By Ray Hamill — A pair of H-DNL pitchers played big roles for their respective teams this week, as each took over top spot in the Big 5. McKinleyville senior Evan Fraser […]
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.
Hanks, Kasso continue to shine at McKinleyville, as Tigers take the team win
By Ray Hamill — Del Norte sophomore Deken Hanks and Ferndale senior Isaak Kasso were once again among the top performers at the second H-DNL track and field meet of the spring […]
Four Huskies commit their futures to College of the Redwoods
By Ray Hamill — There’s a reason the College of the Redwoods track and field team has been as competitive as it has been in recent years, and that’s showing no signs […]
Arcata and Eureka girls teams lead the way at second league meet
By Ray Hamill — There was little to separate the Arcata and Eureka girls at Wednesday’s second H-DNL track and field meet of the spring at McKinleyville High School, with the Tigers […]
Big 5 MVP commits to play for state powerhouse program
By Ray Hamill — Two-time Big 5 volleyball MVP McKenna Curtis is taking her talents to one of the best community college programs in the state after recently signing a letter of […]
Freshman pitcher leads Cubs to much-needed win at Lower Lake
With an extra doubleheader on the schedule this week after last week’s postponements, South Fork head Chris Contreras almost canceled his team’s non-league baseball game at Lower Lake on Wednesday. He’s glad […]
H-DNL leaders impress at Bandon Dunes tournament
With a break in league action this week, the H-DNL leading Eureka boys enjoyed a successful trip to Bandon Dunes in Oregon. Competing in a California vs. Oregon invitational tournament in wet […]
The 2023/24 Humboldt Sports Basketball Players of the Year …
By Ray Hamill — After such an exciting and exhilarating season on the local basketball courts, it was never going to be an easy choice for the 2023/24 Humboldt Sports Boys and […]
Panthers win pitchers’ duel at Eureka; Huskies shut out the Warriors
Evan Fraser and the McKinleyville Panthers continued their unbeaten start to the Big 5 with a 3-1 win at Eureka in a pitchers’ duel on Wednesday. Fraser, who was outstanding in McKinleyville’s […]
Tigers beat Lassen at Shasta tournament to return to winning ways
The Arcata Tigers returned to winning ways at the Shasta tournament on Wednesday. After dropping their fifth straight game against Enterprise in the morning by a score of 7-1, the Tigers responded […]
Huskies move ahead in Big 5 softball; Panthers win big
There may be a new favorite in Big 5 softball. On Wednesday afternoon, the Huskies took over sole possession of top spot in the conference standings with an impressive 5-4 win over […]
Huskies win another close one at McKinleyville, take opening series
It looks like it could be an exciting spring in Big 5 softball. Five of the six games in the opening two series in conference play were decided by just one run, […]
Tigers win series rubber match at Eureka, sit atop the Big 5
By Ray Hamill — Arcata and Eureka served up another exciting one-run game in softball on Tuesday to close out a fun three-game conference-opening series between the two Big 5 rivals. After […]
Tigers lose another close one at the Shasta tournament
The Arcata Tigers have been one of the most exciting teams to watch this season, and that continued to be the case on the opening day at the Shasta tournament on Tuesday. […]
Cubs, Wildcats split conference doubleheader in Miranda
The South Fork and Ferndale girls split a Little 4 doubleheader in softball in Miranda on Monday. The Cubs took the opener 11-7, before the Wildcats won game two 13-7. The games […]
Wildcats sweep at South Fork, set up crucial doubleheader at SB
The Ferndale Wildcats moved into a tie with St. Bernard’s atop the Little 4 baseball standings with a doubleheader sweep at South Fork on Monday. The high-flying Cats, who remain unbeaten on […]
Corsairs sweep Feather River, split doubleheader at Shasta
The College of the Redwoods softball team split a doubleheader at Shasta on Monday, two days after sweeping two games at home against Feather River. The Corsairs are now 4-4 in conference […]
BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR — Davis makes immediate impact with the smallest B5 school
By Ray Hamill — This was one of the toughest calls to make in our six end-of-season awards considering the quality of coaching here on the North Coast right now. But three […]
BOYS TEAM OF THE YEAR — Niclai champs overcome adversity on path to success
By Ray Hamill — The Arcata Tigers are the 2023/24 Humboldt Sports Boys Basketball Team of the Year. And they are so for multiple reasons. After a somewhat slow start to their […]
Panthers sweep the Huskies in conference-opening doubleheader
The McKinleyville Panthers showcased their championship credentials against the Huskies on Saturday with a dominating opening day in Big 5 baseball. In a doubleheader that was switched to McKinleyville because of the […]