1. How incredible is it that the Billings Scarlets became the first Montana team in 62 years to make the American Legion Baseball World Series?
John Letasky: What an achievement by the Scarlets. It was an electric atmosphere at Dehler Park. Starting with an extra-inning first game victory, to the Scarlets’ historic Game 2 win. That is something that will be hard to top.
Lindsay Rossmiller: It’s fun to see a streak snapped.
Jeff Welsch: It’s stunning that no team from Montana has made it for 62 years. Somewhere, Dave McNally is smiling.
Daniel Shepard: Adam Hust told me at the state tournament they’d be just fine. I guess he was right. Hope those guys have fun in North Carolina. Try the Bojangles chicken, fellas.
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Briar Napier: The way the Scarlets did it — lose on the first day to win five in a row, win two on Sunday, etc; — was the most impressive part. Watch out for them in North Carolina.
2. Were you impressed by the Montana Olympians’ performances?
John Letasky: How could you not be as just making the Olympics is fantastic. Then for Brady Ellison and Katharine Berkoff to each net two medals … incredible.
Lindsay Rossmiller: Getting to that stage is impressive regardless of the medal outcomes, but I saw in a Washington Post story that Montana tied Alaska for the state with the most medals per capita in Paris.
Jeff Welsch: To overcome our inherit disadvantages here makes any Olympic moment all the more impressive.
Daniel Shepard: Certainly impressive how Montana punches above its weight population-wise in producing Olympians. Even if it did impact my NASCAR viewing for a couple weeks.
Briar Napier: No doubt, especially Berkoff’s performances in one of the most competitive and pressure-filled events at the Olympics, swimming.
3. What did you think of the Associated Press preseason college football poll?
John Letasky: Georgia as No. 1 doesn’t surprise me, but I didn’t look at the poll as closely as recent years. I’m hoping by the end of the year, some of my favorites are up near the top.
Lindsay Rossmiller: I haven’t looked deeply mostly because I know preseason rankings don’t actually have any bearing on outcomes, but I did hear the Ducks are ranked top three.
Jeff Welsch: I’m striking against major college football until the NCAA brings the hammer down on Michigan for a three-year cheating run that has totally undermined my belief in the game’s credibility.
Daniel Shepard: The NAIA poll comes out on Monday, I’m more concerned about that. Two Frontier Conference teams will probably be in the top 10, another two in the top 25.
Briar Napier: My Missouri Tigers are at No. 11! If you don’t know the name Luther Burden III by now, get to know him.
4. Are you a fan of Colorado coach Deion Sanders and his animated way of leading the Buffaloes?
John Letasky: I don’t mind and I actually like Coach Prime’s X feed. Coaching has changed and Sanders has brought some excitement back to the game.
Lindsay Rossmiller: I don’t know if animated is the word I’d use to describe his methods. Let’s just say it’s not my preference.
Jeff Welsch: Love him as a personality and athlete but methinks Colorado is going to devolve into utter chaos sooner rather than later, i.e., when his kid uses up his eligibility.
Daniel Shepard: At least he isn’t boring, I guess. Gotta win at some point, though.
Briar Napier: What has he won at CU to make him such an arrogant airhead? A North Dakota State win in Boulder in Week 1 would be music to my ears.
5. What is your favorite summertime fruit or vegetable?
John Letasky: I love Flathead cherries. Thank you to my uncle for those. And you can’t beat fresh, local sweet corn.
Lindsay Rossmiller: Freshly picked backyard raspberries.
Jeff Welsch: Frozen blueberries. Tasty as a popsicle, and I can feel the antioxidants coursing through my veins.
Daniel Shepard: Do Butterfinger Blizzards from DQ count? Probably not, right? I have to stay cool in my air condition-less house somehow.
Briar Napier: Letasky introduced me to my first Flathead cherry a couple of weeks ago — which was delicious, by the way — but strawberries are still my summer go-to.
