By Ray Hamill — Basketball teams around the H-DNL officially began practice on Monday, with a shortened league season set to tip off in two weeks time. The league will feature eights […]
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.
BASEBALL ROUNDUP — Panthers start fast, hold off the Wildcats
The McKinleyville Panthers scored six runs in the bottom of the first and made it count on the way to a 7-2 win over visiting Ferndale on Tuesday afternoon. The Panthers scored […]
SOFTBALL ROUNDUP — McKinleyville, Hoopa extend their winning streaks
The McKinleyville girls stretched their winning streak to seven straight with a 21-5 win in five innings over visiting Ferndale on Tuesday afternoon. The Panthers, who improved to 7-3, scored four runs […]
Huskies remember an old friend with a new tradition
By Ray Hamill — The Fortuna Huskies returned to practice in boys basketball on Monday, with a new tradition in place to honor an old friend. This season, after each practice the […]
Eureka boys prepare for their biggest test yet
By Ray Hamill — The Eureka Loggers will put their unbeaten run on the line against Fortuna this week, in a three-game series between arguably the top two teams on the North […]
H-DNL names all-league selections in football
By Ray Hamill — The H-NDL released all-league teams in three sports on Tuesday morning, including football. There were five first-team all-league selections from every team, as well as a number of […]
CR athletes impress in difficult conditions at Butte
Ferndale’s Grant Van Emmerik continues to lead the way for College of the Redwoods track and field, one of several local athletes starring for the team this spring. Van Emmerik and teammate […]
Dolcini, Bulldogs clinch MWC; senior star set to return for 2022
By Ray Hamill — Hailey Dolcini and the Fresno State Bulldogs are conference champions and heading to the NCAA Division-I softball playoffs. The Ferndale native was instrumental over the weekend in leading […]
Six H-DNL events that should go down to the wire
By Ray Hamill — With just two meets remaining on this year’s local high school track and field season, there are plenty of close races to keep an eye on. On the […]
Eureka girls overcome adversity to sweep Del Norte
The Eureka Loggers had to overcome some adversity on their way to a doubleheader sweep over Del Norte in H-DNL softball on Saturday, but kept their unbeaten run going. The Loggers won […]
Seniors step up for Wildcats on senior day
The Wildcats celebrated senior day on Saturday, and the seniors didn’t disappoint. In particular, Jenner Christiansen, who is closing out his high school career with a bang and was instrumental in a […]
Arcata Tigers rediscover their offense at McKinleyville
The Arcata Tigers’ problems at the plate appear to be a thing of the past. After starting the season slowly on offense, the Arcata bats have found their rhythm this week, as […]
Crusaders remain unbeaten against Little 4 opponents
Nick Dugan continued to cause problems at the plate on Saturday, and the St. Bernard’s Crusaders continued to roll over their Little 4 opponents in baseball. Despite a far better performance at […]
Mack girls stretch their winning streak to six straight
By Ray Hamill — A young McKinleyville Panthers softball team is maturing quickly. On Saturday, the Mack girls extended their winning streak to six straight with a doubleheader sweep of Arcata at […]
Hoopa bats continue to impress in doubleheader sweep
The Hoopa Warriors remained unbeaten in H-DNL softball on Saturday with a doubleheader sweep at Ferndale, winning 28-3 and 20-4. A total of 11 different Hoopa girls hit successfully in the sweep, […]
Stellar pitching lifts Loggers to another sweep
The Eureka Loggers continued to impress in H-DNL baseball on Saturday with some outstanding pitching. Seniors Ethan Pesch and Hayden Bode and junior Jackson Giacone all combined to shut out the Del […]
COLLEGE BASEBALL ROUNDUP — Gorge, Roach among GVC leaders
By Ray Hamill — Former Arcata Tiger Jaden Gorge continues to feature among the Golden Valley Conference leaders in baseball. Gorge, who plays for Shasta College, finished 2-for-3 with two doubles, two […]
Humboldt Crabs ticket details expected soon
By Ray Hamill — With fans set to return to the Arcata Ball Park for Humboldt Crabs games this summer, the team is still finalizing ticket details. A limited number of tickets […]
CR’s weekend games against Butte canceled
By Ray Hamill — The Corsairs are riding a three-game winning streak on the softball field, but will have to wait to extend that run. A Saturday doubleheader against Butte College in […]
Preston remains red hot as Panthers continue to roll
Trinity Preston remained red-hot at the plate on Wednesday, as the McKinleyville girls won their fourth straight game in H-DNL softball, beating Arcata 14-7. Preston finished 4-for-5 with a home run and […]