Trentini was accredited for the Argos-Riders game as being associated with the Bombers.

The Bombers have distanced themselves from Trentini, saying he abused his credential and that he was taking his own notes for a team in the Ontario Varsity Football League. “It was his own doing,” director of football operations Ross Hodgkinson told The Globe.

Further down, here’s Ticats president Scott Mitchell, beautifully sarcastic:

“I think the Bombers and this guy are taking our league marketing campaign of ‘accessible and affordable’ a little too seriously. To be honest, we probably made a mistake by escorting him out. Considering how quickly he gave up his contacts and his reason for being there, we probably should have bought him lunch and asked him some more questions, who knows what we would have found out? Its unfortunate, but the Bombers are a great organization, so I’m sure it’s something they’re not proud of.”

And now a new low for the Bombers. Having Hamilton think they’re better than you.

Over at the Blue Bombers message board, the blue bleeders are giving the expected reaction. Some wonder what the big deal is, ignoring the fact that they would be going absolutely ballistic if a Ticats scout was caught at Canad Inns Stadium, while others say Hamilton deserves it (whatever that means).

The 4th Star first reaction: While we doubt they will originate from Winnipeg, we’re hoping for more details to emerge in the next couple days. People observe practices all the time. They are open to the public, so you have to assume a guy from the other team is in the stands. It’s a different story, however, when that guy from the other team gets caught taking notes and drawing up diagrams. Regardless of what comes out (and really does it even matter given the admission from the Bombers?), M. Kelly continues his impressive streak of embarrassing the club. Everything crosses his desk, putting him as the man responsible. Nice double standard, too. The same man who flips out over television cameras at practice for fear of other clubs picking up schemes on the limited highlight coverage is now one step away from taping opposition practices.

Oh wait, sorry. It was Trentini’s own doing. He only works for the Blue Bombers as a football scout. He doesn’t actually scout football for the team.

I’ve only kinda been *around* the computer the last couple days, so I haven’t really had a sense of what’s really out there. Having said that, I did hear things. Had this story told to me by a friend in the beer tent at the Winnipeg Folk Fest Sunday night, as he was in attendance at the Downs when Eddie O delivered his horse wagering talk. Of course, it’s no surprise the Fabulous Kirk Penton was all over it, too. It’s a pretty good tale, but all it really does is reinforce the idea that some people on this planet are indeed born with horseshoes up their ass. A Pick Six picked correct? As Puck the Media alludes, Edzo can’t even perform the non-rocket science task of calling the action of a hockey game right — and he used to play the game professionally. Horseshoes. That’s all you can chalk it up to.

If you know who the Hump Day girl is then good for you.