Thanks to the COM352 students for contributing a bunch of new pages! I'll be moving these pages into the main area of the wiki soon.

From UMassWiki

[edit] Feedback

First Feedback

[edit] “1, 2, 3, 4! We Adore Steven Shorr!”

I recently interviewed a young man named Steven Shorr. During my time with Steven, who prefers to be called Steve, we discussed his family, hobbies, and the important events he has experienced. When the questions I asked were answered, not only did I learn the straight forward facts about Steve, but I also realized what kind of person he is. Through his stories, I realized that the everyday events he participates in, and the unexpected tragedies he has experienced, has shaped who Steve Shorr is today. Steve is someone who lives life to the fullest and refuses to “sweat the small stuff”. He is someone who excels under pressure and succeeds in high stress situations. He is someone who, when the time comes, is able to step up and take charge. Lastly, Steven Shorr is someone who opens his heart for those in need. With his endurance, his courage, and his welcoming heart, Steve is able to accomplish more than the average young man his age would be able to do. I found it a privilege and a pleasure to interview this remarkable person.

Steven Andrew Shorr was born on July 25, 1989, in Montvale, New Jersey. He lived in Montvale up until the third grade and then moved to Woodcliff Lake, which is also located in New Jersey. He has a very close family and is the oldest out of three children. He has a younger sister named Kelly, who is sixteen years old, and a twelve year old brother named Mike. He also has two dogs and a turtle.

In the past, Steve has attended Dorchester Elementary School, Woodcliff Lake Middle School, and Pascack Hills High School. During his early years, he did will in his academics but in high school he admits he “slacked off” a bit. His grades weren’t that high and, if it weren’t for his excellence in track, he was going to have to attend Bergan Community College. Because Steve excelled in this sport, he was accepted, and able to attend, the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He is currently a freshman here and owes it all to track.

Steve Shorr is a tremendously talented athlete. All his life he has played soccer, basketball, and baseball. He is accomplished in all these sports, winning two state championships in basketball and becoming the captain of his soccer team his senior year. When he first began high school, however, he decided to try something new. That something was track. Although he was new at this sport, he excelled at it just the same. Steve knew that if he wanted to attend a college or university other than a community college, he would have to become a great track athlete. This put a lot of stress on him and is the reason why Steve is so determined today and is able to handle large amounts of pressure. The event he participated in was called the two hundred intermediate hurtle. In this event he didn’t loose a single race until the state championship where he came in ninth place. This means that in every race Steve ran, he ranked at least in the top five and is the ninth best participant in the two hundred intermediate hurtle in his state. He achieved his goal and was able to attend the University of Massachusetts in Amherst on a track scholarship.

During my interview with Steve, he made it clear that he has a positive attitude towards life. This was a point the really wanted me to emphasize on in this personal essay. When I asked why he believes in “living life to the fullest,” Steve began to tell me a horrific story that changed his perspective on life and helped mold him into the person he is today. During Steve’s last year in High School, he was on of the captains of his soccer team. Besides the normal responsibilities of this position, Steve was faced with a greater challenge. That season a fellow teammate was struck by lightning and killed.

I listened intently as Steve told me the horrible details: “We were supposed to have practice that day, but it was cancelled due to dangerous weather. I remember it was crazy outside. There was so much thunder and lightning.” He then went on to say the storm eventually cleared up and two of his teammates, along with two other boys from a different school, decided to hit the field and make up for the missed practice. Steve said that unfortunately the storm hadn’t fully passed and the thunder and lighting returned. The four boys new it was dangerous to continue and thought it best to seek shelter. Two of the boys ran off the field, while Steve’s friend decided to walk. “Then a lightning bolt hit the ground right next to my teammate,” Steve continues, “and he was electrocuted. When the paramedics arrived at the field, they couldn’t even identify him because he was burned so badly.”

This tragedy was very difficult for Steve to deal with. It was also very difficult for the other players on his soccer team. As a captain, Steve wanted to help his fellow teammates cope with this loss. It was very hard for everyone and Steve wanted to step up and try to make things better. Before the accident occurred, the entire team was looking forward to a soccer camp trip they had planned. After the accident, however, no one wanted to attend anymore. Steve recalls the bus trip there. He said at first everyone was quite and having a horrible time. Because of this, Steve took it in his hands to cheer everyone up. He tried to take everyone’s minds off their friends death and helped them have a good time. Steve made sure no one was by their selves for the length of the trip. This kept the morale of the team high. This experience, along with his compassion, is the reason why Steve is such a great leader and loving person. As captain, he was forced into a difficult situation and was able to triumph.

When I was first introduced to Steven Shorr, he just seemed like a typical college boy to me. It wasn’t until I began interviewing him that a realized he is actually a very interesting and extraordinary person. He has both accomplished and overcome so much. It was clear to me that the events he has encountered throughout his life mad him who he is today.

                                                      AmandaS 16:09, 25 September 2007 (EDT)

[edit] First Reflection Letter

It is already obvious how much I have already improved as a writer in this class. I learned to incorporate what other people tell me into my writing while also adding some of my own ideas to make the paper my own, like in the essay written about my classmate. The most important thing I have learned so far is how important a title is to any type of literature and that you really needed to spend time on thinking of one. When we told Steph our titles for the wall essay mine was on the side of the board with the bad ones, because I put no thought or effort into it. For my essay about Ashley I sat down and thought of a title that would be a good hook, but at the same time did not give away what the essay was all about.

I also learned how important the audience is when writing any type of pape. This determines what tense the piece is written in and what type of languagw you write with. If I was writing a paper about biology to science teachers then I would be able to use all of the terminology I know about the subject, but if i was writing about biology to people who don't know much about it then it would be structured differently. I am pleased with the amount I have learned and improved my writing abilities in a short month. I would still like to improve on my pre-drafting skills, such as planning and laying out what I am going to write before i write it.

[edit] Second Reflection Letter

I learned how important the audience is when writing any type of papre. This determines what tense the piece is written in and what type of language you write with. If I was writing a paper about biology to science teachers then I would be able to use all of the terminology I know about the subject, but if i was writing about biology to people who don't know much about it then it would be structured differently. I am pleased with the amount I have learned and improved my writing abilities in a short month.

My letter to Commissioner Selig was about implementing a salary cap in baseball so I had to research some statistics and quotes to back up my argument. “The small market teams who do have star players that they have developed wind up trading them away midseason for prospects because they know they have no shot of retaining that player via free agency.” This is a quote I found online that greatly supports my argument and was said by a man who is respected in the baseball community, which helps to support my side even more.

After reading my first reflection letter for some ideas to write about I was shocked at the way I shaped some of my sentences, which shows how far I have come in my writing. For example, I started my first reflection with an opening sentence of, “It is already obvious how much I have already improved as a writer in this class.” That sentence seems juvenile because I used the word already twice in the opening sentence, but my opening have improved and I think the opening to my paper is much more impressive.

[edit] Third Reflection Letter

My writing has slowly developed to what I believe is a respectable level for a college freshman and this class is the reason for my success. After reading my first reflection letter for some ideas to write about I was shocked at the way I shaped some of my sentences, which shows how far I have come in my writing. For example, I started my first reflection with an opening sentence of, “It is already obvious how much I have already improved as a writer in this class.” That sentence seems juvenile because I used the word already twice in the opening sentence, but my opening have improved and I think the opening to my “Big Paper” is much more impressive. “ I am writing to you both a devoted, loving fan and concerned Major League Baseball follower.” I feel as though the vocabulary is much stronger in the second sentence and that it is much developed.

Although my sentence structure and vocabulary have vastly improved the most enhanced part of my writing recently has been my ability to incorporate research into my papers. My letter to Commissioner Selig was about implementing a salary cap in baseball so I had to research some statistics and quotes to back up my argument. “The small market teams who do have star players that they have developed wind up trading them away midseason for prospects because they know they have no shot of retaining that player via free agency.” This is a quote I found online that greatly supports my argument and was said by a man who is respected in the baseball community, which helps to support my side even more. I have always thought my writing has been improving over the semester but now after going over past papers and reviewing the newer ones, the proof is in the writing.

[edit] Final Reflection Letter

College is said to be the best four years of ones lifetime. How can it not be? You live in your own room with out parents for basically four years, with extremely long vacations. From freshmen year to senior year you are on your own. For the most part, people will agree with this unless they are homesick. Going into college, especially one like U-Mass that is known for parties, it is hard to expect anything but the balance between fun and hard work. There is more to college then people would expect, especially experiencing freshman year. These personal experiences over the last few months have influenced and changed me academically, socially, and athletically.

Of course everyone knows that college has a colossal amount of work in preparation for exams and finals. However, until actually experiencing a week of college classes, it is unfair to judge or make claims about it. In an academic sense, college life is very different then High School life. First of all, I don’t have to wake up at 7:30 am every morning to get up for class because we get to schedule our classes. The first day I met with my advisor and she basically made my schedule. All I did was agree or disagree with what class I should take, and at what time of day. I could then log into Spire at any time and add or drop any class I wanted. The point is that I am not regimented to a six and a half hour day with way long classes non- stop. I have the freedom to wake up at eleven in the morning and walk ten minutes to a fifty-minute class, and then come back home and not have a class till 3. I don’t have to cram my study sessions all night because I can study several hours before the actual exam. Although the work itself at times is repetitive of high school, the preparation is much different because we have a good amount of free time on our own.

Not only has college altered my academic lifestyle, but the social life has changed my personality. Living on your own without parents for the first time helps to build character in a person. From a long night of hard work to a casual weekend or day we have to fend for ourselves, with the help of friends. I have met many new friends that are very different, yet similar, to my friends from back home. Together we have experienced the food, work, parties, and chaos that occur when thirty five thousand kids are put in dorms for a year. Seeing as though there are so many people everywhere we go at U-Mass, it is hard not to face a social life. Furthermore, my character and maturity have developed from the adjustment to a college atmosphere. Lastly, the athletic part of my life has influenced me and helped me appreciate high school sports. For four years of my life, I played sports every semester of High School. Between soccer, track, and basketball, I experienced many hard and fun times with my teammates. Unfortunately, in college I cannot be a part of the competitive High School sporting events. Seeing as though I am not athletic enough to compete with the best athletes at this University, I am stuck with intramural sports. Although intramural’s can be fun, nothing will compare to High school sports.
 Throughout the past few months I have learned how to survive the academic and social aspects of college. The mental and physical aspects are very different then anything I have experienced before. Through classes I have become more knowledgeable about the universe in astronomy, and have become a much better writer in English class. I have learned about the economy in America, and how a college professor lectures it. College is most certainly looking like the best four years of my life. I still have a lot more fun and hard experiences to encounter with the next three and a half years of my college life.


[edit] Changing America's Pastime Presently

Dear Commissioner Selig, I am writing to you as both a devoted, loving fan and concerned Major League Baseball follower. The great sport of baseball is nationally regarded as the quintessential American Past Time. The deep, historical rivals that exist are unmatched in virtually every other arena of competition. Stars of the past become heroes to fans of the present and names such as Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson are associated with not just their profession, but the eras in which they flourished. Sandy Koufax and Roberto Clemente were public icons in their days because of excelling in athletics and in character. Today, however, stardom is equated with lavish lifestyles and celebrity status similar to rappers and rock stars. This notion is being propagated by the virtually limitless salaries that owners are paying for top-name players. Though the MLB has instituted a luxury tax for teams paying exorbitant amounts in payroll, it has done little to balance the talent distribution in the league today. As a result, dominant teams have become increasingly dominant, and subordinate teams have become increasingly hopeless. Via the institution of a salary cap, Major League Baseball has the ability to level the playing field of baseball. Teams like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox spend unbelievable amounts of money building all-star teams. They play in large, prosperous cities and accordingly generate incredible amounts of revenue from ticket sales, food sales, memorabilia and so on. According to ESPN, the New York Yankees spent $196 million dollars on its players for the 2007 season compared to just the Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ (who play in the AL East along with the Yankees) $25 million. No wonder they finished 30 games back from the Yankees this season while the Yankees spent the most money in the league, and correlatively made the playoffs, for the 13th straight season. Though records and streaks are inarguably an integral part of baseball’s allure, these clearly show the disparity that money can create. With postseason appearances comes exponential revenue growth and therefore more purchasing power on the player market. This vicious, self-propelled cycle is not one that will cease. It will continue to claim the fan base of underprivileged, poorly funded teams who repeatedly fail due to their lack of resources and talent. Obviously if teams are allowed to spend nearly unlimited dollars, salaries for superstars will grow dramatically. Alex Rodriguez is currently earning, largely because of the lack of salary regulation but also as a function of the status of our society, over $25 million per year, more than the president of the United States. Forgetting the social inequities this involves, it also creates issues in the great sport of baseball. The Texas Rangers were able to afford paying this massive contract by sacrificing quality at other positions. Of course, when the Yankees were struggling a few years ago they simply bought out his contract and added to their all-star lineup. “Perhaps 12 of 30 Major League teams have any possibility of reaching postseason play, and fewer still have a realistic hope of winning a pennant," Padres owner John Moores wrote in the Wall Street Journal, "Unless baseball changes the way it does business, it risks seeing its fans drift away, tired of their teams' futility."

As referenced with the postseason revenue example, the fact that the gap between rich and poor teams will only grow is one of the greatest reasons that a salary cap is needed immediately. There are many other issues that seem to be in similar positions created by the lack of salary regulation. “The small market teams who do have star players that they have developed wind up trading them away midseason for prospects because they know they have no shot of retaining that player via free agency,” (Caraballo). Perhaps if through hard work, dedication, and athletic grooming a team could produce championship team and overcome payroll issues, the conflict would be slightly ameliorated. Unfortunately, the purchasing power of such wealthy teams has far-reaching effects into ever aspect of the game year round. Cash truly is king in American baseball today, a terrible truth to realize. Just look to the 2004 final standings compared to payroll statistics. All but one of the last place teams from each Major League division could be found in the bottom half of the league’s payroll ladder. And, unfortunately but expectedly, in that same year every division winner except for one could be found in the top half of that same list. With data like this it becomes difficult to refute the need for a salary cap. Opening day is sometimes powerful enough to revamp fan interest. With the winners seemingly predestined, the race becomes not worth running. Many teams are essentially erased from the playoff race as soon as half way through the season. This ruins the game for fans of teams on both sides of the fence. Those teams who seemed destined for failure early on see attendance slip as fans become frustrated at the constant losses and hopeless immediate future. The teams who are dominating their leagues enjoy more success, but with a playoff spot clinched early on, games become meaningless as well. American Football has become so popular because of the fact that every team has a chance to win in any given week and any player can have a breakout game at any time. Each time has star players with unique attributes. Those teams that are able to amass talent do so through scouting, coaching, and dynasty-building. The strict salary cap that the NFL has instituted has been very successful in holding fan interest and keeping games meaningful and exciting. If baseball were to accomplish this, the game would improve dramatically. Thursday night games during the summer would become far more significant and momentous. This would also create a huge influx in total revenue for Major League Baseball as a whole. The Yankees are currently maximizing their consumer market. Adding yet another big name player would not have nearly as dramatic of an effect on team performance, in games and financially, as on a team like the Devil Rays. Baseball is now the only of the four major sports without some sort of salary cap in place. The National Basketball League took an interesting, and successful, approach to their analogous issue. They instituted what is known as a soft cap for all teams. Under the soft cap teams were only allowed to go over a certain salary cap if it was to hold on to players who have already been on the team. In other words, even the wealthiest teams can not simply purchase players from other teams by offering incredibly amounts of money and options. They can, of course, attract players with the allure of possibly making more money in the future, but that would only come with seasons of productivity and success. This is not a strict hard cap like in the NFL, but takes important steps to mitigate the effects of inordinate wealth distribution. As we enter the 2007 Major League Baseball Playoffs we must note the regulars in this years’ playoff scene. The Yankees, Red Sox, and Walt Disney-owned Angels all appear. The fact that the Philadelphia Phillies playoff appearance is so exciting because of its rarity manifests my point exactly. Many Yankees fans expect to be a part of the postseason every year and are nearly always gratified. This hurts them as well as Phillies fans, though on the opposite end of the spectrum. For Yankees fan the magical undercurrent of October baseball is greatly diminished. For the Phillies fan, the chance to compete on a fair ground is not present and the sheer unexpectedness of the occurance is the predominant force. Parity, not rarity, promotes the most overall excitement for the league. “From a nation wide perspective this is what baseball needs. With parity comes excitement, with exciting comes interest,” (Caraballo). For many reasons, and from numerous perspectives, a salary cap is the smart decision for baseball. As a businessman you can look to improve the overall financial production of Major League Baseball as an entity. As a judiciary intermediary, you can assert a multi-faceted level playing field for all teams. Most of all, as a fan, you can bring the game of baseball, the American Past time, back to its deserved state of glory.

Thank you,

                  Steven Shorr

Works Cited

Caraballo, Christopher A. "Baseball Needs a Salary Cap." 16 Dec. 2006. American Chronicle. 4 Oct. 2007 <http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=18079>.

Demause, Neil. "Does Baseball Need a Salary Cap?" ESPN. 2006. <http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=betweenthenumbers/salarycap/060405>.

Kaufman, King. "The $252 Million Man." Salon News 17 Apr. 2001. 4 Oct. 2007 <http://archive.salon.com/news/sports/bounds/2001/04/17/arod/>.

"Salary Cap." Wikipedia. 2007. 4 Oct. 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salary_cap>.