The St. Bernard’s girls remain on course for a first Little 4 championship in softball since 2016 with a doubleheader sweep at South Fork on Friday. The Crusaders took game one 12-1 […]
barstoolfanatics
At the age of 10, having failed in his lifelong ambition to become a vigilante vampire werewolf – otherwise known as a vamp-wolf – Ray Hamill finally admitted defeat and turned his attention full-time to daydreaming instead.
A mere few decades later, the world of crime fighting’s loss is now the literary world’s gain.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Ray moved to the United States after graduating college, spending time in Boston and San Francisco before settling among the redwoods in Northern California, where he has worked as a journalist for the past 20 years.
In that time he has published three books, including his most recent, Help, My Horse is Drowning!, a humorous look at the world of sports and the life of the enthusiastically delusional athlete in us all.
He previously published the outrageously satirical Free the Leprechauns! as well as the semi-autobiographical Help Me, Im Irish! - a book about the non-meaning of life.
Ray is also the host of a weekly sports talk radio show broadcast locally in Northern California on Blue Ox Community Radio, and a sports blog at barstoolfanatics.com.
Cal Poly Humboldt women remain in the chase for postseason spot
The Cal Poly Humboldt softball team split a doubleheader at conference frontrunners Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday to keep their postseason hopes alive. The Jacks won game one 4-0, before dropping […]
On the Rise — Popular new local AAU club to debut this weekend
By Ray Hamill — Excitement is building for McKinleyville area basketball, as the newest local AAU basketball club in the county gets set to make its debut this weekend. The newly-formed Mad […]
Several locals feature among the NCS leaders in track and field
By Ray Hamill — Six H-DNL athletes are currently ranked in the top 10 in the North Coast Section in their top track and field events, including one standout who is ranked […]
Warriors overcome slow start, top the Panthers in key B5 game
A bases-clearing double by junior Tsinte Steinruck helped the Del Norte Warriors overcome a slow start on their way to a 10-3 win over the McKinleyville Panthers in a key softball showdown […]
H-DNL sophomore sets two new school records at league meet
By Ray Hamill — Del Norte sophomore Deken Hanks is enjoying a year in sports he will not easily forget. After setting a new school single-season record for most goals in boys […]
Arcata, Eureka girls continue to shine in Crescent City
Arcata freshman Bella DeCarli placed first in both the girls 400 meters and 800m to lead the Tigers to a team victory in the third H-DNL track and field meet of the […]
COLLEGE ROUNDUP — Jacks sweep Chico, CR falls to Mendo
The Cal Poly Humboldt softball team stretched its winning streak to five straight games with a four-game series sweep at home against Chico State early this week. On Monday, the Jacks defeated […]
Four H-DNL teams ranked in the top three in NCS, including one at No. 1
By Ray Hamill — Three H-DNL baseball teams and three H-DNL softball teams are riding high in the latest Max Preps North Coast Section rankings, which were updated on Thursday. But no […]
Mad River Youth Soccer League registration opens May 1
Registration for the fall Mad River Youth Soccer League season will open on May 1. Registration is open for players aged 4-17 and will run until June 15. Fees are $140 per […]
Big 5 leaders prevail against Daniels, Warriors in Crescent City
Senior Tenoch Tapia was a difference maker on Wednesday, as the McKinleyville Panthers came away from Del Norte with a key Big 5 victory in baseball. Tapia’s two-out, two-RBI single in the […]
Huskies hold off late Arcata rally to keep championship hopes alive
The Fortuna girls are making a habit of playing in close and exciting games this year. But that’s not always a good thing. On Wednesday, they traveled to Arcata for a Big […]
Tigers pull away late, get much-needed Big 5 victory vs. Fortuna
By Ray Hamill — The Tigers broke open a tight game at Arcata High School with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on the way to a much-needed 9-4 […]
Ferndale Wildcats hoping to end long championship drought
By Ray Hamill — It’s been an exciting season so far for the Ferndale Wildcats on the baseball fields, but that’s nothing to what they hope to achieve over the next 17 […]
Another H-DNL standout commits to play college ball
By Ray Hamill — Del Norte senior Breann Winingham is looking forward to a new chapter in her life, a new challenge on the volleyball court and better tacos. The multi-sport Warriors […]
Plenty of big games on tap, as Big 5 and Little 4 races heat up
By Ray Hamill — The stretch run of the season for Big 5 and Little 4 baseball and softball gets under way this week with several big games on tap. All four […]
Big week keeps Hoopa girls in contention for another L4 crown
By Ray Hamill — Now that they’re finally playing games on a regular basis, the Hoopa Warriors are starting to build some momentum in softball. And that could be enough to see […]
Wildcats overcome late deficit to beat the Huskies at Fortuna
The Ferndale Wildcats overcame a late deficit on their way to their second win this season over the Fortuna Huskies on Monday, as they continue their impressive spring on the baseball fields. […]
SOFTBALL POWER RANKINGS — Who is the best team in the H-DNL?
By Ray Hamill — At the start of the season, most local observers thought Del Norte would be the team to beat in the H-DNL this season and there’s no real reason […]
BASEBALL POWER RANKINGS — Panthers the team to beat right now
By Ray Hamill — The next few weeks should be fun for local high school baseball, as the nine H-DNL varsity teams begin to build momentum. Both conferences remain in the balance […]