By Lou Persichetti

Looking for something relaxing, sure to give you a day of fresh air, exercise and enjoyment? Why not take up golf?

An early spring trip to Florida is where I caught the golf bug. Sure, I could hit that little ball where I wanted to have it land with no problem. I saw all those players on TV do it so why should I be any different. What a humbling sport!

As a Little League coach, I have preached year after year to players, “keep your head still; keep your eye on the ball.” Boy, did I learn to practice what I preached. As I made my way around the Disney golf course, I became more confident.

At times, I thought I had figured the game out and then, all of a sudden, I realized I had a way to go. As the months have passed, having played more, I have learned to enjoy the game. I will keep you up to date on my progress but that doesn’t mean you will have to check the tour listings for me anytime in the near future.

This Christmas, my list includes golf balls to replace all those balls lost last spring and summer. I enjoy golf and hope to continue to get better as time goes on. Those of you who have tried the game understand how humbling it can be.

The Pitt versus Notre Dame football game was almost as disheartening as the recent Eagles versus Chargers duel. I believe that Pitt was the better team but as a lifelong Notre Dame fan, I think Charlie Weis has worn out his welcome.

It is time Charlie! The players do not seem to respond to you anymore and it is obvious that you have used that screen pass and New England offense too, too much. Maybe, Andy Reid will hire you as offensive coordinator. Lord knows, he could use some help.

The Phillies continue to try to figure out their pitching rotation for 2010. Should they trade Cole Hamels? I think all the talk about moving Hamels is ridiculous.

As I travel down Green Lane towards Route 13, I cannot help but remember the old Hunter Wilson Field. As a 12-year-old, I had Little League practice every night at that location. The memories are all pleasant because that is where I learned the game of baseball as well as the value of preparation.

Under the guidance of my manager, Mr. Tosti, I was lucky to experience what coaching was all about. He was the master of teaching and motivation. Even as I grow older, I remember his effect on those of us who played for him. Our team was Deluca Fuel Oil. Just think, as adults, we remember our Little League coach.

Hopefully, those of us who coach today share Mr. Tosti’s example. If Yankee Stadium is The House That Ruth Built, then Hunter Wilson Field is The House That Tosti Built. His teams very seldom lost during those days. Along with sons “Brud” and Bob, their teams learned fundamentals through practice and teaching.

It is quite possible that their method of coaching would be looked at as too hard today. Take it from someone who believes however in doing it the same way, it still is the best and most successful way of coaching. Just ask anyone who ever played for Mr. Tosti.

Does Charlie Weis stay as coach at Notre Dame? His job will be to make sure that quarterback Jimmy Clausen decides to stay for his senior year. If Clausen stays, our bet is that Weis will be retained as the coach at least for another year.

Rumors have Florida’s Urban Meyer strongly considering a move to Notre Dame. He was the first pick of the Irish five years ago. A Clausen and Meyer team sounds great to me.

College basketball is underway with a lot of tournaments all around the USA. The rankings are out and North Carolina is the defending champion and ranked fourth. That may be a little generous since they lost all of their stars to the NBA.

Roy Williams is a great coach so they should be in the hunt come tournament time. The rankings mean nothing now. As we get to March, that is showtime, and how you are playing then counts most.

Free agency is alive and well in Major League baseball. The Phillies are looking for a third baseman and righthanded pitcher. They have finally given up on Matt Stairs. I know the guy hit a home run in the playoffs two years ago but keeping him last year was a mistake.

I feel sorry for Brian Westbrook. Number 36 is a great player and person. He signed a $13 million contract for 2008 and 2009 guaranteed but Brian cannot risk further injury and should call it a day.

I am rooting for an Alabama versus Texas national game. Florida just does not seem to be strong enough to deserve a shot at the big prize. Texas just keeps winning and they are a sentimental favorite.

I think much of the country is getting a little tired hearing about Tim Tebow and would like to see Forida eliminated from the big game.

Bristol versus Morrisville on Thanksgiving morning for 80 years is the most special Turkey Day matchup in the area. Those of us who are big on tradition love this matchup. It brings together fans, friends, and memories. Our pick is Bristol, 34-13.

Coach George Gatto’s turkey and macaronis will taste just fine this Thursday.

Have a great holiday and good Luck with this week’s sports trivia.

Answers to last week’s trivia:

1. Coach Jim Sottile attended West Virginia University

2. Pete Cimino scored 114 points against Palisades High School

3. Bristol lost to Midland in 1973 and came back to win the State Championship Against Midland in 1975.

Bonus question: In 1976, Indiana defeated Michigan to win the NCAA championship. It was the first time that two Big Ten teams played for the championship.

New Trivia Questions:

1. How well do you know the sports histories of your Bristol Boro Council presidents?

A. This council president was a high school and American Legion baseball umpire for many years as well as a lifelong Dodgers fan.

B. Who was the Little League manager, board member and player agent for the 1982 senior Little League softball state champions and World Series team from Bristol Boro who later assumed the boro council presidency?

C. Who was the Little League vice president, umpire for adult softball for many years as well as serving on the Little League board of directors? Was the last council president.

2. This Bristol High School basketball player attended and played at Villanova University?

3. This Lower Bucks County basketball star from Neshaminy played for Syracuse University.

4. This legendary Bristol coach invented a board game called D Basketball.

See you next week in the Coach’s Corner.